Why do people smoke? Do they do it because they love God, their neighbor or themselves? Or do people smoke to satisfy their selfish passions and desires? Is smoking sin? Is a Christian free to smoke? Does the Bible condemn smoking in no uncertain terms? How can one overcome their addiction to tobacco, mind-altering drugs and pot?
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Goal of Perfection
To achieve perfection, we must be prepared at all times by doing what God specifically tells us to do. To help us better strive for that perfection, we must have hope, faith, and love towards each other and God’s law. Having the right attitude and the right goal will ultimately bring us closer to perfection.
Passover Preparation (Special)
As a baptized member of the Church of God, we need to prepare for this year’s Passover service on April 21, 2016, by examining ourselves. Will we partake of the Passover in a worthy manner? If not, we will be judged by God and may face serious sickness or even premature death. We must ask ourselves the following questions, among many others: Who is the most important person in your life? What is the cause for sin?
Strength in Unity
When we are faced with trials, how do we respond, how do we react? Do we neglect the power of prayer when we go through difficult times? Are we strong enough? Is there a purpose for the trials we may be going through? We must understand that we are not alone, as we ALL struggle at times, which is why it is important to pray for one another, and if we put our problems into God’s hands, anything is possible.
How Far Do You Want to Go?
This world looks at compromise as a great thing. But how does God view this? How should Christians look at compromise? Are we at times willing to compromise in respect to Church doctrine and practices? Many did compromise in the past, to their own demise. How convinced are we that we must never compromise with God’s Truth?
Stripes at the Great White Throne Judgment
In the Second Resurrection or the Great White Throne Judgment, God will offer salvation to all those who died without having been called. But what is meant with the stripes which some will receive? Why will it be more tolerable for some than for others, and why will some receive greater condemnation? Will God just ignore the horrible crimes and atrocities of mass murderers and perverts? What is meant with the statement that tax collectors and harlots will enter the Kingdom of God before the Pharisees?
Do You Stand Firm in God’s Truth?
Why do some resist the truth and walk away from it? Could a lack of faith, sinful conduct, anxious thoughts, the pleasures of this world, bitterness, or false priorities be decisive reasons as to why some do not understand the truth, and why others do not understand it anymore?
Enemies of Faith
How strong are we when it comes to our faith and when our faith is being tested, will we give in to the enemies of faith? What are these enemies of faith?
The Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:16 commands us to take the shield of faith, as an important part of the armor of God, which will enable us to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. How does the Bible describe this shield, and what is meant with the fiery darts of the wicked one? Further, what kind of faith is necessary? Is true faith just a defensive “weapon,” or is more required?
The Prophets Hang on Love, Part 2
The last six of the Ten Commandments tell us how we are to love our neighbor. In this sermon, we will see how the Prophets describe godly love towards our fellow man, emphasizing the need to honor our parents, to avoid and shun hate and murder, as well as adultery and fornication, stealing, lying and covetousness. Many reject God’s law and as a consequence, they love the evil, while hating the good, and when they are told what they are doing, they do not want to listen. But God knows and sees their ways, and He will not be silent forever. God chastises whom He loves.
