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Introduction I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing…

Psalm 16 A Michtam of David. In life, we have two basic desires – to feel safe and to feel satisfied. These two basic desires drive so many choices we make every day. When we don’t feel safe, fear and anxiety grip our minds. When we don’t feel satisfied, greed and lust control our hearts. Entire industries…

I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is…

So last week we discussed the creation account in Genesis chapter 1... ...and if you remember, while we're completely aware that creating the universe and everything in it is no small task... We looked at putting the creation account in context. And the only way we can do that is to look at the rest…

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him…

From Last week: a gospel built on promises of a great life now What is the “Therapeutic” gospel What is the “Therapeutic” gospel Self-Help gospel is closely connected. The gospel and the bible become guide-books and principles for the creation of the “life I’ve always wanted” Moralistic, Feelings Based,…

Recognizing Mom’s birthday On this 2023 Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, let us remember that Jesus is CREATOR, GIVER and SUSTAINER of Life. True Life. Eternal Life. Resurrection Life. But also, this life we live in the natural world. We are here according to His purpose and plan. I know that Roe v. Wade…

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the…

Life under the sun Ecclesiastes 1-2 Prayer Through your word we might know you. knowing you we might know wisdom for life. I pray that you might give us ears to hear, eyes to see, and a softened heart to see the reality of our lives and the wonderful truth of your Word. Introduction Ah… another day.…

Turn to and read Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 . Pray. As we begin our study tonight, we must continually remind ourselves of what it was that Solomon was searching for: meaning, purpose, fulfillment. He kept coming back to the same conclusion: “All is vanity.” The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king…

1 Thessalonians 5:1- 9 / Day of the Lord 1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,”…

I don’t think it comes as a surprise to anyone that evil exists in our world today. We turn on the news, we hear of tragedy, we read of the horrors perpetuated from one person to another. And we think, “How can God let this happen?” Last week we began looking at the problem of evil, the problem of where…

Introduction When I was probably 8 or 9 years old we decided to see what would happen if we tied a rock to a young tree. The tree ended up growing at a slant until it reached the point where the rock was tied. After that it grew straight up again. As we grow in our walk with Christ, things are going…

LESSON 7 THE PRESENCE OF EVIL Text Habakkuk 1:1–4 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! 3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence…

Young and Old Just a couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation with and on the television there was a story about Dolly Parton. We were curious as to how old she was. So I took out my phone and googled her to find out. She is 77 years old. She doesn’t look 77 years old. She looks much younger.…

When we begin to talk about the Problem of Evil, we have to put on our thinking caps. As Christians this is an issue that we will have to confront challenges to our faith, because it is a very real stumbling block for those who may have looked at Christianity and wonder what solution there is to the…

Renew's values are Biblical Discipleship, Gracious Community, and Light to the World. Where do these values come from, what do they mean, and how do we live them out? Join Malcolm as he explores our foundations and their consequences.

Intro Today is the first Sunday after Easter, has your life changed any because of the reality of the resurrection? Often, sin in our lives involves pleasure. One of the ways God has made is is to seek good, pleasurable things. The best and most pleasurable thing we are supposed to seek is God. Often…

denial can be equivocated to dying out of our own will and desires. denial can be viewed as good or bad depending on the context used. the good: 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save…

Beware of the dark side which waits to destroy; instead renew your mind in the power of the Holy Spirit and live in the light where you belong. Scene 1/ Beware of the dark side – Luke. Eph 4:17-19 There is a scene in the Star Wars Movies where Yoda says to Luke Skywalker - “Beware of the Dark Side” The…

I stand before you today as someone who is addicted. I’m addicted to a lot of things. You all know about my ice cream addiction. We joke and laugh about that. But, we could talk about my desire to please people. We could talk about my past with pornography. I actually had to go through an addiction recovery…

Enjoy your portion as a gift from God today Hey Babe! Headed to my job to get fired! All right have fun! Hey Boss! Headed to my mom’s funeral! Sounds great! See you when you get back. Hey Mom! Jack hit me in school today, and my teacher made fun of my paper in front of the whole class. That is is such…

O Israel, hope in the Lord ! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. New Testament writers used the word hope in only one way and that was to express the idea that one anticipates (usually with pleasure) what…

Hedonistic Experiment (Part 2) We are just about a month removed from Christmas. And we all know what that means…the gifts that your kids or grandkids just had to have are now gathering dust in the closet or under the bed. And now they are wanting something new b/c “we’re bored”. This is the cycle that…