PASTOR ALAN LATTA

In this conclusion to our Journey Through John's Gospel, the truth is declared from Chapter 21 concerning our calling to follow Jesus Christ, while dealing with anything that would distract us from doing so.

Be encouraged by John's passion in this beginning of his first letter. Written to believers, he starts out by declaring his close relationship to Christ and begins to share important things that are vital to our having full joy.

Learn the importance of being a disciple, empowered by the Holy Spirit, willing to continue Christ's ministry by doing outreaches and living as team-players, as well doing our part in sending others out, along with important resources, in answer to the prayer request of Jesus for more laborers in His harvest fields.

May the Lord use these nuggets of truth - relating to His resurrection - to strengthen your faith in Him.

While Jesus has "finished" His redemptive work for us on His cross, now He is continuing His works by bringing others into the full benefits of that redemption, through His redeemed people, according to His statement, "...as the Father has sent Me, so send I you..."

While suffering for our salvation, Jesus was given distasteful vinegar on a nasty sponge at the end of a stick, after which He said, "It is finished" and died. Having experienced humanity's wickedness and sin's cruelty at its worst, up to the very end of His innocent life, our redemption was purchased and our ransom fully paid.

Be encouraged by the truths of the Gospel concerning how Jesus Christ was the perfect offering for our salvation from the power of and penalty for our sins.

Be inspired by the example of Jesus Christ, Who although He had divine rights and royalty, He gave them all up for the sake of the God's Kingdom.

Encouraging words for us are gleaned from the story of Christ's betrayal, as to how we were benefited by it through His resurrection and for how we should respond when we taste such pain from the hand of a friend.

Having already commissioned Titus to set the congregations on Crete in order, Paul writes him about raising up elders at each assembly to oversee the ministries there and to teach important truths as well as to bring corrections when needed.

Given an opportunity to speak at our Regional Juvenile Justice Center, Pastor Alan communicated some important truths about peacemaking, illustrated by a valuable lesson he learned from his childhood in West Africa.

The call to receive Christ's fulness should remind us all that He was and is filled with grace and truth and that light and life was and is in Him. In this sermon - preached at Cornerstone Church in De Leon, Texas - the hearers are encouraged to be aware of anything that hinders their enjoying the grace of God that was and is given to us because of His grace.

From the real Lord's prayer in JOHN 17, we can see His heart for our unity and it's relevance to effective evangelism. In this sermon, the hearers are challenged to submit their selfish desire to His desires.

While introducing this important letter, interesting and relevant things are shared about the island of Crete and some of Titus' history, as well as his responsibilities.

While predicting great sorrow, Christ promised His disciples greater joy that could not be taken from them. In this sermon, the truth is declared concerning hard times and our assured joy with ultimate victory.

Here is a short teaching of Ten Reasons and Instructions for Praise and Worship in the New Testament.

Describing the heart and values of our congregation requires multiple statements, three of which are here in these brief excerpts from our Membership Class' third session.

Just as every good house has a great foundation, so is Christ's Church and those local expressions of it. In this brief teaching, you will hear important truths for all New Testament congregations.

While hundreds of important stories are involved in the founding of our congregation, here are three from Pastor Alan's perspective.

Jesus Christ promised what had already been predicted when speaking of the Holy Spirit. In this teaching, you will hear several Biblical reasons for believing and receiving this promise, Who is our Helper.

Unlike our attempts to frame Jesus Christ in our own image, the real One is real honest, really unpopular and real comforting. In this continuation of our journey through John's Gospel, you will hear more encouraging words and also some very true things that will not be very enjoyable but - when realized - are necessary for our being real Christ followers.

Hear some often overlooked truths about Christlike living, as well as some important little known facts about marriage, singleness, celibacy and cohabitation.

From making His borrowed tomb empty to filling our empty hearts, the influence and ministry of Jesus Christ continues on the earth today. In this sermon, you will hear the Good News of the Resurrection - as well as several logical reasons to believe it - communicated in a memorable and encouraging way.

From Paul's example, the topic of "making personal comparisons" is discussed - with the pitfalls of such - followed by our need to embrace certain keys for enjoying personal freedom.

While expressing His love for His disciples, Jesus called them His friends. Based on His choosing, this loving friendship is one to enjoy and never take for granted and one to invite others into.