In the village green in Lexington, Massachusetts, there is a stone on which is carved the words of Captain Parker who commanded the colonial militia on the spot in 1776. Here is what he said to the men who were assembled to fight the British: "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here." If that kind of courage is needed to gain victory in battles over temporal things, how much more is needed in the battles over eternal issues?
More and more today, Christians individually and the church at large are coming under satanically-inspired attack. Christians are in a minority in this world; we are surrounded by the enemies of God either Satan and his demons directly or those human agents he inspires. We need a strategy not just for survival, but for victory in the spiritual conflict that rages all around us. While Paul endured arrest and imprisonment in Rome, he described to the church at Philippi a plan that would help them be victorious in spite of how dire circumstances looked. That plan would be the fellowship of the Gospel, the furtherance of the Gospel and the faith of the Gospel.
Marks of a Great Christian Church
June 8, 2014 • Pastor Danny Lovett
The Joy of Contentment
September 14, 2014 • Pastor Danny Lovett
Contentment is a highly prized, but elusive virtue. Though it comes only from being rightly related to God and trusting His loving, purposeful, sovereign, providence. People nevertheless seek it where it is not found - in money, possessions, power, prestige, relationships, jobs, education, promotions, or freedom from difficulties. But by that definition, contentment is unattainable, for it is impossible in this fallen world to be completely free from problems. In sharp contrast to the world's understanding of contentment is the simple definition of spiritual contentment penned by the Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs: "Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition". The Bible has much to say about contentment.
The Joy of Right Thinking
September 7, 2014 • Pastor Danny Lovett
A doctor who conducted a long-term study of worry discovered the following: 40 percent of the people worried about things that never happened, 30 percent worried about things in the past over which they had no control, 12 percent worried about their health even though they had no illness, 10 percent worried about family or friends though without substantial reason, and 8 percent of those studied actually had a legitimate cause to worry or be concerned. So more than 90 percent of the worrying was for no reason. But Paul said, "Even when you have legitimate concerns, don't worry!" Fortunately, Paul didn't leave the Philippians or us wondering how to go through life without worrying. He wrote out the prescription in the book of Philippians.
The Joy of the Peace of God
August 31, 2014 • Pastor Danny Lovett
Here is a proven prescription for unhappiness: let little things bother you, lose your focus, worry, be a perfectionist, always be right, be suspicious, compare yourself unfavorably to others, take everything personally, don't commit to anyone or anything, refuse to take the bad along with the good. If that prescription doesn't appeal to you, and I hope it doesn't, you can look with me this Sunday at how we can have the Joy of The Peace of God in our lives regardless of what we are going through. This Sunday we will look at three things we must do to ensure our joy and peace in the midst of our trials. We will be looking at Philippians 4:1-7.