12 Steps Closer to GodIn 2013 our congregation was involved in a year long study focusing on Christian growth and development. Here are many of the videos and resources from that study.
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Step One - Vision“It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.” (Helen Keller) Before anyone can walk the path of growth they must have an idea of what they aspire to become. However, too often the vision is hindered by mistakes of the past and misconceptions concerning our own potential. Let us understand that God has a great vision for His children. He wants us to soar like eagles (Isa 40:31); to be Christ-like (Rom 8:29).
In order to have a vision for the future and understanding of the path one must take to get there, one must see clearly who they are. Therefore, the focus this month is about self-awareness, self-evaluation, potential, and goal setting. |
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- Renewing Your Heart (1/2/13) | Video (pt 1) | Video (pt 2) |
- Faith of a Mustard Seed: Lessons from the Smallest Seed (1/6/13) | Video |
- What God Wants for His Children: Growth! (1/6/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Trust (1/9/13) | Video |
- Faith of a Mustard Seed: My Personal Development (1/13/13) | Video |
- Where Are You Adam? (1/13/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Values-1 (1/16/13) | Video |
- Faith of a Mustard Seed: The Power of Vision (1/20/13) | Video |
- Press on Toward the Goal (1/20/13) | Video (pt 1) | Video (pt 2)
- Directions Every Christian Should Look (1/20/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Values-2 (1/16/13) | Video |
- Faith of a Mustard Seed: My Vision, His Vision (1/27/13)| Video |
- Journey to Heaven Begins with 5 Simple Steps (1/27/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Family (1/27/13) | Video |
Step Two - Daily Devotion
“Don’t study the Bible to find texts to preach upon, or chapters to expound; but study it to find something that will feed your own heart. If you do this, you will find it a most delightful book, and when it is a delight to you, God will enable you to make it a delight to others." (J. Hudson Taylor)
Last month's challenge was to examine self, recognize potential, set spiritual goals, and begin the journey of spiritual growth. This month's focus is "devotion". Specifically, daily devotion. Having a devotional life is key to spiritual renewal.
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- Preparing to Pray Like Paul: Paul's Prayer Life (2/3/13) | Video |
- Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You (2/3/13) | Video |
- Facts About Fasting (2/3/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Gratitude (2/6/13) | Video |
- Preparing to Pray Like Paul: Paul's Prayers (2/10/13) | Video |
- Spend the Day With Jesus (2/10/13) | Video |
- "Don't Just Do Something, Sit there!" (2/10/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Focus (2/13/13) | Video |
- Preparing to Pray Like Paul:Becoming a Person of Prayer (2/17/13) | Video |
- Finding Your Song (When You Don't Feel Like Singing) (2/17/13) | Video |
- Beholding My Devotion (Acts 17:23) (2/17/13) | Video |
- Preparing to Pray Like Paul:His Prayer for the Ephesians (2/24/13) | Video |
- How to Enrich Your Daily Bible Study (2/24/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Sincerity (2/27/13) | Video (pt 1) | Video (pt 2) |
Step Three - Attitude
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5)
The place of attitude on the pathway of success is not a secret. Zig Ziglar is noted for saying, "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude". Similar words were uttered by Winston Churchill, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." Even one of our country's founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, remarked, "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."
It is clear attitude is vital to success, even spiritual success! In the Bible, "attitude" can be found everywhere. Attitude is seen in Paul's message to the Colossians, "whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (3:23). Attitude is found within Jesus' beatitudes (Mt 5:3ff). As someone has said "the beatitudes are simply attitudes we ought to be". Even the call to obtain the "mind" of Christ (Phil 2:5), is essentially, a challenge to embrace the attitudes He embodied.
In moving forward in their walk with God, one must consider, "How's my attitude?"
It is clear attitude is vital to success, even spiritual success! In the Bible, "attitude" can be found everywhere. Attitude is seen in Paul's message to the Colossians, "whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (3:23). Attitude is found within Jesus' beatitudes (Mt 5:3ff). As someone has said "the beatitudes are simply attitudes we ought to be". Even the call to obtain the "mind" of Christ (Phil 2:5), is essentially, a challenge to embrace the attitudes He embodied.
In moving forward in their walk with God, one must consider, "How's my attitude?"
