Feed My Sheep

Suffering is the gift no one wants, but that everyone needs. One of the main ways we grow in our faith and build loving relationships is through affliction. In this week's lesson we learn... How suffering helps us minister to others One of the ways we build loving relationships is by a shared experience in suffering How God redeems our suffering for his good purposes The kind of trials we face where comfort is needed What's the difference between a trial and temptation? An encouraging reminder that for the believer, all suffering is temporary! Thanks for listening. This is week six in an 11-week introduction to biblical counseling called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." To order a Study Guide please click here. 

In ancient times, lepers were social outcasts and a threat to public health. But on one occasion, a leper broke etiquette and walked straight toward Jesus. Even more surprising, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. Last Sunday, in our Bible Study Community, we looked at this remarkable story in Mark 1:35-45. In this passage, we learned... How Jesus balanced a busy ministry life with private devotion to his Father What was Jesus' top priority in ministry? A bit of background on leprosy A spiritual lesson how Jesus can cleanse each one of us The reason Jesus' warned, "say nothing to anyone!" Thanks for listening. This lesson is part of our weekly median adults Bible Study Community. Our class is aimed at those in their 30s-50s, but all are welcome to stop by the Fellowship Hall at 9am on Sundays at Immanuel Baptist.

Whether it's sharing the gospel, counseling a friend, or rebuking a loved one, before we can speak truth, we must establish a loving relationship. In this lesson, we discuss... How discipleship is like gardening What are the features of the "ideal growing environment"? Find out who Paul called "one of a kind, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare" The first step to a relationship with God The difference between justification and sanctification Thanks for listening. This is week five in an 11-week counseling training class called "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you found this talk helpful, please consider subscribing to the podcast.

Every relationship has some kind of introduction. Mark is a great place to start if you want to know more about Jesus. In this lesson, we learn... Why we all should study Mark's Gospel What makes Mark different from the other gospels What does it mean that Jesus is the "Christ"? How baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place in the life of a believer Thanks for listening. This is our opening study from our Sunday morning Bible Study Community on The Gospel of Mark. If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to join us Sundays at 9am in the IBC Fellowship Hall.

How can God use you to help others? In this study, we learn... How Jesus is the "Great Physician" What it means that he is "Wonderful Counselor" Our role as ambassadors of Christ Four aspects of all personal ministry: love > know > speak > do Thanks for listening. This is week four in our 11-week counseling series, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." Tonight's lesson was a bit shorter, as we spent most of our time in table group discussion, then watched the training video. For a closer look at the concepts of being ambassadors of Christ, see Lesson Four in the Study Guide.

Have you ever hit "rock bottom" before God got finally got your attention? The nation of Judah did. In this study, we learn... That it's OK to cry... and that many godly people have The dazzling symmetry and poetry of Lamentations How moments of shame can lead to repentance and renewal Where Jeremiah drew hope in the midst of affliction Thanks for listening. If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to our Immanuel Baptist median adults Bible study on Sundays at 9am in the Fellowship Hall.

Not a day goes by we don't experience some kind of conflict. What causes all these fights and quarrels? James 4 gives the answer. In this lesson, we learn... The heart is more than just the place for feelings and emotions Key passages that teach behavior stems from the heart How our "passions" war within our members to create conflict Some practical examples of how wants can morph into needs and expectations What do we do if someone else doesn't meet our needs? Should we sympathize with those who experience disappointment? The ongoing battle between the flesh and the spirit Thanks for listening. This is week three in our 11-week study on biblical counseling called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." Next week, we will focus in how Jesus is our wonderful counselor.

"Follow your heart," Cinderella sings. "Trust your feelings" Master Obi Wan says. In the real world, is this actually good advice? In our study of Jesus' sermon in Luke 6:43-46, we learn... The connection between behavior and the heart Examples of bad fruit vs. good fruit related to our speech Why behavioral modification is not enough Jesus' evaluation of the human heart How idols can pop up in the heart Some practical ways to detect what's going on in the heart Thanks for listening. This is week 2 in an 11-week biblical counseling intro called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you live in the Highland area, you're welcome to join us Wednesday Nights at 6pm.

For many years, Babylon had been the hammer in God's hands, smashing other nations and carrying out judgment for their wickedness. Now the time had come for Babylon itself to experience God's judgment. In this lesson, we learn... A quick overview of the final chapters of Jeremiah How Jeremiah connects to other events happening in the ancient world Who is the "nation from the north"? How to respond when wicked people get caught and punished Why Christians should thank God for his wrath What Babylon refers to in the Book of Revelation God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, and what this means for us today Thanks for listening. This lesson was taught at the median adults Bible Study Community at Immanuel Baptist Church. We meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the Fellowship Hall and are using Lifeway's "Explore the Bible" curriculum. We'd love to have you join us!

Have you ever asked God for direction, only to be unhappy with the answer he gave you? In this lesson I share... Our goal for this new Bible Study Community A quick fly-over of Jewish history How to figure out the quirky order of the Book of Jeremiah God's surprising advice to the nation of Israel Why we don't need to be afraid, even when the odds seem overwhelming The danger of asking God for advice, then doing the very opposite of what he says Thanks for listening! This is our first week in a brand new Sunday morning Bible Study Community using Lifeway's "Explore the Bible" material. I will try to continue recording these lessons each week and posting them for those who miss the class or want to follow along with us from a distance. Next week's lesson will be on Jeremiah 50.

Everyone needs help. In fact, we were created by God with an intrinsic need for guidance and accountability. We need someone to help us understand life, to know how to act, and to interpret our circumstances properly. This brand new class will teach us how to face everyday problems like anger, worry, grief, lust, abuse, and addiction as we pursue a vibrant relationship with Christ. In our first lesson, I share... My goal for this course A fly-over of what we'll cover in the next eleven weeks Why you can't properly handle your situations without outside help Lessons from Israel's "rebellion" How God can use you to help others Thanks for listening! This is week one in an 11-week series called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to join us at IBC in person Wednesday nights at 6pm.

