Sermons by Dr. Abidan Shah

In our journey to being and making disciples we face many challenges. To overcome these challenges we need Christ to develop spiritual disciplines within us. Through these disciplines, we become not only better disciples and disciple-makers, but also more spiritually mature. What obstacles are keeping you from discipling others? Are you willing to discipline yourself? Are you a disciple? Are you s...

Making disciples isn't always an easy process. We need guidance and advice from time to time. In this sermon, Pastor Shah lays out some very simple pathways that we can follow in order to begin the process of discipleship in our own lives and help others do the same. Who do you have in your life who has or is showing you the pathways of how to walk with God? Do you know the pathways of discipleshi...

One of the identifying marks of a disciple is that their life is rooted in the word of God. How do we become rooted? Through reading and study, we build our foundation on God's Word. Solid biblical teaching is a must for every disciple of Jesus Christ. Without it, you will fall when the storms of life come. Are you a disciple? Are you rooted in the Word? Are you saved?

Christian's are not exempt from temptation and trials, and because of this truth, we need godly people in our lives to pick us up in times of need. The hardest parts of accountability are actually starting and knowing how to proceed. There are a few key points of discipleship that often get confused, that once corrected make these disciple groups much easier and more fun. Who is holding you accoun...

In the final message on discipleship, we take the time to focus on the importance of intercessory prayer. This is not a prayer for self, but a prayer for others. This message gives us guidelines and tips on how to pray on behalf of others. Who intercedes on your behalf? Who are you interceding on behalf of? Do you understand the importance of intercessory prayer? Are you saved?

For some reason in life we seem to always see the best in other places and never where we are. This was the case for the Israelites in exile. The always saw the beauty in their homeland and never in the place they where planted. We too do the same thing in our lives when we complain about where we live, work, go to church, etc... Are you in a foreign land? Have you hung up your harp? Have you lost...

In the last message in our "First, Believe" series on the true gospel, we look at the importance of repentance and belief in salvation. These two aspects to our response to the gospel are inseparable because you can't have one without the other. Have you repented of your sins? Have you placed your faith in Jesus and his cross and resurrection? Are you saved?

What does it mean to count the cost? Before we are saved we have to count the cost of discipleship. For some, they are willing to pay the price but for others, they will turn and walk away. Salvation is free, but discipleship is costly. Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Are you willing to give up all in order to follow Christ? What is keeping you from following Christ? Are you saved?

All throughout the New Testament, we are commanded to pick up our cross. We do this by learning from the example of Christ that we see in the Bible. When we realize that the cross is not just a historical fact, but is also our present reality, it gives us the strength to carry our own cross. Do you understand what it means to “pick up your cross” and follow after Jesus? Have you been “crucified wi...

When we truly understand that Jesus, our Savior, and King, is seated at the right hand of the Father, it does several things for us: It gives us a model for how humility is the key to exaltation; it gives us the courage to face any problem in this life, and it gives us a glimpse of what’s coming for us. What trial are you facing? Are you looking towards Jesus? You cannot recognize him until you me...

A large portion of Christians today think that the gospel needs something added to it to attract sinners. This thinking has infected many churches causing them to preach the gospel plus something else. God’s word calls the gospel the power of God for salvation. Transformation comes from our sinful hearts gazing on the beauty of Jesus’ cross. That is all we need. Have you ever heard the gospel? Hav...

One of the hardest jobs in the world is parenting. It is a tough yet rewarding calling. In this message, we learn that the Bible promises us if we train our children in the way, they won't depart from it. The true way of life is Jesus. Do you know him? How are you training your kids?

Knowing the gospel is one of the most important things we can do. With so many false gospels being preached in the world today, we must search for truth. The true gospel isn't one of health and wealth. It doesn't say "become a better you." The true gospel doesn't say "be better." The true gospel is that Christ died for our sins, and rose again so that through Him we can have new life. Have you rec...

What does it mean for us as Christians to be steadfast? Being steadfast isn't something that we do alone but something we do as a body of believers. We are steadfast by being unified for the gospel and not being intimidated by enemies of the gospel. In order to stand fast, we have to know what the gospel is. You and I are stuck in sin. But God sent his Son to take our sins upon himself and die in...

As followers of Christ, we are called to make it our life mission to spread the gospel. Many Christians prefer to sit in church pews and await death because they believe that to die is gain. Of course, to die is gain because we get to go and be with Christ, but we are also called to fruitful work here on earth. We are to not fear death, nor desire it. Living with eternity in mind should make us mo...

For the average person, perspective is normally related to the current circumstances. We feel up when things are going right, and down when they are not. Sadly this is true of Christians as well. We love God when we feel He is blessing us, and we feel cold and distant when He seems distant. In reality, our perspective shouldn't be based on our circumstances but on the promises God has made, and on...

When you think of a guarantee, what is the first thing you think of? Normally we might think of a money-back guarantee or something that someone has promised us. Earthly promises can and will fall through. In Christ, we as believers have a trustworthy guarantee that will never fail. God will finish the work he has started in us. He has promised us in scripture that if he starts His work in us then...

The way we act can have a huge impact on the people around us. As a church, we are called to be a shining light for people in the world. We impact people by being trustworthy, joyful, and hopeful. Those were the marks the Philippian church had. How about you? What impact have you made on the lives of those around you? A major reason for the positive impact was that the Philippians were saved. Paul...

Churches grow. As we see more and more turning to Christ, we only see the body get bigger. When churches grow they are more prone to disunity, disagreement and division. There are basic foundation on which the church is built upon, and when we look to those foundations we continue in unity. This unity is to help us grow and love each other. How do you relate with others in the body? What is your r...

The Word of God is the only power to save a soul. This is a truth we must believe. As Christians we must stand on God's word, and we must put our faith in Him. We know that we can trust his word because it is unfailing. What are you basing your life on? Emotions, experience, human wisdom? Or are you basing your life on the word of God which lives and abides forever? Have you found yourself driftin...

To most people the birth place of Jesus might not seem significant or even interesting. Even Christians might normally think that the place Jesus was born was just a coincidence, but really the birth place of Jesus was divinely planned. It was a product of God's sovereignty. It was the fulfillment of prophecy. God used the small and insignificant town of Bethlehem to bring forth a the eternal King...

The virgin birth is such an important doctrine that we as Christians should hold to. Many people say that they can believe almost everything in Christianity but struggle with the virgin birth. By looking into the Old Testament and even looking into the original languages, we see that the virgin birth is not only probable, but is crucial because it shows that Jesus is the promised Messiah, Do you b...

If the Word of God has any error at all then we can't trust it. People study the Bible trying to find errors. We must always be ready to have a defense of our faith. In this message we look at one of the objections that is raised out of the book of Matthew, and see how not only is it consistent with all of God's Word, but that it is a promise that Jesus would come to be our perfect King. Is Christ...

The entire Bible is about Christ. We see in God’s Word that everything from the Old to New Testament tells of Christ. In the New Testament Jesus is the sinless Lamb slain for our sins, and in the Old Testament he is the coming King foretold by the prophets. In the first session of the new series “Fulfilled,” we learn how Jesus fulfilled the lineage that was required of this King who was to come. W...

Sometimes life is hard, and our Christian walk is tough. In those times instead of drawing close to God, we often drift away. In fear or shame, we find a way to excuse our actions. Luckily we have a loving Savior who seeks us out and restores us. Christ came to Peter because he had drifted away. Have you drifted away? Have you lost your zeal for the things of God? Have you lost your first love? Ha...