The Teaching/Preaching Ministry of Pastor Jeff Lyle.
Have you ever wondered why people who all testify that they have met the Savior, Jesus Christ, and have been redeemed by Him seem to have such a wide array of differing responses to this gift of life through Christ? Why are some so drastically changed? Why do others seem to live indifferently to His gift to them? Some Christians seem to sell out this world in order to pursue Christ while others seem to sell out Christ in pursuit of the priorities of this world. Some serve, pray, give, and sacrifice for the glory of Jesus while others who also say that they know Christ as Lord live unashamedly for themselves. The bottom line question is, “Do these two very different groups have an equal eternal destiny and reward?” There is an account in the Book of numbers that presents a powerful illustration of these very issues. Moses forcefully calls some half-hearted Israelites into an intense accountability as they sought to shirk their responsibility to join the other tribes in conquering the promised Land. Christians today do well to take note of this, finish out what we committed to God, and receive the full reward of our inheritance.
Revelation 19:11-16 offers us a glimpse of the majestic vision of Christ's triumphant return to earth as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This passage unveils Jesus in His divine glory, riding a white horse with eyes like blazing fire, leading heaven's armies to bring justice and righteousness to the earth. The Church needs an awe-inspiring return to hope and expectancy of our Savior's second coming, and this message unpacks the vivid imagery and profound promises of from the scriptures, calling us to live with bold faith and unwavering devotion in anticipation of His eternal reign.
What is it within the hearts of people that still insists on believing one of the most obvious lies ever presented to us? Why do so many still believe that money, fame, power, and pleasure will lead to a satisfied life? This is the most infamous mirage that has ever existed. Scripture abounds that tells us the emptiness of these things. Jesus and His Apostles repeatedly warn us about living for these substitutes for spiritual satisfaction. Yet every new year reveals scores of people who believed the lie, lived for their passions, and exited earth through a self-inflicted wound due to the emptiness in their souls. Solomon, the wisest man in the Old Testament spent many years living for his passions. He barely survived with his soul intact. From his words in the book of Ecclesiastes, modern believers are warned by a man who had “been there and done that” as he testifies about living for the mirage. Perhaps one more hearing of these truths will rescue some from this common trap.
There is a longstanding strand of Kingdom DNA that has come fully unraveled in the modern Church. God's people have always been called to maintain a distinction from the corrupt cultures in which they live. As citizens of an entirely different Kingdom, we are to reflect the priorities, beliefs, and pursuits of the Heavenly realm. To keep us in generational awareness of this call to live consecrated to God, there have always been voices which He has raised to communicate this essential calling. When those voices fade or fail, that generation will inevitably lose its way. In ancient Israel, God brought a strong indictment against those whom He had appointed to be the watching eyes and warning voices of a generation. When spiritual watchmen sleep and Kingdom watchdogs refuse to bark, evil creeps in. If the indulgent leaders in the American church continue to press the mute button, refusing to speak the hard messages, evil will continue to creep in and take many captive. It's time for indulgent leaders to repent or step aside.
One of the least studied and talked about books of the Bible is Ecclesiastes. This neglected book actually holds for us a tremendous amount of wisdom, very similar to the Book of Proverbs. In Chapter 9 of Ecclesiastes there is a short little story of a war against a helpless city. One seemingly insignificant man delivers everyone from the enemy…and the entire city quickly forgets about him. In this compelling story, there exists a wealth of counsel for all of us today. As you watch and listen, consider how intentional you are presently being about staying aware of the Wise Man who rescued you from the war against your soul. When we remember Him, we flourish. If we forget them, the next war may not contain the same outcome as the previous one.
The key to finishing your faith-marathon in victory is endurance. The secret ingredient to your endurance is to keep your eyes on the finish line. Every day could potentially be the day we run our final leg of this race for Christ. Living in a commitment to honor Him in every way reveals that we are truly His own. In Paul's closing words to the church at Thessalonica, we find an apostolic exhortation that equips us to win the race set before us. Casual runners will fail. Distracted runners will stumble. Lazy runners will quit. For those who live as determined runners, however, these traits charged to us by Paul will empower us to cross the finish line in utter victory for the glory of Christ.
