2007
No One Comes to the Father Except Through Me – 12/30/07
On the night He was betrayed Jesus consoled His beloved disciples when He told them in John 14:1-6 (ESV) 1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
Christmas Message – 12/23/07
John 1:1-14 (AMP) 1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. 2 He was present originally with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. 4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. 5 And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].
What Fools We Mortals Be – 12/2/07
One of the things I always give a lot of prayerful thought to is what my opening remarks in my next sermon will be. That’s the place where I attempt to “grab your attention” and “whet your appetite” so to speak. I really want you folks to listen to the entire message I believe the Lord has inclined me to share. The beginning doesn’t come easy to me especially when I’m being bombarded from every direction by those invisible demonic flaming arrows and fiery darts as I was this past week.
Beware of Intellectual Schizophrenic Professors – 11/4/07
Christian parents understandably have legitimate concerns whenever a child leaves home to attend college. In addition to his or her health and safety, parents often fear their son or daughter may succumb to the widespread anti-Christian influences on today’s college campuses. Informed parents know their child runs the risk of sometimes having their faith attacked in an effort to destroy it. Imagine the thoughts flowing through the mind of a father after he read a very disturbing text message from his daughter.
Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb? – 10/21/07
Most of you folks know the reunion with my family from Alaska after a separation of a year or two, is something my wife and I have been looking forward to very much. Regardless of the fact that things would be somewhat hectic in our two bedroom home with four adults and six grandchildren ranging in age from two months to ten and a half years, our family knew the love everyone has for each other would make the housing arrangement nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
How Great Thou Art – 10/7/07
While I was fine tuning yesterday’s message for the wedding between my granddaughter Katie and her husband Luis’, I had also been thinking and praying about what the Lord wanted me to bring to you folks this morning. Since I was going to quote from the sixth chapter of Genesis concerning the creation of man, it occurred to me to expand on it today, and also examine some of what was happening before creation. To set the stage for today’s message I’m going to quote a little from yesterday’s ceremony.
The Most Embarrassing Verse in the Bible – 10/4/07
This morning I would like to ask those of you who have been a Christian for some time whether or not you are prepared to make a believable scriptural defense for the hope that is in you? For instance, how would you respond to someone with similar views as those of the following three men?
A Priceless String of Spiritual Pearls – 09/23/07
An hour or so before sunrise last Thursday on the final morning of our three day vacation on the Maine coast I was pleasantly surprised by a wonderful experience. My wife was still fast asleep in bed while I was sitting in the dark motel room in an upholstered arm chair with my Bible and note pad on my lap. In spite of having had a good eight hours of sleep, I had very little energy.
The Most Underutilized Antidepressant – 9/9/07
The September 6th online edition of The Washington Post reported very disturbing results of the correlation between the decreased usage of antidepressants and a dramatic increase in suicides among young people. “Warnings from federal regulators four years ago that antidepressants were increasing the risk of suicidal behavior among young people led to a precipitous drop in the use of drugs.
Helping Christian Hostages Break Free – 9/2/07
Last Friday’s edition of The Burlington Free Press carried an article concerning the release of the remaining seven South Korean church volunteers who had been taken hostage in Afghanistan by Taliban militants six weeks previously. The international secular media has reported that by today all twenty one of the twenty three hostages were expected to make it home safely.
With God’s Help We Can and We Will – 8/19/07
For the past several weeks I’ve been stressing the necessity of you and me cultivating the habit of dealing with our anger in a manner which is pleasing to God. For instance, the Bible tells us not to sin when we become angry. God also wants us to get rid of it before the sun goes down (Eph. 4:26). If the offense is not dishonoring to Christ or His church we can choose to overlook it.
The Worst Request Anyone Can Ask of God – 8/12/07
Have you ever tried to explain your view to someone, and knew you lost them before you finished what you were saying? The person just tuned you out. If he or she didn’t jump all over you at the time, you were left with the unmistakable impression that the person went away from you angry over what you had said? I’m sure you have.
Another Roadblock on the Way to Hell – 8/5/07
One of the things I stressed in last week’s message is the responsibility of Christians to forgive those who have sinned against them, just as they have been forgiven by God in Christ Jesus; including folks who repeatedly treat them with despicable contempt.
You May Have to Say “Enough is Enough” – 7/29/07
Have you ever made the statement, “divorce is always wrong?” I honestly can’t recall having done so, but I suppose it’s possible. How about you? If you have, you’re in very good company. Dallas Willard, world renowned theologian and scholar, in his book “The Divine Conspiracy,” admits to having this conviction.
The Comfort of Reality (REVISED) – 7/22/07
Several years ago, three American Southern Baptist health care missionaries serving in Yemen’s Jibla Baptist Hospital were brutally murdered by a satanically deluded Muslim. It turned out that one of his victims was a woman doctor who had been providing extraordinary medical care for nearly a year to his wife. Asked why he chose to kill such an obviously good woman who radiated pure unconditional love for all Muslims
Entering into the Light – 7/1/07
’m sure we all agree that there have been times when you and I weren’t surprised when someone became angry. I certainly wasn’t when a young father of four small children told me his wife had abandoned them the day before and left a note saying she wanted to “find herself” and then do “her own thing.”
