The Portable Pastor Podcast

Worship Committedly Joshua 24:14-18   Points: The Israelites were given blessings. (1-13) The Israelites were given a command. (14) The Israelites were given a choice. (15) The Israelites were given a role model. (15) The Israelites recounted their blessings. (16-18a) The Israelites made their choice. (18b)   Application: God has blessed us, as well. God has also given us a command. We have a choi...

Worship Creatively 2 Samuel 6:16-21  Points: David did something huge to honor God. David danced and was despised. David worshipped and was generous. David tended to his family and was determined to honor God. Application: Sometimes, we are called upon to take great steps to honor the Lord. We should expect persecution and setbacks in the process.  All steps and setbacks alike cannot inhibit worsh...

Worship Consistently Daniel 6:10-28  Points of the story:  Daniel broke the law. Daniel prayed consistently. The ungodly king wanted to help Daniel. Daniel’s fate was sealed.  The ungodly king was interested in the outcome. Daniel was alive, blameless, and released. It doesn’t end well for those who are opposed to God. The King publicly testified about God. Daniel prospered in the kingdom. 

Worship Courageously 2 Chronicles 20:14-30 Notice this about these Israelites.  They were going into battle and fearful of certain defeat.  They were to fight for what God wanted.  Their fear drove them to worship. They were to believe in God and believe the prophets. They worshipped as they marched to battle. God intervened before they got there. They saw the results of the miracle. They reacted...

This message, although gleanable by everyone, is specifically for FBCCLOVER. It contains the vision for the future of this local church. God is doing something remarkable in Clover, and we get to be a part of it. Pray and consider your part in this work. – Pastor Mike

Generous with Your Treasures 2 Cor. 9   Paul's 13 Financial Generosity Teaching Points The passion for financial generosity is already in you. (1-2) Sometimes, a reminder to be financially generous is needed. (3-4) Financial generosity should come from a willingness. (5) You will reap what you sow. (6) You can decide what to give. (7) Your spiritual work on earth will be successful. (8) Your...

Generous with Your Talents Matthew 25:14-30 Two Truths All the resources at our disposal belong to God. We were made to contribute to the Kingdom.   Six things about being generous with our resources God gives resources to each of his servants to use. God wants us to use the resources we've been given. God doesn't give each servant the same resources.  People will use God's resource...

Generous with Your Time Luke 10:25–37 How God looks at time? God created it. - Genesis 1:4-5. Our time is limited. - Job 14:1,5-6. God wants us to use the time he gives us for his glory. -1 Cor. 10:31.    How do you use your time generously?  You must take time to be compassionate. God showed compassion. - Psalm 78:35-39  Jesus demonstrated compassion. - Matthew 14:13-14 The Bible tells us to do l...

Must-Have Decoration: Love Colossians 3:1-14 Why is love the most important decoration for your life? Love is from God. Love is proof of salvation. Without love, you cannot know God. God is love. 

Must-Have Decorations: Joy John 15:11   Important Questions concerning this passage: What is joy? How can the joy of Jesus be in me?   Can my joy run out? How can I keep focus on my full joy?  Abide in Christ If you remain in a relationship with Jesus Christ by being saved, sanctified, and obedient to His will, all for His glory, then you can focus on your full tank of Jesus-gifted joy, no matter...

Must-Have Decorations: Hope Romans 15:13 Important Phrases: “God of Hope” “Fill you” “In Believing” “Power of the Holy Spirit” “Abound in hope”  Hope impacts our lives in three specific ways: It impacts how we see ourselves.  It impacts what we value.  It impacts how we live our lives.   Hope brings us three important rewards: It brings us joy and peace.  It gives us strength and courage.  It give...

Keep Your Holidays Holy Romans 1:18-23  Applicable Points: God is real. His creation proves it.  God's wrath is real. Truth suppressors are in danger of it.  God deserves gratitude and honor. Misplacement of those things can cause spiritual blindness. God's glory will not be given away or diminished. Those who try are fools.  How to keep the holidays Holy. Separate the factual from the f...

Some Things Never Change Matthew 24   Points: We don't know when this will end. Most people and most societies will be the same until that happens. Only those who are "in" will be saved. 

