Yesterday, I preached on the topic of self-control as part of my series on the fruit of the Spirit. One of the words that the Bible uses to convey self-control means "self-mastery," and it is most prominently used in Genesis 4, which tells the story of Cain and Abel. You probably know that in that … Continue reading Self-Control
Category: Sermon Notes
Be Kind
This article by Trevin Wax is a perfect complement to our sermon on "Kindness & Goodness" from this past Sunday... I confess to being one of the many Americans heartened by Ellen Degeneres’s defense of her friendship with George W. Bush and the fun they had at a football game a few weeks ago. In … Continue reading Be Kind
Joy
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 "The word gospel, as I'm sure you know, simply means 'good news.' And good news brings joy by being what it is - good! So if the biblical gospel … Continue reading Joy
Love – The First Fruit
This past Sunday, in our sermon series on the fruit of the Spirit, we talked about love. The apostle Paul speaks of love as the first evidence that God is at work in our lives, the first fruit of the Spirit of God within us. The apostle John, in his letter of 1 John, views … Continue reading Love – The First Fruit
The Lord is My Shepherd
Here's the first sermon in the series on Psalms that I am doing this summer, along with some devotional questions that are designed to help people see more clearly how God has and is shepherding them... https://vimeo.com/344133357 Devotional Guide Preparation Read Psalm 23. Read Psalm 23 again and pay attention to words and phrases … Continue reading The Lord is My Shepherd
10 Defining Characteristics of Missions
Yesterday, we at Alameda celebrated how God is using us to spread His Word through mission work at home and abroad. By partnering with some amazing missionaries and health organizations, we are taking the grace and gospel of Christ to Bolivia, Uganda, Austria, Ecuador, and New Zealand. We help support Great Cities Mission and tutor … Continue reading 10 Defining Characteristics of Missions
Resources for “The 4 Big Questions of Life”
Today, I started a "spin-off" series of our journey through the Gospel According to Luke called "The 4 Big Questions of Life." There are some questions that are so important, so profound, and so big that every person asks them and every person yearns for them to be answered. Philosophers say that there are four … Continue reading Resources for “The 4 Big Questions of Life”