Excelling in Christ

Sometimes the hardest part of Christianity is not understanding what God says, but actually doing it. In this third lesson of our series, we examine three clear responsibilities: assembling with the saints (Hebrews 10:24–25), praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and putting God first (Matthew 6:33). We know these commands, but do our daily decisions reflect them? Faithfulness requires more than agreeing with the Bible. It requires putting God's word into practice. Join us as we consider how ordinary choices reveal our priorities and why knowing what is right is never a substitute for doing it.

#ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #ObeyGod #PutGodFirst #FaithInAction

Is That the Holy Spirit or Is That Me?

How do we know when the Holy Spirit is leading us, or when we are simply following our own feelings? Many people claim the Spirit is guiding their decisions, but what happens when those feelings contradict Scripture? Can we feel certain and still be wrong? In this lesson, we examine what the Bible teaches about spiritual guidance, personal convictions, and obedience to God's word. Using examples from Paul, Naaman, and the teachings of Jesus' apostles, we consider a simple but important question: When my feelings disagree with God's word, which one am I willing to change?

#HolySpirit #BibleAuthority #FollowTheBible #ChristianObedience #BackToTheBible

Is the Bible really that hard to understand, or do we sometimes struggle with doing what we already know? God’s word plainly tells us to speak the truth, forgive one another, and help those in need. These commands are not difficult to understand, but they can be challenging to obey. In this lesson, we examine three simple Christian responsibilities and why we sometimes make excuses instead of following God’s word. The real challenge is not always understanding what God expects of us, but having the willingness to do it. We know what these instructions mean. Will we obey?

King Saul’s Failure and the Need for Restoration

King Saul claimed he had obeyed God, but the evidence told a different story. In 1 Samuel 15, we learn that partial obedience is still disobedience. Are Christians today making the same mistake? Have we allowed religious traditions, personal preferences, and popular practices to replace the simple teaching of Scripture? This lesson examines three important questions about following God's instructions, making religious excuses, and seeking man's approval rather than God's. The Restoration plea calls us back to the Bible, not to defend what we have always done, but to faithfully practice what the Lord has actually commanded.

Eager to Soar — Isaiah 40:27–31

We all want the peace, joy, and strength that God promises. We want to soar like eagles, but sometimes we find ourselves struggling with the same old attitudes, habits, and failures. How do we move beyond simply knowing what the Bible teaches to actually living it? In this lesson, we explore three practical questions: Will I let God change my thinking? What do I need to let go? And what will I do differently the next time life challenges me? Spiritual growth requires more than good intentions. We must learn to trust God, follow His Word, and practice what He teaches.

The Hard Part Isn’t Understanding

Most of us know more about what God expects than we are willing to put into practice. We know we should forgive, study our Bibles, tell the truth, and live faithfully. So why do we struggle to do what we already understand?

In this lesson, we examine three simple responsibilities: stop being hypocritical, study God's Word, and stop making excuses. James 4:17 reminds us that knowing what is right is not enough.

The Bible is not always difficult to understand. Sometimes the real challenge is having the willingness to obey what God has already made clear.

Does it matter what we believe, as long as we are sincere? Jesus teaches that different roads lead to different destinations. In this lesson, we open the Bible to see why doctrine matters and how His teaching guides us toward life. We consider the danger of false teaching, the need for obedience, and the loving purpose of correction. We also examine our responsibility to check what we hear against God’s word. Knowing the truth gives us an opportunity to follow it. When the Bible shows us something we need to change, will we listen and do what Jesus tells us?

What do we do when questions trouble our faith? We can keep them hidden, let them pull us away, or bring them to Jesus. In this lesson, we consider Thomas, John the Baptist, and a father who prayed, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Their experiences help us see how to face our struggles honestly, examine the evidence God has given, and listen carefully to His word. We do not have to understand everything before we can trust Christ. But we must be willing to follow the truth. Where will we take our doubts, and will we accept the answers?

Moving a boundary marker does not change the boundary. Neither do our explanations change what God has said. “I Refuse to Blur the Line” calls us back to Scripture to examine our beliefs, our conduct, and our willingness to follow Jesus. Drawing from John 8 and Matthew 7, this sermon shows why sincerity, reputation, and religious activity cannot replace obedience. It also reminds us to respect the freedom God allows without making personal preferences into commandments. God’s truth exposes our need and points us toward forgiveness in Christ. Are we willing to stand where God has told us to stand?

Being wronged does not make everything we do next right. In First Samuel 25, David’s anger over Nabal’s insult nearly led him to shed innocent blood. Abigail’s wise counsel helped him stop and choose a better response. “When Anger Makes the Call” examines how resentment grows, how innocent people suffer, and why we need friends who will interrupt us with truth. Through Scripture and practical examples, this sermon encourages patience, self-control, and trust in God’s judgment. We can address wrongdoing while keeping our own conduct faithful. When we are hurt, will anger make our decisions, or will we follow God?