Something too Good to Keep to Myself
03/30/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, 2 Kings 7:3-11
We are beginning a six week series focusing on how we can become contagious Christians. Often when people think about sharing their faith they think of having to memorize a specific presentation or they imagine knocking on doors of strangers and not knowing what to say. What if you could share with others the love of Christ without having to do either of these? Over the next six weeks we will consider how God can work through us to become contagious Christians.
When a follower of Jesus Christ gains a proper understanding of their spiritual inheritance, they cant stop themselves from spilling over into other peoples lives! When you live with an awareness of the size of your spiritual stockpile you will find yourself sharing with others who God is and his faithfulness in your life. Christians are described as “ambassadors for Christ.” You have the privilege of representing Christ to those who are still seeking meaning and purpose in their lives. We seek to reach others always mindful of their separation from God and the reality they face eternity separated from God. It is important for those of us who know Christ to share how Christ can give them eternal life. There is great joy in helping someone step from spiritual darkness to a new life in Christ. Over the next six weeks we will continue to consider how God can work through us to share his love with those who need to know Christ.
Podcast
We are beginning a six week series focusing on how we can become contagious Christians. Often when people think about sharing their faith they think of having to memorize a specific presentation or they imagine knocking on doors of strangers and not knowing what to say. What if you could share with others the love of Christ without having to do either of these? Over the next six weeks we will consider how God can work through us to become contagious Christians.
When a follower of Jesus Christ gains a proper understanding of their spiritual inheritance, they cant stop themselves from spilling over into other peoples lives! When you live with an awareness of the size of your spiritual stockpile you will find yourself sharing with others who God is and his faithfulness in your life. Christians are described as “ambassadors for Christ.” You have the privilege of representing Christ to those who are still seeking meaning and purpose in their lives. We seek to reach others always mindful of their separation from God and the reality they face eternity separated from God. It is important for those of us who know Christ to share how Christ can give them eternal life. There is great joy in helping someone step from spiritual darkness to a new life in Christ. Over the next six weeks we will continue to consider how God can work through us to share his love with those who need to know Christ.
Podcast
Experiencing the Resurrection
03/23/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Matt 28:1-11
Our hope as Christians comes from the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this passage the women who arrive at the tomb to anoint Jesus body discover something amazing. The stone blocking the entrance to the tomb had been rolled to the side and an angel was sitting on it. The angel invited the women to come and see where Jesus used to be. They were going to experience the resurrection for themselves. Then they were to go back to the disciples and tell them what they had experienced with the resurrection.
We have the same invitation to come and experience the resurrected Lord in our lives. Once we come to know the Lord we are also told to go to those who are our friends, family, classmates and colleagues to tell them about the Lord Jesus Christ.
As a Christian you have good news to share with others. Let’s be intentional as we go through our day to tell others what we have experienced in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Podcast
Our hope as Christians comes from the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this passage the women who arrive at the tomb to anoint Jesus body discover something amazing. The stone blocking the entrance to the tomb had been rolled to the side and an angel was sitting on it. The angel invited the women to come and see where Jesus used to be. They were going to experience the resurrection for themselves. Then they were to go back to the disciples and tell them what they had experienced with the resurrection.
We have the same invitation to come and experience the resurrected Lord in our lives. Once we come to know the Lord we are also told to go to those who are our friends, family, classmates and colleagues to tell them about the Lord Jesus Christ.
As a Christian you have good news to share with others. Let’s be intentional as we go through our day to tell others what we have experienced in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Podcast
Embrace Jesus
03/16/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Matt 21:1-17
It was Palm Sunday, and the mother’s 3-year old son had to stay home from church because of strep throat. When the rest of the family came home carrying palm branches, the little boy asked what they were for. His mother explained, “People held them over Jesus’ head as he walked by.” “Wouldn’t you know it,” the boy fumed. “The one Sunday I don’t go, and Jesus shows up.”
Jesus enters Jerusalem at the beginning of the Passover week in Jerusalem. The people were thrilled with his arrival in town. The crowds, however, were not prepared for what Jesus would do in town. But from there initial response and the actions of Jesus we find some prayers to offer to the Lord.
The first is to ask Jesus to save us. The crowds greeted Jesus with shouts of “hosanna” which can mean “save us now.” They just didn’t understand what that request would truly mean for Jesus.
Podcast
It was Palm Sunday, and the mother’s 3-year old son had to stay home from church because of strep throat. When the rest of the family came home carrying palm branches, the little boy asked what they were for. His mother explained, “People held them over Jesus’ head as he walked by.” “Wouldn’t you know it,” the boy fumed. “The one Sunday I don’t go, and Jesus shows up.”
