The below are suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions for the message presented on October 19, 2014 as a special series.
Isaiah 6:1-5; Job 2:9-10
How should you treat your church? Continue reading
This message was presented on October 19, 2014 as a special message on Salvation Life.
Around B.C. 750, toward the SW of Israel, the Third Intermediate period of Egypt ended and the late Egyptian period began. God used Egypt to launch Israel to the promised land, but Egypt no longer had significant power. Toward the NE, in B.C. 745, Tiglath-Pileser seized the crown of Assyria who would be used by God to conquer the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Tiglath invaded the Northern Kingdom in B.C. 738 and forced her to pay tribute. He destroyed and scattered them across the Assyrian Empire in B.C. 722. Prior to that, B.C. 740, Isaiah had a vision. Is. 6:1-5, Continue reading
This is Part 4 of 4 parts answering the question, “How do You Minister During the Suffering God Allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”
Minister Through Compassion
How can you compassionately minister to others while you are suffering yourself? The same way Jesus did – in the power of the Holy Spirit, Continue reading
This is Part 3 of 4 parts answering the question, “How do You Minister During the Suffering God Allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Part 4 will be posted tomorrow.
Follow Paul’s Pattern of Ministry
Paul humbled himself before the Lord and realized that there was nothing on earth that mattered except being conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus, and sharing in the fellowship of His sufferings on behalf of others. He wrote, Continue reading
This is Part 2 of 4 parts answering the question, “How do you minister during the suffering God allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 3-4 will be posted on succeeding days.
Follow Jesus’ Pattern of Ministry
The Lord Jesus left the glory of heaven and was born to an uneducated, common and poor couple – Joseph and Mary. He grew up in obscurity and never went to college, never wrote a book and never traveled more than 200 miles from where He was born. He even endured the most offensive trials as an innocent sacrifice for the sake of the human race. In the Lord Jesus, mercy and truth come together. There were several things that the Lord Jesus did to demonstrate His pattern of ministry (and these only begin to scratch the surface!) Continue reading
This is Part 1 of 4 parts answering the question, “How do you minister during the suffering God allows?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?” Parts 2-4 will be posted on succeeding days.
When enduring the agonies of life, the farthest thing from most people’s minds is serving or ministering or helping someone else, and you may feel the same way. You are the one suffering, so why should you have to think of someone else? Continue reading
“Heaven Has Blue Carpet” is a refreshing reminder of how we are like sheep and the love the Good Shepherd has for us all. Sharon and Ron Niedzinski left the suburban lifestyle to buy their dream farm and Sharon raised sheep for 16 years. She was able to weave a wonderful and warm account of her love for sheep in a story line that pulls on your “heart-strings.” She invites you to read the next chapter with anticipation of adventure, learning and laughter. Continue reading
This material was presented on Oct 12, 2014 as part of a special message on Salvation and Works. The suggested answers to the Message Based Discussion Questions below are designed to stimulate thinking not replace it. Use these to spur one another to love and good works.
James 2:14-24
How important are works? Can a Christian produce dead works? Continue reading
This message was presented on October 12, 2014 as part of a special on salvation and works.
Last Sunday, we saw that Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. There is nothing before or after faith in Christ that can or needs to be added. You cannot earn or deserve salvation. You cannot maintain your salvation. It was completed on the cross. You willingly accept it, that is trust in Jesus Christ as your Substitute for the payment of the penalty for your sins. But what happens when people take a gift for granted? They become complacent, lethargic, and lazy. They think they have salvation, their fire insurance, so they’re waiting for the rapture! And confusion has permeated the church and in the last 60 years. People reacted saying, “People should be working for the Lord Jesus!” And I agree with that, but not with the change of doctrine. Continue reading
This is Part 5 of 5 parts answering the question, “Can there be peace in a world filled with suffering?” in the larger question, “Why does a loving God allow suffering?”
God’s Peace Is Instrumental to Help Us Grow in Appreciation
Paul was imprisoned several times and suffered greatly. The Roman prisons were much different from the ones today, where the inmate might receive three hot meals, his own bed, and resources to become a lawyer and sue the prosecuting attorney. No, many of the prisons that Paul endured were dark, dank, cold, and full of bodily waste. He was probably sore as the chains that bound him chafed his skin. But during a difficult imprisonment in which he had his own apartment just prior to the end of his life. But during a difficult imprisonment, Paul maintained an attitude of appreciation. He wrote from his Roman imprisonment to the Philippians, Continue reading
Shepherding Truth 