Sermon Central
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Take The Christian Challenge
Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 1, 2019 (message contributor)
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1. Be Distinct Not Extinct
Contributed on Aug 1, 2019
In a topsy-turvy world, our Christian Challenge is to reexamine our core beliefs and renew our commitment to Christ.
When was the last time you took someone up on a challenge? Not too long ago, it was the “cool” thing to do among the younger generations to challenge others to some kind of difficult venture or unheard-of activity. This was supposed to be fun. At our senior adult stage in life, I ...read more
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2. Positive Christian Influence Makes A Difference
Contributed on Aug 1, 2019
When Christians are guided by their Christian Faith in our topsy-turvy world, their positive influence makes a difference in the lives of others as well as themselves.
At his funeral service, Dean Smith the legendary basketball coach of the University of North Carolina for thirty-six years was eulogized as “more than a coach” by players including greats like Michael Jordan. The coach’s influence as second father, mentor, and Christian role model was ...read more
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3. A Positive Christian Influence Changes Life For The Better
Contributed on Aug 2, 2019
Mature Christians influence others for the better by conserving fundamental principles of God's Law but by doing so with a forgiving spirit rooted in Christian love.
Have you, like me, ever been at odds with the law - for example: Have you ever been ticketed for a traffic violation? How did you handle your lawlessness? Stopped by a police officer for not coming to a complete stop at an intersection, I told him that, on my way back to The Rock, I ...read more
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4. Getting To The Heart Of The Matter
Contributed on Aug 2, 2019
Jesus taught His followers to prove their love by purity of living that flows from the heart.
“If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do it, too?” If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times growing up. The point is: Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t make it right. However, Christian perspective on the subject of Christian distinctiveness presents to some ...read more
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5. Make Or Break Situations
Contributed on Aug 2, 2019
Make or break situations present a distinct challenge to the integrity of a Christian.
“Cross my heart and hope to die!” Did any of you ever use that phrase to swear to a friend that you would keep a promise? As kids, we engaged in such promise making, except that we might have done so with our fingers crossed behind our backs! Big difference between promise-making and ...read more
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6. Let Love Reign
Contributed on Aug 2, 2019
The magnificence of love as defined by the advent, life and death of Jesus, challenges Christians to rise above the mediocrity of love as defined by the world to seek the highest good of everyone.
Have you ever loved someone? Have you ever been loved by someone? These two questions address the two greatest needs of the human race: to love and to be loved. Without love, we die . . . “The Walking Dead” describes the life in which love is markedly absent. “Alive Forevermore” ...read more
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7. Disciplined Christian Living
Contributed on Aug 2, 2019
Disciplined Christian living comes naturally to mature kingdom dwellers who instinctively know right from wrong and act accordingly.
Long ago the psalmist said poetically what you and I have learned as the years have gone by: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” The Apostle John put it more succinctly than anyone: “We ...read more
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8. Intimate Communion With Father God
Contributed on Aug 2, 2019
Intimate communion occurs in a child of God's genuine encounter with Father God, Christlike compassion flows from that encounter into the community in which we live to the extent that God is glorified.
As a loving great grandfather of a cute little blond-haired toddler, who has become attached to me in a special sort of way, my encounter with him this past week serves as a timely illustration of the point Jesus made to His followers when He taught them about prayer. ...read more
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9. True Treasure Derives From God's Good Pleasure
Contributed on Aug 3, 2019
Earthly pleasure is temporary and important to God in terms of legality and morality, but true pleasure comes from God our Father who has gifted His children with the True Treasure that is SO important in terms of eternity.
“My pleasure” is an idiom I sometimes use in response to a “thank you” . . . sort of like a special way of saying “you’re welcome” but reserved for gratifying, delightful experiences which rise above the customary courtesy level . . . of just being polite. Actually to discover true pleasure ...read more
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10. Life's Greatest Discoveries
Contributed on Aug 3, 2019
Now is the time for mature Christians to review life's greatest discoveries one of which is the futility of excessive worry since God is our Father, Jesus is our Lord and the Holy Spirit is our constant companion.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR MATURE CHRISTIANS TO REVIEW LIFE’S GREATEST DISCOVERIES! Life Review is a technique used in geriatric counseling to help us regain a positive self-image and reestablish a sense of self-worth as we advance toward the goal of going home to be with the Lord. ...read more
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11. Fruitful Not Foolish
Contributed on Aug 3, 2019
Immature judgmental attitudes and actions are foolish, but mature non-judgmental discernment of needs that leads to the doing of good deeds are fruitful and worthy of our Lord's commendation.
MATURE CHRISTIANS ARE KNOWN BY FRUITFULNESS NOT FOOLISHNESS! Have you ever been called to jury duty? Why were you called? If selected to serve, what were you expected to do? Make a judgment, based on evidence, with regard to a matter before the court. You were instructed by the judge to ...read more
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12. Continue Your Journey In Peace
Contributed on Aug 3, 2019
As Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount, He advised His listeners that, having heard His message, they had to make the inevitable choice between the way of spiritual life and the way of spiritual death. So do we.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU CHOSE THE RIGHT WAY! CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY IN PEACE! Getting on an airplane at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is quite a challenge. There’s a right way and a wrong way. If you try to board the aircraft any other way than that which is prescribed, you will be ...read more