Headlights For Your Life

When it’s dusk in Richland County, we drive with our headlamps on “bright” watching out for deer! In the same way we need to keep the headlamps of our souls on and bright according to Jesus in Luke 11:33-36. Let’s learn all we can about being a bright light to everyone we know and love.

Follow along with the online sermon notes or download this PDF fill-in-the-blanks sermon outline.

Proof Positive

Are you a spiritual seeker or a shopper? If you’re a  shopper, you’ll ask for a sign from God that fits into your reality, preferences and lifestyle. If you’re a seeker, you’ll ask to fit into God's reality, to know His preferences, and to change your lifestyle. We consider Luke 11:29-32 and discover Jesus’ pique when asked for a sign. We’ll also recall 3 truths about proving the reality of Christ in our own lives.

Follow along with the online sermon notes or download this PDF fill-in-the-blanks sermon outline.

How The W.O.R.D. Will G.R.O.W. In Me

If you are a Christ-follower, then God’s Word should grow in you. How exactly does that happen? We consider one of Jesus’ most famous parables, “The Sower And The Seed” in Luke 8:4-15. We discover how God's W.O.R.D. will G.R.O.W.

Follow along with the online sermon notes or download the PDF fill-in-the-blanks sermon outline.

Storing Up The Good

Jesus taught “Judge not lest ye be judged.” Yet only a few verses later we discover Jesus teaching us the correct way to judge someone else (as well as ourselves!) In this sermon we study Luke 6:43-45 and along the way will review 4 ways to store up good within our hearts.

Follow along with the online sermon notes or download the PDF fill-in-the-blanks sermon outline.

Faith Foundation

We begin our study of 1st John with the importance of Scripture - the eyewitness accounts of Jesus, the Word of Life. He is our connection to God and to one another, and the source of great joy.

Follow along with the online sermon notes or download the PDF fill-in-the-blanks sermon outline.

Since The Change

God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have done so much for us as Christ-followers. So what should our response be?How do we live our lives as Christians? In this audio version of today's sermon, I talk about being filled with God's contentment, peace and approval as we mature in our Christian walk.

Follow along with the online sermon notes or download the PDF fill-in-the-blanks sermon outline.

Free To Relate

In our relationships unity does not demand uniformity. How do we see our differences as reasons to celebrate rather than as reasons for conflict? Pastor Mark shares three reasons we are free to relate from Ephesians 4:7-10.

Follow along with the online sermon notes or download the fill-in-the-blanks PDF outline.

#028: Back From The Beach

The Bible is unlike any other book. There is a good reason it is called the HOLY Bible. It has the ability to change us in remarkable ways. Also Pastor Mark is back from his beach vacation.

Here's what I have lined up for you this week:

[0:00] Opening - I'm back from vacation and I promise not to talk about it too much!

[08:40] 10 Things God Can't Do.   I know this sounds wrong, but you'll be so encouraged when you hear this.  Thanks to Shannon O'Dell for his article in Pastors.com.

[24:00] Right Attitude of Prayer. We continue the series on prayer we began last week on the podcast. This week we consider what Jesus teaches about the attitude of prayer right before he teaches us the Lord's Prayer.

[39:39] 3 Characteristics of God's Word. This week in the doctrine segment we continue to look at question #2 of the Westminster Confession of Faith. We are using G.I. Williamson's instructional book: "The Westminster Shorter Catechism."

[53:36] CR Sermon: "How The Bible Changes Us." This sermon was written by Rick Warren and is the 3rd sermon in the 40 Days In The Word series. This is also the first sermon ever delivered by Pastor Steve Thoman at Church Requel. He did a great job!

[1:35:12] Wrap Up. I wrap up the podcast with some final thoughts.

Music for this week's podcast is "[Sittin' On] The Dock Of The Bay" by Otis Redding.

#027: Trust The Bible!

The Bible is the most read book in history.  It’s the bestselling book in history.  And it is the most translated book in history.  Why is it the Word of God?  How do we know it is the Word of God?  In this week's podcast, we’re going to consider the question: "Why can I trust the Bible?"

Here's what I have lined up for you in this week's edition of the podcast:

[0:00] Intro - I talk about getting ready for the next two weeks of the 40 Days Campaign and getting prepped for vacation in Myrtle Beach with my dad.I mentioned our Facebook page with all the pictures and videos. Also we'd love to have you join us with the 40 Days In The Word Daily Devotionals.

