Sermons

In exploring the Book of Jonah, we're reminded of God's incredible ability to use anyone for His divine purposes. Just as God appointed a fish, a plant, and even a worm, He appoints us for His work. The story of Jonah teaches us about obedience, God's compassion, and our own attitudes towards His calling. We see how Jonah's reluctance and anger contrasted sharply with God's patience and love for the people of Nineveh. This narrative challenges us to examine our own hearts: Are we running from God's calling like Jonah, or are we ready to be used by Him? It's a profound reminder that God's compassion extends to all people, even those we might consider unworthy. As we reflect on this, we're encouraged to align our hearts with God's, embracing His compassion and being open to His appointments in our lives.

Philippians 4:4-9

In this exploration of Philippians 4:4-9, we're challenged to transform our thought life and align it with God's will. The sermon introduces us to the TARPPLEN acronym - True, Admirable, Right, Pure, Praiseworthy, Lovely, Excellent, and Noble - as a guide for godly thinking. We're reminded that our thoughts have consequences, and every sin starts with a thought. The message emphasizes the importance of replacing sinful thoughts with God-honoring ones, highlighting the process of 'putting off' the old self and 'putting on' the new self. This isn't about positive thinking but biblical thinking powered by the Holy Spirit. We're encouraged to guard our hearts, meditate on God's word, and practice these principles to experience God's peace. The sermon beautifully connects Paul's circumstances - writing from prison - to the power of maintaining godly thoughts even in difficult situations. It's a call for us to examine our thought patterns and actively work on our sanctification, reminding us that the cross of Jesus gives us the power to overcome sinful thinking.