Calvary Chapel Of Crook County - Main

As Pastor Ryan finishes up our series through the book of Colossians, he hits on our christian witness; our speech; the way we treat others, and our service in the body of Christ.

In part three of our 7 part series, "Burning Questions", Pastor Ryan addresses the question, "What does prayer accomplish (Does it change God's mind)?"

Many people say that we face problems in our society that have never been faced before, so the Bible couldn't possibly answer our problems. As Pastor Ryan teaches on Colossians 3:18-4:1, we see that the principles of scripture are still as relevant today as ever. Marriage, children, employee/employer relationships; Pastor Ryan teaches on all of it.

In the second part of our seven part series, Pastor Ryan addresses the question: "Where did we get the Bible, and how do we know it's reliable?"

In the first part of our series, Pastor Ryan addresses the question "Why does the Lord allow us to suffer through so many trials and illnesses if He truly loves us?".

If asked, most Christians would tell you that they struggle with applying their faith into lives in a practical way. It's easy to attend seminars and listen to encouraging messages that make you want to jump out of your seat and go live for the Lord, but usually by the next day we have forgotten what we heard. Elder Michael Gish teaches on the practical side of faith and it's daily struggles.

As we approach that time that we as Christians refer to as communion, or the Lord's Supper, it can be easy to let routine slip in where we once had openness and vulnerability before the Lord. Elder Shawn Jones teaches on the importance of examining our hearts and dealing with them, lest we approach communion with anything less than humility and reverence.

The very last verse of Judges, 21:25, truly sums up the whole book of Judges, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." As Pastor Ryan finishes up the book of Judges, we continue to see the consequences of being a people who do not have God as their king.

In speaking with the Pharisees, Jesus confronts them about the condition of their hearts. Just like the Pharisees, we like to look good on the outside, but so often our hearts are full of unrepentant sin and corruption. As Chad Carpenter teaches, he addresses just where our problems lie; it's a matter of the heart.

In Judges 13-16, we are introduced to the very relatable life of Samson. Called by God, set apart for His work, empowered by His Spirit, yet so easily entangled by the flesh. Ultimately, his sin led him to his destruction, but God's grace allowed him to repent and do one last work.

Pastor Ryan shares a special message about the hope that we have in death. Those who are in Christ shouldn't mourn death in the same way as those who have no hope. There is peace in knowing that those who die in the Lord in this life are with him forever in eternity.

Judges 9-12 focuses on two individuals, Abimelech (the son of Gideon), and Jephthah. Both were raised up as Judges over Israel, to deliver them from bondage to their enemies. As we examine their lives we find that their foolishness and their sin still managed to cause harm, both to themselves and to others.

In Colossians 3:12-17, we are continuing in this section of scripture where Paul talks about the practical outworking of the preeminence of Jesus in our lives. When Jesus is in first place, there are certain characteristics that mark our lives. As we take a look at our text we find that we are commanded to do two things: clothe ourselves with, and surrender ourselves to, Christ. These two acts of worship will bring about a monumental transformation in our lives.

In Joshua 6-8, we are introduced to a man named Gideon. God raises Gideon up to deliver Israel from the Midianite oppression, which Israel had brought on themselves by their own sin. Throughout our text we find Gideon is a man of doubt and shaky faith, but obeys nonetheless, and consequently delivers Israel. However, as is the pattern of Israel throughout Judges, they ultimately forget what the Lord has done through Gideon and return to their sin, and ultimately, are oppressed and taken captive.

As Christians, it is so easy to fall into the trap of legalism, wherein, we begin to base our acceptance to the Father on what we do and don't do, instead of what Jesus has done for us. This kind of living can only lead to two things, depression or prideful arrogance. I Colossians 3:1-11, the Apostle Paul instructs us that we are to put off the old man and put on the new one, who is renewed in Christ, not one's own works. Rules and regulations don't cause us to put on the new man, they smother and squeeze the spiritual life out of us. Only in Christ can we experience true change.

As we continue our study through Judges, we are intruduced to the first four people God raise up to judge and rescue Israel: Othniel; Ehud; Shamgar; and Deborah. As we continue to study Judges we find Israel continuing their cycle of sin, chastisement, sorrow, and grace. Throughout each occurrence of the Judges, we also find Israel's sin becoming more and more depraved.

Some things are just better off left un-touched. The Gospel of Christ tops the list as the most important. To change just a few things will completely destroy the power of its message, and the intention behind it. As we look at Colossians 2:11-23, we see two truths: What Jesus did for us; and what Jesus asks of us. Under each of those two headings, we see 3 main points: What Jesus did for us: He gave us complete salvation; he gave us complete forgiveness, and he gave us complete victory. What Jesus asks of us: Do not let anyone judge you; Do not let anyone disqualify you; Do not let anyone enslave you (beware of ascetescism)

As we begin our study in the book of Judges, we find that Judges is really the tragic sequel to Joshua. Whereas, in Joshua, we see victory and triumph; in Judges we find rebellion and defeat. Judges seems to begin well, with some tribes still going out and possessing the land, but we find that they begin to grow lazy. As Joshua dies, and those elders who were with him die off, the people begin to fall into great sin with the false gods of the people who had dwelt in the land before them. Throughout the book, we see a four part pattern of events: Israel's departure from God; God's chastisement; Israel's sorrow over their situation; finally, God's grace to the people.

Hebrews 11 is known as the chapter about faith. But what exactly is faith, and how are we supposed to exercise it? Pastor Ryan takes a look at the answers to these questions and more as we take a look at the Life of Faith.

In Colossians 2:8-10, Pastor Ryan takes a look at Paul's declaration that everything is found in Christ. We have a tendency to try to fill our lives with meaning by taking on more tasks, more responsibilities and more activities. While these things in and of themselves aren't bad, if they are taking the place of Christ, then they have effectively become idols. Only in Christ can those things find their proper place.