Today we are continuing with the parables of Jesus. It is just awesome how Jesus uses these powerful illustrations to communicate His truths.

Pastor Fred’s last two messages regarding the parable of the talents is going to tie in perfectly with the parable we are going to cover. Today we are going to examine the laborer’s and the great harvest. Pastor Fred taught us from God’s word that if we do not use our talents to further the kingdom of God then we are in some serious trouble.

What is a talent? I think this is important to understand before we move on. A Talent in Jesus’ day would represent a large sum of money. Something that is very valuable. The talents God gives to believers does not necessarily refer to some natural talent, skills or abilities in this parable. Both believers and non believers poses these types of resources. But the talents Jesus is speaking of refers to two main types of Spiritual Gifts. These gifts are speaking and serving. They are given by the Holy Spirit to all believers.
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The Unworthy Slave - Luke 17:7-10

Last week we were taught about the Unforgiving Slave in Matthew 18. Jesus taught His disciples about forgiveness, redemption, and a warning of consequences if we do not forgive those who ask us for forgiveness. Jesus’ parable showed how ridiculous it is for us to not to forgive when He has forgiven us for sinning against Him. We have sinned so much more against God than anyone one person has sinned against us. The imagery described in this parable was so good on what God does for us as the Master did to the slave in the parable. If we come to God and fall at the foot of the cross and beg for mercy, repent of our sins, and put our trust in Him to release our debt than what does He do for us? Instead of getting what we deserve He gives us mercy, grace and forgiveness of our crimes against Him. Our God is so good.
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The Hidden Treasure - Matthew 13:44

I want to share something with you today something that most of you don’t know about me. First, I was diagnosed with diabetes about 4 years ago. Since being diagnosed I have developed a few medical needs. Second, most of you don’t know that I am extremely wealthy. Not like Tiger Woods wealthy but more like Bill Gates wealthy. I know I know I you may be shocked but it is true. I am loaded.

Today is a once in a life time opportunity for you. Today you could walk out of this room a millionaire. Of course there is going to be a cost associated with getting this money but I am sure a few of you will walk out today with a nice chunk of change. Read More...

Introduction: My sermon was heavely influenced by John MacArthurs book The Tale of Two Sons. This book is just fabulous and I would highly suggest it for anyone wanting to know every detail of this parable by Jesus.

Here is a link to Amazon for ordering purposes.


The Prodigal Son - Part 2

A few weeks have past since we first studied the parable of the prodigal son. As we studied last time the story is really about so much more than the one son as we discussed. It is really a story of a gracious, merciful, loving father. And two sons who represent us all. It describes two kinds of sinners. One who is outwardly rebellious, wicked, immoral and doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him. The other is inwardly wicked and immoral but on the surface looks moral and very religious. However neither of these sons have any type of loving relationship with their father. They are both rebellious and Jesus is asking very important question through this parable.
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Today we are going to take a look at one of the most well known parables Jesus told. We all know the story of the prodigal son and how a very lost sinner was saved. It is a story of a very shameful son who was completely reconciled back to his father after his complete repentance.

However, as much as we have all heard this story there really are two other characters in this story who we read over and kind of just ignore since we focus so much on the prodigal son. Today instead of looking at the prodigal son I want to focus primarily on the Father in the story and in a few weeks we are going to focus on the second son. The son who stayed home with the father but was just as lost as the prodigal. People will think the second son represents Christians and is saved but he is lost. We have missed represented this parable by calling it the Prodigal Son and it should really be called the Story of the two sons and their gracious, loving and merciful Father. As we study this passage I hope the richness of what God has done for us as believers encourages your heart. I hope it gives a little glimpse into His love for us.
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Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus

Today’s message is seriously one of the most important places of scripture that we can study. It is a place in scripture where we see what happens to people after they die. We have two different accounts but primarily we will be taking a hard look at a man who ended up in hell. This parable on the surface looks to be addressing money which it is, but really it is addressing how do I get to heaven or how do I end up in hell.

I believe we could spend weeks on this particular parable and barely scratch the surface of its depth. But I hope that God’s word speaks to your hearts today about His Truth. What we are going to look at today should make a serious impact on how we deal and look at scripture.

Please open your Bibles to Luke 16:19-31. We are going to be taking a look at the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. One interesting note on this parable is that it is the only parable Jesus uses a real persons name. I believe there is a reason God uses the name of Lazarus but we could speculate many things about that simple fact. But instead of exploring that particular question we are going to dig into what God is trying to tell us through this parable.
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Have you ever questioned your faith? Have you ever had doubts that the Bible is God’s Holy Word? Is God really there? Have you ever doubted your salvation?

Have you ever cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” as the father of a demon possessed boy did in Mark 9.

Doubt is one of those things that can cause us to abandon the faith or we can use our doubts to trust and grow in our relationship with Christ by digging deep into His word. I always like what Pastor Ken “Hutch” likes to say, “I should always doubt my own doubts and just trust the promises of God.” Read More...

