Posts with the category “from-our-ministers”
Sunday Preview: I Have Learned the Secret
by Matthew Allen on October 19th, 2024
Philippians 4:10-20 primarily focuses on the contentment of Paul and the role of the Philippian church in supplying his needs. To find comfort as we navigate life, we must reorder our perspective as individuals and as a church. This passage offers valuable insights into achieving that comfort. Read More
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Sunday Preview: In the Middle of It All
by Matthew Allen on October 4th, 2024
Despite the trials and tribulations that inevitably come our way, God assures us that He does not abandon us. Instead, He uses these challenges to strengthen our faith and build our resilience. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Perfect Love
by Matthew Allen on September 28th, 2024
Mere doctrinal correctness is not sufficient proof of conversion. True salvation reveals itself in love. As John writes in 1 John 4:21, “The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.” This love is not based on convenience but is a chosen response—rooted in service and sacrifice. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Because of His Great Love
by Matthew Allen on September 14th, 2024
If you’ve been made alive in Christ, never doubt the power of God available in your life. The God who raised you from spiritual death continues to work in and through you. Take hold of His power today and live out His gracious salvation. Read More
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Sunday Preview: For God So Loved
by Matthew Allen on August 31st, 2024
On Sunday, we’re diving into one of the Bible's most well-known and beloved passages: John 3:16. This verse is not just a famous memory verse but a comprehensive summary of the gospel. Within its few words, it encapsulates the entire message of salvation by laying out its four crucial elements: Danger, Design, Duty, and Destiny.Danger: Apart from Jesus, We Are PerishingJohn 3:16 begins with a remi... Read More
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Sunday Preview: The Great Physician
by Matthew Allen on August 10th, 2024
In Mark 2:13-17, one central truth emerges: Jesus will forgive even those considered the worst among us. The gospel is not selective; it is for all. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Spiritual Growth 3
by Matthew Allen on August 3rd, 2024
On Sunday, we’ll look into what may be the most critical lesson in this series: spiritual growth is uncomfortable. But what do we need to remember as we navigate the discomfort we may feel? Read More
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Sunday Preview: Who is Jesus?
by Matthew Allen on June 22nd, 2024
Who is the One in whom we’re staking our soul’s survival? Colossians 1:15-20 provides us with the answer, in fact, 15 answers of who Jesus is. In Him, we find the greatest person, the greatest power, the greatest wisdom, and the greatest love that exists. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Experiencing God's Power
by Matthew Allen on June 14th, 2024
Chapter 3 of Ephesians is a heartfelt prayer where Paul applies these truths, asking God to strengthen believers to fully grasp the dimensions of Christ's love and live out their calling. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Faith - The Heart of Life and Living
by Matthew Allen on June 7th, 2024
Salvation is not achieved through law-keeping but through God's promise. Romans 4:13 affirms, "For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith." Read More
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Sunday Preview: The Greatness of God
by Matthew Allen on May 31st, 2024
Jesus is still in the business of delivering tortured souls today. Let’s not be part of a faithless and perverted generation. Instead, let’s cultivate a faith that believes in God’s promises, acts on them, and witnesses His greatness. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Seeing God
by Matthew Allen on May 17th, 2024
This desire to see and be with God is profound, yet our human condition makes it impossible. In Scripture, those who found themselves in God's presence were often terrified. However, there is an incredible promise from Jesus in Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Read More
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Sunday Preview: The Priceless Value of the Kingdom
by Matthew Allen on May 10th, 2024
Entering the kingdom of heaven involves a personal transaction, not involving money or deeds, but a surrender of all we have in exchange for all He offers. As Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, following Him consists in denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and truly following Him. This is an exchange of our very selves for Jesus as the ruler of our lives. Are we ready to surrender everything for Christ? Read More
