The Living Word

Many of us have likely come to terms with the reality that we are simply going to disagree with others throughout this life. While it is perfectly normal to disagree with others in our own congregation about certain doctrinal opinions, unity is crucial. In today's message, Pastor Danny discusses the dangers of those who seek to divide over doctrine. Rather than move on or hold their peace. In his study, you'll gain a better understanding of just how dangerous doctrinal division is within the church.

Most of us would be quick to agree that it only takes a quick glance at society to see that we are clearly the most divided that we've ever been. As believers and followers of Christ this is all the more reason that we should be united in our congregations. In today's message, Pastor Danny reflects on the Apostle Paul's warning that predators of the church seek to destroy by dividing. In his study, you'll be reminded that the very spirit that seeks to divide society is all the more intent on dividing the church.

In today's message, Pastor Danny reminds us that prayer isn't something to be taken lightly. Prayer can be to tell God how thankful you are for Him but it can also be to bring your petitions before the Creator of the universe. As we all age and progress through life and different circumstances, we all grow in our ability to empathize. When we go through hardships and see how others go through struggles, we can empathize with them. We can see their pain and can pray with zeal for what God can do.

If you believe in the God of the Bible then you know he is the God of resurrection. In today's message, Pastor Danny will share with you about the power of prayer and the power of our God to answer our prayers. Throughout the Bible there is story after story of God working miracles from the prayers of those who believe that He would and could. Even in matters of life and death. And while God may not have physically resurrected us from the dead, he has surely resurrected us from spiritual death.

Churches should offer refuge to believers whose church has undergone a crisis or whose teaching has strayed from the Bible. But sadly, there are churches whose congregation are largely made of believers that they've drawn in from other churches with their flashy production or shallow teaching. As Pastor Danny will point out in today's message, we're called to go to the ends of the earth to reach the lost. We need to be getting out there and reaching the lost, not poaching other believers.

God may be calling you to go overseas to some remote culture who hasn't learned about Jesus yet. There are still a few places like that and that calling shouldn't be ignored. But as Pastor Danny will explain in today's message, while most people in our culture are familiar with Jesus and His story, many don't know Him. They may have heard the Gospel misinterpreted to them and its pushed them away. In some cases their hearts have hardened, but they are worth the effort to God.

God has protected His word throughout the centuries and He gave us an incredible gift when printing allowed access to the masses just a few centuries ago. Since then, there have been hundreds of versions in English alone. As well as over 700 translations in other languages. As Pastor Danny will warn us in today's message this wide variation along with other factors leads to varied interpretations among believers. We need to be wary over dividing over matters that aren't essential to our faith in Jesus.

The Bible doesn't say that drinking alcohol in moderation is a sin. It mentions gluttony, but nothing about unhealthy foods eaten in restraint. Dancing is another one that it never labels a sin yet many churches have taken issue with these things amongst others. And they've gone so far as to say that believers can't participate in them without offending God. As Pastor Danny will remind us in today's message, there are things that we should stay away from for our health and to help other believers but that doesn't mean that they're sin.

All too often, people will replace an unhealthy destructive habit with yet another unhealthy destructive habit. Maybe you give up smoking but now you start eating sugary snacks when you get that craving. Or maybe you stop looking at pornography and instead you start distracting yourself by playing violent video games. You could argue that one is less harmful than the other but as pastor Danny will challenge us today when you put aside the deeds of darkness, intentionally replace them with the things of God.