A brilliantly simple section of Scripture that tells us the Gospel saves
and seals us with the Holy Spirit when we hear and believe. However, this same
section of Scripture has been complicated by 2000 years of theology; we
attempt to bring clarity and comfort from these words.
We have a lens that interprets all that we hear and read. Scripture has
a lens over it from 400 years of theological battles and 200 years of American
culture. These two can distort what Scripture actually says. In this text we look at
the Bible’s Greatest Hit and if we hear this song Scripture sounds amazing.
Ephesians is brilliant. It is the revelation or uncovering of the master
plan of Jesus to unite heaven and earth, Jews and Gentiles, for a lasting mission
of good works. The themes of Ephesians of adoption, heirs with Jesus, Spirit,
resurrection power and so many more enlighten the believer’s faith and equip
them for every good work.
Matthew 3-4 tells us the story of Jesus getting baptized then Jesus being led by
the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The main point of these
stories is to remind believers that we are at war. There is a real enemy; if there
is a real enemy, it helps to be mindful of the typical weapons of the enemy as
well as practical methods of fighting back against the evil in the world.
It’s not difficult to find conflict in this world. But the greatest conflict in the world today is the battle for our minds. The good news is God can reframe our mind for spiritual success.
In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays we can forget the
supernaturally wondrousness of the birth of King Jesus. Re-read the Bible’s presentation and allow God to rekindle wonder.
The church at Thessalonica is told to not do sex like the people who don’t know God. Paul had previously instructed them to control their bodies in holiness and honor. We attempt to unearth the weapons that they would have used to exercise body control.
Ancient Greeks and Romans had a drastically different view of what was allowed sexually. The good news is the Gospel has redefined sex for the entire world and in its sunrise has protected the most vulnerable in a society.
Everyone needs examples. The Thessalonian believers were able to look at Paul, Silas and Timothy and then through difficulty, repentance, patience and God’s word they became the models for the entire region.
Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1, 14:1-3, 24-25; Matthew 5:6, 13:58: Hebrews 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20; Acts 1:8, 2:38; 2 Peter 1:3-4, 2 Timothy 1:6; John 15:26, 16:13-14; Romans 8:29; Numbers…
Bible Text: 1 Samuel 10:6, 16:13-14; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 11:1-2, 42:1, 61:1-3; Genesis 12:1-3, Luke 1:34-35, 3:22, 4:1-21; John 14:12; Matthew 28:17; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Colossians…
Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1, 10:31; Acts 2; Hebrews 13:8; Genesis 1:1-2, 41:38-41; Exodus 31:1-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 | Preacher: Matt Heverly | Series: Ignorant?
Bible Text: Luke 1 | Preacher: Matt Heverly | Series: Luke
Bible Text: Galatians 5:16-25; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Hebrews 13:4; Ezekiel 18:1-24; Genesis 18:22-33; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; Genesis 20:6; Ephesians 5:25; Romans 12:9; Ezekiel 36:25-27, 37:1-7 | Preacher: Matt Heverly |…
Bible Text: Acts 1:8, 18:27, 19:1-20; Psalm 20:7; Romans 14:7, 2:4; Proverbs 9:1-6, 13-18 | Preacher: Matt Heverly | Series: The Book of Acts