"The Unchecked Ego" - A Message from Daniel 4

As we have just endured another political season, what more relevant topic is there than the Unchecked Ego.

Many, especially those in power, believe theirs is a right to do as they please without regard to the wishes and will of God.  But God will not be mocked!

In this message I note the Pitfalls of the Unchecked Ego's Life, using Nebuchadnezzar as an example. Then I attempt to encourage the listener to live a selfless life...one in which the driving force is reliant on and motivated by the Lord Himself.

Let me know what you think as you listen. I would love to hear your feedback.  God bless, Kirk McCormick

The Challenge of Selfless Living

Daniel 4:1-37

  

Pitfall 1 – “I am impressed with my accomplishments.”

Daniel 4:20-22 – “The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching

"Maintaining a Pure Conscience" - A Message from Acts 22 and 23

Hello Friends,

Have you ever had that "guilty feeling" wherein you know you've broken God's moral code?  Some call it a gut feeling while others describe an inner voice that speaks to them.  God has installed a conscience in each of us. Through this conscience he speaks, directs and corrects us so we might live the purest life possible.

In Acts 22 we see a model for how we can Maintain a Pure Conscience.  Of course, Satan would like to convince you that you are forever guilty, but God, in his marvelous grace, not only forgives but also restores us to purity.

So I hope this message will be helpful to you as you strive to live a life that honors our Heavenly Father. Let me know what you think.

God bless, Kirk McCormick

“Maintaining a Pure Conscience”

Acts 22:30-23:11

“Conscience” = “to know with” or “know together”…

            …inner judge to which God speaks

            …does not set standards, but affirms them

Acts 24:16 - Paul said, “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”

Titus 1:15 - “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not

A Message about "True Inclusivity"

Hello friends,

If you are like me, I grow weary about the elevation of "diversity" and "inclusivity", as if they are the highest virtues and values of our culture.  Since diversity just "is"...meaning, we don't have to work on it since it is simply a part of God's natural order... we really do not need to elevate it so highly since it does not take any effort to achieve "diversity."  Yet, given this elevation of diversity, the world loves to tell us that embracing our diversity is more important than our unity.

In this message I try to dispel the notion that Inclusivity, as defined and manipulated by the world, is the rule of heaven.  I hope you will listen to this word and let me know what you think.  I would appreciate the input.

May God bless you as you listen and respond to His Word.  Again...let me know what you think.

- Kirk McCormick

The 7 "C's" of Sharing the Jesus Story - A Message from Acts 22:1-21

Evangelism...the very word brings terror to the average Christian's heart. Yet does Sharing the Jesus story  need to be so imposing?

Paul has arrived back in Jerusalem, and his visit did not go unnoticed. Many radical Jews, especially from the Sanhedrin, are angry he is there and want to kill him. However, the Roman commander puts Paul under his custody. On the way to the jail Paul asks to speak to his fellow Jews.

This message reviews Paul's tactic in sharing the Gospel and how his words are a model for the average Disciple to share the Jesus Story.

As the Lord speaks, you will be blessed as you respond.  Let me know what you think.

And if this message is helpful to you, share it with others. God bless you! - Kirk McCormick

The 7 “C’s” of Sharing your “Jesus” Story

1. “C”ourage -

Paul stood his ground for Jesus

Acts 22:1 - “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”

Recap: Sharing the Jesus Story starts with just a little bit of Courage…

Interview with Jason McCormick at the US Olympic Swimming Trials

Here is an interview from the Florida Swim Network that Jason did right after swimming in the Olympic Trials. He finished 44th making him one of the fastest swimmers in the country.  Pretty neat to think of being in the top 50 of anything in the country.  Awesome job, Jason!

"And the Crowd Goes Wild!" - a Message from Acts 19:21-41

Hello Friends!

How is the church suppose to react to the dialog about moral issues when the world bases its arguments primarily on emotion, not facts?

I love Acts 19.  Paul spends two years in Ephesus ministering in one of the most pagan cities of his day.  The Gospel is being heard. People's lives are changing, and this sets the scene for a riot rooted in greed, lies, and defensiveness.  How was Paul and his teammates suppose to effectively dialog when the majority have no intellectual integrity, reverting to name calling, emotionalism, and lies.

I don't want to give it all away, but this message may be one of the most relevant I've preached in the recent few weeks. I hope you will hear the connection between Paul's context and our experience, today. If you like this, please share it with others.  And let me know what you think.

May God bless you and his church as we stand for Truth in our world of chaos and confusion.  - Kirk McCormick

 “The Crowd Goes Wild”

** I want to speak with you today about Ochlocracy…

…you may know it better as Mob Rule.

Point: The problem with the Mob is that it is usually empowered by emotion, not fact…

…to the point that many in the mob do not even know why they are there.

…such was the situation in Ephesus…

Acts 19:32b - “Most of the people did not even know why they were there.”

General Tactics of Satan to Confuse… 

1. Deceive

Revelation 12:9 - “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil

"Powerful Signs" - A Message from Acts 19:8-20

Hello Friends,

It's nice to share this message with you today as I believe that God has more of himself and his kingdom to give than we often receive.

In Acts 19, God has directed Paul to Ephesus, one of the most "sophisticated" cities of Biblical times.  There were many who dabbled in one form of spirituality or another. There was a thriving Jewish synagogue, too. But God had plans to bless those who would listen and respond to the Gospel.

In order to get their attention, though, God ratcheted up his witness through Paul by increasing His power.  You will hear how God does this and the results...but they are wonderful.

My wish and prayer for the church, today, is that we would believe God for this kind of transformative power. Especially in the mainline denominations, we have lots of "power loss" because we do not believe.

So may God bless you as you respond to Holy Spirit's moving in your heart.  He is able to do so much more than we ask!  God bless, Kirk McCormick

 “Powerful Signs”

Acts 19:8-20

2 Premises about God’s Power:

Premise 1 - Power is a means to the end called evangelism = Sharing the Gospel of Jesus.

Premise 2 - Power is given in proportion to the task at hand.

Acts 1:8 - “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the