Category: God
Subject: God
Invitation: The Rock That is Higher Than I
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Psalm 61:1-4 reveals in poetic terms the protection afforded us by the Almighty.
Sermon: The Burning Bush
God’s conversation with Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3, reveals important lessons about God’s presence, and the importance of a sanctified life in response to His redemptive plan.
Sermon: The Great Jehovah
The Psalmist in Psalm 96 proclaims praise to our great God in Heaven for what He has done, who He is, and what He will one day do. We too should lift our voices in praise to Jehovah.
FB: God’s Favor
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Psalm 36:7-9).
The favor of God, described in such poetic language in the text above, is expressed to those who are “upright in heart” (10). The “workers of iniquity” strive against God, and are defeated by Him (12).
And so we, as the Psalmist, pray to Him, “Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart” (10).
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Sermon: These Things Do Not Change
In the midst of a changing world, there is a need for us to hold on to some things which do not change.
The Patternists: God’s Foolishnesss
“For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).
This verse reveals two very important things:
First, man’s wisdom does not lead to a knowledge of God. It is not surprising that our secular society denies and ridicules the belief that an almighty and merciful God exists.
Second, God determined to reveal Himself and His will for man. He did this through written scripture (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). The truths revealed in that written word are the way God saves man. Paul wrote, “we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24).
Any who guide you in a way of man’s devising, lead you to destruction. The way to life is revealed solely by God Himself. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
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FB: What Does God Love?
What does God love? How about the opposite of the things he hates?
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
So, God loves the downcast eyes of the humble, a tongue that speaks truth, hands that protect the innocent, a heart that devises righteous plans, feet that are swift to do good, a true witness who tells the “truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”, and one who promotes unity and brotherhood!
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Invitation: May God Be With You Always
Invitation delivered by: Ben Schmidt
The Star Wars movies talk about “The Force.” The Bible reveals God to be the omnipotent and merciful creator and sustainer of all things. We are redeemed by His grace.
Invitation: God Keeps His Promises
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
Matthew 7:7-11 shows clearly that God keeps His promises to us.
Sermon: The Capabilities of God
Daniel 3 is an arresting example of God’s capabilities to protect and reward those who are His. He has the power, and the mercy to be faithful in His promises to us.
Sermon: Beer Lahai Roi
Sermon by: Jeremiah Cox
In Genesis 16, Hagar called the well where she talked with God, “Beer Lahai Roi”, asking “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”
From this story we learn: 1) God sees our affliction; and, 2) God also makes Himself seen/known.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Our Immutable God
Much is written about God’s attributes. We rejoice in His omnipotence and omniscience. It is because God is all powerful and all knowing that we have this wonderful universe in which to live. The complexity and wonder of the cosmos is beyond man’s comprehension, and we acknowledge that God is “higher” than us. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
Another attribute of God that is worthy of our consideration is His immutability. James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). God does not change.
Change can be a good thing. We rejoice in the development of a child as they grow physically and socially. We consider maturation a good thing. Also, consider the need for man to change from a sinful life to one of righteousness. He must repent. Jesus said, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
However, God is perfect. He is mature, wise, righteous and good. He has established a relationship with man that allows us to depend upon that mercy, goodness and justness. The fact that God never changes allows us to rest in the assurance of His promises to the faithful. Because it is “impossible for God to lie” we have “strong consolation” (Hebrews 6:18). For this we are thankful.
“God Isn’t Fixing This” ???
Another mass shooting took place on Wednesday morning, in San Bernardino, CA. Two shooters killed 14 and injured 17 others. At this writing, authorities are looking into the motivation and circumstances behind the killing.
We are living in fractious times. Each scary situation foments partisan rhetoric, and America is deeply divided as to how to deal with mass shootings and terrorist activity in our nation. It seems that ideologues are breathlessly waiting for that moment when they can triumphantly proclaim each incident as “domestic” or “Islamic” terrorism. It is as if the motivations of violent and often deranged criminals serve to validate their narrative. This is sad.
FB: The Promise and Power of God
It is comforting to read the many assurances found in God’s word concerning His power, and beneficence toward those who belong to Him. One example of this is found in Isaiah 35:2-3:
“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, you God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.'”
In the midst of uncertain and disturbing times, we cast our confidence in the Almighty God. Jesus has come as a Savior, and will come again to judge the ungodly, and “to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7).
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The Power of God’s Foolishness
In 1 Corinthians 1, the apostle Paul realistically predicted the reaction of most people to the message of the cross. He wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (18). Many times when I have preached a simple lesson on some aspect of truth, I will be asked by a brother or sister in Christ, “How can anyone in their right mind reject such an obvious truth?” The answer is given by Paul, it is foolishness to them. They reject the message and proofs supplied by God, preferring instead their own ideals and opinions. As Paul continued, “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” (22-23).
In contrast, to those “who are being saved”, the message of the cross is “the power of God” (18). In verse 24, the preaching of “Christ crucified” is said to be to “those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (24).
