In the U.S, the Assemblies of God has traditionally adopted a position of total abstinence or “teetotalism” when it comes to the use of alcoholic beverages. Our church is no exception to that rule. But, in this age of moral permissiveness, how have we come to that position and how can we defend it? [A sermon preached by Dr. Arnold Lastinger. Published with permission.]
Someone said for each minute you spend behind the pulpit, spend one hour in preparation. One of the top responsibilities of a Pastor is to faithfully preach the whole counsel of God’s word, carefully explaining the meaning of the text and applying it to the lives of those under his care. As Pastors, we should treat the task of preaching as a sacred responsibility and give our best to prepare and preach a sermon. God expects us to be faithful stewards of His precious Word. How can we claim to be faithful stewards if we don’t even allocate time to prepare. In the past 24 years of ministry, I have met Pastors who walk into the pulpit without preparation, preach rubbish, and then give excuses to defend poor preparation. Do it enough times and then you will have a taste of the following.
The story of Job is one of the most controversial and debated accounts in the Bible. The shortage of background information on the book sometimes begs the question, of whether Job was real? As a result, some have concluded this is, in fact, a parable or allegory.
Different people have different ideas about what the Christian life is all about. The politicians see us as “the religious right” to be courted or ridiculed. The liberals see us as “fanatic fundamentalists” who take a good thing to extremes. Even among ourselves, there are people with differing attitudes as to what is involved in living the Christian life. I believe the normal Christian life goes through four phases. [A sermon by Dr. Arnold Lastinger. Used with permission.]
In order to understand how to wait upon the Lord accurately, first, we must see what’s the purpose of using an Eagle to explain the act of waiting upon the Lord?
Legend says that an Eagle at the age of 30-50, flies to a high place and there it endures a harsh trial of endurance and change. It can’t fly because its feathers are overgrown. Therefore it plucks all the feathers from its body. It plucks its talons from its feet because the talons have grown curled and useless. Its beak has grown too long and curled. It breaks its beak against a rock. Defenseless, it cries out and waits for the time of renewal.
A recent survey indicated that 66% of American men and 50% of American women had been unfaithful to their spouses. C.M. Ward once told me that if there are 100 people in a congregation, the chances are that someone in that congregation is sleeping with someone else’s spouse. I hope that makes you uncomfortable. It does me! I am certain that there are those here today who need this message. Though it may sound like a message of doom, it is actually a message of hope. Stay tuned! [A sermon by Dr. Arnold Lastinger. Used with permission.]
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