Loving Unattractive Christians – 6/10/07
I don’t know about you, but one of the most difficult things for me to do is to love a habitually angry person. The truth is, I don’t even want to be near those kinds of miserable people, much less love them. In fact, I try my best to avoid and stay as far away as I can from them.
A Confession of an Angry Man – 6/3/07
If we’re honest with ourselves we have to admit we’ve been getting angry for as long as we can remember. We must also acknowledge the fact that no one had to teach me how to become angry. In my own case there were occasional times my Mom may have blown up in exasperation with my younger sister and brother and me, but no one could say we lived in an angry home with parents who were loose-cannons and crummy role models.
A Letter to a Beloved Worry Wart – 5/20/07
Dear ,
I don’t know if you have had an opportunity to read my message from last week, but in case you have, I decided to write and elaborate on the God given ability we Christian’s have to rise above our often troubling circumstances and restrain our anger, so much so, that we can forgive and pray for those who treat us despicably.
The Most Precious Legacy – 5/13/07
Someone who truly believes what God has revealed about Himself and His creation in the Bible should never be surprised whenever terrible violence suddenly erupts someplace in our world. Feelings of shock, anger, horror, outrage, grief, and a myriad of other adjectives perhaps, but never one of surprise to someone well versed in the Scriptures.
And the Nations Were Silent – 5/5/07
Early one morning several weeks ago while I was alone in our living room reading Newsweek Magazine, I came across a black and white photograph accompanying a review of a recently published book chronicling the account of one of the most evil events in human history. Although I haven’t finished reading it, I’m still pondering the scene in that photo which must have been taken when I was about seven or eight years old.
The Kingdom of God/Heaven – 4/22/07
Last week I shared some of the grave concerns I have about powerful Christians who believe they have an infallible understanding of what the Bible teaches concerning biblical prophecy and the so called “end-times.” For instance, in her excellent little book, “Forcing God’s Hand: Why Millions Pray for a Quick Rapture…And Destruction of Planet Earth
Truth Exists and Knowing it Really Does Matter – 4/15/07
One of the thoughts that occurred to me as I was working on my Easter sermon was the fact that Easter and Christmas are the days when Christian churches are apt to have visitors who are not followers of the Risen Savior. And as I was thinking about that reality my mind wandered to the events that occurred behind the scenes on September 11th
Christ’s Amazing Predictions – 4/7/07
Millions of grateful Christians throughout the world are rejoicing today as they bring to remembrance the resurrection from the dead of their Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. The Apostle Paul reminded the early Christians that if what some men were saying was indeed true and that there was no resurrection, and if Christ has not been raised, then the apostles preaching and the faith of all Christians is in vain.
Context, Context, and Context – 4/1/07
Because I don’t believe I’m too old to learn, I welcome feedback on my sermons regardless if it’s favorable or not. The other day I received a very complementary email about my recent sermon concerning the way many Christians automatically and unconsciously add to and take away words from certain bible verses
Caution: Always Factor in the Historical Context – 3/18/07
“Where was your God on 911?” isn’t the only popular taunt Christians are apt to have thrown in their face these days. With an air of sarcasm, questions such as: “how come Jesus couldn’t tell time?”, or “why did Jesus give His disciples an order He knew was impossible for them to carry out, and “you tell me where Cain got his wife without him sinning and then I might begin to take the Bible seriously,”
Appalling Tidbits from the (DAV) Translation – 2/18/07
I don’t know about you, but one of my pet annoyances is having our dinner interrupted by someone either trying to sell me something or wanting me to participate in a survey. Although I don’t give them a hard time, I do manage to get rid of the caller very quickly. Actually I feel sorry for the person because I believe he or she has a miserable job. I wouldn’t want to have to make my living the way those folks do.
Onward, Christian Soldiers – 2/11/07
Those of you who have been regularly attending our Worship Service’s know that it’s characteristic of me to often remind you of something you already know; I’m not infallible, nor do I have a corner on all spiritual truth. That’s why I frequently encourage you to search the Scriptures for yourselves to see if what I have been teaching is of God. Well guess what?
The Triumphant Captives – 2/4/07
A few weeks ago in my message I shared how as a young preteen-age boy growing up during the Second World War, I had a nagging fear that America might loose. I worried that I and the rest of my family would fall into enemy hands destined to suffer unimaginable horrors. Then I went on to explain how back in eternity past, our Sovereign Lord had ordained that at a specific moment in human history; I actually would be taken captive, not once, but a couple of times.
The Only Solution – 2/21/07
When I compare the quality of life of most folks living in America today with that of the Iraqi people, I praise the Sovereign One through whom all of our blessings flow. Although it pales in comparison to the horror those poor people were subjected to under the late Saddam Hussein’s regime; they continue to experience hell on earth.
The Captives – 1/14/07
Although I have many fond memories of my childhood, most of which were centered on my mother’s sacrificial love for her children; I can still recall some of the real scary “what if’s” that weighed heavily on my pre-teen mind during the Second World War.
Setting the Captives Free – 1/7/07
In ending last week’s message I suggested that we ought to take time after we left church to think about the things we had just been considering. I encouraged you folks to speak about those eternal truths with each other, and also that each of you fills your mind and heart with a spirit of awe and gratitude.