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- Cultivating the Right Attitude: Be Positive (3/3/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Love (3/3/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy (3/3/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Bearings (3/6/13) | Video |
- Cultivating the Right Attitude: Overcoming Discouragement (3/10/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Peace (3/10/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Patience (3/10/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Peace (3/13/13) | Video |
- Cultivating the Right Attitude: Overcoming Selfishness (3/17/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness (3/17/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness (3/17/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Courage (3/20/13) | Video |
- Cultivating the Right Attitude: Dealing with Discontent (3/24/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness (3/24/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Gentleness (3/24/13) | Video |
- Renewing Your Fight (3/27/13) | Video |
- Cultivating the Right Attitude: Going The Extra Mile (3/31/13) | Video |
- The Fruit of the Spirit is Self-Control (3/31/13) | Video |
Step Four - Worship
"Worship changes the worshiper into the image of the One worshiped" (J. Hayford).
An article in House to House/Heart to Heart asks, “What are we in worship for? Granted, some are there to “get it over with for a week” or “to get their ticket validated once more.” But those who are there because they need the strength in carrying their crosses know the value in truly worshipping God.” (David Lusk).
There is value in worship. Too often Christians forget! A healthy worship life is vital to spiritual growth. Former President Calvin Coolidge once said, “It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to grow.” A.W. Tozer observed, “I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.”
Take up the call to grow in your worship and praise!
There is value in worship. Too often Christians forget! A healthy worship life is vital to spiritual growth. Former President Calvin Coolidge once said, “It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to grow.” A.W. Tozer observed, “I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.”
Take up the call to grow in your worship and praise!
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- More Meaningful Worship (4/7/13) | Video |
- John 4:24 - God Centered Worship (4/7/13) | Video |
- A Study of Godly Worship (4/10/13) | Video |
- More Meaningful Worship: The Seven Wonders of God (4/14/13) | Video |
- John 4:24 - The Worshipper's Heart (4/14/13) | Video |
- New Cart Religion (4/14/13) | Video |
- A Study of Godly Worship: The Spiritual Nature of Worship (4/17/13) | Video |
- A Study of Godly Worship: The Priesthood of Believers (4/24/13) | Video |
- More Meaningful Worship: To Worship with Understanding (4/28/13) | Video |
- John 4:24 - Behold the Pattern (4/28/13) | Video |
- Some Questions Regarding Worship (4/28/13) | Video |
Step Five - Purity
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
These words come from Christ’s discourse on the mountain and although they are just part of that whole discourse, they embody the sense of the entire message. Jesus knew that too often the focus of the Pharisees and Scribes was outward purity. With this, Jesus revealed that the focus of the new covenant is the heart.
The importance of the heart is clearly seen in scripture. The wise man said, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov 23:7) and “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (Prov 4:23). Therefore, since so much depends upon the heart, let us pursue purity! Matthew Henry has said, “The way to preserve the peace of the church is to preserve its purity.”
The dictionary defines Purity as “Freedom from adulteration or contamination. Freedom from immorality.” Though, Josh McDowell has said, “You probably can't define purity. Purity is to live according to original design.” To pursue purity is to pursue God’s desire for your life.
When one lives as God intended, they are unencumbered by sin and guilt. They discover the joy of knowing God. In purity they find strength. “My strength is as the strength of ten, Because my heart is pure. (Alfred Lord Tennyson).
The importance of the heart is clearly seen in scripture. The wise man said, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov 23:7) and “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (Prov 4:23). Therefore, since so much depends upon the heart, let us pursue purity! Matthew Henry has said, “The way to preserve the peace of the church is to preserve its purity.”
The dictionary defines Purity as “Freedom from adulteration or contamination. Freedom from immorality.” Though, Josh McDowell has said, “You probably can't define purity. Purity is to live according to original design.” To pursue purity is to pursue God’s desire for your life.
When one lives as God intended, they are unencumbered by sin and guilt. They discover the joy of knowing God. In purity they find strength. “My strength is as the strength of ten, Because my heart is pure. (Alfred Lord Tennyson).
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- Overcoming Temptation (5/1/13) | Video |
- In Pursuit of Holiness: Called to Be Holy (5/5/13) | Video |
- Pure in a Polluted World (5/5/13) | Video |
- Pure and Undefiled Religion (5/5/13) | Video |
- Overcoming Temptation: Consequences (5/8/13) | Video |
- In Pursuit of Holiness: The Highway of Holiness (5/12/13) | Video |
- A Mother's Pure Example (5/12/13) | Video |
- Being A Peculiar People (5/12/13) | Video |
- Overcoming Temptation: Truth (5/15/13) | Video |
- In Pursuit of Holiness: Be An Example (5/19/13) | Video |
- Corruption in the Corinthian Church (5/19/13) | Video |
- Sweat the Small Stuff (5/19/13) | Video |
- Overcoming Temptation: Peter's Denial (5/22/13) | Video |
- In Pursuit of Holiness: Paul's Teaching (5/26/13) | Video |
- Modesty is a Must (5/26/13) | Video |
- Overcoming Temptation: Guard Your Heart (5/22/13) | Video |
Step Six - Service
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12:26).
Before defining the Fruit of the Spirit, Paul reminds all Christians, “you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal 5:13).
Only by developing the heart of a servant can one truly become Christ-like. The apostles often argued amongst themselves as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Knowing the desire of their hearts, Jesus warned them, “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mat 20:26-28). Then on the night He was betrayed, He illustrated this by way of an object lesson: He “rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (Jn 13:4-5).
Albert Schweitzer once commented, “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve”.
Only by developing the heart of a servant can one truly become Christ-like. The apostles often argued amongst themselves as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Knowing the desire of their hearts, Jesus warned them, “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mat 20:26-28). Then on the night He was betrayed, He illustrated this by way of an object lesson: He “rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (Jn 13:4-5).
Albert Schweitzer once commented, “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve”.
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- Great Servants of the Bible: Willingness (6/2/13) | Video |
- Outreach: A Way of Life (6/2/13) | Video |
- The Butterfly Effect: What You Do Matters! (6/2/13) | Video |
- Great Servants of the Bible: Humility (6/9/13) | Video |
- Seeing Souls not Strangers (6/9/13) | Video |
- Parable of the Samaritan Servant (6/9/13) | Video |
- Great Servants of the Bible: Faithfulness (6/16/13) | Video |
- Fulfill Your Ministry (6/16/13) | Video |
- Serving Christ Will Cost You an Arm and a Leg (6/16/13) | Video |
- Great Servants of the Bible: Open Eyes (6/23/13) | Video |
- Servanthood in Action (6/23/13) | Video |
- A Woman with Two Names (6/23/13) | Video |
- Great Servants of the Bible: Spirituality (6/30/13) | Video |
- The World's Greatest Servant (6/30/13) | Video |
Step Seven - OvercomeAs the Hebrew writer spoke of the great heroes and heroines of old, he declared, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (11:13-16).
One might ask “How did they make it?” “How did they overcome?” Well, I believe part of the answer is right there in this passage. They were able to overcome because:
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[note: We've made it halfway through the year! This is a good time to be reminded of what it is all about: Heaven!]
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4). |
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- To Those Who Overcome - Lesson 1 (7/7/13) | Video |
- Being an Overcomer:Faith is the Victory (7/7/13) | Video |
- Will We Know Each Other in Heaven? (7/7/13) | Video |
- To Those Who Overcome - Lesson 2 (7/14/13) | Video |
- A Beautiful Place Called Heaven (7/14/13) | Video |
- Are There Degrees Of Punishment and Reward? (7/14/13) | Video |
- To Those Who Overcome - Lesson 3 (7/21/13) | Video |
- Heaven's Not Like Pikeville (7/21/13) | Video |
- Questions: What is the "New Heavens and New Earth", and "What about those who say they have visited Heaven?" (7/21/13) | Video |
- To Those Who Overcome - Lesson 4 (7/28/13) | Video |
- Eternity: Your Choice (7/28/13) | Video (pt 1) | Video (pt 2) |
Step Eight - Encouragement/Fellowship
“Encouragement is awesome. It can actually change the course of another person's day, week, or life” (Chuck Swindoll).
John D. Rockefeller said, “There is nothing in this world that can compare with the Christian fellowship”. The Bible continually affirms that all must recognize our need for others and learn to rely upon one-another.
Few have faced adversity such as Hellen Keller faced, yet her strength and perseverance are famous. She said, “Once I knew only darkness and stillness - my life was without past or future - but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living.” (Helen Keller)
- In the garden Adam was alone, and God declared that it was not good (Gen 2:18).
- Solomon, in all his wisdom, understood: “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Few have faced adversity such as Hellen Keller faced, yet her strength and perseverance are famous. She said, “Once I knew only darkness and stillness - my life was without past or future - but a little word from the fingers of another fell into my hand that clutched at emptiness, and my heart leaped to the rapture of living.” (Helen Keller)
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- Barnabas Factor: A Man Named Joses (8/4/13) | Video |
- "I Am Not My Brother's Keeper": Just Another One of satan's Lies (8/4/13) | Video (pt 1) | Video (pt 2) |
- Great Encouragers: Onesiphorus (8/4/13) | Video |
- Barnabas Factor: Attitude of an Encourager (8/11/13) | Video |
- Words that Need to Be Said (But Seldom Aren't) (8/11/13) | Video |
- Great Encouragers: Epaphroditus (8/11/13) | Video |
- Barnabas Factor: Anatomy of an Encourager (8/18/13) | Video |
- Six Encouraging Truths (8/18/13) | Video |
- Barnabas Factor: Activity of an Encourager (8/25/13) | Video |
- How Do I "Support" the Church? (8/25/13) | Video |
- Faith Like the Devil (8/25/13) | Video |
Step Nine - Bible Study
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17)
Robert Sumner tells of a Kansas City man who had been severely injured in an explosion. His his face was badly disfigured, he lost his eyesight as well as both of his hands. As he recovered, the man, a Christian, longed to read and study his Bible again. A friend told him of a blind girl in England with similar injuries, who was unable to read a braille Bible with her fingers but found she was able to read it with her lips.
Inspired by the story the man sent for a Braille Bible. When it arrived he soon discovered that the nerve endings in his lips had been too badly damaged to feel the bumps and ridges of the text. He began to weep bitterly, his tears ran over the pages. As he brought one of the pages to his lips, his tongue happened to touch a few of the raised characters and he could feel them. Hope was renewed within him.
At the time Sumner told this story, the man had "read" through the entire Bible four times using his tongue. The Bible says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15)
Most people do not have to deal with the obstacles that this man faced. They can see. They can read. The problem is, too often, they just do not make the effort.
Let us be inspired by these dedicated individuals and remember, the Lord praised the Thessalonians in Acts 17:11 because “they searched the scriptures daily.”
Inspired by the story the man sent for a Braille Bible. When it arrived he soon discovered that the nerve endings in his lips had been too badly damaged to feel the bumps and ridges of the text. He began to weep bitterly, his tears ran over the pages. As he brought one of the pages to his lips, his tongue happened to touch a few of the raised characters and he could feel them. Hope was renewed within him.
At the time Sumner told this story, the man had "read" through the entire Bible four times using his tongue. The Bible says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15)
Most people do not have to deal with the obstacles that this man faced. They can see. They can read. The problem is, too often, they just do not make the effort.
Let us be inspired by these dedicated individuals and remember, the Lord praised the Thessalonians in Acts 17:11 because “they searched the scriptures daily.”
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- Tips on How To Treat Your Bible (8/18/13) | Video |
- How To Study the Bible: Know the Context 1 (9/1/13) | Video |
- Why We Recommend the Bible (9/1/13) | Video |
- How To Study the Bible: Know the Rules (9/8/13) | Video |
- Making Bible Study A Daily Habit (9/8/13) | Video |
- The Bible is for You! (9/8/13) | Video |
- Amazing Things Happen When I Read My Bible (Mike Reese, 9/15/13) | Video |
- The Need For Bible Knowledge (Mike Reese, 9/15/13) | Video |
- Bible Literacy Today (Mike Reese, 9/15/13) | Video |
- Factors Which Contribute to Bible Knowledge (Mike Reese, 9/16/13) | Video |
- How To Study the Bible: Know the Rules (part 2) (9/22/13) | Video |
- Where Do You Keep Your Bible? (9/22/13) | Video |
- What if the Bible Had Never Been Written? (9/22/13) | Video |
- How To Study the Bible: A Test Case (9/29/13) | Video |
- What Did Jesus Think of the Scriptures? (9/29/13) | Video |
- Building Blocks of Bible Study and the Bible School (Keith Slone, 11/10/13) | Video |
Step Ten - Evangelism
"Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Luke 10:2)
[The following is from an article by John Gipson, entitled "The One Mission"]
"The church has many ministries but only one mission." It's a line I ran across in my reading, and can't seem to get out of my mind.
I think of Christ. He performed many good works. He showed compassion, fed the hungry, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cast our demons, cured lepers, and raised the dead. His ministries were many. But his mission was one! "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
And that mission he passed on to his disciples. In prayer, Jesus tells the Father, "As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."
We all remember the charge Christ gave: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."
If you knew that you had only one week to live, what would you do with it? Would you tell as many people as possible about Jesus and the good things of the Gospel?
Charles Wesley expressed his desire in memorable words:
Happy if with my latest breath
I might but gasp His name.
Preach Him to all and cry in death,
Behold, behold the Lamb!
