I am sure each one understands this, but communication is important. Whether it is verbal or non-verbal, communication affects everything. For a Christian, our communication is not only towards our brothers and sisters, but it is toward God. Christians have what many consider to be a vertical communication style (our communication with God) and a horizontal communication style ( our communication with each other).
In the end, we know that your communication with God affects all of our other relationships. So, to improve our other areas of communication, we need to first start with our communication with God.
Below is the PowerPoint from Sunday evening. Take a moment and feel free to view it and see what you think.
Thank you for stopping by and seeing the newest Powerpoint lesson. Stop by each week for more.
One of the areas a Christian should be more active is in our worship to God. Sadly, many see worship as a box checked on Sunday morning as our Christian duty, instead of a blessing from the Almighty God. We need to worship, but we need to worship as God has asked.
This year, I will be focusing the lesson on the first Sunday of each month on worship. Below is a copy of Sunday’s lesson.
You can scroll through the lesson using the arrows on the slides or you may use the other options to download or make the presentation larger.
Seven years ago, Chris Gallagher asked me to write a post of What I love about the church. I gave three reasons then. Here are the “edited for content and to fit in the allotted space” reasons I gave then.
I love the Church in view of the fact that God loved Her enough to purchase Her at a sacrificial price.
I love the Church that is precious to Christ.
I love the Church that has the promise of an eternally joyous relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Father.
I still love the Church, in fact, I can honestly say, “I love her more now than I did then or ever have.” But before I list more reasons, allow me to tell you a little about my background.
I grew-up church. My grandparents raised my mother in the Church and my father’s mother and aunts taught him about Christ and His Church. When my parents married there was no question in their young married life about the role of Christ and the Church. As they started a family the role of the Church increased as did their roles within her. During my growing up years my parents taught Bible classes, had members, church leaders, and ministers over for dinner, and held church socials at our house. Dad served as a deacon and was the volunteer minister for the deaf ministry. He later became an elder and continues to serve in that role.
I literally grew-up in Church. I attended a private Christian elementary school, where my mother served as a secretary. When were not at school or school functions we are at Church or church functions. By my upper high school years my peers and I were leading the youth program – we did not have a youth minister. Church was my life.
As high school graduation approached and all the opportunities for adulthood came, I could not think of a better way to live than to dedicate all my time to the Church. I went to school to become a minister. For 28 years, I have served in fulltime ministry with three different congregations. Church involvement was never an option in my mind. I knew I would be a part of Her. I love the Church.
I think of the Church the way the psalmist thought of the House of God. “I was glad when they said to m, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psa 122:1)
I LOVE THE CHURCH!
I love the Church because she is the Elect Bride of Christ. (Eph 5:21-33). Paul’s description of the Church as the betrothed of Christ is a beautiful portrait. Whenever I see a long-lasting marriage relationship that is beautiful and I see the way the husband dotes on his bride of many years, I think about Christ doting on His Betrothed Bride – the Church. I think of how He is preparing Her for the day He presents His Chosen Bride to the Father. How proud He is of Her beauty and accomplishments that glorify Him. I love the Church because the Christ loves Her.
I love the Church because she is the Kingdom of Christ. (Col 1:13-14). Jesus earthly ministry was about repentance and the Kingdom. As Christians, we are a citizen in that Kingdom now. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20) as we are part of the earthly kingdom, His Church now. I love the Church because the King of kings is Her Sovereign.
I love the Church because the Bride and Kingdom are a glimpse of heaven. Christ will present his Elect Bride to the Father at the Great Wedding Day (Rev 19:6-10). Christ will turn the Kingdom over to the Father when the end comes (1 Cor 15:24). I love the Church because the Bride and Kingdom will be translated to heaven.
I love the Church because I love Her people. Here people share a common bond. There is a love that is not easily broken. We understand each other’s struggles and pray for each other. We are there to help each other with spiritual, emotional, and physical battles. We rejoice and weep with each other (Rom 12:15). I live hours away from my parents and my brother, but I have family near me, the Church is our family. I love that family and the fellowship we have.
Maybe these are some of the reasons the Hebrew writer penned these words, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb 10:24-25)
Why do you love the Church?
