Venomous by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are continuing to look at the circumstances surrounding the birth of Samson. There is so much that foreshadows the birth of Christ; very familiar language and similar details. This also shows how children are relentlessly under attack, especially today. There is a very real agenda behind most of the media we consume that seeks to completely misguide our children and destroy their lives. But just like we learned last weekend, this too is an old problem. We’ll unpack this and more in our message titled “VENOMOUS”.
Sightings by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will look at the precursors to Samson’s life. His parents had an encounter with the angel of the Lord, who is much more than just an angelic messenger. Throughout the Old Testament, we see glimpses of the pre-incarnate Christ interacting with God’s people. What does this mean for our understanding of Scripture? How does this affect our view of Jesus? We’ll unpack this and more in our message titled “SIGHTINGS”.
Act of God, Man and the Devil by Abidan Shah, PhD
ACT OF GOD, MAN, AND THE DEVIL by Dr. Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC Introduction: The social media videos and pictures from Hurricane Helene will stay with us for the rest of our lives. It has been especially sad for Nicole, our kids, and me to watch them because for the past 22 years, we have […]
Misjudged by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue to look at the life of Gideon. He is often regarded as a coward or opportunist because of his asking God for a sign, disciplining some of his people, making an ephod, etc. However, Gideon is never condemned as a coward or opportunist by Scripture. In fact, he is praised as a faithful judge over God’s people. This weekend, we will learn why this misconception takes place in our message titled “MISJUDGED.”
Showdown by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are continuing the study of Gideon. Gideon was something of a reluctant, but God used him and his men in ways that surprised even him. When we are willing and obedient, God can lead us through whatever obstacles we might be facing. This weekend’s message is titled “SHOWDOWN”.
Calamity by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will examine the story of Deborah. Her story is often presented as one of the examples of the Bible elevating women, and certainly, that is true. However, as we will learn this weekend, there is much more to her than just being an example of God working through women. This weekend’s message is titled “CALAMITY”.
Bull-Headed by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are taking a look at the cyclical nature of sin in the book of Judges. Repeatedly, God’s people fell into sin, suffered the consequences, and were delivered, only to go right back to the same sin! Times may have changed, but God’s people still have this same problem of returning to the same sin over and over again. This weekend’s message is titled “BULL-HEADED”.
Under Tribute by Abidan Shah, PhD
This is strikingly similar to the story of God’s people through the book of Judges. There is a cyclical nature to the narratives within the book that show God’s people failing to remember what God had done for them and what he had commanded them to do. The sinful cycle of disobedience has occurred in countries like England and, if we do not take action as believers, can occur here, too. The title of this weekend’s message is “UNDER TRIBUTE”.
Homestead by Abidan Shah, PhD
In this weekend’s message, we will pick up the account of Caleb promising his daughter, Achsah, to Othniel as a result of him clearing the land of enemies. Achsah and Othniel were able to come together and build something for the future, but there is a deeper truth about who Christ is for us to uncover in their story. The title of this weekend’s message is “HOMESTEAD.”
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will examine the beginning of the book of Judges. God’s people are tasked with driving out the enemy nations from the promised land. Through every battle, we are able to see God’s hand delivering enemies over to the children of Judah. The book of Judges reminds us that God is with us in fighting not just physical battles, but spiritual battles as well. The title of this weekend’s message is “THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY.”
Inside Out: Ministry of the Thorn by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we come to our final message in this series. We have learned about the difference between stress and trauma and how to help others, especially children and teens, through traumatic events in life. This weekend, we will talk about the purpose of suffering itself. God used suffering in Paul’s life to refine and sharpen him, to give depth to his message, and to make him more like Christ. The title of this weekend’s message is “INSIDE OUT: MINISTRY OF THE THORN”.
Inside Out: Growing Pains by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will turn our attention to the kids and teenagers in our lives. The Christian life is not only about us making it through difficult times. We are to help those around us as well. This is never truer than with the young minds that God has entrusted to us. Our next installment in this series is titled “INSIDE OUT: GROWING PAINS.”
Inside Out by Abidan Shah, PhD
We are often our own worst enemies when it comes to our interactions with others. God’s Word, however, reminds us that there is hope. Through Christ, we can build meaningful relationships and reflect God’s character to those around us. Throughout this series, we will deal with internal issues that make it difficult for us to connect and interact with others. The goal will be at the end of this series to make Christ visible in our relationships!
Death Dethroned: Heaven by Abidan Shah, PhD
For this Easter weekend, it is fitting that we turn our attention to heaven. There are many misconceptions about heaven, with some people even taking Bible verses out of context or misinterpreting them. We have already learned about the bodily resurrection coming one day, but where will those bodies go and what will it be like there? We will answer these questions and more in this final message of our series.
Death Dethroned: Intermediate by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will be taking a look at what happens after we die, specifically where we will go. What happens when we die? Do souls go to heaven or hell, or is there somewhere else that is a precursor to our eternal destination? We will answer these questions and more in this weekend’s message titled “DEATH DETHRONED: INTERMEDIATE.”
Tracking: Target by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will examine the end of Peter’s list of characteristics to track as you grow closer to God. It is no coincidence that the list ends with love. While we might know that love is important in the Christian life, we likely do not realize the role it has to play in spiritual discipline. What is the significance of these different traits all leading to love? We will find out in this weekend’s message titled “TRACKING: TARGET”.
Tracking: Level 1 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are going to shift gears a little in our series. We must understand that we also have a role to play in the process of sanctification. Christ does the work, but what is our part? We must take inventory of our spiritual lives, ensuring that we are developing Christlike characteristics. Without monitoring these things, we will be aimless in our spiritual lives. We will examine the first two items on Peter’s list in this weekend’s message titled “TRACKING LEVEL ONE”.
Furnish by Dr. Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue our study of 2 Peter as he lays out for his readers the process of sanctification. Often, we are just haphazardly making it through the Christian life, trying anything we think will work and will bring us closer to God. What we don’t realize is that the things we are trying to force to work in our favor actually end up hurting us. We must allow God to refine us and remind us that Christ is the one who will help us navigate life. The title of this weekend’s message is “FURNISH”.
Partakers by Abidan Shah, PhD
Last weekend, I began a new series titled “ON TRACK” that will help us grow in our spiritual disciplines. We learned that unchecked desires lead to a life that is off track. This weekend as we celebrate communion together, we will learn what it means to have the nature of Christ. We are human, and yet if we are believers the Bible says that we share in the divine nature. What does that mean? We’ll uncover that and more this weekend in our message titled “PARTAKERS”.
Unchecked by Abidan Shah, PhD
As we begin this series, we need to understand the importance of a balanced growing spiritual life. Many of us, if we are honest, are simply hoping for the best in our relationship with God. We go to church and maybe even serve on a ministry team, but through the week our spiritual lives are left to chance or simply hoping for the best. Or worse, we live however we want throughout the week and try to clean up for church. This weekend, we will understand the dangers of a spiritual life that is “UNCHECKED.”