Posts with the category “grow-discern”

Summary of the MessageGod has been abundantly merciful to us through the grace he has extended to us by his Son. That mercy includes his justifying us when we were guilty, empowering us to be freed from bondage when we were sinful, and promising us that he will use all things in our lives as expressions of those abundant mercies. Therefore, let us consecrate our lives fully to him. Key Sermon Poin...  Read More

Summary of the MessageThe reality of the judgment is something every Christian should be mindful of, and all ofChristian ministry is intended to prepare us for that day. In our passage, Paul prays for his Philippian readers to be ready for that by developing discernment or the ability to practically approve spiritual excellence. Key Sermon Points1. Paul prays for abundant loveWe should recall that...  Read More

Summary of the MessageDespite the good faculties God has given human beings as his image bearers, human giftedness and wisdom are not sufficient faculties for understanding God's values and aims in this world. We can only adequately understand the gospel and its implications for us through the enlightening and teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. Key Sermon Points1. The gospel and spiritual truth...  Read More

Summary of the MessageThe key to being a transformational church is having a gospel culture that is grounded in the priority of peace that leads to expressions of praise and gratitude. This requires decisive work, but when the church fruitfully pursues peace and allows the gospel to set the agenda for its fellowship, it will be a light that leads people to Jesus and their trusting in him. Key Serm...  Read More

Summary of the MessageDespite the common experience of Christians struggling with sin, we are assured by God's word that we can practically defeat sin. That doesn't mean that we will be sinless, but by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, sin can be weakened and utterly put to death in the life of the Christian. Key Sermon Points1. My being raised with Christ does not eradicate my earthly na...  Read More

Summary of the MessageIf we are going to move beyond spiritual mediocrity, we must take the essential step of "cleaning house" in our lives, those things which detract from the Lord's preeminent place. As we make those necessary changes, we begin to experience spiritual flourishing. Key Sermon PointsPreliminary Point:  Spiritual mediocrity is normal, but it is not normative1. God's word disrupts t...  Read More

Summary of the MessageThough spiritual community and relationships are essential to our spiritual growth, we need to cultivate our direct and personal reliance on the Lord through the practice of solitude. God is calling us into a quiet and restful relationship with him, which is how we gain increased confidence in his ability to deliver us from the many things that threaten our faith and our live...  Read More

Summary of the MessageFasting is a spiritual discipline characterized by self-denial and serious God-centered devotion. When seeking God, it is either 1) used to cultivate humility or 2) performed organically out of an inner state of lowliness and/or godly sorrow. It is, all at once, a tool, a response, and a sign, that reinforces our ongoing reliance on God. Key Sermon Points1. Fasting is a form ...  Read More

Summary of the MessageSpiritual Disciplines are not about creating a lot of do’s and don’ts. In our text, we explore the space that speaks to the mental stream or thought life of the believer. God enables the Christian not only to flourish, but to be an actionable witness to the world. Let us consider the exhortation of Paul from our passage as a reminder and encouragement that when we set our min...  Read More

Summary of the MessageDespite having ample evidence and knowledge of the power of prayer available to us as believers, why do so many of us fall short of the prayer life that God wants to have with us? David's declaration in Psalm 27:4 can be instructive here when he reveals that there is one thing that he desires above everything else: to dwell in the house of the Lord forever, gazing upon his be...  Read More

Summary of the MessageIt is normal for followers of Christ to find themselves in difficult circumstances, but it is also normal for God to deliver them out of those circumstances. Biblically we see this is one of the ways he proves his commitment to his people. Earnest prayer is his prescribed way of unleashing his deliverance presence and power. Key Sermon PointsThe church that earnestly prayers ...  Read More

Summary of the MessageThough anxiety is a common problem, it is also a soul-threatening problem. The Lord does not intend for us to be bound up in excessive and debilitating worry. His prescription for anxiety is prayer. Prayer in anticipation of our being heard and answered - prayer that is a spiritual balm to the heart and mind. Key Sermon Points1. Jesus is calling you out of worry:Since anxiety...  Read More

Summary of the MessageThe power of God's word to change us into Christlikeness is only unleashed when we live by his word, and that will only happen when we are motivated by a genuine love for God which then leads to our meditating on his word, soaking it into our souls. But it is not enough to know this in principle; we must also have a plan for practicing it in our daily lives. Key Sermon Points...  Read More

Summary of the MessageThe proper response to the warning passages we see in scripture is to make every effort to obtain the promises God has given us, and the way we do that is by grounding our confidence and hope in the word of God. But the word of God is more than something we merely reference or that we try to follow, it is the very power of God to change us into Christlikeness.  Key Sermon Poi...  Read More

Out of our longing for Christ, his gospel, and people, God intends to grow us into a glorious house in which he will dwell in this broken world.  Read More

Confidence is essential to the Christian life and is fundamental to our spiritual growth. We need to be confident of who we are in Christ and able to develop that confidence by taking the necessary actions with the right mindset that moves us toward Christlikeness.  Read More

The very presence of Christ is the source and aim of our Christian growth. Christ is present in all the activities and practices he has called us into, what are often called sacraments. That presence in our lives is most expressed in Christ’s Lordship in our lives.  Read More

The Holy Spirit warned believers to guard their faith so that they would avoid being carried away to spiritual ruin. This involves not only being vigilant to guard our hearts, but is also a charge to grow.  Read More

Even though spiritual immaturity is a mortal threat to the faith of Christians the Holy Spirit’s response is not to condemn us or to send us back to spiritual kindergarten but instead he exhorts to step into maturity. Surprisingly, the path he lays out for us is to move beyond the foundational principles of the gospel and embrace all that it means to be a mature Christian in this broken world  Read More

In order to become mature in our faith, we must recognize that spiritual immaturity is a mortal threat to Christians - it is vital that we recognize that we will drift away from God if we are not continually drawing closer to him.  Read More