[12:45] Prayer In God's Presence - This past week in one of the 40 Days In The Word devotionals, John Ortberg talked about abiding in God's Presence. It was a profound moment for me and sparked a multi-podcast conversation we'll be having about prayer.

[25:10] Have You Read Your Bible Today? - Pastors.com reviewed a study by Lifeway Research that only 19% of church attenders read their Bibles every day.  This is one of the big reasons we have chosen the 40 Days In The Word campaign.  We want every person connected with Church Requel to read their Bibles every day!

[34:38] Three Views of "Contained In" - We continue our doctrine study of the Westminster Confession of Faith. We are on question #2. Here is the book we are using: The Westminster Shorter Catechism by G. I. Williamson.

[44:29] CR Sermon: "Why Can I Trust The Bible?" - This week I have pre-recorded Sunday evening's sermon, written by Rick Warren, because of my vacation schedule. This does have an upside! We won't have time Sunday evening to talk about everything I would have liked to have discussed about why we can trust the Bible. You will hear more details in this recording that we actually could talk about during the sermon at Church Requel! Here are the YouVersion Sermon Notes for those who would like to follow.

[1:44:13] Wrap Up - Join me for our concluding prayer together. And be reminded that next week we will delay the publication of the podcast by a couple days.  Expect next week's edition to come out on Wednesday, October 10th.

Music for this week's podcast is "Your Words Are Life" from the I Believe album available from Amber Sky Records.

Keeping My Eyes On The Ball

In this week's Church Requel podcast, Pastor Mark talks about

1. The NAMI Ohio Conference this past weekend with Mary Kay
2. Apple's quarterly earnings - what can we learn about reality and perception?
3. Facebook Loneliness - Online Social Networking is only one tool for connection
4. Cutting Room Floor - Using creativity, relevance, and ending twist for presentations
5. Sermon: "Keeping My Eyes On The Ball" - learning perseverance lessons from the Sower and the Seed AND baseball.

Guard Your Faith

In football two guards protect the quarterback. We Christians also have 2 guards. Join Pastor Mark of Church Requel as we talk about both guards AND the 3 steps we take to guard our faith. The Scripture comes from 2 Timothy 1:8-14.

Christian Two A Days

Even professional athletes at the top of their game need discipline. In this first sermon in the SNF series, we consider the Bible's admonition to run the race to win. Join Pastor Mark of Church Requel as we study 1 Cor. 9:24-27.

The Holy Spirit Will Come

One of Jesus' final words was the Holy Spirit will come.  In fact, Jesus said it was to our advantage that he went away "so the Helper will come."  What are these advantages?  Join Pastor Mark Pierce of Church Requel as we study John 16:7-14.

Stuck - Part 1

Are you stuck? Stuck in a bad relationship, tough situation, bad job... no job? Can't move forward? Can't move back? You're not alone! Lesson #1 is God will keep you. Join Pastor Mark Pierce for a journey through the Bible of stuck people in stuck circumstances.

A Proverbial New Year - Part 1

In this New Year's message,we consider spiritual resolutions that we might make for 2011. Join Pastor Mark Pierce of Church Requel as we study Proverbs 3:1-12.

Purpose Driven Church

A great church has a great commitment to the great commandment and the great commission. Join Pastor Mark Pierce of Church Requel as we discuss why we want to be a purpose-driven church.

How to Pray for Someone - Part 1

In this first study of Paul's letter to the Philippians, we learn seven building blocks for praying for someone else. Join Pastor Mark Pierce of Church Requel as we examine Philippians 1:3-8.

GARBAGE: Anger

What does the Bible have to say about anger? You might be surprised. In this talk we learn how to express our anger and how to direct it. Join Pastor Mark of Church Requel as we learn how to apply these key anger principles.

You Defined: Life Reset

How do I die to my own sin and selfishness and live to God? Does the power of resurrection have any present day benefit? Join Pastor Mark Pierce of Church Requel as we study Philippians 3:10-11 and Romans 6:5-11.

Changing Life's Direction

Life Change involves a change of direction. Learn 4 things you need to know about following Jesus through life changes. Join Pastor Mark Pierce of Church Requel as we study Luke 19:1-10.