If you searched for the 1 book that focuses on marriage out of the 66 books that compose the Bible, you would arrive at the book entitled The Song of Solomon or The Song of Songs. The biblical “expert” on marriage appears to be King Solomon. In his book, he wrote flattering comments about his bride, but none is as …
If you are like me, you often feel overwhelmed. The standard answer to someone asking, “How are you doing?” Is apparently supposed to be “busy.” We all say we are busy, but are we effective? Are you satisfied with the progress you are making in life? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in evaluating your progress.
In Larry Osborne’s book, Sticky Teams, he used one of the greatest illustrations regarding ministry teams I have ever read. He equated ministry teams to different types of sports. The thought-provoking idea is how some ministry teams grow in size but never change to maintain effectiveness. Here is a snippet from his excellent book. I liken them to sports. As …
The path to unity is not waiting on everyone else to align themselves with you. Fight against personal selfishness and work toward humble servanthood. Philippians 2:1-4 2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and …
A.W. Tozer explains a wondrous concept about tuning pianos and uniting worshipers: “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred …
And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). Do you really believe that God can fix that broken situation in your life? You know that one that you have tried everything and still run up against the wall? You believe that God used to do those types of miraculous things but …
Sometimes, finding God’s will is easy. The righteous decision is always preferred over the sinful leaning. God never wants us to go against His design. But what about discerning among good options? How do you know what to do when either option seems OK? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in finding God’s will.
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” -Matthew 16:15 The Meaning of the New Testament The Bible is made up of two units – the Old Testament and the New Testament. “Testament” means covenant, so the first section of the Bible describes the Old Covenant, while the second section describes the New Covenant ushered in …
A significant portion of following Jesus is the manner in which we follow Him together. As part of the Church, we are to make our lives count for Kingdom work in unison with one another. Philippians 1:27-30 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may …
Each of us struggles with some level of anxiety. Certain triggers seem to exasperate it at times, and yet many of us don’t know what to do when the onslaught begins.
Matthew 26:30; 27:45-46 Psalm 24 Preached at Berea First Baptist Prayer Conference At pivotal times, Jesus utilized Scripture that He had previously memorized. At the time of His crucifixion, He specifically employed the Psalms. Matthew 26:30; 27:45-46 All Scripture is inspired by God, but the Psalms are inspired for God. The Psalms train us how to speak to one so …
Mark 9:14-29 Preached at Berea First Baptist Prayer Conference Lacking Power (9:14-18) Mere association with Jesus doesn’t guarantee access to His power. Our failures not only damage our reputations but they can also tarnish others’ perception of Christ. Struggling Faith (9:19-27) Three horrible words that you should never say to Jesus: if you can. Even when your faith is underdeveloped, …
John 15:1-7 Preached at Berea First Baptist Prayer Conference Prayer Conference 2020 – Morning Service – Dr Travis Agnew from Sermons & Videos on Vimeo. You need a relational connection more than a religious commitment. Abiding in Christ is the believer’s commitment to utter dependence upon Jesus. I am incapable of doing anything spiritually worthwhile in my own strength. The …
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 …
Following behind Jesus is a good path. Walking beside your spouse is a special journey as well. What happens if those two directions are opposing each other? It is possible to follow Jesus and walk beside your spouse. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing a spiritually-enriching marriage.
I’m often surprised by storms. Whether they are unexpected turns in the weather or unanticipated changes in life, I am often taken aback and unprepared. Jesus has never been surprised by a storm. In fact, he always knows about them and sometimes leads us through them anyway. In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus encourages his disciples to get in a boat after …
If you look at your current financial picture, you might notice too many issues to address at once. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the numerous tasks, rely on biblical wisdom and align your plan with immediate obedience and gradual progression. #1. Prioritize God’s wisdom over others’ opinions. Proverbs 2:3-4 – Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your …
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 …
I attempted to create a discipleship guide in 2018. Instead, God showed me a paradigm contained in Scripture. I wanted to show my church how to use it in 2019. In addition, people outside our church asked if I could share the process. I released a book, a Bible study workbook, and a bunch of free resources at the end …
If each of us is promised to encounter trials in this life, that guarantees that those who are married will experience double the amount. Life will throw certain challenges at each of you, but they don’t have to come in between you. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in having a marriage triumphant through trials.
