Are you single and searching for Mister or Misses Right? After deciding for Christ, who you choose to marry is the most significant choice of your life. What should you look for? How do you know if the person you are dating is the right one for you? What are the red flags that warn of a stormy marriage? In this message we learn The Questions of Compatibility. They are the questions we need to ask before any relationship becomes serious.

Single and Searching - How to Find Mister or Misses Right - Audio - MP3
Single and Searching - How to Find Mister or Misses Right - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Single and Searching - How to Find Mister or Misses Right - Manuscript - PDF
Single and Searching - How to Find Mister or Misses Right - Sermon Handout - PDF

TopicsDating, Sex, Relationships

Psalm 110 is the most quoted Psalm from the Old Testament in the New. It is also the most quoted chapter from the Old Testament in the New. Psalm 110 vets 1 is quoted 24 times. This Psalm was central to the New Testament writers understand of who Jesus is and what he came to do. Unlike we often consider Jesus, it is not a Psalm about Christ's humility but his authority. It is not primarily about his first coming but about his second, when he will crush, destroy and butcher his enemies. It is the rest of the Christmas story we never hear.

Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 110 - The Rest of the Christmas Story - Audio - MP3
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 110 - The Rest of the Christmas Story - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 110 - The Rest of the Christmas Story - Manuscript - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 110 - The Rest of the Christmas Story - Sermon Handout - PDF

TopicsSalvation, Hell, Christ, Christmas, Prophecy

We are told to invite Jesus into our hearts. The decision to invite Jesus into our hearts sounds like deciding on having cream or sugar in our coffee. It is far too self orientated. According to Psalm 2, Jesus doesn't ask for us to invite him in, he commands us to repent of our sin. We must flee to him as the only shield that can protect us from God's white hot wrath. We are commanded to immediately and unconditionally surrender to Christ's rulership in our life or face Christ's terrifying wrath when he returns.

Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Audio - MP3
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Manuscript - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Sermon Handout - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 2 - Immediate and Unconditional Surrender - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsSin, Repentance, Return of Christ, Wrath of God, Christmas

At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus as a baby in a manger. Is he something more? Muslims claim Jesus is one of Allah's holiest prophets. Jehovah's Witnesses claim Jesus is Michael the Archangel. Mormons tell us Jesus is the elder brother of the fallen angel Lucifer. A Christian Scientist will tell you Jesus is a man who lived out the divine ideal. Who is Jesus? Psalm 45 explains who Jesus is and who we are because of him.

Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 45 - Who is Jesus? - Audio - MP3
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 45 - Who is Jesus? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 45 - Who is Jesus? - Manuscript - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 45 - Who is Jesus? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 45 - Who is Jesus? - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsJesus, Christmas

Jodie Foster, an outspoken atheist, has said, "How could you ask me to believe in God when there's absolutely no evidence that I can see?" Why is it that some people can see no evidence for God in creation while many of us see it so clear? In this message, we discover who we are apart from God's mercy and the supernatural difference God makes in us when he calls us to himself.

Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 14 - God Came to Save Fools - Audio - MP3
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 14 - God Came to Save Fools - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 14 - God Came to Save Fools - Manuscript - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 14 - God Came to Save Fools - Sermon Handout - PDF
Christmas from the Psalms - Psalm 14 - God Came to Save Fools - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsFools, Atheism, Christmas

Were you part of a church where relationships became uncomfortable? You were there to worship Jesus but there was tension between you and others in the congregation? Because we are sinful, we will always wound one another. There is no way to avoid it. What are we to do about it? How do we restore the church to a place of relational health? In our final teaching from James, we find out the secret to making a church last.

James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Audio - MP3
James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Healing Power of Confession and Prayer - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsConfession, Prayer

Do you know someone for whom great prayers of healing were assembled, yet they died? In these verses, it seems as if prayers by the elders for healing should never fail. Is that what James is saying? When our prayers for healing are not answered, shouldn't that cause us to question God, the Bible and our faith? Discover what James is telling us in these perplexing verses on healing.

