Being Ready for the Lord's Return - Nathan Rages

In Luke 12:35-48, the Lord Jesus addresses His future return to earth and how we should be living in the meantime.  His teaching can be summarized in these five simple statements about His Second Coming:

1. It will certainly happen (v36-40,43,45-46).

2. Its timing is unknown to us (v38-40,45-46).

3. We should live in obedient readiness (v35-38,42-43).

4. Christ will lavishly reward His faithful ones (v37,43-44).

5. Christ will justly punish the unfaithful ones (v45-48).

Don't Worry Because... - Nathan Rages

In Luke 12:22-34 Jesus addresses the problem of anxious worry among His followers, providing eight reasons why we need not succumb to worry:  

1. Christ commands us not to (v22,29,32).

2. Our life is much more than physical needs (v22-23).

3. We’re more valuable than birds and flowers (v24,27-28).

4. It is powerless to change anything (v25-26).

5. It reveals our lack of faith (v28).

6. It means we’re acting like unsaved people (v29-31).

7. Our Father is understanding and generous (v30-32).

8. Our true treasure is in heaven (v33-34).

Are You Rich Toward God? - Nathan Rages

In Luke 12:13-21 Jesus gives a solemn warning about materialism by telling  the parable of the Foolish Farmer.  This sermon analyzes this fascinating man, making application to ourselves in prosperous America:

1. Things that were not necessarily sinful about him:

   a. Being rich.

   b. Having business success.

   c. Making plans regarding future needs.

2. His actual sin problems: 

   a. Greed (v15).

   b. Selfishness (v17-19,21).

   c. Hedonism (v19).

   d. Presumption (v19-20).

   e. Ungodliness (v21).

 

The Unforgiven Sin - Nathan Rages

In Luke 12:10-12, Jesus gives instruction about two things involving the Holy Spirit:

1. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit (v10).

   Q1: What is the unforgiven sin?

   Q2: Why is this particular sin not ever forgiven?

   Q3: Can we know whether someone has committed this sin? 

   Q4: Can a genuine Christian commit this sin and thereby lose his salvation?

   Q5: How should we counsel people who worry that they have committed this sin?

2. Testifying with the Holy Spirit’s help (v11-12).

Fear God, Not People - Nathan Rages

In Luke 12:1-9, gives some challenging teaching, weaving together warnings and comforts under the general theme of fearing God:

1. Fear God because He will reveal your hypocrisy (v1-3).

2. Fear God rather than people (v4).

3. Fear God because He can put you in Hell (v5).

4. Fear God but remember how much He cares for you (v6-7).

5. Fear God lest Christ deny you in the end (v8-9).

A New Creation - Dave Dickmann

2Cor. 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..."  This sermon connects this familiar concept about believers being a "new creation" with the original creation at the time of Adam, the world after Noah's flood, Abraham the patriarch, the Israelite kingdom under David / Solomon and finally Jesus Christ as the Last Adam.  

Up the Creek Without a Paddle - Robert Hamilton

Hebrews 2:1 "For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it."

1. What spiritual drifting is.

2. Ways we can drift:

   a. Antinomianism.

   b. Legalism.

   c. Doubting God's Word. 

3. Signs of drifting:

   a. Unaffected by preaching and study of the Bible.

   b. Prayerlessness.

   c. Forsaking fellowship.

   d. Refusing to accept correction.

4. Remedy against drifting:

   a. Bible.

   b. Prayer.

   c. Fellowship.