Our previous sermons...
Remain Focused... on Your Christian Life! February 12, 2017
1 Corinthians 2:6-13
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The Ten Commandments can sound like a challenge. "Don't hate?" I can do that! "Don't lust?" I've got it! "Don't lie?" Consider it done! To consider the Commandments a personal challenge really misses their point entirely. Only when you see Jesus' place in the Commandments are you then able to live the kind of life pleasing to God.
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Remain Focused... on Reaching Out! February 5, 2017
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
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Wouldn't you love those "magic words?" ... that you say just the "right" thing to a troubled friend, a doubter, a challenger and they automatically agree with you? When it comes to sharing your faith you may feel that you do not have those "magic words." But... you don't need them. God has already given you his Word to share.
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People often search for approval by looking at human standards. If a majority agrees on a certain parenting style, then you discover acceptance by following the majority. If a majority of friends fish, you gain friends by fishing. So, where do you find acceptance when the majority does not approve of your faith?
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 answers the question. It directs your attention past human standards and onto the one thing that makes you truly valuable. Remain Focused... on Your Worth! |
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When personal opinions fly, people tend to take sides. Words are said that are meant to hurt. Actions demonstrate how little one cares for another. The real issue is not discussed; more effort is placed into humiliating an opponent. What happens so often in society can also happen in congregations.
That's why Paul writes 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. He wants you to Remain Focused... on Unity that Christ establishes with you and with others. |
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What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your "church?" If you cannot focus on the most precious feature of “church,” then you begin losing focus on why you gather in "church."
In 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, you get to focus on your [individual] role in your [entire] congregation. It all starts by Remaining Focused… on Jesus. |
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Sometimes we lose focus on something important. If you don't pay attention to the amount of medication you must take, you can harm your body. If you don't pay attention to all of Jesus' work, you can harm your soul.
In Isaiah 42:1-7 God holds up his chosen servant so that you can Behold the Servant-- what work he accomplishes and how this affects your life. |
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The start of a new year brings excitement for the future, but also a time to reflect on what you did in the past year. As you look through what you did and what entered your life, the question on the minds of many is: Will 2017 be better?
I can't tell you; I don't know the future. But, in 1 Peter 5:6-7, God teaches you to Cast Your Anxiety on Him! |
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