Babel, Israel, and Beyond Genesis 11 Points: God gave people commands.  People were stubborn and rebelled against God's commands. God forced His will on people.  God had a unique plan for Shem's line. Abram obeyed the plan. The Takeaways: God has a plan. You should listen to God's direction. Your disobedience to God will bring you conflict. Your decisions can set a trajectory for ge...

The Descendants of Noah Gen. 9:18-10:32 Points: Noah was saved and went back to working the ground. Noah eventually sinned. Ham dishonored his dad. Sem and Japheth honored their dad. Noah dishonored Ham and honored Shem and Japheth.  The Takeaways: Genesis does indeed address today’s problems.  We should seriously limit our drinking.  We should be serious about avoiding fleshly sin. 

The First Post-Flood Covenant Gen. 9:8-9:17 Let's first examine: The Covenant (8-11) The Sign of the Covenant (12-17)  What are the three types of covenants? Covenant of Redemption. Covenant of Works. Covenant of Grace.  The Takeaways:  There is a new covenant offered to us by Jesus himself.  We have been given a sign of the new covenant.

The First Salvation Gen. 6:9-7:5 The Requirement of Salvation 1.      Noah was not sinless, but he wanted to be close to God.   The Need for Salvation 2.      God was determined to destroy all living things because of sin.   The Means of Salvation 3.      By offering a new covenant, God provided a way to avoid Noah’s destruction.    The Faith in Salvation 4.      Noah believed God and did what He...

The First Generations Gen. 5:1-6:12 Let’s break this down verse by verse. Man began to multiply (1) Sons of God (2) Took as their wives human females (2) Days shall be 120 years (3) The Nephilim (4) Every intention was evil (5) The Lord regretted making people. (6) I am sorry that I made them (7) Noah’s family was good (8-10) Creation was corrupted (11-12)

Four More Firsts: The First Birth, Worship, Murder, and Cousins Genesis 4 What did we learn today? God made a way for new humans to be born outside the garden.  God instituted worship. God is opposed to murder. God first grew humankind through two genealogical lines. 

The First Marriage, Sin and Punishment Genesis 2:15-3:24 Summary of today’s learning: God instituted marriage. Adam and Eve sinned, changing everything but human purpose. God punished them accordingly. Life has been drastically altered. 

The First Humans Genesis 1:24-2:25 The summary: God made and owns everything. God made everything with intentionality and in order. God made humans differently than the rest of creation. God made humans with purpose.  Application: Recognize and yield to the authority of God. Accept and remind yourself of your unique creation. Find and live according to your purpose.   

The First Days Genesis 1-2:3 Before the First Days - Verses 1-2 Day 1 – Verses 3-5 Day 2 – Verses 6-8 Day 3 – Verses 9-13 Day 4 – Verses 14-19 Day 5 – Verses 20-23  Summary: We directly learned that: God made everything. We indirectly learned that: God worked with intentionality and order.  Application: Because God made everything: Remind yourself that God owns everything.  Don’t fall for the mode...

Semper Gumby: Jesus and the Gentile Woman Matthew 15:21-28  Points: Jesus was following orders when the situation changed. Jesus was flexible when an opportunity arose. Jesus was obedient even in the change. Application: We should:   Follow biblical orders with intentionality and the strongest of resolve. Veer only when necessary and when the goal remains the same.  

What Defiles A Person Matthew 15:10-20 Points: You can't eat sin. (10-11) Pointing out sin offends people. (12) Sinful leaders are dangerous. (13-14) Jesus expects our understanding of spiritual matters to grow. (15-16) Sin starts in your heart. (17-18) Sin can exit through your mouth. (18)  Sin can exit through all of your flesh. (19) You can't blame anyone or anything but your own hear...

Traditions and Commandments Matthew 15:1-9 Points: Religious traditions are not always Biblical commandments. (Vs 1-3, 9b) Some traditions actually oppose Biblical commandments. (Vs 3-6) People who condemn others for breaking non-Biblical, religious traditions distance themselves from God and corrupt their worship. (Vs 7-9a) Main Point: If you attempt to hold people accountable for religious tradi...