Tag Archive - Bible Study

A Letter from Lockdown

May 15, 2012 in tampa church with 0 Comments

We start a brand new series this weekend on the New Testament book of Philippians.  Here is a little background: After his conversion to Christ, the Apostle Paul spent much of his time traveling the Mediterranean area starting churches.  Whenever he started a church he would spend some time developing leaders and then he would hand off the church to the leaders, only to move on to start another church.  We read in the book of Acts about the church Paul started in Philippi.  The book (actually letter) of Philippians is written to the church that he started in Philippi.  He writes this letter while he is in prison and encourages the church to pursue maturity in Christ and a life of joy. Can you imagine that?  Paul is in an ancient prison and he is the encourager. The book of Philippians is only 4 chapters long and yet it is one of the most quoted books in the Bible. This study will encourage you to mature in Christ with an attitude of joy!  Plan to attend every week and bring a friend.
By the way- would you like to see our Spoken Word segment from last Sunday- watch below

No video?  Click here …

 

Got Any Proof?

November 7, 2011 in Bible Study, Tough Questions with Comments Off

Our series, The Giant Elephant, has been very engaging.  The questions submitted  on TheGiantElephant.com  will top 50 this week and your text questions during the message have increased as well.  I am grateful to be the lead pastor at a church where people are hungry for God’s truth.  I said this weekend our purpose in this study is not to help you argue your faith better at the water cooler.  I really hope to win hearts rather than arguments.  Our goal is that we would all understand better what our next step in following Jesus Christ is.  The last two Sunday’s I began with this statement:

 Basic Instruction for Life and faith

are found in The Bible

So as I approach you questions each week, I look to the scripture for the answer.  So, this week’s Elephant questions will address the Bible itself.  I will talk about:

  • How is the Bible different than other “religious” books?
  • Does the Bible have errors?
  • Who wrote the Bible?
  • Does the Bible conflict with evolution and science?

That will give us a good start and then I want to step into some real controversy.  I will talk about what the Bible has to say about:

  • The Death Penalty
  • War
  • Abortion
  • Euthanasia

Everything we do at Church at the Bay centers around the Bible and what God has commanded us to do.  Plan to come this week and take some good notes- I believe you will be greatly encouraged!

One more word, please pray for an open reception over the next two Sundays.  I will be addressing some polarizing issues and I am asking God to use me to bring peace and healing for many wounded people.  When I talk about Abortion this weekend I know there will be ladies in the room who have been wounded.  I am asking God to use me to bring clarity; healing and hope to everyone in the room.  Would you please pray to that end?

The Bible is an Amazing Book!

June 6, 2011 in According to Jim, Bible Study with Comments Off

The Bible is an amazing book.  I believe it is God’s Word for mankind.  Did you know that the Bible was written …

  • over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)
  • over 40 generations
  • by over 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. – kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars)
  • in different places (i.e. – wilderness, dungeon, palaces)
  • at different times (i.e. – war, peace)
  • in different moods (i.e. – heights of joy, depths of despair)
  • on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)
  • in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek)

Google will give you hundreds of resources of fun facts about the Bible.  Although I enjoy reading them, the Bible purpose is much BIGGER than the mere increase of knowledge.  The Bible is a book that challenges us to change!  If you read carefully, the Bible will challenge you to change:

  • how you treat your neighbor
  • how you love your spouse
  • how you discipline your children
  • how you pray
  • how you spend your money
  • I could go on and on.

James says in Chapter 1:

21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

God’s Word has the power to save our souls … and we must do what it says!  Would you like some tools for watering the Word God has placed in your heart and experiencing the fruit of that Power?  Then you want to be here Sunday our study of James we are calling :

Memorial Day

May 23, 2011 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment

This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day as a country.  We give honor to the men and women that have paid the highest price, their life, for our freedom.  Many of you know I am Hal Mayer 3rd. Hal Mayer the 1st , we called him granddaddy, served in 3 wars for our country and is buried in Arlington Memorial Cemetery.  He went off to war in WWI as a 16 year old boy (lied about his age).  Later when WWII broke out he signed up again.  Finally, my Dad and his dad served in the Korean War (I know “they” call it a “conflict” but don’t try to tell the men and women on the battlefield it wasn’t war).  I remember watching “Saving Private Ryan” with my dad.  My dad was amazed at the sound of bullets streaking through the air in the movie- he said, “Man that sounds real”.  He and I both cried when we saw the last scene when Private Ryan goes to Arlington Cemetery to visit his buddy’s grave.  I learned growing up that we give honor to the men and women of our armed forces.

This weekend we are going to celebrate and give honor to another memorial as well- The Lord’s Supper.  When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (some called it Communion) we remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for all men and women.  Jesus Christ died so that we can have not only freedom in this life but spend eternity in heaven with Him when we die.  So this weekend is all about honoring sacrifice.  Plan to come and bring a friend.

Why not leave a comment?  Do you have a family member who served or died in a war?  Please leave a comment- we would love to hear. Click here to leave a comment.
Page 1 of612345»...Last »