Category: Uncategorized

Peace, Rest, Evil

Do you appreciate the gift of salvation? Too often, mankind enjoys God’s deliverance, only to return to evil ways.

In Judges four, God used Deborah and Barak to mightily deliver Israel from oppression. Chapter five then records a song of praise for God and His saving power. Verse 31 contains the final stanza, “So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might.” Then the Bible says, “And the land had rest for forty years.” That’s a great ending. But listen to the start of chapter six: “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord…” Israel was faithful for a while, but before long returned to sinful ways. How tragic. But can we say we are better? Do we strive to be faithful every day? Or like Israel, is our life a cycle of periodic obedience, followed by an inevitable return to sin and evil?

When the Lord’s House Lies in Ruins

Priorities are important. Too often, we focus on worldly things that seem so demanding and important, but neglect the things that truly matter. When we focus on selfish, earthly things, we anger God. And further, such focus is fruitless and hopeless. The only true fulfillment we can find is when we serve the Lord whole-heartedly. Haggai 1:9 says, “You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.”

The Jews were rebuked because they focused on building their homes instead of the temple. But are we any different? We do the same when we focus on our career and leave the Lord’s work undone, or whenever we put our desires before the Lord’s will. Don’t let the Lord’s House lie in ruins because you are focused on your own concerns.

Stewardship of Stuff

Stewardship of Stuff

One of our greatest enemies is stuff.  Stuff can be nearly anything and everything, and the stuff you cherish might be different than the stuff I cherish.  But ultimately, we all can be distracted by stuff.  The material things of this world are sometimes necessary–stuff like food and clothing.  But often, material things become alluring and distracting.  We want fancy clothes and luxurious meals.  We want bigger houses and nicer cars.  We want more gadgets and things, and before we know it, we are bogged down by materialism and stuff.

Things are not evil in and of themselves, but we must be wary of our attitude towards things.  When our focus is centered on earthly things and not spiritual things, we are in trouble.  We need to remember the words of Jesus, “Be on you guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  Discipline yourself to be a good steward of possessions–be charitable, don’t be covetous, and always remember that earthly things will pass away, but spiritual things will last forever.

 

Jeroboam’s Religion: A Religion Devised in His Heart

Jeroboam’s Religion: A Religion Devised in His Heart

This week we’ve discussed King Jeroboam’s self-made religion. It was a religion of self-reliance, convenience, and altered rules. Jeroboam departed from God’s pattern because he didn’t trust in God. Sadly, he followed his heart instead of giving his heart to God. First Kings 12:33 says that Jeroboam made offerings in the month which had devised in his own heart. That’s a condemning truth about much of religion today. Continue reading “Jeroboam’s Religion: A Religion Devised in His Heart”

Temptations in the Wilderness (Life of Christ Sermon 9)

After the awe-inspiring scene of His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit to the wilderness.  There He would face Satan in a series of temptations.  In this sermon, Nate Bibens retells the events of Matthew 4 and Luke 4, showing how Jesus overcame every temptation.  This event teaches us great things about how our adversary attacks us, and how we too can overcome as Jesus did!

Temptations in the Wilderness – Audio Only

The Birth Announcements Part 3 (Life of Christ Sermon 5)

Nate Bibens continues discussing the wondrous events leading up to the birth of Christ.  In this sermon, Nate teaches on Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the songs of each woman (Luke 1:39-56) as well as the final angelic birth announcements of the gospel narratives – the angel that spoke to Joseph about his betrothed Mary and the child she was carrying (Mt. 1:18-25)!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huS9HTY7-Gk]

 Audio Only