In this week's teaching from Calvary Monterey, I'll examine the dramatic arrival of John the Baptist in Matthew 3. While John's message to "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" can sound harsh, this sermon uncovers the profound and surprising joy found in preparing our lives for King Jesus. I'll explain how John's call leads us into the liberating joy of true repentance, the refreshing joy of authenticity before God, and the deep joy of expiation—the complete cleansing from sin that only Jesus can provide. This is a foundational teaching on what it means to clear the way for the King to work in our lives.
Read moreA Gospel Community Bears Burdens of Others (Galatians 6:1-5)
A Gospel Community Bears Burdens of Others
Galatians 6:1-5
According to this passage, three elements are found in a gospel community. When all three are found together, the church becomes an environment of true life change. The first, which we saw last week, is that a gospel community restores others.
Read moreExodus Christmas—John 8:34-36
Sunday Teaching: Exodus Christmas—John 8:34-36
Read moreKnowing God 02: People Who Experience God's Exodus (Exodus 2:11-3:12)
Sunday Teaching: Knowing God 02-—People Who Experience God's Exodus (Exodus 2:11-3:12)
Read moreA Decision-Making Mindset (1 Corinthians 16:5-7)
A Decision-Making Mindset
(1 Corinthians 16:5-7)
I have never been great at decision-making. At least, I have never felt great at it. Looking back on the last couple of decades of my sojourn, I can see a track record of critical choices that yielded good fruit. So I do not mean I constantly make bad decisions. I do make them (the bad ones), but what I mean here is that I am one of those people who struggle and deliberate and vacillate while making decisions, and, because of all this, I feel I have never been great at decision-making. (3 Minutes/900 Words)
Read moreLove the Father - What Are the World's Tactics? Part 3 (1 John 2:16)
Love the Father - What Are the World's Tactics?
Part 3 (1 John 2:16)
So far we have studied the **desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes**. Lastly, John mentions **the pride of life.** Other translations call this *the pride of one's lifestyle* (HCSB), *the boastful pride of life* (NASB), or *pride in our achievements and possessions* (NLT). (5 Minutes/1200 Words)
Read moreChildlike People Have the Kingdom (Mark 10:15)
Childlike People Have the Kingdom
(Mark 10:15)
"...For to such (people like children) belongs the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14b). What does this mean? To answer this question, we must recall how the disciples felt about Jesus, the kingdom, and these children. They had stood outside the house, policing who went in to see Jesus. They knew Jesus was the King of a kingdom, but they didn't yet understand the nature of that kingdom. (4 Minutes/800 Words)
Read moreFollow #30 -- Mark 10:13-16 -- Kingdom Kids
Sunday Outline: Follow #30 -- Mark 10:13-16 -- Kingdom Kids
Read moreA Guide for the Climb - Chapter 12 - Obtain a Calm and Quiet Soul (Psalm 131)
I had an experience recently that illustrates the truth of our next song. As a runner, I sometimes enjoy heading to a local school to run their track. There, I must decide which lane to run in. The unwritten rule is that the slower runners take the outside “walking” lanes, while the faster runners run on the inside lanes. On this particular day, I chose lane three. I figured I was in the faster half, but the slowest of that group. (12 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read moreThe Humble Do Victory Well (Numbers 31:54)
The Humble Do Victory Well
(Numbers 31:54)
The people of Israel had won a battle over the Midianites, people who were ripe for God's judgment. After their victory, Moses told the people exactly what to do with the spoils. (1 Minute/300 Words)
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