The warnings in the Bible about false prophets are not subtle. They are not inconspicuous. They are not infrequent. Both Old and New Testaments hold for us multiple cautions about the existence and activities of people who claim to speak on behalf of God but do not. No other passage of Scripture has more intensity on this crucial issue than Jeremiah chapter 23. God Himself is doing all the talking as He pulls back the curtain on false prophets in the ancient Israel. From what God says then about the false prophets, we are greatly equipped to mark false prophets in our own generation and to avoid ever coming under their dangerous influence.
The person and work of the Holy Spirit has always contained some level of mystery and even controversy for Christians. God the Father is made plainly known to us in the Old Testament. God the Son is the sole focus of all four Gospels, most of the epistles, and the entire Book of Revelation. Yet, to learn who God the Spirit is, and what is His role, we sometimes find ourselves having to slow down and carefully search the Scriptures for answers that are not obvious. One thing is clear: Holy Spirit made a thunderous entrance into the Church in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost. What is this Pentecost baptizing of the Spirit? What doe sit mean to us today? Have all Christians experienced the fulness of what Jesus described as being “clothed with power from on high”? Is the fire that Jesus mentioned flowing from our own life? Pentecost Sunday is a great time to take a detailed and helpful look at the Baptism of Holy Spirit & Fire.
What if you heard that it is impossible to become a disciple of Jesus Christ while remaining immune from suffering? Would you still want to be His follower, knowing that He would lead you into life experiences that produced temporary pain? Many Christians protest this type of teaching, wrongly believing that God has obligated himself to protect us from all pain and suffering. the Bible actually teaches us the opposite. God will DELIVER us out of all pain and suffering, but He has not pledged to prevent it from ever finding us. This Truth Shot unpacks the benefits of a life which endures suffering for the glory of Jesus. There is holy profit in our temporary struggles. Who will endure suffering long enough to discover the treasure within it?
What if you heard that it is impossible to become a disciple of Jesus Christ while remaining immune from suffering? Would you still want to be His follower, knowing that He would lead you into life experiences that produced temporary pain? Many Christians protest this type of teaching, wrongly believing that God has obligated himself to protect us from all pain and suffering. the Bible actually teaches us the opposite. God will DELIVER us out of all pain and suffering, but He has not pledged to prevent it from ever finding us. This Truth Shot unpacks the benefits of a life which endures suffering for the glory of Jesus. There is holy profit in our temporary struggles. Who will endure suffering long enough to discover the treasure within it?
When conflicts arise in a family, in a church, in a community or simply between two children of God, the Bible provides clear instructions about how we are to respond as followers of Christ. It is inevitable that believers will eventually run into sticky places with one another. There is a way that non-believers respond, and that is to fight for self, have the final word, and to put down the person who opposes them. This is not the way of Christ. He calls us higher in the Spirit to reveal His character when Christians clash with one another.
Every preacher knows that how a sermon is concluded can have a major impact on the listeners. Many books have been written that instruct the preacher how to "draw the net" so that the listener knows what to do with what they have heard. Jesus finishes up His most famous and longest sermon with a crystal-clear illustration that enables His audience to understand just how much is riding on their response to the Sermon on the Mount. Each one of us has the call to examine our own heart and to discern how our lives are presently aligned with what Jesus has said throughout this sermon. His final words serve as both an invitation and a warning to us, because storms are coming. It is no small matter what we decide. Jesus is telling us that how we respond is a matter of eternal life or eternal death. He brings the entire sermon on the mount to a pointed end when He calls us to examine the foundation upon which we are presently building our lives. He asks us if we are prepped for the storms.
The term “Spirit-filled” is used often but seldom examined. Is the Spirit-filled Christian merely one who speaks in tongues or is there more to it? In fact, if a Christian does not speak in tongues, can they be Spirit-filled? What does it mean to truly walk by the Spirit. Perhaps we should examine the gifts of the Spirit less often and the FRUIT more closely when wondering if we ourselves or someone else is a Spirit-filled believer. We are to live a life that reflects God's love, joy, and peace. This Truth Shot will challenge and inspire you to align your heart with the Holy Spirit, cultivating a faith that transforms your daily walk - perfect for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual journey and live out God's calling with purpose.
