Sermons

  Overcoming Fear: “Don’t Let The Lions Lick You” Opening Illustration: Have you ever heard the statement defining character? Character is what you do and who you are when no one is looking. Think about it like this, character is who we are in private when we think that no one can see our actions. Our character is revealed in our hidden thoughts, our private monologues that no one hears or sees. Godly character is when private commitment and devotion meets public display.  Ponder the Pharisees for a moment. The Pharisees were holy, pious, and righteous men on the outside. They prayed in public and performed acts of religious fervor for anyone and everyone to see. They wanted to be regarded as being close to God, keeping all of God’s commandments. However, the Pharisees had a big problem. Their private lives did not match their public persona. John the Baptist called them “snakes” and Jesus called them “white washed tombs”. Why? Why were Jesus and His cousin so hard on these relig

  Overcoming Fear: Confidence In Confusing Times Opening Illustration: Two Sunday’s ago I started praying and thinking about this very message. Two Sunday’s ago I started reading and writing this sermon. Two weeks ago I read an interesting story about one man who became overwhelmed by fear, worry and anxiety. It is the story of a criminal. This particular criminal committed a heinous crime and he was immediately brought to the King for judgement. The King looked at the criminal and decided that he would offer him what he had offered to several other criminals before him. He gave this criminal a choice. Because of his crime, he could either choose death by hanging. The King pointed to the gallows where the rope and noose had already been tied. Then the King pointed in the opposite direction to a large, iron clad door. The door was black and had large bolts and rivets. Standing guard at the large iron door were two intimidating guards with black masks on. They were shrouded in black r