SERMON SUMMARY John 4:46–54 We are in the midst of a series of messages from the book of John where we are trying to understand who Jesus is and why he came to earth. We are doing that by looking at what John calls the miraculous signs of Jesus. Jesus’ signs were symbols of who…
SERMON SUMMARY Twenty-first century western culture is terribly focused on looking forward to things, which oftentimes hinders our ability to be plugged in to the present. We can get so caught up in thinking about what’s coming next that we forget to be intentional in our current situation. This is especially true if your current…
Sermon Summary In James 5:13-20, Jesus’ brother warns his readers of the numerous challenges to their faith. In this final section, James encourages us to look to God in all circumstances of life—when things are good, and when they are not so good. When we are suffering, we should pray (v. 13a). The word translated…
Sermon Summary As Christians, how can we handle temptation? We know we should take every precaution to keep from giving in to those allurements which can so easily destroy our lives. The book of James offers several biblical principles which can help us resist and overcome temptation. First, take responsibility for your own sin. Oftentimes,…
Sermon Summary Trials are an inevitable part of the human experience here on earth; suffering is a part of life. Despite our protests, it is sometimes God’s will that we suffer (1 Peter 4:19). But God doesn’t want us to merely go through trials; He wants us to grow through trials. Throughout the Bible, we…
Sermon Summary The New Testament book of James was written to give us God’s answers to the question: “What kind of thoughts, what kind of words, what kind of deeds should mark the life of one who walks with the living God?” The evidence strongly suggests that the author of this book is James, Jesus’…
Sermon Summary Jesus promised that in this life, we all will have trouble (John 16:33). Your trouble may be an addiction—to alcohol, drugs, pornography, shopping. It may be depression— loss or disappointment has left you in a dark and hopeless place. It could be anger— at your spouse, child, God, or even yourself. Marriage is…
Sermon Summary Suffering comes to all of us; it doesn’t discriminate. In the midst of pain we cry out to God, “Why me? What have I done to deserve this?” When you need him most, he seems most remote. Today we are going to examine the problem of pain and the dilemma of maintaining faith…
Sermon Summary Several years ago I was standing in the TCC parking lot when a motorcyclist was killed. I was the first person to the body. His family had no faith, but now they had to prepare for a funeral, so they asked if I would officiate. One of the dead man’s friends asked me,…
Sermon Summary There is a popular teaching in some Christian circles which views all suffering as being outside of God’s will for God’s people. They believe that all suffering is related to sin in that person’s life; it is deserved. This teaching is both unbiblical and dangerous (Job, for example, suffered because he was godly).…
