The incredible evangelist Bill Bright said in his autobiography that the most important study of the Bible is the study of the character of God. Rockharbor church is doing a series on who is God. This is the introductory sermon by Mike Erre, and it is an excellent introduction to this topic.
Category Archives: doctrine
Part 1: Signs and Wonders in the Digital Age
Westernized Christianity can seem dull, and most of the time, Christians don’t appear any different than their non-believing counter parts.
My friend in the Middle East visited again this summer to super charge and challenge my thoughts on signs and wonders. The Bible is filled with supernatural signs and wonders. The western world teaches that these were only for the time ‘back then’ or explains these events away by claiming that people ‘back then’ were very naive. These miracles never actually happened, were fancy analogies/examples of key teaching principles, or misunderstood by superstitious people back in the past.
What if these signs and wonders could be seen today?
This is the 1st of 3 sermons given by my friend from the Middle East. I would love to know what you think….
The Power of Prayer
The Power of Prayer
The church in America would do well to take lessons from the church throughout the world that is exploding with prayer. A missionary friend of mine has seen an explosion of miracles and healings (more on that to follow).
These quotes challenge and empower me to ‘pray without ceasing’:
“… prayer is powerful… in fact, it is probably much more powerful
than you and I have ever imagined. The reason we aren’t convinced of
the fact is that we usually fail to pray, consistently, intensely, and
strategically…”-Chip Ingram
than you and I have ever imagined. The reason we aren’t convinced of
the fact is that we usually fail to pray, consistently, intensely, and
strategically…”-Chip Ingram
“… If you’ve ever wondered what your missing in the Christian life,
look here first. A commitment to intercessory prayer changes lives.
If you want to know who the most influential people in the world are?
When we think of power, we usually first think about presidents and
business moguls or cultural icons like movie stars and sports figures.
But in God’s economy, those people have very little influence. S.D.
Gordon words it well: the great people of the earth today are people
who pray…”-Chip Ingram
look here first. A commitment to intercessory prayer changes lives.
If you want to know who the most influential people in the world are?
When we think of power, we usually first think about presidents and
business moguls or cultural icons like movie stars and sports figures.
But in God’s economy, those people have very little influence. S.D.
Gordon words it well: the great people of the earth today are people
who pray…”-Chip Ingram
Whiffle Guitar: What is my Calling?
Are you using your guitar as a whiffle bat? It may work but it might be best to play music with it.
Marshill’s newest pastor does a GREAT job of describing how to better find our calling in life….
How do we know God’s will? How do we know our calling?
This sermon ends with a GREAT spiritual meditative prayer exercise that I highly recommend.
Please let us know what you think.
Is God angry?
This is an important sermon from Mike Erre at Rockharbor regarding God’s character. Is God angry? Mike researches and studies for us so that we can see a fresh, clear perspective on God’s wrath. Share your thoughts with us after you listen….
Prayer as an aggressive act?
Prayer as an aggressive act?
“Violence and love are not contradictory…[we] must learn of
Calvary’s power. Love. And,[we] must also learn Calvary’s price.
Violence.”-Jack HayfordChist’s sacifice was a violent act of love.
Calvary’s power. Love. And,[we] must also learn Calvary’s price.
Violence.”-Jack HayfordChist’s sacifice was a violent act of love.
From the time of John the Baptizer until now, the kingdom of heaven
has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people have been seizing
it. (Mat 11:12 GW)
This continues to be a strange and new concept for me. I have always
seen prayer as a passive, afterthought. But prayer, like Christ’s
sacrifice for us, is an aggressive act against the evil and darkness
of this world that wants to steal our hearts.
Where is God? Part 5: Conclusion-Heaven
Upcoming Book by Boyd: Jesus versus Jehovah
Greg Boyd explains some details of his upcoming book: Jesus versus Jehovah. I will hold any judgments until I read it, but I agree at least with this part of his summary:
“Though he was in fact all-holy, on Calvary the Son of God identified with our sin to the point of bearing our guilt. So too, the Father is said to have afflicted his Son (Isa. 53) though in fact he merely allowed wicked powers using wicked people to crucify Jesus. When we read the Old Testament through this lens, we find God frequently identifying himself as the agent of violence, though the context makes it clear that he is merely allowing violent agents to do what they want to do. God is portrayed as doing what he actually merely allows. There are historical and exegetic reasons for this, but the theological reason, I argue, is that God has always been a God who takes responsibility for all that he allows — even though he detests much of what he allows. This is how God bears our sin and why he takes on the semblance of a nationalistic, law-oriented warrior god.”
Where is God? Part 3: Overcoming Our Evil With His Good (Choice)
This is our 3rd Sermon of 6 on Where is God. In Part 3, we discuss our choice illustrated by Joseph et al. Please share your thoughts.