James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Audio - MP3
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 2 - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsPrayer, healing

Were you ever admitted to the hospital as a patient? Life as a hospital patient can be incredibly embarrassing. It begins with the gown. They were obviously designed by someone who never wore one. While the hospital humbles us, it also makes us realize how fragile life is. It teaches us to turn to our true hope; Jesus our savior and healer. In this message, we discover the role prayer plays in healing and unexpected ways God answers our prayers.

James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Audio - MP3
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Prayer of Faith that Heals - Pt 1 - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsPrayer, healing

When you hit your finger with a hammer, what do you say? When you celebrate because your Iowa Hawk-eyes scored a touch down, what comes out of your mouth? We hear swearing every day. What does God think about it? What role should it play in our life? Is there a time it is acceptable?

James - A Theology of Swearing - Audio - MP3
James - A Theology of Swearing - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - A Theology of Swearing - Manuscript - PDF
James - A Theology of Swearing - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - A Theology of Swearing - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsWords, Swearing, Oaths

Are you going through a trial? If we are not in one, we are sure to experience one. How do you make it through when trials are long and hard? In this text, James tells us where to find hope when we can't imagine a bright future.

James - Patience in Trials - Audio - MP3
James - Patience in Trials - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - Patience in Trials - Manuscript - PDF
James - Patience in Trials - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Patience in Trials - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsTrials, Patience, Return of Christ

Is there anything wrong with the American Dream? Who doesn't to retire in luxury? In this challenging passage, James give us a different way to look at our riches. While it is not wrong to be rich, it is spiritually dangerous. Riches bring a false sense of comfort and identity. Our desire to hoard them rather than use them increases our guilt before God. In strong language, James teaches us how to avoid being destroyed by the wealth we possess.

James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Audio - MP3
James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Manuscript - PDF
James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - What Rich People Need to Hear - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsRiches

In this last message of the third section of James, we learn how pride taints our thinking. We plan our days and our lives with pride, rather than submitting ourselves to God's plans for us. As we refine our skills, we see ourselves as the secret to our success. When it comes to our choices, if nobody will notice, we are quick to cut the corners. Where do these attitudes come from? James tells us these are all subtle ways pride seeps into our think and, unless repented of, shuts of the flow of God's grace into our lives.
CT Studd Poster from sermon - "Only one life will soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last"
James - God of my iPhone - Audio - MP3
James - God of my iPhone - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - God of my iPhone - Manuscript - PDF
James - God of my iPhone - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - God of my iPhone - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsPlanning, Abilities, Skills, Beauty, Sin

Walk through the checkout line at Walmart. The covers of magazines trumpet the dirty laundry of celebrities. Someone is getting divorced. Another was caught drunk at a party. While a newspapers can be sued if they print an untrue story, they are not charged with a crime if they destroy a reputation with the truth. After all, that is considered news. According to James, repeating unhelpful information is a crime, even if it is true. In this message, James helps us see why the reason we repeat unhelpful information about others is because of the pride in our own hearts.

James - Slander - Audio - MP3
James - Slander - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - Slander - Manuscript - PDF
James - Slander - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Slander - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsSlander, Gossip

How much pride is in your life? Most of us picture ourselves as more humble than we really are. For God's grace to be operative in our hearts, James tells us to cultivate humility. What does humility look like? What steps can we take to become more humble? Giving us ten brief commands, James tells us how to develop humility in our life. Best of all, he ends with a promise from God that we can rest in when we travel down that difficult path.

James - The Ten Commandments of James - Audio - MP3
James - The Ten Commandments of James - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Ten Commandments of James - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Ten Commandments of James - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Ten Commandments of James - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Topicshumility

What happens when we fail God, not just once, but again and again. Is there a time when God says enough is enough? Is there a limit to the grace God is willing to extend for the continual sin in our lives? In this message, we discover the depth of God's forgiveness. The one thing that is necessary to receive it and the one thing that can stop it from flowing into our lives.

