A Cool Example to Understand Spending Eternity Knowing God
I mentioned in my second service sermon today that the goal of life is to know God according to Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:17. This will continue in eternity and never end, yet we will never be bored. As an example, I said consider that when I hold my camera at the mirror- it reflects…
Read MoreGod’s Masterpiece
God made us for His purpose and we will never be happy until we find our purpose in Him! Ephesians 1:1-23 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord…
Read More100,000 Disciples for Jesus
This board held the plans to take over the world at Metro Praise International today! J/k But it did show how we can raise up 100,000 disciples in Chicago in 10 years! RECAP FROM TODAY’S SERVICES If each of our 185 youth/adult attendees in both services make one disciple a year, that then make a…
Read MoreDear Pastor…
Dear Senior Pastor, if you don’t like your schedule- change it. You don’t like your church- let someone else pastor them who will love them. You don’t like your pay- go sell used cars. You don’t like helping people- find another occupation. You need help- submit to other pastors who can help you (message me…
Read MoreCursed by Works vs. Saved by Grace
Some people when faced with the audacious claims of Christianity say, “It sounds too good to be true.” However, the truth is, “It’s too good not to be true.” In other words, only God Himself could devise such a plan in which all people can be saved not by works but by grace through faith.…
Read MoreHow Do Your Filter Your Thoughts?
Here is an oldie but goodie from my files on how to filter your thoughts through Paul’s list in Philippians 4:8. I just sent it to a friend facing a challenging time. As Christians we need to remind ourselves that we don’t need to think about everything that enters our minds nor do we…
Read MoreActs 7
In chapter 7 of the Pentecostal handbook 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 church stoned by the Jewish leaders. Acts 7:1 Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?” 2 To this he replied:…
Read MoreThe Cravings of the Flesh vs. The Fruit of the Spirit
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17,21, “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Peter said in 2 Peter 1:3-4,…
Read MoreGrowth 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…
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