Message (Page 21)

Last week, I shared from an article titled “9 Benefits of Expository Preaching” based upon the book Faithful Preaching by Tony Merida. According to Wikipedia, “expository preaching is a form of preaching that details the meaning of a particular text or passage of Scripture. It explains what the Bible means by what it says. Exegesis is technical and grammatical exposition, a careful drawing out of the exact meaning of a passage in its original context.” The counterpart to expository preaching…

According to Wikipedia, “expository preaching is a form of preaching that details the meaning of a particular text or passage of Scripture. It explains what the Bible means by what it says. Exegesis is technical and grammatical exposition, a careful drawing out of the exact meaning of a passage in its original context.” The counterpart to expository preaching is topical preaching which concentrates on a specific topic and references texts covering the topic. In our recent past, I have preached…

The Singing Churchmen retreat was this week and I was blessed with the fellowship of my brothers from around the state as well as the music that we are singing. Any opportunity to lift praise to God through music is a blessing to me personally. Amidst the singing, eating (we are Baptists), and sharing was the testimony of Keron Jackson. This man has a great voice and a beautiful testimony. As a late teen early twenty something he was homeless…

I love Emmanuel’s Senior Adults! They are faithful in attending church, they are involved, and they serve the Lord. Recently, I read an article about becoming a senior-adult church member by Thom Rainer of Lifeway. He listed five prayers for himself as he gets older and his attitude about his church. His prayers were: I pray I will not feel entitled because I am a key financial supporter in the church I pray I will not say ‘I’ve done my…

In my quiet time this morning I was reading in Matthew 27. It is the trial of Jesus and the denial of Jesus by Peter. My heart aches when I read this account. I ache for Jesus because of what He suffered and endured because of me and for me. It is one thing to know someone is suffering because of the wrong I did, I can feel regret but to know this same person did it because they love…

A man, once told Mark Twain, “Before I die, I’m going to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I’m going to climb to the top of Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud.” “I have a better idea,” said Twain. “Why don’t you stay right here at home and keep them?” God has given us the Great Commission to go and make disciples. It is truly great when we can travel across the world and witness to others…

At one point in Jesus ministry He sent out His disciples into the cities telling them to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the people. They reported back to Jesus rejoicing over what they had seen – people receiving the Good News and even demons were subject to the Name of Jesus! Jesus rejoiced with them but then told them not to rejoice in the spirits that were subject to them but even greater and more wonderful was that their…

A famous Japanese shrine has a spot with three waterfalls. Each waterfall represents something different, each represents a blessing. The waterfalls are said to represent wisdom, health, and longevity. Visitors who come to the shrine are invited to choose which of the blessings they want for their lives by placing their hands under the appropriate waterfall. But the catch is this… each visitor can choose only one blessing. Which of the three would you choose? We know what King Solomon…

One of my mother-in-law’s favorite verses is Numbers 32:23 which say: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” This verse reminds us that a choice to sin will often NOT remain private. Once upon a time, a carpenter built many houses for a wealthy developer. As he grew older, he wanted to retire, but the developer asked him to build one more house. He said, “After that, you can retire.” The developer went on, “I’m leaving all the choices…

Mercy vs. Sacrifice. Is it a competition? How do we use these in serving God? What did Jesus have to say about this? In Matthew 9 Jesus said: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Perhaps we can look at it in the form of actions, our actions. Sacrifice may…