I am working to make it a simple and easy task to download my sermon notes and/or audio. Previously, the only way you could download a file was when I published an article providing the links. (Those links are temporarily broken.)

As of today, there is a DOWNLOAD PAGE (see the menu at the top of each page of this site) where most of my recent files are available for direct download. There is no description – just a filename. Click on the filename to download the file. I hope to get the descriptions online soon.

I also plan to make my Bible Study outlines available soon. However, I plan to release the studies in sequence – allowing an individual to study them from the first to the last in a series. If you are a minister and you wish to get an entire set, you will need to register on this site and perhaps request them. Post your ideas or concerns in the comments section below.

Check back every few days to see what becomes available. Or (better) sign up for the RSS feed/subscription. Just hit the big orange “Subscribe” button on the left side of this page and follow the instructions.

I am always looking for FREE stuff ! The SermonSpice.com website hosts a huge library of video clips, short movies & loops. To encourage us to visit the site on a regular basis, they provide a free video each month. Check it out at http://www.sermonspice.com/ & click on “free video” (in right column under “resources”).

They have recently added a blog. You can read it at http://www.sermonspice.com/blog/. It is pretty limited now but more articles are coming soon.

Evangelist & short-term missionary George (TC) Wells was our special guest today at Agape’ Fellowship. He spoke to our congregation on “worship” and it was good.

Real worship is sometimes defined as setting our entire focus on God. When one is in true worship, all other interests fall by the wayside – only our communion with God is important. (I will deal with the matter of “focus” in a later article.)

There were several other significant points that TC presented concerning true worship:

• It is bound in sincere humility before God
• It requires us to be in total submission to God
• It is linked to a deep reverence & awe of our God
• It cannot happen in the absence of unquestioning love for God

I believe that it is very significant that Bishop Isaacs posted an article on “Genuine Humility” in the previous article! Perhaps our Father is trying to tell us something? Pride (spiritual and all of the other iterations) is rampant in our society today. And the Scripture advises us that it is a precursor to destruction: Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Listen to the podcast below:

[podcast]080622_TC_Humility.mp3[/podcast]

We all get frustrated that – in our view – justice is perverted and things just aren’t “right.” Wicked people seem to thrive & “have it all” & the more wicked, the greater their “benefits.” While godly people suffer & it seems to never end. Habakkuk challenged God, “How long is this going to continue?” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)

The Psalmist asked the same question over a dozen times (along with other Bible writers). Job also asked the question in Job 7:19; 19:2 & in Job 24:1 he asked, “Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment?” Job wanted to know WHEN it was going to stop! He wondered if God has set any limits on the pain that we endure. Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, I read an article about a pastor who walked out on the stage of a large church and announced, “God knows your secret!” After a short pause (and likely, some gasps from his listeners), he continued, “And He loves you anyway!” Now *THAT* I like!!!

This past Sunday was Father’s Day and I wanted to show the “proper respect”

to the guys <grin>. I asked all of the “Perfect Dads” to stand up and be recognized. No one stood up! (Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!) That is the situation that we all find ourselves in – imperfect people in a world calling for perfection. Well, I followed that with some last-minute shopping suggestions for those imperfect dads.

My favorite is the “Men’s Underwear Repair Kit” available from fredflare.com (only $9.95). Here is the description of the kit:

Is your favorite pair of undies about to give up? Save its life with this repair kit! You get iron-on patches, white out, duct tape, elastic waistband, needle & thread, safety pins and a hilarious 32 pg manual. Say “no” to holes! Measures about 6″x8″.

Since none of us is perfect in the eyes of those around us, we sometimes assume that we can never be perfect in God’s eyes either. Well, we could be mistaken!

You can download the outline here

According to Ed Stetzler, in this post,”Thirty-two percent of Americans – almost one in three – said their decision to visit or join a church would be negatively affected if that congregation taught homosexual behavior is sinful.” This means that about a third of the people we are seeking to share the gospel may be unwilling to give our message a chance based on our theological convictions.  THAT’S DRAMATIC!

He goes on to add–”The cultural trajectory is toward greater acceptance of homosexuality. Recent books like unChristian, They Like Jesus but not the Church, and my own forthcoming  Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and Churches that Reach Them have all pointed to this challenge among younger generations. Simply put, the younger you are, the more accepting you are of homosexuality.”

As leaders, we must embrace that this is not our forefather’s America.  This is a pagan mission land which requires new thinking, strategic ministry logic and prayer at levels not previously employed.

What do you think?

Link to the original site

Have you ever gotten discouraged because the church where you are does not seem to grow? Or, at least it does not grow as quickly as you would desire? I certainly have.

While I was musing over this, the Lord seemed to speak to me and say, “Don’t get depressed about the growth of the church not meeting your time table. That is not your responsibility – I will build my church!”

I shared this message in church today (to one of the smallest crowds we have ever had). It was certainly an encouraging word for me — and I believe it ministered to the congregation as well.

You can download my notes here