Let There Be Light: Living My Story in the Light of My Savior [sermon 3/4]
Sermon Notes: For the last few week’s we’ve been in a series of sermons called, “Let There Be Light.” Our primary focus has been to understand what it means that Jesus is the light of life that has come into the world. What does that mean? If Christ is the light, then shouldn’t Christians be little lamps or reflection points...
How to get the most out of your vacation for your soul
Christmas is here! For many of us, this means some vacation time. Hopefully you get You're probably checking in for flights or packing the car for a trip to Grandma's house. Whether you're taking a long weekend or a whole week away, there's one question worth considering: How are you preparing your soul for vacation? We spend so much time rushing around...
Making Sure Your Soul Is Getting What It Needs
Once I heard a Bible teacher aptly said, “In the economy of God’s Kingdom, the way up is down.” That is opposite of what the world says. We are told the way of earning power, stature, and authority is by working hard to be the best. God intended us to do quite the opposite. He wants us to serve. Jesus...
Let There Be Light: The Secret to True Security [sermon 2/4 in series]
Sermon Manuscript: Good morning, let’s get right to work, please open your Bibles to the Gospel of John on page 886. I want your eyes on this passage. You can follow on YouVersion too. We are going to begin our study in the Gospel of John and understand further what Jesus meant when he said, in John 8:12, “I am the...
5 Principles for getting to know God
"How do I get to know God better?" I can't tell you how many times people ask me this question. Do you pray more to get to know God? Do you read the Bible more? Is there a magic formula to use to get close to God? Well, there's no magic formula, but there are some powerful answers to this question. Can...
Saddle up and Stay the Course
You have probably experienced that moment of being scared to death and needing the courage to press on. Gripped by fear or, at the very least, gripped by your desire for comfort, you delay. I wonder what Abram’s father, Terah, was experiencing in Genesis 11:31. He had fled the land of Ur, trying to get to Canaan, but stopped halfway...
Let There Be Light: Darkness Gone, Glory Revealed [sermon 1 of 4 in series]
Sermon Manuscript: If you hate being in the dark, then being in London in 1939 would not have been fun for you. Before World War Two began, London was preparing the people to stand against Germany. As things seemed to go from bad to worse, the small but powerful country of England knew they were putting their population at risk...
#WaitForIt: The Bible’s Most Famous Tweet About Your Future [sermon]
Sermon Notes and Manuscript: Hello Mission Hills. Wow, I missed you all. There is nothing like the holidays to reunite with those you love. So, good to see you! It feels like coming home. For those of you whom I have not met, it is great to meet you. My name is Josh and I had the privilege of serving on...
Is It Time to Say Goodbye to The Word ‘Evangelical’?
The recent U.S. Presidential election is casting a long shadow over many people of faith. My friend, there is no question that we as a nation are more divided than ever. At the crux of this division is evangelicalism, specifically the term evangelical. According to the Pew Research, 81 percent of participating evangelicals voted for Donald Trump. Now, regardless of...
How to Allow the Goodness of God to Overwhelm You
At a wedding I attended recently, the couple had each of their parents pray for them. As the bride’s father began to speak, you could sense the emotion welling up within him. I haven’t been able to forget what he said. “Each year, at Thanksgiving, my kids tease me and ask if I’m going to cry again. And, every year,...
Come With Me to Israel!
I want to tell you about something that makes me a better dad, husband, man of God and pastor; that is my travels and tours to Israel. I go to Israel often and I believe it is the greatest thing I can do for my own soul and to invest in the soul of others. In 2012 I would tell...
Finding God’s Will Isn’t Like Using a Magic 8 Ball
The act of casting lots or drawing straws is widely considered an antiquated way of making decisions. In the Old Testament, Jews and pagans used lots as a way of making decisions, but that practice was never used or prescribed after the Holy Spirit was given to believers in the New Testament. Elders and individuals should be careful not to...