Dangers Lurking in the Garden District | Genesis 13:1-13

Lot moved his family to the garden district. Sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? Sounds cozy and safe, doesn’t it? Sounds as desirous as it does delectable, doesn’t it? The finest people live there, don’t they? The choicest restaurants and boutiques are located there, aren’t they? That’s what Lot thought, then, the perils lurking in the garden district overtook him and his family. How did Lot, referred to as righteous, end up in Sodom? What was he thinking? Discover the answer in this message and, perhaps, save yourself from what creeps in the garden.

Politics as Usual | Acts 12:18-25

Someone contacted me recently disturbed about many of the events currently taking place in our nation. I could hear the despair in this person’s voice, even fear. Then a very pertinent question popped up in our conversation: What are we supposed to do now? The answer just may be found in this message: “Politics as Usual.” Check it out.

Six Steps Back | Genesis 12:11-2

In the first 9 verses of Genesis 12 Abram takes a giant step forward in his relationship with the Lord. In the remaining part of the chapter, however, he takes a giant step backward. In fact, he actually takes six giant steps backward. What are those steps? Is it possible to avoid taking those same steps? More importantly, can a person come back from taking so many steps backward?

The Church’s Most Effective Weapon | Acts 12:1-5, 13-16

How do you solve an unsolvable problem? According to Acts 12, collective, fervent prayer moves the heart of God who then moves mountains! The church comes together and seeks the interjection of God into whatever the dilemma happens to be, and God interjects Himself in whatever way He chooses. Praying personally is essential, but praying collectively is an imperative that most churches miss, thus missing the miraculous display of God’s power. What about your church?

Going Public with the Gospel | Acts 11:19-26

There is a sent-ness about Christianity that is built into its philosophical framework, an urgency that is inherent to its design, as well as a dispatch that cannot be denied, even when the secular side of us would like to deny it and even run from it.  Christianity is energized by an unapologetic break-out mentality.  Our founder made that utterly clear:  Just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.  (Before listening to this message, you may want to print out the corresponding map that has been posted for your convenience.)

GOING BACK TO THE FUTURE Part 2 | Genesis 12: 4b-8

Is it possible that some terrific experience has been missed due a fear to accept change and challenge? Have you been miserable because your heart is in the past rather than the present? Is your work for the Lord without fervor and earnestness? When is the last time you knew the joy of a daily encounter with God? Maybe it’s time to move back to the future through an old enough old-time religion.

The Force Will Be with You | Acts 11:1-18

In Acts 11:16 Peter said: I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Do you know how powerful, how magnificent, how incalculable this is? Peter is saying to the whole world that if anyone wants to be the dwelling place of “the Force” they can! The Holy Spirit who was prophesied by Joel, promised by Jesus and sent by the Father will inhabit your life. The Holy Spirit, who is God in us, will inhabit your life and turn you every which way but loose!

Going Back to the Future, Part 1 | | Genesis 12:1-9

I often heard my father talk with pride about being the pastor of an old-fashioned, old-time church. Each week as he welcomed the guests he said: This is an old-fashioned, New Testament Baptist church where we love a fella and preach the Bible as it is for men as they are. It was clear to all who walked through the doors that we were old-time and old-fashioned. Like my dad, I’d like to suggest that we go back to an old-time religion, but that we go beyond grandfather and great grandfather all the way back to Genesis 12 where we encounter God’s version of an old enough old-time religion. Perhaps, you’re ready to go back to the future.

Here’s Your Sign | Acts 10:1-48/2:4b-13

Acts 2:4 says: They . . . began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. This seems to be a rather strange phenomenon, doesn’t it, but what does it mean? This is the question asked by the people on the street that day in Jerusalem who witnessed the hubbub. So, what does it mean and how does it apply to life in the 21st century?