My name is Rob Hines, and I am a sinner. Just in case you didn't know it, you are all sinners as well! Oh, I can see what the majority of you are thinking right now, it's written all over your faces.
"Who is this young wiper snapper coming in here and telling me I'm a sinner. Hear that southern accent! must be one of them hell fire and brimstone teachers. Well, I'm here to tell you that I don't sin! I'm a Christian!"
Or perhaps there are some of you who are sitting there thinking, "I'm not into this "Christian" movement, I'm a good person, I don't really have anything to do with this whole...
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Today we are going to review a passage from First Corinthians, but before we do so we will quickly review why Paul wrote this letter. The city of Corinth was at the heart of a primary trade route in the ancient world. Like many cities that thrive on trade, Corinth had a reputation for sexual immorality, religious diversity, and corruption. The church that Paul planted there (Acts 18) floundered under all of these influences and began to divide over various issues. First Corinthians addresses many of the practical questions dividing the church—questions concerning such things as spiritual...
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There is a humorous old tale that speaks of a man who died and upon arriving in heaven faced the angel Gabriel at heaven's gates. The angel said, "Here's how it works. You need a hundred points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you have done, and I will give a certain number of points for each of them. The more good there is in the work that you cite, the more points you will get for it. When you get to a hundred points, you get in." "Okay," the man said, "I was married to the same woman for fifty years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."...
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Today we are going to take a quick peek at the book of Jude, weighing in with but one chapter of twenty four versus, it is one of the shortest books in the Bible, yet carries all of the weight of God's word. This letter warns against those who have infiltrated our church, perverting the grace of God and denying Christ. Jude provides us with a number of biblical examples, and then urges those true men of faith to persevere in Godliness and love. Let's read Jude quickly and then I will make some observations on this text. I will be reading from the English Standard Version, so please bear with...
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