Wild and Crazy? Maybe it is the Holy Spirit
I had the opportunity to speak on the Holy Spirit for my wife’s women’s group. They are doing a series based out of Francis Chan’s book: Forgotten God: Reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit
The take home message: If it sounds wild and crazy, maybe it is or maybe it is and it is the Holy Spirit working!
“Our guide is the Holy Spirit, whom the early Celtic christians like Patrick called the Wild Goose. They knew he could not be tamed. Ours is merely to trust and follow his haunting call, and he will take us on the adventure he has for us…”-Eldridge (The Way of the Wild Heart), pg 125
Please share with us your thoughts after you listen to the teaching.
Questions:
1. Have you ever been ‘healed’ or have you heard of anyone being ‘healed’ by God/The Spirit?
2. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit still is active? In what ways? Are ‘the gifts’ open or closed?
3. How active is the Holy Spirit in your life? How does the Holy Spirit manifest?
References:
uberlumen posts:
An Encounter With God
Do Miracles Really Happen?
Miracles and Healings AMAZING Stories
Miracles and Healings #1-4
Books:
Acts
Turnings by Guy Chevreau
The Kingdom Triangle by JP Moreland
You Were Born For This by Bruce Wilkinson (how to develop a life of everyday miracles)
What if…we have it all wrong? What if there is…
What if….we have it all wrong? What if there is a God that loves and adores YOU? What if there are angels? What if there is a heaven? What if there is a celebration filled with dancing, rejoicing, singing in heaven? What if there is a celebration right NOW over YOU?
Sally Beth Roe, a character in Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti, becomes a Christian, but Peretti provides us with a glimpse of what is occurring in heaven during the very moment that Sally Roe becomes a Christian. It is a remarkable moment of angels celebrating and the lamb of God embracing her. We have NO idea.
“Above, as if another sun had just risen, the darkness opened, and pure, white rays broke through the treetops, flooding Sally Beth Roe with a heavenly light, shining through to her heart, her innermost spirit, obscuring her form with a blinding fire of holiness. Slowly, without sensation, without sound, she settled forward, her face to the ground, her spirit awash with the presence of God…All around her, like spokes of a wondrous wheel, like beams of light emanating from a sun, angelic blades lay flat upon the ground, their tips turned toward her, their handles extending outward, held in the strong fists of hundreds of noble warriors who knelt in perfect, concentric circles of glory, light, and worship, their heads to the ground, their wings stretching skyward like a flourishing, animated garden of flames. They were silent, their hearts filled with holy dread…As in countless times past, in countless places, with marvelous, inscrutable wonder, the Lamb of God stood among them, the Word of God, and more: the final Word, the end of all discussion and challenge, the Creator and the Truth that holds all creation together–most wondrous of all, and most inscrutable of all, the Savior, a title the angels would always behold and marvel about, but which only mankind could know and understand. He had come to be the Savior of this woman. He knew her by name; and speaking her name, He touched her. And her sins were gone…”-pg 321, Piercing the Darkness by Peretti
Edwin Abbot in his book Flatland shares with us, through parable, mathematics, and physics, the very real possibility of dimensions and realities so very close to us, but we remain unaware of them. What if string theory is true? What if there are dimensions just beyond our reach? What if God and the heavenly realm is all around us, surrounding us, embracing us?
What would it be like to get a glimpse into heaven uninhibited, over joyed, overwhelmed in celebration? Here is a brief video of a wedding that brought laughter and joy to my heart as I imagined….dancing and rejoicing in heaven over US!
Wailing God: God’s Judgment & God’s Love
In this Greg Boyd sermon, he explores God’s judgment & God’s love as well as touching on his controversial concept of God’s knowledge vs. our free will. Listen and let us know what you think.
Spiritual Gifts Part 2: 1 Corinthians 14
Mike Erre at Rockharbor discusses in this 2 part series the spiritual gifts and their use and importance in the church (he also addresses the challenging verses within 1 Corinthians 14 concerning women in the church).
Spiritual Gifts Part 1: 1 Corinthians 14
Mike Erre’s 1st of 2 sermons on 1 Corinthians 14 that discusses spiritual gifts: uses, are they still ‘open’, etc.
First Importance Part 2: 1 Corinthians 15
This is the 2nd of Mike Erre’s sermons on 1 Corinthians 15–a pivotal section of scripture regarding the first importance of the resurrection.
The last part of 1 Corinthians 15 is confusing to our modern reading because we miss the cultural context, and we lack back 1st century knowledge of the Old Testament. Mike does a great job of walking us through the what Paul is saying.
We have to remember that Paul was a famous preacher/communicator so when he said these words to a crowd of 1st century people, they must of understood it as clearly as we understand the newspaper.
Mike ends with a magical time of helping us to picture the grandeur and excitement of heaven. Enjoy!
