Tag: Sermon

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2012-06-10: If Rocks Could Talk

Sermon: If Rocks Could Talk
Speaker: Pastor Frank Clore
Scripture Text: Nehemiah 4:1-6
Duration: 23:08
Size: 10.5 MB

If Rocks Could Talk
Nehemiah 4:1-6

The word “Bethel” comes from two words, one which means house and Elohim, a word for God. Thus, Bethel means house of God.

If the stone could talk, it would tell us that our God is a God of second chances.

The people after leaving Egypt wanted water to drink. Moses did what God told him. Fresh water poured from the rock to quench their thirst. If the rock could speak to us, it would say God will always take care of us.

Moses was getting tired. They grabbed a rock for Moses so he would have a place to sit. If that stone could speak it would tell us that God will always provide a place for us to rest.

God told Joshua to have 12 priests to go to the middle of the Jordan River and get one large stone each to build an altar. If those stones could talk, the would tell us of the awesome power of the Lord.

David chose five smooth stones to fight a giant of a man. He placed a stone in his sling shot and hurled it toward the giant. If that stone could talk, it would tell you there are no giants in your life that you cannot defeat with God on your side.

From today’s text we learned that instead of trading insults, Nehemiah prayed and the work continued. You can allow the insults to break you or build you up.

Stories about stones in the New Testament include:

What other stones (rocks) have taught you how much God loves you?

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2012-06-03: Ready To Give UP?

Sermon: Ready To Give UP?
Speaker: Pastor Frank Clore
Scripture Text: Nehemiah 4:6-14
Duration: 23:22
Size: 10.6 MB

Ready To Give UP?
Nehemiah 4:6-14

Discouragement has been defined as “the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles.” It is when you are just tired of putting forth the effort. You are ready to call it quits. The Israelites were discouraged.

The cause of their discouragement was:

  • Fatigue
  • Frustration
  • Failure
  • Fear

Cures for discouragement are:

  • Rest
  • Reorganize
  • Remember
  • Resist
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2012-05-27: Spiritual Disciplines – Submission

Sermon: Spiritual Disciplines – Submission
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:15-21
Duration: 28:37
Size: 13.1 MB

Spiritual Disciplines
Submission
Ephesians 5:15-21

Christian Submission…
Out of all the spiritual disciplines, I think that submission is the most counter cultural.

The Submission that Paul is calling us to is a mutual submission – not one where there is one person in submission, and another in authority, but that we would submit to each other.

It is not the abdication of responsibility or authority so we get no where and no decisions get made because we are so worried about stepping on each others toes.

Submission is – a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden. “put others first.”

The most amazing picture I have of submitting from a place of strength is that of Jesus standing before Pilate.

Laying down one’s life is not just about dying it is about giving up what we hold dear because our friend is even more dear to us.

Our Submission to each other is an outworking of the Spirit’s filling of our lives.

Areas to Submit…
I ask for the grace to let myself be shaped by my loving Creator.

I believe that God gives us families to practice love on, because if we can love them, we can love anybody.

If you look around you, these are all the “one-another’s” that God calls you to love and serve, to lift up and honor above yourself.

The Spiritual Disciple of Submission is as about as counter-cultural as you can get – you may feel it within you as you bristle at the very word “submission”.

Christian Submission…

  • Christian Submission is not about being a Doormat.
  • Christian Submission is not about the lowest common denominator.
  • Christian Submission Flows Out of Strength, Not Weakness.
  • Christian submission is not about placating a bully.
  • Christian Submission must come in Relationship.
  • Christian Submission is about Sacrifice.
  • Christian Submission flows from the filling of the Spirit.
  • Christian Submission is about Honor.

Areas to Submit…

  • Submit to God.
  • Submit to God’s Word.
  • Submit to our Families.
  • Submit to your neighbors, coworkers, friend…
  • Submit to the Christian Community.
  • Submit to the Broken & Despised.
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2012-05-20: …Reach the World

Sermon: …Reach the World
Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Matthew 28:18-20
Duration: 35:12
Size: 16.1 MB

…Reach the World
Matthew 28:18-20

Most of us are intimidated by the word EVANGELISM.

Mark 4:1-9 Parable of the Sower.

  • The Wayside Heart
  • The Stony Heart
  • The Thorny Heart
  • The Good Heart

However, we can not pick and choose where we sow seeds.

Carrying out the Great Commission by sowing and reaping is everyone’s concern.

Great Commission

First, in verse 18, we are being commanded by a Savior who has all power in heaven and on earth.

Because we share our stories, others find the hope that is found in Christ Jesus.

Secondly, in verse 19, the Great Commission reveals a Savior that is for all people.

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in him would not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Salvation is for all people. No one has sinned too much. No one is too lost.

Thirdly, however, we can’t stop here. The second part of the verse reveals to us the need to teach.

Then, as the people around you are influenced by your faith, they will find their way into a community of believers somewhere.

But Jesus called us to make disciples. As Christians, we must have a genuine concern for souls.