Latest Lessons
Here are the most recent items added.
December, 2011
RU-486 and Reality
In the year 2000, the U.S. government approved the use of the abortion pill RU-486. Abortion rights' advocates hailed the ruling as an important breakthrough claiming that this pill would cut down on surgically performed abortions and provide an "easier" early-abortion method.
December, 2011
What Would You Do Differently?
Watching people die is always a growth experience. I don't say this lightly because the trauma for family and friends is real and painful. But if you're in the medical profession or serve as a hospice worker or minister, the constant passing of people from this life to the next occurs repeatedly in your everyday work and serves more to teach than frighten or depress.
December, 2011
Can You Hear Me Now?
Most of us have seen the cellular phone company's commercial where a man is seen walking around holding a phone to his ear asking the person on the other end of the line, "Can you hear me now?" We can relate to this ad because we have all had this very same experience when, in the middle of a cell phone conversation, we lose contact for a moment.
November, 2011
Resurrection / Appearances / Ascension
Section VII - Events #140-154 are discussed along with practical applications.
Sermon
November, 2011
God Bless You - Mike and Family
Sermon
November, 2011
Grace in Peter's Life and Writings
November, 2011
Victory in Jesus
Paul describes the manner and result of the resurrection of the body - part 2.
November, 2011
Concerning the Collection
One of the few Biblical teachings on the manner and purpose of financial giving as part of the worship service.
November, 2011
Life of Jesus in Chronological Order
This series follows the events of Jesus' life in chronological order. There are 154 individual events and each is given in order with appropriate Scriptural references in each gospel as well as background information for every event.
November, 2011
Last Passover to Crucifixion Week (continued)
Section VI continued - Events #129-139 are discussed along with practical applications.
Sermon
November, 2011
Evangelizing Homosexuals
We need to evangelize this growing number of people but are usually hard-pressed to know where to begin. This lesson provides some information towards this end.
November, 2011
Victory in Jesus
Paul describes the manner and result of the resurrection of the body - part 1.
November, 2011
Order in Worship
A lesson teaching how the various spiritual gifts are to be used in a public worship setting.
November, 2011
Last Passover to Crucifixion Week
Section VI - Events #119-128 are discussed along with practical applications.
November, 2011
The Purpose of Preaching
In this lesson, Paul explains what is the proper use and purpose for the spiritual gifts they have received including the gift of preaching (prophecy).
November, 2011
3rd Passover to Final Week
Section V continued - Events #107-118 are discussed along with practical applications.
November, 2011
The Character of Love
One of the most famous and quoted passages in the Bible describes the character of Christ's love.
November, 2011
Revival At The Flying J
She won us over in a minute. We staggered into the truck stop after an 800 mile drive. We were hungry, tired, and in no mood for polite talk. Our waitress had her own problems, having to cover two separate seating sections since she was obviously the only server on the floor. This did not defeat her good humor and attentiveness however.
November, 2011
3rd to Last Passover
Section V continued - a continued look into events #95-106 is discussed along with practical applications.
October, 2011
Many Members - One Body
Paul demonstrates why the human body is the perfect figure to represent how the church functions and grows.
October, 2011
3rd to 4th Passover (continued)
Section V continued - Events #82-94 are discussed along with practical applications.
October, 2011
Unworthy Communion
Paul outlines proper conduct in public worship with regard to the Lord's Supper.
October, 2011
3rd to 4th Passover
Section V - Events #68-81 (Ministry from the 3rd Passover to the beginning of the last Passover week) are discussed along with practical applications.
October, 2011
Veils: Custom or Command?
A lesson designed to help the church discern God's will in the face of changing cultural norms.
October, 2011
2nd to 3rd Passover (continued)
Section IV continued - Events #47-67 are discussed in order to complete section IV.
October, 2011
Freedom Through Slavery
Paul reminds the Corinthians of 4 areas where he has given up his freedom in order to guarantee the salvation of others.
October, 2011
2nd to 3rd Passover
Section IV - Events #33-46 (Public Ministry of Jesus from 2nd Passover to 3rd Passover) are discussed along with practical applications.
October, 2011
License to Love
In this lesson, Paul deals with the delicate issue of Christian liberty and how to deal with situations that required discretion.
September, 2011
1st to 2nd Passover
Section III - Events #23-32 (Public Ministry of Jesus from 1st Passover to 2nd Passover) are discussed along with practical applications.
September, 2011
Keeping the Lock in Wedlock
Paul addresses the problems connected with marriage, divorce, and remarriage.
