(Pastor’s note: This sermon is part of a series of messages based on the book “I Am a Church Member” by Thom Rainer.) “9 out of 10 churches in America are declining or growing at a pace slower than that of their communities” (Thom Rainer). There are various reasons that contribute to this, but theContinueContinue reading “I Am a Functioning Church Member (1 Cor 12:12-31)”
Category Archives: Sermon
Thy Will be Done (Genesis 25:19-34)
God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life that might not always seem so wonderful. Consider, this morning, the story of the birth of Esau and Jacob and learn that the faithful may not always understand; but they always trust. If you love God, you trust Him. If you trust God, youContinueContinue reading “Thy Will be Done (Genesis 25:19-34)”
What Happens after I Die? (Genesis 25:1-18)
“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb 9:27) . This is a sobering verse that encourages us to examine whether or not we are prepared to die. In our study of Genesis, we read that “Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an oldContinueContinue reading “What Happens after I Die? (Genesis 25:1-18)”
God’s Providential Guidance (Genesis 24)
Do you want the Lord to lead you or leave you alone? If you want to be left alone, you will elevate your desires and preferences and find disillusionment as you seek happiness and peace in vain. If you want to be led by God, you will submit yourself to Christ in faith and findContinueContinue reading “God’s Providential Guidance (Genesis 24)”
How to Overcome Grief (Genesis 23-24:4)
Grief is a desert that must be crossed on foot.[1] The sorrow that comes upon a person, especially by a loved one’s death, is deep and not easily overcome. But, it can be defeated if you are willing to be led through the desert by Jesus Christ. There are no shortcuts to overcoming grief becauseContinueContinue reading “How to Overcome Grief (Genesis 23-24:4)”
I Surrender All (Genesis 22)
One of the most convicting songs we sing is “I Surrender All”. Consider the first verse: “All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.” The line that is, personally, the most convicting is “all to Him I freely give”. WhenContinueContinue reading “I Surrender All (Genesis 22)”
4 Helpful Reminders for Living Peaceably (Genesis 21:22-34)
Conflict is inevitable. You can try hard to avoid it, but the Bible says that “all have sinned” (Rom 3:23); therefore, the potential for conflict is always present. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Even though sin isContinueContinue reading “4 Helpful Reminders for Living Peaceably (Genesis 21:22-34)”
As Promised and On-Time (Genesis 21:1-21)
One of the best things a Christian can do is to hand our calendar over to God. If we refuse to do so, we should not be surprised that we get frustrated that God isn’t meeting our deadlines. If unchecked, we can grow bitter and resentful. But, if we hand over our calendar and ourContinueContinue reading “As Promised and On-Time (Genesis 21:1-21)”
It’s a Rerun (Genesis 20)
This message from Genesis 20 might seem like a rerun. Tell me if you have heard this before? Abraham is scared that a foreign king will kill him in order to take his wife. He devises a plan to pretend that she is not his wife, but just his sister so that they will treatContinueContinue reading “It’s a Rerun (Genesis 20)”
Jesus’ Authentic Love
The world bases its love on appearances (beauty, money, etc.) and the result is greed, pride, and vanity. Jesus taught and modeled something radically different. Jesus based his love on who you are, rather than what you have or what you have done. This love is authentic and the result is peace, contentment, and humility.ContinueContinue reading “Jesus’ Authentic Love”
First Baptist Scott City, MO 