Lessons for Living (Audio)

It seems harsh to say that someone who faithfully attends church, is there every time the door is open, might not actually know Jesus. The difficulty with this view is that Jesus Himself spoke most harshly about those who attended synagogue the most. He criticized them because they were all about the outward appearance while not having an actual relationship with God. Pastor Mark is warning us against slipping into the same mindset. We need to remember that we go to church to deepen our relationship with God and with likeminded people, not to impress folks by our false piety.

It seems harsh to say that someone who faithfully attends church, is there every time the door is open, might not actually know Jesus. The difficulty with this view is that Jesus Himself spoke most harshly about those who attended synagogue the most. He criticized them because they were all about the outward appearance while not having an actual relationship with God. Pastor Mark is warning us against slipping into the same mindset. We need to remember that we go to church to deepen our relationship with God and with likeminded people, not to impress folks by our false piety.

Many people equate the words happiness and joy, because that’s what we’ve been conditioned to do. Because in our language we have many words that mean roughly the same thing, we don’t give this one a second thought, either. The Bible, however, makes a strong distinction between happiness and joy. Pastor Mark will be teaching about the differences and why having joy is better than simply being happy. We’ll learn about the weakness of happiness, which is based on circumstances. We will also be told what Biblical joy – which is based on the faithfulness of God – is, and how to get to that place in our lives.

Many people equate the words happiness and joy, because that’s what we’ve been conditioned to do. Because in our language we have many words that mean roughly the same thing, we don’t give this one a second thought, either. The Bible, however, makes a strong distinction between happiness and joy. Pastor Mark will be teaching about the differences and why having joy is better than simply being happy. We’ll learn about the weakness of happiness, which is based on circumstances. We will also be told what Biblical joy – which is based on the faithfulness of God – is, and how to get to that place in our lives.

Sometimes when we’re trying to do what God wants us to we’re required to be patient. Most of us have a problem doing that. We think we see what God wants us to do and we make a straight line path toward what we think is the goal. Often we run into difficulties because we forget that God’s path is not necessarily the same as ours. Pastor Mark in his teaching will remind us that even the apostle Paul had to hear “no” from God on occasion. He too had to learn that while making plans was good, it was still wise to be listening for changes to those plans from God.

Sometimes when we’re trying to do what God wants us to we’re required to be patient. Most of us have a problem doing that. We think we see what God wants us to do and we make a straight line path toward what we think is the goal. Often we run into difficulties because we forget that God’s path is not necessarily the same as ours. Pastor Mark in his teaching will remind us that even the apostle Paul had to hear “no” from God on occasion. He too had to learn that while making plans was good, it was still wise to be listening for changes to those plans from God.

All around us, we hear people blame God for all the bad things that happen either in their lives or for the evil in the world. “How can a good God allow bad things to happen?” they ask. Sometimes in our own lives such a thought crosses our minds. Pastor Mark, in his teaching, reminds us that we always have choices to do either good or bad, right or wrong. We shouldn’t be surprised when bad things result from our poor choices. The challenge, as we’ll be hearing about, is to find a place of joy when circumstances don’t go our way. We’ll find out what joy actually is and how to access it.

All around us, we hear people blame God for all the bad things that happen either in their lives or for the evil in the world. “How can a good God allow bad things to happen?” they ask. Sometimes in our own lives such a thought crosses our minds. Pastor Mark, in his teaching, reminds us that we always have choices to do either good or bad, right or wrong. We shouldn’t be surprised when bad things result from our poor choices. The challenge, as we’ll be hearing about, is to find a place of joy when circumstances don’t go our way. We’ll find out what joy actually is and how to access it.

One of the things it’s easy to forget when living life day to day is that we’re in a war and there are only two teams. Jesus reminds us of that fact and contrasts the goals of the two team leaders. If what Jesus says about Satan is true, it’s easy to understand the temptation to do things that help us keep from thinking about our lives. Pastor Mark is teaching the truth that the world’s life – partying, losing yourself in money or sex or whatever else as long as it’s not Jesus – ultimately makes us miserable. We need to understand that life with Christ will give us the fulfillment we seek.

One of the things it’s easy to forget when living life day to day is that we’re in a war and there are only two teams. Jesus reminds us of that fact and contrasts the goals of the two team leaders. If what Jesus says about Satan is true, it’s easy to understand the temptation to do things that help us keep from thinking about our lives. Pastor Mark is teaching the truth that the world’s life – partying, losing yourself in money or sex or whatever else as long as it’s not Jesus – ultimately makes us miserable. We need to understand that life with Christ will give us the fulfillment we seek.