Alan is back and began his spring/summer teaching by giving a message on Communion and Our Purpose. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes and link to Scripture he references.
Communion & Our Purpose
Intro: The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a tradition that was to be used by fathers to teach their children the important parts of the faith. It can still help us understand our purpose today.
What is the chief end of mankind?
to glorify God & to enjoy Him forever
we glorify Him by enjoying Him
what & who do we love most in life?
to glorify God is to love Him/to enjoy Him more than anything else in life
Terry wrapped up his six-month series with a few messages on Matthew chapter 7. Each of the messages is included below, although one is missing notes (Sorry!). To listen to a message, simply click play on the audio player of the message you’d like to hear. All links will take you to the Scriptures referenced at BibleGateway.
Intro: Matthew 6:33 tells us how to live in God’s peace and rest. When He is our priority, everything else falls into place. It’s not an idle life; we must be disciplined and diligent. All we need to know can be found in the Word and we need to walk that out in our lives. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are continually on the mind of God; He wants you to have Him on your mind continually. To love God is to know His Word.
Review: Judges have the power to set free or condemn. We are able to judge those in the Church; God judges those who are unbelievers. The point of judging is to bring people to repentance.
Hello! I must apologize for taking so long to post these messages (and for the missing message and/or notes). Life gets in the way sometimes, technology fails us, but God is always faithful and good! So here are a few of Terry’s recent messages in his series on True Christianity from the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew.
True Christianity, pt. 10
Intro: In this section of Scripture, Jesus is going deep on issues to help us be the salt & light – to live an upright life – to manifest true Christianity to those around us. We can’t do this on our own; Christ can do it through us. As Christians, we have to forfeit our rights and take offense without demanding retribution. Taking matters to court makes us just like the world. Don’t lose your witness/testimony over “stuff.” God uses those situations to work in the hearts of unbelievers (Proverbs 25:21-22). Be willing to lose things for the sake of His kingdom.
This is true Christianity. God wants to use you and me to reach the lost, but we have to yield to Him to do that.
Corrie ten Boom & her sister, Betsie, are great examples.
In every aspect of the Christian life, we NEED God.
True Christianity, pt. 11
Intro: It’s easy to love the lovable, but Christ calls us to love our enemies. Romans 5:6-11 says that we used to be God’s enemies, but even while we were His enemies, He died for us. God exhibits His love by action. We must conform to God’s standard, but there’s a wrestling that comes with that conforming (Genesis 32). God will continue to work with us as we yield to Him.
Jesus dealt primarily with doctrine & teachings of the false religious teachers in chapter 5. Now in chapter 6, Jesus will deal with what the false religious teachers were doing.
*Unfortunately, this message did not get recorded, and I was out of town, so there are no notes available. Sorry!
True Christianity, pt. 14
Intro: Jesus is comparing what the Word of God says to what the religious leaders were teaching. We can never meet God’s standard on our own – we need the indwelling Holy Spirit to work in and through us. Luke 19:10 No one is born saved – we are called to salvation & choose to believe, follow, yield. John 14 tells us He went to prepare a place for us (Revelation 21:1-5 describes the place) in eternity. We are in training now for dwelling with Him for eternity – the Sermon on the Mount is part of that training.
The last three messages tell us we need to do things in “secret”: 1) our giving should be glorifying to God, not ourselves; 2) our prayer life should not be about impressing other people; 3) our times of fasting are important to teach us to deny ourselves in order to get in tune with God & allow God to work in us.
Intro: Last week, God was telling us about how the kingdom operates. We need to seek Him first (v. 33). We all have a tendency to worry, but worry saps your joy & puts the focus on your circumstances, instead of on the Lord (v. 34). Romans 5 tells us that the Spirit puts God’s agape love in your heart so you can manifest it back to Him and then extend it to others in His family, to those outside the kingdom, and even to your enemies. Cast your cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).
Matthew 6:33 – First is a command – seek Him & it will trigger the second part which is a promise – He will be faithful.
What God Says About His Word
The more time you spend in His Word, the more you’ll know/understand.
Hello! Terry has begun a series, entitled “True Christianity,” to explore the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. The first three parts of this series are included below, with both audio and written notes. Praying this series blesses you, whether you can be with us in person or over the internet.
True Christianity, part. 1
Intro: What does true Christianity look like? Jesus tells us.
Jesus’ Ministry Begins
Matthew 4:17 is where Jesus begins to preach (His earthly ministry)
people wanted to know how to get into the Kingdom of God
Pharisees & teachers of the law each set their own standards of external righteousness & requirements were different depending on which teacher you followed (called the “yoke” of the law).
Our life apart from the Lord is like a cup with a big rock in it. That rock is our pride, filling up the cup. We must empty it out (humble yourself) before we can fill it up with Christ.
