God calls Moses for a purpose in the land of Midian, speaking to him from the burning bush. Why did God choose a burning bush to call Moses? What meaning did it have for him and for us today? Many are going through a wilderness experience not realizing that God may be calling them for a purpose.
How should we conduct ourselves in the work place? Can God use us to be a blessing to those we work for and with? Should it matter how a representative of God behaves in the work place? Does religion have a place at work? What do you do when your boss, co-worker, or supervisor is unreasonable, critical, and untrusting? What happens when someone knew comes in and changes everything you used to love about work?
Have you ever been frustrated and over worked by the demands and expectations of your employer? Does your job sometimes take away from things that are important? Do you often feel as if you have no time to focus on your spiritual life? God created work for a purpose, but humanity has strayed far from God's designs for work. We explore the Creation story and Exodus to understand God's plan for human employment.
Elder John Spellman preaches at Babylon SDA about parenting and the upbringing of children. How should parents relate to their children? Is it a good idea to be your child's friend? Do we really show love to people when we don't correct them? How does God, as a parent, deal with us as His children? As Christians, if we refuse to correct others, do we really show them love? This sermon focuses on the story of Eli and his two sons.
John Spellman preaches on the true meaning of Christmas. Though Jesus wasn't born on December 25th, the Christian world commemorates His first advent. But why did Jesus come to this world as a baby? What was the purpose of His arrival? What hope is there in the first coming of Jesus for people today? What are we really celebrating in the Christmas season? Was Jesus really the Son of God? Why was He called Immanuel? These questions are explored as we discuss the true meaning of Christmas.
After Job’s friends attempt to comfort him, Elihu jumps into the conversation. Was Job guilty of justifying himself rather than God? How can God be righteous if good people suffer and God permits it? Does God have a purpose in human suffering? Was Job really just and upright? Why did God respond to Satan’s challenge? What does this mean for us today? How is God’s perspective different from the human perspective? Can suffering ever be a good thing?
In the post election season there is much unrest. As people disagree over politics and other matters, violence sometimes takes the place of communication. How can we still be Christians even in the midst of disagreement? As many protests erupt, some have chosen to go to extremes. Should Christians follow the crowd? Are people's actions justified by their cause? What if the cause is right? Can the message of unity be heard amidst divisiveness? Where is God when people are choosing sides and the future seems so bleak?
How do Job’s 3 friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar attempt to comfort him? What kind of advice to they give? What can we learn from their experience about comforting those who go through tragedy? Is sin always the reason for bad things that happen? Do we always know why people go through difficult experiences? Does God always punish sin? Are there Biblical examples of divine retribution? Is there a point at which people have gone too far?
What does the Bible say about depression? Does God care about how we feel? When we encounter situations in life that leave us in despair, how can God be the answer? How does the story of Job illustrate the way in which God can be an Ever-Present help in our times of need and suffering? Whether it be job loss, the loss of a partner, a failure or setback, a death of someone close, or something that makes you feel hopeless and lost, God is an ever-present help!
John Spellman speaks on Luke 17, focusing on the 10 lepers whom Jesus healed. Of these 10 lepers only 1, a Samaritan, returned to glorify God. What can we learn from this powerful story about our relationship with God. Are we like the 9 lepers who never returned? Or are we like the one that glorified God?
How does God deal with Jonah after trying to hide? What might this mean for how God deals with us? What was the belly of the fish designed to teach Jonah? What can we learn from God even while at the lowest points of our lives? What does Jonah's name mean and what lessons can we learn from it about how God transforms our lives today? How could our darkest moments in life be used by God to bring us into the light of understanding?
John Spellman preaches at the Beit Shalom SDA Congregation on 2 Kings 4:38-44. During a time of famine in Gilgal, the sons of the prophets were hungry. Elisha tells them to make a pot of stew. But in one man's effort to gather the ingredients, he accidentally introduces a poisonous substance to the stew pot. The sons of the prophets proclaim that there is death in the pot. How can this relate to our Christian experience today? What is in the stew pot of our lives? Do we sometimes poison ourselves without knowing it?