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: Hell by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are setting our sights on eternity. We have talked about the promise of our resurrection one day. However, there is also a coming judgment. Those who are not believers will enter a terrible fate of torment and separation from God. There are those who would downplay or disagree with it, but the Bible is clear that hell is a real place and a real consequence of rejecting salvation. This weekend will help answer some serious questions and help us articulate the gospel to our friends and family members.
Death Dethroned: Ressurection by Abidan Shah, PhD
DEATH DETHRONED – RESURRECTION by Dr. Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC Introduction: According to “The State of American Theology Study 2020” by Lifeway Research, when people were asked whether they believed that the “Biblical accounts of the physical (bodily) resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate. This event actually occurred,” this is what they answered: Americans age […]
Death Dethroned by Abidan Shah, PhD
As we begin our series this weekend, we will look at ancient Egyptian culture and customs regarding death and the afterlife compared to what Scripture teaches. God’s Word reminds us that death is not a natural part of life, but an enemy to be defeated. As we approach Easter, we will learn what it means that Christ was victorious over death and the implications for our daily lives. This weekend’s message is the introduction to our series “DEATH DETHRONED.”
Tracking: Level Three by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we come to the conclusion of Peter’s list of components of our spiritual life. Peter lists these characteristics as markers of God working in our lives, evidence of the Holy Spirit refining us and making us more like Christ. The question is: will we allow this process or fight against it? So many times, we are tempted to resist God’s prompting and do our own thing, but God has called us to a life of obedience. This weekend’s message is titled “TRACKING LEVEL THREE”.
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”.
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.”
Table of Nations: Conclusion by Abidan Shah Ph.D.
We have been in our series titled “TABLE OF NATIONS” as we have examined the genealogies of God’s people through the Old Testament. On every page of history, God has been in control. These genealogies ultimately point us to Christ, the promised Messiah and savior of the world. The genealogies of Jesus present in the gospels show God’s providence throughout the ages and remind us that God is in control of our lives. The title of this weekend’s message is “TABLE OF NATIONS: CONCLUSION.”
When Loved Ones Are Near (Article)
WHEN LOVED ONES ARE NEAR (Article) by Abidan Shah, Ph.D (Published in the newspaper Daily Dispatch, Henderson on December 2, 2023) “It’s the most wonderful time of the yearThere’ll be much mistltoeingAnd hearts will be glowingWhen loved ones are near” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is one of the top Christmas songs […]
Table of Nations: Part 2 by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are continuing to look at the Table of Nations. God’s people did not stay stationary but migrated. As they moved, they carried the message of hope and salvation with them as they went. God continued to work through the nation of Israel throughout history leading up to the coming of Christ and beyond. How does this impact the way we see Christmas? The title of this weekend’s message is “TABLE OF NATIONS PART 2.”
Table of Nations: Part 1 by Abidan Shah PhD
This weekend, we will be looking at what is known as the Table of Nations. These are the generations following Noah and his sons. These people groups dispersed throughout the land and settled into the nations that are present in the accounts of Scripture. What role did these people play in God’s grand story of redemption and the coming of the Messiah? The title of this weekend is “TABLE OF NATIONS PART 1”.
Reasoning by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, I want to focus on our mind, specifically our thoughts. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he spent a great deal of time talking about the mind and how to bring thoughts under control. Our minds often threaten to run away from us. What would it take to glorify God and focus on him with our very thoughts? The title of this weekend’s message is titled “REASONING”.
Church-Autopsy: Nauseous by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are examining the seventh and final church in the book of Revelation: Laodicea. Of all the churches, this one is the most well-known, likely because of the language used. The church is called “lukewarm” and Jesus says he will vomit them out of his mouth. What does it mean to be lukewarm and what is the message for us today? The title of this weekend’s message is “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: NAUSEOUS.”
Church-Autopsy: Bedridden by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are studying the fourth church listed in Revelation: Thyatira. Thyatira was a serving and loving church, but they tolerated sinful influence. Sometimes it is easier to quietly obey God than to call out and denounce sin. Yet, is this how God has called us to live? We ought to love what God loves and hate what he hates. This weekend’s message is titled “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: BEDRIDDEN.”
Church-Autopsy: Mutilated by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are studying the third church listed in Revelation: Pergamum. The church in Pergamum on the surface was holding up against persecution and false teaching. However, twisted and harmful teachings had begun to creep into the church and twist the doctrine. Wrong doctrine is harmful to every area of our lives because it corrupts and distorts what we believe about God. This weekend’s message is titled “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: MUTILATED.”
Church-Autopsy: Fainthearted by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are studying the second church listed in Revelation: Smyrna. Smyrna was facing tremendous hardship and was in danger of falling to the pressure and fear of persecution. God reminded them of the importance of standing up under that pressure and remaining faithful. We will learn from their example how to stand firm in the face of trials and what the reward is for a life of obedience. This weekend’s message is titled “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: FAINTHEARTED.”
Church-Autopsy: Heartsick by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, we are looking at the church in Ephesus. Jesus brings a serious charge against them: they have lost their first love. They were checking all the right boxes but for all the wrong reasons. The problem for them wasn’t an external behavior but an internal reality. The title of this weekend’s message is “CHURCH-AUTOPSY: HEARTSICK”.
Carry-On by Abidan Shah, PhD
This weekend, I want to preach a special message in light of the beginning of summer. While traveling, often people will bring the essentials with them in their carry-on bag. That way, in case they are separated from the rest of their luggage, they will have the things they need. In our walk with God, there are some essentials that we must make sure we never lose sight of amidst the changes of life. We will learn what to pack in our spiritual “CARRY-ON.”