Cyber Studies

Water baptism brings to people's minds many different images, and presents for some people high hurdles that are difficult to get over. I can still remember that special but scary day when I was baptized. I was 12 years old and very shy; so frightened by the event, the prospects of saying my name and giving a short testimony, I thought I was going to die. I remember standing in front of my mirror and practicing over and over: "I love the Lord and I want to go all the way with Him," definitely a testimony that lacks any depth and today could certainly be misinterpreted. But on the day of my baptism that testimony seemed perfectly appropriate because it was short. Thankfully, I made it through and can still remember the great joy I felt on the other side of the baptism. It was a frightening moment, but it will always be a hallmark memory for me.

Divorce is a pressing national problem. No one needs to be told how serious it is, not only in this country, but worldwide. In many communities, in fact, divorces are more frequent than marriages. The crisis is affecting all of us. U.S.A. Today writes of the following incidents that took place in a child guidance clinic:

Spurring On and Meeting with Other Believers

I want to tell you a story about the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers. In one of his last games, Vince Lombardi's team had suffered a humiliating defeat. Standing before his team, Lombardi didn't need to say much, because these men were all great men and professionals. They recognized they weren't playing up to their potential, and that their lack of practice in certain areas had caused their defeat. They hadn't stayed with the game plan and, as a result, they lost.

INTRODUCTION: I think it can be shown that the people of any church will fit one of four basic situations in relation to moral failure.

Matthew 15:15-20

Introduction: This passage of Scripture is one of the most illuminating passages in the gospels, in regard to the great difference between religion and Christianity. Remember, religion is man's approach to God, and Christianity is God's approach to man. Religion is represented here in the text by the scribes and Pharisees, and Christianity is represented by Jesus.

A Bag of Marbles or a Cluster of Grapes

 When I take a Sunday off, I almost always go to church somewhere else. In this session I want us to visit two churches in other cities. We'll need to travel back in time, via a kind of spiritual time machine. One church we'll visit will be a model for us, and the other will instruct us.