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Bible Study: Observation before Interpretation before ApplicationHere is a good application (A.p.p.l.i.c.a.t.i.o.n.s) acrostic that I found at pastors.com: Is there an Attitude to adjust? Is there a Promise to claim? Is there a Priority to change Is there a Lesson to learn? Is there an Issue to resolve? Is there a Command to obey? Is there an Activity to avoid or stop? Is there a Truth to believe? Is there an Idol to tear down? (That’s a big one.) Is there an Offense to forgive? Is there a New direction to take? Is there a Sin to confess? If you

Pressing on with the Advantage of the Holy SpiritText: John 16:1-11 Introductory ConnectionsThe comforter should quiet your fearsThe world deceives by placing all the advantages and profits they offer and the disadvantages that would be by rejecting them. They throw a shade on the privations that must be submitted to, labor that must be sustained, the sacrifices that must be made, and the sufferings that must be endured…How different is Christ…Happiness is spiritual, future, in another kingdom and that he who entered into it must forsake allWe must see ourselves not as salesmen, managers, homakers and students. We must see

Is the Insanity Defense Moral Evasion When we look at our court system today in America, it seems more and more that people want to shirk their responsibility for their actions.  We all do it too.  We rationalize our sin away by thinking that we are not that bad comparably.  But none of us can sin in isolation.  By that I mean that we cannot sin without it affecting others who know us.  Our character does matter and our current decisions are an important ingredient that forms our current character.  The bible states that 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the

Complementarian ConvictionsIt has always been important to me to regulate ministry by the Word of God.  I really have struggled with the issue of the Biblical roll of manhood and womanhood so as to have a conviction on the issue.  I believe that this issue will become a watershed issue showing those who want to interpret biblical language to accommodate today’s culture and those who want to Biblical convictions to penetrate shape the culture of today. Mark Dever has written on this critical issue at Undermining Tolerance for Egalitarianism see also www.disciplemaking.net

Here is a good application (A.p.p.l.i.c.a.t.i.o.n.s) acrostic by Rick Warren that I found at pastors.com: Is there an Attitude to adjust? Is there a Promise to claim? Is there a Priority to change Is there a Lesson to learn? Is there an Issue to resolve? Is there a Command to obey? Is there an Activity to avoid or stop? Is there a Truth to believe? Is there an Idol to tear down? (That’s a big one.) Is there an Offense to forgive? Is there a New direction to take? Is there a Sin to confess? see also www.disciplemaking.net

The Church: Unity, Cooperation and SeparationHow do we deal with disunity among Christians? It is really that big of a problem. I have struggled much of my ministry with this apparent problem – if one wants to call it a problem. Roman Catholic apologists use disunity as one of their main arguments against the Reformation and its doctrine of Scripture alone. People complain that today that there are tens of thousands of competing denominations each insisting its interpretation of the Bible is the correct one. While this may be confusing to some, I want to ask is it really a

On this Memorial day, let us look at one of the hardest part of leadership for most: “leading others without pleasing them.” As we remember men who have given their lives for our freedoms, let us not forget that the path of freedom was paved by men who at their time may have been unpopular with many. Failing to leading others is a spiritual problem when we are seeking to please people. Our country would not be where it is today, if all we had were people pleasers (or should I say media pleasers) at the helm. I have come

Christ Fortifying His DisciplesText:: John 15:17-27Introductory ConnectionsMy condition:Stories:Images:He talked about his friends not he turns towards their enemies.Preparation for persecutionThe more Christ like we re the more we shall be antagonized and sunned.Analogies:Action Words: Important Words:FCF: The disciples tended to get intimidated when facing persecution Subject: Following Jesus Cost the disciples somethingLimiter: but not following Christ would mean that they were sliding with the WorldTheological Focus: God Wards to encourage stabilityAnthropological Focus: True Conversions not spurious conversionProblems (page 1& 3) – Interest, or need Element: Intimation, fear of man, pleasing peoplePurpose: Faith Statement: to stabilize your faith when people hate

Vine LivingJohn 15:7-16:Introductory ConnectionsIf you are shot down behind enemy lines you are helpless. You need someone to rescue youFCF: Self dependence – lack of conscious helplessness, We don’t realize that apart form him we can do nothing!Subject: Vine life is to draw from Christ’s fullness (preoccupied with his excellency, sufficiency,Complement: Fruit and FriendsPurpose: To make us dependent on God and not ourselves to produce fruitQuestion: What is at stake ?Theme: We need to be must more abiding in Christ Thrust – through dependency in prayerTransition:: 5 issues…Body outline The issue of conformity, regulation, and honor – 7-8 The issue

Christ the True VineJohn 15:1-6(Farewell fruitfulness )Introductory Comments:Who are the persons addressed? – 11 apostles- believers onlyIn what connection are the addressed? Remote Context (ch. 13-14): Jesus has told us how he will comfort us when he is gone. Now we must bear fruit. Immediate context: There must be resurrection life before there is resurrection fruitWhat is the central topic of address? Not initial salvation or loosing salvation, but the conditions of our fertilityIsrael = vine in OTAbiding refers to fellowshipAssures now that their connection with him and others will not be dissolved.Fruitfulness is the goal Text Subject: Fruitfulness is