Elephants in the Church
Showing Faith in a Persecuting World
May 27, 2018 • Charles Rowdon
Persecution of the church looks different around the world. One constant though should be our response to persecution. • Be a blessing through persecution: When you are a blessing to someone you want what is best for them. Seek to bless those who persecute you. • Be a support through persecution: When others go through persecution support them. Don’t be afraid to share your faith during persecution. • Love during Persecution: We love others because Jesus first loved us. Show His love during persecution to bring others to Him. (Verses Cited: Matthew 10:21-22; John 14:6; Acts 7; Romans 12:14; Luke 6:29; 1 Samuel 21-24; John 8:11; Romans 12:15-19, 1:16, 12:20-21; John 13:35; Jeremiah 12:5)
Enduring Faith in a Difficult World
May 20, 2018 • Collin Monger
There will be times when you endure difficulties and feel alone because you chose to follow God. You must never give up! • Recognize the difficulty: Prepare for hardship and expect challenging times. Keep a positive disposition through adversity. • Realize the difference: The world wants to entertain us, God wants to engage us! We experience difficulties in this world because we are not yet home. • Remain Determined: Even when the world seeks to knock us down we rise again in Christ. Be determined, faith does not happen overnight. (Verses Cited: Exodus 32:1-4; John 16:33; James 1:2; Matthew 5:11; Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10, 4:4; John 16:11; 1 Peter 5:8; Hebrews 13:14; John 17:16; Philippians 4:13; Luke 18:27, 9:58; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7)
Keeping Faith in a Secular World
May 13, 2018 • Collin Monger
We are called by Jesus to share His message, to be lights for His kingdom. How do we make sure we influence the world instead of being influenced by the world? • Righteous learning: Be careful who holds influence over your life. As believers, we must seek out righteous behaviors, foster discerning behaviors, and have discerning teachers so we can be blessed. • Righteous laboring: We must dwell in the word of God. Actively seeking out the truth found through the study of scripture. • Righteous Living: As a result of righteous learning and laboring we will become examples of righteous living. Displaying the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. (Verses Cited: Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19, 5:13-14; Romans 12:2; Luke 15:2; Psalm 119:37; James 1:17; Job 38:2, 38:4; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Joshua 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:15; John 8:12; Proverbs 25:2; Matthew 7:12)
Freeing Faith in an Enslaving World
May 6, 2018 • Charles Rowdon
We all struggle with addiction, some more destructive than others. How should we, as believers, handle a world of enslaving addictions? • Lawful but not beneficial: We can do anything our hearts desire but not everything will benefit us. • Live by faith: When you because a believer in Christ you were saved through faith. When we struggle with addiction we also over it through faith. • Fleeing from temptation: If you play with fire you will be burnt. Do not allow an addiction to entice you, flee from it! (Verses Cited: Romans 6:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:1-3, 5-7, 10-11; Matthew 21; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:21-23; Mark 12:30-31; Romans 5:8, 1:16-17, 7:15; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Proverbs 6:27)
Matrimonial Faith in an Alternative World
April 29, 2018 • Collin Monger
Believers need to be articulate when defending positions of the faith. We must be able to explain why we believe what we believe; especially regarding traditional marriage. • It is practically necessary: Marriage was designed to fill the earth. When we adopt lifestyles contrary to God’s will we become unfruitful. • It is relationally complementary: Husbands and wives are designed to be harmonious; complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. • It demonstrates spiritual imagery: Marriage mirrors the relationship of Christ and the Church. It serves as an example of how God loves us. (Verses cited: Leviticus 18:22; John 8:7, 8:10-11; 1 Peter 3:15; Genesis 17:6-8; Jeremiah 32:38; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 17:26; 2 Timothy 3:17; Genesis 5:1; Ephesians 5:22, 5:25; Romans 14:7-8)
Confident Faith in a Fickle World
April 22, 2018 • Collin Monger
The world in which we live is constantly changing. Fortunately, as believers, we can be confident our faith because of… • The Source: We have the assurance of salvation because it originates with God. • The Status: Salvation cannot be taken away or lost. Regardless of the fickle nature of our society, our connection with God is eternal. • It’s Strength: We are not saved through our own merit or power. If we were, there would be no security in salvation. Consequentially, we do not rely on our own power but on God’s promises and His nature. (Citations: Matthew 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 2:2; James 1:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 1:22; John 4:14; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:3-4; Ephesians 4:30; John 6:39, 10:29, 17:12, 18:9, Hebrews 13:5, 1 John 5:13; C.S. Lewis)
Keeping Faith in a Tragic World
April 15, 2018 • Collin Monger
Mass shootings are, unfortunately, a part of our society. How can we, as Christians, keep our faith through tragic events? • God’s Presence: In the world terrible things WILL happen. Even when tragedy strikes God does not abandon us. • God’s Protection: The protection of God is the limitation, not the removal of, evil. When going through disaster remember that without God things would have been worse. • God’s Perfection: God has a plan, everything that happens is preordained and permitted by the will of God. • God’s Precognition: Nothing in life surprises God. He knows the end from the beginning and is working all things for your good and his glory! (Verses Cited: Revelation 2:4; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Psalm 23:4-5; Exodus 3:7; John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Romans 5:12; Job 1:12; Romans 8:38; Genesis 50:20; Isaiah 46:10)