The challenge in this message is two-fold: first, do not envy and second, share in the joys of others. It's not enough to say that you are not envious of others. God wants us to go a step further and show love by rejoicing in the blessings of others.
LOVE IS CALMING by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC Introduction: This is the second message in our new series – “LOVE IS THE GREATEST.” As Valentine’s Day is approaching, we’re looking at what the Bible has to say about love. Again, please don’t misunderstand, the series is not just about romantic or marital love.... Continue Reading →
Paul not only spent time with the Corinthians, but he wrote back to them, helping them understand how to live and how to love. In this series, based on 1 Corinthians 13, we are going to understand love from God’s perspective—in family, in the church, in our community and in our nation and our world.
Many times Christian singles struggle with how to honor God and still find someone who makes them happy. In this message, we will look at several biblical examples of how God brought love in the lives of his people. This message is not just for singles, but for all of us because it shows how God cares for our very personal needs.
This weekend we are actually going to look at the passage, 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” This is so easier said than done. But the world needs to see this lived out, especially by Christians.
In Matthew 2 we meet some unusual visitors to the baby Jesus. They were the Magi from the east. Through the centuries scholars have debated over them: Who were they? Who told them about the coming of the Messiah? What was this star? Although, many of these questions may remain a mystery, one thing is for sure – the coming of Jesus Christ reminds us that God is not just the God of the Jewish people but of all peoples. Our world desperately needs to hear the message that God loves all people. Jesus came to save everyone who is willing to receive Him. On one hand, we need to remain firm in our biblical convictions and, on the other hand, we need to be full of compassion.
Each year their number keeps growing – 4 million in 1950, 20 million in 1982, and over 100 million today. They represent about 48 percent of the adult population 18 years and older in America. If they were a country, they would be the 13th largest in the world! Who are they? They are the Singles – the never-married, the divorced, and the widowed in America. Before you pull out a box of tissues and feel sorry for them, let me caution you that pity is the last thing they crave. Some find much satisfaction with their status in life and the others deserve our encouragement and support. Here are some suggestions:
UNTIL DEATH DO US PART - SOME QUESTIONS I ASK IN PREMARITAL COUNSELING by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church (First published in the newspaper Daily Dispatch, Henderson, on March 29, 2014) It’s that time of the year when wedding announcements start appearing in the newspaper and invitations start arriving in the mail. I can’t help but think... Continue Reading →
IF THEY MADE IT, YOU CAN TOO - 3 by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson We are in our series through Romans 13 titled, IF THEY MADE IT, YOU CAN TOO.” So far we have seen 2 couples in history and how they made it by the grace of God. The first was the hardheaded couple... Continue Reading →
IF THEY MADE IT, YOU CAN TOO - 2 by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson Last Sunday we looked at the marriage of the great German Reformer Martin Luther and his wife, Katie. Both of them were hardheaded but by the grace of God in their life, they became a model couple for generations to... Continue Reading →
IF THEY MADE IT, YOU CAN TOO - 1 by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson, NC WHEN BOTH ARE HARDHEADED Have you ever looked at those great people in history and wondered what their marriage was like? “How did they do it?” “They couldn’t have problems like we have to deal with.” “They had to be... Continue Reading →
HOW TO BEHAVE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON - 3 by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson We are in a mini series from the Book of Romans titled – HOW TO BEHAVE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON. Christmas can be a time that warms your heart, brings all things in perspective, draws you closer to your loved ones or it... Continue Reading →
HOW TO BEHAVE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON (Part 1) by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson Christmas is here. Our kids are counting down the days, as I’m sure yours are as well. Christmas can be a time of joy, excitement, and laughter but it can also be a time of sadness, frustration, and contention. What is needed... Continue Reading →
ALL WE NEED IS TRUE LOVE (article), Pastor Shah (Clearview Church, Henderson) “I love my wife.” “I love chili-fries.” “I love that new app.” “I love football.” No wonder we’re having trouble with love! We desperately search for true love in romance novels, movies, and songs…and we come up empty. That shouldn’t be a surprise since... Continue Reading →
LEARNING TO LOVE PROPERLY by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson My wife’s dad would often say, “The reason many people cannot love properly is because they’ve never been loved properly.” To understand true love you have to first receive it. Rom. 8:35-39 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or... Continue Reading →
ALL WE NEED IS TRUE LOVE by Pastor Shah, Clearview, Henderson The world has a caricature of love that is far from the real thing. It is temperamental, conditional, and disappointing. When the Holy Spirit fills us completely, what will overflow will be the I Corinthians 13 kind of love. What our marriages need, what... Continue Reading →
MARKS OF A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH by Pastor Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson Acts 3:1-10 1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful,... Continue Reading →
EASTER MEANS YOU GET A SECOND CHANCE John 21:1-7 1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.... Continue Reading →