August 14, 2016 | Acts 2:42-47 |
Just as our physical birth means we are a part of a family, our spiritual birth makes us part of God’s family. The early church cultivated that shared family by being devoted to the fellowship. Learn how we can cultivate a shared family in our church today.
August 7, 2016 | Acts 2:42-47 |
The first century church had four devotions. The first was the apostle’s teaching. They were devoted to the preaching, teaching, study, and obeying of God’s Word.
August 1, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 |
Parents have questions… Practical questions like: How and when should I discipline my child? How do I get them potty trained? And spiritual questions like: When is my child old enough to confess faith in Christ? What about baptism and the Lord’s Supper? How can I be sure that they are saved? In answering these questions, we have God’s Word as our guide, but we must also take into account the child’s level of maturity. Have you noticed that every child is unique? No two are the same. And as they grow, they change. So the parenting style that seemed effective when they were small, doesn’t work when they’re older. These differences need different parenting styles.
In his first letter to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul told them that he had been willing to parent according to their situation, sometimes gentle and affectionate like a mother and sometimes strong like a father in order to release them to live up to God’s calling. We can parent our children following God’s Word to match our child’s situation with a goal of releasing them to the Lord.
July 24, 2016 | Ephesians 6:1-4 |
What is your parenting approach? Where did you learn how to be a mom or dad? Was it from your parents? From friends or a book? Or are you just winging it? The apostle Paul told the Ephesians how to raise up their children according to God’s plan. As Christians, we can follow God’s Word in the training of our children and raise them up to maturity according to God’s intent.
July 17, 2016 | Psalm 127 |
Don’t you wish kids came with an owners manual? Many times, we try to parent in our own strength and not rely on the Lord for our wisdom and strength. In Psalm 127, Solomon wrote about the necessity of recognizing the Lord as the One builds families and watches over them, so that we receive our children and how to parent them from the Lord.
July 10, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 |
What’s your life goal? Do you have one? What do you think God’s goal for your life is? Would you like to know? What is God’s goal for your life? That you become like Christ. Born again with a new nature, becoming like Jesus, so that you might be ready for Christ’s return. In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he closed the letter with final instructions on how they might cooperate with God’s goal for them to be sanctified and ready for Christ’s return.
July 3, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11 |
Have you ever had to face the death of loved one? Do you know the grief of such loss? Do ever feel discouraged by the increasing trouble in this world? Did you know that the Lord has a word for you to help you face such days? Including the Day of all days? In these passages of 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, Paul tells the believers of Thessalonica that they can be ready to face the Day of the Lord. We too can be ready to face the Day of Christ’s return.
June 26, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 |
Who are you trying to please? Is it your parents, your spouse, your kids, your neighbors or friends? What about God? Do you care whether God is pleased with your life? Another way of asking this is: Do you want God’s will for your life? Do you want to live to fulfill God’s will and calling on your life? In chapter four of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he instructed the believers to live in a way that would please God as they await the return of His Son, Jesus.
June 19, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 |
How is your faith today? Are you going through a trial, a time of difficulty? Is your faith growing and secure? Or has your faith weakened in the face of hardship? What does it mean to stand firm in Christ? How can we not only stand firm but grow in our faith in Jesus and in His soon return when times seem to be getting worse? In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he taught the believers how they could stand firm in Christ while looking for His return. We can stand firm together.
June 12, 2016 | 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 |
In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he told the believers that they could live a life worthy of God’s call to His kingdom and glory. We can live lives worthy of God’s call to His kingdom and glory. The text found in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16 gives four marks of those who live worthy of God’s call.