Shepherd's Garage

Letting the peace of Christ rule in your hearts is something we wish for.  But it seems an impossible task, at least sometimes.  How can we have this peace?

We return to dust Solomon tells us.  But the news is that God knows what to do with dust.  That makes all the difference.

It's so easy to be misled we have to be careful what we believe.  One way we are easily misled is when what we hear is sensational or affirms something we already believe.

"All You Really Need is Love."  That can be true if you understand what love is.  If you do not it can cause lots of problems.  Paul tell us that love is what binds the other graces together so how does that work?  Let's explore.

Some clarifications to February 9th sermon.  Specifically about gossip and what is it.

How does Christ being in all change the way we treat each other.  Anger, wrath, slander and obscene talk are all something we need to putout of our lives, but they just keep coming up time and time again.  Putting on Christ does make a difference in how we live.

Jesus or Barabbas?  It's a question as to which one you will choose.  The way of Jesus or the way of Barabbas is one question we need to ask ourselves each day.  Choose wisely.

How is coveting idolatry?  Let's explore.

We are told by Paul is Colossians 3:5 to put to death sexual immorality in our lives.  Why do Christians have such a different standard about sexuality than the world around us.  Let's explore why God cares so deeply about how we express ourselves sexually.

God has put eternity in our hearts.  We know there is more and we have questions about purpose and meaning in our lives.  Let's see what Ecclesaistes 3:9-15 can tell us about this.

That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; Ecclesiastes 3:15 ESV. Interesting verse!  How are we to understand this?  Let's explore how "that which is to be has already been."

Set your mind on things above.  How do we do that?  Let's exlpore.

When the wise men came to Jerusalem and asked about the king of the Jews Herod was upset.  He was bothered there was another king.  What about us?  Are we really willing to let Jesus be king or are we bothered as well that Jesus is the true king and not us?

Jesus was a "man of sorrows" yet we sing "Joy to the World."  It was because he bore our sorrows that we are able to sing about Joy.

Distractions can come from worldly things and they can come from religious ones as well.  Paul warns us about getting caught up in religious things that are bot really important, but others will try to impose things on us.  Do not let yourself be judged by another over some "shadow" issue.

There is a time for everything we are told in Ecclesiastes 3.  Timing means a lot in life and so does getting things into the right order and sequence.  We ahve to plant before we harvest and even then it matters when we plant and when we harvest.  Take a listen as we explore this famous passage.

"What possessed you?"  Ever had somone ask you that question?  Let's explore what might have possessed you.

Do not grow weary in doign good.

Be sure you are growing your inner life.

Is it the destination or the journey that matters?  I have known people who hold that it's the journey and others who say it is the destination.  I say it is both and this has implications for our life as followers of Jesus.  Paul tells us how hard he is working to present those he knows as mature in Jesus.  Why does it matter?  Let's explore.

The three B's of baptism.  Burial, Birth and bath.

This episode we take a look at Trinitarian thinking in Churches of Christ in our hymnody.

Colossians 2:1-10 we hear Paul emphasizing that in Jesus we are complete.  He warns us against getting caught in worldly ways of thinkiing and how this under mines what Jesus is doing in our lives.

Proverbs 22:13 says. "The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!  I shall be killed in the streets!”  What in the world does this mean?  Maybe it's a warnning about all the excuses we like to give.  Give it a listen and see what you think.

We continue the series in Ecclesiastes.  This time I looked at chapter 2 and all the things that we think will bring us happiness but do not.  It may be much simpler than we think and it may not be the answer that we want, but there is hope for how to find your way in life.