One of the most difficult issues for Christians is to personally understand and to communicate to others why a good, loving God allows suffering. This is a huge stumbling block for many people. There is no denying the truth that suffering impacts both the believer and non-believer, and learning what Scripture says about suffering is a key to us enduring it. God is not on trial when we suffer, but it is helpful to learn that there is divine purpose in our temporary pain. This episode of Truth Shots brings context to us for those times when suffering pierces our lives.
One of the most difficult issues for Christians is to personally understand and to communicate to others why a good, loving God allows suffering. This is a huge stumbling block for many people. There is no denying the truth that suffering impacts both the believer and non-believer, and learning what Scripture says about suffering is a key to us enduring it. God is not on trial when we suffer, but it is helpful to learn that there is divine purpose in our temporary pain. This episode of Truth Shots brings context to us for those times when suffering pierces our lives.
God has a desire to bless and advance you in the arena of your personal finances. He wants to proper the businesses of His children. God is not anti-wealth, and He is more than willing to entrust financial increase to us as we prove we will steward His way and for His glory. This does not happen accidentally for there Christian. When. Those who follow Jesus partner with God concerning their money, there exists a promise of some measure of increase that will come to he believer. So why do the vast majority of Christians neglect the intentional honoring of God with their finances? It boils down to two things: a lack of understanding and/or a lack of trust. An ancient account of an impoverished widow reveals in one scene how God is able to make all His resources abound toward those who will trust, release, and receive. There are no exceptions to this principle. Those who have practiced this principle on their end have more than proven God to be faithful on His end. When the Kingdom laws of releasing and receiving are at work in our lives, both material and spiritual wealth will eventually find us.
God has a desire to bless and advance you in the arena of your personal finances. He wants to proper the businesses of His children. God is not anti-wealth, and He is more than willing to entrust financial increase to us as we prove we will steward His way and for His glory. This does not happen accidentally for there Christian. When. Those who follow Jesus partner with God concerning their money, there exists a promise of some measure of increase that will come to he believer. So why do the vast majority of Christians neglect the intentional honoring of God with their finances? It boils down to two things: a lack of understanding and/or a lack of trust. An ancient account of an impoverished widow reveals in one scene how God is able to make all His resources abound toward those who will trust, release, and receive. There are no exceptions to this principle. Those who have practiced this principle on their end have more than proven God to be faithful on His end. When the Kingdom laws of releasing and receiving are at work in our lives, both material and spiritual wealth will eventually find us.
At some point, people are going to talk about you. The American church culture holds a lot of chatter. People just seem to gravitate to talking about other people. So, when your name comes up in those discussions, what will be said? The Apostle Paul once wrote a letter that mentioned a lot of names. The Church at Philippi was like most churches today: there were the good, the bad, and the ugly. In this passage, Paul communicates about two of the good ones. His testimony of Timothy and Epaphroditus contained lavish endorsements because these two men were of excellent character. What Paul said about them needs to be said of us when our names come up. In Paul's words about them, we gain wisdom and motivation about how we can begin to live at much higher levels of commitment to Kingdom excellence. May our testimonies be those that welcome commendation from those who observe our lives.
At some point, people are going to talk about you. The American church culture holds a lot of chatter. People just seem to gravitate to talking about other people. So, when your name comes up in those discussions, what will be said? The Apostle Paul once wrote a letter that mentioned a lot of names. The Church at Philippi was like most churches today: there were the good, the bad, and the ugly. In this passage, Paul communicates about two of the good ones. His testimony of Timothy and Epaphroditus contained lavish endorsements because these two men were of excellent character. What Paul said about them needs to be said of us when our names come up. In Paul's words about them, we gain wisdom and motivation about how we can begin to live at much higher levels of commitment to Kingdom excellence. May our testimonies be those that welcome commendation from those who observe our lives.
Many people recoil when they realize that they are about to hear a teaching on the lordship of Jesus Christ. Because he has been so frequently (and incompletely!) presented to us merely as the Savior who forgives, the biblical reality of Jesus being a Lord who rules is uncomfortable for many. The primarily question is, “Does the Bible present a legitimate foundation for someone believing in Jesus as their Savior while denying that He is also their Lord?” This Truth Shot episode walks us through a detailed view of what Scripture teaches about this sometimes controversial issue. Could it be that those who resist Jesus as their Lord have never actually received Him as Savior? The startling answer is discovered in God's Word.