September, 2011
Beginning of Ministry
Section II - Events #16-22 (Beginning of Jesus' Ministry) are discussed along with practical modern-day applications.
September, 2011
Flee Fornication
A lesson reviewing key Bible ideas about sexual immorality and Paul's warning about this subject to the Corinthians and by extension, to us today.
September, 2011
Boyhood
Section I - Events #1-15 (Jesus' boyhood) are discussed along with practical applications.
Sermon
September, 2011
Why Me, Why Now?
One thing you learn a lot about as a minister is suffering and death. You're among the first to be called when there is illness and the last person to see the dead as they are buried at their funerals.
September, 2011
The Power of the Cross
In this lesson, Paul reveals the true source of spiritual power for the growth of the church- the cross of Christ.
September, 2011
Introduction to the Life of Jesus
The introductory lesson reviews references from each gospel. The purpose and advantages of a sequential study of Jesus' life as well as the 7 major categories the events are divided into.
September, 2011
The Foolishness of God
Paul demonstrates how tempting it is to use human methods to bring people to God instead of God's method which is the preaching of the gospel.
September, 2011
I Corinthians for Beginners
Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church deals with issues that continue to affect Christians to this day. In this epistle, the apostle addresses problems such as division in the church, sexual immorality, the proper use of spiritual gifts, the role of women in ministry and the importance of maintaining the authentic gospel message.
Sermon
July, 2011
Evangelizing the Postmodern Generation
We are all called to follow Christ in every generation. It is the responsibility of one generation to teach and evangelize the next generation to carry on the mission.
Church 101
May, 2011
The Work of a Preacher
What does it take to be a preacher? Here are some things every preacher should do.
March, 2011
Ten Ways To Become A Better Husband
Recently the men who attended our "Married Men Support Group" were asked to suggest ways that men could improve as husbands. Below is a sampling of some ideas that were brought forth.
Sermon
January, 2011
Sheep Seeking Shepherd
January, 2011
7 Steps to Joy
Homecoming can become a joyful opportunity for every single person in the congregation. Here are the seven steps that will take one there:
January, 2011
75.8
After countless advances in medical technology, doctors tell us that our average lifespan is 75.8 years. These figures teach us a couple of interesting lessons no matter what our age is.
January, 2011
80 million to 1
My cousin was a gambler. He died last year of self-inflicted wounds, but while alive he taught me the definitive lesson about gambling. He said, "When you win, you lose; and when you lose, you lose."
Devo
January, 2011
A Shred of Doubt
January, 2011
Be All You Can Be
The military's catchy recruiting slogan is, "Be all you can be." The call is to achieve your utmost potential.
Devo
January, 2011
Best of Both Worlds
Devo
January, 2011
Christ Lovers
January, 2011
Christian Style Christmas
At one time or another I've tried and taught most of the ideas that Christians think about Christmas and its celebration; denouncing it, ignoring it or simply accepting its inevitability.
January, 2011
Circle of Salvation
This week I had the great joy of baptizing my youngest daughter, Emilie. She is the last of my children to obey the gospel and with her baptism the circle of salvation is complete around our family.
Devo
January, 2011
Clinging Faith
Devo
January, 2011
Common Ground
Devo
January, 2011
Doing the Right Thing
January, 2011
Drive-Thru Religion
I remember reading about a church that met at a drive-in movie lot. People would park, clip on the speakers, and honk to say "Amen". I don't think there's a trend here but this is a good example of the "drive-thru religion" mentality.
Devo
January, 2011
Every Excuse Works
Devo
January, 2011
Feel of Salvation
Devo
January, 2011
Forever Thanksgiving
Devo
January, 2011
Getting the Rite Right
Devo
January, 2011
God Loves... Even Superman
Devo
January, 2011
Grass Wisdom
Devo
January, 2011
Happy Dying
January, 2011
He Could've Been a Role Model
Tommy Morrison, the heavyweight boxer from Oklahoma, has tested positive for the H.I.V. virus. He faced the media with this announcement recently and finished his news conference with the words, "I could have been a role model but I blew my chance."
Devo
January, 2011
Him or Me
Devo
January, 2011
Intensity vs. Accuracy
January, 2011
Jerry's Kids
If there's a TV in the restaurant, chances are that it's blaring out the Jerry Springer show at noon. Whether it's Pizza Hut or Tasty Burger, people are tuning in to the lunch time slug-fest each day as part of their midday routine.
Devo
January, 2011
Joy of Irresponsibility
January, 2011
Keep Climbing!