Jesus enters Jerusalem at the beginning of the Passover week in Jerusalem. The people were thrilled with his arrival in town. The crowds, however, were not prepared for what Jesus would do in town. But from there initial response and the actions of Jesus we find some prayers to offer to the Lord.
The first is to ask Jesus to save us. The crowds greeted Jesus with shouts of “hosanna” which can mean “save us now.” They just didn’t understand what that request would truly mean for Jesus.
Podcast
Preparing for Trials
03/09/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Matt 17:1-13
Every person will face crisis, trials, challenges and bumps in the road somewhere in their life. The story of Jesus being transfigured on the mountain with three of his disciples offers some insight into how best o prepare for the ups and downs of life.
First, get alone with God. Sometimes the tendency in crisis is to pray less instead of more. When adversity is on the horizon seek shelter in the presence of God. While with the Lord meditate on his presence, his power and his purpose in your life.
Second, Listen to what God wants to say to you while with Him. Jesus tells his disciples to get up and don’t be afraid. When facing adversity the tendency may be to hide, ignore or be paralyzed with fear. Instead put your faith in Christ. Henry Blackaby writes “Faith does not eliminate problems. Faith keeps you in a trusting relationship with God in the midst of your problems.” Listening to God allows you to gain His perspective on your life.
Third, Wait on the Lord. Wait on God; wait for the Lord and do not get ahead of him or lag behind him. God’s timing is always perfect.
You can draw strength for what you face as you spend time with God, listen to him and trust in his timing.
Podcast
Every person will face crisis, trials, challenges and bumps in the road somewhere in their life. The story of Jesus being transfigured on the mountain with three of his disciples offers some insight into how best o prepare for the ups and downs of life.
First, get alone with God. Sometimes the tendency in crisis is to pray less instead of more. When adversity is on the horizon seek shelter in the presence of God. While with the Lord meditate on his presence, his power and his purpose in your life.
Second, Listen to what God wants to say to you while with Him. Jesus tells his disciples to get up and don’t be afraid. When facing adversity the tendency may be to hide, ignore or be paralyzed with fear. Instead put your faith in Christ. Henry Blackaby writes “Faith does not eliminate problems. Faith keeps you in a trusting relationship with God in the midst of your problems.” Listening to God allows you to gain His perspective on your life.
Third, Wait on the Lord. Wait on God; wait for the Lord and do not get ahead of him or lag behind him. God’s timing is always perfect.
You can draw strength for what you face as you spend time with God, listen to him and trust in his timing.
Podcast
The Light of Christ
03/02/08
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Ephesians 5:8-14
One Sunday as they drove home from church, a little girl turned to her mother and said, “Mommy, there’s something about the preacher’s message this morning that I don’t understand.” The mother said, “Oh? What is it?” The little girl replied, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. He said God is so big that He could hold the world in His hand. Is that true?” The mother replied, “Yes, that’s true, honey.” “But Mommy, he also said that God comes to live inside of us when we believe in Jesus as our Savior. Is that true, too?” Again, the mother assured the little girl that what the pastor had said was true. With a puzzled look on her face the little girl then asked, “If God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn’t He show through?”
Jesus describes those who put their trust in him and become his disciples this way in Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.” The Apostle Paul picks up on this theme of light and darkness to urge Christians to live as children of the light. Paul says those who live in Christ’s light will reflect the light of Jesus by how they live, by their conversations, by their attitudes and how they treat others.
In this message you are challenged to consider how bright the light of Christ is being reflected to others through you. You have the incredible privilege of taking Christ’s light to those still living in darkness. May God empower you to not only live as a child of light but also reflect Christ to those who still need to meet Him as their Savior.
Podcast
One Sunday as they drove home from church, a little girl turned to her mother and said, “Mommy, there’s something about the preacher’s message this morning that I don’t understand.” The mother said, “Oh? What is it?” The little girl replied, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. He said God is so big that He could hold the world in His hand. Is that true?” The mother replied, “Yes, that’s true, honey.” “But Mommy, he also said that God comes to live inside of us when we believe in Jesus as our Savior. Is that true, too?” Again, the mother assured the little girl that what the pastor had said was true. With a puzzled look on her face the little girl then asked, “If God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn’t He show through?”
Jesus describes those who put their trust in him and become his disciples this way in Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.” The Apostle Paul picks up on this theme of light and darkness to urge Christians to live as children of the light. Paul says those who live in Christ’s light will reflect the light of Jesus by how they live, by their conversations, by their attitudes and how they treat others.
In this message you are challenged to consider how bright the light of Christ is being reflected to others through you. You have the incredible privilege of taking Christ’s light to those still living in darkness. May God empower you to not only live as a child of light but also reflect Christ to those who still need to meet Him as their Savior.
Podcast