Growth Tracks vs. Biblical Discipleship
Pastors, please be careful with “Growth Tracks” and calling it “discipleship.” If someone can “join the team” in your church in just four weeks, ask yourself some of the following questions: Am I really making disciples (life long followers) like Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-21 or am I just putting spokes in a wheel to…
Read MoreThe Mind of Christ vs. The Fleshly Brain
Consider these two passages by Paul with my notes in brackets; Galatians 5:24-25, “24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires [your brain and its natural instincts in the body]. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit [in your…
Read MoreActs 6
In chapter 6 of the Pentecostal handbook we learn about the apostles appointing deacons in the church to help grow and manage the church; especially the charitable outreaches. Then we learn how God worked with Stephen, one of the new deacons, in a mighty way and that he was the first martyr in the Christian…
Read MoreThe Ways of the World vs. The Ways of God
God made us for His noble purpose in the Garden of Eden, however, since the fall of Adam and Eve humanity has been easily deceived by the tricks of the ole’ serpent, the devil. Jesus came to set us free from the work of the devil; along with the sinful ways of the world. Let…
Read MoreBorn Dead vs. Made Alive in Christ
Paul was a great preacher because he was a grace preacher! The grace message starts with the truth of God’s wrath against sinners but ends with sinners being made alive in Christ. What happens in the middle is the cross- God’s love manifested in forgiveness and redemption! Ephesians 2:1-10, “1 As for you, you were…
Read MoreActs 5
In chapter five of the Pentecostal handbook we learn that the disciples not only benefited from the Spirit’s power but also received His judgment and garnered the Jewish leaders wrath. However, God grew the church and continued to do miracles among the people. Acts 5:1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira,…
Read MoreFills Everything in Every Way
The Church has such an important role in today’s culture and in the age to come that the Son of God became a man to redeem it and be it’s head. The Church is and will forever be the means to which Jesus establishes the Kingdom of God. There is not one thing in the…
Read MoreNuggies About Being Around People
After over 15 years of pastoring here are five kinds of people that I’ve noticed others always have a hard time being around and getting close to… so if you wanna grow in life don’t be like this: Those who take themselves too serious: Lighten up- learn to laugh at yourself; you’re not that deep.…
Read MoreActs 4
In chapter four of the Pentecostal handbook we see how the first disciples were persecuted by the Jewish leaders because of preaching with power in Jesus’ name. However, the gospel continued to spread and more disciples were made. Plus, the church gives generously to help those in need. Acts 4:1 The priests and the captain…
Read MoreJesus, Head of the Church
The author of Hebrews gave two important reasons to take the church serious, first in Hebrews 10:23-27, he relates gathering and being spurred by the church as essential to not being led into sin and heresy, “23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let…
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