Guilt is defined as “the fact of having committed a specified offense or crime(sin); a feeling of having done wrong or failed in an obligation”

I want to take a look at how we guard against the bad feelings we have when we do something wrong. Is it possible to restore joy and happiness to our lives when we have done wrong? What does God have to say about our guilty feelings of sinning against Him? God tells us very specifically what we are to do!

But before we take a look at what God has to say I want to take a look at what the world tells us today about guilt. I even want to take a look at supposedly Christian leaders and what they say about sin and guilt. Guilt is on the attack in our culture. The very idea that someone feels guilty is considered unproductive and obsolete.
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Slaying the Giant of Fear

How do we slay the giant of fear? Is there anything that we should fear here on earth? God's word will tells us what we should and should not fear.

When we think of slaying a giant we are reminded of the story of David and Goliath. We see how one of the great Bible Heroes faced his literal Giant. Who strengthened David? Who gave David the power to even face his giant? We know it was our Lord and Savior who strengthened him. David declares to Goliath 1 Samuel 17:45-47: Read More...

My life is no longer my own because it was bought with the highest price and that is the blood of Jesus! We who proclaim the name of Jesus as LORD and Savior are slaves to Christ.

I have listened to John MacArthur preach a message on being a slave of Christ and he has preached it again at the Shepherd’s Conference 2008. What an awesome message he presents speaking God’s truth about our position in Christ.

Here is a short excerpt of his sermon. I really suggest reading the whole thing because I believe you will be blessed by it.

The Lordship controversy with the silly notion of Christ as Savior and not Lord would’ve been far less acceptable & influential if this had been translated correctly. It’s the only issue I know of in Scripture like this. Consider what this truth would mean for the prosperity gospel: gone! Or the market-driven philosophy that appeals to people at the level of their fallenness and promises them what they want in their fallen condition. Or the postmodern concept of truth, or your “personal Jesus.” All obliterated by the kurios-doulos relationship.

He is master, we are slaves. But we are also friends, and He is also perfectly wise, kind, generous. But He is master, He alone provides all I need; my only protector. In the spiritual realm, I have only one provider, protected. He’s my great High Priest (Hebrews), my Discipliner (John 15), my Rewarder. If you’re struggling with this, turn to Philippians 2:3ff:

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; [that’s slave talk!] 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a SLAVE, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

If you think slavery is beneath you, know that Jesus became like a slave!!! He denied Himself. He perfectly obeyed the will of the father, taking up His cross and denying Himself. Read More...

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 contains one of those classic passages in scripture that addresses God’s election of the saints. God has provided this particular passage to give us hope and let us know that He is in complete control of all situations. We are to stand firm in His promises. Everything that we put our faith into is the knowledge that He keeps His word to us. Our hope is in Him and nothing else. It allows us to stand firm. Read More...

The fact is clear we are going to be persecuted and afflicted as Christians. It is inevitable, the word of God speaks so clearly about this. I would be concerned if you have never been persecuted for your faith and obedience to Christ. We know Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:12

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Read More...

We are going to learn something special in todays message, what is the will of God? There is absolutely no ambiguity about what God expects from us in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. I hear people talking about what is God’s will in my life? This answers one of the clear expectations He has for us.

What we are going to look at today affects every single male sitting in this room without exception. We are going to see what God has to say about moral purity and how do I abstain from sexual immorality. Read More...

I have to tell you this message today burdens my heart. The message today is a grave warning to the apostate church in Laodicea. And a grave warning to self deceived unbelievers. We have seen a progression as we have moved through the church’s getting worse and worse and we have ultimately come to the Church with no believers and a complete rejection from Christ. They are in worst possible state and that is they believe they are Christians but are deceived. Read More...

A few weeks ago I was able to present how we earn the crown of righteousness. I have written out my notes and hope you find them helpful.

The Crown of Righteousness,
What does this crown of righteousness really entail and more importantly how do I even earn this crown of righteousness. Is it even possible to earn it? How does God describe this crown? These are very good question to think about and I hope to examine it with you today. Read More...

I have been pretty busy, I apologize for taking so long to get this last installment posted up.

John MacArthur has written an excellent outline of the following six points.

1. Teach them about God’s holiness
2. Show them their sin
3. Instruct them about Christ and what He has done.
4. Tell them what God demands of them.
5. Advise them to count the cost thoughtfully.
6. Urge them to trust Christ. Read More...

In my previous post we discussed how Jesus used the 10 commandments to show the rich ruler how he had fallen short of God’s glory. We also saw how the commandments are called a tutor because it shows us that we have broken God’s law. God is a just God. Read More...

Jon Courson writes: The greatest joy in the world comes from seeing someone:

For whom you’ve been praying,
With whom you have been sharing,
To whom you’ve been witnessing,
to receive Christ. Read More...