Prayer is often misunderstood and tragically neglected. While most Christians would affirm a foundational belief in the power of prayer, the lack of its practice in many of our lives would beg to differ. If God compiled a list of the top 5 prayers he hears, what do you think would make the list? Most likely, the list would …
The story of Achan in Joshua 7 reveals a sobering picture of how one man’s sin can affect those around him. Joshua leads the people to invade the city of Ai fresh after the victory of Jericho. Without consulting God concerning the plan of attack, the people pridefully devise a strategy. After being defeated, God reveals that there is sin …
This sermon was recorded for two groups: 1) traveling university team, and 2) wrap-up message for Liberty DNOW for their Sunday morning groups. Sometimes you have to work smarter. At the DNOW gathering, we walked through John 10 in four sermons in a study called “Follower.” Here is the concluding challenge I gave on Jesus as the saving shepherd.
I’ve written before on “12 Reasons Why Prayer Doesn’t Work.” Many can become frustrated when they don’t see any success in their prayers. As believers, we must investigate to see if we are living in such a way that our prayers can be heard. In our disobedience, it may not be that God disagrees with our prayers, he may simply not …
This weekend, I get the privilege to speaking at a DNOW event for a group of churches. We are doing a study called “Follower.” They gathered together and asked me to do an intro video for the time together. In this mini-sermon, I preached from John 6 on that wonderful statement of Peter, “To Whom Else Shall We Go?”
Joshua and Jericho is a familiar story, but there is so much gospel goodness in this story! Joshua had to trust God’s unusual plan for salvation. The people had to trust the leader and all act in faith towards God’s plan. The victory came only in a way that God could get the credit. Among the story, there is a …
Last year, I preached at a weekend event for pastors and their wives. I remember it to be an incredible time in God’s Word and prayer with those gathered. Before one of the services, Amanda and I were going through some details when a lady approached me to tell me something. “You don’t know me, but I pray for you every Tuesday.” …
In the Book of James, the author teaches on the slippery slope concerning temptation and sin. At the end of that section, he reminds believers about the greater nature of gifts given by God compared to the lesser value of offerings given by the world. Read James 1:17 and look for key words or phrases. Every generous act and every perfect …
God had brought the people to the edge of the Promised Land. He moved Joshua into a position of leadership after Moses died. They were preparing to take the land, but God had to prepare them first. In Joshua 3-4, God shows some important elements concerning expecting God to move. They had to cross the Jordan river to get to …
This message was recorded for a traveling college sports team. As we enter Passion Week, I pray this sermon will cause you to reflect on the reason Jesus came to earth. Many people approach God in order for him to address many different wants or needs. Mark 2:1-12 shows a time when Jesus revealed what the greatest need that any of us …
The story of the bronze serpent in the Bible (Num. 21:4-9) often confuses believers. It appears as if God is instructing idolatry. The power of this scene is what it foreshadows in the person and work of Christ. In the 40th year of their wandering through the wilderness, the people begin to complain again. God does something drastic before they …
The New Testament teaches believers to be devoted to prayer. That sounds noble and all, but what exactly does that mean? We see it used 5 times in the New Testament concerning prayer: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. -Romans 12:12 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. -Col. 4:2 All these with one accord were devoting …
One of the most frequent questions I receive as a pastor is how to reconcile the apparent discrepancy between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. For those of us who like to keep theology in organized compartments, this issue can be one of great frustration. King Solomon puts it nicely into perspective: He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, …
God rescued his people from slavery. Through a powerful display, God humbled the Egyptians and set the Israelites free from captivity. He had promised to bring this people to the Promised Land and now they were within reach. Within a year’s time, they reached the Promised Land. They sent 12 spies to check out the land. 10 of them came …
Nowadays, when one begins to use such dirty words such as “truth,” the crowds begin to cry from the streets: “There is no absolute truth!” Well, is that statement absolutely true? “All truth is relative!” Apparently, all truths are relative except when it comes to that specific phrase. “That might be true for you but not for me.” Can I …
Many people interpret circumstances in their lives believing that God does not care enough about them to get involved. Scripture paints a completely different picture of our Father. One of the greatest qualities someone can have is that of consistency. Children long to see that trait exhibited within their parents. You may or may not be able to say …
This sermon was used by a college traveling team when they had an away Sunday game. The message is from Matthew 16:13-23 and talks about the need to get Christ’s identity correct. It doesn’t matter what you or I think about God. It matters what God thinks about God.
