The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means arrival/coming. Even though it starts near the end of our calendar year, it is the start of the Christian calendar year. When we observe Advent, we celebrate the birth (arrival) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a time to retell the… Continue reading The First Sunday of Advent: Stay Awake! (Mark 13:33-37)
Tag: Faith
Roses and Thorns (Philippians 2:14-18)
Alphonse Karr provided a helpful perspective on the difference between grumbling and gratitude when he said, “Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” Are you in the habit of grumbling and complaining? It is almost impossible not to complain because there are so many opportunities to… Continue reading Roses and Thorns (Philippians 2:14-18)
Work Out Your Salvation (Philippians 2:12-13)
When a sentence begins with the word therefore, you need to know what the therefore is there for. Paul, having finished calling the Philippians to imitate Christ’s humility, wrote “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own… Continue reading Work Out Your Salvation (Philippians 2:12-13)
Jonah, What did you Say? (Jonah 3)
https://soundcloud.com/firstbaptistscottcity/jonah-what-did-you-say-jonah-3 The end of the sermon was not recorded. Our apologies. The first two chapters of Jonah are very instructional for those who would try to run from God. The Lord told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach, but Jonah decided to go as far away from Nineveh as he possibly could: Tarshish. Jonah… Continue reading Jonah, What did you Say? (Jonah 3)
Pentecost Sunday (Acts 2)
Today is Pentecost Sunday in which the Church celebrates the giving (indwelling) of the Holy Spirit to the first disciples of the Church. The disciples were all together on the day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) when: Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven and it filled the whole… Continue reading Pentecost Sunday (Acts 2)
Running the Race Set Before Us (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and testimony. It serves as a remembrance of the sacrifice of our heroic soldiers and a testimony for heroism for the present and future. In 1868, John A. Logan, the 3rd Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, helped to establish the movement to recognize Memorial Day… Continue reading Running the Race Set Before Us (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Unmet Expectations (Mark 11:1-11)
A remarkable aspect of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem was that He entered Jerusalem on a colt (a young donkey). Have you ever wondered why Jesus did not walk into Jerusalem as He had always done before? With the exception of traveling by boat, this is the only instance recorded in Scripture of Jesus not… Continue reading Unmet Expectations (Mark 11:1-11)
A Strong Foundation (Matthew 7:24-29)
While professional boxer “Iron” Mike Tyson was never considered a great philosopher, he did have some poignant insight when asked about his opponents plan to defend against his left hook. Tyson responded, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” In other words, if your plan does not help you navigate adversity,… Continue reading A Strong Foundation (Matthew 7:24-29)
The Cure for Anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34)
God hasn’t told you that you have nothing to worry about; He told you that you shouldn’t worry about anything (John 14:1). Let me explain. There are a lot of things in this world that you can worry about. You can worry about your job, family, marriage, taxes, etc. Nowhere in the Bible does God… Continue reading The Cure for Anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34)
A Biblical Perspective of our Possessions: Part 1 (Matthew 6:19-24)
It is one thing for you to own possessions, but possessions should not own you. When that happens, they’re no longer possessions; they’re idols. We must repent of and fight against a lifestyle of self-indulgence which is contrary to the Gospel. Self-indulgence breeds a hard heart towards God and others. Over the next five weeks… Continue reading A Biblical Perspective of our Possessions: Part 1 (Matthew 6:19-24)
