Messages by Michael Staley (Page 4)
It Seems Fishy to Me (Part 2)
Jonah 2:1-10, 3:1-10 After dining with a big fish for a few days, Jonah is energized and prays to God because he is ready to do the work that God has prepared for him. After landing on a beach and taking a little walk, Jonah travels through the streets of Ninevah preaching a message of repentance. The funny thing is, it worked! The people repented and God didn’t destroy Ninevah, at least not then. Scriptures Referenced Jonah 1:17 1 Samuel…
It Seems Fishy to Me (Part 1)
Jonah 1:1-17 God speaks to Jonah and tells him He has a job for him to do. Jonah turns and tries to run away and since God sees him taking a little holiday, God decides Jonah needs to spend a little time fishing, so he is fresh for the challenge that awaits him. Scriptures Referenced 2 Kings 14:25 1 Kings 22:8 Genesis 10:8-12
What Will Be The Sign
Mark 13:7-37 The disciples wondered about the things that Jesus told them were going to happen. They also wondered when they were going to happen. This message looks at that conversation and tries to make sense of what Jesus said in light of what is currently going on in the world. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 24:6 Matthew 24:29-31
Do Not Be Misled
Mark 12:35-13:1-6 We are warned repeatedly not to be misled in the scriptures. The only way that we can do that is to know what the scriptures say, so we need to study them and learn them. If you know the scriptures well enough to know God’s character, you will be well prepared to avoid lies, distractions, and deceit. Scriptures Referenced 2 Tim 2:15 Mat 28:18-20 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 Acts 17:10-11 2 Corinthians 13:14 1 Corinthians 15:52 Matthew 3:16–17 Phillipians…
Hypocrisy, Hypocrisy, Curiosity?
Mark 12:13-34 When we seek God, we need to do it with good intentions and without hypocrisy. When our search for God is only to find Him and demand that He bend to our will, our bad intentions will lead to difficulty and struggle because God is sovereign and His will is what matters. Truly, we should be interested in seeking His will because He wants what is best for us, always. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 22:15 John 11:53 Deuteronomy 25:5-6…
By Whose AutHORITY?
Mark 11:27-33, 12:1-12 When someone asks a simple question with bad motives, are you obligated to provide them an answer. Jesus didn’t think so, so He asked a simple question in response. An honest answer would have gained the questioners the answer that they sought. The result, no answer was given that day. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 21:1 Matthew 3:1-3 Isaiah 28:16 Exodus 18:13-24 Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 118:23 Romans 3:23 Psalm 118:22 Romans 3:1-4a
Messages Within Messages
Mark 11:12-26 Jesus curses a fig tree, clears the temple and spends a lot of time teaching in the temple. He doesn’t seem to be making friends with the religious authorities, but then again, who wants to get friendly with whitewashed tombs. Scriptures Referenced John 10:7-10 Matthew 21:19 Hebrews 11:1-40
Everybody Loves a Parade
Mark 11:1-11 A monumental day in the history of man, the day that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Himself, Jesus Christ entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. A one man, one God parade spoken of by the prophets and fulfilled exactly when God said it would happen. Scriptures Referenced Isaiah 61:1-2 Daniel 9:24-26 Luke 19:28-44 Psalm 8:2 Matthew 21:1-11 John 12:12-19 Isaiah 35:5–6 Zechariah 9:9 Luke 2:14
Confusion, Conviction and Blindness
Mark 10:17-52 This message deals with a rich young ruler who is confused about salvation, some conversations with the disciples about their desires and status, and the healing of a blind man named Bartimaeus. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 19:16-22 Luke 18:24-30 Matthew 20:20-28
Divorce and More
Mark 10:1-16 This message considers the subject of divorce from a Christian perspective. We make an effort to explain our understanding of God’s view of divorce, and we also carefully consider God’s grace and how they relate to each other in the context of Christian marriage. The message concludes with a look at Jesus statement regarding our need of a childlike faith to enter the Kingdom of God. Scriptures Referenced 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 Romans 3:23 Deuteronomy 24:1-4 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a…
Good News – Tough Love
Mark 9:38-50 The church is struggling. Its purpose is to seek and save the lost by providing not just the gospel message, but by offering the full counsel of God, His Word. Unfortunately, there are a lot of distractions, detractors and just plain deceit that affects the church. This keeps the church from fulfilling its purpose. Scriptures Referenced Acts 19:13-16 Matthew 7:22
What Were You Expecting?
Mark 9:30-37 At the core of our relationship with Jesus is something we call discipleship. It is the part of our relationship with Him where He teaches us and develops us into the person that we were meant to be. Being His disciple gives us the opportunity to learn from God, Himself what life should be like, what good character is and what He means when He teaches us about truth. Scriptures Referenced Matthew 17:22 Mark 8:31 Isaiah 53 John…