James - He Gives More Grace - Audio - MP3
James - He Gives More Grace - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - He Gives More Grace - Manuscript - PDF
James - He Gives More Grace - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - He Gives More Grace - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsGrace, Sin, Pride, humility

I have performed a few weddings. I have yet to meet a bride that is not concerned about her wedding day. Some women join a gym to get into shape for their wedding night; others go on a crash diet. When it comes to the atmosphere, ceremony and dress; the bride is involved with everything. She wants that day to be perfect. Truth be told, while a fiancé wants his bride to look her best, one thing that can ruin the wedding more than anything else is a bride's infidelity before her wedding night. Nothing can fan the flames of white hot jealousy more than a two-timing bride. In James 4:4, we discover God can have those same jealous feelings over us. Join me in discovering how we can get God that angry?

James - Spiritual Adultery - Audio - MP3
James - Spiritual Adultery - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - Spiritual Adultery - Manuscript - PDF
James - Spiritual Adultery - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Spiritual Adultery - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsAdultery

You would expect the church to be a place where the peace of Christ reigns in the heart. Unfortunately, that is often far from the truth. The church has become known as a battlefield of wills. What should we do when our church changes in a way we didn't expect? How should we respond when we don't like what our church has become. In this message, James gives us godly wisdom on how to navigate church conflict.

James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Audio - MP3
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Manuscript - PDF
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsChurch Conflict, Church Leadership

James taught us there is something called Fake Faith. It is a counterfeit faith in Jesus that will not save in the end. The way you can tell the difference between saving faith and fake faith is that only saving faith changes our lives. Saving faith doesn't just prompt us to acts of mercy and compassion but it even changes the way we think. It gives us a different set of values, a whole new understanding of what is foolish and what is wise.

James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Audio - MP3
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Manuscript - PDF
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsChurch Conflict, Division, Diotrephes, Jealousy, Selfish Ambition

What is the most destructive part of the body? The fist. The foot. It is the little piece of flesh behind our teeth called the tongue. When we were little we learned that sticks and stones can break our bones but words will never hurt us. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. Our words, like fire, can spread and cause incalculable amounts of damage . In this message, James challenges us to get our mouth under control. If we can get our tongue under control, the rest of our life will fall in line.

James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Audio - MP3
James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Manuscript - PDF
James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Tongue - Weapon of Mass Destruction - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsTongue, Judgment

What does real faith look like? Join us as we learn what real faith looks like in action.

James - The Real Deal - Audio - MP3
James - The Real Deal - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Real Deal - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Real Deal - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Real Deal - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsFaith, Abraham, Rahab

Did you make a commitment to Christ as a child in summer camp? Millions are led to believe their eternity in heaven is secure if they can point to a day when they believed. Is it true that those who are not saved are simply those who haven't believed in Jesus? James disagrees. While we are saved by faith alone, James reminds us, saving faith is never alone. It will always be accompanied by works. There are millions who think their eternity is secure and they are good with God because at one time they placed their faith in Jesus. Unfortunately, they will spend an eternity apart from him because their faith turned out to be fake. What does fake faith look like? What is the crucial difference between faith that saves and faith that doesn't? Join us as we learn the important difference.

James - Fake Faith - Audio - MP3
James - Fake Faith - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Fake Faith - Manuscript - PDF
James - Fake Faith - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Fake Faith - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsFaith, Works, heaven, Hell

Playing favorites is part of life. It is easier to talk to an old friend than to make a new one. If you are young, it is convenient to ignore those who are old. It is always more fun to hang out with someone who is rich than befriend those in financial quicksand. Last week, we learned that partiality is more than just bad manners, it is sin and foolishness. This week, James takes us a step deeper as we learn how favoritism can lead to devastating eternal consequences.

James - The Peril of Partiality - Audio - MP3
James - The Peril of Partiality - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Peril of Partiality - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Peril of Partiality - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Peril of Partiality - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsFavoritism, Judgment, Guilt, Hell, Ten Commandments

We all have our favorite sports team. Some of us are fans of Iowa, others are fans of Iowa State. Playing favorites on the field is one thing but playing favorites in the church is a different matter. In our culture, we celebrate, beauty, wealth and athletic skills. We fawn over the successful and ignore the rest. According to James, favoritism may be part of our culture but it is must not be part of the church. In God's eyes, it is nothing less that sin.

