Sermons by Bruce Pratt (Page 14)
No More Rehearsals (Hebrews 9:11-15)
God originally commanded Israel to observe the Day of Atonement every year. But with Jesus’ coming and His sacrifice, the Day of Atonement has been rendered obsolete. It is obsolete because Jesus, our High Priest, gave Himself on the cross of Calvary. He alone atoned for the sin of the world. This ushered in a new way of relating with God. No longer would worship only be “skin deep.” Now God would inhabit the hearts of those who put their…
Living by the Book (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
God gave us the Scriptures so that we could know Him and live for Him. The Bible is the best selling book of all time. But how many have actually read it? And reading the Bible is only the first step. We must heed what it tells us and let it lead our lives. When this becomes a reality for us, we will find we need it more and more.
Pay It Forward (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
God comforts us through the trials of our lives. He doesn’t just do this because He loves us, though He loves us mightily. He also does this to empower us to provide that same comfort to others.
Getting Our Attention (Luke 9:28-36)
Sometimes we just get too caught up in the day to day activities of life. But God will use whatever He deems necessary to get our attention. In the case of Peter, James, and John, Jesus took them on the mountain to see Him transfigured. He wanted to see that they couldn’t just see Him as their teacher. He was much more than that.
What’s Next (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
It’s easy to become concerned about the future. We see this world becoming increasingly more violent and hate-filled. Actions and attitudes that would have shocked most people a generation ago are now accepted and even commonplace. This decline in our society has caused many to wonder what’s coming next. They ask, “Can the end be far off?” The apostle Paul answers that question in 2 Thessalonians. He also gives encouragement to believers in his time and ours.
In God We Trust (Psalm 146)
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of putting your trust in other people. This is even more challenging when politicians are telling you what you want to hear. The promises sound so appealing. But our human limitations make this a risky venture. Instead, we should put all our trust in God. He’s been around forever and He’s the one who created everything. He just may know a little more than that candidate who wants your vote.
Words of Worth (Ephesians 4:29)
So much of what we hear and read these days is harsh and confrontational. With all of our technology these words are getting to us faster and in more ways than ever. Scripture makes it clear that what we say and write should be uplifting, not damaging. Pastor Bruce discusses how our words should pass the quality test and the value test. The quality test gauges whether our words are corrupt or not. The value test ascertains whether what we…
What’s Your First Sentence? (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
Just as in Jeremiah’s day, people today value skill, power, and riches above just about everything else. In fact, many put their trust in these whether they possess them or someone else does. But where our trust and glory should rest is in our relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. All of this will pass away. But God and His righteousness are eternal.
Just What You Need (James 1:16-18)
Many in our world today are demanding this right or that privilege. People don’t feel that they’re getting what they deserve. Somehow they’re missing out. But the truth of the matter is that God has every single one of us covered. He knows what we need and when we need it. In fact, He knows what we need better than we do. And he is able to supply us with the very best in every situation.
Free Indeed (Colossians 1:13-14)
We were all born with a sin nature. Not only does this make us do wrong things, it enslaves us to sin. Jesus came to free us from that bondage. Through His death and resurrection those who trust in Him for salvation have been rescued from the power and influence of sin. God transfers us from the darkness of sin to His glorious kingdom.