Scottsdale Bible Church » The Actions of God’s People

Humility

admin — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:00:35 +0000

Humility is clearly a Christian trait. Jesus talked a lot about it – and more importantly, He lived it. And He has commanded His followers to be humble as well. But what precisely is humility? And what does it look like? It’s interesting: Peter never gives us a working definition of humility, but he does use the word with some consistency (4 times in the latter half of his letter) and he does spend some time describing it to us. This message will explore Peter’s perspective on humility and the descriptors he gives of it. More importantly, we will be encouraged and challenged to go out and LIVE IT, just like our Savior, Jesus, did.

What in the World is an Elder?

admin — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:00:34 +0000

Though we don’t always realize it, we as Christians use words and phrases that the rest of culture doesn’t necessarily understand. “Saved;” “the blood;” “justification;” “sanctification;” and “glory” are just a few. And close to the top of this list is the word “elder.” Though culture uses this term (sparingly) to refer to someone who is “older” and “wiser,” the Bible means so much more by it. In fact, by many people’s understanding of the Bible, “elder” is the highest leadership office one can hold in the Church. So what does an elder do? Why do we have them? How is all this to work? This message will explore many of the ins and outs of the world of an “elder” – and also introduce are specific elders to the congregation of Scottsdale Bible.

Finding Joy in Pain

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:00:27 +0000

Someone once said that the only guarantees in life are “death and taxes.” That’s not quite true. Another guarantee in our fallen world is PAIN. And for the follower of Jesus, it’s doubly true. As we follow Jesus in this fallen world of ours we will confront numerous trials and heart-aches – numerous things that will bring us pain. Persecution, ridicule, death/loss, fear, unfortunate circumstances (like the economy struggling!), attacks from the evil one, doubt – the list is endless to what can bring pain to our lives. But pain doesn’t have to rob us of what God has for us. Pain doesn’t have to steal our joy or mess with our purpose. This message will explore the Bible’s recipe for pain. With an emphasis on an honest and realistic appraisal of the pain we all confront in this world, we will then take a look at a couple of things 1 Peter outlines for truly finding JOY in our pain.

You Don’t Have to Do That!

admin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:00:52 +0000

Sin always seems to get the best of us. It doesn’t matter who you are or how long you have been a Christian, like the proverbial “Jack-in-the-box,” sin always seems to pop up (and seemingly just when you’ve pushed another one down). So whether it’s impatience, jealousy, lack of forgiveness, anger, lust, over-eating, etc. – everyone seems to be battling against something at any given time in their lives. And, as a result, we feel stuck. Peter knows about sin. He battled presumptuousness, pride, anger, fear, lack of faith, betrayal – and these are simply the one’s the Bible tells us about. But Peter also experienced much victory. He truly changed over the course of his life. So when he tells us HOW not to sin, we should listen. This message explores and takes to heart the words of Peter when it comes to battling our personal sin. Maybe some, if not many, of us can finally hear: “you don’t have to do that!”

Jesus, Noah and Baptism? I Don’t Get it!

admin — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:00:22 +0000

Peter writes in his second letter that there are some things that the Apostle Paul writes that are “hard to understand.” I wonder if Paul thought, “Well, that’s the pot calling the kettle black!” In 1 Peter 3:18-22 Peter lays out some of the most contentious and difficult theology the world has ever seen. He talks about Jesus preaching to “spirits” in “prison” since the days of Noah. He talks about the ark and flood, and how this “corresponds” to baptism, which now “saves you.” It’s theology that is certainly not for the faint-hearted. This message will not only help us understand what Peter is laying out, but also get behind what Peter is trying to motivate us toward. We won’t just “understand” what Peter is getting at – but we will also get fired up about (and live out) the things he wants us to know.

Doing Good When Nobody Cares

admin — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:00:51 +0000

It is no secret that God has called His followers to do good. This is clear. And by “good” God means that we should have a moral compass based on the Bible in which our actions follow suit. When Christ-followers do this, God promises to bless us (i.e. give us joy). But what happens when the world does not stand up and applaud? What happens when our good lives don’t illicit the favorable responses we hope from those around us? And what happens when others even get threatened and even antagonistic to our “set apart” and holy lives? This message will explore how followers of Jesus can truly “do good” in their lives – and stay doing good when the times get tough.

Husbands Honoring Wives

admin — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:30:40 +0000

One of the most contentious issues within evangelicalism has got to be the whole issue of how the Bible views and portrays women and wives. Especially in our day and age most people are, at the very least, confused about what the Bible says or, at the very most, antagonistic. But this doesn’t have to be this way, for the Bible is actually both realistic and uplifting in what it says about women and wives. This message will explore Peter’s command to husbands – and in so doing also explore what Peter says about women and wives. Husbands will feel deeply challenged and wives will feel very uplifted and encouraged.

God’s Wisdom for Wives

admin — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 08:00:06 +0000

A scriptural look at God’s wisdom for wives.