This video concludes Luke’s epic portrait of Jesus of Nazareth. The disciples discover the empty tomb and eventually have their entire view of the world turned upside-down as they meet the risen Jesus. Luke shows how Jesus’ kingdom of God mission comes to its climactic moment, and he sets the stage for its continuation in Luke’s second volume, Acts.
You can listen to the greatest sermons, hear the greatest teachers, read the greatest books, and subscribe to all the greatest posts, but you aren’t actually destined to grow in Christ. Studying the Bible isn’t enough. It’s time to go the second mile in working toward biblical application over information.
Plenty of people know religious lingo and practice helpful service, but not all have an actual relationship with Jesus. Make sure that your faith isn’t make-believe.
On the cross, Jesus was surrounded by two other men – one desired release and the other redemption. Did you become a Christian to escape consequences or to embrace Christ?
Remember the sacrifice of Jesus. Check out this great video from the Bible Project to portray Luke 19-23 to help visualize the events leading up to the cross.
We never want to see a church die, but are we willing to make the changes to see it live again? Here are five necessities for a church revitalization.
We need each other. As Christians, we know that life is difficult and that it is unwise to attempt it alone. But how do we develop authentic relationships that maintain needed trust? Having a safe place to share life is vital. It’s time to go the second mile in having authentic and safe groups.
When we decide to follow Jesus, we venture down the narrow path, but we are not alone. Baptism is a public declaration that you belong to Christ and a community.
Instead of treating others the way we wish to be treated, we often repay others for what they have done. The remarkable standard of the kingdom is simple, yet few will accept it.
You can be hopeful in the midst of suffering in this life. Your confidence can be in the fact that Jesus can handle any situation that you encounter.
While church planting has rightfully garnered more attention in the last two decades, we must be careful to evaluate the methods we use. We must also be aware of some of the dangerous trends out there.
Getting a small group to talk is a challenge, but getting that overly excited conversationalist to talk less is even more challenging. We have all had that person who limits the opportunity for others to talk. How do you handle it? It’s time to go the second mile in handling the conversation monopolizer.
Many people’s experience with earthly fathers taint the idea of God as Heavenly Father. We cannot follow God fully if we are unable to embrace Him as Father.
Many of us are lacking certain things because we have simply refused to ask God for them. As our Father, he knows what we need and takes pleasure in giving us good gifts.
Many people come to Jesus for numerous issues. While He can and will help us in many ways, the greatest need we have is for forgiveness.
Many of us got our first ministry opportunity before we ever received intentional training. Are we in danger of not taking the most important work seriously enough?
You know people in your church, but do you really know them? Do they really know you? Our suspicion of people grows by the year, and we will only experience minimal growth if we limit ourselves to reserved relationships.
Jesus calls us not to be harshly judgmental but to be intentionally confrontational. We must be concerned enough about the Body of Christ to address sin when it is present among us.
One of Jesus’ most misinterpreted phrases was his teaching on judging one another. Jesus didn’t expect us to refrain from accountability but abstain from hypocrisy.
To follow Jesus, you must know what direction He is taking. We are truly guided by God when we study the truth of God’s Word.
Do you ever feel like some people are in a different spiritual category than you? As you witness their spiritual health and spiritual growth, you become mesmerized when you look at them and defeated when you look at yourself.
Your church is as healthy as the groups assembled. Your groups are as healthy as the leaders available. Like it or not, the maturity of any group of people rises and falls on the pace that the leaders set. The leadership in your church is critical. It’s time to go the second mile with game-changing group leaders.
All Christians deal with differing levels of stress, fear, and anxiety. Learn how to process through these feelings and walk in truth.
You would have plenty of valid reasons to worry if God was not your intentionally provisional Father. Rid yourself of the weariness of worry and trust God for your daily needs.
You might have a million reasons to why God shouldn’t use you, but He is not frightened by your insecurities or inabilities. Jesus is calling you to follow Him simply because He wants you.
When Easter Sunday approaches, church leaders feel the pressure to engage people like never before. In that attempt, we often do things that aren’t helpful. Here are 10 common mistakes to avoid while planning and leading Easter services.
We’ve all had heroes in our lives. They are the people who inspire us to do better, to do more, and to make our lives count for something valuable. Your church needs the type of leaders that set the bar for others to follow in their example. It’s time to go the second mile with leaders worth imitating.
Learn from Miracle Hill’s President and Rocky Creek member, Ryan Duerk, as he describes their ministry and teaches on a nontoxic approach to helping the least and the lost. You can offer a hand up, not just a hand out.
When we believe our status to be contingent upon what we own in this life, it robs us of obtaining true treasure. Decide if you will either serve God or money.
Our accepted standard of technology usage can easily affect our relationship with God and with others. If you are unsure how your technology usage is affecting your family, ask these questions.
In the trials of life, do you view God as unaware, unwilling, unable, or unshaken? God knows about what you are going through, and he can and will help.
Within the church, we understand that we can’t have perfect leaders, but somewhere along the way, we’ve grown to accept pathetic leaders. What happens when we water down the requirements for leaders? The whole church drowns. It’s time to go the second mile with demanding for more than burdensome leaders.
No disciples grows by accident. Through spiritual disciplines, we grow more into who Christ calls us to be.
Like many other spiritual disciplines, fasting can, unfortunately, be a means to gain the approval of others. Jesus taught that fasting should only be something directed to and noticed by God.
With the numerous needs among the families in your church, the family that often gets neglected is your own. Whether family discipleship is a new concept or an overlooked activity for you, create a renewed plan to lead, encourage, and disciple your spouse and children in your home.
A. W. Tozer was a pastor who was commendable in his love for God but lacking in his devotion to his family. Learn from his example of what not to do as you care for your spouse and your children.
We live in a time when the world is biblically illiterate. Why has this happened? It might be because the church has diminished its confidence in the knowledge and application of God’s Word. We need more than spiritual intentions, we need biblical truth. It’s time to go the second mile with your small group.
There is a difference between forgiveness and enablement. In our commitment to showing grace to others, we must consider the ramifications of enabling others to continue in sin.
When others cause emotional pain in your life, forgiveness is the only restorative option. Jesus explained that our forgiveness of others is tied to God’s forgiveness towards us.
The current times can easily discourage any individual but also distance any marriage. I want to help you strengthen and cherish the blessing that is your marriage.