James - The Folly of Favoritism - Audio - MP3
James - The Folly of Favoritism - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Folly of Favoritism - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Folly of Favoritism - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Folly of Favoritism - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsFavoritism, Partiality, Poverty, Riches, Weath, Royal Law

What qualifies someone for heaven? If you have been around Faith Church for a while, the answer should be obvious. It is faith in Jesus Christ, our savior, who died in our place for our sins. In this passage, James throws a Christian curve ball. While we are saved by faith alone, faith is never alone. It always gives evidence of its presence in our lives. What is that evidence? Join us as we discover what real religion looks like.

James - Real Religion - Audio - MP3
James - Real Religion - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Real Religion - Manuscript - PDF
James - Real Religion - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Real Religion - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsTongue, Language, Poverty, Compassion, Purity, Morality

When was the last time you looked in a mirror? For most of us, it wasn't more than a few hours ago. There is another kind of mirror that gives us an even truer picture. It is the mirror of God's Word. Instead of showing us what we look like on the outside, it reveals the truth about what is on our inside. In this message, learn to look good on the outside and inside of your life.

James - Do Something! - Audio - MP3
James - Do Something! - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Do Something! - Manuscript - PDF
James - Do Something! - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Do Something! - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsObedience

What makes you angry? When was the last time you raised your voice? In the trials of life, it is hard to keep our temper under control.. How important is our attitude in a trial? In this message, James gives us honest answers about how we should handle life's difficult moments.

James - Anger in My Trial - Audio - MP3
James - Anger in My Trial - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Anger in My Trial - Manuscript - PDF
James - Anger in My Trial - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Anger in My Trial - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsAnger, Trials

We know to expect trials in our Christian life. But what are we to do when they seem to go on forever? Eventually, we start to doubt God's purposes for us. We doubt God's love for us. Sometimes we even doubt God's existence. In this last message of the James - Trials and Testing mini-series, we learn how to make it through the long and difficult trials Christians face. We learn why God allows us to face deep and dark challenges when he loves us so much.

James - God is Good - Audio - MP3
James - God is Good - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - God is Good - Manuscript - PDF
James - God is Good - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - God is Good - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsTrials, Hope, Endurance

My favorite part of football is the slow motion replay. When you slow things down, you can see the athleticism of the players and disputable calls become clear. James takes the temptations we face, he slows them down to show us how they work, frame by frame, so we can develop a ready defense against them. Do you find yourself giving in to temptation all the time? Are their particular temptations you have lost control over in your life? Join Dr. Trucksess as we learn how to discover a strategy to beat the temptation we face in life.

James - Sin in Slow Motion - Audio - MP3
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Manuscript - PDF
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Sin in Slow Motion - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsTemptation, Sin, Accountability

Billions around the world celebrate Easter. It is a time for ham, the Easter Bunny, egg hunts and the anticipation of spring. There is much more to Easter than these time honored traditions. Often obscured is the real reason for Easter, the resurrection of Jesus! What is the significance of the resurrection? Did it really happen? Does it make a difference for my life? Join Dr. Trucksess as we explore the resurrection at the SAMI Center in Spirit Lake, IA.

Easter - The Resurrection - Manuscript - PDF
Easter - The Resurrection - Sermon Handout - PDF

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TopicsEaster, Resurrection

Whose fault is it anyway? When things don't go the way we expect, we are quick to blame someone or something else for our problems. Unfortunately, when we blame others, we eliminate the possibility of a change. In this message, we learn how the Blame Game is played and how to get out of it. What will it take to end the Blame Game? What will it take to avoid falling to the temptations we face every day? Join Pastor Kurt as we discover answers to these questions.

