Sermon Archive (Page 18)

Back to the Basics: CONNECT

A few years ago, our ACTIVATE Team spent many hours working toward a unified and simple mission statement for our church. This statement is a concise explanation why our church exists. It outlines our purpose. It defines who we are! Our mission statement is centered around three primary words—connect, unite and equip. So over the next few weeks, we’re going to take some time to examine each one of these statements in our mission. As we look at each of these, I want to challenge you to evaluate how we are doing in fulfilling our purpose. How are you doing in fulfilling your role here at Temple Rogers? What can you do to help perpetuate this mission?

When God Intervenes

The book of Acts contains a record of the events of the early church after the ascension of Jesus. God was faithful to bless and multiply the church both spiritually and numerically but as the church grew, persecution rose to meet it. Acts 9 is an account of God’s intervening hand in midst of persecution on behalf of the church. What He did helps us understand that His interventions are not interruptions, but an opportunity for God to witness Him work.

Count it All Joy: Peace in the Chaos

James instructed his readers to, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” (James 1:2) His readers were followers of Jesus who were scattered across the known world as a result of persecution for their faith and he is calling them to consider their trials as a reason and opportunity to rejoice. How in the world would they do that? Why should they do that? And why should we do the same when we meet disruptions and difficulties in our life?

Simplicity-a Posture of Dependence and Contentment

Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica and urged them “to aspire to live quietly, and to mind [their] own affairs” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). If we look at our lives honestly, that is not who we are nor is it how we live. Richard Foster wrote, “We crave things we neither need nor enjoy. ‘We buy things we do not want to impress people we do not like.’” He went on to say that, “Simplicity is freedom. Duplicity is bondage. Simplicity brings joy and balance. Duplicity brings anxiety and fear.” Jesus explained it this way: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

SABBATH – Not Just a Jewish Thing

As we continue to study the Essential Elements of Life in Christ, we will continue once again this week to consider a spiritual discipline that, while essential, it is not something that we practice every day. In fact, this particular element is practiced on a weekly basis by design. Of course, the element that I am referring to is the spiritual practice of Sabbath. I’m sure that many of you are aware of what the Sabbath is in a Jewish context, but today, I want us to realize that celebrating Sabbath is not just a Jewish thing! God intends for all followers of Christ to practice Sabbath rest.

FASTING – Denying the Physical to Gain the Spiritual

In the early Church, there were three religious practices that were practiced regularly; Giving, Praying, and Fasting. Some where along the way, fasting fell off the bandwagon and became more of a diet plan. When we deny our selves the physical gratification of food, and put our trust in the word of God, the hold that the physical has on our lives begins to lessen. And the growth towards the spiritual, increases greatly. It’s time that we start making Fasting a priority in our worship.