Lessons for Living (Audio)

There was a problem in Jesus’ day – many people thought that just because they said some words like, “I believe in Jesus”, that they were automatically followers of Christ. Jesus, however, had a higher standard; to really be His disciple, one had to do what Jesus said to do. As Pastor Mark will tell us, the faulty thinking regarding what it means to be a Christ follower persists today. We will learn what Jesus requires from us if we want to really follow Him. We will also discover the connection between truth and freedom, and will explore how we can experience more truth.

There was a problem in Jesus’ day – many people thought that just because they said some words like, “I believe in Jesus”, that they were automatically followers of Christ. Jesus, however, had a higher standard; to really be His disciple, one had to do what Jesus said to do. As Pastor Mark will tell us, the faulty thinking regarding what it means to be a Christ follower persists today. We will learn what Jesus requires from us if we want to really follow Him. We will also discover the connection between truth and freedom, and will explore how we can experience more truth.

One trend in the church that is disconcerting for many is the adoption of behavior by those claiming to be followers of Christ that the Bible clearly prohibits. Sex before marriage and use of illegal drugs are only a couple of examples. Pastor Mark will be teaching us the difference between following the world’s mindset and having our minds regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We will learn the dangers of continuing with the mentality of the world, and the benefits of taking on the mind of Christ. If we truly want to become followers of Jesus, we need to learn to think like He does.

One trend in the church that is disconcerting for many is the adoption of behavior by those claiming to be followers of Christ that the Bible clearly prohibits. Sex before marriage and use of illegal drugs are only a couple of examples. Pastor Mark will be teaching us the difference between following the world’s mindset and having our minds regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We will learn the dangers of continuing with the mentality of the world, and the benefits of taking on the mind of Christ. If we truly want to become followers of Jesus, we need to learn to think like He does.

In spy craft there’s what’s called a “honey trap”. It’s usually an attractive female spy sent to become romantically involved with a target with the ultimate goal of obtaining secrets. In the same way we can become so involved with the pleasures of our activities that we are deceived about their danger. As Pastor Mark will be teaching, we also can be blinded to the peril behind the pleasure. We will learn the good news; we can be set free from the honey trap we were all born into. It will require our giving our allegiance to a new Master, but One Who only wants the best for us.

In spy craft there’s what’s called a “honey trap”. It’s usually an attractive female spy sent to become romantically involved with a target with the ultimate goal of obtaining secrets. In the same way we can become so involved with the pleasures of our activities that we are deceived about their danger. As Pastor Mark will be teaching, we also can be blinded to the peril behind the pleasure. We will learn the good news; we can be set free from the honey trap we were all born into. It will require our giving our allegiance to a new Master, but One Who only wants the best for us.

No one wants to think of themselves as slaves to anything or anyone. Yet, we all know of someone with an obvious dependence on a substance or situation; their slavery is clear to see. The fact of the matter is that according to scripture, everyone is a slave to someone. Pastor Mark will be teaching about our slavery and the only two choices of masters we have: Jesus or Satan. He will be speaking about our having been born into servitude to the devil and the ways he keeps us in bondage and blinded to and resistant toward the only avenue of escape from his clutches.

No one wants to think of themselves as slaves to anything or anyone. Yet, we all know of someone with an obvious dependence on a substance or situation; their slavery is clear to see. The fact of the matter is that according to scripture, everyone is a slave to someone. Pastor Mark will be teaching about our slavery and the only two choices of masters we have: Jesus or Satan. He will be speaking about our having been born into servitude to the devil and the ways he keeps us in bondage and blinded to and resistant toward the only avenue of escape from his clutches.

So many churches focus on salvation and really don’t give much thought to the other aspect of being a follower of Christ – actually following Christ. What that means for us is often not discussed and as a result many Christians are stuck not too far beyond their salvation experience in their spiritual growth. Pastor Mark will be teaching from passages in the Bible that address this spiritual stagnation and our need to be more than spiritual babies. He will address our need to begin to digest spiritual meat and thereby grow up into the adult that God wants us to become.

So many churches focus on salvation and really don’t give much thought to the other aspect of being a follower of Christ – actually following Christ. What that means for us is often not discussed and as a result many Christians are stuck not too far beyond their salvation experience in their spiritual growth. Pastor Mark will be teaching from passages in the Bible that address this spiritual stagnation and our need to be more than spiritual babies. He will address our need to begin to digest spiritual meat and thereby grow up into the adult that God wants us to become.