Pastor Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, in a sermon on Titus 1:10-16 Paul writes (1:13), “But reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith.” “ Them” may refer to the false teachers, as the preceding context would indicate. But, being sound in the faith would point to believers. “To … More Deception, Disease and Demise
Pastor Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship comments Ezra was prostrating himself and praying “before the house of God” (10:1). Shecaniah admits, “We have been unfaithful to our God” (10:2). It was with God that they made this covenant because they trembled at His commandment (10:3). They needed to confess their sins to the … More “Genuine repentance must be primarily toward God.”
Pastor Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship comments on Ezra 9: Because we are so desensitized toward sin, we fail to have the proper response toward it, whether it is our own sin, or sin in others. We minimize it, justify it, or ignore it and go on our way unaffected by it. If … More How a person reacts to the news of sin tells a lot about that person.
Stephen Cole, of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship comments on Ezra 3- Note first that both personal and corporate worship focus on God and affirm by faith His goodness and covenant love (3:11). Worship requires skillful musicians (3:10), but if the focus is on them, you’re into entertainment, not worship. Worship praises the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His … More Worship or entertainment?
Pastor Steven Cole asks some good questions about the passage for today, Acts 18:18-28, and encourages us to look for ways we see God using “people in process” to accomplish His work. Our text shows us God’s work and God’s workers in process.It’s a passage of Scripture where I wish that the Lord had seen … More Steven Cole: God’s work and God’s workers in process.
Steven Cole on Genesis 31: In Genesis 31, Jacob is between a rock and a hard place. He has left Haran and is heading back to Canaan in obedience to the Lord. Behind him is his crafty father-in-law, Laban. Before him is his brother, Esau, whom he had cheated and run from 20 years before. … More Jacob: between a rock and a hard place.
Steven Cole draws out some interesting points in our reading in Acts 7:39-60 Note the repetition in his sermon of the word “hands.” In 7:41, he mentions how in the incident of the golden calf, Israel re- joiced in the work of their hands. In 7:48, Stephen declares, “However, the Most High does not dwell … More “Hands” in Acts 7
God is sovereign and His Spirit leads us to the right opportunities for ministry. We see this in Acts 16:6-10…. Pastor Steven J. Cole comments: Opportunities come to those who are already serving, not to those who are doing nothing…..Sometimes people don’t serve the Lord because they’ve never experienced a dramatic “call” to ministry. But this … More Wait for a dramatic “call”? or just start serving God?
Pastor Steven Cole, in the conclusion of a sermon form 1 Peter 4:1-11 “Intent on Holiness” Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no … More Are you intent on holiness?
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18 Steven Cole comments: Settling arguments peacefully in English pubs has often been a difficult task. So, in … More Settling arguments vs sowing wisdom
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 