Sermons by Bruce Pratt (Page 10)
A Thanksgiving Lament (Psalm 13)
For many of us 2020 has been a tough year. But even in years with less drama, it’s possible to experience setbacks. And sometimes those challenges can go on for quite some time. How does the believer confront the struggles of life? The many lament psalms show us that we can still depend on God and His grace, regardless of what is happening at any given point.
Focus (Philippians 3:12-14)
Paul had an amazing resume prior to becoming a follower of Christ. He considered these accomplishments to be so much garbage. He had also accomplished a great deal for the cause of Christ by the time he wrote his letter to the Philippian church. This wasn’t garbage at all. In fact, this was kingdom work. But Paul wasn’t going to bask in his past accomplishments either. He wasn’t done. He wanted to serve Christ effectively until the Lord received him…
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son is one of His most loved stories. But Jesus makes it clear from the outset that it is the tale of two sons. The younger son takes his inheritance and squanders it. But what about the older son? There is much to learn from the experiences and conduct of both.
Current Events (Romans 1:18-32)
God’s wrath is a part of his righteousness. If God did not punish sin, then He would not be truly righteous. The latter part of the first chapter of Romans describes to whom and why this wrath must be applied. And even though these words were written almost 2000 years ago, the actions they describe are as fresh as tonight’s evening news.
Finishing Well (1 Peter 4:7-11)
Time is short. Jesus could return tomorrow. If not, we’re still not guaranteed tomorrow. But what if you live another fifty years? Time is still short from an eternal standpoint. We need to be tuned into God’s priorities. We need to align our prayers with His kingdom. And then we need to pour our lives into others.
Josiah: A Profile
Josiah was the final “good” king of Judah. He began to reign at eight years old, and he died at 39. But in those 31 years he impacted his nation greatly for God. This is more than just an historical profile, however. The account of Josiah’s life and reign has much to teach Christians today.
On Call (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
We never know when the Lord will lead us to talk with someone about Him. It may with an individual who is searching for answers, or someone who thinks they know everything. He could want to us to correct an erring believer or witness to an unbeliever. Because we cannot know when those opportunities will come, we need to be ready all the time.
Prayer First (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
In order to be in tune with God’s will, believers need to pray. It’s really that simple. But prayer isn’t simple. It’s more than just something to do at mealtime or before bed. It needs to be kingdom focused. That’s what Paul describes in today’s text. Christians need to pray for others, but especially for our leaders. And the goal of our prayers is to see those we pray for come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The Thin Line of Faith (Joshua 2:15-24)
In the second week of our look at Rahab, the focus is on the clarity of the gospel message. The spies gave Rahab very specific instructions on what she must do to survive the conquest of Jericho. If she followed their directives, she would survive. If not, they would not be responsible for her demise. Similarly, when the Holy Spirit presents the opportunity to witness to a lost person, we need to present the plan of salvation in a clear,…
They Know (Joshua 2:1-14)
Chapter 2 of Joshua focuses on a harlot named Rahab. God would use this woman greatly, but she is introduced in Scripture as a frightened pagan. It’s probably reasonable to say that just about every Christian has a few “Rahabs” in their life. And you can be fairly certain they know a lot more about us than we realize.