Sound Words

How will the current economic crisis in America affect your tithes and offerings? Will you give to world missions if you find yourself in extreme poverty? The ‘dirt poor’ Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8 call us to give more in the face of a chaotic stock market and fear of what may happen to our 401Ks.  They call us to give in light of the eternal joy we receive when we sacrifice despite our economic status. Listen as Pastor David explains how giving is rooted in the grace of God found in Jesus Christ.   

Real power is unsettling.  Seeing the sovereign authority of God should always produce godly fear.  However, the Philistines failed to learn this lesson.  After experiencing the judgment of God, instead of turning from their idolatry, they simply sent the ark of the covenant back to Israel and went back to worshiping a defeated Dagon.  

But are we any different when we simply respond to the pain of the situation and not the truth of it?  When God takes us through difficulties, do we learn to trust Him more?  Are we made uncomfortably humble by His power?  Listen as Pastor David shows us how pain, suffering, and humiliation leads to glory from 1 Samuel 6. 

If you live long enough, you will know suffering. Sometimes men do evil things that wound us. Perhaps you know a friend who has been persecuted unjustly. How do you react to oppression in your life? The answer has everything to do with who you serve. The Bible tells the story of a God who is sovereign over all of life, even the dark times. And he promises good to those who trust him. In Exodus 5:1-6:9, Pastor David encourages us to believe the gospel when oppression comes. Listen as Pastor David calls us to forsake our attitudes of unbelief and find our satisfaction in Christ.

Are the people who leave the comforts of home and family the only ones who suffer for the sake of The World Mission?   What about those who stay?  What about Andrew Fuller? A theologian who was willing to call men and women to repentance in a day when it was theologically uncouth.  A pastor who was committed to cling to the truth of God’s word even when his congregation rejected it.  A missionary so committed to the cause of Christ among the unreached that he would work himself to death mobilizing the church to support those who traveled abroad.  (more…)

Do you serve a Humpty-Dumpty divinity?  The Scripture tells the story of the God who is sovereign over all things. He is not safe.  He cannot be used like a magic charm or a cosmic atm.  And men do nothing to add to his glory.  In I Samuel 5, the Israelites and Philistines have been serving God as though He could be stored away until they decided he was needed.  But God declares himself to be the King who must be served all the time with all our lives.  Listen as Pastor David gives a picture of the awesome God who stands over the kingdoms of this world in Christ.