Oct 18, 2015
Grace in Times of Suffering
By: Mike Lovely
Series: Embassy Living
Suffering is an unfortunate part of life. As we live our Christian life, with our Christian worldview, we will collide with the world and its secular worldview. Sometimes this results in persecution. But some believers have an attitude of "gloom, despair, and agony on me." We need to learn to find grace in those times when we suffer for the sake of righteousness. We need to be persuaded that God is in control, be prepared to testify, yet be polite and respectful.
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- Oct 18, 2015Grace in Times of SufferingOct 18, 2015Grace in Times of SufferingBy: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingSuffering is an unfortunate part of life. As we live our Christian life, with our Christian worldview, we will collide with the world and its secular worldview. Sometimes this results in persecution. But some believers have an attitude of "gloom, despair, and agony on me." We need to learn to find grace in those times when we suffer for the sake of righteousness. We need to be persuaded that God is in control, be prepared to testify, yet be polite and respectful.
- Oct 11, 2015Love Life and See Good DaysOct 11, 2015Love Life and See Good DaysBy: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingWe have a tendency to separate our church lives from our daily lives. But our lives should not be so compartmentalized. Everything we do should be done to live out the gospel. Jesus promised to give us abundant life, but there are many believers who are simply existing, not really living. How, then, do you love life and see good days? You bite your tongue, bless your taunters, and be in tune.
- Oct 4, 2015Marriage MattersOct 4, 2015Marriage MattersBy: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingIf there was ever an arena where Christ's presence needs to be seen it is in marriages. The world is full of bad advice concerning marriage. Because believers live under a different economy, our marriages need to reflect the love of Christ. In a Christ-like marriage, the wife is to live submissively, and the husband is to love selflessly.
- Sep 27, 2015The Lord’s SupperSep 27, 2015The Lord’s SupperBy: Mike LovelySeries: Stand-alone MessagesIn 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, Paul reminds the church in Corinth about the significance of the Lord's Supper. We partake as a service of testimony, communion, and remembrance. As a service of testimony, we proclaim Christ. As a service of communion, we share as a church family in His death and life. As a service of remembrance, we praise the Lamb who was slain in our place.
- Sep 20, 2015Do Work!Sep 20, 2015Do Work!By: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingWhat do you do when life gives you a raw deal? As believers we should always seek to extend the same grace that we have received. So when we are treated unjustly we should submit with respect, suffer without retaliation, and surrender to righteous judgement. Glorify God in all ways and at all times.
- Sep 13, 2015Living Right in a World Gone WrongSep 13, 2015Living Right in a World Gone WrongBy: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingPeople who wear corrective lenses understand how different the world looks with and without glasses. Lenses affect the way we view the world. Believers need to view the world through the lens of Scripture. But what happens when our biblical worldview collides with the secular worldview of others? We must believe that God is in control, and behave as godly citizens. Believers should be sure that the world knows what we stand for, not just what we stand against.
- Sep 6, 2015Building a Spiritual HouseSep 6, 2015Building a Spiritual HouseBy: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingIn scripture, the word "house" is often used to refer to the temple or tabernacle. In 1 Peter 2:4-8, Peter uses it to describe both the church and individual believers. We are being built into a spiritual house with Christ as the cornerstone. As we align our lives with Christ, our spiritual house will be steady and strong. We do this by giving God ourselves, giving Him our praise, and giving others our compassion.
- Aug 30, 2015Hungry for the WordAug 30, 2015Hungry for the WordBy: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingDo you hunger for the Word of God? A baby longs for the milk that will fill the emptiness inside and nourish him. Peter's statement, "long for the pure spiritual milk" is not a request - it is an imperative. If we have experienced God and eliminated the congestion that distracts us, we will crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word. And when we eat healthy we will experience growth in our spiritual lives.
- Aug 23, 2015Love Like an AlienAug 23, 2015Love Like an AlienBy: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingJesus said that the world would know we are his disciples by our love for one another. But this love is more than just a brotherly love. It is a godly love. Peter reminds his readers that believers are to love one another from a pure heart. He emphasizes the importance of purity and obedience leading to brotherly love which develops into a selfless love.
- Aug 9, 2015The Fear FactorAug 9, 2015The Fear FactorBy: Mike LovelySeries: Embassy LivingWhat does it mean to fear God? Are we supposed to be afraid of God, or just approach Him with a sense of awe or holy reverence? In this massage from the Embassy Living series, Pastor Mike explains Peter's admonishment to the early church to "conduct yourselves with fear," and reminds us why we should fear God: because of the consequences of sin and because of the cost of salvation.