Category Archives: Bible study

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Called Out Of Our Comfort Zone, PT 2

Sermon From Acts 10-11 #AnUnfinishedStory

Incredible things happen when people step OUT of their comfort zone. We ask a future spouse out on a first date. We enter a career because of a class that stretched us in college. We start a business based on a crazy idea. Churches get planted and people get changed!

Called Outside Our Comfort Zone

A little willingness to step out of our comfort zones and God will do MIRACLES IN and THROUGH us!

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The book of Acts is the amazing story about how God was doing just that in the early church.

Yesterday I preached the second part of Called Out Of Our Comfort Zone. HERE‘s the link to part one. And if you subscribe to our YouTube page you’ll get the sermons as soon as they’re up.

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Jesus, Broken And Poured Out For Us

Reflections On Mark 14:12-26 #ChallengeTheNorm

Yesterday I preached, “Jesus, Broken And Poured Out For Us,” from Mark 14:12-26 at Restoration Church. I hope it’s a blessing to you, especially if you’re struggling with challenges in your life and uncertain where Jesus is in the midst of it all. HERE is the audio.

Jesus, Broken and Poured Out For Us

Unfortunately I forgot to set my phone to airplane mode and got a call 20 minutes in, which stopped the recording! Yikes! So I’m pasting my full sermon manuscript below.

I’d love to hear from you, comment below or send me a message.

Behavioral scientists have discovered that we usually see things that we are prepared to see. It’s a network of nerve cells called the “Reticular Activating System,” which is KINDA LIKE a BRAIN FILTER. There are millions of data points floating in our brain at any one point. This “BRAIN FILTER” signals what’s IMPORTANT!

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Your Impossible Is God’s Possible!

Reflections On Mark 10:17-31 #ChallengeTheNorm

I’ve always been intrigued by things that seem IMPOSSIBLE, like sneezing with your eyes open, eating just one potato chip (especially Doritos), or a Washington D.C. Sports team winning in the 21st century! (come on Wizards and NATS, this is the year!)

Your Impossible is His Possibile

Have you ever felt like you were in an IMPOSSIBLE situation?

  • Parents, ever feel like making it through the day is IMPOSSIBLE!
  • Maybe you’re in a relationship that feels IMPOSSIBLE to reconcile!
  • Or like me, your bills are piled up and it feels IMPOSSIBLE to get ahead!
  • Or like many, you’re struggling with the same vice, addiction, or bad habit that seems IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of!

Let me encourage you… God loves to turn OUR impossibilities into HIS possibilities.

Yesterday I preached from Mark 10 at Restoration Church, our new church plant in Gaithersburg, MD. HERE is the audio, I hope it’s a blessing to you, especially if you’re facing what feels like an IMPOSSIBLE situation!

Below are my sermon notes. I’d love to hear from you, comment below or send me a message.

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“I Can’t _____, He can!”

#ChallengeTheNorm

We all want to be successful, right? Understanding what we CAN’T do is KEY to that success. When I recognize what I can’t do… sing, design, cook, write computer programs, etc., not only does this help steer me in the right direction, but it fosters humility. And I’m proud of how humble I really am! OK, I’ve still got a long way to go, but i’m in process just like you!

Last Sunday I preached this message from Mark 8:1-21. It’s one of my favorite messages I’ve ever preached. I hope you listen and are blessed. HERE is the AUDIO. I’d love to hear your feedback. Some of my notes are below.

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Seven Reasons You Should Challenge The Norm

#ChallengeTheNorm

Did you know… there are a lot of things we think of as normal that shouldn’t be? Last Sunday I preached the first part of a series in the book of Mark. The series title is Challenge The Norm, a.k.a. #ChallengeTheNorm. HERE is the audio. I hope it’s a blessing!

Challenge the Norm

SEVEN Reasons You Should Challenge The Norm

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God’s Heart for the Nations

Growing a heart for the things God cares most about

HOW have you been blessed? God’s blessings include senses, like seeing, tasting, hearing, and feeling. They include the people He has brought into our lives, such as our family, friends, and neighbors. For most people God has provided a job or jobs. His blessings also include opportunities in life, like influencing others, being influenced, living where you live, and experiencing diversity. And of course God’s blessings even includes material things.

Gods Heart For The Nations

What’s the purpose of those blessings? WHY do you have the abilities, people, family, job, or influence you have? Yesterday I preached the answer from Psalm 67. HERE is the audio. Below are some notes to help grow your heart for the things God cares most about… THE NATIONS!

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Prayer for the New Year

We all want 2017 to be better than 2016, don’t we! This time of year gives us a chance to evaluate our goals and set ourselves on a new course for a new year. There’s no better way to begin that process than seeking wisdom in God through prayer.

prayer

Yesterday we started a new series at Restoration Church, “Prayer: Growing a Heart for the Things God Cares Most About.” HERE is a link to my message, “Make Your Days Count in the New Year!” I hope it’s a help and blessing to you. Below are a few notes of application.

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How To Experience JOY This CHRISTmas

Jesus is Restoring JOY

Christmas can and should be a time of great JOY! The first Christmas started with a message that included GOOD NEWS… of GREAT JOY… for ALL PEOPLE! There’s no three easy steps to live a life of joy. But there is a secret…

Joy

Yesterday I preached, “Jesus is Restoring Joy.” I’ll give you a hint… Jesus is the secret to experiencing JOY this Christmas. Have a listen, download the Way of Life Plan, and take steps to enjoy more JOY this Christmas! Below are some further encouragements from the birth announcement of Jesus.

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Experiencing Peace This Christmas Season

Jesus is Restoring Peace

I LOVE this time of year… something about the colder weather, Christmas decorations, delicious goodies, gatherings and celebrations, Christmas music, Charlie Brown specials, watching ELF, the Michael Buble Christmas special, and so on. Can you relate?

christmas-merry

But for too many people the joy of the holiday is as hollow as your neighbor’s snowman lawn inflatable. Take your pick of the holiday stress increasers:

  • Less time to get more done
  • Increased expenses and financial pressure
  • Awkward family gatherings at “uncle Fred’s” place
  • Having to get that “just right” gift
  • Reminders of painful loss or personal crisis

On Sunday I shared this message, “Jesus is Restoring Peace.” I hope it encourages you to embrace Jesus as your PEACE during this Advent season.