Sunday, February 03, 2013
by Robert Dean
Passage: Proverbs 3:1-6
Series: Proverbs (2013)
Duration: 55 mins 20 secs
The only knowledge that translates into wisdom is knowledge of the Truth. Enmeshment with Truth is an inseparable relationship. Enmeshment in today’s language implies a dysfunctional relationship where one allows another to define him. In the spiritual realm it is a positive term where we aspire to be defined by, and inseparable from, the Truth of God. Truth acts as our protection from absorbing cosmic thinking. Understand the expanded meanings of mercy and Truth and the imagery behind writing them and binding them. Know that trust is based on specific principles of scripture. Applied trust is certainty that fear has lost its power to intimidate and motivate in light of the Truth that is written on our hearts.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
by Robert Dean
Passage: Proverbs 1:20-33
Series: Proverbs (2013)
Duration: 53 mins 14 secs
It’s never too late to understand the importance of getting God’s wisdom into our souls NOW, but NOW has a way of fading into yesterday which makes it too late to apply the wisdom we lost yesterday to the crisis we’re having today. God doesn’t make it difficult for us by hiding His wisdom under a rock. Wisdom, personified here as a woman, screams at us from every avenue of perception. The difficult choice is to continue to disregard it. But some do disregard it and become fools. Understand the different categories in the downward spiral of foolishness as we repeatedly reject obvious Truth. God’s offer of wisdom is continuous, but if you continually reschedule NOW to tomorrow, the guarantee is that foolishness gains momentum in your future.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
by Robert Dean
Passage: Proverbs 1:10-19
Series: Proverbs (2013)
Duration: 56 mins 40 secs
A person can study philosophy and the minutia of ideas and still come up with only two ways of thinking; God’s way or the world’s way. Proverbs contrasts these as the way of the foolish and the way of the wise. Facts, reason and experience may fill 95% of your brain, but the 5% containing God’s revelation is the means of interpreting the 95% which can, if practiced, produce skillful living through wise choices. God doesn’t entice us to sin. He does test us, in prosperity or adversity, to give us opportunities to make decisions that allow us to grow. See the lessons in our passage on wisdom, taught as a father teaches his son, emphasizing choices. If you feel you lack wisdom, ask God for it. He wants us to have it.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
by Robert Dean
Passage: Proverbs 1:8-9
Series: Proverbs (2013)
Duration: 49 mins
Proverbs recognizes the family as the first environment for learning. Proverbs exhorts children to listen attentively and learn. Knowing is to comprehend facts. Wisdom is that knowledge applied. Wisdom begins with recognition of God’s authority. The facts that are applied as wisdom are taken from the manual God has provided in His Word. Any other source of wisdom taught in the home is a path to destruction. The chain of command over the child resides in both parents, beginning with the priority role of the father. Learn about the metaphors and their ties to antiquity, which describe the rewards for the child who obeys these commands. Wisdom is application of God’s absolute Truth. Wisdom is the parents’ legacy to their children which will defend, guard, protect and become their basis for rewards.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Proverbs 1:1
Series: Proverbs (2013)
Duration: 54 mins 59 secs
Proverbs, written primarily by Solomon but with other contributors, is a book of instruction, wisdom and poetry. We will study the meaning of Proverbs from the mind of the author, in historical context, and not through the erroneous wanderings of our own imaginations. Gifted by God with wisdom, and by the Holy Spirit with the preservation of these words, in the end, Solomon failed miserably. What ingredient do we add to knowledge and wisdom to obtain obedience and eternal value? Is wisdom the immediate gratification we get when we study this book? What is wisdom? Do knowledge and wisdom guarantee smooth sailing in life?
Sunday, September 02, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 3:16-17 & Ephesians 5:18-20
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 57 mins 8 secs
God tells us to sing. Why? To express the word of God that dwells in us richly, teaching and admonishing in wisdom. Our inspiration is God’s grace; our motivation is truth; our audience is God; and our conduit is excellence. Worship, expressed in this way, will transform our values in the midst of a culture that has no absolute values. Excellence is in the standard. Adhere to the standard, and real beauty will be expressed. Our question is not, “Is this good enough?” Our question should be, “Is this the absolute best means to glorify God, reflect who He is and echo the Truth He has given?”
Sunday, July 08, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 3:15
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 37 mins 38 secs
How do we find God's will? Does God always have a specific will for each detail of our life, or, for the issues that don't involve morality or biblical commands? Or is the test of decision making more often related to the process of how we make the decision, than the specific decision itself? In this lesson Pastor Dean continues to answer these and other questions related to knowing God's will and making wise decisions.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Romans 5:3-5
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 55 mins 15 secs
Hope is a process, developed, not given in total at salvation. Hope is a present reality based on a future promise, our assured destiny. Hope stands firm in adversity. Adversity is the building block of Christian character. How can there be joy in adversity? Confidence in God’s promises and His long-term plan produces a mentality of joy. Hope grows through revelation, the disclosure and unveiling of fuller knowledge through His Word. Fuller knowledge develops into an intimate relationship with God through an understanding of the all sufficiency of His attributes. Discover the joy in the certainty of His promises and the motivation to stand firm no matter what circumstances deliver.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 2:2-4
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 1 hr 8 mins 17 secs
What treasure are you seeking? Scripture tells us that spiritual assets and riches already exist in the believer's life. But how can we know that is true? How can we have that assurance?In this lesson we learn these riches are activated as we learn God's Word, creating confidence and the ability to apply the Word to real life situations. We acquire wisdom, a skillful execution of the knowledge we have. We learn the true meaning of Paul's reference to "mystery" and how it is related to the new entity - the body of Christ. We learn that all (not some) treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ and are ours. Here's the formula for our growth process: understanding = knowledge = wisdom.So what is bringing the most meaning and significance to your own personal life?
Sunday, May 08, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 1:11-12
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 46 mins 36 secs
Includes communion service. Throughout the centuries, various “secrets” to the Christian life have been discovered. Why? It is simple: the Christian life isn’t merely difficult, it is impossible! There is no way any human in his own power can fulfill the commandments of God. We need special power. In the Church Age, this is provided by God the Holy Spirit. In this lesson we are looking at various aspects of how God strengthens us in our spiritual life.