Refuge in the Park_David Brown, Ph.D.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan: Answering the Question, "Who is my neighbor?"Luke 10:25-37Loving God means that we cannot place limits on others who God has called us to love as a neighbor. We must love them as we love our self. New Testament scholar, I. Howard Marshall, once said “We cannot choose our neighbor we can only choose to be one.”David Brown, PastorRefuge in the Park

The Devouring of a Nation: Spiritual Complacency that Leads to the Collapse of a Nation - Jeremiah 5Jeremiah’s message is a warning to a foolish and rebellious people that doom will overtake them if they fail to repent.David Brown, Ph.D., PastorRefuge In The Park

Worship & Wisdom: Praise for God and instruction for the wise -Psalm 111God’s accomplishments must be remembered and praised by the believing community.Psalm 111 is a psalm that was to be memorized and spoken during services where the community praised God for His work and deeds, while at the same time remembered those deeds forever.David Brown, Ph.D., PastorRefuge In The Park

Apathy & Lukewarm Faith: The Diabolical Problem of Spiritual IndifferenceRevelation 3:14-22The church is called to overcome the apathetic or lukewarm attitudes of their faith. The letter ends with the phrase “The one who has an ear let him hear...” which is a call to believers that they must have spiritual insight. In verse 3:20, Christ’s knocking on the door of the church is reflected with a present tense verb- meaning He is knocking continually andindicates the people of the church do not hear Him.David Brown, Ph.D.PastorRefuge In the Park

Generous Do-Gooders & Stewardship: Wise Instructions for Future InvestmentsPaul warns believers about the allure of money and commands them to flee from ideas of placing our hope in riches. He then calls for believers to be generous with their money and to be do-gooders by giving generously to the church, the people of God.David Brown, Ph.D.

Rest for the Believer's Weary Soul: Rest for Those in the Center of God’s WillHebrews 4:1-11Christians are commanded to evaluate their relationship with God, regularly, and to be diligent in their obedience so they can enter into God's rest He desires to give.Refuge In The ParkDavid Brown, Ph.D., Pastor

The Futility of Mankind’s Endeavor without God: Life without God Amounts to NothingLife without God is Nothing but Futility. Even with all that Solomon accomplished in life, he saw that his life really amounted to nothing, because he failed to focus on God!David Brown, Ph.D.Refuge In the Park

Matthew 26:36-56One Focus, One Trial, But Two Results: Overcoming Trial by Commitment to Doing the Father’s WillWhen believers enter into times of trial, we should seek to sustain our faith through prayer and submission to the Father’s will. Jesus’ faith is sustained through the trial, because He prays and submits His will to the Father’s will. Refuge In The ParkDavid Brown, Ph.D.Pastor

John 21:15-23Feed My Sheep: Emphasizing the Role of Pastor of Leader of the ChurchIf Peter was going to lead the church successfully, he must have an unwavering commitment to the Lord that does not sporadically pick and choose to follow God. All followers of Christ must have this same commitment.

From Wisdom to Foolishness: Progression & the Diabolical Nature of SinRomans 1:1-32"Unrepentant human beings who refuse to acknowledge or give thanks to God in their lives become an inward looking people that are easily corrupted by the progressive nature of sin. If left to themselves, they eventually reach as state of total depravity."David Brown, Ph.D.Refuge In The Parkrefugeinthepark.org

Galations 4:1-11FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE: Battling the Desires to Return to Our Old WaysBelievers are no longer slaves to the Mosaic Law, but rather are heirs to the promises made to Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul uses the metaphor of a child coming of age (v3) to describe the supervisory role of the law. He describes the law, metaphorically, as a type of custodian or babysitteruntil the righteousness of Christ arrived.The Law was a keeper of men until Jesus and the cross came and fulfilled the law!