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Sunday Preview: Redeemed by Blood
by Matthew Allen on April 27th, 2024
Our redemption is not merely a theological concept but a real action completed through Jesus's shed blood. As we ponder our former condition, as described in various parts of Ephesians, the magnitude of this redemption becomes even more striking. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Your Ultimate Destiny
by Matthew Allen on April 20th, 2024
Have you ever felt like your life stagnated, like you were stuck in a deep rut with no way out? Aimlessness is not only frustrating, but it goes against the fundamental nature of our existence. We are not meant to live devoid of purpose. Indeed, each of us has been created with a destiny in mind—a destiny designed by God, who fills our lives with meaning and direction.At the heart of understanding... Read More
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Sunday Preview: Why You Were Saved
by Matthew Allen on April 12th, 2024
The culmination of God’s plan is not for our glory but His. Salvation glorifies God's gracious nature, from selecting holy and blameless people to their adoption as sons and daughters. God wants to manifest the richness of His grace, inviting you into a story that ultimately leads to His praise. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Before the Foundation of the World
by Matthew Allen on April 6th, 2024
To find oneself in Christ is to unlock a destiny set in motion before the stars hung in the sky. It's an invitation to a life transformed, a heart renewed, and a spirit awakened to God's eternal love. Read More
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Sunday Preview: The Resurrection and the Life
by Matthew Allen on March 29th, 2024
Jesus came to bring life in its most abundant form. Do we believe in Jesus, who claims to be the resurrection and the life? Will we reach out to Him in faith? Read More
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Delight in the Law of the Lord
by Matthew Allen on March 25th, 2024
Psalm 1 challenges us to evaluate the quality of our walk with God and avoid the perils of spiritual complacency. It implores us to deepen our understanding of Him, cultivate an awe of His presence, and experience His work in our lives. Here, we find a portrait of a blessed life intertwined with God.But how does one cultivate such a life?Psalm 1:1-2: Examining Our SurroundingsThe things we see and... Read More
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Sunday Preview: I'll Fly Away
by Matthew Allen on March 22nd, 2024
The climax of our hope, however, is anchored in the glorious return of Jesus, vividly described in 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17. His second coming, marked by celestial fanfare and divine majesty, promises the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the transformation of the living believers, ensuring our eternal presence with the Lord in the heavens. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Seeing This World As It Really Is
by Matthew Allen on March 15th, 2024
Life is busy. And because it is, it is astonishing how easily we become entangled in the temporary, often relegating the eternal to a secondary status. In 2 Peter 3:10, Peter reminds us that everything we know and accumulate will ultimately burn up. This begs the question: do we truly live as if we believe this? Matthew 6:19-21 challenges us to adopt a godly, eternal perspective, urging us to stor... Read More
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Sunday Preview: Abound in the Lord
by Matthew Allen on March 3rd, 2024
Never forget you operate from the position of victory, 1 Corinthians 15.57. This is the foundation upon which you build our efforts. Our endeavors in the Lord are meaningful and not in vain. Thus, serve the Lord with fervor, engaging your emotions and will, and fully commit to the path laid out for you. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Eternal Glory
by Matthew Allen on February 16th, 2024
The weight of glory, as described in 2 Corinthians 5.1-5, is the promise of a new, imperishable body—an eternal dwelling that surpasses our current mortal state. Paul's longing to be with Christ underscores the ultimate hope that awaits believers, whether in life or death. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Set Your Hope
by Matthew Allen on February 10th, 2024
Regardless of the storms that may loom on the horizon, we can stand firm in hope, bringing glory to God.
