Friend. The mention of the word stirs all kinds of emotions within our hearts and minds. When we find our health failing and we become unable to take care of ourselves—a friend lightens our load. When our birthday rolls around and we have people who want to celebrate with us—a friend magnifies our joy. When we’ve lost our job and depression threatens us at every turn—a friend sheds light into dark places. When we experience the joy of childbirth with all of its overwhelming emotions—a friend affirms our feelings. On the other hand, when we share a relationship with someone only to have our trust trounced under foot—a friend becomes an adversary. When we find out that a friend has taken advantage of us—a friend becomes a foe. When we find out that our friend is “two-faced” and is talking behind our backs—a friend becomes an antagonist. Friends can share with us when our hearts soar with excitement and celebration; and friends can cut us so deeply that we think the wounds will never heal.
Archive for October, 2005
The Gift of a Friend
Philippians 1:1-11
Sunday, October 30th, 2005
The Curse of Least Resistance
Revelation 2:12-17
Sunday, October 23rd, 2005
Toby was the new kid at school. He’d moved to town during the summer after his dad had taken a new job in another state. Being a sophomore in high school is tough enough without any extra baggage, but when you are the new kid in school and you don’t know anybody…well, times can be unbearable.
The Suffering Saints and the Savior
Revelation 2:8-11
Sunday, October 16th, 2005
This morning we will turn our attention to Jesus’ second letter—the letter to the church in Smyrna. Out of the seven letters that we will study only two of them, this letter to the church in Smyrna and the letter to the church in Philadelphia, hold no critique of the congregations. What’s interesting about these two churches is that they had two things in common—tribulation and poverty. Now, we can’t jump to the conclusion that these two characteristics alone made them acceptable to the Lord. I know many people who are overburdened by problems and short of cash, but they are not godly people. The folks in Smyrna and Philadelphia were poor and troubled, yet they were placing their faith and confidence in their risen Savior.
Have You Forsaken Your First Love?
Revelation 2:1-7
Sunday, October 9th, 2005
Oh, how I remember when faith was young and the passion for my Savior ran hot like molten lava down a mountainside affecting every area of my life. I remember sitting in my dorm room in college and reading the most exciting book I had ever read before. I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to know more. I carried little cards in my pocket with Scriptures written on them to class, to lunch, to practice, everywhere I went so that I could “hide God’s Word in my heart.” I was alive, truly alive, for the first time in my life and it wasn’t because I had scored a touchdown, won the lottery, or finally found someone who made me happy.
When The Well Runs Dry
Revelation 2:1-6
Sunday, October 2nd, 2005
More than twenty years ago a young man entered college. It wasn’t just any college—it was one of the most sterling examples of Christian education in the nation. Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois. The young man was deeply in love with God and he wanted his life to matter for the Kingdom of God. He became well versed in God’s Word, excited about sharing all that he was learning, and overwhelmed by what God was doing in his life and the lives of others. The young man was so gripped by God that he decided to go to seminary and further his Christian education preparing for the ministry.