If you are concerned about your child’s spiritual development, you probably seek to place him or her in the best environment out there. What if I told you that the best spiritual environment was none other than your home? Psalm 127 helps guide us to what real parenting should look like. Somewhere between the psalm’s title and the beginning of …
Christians often feel tension with knowing how to respond to God based upon our blessings in the light of others’ misfortunes. If we give credit to God for our blessings, how should we show an adequate attitude of gratitude? Unfortunate Responses Ingratitude – A sense of false guilt regarding blessings does not show gratitude toward God. Disdain – A refusal …
Giving his life away for gospel ministry landed Paul in prison, and yet all he could talk about was the need to rejoice. If he could find joy in there, we should be able to find joy no matter where we are.
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. …
If you are single, maybe you think about getting married one day. As friends progress through their wedding days, the pressure can mount for you to find someone. While eagerness for marriage is a good trait, you must be careful not to rush into something that’s not ideal. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in your dating preparation.
As a newly-married man, the first book I ever read on finances was from Dave Ramsey. The principles he taught me caused me to look at finances differently from that point forward. While there are many books out there on finances for the Christian, these are my favorite so far. I believe each of these is extremely practical and thorough. …
I am eager to begin our four-month study through the Book of Philippians. We start this sermon series this Sunday! The Apostle Paul was no stranger to emotional stress. Giving his life away for gospel ministry landed him in prison, and yet all he could talk about was the need to rejoice. We will go through this book to see …
The more that God blesses us financially, the more we can bless others as well. Within the heart of God, we learn how to further our personal generosity. The Standard of Giving The standard of giving is God because He is the original and the ultimate Giver. Proverbs 14:31 – Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker; but he …
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 …
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 …
As you seek to become a better student of the Word, you quickly realize that this process takes work. It doesn’t come naturally, and the Bible is a very big book full of complex details. Good intentions can easily become sidelined. God wouldn’t set you up to fail. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in protecting your Bible reading …
I was asked to serve as a trustee during a transitional time in North Greenville University’s history. As I finish my final stint on a 5-year term, our board has asked me to serve as chair. I was surprised to have been asked to serve as a trustee, and I was blindsided by the request to serve as chairman. I …
While none of us know the time or the manner of our passing, we know we must be prepared. In an effort not to be a burden to others but to be a blessing to others at the time of our passing, you must make preparations now. By wisdom, a house is built, and by understanding, it is established; By knowledge, …
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 …
Any amount of debt can feel like a growing burden, but you don’t have to stay under it! The most common approach to reducing debt is called the Debt Snowball. Many people have used the concept under the same name or a slightly modified title, but the premise is the same. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, the further …
Bible reading is one of those tricky habits for a disciple of Jesus Christ. We all know we should be doing it. We assume that everyone else is more consistent than we are, but yet we start numerous plans only to stop along the way. You are not alone. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in finishing a Bible …
It is never an ordinary day when Jesus shows up to your job. In the initial stages of Jesus’ ministry, his reputation was spreading quickly. This man was no regular rabbi. He was not a humdrum holy man. When he interrupted your life, you would eventually thank him for it. Read what happened when Jesus called some of his first …
Debt seeks to secure our happiness now by committing to pay more for it later. Regardless of how much debt you have accumulated, learn some biblical and practical steps to reduce your debt now, and remove the opportunity to increase more debt later. Proverbs on Debt Prov. 11:15 – Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, …
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 …
While there are many examples of how Jesus trained his disciples, we are limited in our exposure. With them spending three years with him, they experienced countless lessons and experiences of which we are unfortunately unaware. Jesus did so much in his life that the world is unable to contain all the volumes that they could have written about him …
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