Lessons for Living (Audio)

Most people in America think of idols as something seen in India or Cambodia, like a statue of the Buddha. Or maybe the golden calf the Israelites worshipped in the desert while waiting for Moses. Well, Pastor Mark’s teaching today will show you that God’s definition is quite different, although it includes those examples. You’ll learn about the importance of keeping God first. You’ll also find out how easy it can be to let other things slip in front of God, and how you can let things that are themselves good become idols, too.

People are visual, and respond more fully to a viewable presentation than to words only. Thus, many religions have statues or pictures of their gods for their followers to worship. Pastor Mark will be teaching today about how this violates God’s second law. You’ll find out why it is that God didn’t want the Israelites to make representations of Himself. You’ll see how God expects to be worshipped, and you’ll be reminded of God’s majesty and awesome power, and why He alone should be worshipped.

Every normal human has a nose approximately in the center of their face. This is just what part of being human is, because it’s how God made them. In the same way, God made humans with an inborn desire to worship something greater than themselves. Pastor Mark will be teaching today about this aspect of mankind’s nature as created by God. You’ll hear about God’s instructions to the Israelites and how that matters to you today. You’ll also find out the warnings against making other things god instead of Jehovah.

The fall of man happened because Adam and Eve were hung up on someone else telling them what to do. If you have children you’ve experienced a similar thing from them. The problem comes when you try to make the important decisions on your own. Pastor Mark will be teaching today about the responsibility of the Christ follower to let God be the ruler of their life. You’ll hear about the danger of trying to live by your rules, rather than letting the One who knows the future lead you through this life.

Mankind is so self-centered. They want to make everything about them, even when it’s clearly not about them. You see this in Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God. They found out that they were wrong. In Pastor Mark’s teaching today, you’ll hear that Christ followers are supposed to be following Jesus’ example. You’ll be reminded about who God is and who you are – or more importantly, who you are not. You’ll learn about the benefits of getting off the throne of your life and letting God take His rightful place.

People who think that their good deeds get them to heaven believe that following rules is what God’s looking for from mankind. They think that life’s a test and if they “score” high enough, the teacher – God – has got to let them “pass” into heaven. Pastor Mark will be teaching today that these people are tragically incorrect. You’ll find out that they are missing the point God’s trying to make. Pastor Mark will let you know what God’s priorities are if you want to live life God’s way and serve Him.

The Church of Jesus is filled with people who talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. Unfortunately, this is nothing new. Jesus had to deal with people that said they were His followers, but weren’t living the life. Pastor Mark will be teaching today about this challenge that all Christ followers have. You’ll hear about why it is that you and others have trouble doing what you say you’re going to do – obey Jesus’ commands. You’ll find out what scripture says the solution is to becoming more consistent in your walk with Christ.

People think that getting into heaven is easy. Just be nice to people, don’t do any serious wrongs, give to charities, and – presto! – you’ve got your ticket to be with God! Pastor Mark will be teaching today about how wrong this thinking is. You’ll learn that God’s standard is far different than the one you heard at the beginning of this broadcast. You’ll also learn the real reason that God gave His commandments, and the pickle that that puts you in. You’ll find out from Pastor Mark how God was trying to get His people to understand one thing.

Most people resist being told what to do. It’s part of human nature, passed down from Adam and Eve. Over time, people rejected what God told them to do so they decided to live as if He doesn’t exist. Pastor Mark, in his teaching today, will be talking about man’s need for rules to live life without chaos. You’ll learn how all of the rules in society come from God’s original rules. Pastor Mark will show you how instead of binding you up, following God’s rules will free you to be who God wants you to be.

One of the problems with reading the stories in the Bible where God did miracles is thinking that the only way God works miracles is in big, spectacular ways. That kind of thinking leads to a belief that God can’t help you with the ‘normal’ things in life. Pastor Mark will be teaching today that if you’re thinking that way, you need to change that up. He won’t be talking about the events that happen, but the mindset of the people those things happened to. You’ll learn that there are miracles both large and small, and it’s vital that you learn that God’s already doing them; you just need to recognize them for what they are.