The Prodigal
The story of the prodigal son reveals God’s heart towards us, and it also reveals two rival conceptions of how we view and therefore experience God.
Luke 15: 11 – 32
Spiritual Gifts and Service
Each of us must know which gifts we have been given so that we can serve others, but we are also called to serve in areas where we are not gifted – especially helping those in need.
1 Peter 4:10-11; Galatians 6:9-10
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are concrete expressions of God’s grace, manifested by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, in order to enable us to serve others in love.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Called To Citizenship
Christians are called to serve God in their nation and culture, submitting to their leaders, and serving in the government and wider culture with unbelievers to promote the common good, always remembering that their true home is the new heavens and the new earth.
Romans 13:1-7; Jeremiah 29:4-7; Philippians 3:20-21
Called To Family
Christians are called to serve God in their families by loving and respecting their spouse, raising their children to love God and His kingdom, and honoring their parents, all with a view to being a blessing to the wider world.
Ephesians 5:22-6:4
Called To the Church
When Christ calls us through the Gospel, He calls us into local churches where we can be protected, strengthened and equipped by those whom Christ has saved and called to be leaders in the church. NOTE: THE LAST 20 MINUTES IS AN ORDINATION CEREMONY.
Acts 14:21-23
Ed Lyons – Persecution Project
Ed Lyons of Persecution Project Foundation shares with Bay Ridge Christian Church about the persecution of Christians in Sudan.
Romans 8:18
Called To Work – Part 2
God’s favor on our work does not come from doing a specific type of job, but from working with all our heart in the job to which God calls us, doing our best to please God and serve others through our labors.
Psalm 90:16-17; Colossians 3:23-24
The Local Church and the Universal Church
Christians are called to embrace a local church where they live out their faith, and the universal Church, which is the fulness of Christ and the focus of God’s great promises.
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Called To Many Callings
Each of us has received many callings – areas of responsibility where God works through us to serve others in every realm of life and every corner of creation.
Colossians 3:18-4:1
Note: Due to a problem the audio of this teaching is not available.
Understanding Our Calling
Calling refers to the specific tasks and responsibilities given to us by God, through which God works to serve our neighbors and promote the common good, restraining the effects of the curse and bringing blessing to every realm of life and every corner of creation.
1 Peter 4:10-11; Jeremiah 29:4-7
Called To Jesus Christ
God has called us to Himself so decisively in Christ that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is transformed as we live our entire lives in response to His call.
Matthew 4:18-22
Pray Like Jesus – The Lord’s Prayer
When we pray, how should we pray? Is it a matter of words or attitudes?
Matthew 6:5-15
The Thanksgiving Meal
The Eucharist is the thanksgiving meal, where God’s people receive His grace anew and give thanks for His many blessings.
Matthew 26:26-29
Our Future – Walking Alive Forever
In eternity, we will be fully alive, free from the penalty, power, and even the presence of sin, as we glorify and enjoy God forever!
Revelation 21:1-5; 22:1-5, 20-21
Our Present Call – Walking Dead To Sin
Christians have been made alive to God but dead to sin in Christ, and are called to live in light of that reality.
Romans 6:11-14
Our Past – Walking Dead To God
All of us by nature were walking dead to God in our sin, but He has made His people alive to God in Christ.
John 5:24-25
A Christ Filled Team
The work of the kingdom is not done by a few superstars, but through the Spirit-empowered efforts of a Christ-filled team comprised of all believers.
Colossians 4:7-18
Our More Perfect Union
After Jesus’ body was broken on the cross He formed One new body. He called this body The Church. It now looks and acts exactly like Jesus. Because it is Jesus’ body.
Ephesians 4:1-3
Christ Filled Prayer and Evangelism
A Christ filled life is one devoted to prayer and to seeing the Gospel go forth, making the most of the opportunities God gives us to share His good news.
Colossians 4:2-6
Relationships and Responsibilities in Christ the Lord
Our new status in Christ has not freed us from the relationships and responsibilities in our culture, but we now fulfill these under the Lordship of Christ.
Colossians 3:18-4:1
Finding Joy In the Gospel
How do we as the people of God in the midst of struggles find joy in the Gospel?
Philippians 1:12-18
Communion
As we partake of Communion in faith, Christians are united in fellowship with Christ and His Body, the Church.
Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
A Christlike Life and Community
As those who have been given new life in Christ, believers must put on the virtues that reflect the character of God shown to us in Christ, and they must walk in unity with the Church.
Colossians 3:12-17
Spring Cleaning
As those who have been given new life in Christ, believers must put off their former vices so they can be like Christ.
Colossians 3:1-11