Larry Dixon

ID 120038Date unavailable

ID 58165Feb 27, 2002

ID 54286Apr 8, 2001

The Bible is not a magical object but God's Word, which Christians should approach with respect and diligent study. The sermon warns against treating the Bible like a superstitious rabbit's foot, a holy horoscope, or a fundamentalist fortune cookie, where its verses are randomly consulted for good luck or personal affirmation. Instead, the Bible is presented as a hidden treasure, the believer's food, a collection of case studies, the autobiography of God, and the divine agenda for life. By engaging deeply with Scripture, believers can gain discernment, understand God's character and plans, and grow spiritually.

ID 54285Nov 4, 2001

God's name is Jealous, and It defines this attribute as a righteous resentment of rivals, stemming from His unique position and His desire to preserve the precious relationship He has with His people. Unlike human jealousy, which is often rooted in envy and spite, God's jealousy is a praiseworthy zeal to protect what is supremely valuable. The sermon explains that God's jealousy is aroused by actions such as putting Him to the test, rebellion, disobedience, disloyalty, faithlessness, unreliability, and idolatry, all of which betray His exclusive claim on our love and worship. Ultimately, believers are called to respond with a godly zeal for God and for His people, mirroring His own protective passion.

ID 54284Mar 28, 1999

Christians can effectively engage non-believers by demonstrating a distinct response to suffering, as outlined in 1 Peter 3:14-17. The sermon explains that patient endurance through hardship, rather than fear or bitterness, can provoke curiosity in those who do not know Christ. When questions arise, believers are called to be prepared to gently and respectfully offer reasons for their hope, backing up their words with godly living. This approach, characterized by creating questions through suffering, answering them with reasoned explanations, and living a life that reflects Christ, ultimately serves to make the gospel compelling to the world.

ID 54279Apr 8, 2001

A God-broken heart is evidenced by a deep concern for lost people, as exemplified by the Apostle Paul in Acts 17. This concern compels believers to get involved in the lives of those around them, to become informed about their beliefs and perspectives, and to gain wisdom in communicating the gospel effectively. Furthermore, a God-broken heart motivates engagement in spiritual battles, even when it leads to criticism, and ultimately seeks to share the core message of Christ's resurrection and the call to repentance. The sermon encourages listeners to cultivate this compassionate and proactive approach to evangelism, mirroring Paul's example in Athens.

ID 54275Nov 19, 2000

The purifying power of prophecy is found in the believer's confident expectation of seeing Christ and becoming like Him. This future hope, as described in 1 John 3:1-3, should motivate present-day purity and faithfulness, rather than passive waiting. Knowing that we are children of God and will be transformed into His likeness upon Christ's return encourages us to live holy lives now. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that this hope should lead to active engagement in serving Christ and growing in personal purity, preparing us for His eventual appearance.

ID 54271Oct 8, 2000

Believers grow by obeying God's commands, which demonstrates a true knowledge of Him. John's letter in 1 John 2:1-6 emphasizes that while Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for sins, genuine faith is evidenced by walking as Jesus walked and obeying His word. This obedience is not a means of salvation but a natural outflow of a transformed life, reflecting God's love and demonstrating a commitment to Him. The sermon encourages believers to study the Gospels to understand how Jesus lived and to apply those lessons to their own lives, thereby fulfilling God's will and finding balance through obedience.

ID 54269Sep 3, 2000

Believers grow by understanding and practicing the forgiveness of their failures, as outlined in 1 John 1:5-10. John emphasizes that God is light with no darkness, and true fellowship with Him requires walking in the light and confessing sins. When believers confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and purify them, restoring fellowship. This process is crucial for spiritual growth, preventing believers from living in self-deception or the bondage of unconfessed sin.

ID 54268Sep 3, 2000

Believers grow by understanding and practicing the forgiveness of their failures, as explained in 1 John 1:5-10. John emphasizes that God is light with no darkness, and true fellowship with Him requires walking in the light. When believers sin, they must confess their sins, not to earn forgiveness but because God is faithful and just to forgive and purify them. This confession restores fellowship and prevents believers from deceiving themselves or becoming enslaved by sin, ultimately leading to a life that pleases God and reflects His joy.