Being Involved Without Being Invested
This is an emotional phenomenon known as attachment: when we identify with it to the point of ownership. We take everything said or done about the subject “personally.”
Tag: Give
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Justice for the Earth
Justice for the Earth entails: 1) Common Justice, 2) Cry for Justice, 3) Coming Justice. Each listener should understand that justice in the earth now is incomplete, but not final. One day God’s justice will be finished through Christ Jesus.
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Pride Prevents Blessings but Humility Reaps Rewards
We want to do a study of Luke 14:15-24. From this passage we learn about God's 1) Invitation, 2) Expectations, 3) Anger, and 4) Love in relationship to the proud and humble. God rejects the proud but exalts the humble.
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Second Corinthians Seven and Eight
An audio sermon on 2 Corinthians 7-8, on godly sorrow that leads to repentance and the grace of generous giving. The post contains the text of both chapters.
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Does God Give Us Faith Directly?
God has supplied for us His word with all the things in it that we need to believe and know saving truth. When we know and believe these God-given truths, then we have faith in our life. So, we develop our own personal faith from hearing God's word, understanding it, believing it, and applying it. In that way, God is responsible for our faith because it is only through his word that we can have that faith; at the same time, we are responsible for accepting God's message and believing it.
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Second Corinthians Five and Six
An audio sermon on 2 Corinthians 5-6, on our heavenly house, the ministry of reconciliation, and being separate from the world. The post contains the chapters' text.
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Second Corinthians Three and Four
An audio sermon on 2 Corinthians 3-4, on ministers of the new covenant and treasure in earthen vessels, with the inward man renewed daily. The post holds the text.
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Does “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” Make It Right?
Does "Just a Little Talk with Jesus" make it right? We must sing with understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15). The song fits if Jesus speaks to us through His word.
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What Happens in the Afterlife After Life?
The Bible doesn’t give us a complete picture of moment by moment transactions after we die. However, the Bible does give us some snapshots of what happens after death. There are several passages in the Bible that give us some fleeting glances as to what transpires. Let’s look at a few of them.
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He Wasn’t Smart Enough
Human intelligence cannot prevent death; we’re not smart enough, and never will be (Hebrews 9:27)
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Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross? Sinful Humans Put Him There
In this lesson, we will look at the Bible’s teaching that sinful humans put Jesus on the cross. The hearer of this lesson should understand that Jesus went to the cross for all sinful humans and that therefore all sinful humans put him there.
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Transforming to the Image of Christ
In this sermon, we will note that being a Christian requires a person to change his life. How do we do this? We must recognize: 1) Everyone Has Problems, 2) Our Past Does Not Define Us, 3) Winning Requires Effort, and 4) Transformation Takes Time. The hearer should be motivated to make changes in his or her life and to help others make changes in their lives as needed.
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“Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”
In this lesson we learn that near the cross we find 1) Healing, 2) Heaven, and 3) Help. As an objective of this lesson, the listener will be able to understand scripturally the song “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross.”
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Resolving to Change (Part 3)
knowing that we can change, and getting rid of the obstacles to change, we may still fear change.
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Resolving to Change (Part 2)
change requires us to acknowledge the wrongs of the past, and make God the foundation of our change.
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First Corinthians 13-14
An audio sermon on 1 Corinthians 13-14, Paul's chapters on love as the more excellent way and on tongues and prophecy in worship. The post contains the chapters' text.
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Questions Christians Have About Holidays
In this lesson, we will look at some basic questions regarding observed holidays so that each Christian would know the biblical principles governing holidays. The aim of this lesson is to teach the biblical principles concerning holidays and discuss how we respect holidays today without offending God.
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The Bible’s Teaching about Complaints
The Bible speaks of complaints that are unwarranted, but also of complaints that are warranted or righteous. We will look at these two areas and then examine some of the results of both warranted and unwarranted complaints. Each should understand the difference between righteous and unrighteous complaints and their results. This lesson is designed to help us understand how to handle complaints and the proper role of repentance in complaints.
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Did Jesus Come to Bring Peace or a Sword?
The section of scripture with which we are concerned falls within the sundry warnings that Jesus is giving to his disciples regarding the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus words to them are basically this. Don't expect that you will receive a warm welcome out of the unfaithful. When you preach the gospel, people are going to become your enemies. In this sense, Jesus' came to bring a sword. The warning of Micah describing the unfaithful holds true here. Even among families, there will be division. This is the typical response of the unfaithful.
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Lying to the Holy Spirit
In this lesson we will look at the first internal problem for the church and how it was handled. We will then draw some practical lessons from the text. Each hearer should learn that God is always watching what we do and knows our motives, thoughts, and actions. We cannot get away with sinning against God.
