In the Pattern Prayer, often mistitled as the “Lord’s Prayer,” we say, “…Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Do we mean that in reference to the world, or do we understand that the answer begins with our own life? And when God’s will is at cross-purposes with our will, where does that leave us? Do we really believe that God’s will is God’s best for us, whether or not it feels that way? Pastor Gary will dig into these difficult questions to see what God’s Word reveals in today’s message, sub-titled, “An All-Consuming Passion for God’s Reign” in our lives.

We’re all on a mission to make Jesus known, but what do we need to help us? Paul prioritises Christian Encouragement saying that we are to be ‘Parakaleo People’. Along the way I’ll share some reflections from our ministry ‘across the pond’ in Scotland, where you as a congregation are supporting our MTW workers, Biran and Sheryl Roby. This passage includes a man falling asleep in a sermon (but I’m sure you won’t!)

What does it mean to truly “hold the rope” for the missionaries we support? Our hands either hold the rope (sending) or climb the rope (going), and there is tension and effort either way. In both those situations you have an absolutely critical role to play to see the objective and mission of making disciples of every nation accomplished. In this message we will look at the sender/goer relationship in missions from a Biblical perspective.

How often do we inadvertently leave God out of our prayer times? We usually jump into what is most pressing on our mind, or the problem we’re facing right then, or the needs we think we have. But where should we begin and then properly bring our petitions to our God and Savior? Get some answers for these questions and more as Pastor Gary continues a study on prayer, emphasizing this week both the Imminence & Transcendence of God in our prayers.

Today, we begin to dig into the prayer that Jesus gave His disciples in response to their request, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.” We will deal with three foundational issues: (1) why is our “adoption” into God’s family so critical to our relationship to “our Father in heaven? (2) What are some of the doubts that hinder or even drive us away from prayers? And finally, (3) How can God love me, given the things I have done in my past?

It is a self-evident axiom that “as the leadership of a church goes, so goes the church.” That is true for just about anything that requires someone, or someone’s at the helm, taking the ship, or business, or nation, or a local church in one direction or another. It is also true that a fast way to destroy a church is to install the wrong men into the two primary offices of the church, which are her elders and deacons. Some wise sage once said, “All leadership works; good leadership works well, and bad leadership works badly.” The most important factor for church leadership is men who are walking in the Spirit and deeply dependent upon Christ’s power, by His Spirit within, to lead biblically and take the church in the direction that God would have it go. This message on this occasion has to do with that very issue. God’s men leading God’s church for God’s glory.

“What does God think of my prayers?” Have you ever asked that question? How would you know? Well, Jesus helps us in this area of our walk with Him day-by-day. There are some things we should shun and other practices we need to embrace. For instance, do you often repeat certain words or phrases throughout your prayer time using familiar phrases? Even the name of God can be a habitual “filler” that borders on using God’s name in vain. Come find out how Jesus instructs us in our time alone with Him and even in public prayers so that you might pray as Jesus taught us in the Sermon on the Mount.

Prayer is one of the most talked about aspects of the Christian life and one of the least consistently practiced. It is also one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines to pursue with consistency. But Jesus both preached about prayer and rigorously practiced it in his personal life. How amazing that the God-man felt a great need to spend time in prayer with his Father in heaven. Yet, you may wonder, “If God knows it all and will accomplish all his holy will anyway, then why should anyone pray?” Find out some answers in this two-part series entitled “The I-V (a medical term) of Life & Godliness.”

What does it mean when we read Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’S, & all it contains, the world, & those who dwell in it.”  If God really “owns it all,” that must mean that I ultimately own nothing, and what I have in my “temporary possession” is just that – “temporary.”  That also means I must be a “steward” if I’m not really an “owner.”  So, how should that idea play out in my day-to-day life, as well as major financial decisions?  Today’s message will explore not only how God reveals His ownership to His people, Israel, but also the practical implications of the fact that God really does “own it all.”

When the Apostle Paul stepped into Athens, he immediately saw how deeply idolatry permeated the culture. It is no different in our culture today. Materialism seems to envelop every aspect of life in America, which is so evident in the advertising world of the media. Politicians know that the #1 issue for voters is “the economy.” Does God’s Word have anything to say about this pervading issue? Yes, indeed. In fact, Jesus talked more about money than he did about heaven.
In Part 1 of “The Law of Ownership,” Pastor Gary will begin to uncover how the Lord repeatedly taught this spiritual and practical principle for His people that has life-changing implications.

