Pastor Steve offers an enjoyable, real-life application of the Scriptures that apply to everyday life for all.
It’s not that we don’t have an enemy. It’s that the enemy doesn’t measure up to the heroes watching out for us.
This passage is a paragraph about the confidence we have in God’s blessings. We know that all things work together for good to us, because He has already glorified us.
Some of our most important, most urgent prayers are beyond our ability to express. The Holy Spirit does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
We live in the time of suffering, but we persevere in the confident hope of a better life to come.
This passage reveals the wonderful relationship that lets us call God ‘Abba, Father,’ and the ominous teaching that this may call for suffering.
Today’s passage makes having the Spirit crucial to living the Christian life. How do I know I have the Holy Spirit? This Sunday’s message will wrestle with this sometimes difficult question.
Works of the flesh or keeping of the Law cannot please God. But the Spirit can, and God has given us His Spirit.
What a refreshing and liberating statement. After all the things that can’t help us, there is no condemnation if we are in Christ.
There’s what I want to do, but don’t do, and there’s what I don’t want to do, but do anyway. Aaaah!
Have you ever been in a contest where you were hopelessly outclassed? You didn’t realize it at first, but it soon became evident, and you just wanted to give up, but you couldn’t. Welcome to the struggle to keep the Law.
It’s almost as if this passage is written to say, “Here’s another way you can look at it….” After an illustration from slavery to explain our freedom from sin, we now have an illustration from marriage. Having died with Christ, we are free from our relationship with sin, to enter into a relationship without sin.
There are things we’ve all done for which we are ashamed. That’s what we’ve earned by our works. But God gives eternal life.
When Jesus died, He died to sin, once for all; and the life He lives, He lives to God. We are supposed to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God; but sometimes, sin doesn’t want to die, and sometimes we don’t want it to.
There is a lot of discussion about what baptism is and what it means. From this week’s passage, it is associated with Christ’s death and resurrection. And association with His resurrection doesn’t just mean new life in the hereafter, but new life now.
Those who take their sin lightly also take their Savior lightly. This passage addresses those who take grace and turn it into a license to sin, and it says, “Don’t even go there.”
One sin is enough to condemn, but by one act of righteousness Jesus saves after many sins. We begin to see how great His grace is.
This passage, verses 12 to the end of the chapter, continues developing the theme of how ‘much more’ Christ did for us (see verses 15, and 17). But to get there, we have to wade through the difficult and unpopular doctrine of original sin. Today’s message will look at what the Bible teaches about this, and try to settle the question.
In this passage, there are two ‘much mores’ and a ‘not only this.’ If God loves us so much that He sent His Son for us, how much more can we celebrate what He does for us?
The word ‘Peace’ (v.1) gives way to ‘Celebration’ (vv. 2-3), and celebration is not limited to just the good times. The hard times lead us to our third word: Hope. And Hope does not disappoint.
It is a terrible mistake to be at war with the King of the Universe; and a wonderful thing that Jesus gives us peace.
We’re going to look at Peter’s boast, and then at Peter’s failure, and then at Peter’s failure. And then we’ll fast forward to Pentecost, and ask, “What happened to Peter?” And we’ll discuss what the Holy Spirit does for a person.
Abraham was as good as dead (15:19), Sarah’s womb was dead (15:19), but our faith is in the One who raised Jesus from the dead (15:24). Faith works because our faith is in the One greater than death.
We can debate about the chicken or the egg, but it is clear that faith came before works. Abraham is the father of the Jewish nation, but he is also the father of the faithful.
There's nothing wrong with good works, except they look kind of shabby compared to perfection. Faith, on the other hand, declares us righteous.
There is no hierarchy in salvation, because we’re all saved the same way. Therefore, there is no room for boasting between believers.
If God is going to judge us for unrighteousness, He must be righteous Himself. Today’s passage says He is just that.
First, Romans demonstrated how lost in sin we are; now it shows that in Christ, God is satisfied with us. This is truly good news.
It is not by the deeds we do, but by the works Jesus has done that we can be declared righteous; and this is available to us by faith.