"The church has many ministries but only one mission." It's a line I ran across in my reading, and can't seem to get out of my mind.
I think of Christ. He performed many good works. He showed compassion, fed the hungry, healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cast our demons, cured lepers, and raised the dead. His ministries were many. But his mission was one! "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
And that mission he passed on to his disciples. In prayer, Jesus tells the Father, "As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world."
We all remember the charge Christ gave: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."
If you knew that you had only one week to live, what would you do with it? Would you tell as many people as possible about Jesus and the good things of the Gospel?
Charles Wesley expressed his desire in memorable words:
Happy if with my latest breath
I might but gasp His name.
Preach Him to all and cry in death,
Behold, behold the Lamb!
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- Be A Soul-Winner Like Paul: Proper Motivation (10/6/13) | Video |
- It Is Wise to Evangelize! (10/6/13) | Video |
- The Old Paths: The Restoration Principle (10/6/13) | Video |
- How To Teach the Gospel: Establish Authority (10/9/13) | Video |
- Be A Soul-Winner Like Paul: Paul's Manner (10/13/13) | Video |
- Almost Persuaded But Completely Lost (10/13/13) | Video |
- How To Teach the Gospel: Rightly Divide (10/9/13) | Video |
- The Growing Need for Everyday Apologetics (Tim Hall, 10/18/13) | Video |
- Common Sense Arguments for Creation (Tim Hall, 10/19/13) | Video |
- Arguments for the Reliability of the Bible (Tim Hall, 10/19/13) | Video |
- Sharing the Uniqueness of Jesus (Tim Hall, 10/19/13) | Video |
- Question & Answer about Soul-Winning (Petrillo, Craft, & Hall, 10/19/13) | Video |
- Answering Alleged Bible Contradictions (10/19/13) | Video |
- I Believe in the One They Call Jesus! (Eddy Craft, 10/20/13) | Video |
- I Believe in the Church Jesus Built! (Keith Kasarjian, 10/20/13) | Video |
- I Believe in the Power of the Gospel! (Denny Petrillo, 10/20/13) | Video |
- How To Teach the Gospel: Share the Need to Obey (Jason Salisbury, 10/23/13) | Video |
- Be A Soul-Winner Like Paul: Paul's Method (10/26/13) | Video |
- The Courage to "Go" (10/26/13) | Video |
- How To Teach the Gospel: Share God's Plan (10/30/13) | Video |
- Question & Answer about Soul-Winning - Part 2 (10/19/13) | Video |
- Question & Answer about Soul-Winning - Part 3 (11/02/13) | Video |
- Question & Answer about Soul-Winning - Part 4 (11/02/13) | Video (pt 1) | Video (pt 2) |
- Question & Answer about Soul-Winning - Part 5 (11/02/13) | Video |
Step Eleven - Thanksgiving
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday, nor is it something that is seasonal in nature. It is an attitude in the Christian life which speaks of tremendous spiritual insight. It must be present all year long.
In an article, Spencer Furby has said:
In an article, Spencer Furby has said:
- Thanksgiving is an admission that though life is often hard and unfair, there is occasion for genuine joy and happiness.
- Thanksgiving is recognition that the gifts we hold in our hands and heart are not solely the results of our own efforts. We are indebted to others and ultimately to God for vast contributions to our well-being.
- Thanksgiving is a reminder that no life is a solo flight. But in fact there is one with us who “will never leave us of forsake us” who is the source of every good and perfect gift.
- Thanksgiving is confession of these times of ingratitude, which have distanced us from the mighty God. It provides opportunity for worship and reconciliation.
Watch Sermons & Classes:
- A Grateful Heart (11/3/13) | Video |
- Forget Not His Benefits (11/3/13) | Video |
- Being Thankful "In Him": Blessings of Our Father (11/6/13) | Video |
- Our Spiritual Priorities (Robbie McKinney, 11/10/13) | Video |
- Being Thankful "In Him": Blessings of Our Savior (11/13/13) | Video |
- A Grateful Heart: Thanksgiving in the Psalms (11/17/13) | Video |
- I Am Thankful for A God Who Listens (11/17/13) | Video |
- Being Thankful "In Him": Blessings Only Christians Have (11/20/13) | Video |
- A Grateful Heart: Giving Thanks Like Jesus (11/24/13) | Video |
- I Am Thankful for A God Who Gives the Best (11/24/13) | Video |
Step Twelve -
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We have covered so much ground since January. In our journey to draw close to God we have discussed:
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