Many people recoil when they realize that they are about to hear a teaching on the lordship of Jesus Christ. Because he has been so frequently (and incompletely!) presented to us merely as the Savior who forgives, the biblical reality of Jesus being a Lord who rules is uncomfortable for many. The primarily question is, “Does the Bible present a legitimate foundation for someone believing in Jesus as their Savior while denying that He is also their Lord?” This Truth Shot episode walks us through a detailed view of what Scripture teaches about this sometimes controversial issue. Could it be that those who resist Jesus as their Lord have never actually received Him as Savior? The startling answer is discovered in God's Word.
Sometimes, Christians need to remember who our God is. We are often prone to bouts of anxiety, weakness, dread, and warfare. God seems to shrink in size in our minds if we are not responding properly in faith to the things that oppose us. Even our own internal weaknesses can lead us to wonder if we are going to make it through. Passages like Isaiah 35 galvanize our faith and stiffen our spines. God defies whatever opposes His children when they are walking in His will. This message highlights six separate things that we encounter in life, and it reveals how God defies these things from being the end of us. Yes, the defiant God of Heaven fights for His own.
Romans 8:35-39 is one of the most strengthening, encouraging passages in all of the Bible. The Apostle Paul boldly declares that nothing—not hardship, persecution, demons, decrease nor any force in creation—can separate us from the saving, strengthening, and shepherding love of Christ. These unapologetic promises will uplift your spirit, fortify your faith, and remind you of the victorious hope we have in Him. For anyone seeking encouragement or a deeper connection with God's stabilizing, empowering promises, this teaching will leave you anchored in the truth that all Christians are more than conquerors through Christ's unwavering love.
Romans 8:35-39 is one of the most strengthening, encouraging passages in all of the Bible. The Apostle Paul boldly declares that nothing—not hardship, persecution, demons, decrease nor any force in creation—can separate us from the saving, strengthening, and shepherding love of Christ. These unapologetic promises will uplift your spirit, fortify your faith, and remind you of the victorious hope we have in Him. For anyone seeking encouragement or a deeper connection with God's stabilizing, empowering promises, this teaching will leave you anchored in the truth that all Christians are more than conquerors through Christ's unwavering love.
Sometimes, Christians need to remember who our God is. We are often prone to bouts of anxiety, weakness, dread, and warfare. God seems to shrink in size in our minds if we are not responding properly in faith to the things that oppose us. Even our own internal weaknesses can lead us to wonder if we are going to make it through. Passages like Isaiah 35 galvanize our faith and stiffen our spines. God defies whatever opposes His children when they are walking in His will. This message highlights six separate things that we encounter in life, and it reveals how God defies these things from being the end of us. Yes, the defiant God of Heaven fights for His own.
There is a reality that most committed followers of Jesus experience from time to time. In certain seasons, this experience can become overwhelming, even debilitating. What is this common yet risky experience? Exhaustion in the soul. What do we do when we hit a brick wall in our minds or bodies? When the strength we need becomes the strength we cannot find, our very souls can be dragged downward. The Bible counsels us to become people who are always balancing work and rest, seeking God's strength through prayer, persevering with hope, and leaning on community. It portrays fatigue as a human reality but points to God's provision—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to overcome it. For any who are presently sensing spiritual fatigue, this episode of Truth Shots offers solid, practical, biblical guidance towards a fresh reset that will empower you to operate in God's strength when you feel your own has run out.
There is a reality that most committed followers of Jesus experience from time to time. In certain seasons, this experience can become overwhelming, even debilitating. What is this common yet risky experience? Exhaustion in the soul. What do we do when we hit a brick wall in our minds or bodies? When the strength we need becomes the strength we cannot find, our very souls can be dragged downward. The Bible counsels us to become people who are always balancing work and rest, seeking God's strength through prayer, persevering with hope, and leaning on community. It portrays fatigue as a human reality but points to God's provision—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to overcome it. For any who are presently sensing spiritual fatigue, this episode of Truth Shots offers solid, practical, biblical guidance towards a fresh reset that will empower you to operate in God's strength when you feel your own has run out.
There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.
There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.
