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Mike emphasizes the importance of love as the primary objective of the church, highlighting that growth should be a byproduct of love rather than the main goal, inviting listeners to reflect on incorporating God's love into their lives and making love their primary focus as Christians.

In I Corinthians 6 Paul talks about a radical change that is possible and permanent and describes the three steps that lead to this new you.

Mike shares his journey of growth, from gaining weight to building a church, emphasizing the principle of "no growth without pain" in various aspects of life, urging the congregation to embrace challenges for future opportunities.

There is new technology, new gadgets, new ideas about how things work. But as far as the human condition is concerned; as far as what mankind's essential responsibility is; as far as what is truth and the reality of life, death and what comes after --- there really is nothing new here on earth --- under the sun.

Expect the new preacher to work hard as an evangelist, reaching out to the lost, organizing the church, and ministering through God's word, while he expects obedience and involvement from you to foster spiritual and numerical growth and be a model of encouragement to others.

One month after my 16th birthday my father died. He was 53 years old. It was two o'clock in the morning and my mother woke me up saying that she thought my dad was really sick.

Mike examines the modern practice of speaking in tongues in light of biblical teaching. He explains the original purpose of tongues in the early church and discusses how its use today differs from the New Testament pattern. The lesson invites viewers to consider whether tongues are still relevant or necessary in contemporary Christian worship.

The ideal church, as described in the New Testament, is characterized by a single leader, Jesus Christ, a unified body, a commitment to holiness, a mission to preach the gospel, and a systematic approach to fulfilling this mission, inviting individuals to reflect on their role in becoming part of this dream church.

In a thought-provoking reflection on consumerism and Christianity, Mike challenges individuals to consider the authenticity of their faith and urges them to shine as a light in their actions to honor God.

Keynote speech for the 2007 World Mission Workshop at Oklahoma Christian University. The main message is that it is the responsibility of each generation to evangelize the world and today it is possible through modern communication technology (i.e. Internet) to preach the gospel to every nation each day, all day long, until Jesus returns.

This lesson will review the biblical foundation and historical record that establish vocal singing as the Spirit ordained manner of musical praise in public worship.

When feeling unsure about your faith, it's comforting to know that even great men like Elijah and David experienced doubt, as highlighted in this insightful message on navigating uncertainty in Christianity.

What we choose in life often indicates where we are at in our development and what we really want.

Experience the big picture of building the spiritual temple of God within the church and understand how each individual plays a vital role in creating a community of believers destined for eternity.

A lesson that parallels an immigrant's experience with the experience of Christians who come into the kingdom and seek the promise of heaven.

In the midst of tragedy (the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing) and uncertainty, the call to honor the victims, get involved, and offer prayers emerges as a way to navigate the aftermath and move forward with hope and resilience.

This sermon discusses the challenges faced by single individuals and the importance of recognizing their state and priorities, offering insights on how to navigate the single life with a focus on serving the Lord and finding fulfillment.

I'll share with you how the Holy Spirit evangelized me and what this has meant in my life.

In both the Old and New Testaments, God calls people for unique purposes—from leaders and prophets in ancient Israel to Mary, Joseph, and the apostles in the New Testament—emphasizing that, while the age of miraculous callings has ended, God still calls individuals today through Scripture to salvation, sanctification, service, and perseverance.

Paul's remarkable ability to preach and teach new believers, hostile Jews, and pagans is highlighted in the study of his life and work, emphasizing the importance of salted speech in effectively communicating faith, as seen in his interactions with the Thessalonians.

Understanding the dangers of cults and the importance of discernment in faith is crucial to protecting oneself from deceptive teachings and false leaders.

Mike delves into the importance of money matters and how Christians should acquire and use money in a proper and ethical manner, emphasizing the significance of giving thanks, providing for family needs, and helping others in need.

The importance of following the pattern theology for church growth is highlighted through the three pillars of preaching the gospel, teaching Christ's commands, and fostering a fellowship among believers, as discussed in Acts chapter 2.

In our modern era, the rapid, constant influx of information from numerous sources requires us to develop practical ways to filter and manage what we consume daily.

Let's look at the bigger picture that God has designed for New Testament worship.

This sermon explores how God's plan, revealed in the Bible, is superior to anything humans can imagine. It highlights the faith of ancient believers, who looked forward to a promise they would not receive in their lifetime. Mike encourages readers to trust in God's plan, which finds its fulfillment in Jesus, offering something far better than temporary solutions or material gains.

