Scripture Applied

How to Listen to Sermons

Sermons — not entertainment or big personalities — are central to the building up of Christ’s church. That’s Paul’s point in Romans 16:25-26. Given this fact, we must take listening to sermons seriously, and here’s how: (1) don’t listen with a careless heart; (2) expect God to speak; (3) admit that God knows better than you; (4) hear sermons every week; (5) do what the Word of God commands, and do it today; (6) do not entertain prejudice against the preacher; (7) make specific applications; and (8) take the sermon home and ruminate on it. Know this: the preaching of the gospel not only focuses on how you are saved, but how you are transformed. So, when the word of God is preached, listen like your life depends on it — because it does!

How to Keep a Church Strong

How do you keep a church strong? The Apostle Paul gives (3) clear ways in his close to the book of Romans (16:17-27). First, guard the unity of the church against “those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learn.” Watch out for smooth talkers who flatter and “avoid them.” Second, show grace, love, and care for your fellow saints. We see this pictured as believers, from some 800 miles away, sent kind greetings to the church at Rome. Third, establish the church by preaching Jesus Christ. Paul’s clear implication is, without sound preaching, the church will be weak and malnourished, but with it they will be grounded and strong. Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/698979860df6c37ba98e6e44

Your Husband’s Not Ignoring You - He’s Carrying Weight

Every woman wants a good, reliable, and steady man. Yet wives tend to respond with angst whenever their strong man doesn’t seem to fully “understand” or “relate” to them. Does he even care? The truth is, it’s a mistake to take your husband’s silence as apathy or detachment. A man bears burdens the way he lifts weights: He’s not thinking, “How do I feel?” but “What am I carrying?” A man doesn’t think, feel, or cry like a woman does. And that’s exactly the point — God made men and women differently (Gen. 1:27). There’s great beauty in His design for manhood and womanhood which expresses His glory to the world!

Should You Correct Your Spouse?

Should you ever correct your spouse? The Bible says you should, and it tells you how (Gal. 6:1-3). First, you must not be just frustrated and fed up, but “spiritual.” Second, your goal must not be to humiliate, expose, or “win,” but to “restore.” Third, you must bring correction in a “spirit of gentleness,” not anger. Fourth, you must examine your own heart, “lest you also be tempted.” And, finally, you must “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) — so whenever the problem persists, you’re called to be patient and longsuffering. Correcting your spouse is sometimes called for, but it must be done carefully, this way (Gal. 6:1-3).

After These Big Election Losses: Why Not Despair?

People in our church had a big disappointment in this last election. We prayed. We showed up at City Council meetings. We spoke. Yet, when the votes were counted, all the godly candidates we supported for office were wiped out. Despite these losses, our response must not be despair, but prayer—not withdrawal, but intercession: “first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority. . .” (1 Tim. 2:1). This must be our default position. Even as we witness our foundations crumble before our eyes, God is not surprised or absent. He’s taught us to pray for our civil magistrates and for laws that honor Him—so let’s keep praying!