God reserves the right to change our life's pathway without any advanced notice. Moses had blown it decades earlier when he sought to do God's will in his own power. Like the rest of us, when he tried to do Spirit-work in the power of the flesh, things went sideways for Moses. Forty years later, long after Moses had likely given up on his call, God summoned Moses to turn aside from his normal, mundane life to see something spectacular. As a bush burned in the desert, God began to speak to Moses again and tell him that it was now time to step into the fulness of his calling. For Moses and the people to whom God sent him, nothing would ever be the same. It is never too late to say YES to God's plan.
God reserves the right to change our life's pathway without any advanced notice. Moses had blown it decades earlier when he sought to do God's will in his own power. Like the rest of us, when he tried to do Spirit-work in the power of the flesh, things went sideways for Moses. Forty years later, long after Moses had likely given up on his call, God summoned Moses to turn aside from his normal, mundane life to see something spectacular. As a bush burned in the desert, God began to speak to Moses again and tell him that it was now time to step into the fulness of his calling. For Moses and the people to whom God sent him, nothing would ever be the same. It is never too late to say YES to God's plan.
Few accounts in Scripture end as beautifully as the story of Ruth and Naomi. They began in famine and heartbreaking loss, but they finished in a fullness of joy and breakthrough that took some time to obtain. God's providential hand had brought these two women full circle. They found a country. They found a field. They found a man. They found a plan. In the end, they found themselves staring squarely in the center of God's redemptive ways. The bad news eventually gave way to the good. As the sermon series on the Book of Ruth closes, we see the powerful ways of God and how they typically find those who endure the wrestling seasons to enter the reaping season. Boaz receives a wife. Ruth receives her redemption. Naomi receives a grandson. And we receive again the reasons why we never give up on the God of breakthrough.
Now it is time to understand what Scripture reveals as the marks of authentic revival. What does it look like? What should we expect to happen in revival? Did you know that we can potentially bring revival to a halt? In Part 1 of this message, we defined what the revival actually is and what precedes it. Now is the time to disclose what occurs in true revival and how Christians partner with God to steward and sustain it.
Now it is time to understand what Scripture reveals as the marks of authentic revival. What does it look like? What should we expect to happen in revival? Did you know that we can potentially bring revival to a halt? In Part 1 of this message, we defined what the revival actually is and what precedes it. Now is the time to disclose what occurs in true revival and how Christians partner with God to steward and sustain it.
God's mysterious providence has been worming slowly on behalf of Ruth and Naomi. He has moved on His own to cross Ruth's path with the man who would eventually become her husband. God had done it all sovereignly and quietly. Now comes the moment where Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz all needed to do their part for God's plan to unfold. This message reminds us that sometimes we can wait on God too long. Sometimes, He calls us to responsive action. Sometimes, if we fail to do our part, we might miss the plans of God for our futures. These three people responded beautifully. Wedding bells would soon be ringing.
God's mysterious providence has been worming slowly on behalf of Ruth and Naomi. He has moved on His own to cross Ruth's path with the man who would eventually become her husband. God had done it all sovereignly and quietly. Now comes the moment where Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz all needed to do their part for God's plan to unfold. This message reminds us that sometimes we can wait on God too long. Sometimes, He calls us to responsive action. Sometimes, if we fail to do our part, we might miss the plans of God for our futures. These three people responded beautifully. Wedding bells would soon be ringing.
Most Christians recognize that the Church at large stands in need of a revival from Holy Spirit. There is a lack of theological precision, spiritual power, and zealous passion among believers. The Church has turned lukewarm in most places. In some places there is potent, authentic revival taking place, but these hotspots of the Spirit are rare. In Part 1 of this message, we focus on what defines revival and what precedes revival. If we are going to pray to God to send it to us, and if we are going to steward it when it arrives, we need to understand exactly what revival is. The second part of this message will unpack the fruit of revival and how Christians partner with God to host revival.
Most Christians recognize that the Church at large stands in need of a revival from Holy Spirit. There is a lack of theological precision, spiritual power, and zealous passion among believers. The Church has turned lukewarm in most places. In some places there is potent, authentic revival taking place, but these hotspots of the Spirit are rare. In Part 1 of this message, we focus on what defines revival and what precedes revival. If we are going to pray to God to send it to us, and if we are going to steward it when it arrives, we need to understand exactly what revival is. The second part of this message will unpack the fruit of revival and how Christians partner with God to host revival.
There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.
There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.
