The Tabernacle

God will not compete with our idols, and idols can never compete with God. Our only hope is to forsake our idols for the one true God, by worshiping and serving Jesus, the one true hero.

This weekend we are reminded that the faith that God blesses is whole-hearted and courageous. God fights for us, will we fight for God?

This story illustrates how God repays sin, evil and wickedness. Our 21st century sensibilities are shocked at what’s done to the Canaanite King, but surprisingly Adoni-Bezek is not. The evil King understands that God has repaid his sin and that he deserves the judgment. This tension between God always repaying sin and evil, and the fact that he fights for sinful people - is relieved by God’s love, grace and faithfulness. It also points to the Gospel and Jesus, who fought for sinful people all the way to the cross. Those that who aren’t God’s people through Christ will be repaid.

In the series text (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) there is a reference to the domino process by which we see people come to Christ. We see God using multiple people to draw the lost to Jesus. It is vital to the mission of the church and to our personal discipleship journey that we serve as dominos.

The Tabernacle is a grace church. We love to say that we are “cracked pots”, because we hold the treasure of God’s grace in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). Scripture reminds us that our imperfection actually accentuates God’s perfection, and the free gift of grace has dramatic implications for how we should live our lives in connection with Jesus’ church.

Our church focuses on the Big Rocks of the faith that unite, and not the minor points of doctrine that divide. These so-called Big Rocks are clearly outlined in Scripture which is our guide. Scripture also tells us that Jesus is of "first importance". Jesus is the biggest rock, the cornerstone of the faith. Therefore, it is important for us to know Jesus and get connected with Jesus.

Fools has been all about looking at the things in our lives that we use for building: beliefs, sexual desires, demeanor, our mouths, and emotions. We close by looking at the words Jesus uses to close his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew and how they are the call to action.

James 1 tells Christians to be slow to anger, because human anger doesn't produce God's righteousness. Proverbs describes human anger as foolish because it is "quick-tempered, hot-tempered, or when it's vented." But Scripture does not call anger itself a sin. We need to understand anger, know how it goes wrong, and how to redeem it.

Fools get in trouble with their mouths. Proverbs 18 teaches that fools talk too much, start quarrels with words, start rumors, and spout off without listening. It also says that the tongue has the power to bring life or death. We are called to be wise with our mouths. We will always struggle with taming our tongues. Be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Scripture tells us that the ultimate fool is a person who is unteachable. Unteachable in this sense is not because of lack of aptitude or intelligence, but a person who is "wise in his own eyes." Being unteachable comes from pride, the root of all sin, and false view of themselves. Christians are called to be humble and teachable and seek Jesus instead.

Sexual sin is rampant in and out of the church, and is killing our culture and many in the church. The one who created sex has the right to set the boundaries, and the Bible is clear about the guidelines.

In this series, we explore the difference between wise living as instructed by God, and foolish living which is the way of the World. We can either live our lives in wise response to God, the Gospel, and His Word, or to live according to our flesh and selfish nature.

The story of Elisha surrounded by enemy armies is instructive. His servant was struck by fear until God allowed his eyes to be opened and he say angel armies, with chariots of fire surrounding them. When we fear rejection, by man, the world, culture or God himself we risk becoming something God did not intend. But when we raise our gaze and believe what God says about us - our eyes are opened and we are not longer ruled by the fear of rejection from God or anyone else.

The fear of being alone can wreak havoc in a life. Besides painful feelings of loneliness and disconnection, the fear can also drive us into bad relationships, destructive behaviors, or wearing a mask of inauthenticity for fear of rejection. Jesus promised to be with us to the very end of the age, and God gave us the church where we can find communion not only with Christ, but also with one another. With God in Christ, you're never alone.

The fear of failure holds people back from stepping out in obedience to God. God’s ways are not our ways and when He calls or commands us to do something, the fear of personal failure can keep us from experiencing His best purpose in and through us. We are called to be brave and trust God and not our fear.

We have free will to choose. When we choose sin we are choosing to be in control. We fear loss of control because we don't know the potential outcome. When we choose to let God be in control, we allow Him to work and lead our lives.

Most of us can relate to the fear of not having enough. the Bible teaches us to be brave and not be ruled by fear. Being brave is a choice. This message uses the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarapheth to illustrate how God blesses brave obedience.

The Bible teaches that every believer has been given at least one spiritual gift. These gifts are God-given abilities, super-powers if you will, to help the church. They are meant to be used in humility to serve others and glorify God. All of us need to find our gift and give that gift away.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is as great a gift to us as the gift of Jesus. The Spirit has many functions, roles, and activities. In this message, we look at what the Spirit does generally to the world, particularly in the Church, and specifically in the Believer.

Many Christians and churches balk at talking about the Spirit because of the divine mystery that is the Trinity which is hard to comprehend. It is also because so much false teaching has gotten in the way. This message will unpack several key Bible passages on the receiving and filling of the Spirit.