Sermons on Leadership Crises:

Saying "Yes" - Then No

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jul 13, 2008

A message to go with Rob Bell’s Nooma #20 - Shells Available here: http://www.nooma.com/

Dakota Community Church June 29, 2008 Saying, “Yes” - then “No” Begin by screening Nooma #20 – Shells I think most of us at times feel overwhelmed by the pace of life in this modern age. Our increased connectedness has many wonderful upsides; I have pictures of my sons from Facebook that I never ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:32-38

Denomination: Mennonite

The (How To) Of True Potential

Contributed by Steven Spillman on Apr 23, 2008

It is the “how-to” side of understanding true potential and our real purpose in life.

1. The Universe is no Accident “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 We have to approach this whole idea of purpose and true potential from a perspective that such things as purpose and truth exist in the universe. If the universe and everything in it is nothing ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Light Of The World

Contributed by Steven Spillman on Apr 23, 2008

God has purposed us from the very beginning.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 3: 4). We’ve been talking about God’s plan and purpose for the universe and His plan and purpose for you and me as individuals. We discussed how God has purposed us from the very beginning. He knew us before we were ever born and knew ...read more

Scripture: John 3:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith

Contributed by Steven Spillman on Apr 23, 2008

Having faith isn’t about expecting something back in return, not in this life anyway

Faith I don’t have cable TV or a satellite dish. Several years ago I came to the conclusion that it was pointless to pay fifty dollars a month for two-hundred channels and still find nothing worthwhile to watch on TV. I cancelled the satellite subscription. We live out in the sticks so our “air” TV ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Knowing Your Purpose In Life

Contributed by Steven Spillman on Apr 23, 2008

Learning how to find your purpose in Life through God.

Knowing Your Purpose in Life I received a letter a while back from a guy I know. From all appearances he’s got his act together. He is a good Christian, attends church regularly and he’s financially successful. He’s a nice guy too; he doesn’t seem to have any hidden agendas or ulterior motives. As ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25, Colossians 4:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Work Of Minister

Contributed by Tony Abram on Apr 29, 2008

It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about? Henry David Thoreau It is possible to be so active in the service of Christ as to forget to love him. P. T. Forsyth We can sometime forget who we work (serve) fo

WORK OF MINISTER It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about? Henry David Thoreau It is possible to be so active in the service of Christ as to forget to love him. P. T. Forsyth We can sometime forget who we work (serve) for in the ministry. In this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-4, 1 Timothy 3:4-5

Following Instructions

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

Purpose is a pretty big idea. When we talk about “understanding your purpose in life,” the subject can seem kind of insurmountable.

Purpose is a pretty big idea. When we talk about “understanding your purpose in life,” the subject can seem kind of insurmountable. A while back, I was involved in a Christian outreach project with the Jewish community. They weren’t sure if they trusted my intentions, so they invited me to meet ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Stage Obedience

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

One of the pitfalls a guy who lives inside his head so much can encounter is not knowing when to leave.

I’m an idea guy. I love ideas. That’s why I love books; they’re full of ideas. I read a lot. I think about things; turning them over in my head like a bread-maker kneads dough. A lot of my life has been spent inside my own head. We live out in the country and we’re real do-it-yourselfers. We build ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parting The Red Sea

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

Did He really do all those things the Bible claims He did?

Something’s been bothering me since the seventh grade and now’s a good time to get it off my chest. It’s about God. About His abilities actually. Did He really do all those things the Bible claims He did? It was in seventh grade that the question first came up. Until then I just assumed that God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Things First (1) Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

We draw meaning from the stuff we collect.How Jesus turned Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Human Needs” pyramid upside-down and flattened it with a single statement: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). We live in a pretty materialistic culture; we tend to confuse purpose or meaning in life with success. And we tend to confuse success with the accumulation of material possessions. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Things First (2) Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

what “seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness” means and how we might go about.

First Things First … continued Last week we talked about how Jesus turned Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Human Needs” pyramid upside-down and flattened it with a single statement: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Success

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

the degree of success you will experience in life comes from understanding your purpose and fulfilling your true potential.

This newsletter is really about success. I know it says “Purpose” on the top and I keep talking about “true potential,” but the degree of success you will experience in life comes from understanding your purpose and fulfilling your true potential. So, yup, this is really just a success ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 28:12-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Individual Purpose Vs. Corporate Purpose

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 1, 2008

Doesn’t God have a purpose for mankind in general or for the church as a whole? Isn’t focusing on individual purpose a little self-serving? Aren’t we pushing individualism at the expense of the Body of Christ?

Up to this point, Purpose Weekly has focused on individual purpose. But what about corporate purpose? Doesn’t God have a purpose for mankind in general or for the church as a whole? Isn’t focusing on individual purpose a little self-serving? Aren’t we pushing individualism at the expense of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Your Built Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

some aspects of God’s specific purpose for your life and how He works to fulfill that purpose.

I wrote in an earlier letter (Purpose Vol. 1, Issue 10) that I wasn’t big on recipes or seven step strategies for spiritual success. Well, I’m not. But until now I may have been a little philosophical or “big picture” in my approach to understanding our real purpose and fulfilling the true ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your History - Past, Present And Future Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Purpose Vol. 1 Issue 14 November 4 2007 The weekly newsletter of True Potential Publishing Week 2: Your History - Past, Present and Future “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Most of us know ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational