April 26: Wake Up - from Ephesians 5:8-14. This passage emphasizes the impact of sin in the world bringing spiritual darkness and death. It also encourages us to live in the light - meaning, in the light of Jesus Christ. We're urged to "wake up" to the possibility of letting the light of Christ shine into the depths of our lives, bringing forgiveness and healing to the hidden sin and failure of our lives.

April 19: Imitating God - from Ephesians 5:1-7. The Apostle Paul urges believers to be "imitators of God." What does it look like for a human being to imitate the Almighty? This passage describes a lifestyle that doesn't imitate God, talking specifically about immortality and greed. It also describes a lifestyle that does imitate God, talking specifically about our following Jesus, making him Lord of our lives.

April 5: This is the reason for Easter. Easter is the most important celebration on the Christian calendar. Why is this? Why do we Christians get so excited about Easter?

March 22: Talking like a Christian from Ephesians 4:25, 29, 5:4. These verses are all on the topic of talking like a Christian. After challenging us with teaching on the deeper things of God, Paul now gives us practical instruction on the verbal lives of Christians.

March 15: Attending Christ's School from Ephesians 4:20-24. When I became a Christian I enrolled in Christ's School. What is it I'm to learn in that school? According to this passage it has to do with putting off the "old self," "being made new," and putting on the "new self." What does all this mean and how do it do it?

March 9: The Key to Spiritual Growth from Ephesians 4:11-15. Paul says one of the missions of Christian leaders is to bring people to the fullness of Christ. What does this mean? How does one arrive at the "fullness of Christ?"

March 3: The Purpose of Christian Leadership from Ephesians 3:11-13. After listing the various offices of the church Paul proceeds to explain the mission of those leaders. This message is about that mission.

January 11: The Mission of the Church from Ephesians 3:10-12. What is the mission of the church? In this passage the Apostle Paul describes the mission of the church.

December 14: Members of God's Household from Ephesians 2:19-22. How important is church membership? Isn't the concept of church membership something new to the church world anyway? This message is about our being identified with the Church and focuses on three church membership concepts.

December 7: Salvation and Works from Ephesians 2:8-10. Paul gives us three salvation concepts in this passage. He then gives us a theology of salvation and works. We are saved by grace through faith, but we are created to do good works. Since the church is the body of Christ, it must do what Jesus did.

November 23: Thanksgiving from 1 Thess. 5:14-18. A sermon for Thanksgiving week. There are three things about Thanksgiving that was can learn from this passage.
1. Thanksgiving is primarily a Christian activity.
2. Thanksgiving is not to be based on circumstances
3. The Lord wants us to be a thankful people

November 16: What Salvation's Done For Me from Ephesians 2:1-5. The Apostle Paul's favorite topic is Jesus - and why not? Jesus has transformed his life. In this passage Paul talks about what salvation does for us. We were lost in our sins, but because of the love, mercy, and grace of the Lord we are saved.

October 19: Mision Accomplished from John 3:29-30. After introducing the Messiah, John the Baptist goes on doing the only thing he knows: preaching and baptizing. However, his crowds are diminishing even a the popularity of Jesus grows. Some of his disciples are concerned about it, but John gives his take on it all declaring, "He must increase and I must decrease." There are several lessons for us in this.

October 12: The Crucial Moment from John 1:29-34. In this passage we find John the Baptist at the crucial moment of his life. He is doing what he is born to do: announcing the arrival of the Messiah. Everything he does before this moment leads up to it and all after looks back to this moment. When we have the opportunity to confess Jesus as Lord of our lives we, too, are at the crucial moment of life.

October 1: Seven Reasons for Communion. Religious activity without understanding is mere superstition. This message explains the purpose of Communion.

September 21: Hurricane Ike -- Psalm 55:8 "I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm." Hurricane Ike impacted millions of people and our area was close enough to ground zero that every person in our congregation was impacted by it. In this message we think about hurricanes and prayer. We also consider hurricanes and God's grace and peace.

August 17: A Thank You Note -- Philippians 4:10-11, Philippians 4:17 Paul's friends at Philippi have been so kind as to send him a financial contribution and he is thankful for it. However, he is even more happy because he believes generosity opens the way for God's blessings. In this message we think about such things as tithing, stewardship, giving with strings attached, and just how it is God blesses us when we give.

August 10: What are you thinking? -- Philippians 4:8-9 Christians aren't free to live in a negative, complaining mind-set. Paul describes a positive, Christ-centered point of view that he believes should be the norm for believers. Is this possible? If so, what are the steps to achieving the thought life described in this passage?

July 27: Peace of Heart and Mind -- Philippians 4:4-7 Paul describes for us how to live our lives immersed in the peace of God. This message explores what it means to experience this peace that transcends understanding. Then we consider how it is Paul says we can experience that peace: rejoice, guard, pray.

June 29: Spiritual Attainment -- Philippians 3:16-17 Paul knows he has prescribed a radical version of Christianity, one in which Christians go beyond doing the right things or even believing the right things. His version of Christianity is to radically follow Jesus, even if that leads to a cross. For some of his readers this is new territory. However, Paul is confident that they will get on board because he is confident that the Lord will give them understanding and then help them to cooperate with what the Lord is doing in their lives.

June 8: Spiritual Heroes -- Philippians 2:19-30 Paul is going to send the letter that we call the book of Philippians to its initial recipients by way of two outstanding Christians: Timothy and Epaphroditus. These men, he says are true heroes in the faith. What is it about these men that make them such outstanding Christians? How are such people to be honored by the Church?

April 27: Working out what God is Working in -- Philippians 2:12-16: Paul says that God is working salvation into our lives, putting his encouragement, comforting love, and fellowship into our heart. What he works in, we're supposed to work out...letting those results of salvation flow through us to the lives of others. When that happens, we stand out in our society as we "hold out" the word of life to those who need to hear it.

April 20: Like Jesus -- Philippians 2:5-11: Phil. 2:6 (Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped) is an especially important statement from Paul. As the church hammered out a doctrine of Christ this is one of the Scriptures the Church revisited time and time again. The primary creeds of Christianity draw from this passage. However, Paul isn't especially interested in providing material for a creed here. He wants the Christians who read his words to be challenged to deal with one another with the same sense of surrender that Jesus displays in his obedience to his Father.

April 13: How the Church Operates -- Philippians 2:1-4: We Christians have a terrific benefits package, not only in eternity, but right now. The thing is that we have a responsibility to receive the benefits we have in Christ and then pass them along to one another. That's now the church is supposed to operate.

April 6: Walk Worthy -- Philippians 1:27-30: Paul urges Christians to "walk worthy" of their standing in Christ. So what does that mean? In this message we consider how it is that believers "stand firm" and "contend for the gospel" as part of walking worthy of Christ.

March 30: Advancing the gospel in life and in death -- Philippians 1:12-14, 21-24: It isn't that Paul enjoys being imprisoned by the Romans, he doesn't. However, he sees the hand of God at work even in his ordeal. Also, it is clear that his future is very uncertain. The fact is that he is in a life and death situation. Paul shares his perspective on all this, concluding that, for him, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." What do we learn from all this?

March 23: Christ Has Risen -- I Cor. 15:12-19 - The early church was more focused on "telling" the story of Jesus than it was in developing doctrines. However, as the years passed and some of the believers began to pass away the issue of the resurrection became more and more important. In this Easter message we explore this core doctrine of the church.

March 16: The Meaning of the Cross -- I Cor. 1:22-25 - As we look to Good Friday we find ourselves focusing on the cross. In this passage Paul describes three reactions to the cross. The Gentiles see preaching about the cross as just so much foolishness. The Jews stumble at accepting a Messiah who died on the cross. The believers, though, see the cross as a powerful and wise act of God. This message explores these views.

March 9: Confidence, Unity, and Prayer -- Philippians 1:6-11 -- Paul is confident that the Philippians are both saved and being saved - that describes every Christian. He rejoices in the unity of this congregation that is marked by love. When he prays, he prays that their love with grow in knowledge, insight, and discernment. What does that mean? Clearly, Paul sees love as something more than a warm feeling.