People like to say that We’re all God’s children; that being human unites us as His children. But it’s more like the opposite. We’re all alienated from God; being sinful unites us as not His children. The good news is that since we share the sentence sin brings, we can also share the salvation Jesus brings.
This book so far can leave us feeling pretty defeated. The Gentiles are sinful, the Jews are sinful. If the people called God’s people are just as lost as the people who are not called God’s people, then what’s the point? Maybe it’s not us who have failed, but God Himself! That is the voice of frustration, not of truth. God has not failed His people.
Most of us have given up on New Year's resolutions, because we’ve been there, done that, and they don’t work. But Jesus makes us new creatures, we can change because we are changed. Therefore, we need to live changed.
This sermon examines the question Mary asked when told by the angel that she would give birth to the Son of God.
A book is not good because it has a good cover; an egg is not good because it has a good shell. Those things are nice, but it is what is on the inside that counts.
This passage ends with the jarring condemnation, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Work and pray that this is not true in your case.
James warns us that as a man sows, soshall he reap. Paul tells us here we don’t only reap, we store up. We should fear the day when we’re faced with what we’ve stored.
James warns us that as a man sows, so shall he reap. Paul tells us here we don’t only reap, we store up. We should fear the day when we’re faced with what we’ve stored.
There was a time when we read this passage, and said, “I can’t see how it could really get that bad.” Now we say, “I can’t see how it got that bad.’ Our descent into sin is real and clear, and we really need a Savior.
The first part of the Gospel presentation is sin. We are sinful and need to be saved. In this passage, Paul demonstrates the mess we are in, and how we got there. God gave us free will, and no matter how bad our choices will be, He lets us make them and face the consequences.
Ashamed of the Gospel? It is the power of God to salvation. It reveals His righteousness and is attained by faith. How could we be ashamed of what has done so much for us? We say with Paul, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.”
We know Romans as Paul’s doctrinal masterpiece; the book that makes clear how salvation works. For Paul, it was his introduction to the Roman Church. To the saints in Rome, it was a letter from the famous Christian thinker, Paul, clarifying some difficult concepts. It is also the inspired Word of God. This week we begin our journey through the book of Romans with an introduction.
I complained to God that our new building, as it stands now, is just an empty shell, and useless. The phrase seemed to echo in my mind. This week we will look at three of the seven churches of Revelation: Ephesus, Sardis, and Laodicea, and see Christ’s warnings to churches that were in various stages of becoming empty shells of a church.
There are times that test your faith. You find yourself thinking you just can’t do it God’s way in this situation. Perhaps the greatest statement of wisdom in Proverbs is to trust God rather than leaning on your own understanding.
Wisdom cries out in the street, but the adultress also lurks there. Do not let yourself be distracted.
This is the first of a short summer series on Proverbs, looking at themes rather than specific verses. This message will look at the word, “Fear.”
We conclude this series on elders with a look at what to do when an elder sins. There are reasons this gets special mention.
This is our annual plug for baptism. In addition to a message encouraging people to be baptized, prepare to enjoy our growing slide show.
Father’s Day and Elders' messages overlap in this passage that asks, if a man cannot manage his household, how can he care for the Church of God?
Some of the passages we use this week are ones we’ve seen already, others for the first time, as we look specifically at things the elders are told to do.
This message is dedicated to our graduating seniors; Godly young adults prepared to live in an ungodly world.
If the title is right, it explains the job. Three terms in the New Testament are closely linked: Shepherd, Elder, and Overseer. This message will explore the job, as implied by these titles.
This message looks at the example of early Church elders and what they did. This will help us understand the role of elders today.
True and false paths, true and false prophets, true and false disciples. Be sure you get these things right.
It is called ‘the Golden Rule’ because it is so good. If we could follow it, life would be much better.
One of the things we have to wrap our minds around is that God wants to take care of us. We get distracted by the big things we might want and can we get that, and forget that He’s taking care of us all the time.
If Jesus did not rise from the dead, He is barely a historical footnote. But if the resurrection is real, then death is weak and life is eternal.
Shortly after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus told three parables. All three show people not doing what they should have been doing. There is a consistent message that honoring Christ with words only means nothing, but honoring Him in truth brings reward.
En route to His final week in Jerusalem, Jesus stayed on task. Giving sight to the blind and reaching the lost, Jesus never faltered in His mission.
When we see someone sinning, we could use it as an opportunity to pounce on them; it is also an opportunity to help them.
The problem with money is that it is such a potent false god; because it really does seem to be able to give what it offers. And it’s easier to manipulate than the God in heaven. We need to decide which way we will move our hearts.
In this wicked world, we can run into temptation at any moment. If we are wise, we will seek protection from this danger.
We easily find reasons not to forgive those who have offended us. But whether we forgive them or not reveals less about them, and more about us.
Jesus teaches us it is okay to ask God to provide for us. He does it in a way that says God will provide for His children, but might not choose to spoil them.
God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven is less about God’s kingdom in our land and more about God’s kingdom in our hearts.
Life Services Report - by Glendie Loranger, Director
Glendie will be sharing the value of life and what Life Services does to protect that life in practical ways.
Who He is, where He is, His holiness. We should start every prayer with the awareness of who we are talking to.
Real communication happens when two or more people exchange information in a meaningful way. God does not want us to merely talk at Him, but to speak to Him.
By definition, prayer is talking to God. He is your intended audience. When people are also listening, our purpose can become confused.
This message will encourage us to give, to give generously, and to give quietly. And it will also show the truth that you cannot outgive God.
"Delayed Gratification"' is the phrase we use for doing without now for a greater reward later on. Can you give up man’s small and temporary rewards today for God’s larger, permanent rewards later on? This shouldn’t be a tough question.
In the heat of the moment, we want to beat the bad guy. We must always remember it is better to win him than to beat him.
The Old Testament tells us that if we make an oath we should keep it. Jesus tells us not to make oaths in the first place. But do what you say.
Divorces happen in the Church, and Christians who want to honor God find themselves struggling to understand what is pleasing and acceptable in God’s sight. Today’s passage ties all divorce, for whatever reason, to sexual immorality and adultery; either as a cause or a result.
Lust is the root of adultery, and we live in a society that thrives on lust. We need to avoid this sin.
Mom and Dad say, “Don’t hit your sister,” but what they want is for you to get along with your sister. When Jesus said “You have heard, but I say,” He was not changing Scripture, but explaining it.
God’s Law does not fail; God’s Word does not fail; God’s people; we may have a problem there.
We are called to be salt and light. These are things that make other things better. We are called to be a blessing.
We fear and avoid suffering, but it is a privilege to suffer for Christ. The reward is the Kingdom of Heaven.
After Hallelujah, Shalom is probably the best-known Jewish word. It is the hunger and desire of Jews everywhere, and God promises a blessing for those who make peace.
Ministry, like anything else, is made up of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't let the bad and the ugly keep you from experiencing the good times of ministry.
A blessing for the pure in heart seems to rule me out from the very beginning. But Jesus didn’t speak these words to tell us blessings we cannot receive. We can and should strive to be pure in heart.
Baptism is an initiation rite, a believer’s declaration of faith and act of obedience, and a necessary step in discipleship.
Mercy includes both forgiveness and charity. If we are givers of these when we can be, we will be receivers when we need to be.
This is a fallen world; and many of us live like we belong in a fallen world. God has a blessing for those who hunger for the righteousness this world lacks.
‘Fortune favors the brave,’ we all know that. If you want something, you have to reach out and take it. You climb the ladder of success over the backs of others. The meek will inherit the earth. One of these things is not like the others. And that one is the correct answer.
Today we start a journey through the Sermon on the Mount; with the first of the Beatitudes; God blesses the humble.
The very last verse of 66 chapters of Isaiah is about hell. When all is done, we face our final destiny.
By definition, to fast means to go without food for a specific purpose, such as prayer. But in today’s passage of Isaiah, God says He’s looking for more.
What was going to be one sermon is now three. Part two on Contrition: for those who do not feel guilty, but should.
We are far too casual about our sin. God is with those who are contrite and lowly of spirit.
On Sunday, Jesus rode in among crowds of cheering people. But by Thursday night, He prayed alone. Jesus alone can save us, and Jesus was alone when He did.
