ANTICIPATORY ANXIETY: Climbing Unbuilt Fences

 If the mantra of those restrained by the regrets of the past is “If only,” the theme of those immobilized by the fear of the future is “What if?”

NOW IS THE TIME - 1 Corinthians 15:8-10

 “If only” is theme of those who live daily in the regrets of lost opportunities; spending so much time rehashing the past, they are crippled in the present.

YOUR FUTURE FROM THE PAST - 1 Timothy 1:12-16

 For many, even within the life of faith, there is a burdensome load they bear over the haunting failures of the past.

WELLNESS AS A BALANCING ACT - Romans 6:17

 Our sense of well-being, wholeness, and completeness is held in balance by the full spectrum of the gospel.

A FOCAL REORIENTATION FOR WELLNESS - Mark 8:22-26

 A state of wellness, completeness, and wholeness cannot be achieved apart from a clear vision and understanding of personal identity in Christ Jesus

A FOUNDATION FOR WELLNESS - Romans 3:21-31

 We are mistaken to think human existence can be separated into the physical, mental, and spiritual. Part of being made in the image of God means we must first establish a spiritual foundation of faith if wholeness and completeness is ever to be realized.

REORIENTING YOUR DISORIENTATION - Psalm 42-43

  Depression and anxiety has exponentially revealed itself around the globe during Covid-19; tens of millions are struggling with mental health wellness. The promises of scripture can play a vital role in reorienting our troubled minds.

WHAT JESUS PRAYS FOR IN CHURCH - John 17

 Though Pentecost is not yet, and the church has not, technically, been birthed, his prayer in the upper room gives us a glimpse into what Jesus would pray for in the midst of gathered disciples.

AN ALGORITHM FOR PEACE - John16:25-33

  In a hostile and divided nation, where media and search engine algorithms determine how the masses view the world, the words of Jesus provide an algorithm for the peace desperately desired.

A LITTLE WHILE... Again and Again - John 16:16-24

 To those hurting, it is often said, “In a little while, things will be better.” The problem, however, is that the next season of hardship is just a little while away. Thankfully, Jesus prepares us to be a unique witness in such a world as this.

MOURNING FOR CURIOSITY - John 16:5-15

 Just as questions without answers attract scientists like moths to a light, curiosity should draw people of faith to continually seek new understandings of the One who is the answer.

FAITH OUTSIDE THE SANCTUARY - John 15:18-16:4

From the sense of refuge, security, protection, and safety offered by abiding in Christ, and making our home in him, we are presented with the harsh realities of living one’s faith in the world.

AT HOME WITH JESUS - John 15:9-17

 Making your home with Jesus isn’t about a roof over your head, but sheltering in those things that give richness to life.

BUILDING YOUR FOREVER HOME - John 15:1-8

 In the search for a “Forever” home, people are looking for space  adequate for their present needs, but flexible enough to accommodate any unanticipated future needs. There is, however, only one dwelling place that will stand the test of time.

GET UP OUT OF HERE

 Mountaintops, upper rooms, and sanctuaries might be nice places to visit, but the church’s mission to the world requires, as Jesus said, “Getting up, and getting out of here.”

DO YOU REALLY KNOW HIM? - John 14: 7-15

 Ever had the experience of thinking you really know someone, until they do something that makes you think otherwise? Jesus has a way of doing that.

IMPERATIVES FOR TROUBLED HEARTS - John 14:1-7

  Within the troubling turns of life, Jesus not only tells us what to believe, but he offers compelling reasons for why we should believe.

WHEN A MINUS BECOMES A PLUS - John 13:31-38

 While Judas’ departure would first appear a tragic loss to the band of disciples, the lessons that followed revealed it to be a blessed subtraction.

SPEECHLESS - Psalm 34: 1-10

A COMMUNION GONE BAD - John 13:21-30

 From a communion gone bad, Judas reveals a treachery lurking within us all.

THE DONE AND DOING OF DISCIPLESHIP - John 13:1-17

As the Master Teacher, Jesus not only transmits material to be learned, but he models the life that is to be pursued.