-Scott
Scott McCown is a minister with the Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He and his wife, Amy, have one son, Andrew, who is a Junior at Faulkner University. Scott is a graduate of Faulkner University with a BA in Bible and an MA in Ministry. He regularly publishes The Morning Drive (scottmccown.com).
Personal Note: This month I have asked several people to write for a Guest Post on the Preacher’s Pen website. You will see articles written by people you know and people you don’t know…yet. There will be articles from men, women, preachers, non-preachers, etc. This is an opportunity to see how others love the church. So, enjoy the month of “Why I Love the Church!”
Have you always wanted to study the Bible, but did not know exactly where to begin?
The outlines below are simple outlines to being your personal study. You will notice the outlines are not complete. Use them as a guide to help you study.
Preachers, feel free to use these as a help to kick start our sermon on Sunday.
Outline #1 – Attitude Determines Altitude
Why is Attitude Important?
Attitudes are always forming
Attitudes are formed when we are young
Attitude problems are the result of heart problems
What must My Attitude be?
Not as the rich young ruler.
The Attitude of Christ
We need an attitude of “Yes! We can!”
How is your attitude?
Is it Christ-like?
Since attitude problems are heart problems, where is your heart?
Have you learned to be content?
Outline #2 – Do Not Mumble or Grumble
The Dangerous Attitude of Complaining
How can we be blameless and shining as lights in the world, if we complain?
Complainers bring others down.
The Dangerous Attitude of Disputing
Some people try to dispute, stir up anger and arguments
“All that is needed to make a mountain out of a molehill is a little dirt.”
Our Attitudes and Words
Words affect people?
Replace complaining and disputing with good things (i.e. – thankfulness, faith, kindness, etc)
What will your words do today
Outline #3 – Taking it all in and letting none of it out
The Most Followed command?
Matthew 8:4 – “See that you tell no one…”
Why did Jesus say that phrase?
Do many people follow it today?
Why do many follow those words today?
Fear
Specifically, fear of rejection
Some are afraid they will be wrong
What is the solution?
We need to get off our “buts.” (ex. – I really know I should but…)
Isaiah 6:8 – “Here am I, send me”
Outline #4 – Simply Trusting God
Simply trusting God means you are like Joseph
Remember Joseph’s words to his brothers? (Genesis 45:5)
Joseph kept confidence by relying on God’s providence
Simply trusting in God means you are like Daniel
Daniel was a man of principles
He refused the kings food.
He refused not to pray.
God admires principles. (Psalm 15:1-5)
Outline #5 – Christian Repentance
Why would a Christian need to repent?
Sin
Isaiah 1:18
Christians can stray away
Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)
Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:13; 18-23)
What is your reaction to sin?
Do you deny it?
Do you try to cover it up?
Do you justify it?
Do you take responsibility?
You must live a life of action
“Faith without works is dead.”
You are salt and light
Christian’s Change
They change as they grow
Psalm 51
Outline #6 – “Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:34)
The situation: the disciples were not able to cast out a spirit of a boy, so the Father appealed to Jesus.
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”
Note the verse is not a contradiction.
It may be better rendered, “Lord, I believe. Help my unfaithfulness.”
Do you believe but lack faith?
Are you in need of an increase of faith?
The father had belief, but he needed more faith.
How can you increase your faith?
Romans 10:17
Start now. (Matthew 4:18-20)
Attend uplifting events. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Find contentment and joy in God. (Philippians 4)
When in doubt, pray. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Remember to use these outlines are a guide for further study.
Check back next Wednesday for a few more outlines.
Human emotions are tricky. One day your emotions are perfectly fine and another day they seem to be all confused. Life, aka – the human experience, can be a roller-coaster ride and your emotions flow right along with it. Throughout a person’s life, they have feelings of guilt and loneliness. Each time, the emotions may differ in strength, but they still have their effects.
There are times when guilt and loneliness can be overwhelming and start to hinder the progress of our lives. It is then time to find the steps necessary to begin to break free from our burdens and begin to grow again.
Here are two recent lessons on Loneliness and Guilt are you free to download and use. The links to the Microsoft Word and the Microsoft PowerPoint files are below the picture.
For Your Information: The outlines and PowerPoints above are provided for your benefit. I encourage you to take the information and make it your own instead of just downloading and using it without study. Do not become lazy in learning, but let these become seeds of thought for future lessons