Everyone was so surprised when Jesus did exactly what He said He would do. The surprise isn’t what happened, but His follower's lack of understanding.
God’s Word, once sent out, will accomplish what He sent it out to do. So we should always be confident as we use His Word
Man-made gods are small, have limited power, and can be understood by us. The God of the universe is bigger than that. His ways and thoughts are as high above us as the heavens are over the earth.
Satisfaction doesn’t cost money, and cannot be bought with money. It is found in Christ.
He was oppressed and afflicted (v.7), By oppression and judgment He was taken away (V. 8), and even when He was dead, they intended to bury Him with the wicked. But their plans would not stand. He was innocent and overcame their oppression.
Jesus is worthy of all our praise, but He didn't see much of that in this world. Instead, He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
“It is too small a thing that You restore Israel. I will also make you a light of the nations.” This is a message on the value of Christ.
Isaiah 42:1-4: Jesus did not demand His rights or look out for Himself, but He did go out of His way to be gentle with sinners.
God made many creatures on our planet, but only one is made in the image of God. God considers us special, and because of that, we are.
It is time to stand back and take a good look at God. A little change in perspective is good for us.
We all like to announce the birth of our children. God did, too. We announce things like date, gender, and weight. God announces things like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
John the Baptist literally appeared in the wilderness, crying out, “Make ready the way of the Lord,” but we should all be making it easier for people to come to Christ.
The servant does the job he’s been given, that’s all. In the Church, it is God who gets the glory.
For some reason, many Christians seem to prefer not to grow up. That is foolish, lazy, and unnatural. We need to move beyond petty things and on to maturity.
God reveals to us what we could never figure out for ourselves. And what He reveals is truly wonderful.
It is tempting, when a listener is not satisfied with the Bible, to want to add to it. It is important to recognize that God has spoken, and His power is in His words..
Some of us really are wiser than others; some have made fewer or smaller mistakes. Some have committed more offensive sins. It makes no difference. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and we all are saved on the same basis, and there is no place for pride.
Men flatter themselves by means of their intelligence and reason; but that is a mistake. The power to save us is revealed not by reason, but by the God who saves us.
As mentioned last Sunday, Corinth was a messed up church. But it was still the Church. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we are works in progress.
One of the rules of preaching is ‘You have to go through Corinth to get to (fill in the blank). The blank is where you live. The rule means we first have to understand what the message meant to its first audience before we can understand what it means to us. The thing is, as we look at Corinth, we may find we are already there.
We all know what Christmas is, and we all know why we celebrate it. But what does that have to do with the way we celebrate Christmas, and why do we do the things we do?
Baptism has somehow become a controversial thing within Christianity, and has been loaded with a lot of baggage. Originally, it was an initiation rite. Some tie it to salvation. What we read in Matthew 28 links it more to discipleship than salvation. This message will consider these things, looking at what baptism is, how it should be done, and why we do it.
This will be preaching to the choir, as I speak to people at church about going to church. But this will consider the questions, what is the Church? What is the difference between Church and church? Why do we do church the way we do? How do we keep our heart in church? Maybe more; there is a lot to what we do in church, for church, and as a church. This message will state some of the obvious, and maybe some that is not so obvious.
November 3 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We will consider this passage, watch a video about the persecuted Church, and spend some time in prayer.
What is ‘Communion?’ Why do we do it the way we do? Why do we do it at all? These are the questions we look at this week.
‘Daily Devotions’ is one of those phrases Christians sometimes throw around. We’re seldom actually told what they are or what they should look like. They’re just some mysterious thing we’re supposed to ‘do.’ Today’s message will define and describe devotions, and talk about how and when and why to do them. Hopefully, this will be a blessing.
Chosen People Ministries speaker Olivier Melnick will be our speaker for this insightful topic. What are the Feasts of Israel, why were they instituted, and what significance do they have for us today?
The very first person we ever see quoting God’s word is Eve, and she got it wrong. To God’s word that they should not eat of the tree, she added, “Nor touch it.” There seems to be a constant temptation to change God’s Word; either to make it more forceful, or easier to accept. In Revelation 22, at the very end of the Book, God says, “This is My word. Don’t add to it, don’t take anything away from it. I’m coming soon.”
In this passage, Jesus tells us twice He is coming soon, and we are told twice to keep the words of the prophecy of this book. He is not telling us to know them, but to do them. The question is, how do we ‘do’ the message of Revelation?
The dimensions of the New Jerusalem are those of a cube: “Its length and width and height are equal” (Rev 21:16). What is that length and width and height? 12,000 stadia – almost 1400 miles. This city is impossible! But then we remember this city was introduced as the bride (v.9). God is talking about much more than a physical city.
This is the first of five statements in the last two chapters of Revelation about those who will not enter heaven. I think this is a warning to many who think that is their destination, but are only fooling themselves.
Like a loving parent, God wipes the tears away from our eyes. It is a picture of compassion, but also is a promise that tears will not return.
He wipes away every tear and makes all things new. Can we begin to imagine how awesome eternity will be?
You stand before the judge, and he asks for a book. It is a thick book. You look for the title, but all you see on the cover is your own name. He begins to read, and you realize it is not fiction, and it is not abridged. It is not long before you want to crawl into a hole and hide, but you cannot. Unless your name is in that other book…
The Millennium ends with the final final battle, and the last last days. Once again the nations gather in rebellion against God, once again He emerges victorious. This time we have the true end of the world, followed by a new heaven and a new earth.
Satan will lie in prison, Jesus will rule on earth, and things will be as they should be, for 1,000 years.
Every Christian will agree that Jesus’ victory is never in doubt. So why do we so often live as if we don’t believe it?
The wedding supper of the Lamb precedes the final battle. Jesus claims His bride before He claims His throne. It is time for the bride to rejoice.
After reading about the destruction of the harlot (religion) in chapter 17, we turn to the removal of man’s other God, money. Merchants are addressed four times in this chapter. They are those who value money above all else, and they are told to weep and wail.
The seven bowls of wrath come quickly and with finality. This is no longer about bringing man to repentance, it is now about bringing man to judgment. They end with open war between God and man.
According to this passage of Proverbs, Mom’s words guide you when you walk about, watch over you when you sleep, and speak to you when you are awake. A little reflection on life, and you realize how right Solomon was.
This Sunday is the groundbreaking for our new Fellowship Hall. It is not the start of a temple, but it is building for the Kingdom.
God is about to unleash His bowls of wrath; but even His wrath is righteous. Today’s passage shows the preparation in heaven for judgment on earth
Here’s the catch: it’s not whether or not Jesus rose, it’s whether or not you believe He rose. The facts are there. What they mean to you makes all the difference.
Jesus was not only the Lamb of God; He was the unapplauded and unappreciated sacrificial Lamb of God. Even though God clearly laid out the sufferings and sacrifice of Christ hundreds of years before it happened, people who knew the prophecies refused to believe them.
We no longer find the time descriptions of 1,260 This passage presents a picture that is a description of what is about to happen. The earth is ripe for harvest, but this is not a joyful harvest; it is the harvest of the wicked.
We no longer find the time descriptions of 1,260 days, 42 months, or time, times and half a time. We are not reading about the second half of the Tribulation now, but what comes next.
This next beast comes out – the third part of the unholy trinity. It looks like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon. He exalts the beast and enforces his will. Just as Satan works through the antichrist, so the antichrist will work through his prophet. It will deceive the people of the earth. The message for God’s people is clear – don’t be deceived.
Revelation 12:17 says the dragon went to make was against “those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” The testimony makes believers a target. But in V. 11 we’ve already read, “They overcame him (the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” The testimony that makes them a target is the testimony that gives them victory.
Satan wanted heaven, but he is denied, cast down to earth. Enraged, he tries to vent his anger on the Jews, and is again frustrated. He has one target left for his fury: “the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”
None of us can defeat the dragon, but that doesn’t matter. If God says the dragon can’t hurt us, the dragon can’t hurt us.
The seventh trumpet sounds, and victory is declared. Voices in heaven declare that God’s kingdom has come (Matt 6), that the nations raged, but God’s wrath has come (Ps. 2), and that the time for rewarding the faithful and punishing sinners (Matt 25, 2 Cor 5:10) has come. It’s been a long time coming, but God’s kingdom will come.
