How to Have Perfect Peace - Nathan Rages

 

Can Christians enjoy sustained inner peace, even in today's crazy stressful world?  This sermon examines three Bible promises about peace: 
Isa 26:2-4 “Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, The one that remains faithful. “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. “Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The peace that God promises:
1. Is complete, covering every situation.   
2. Is available to all believers.
3. Is different than the world’s. 
4. Is given directly by God.
5. Is experienced as we: 
     Resist anxiety.
     Trust steadily in God.  
     Pray about everything.

How to Have Fullness of Joy - Nathan Rages

 

How much joy should Christians normally have?  The Bible describes the joy Christians experience as being "full" or "complete": John 3:29, 15:11, 16:24, 17:13, Rom. 15:13, 1Pet. 1:8, 1John 1:3-4, and 2John v12. 

So how can we increase our joy to the level described in these verses? 
1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17, Gal. 5:22).
2. Meditate on Bible truth (Ps. 1:2, John 15:11).
3. Celebrate God’s answers to our prayers (John 16:24).
4. Praise God frequently (Phil. 4:4, Acts 16:25).
5. Gratefully relish God’s gifts (Ps. 103:2, Jam. 1:17, 1Tim. 6:17).
6. Work gladly for the Lord (Ps. 100:2, Col. 3:23-24).
7. Pursue Christian fellowship (2Tim. 1:4, 2John 1:12). 
8. Strive to make others happy (Acts 20:35). 
9. View your hardships rightly (Rom. 14:17, Gal. 5:22).
10. Handle sin issues Biblically (Ps. 51:12).
11. Look forward to heaven (Ps. 16:11, Luke 10:20).

Abstain From Fleshly Lusts - Nathan Rages

 

In 1Peter 2:9-12 the Apostle gives a straightforward practical exhortation about handling the lusts of our flesh that we contend with:  
1. WHAT we must do (v11).
2. WHY we must do it:
     Because God made us “a holy nation” (v9-10).
     Because we are “aliens and strangers” (v11).
     Because our lusts “wage war against the soul” (v11).
     Because our lives are seen by lost people (v12).

Lessons From a Neighborly Outcast - Clark Lasse

 

In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus tells the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan. Clark Lasse first discusses this Scripture and then provides an update on his mission activities in Uganda and with international college students in the US.

Who Died and Made You King? - Robert Hamilton

 

Luke 20:1-8 deals with the issue of authority, Jesus' supreme authority.

Cleansing God's House of Prayer - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 19:45-48 records Jesus cleaning the Temple a few days before His crucifixion.  In these verses our Lord did these three things:
1. He cleansed the area (v45).
     With surprising violence.  
     With supernatural authority.
2. He explained His actions (v46).
     Using Scripture.
     Emphasizing prayer in public worship.
     Condemning exploitation of worshippers.    
3. He taught the people (v47-48). 
     With gripping power.  
     Frustrating His enemies.

The King's Dramatic Arrival - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 19:28-44, records Jesus' so-called Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem when Christ the King makes His dramatic entry into the capital city.  We explore these six aspects of Christ from the story:  
1. His intentional publicity (v29-30,35-36).
2. His supernatural perception (v30-34).
3. His fulfillment of prophecy (Zech. 9:9-10).
4. His deserved praise (v36-38,40).
5. His enemies’ protest (v39-40).
6. His tearful prediction (v41-44).