Wayne Grudem says, "Out of all the creatures God made, only one creature, man, is said to be made 'in the image of God.'" What does it mean to be made in God's image? What sets us apart from the animals and the rest of God's creation? In this lecture, we discuss: The nature of Genesis as history The many facets of being made in God's image This doctrine does not teach God has a physical form Some helpful illustrations of the image of God How Adam was actually the first scientist A surprising hierarchy of authority found in our universe Thanks for listening. This is week six in a 9-week study called, "Is Genesis History?" For more information about Immanuel Baptist Church, please visit our website. For more info and a link to the full length documentary, "Is Genesis History?" please click here.

The opening chapters of Genesis lay the foundation for basic Christian doctrines like God, man, sin, and judgment. In this week's lesson, we saw evidence for a world not millions of years old, but only several thousand years old. Hard to believe? Join us as we look together at... Six key doctrines spelled out in Genesis 1-11 How the universe is distinct from, yet dependent on God That creation, like all other teachings about God, is something we accept by faith What God was doing on each day of creation An alternative view that treats Genesis 1-11 as "proto-history," and why this is a problem Why it's hard for us to imagine a place like paradise Thanks for listening. This is week five in a nine-week study on Genesis. For a complete list of Bible studies and sermons I have taught, please visit the "Teaching" page on my blog. For more info on the full length documentary, "Is Genesis History?" click here.

With the waving of palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna," Jesus entered  Jerusalem and presented himself as king. In this look at Mark 11, we learn... The atmosphere on the Sunday before Christ's death How Mark has building the "kingdom" theme throughout his gospel The significance of Jesus riding on a donkey God's promise to David and his royal family What Jesus' kingship means for us in the 21st century Thanks for listening! For a complete list of Bible study series and sermon topics I have led, please visit the "teaching" page on my blog here.

"O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all" (Psalm 104:24 NLT). The Book of Genesis lays out a historical account of God's creation, followed by a worldwide catastrophic event (the Flood). In this series, we are learning how science actually confirms this biblical record. Tonight, we share... A review of week one material A contrast in two methods of viewing history There's a water cycle, but did you know there's also a rock cycle? Key doctrines found in the early chapters of Genesis The meaning of apologetics, and where it fits in our evangelism A wonderful psalm for meditating on God's creation Why the earth is actually much younger than you might think Do you have to believe in a young earth in order to be saved? Thanks for listening to week two of our study, "Is Genesis History?" For more information about Immanuel Baptist Church, please visit our website. For more info and viewing options for the full length documentary, "Is Genesis History?" click here.

The Book of Genesis teaches that God created the world in six days. How then do we respond to scientists, textbooks, and museums that tell us the universe is billions of years old? Today we begin a new study looking at both biblical and scientific evidence for a young earth, the importance of Noah’s flood, and how to talk with those who still favor evolution. In this opening talk, we... Look together at the opening verses of Genesis Consider an important prophecy about the last days in 2 Peter 3 Discuss the purpose and format of this class See how even godly Christians differ on the topic Share an overview of geology that will provide a framework After these opening comments, we watched the first 30 minutes of Is Genesis History? produced by Compass video and hosted by Del Tackett. You can watch this video on major streaming services or purchase on DVD or download. It is an excellent documentary on scientific evidence that supports the biblical record of history. Highly recommended for every Christian.

One of the most well-known chapters in the Bible, Psalm 23 provides a beautiful picture of God's loving protection and faithful leadership. Has 2023 got you excited? Maybe a little nervous? Join us as we learn... How God provides for all our needs Ways God restores our soul Hope in times of deep darkness Delighting in God's goodness even when surrounded by enemies Thoughts on the overflowing mercy of God Thanks for listening. For more information about Immanuel Baptist Church, please visit www.ibchighland.org

God has a lot to say about fear, worry, and anxiety. It's as though he knew this would be a common problem! In the final week of our Anxiety class, I summarized what I consider to be some of the key Bible verses on the subject. These will help us battle temptation and equip ourselves against the schemes of the enemy. In this episode, we... Answer some great questions from the class Review key passages on the topic of anxiety Share a few other favorite verses I've used over the years to fight worry Talk about practical ways to apply these lessons Provide a list of books for further study Thanks for listening! This is part 8 of 8 in our "Anxious for Nothing" Bible Study, a series that will help you trust God and overcome worry and anxiety.

Have you ever been around someone who always seemed to be complaining? We can usually spot it in others, but may not be aware of it in our own lives. This week, we learn how to detect and fight back against this sin. Join us as we learn... How we convince ourselves a little complaining is OK The relationship of complaining to anxiety to failing to trust God Are we ever allowed to be frustrated or dissatisfied with our current circumstances? How Israel provides a "negative" case study in complaining A classic Puritan book about contentment 11 Practical Ways to Break the Bad Habit of Complaining Thanks for listening. This is part 7 in an 8 week series on battling fear, worry, and anxiety. We hope this series is helping you think about anxiety from a biblical perspective and to grow in your faith!

As much as we'd love the church to be a perfect place, we realize it is still a work in progress. It's more like a hospital for the hurting than a resort for the righteous. In this episode, we learn how to handle problem people and to show them the love of Christ. Highlights include... Three types of people you will interact with, and a strategy for each Why God wants the church to be skilled at biblical counseling How to get control of your temper and cultivate patience What to do when someone has hurt you The secret of peace in every circumstance Thanks for listening. This is part 6 of 8 in our "Anxious for Nothing" Bible Study, a series that will help you trust God and overcome worry and anxiety.