Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Luke 11:1; Matthew 6:9-13 Preached at Berea First Baptist Prayer Conference Out of all that the disciples saw Jesus do, the one thing they asked Him to teach was how to pray. Praying wasn’t necessary for God in the flesh, but His example was essential for us. The Lord’s Prayer was meant to serve more as a template than a …

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Even Suffering Can’t Slow Down the Gospel

While we often think that suffering will serve as a blockade towards spiritual growth, it is often the vehicle. Realize that God may want to use that which you want to remove. Philippians 1:12-18 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial …

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God Will Finish What He Started

God began a good work in you, and He never leaves anything unfinished. While you are not there yet, He will gradually help you make progress. Philippians 1:1-11 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. …

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The Best Reason to Make More Money

The desire to get richer for selfish reasons will only lead to an impoverished life. The best reason to make more money is so that you can give it away. At the end of our lives, God will know how much we spent, saved, and sacrificed. Proverbs 11:23-31 23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,    the expectation of the …

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Distinctive Discipleship

Sermon in NGU Chapel – Jan. 29, 2020 If every Christian is in a unique place surrounded by specific challenges, why do we think that a broad approach will work for every single one of us? It’s time to get back to making disciples – one disciple at a time. Colossians 1:27-29 Notes If you feel spiritually stuck, it might not …

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Saving for a Rainy Day

We need not wonder if hard times will come but prepare for when they arrive. God’s Word provides helpful wisdom regarding how to make sacrifices now to experience security later. Our lives will be full of unexpected and unavoidable changes. While we cannot predict our final outcomes, we must prepare for certain possibilities. What Proverbs Teaches About Savings Failure to …

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What the Joneses Never Tell You

The greatest obstacle to contentment is comparison. Debt seeks to secure our happiness now by committing to pay more for it later. The Culture’s Position on Debt You might envy the stuff that another has, but you don’t know the stress that it takes to keep it. Comparison leads to discontentment; discontentment often leads to debt. Debt attempts to secure …

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The Lamentable Legacy of Laziness

While laziness seems to be an accepted cultural disposition, it significantly lessens an individual’s overall opportunities. God’s Word highlights both the blessings and the benefits of hard work. Excuses When you blame laziness on your personality, you covertly attempt to blame God for your lack of effort. Laziness is not a disease or a dysfunction but a decision. Laziness leads …

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The Other Side of the Coin

Both the rich and the poor are in danger of neglecting God’s wisdom regarding finances. No matter how much you possess, you must be careful to prioritize biblical perspectives and biblical practices. Reminders About Proverbs Proverbs are more scattered than sequential. Proverbs are more principles than promises. Proverbs are more expressive than exhaustive. Proverbs 30:7-9 Two things I ask of …

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Prince of Peace

In a world where chaos abounds, where are we to find peace? Following Jesus provides the only path to experiencing unshakable peace. On a scale of 1 to 10, how peaceful is your life right now? John 14:25-31 25 â€śThese things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father …

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