Monthly Archives: November 2013

SGL: Dealing with Anger Expressions

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Home group is normally a relaxing place for affirming spiritual growth in followers of Christ. People are there because they want to be there and grow with other like-minded followers of Christ. However, each person is at a different stage of growth and every once in a while, God is going to allow the leader and the whole group to experience the angry outburst or seething anger bubbling over. It might come because of conviction over sin, a political statement made by one of the participants or someone was having a terrible, horrible, no good day! Continue reading →

Insights: Work in Colossians 1:29

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I’m preparing a message from Genesis 2 and 3 for our advent season and the passage begins with Genesis 2:15, “Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” God put Adam to work in a perfect environment before the Fall. That indicates the biblical importance of work and the blessing that comes through it. God put Adam to work, so Adam would learn to depend on the Lord. Continue reading →

Insights: Thanksgiving Proclamation: Abraham Lincoln

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Thanksgiving is still a celebrated holiday in America and the closest to giving thanks to our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. While the world refuses to give thanks (Rom.1:21), we fall on our knees in humble gratitude for the blessings of liberty to worship the Lord and draw people into His blessed presence.  Many of our former presidents and politicians spoke of their faith in our Sovereign and knew that He alone was responsible for our freedom and blessings.  Continue reading →

MSG: Train Your Replacement: Warrior Prayer 1 Tim. 2:1-2

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This was presented on November 24, 2013 as part of the 1 Timothy series.

What is the first thing you teach your disciple? The question might be easier if I asked, “What do you teach a child?” You obviously wouldn’t teach your six month old to drive a car, balance his checkbook, begin potty training, or even to walk. He is barely able to stand while you are holding him. Continue reading →

Insights: Build up, not Beat down

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There is a new trend going around in the big cities of NYC and DC – it is called the “knockout” game. It has also spread west to Detroit and St. Louis, but also to small towns like Peoria and Indianapolis. Young teens walk up or ride along to find a victim, with whom they can take a round-about-swing and knock the victim out.1 Continue reading →

SGL: Dealing with Conflict

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Home group is a key discipleship opportunity for people to become believers and grow spiritually. Any time you have people, however, there may be conflict. Several articles have been written, which provide counsel on dealing with controlling talkers, tangents and rabbit trails, anger issues, politics and deep or difficult theological questions. Please refer to them for more ideas on how to handle those challenges. Continue reading →

Insights: There Must Be Divisions

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From the beginning of Scripture to the end, there is a “unity” theme about the Godhead. In the beginning, you observe the Trinity in the hovering of God’s Spirit over the frozen ice pack in Genesis 1:2 and the Father’s will and judgment in Genesis 3:10-14 and the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ as the seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15. Continue reading →

Insights: Fifteen Minutes of Fame

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The phrase “fifteen minutes of fame” has been attributed to Andy Warhol who said, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”1 In our culture of social media, tabloids and internet news, the sensational explosions of a person bursting on the scene are sent light-speed around the world in the time it takes a match to burn down. Continue reading →