Sermons Christ Community Church: Daytona Beach, FL

Who has received Spiritual Gifts? What do we do with the spiritual gifts we have received? How do we use our spiritual gifts?

In this Psalm, Psalm 63 David is talking about a relationship with God that is as satisfying to his soul as the richest foods could ever be to the body. Here is a man finding, in His relationship to God, not only a source of strength, but satisfaction that leads to thanksgiving. And it helps him face one of the most difficult experiences in his life.

We consider perhaps the most significant theme in the entire collection of Psalms— it’s the theme of praise. Praise is the proper response to the glorious goodness and beauty of God, and the psalms help us to believe that our God is worthy of our worship, no matter what.

The Bible tells us that what water is to the body, God Himself is to the soul. That means that for all the things you might wish for and think you need. Your greatest need is for God himself.

In the Bible, what water is to the body, God is to the soul. That means that of all the things we might wish for and think we need, our greatest need is God himself.

The Psalms offer ancient inspired prayers for orienting us to God in the day to day. Psalm 96 is a missionary call to everyone across the earth. Come, exult in the Lord who invites you into his presence!

The book of Psalms is famous for the way it speaks about two things: trouble and Thanksgiving - the pain of life and the praise of God. The Psalms invite us to come to God and pour out our hearts in the midst of all kinds of struggles. Yet it is also in Psalms that you are called to heartfelt thankfulness to God.

When Jesus says “*I* am the good shepherd” (not once but twice in John chapter 10) he is identifying Himself with Almighty God. Which is why, as soon as he says this, the religious authorities immediately try to stone him for blasphemy. So could it be true? *Is* Jesus the one spoken about in Psalm 23, and if so, what does that mean for us?

God can be our light and our salvation. If we seek God’s face, we will experience his grace.

The important thing is: are you investing what you DO have? The knowledge you've been given, the time, the money, the energy. Yes, we absolutely should be ambitious for the Lord, we should want to take great risks on his behalf, but don’t break yourself on the wheel of what he hasn’t given you.

Persevering in prayer is fueled by God’s secure promises.

These parables Jesus tells are first and foremost about the kingdom of HEAVEN. And he has been saying, the kingdom of heaven has arrived. It’s here now. And Jesus says, you can enter it. All of you. Anyone who comes to Him can enter it freely because of Him, and what He's done.

So, what is the spiritual meaning of what he is asking here about a lamp? He is making it clear that Jesus did not come to hide his identity. And what does light do? It illuminates, it reveals, it exposes and Jesus has come to do the same, to illuminate truth, to reveal himself, and to shine his light into the darkness.

This morning we come to a parable that is only one sentence, only 28 words in our English translations. But although the parable is tiny, it packs an enormous punch. Which is exactly what the parable is about. It’s about how an invisible thing can change the world.

It's about whether or not the blessings we enjoy bring about the fruit that God seeks.

Let’s consider three questions from this passage. Firstly, how often should you forgive? Second, how much have YOU been forgiven? Third, how is it possible to forgive?

One of the ways we remember the gospel is in our prayers. We can appropriate the truths of the gospel as we cry out to the Lord for help and hope. Doing so helps us set our minds on what is true. It reshapes our emotions. And it draws us closer to the Lord as we respond in joy and Thanksgiving for all that he has done and will do.

The only way to live wisely in this life is to shrewdly use whatever we have now in light of the brevity of earthly life and the reality of eternity.

But if you put your faith in CHRIST… your faith won’t be shaken. Because even if you die, or your loved one dies, that doesn’t change the fact that Christ is Lord, it doesn’t change the fact that he was resurrected from death, and it doesn’t change the fact that he will raise you from death, and this entire world from death, when he comes.

And as Mark continues, it’s as if he’s saying to us, ok you think these people are slow to get who Jesus is, what about you? Do you get it yet? If YOU had been there, at the cross, would YOU have recognized who Jesus is, and what he’s achieving there?

God does not want us to substitute outward actions for a heart-deep relationship with him.

Firstly, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (Vv25-28) Secondly, who is my neighbor? (Vv29-37) And thirdly, where am I in this parable? (Who am I supposed to identify with, or imitate?)