“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”— Romans 12:10“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must…

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”— Romans 12:10“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and h…

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”— Romans 12:10“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son i…

“…submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.Husbands, love your wives,…

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…”— Psalm 103:1-2“This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”— Matthew 15:81. Praising God Begins in the Heart. (vs. 1-2)“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his h…

What scares you to death?God does not call us to raise perfect children. He teaches us how to parent on purpose.“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek…

“And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.”— Matthew 15:21Our primary responsibility as children of God is to take the gospel to everyone, everywhere. “And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.’ B…

Healthy Marriages are the Foundation of Healthy Homes“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”— Genesis 2:241. Leave“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother…— Genesis 2:24We must leave our parents.Your spouse is your new priority.We must leave our past.2. Cleave…

Healthy Homes Protect Themselves From The Attacks of the Enemy by Shielding Themselves with the Love of God“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but …

Healthy Homes Have Healthy Rhythms.“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your hou…

Healthy Homes are shaped by prayer.How Should We Pray?1. We should pray like a child. (vs. 9)“Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven…”— Matthew 6:9- Our Father has a family- Our Father knows what we need.- Our Father is over all.2. We should pray with a heavenly hunger. (vs. 9a–10)“Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on …

“Those who come into our homes should sense the presence of God.”— Billy GrahamHealthy homes are built on healthy disciples.1. Healthy disciples set their hearts and minds on Jesus.“If then you have been raised with Christ seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not …

“It’s not that I’m afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”— Woody Allen, ActorJesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”— John 11:25-261. The Problem: Sickness and death.2. …

Healthy churches never quit fighting for the faith.1. Flee.“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.”— 1 Timothy 6:11a2. Pursue“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”— 1 Timothy 6:11bSeparation without consecration leads to isolation.3. Fight“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life…

Healthy churches find true contentment in their pursuit of godliness.1. Pursue godliness.“If anyone teaches a different doctrine…”— 1 Timothy 6:3“...he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant fr…

In a healthy church, the members are committed to honoring one another.1. We must honor our older and younger members as family (5:1-2)“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”— 1 Timothy 5:1–2a) Older Men as Fathersb) Older Women a…

A healthy church is committed to making and maturing disciples.1. Cling to Jesus and reject false teaching.“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…”— 1 Timothy 4:1“…through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid …

Healthy churches must have humble servants.“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching …

“I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”— 1 Timothy 3:14-15Healthy churches must have healthy pastors.“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not per…

A healthy church prays fervently for gospel advancement.“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’"— Matthew 9:37–381. We must prioritize praying for our neighbors and the nations.“First of all, then, I urge that …

A healthy church is overwhelmed by the grace of God.1. The grace of God for the present: Service“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service…”— 1 Timothy 1:12Serving God is a great privilege. “…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will streng…

A healthy church guards against false teachers.“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”— 1 Timothy 1:1–21. The threat of false teachers.“As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, rem…

We glorify God together, when we live in unity with each other.“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…”— Ephesians 4:1“…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”— Ephesians 4:3“Unity is kept not created.”— Dr. Daniel Akin“…with all humility and g…

By his death, Jesus brought us into a new life together.What did Jesus do to bring us together?What does that mean for our life together?1. Jesus brought us close (vs. 11–13)“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember th…

Unity is not easy for the church, but it’s a necessity for the blessings of God.We bring great delight to the domain of hell when we allow discord to exist between us and our brothers in Christ.Psalm 133:1-3“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the b…

No matter what is behind you or what is before you, Jesus is still reigning over you.1. Jesus’ presence should comfort you (vs. 9–13)“I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the…

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”— John 1:1–2The Word was with God.The Word was God.Why does the deity of Jesus matter?“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.…

Why does the humanity of Jesus matter?Matthew 1:18–25“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But…

In the story of David we see…1. We see the brokenness of the world.2. We see the brokenness in us.3. We see Jesus.Matthew 1:1“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”1. Our Sovereign God is in absolute control.2. Our Sovereign God is faithful. 2 Samuel 7:16“And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure …

We will not always understand what God is doing.Don’t chase a God you can explain; chase a God you can exalt.“When David’s time to die drew near he commanded Solomon his son, saying, ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth.’”— 1 Kings 2:1-21. Be a man.You must have thick skin and a soft heart.2. Be obedient.“…and keep the charge of the LORD your…

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.”— 2 Samuel 11:11. David is blessed.2. David is bored.Why is sexual sin enticing in moments of blessing? “… let anyone who thinks that he sta…

“And it was told King David, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom & all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went & brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox & a fattened animal. And D…

“There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.”— 2 Samuel 3:11. Abner: A picture of the sin of selfishness.“While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.”— 2 S…

What do you value most in life?“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up.”— Matthew 13:44“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”— Matthew 13:45-461. Is Jesus our greatest treasu…

1. David’s Request (vs. 1–8)“Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep …

Sin originates in the heart. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”— Matthew 12:34“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.”— Matthew 15:19What rules your heart?1. A heart not ruled by God.- Saul (NOT ON SCREEN)“Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and t…

“Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks. And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.”— 1 Samuel 24:2-3“…the men of David said to him…

What does real, biblical friendship look like?“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”— 1 Samuel 18:1“And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his o…

How do you respond when life troubles you?“Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul.”— 1 Samuel 18:12“But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them.”— 1 Samuel 18:16“Then Saul said to David, ‘Here is my elder daughter Merab. I will give her to you for a wife. Only be valiant f…

“Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle.”— 1 Samuel 17:1“And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.”— 1 Samuel 17:3“And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span…

“The eyes of the LORD are searching the whole earth, looking for those whose heart is fully committed to him…”— 2 Chronicles 16:9God does improbable things through improbable people so His purposes are achieved.The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?”— 1 Samuel 16:1a1. It’…

1. He is a God of Amazing Grace“Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.”— 2 Samuel 7:1-2“Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”— 2 Samuel 7:3“But that s…

We have been blessed in Christ for the benefit of the world.1. We have been blessed so the world may know God. (vs. 1–2)“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”— Psalm 67:1–2What’s keeping us from making God known among the world?We forget …

You can live for God in a city that has turned against Him.“These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother…

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word…”— Ephesians 5:25–26What’s Keeping Us From Loving The Church?1. We’re disappointed.Our spiritual letdowns lead to our spiritual meltdowns.If you’ve been hurt by the church:- “Let i…

“That you…may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”— Ephesians 3:18–19Love is not merely what God does, it’s who God is.“For while we were still weak, at the right time Chr…

David Pollack, a former University of Georgia football player and football analyst on ESPN's College Gameday for 12 years, shares his faith story and journey.

There is nothing more dangerous to our spiritual vitality than spiritual apathy.Spiritual apathy is growing numb towards Jesus and His church.“But when they had gazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot me.”— Hosea 13:6“So whoever knows what to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”— James 4…

“I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in th…

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth….”— Acts 1:8In light of what Jesus died for, what will you give your life for? “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, s…