Archives

A message from the series “Pastor John.” Why do you think Paul wrote so many paragraphs in his already long letter to the church at Corinth? Why should they believe him? He wasn’t one of the original witnesses of the resurrected Jesus, was he? And why do we keep resurrecting resurrection Sundays every year? What does all this have to do with us? From what God’s people have discovered in these paragraphs of God’s Holy Word, the resurrection is fundamental/foundational to our faith.

A message from the series “Palm to Easter.” Praise Symphony Orchestra performs at Calvary | El Calvario Ministries

A message from the series “Palm to Easter.” What do you remember about that week? His mind was made up. He was focused on Jerusalem and wanted to go there before Passover. An entourage had been growing around Him, and then something strange and kind of majestic happened. He appeared, mounted on a young donkey, kind of like a king, who was returning from a great military victory. But He never led a military, did He? A grand parade grew in numbers as He wound down the Mt. of Olives, across the Kidron Valley, and up into Jerusalem. The crowd began to praise God shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD. Hosanna in the Highest.” Over and over again they sang out, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

A message from the series “Pastor John.” On this Communion Sunday we will be looking at what many believe to be the first written record of what Jesus said to His disciples at the table on the night He was betrayed. It appears that Paul taught this to the young church at Corinth, but they had been making a mockery of it when they came together. Let’s ask God to open our hearts and minds today to how He continues to refine our local chapter of His church. Consider these things so that we might always show respect for the body of Christ.

A message from the series “Pastor John.” Lawsuits within the church were yet another bit of evidence that God’s people were at odds with each other. They were getting chippy; maybe it was over differences in things like what was being taught, or the music, or the way potlucks were handled with the Lord’s Supper. Those disputes spilled over into their business dealings with each other, and before long, they found themselves standing before judges in civil courts.

A message from the series “Pastor John.” When we read our Bibles carefully, we realize that God warns His people of a great many threats on the road ahead. Our study today is a fresh reminder, “We’ve been warned” (1 Corinthians 4:14). Praise God!

A message from the series “Pastor John.” Pride rears its ugly head in countless institutions and relationships. You do something for someone and when those you serve neglect to thank you it kind of irks you. Am I right? Oh, you didn’t do it for drum rolls and applause. But, hmmm, you sometimes take notice and ask yourself…? Or you find yourself in a small gathering of family or friends, and someone expresses strong opposition to something you hold dear, and you are made to feel like an outsider, and it hurts…your pride. Walls between teammates begin, growing one brick at a time.

This sort of thing happens at times in churches, between Christians who should be on the same team. Aren’t we supposed to be serving the Lord side-by-side? Yes, but our pride often overrides a pure heart over some issue. Instead, we serve our self-interests. We must be reminded, “It matters whom we serve.”

A message from the series “Pastor Dennis.” By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another as I have loved you.

A message from the series “Pastor John.” Our study of 1 Corinthians is reminding us that that the local church is God’s idea. Our local church is His. As we work at being His church we need to be very careful with this assignment. So, how’s it going?

A message from the series “Pastor John.” Is it the cheese or the sauce for you when it comes to your favorite pizza? The owner of an independent pizza parlor told me about the secret sauce for his very popular creations. He proudly said it’s his great, great grandmother’s 100 year old recipe from her kitchen in Italy. He’s an older gentleman and the last in a long line to know and use it. Unless something changes, it looks like it’s going to die with him. The “secret sauce” is what makes something successful or distinctive. So, what is the secret sauce that gives people a taste for God? Who has the recipe? And what does it have to do with family dynamics in the local church? Let’s see what God wants to reveal to us about how it happens.