Christian Sermons from Calvary Chapel Greenmeadow, North Kingstown, RI

Good praise music can be a way to prepare our hearts to come before the face of God. But for praise to be meaningful, it must be based on God's truth, just as Zechariah's song was. Truth must be the focus of our worship, words, and witness.

The desire of God's heart was to have children with whom He could have fellowship. For this to be possible, Jesus came into the world as a human baby, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and became a savior. He is also coming again as a judge.

In business, relationships, and sexual behavior, we are called to be set apart. When necessary, we must remove ourselves from situations and conversations. Flee, remove temptations, and maintain accountability. God has given us everything we need to live godly lives.

Singing praise, sharing with neighbors, worshiping with reverence and awe, and bearing the faults of others are just some of the ways we can please God. It is giving ourselves completely to Him that He desires, and He will equip us to do so.

IN all things, make it a habit to give thanks. We are not entitled to anything, and when we are ungrateful, God's heart is saddened. Being thankful sweetens us, but being critical makes us a clanging cymbal.

How should we bless others? Saying, "God bless you" put's God's name upon that person and God will bless them (Num 6). But fellowship with other believers is another form of blessing. Pray that God in His strength would cause our love to overflow.

As Christians, part of our concern for others needs to be concern for their spiritual walk. It is God who strengthens us and we need to call on Him to help us stand firm and to pray for one another that the enemy would not "sift us as wheat."

All saved souls attain five things: new life, deliverance from bad behavior, maturity in Christ, a covering for sin, and a new purpose. Once you have been saved, the only proper response is to go and tell your friends.

Three things common to all Christians are that we need help and encouragement in our faith, we face trials, and we are in battle. The enemy wants us to trust in ourselves, but God is faithful and will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.

Face-to-face fellowship is very important, but Satan wants to keep us from gathering together, from growing, and from learning. We can take heart in knowing that Satan does not win in the end, even as we spend time with other Christians in the present.

Christians are supposed to be previews of heaven. God sends us like an envelope in which He has placed His message. Sharing the gospel is simply telling others what you know and sharing that hopeful message.

Christian suffering and persecution are realities today. We should be aware of the plight of God's people throughout the world and pray for both them and their tormentors. The price of following Jesus is high--even your very life.

Pastor Chuck Smith exemplified the good and faithful servant. He was a risk taker with men who "simply taught the Word simply." We are reminded that if we ant to hear, "Well Done" we must first do something!

Know it, believe it, and obey it. We must understand how powerful the word of God is. It changes the lives of even of the most hardened criminals and it is able to help us in our times of greatest need. By loving the author, we can love the Word.

We cannot believe what we do not know. Nor can we live any higher than our beliefs. It is important then to hear the word, receive it by taking it into our spirit, and accept it as the word of God.

As we go about the business of doing the work God has called us to do, let us remember to show love to others (like Mom) and to encourage, comfort and urge them in their present situation (like Dad).

The temptation is to not say anything to anyone about our faith, so why should we? The apostle Paul dared to tell the truth of Jesus despite strong opposition. We should also share the Gospel because God has commanded us and it pleases Him.

Is anything more important to you than God? Success? Money? Beauty? If so, that thing is an idol. Christians often serve the created things rather than the creator. We must turn from idols, serve God, and wait for His Son.

It was obvious to Paul that God was doing a work in the lives of the Thessalonians. They had turned from idols to the true God, Jesus. We should be yearning for God to be working in our lives as we continuously turn back to Him.

We love Him only because He first loved us. God is sovereign and He has chosen whom He will save and yet He holds us responsible for our decision to accept or reject Him. The best way to know if you are chosen is to choose Christ.

Our faith in Jesus should bring about good work as we labor in love and are able to endure through the hope we have in His return. Be available to those God puts in your path and work hard at what He gives you to do.

A church was established in Thessalonica in a very short time due to the obedience of Paul, Silas and Timothy. Like the three of them, we as members of the church family are to strengthen one another to the work.

God is faithful and will see to it that He does everything He has promised to do. He is not finished with Israel or with us. Yet we cannot wait to make a decision for Jesus. There will be a time after which it is too late.

Joel prophesied that God would pour our His spirit in the Last Days. The Holy Spirit is a person, not a power, and he has come to personally live within each of us as believers for the purpose of bringing glory to Jesus Christ.

In this chapter, Joel gives answers to the when, what, how, and why questions relating to his message of repentance. Now is the time to return to Him with weeping and mourning for the Lord does not despise a pure and contrite heart!