The Church of Christ distinguishes itself by its commitment to following the Bible as the sole authority, emphasizing restorationism and biblical accuracy in its approach to Christianity.

We are united into one group because God has separated us from the world and formed a special body of people who all share a special set of characteristics.

A review of the progress of the same-sex marriage crusade along with what this means for Christians going forward.

Understanding the difference between cults and true Christianity is crucial to protecting your mind and faith, as cults aim to control and manipulate individuals through deceit and coercion, while the church promotes freedom, study, questioning, and service to the community in the name of Jesus Christ.

This lesson looks at the goals that the church, which meets inside the building, should have.

As you all know Jean Paul II has died at the age of 84. He is the spiritual leader and head of the Roman Catholic Church. It is said that there will be over 1 million people that will visit his body in Rome. The world and especially Catholics see this as an important and historic event, but how are we, as New Testament Christians, to react to the death of this Pope?

The spiritual use, benefits, and practice of the combined spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting are examined within a biblical context.

The text discusses the Christian belief in heaven and hell, emphasizing the importance of faith and the consequences of disbelief, urging readers to consider their own beliefs and choices.

Jesus invites us to submit, carry the burden of faith, and enter a beneficial relationship with Him through the symbolism of the yoke, offering rest and lightness to those who choose to follow Him.

Mike explains how true repentance goes beyond feeling sorrow for sins—it's about a complete transformation of heart and lifestyle. He emphasizes that repentance is a bold, revolutionary act that turns one's life toward God, creating lasting change. This lesson challenges believers to rethink their understanding of repentance and embrace it as a powerful force for spiritual growth.

True greatness is just a heartbeat away, but hesitation, pride, and delay can keep us from it. Don't just come close—embrace the call, obey Christ, and step into the eternal glory that awaits.

This sermon delves into the challenging realities of Christianity, emphasizing the importance of following the narrow path and dealing with enemies in a Christ-like manner, inviting readers to reflect on their own journey and faith.

I've often said that the church should appoint a deacon in charge of blame - the deacon of blame. That way when anything ever goes wrong, or something doesn't get done, this deacon's only job would be to accept the blame for it.

In selecting deacons, Paul emphasizes that their wives should possess qualities that support their husband's role, as their character can significantly impact his ability to serve effectively in the church, aligning with the biblical ideal of mutual partnership outlined in Genesis.

Sometimes in our lives, we face spiritual emergencies and I think we need to learn to prepare for these events as well, because everyone at one time or another will .. face a "spiritual" emergency of some kind.

This lesson is based on Romans 1:16 and promotes the notion that the church needs to rediscover the manner and core message of the gospel in order to have a true impact on today's world.

Mike emphasizes the importance of addressing the struggles of sin within the church community, particularly for long-standing Christians, while shifting the focus from evangelism to support and guidance for those already in the faith, using Paul's letter to the Corinthians as a foundational reference.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and spiritual growth within the congregation, urging members to prioritize Bible reading, church involvement, and submission to leadership to overcome struggles and move forward.

Even in the face of grief and loss, Christians find comfort in the hope of resurrection, trusting in God's promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

The text discusses the Y2K bug scare and how people react to anxiety, highlighting the importance of faith and trust in God over technology, offering a perspective on handling fear and uncertainty.

Stephen Black, a former homosexual, courageously stood up against proposed laws discriminating against homosexuals, sharing his faith in Jesus Christ and the power of change, inspiring others to stand firm in their beliefs.

Learn how to effectively resolve conflicts and reconcile with others by following Jesus' teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation.

In this lesson, we learn the basic requirements for becoming and persevering as disciples of Christ.

Moses' final instructions to the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy emphasize obedience to God's word as the key to maintaining God's blessings, urging them not to compromise His commandments while preparing to enter the Promised Land.

If you are making an effort to come closer to God, if you are investing your energies into becoming a holier person, you will not have the interest or energy to fight with your brothers or sister in the church.

There are 5 things found in the New Testament that God will accept as true worship to Him.

Explore the essential elements of biblical salvation, from the significance of repentance as a transformative relationship with Christ to the diverse and debated views on baptism, and discover the unified doctrine presented in the New Testament.