When Jesus Observes Our Reality #1 of 2
April 27, 2009
Self-delusion: it's almost frighteningly easy. The drunk says "I can quit anytime." All too many do not see reality for what it is. Some churches think all is well. Great numbers may convince them God is doing a mighty work. Today, we'll visit an ancient church Jesus proclaimed to be dead, even though it thought it was alive. Want a reality check for your church?
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Living With Your Passions
In a hyper-sexualized culture, sex is either reduced to pleasure-seeking or conflated with our identity. But God designed us as sexual beings for emotional and spiritual intimacy whose highest calling is to worship Him. In this revised edition, Pastor Erwin Lutzer draws on forty years of ministry experience to present a rationale for sexual purity. He gives an honest answer to the sexual pressures we face like extramarital relationships, self-gratification, same-sex attraction, and more. As desire-driven creatures, we don't have to pursue happiness at the expense of character. With our identity grounded in Christ, we can live victoriously with our passions. Click below to receive this book for a gift of any amount or call Moody Church Media at 1.800.215.5001.
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Moral laxity is pervasive in our culture, and sadly, in many of our churches. We don't take sin seriously anymore. We've gotten so used to free grace that we assume sin is really OK. We hear, "Just ask God to forgive you...all will be well." However, Jesus takes a much sterner view of moral sin in Revelation chapter two. His command for us to repent of it is needed now more than ever.
April 24, 2009
Ask people what they think Jesus looks like, and most will envision a bearded man with a gentle face. Well, think again. The Jesus now in heaven, who will one day return to earth, has snow-white hair, eyes of flaming fire, and a sword coming out of his mouth. The account is in Revelation chapters one and two. And there, you'll find some tough words for his church. Today: what that sword is all about.
April 22, 2009
It's a sacred duty to be a teacher...one who transmits knowledge to the next generation, especially the knowledge of God. Jesus was called "a teacher sent from God." It's vital to Him that we teach truth in our churches, and in our families. His judgment of an early church focuses on the content of its teachings. That church was in Pergamum...the account is in Revelation chapter two.
April 21, 2009
In the game Monopoly, there's a "Get Out of Jail Free" card that let's you avoid the prison you probably deserve. But in the church of Jesus, persecution is assured, and there is no "Get Out of Jail Free" card. In fact, Jesus urges us to be faithful unto death, that we might obtain the crown of life. It's not a promise of health and wealth, but it is a promise of eventual triumph.
April 20, 2009
We don't know a lot about the New Testament church at Smyrna. There's no record of its founding. But what we do know speaks volumes about the opinion Jesus had of this church, and the opinion he has of our churches today. Few of our churches face the persecution inflicted on the followers of Jesus at Smyrna. What would happen if they did? Stay with us.
April 17, 2009
"I have good news, and I have bad news." We've all heard someone say this, and then we wonder which news to hear first. Jesus had words for seven churches in the early chapters of the book of Revelation. The first church was Ephesus, and for that church his message was a mix of good and bad. He gave the good news first, and then expressed his judgment on a matter he felt was crucial.
April 16, 2009
New Christians often have a radiant love for Jesus. Sadly, as time passes, that love sometimes cools. In the first century AD, Ephesus was a major city along the coast of what is now Turkey. Acts 18 tells of Paul's founding of its local church. Later, Jesus commended the Ephesian church, and then chastised them for leaving their first love. What would he say about your church?
April 15, 2009
We learn from the book of Philippians that God has highly exalted Jesus, giving him the name which is above every name. That exalted Jesus fills the pages of the book of Revelation, a Jesus with hair as white as snow and eyes of flaming fire. In John's vision of Jesus, he falls before Him as one dead. Yet Jesus offers words of kindness before detailing his judgments on seven churches of that day.
April 14, 2009
The Bible ends with the book of Revelation: a glimpse into the future. Here we see Christ in glory, the Lord of his church. Seven local churches in what is now Turkey each received a personal word from Jesus. These words tell us what he thought of those churches, and, by implication, what he thinks of our churches today. His words will sometimes commend, and sometimes sting.
April 13, 2009
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Living With Your Passions
In a hyper-sexualized culture, sex is either reduced to pleasure-seeking or conflated with our identity. But God designed us as sexual beings for emotional and spiritual intimacy whose highest calling is to worship Him. In this revised edition, Pastor Erwin Lutzer draws on forty years of ministry experience to present a rationale for sexual purity. He gives an honest answer to the sexual pressures we face like extramarital relationships, self-gratification, same-sex attraction, and more. As desire-driven creatures, we don't have to pursue happiness at the expense of character. With our identity grounded in Christ, we can live victoriously with our passions. Click below to receive this book for a gift of any amount or call Moody Church Media at 1.800.215.5001.