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Love God with Everything You Are
by Matthew Allen on February 6th, 2024
While emotion may undoubtedly be involved, the most essential characteristics of this love are someone’s dedication and commitment. It is a love of action. It is a love of purpose and self-sacrifice. It is a whole-being response. Read More
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Acquitted: The Complete Forgiveness of Justification
by Matthew Allen on February 2nd, 2024
if you sometimes wrestle with doubts about your salvation or feel burdened by the weight of past mistakes, cling to the promise of Romans 8.1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Comfort in Trouble
by Matthew Allen on January 26th, 2024
So why do bad things happen to good people? Drawing from biblical examples like Hezekiah, Job, and Paul, we discover the multifaceted purposes of trials - testing faith, weaning from worldly attachments, heightening heavenly hope, and revealing God's compassion in misery. These tribulations are opportunities to develop spiritual strength for greater usefulness in God's plan, Acts 20:24, Romans 5:3–4, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Psalm 63:3, and James 1:2. Read More
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Reflecting on God’s Blessings and Grace
by Matthew Allen on January 20th, 2024
When contemplating the broader aspects of our lives, we should see the workings of God's providence in many areas. We should give thanks, focusing on the positive and the good that has emerged rather than dwelling on weaknesses or challenges. The joy we feel for all that God has done is a testament to the transformative power of His providence and the depth of our gratitude. Read More
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Sunday Preview: A Way Out
by Matthew Allen on January 12th, 2024
With every temptation, God promises a way out, as per 1 Corinthians 10:13. This exit is not always immediate or effortless, but it involves enduring through the challenge. To "bear it" means to get under something and carry it through. The way out is not a detour but a passage through the test itself. Read More
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Sunday Preview: God at Work
by Matthew Allen on January 5th, 2024
Philippians 1.6 holds a wonderful message of assurance and hope. In this passage, we find Paul's unwavering confidence in God's ongoing work in the lives of believers. As we step into the new year, let's delve into the significance of God's work from inception to completion, the vital role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, and the enduring hope that sustains us in our spiritual life. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Why the Cross?
by Matthew Allen on December 29th, 2023
God secured your hope through the cross. It is His work. It is by grace and gift of His righteousness, made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Read More
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Sunday Preview: God With Us
by Matthew Allen on December 23rd, 2023
On Sunday, we will focus on God's greatest desire: to be in a relationship with us. This desire was so profound that He sent His Son to live among us and become our atonement for sin.
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Balancing Faith and Works
by Matthew Allen on December 18th, 2023
Properly managing the tension between grace and faith, belief and obedience, things that define the Christian experience, must be handled with great care and wisdom. Read More
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Exploring The Nature Of God
by Kody Pritt on December 15th, 2023
The Bible goes beyond depicting God as a distant, authoritative figure. It reveals a God who engages intimately with His creation. In John 3:16, Jesus encapsulates the essence of God's love, saying, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The nature of God, as revealed in the Bible, encompasses love, mercy, and grace. God's love is not conditional but extends to all of humanity. In Romans 5:8 Paul proclaims this truth, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Read More
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Obedience and Presence
by Matthew Allen on December 14th, 2023
The call to obedience is also a call to trust. By following God's commands, Joshua demonstrates his faith that the pathway God laid out is indeed the path to victory. It's a trust that God's way, though it may be fraught with challenges, is ultimately the way of triumph. Read More
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How God Meets Our Greatest Need
by Matthew Allen on November 27th, 2023
God wants to meet our deepest need for salvation, love, and acceptance. No matter how far we stray, the path back to God is always open, illuminated by His word, and marked by His unconditional love and forgiveness. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Good Soil
by Matthew Allen on November 24th, 2023
Fruitfulness is the ultimate point of having good soil. It is the evidence of the divine life within us. This fruit can be seen in our attitude, righteous behavior, and soul-winning efforts. The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is through bearing fruit in every good work that we display our faith in action. Read More
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Sunday Preview: Rocky Soil
by Matthew Allen on November 11th, 2023
Counting the cost of discipleship is essential, as Luke 14:26-27 and Luke 14:33 emphasize. Pressure, as mentioned in Matthew 13.21, comes into play when life events force us to make choices. The depth of our faith will significantly impact the outcomes of these choices. Pressure isn't entirely negative, as James 1:2-4 and James 1:12 illustrate. Testing our faith can lead to endurance, maturity, and a crown of life. Read More
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Sunday Preview: The Sower's Message
by Matthew Allen on November 2nd, 2023
The parable of the Sower, drawing parallels between the types of soil and the condition of our hearts. It is the perfect complement to Paul’s teachings in Colossians. Just as seeds need the right conditions to grow, our heart requires self-examination and humility. By understanding this parable, we can cultivate hearts that are receptive to God's Word, allowing gratitude to take root and flourish. Read More
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God is Faithful
by Matthew Allen on October 30th, 2023
Remember, if God is concerned with birds, flowers, and grass, Matthew 6.25-34, He most certainly is concerned about you. He is so concerned about you that He knows the number of hairs on your head, Matthew 10.20. Read More
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