Text: Matthew 20:20-28

Introduction:

The mother of James and John approached Jesus with an unusual request regarding the position and authority of her two sons.  Christ explained to her that service  is the key to positional greatness.

1. The Request of the Mother (v21-22)

A. In Relation to the Sons– “grant that these my two sons”

B. In Relation to the Sitting– “sit on thy right and left”

2. The Reply of the Master (v23-24)

A. The Insight was Revealed- “it is not mine to give, it is prepared by God the Father”

B. The …

Regal Books has recently marketed a series of “never before published” books by A.W. Tozer.  These collective works have been compiled by James L. Synder.  Although this material was never organized in book form by Tozer, it does appeal to those of us who can’t get enough of his writings.

In the book, The Dangers of a Shallow Faith, you have the classic prophetic tone that is typical of Tozer’s style.  Tozer had a way of removing all the fluff of religious rhetoric.  He was able to get down to the core of our indifference and apathy.  He never …

Text: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Introduction:

Many criticized the apostle Paul, and Paul invited those to examine his life and evaluate his motives.  As a good steward he lived unto God and not unto men; therefore he lived with a clean conscience.

I. The Accountability of Paul the Steward (v1-2)

A. A Steward Holds a Ministry–

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ”

B. A Steward Heralds a Mystery–

“…and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

C. A Steward Has a Mandate–

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man …

1. What Do You Do?

The old joke says the pastor only works an hour and a half each  week: thirty minutes on Sunday morning, thirty minutes on Sunday night, and thirty minutes on Wednesday.  Though most people realize that is not true, they may wonder what the pastor does on a daily basis.  My grandfather used to tell me that “preaching is the easy part” of ministry; I didn’t understand the magnitude of that statement until I became a pastor.

The responsibilities of the man of God are many: reading, writing, studying, counseling, visitation, evangelism, preaching appointments, organizing, planning, …

Kyle Idleman believes all of the issues we face in our spiritual development can be traced back to one word: idolatry.  In gods at war, he details the various gods that compete for the affection of our hearts.  As he states in his book, “Idolatry isn’t just one of many sins; rather it is the one great sin from which all others come.”

Idleman’s assessment rings true with Scripture;  the first commandment “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” is the foundational truth from which the Mosaic Law is established.  As a matter of fact, the entire law, …