Our youth group recently went on a hiking and rock climbing trip. Nineteen teenagers scurrying up a mountain with two guides and a middle-aged preacher making sure nobody fell – it wasn't a pretty sight.
January, 2011
Lord of Weather
The weather is much in the news at this time of year and there is endless discussion about its impact on the earth. We know, however, that regardless of its severity or change, the weather is meant to be a ministering agent for the Lord.
January, 2011
Loss of the Cross
As many of you already know, the courts have ordered the city of Edmond to remove the cross symbol from their city seal. This action, in a town where the church is quite numerous, should teach us a few important lessons for the future.
Devo
January, 2011
Mary was a Single Mom
Devo
January, 2011
Mining the Word
January, 2011
Not Guilty
I knew the moment she said, "Not Guilty," that this trial was an emotional loser. Had Mr. Simpson been found guilty (football hero, movie nice guy, etc.) was going to spend a lifetime in prison. The "not guilty" decision left me feeling anguish for the victims and their families.
January, 2011
Total Pointlessness
Tom Whittaker, a mountaineer who lost his leg in a 1979 car accident, continues to climb challenging slopes with the help of a special prosthesis. When interviewed recently he said, "One of the things that really attracts me to mountaineering is its total pointlessness. So I've dedicated my life to it."
December, 2010
The 3 R's in Labor Day
The last thing we want to do on the Labor Day weekend is think about "work." But before we leave for the lake or start on the Labor Day project, let's spend a moment reviewing a few main ideas that the Bible has about our work that might be helpful when we get back to the job after the holiday is over.
December, 2010
7 Gift Suggestions for Dad
If you've purchases your Father's Day gift, this article is not for you. The other 99% listen up. Here's a little help to choose for the hardest man to shop for – Dad.
Devo
December, 2010
Abstinence vs. Moderation
Devo
December, 2010
Baseball Blues
Devo
December, 2010
Dare You
Devo
December, 2010
Don't - Just do it
Devo
December, 2010
Goodfinder Trait
Devo
December, 2010
Gospel Math
Devo
December, 2010
Invisible Gifts
Devo
December, 2010
It's a Comforting Thought...
Devo
December, 2010
Lord Will Provide
Devo
December, 2010
My Retirement
Devo
December, 2010
Successful Parenting
December, 2010
Things my Mother Taught me
The Bible teaches us to honor our fathers and mothers. One way to do this is to live in such a way that they receive honor from what we say and do. I'd like to honor my own mother, Jane Rose Mazzalongo, by sharing three important lessons she has taught me.
December, 2010
Fathers and Sons
When I was fifty two years old I learned that my father was not my real father. The man I had known as "dad" was long dead by the time this revelation came so it did not change anything between him and me.
December, 2010
So You Want To Be A Missionary?
To make it as a preacher or missionary, I believe there are four indispensable resources required.
Church 101
December, 2010
4 Resources for Missionaries
To make it as a preacher or missionary, I believe there are four indispensable resources required.
Church 101
September, 2010
Preaching or Meddling?
The oldest joke about preachers is that when they begin to deal with our true bad habits and sins in their sermons, we say that "they've gone from preaching to meddling".
August, 2010
Random Blessings
Sometimes God surprises us. Not just with big things but with random blessings that sprinkle our day with evidence of His constant love and incredible kindness towards us. Here are a few random blessings that immediately come to mind.
Devo
July, 2010
Passover Sleep
May, 2010
Twister Religion
The recent storms that spawned at least a dozen tornadoes across the state of Oklahoma in the U.S. also sparked a spike in some peoples' faith.
Sermon
March, 2010
Loneliness
Loneliness is a catchword for a variety of feelings associated with being by oneself. The "feelings" associated with being alone are usually caused by the reasons why a person finds themselves alone to begin with.
Church 101
March, 2010
The Origin of The Bible
This article looks at the history of writing and examines how the Bible originated and closes with information on how the Old Testament was organized.
Sermon
January, 2010
The Eternal Church
Jesus said that nothing will or can destroy the church. The Bible says that it will continue to grow until it fills and dominates every other kingdom in the world and remain that way forever.
Sermon
December, 2009
Materialism
Mike reviews two different types of materialism and how we are to deal with it.
December, 2009
Jesus Loves Tiger Woods
I prayed for Tiger Woods today. From now on he will be referred to by the media as "disgraced golfer" Tiger Woods... a heavy burden to carry at such a young age, hence my prayer on his behalf.