In the story of Ruth, we get to meet one of the most noble men in all of the Bible. There are not a large amount of verses dedicated to Boaz, but everything written of him is good. He stands as one of the clearest types of Christ in all of the Old Testament. In this message, Boaz is seen again as kind, caring, generous, and committed to providing for and protecting the Gentile widow named Ruth. In doing so, Boaz acts in such a way that Naomi recognizes that this kinsman of her deceased husband seems to be operating not only in kindness and generosity, but also in a way that points to a potential wedding to young Ruth. The future bridegroom of a destitute Moabite begins to take center stage. As he does so, we cannot help but to think of our own Kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ.
In the story of Ruth, we get to meet one of the most noble men in all of the Bible. There are not a large amount of verses dedicated to Boaz, but everything written of him is good. He stands as one of the clearest types of Christ in all of the Old Testament. In this message, Boaz is seen again as kind, caring, generous, and committed to providing for and protecting the Gentile widow named Ruth. In doing so, Boaz acts in such a way that Naomi recognizes that this kinsman of her deceased husband seems to be operating not only in kindness and generosity, but also in a way that points to a potential wedding to young Ruth. The future bridegroom of a destitute Moabite begins to take center stage. As he does so, we cannot help but to think of our own Kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ.
The life of faith is mysterious blend of human responsibility and divine providence. Scripture clearly states that believers proactively plan their steps…but that God divinely directs those pathways to fulfill His ultimate plans for us. This is where a providential intersection of Ruth's decisions and God's determination for her life occurs. In all of what happens in Ruth chapter two, we see believers at their best and God's wisdom on full display. As we trust and obey in our own daily decisions, we also will encounter eventual favor under the sheltering wings of the Almighty.
The life of faith is mysterious blend of human responsibility and divine providence. Scripture clearly states that believers proactively plan their steps…but that God divinely directs those pathways to fulfill His ultimate plans for us. This is where a providential intersection of Ruth's decisions and God's determination for her life occurs. In all of what happens in Ruth chapter two, we see believers at their best and God's wisdom on full display. As we trust and obey in our own daily decisions, we also will encounter eventual favor under the sheltering wings of the Almighty.
One of the risks in living as a biblically informed and scripturally loyal Christian is that we become so familiar with what the Bible says about Jesus and His sufferings that we can end up being filled with the doctrine of the cross but empty of the emotion of the cross. We must not only theologically comprehend the journey of Jesus in His passion week, but we are meant to enter into a deeper revelation of what He understood, felt, and accomplished as He was made to be sin for us. The Gospels reveal that Jesus was left utterly alone as He accomplished all that was necessary to become the sacrifice and substitute for sin. Jesus was all alone so that we could be in the presence of the Father forever. This message explores the deeply human facet of what Jesus went through and pays close attention to the words He groaned in His isolation as the Lamb of God.
One of the risks in living as a biblically informed and scripturally loyal Christian is that we become so familiar with what the Bible says about Jesus and His sufferings that we can end up being filled with the doctrine of the cross but empty of the emotion of the cross. We must not only theologically comprehend the journey of Jesus in His passion week, but we are meant to enter into a deeper revelation of what He understood, felt, and accomplished as He was made to be sin for us. The Gospels reveal that Jesus was left utterly alone as He accomplished all that was necessary to become the sacrifice and substitute for sin. Jesus was all alone so that we could be in the presence of the Father forever. This message explores the deeply human facet of what Jesus went through and pays close attention to the words He groaned in His isolation as the Lamb of God.
In our generation of people living as influencers, seeking followings, and desiring to be a bigger and better version of themselves, Jesus Christ offers a different way to greatness. The way Up in the Kingdom has always been Down. Even two of Jesus' closest followers once opposed this principle, which motivated Jesus to speak plainly about this non-negotiable Kingdom key. In our present day, few Christians sign off on what Jesus plainly taught about servanthood, humility, and the upside-down pathway to glory and power. His views on influence and greatness are far different than ours.
In our generation of people living as influencers, seeking followings, and desiring to be a bigger and better version of themselves, Jesus Christ offers a different way to greatness. The way Up in the Kingdom has always been Down. Even two of Jesus' closest followers once opposed this principle, which motivated Jesus to speak plainly about this non-negotiable Kingdom key. In our present day, few Christians sign off on what Jesus plainly taught about servanthood, humility, and the upside-down pathway to glory and power. His views on influence and greatness are far different than ours.
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