Month: March 2016

Revelation 8:6-13 – The First 4 Trumpets

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Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people [Read more...]

Refinement

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Today I’m going to be talking about the topic of refinement. This isn’t going to be an easy topic to teach on. Some of you will probably feel very convicted, some might be angry, but I’m hoping most of you will be encouraged by what I’m going to say because there is much to be encouraged about. The term refinement is actually a metallurgical term (metallurgical means the study of metals). It means to remove impurities from a metal. Refinement is a term that has both physical and spiritual meanings. Originally, I got inspired to write about this topic back in December, when I was searching the Bible for Scriptures dealing with metals. You might say that sounds strange, but for those of you who don’t know, I am a Metallurgical Engineer, which means I engineer metals. But when I was looking [Read more...]

Lust

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This is a sermon I preached on Lust back in July 2014. Enjoy this audio version! If you would prefer a written version, here is my sermon outline I used. Lust "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. (Matthew 5:27-30) Introduction Clarifications Although this is will seem like a message more directed [Read more...]

The Compromising Christian – Christ’s Letter to the Church in Thyatira

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  "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 'The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am [Read more...]

Thoughts on Bruce Jenner / Caitlyn Jenner – Responding in Truth and Love

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Most of you have heard by now about Bruce Jenner, who underwent a transgender surgery and now identifying himself as Caitlyn Jenner. Today I saw a friend post this article about someone who went to church with him and apparently had a fairly personal relationship with him and the family. (http://jcobia.tumblr.com/post/120611530946/i-went-to-church-with-bruce-jenner-and-heres-what). After reading it, I felt compelled to write about this situation. I understand the struggle some Christians have with this - the desire to show the love of Christ but not knowing how to show it to someone who is gay, lesbian, or in this case transgender. It seems that in our society and even in the church, the only two options we are given are to either completely accept them, their feelings, and also their [Read more...]

Submitting to Government Authority – 1 Peter 2:11-17

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Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:11-17) Introduction I’m [Read more...]

The Conundrum of Polygamy in the Bible

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The definition of marriage has become one of the most debated topics in our culture during the last few years. Most Christians will say that biblical marriage is defined as being between one man and one woman. However, one of the most common challenges to this idea is the charge that the Bible endorses polygamy (one man married to multiple wives) as a form of marriage. On the surface, there appears to be some plausibility to this charge. Polygamy isn't explicitly condemned in the Bible; several prominent figures in the Old Testament practiced it; and even the Mosaic law in a few instances seems to make allowances for it. How, then, are Christians supposed to address this subject? What does the Bible really say about polygamy? The first thing Christians need to do is learn what the [Read more...]