Matthew 5:4 – mourn over the things God mourns about
the sin in my life
the hell-destined world filled with transgression against a holy God
Since Alan is in Texas for the winter, Terry has taken the teaching reins for the next few months. He began with a four-part series on hell that he titled, “The Devil’s Best Kept Secret.” All four parts are included below with audio, notes, and links to Bible Gateway for Scripture references. Be blessed!
Alan took us through a short series on the power and importance of the resurrection. The three messages are all posted below, with audio & notes for each. Praying they bless you!
The Power of the Resurrection Now and Forever
Big Idea: The bodily resurrection of Jesus changes everything in the world and in your life. It gives us hope for now & for eternity. The resurrection is the heart of the gospel message. When a person encounters the resurrected Christ, they are changed. The resurrection is the surety that this world we live in of death, chaos, and decay will one day give way to Christ’s kingdom and a new heaven and new earth.
The resurrection is at the core of the gospel.
Paul says it is of first importance.
The gospel is: the death of Jesus, the burial (empty tomb), the resurrection, the post resurrection appearances.
Without the resurrection, you’d still be imprisoned in your sins.
Big Idea: In America and the world, all kinds of relationships are broken, and we are in utter chaos. These include race relations, class relations, wealth relations, one-on-one relations, and sexual relations. In short, it’s a big mess, and we must view all relations in light of the reality that we are new creations due to the resurrection of Christ.
The resurrection and race relations.
“It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is 11 o’clock on Sunday morning.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
It’s not WHO you are, but WHOSE you are.
It still happens in the Church today, thought that’s the last place it should EVER happen.
Bottom line: Jesus says that those who are in Him shouldn’t play socially elitist games for their own gain. Instead, help those who have no means to repay you.
The resurrection and our relation to our finances (wealth).
Material possessions mean nothing if you’re not rich in Christ.
It’s not about the amount you give; it’s about your sincerity & willingness of heart.
Bottom line: Be careful not to jump to judgement. “Vengefulness, quick to litigation, and self-interest (pride) are part of the spirit of this age” -Timothy Keller. When we say, “Vengeance is mine,” we want to play God. (Romans 12:18)
Bottom line: What we do in our bodies matters. In light of the resurrection, we are to flee porneia (sexual immorality).
Conclusion: The fact we are new creations through the resurrection of Christ, impacts everything we relate to.
Living Christ Risen
Big Idea: Only in understanding the reality of the risen Lord can the way be open to live as God intends us to live. Morality alone will not save you. As Paul stated, “to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). What is sin? To fall short of the glory of God! The wages of that sin is death (Romans 6:23). The following are crucial dynamics to living life as God intends us to live it:
“The only one who ever lived life fully, as God intended life to be lived was Christ. The only life we can live as God intends us to live is the life of Christ.” -Major Ian Thomas, Founder of Torchbearers International.
Lose your life for Christ so that Christ may live in you.
CONCLUSION: Christ is alive to live in us. The extent to which His living in us becomes apparent is the measure to which we die to ourselves so as to reflect the reality of Him in us. “The life that Jesus lived qualified him for the death that he died. The death that he died qualifies us to receive the life that he lives. That’s the heart of the gospel in action.” -Major Ian Thomas
Terry stepped in while Alan was away to take into the book of Colossians and teach us about persevering to the end. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.
Pastor Alan finished up his series in the book of 2 Timothy with chapter 4, verses 9-22, “The Final Farewell.” We have a tendency to skip over these verses at the end, but they hold very valuable lessons. To hear this message, simply click play on the audio player below.
Paul is dealing with final matters, and as he does, he mentions numerous people. Some are his friends and allies; others are harmful enemies. Paul did not have a problem calling people out by name if they were causing harm to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We were blessed to have Dr. Jeff Leigh visit our little church and share a wonderful message with us. He taught about Elijah’s experience from 1 Kings 19. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included notes from his message with links to Scriptures he references. Enjoy!
Lessons from the Valley – 1 Kings 19:1-18
Ephesians 6:13 – it’s not about the tremendous victory in your battle; it’s about simply standing strong in the midst of your valleys.
Valleys are tough things to go through. They reveal our character and weaknesses, what we are standing on. But they can also strengthen us.
Don’t rejoice in the little (or even big) victories in your valleys – rejoice in your salvation by faith through grace. That is the unfailing/unfading mountain that will always give you strength.
Pastor Alan is still taking us through the book of 2 Timothy. One week did not get recorded properly, but I have posted the outline below (for 2 Timothy 2:14-26). The following Sunday took us into 2 Timothy 3. To listen to that message, simply click play on the audio player below. The outline can be found below, with links to Scriptures referenced. Enjoy and be blessed!
Colona Community Church 