Bridging The Gap

 I'm sure you've heard and seen the ongoing efforts of secular media and organizations to make sin not only acceptable, but celebrated.  It's just another sign that Jesus will be coming back soon! Until He does, it's our duty as believers to wade through the filth and lead Godly and moral lives, and to be a witness to the unsaved. We can do it!

Today we'll again open our Bibles to the book of Proverbs as we consider the topic of our morality. As a nation, the United States was founded on Christian principles. If you look around today, you'd have some trouble finding proof of that fact. God is being kicked out of schools, government, and every other part of life. What are the consequences of such a trend?

 There was a time when discipline in the classroom was not only acceptable, but an integral part of growing up. Things have changed, haven't they? Now kids can go through the metal detectors at school knowing they won't ever face any discipline in the classroom. God's attitude toward discipline has never changed. It's an important part of the life of the believer.

We've just begun a new series in Proverbs, so turn there in the Old Testament and join us. Today we'll begin a look at chapters three and four, and the rewards we can reap by making Godly wisdom a part of our decision making.

The dangers we face as Christians are everywhere as well, no matter how nice a neighborhood we live in. How do we combat satan's attacks, and ultimately triumph? We are studying Proverbs chapter two.

A closer walk with God is a worthy goal, but it can only be accomplished if we pursue it passionately. If you really want something badly in life, whether it's a blouse, a house or even a spouse, you'll have a passion to obtain it that drives you toward success. That's exactly what Lloyd is talking about in this study - a passionate pursuit after God.

Today on Bridging the Gap we'll put aside irrational fears and concentrate of a fear we'll all have if we're wise - a fear of God. As Lloyd reminded us yesterday, that doesn't mean we should tremble at the thought of God, and live in fear of what awful thing He's going to do to us if we sin.

Everyone has fears in their life. Some of them are more rational than others. The most rational fear any of us can have is a fear of God. Afraid of God? What's that all about? Well, fear of God as defined by God's word is a very healthy thing. We're going to see exactly what it means today as we again return to the book of Proverbs.

John Rockefeller was once asked how much money was enough, and his reply was "just a little bit more". Living well really doesn't have anything to do with material wealth, as we'll see today. It has more to do with living a life pleasing to God. That's where wisdom comes into the picture.

Today we begin a new series in the Proverbs. The theme throughout this book is wisdom. Now the word wisdom has a very specific definition in this book - It's really an extended series of tests you can apply to your life to see if you're really living by God's standard of wisdom.

The new year seems to be an appropriate time to set new goals and take an honest look at our relationship with God. Have you done that? Pastor Lloyd will lay some pretty specific groundwork for a fresh start with Jesus Christ today, as we again look at Romans thirteen.

Today we are going to bring you a special message from pastor Lloyd for the new year, and to say this message will challenge you, is a huge understatement. Lloyd is basing today's message on Romans chapter thirteen, verses eleven through fourteen. These four verses display Paul's ministry perfectly.

Today we'll wrap up Lloyd's series on sharing the gospel, titled "Eternal Influence".  As we bring you the final message in this series, let me remind you that there is a great opportunity to share right now, with our country and the world in complete turmoil.

You and I never know when an opportunity will come up to share the good news of salvation through Christ, so, as the Boy Scouts say, we should "be prepared". But we also need to approach those opportunities with the right attitude and tone. Our country is in desperate need of a change of heart, and the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ is what can make that change. That's what today's message is all about - sharing the gospel the right and effective way. 

With our country in upheaval, there's never been a time when the good news of salvation through Christ has been more needed. And I know you have loved ones who are unsaved. How do we reach these people without offending them or alienating them? John chapter four will be our focus. 

Today, pastor Lloyd will put the finishing touches on on our Christmas series by taking us to John's gospel for a message titled "The Light of the World". This world is certainly in need of a some light, wouldn't you agree? Jesus came to the earth to provide that light and to show us the way to heaven - by dying on a cross for our sins. 

Today we continue pastor Lloyd's series for the Christmas season. We''ll be looking at the reason Jesus came to the earth today - to shine the light of righteousness and salvation, in a dark and troubled world. Scientists will tell you that even as advanced as science knowledge is, we still don't know all that much about light.  Lloyd will tell us about the greatest light - and the brightest - God's light!

 Even atheists know the story of the manger, Joseph and Mary, and all the rest. But  instead of embracing the miracle of the birth of our savior, many people choose today to simply pass it off as a myth. Today our special Christmas series continues as pastor Lloyd takes us back to that cold night over two thousand years ago. Join us in Luke chapters one and two.

Today we'll consider the most significant birth in the history of man. Over two thousand years ago, a baby was born into the world under the most inauspicious of circumstances. But the life He led and the reason He came to the earth make this event truly life-changing.

Today we present pastor Lloyd's final study in Acts.  If you've been with us since the beginning, you've witnessed some incredible things!  You may recall that the Lord promised Paul that He'd be in Rome one day, and today is that day.  Our final study is in the final chapter of this amazing account, written by Doctor Luke. Join us in Acts twenty-eight.