• We Need to Talk…About Islam - Part I
    Nov 18 2024

    Sermon by Dr. Robert Lewis

    1/27/2002

    Islam Beliefs and Practices:

    • Shahada (Declaration of faith): Reciting the statement of faith: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet."
    • Salat (Prayer): Performing five daily prayers facing the Kaaba in Mecca.
    • Zakat (Charity): Giving alms (one-fourth of one's income).
    • Sawm (Fasting): Abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.
    • Hajj (Pilgrimage): Making a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime.
    • Jihad (Struggle): Engaging in personal and/or community struggle to defend or spread Islam.

    Comparison of Islam and Christianity:

    • Prophethood: Muslims believe Muhammad is God's final prophet (fulfilling Deuteronomy 18, according to their interpretation), while Christians believe Jesus is the final prophet.
    • Holy Books: Muslims consider the Quran to be God's final and infallible word, while Christians believe the Bible is God's word, though they acknowledge different interpretations.
    • Nature of God: Muslims believe in one God, Allah, while Christians believe in the Trinity (one God in three persons).
    • Human Nature: Muslims believe humans are born with a good nature, while Christians believe humans are born with a sinful nature.
    • Salvation: Muslims believe salvation is achieved through complete surrender to Allah and good deeds, while Christians believe salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ.
    • Jesus Christ: Muslims view Jesus as a prophet, but not as God incarnate or the Son of God, a belief considered the greatest sin (shirk) in Islam.
    • The Cross: Muslims deny that Jesus was crucified, believing he was taken up to heaven.
    • The Bible: Muslims believe the existing Bible has been corrupted, while Christians believe it is God's inspired word.

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    52 mins
  • Life's Two-Sided Reality
    Nov 11 2024

    Sermon by Dr. Robert Lewis

    1/13/2002

    Our "Golden Coin" Psalm 90"

    • Oldest Psalm
    • Only on written by Moses
    • God has two sides, just like a coin.

    The Hard Realities of "Tails" Where I Lose to God:

    • My Destiny
    • My Days

    The Gracious Realities of "Heads" Where I Win With God:

    • Redemptive Understanding
    • Redemptive Restoration
    • Redemptive Contribution

    Ps 90

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    47 mins
  • Experiencing God
    Nov 4 2024

    Sermon by Dr. Robert Lewis

    12/16/2001

    The Rule Behind Experiencing God:

    • It takes a seeking heart.

    Obvious Places God Hangs Out:

    • His Word
    • Faith/Obedience
    • Godly People
    • Worship

    The Results of Experiencing God:

    • Satisfying Life Change
    • Spontaneous Praise
    • Transformational Strength
    • The Best of Life

    Ps 84

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    47 mins
  • The Ways of Wisdom: Friends
    Oct 28 2024

    Sermon by Dr. Robert Lewis

    11/4/2001

    Life is a team sport.

    What Friendships are not:

    • Friendship is not to be equated with friendly.
    • Friendship is not getting someone to take care of you.

    What Friendships are:

    • A real friend seeks your best.
    • A real friend is durable.
    • A real friend keeps confidence.
    • A real friend, at times, is confrontative.
    • A real friend is real.

    The Worst Proverb: 18:1 - the opposite of all friendship principles.

    Strategy #9: A Godly friend is one of life's greatest blessings, but to have one you must also be one.

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    39 mins
  • The Ways of Wisdom: Generosity
    Oct 21 2024

    Sermon by Dr. Robert Lewis

    10/21/2001

    Generosity is the great hidden secret of a rich life.

    Greed constantly pulls us to ourselves.

    Three Ways the Wisdom of Proverbs Calls Us to be Generous:

    • With our money: Give to honor the Lord
    • With our good deeds
    • With our words: Helping someone find Jesus

    Strategy #7 for Ensuring the Blessing of God: "give and it shall be given to you"

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    43 mins
  • The Ways of Wisdom: Proverbs
    Oct 14 2024

    Sermon by Dr. Robert Lewis

    8/26/2001

    Two Important Things You Need to Know about Wisdom:

    • Wisdom richly rewards
    • Wisdom is available to everyone

    How to be Wise:

    • Fear the Lord
    • Apply God's Word
    • Hang out with wise people

    Strategy #1 for Assuring the Blessing of God: Acquire Wisdom.

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    46 mins
  • Risky Faith, Exceptional Living
    Oct 7 2024

    Sermon by Dr. Robert Lewis

    8/5/2001

    The Story of Risky Faith

    • Naomi's Plan:
      • Knew there was chemistry with Boaz
      • Knew Boaz was righteous
    • Ruth's Courageous Execution:
      • Risky to go to the threshing floor
    • Boaz"s Manly Response:
      • Praises her character
      • Follow principles

    Relevant Observations of Exceptional Living

    • From Naomi's life: An exceptional faith will move when you see God moving.
    • From Ruth's life: An exceptional life will require moments of great personal risk.
    • From Boaz's life: An exceptional masculinity loves righteousness above all.
      • Every man needs a mission above all else, even his wife.

    Ruth 3

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    43 mins
  • What about My Mission?
    Sep 30 2024

    Sermon by Dr. Robert Lewis

    6/24/2001

    Climbing God's Mountain:

    • Conversion - Discovery - Grounding - Growth and Service - Call

    What Do We Mean by Mission?

    • A personal mission is different from those general spiritual responsibilities Scripture calls every believer to in the church.
    • A personal mission is finding what God specifically created you to do with your life, and doing it.

    The "Gear" for a Personal Mission:

    • Gifting is the starting point.
    • Desires and interests mark the trail ahead.
    • Calling is the summit.
    • Faith is the climb.
    • Perseverance is the victory.

    Moses:

    • Gift of leadership
    • Wanted the oppression lifted from his people
    • Not leader of sheep but deliverer of Israel

    Do you know what God has created you to do?

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    40 mins