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For many Christians, prayer is something they only think about in a crisis. Churches have also filled their calendars with so many activities that prayer meetings have become a thing of the past. But what they fail to realize is, there is no effective substitute for prayer. None! When we neglect prayer, we are missing out on one of the greatest privileges in life. What might happen if we really understood the privilege of prayer?
Ask the average churchgoing Christian if they believe the Bible and they will quickly respond, “Of course I believe the Bible… I’m a Christian!” But the proof is not in what we say, it is in what we do. Are there commands in Scripture that we know, yet we are not actively obeying? Is there any visible evidence in our lives that our faith is real? Imagine what God could do through us if we really believed the Bible and put it into action!
Today the name of God has become a common curse word. Even Christians are guilty of treating God casually. The problem is, we have lost the fear of God because we have forgotten who it is we’re dealing with. God is not the old man in the sky. He is a consuming fire who dwells in unapproachable light. If we caught even the slightest glimpse His holiness, we would fall to the ground like dead men! How would our lives be different if we saw God for who He really is?
When Christ left heaven to come and save us, He didn’t stop halfway or just give His second-best. He gave up everything for us by willingly pouring out His blood on the cross. Knowing that Christ gave His all for us, we must ask ourselves the question, “Am I giving my all for Him?”
There has been a lot of misunderstanding and false teaching about baptism over the years; so who is baptism for, and what does baptism really do? Does baptism save us or add something to our salvation, and if not, then why do we need to be baptized at all? In today’s message we share scriptural insight on the real meaning and purpose of baptism and why it is such a beautiful act of our obedience to Christ.
If a wealthy businessman entrusted his entire company to you while he was away on a yearlong journey, but you failed to follow any of his instructions and you bankrupted the corporation, you could not act surprised if he became angry with you. When we are entrusted with something, it carries with it an expectation. Our Lord has entrusted us with His message, and one day He will return to settle accounts. Are we putting what He has given us to good use?
The Bible tells us not to ignore our spiritual gifts, but rather to use them. However, are we aware that it is possible for us to misuse our spiritual gifts in ways that can bring hurt to others, and even to the entire church? While there are many benefits and blessings that are sure to come as we allow the Holy Spirit to use our spiritual gifts, we must be careful never to use them in ways that are harmful. As you find your place in the Body of Christ, keep these cautions in mind.
The Bible tells us not to ignore our spiritual gifts, but rather to use them. However, are we aware that it is possible for us to misuse our spiritual gifts in ways that can bring hurt to others, and even to the entire church? While there are many benefits and blessings that are sure to come as we allow the Holy Spirit to use our spiritual gifts, we must be careful never to use them in ways that are harmful. As you find your place in the Body of Christ, keep these cautions in mind.
When the members of an orchestra fail to play in harmony with each other, it makes a terrible sound! But when all the different instruments are played in tune, following the same conductor, it creates a beautiful symphony. So it is in the Body of Christ. We all have unique roles to play, but when we each do our part and function in harmony with each other, we will become a beautiful representation of Christ to those around us. Are you playing your part in this great symphony?
The Bible says that God has already given us every spiritual gift we need to live for Him. We do not lack anything. The only question is, have we ever discovered our spiritual gifts and are we actually using them? Just attending a church service every week does not automatically make us a healthy, contributing part of the Body of Christ. We have to choose to be used! Have you ever discovered the spiritual gifts given to you by the Holy Spirit so that you can use them for the mission of Christ?
No doubt, many people saw Jesus hanging on the cross and thought, “What a waste! He could have done so much more good if He hadn’t died.” But Jesus compared Himself to a kernel of wheat, which will never become more than a single seed unless it falls into the ground and dies. Only by dying can it spring to life and produce many more seeds. As His followers, we have been called to die to our own life just as Jesus did. Until we die, we will never begin to truly live!
When a teaching series comes to an end, it’s easy to move on with life and never actually put what we’ve heard into action. Today we conclude our Saved & Sent series by hearing testimonies of what God is doing in different people, and we commit as a church to launch into the Great Commission like never before. What will you do with the things you’ve heard in this series? Will you file them away and forget them, or will you commit to putting them into action for the glory of God?
