Lessons for Living (Audio)

It’s very popular for couples to live together outside of marriage these days. Even in the Church, this is happening. Pastor Mark will be speaking on this phenomenon and why those that say they follow Christ have chosen to disobey Him. We will be reminded of God’s original intent for men and women as well as for marriage. This will help us understand why there is such dysfunction in couple’s relationships these days. Pastor Mark will also encourage us to look to Jesus for direction in our lives and, more importantly, to do what Jesus says, no matter the personal cost to our lives.

We see in Genesis that God intended mankind to have a personal relationship with Him. He also created us male and female, with defined roles. Because of the fall, we damaged our relationship with God as well as with one another. Pastor Mark will be teaching about God’s intent for marriage and how we were designed to work properly within that scheme. We see all around us the consequences of not following God’s original desire for us; the misery and broken lives that result. Pastor Mark will also be teaching about the seemingly contradictory thinking that we will find pleasure in doing what God says rather than doing what we want.

We see in Genesis that God intended mankind to have a personal relationship with Him. He also created us male and female, with defined roles. Because of the fall, we damaged our relationship with God as well as with one another. Pastor Mark will be teaching about God’s intent for marriage and how we were designed to work properly within that scheme. We see all around us the consequences of not following God’s original desire for us; the misery and broken lives that result. Pastor Mark will also be teaching about the seemingly contradictory thinking that we will find pleasure in doing what God says rather than doing what we want.

We see in the New Testament how Jesus’ teaching and life were very different from the culture around Him. Pastor Mark will be reminding us that we, as Christ followers, will be living lives different from the popular culture around us. He will be teaching that we need to have a foundation built on Christ rather than something of our own construction, and why. We’ll be learning about the difference between hearing faith and doing faith, or walking the walk rather than just talking the talk. We also be warned about the consequences of false discipleship versus being a true follower of Christ.

We see in the New Testament how Jesus’ teaching and life were very different from the culture around Him. Pastor Mark will be reminding us that we, as Christ followers, will be living lives different from the popular culture around us. He will be teaching that we need to have a foundation built on Christ rather than something of our own construction, and why. We’ll be learning about the difference between hearing faith and doing faith, or walking the walk rather than just talking the talk. We also be warned about the consequences of false discipleship versus being a true follower of Christ.

In America, we have a strong individualistic streak that flows through our culture. While this is appears to be a good thing, this attitude finds itself in opposition to the ethos of Christianity, which is defined by our need to rely on Jesus for everything. Pastor Mark will be teaching from Luke 6 where Jesus shows us the depravity of our natural heart and mind, and our need to submit our mind and will to the Lordship of Christ. He will be sharing about the peace of God that comes as a result, a peace that can carry us through the inevitable trials and difficulties that will come in our lives.

In America, we have a strong individualistic streak that flows through our culture. While this is appears to be a good thing, this attitude finds itself in opposition to the ethos of Christianity, which is defined by our need to rely on Jesus for everything. Pastor Mark will be teaching from Luke 6 where Jesus shows us the depravity of our natural heart and mind, and our need to submit our mind and will to the Lordship of Christ. He will be sharing about the peace of God that comes as a result, a peace that can carry us through the inevitable trials and difficulties that will come in our lives.

The idea of Jesus as Savior can be comforting. After all, if we think we need saved, it’s good to know that there’s Someone to save us. Right? Well, that’s not all that Jesus said we needed, and Pastor Mark is going to be teaching about that. We will see that the Bible says that we need to submit to the Lordship, not just the Savior-ship, of Jesus. That’s a different proposition with more serious ramifications for our lives. Pastor Mark will be sharing how this goes hand in hand with the idea of the need for a heart transplant and placing God in the control center of our lives, and the benefits of doing so.

The idea of Jesus as Savior can be comforting. After all, if we think we need saved, it’s good to know that there’s Someone to save us. Right? Well, that’s not all that Jesus said we needed, and Pastor Mark is going to be teaching about that. We will see that the Bible says that we need to submit to the Lordship, not just the Savior-ship, of Jesus. That’s a different proposition with more serious ramifications for our lives. Pastor Mark will be sharing how this goes hand in hand with the idea of the need for a heart transplant and placing God in the control center of our lives, and the benefits of doing so.

Have you ever looked at an apple tree, expecting to see grapes? Of course not. The fruit has to match the essence of the tree. Jesus says that in the same way, what we display is the outgrowth of what is in our heart. Pastor Mark will be teaching what Jesus said a Christ follower should look like. They have to be different from both the religious and the irreligious. We will be reminded of our need to have our hearts remade in the image of Jesus, and we will be shown in passages from both the Old Testament and the New how our natural heart is inherently wicked, and must be replaced by God through the Holy Spirit.