March 2: Pastor and People -- Philippians 1:1-6 -- An introductory sermon on the book of Philippians. Why did Paul write this letter and under what circumstances. Why does this letter have such a positive, encouraging flavor? Also, what is the proper relationship of pastor and people?

February 24: Anybody Sick? -- James 5:14-16 -- As James wraps up his letter he has three words of simple, yet profound advice for his readers. In this message we consider the final word of advice. James give us clear instructions concerning sickness. How are we to understand this? How does it apply to our lives today?

February 17: Prayer and Praise -- James 5:13 -- As James wraps up his letter he has three words of simple, yet profound advice for his readers. In this message we consider the first two. They concern prayer and praise.

February 10: What Is Your Life? -- James 4:13-17 -- James says that we are to say "If it is the Lord's will" or "God willing" as we talk about our plans. Why does he say this? Of course, this is about more than saying a phrase, it's about the attitude of our lives.

February 3: Grace Enough -- James 4:6 says, "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" In this passage James describes the dark side of many believer's lives. However, he doesn't leave us there. His words are words of hope as we are reminded that God has "Grace Enough" to meet even those needs.

January 27: Taming the Tongue -- James 3:2 says, "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." As we study this passage we see that James is dissatisfied with the speech habits of Christians. His words are just as relevant today as they were when they were written.

January 20: Workday Religion -- Titus 2:11-13 says: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope— the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Most of us need a strong everyday walk with God more than we need anything else. This sermon deals with this topic.

December 23: The Best News: Lord God -- The angel said that Jesus is Christ THE Lord. While it is true that Jesus is the finest man who ever lived, there is much more. He is God Incarnate: God in the Flesh. What does that mean to us?

December 16: The Best News: Lord of Life -- The angel who brought the Best News ever said that the one born in Bethlehem was "Lord." In this message we think about what it means for Jesus to be Lord in human terms -- our example in how human beings deal with one another and with God the Father.

December 9: The Best News: The Christ of God -- When the angel brought the birth announcement to the shepherds, it contained the news that the new born savior was "Christ the Lord." What does it mean that the "Christ" of CHRISTmas was given that title? Does it matter today?

December 2: The Best News: A Savior has been born -- When the angel brought the birth announcement to the shepherds, it contained the news that "a savior has been born." Why is the birth of a Savior good news and does it matter to us today?

November 11: Revival -- As the church prepares for revival, we consider great revivals of the past, both in Bible days as well as in history. We also consider the things God uses to bring about revival.

October 28: Pure Religion -- In James 1:26-27 James describes for us God's definition of "pure religion." In the negative sense, he says our speech can betray us. On the positive side, he describes pure religion as how we treat the helpless and how we live in a polluted world. So, how does our religion measure up when this yard stick is used?

October 21: Hearers and Doers of the Word -- In James 1:22-25 James urges Christians to do more than just listen to the Word. And, for many centuries, the only way Christians could know what the Word said was to listen to it. For 3/4's of Christianity there was no concept of personal ownership of a Bible. Listening to the Scripture being read is part of the history of Christianity. But there is more. James says listening without doing leads to forgetting -- that's the recipe for spiritual disaster.

October 14: Meet the Tempter -- What is the true source of temptation in our lives? James introduces us to the real tempter and as we consider his words we better understand temptation and how to deal with it in our lives.

September 30: Wanted: Wisdom -- James tells us to "count it pure joy" when trials and problems come into our lives. How can we possibly do this and why would we do it in the first place? He tells us that only God can give us the wisdom to live at this level and the good news is that the wisdom is ours for the asking.

September 23: Consider it Pure Joy -- the book of James has an interesting history that gives us opportunity to consider how we got our Bibles in the first place. Also, James begins his book talking about the trials that come to every life. He gives the astounding command that we are to count it pure joy when trials come into our lives. How can this be? His answer: trials produce perseverance and perseverance produces growth and maturity in our spiritual lives.

September 16: Anointed for Burial -- as the ordeal of the cross nears, Jesus spends some time with his disciples and friends. However, one woman, Mary, has unique insight into what is coming and her sacrificial and humble actions inspire us today.

