Plastic Jesus?
“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, […]
Take Heart
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? […]
Choking on Worry
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.“ (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT) Have you ever seen someone […]
Jesus’ View on Women
Yesterday, talking with my wife, I made the mistake of stating my opinion on something I had no clue about. She, on the other hand, had studied the issue and could cite chapter and verse. She called me on it. I thought of that as I prepared for this week’s sermon. I hear very vocal […]
Judas’ Cry for Help?
“When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them…and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” (Luke 6:13, 16) In recent weeks, two celebrities ended their own lives (truth be told, I knew neither). Suicide is heart-breaking! The US Center for Disease Control claims that the suicide rate in our nation […]
The Taxman Cometh
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.“ (Matthew 9:9, NIV) A little boy goes to the grocery store and asks the clerk for a box of detergent: “I need it to wash […]
Rewarded
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19, NIV) Paul’s […]
Go…into Denton
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19, NIV) Spend any amount of time in Sunday School or an Evangelical Church and you know this verse. It’s the fundamental command for Christians, and it begins with […]
No, not Him!
“…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20, NIV) We all know that famous line from Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. The father receives the son back, […]
I Believe…
“…I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24, NIV) Do you sometimes feel like this is your life verse? Me, too! The last few weeks at New Life we’ve been talking about reasons to believe in Christmas. First and foremost is the fact that God loves you. The idea that “God so loved […]
I Believe in the Goodness of God
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.“ (Luke 2:10, NIV) Sunday I shared that I believe in Christmas because I believe in the love of God. Another reason I believe: I believe in the goodness of God. […]
Believe
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.“ (Mark 1:1, NIV) That’s how Mark begins his Gospel. No genealogy, no manger, no shepherds or wise men. Where Matthew and Luke build up to that conclusion – that Jesus is the Son of God – Mark puts it out there in the […]
