Spirit Filled Work
Ephesians 6:5-9
Several weeks ago we began to take a look at a section of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus that began back in Ephesians 5:18 where Paul encouraged the folks to be filled with the Spirit instead of being filled with wine. We learned that being filled with the Spirit of God leads to [...]
Draw Near
James 4:8
Our understanding of things oftentimes is based upon our relation to the event taking place, the information being shared, and our own perspective. We can watch the first quarter of a Thunder game and be thoroughly convinced who the winner will be, only to be proven wrong if we walk away before the final buzzer [...]
Spirit Filled Homes: Parents and Children
Ephesians 6:1-4
How are families to function? Most people never really give it a thought. We get married, eventually have children, and do our best to make things work. In Paul’s day there were well established “household codes” that served to provide structure, a chain of command, and guidance for the family unit. When thinking about “household [...]
Spirit-Filled Homes
Ephesians 5:21-6:9
In our Scripture for today we have an incredible opportunity to learn about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit upon the relationships we share in our household. Paul talks about the relationships of husbands and wives, parents and children, and “slaves and masters,” or in our day, we could say, “employers and employees.” Dr. [...]
You Can’t Hide a Grateful Heart
Luke 7:36-50
It’s a brand New Year! I’m sure you have grown weary of getting emails from me over the past few weeks urging you to take some time to pray and seek some God-inspired goals that you can pursue this year. I know that most of us don’t make “New Year’s Resolutions” any longer because we’ve [...]
Immanuel: God is With Us!
Matthew 2
It’s Christmas Eve. The night in which little kids are filled with anticipation, waiting, wondering, expecting that things are going to turn out and Christmas morning will be filled with everything they’ve hoped for. It’s Christmas Eve. The night in which moms and dads are filled with excitement about seeing the looks on the faces [...]
My Help!
Romans 8:24-27
What is the one thing that we all need, but that we are so reluctant to ask for? I’m sure you could come up with many answers to that question, but the first thing that comes to my mind is “help.” When we find ourselves in a quandary, we need to ask for help. When [...]
Cut and Run or Reconcile?
Matthew 5:7
This morning we are taking a look at the Sixth Choice in our effort to overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. In January, when we launch Celebrate Recovery here at Britton Christian Church, those who will be part of this powerful ministry will work together in moving through the 8 Choices of recovery. This morning [...]
Coming Clean
Matthew 5:8
Have you ever seen the television series “Hoarders” that airs on the A&E network? It is amazing to see how folks can collect so much junk in their homes that they can’t even get around. Their kitchens are overflowing with piles and piles of dishes, old boxes, kitchen appliances that haven’t worked in years, and [...]
God Can Use Our Pain to Bring About Change
Celebrate Recovery
Most of us dream of a life free from pain. “Pain” is an experience that is shared by all people. At the same time, there is nothing that we work harder at than to try and free ourselves from pain. If we can’t figure a way out of the pain, if we can’t stop the [...]
We’ve Got a Problem
Matthew 5:3-12
You would never know it by talking to us, but we’ve got a problem and the problem is us. Everyone has problems. Everyone struggles with problems. The difference between the point I am trying to make and the description of “problems” as most people would describe them is this: Most people see their problems caused [...]
Transformed Relationships
Ephesians 5:21
There is an ever-growing awareness in our society of a general malaise that has left us feeling uneasy about our lives. We are unfulfilled with our present situation and uncertain about our future. We are not content with who we are or what we are doing. There is a gnawing feeling that there has to [...]
Under the Influence
Ephesians 5:18-20
We are living under the influence. There is no way to escape it. There is a conspiracy of influence taking place all over the world. You turn on the television and there are those peering at you through the screen that are doing their best to influence your buying habits, shape your beliefs, and change [...]
Making the Most of the Time
Ephesians 5:15-20
Our God is such a gracious and kind God. Long before we ever recognize His wonderful blessings, long before we ever recognize His involvement in our lives, long before we ever bow our knees and acknowledge His goodness and mercy…He blesses us. Jesus said, 45 …He causes his sun to rise on the evil and [...]
Behavior That Fits Our Belief
Ephesians 5:3-14
The last time we were together and taking a look at Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus we were urged to “imitate God.” If that were the only direction Paul would have given the brothers and sisters in Ephesus, and us, then we would be overwhelmed with the mere thought of imitating God. He [...]
One More Memory…
1 Thessalonians 4:13
Fifteen years ago my mom had a health scare that landed her in ICU. We honestly didn’t know what the future held for her. She was diagnosed with COPD, a respiratory disease that is progressive and incurable. She had to make some radical lifestyle changes: she gave up smoking, had to change her diet, and [...]
The Business of the Church
Acts 2:42-47
It is that time of year when churches are hustling, planning, and preparing for the new semester, the kick-off of the Fall activities. As we make those plans, it is vitally important for us as a church to know “who” we are, for us to know God’s purpose for this particular church. Many churches today [...]
Running With Purpose
Hebrews 12:1-3
Last week we began our study of Hebrews 12:1-3. The writer of Hebrews used the illustration of a runner to teach us how important it is for us to lay aside everything that will slow us down in the race of faith. If you will remember “the laying aside what will hinder” doesn’t necessarily describe [...]
Running With Endurance
Hebrews 12:1-3
I have absolutely loved watching the Olympics. It doesn’t matter which sport you watch, it is evident that those who are competing have spent an incredible amount of time practicing, getting stronger and faster, preparing mentally and physically so that they would be ready when the competition began. One of my favorite competitions within the [...]
The Imitation of God
Ephesians 5:1-2
Thomas a Kempis was born in 1380 in the village of Kempen near Düsseldorf, Germany. The period in which Thomas was born and lived was called the “Calamitous Century,” because of all of the chaos and turmoil that seemed to be pervasive. Europe was in a state of constant upheaval. The Hundred Years War was [...]
Out With the Old and In With the New: 2
Ephesians 4:25-32
The last time we were together, and studying Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, we talked about the innate need within each of us for change. Believer and unbeliever alike sense that there is something more to life than what we are experiencing. The desire for change is something that believers and unbelievers share [...]
Out With the Old and in With the New
Ephesians 4:25-32
We are in the middle of the year so the thought of New Year’s resolutions are the farthest thing from our minds. As the weeks and months rock along the thoughts of “change” will begin to creep in. It happens every year. You and I will watch the evening news and they will talk about [...]
One Subject. One Professor. One Classroom.
Ephesians 4:20-24
In our study last week we took a look at Ephesians 4:17-19 and we heard Paul tell the followers of Jesus, in Ephesus, that they “must no longer live like the Gentiles do.” He insists on it. He’s adamant. He’s uncompromising. He’s fully aware that the people who will hear his letter read are Gentiles [...]
The Resolution
One week ago Connie and I watched a movie called, “Courageous.” I had heard of the movie. Some of my friends had told me that the movie was good, that every dad should have the watch the movie, and that it had a profound impact on their life. I have to be honest with you [...]