Category: Messages
More Keys to A Great Marriage
Scripture: Colossians 3:18-19; Assorted Proverbs
Scripture Memory: Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Journey: God’s vision for marriage that is so much more than “Hang in there and do you’re time.” God’s vision for marriage is that man and woman would come together with a oneness, an intimacy and a passion that causes them to live for each other. No. 1 is no longer me, the other, my spouse, has become more important.
Last week we talked about some deep and foundational truths in Ephesians 5 and we’ll return to that passage next week. Today’s message, however, is like a practical application of last week. You may remember that to get ready for this I passed out sheets asking you women what, in your opinion, your husbands need to know in order to be good spouses. Today we’ll seek to hear from ladies and their most common, general concerns about marriage – in a biblical context.
Hoping to grow in Him with you,
Will (for the pastors)
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5 Keys to A Great Marriage: Equality, Headship, Submission, Love and Respect
Scripture Memory: Matthew 6:5-6
5 “ . . .when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Journey: There’s an important principle in bible study that is called the analogy of Scripture. Analogy of Scripture means that we use the bible to interpret the bible. In other words, we use more lucid passages to understand those that are more difficult. We use more detailed passages to understand those that are brief. We read the bible as a whole and through the practice are helped to have an understanding of life that is full, rich and profound.
Colossians 3 contains two direct but very brief sentences about the relationship of husbands and wives to one another (3:18-19). Therefore, today we will use the analogy of Scripture and read Ephesians 5:21-33 (a longer, parallel passage) along with Colossians 3 to understand amongst other things what Paul means when he says, “Wives, submit to your husbands . . .” (Col 3:18).
Ladies, please be sure to bring your husbands. You absolutely do not want them to miss this!!
God bless,
Will (for the pastors)
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Indestructible Hope (Christ is Risen Indeed)
Sermon Text: 1 Cor 15: 1-8; 12-20
When difficult seasons of life roll in nobody ever steps back and says, “Yes! Widespread hardship! This is exactly what I was hoping and waiting for!” Nevertheless, challenges do have a way of causing you to step back and ask, “What am I really banking on? Am I building my life on a foundation that’s strong enough to prevent circumstances beyond my control from taking it away?”
Today we gather to remember and celebrate the only hope capable of carrying a human life through anything that this world can bring.
People have not gathered for the past 2,000 years to proclaim, “The economy has risen, it has risen indeed.” They have not gathered to shout the dollar has risen over the world market, or average life expectancy is risen, or the employment rate has risen, or residential home values have risen, or the value of your 401(k) has risen. Here’s the one indestructible hope that has strengthened human beings across the world for two thousand years in the face of the difficulties of poverty, disease, pain, all manner of hardship, and even death itself: Jesus Christ is risen – indeed!
Depending upon who you are that may seem like an abstract concept. You may ask, “What does Jesus Christ’s resurrection have to do with my life in this world today?” We’re going to seek to answer that question this morning against the backdrop of three questions: How much are you worth? How secure is your future? Is your past forgivable?
Hoping that the answers to those questions give you strength and joy,
Will (for the pastors)
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The Triumphal Entry
Scripture: Luke 19:29-44
Scripture Memory: 1 Timothy 6:17
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
Journey: As Easter, next Sunday is the one day of the year when we celebrate especially the resurrection of Christ from the dead. One week prior to his resurrection, on the first day of the week, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey greeted by the welcoming shouts and praise of many people. This is called the Triumphal Entry.
We’re told in John 12, that as Jesus rode into Jerusalem the people ran out to greet him with the branches of palm trees in their hands. Often people have thought that palm branches were a sign of peace but nothing could be further from the truth. The palm branch was actually a sign of rebellion. I’m betting you didn’t know that. . . Come along for our Journey in the Word today and we’ll discover together the rest of the story.
His peace and power on your life,
Will (for the pastors)
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