In the season of Advent there is so much good and worthy emphasis and thought centered on the Advent readings, the thoughts and worship around it, the sense of anticipation, the Christmas Eve service, everything is focused on Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming, and then on Christmas Day the fact that Christ has come!

Everyone counts down the days until Christmas.

But what happens the day after Christmas?

Well, the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20 lived this moment and question out.

This title, Prince of Peace,” is likely the most familiar of the four titles given to us in Isaiah 9:6. Jesus alone can give us true peace in our souls because He alone can give us purpose and meaning in life. And Christ alone can give peace to the nations of the world that find true peace so elusive. Our Savior was clear in saying that He is the one who is “the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except through Me.” He alone can give us eternal peace and joy that the peoples of this world seek for but can never find except in the Prince of Peace.

When the Holy Spirit moves upon Isaiah to call the coming Messiah “Everlasting Father,” we’re a bit shocked. Why does Scripture use this title of the Second Person of the Trinity, who is often called the Son of God? What does it mean when Jesus said, “I and the Father are one?” In this sermon, learn about what’s in the Name, and does this title actually fit Jesus of Nazareth, and what does it all mean for our walk with Christ day by day?

How is it that the “Babe of Bethlehem” is also the “Mighty God,” Creator and Sustainer of the universe? How is Jesus both God and the God-man? In fact, His favorite name for Himself was “Son of Man.” How can He be both Mary’s son and the “Lord of Glory?” There is no better time to explore the wonders and implications of “Immanuel” – God in human flesh – than during the Advent season.

In Isaiah 9:6 we find four unique names or titles for God’s Messiah, who would redeem His people from their sins. The first of these is “Wonderful Counselor.” This title refers to both the wonder of His person and the embodiment of the wisdom of the ages in Christ, the King of the nations before whom every knee shall bow. Jesus is indeed the “wisdom of God.” 1 Cor.1:24. Find out how Jesus, as “Wonderful Counselor,” is to impact our daily life, providing the wisdom we so desperately need.

Did you know that Jesus spoke about money more than He did about heaven? He likely did so because nothing reveals our heart’s focus like our bank accounts and how we use the funds God entrusts to us. As we begin studying Matthew 6 in the Sermon on the Mount, discover your “motive behind the money” and how the Christian is to pursue a lifestyle of generosity for God’s glory.

The greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God with all your being. The other side of that coin is the command to love our neighbors like we love ourselves. If we just obeyed those two commands the world would be heaven, prisons would be empty, our homes would be a delight, and conflict would almost be nonexistent. So, why isn’t that happening and how can we, as God’s people, be change-agents in our part of this world? Jesus talks about that in Matthew 5:43-48.

How often have you seen or read about people demanding their rights? Are these the ones codified in our Bill of Rights or something else? How does the follower of Christ react when his “rights” are breached or curtailed? Jesus speaks to this issue in Matthew 5:38-42. Join us as we explore what it means to Surrender Your Rights according to God on Sunday, November 6.

What does it mean for a Christian to be a “truth-teller” as a way of life? Jesus found that Judaism developed clever ways to avoid keeping promises and oaths. Today, we are much further down the road of duplicity as students are taught that “truth” is subjective and “speaking the truth” is not possible. How does Jesus respond to such thinking?

Divorce seems so common now that no one even debates the issue…except Jesus.  In the Sermon on the Mount, He turns the populist thinking of His day on its head and confronts an unbiblical Jewish culture.  This Sunday we’ll unpack this issue from God’s perspective in Matthew 5:31-32 as we study “God’s Will in a No-Fault World.”

Does “true worship” always stir the emotions?  Can emotional responses be manipulated by others, especially the preacher, speaker, or evangelist?  How can we tell the difference between Holy Spirit-driven emotions versus a stirring of our emotions as might happen while watching a “tear-jerker” movie? Gary teaches from John’s Gospel (John 4:20-26)

Rev. Sam McDonald opens God’s Word to us from John 6:25–35, preaching a sermon titled “Bread of Heaven, Feed Me Till I Want No More.” Sam is an ordained Teaching Elder in the PCA and teaches theology at Bayshore Christian School.

This Sunday, Rev. Ron Shaw will be preaching from John 13:34–35, as Pastor Gary is out of town for the next two Sundays. Please pray for Ron as he prepares, and ask the Holy Spirit to empower his preaching and the entire worship service.

Gary Cox preaches from Matthew 5:27-30 on “The Seriousness and Depth of Sin: We’re Really Worse Than We Think We Are”.