CLEARING UP OUR BLIND SPOTS - John 9:1-7

We all have blind spots that need to be cleared up, if we are to properly follow Christ. We must train our eyes to see what he sees.

DEFECTIVE DISCIPLESHIP EXPOSED - John 6:60-71

 In what is, arguably, Jesus’ most failed sermon, the crowds disappear and defective discipleship is exposed.

A NUTRITIONALLY RICH EXISTENCE

 Just as empty calories leave you nutritionally deprived and continually hungry, a diet of empty religion leaves you wanting spiritually and starves the soul.

DISCIPLESHIP V. SECULARISM

 While you would never expect anyone in the church to express a preference for a secular world, the things we say and pursue state otherwise.

WHEN THE HOUR COMES - LUKE 22:14-23

 The hour of suffering makes a visitation upon every life. When that season comes, you will want a particular kind of people around your table.

BEWARE: People Are Watching - Luke 18:45-47

Some eleven times in the gospels Jesus tells his disciples to beware; most often in regard to the religious hierarchy of the day. 

THINGS WORTH LEAVING - Luke 18:28-34

 As the disciples pointed out to Jesus the things they have left behind, I am prompted to explore what I have left behind in the pursuit of my faith.

JUSTICE DENIED IS JUSTICE DELAYED – Luke 18:1-8

“Justice delayed is justice denied” is a maxim intended to expedite the legal system. In God’s reign, however, justice delayed means something much different, with far greater implications.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD HERE AND NOW – Luke 17:20-37

That the Kingdom of God is in our midst has broad application for the church here and now.

THE OUGHTS OF DISCIPLESHIP – Luke 17:1-10

While our tendency is to speak of what “ought” to be done as things that are encouraged, Jesus teaches what ought to done with a sense of expectancy.

THE SUPPRESSION OF TRUTH – Luke 12:12

Disciples must mindful of the many circumstances that seek to suppress God’s truth on a daily basis.

AN EASTER OF CONSEQUENCE – 1 Corinthians 15:35-48

Just as it was necessary in chapter 14 for Paul to correct the disorderly worship of the Corinth church, we find in chapter 15 that it was no less necessary for him to correct their disordered beliefs regarding the resurrection.

AN UNEXPECTED ASSESSMENT - Mark 12:41-44

Today Jesus reveals the most unexpected but, perhaps, the most revealing indicator of where you are in your relationship with the Lord and his call upon your life.

THE GALILEE DIRECTIVE – Matthew 28:16-20

The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is directed not by the whimsical desires of self-absorbed consumers but, rather, the specified dictates of a resurrected Savior.

A BLESSED JUDGMENT: If Only I Had Known – Matthew 25:31-40

A day is coming when we will no longer be able to make decisions, and a decision regarding our final destination will be made for us.

GOD’S PORTFOLIO: Our Stewardship – Matthew 25:14-30

 Like any judicious investor, the Lord expects a return on his investment.

THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION WEDDING — Matthew 25:1-13

Destination weddings can come at an expense never before considered. It’s enough to make you consider more the local church.

THE LAST DAYS: Living The Wait - Matthew 24:45-51

Having been taught that Jesus will return, his emphasis now is upon how we are to await that return.

THE LAST DAYS: Final Act - Matthew 24:29-44

 With Christ’ return as the culminating act of the last days, the watchful word of every disciple is “expectancy.”

THE LAST DAYS: The Chaos of History (Part 2) - Matthew 24:14-28

In these days of great tribulation and deception, our preoccupation is to be upon a greater mission.

THE LAST DAYS: The Chaos of History - Matthew 24 (Part 1)

With, seemingly, every catastrophic event in history, whether a natural disaster, terrorist act, economic crisis, or political upheaval, the question arises, “Do you think we are in the last days?”

REIMAGINING WHO WOULD BE KING - Matthew 20:17-28

Both past and recent history reveals the tyrannical extremes humankind will pursue to sit upon a throne.

A RECESSION PROOF VOCATION - Matthew 20:1-16

While no job can really be considered recession proof, the call of Christ can offer a recession proof vocation.