“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” – Romans 1:21 Syncretism occurs when some of the basic core beliefs of the faith are kept, the rest are discarded, and in their place … Read more
One of the most popular and insightful passages to study in a time of increasing conversation around social disobedience and social justice, Pastor Mark preaches from Romans 13:1-7 on how Christians can discern a course of action when God and government collide.
In Daniel’s time, just like in today’s time, the government was corrupt and tried to punish him for serving Jesus. But, Daniel stood firm and worshiped the true King and, in his infinite might and power, God showed up once again in Daniel’s life to rescue him from a den of lions.
When faced with a decision whether to worship the true God or a counterfeit god, Daniel’s friends stood firm in worship of the true God. Even when it looked like the counterfeit god would win, the real God showed up in the middle of their trial and protected them. God can do the same for those today who put their trust and faith in Him despite the most desperate of circumstances.
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” – Proverbs 13:22 So far this week, we’ve examined the tests of anger and relationships. Today, we will discuss the eighth test: leadership. Samson is in a leadership position as a judge. A judge in the Old Testament was an ad hoc military and spiritual … Read more
“For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” – Judges 13:5 Last week, we discussed key themes in Samson’s life. We will … Read more
“Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” – 2 Chronicles 1:10 The fourth and final theme portrayed in Samson’s life is leadership. The last line of the Samson story in Judges 16:31 says, “He had … Read more
In old western movies, there were good guys and bad guys. The good guys wore white cowboy hats, and the bad guys wore black cowboy hats. Life, however, is a lot more complicated than an old gunslinger show. If we are honest, even if we are believers, some days we wear the white hat, and … Read more
The first judge God raised up was Moses. Exodus 18:13 says, “Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening.” Serving as the only judge, Moses was overwhelmed at the workload, and people could not get justice in a timely manner. So, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro says in Exodus … Read more
1 Timothy 3:2 – Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach… Yesterday, we looked at four patterns of males in senior spiritual leadership roles in Scripture and, today, we will look at the fifth and final pattern, oftentimes the most controversial among Bible-believing … Read more
Matthew 28:5-6 – But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Being in leadership does not mean that someone is superior to those they … Read more
Hebrews 5:1 – For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. One leadership role that Deborah did not hold was priest. The New Testament speaks of pastors as the leaders in the church. The Old Testament … Read more