Years ago, I played in a church basketball league. For this particular game, I had the keys to the building in which we were going to play. I arrived about two hours early. It had snowed about an inch and a half that day, and the parking lot had not yet been plowed. I parked … Continue reading What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You
Ephesians
The Fruits of Saving Faith
When a person places faith in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ as their only means of salvation, they are saved (John 3:14-19, 36; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28; Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; John 5:24; Acts 16:30-31; Titus 3:5). At the moment of salvation, a person receives the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9; Titus 3:5-6; … Continue reading The Fruits of Saving Faith
Church
Countryside Baptist celebrated its forty-first anniversary yesterday. The church started on the first Sunday of May 1985. Bill Howard was the original Pastor, and I came along ten years later. It was a wonderful day! We had a slideshow with pictures going all the way back to the beginning, presented gifts to the congregation, and … Continue reading Church
The Creation
Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” These are the first words of the Holy Bible. More than a statement, I believe this is God’s great take-it-or-leave-it verse, setting up the rest of Scripture. The reason Genesis 1:1 sets up the rest of Scripture is that God wants us to … Continue reading The Creation
The Importance of the Cross
About once a quarter, our local fairgrounds hosts a "Vendors and Yard Sale Day," where both professionals and locals rent spaces to sell their items. Our church will often acquire space at these events. We don’t sell a thing; we give things away. In December, we gave away ten different styles of tree ornaments that … Continue reading The Importance of the Cross
Let God Fight
We all go through our struggles. Sometimes the struggles are minor, sometimes they are major battles. As Christians, one of our most significant problems is that we tend to try to fight our battles ourselves. Think of the battles that the Hebrews fought in the Old Testament. At Jericho, God told them to walk around … Continue reading Let God Fight
Spiritual Basic Training
At my graduation ceremony from basic training for the US Army, the speaker came out, stood behind the podium, took a giant deep breath, and said, "Finally, you made it!" The latter half of the last chapter of Ephesians (chapter six) lists the spiritual weapons Christians need to fight the good fight and live a … Continue reading Spiritual Basic Training
The Most Important Event In History
We will celebrate history's most important event in a little over a month. Technically, it is two separate events, but they happened the same weekend. Without the first, you cannot have the second; without the second, the first is meaningless. Event number one is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The second is His resurrection. Hundreds … Continue reading The Most Important Event In History
Everyone Has A Relationship With God
We interact with people all the time. Some are acquaintances, others are good friends, some are relatives, and others are work colleagues. There are people we love, like, dislike, and maybe even hate. Some people may fall into more than one category; that cousin you do not know well and only see at weddings and … Continue reading Everyone Has A Relationship With God
Signs, Signs, And More Signs
Matthew 24:3-8 "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For … Continue reading Signs, Signs, And More Signs
Preacher's Point 