Last week we began to look at the “beast” in our body? We discovered that it is “a 2oz slab of mucus membrane that surrounds a rather complex array of muscles and nerves, allowing us to chew, swallow, and articulate words so we can communicate.” Or as someone else said it is an “Uncontrolled little red rebel that lives in a red cave guarded by two rows of white soldiers.”Yes, it is the TONGUE! We considered the most lengthily discourse on the tongue in scripture, James 3:1-12 and discovered six (6) things:1. It is the basis of a stricter judgment for teachers of the Word.2. It is a gauge of maturity in a Christian’s life.3. It is small, but extremely powerful.4. It is necessary, but can be devastating.5. It is vital, but untamed by others.6. It is useful, but hypocritical.This morning we continue to focus upon this “beast” by looking at two passages that get our attention regarding our speech.
Taming the Beast in Our Body (Part 2)
March 17, 2013 • Pastor Ron Finch
Authentic Christianity: Pursing Holiness
May 19, 2013 • Pastor Ron Finch
As I closed my message last week one of the comments I made was, “God has not called us to a life of HAPPINESS, but HOLINESS!” God has one goal for each of us who are saved (justified by faith) — conformity to the image of His Son, Jesus! (Rom. 8:29) Another way this can be stated is, “a transformation unto holiness!” (Eph. 1:4,“chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him!”) (Col. 1:22, “He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by death, in order to present you holy and blameless ... before Him.”) Unfortunately, most churches across America today are more interested in ministering to the “felt needs” of people than calling them to a life of holiness. They are more focused upon being “happy” than being “holy!”Let me be clear —
Authentic Christianity When Opinions differ (Part 2)
May 5, 2013 • Pastor Ron Finch
Last week we began to look at living authentically when opinions differ. Believe me, opinions do differ even among believers! We all come from different cultures, different religious backgrounds, different personal experiences prior to our salvation, and ______. So, how do we live to the glory of God as a church body and before a watching world with our differences? We turn to God’s Word for answers! The apostle Paul, because he lived among people like us who had differences, gave us some great Godly advice in Romans 14, 15 and 1 Corinthians 8-10. Let’s go back to those passages as we continue our study.
Authentic Christianity When Opinions Differ
April 28, 2013 • Pastor Ron Finch
Every church, because it is made up of people, is going to have people with opinions that differ. It is a fact of life! It is a reality that we cannot escape. Opinions differ for several reasons:a. Different cultural up-bringing.b. Different religious backgrounds.c. Different convictions and preferences.d. Different social experiences before http://salvation.such was true in the early churches! Two churches in particular (Rome and Corinth) had this problem because Paul addressed it in his letters to them. In Romans and 1 Corinthians Paul gave clear instructions on how to live authentically when opinions differ. This morning I invite you to the book of Romans to learn how to deal with this problem from the pen of the apostle Paul.