Based on 2 Kings 6, John Spellman preaches on Elisha and his mentoring of the sons of the prophets. When an expensive piece of equipment is lost to the bottom of the Jordan river, all seems hopeless. What message could this hold for our church today? What encouragement could those facing life's circumstances gain? Why did God allow such an expensive loss in the first place? What can we learn about God through the miracle performed? This message focuses on how the gospel is not about us, but about God. It is a message about the need for less self and more Holy Spirit direction. It is also a message of hope to those who know God and emphasizes how a life without God leads to hopelessness.
What role does confession and repentance play in our walk with God? Should we confess our faults to each other when we wrong someone? Does God always accept repentance, or are there stipulations to forgiveness? What does true repentance look like? What does God's willingness to forgive teach us about how we should forgive one another? These questions and more are explored in this week's study.
What is the relationship between the law and the promises of God? If the law is not a means of salvation, what purpose does it serve? How does the law point us to Christ? What does the law reveal to us? What are its limitations? How does faith in Jesus accomplish what the limitations of the law could not?
What is the Sabbath? Which day did God set apart as Holy in the weekly cycle established in Creation? What does Jesus being Lord of the Sabbath have to do with us today? What is the purpose of the Sabbath? Did Jesus' healing on the Sabbath show contempt and disregard for the Sabbath? Why was Jesus often accused of breaking the Sabbath? Did He really break it? What does this mean for Christians today? This week we study Luke's account of Jesus' relationship with the Sabbath.
The Bible teaches about a day lost in history. A day God designed for us to remember. This week's lesson uncovers the mystery of this forgotten and lost day.
It’s seems like we are created to confront, complain, and murmur. Instead of praising Him in the good times and the bad, we praise only in good times and complain in the bad times. We play when things are good and pray when times are hard. We limit ourselves by looking only ‘as far as the eye can see’. If we allow ourselves to see farther, I know our responses would’ve been different. Short sighted vision will rob us of continual praise, and constant shouts of Hosanna.
Have you ever felt regret for wrongful acts you did; and did you change your mind about repeating those actions? In speaking with some listeners, Jesus advised them that no one was good as all people were sinful. He then informed them that unless they repented, they would all perish. No matter how good we think we are or how others sees us, unless we acknowledge, confess and turn from our evil ways, we will perish. It doesn’t matter what you believe or who you worship. Redemption is impossible without repentance. Without repentance, it is a clear indication there is no desire to change, or to surrender to the God of Heaven.
Since we find it a joy (for others-we do out of compulsion) to obey most civil laws because of the freedom they affords, shouldn’t we be more than happy to obey God’s laws that offers us peace in all situations? His promise to us is that nothing will offend us; nothing will cause us to stumble when we do. God’s laws are his faithful instructions to us found in His word. They will provide guidance in the way we should ‘drive on the road of life’ so that we will not get derailed and loose our way. Just as we are happy to follow the Road Code, we will be happiest when we love His law.