Genesis 13:8-9 1 Corinthians 10:33 Deference: Controlling my privileges and preferences in order not to offend those God has called me to serve. Most of us do not naturally like to give up our rights. We like our way. We like our seat. We like our schedule. We like our opinion to be heard. We like things…

Luke 16:13-18 One of the hardest things for a doctor to do is tell a patient the truth when the patient does not want to hear it. The patient may want comfort. The patient may want reassurance. The patient may want to hear that everything is fine. But if there is a serious problem, kindness does not…

Titus 2:11-14 We come today to the fifth message in our series, Ever Wonder Why? So far, we have dealt with questions about suffering, hell, prayer, and trusting God. This morning we come to a question that is painfully personal. Why can’t I stop? There are many people who know exactly what that question…

Joshua 24:15 James 1:5-8 Decisive: Making all decisions based on the perfect will of God Every day we make decisions. Some are small. Some shape the direction of our lives for years to come. A young man chooses whether to follow the crowd or follow Christ. A husband decides whether he will lead his home…

Exodus 2:7-8 Romans 12:2 , 6-8 Creative: Meeting a need, a chore, or a task from a different point of view When many people hear the word creative, they think only about art, music, building, or design. They think about talent. They think about imagination. They think about someone who can make something…

Proverbs 3:5-6 Psalms 20:7 We are continuing our series, Ever Wonder Why? In this series, we are bringing some of life’s hardest questions into the light of God’s Word. This morning we come to another deeply personal question. Why should I trust God? That question does not usually rise when life is smooth.…

2 Kings 4:9-10 Romans 12:13 Courteous: Yielding my rights and privileges so the grace of God may flow through me for the benefit of others We live in a rude world. People interrupt one another. People demand their own way. People treat others as inconveniences. People speak quickly, assume the worst,…

Luke 16:1-13 Luke 15 began with the Pharisees and scribes murmuring because Jesus received sinners and ate with them. Jesus answered them with three parables. A shepherd sought a lost sheep. A woman searched for a lost silver. A father received a lost son. Luke 15 shows us the heart of God toward lost…

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 We are continuing our series, Ever Wonder Why? In this series, we are bringing some of life’s hardest questions into the light of God’s Word. So far, we have asked why God lets painful things happen and why a loving God would send people to hell. This morning we come to another…