Southland Christian Church Sermons

One day he woke up and just didn’t need the Lord like he used to. He settled for half-measures, half-seeking the Lord, and half-obedience. He traded his gold for bronze. His God given success and prosperity settled him into mediocrity and he never rose up again. The awakening message to us is: Think of all the blessings you have. Be humble. Be Thankful. Be earnest. Need the Lord like you did in the beginning.

Though nothing really happens when we cross the invisible line of midnight on New Years; but we may never lose our facination with it. There is something in us all that gives us pause for reflection and looking ahead. This message from Deuteronomy chapter eight gives informed persepective to people between seasons.

Our Christmas Candlelight service featured Pastor Dan reading Luke chapter 2, the story of the birth of Christ to the children with their participation. Pastor Jeff read the story of the "Other Wise Man" by Henry Van Dyke, to the adults.

We are all made in the image of God. That means that we built in with a creative impulse to innovate, to expand and to steward something small into something bigger. We are not called to be lazy and ineffictive in prospering what we put our hand to. We are designed for prospering in work, giving in generosity and living by faith. Are you finding yourself close-hearted and close-fisted? Are you always living on the edge of panic with respect to finances? Then you have a spirit of poverty. This message helps break that thinking.

Psalm 88 is, arguably, the worst psalm in the Bible. There is just nothing hopeful about it. One commentator said of psalm 88: “It is a wintry landscape of unrelieved bleakness.” Even the last word in Psalm 88 is darkness. Even though it is the worst psalm in the Bible it has a lot of great lessons--especially to the mature.

Samson’s story is less on of a hero and more fool as it shows us moral slide of a man who could have been defined by great character rather than a few great exploits. In the end, Samson finds a redemption, of sorts, but it comes tragically and with the loss of this own life. In Samson, we find a character study that doesn’t inspire us to be. Rather, it is a character study that shows us what not to be. Samson shows us what a backslider looks like.

Various members of the congregation share their thanksgiving to the Lord. Pastor Jeff closes with a personal story about a "shallow thanksgiving." Shallow Thanksgiving (Story attached below)

This message was preached on Sunday before our national election. It answers: What is happening in our country? (14:30) What should we do? (34:25) How to find encouragement whoever wins. (39:25)

The message continues with: 4. Quenching the Holy Spirit 5. Resisting the Holy Spirit 6. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (The unforgivable sin)

The Holy Spirit was given to us by Jesus Christ to be our Helper and Advocate. He empowers us to do the work of the Kingdom with the departure of Christ. The Bible teaches that there are six sins against the Holy Spirit. Part one includes: Lying against the Holy Spirit, Grieving the Holy Spirit and Insulting the Holy Spirit.

The Bible teaches us that we can have assurance of salvation. How can you know if you are saved? This message gives seven biblical priniciples that prove salvation.

You will not live very long as a Christian, until you will see with your own eyes, or hear with your own ears the fall of a person who is known to be a Christian. It can be very impacting, cause great concern and raise many questions: Who is affected? (More people than you think)How should you respond? Is there a way back for the offender?Finally, is there a way to tell if the offender is on the right track? (Signs of genuine repentance)

What you should know about "living together".

The last of the 25 parables: Some servants were given endowments by their master to enlarge while He was away. Some of the servants accomplished their tasks, but others did not. When the master returned, an accounting was taken of the servants’ stewardship.

Ten virgins “went forth to meet the bridegroom.” Five were wise; they took enough oil for their lamps and were prepared to meet the bridegroom and attend the marriage feast. But the other five were foolish and did not take enough oil for their lamps. So they were not able to meet the bridegroom and were shut out of the marriage feast.

A king arranged a marriage feast for his son. But those invited to the wedding would not come and mistreated those carrying the invitation. In wrath, the king punished the rejecters. Then he invited a new group to the celebration. At the wedding, the king found a man from this new group who was not dressed in a wedding garment; in wrath, the king punished him, too.

Marriage matters. What you should know about living together. Marriage was God's first institution. It was ordained by God to build the family. From there, the whole of society is built. If marriage is diminished, family is diminished; and it is just a matter of time until society is finished.

Part of our Why? Series. This scriptural look at the purpose of praise had contributions from different worship leaders from Southland. More importantly, those contributions were backed by potent scriptures on the dynamic of praise in the life of the believer.

The parable: A man planted a vineyard, and rented it out to others. At harvest time, he sent his servants to receive his share of the fruit. But the renters mistreated all the servants, even killing some. Then the owner of the vineyard sent his only son, and they killed him, too. This resulted in the owner of the vineyard bringing harsh judgment upon the rebellious renters.

The Parable: A man had two sons. He told both to work in his vineyard. One son said he would not, but afterward repented and went to work. The other son said he would obey immediately, but he did not show up.