RG AUDIO 061417   1 John 4:7-21 What does it mean to be made “perfect in love”? John Wesley notes “What is Christian perfection? The loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. This implies that no wrong temper, non-contrary to love, remains in the soul; and that all the thoughts, words, and […]

RG AUDIO 061317   Luke 7:1-13 Pharisees questioned Jesus saying, “By what authority do you perform these miracles?” Answering a question with a question, Jesus replied “John’s baptism, was it of man or of God?” Knowing the Master had caught them in their intrigue, the Pharisees said “We do not know” (see Matthew 21:23-27). Authority […]

RG AUDIO 061217   Matthew 5:33-48 One sure way to be identified as a child of our heavenly Father, is to love those who oppose us and to pray for those who persecute and/or oppose our best efforts. This is difficult, daunting work. As a pastor, I occasionally faced opposition, usually from those who were […]

RG AUDIO 061117   Romans 2:17-29 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’” (Matthew 18:1). Titles and position meant nothing to Jesus. He used a child as an example, whom he identified as greatest in the kingdom. We are to have faith […]

RG AUDIO 061017   Matthew 19:1-12 I never expected to be affected by divorce. My parents were married almost 49 years before my mother’s death ended their life together. My in-laws were married for over 62 years before Mama died. Jodie and I have been married over forty years. Only three years into her marriage, […]

RG AUDIO 060917   1 John 2:3-17 We know about IQs or Intelligence Quotients, but what of your LQ or Love Quotient? Jesus taught that the first and greatest command was to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). This is Christian Perfection. John Wesley writes: “By ‘Perfection’ I mean […]

RG AUDIO 060817   James 4:1-12 Where I live, many raise chickens for commercial use. Chickens attack the weaker, wounded in the flock, often pecking them to death. To prevent this, chicken farmers have installed yellow lights in their coops. Why? Chickens have poor eyesight and under the yellow lights they cannot know which chickens […]

RG AUDIO 060717   James 1:19-27 Over half of my ministry has been invested in listening to others—in emergency rooms, intensive care units, nursing stations, homes and community centers. I’ve learned the value of simply being present. When Jesus returned to Bethany to friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus, they seemed to understand the importance of […]

RG AUDIO 060617   Romans 3:21-31 Every contest from the schoolyard to the courtroom, has someone who arbitrates on behalf of the integrity of the enterprise. In sports, decisions of the field judge, referee, or umpire are final. In court the judge’s decision is supreme. As Christians we are responsible for either nullifying or upholding […]

RG AUDIO 060517   Matthew 5:17-32 Those who teach bear a sacred responsibility. A reputable teacher checks facts, quotations and sources. Those in the media usually verify their stories from at least three sources before broadcasting or publishing material. An author friend of mine spends many hours checking quotations, sources and facts. Accuracy is primary. […]