A couple weeks ago we were talking about inappropriate mixing of our worship of God with the world’s ways. We were talking about Solomon when he offered sacrifices on the high places in Gibeon. Those were places where the Canaanites would offer sacrifices to their gods. On those altars, they would offer their sacrifices to their gods. Moses was told, very specifically – you must not offer sacrifices to Me on the high places – the ...

The Character of God

Years ago when I worked for a trucking company I talked to the drivers a lot on the phone. I remember one driver in particular who I thought -- by the sound of his voice -- would look like the typical picture of Santa Claus – medium height and a little rotund. A couple of months later he came by the office and I met him in person. Was I ever surprised. He was ...

Many years ago, we went through a small group study called “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” – by Pete Scazzero – and he was at the Pastor’s Conference. He has a new book – The Emotionally Healthy Leader – and this was a profound time for all the leaders.

Pete – speaking of his church in Queens – they have 70 languages spoken – in a community of immigrants – and they have had to deal with a lot to make this all work ...

TEACHING June 30, 2019

SLIDE 1, INTRO: THE CHURCH BLANK SLIDE

I have been thinking about the church lately – what is a church, how is it supposed to function. So I decided to share a few of these thoughts with all of you today. But first just to spice things up let's start with a pop quiz.

QUIZZES:

Q1: What are the names of all the members of the old rock and roll band ...

We are going back to the end of last week... We’ll do that often in this series…

They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers.

The Christians were creating an alternative community that had ...

There were several questions from last week – I’d like to try to clear up some confusion – so the first part will be the Bible-Geek people – and the second part will be more practical. We have been told that Satan is the prince of this world – and that is clearly taught in Scripture, but also that all earthly authority is established by God and Christians are to be in subject to authorities. So that creates ...

Today is Pentecost Sunday – that was the day that the Spirit entered those who followed Christ – and the day the Church was born – and that Spirit has come that we might take that message to the world. Let’s pray.

Thank You for the Holy Spirit who has been given to bring us to You and to help us proclaim You. We cannot live this life as followers of Yours without Your empowering Spirit inside ...

We are starting a new series for the summer – and if you have any questions – feel free to shout them out! If you don’t have questions, I’m doing something wrong!

We are going to be going through the Bible to see the Great Narrative of the Bible – the story of God and His work in Creation that runs from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. This grand story – metanarrative – points to Jesus Christ and ...

We are closing down Luke – if there is time – we might be able to answer some questions.

We are going back a few weeks to the Good Samaritan Story week –

The Road to Emmaus -

Luke 24 22 “Some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that ...

This week and next week, we’ll be finishing Luke – and then we’ll have a special thing for the summer…

Luke 12: 13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." 14 But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed ...