Christian Life and Growth
Living a Resurrected Lifestyle
by Bob Graham (Aug 29 2010)
Paul lays the foundation for our identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection in Colossians 2 and now takes us to the place of application. He begins with the statement, "If ye then be risen with Christ", which is true for all of us as believers, then "seek those things which are above". This message provides believers with five practical means by which they can rightly represent their resurrected Lord.
I Believe, Help Thou Mine Unbelief
by Bob Graham (Aug 8 2010)
Here is the story of a man who was caught in the dilemma of faith. Part of him believed that God was able to solve his son's problem and part of him believed otherwise. In desperation, he did the right thing - he cried out, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief." The answer to all our problems hinges upon what we believe our God can do.
God is Love
by Bob Graham (Jul 18 2010)
Series: Knowing and Doing the Will of God
Many believers have failed to comprehend and carry out the will of God because they have fallen prey to one of Satan's oldest lies concerning the love of God. We have come to believe that God's love is conditional, and we are well aware of our personal failures, so we conclude that God is upset with us and no longer loves us. Rather than seeking to serve Him out of a heart of love, we avoid Him, or spend our lives trying to win back His approval by wearying ourselves in the fruitless activities of our own works. Oh, that we would grasp the truth that God is love and will always do what's best for me.
Knowing God By Name
by Bob Graham (Jul 11 2010)
Series: Knowing and Doing the Will of God
How well do you know God? This is a very pertinent question to consider. Many of us know many things about God, but when it comes to experiencing God at work in our lives, we have little to speak of. God initiates situations and circumstances in our lives as opportunities to get to know Him experientially. These experiences reveal to us His character and His nature. We can walk away from these circumstances praising God, not only for the deliverance He gave, but also for the personal experience of knowing God by name.
Understanding the Will of the Lord
by Bob Graham (Jun 13 2010)
Series: Knowing and Doing the Will of God
You have heard the expression; "Where there's a will, there's a way." There is a lot true about that statement, however it is important to identify whether it's your will or God's will... because the outcome will either be your way or God's way. Does God have a specific will for my life? You had better know He does, the Scriptures are clear on this matter. And yet, there are many misconceptions regarding the will of God. We talk about a number of them in this message and then give five very clear means of determining the will of God in your daily life.
Holy Heart Burn
by Bob Graham (May 16 2010)
The tow disciples on the road to Emmaus were sad and troubled about the events that transpired with the crucifixion and what happened to Jesus. Some of their folks reported that they saw and angel and Jesus was alive, others went there and saw nothing. They weren't sure what to believe. Then another traveler joined their company and heard their sad hearts and began to expound to them the answers from the Word. The further they went, the more their hearts burned with the truth. Then their eyes were opened, and the Lord disappeared. Those two disciples were back on the Emmaus Road heading the other direction with their hearts aflame with the truth the once doubted.
Facing the Giants
by Bob Graham (Apr 25 2010)
The story of David and Goliath is a favorite among believers, but we must not lose sight of its implications; we too face giants in life, and must defeat them as well. Our giants may look a whole lot different than the 9 foot 6 inch Philistine, but they can be just as forboding. This message equips us with three basic principles to defeat the giants of life.
Two Vital Factors for Answered Prayer
by Bob Graham (Mar 14 2010)
Jesus cursed the fig tree on His way to Jerusalem just days before He was crucified. The next day Peter was amazed at how quickly the fig tree had withered away. This situation presented an opportunity for the Lord to teach His disciples two vital factors involved in receiving answers to their own prayers.
Faith that Makes a Difference
by Bob Graham (Dec 13 2009)
Series: Faith
God can use you to make a difference in someone's life. The man in our text was sick of the palsy, he suffered some form of paralysis. Our world is full of people who are paralyzed in one way or another; they need someone to take an interest in them and do whatever it takes to get them to Jesus where their soul can be saved and their life changed. This requires faith; the kind of faith that makes a difference in people's lives.
Cultivating Contentment in Our Christian Life
by Bob Graham (Nov 29 2009)
During the Christmas season it is so easy to be swayed by the spirit of this world working overtime to stir the chords of discontentment within us. We're repeatedly bombarded with advertising telling us we need the bigger, the better, the newer so that we can be happy; nothing can be further from the truth. God sends us a clear message in our text - we already have everything we need for our present and future happiness; we simply need to be content. But contentment does not come naturally, we discuss three concepts that will help cultivate contentment in our Christian lives.
What Does It Cost To Give Thanks?
by Bob Graham (Nov 22 2009)
Daniel was the target of deceitful decree. His enemies knew if they were ever to ensnare him, they would have to find issue with his service to God, and so they made it illegal for him to pray. When Daniel knew the decree was made law, he went to his usual spot, opened the window toward Jerusalem and prayed and gave thanks to God. He was well aware of the cost of his decision, and he still gave thanks. What can we glean from the example of this grateful man?
Exercise Yourself Unto Godliness
by Bob Graham (Nov 15 2009)
Series: It's Time To Change
We live in a culture inundated with an "instant" mentality and it should come as no surprise that it has spilled over into some of our spiritual expectations. Many believers have come to think that there must be an easy way to live godly; it simply is not so. Godliness requires exercise. In this message we delve into five very practical aspects of this exercise and one outstanding promise.
Humility - The Fertile Ground for Godly Change
by Bob Graham (Oct 25 2009)
Series: It's Time To Change
Humility - Andrew Murray says its the place of entire dependence upon God; ...the root of every virtue; Jim Berg says it's the frame of mind...that says I am sinful and need God's mercy and I am insufficient and need God's grace. Either way you slice it, we need it. If we ever hope to experience the grace of God necessary to change for His sake and His glory, we need to follow the example of our Lord and Savior and humble ourselves. God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.
Change Deals With the Idols of the Heart
by Bob Graham (Oct 18 2009)
Series: It's Time To Change
The elders of Israel were steeped in idolatry. One day they came to the prophet Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord and God made it plain that the only thing He was willing to talk about was the idols they had set up in their hearts. The practice of idolatry is far more prevalent than most us realize. Idolatry affects us at the heart level and steals the affection and devotion God rightly deserves. Whatever rules our hearts will exercise an inescapable influence over our thoughts and behaviors. Therefore, biblical change must thoroughly address the idols of the heart.
Lasting Change Begins in the Heart
by Bob Graham (Oct 11 2009)
Series: It's Time To Change
If we ever hope to experience lasting change in our lives, then we must deal with our problems on the heart level. The heart of our problem is the problem in our heart. Jesus made it very plain that we do the things we do because of what we have stored up in our hearts. People and circumstances are not the cause of our problems, they only provide occasions for our hearts to reveal themselves. Fruit change is a result of root change. The heart must be the target of our personal growth and ministry. God wants to produce a heart change in us and then use us to produce heart change in others.
What Does Change Look Like?
by Bob Graham (Sep 13 2009)
Series: It's Time To Change
As believers in Christ, all of us are commanded by God to change, but change into what? There is little doubt that people would answer this question with a wide differences of opinion, so we need to define our terms... What does biblical change look like? Our message this morning deals with six different characteristics inherent in biblical change.
Plant Yourself in the House of the Lord
by Bob Graham (Aug 30 2009)
The statistical studies prove it, but the Bible informed us long ago that those who plant themselves in the house of the Lord shall be fat, flourishing and fruitful even in their old age. The benefits of acitve church participation are many; so put down your roots, get the whole family involved in a good Bible believing church. And the sooner you do so the better off your children will be in the long run.
The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us
by Bob Graham (Aug 9 2009)
Jesus came to earth in the body of a man not only to die for us but also to give us a living illustration of the glorious nature and character of God. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. In essence, He "fleshed out" the verbal revelation of the Father. The New Testament describes to us what it was like. However, the Word still needs to become flesh...people still need to see the character of God, and they can as Christ lives in us and through us. Our mission is still to reveal God to the world so the world can find God.
The Importance of Baptism by Immersion
by Bob Graham (Jul 19 2009)
The Scriptures give us a clear command to baptize believers once they are born again. What is the reason for baptism? Why do we baptize by immersion? What is the history of our baptism? What is the significance of baptism by immersion? With the many erroneous views concerning baptism, we need biblical answers to these questions.
Do You Pray?
by Bob Graham (Jul 19 2009)
Do you pray? I am not asking if you say your prayers; but do you pray? Many believers do not pray at all. Many others pray nothing but form prayers. And many that do pray; pray words that have no heart. There is a wide gap in the ranks between those who are greatly used of God and those who make little impact on the world around them; in most cases the difference can be summed up in their life of private prayer.
When My Heart Is Overwhelmed
by Bob Graham (Jun 14 2009)
Series: Psalms Study
When faced with overwhelming circumstances, God provides the believer with a place of refuge and a pathway to restoration.
The Joy in Serving
by Missionary Mark Ernst (Jun 7 2009)
If you are looking for true joy in the Christian life, you will find it in serving others.
Take My Yoke Upon You and Learn of Me
by Bob Graham (Apr 22 2009)
Series: The Parables of Christ
We came to Jesus for salvation and He never intended us to leave. There is available for all believers an abundant life and that life is in Christ.