James - The Blame Game - Audio - MP3
James - The Blame Game - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Blame Game - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Blame Game - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Blame Game - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsBlame Shifting, Temptation, Sin

In these tough economic times, money is harder to come by. Struggling to make the ends meet leads to discouragement. Lack of money is one of the most difficult trials we will face. How are we to get through it? James give us practical words of advice as we face discouragement in our time of financial need.

James - The Trial of Money - Audio - MP3
James - The Trial of Money - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - The Trial of Money - Manuscript - PDF
James - The Trial of Money - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - The Trial of Money - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsMoney, Poverty, Weath, Rewards

Last week, we learned that God always has a purpose in our trials; to bring us to spiritual maturity. Like a good pastor, James knows we need more than just the purpose of our trials to make it through, we need practical help. God promises to give it! Learn how God helps us through our trials to turn them into brighter tomorrows.

James - Get Wisdom! - Audio - MP3
James - Get Wisdom! - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Get Wisdom! - Manuscript - PDF
James - Get Wisdom! - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Get Wisdom! - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsTrials, Doubt, Wisdom

Why is life so hard? I thought God loved us? It feels like life became tougher after I came to Jesus. These are questions that, like ghosts, haunt our minds when life is tough. While the trials of life are never easy, James gives us solid answers about why God allows them to come into our life and how we can grow in them. There is a ray of light even in our darkest moments.

James - There is Joy in My Trial - Audio - MP3
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Manuscript - PDF
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsTrials, Suffering, Discipline, Consequences, Spiritual Maturity

For the last week of this series, I asked a good friend, Dr. Tom Tribelhorn, director of doctoral studies for St. Petersburg Seminary, and author of "My Professor Says the Bible is a Myth" to share with us about the relationship between evidence and the Christian faith. In his message, Dr. Tom shows how Jesus used evidence in the life of Nicodemus to present him with his spiritual need. In addition to his presentation, the congregation generated a list of questions they had about the Christians faith which we used for a church-wide Question & Answer time with the doctor.

Reasons to Believe Your Bible - The Place of Evidence in the Faith Equation - Dr. Tom Tribelhorn - Audio - MP3
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - The Place of Evidence in the Faith Equation - Dr. Tom Tribelhorn - Quicktime - M4A
My Professor Says the Bible is a Myth - Web Site

TopicsEvidence, Archaeology, Nicodemus

Imagine traveling with your family on summer vacation, your GPS mistakenly guided you through a gang infested area of Los Angeles. You hit a pothole, bursting your tire, leaving you stranded in the worst part of town. While examining your tire, six young men emerge from a nearby building and strut their way in your direction. Your adrenaline begins pumping as you try to imagine ways to protect your wife and children. You could be beaten or even killed in the next few moments. How would things change if you knew those young men just left a Bible study? At the end of the day, while there are many logical reasons to believe the Bible, the most powerful reasons is the Bible's ability to change our lives. In this study, we learn how the Bible goes about changing us and learn a practical strategy to let the Bible do its work in our lives.

Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Personal Reasons - Audio - MP3
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Personal Reasons - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Personal Reasons - Manuscript - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Personal Reasons - Sermon Handout - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Personal Reasons - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsBible, Bible Study

Have you read The Da Vinci Code? It is currently the best selling novel of the twenty-first century. While the book is fiction, it claims that descriptions of all artwork, architecture and documents in the book are accurate. Dan Brown, the author, even suggests there were over 80 alternate gospels which were suppressed from the general public by church councils. It is only in recent years they were re-discovered and we can learn the true identity of Jesus. Is this true? While The Da Vinci Code is fiction, how much of it is historical fact? Were many alternate gospels barred from the public by secret church councils? How were the books in our Bible collected together? In this message, we learn the answer. Along the way, we discover a big difference between the Catholics and Protestants on this issue. This message is what you need to separate the facts and fiction in The Da Vinci Code.

Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Providential Reasons - Audio - MP3
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Providential Reasons - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Providential Reasons - Manuscript - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Providential Reasons - Sermon Handout - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Providential Reasons - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsApocrypha, The Da Vinci Code, Bible, Catholicism

The cover story for the July 29, 2002 issue of U.S. News and World Report was titled, "The New Reality of Evolution: Where we came from and where we are going." The article went on to say evolution is no longer considered a theory but it is accepted as a fundamental fact of biology; that science has confirmed virtually all of Darwin's postulates; the only evidence against evolution is the general publics unwillingness to believe it. Is evolution an established scientific fact or is their data proponents of evolution conveniently ignore? This message enters into the creation-evolution debate and shows some of the little known problems with Darwin's theory. Interacting directly with high school biology text books, we discover problems with evolution in the fields of geology, biology and mathematics.

Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Scientific Reasons - Audio - MP3
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Scientific Reasons - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Scientific Reasons - Manuscript - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Scientific Reasons - Sermon Handout - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Scientific Reasons - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsBiology, Mathematics, Geology, Evolution

Which stories in the Bible feel too spectacular to be true? Was Jonah really in the belly of a great fish for three days? Was there a literal world-wide flood that only Noah and his family survived? Did God create a literal Adam and Eve or is that a spiritual story and we actually evolved? Surprisingly, Jesus teaches us how we should understand these and many other Old Testament stories. Join Pastor Kurt as we learn that if we can trust Jesus to be our savior, we can trust Jesus to be our teacher about this book.

Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Christological Reasons - Audio - MP3
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Christological Reasons - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Christological Reasons - Manuscript - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Christological Reasons - Sermon Handout - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Christological Reasons - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsChrist, Old Testament, Inerrancy

Walking through the checkout line at Wal-Mart, you can't help but read them; they are the tabloids. Using bold headlines to catch your eye, they are magazines with predictions about the future. Do any of their claims come true? Statistics tell us the predictions of the tabloids are wrong over 92% of the time, but many keep reading them in hopes they might be right. The Bible also has contains bold prophecies, but its acceptable margin of error is zero. What has the Bible prophesied about the future that took place? What does this prophesy teach us about God, the author of the book? Join Pastor Kurt as we learn Prophetic Reasons We Can Trust The Bible.

Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Prophetic Reasons - Audio - MP3
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Prophetic Reasons - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Prophetic Reasons - Manuscript - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Prophetic Reasons - Sermon Handout - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Prophetic Reasons - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsProphecy, Christ

In Already Gone, a study of American 20 year olds who grew up in the church, Ken Hamm and Britt Beemer reveal the startling truth that church kids are more likely to reject their Bible and develop an anti-church bias than young adults who have no church background whatsoever. What is causing this mass rejection of the faith? One reason is the rapid erosion of confidence in Bible history in our colleges and universities. As young adults are forced to reclassified their Bible history as fantasy because of historical facts, their faith is also reclassified as a farce. Is it true that archeology is proving the Bible is wrong? In this study we learn the facts behind our Old and New Testament Bible history that our young adults need to know. We discover the blatant bias of the academic world against biblical truth. Capturing fresh research, this study reveals earth-shattering new evidence that is turning the archaeological world on its head and why many scholars are now forced to admit the Bible was right all along.

Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Historical Reasons - Audio - MP3
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Historical Reasons - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Historical Reasons - Manuscript - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Historical Reasons - Sermon Handout - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Historical Reasons - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

TopicsQumran, Dead Sea Scrolls, Archaeology

In our postmodern world, consensus is more important than opinion. What most people believe is considered the truth. For centuries the Bible was considered the Word of God by popular opinion. Today, it popular culture believes the Bible is based on fantasy more than factual reality. In this first message of the series, Pastor Kurt examines the logical implications of what the Bible claims for itself and the impossibility of considering the Bible a good book mixed with errors.

Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Logical Reasons - Audio - MP3
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Logical Reasons - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Logical Reasons - Manuscript - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Logical Reasons - Sermon Handout - PDF
Reasons to Believe Your Bible - Logical Reasons - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

The mystery answer in the Small Group Worksheet is: Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke, did not know he was writing Scripture under inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

TopicsBook of Mormon, Evidence, Bible