Walking It Out : The Bible In Real Life

Before the fall, our work was a privilege not a punishment from God. Yes, there are hard days, where we would want to be doing anything else other than heading to work, but we need to realize it is an important opportunity for worship. 

Today will be a day of decisions. Thousands of decisions will be made. Some small, some big. How is a Christian supposed to know what God wants us to do? Let's take a look at God's Word for help. 

We hear of or may even see Church Hoppers in the church ... but not for long. They rarely last in any particular church longer than a year or two. Why is this? How does one become a church hopper? How do we guard against become a troublesome church hopper in our churches? 

There is a difficult personality in the church called "The Whiner". What if that is us? What do we do about it? Where does that comes from? It is troublesome and we do need to address it before it frustrates the church and the mission of Christ. 

Looking at the different troublemaker personalities in the church. Based on and referencing Mark Atteberry's book, "Troublemakers In The Church: Dealing with the Difficult, the Dangerous, and the Deadly."  This week we talk about "THE NOSTALGIST."  Philippians 3:12-16

As we read James 2:24, it seems that he is asserting something completely at odds with what Paul taught in his letters. Paul was clear that justification is by faith, and yet James says it is by works, not faith alone. Which is it? How do we understand this confusion?

The Christian church today is often described as being "biblically illiterate." The author of Hebrews accused His audience of deliberately ignoring God's Word due to laziness! They had become so lazy and lethargic to Scripture that they had regressed in their understanding. It was resulting in their immaturity and childishness. What do we do if we find this same laziness today?

In John 15, Jesus repeatedly implores His followers to "abide in Him" and for His words to "abide in us.". Similarly in John 8:31, Jesus states "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples." How do we abide in Christ? How do we abide in His word? What does that mean?

Many people believe in the existence of God, but they don't believe in Jesus. They may believe that Jesus existed as a man, prophet and teacher, but not as God in the flesh. You cannot separate God from Jesus.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. - 2 Corinthians 7:10. We need to unsubscribe from worldly regret. We have more important things to do.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. - James 3:14. We need to unsubscribe from worry. We have more important things to do.

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? - Luke 12:25. We need to unsubscribe from worry. We have more important things to do.

We want to shine as lights for Christ in this dark and twisted generation. We want to turn the world upside down or right-side up. It won't happen by doing nothing.

Your business card or job title may say that you work for a business or a company, but Paul says you work for God. You are am employee of God for Christ Jesus. This ought to have a real impact on how you work! How do we make sense of the "bond-servant" and "master" language in Ephesians 6:5-9?

If our lives on earth were a Thanksgiving meal, the Bible describes us a being closer to paper plates than Tupperware. Huh? Check it out.

No one wants or longs to be homesick. It doesn't feel good, but this is exactly how we are to live here on earth as followers of Christ. This isn't bad news; it is fantastic news! Earth is not our home. Let's not get comfy. Let's travel light. Our hope is Jesus and home is in His presence.