Jesus Uses Ordinary People

Jesus called ordinary men to follow Him into an extraordinary work. As disciples of Jesus, we must also redefine our purpose to become fishers of men and join Him in His work to reach others.

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Make Your Father Proud

Jesus pleased His Father in what He did and in what He didn’t do. As followers of Jesus, we should seek to imitate His obedient lifestyle.

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Make Room for Jesus

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ arrival.  We must make room for Jesus in our own lives to join Him in His Kingdom work.

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Your Mission Is Too Small

God blessed the nation of Israel in order to be a blessing to all other nations, but eventually, they refrained from sharing that salvation with others. After the work of Jesus in our lives, we are called to go outside the walls of the church to multiply as we make disciples and plant churches.

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Entrust Everything You’ve Got Into Another

Entrust Everything You’ve Got Into Another

2 Tim. 2:1-7

Paul instructed his disciple, Timothy, to take everything he had learned and entrust it with others who would turn and do the same thing. To multiply disciples, we must be intentional with our relationships for Kingdom purposes.

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The Great Omission

The Great Omission Matt. 28:16-20 After Jesus’ resurrection, he commanded his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. Instead of committed disciples obeying the Great Commission, we can revert to becoming consumers who succumb to the great omission. The Kingdom is composed of disciples who have a commission to the world, a commitment to the church, a commandment …

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The Risen King & the Running Disciples

The Risen King & the Running Disciples Matt. 28:1-15 On Easter Sunday, the disciples eagerly shared the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. If Jesus has truly defeated sin and death, we should fervently run to the world in order to multiply disciples with the news of his salvation. The Empty Tomb (Matt. 28:1-7) The angel didn’t roll the stone away for …

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When the Cherubim Laid Down His Sword

When the Cherubim Laid Down His Sword Matt. 27:45-54 Ever since sin entered the world, Mankind had been barred from reentering the presence of God. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn and we were invited back to commune with God. The cherubim denied sinners’ access to the presence of God after the Fall of Mankind (Gen. …

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You Can’t Make It On Your Own

Colossians 4:7-18 You Can’t Make It On Your Own In Paul’s concluding remarks to the Colossians, he provides personal comments regarding specific ministry partners.  Within these comments, Paul models the type of friends that a disciple will need to continue towards maturity. Why Mention These People? A commitment to Jesus is a commitment to His people. Our beliefs and our …

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Make the Most of Every Evangelistic Opportunity

Colossians 4:2-6 Make the Most of Every Evangelistic Opportunity Instead of waiting for unbelievers to come to the church, the church is meant to go to the unbelievers out in the world.  By making the most of every evangelistic opportunity, disciples engage in Kingdom work by the way they pray, walk, and talk. Pray for Opportunity (Col. 4:2-4) Be devoted …

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Disciples in the Workplace

Colossians 3:22-4:1 Disciples in the Workplace A disciple can never clock out of Kingdom work.  Even in the workplace, Christian bosses and workers must display a different level of intentionality and productivity for the sake of discipleship. Instructions for Employees (Col. 3:22) Since you claim to follow a faithful Savior, be a faithful worker. Four Types of Employees: Justified Rebel …

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Disciples in the Home

Colossians 3:18-21 Disciples in the Home Authentic discipleship moves from the church and should eventually change the home.  Disciples obey God’s commands for how families are to treat one another particularly in the relationship between husband and wife and between parent and child. Submissive Wives (Col. 3:18) Since men need significance, God calls wives to submit to their husbands. If …

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Stand Firm

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Cor. 15:58 I had the privilege to preach for the DNOW event at Edwards Road Baptist Church this weekend.  Thankful for this church and their partnership …

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Seeking Heaven While Still on Earth

Colossians 3:1-11 Seeking Heaven While Still on Earth While the place of heaven is our destination, the way of heaven should be our pursuit.  As disciples, we are to put to death the deeds of this world and to put on the new self as we seek the things above. After Paul addresses the Colossians’ doctrinal integrity (1-2), he instructs their …

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Three Dangerous Self-Made Religions

Colossians 2:16-23 Three Dangerous Self-Made Religions The Apostle Paul saw three dangerous heresies present in the church at Colossae and we experience them today.  Biblical discipleship is sufficient and doesn’t need any alteration.   When we are dissatisfied with the finished product of the gospel, we can easily become subtle heretics. As disciples, we must acknowledge the dangers of altering …

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Disciples Have Deep Roots

Colossians 2:6-2:15 Disciples Have Deep Roots Satan will use deceitful doctrine to distract disciples from being established in the faith.  Disciples must be rooted in Christ and established in biblical doctrine to persevere. Mature Growth (Col. 2:6-7) A disciple must have deep roots to experience mature growth. Walking with Christ is characterized by steady progress in discipleship. Biblical Doctrine (Col. 2:8-10) …

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Disciples Don’t Quit Until They Reach Maturity

Colossians 1:24-2:5 Disciples Don’t Quit Until They Reach Maturity The goal of the Church is to present every disciple as complete in Christ.  Working with the power God provides, we are to disciple one another with the goal of spiritual maturity. Christian suffering means that you are receiving the attacks that the world would give Jesus if He was still …

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Coming Down the Mountain

Preached at North Greenville University Chapel 1 Kings 18-19 After Elijah experienced God move mightily upon the mountaintop, his joy was short-lived due to following opposition.  God’s instruction to Elijah during his depressed state provides direction for our own troubled souls. Main Points Anyone can follow God during the revival, but only mature believers can follow Him during the routine. …

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Jesus Holds All Things Together

Colossians 1:15-23 Jesus Holds All Things Together Not only were we created through Jesus, but we were also created for Jesus.  As he holds all things together, even our spiritual growth is kept from shifting when it is placed in his hands.    “What comes to your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.” …

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Fully Pleasing to God

Colossians 1:9-14 Fully Pleasing to God As the gospel transforms us from the domain of darkness into saints standing in the light, our lives are meant to be fully pleasing to God.  Disciples strive to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. Pray for Spiritual Wisdom (Col. 1:9) Knowledge is the content of truth, wisdom is the comprehension of …

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Disciples Keep Growing

Colossians 1:1-8 Disciples Keep Growing Paul recognized the Colossian church as a group of disciples who had been changed and yet were still being changed by the gospel.  As disciples, the gospel should be continually bearing fruit and increasing within us and through us. 9 Traits of Growing Disciples Disciples keep growing if: their faith is in Jesus – Faith …

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Here I Raise My Ebenezer

Here I Raise My Ebenezer (1 Sam. 7:2-17) Samuel remembered God’s faithfulness in the past to help him go forward. As individuals and as a church, it is important to celebrate his activity in the previous year as we anticipate his work in the coming year. REPENTANCE (1 Sam. 7:2-6) True repentance always involves a turning to and a turning …

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There Can Only Be One King

Peace on Earth There Can Only Be One King (Matt. 2:1-21) Herod felt threatened when his throne was challenged by Jesus’ birth.  There is only room for one king on the throne of your life, and you cannot experience peace until Jesus sits upon it. Seeking the King (Matt. 2:1-6) God notified pagan astrologers about Jesus’ birth out of His …

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The Dragon Outside the Nativity

Peace on Earth The Dragon Outside the Nativity (Rev. 12:1-17) The Book of Revelation reveals a different perspective that happened at the birth of Jesus. While the enemy comes to bring chaos, Jesus has come and will come again to bring peace. The Anticipation You will never experience peace until you wake up to the fact that you are at …

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Obedience Over Feelings

Peace on Earth Obedience Over Feelings (Matt. 1:18-25) Joseph thought he had been betrayed by Mary and yet surrendered his personal feelings to obey God’s commands. We must submit to God’s Word to experience God’s peace. THE PROBLEM (Matt. 1:18-19) Submitting to God’s plan can often involve surrendering your reputation. Joseph chose to extend grace when he experienced disgrace. Joseph’s …

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Did the Angels Waste Their Words?

Peace on Earth Did the Angels Waste Their Words? (Luke 2:8-14) When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they told them that peace on earth had come.  As we look around us, how do we reconcile this supposed peace with the state of the world? ANNOUNCING PEACE Jesus’ birth announcement came to lowly outcasts before the religious …

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All Things New

The Word All Things New (Rev 21:1-8) What once was broken will be made right again. Jesus is making all things new. CONTEXT The Apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos when he received a revelation from Jesus. Addressed to seven churches, he encouraged the people to persevere in the increasingly challenging times. Jesus sought to protect the …

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When Jesus Sat Down

The Word When Jesus Sat Down (Heb. 10) Priests could never sit down in worship because sacrifices would always need to be offered. Once Jesus offered himself, he sat down at the right hand of God because the task was finished once and for all. CONTEXT As the early Church grew in doctrine, they saw the complete biblical picture become …

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Red and Yellow, Black and White

The Word Red and Yellow, Black and White (Eph 2:11-22) In Paul’s description of the Church in Ephesians 2, he explained that Jesus’ cross broke down sinful, ethnic boundaries we established.  How are we to combat racism within the Body of Christ? CONTEXT The early Church was originally predominately Jewish, and they initially struggled with how to accept Gentiles. At the …

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Doers of the Word

The Word Doers of the Word (James 1:22-25) Learning biblical information does not guarantee biblical transformation.  We must learn how to apply the Word of God into our lives. CONTEXT The early Church spread rapidly through the power of the gospel. The apostles wrote letters to clarify doctrine and practice to the growing Church. James, the brother of Jesus and …

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The Daily Church

The Word The Daily Church (Acts 2:42-47) As the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, the early church was born.  This body of believers met together daily and saw God do amazing acts in their midst. CONTEXT Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection changed everything. As Jesus commissioned the disciples in his heavenly ascent, he told them to wait for the gift …

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Salt and Light

The Word Salt and Light (Matt. 5:13-16) As Jesus began his public ministry, he gathered disciples in order to teach them how to live for the Kingdom. As he once encouraged them to be salt and light, we are called to the same lifestyles as his followers.   CONTEXT Since we could not make it to God, God came to …

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The Great and Awesome Day of the LORD

As God’s people wavered in their devotion, Malachi revealed that the promised Messiah was drawing near. This great and awesome day of the LORD would change everything. CONTEXT After their division, both Israel and Judah eventually fell into enemies’ hands and were exiled from the Promised Land. Years later, a remnant returned to rebuild the temple, the walls, and a …

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I Have Found the Book

The Word I Have Found the Book (2 Kings 22) King Josiah stumbled upon the neglected Word of God and it changed the nation. We must blow the dust off of the Bible and encounter God’s claims upon our lives. CONTEXT King Solomon walked in the ways of the LORD until foreign women turned his heart after foreign gods. God …

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Walk in His Ways

As David neared his death, he gave final instructions to his son, Solomon. Out of all the wisdom he could have given, he urged his son to walk in the ways of the LORD. CONTEXT Samuel anointed King Saul – a man after Israel’s heart, and then later King David – a man after God’s heart. After a life full …

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The Word of the LORD Was Rare

The Word The Word of the LORD Was Rare [1 Samuel 3:1-4:1] Samuel was called to be a prophet during a time when the Word of the LORD was rare. His ministry was established by God’s presence and determined by God’s Word. CONTEXT After 40 years of wilderness wanderings, the Israelites saw the Promised Land under Moses and entered the …

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Impatient Idolatry

The Word Impatient Idolatry (Ex. 32) Even though the people had gotten out of Egypt, Egypt hadn’t gotten out of the people. Growing impatient with God’s timing, the people used a gift from God as an idol for God. This passage focuses on the Israelites’ formation of the golden calf and God’s judgment of their actions. CONTEXT After Joseph died, …

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God Meant It for Good

The Word God Meant It for Good Gen. 50:15-21 Once Israel died, his sons feared Joseph’s retaliation. While Joseph had been hurt by their evil, he viewed his suffering role as critical in the good God was doing. CONTEXT Genesis portrays God’s promise coming true through Abraham’s growing family. Abraham’s great-grandson, Joseph, was favored by his father and yet despised …

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There’s a Ram in the Thicket

The Word There’s a Ram in the Thicket (Gen. 22) God miraculously gave Abraham a son but later commanded to sacrifice him. Instead of Abraham having to go through with Isaac’s death, a ram in the thicket became the substitute.  Context After the Fall in the Garden of Eden, sin escalated so much that God sent his wrath in the form of a …

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Two Trees in the Garden

The Word: Two Trees in the Garden (Gen. 1-3) It didn’t take long before sin corrupted God’s good creation. While disobedience brought about brokenness, God revealed a plan to redeem what had fallen. CONTEXT God addressed formlessness and emptiness by stating, creating, and celebrating (Gen. 1:1-4). 1 – Light                4 – Sun, moon, and stars 2 …

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