Oftentimes, prayer lists in churches are full of those in need. It is very regular to pray for those who have medical setbacks, personal loss, and situations of grief. In these moments, the lists can grow very long and the prayer time can unfortunately grow very short! You know of some legitimate needs around you. Instead of letting them overwhelm …
Don’t let Leviticus scare you away! While this book can be hard to read with its long lists and gory details, it is a picture of all that Christ fulfilled with his sacrifice. As you read the pages, be amazed at what Jesus accomplished once and for all through his death. Here are some notes on the sin offering and …
Leviticus seems to be the Bible reading plan killer. After the commitment to read through the Bible, we make it through Genesis fairly well. We slow down a tad in the middle of Exodus when we start reading about commandment topics spanning from morality to construction. Then we arrive at Leviticus and make our ways back to the Psalms or …
In the Book of Exodus, we see the divine design of God’s plan for the tabernacle and how he used his people to build it. Not only was it a place for the people to meet with God, but it was a pattern that pointed to something still yet to come. According to the New Testament, God sent his Son …
You’ve probably heard of the 10 Commandments. You might even be able to cite some of them from your memory. One thing I have noticed is that not many people understand the difference between the first two. Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of …
Idolatry is putting something or someone in the place of God. Not too long after their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites are caught up in sinful idolatry. The proper response to God’s activity is worship, but they responded in abandonment. Notes from Exodus 32 Their hearts turned to Egypt long before their hands made a god (Acts. 7:39-40). Idolatry is a …
Exodus 17:1-7 is a wonderful portrayal of God’s wandering people and his unwavering commitment to them. After the exodus from Egypt, the people demand water from the LORD. They don’t ask, they don’t pray, they demand. God commands Moses to strike the rock and water flows out. Paul taught us (1 Corinthians 10:5-6) that we are to learn from Israel’s …
As the children of Israel left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, God reminded the people of his power. When it seemed as if there was no way out, God showed up and delivered them yet again. The incredible story is recounted in Exodus 13:17-14:31. Exodus 15 is the first worship song recorded in the Bible and it is simply …
It is important to make it a habit to thank God (1 Thess. 5:18; Eph. 5:20; Ps. 136:26). As he rescues us, our response is to honor him (Ps. 50:14-15). We should aspire to be like the one leper who returned to thank Jesus out of the ten who were healed and went on their way. After he has answered …
I am often asked about a devotional book for someone who wants to grow. I have read many devotionals and, in fact, I have written many devotionals for people. In the past, I had a couple of books that I would recommend. In recent years, I have had a complete turnaround in this department. Without hesitation, there is one devotional …
2015 was a busy year. The world had some interesting developments. Church and ministry were blowing and going. And in the middle of all of it, for whatever reason, people checked out posts on this blog. For all the posts written, these were the top 15 of 2015: 15. What to Do About Personality-Driven Churches The rise (and unfortunate falls) …
God is God alone. He demonstrates his glory by comforting his people and confronting those who oppose him. When Moses confronts Pharaoh, this ruler believes he is more powerful than the great I AM. He pridefully states he doesn’t know who this God is. He is about to find out. Here are some notes: Pharaoh is about to get a front-row …
We all know the awkward moment when you are on one end of a phone call with a wrong number. Maybe you dialed it or received it, maybe you sent the right text message to the wrong person, or maybe you went to the wrong room to meet someone. Do you have a time in your life when your communication …
As we continue going through the Bible, we have now approached Exodus. God responded to Israel’s terrible plight by listening to the prayers of his oppressed people, revealing his character to Moses, and promising to deliver and redeem them. Here are some notes: Moses attempted to deliver God’s people but tried through his hands (Ex. 2:12). “I am the God …
All of us have given care to someone in our lives. Think of someone who you have truly watched over concerning their needs (physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.). Maybe your list is very thorough and all-encompassing. You have spent time, resources, and energy on caring for the person who came to mind. What if your care for them was graded …
God took the evil deeds of Joseph’s brothers and used them for his greater plan of providing salvation from the famine. In the same way, God used the evil injustice of those who put his son, Jesus, on the cross to bring about his master plan of providing salvation from sin and death. Here are some of my notes from …
Joseph suffered unjustly and was later exalted to a place of prominence. In a similar manner, Jesus suffered unjustly and was later raised from the dead and exalted as Lord of the world. Here are some of my notes from last week’s lesson from the Gospel Project: God never promises that faith will spare us from suffering. Favoritism of one …
Misconception: God is unconcerned with your choices.
While some people struggle with the concept that God is unconcerned with our difficult situations, many people struggle in a different way. Some believe that God is unconcerned with our choices.
Jacob received a new name from God. His old name meant “deceiver” and was an apt description of his life. But after a mysterious encounter with God, Jacob was never the same. He received a new name that reflected God’s grace to him and his descendants. Encountering God leads to a fundamental change of identity and purpose. Here are some …
Studying through the Gospel Project, we have come to the unique relationship between Jacob and Esau (Gen. 27:1-40). God is sovereign over all of life, and he will work out his plan of redemption despite and sometimes through our dysfunction. Jacob’s story is a good example of why humanity needs a Savior. Like Jacob, we seek a blessing that is …
Many people wrongly assume that God is unaware concerning our situations. Believing that he is too lofty and too out-of-touch with us down here on earth, some people will live in such a way that ignores God’s involvement in our lives. They ignore God because they believe that God is ignoring them. The Bible teaches us that God knows how …
Loved this week study through The Gospel Project Chronological. In this session we see that God renews his promise to be with Abraham’s offspring and to bless the world through them despite their sinful and unworthy ways. Notes from this week’s study: This family displays that the message of the Old Testament is not portraying good people but a good …
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