Lessons for Living (Audio)

It seems that when asked, most people believe they’re going to Heaven because they’re good – in their own eyes. Or, they aren’t as “bad” as someone else. The Bible is very clear, though – none of us are going to heaven. The standard is perfection, and we all know we fall short of that. Pastor Mark will be teaching about the events leading up to the birth of Jesus and the messages that were given to the parents of John the Baptist and Jesus. We’ll be taught about God’s intent for those two men and how John was going to prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus, Who would do what it took to wipe out our debt of sin.

When we’ve been going to a particular church for a long time, it’s easy to forget about the rest of the body of Christ around the world. We get kind of insulated, maybe thinking that “our” church has a corner on quality preaching, Sunday School, etc. this is the same problem that Jesus’ disciples had, and an attitude that Jesus is trying to correct in the scripture passage Pastor Mark will be teaching from. He’ll be sharing how Jesus tried to expand the disciples’ concept of what it means to be His follower, and also who might be a follower of Christ. Jesus’ battle and warnings against tribalism then certainly can apply to us now.

When we’ve been going to a particular church for a long time, it’s easy to forget about the rest of the body of Christ around the world. We get kind of insulated, maybe thinking that “our” church has a corner on quality preaching, Sunday School, etc. this is the same problem that Jesus’ disciples had, and an attitude that Jesus is trying to correct in the scripture passage Pastor Mark will be teaching from. He’ll be sharing how Jesus tried to expand the disciples’ concept of what it means to be His follower, and also who might be a follower of Christ. Jesus’ battle and warnings against tribalism then certainly can apply to us now.

Pride. The world tells us to be proud – of who we are, what we do, where we live, and on and on. The Bible says that God resists the proud. It doesn’t seem to be a hard choice on how we should live as Christ followers but as Pastor Mark will be sharing, even the dudes that walked with Jesus every day battled self-importance. In the scripture passages Pastor Mark will be teaching from, we’ll see Jesus address this issue head on with His friends and interns. We know that they won’t really get it until after Jesus’ resurrection but the lessons Jesus tried to teach them are here for us to hear and hopefully absorb.

Pride. The world tells us to be proud – of who we are, what we do, where we live, and on and on. The Bible says that God resists the proud. It doesn’t seem to be a hard choice on how we should live as Christ followers but as Pastor Mark will be sharing, even the dudes that walked with Jesus every day battled self-importance. In the scripture passages Pastor Mark will be teaching from, we’ll see Jesus address this issue head on with His friends and interns. We know that they won’t really get it until after Jesus’ resurrection but the lessons Jesus tried to teach them are here for us to hear and hopefully absorb.

Most people in America don’t deal with situations like the one we’ll be covering today in Pastor Mark’s teaching. It’s important to remember that the Bible tells us that this world we’re living in is going to end, and that the world we can’t presently see will become the final plane of existence. It’s important to remember, as we look around, that this world is being held in the clutches of the one that hates everyone here. Pastor Mark will be reminding us that as interns of Jesus that we need to warn others of the danger that they’re in, and of the escape into freedom that is available because of the shed blood of Jesus.

Most people in America don’t deal with situations like the one we’ll be covering today in Pastor Mark’s teaching. It’s important to remember that the Bible tells us that this world we’re living in is going to end, and that the world we can’t presently see will become the final plane of existence. It’s important to remember, as we look around, that this world is being held in the clutches of the one that hates everyone here. Pastor Mark will be reminding us that as interns of Jesus that we need to warn others of the danger that they’re in, and of the escape into freedom that is available because of the shed blood of Jesus.

What? Me replace Martin Luther? Replace Peter? Replace JESUS??? Impossible! These are probably the thoughts going through our heads as we hear Pastor Mark’s statement. There’s no doubt that Peter and the other ten felt that sense of inadequacy when they realized that they were going to have to move forward without Jesus. Pastor Mark will be explaining these passages and how they apply to us. We’ll learn, as the apostles did, that this job would be impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling them. Pastor Mark will also be teaching on the importance of our relying on that daily infusion of the Spirit’s power for living.

What? Me replace Martin Luther? Replace Peter? Replace JESUS??? Impossible! These are probably the thoughts going through our heads as we hear Pastor Mark’s statement. There’s no doubt that Peter and the other ten felt that sense of inadequacy when they realized that they were going to have to move forward without Jesus. Pastor Mark will be explaining these passages and how they apply to us. We’ll learn, as the apostles did, that this job would be impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling them. Pastor Mark will also be teaching on the importance of our relying on that daily infusion of the Spirit’s power for living.

It seems that when we hear Bible passages that tell us we have to take a public stand for Jesus, we think of some mythical wild-eyed street corner preacher, telling everyone they’re going to Hell. Pastor Mark will be teaching about this statement that Jesus made, and how to correctly apply it to our lives. We’ll be hearing about attitudes that can keep us out of the Kingdom of God. We will also hear reminders about the reality of the spiritual world, the world hidden from our earthly eyes. Jesus will be telling His disciples about Who He really is and why He really came to this earth, and exactly what He’s going to experience to achieve their redemption.