Sermons on New Generations:

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

Communication Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

Assuming you believe that God exists and that He’s interested enough in you that He had a purpose for you, not just when you came into the world but long before that – He had you in mind when He first spun the world itself into existence.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). I used to work at a place where we had daily meetings. Every morning at 8:00 we would sit down for fifteen minutes and go over the day’s schedule, discuss yesterday’s production, correct mistakes and add on ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Obedience; Big "O” Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

Obedience, with a big “O” isn’t how we behave. Behavior is like obedience with a little “o”.

Obedience, with a big “O” isn’t how we behave. We talked about behavior a few weeks ago (Purpose Issue 16). Behavior is like obedience with a little “o”. It’s acting how we know we’re supposed to act everyday. It’s what most of us think the two greatest commandments, “Love the Lord your God with ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Putting It All Together Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

review these seven ideas and see if we can’t boil them down into a workable game plan.

In the last seven weeks we’ve covered seven characteristics related to God’s purpose for your life. Understanding these characteristics will help you recognize and accept the purpose God has planned for you. They’re not strategies for spiritual success that I or anyone else have created. They’re ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kindness Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

Intentionally doing acts of kindness as opposed to not intending anything and letting nature take its course.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) When I told my wife I was writing about “kindness” this week, she choked … I’m sure it was just a reflex action; nothing personal. But still, I figured I’d ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

“… faith (a human response to God) and faithfulness (a virtue of God and his servants).”

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) Holman’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary has a pretty extensive entry under “Faith/Faithfulness.” You’d expect that. “Faith” and “faithfulness” are pretty big ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gentleness Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

The nine attributes of fruit of the Spirit, spelled out in Galatians 5: 22-23 are absolutely key to understanding God’s perspective of what we ought to be.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5: 22-23) We’ve been at this study of the fruit of the Spirit for eight weeks now; and we’ve got one week yet to go. Why ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prophecy Conference

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

This was a prophecy conference. At prophecy conferences people talk about what hasn’t happened yet, but what they believe will happen based on what they think the Bible says about what will happen, held up to the light of what’s happening now.

Elaine and I were out all of last week at an “equipping the saints” conference. It wasn’t really named “equipping the saints,” but you know what I mean. It was a conference for Christians by Christians, with subject matter focused on a particular facet of the faith. This one was about “prophecy.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Money Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

A “talent” is a measurement of weight.

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.” (Matthew 25: 14–15) Remember the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Courage Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 5, 2008

Fear is a part of life. I don’t believe people who say they’re not afraid of anything. Everybody’s afraid of something.

Fear is a part of life. I don’t believe people who say they’re not afraid of anything. Everybody’s afraid of something. I used to be afraid of eighth graders. They terrified me, bullied me, threatened me and laughed at me. Of course, I was a seventh grader at the time. I’ve gotten over that ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Timing

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 7, 2008

I heard someone say once that the definition of “luck” was “preparation meeting opportunity.”

I heard someone say once that the definition of “luck” was “preparation meeting opportunity.” The point the speaker was making was that those people we consider “lucky,” having fallen into some overnight success, are really people who quietly and diligently prepared for an opportunity they ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:24-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church In Jerusalem

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Feb 6, 2010

That church was the hottest church in the New Testament...or since. They were the poorest church (Paul took offerings from other churches to support them) and yet they won more souls and offered the greatest threat to Satan. They suffered more and yet had

Acts 6:7 THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM 7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. The verse we have just read is an excellent description of the church in Jerusalem. That church was the hottest church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stop Making The New Birth Appear So Complicated

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 15, 2003

Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is not really worth the e

Avoid Overcomplicating the New Birth in Christ – Rom. 10:5-13 Why do you suppose that so many well meaning Christians overcomplicate the gospel with extraneous ideas, traditions and requirements? Millions of people have the mistaken notion that to become a Christian is so difficult that it is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:4-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational