The Do’s and Don’ts of Spiritual Growth
1 Peter 2:1-3 – To see consistent spiritual growth, we must be careful to avoid interpersonal drama and pursue biblical truth. A failure to do either will cause spiritual stagnation.
📖 Sermons
To Seek and to Save
A corrupt man named Zaccheus was curious about Jesus, yet he didn’t know that Jesus was seeking him. It is incredible to realize that Jesus is not only willing to know us, but He is also eager to do so.
God Expects Holiness
1 Peter 1:13-21 – Since the gospel has transformed us, our lifestyles should alter significantly. God’s perfect holiness empowers and expects our personal holiness.
All of the Bible Points to Jesus
1 Peter 1:10-12 – Peter realized that Jesus fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. Looking back over the Scriptures, we realize that the gospel was always God’s original plan.
Suffering Is Short-Lived
1 Peter 1:6-9 – No matter how challenging our circumstances may become, all of the suffering in this world is temporary. Once we understand its limit, we can better see God’s refining process.
I Don’t Belong Here
1 Peter 1:1-5 – Peter addressed his fellow disciples as exiles with the reality that this world is not our home. Given that fact, our hope must be in something beyond this life.
The Two Simple Points of Life
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 – Through the meaningless troubles of life, we can find a clear purpose in Solomon’s final lesson. The purpose of life comes into focus when we do the two simple things prescribed.
Aging Well
Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8 – We grow older daily, which positions us closer to our final day than ever before. Age well by presently preparing for your future state.
Don’t Do Stupid Stuff
Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20 – While limited to how much wisdom we can possess, we should use well what insight God grants us. God’s wisdom can help us avoid doing stupid stuff that causes pain to ourselves and others.
Don’t Die Before Living
Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 – None of us can escape that our lives will end, but we can do something about how we take advantage of the opportunities given. Don’t overlook God’s gifts along the way.
When Life’s Not Fair
Ecclesiastes 8:1-17 – When we see the ungodly flourish and the godly struggle, we might question God’s standard of fairness. Part of trusting God is acknowledging that we may not understand why certain things happen.
Life Doesn’t Have to Be That Complicated
Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 – We often complicate our lives by making unwise choices. This world promises us trouble, but we don’t have to add more to it by refusing to live according to God’s ways.
The Danger of Discontentment
Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:12 – Without contentment, we will protect our possessions with unhealthy perspectives. The treasures of this life are gifts from God as long as they don’t replace Him.Â
Ambitiously Rich and Relationally Poor
Ecclesiastes 4:4-5:7 – You can have all this world has to offer and no one to share it with due to how you align your priorities. Ensure your life has the margin to grow relationally with God and others.
Power Corrupts and Injustice Continues
Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3 – As long as people have authority over others, injustice will be rampant. Political and financial influences govern our society, and these structures reveal how people often take advantage of others.
No Amount of Stuff Will Ever Satisfy
Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 – We can experience pleasures, obtain possessions, and intensify pursuits, and still feel empty inside. Even if we have all this world tries to offer, we will not find satisfaction here.
Why Life Often Seems Pointless
Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 – Even when King Solomon had everything, he felt it was all for nothing. No matter how personally successful you are, you will reach a place where you question the meaning of life’s pursuits.Â
The True Vine
John 15:1-8 – We cannot settle for a human intermediary to regulate our relationship with God. Jesus has invited us to know Him and to abide with HIm closely.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
John 14:1-11 – Life is short, eternity is long, and each of us will spend somewhere forever. We can confidently trust Jesus because He has prepared a place in heaven for His followers.
The Door
John 10:1-10 – Jesus is aware of the dangers of untrustworthy spiritual figures. He watches over our souls and protects us from those whose only interest in our spiritual conditions is themselves.
The Light of the World
John 8:12-20 – In a world full of darkness, Jesus claimed to be the light that each of us needs. His illumination provides insight into who He is and clarity about where we should go.