The world will gloat when God’s two faithful witnesses are slain. But even death cannot defeat God’s children. As long as we remain faithful, we cannot lose.
The courts of the temple are given over to the gentiles; but the temple itself is only for those who are true to God, however few they may be.
God’s Word is sweet to His people, but when Jon at the little scroll, which was at first sweet; it became bitter. God’s sweet Word, when rejected, leaves pain for those who care.
John faithfully writes that a voice from heaven told him not to write what he heard. What kind of a tease is this? In this message we’ll consider what these seven thunders might be – especially my theory that they are good news for God’s people – but more that God has the right to reveal what He chooses to reveal, and we have no right to demand more. Our responsibility is to be faithful to what we do know.
Repentance is the recognition of guilt and turning from it. In this week’s passage, we find people willing to do absolutely anything but repent.
“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” (Psalm 1:7). With this plague, the wicked suffer horribly while the righteous are protected. God is able to protect His people, God is able to punish evil-doers. But what do the saints do while the sinners are helpless? This passage says nothing about that.
The Seventh seal is opened; the angels begin to blow the seven trumpets, and judgment is unleashed on the earth. This is just the beginning. If we would learn a lesson from this, it is don’t make God mad.
Instead of going directly to the seventh seal, there is hushed pause in the action. Things are going to get really bad, but before they do, God shows us that the good guys really are winning. Huge numbers of believers have died, but they have not lost – they are in the presence of God. And there are a special group of 144,000 men set aside, for some purpose not made clear to us. What is the state of affairs? Everything is under control.
Why would someone run into a cave during an earthquake? Because they are more afraid of what is outside than what is in. The great people who opposed God will beg the rocks to fall on them – anything to keep God from getting them.
This week we will see seals 2, 3, & 4 broken, revealing the rest of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. None of them appear to be supernatural. Perhaps these are natural results of rejecting God to follow man.
When the Lamb opens the first seal, a rider comes out on a white horse. He looks like a hero, and the world will believe he is, but he is not. He is the Antichrist.
Heaven stood helpless and John wept loudly. No one was worthy to open the book. Then the Lion was announced, and the Lamb came forward.
Communion Sunday
Chapters 4 & 5 of Revelation compare and contrast the glory found at the throne of God. Chapter four, before introducing the Lamb that was slain is glorious. We will see that this week.
Revelation is a difficult book. The frightening language and descriptions often scare us away. But it is a book that also promises blessings on those who read it. This sermon will share some principles that will bring understanding the book within our reach. I think we’ll find blessings that don’t wait for the future, but find us today.
We love to receive forgiveness, but find it difficult to give forgiveness. God forgives (almost) every sin; and He asks us to do the same.
We understand when the world sins, because it is the world. But what about when believers sin? What about when believers continue in sin, and think it is okay. How is the follower of Christ supposed to relate to that person?
The old Good Book has much to say about modern media. Just take everything addressed to the tongue, and apply it to the keyboard.
In Jesus’ last words, as recorded in Matthew, Jesus does not equate baptism with salvation, but with discipleship. This message will cover: what baptism is, what we say by baptism, and what baptism says to us.
Even when we are serving Christ, there is a subtle temptation to exalt ourselves. John had the right perspective when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.
The tombstones read RIP, but our hope is much more than that. Instead of Resting In Peace, we look forward to Rejoicing In Victory.
“God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. God has promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. So what happened to Hezekiah, and can it happen to us? How will we fare if it does?
The Assyrian empire has now set its sights on Judah, and like all other nations, Judah is falling, until Jerusalem alone stands. Instead of bowing before the enemy, Hezekiah bows before God, and is delivered.
Joash was a great king – until his mentor died. Then it became apparent he was good because of his relationship with a man, not God. Live your life to please God, not people.
You know the Bible stories of unlikely victory. You know David and Goliath, Samson and the Philistines, Joshua and the battle of Jericho, Gideon and the Midianites. But do you know the four lepers and the Arameans? This week we will learn one more story reminding us God wins through courageous faithful people.