Lessons for Living (Audio)

If you don’t have much (or any) experience sharing your faith in Jesus with someone, it can feel very daunting to think about doing. You worry about saying the right thing, in the right way, at the right time. The thought of ‘having’ to counter any arguments or objections is scary, too. Pastor Mark will be teaching about overcoming those fears today. He’ll be talking about a man named Ananias who God asked to go into a situation that could have been quite dangerous for himself. You’ll learn that he trusted God in the situation, and you’ll hear about the adventures God can send you on if you choose to trust Him.

Have you ever looked back on your life and noticed that a day, an event or a decision helped to shape how you got where you are now? Maybe it was a simple “yes” or “no” that turned out not to be so “simple”. History is full of men and women who, by their choices and action – or inaction – affected the lives of hundreds, or millions of people. Pastor Mark will be teaching about the effect conversion can have on a person. You’ll hear specifically about a most unlikely candidate for the changing power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. You’ll be reminded that God can make the same kind of change in your life.

Most people have a hard time contemplating death. Even though they know that it’s unavoidable, the topic is usually actively dodged. Many Christians have the same aversion to thinking about death, although they’re more than happy to think about heaven. Pastor Mark will be teaching what the Bible has to say about trusting God and understanding His rule over all things in your life, including death. You’ll be learning how to be thinking about God’s control over everything, and His ability to make good somehow happen out of any event that occurs in your life.

Evangelistic crusades are great things. They call attention to Jesus in a high-profile way, and many people make decisions for Christ at these events. But you might not know that most people that come to Jesus don’t do so at mass crusades; they do it in a one-on-one situation. And Pastor Mark will be teaching that these singular encounters can’t happen if you’re not willing to put yourself out and tell your friends and family about Jesus. You’ll be learning about your need of having God’s power working in you and through you to reach out and tell others about the saving, changing power of Jesus.

When you look at the book of Acts, and know the history of the phenomenal growth of the church back then, it seems that it was easy for those in the early church to share their faith. On the other hand, it appears that the lay person in the church today is very reluctant to talk to others about Jesus. Pastor Mark will be teaching about this failing of today’s Christ follower, and what you need to do to become obedient to Jesus’ command to go into the world and make disciples. You’ll hear about what made the early church able to do what they did, and how you can acquire the same power.

A lot of what passes for church activity these days is really nothing more than people doing what they think they should do, rather than doing what God’s called them to do. This ‘work’ goes on, frustrating everyone because it’s not what God wants done. Pastor Mark will be teaching on the need for Christ followers to be not just filled with the Holy Spirit, but overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Most Christ followers have never experienced this lifestyle but that’s how Jesus wants His people to be living. You’ll find out today how you can start living this biblical lifestyle.

Do you get frustrated by your inability to maintain a solid, unwavering relationship with God? Yes? Well, you’re not alone. You can read over and over in the Bible of people – champions of the faith – who had the same struggle. So, you might ask, what’s the solution? Pastor Mark will be teaching about this dilemma and how to overcome the problem of leaking out the Holy Spirit from your life. He’ll explain what the Bible has to say about losing the sense of the Holy Spirit in your life. You’ll find out what causes that problem, and he’ll tell you what the scriptures say is the solution.

Whatever you consider to be the things of primary importance in your life will dictate how you live your life. You’ve seen people who are wrapped up in their children’s lives, and how they’ll sacrifice existing friendships if they determine that those friendships will negatively impact their kids. Pastor Mark will be teaching today that in the same way, if the Christ follower isn’t living their life with the proper motivation, they aren’t going to live a life that’s honoring to God. You’ll hear how to recognize the danger signs in your own life, as well as how to get back on track and get closer to God.

Have you ever worked for someone who claimed to be a Christian, being sure to let you know that they went to church last weekend, but would cut corners and cheat at work, claiming that they ‘had’ to do that to stay competitive? It probably was disappointing and frustrating for you. Pastor Mark will be teaching today that Christ sent the disciples out to show people that knowing God had made big changes in their lives. You’ll learn that Christianity is about walking the walk, not just talking the talk. You’ll be reminded that the main reason you’re here is to make God look good.

When you read the Gospels it’s pretty clear that Peter was not a patient man. Many of the other Apostles displayed character flaws. But by the time Jesus went back to heaven they’d learned quite a bit about trusting God. And they had at that time an extra component working in their lives. Pastor Mark will be teaching about this X factor: the Holy Spirit. You’ll hear about how the disciple’s obedience to Jesus’ parting instructions benefited them in many ways. This led to the incredible spread of the Gospel throughout their world, and you’ll find out how you should let the Holy Spirit work in your life.