Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. March 11, 2018 Text: John 2:18, O.T.: Exodus 20:1-17, N.T.: John 2:13-22 People are strange. On one hand, there’s a side of us who want an authority figure – someone who shows us how to be happy, how to be successful. On the other hand, once someone is an authority figure, people test their authority. Very young children accept parents as authority figures. Wisdom, love and sacrifice are…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. March 4, 2018 Text: Mark 8:33, O.T.: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, N.T.: Mark 8:31-38 Jesus said, “Whoever is not for me is against me.” His claim is found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. (Matt. 12:30; Lk. 11:23) For Jesus there is no middle ground. There’s no shade of grey. There are many who doubt Jesus is God’s Son. They believe they have good reason for doubting. Other…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. February 25, 2018 Text: I Peter 3:21, O.T.: Genesis 9:8-17, N.T.: I Peter 3:18-22 Court rooms are unpleasant places. They’re places of accountability. On trial is more than just an individual’s guilt or innocence. Truth is on trial in every court room. What is the truth? We swear oaths as witnesses to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Judges and juries make decisions…
Rev. Dr. John J. Lolla, Jr. February 18, 2018 Text: Mark 9:4, O.T: II Kings 2:1-12, N.T.: Mark 9:2-9 Foresight is both exciting and troubling. Foresight is what every investor wants to have wealth. When you know the future, you possess knowledge about how to use the present to gain the great reward. Foresight is also what every investor needs to preserve wealth. When you know the future, you possess knowledge about how to…
Rev. John J. Lolla, Jr. February 4, 2018 Text: Mark 1: 36-37, O.T.: Isaiah 40:21-31, N.T.: Mark 1:29-39 In over 31 years of ministry I don’t remember anyone asking me, “Where do you find Jesus?” Has anyone asked you this question? If someone did ask it, what did you say to them? Did you tell them to go to Church? Or did you recommend they read the Bible? Or, perhaps, you suggested they pray…