When You Need Patience Now by Dr. Abidan Shah
In this weekend’s message, we come to James’ instructions on patience. Patience is a struggle for most of us, especially when it comes to the things of God. We often fall into a state of complacency, thinking that Jesus’ return is in the distant future. The truth is, none of us know the day or the hour. We need to properly understand God’s plan in order to live with both patience and urgency in the Christian life.
Does The Bible Support Social Marxism by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we are addressing a portion of James that is often misunderstood or misapplied. James seems to be writing against the wealthy and those who are more well-off than others. He uses strong language that some have taken as biblical support for things like social Marxism. However, as we will learn this weekend, there is more at play behind James’ words. You and I must understand the full context to combat biblical misinterpretation or misrepresentation.
Humbler Than Thou by Dr. Abidan Shah
In this weekend’s message, we will be learning from James about the importance of humility. Humility is a tricky thing, because often once you realize you have it, you have immediately lost it. Pride is at the root of all sin, so humility is a critically important part of the Christian life. However, obtaining and cultivating humility can prove to be difficult, especially in a culture that glorifies the prideful side of humanity.
The Art of War and Peace by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we will be confronting a bitter truth. Many people are caught up in fights, quarrels, and disagreements. You and I experience these interpersonal conflicts but often fail to recognize where they originate: our own sinful desires. James will unpack for us how our own sinful hearts lead us into conflicts and how we can avoid them.
Knowledge Is Not Power… Wisdom Is by Dr. Abidan Shah
In this weekend’s message, we will continue our study of James regarding the difference between knowledge and wisdom. While some use those terms interchangeably, they are best thought of as related but distinct. In fact, the Bible has much to say about wisdom, how to acquire it, and its application in our lives.
When God Gives You More Than You Can Bear by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, we will examine the beginning of the book of James and the assurance of trials in our lives. We often quote the phrase, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Is that true, though? Does God give us more than we can handle in our own human capacity? James seems to indicate there might be a deeper truth that we will discover this weekend.
When You Encounter False Wisdom by Dr. Abidan Shah
In this weekend’s message, we come to a much different exchange between the mysterious Elihu and Job. Elihu’s words to Job are unlike those of his other friends, speaking of suffering as a form of instruction, rather than punishment. This ideology is very similar to Buddhism and the monks who have been in our headlines recently. But is it true? What does God have to say about suffering?
When You’re Waiting for an Apology by Dr. Abidan Shah
This weekend, as we continue to walk through the book of Job, we encounter Job justifying himself before his friends. The Bible goes to great lengths to remind us that Job remained righteous before the Lord. That does not mean he completely understood and followed God’s plan blindly through his suffering. At times, he was waiting for an explanation, justification, or even an apology.
Recovering Your True Identity by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will examine Job’s responses to his suffering. In his responses, we find the profound truth that Job’s identity was not rooted in possessions, status, or even his relationships. Rather, his identity was founded in Christ. This becomes clearer throughout Job’s story. This message will help us craft our true identity in Christ.
End-Times Prophecy | Act Two: The Foreknowledge of God
This weekend, our students are on their annual fall retreat. They are studying the concept of Christ time and how it impacts our understanding of our past, present, and future. Paul says that God “foreknew” his people. That terminology has raised many questions over the years. Does that mean that God knows the future and makes decisions based on his knowledge? And if he knows who will be saved, why does he create those who won’t choose him?
End Times Prophecy: Death-Defied by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, as we think about Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we will examine what the effects are for us. Adam ushered sin into the world through his disobedience, and death has plagued every generation since. Jesus came to save us from the clutches of sin and death, to bring life and hope to the world. The gift of salvation is full and free, death has been defied, and Jesus is alive!
End-Times Prophecy: Act One – Righteousness of God by Abidan Shah, PhD
In this weekend’s message, we will examine God’s righteousness as outlined by Paul in the book of Romans. What does it mean that God is righteous and that we are made righteous? Understanding what Paul means in this context is critical in our approach to end-times prophecy. None of us can achieve righteousness on our own. It is a gift of God. But what is the nature of that gift and how should it change our perspective of end-times prophecy? We will answer these questions and more in this weekend’s message.
End-Times Prophecy: Mapping History (pt.2) by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we will continue to examine God’s design throughout history. In his letter to the Romans, Paul is holding up the Roman believers as an example to others. His letter is unique in that he does not seem to be addressing a particular situation or controversy but rather provides a guide of core beliefs for all Christians. In doing so, he offers a guide for us today on how the church should function and believe.
Wanted by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are continuing to work through the account of Samson. Samson’s downfall took the form of Delilah, a woman being forced by her people to betray Samson. The Philistines were desperately trying to overcome Samson’s might. When God is using someone mightily, it irritates those who are against God. As with every moment of Samson’s life, there is an even deeper truth here that points toward Christ. The title of this weekend’s message is “WANTED”.
Outgunned by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are continuing our study through the life of Samson. Samson’s strength was perplexing to his enemies, meaning he did not look the part of a strong man. His strength came from the Lord, and it was evidenced in his displays of power. Much like Samson, when we are made weak, then God has the opportunity to make us strong. This is not of our own power or might, but the power of God in us. The title of this weekend’s message is “OUTGUNNED”.
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.”
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.”
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.