The Bridge Illustration
I taught the classic Bridge Illustration at Church a few weeks ago. Here are the powerpoint slides that walk you through the process:
The GREAT Adventure, Part 3: Your Story
What is your story? Join us in this 3rd part of 4 sermons on God’s love and grace.
There is a great website that walks you through the process of creating your story to share: www.5clicks.com
THE UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE
Taking everyday risks to extend the grace of God
THE HOPE THAT IS WITHIN US
15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect-1Peter 3:15
WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO SHARE
-Our friends are interested
-Our friends can relate
-It is hard to argue with
PAUL’S GRACE STORY-ACTS 26
9“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth…On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. 12“On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ” ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 19“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. 21That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
_________–vv. 9-11
_________-vv. 12-18
_________-vv. 19-23
STORY TIPS
Theme
-The central issue in our lives that shows the_______ in our spiritual outlook before and after knowing Christ.
Middle Handle
-we need to keep it simple, clear, and __________
Conclusion
-End with a question that requires a ____________
Scripture
-Think of one key verse that relates to your story.
Language
-avoid religious clichés and insider language
Length
-Be_________ and to the point
Put others first
-keep focus on your friend
-Emphasize those aspects of your story that will relate
PRAY FOR AN OPEN DOOR
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.-col. 4:3
The GREAT Adventure, Part 4: The Bridges
This is the 4th and final part of our sermon series on grace, love, and God.
THE UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE
Taking everyday risks to extend the grace of God
HELPING SPIRITUAL EXPLORES FIND THE GRACE OF GOD
So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” -2 Cor. 5:20
REMEMBER THIS IS A ___________ AND NOT AN EVENT
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field-1Corinthians 3:5-9
-Process oriented
-Team based
-Spirit driven
BRIDGE ONE: __________ RELATIONSHIPS
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. -1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
-Genuine
-Grace filled
-Authentic
BRIDGE TWO-THE ______________
1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you…… 3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,–1Cor. 15:1-3
The bridge illustration
THE UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE
3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.-Col. 4:3-6
First Importance Part 1: The Resurrection 1 Corinthians 15
Mike Erre at Rockharbor Church has been doing a series on 1 Corinthians. I have attatched for your listening interest the 1st of his sermons concerning 1 Corinthians 15 which is a pivotal section of Scripture describing the importance of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Mike points out:
- without the resurrection our faith is worthless
- the word used in this passage and throughout the New Testament means trust in something that you know to be true
- 1 Corinthians 15 is a creedal statement dated to approx 36 A.D. (only 3 years after Christ’s death)
- there is substantial historical and testimonial evidence for the resurrection: crucifixion=death, empty tomb=skeptics need to ‘show me the body’, appearances=many and so convincing that cowards became martyrs, tranformed lives=Saul to Paul, doubting Thomas, and James the younger brother of Jesus…cumulative evidence–what event best explains all of this? A: The resurrection
- gospel accounts: women first to see Him (only way women would be first witnesses would be that it really happened this way); non embelished, simple accounts (not enough time for legend & very real, down to earth accounts), etc…
The GREAT Adventure, Part 2: God’s Story
This is the 2nd of 4 parts to a sermon series about grace, adventure, and God’s love. Enjoy!
The Gospel Message
The Unexpected Adventure
Pastor Bucky Dennis
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Romans 1:16-18
- _________________________
- God is _________
“…God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in god, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16b
- God is _________ (absolutely pure)
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:16
- God is _________ (a good judge)
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.” 2 Thessalonians 1:16
- _________________________
- We were created good, but became _________.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
- We deserve _________ (physical & spiritual)
“For the wages of sin is death…”Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22
- We are spiritually _________ (“morally bankrupt”)
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9
The Gospel Message
The Unexpected Adventure
Pastor Bucky Dennis
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Romans 1:16-18
- _________________________
- God is _________
“…God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in god, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16b
- God is _________ (absolutely pure)
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:16
- God is _________ (a good judge)
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.” 2 Thessalonians 1:16
- _________________________
- We were created good, but became _________.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
- We deserve _________ (physical & spiritual)
“For the wages of sin is death…”Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:22
- We are spiritually _________ (“morally bankrupt”)
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9
- _________________________
-
- Christ is _________, who also became man.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 14; John 8:24
-
- Christ died as our _________.
“He himself bore our signs in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and life for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21
-
- Christ offers us salvation as a _________.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23
- _________________________
-
- You and I must _________.
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
-
- We must trust Christ to be our _________
and _________.
“…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
-
- The result is a spiritual _________ by the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- _________________________
-
- Christ is _________, who also became man.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 14; John 8:24
-
- Christ died as our _________.
“He himself bore our signs in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and life for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21
-
- Christ offers His forgiveness as a _________.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23
- _________________________
-
- You and I must _________.
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
-
- We must trust Christ to be our _________
and _________.
“…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
-
- The result is a spiritual _________ by the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20