September 2: Decision Made -- the resurrection of Lazarus convinced many people to trust in Jesus. However, it also forced his enemies to come to a hard decision to kill him. That decision was the end result of a journey away from faith that began several chapters earlier on John's gospel. Decisions we make along the way lead to the final destination of our lives too.

August 26: Lazarus Come Out -- the question of Jesus, "Do you believe this" leads to the most powerful miracle Jesus works. His simple command, "Lazarus Come Out" displays the absolute authority of Jesus over all Creation. This event almost demands a decision about Jesus.

August 19: The Compassionate Christ the shortest verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept" contains a huge truth. As Jesus talks with Mary and Martha we get an insight into the very heart of the Savior. In our most difficult day, this little verse can be a tremendous source of strength.

August 12: Prelude to a miracle -- while ministering on the "other side of Jordan" Jesus receives word that his dear friend Lazarus is sick. However, the Lord delays going to him, which is fine with the disciples -- after all the religious leaders there want to kill Jesus. In all of this we gain insight into how God works in this world -- that things are not always what they seem.

August 5: The Last Debate -- John records the debates of Jesus in chapters 5-10 of his gospel. This debate is the final on in his record. It has to do with whether or not Jesus is God, the Son of God. The passage also deals with the downtime Jesus and his disciples enjoyed on the "other side of Jordan."

July 29: Reasons to Believe -- in the face of all the evidence that Jesus is the Savior of the world, why is it that some don't believe? And, what are the results of believing?

July 22: The Good Shepherd -- when Jesus called himself the "Good Shepherd" he described two defining marks of The Good Shepherd. He also described "hired hands" -- who are "hired hands today"? Finally, he talked about the "Other Sheep" -- how does one become one of the "other sheep"?

July 15: I am the gate -- what did Jesus mean when he said "I am the gate." How does it impact our lives today? When is it wise to "run" as Jesus describes in this parable?

July 8: A close look at sin -- sin has invaded humanity in two ways -- how God deals with the "acts" of sin and the "nature" to sin.

June 10: Freedom in Christ -- there is Good News for all who are bound by some sin: if Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed.

May 20: Personal Decision -- Even as the enemies of Jesus engage him in constant debates, many place their faith in him. They decide it is time to decide.

May 13: The Light of the World -- Jesus made several "I AM" statements. One of them was "I AM the Light of the World."

May 6: Homecoming -- 2007 Homecoming Sunday sermon delivered at the Alvin, Texas Church of the Nazarene. The message is focused on the return home of Jacob after he ran from his brother Esau. Years earlier, as Jacob fled, he had encountered God at Bethel. Now, as he returns, he arrives at Bethel again. As we consider this homecoming there are lessons for us as we celebrate homecoming. Note: Had I guessed that this sermon would get more search engine hits than all the others in this blog put together I would have recorded it at a higher bit rate!

April 8: Resurrection Morning -- thinking about the central event in the history of the world.

April 1: The Last Sermon

March 25: Personal Responsibility

March 18: One Man's Journey

February 25: Watching the Wind

February 4: Feeding of the 5000

January 14: Talking to Oneself

December 31: Great Things

December 24: God is Love

December 19Peace:

November 17: Distrubed by Christ

October 22: How to Get Angry

October 15: Answer and Command

October 8: Do You Want to Get Well?

September 24: The Man With Palsy

September 10: Because God Was With Him

August 6: When Trouble Comes

July 30: Pastor's Pizza Party

July 23: Thanksgiving in July

July 9: Having things Shaken

July 2: In God We Trust

June 25: Holiness

June 14: The Week After Pentecost

May 14: Look to Jesus

April 30: Everything that Hinders

April 23: Leaving Sin Behind

April 16: The Reason for Easter

April 9: Foot Washing

April 2: Why I need Hebrews 11

March 26: Moses: Heritage of Faith

March 19: Abraham: Father of Faith

March 12: Foundation of Faith

March 5: Reevaluation

January 22: Destiny

January 15Sin Remedy:

January 8: A New Heart

January 1: Newness of Life

December Zechariah and the Angel18:

November 27: More on melchizedek

November 20: Thanksgiving