The Bread of Life
John 6:22-40 – For people who desired another heavenly handout, Jesus offered Himself as the only thing to sustain us. Only through Christ can you be truly satisfied.
The Resurrection and the Life
John 11:17-44 – Outside of Lazarus’ tomb, it appeared as if death had claimed another victim. Jesus proved His power over death through resurrection and now invites us to come alive.
The Good Shepherd
John 10:11-18 – Jesus refused to flee when our endangered souls were in dire need. We marvel at the Good Shepherd who laid His life down for us on the cross to save us from our sinful wanderings.
Experiencing Abundant Peace
Psalm 119:161-176 – We cannot avoid trouble in this life, but we can experience abundant peace through every trial. Keep a diligent desire to follow God’s instructions through hard times so you can endure.
Prioritizing Holy Habits
Psalm 119:145-160 – To maintain awareness of God’s presence, we must prioritize holy habits to reinforce that reality. Know God better through consistent time committed to spiritual disciplines.
Rejecting Cultural Compromise
Psalm 119:113-128 – Our world is rampant with people who not only defy God’s Word but persecute anyone who seeks to do the opposite. We cannot compromise commandments to be accepted by our rebellious culture.Â
Seeking Lifelong Discipleship
Psalm 119:97-112 – Just because someone is seasoned does not mean they are scriptural. We need personal commitment and committed disciple-makers to follow God’s ways for the long haul.Â
Investigating Biblical Inerrancy
Psalm 119:81-96 – This culture seeks to lead us astray from God’s truth by planting doubt and distrust in our minds. The more we investigate Scripture, the more we find it trustworthy.
Interpreting God-Given Afflictions
Psalm 119:65-80 – You can only say that God does all things well if you can accept that He does rightfully bring discipline into our lives. God can even use afflictions for our instruction.Â
Befriending Faithful Companions
Psalm 119:49-64 – The company you keep will dramatically affect how well you follow biblical principles. Beware the wicked and befriend the wise.
Avoiding Disgraceful Endings
Psalm 119:33-48 – If you desire to finish strong at the end of your life, it is necessary to apply God’s Word now. To avoid a disgraceful ending, diligently learn and relentlessly stay on the scriptural paths.
Strengthening Weary Souls
Psalm 119:17-32 – We live in an increasingly strange world with combative critics and challenging circumstances. God has given us the Bible as an uplifting gift to strengthen our souls when we’re weary.
Treasuring God’s Word
Psalm 119:1-16 – If you consider the Bible a hindrance from the life you desire, you will never value it accordingly. God’s Word is a blessing to apply and not a burden to avoid.
God’s Guidance Leads Out
Exodus 40:36-38 – Throughout all the Exodus journeys, God had proved Himself faithful for the path still yet to come. Like the Israelites, we are grateful for God’s deliverance in the past and dependent upon God’s guidance in the future.
God’s Glory Came Down
Exodus 40:34-35 – With all the growing anticipation of meeting with God after the tabernacle’s completion, God’s glory was so intense that Moses was surprisingly unable to enter. This blockade reminded the people of the great chasm between them and God that only the coming Messiah could rectify.
God’s Work Done God’s Way
Exodus 37:1-40:33 – After receiving detailed instructions on how to build the tabernacle, the people archived how they fulfilled them precisely. If we are to complete God’s work, we ought to attempt it in God’s way.
Remembering Who We Are
Exodus 34:10-35 – Before reminding the people of some of His expectations, God restated His unique commitment to them. The distinguishing characteristics of our lives are wrapped up in the promises of God.
Rediscovering Who God Is
Exodus 34:1-9 – God provided Moses with a description of Himself that became one of the most repeated characterizations in the Bible. As we unpack who God says He is, we discover the beauty and balance of His nature.Â
Dependent Upon God’s Presence
Exodus 33:1-23 – God invited Moses into a staggering type of intimate friendship with Himself. Moses became so accustomed to that level of proximity with God that He refused to go forward without it.