Needhams Grove Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Pastor DJ Harry
In this passage we see a contrast...a contrast between two men that are looking at the same circumstance but with completely different perspectives. Peter's frailty is seen in his fragile emotions during Christ's trial. Yet at the same time we see the determination of our Savior to walk the road to Calvary....determined to pay the price of redemption for all mankind!
God gives spiritual gifts to all his children...for the purpose of building up the body of Christ and edifying believers. What happens when we refuse to use our gifts? Is it acceptable for certain believers to sit on the sidelines and watch others "do" ministry? When any one person doesn't use their gifts we all miss out on the blessing!
When I say the word “betrayal”...what emotions comes to mind? When I say the word “betrayer”...what person comes to mind? Judas spend three years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week...in the presence of the Messiah...How can anyone be so evil? So selfish? So hardened to the truth? In Judas we see the depravity of man, the reality of religious hypocrisy...and yet we see the determination of our Savior to follow the pathway to redemption!!
For my entire life I have heard sermons preached on the widow's mite....and never actually heard it preached within the context of Mark 12. The problem? How you have heard it preached is probably not what Jesus intended to communicate to the disciples that day!
In this passage we get a unique behind the scenes look at the heart, motives, and evidences of hypocrisy of the heart. We can put on nice clothes, our happy faces, really make a show of it... Are you serving yourself...or seeking Jesus?
When you walk through a passage like Romans 9:25-33, it would be easy to become side-tracked and miss Paul's intended purpose for referencing the Old Testament prophecies concerning Israel. Let's not miss the road signs in this passage...and let's not miss the wonderful truths that Paul reveals about the pathway to redemption for al mankind!!
In our passage today we see a struggle for authority...the questioning of authority. Jesus...after all that you have done, all the trouble you have stirred up in Galilee..and now you come in here into the temple and disrupt our traditions and our way of doing things...By whose authority do you do this!! The question of authority isn’t just for the pharisees but it is for each of us as well!
The problem with the world’s concept of peace is that If the angel's announcement of peace meant “no war” then this would have been an unfulfilled promise. The world wants peace apart from Jesus...where the angels announced peace through Jesus! In Luke 2 (when we have the announcement of peace, good will toward men) that is a much different idea of peace than the world has. It is the peace that we have with God through knowing his son Jesus Christ.
Hope, Love...the first three gifts that the world received through Jesus Christ. The third gift is joy.. What if I told you there was a recipe for joy...a model that we see in Scripture of a person going through an overwhelming circumstance that kept her eyes on Jehovah! Mary experienced a joy that was almost miraculous in nature...and yet it wasn’t centered around stuff or things...it was a joy that came from deep within...it wasn’t bound by materialism or consumerism. Mary’s Joy recipe is found in a beautiful prayer...a song of praise that we often call “Mary’s Magnificat.” It is in this song of Mary that we find her recipe for joy...start with humility, add in a dash of worship, throw in a helping of reality, and a generous sprinkling of grace and mercy!
Every gift represents a person...a person that cared, that planned, that sacrificed. A thoughtful gift means something...it meets a need and fills a void. There is a void that mankind has that is only filled by Jesus Christ..it is the need in our heart for love....unselfish, unearned, unconditional love!
Our world is longing for hope. We look to elected official to bring hope, sports teams, our jobs, and time spent with family to us hope. Really those are just wishful thinking. They bring hope that vanishes away. Only God can give us true hope...hope that looks beyond the circumstances with steadfast confidence!
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people used very specific language found in the Psalms that hailed Jesus as King, Messiah, and Savior. How could those same people cry to crucify Jesus just a few days later? This is possible through a case of mistaken identity. They thought they were looking at a political savior and missed the reality that he came to be our spiritual savior...the redeemer of all mankind!
Through a study of Job, Elijah, David, and Saul....we see that many people in the Scriptures suffered from symptoms of what we would call depression today. Is it possible for a Christian to suffer from depression? How can we gain victory over depression? Listen in to part 2 as we uncover the truth about depression.
As Jesus comes into Jerusalem he turns to a barren fig tree and curses it. Days later the disciples see that it is withered to the roots. Why did Jesus give so much attention to a tree that didn't have fruit? What does the fig tree represent? I pray that our study in this passage will be encouraging and challenging to be a tree that bears much fruit!
Often we avoid having the hard discussion about depression because it forces us to face the reality of our weakness and frailty. Instead of just giving thoughts and opinion, we look at four men in the Scriptures that were uniquely used of God and yet suffered from what seems to be personal depression.
As Jesus enters his final few weeks of ministry, he comes across a man that is blind, helpless, outcast...and yet full of faith. Guess what? We are no different! This passage isn't about the persistent cries of Bartimaeus, but rather about the wonderful grace and mercy of our Savior! Praise the Lord for his unmerited favor that is shown to each and every one of us...though we are just as undeserving and hopeless as Bartimaeus!
The problem we come to in this passage is that the disciples were communicating values through their discipleship, they were proclaiming that Jesus was the Messiah, a devotion and dedication to the Savior...and yet their actions revealed that the motives of their heart did not match the motives of their lips. It is possible for your mouth to say one thing, and your life to say something completely different! What this passage yells out to us today is ...”Hey disciples...hey Christian...don’t tell me what you value...show me what you value.”
Often the things we do to earn God's favor become our greatest hindrances. When sinners come to the point where they realize that salvation is not of their own goodness but is only by God’s grace and mercy...that is when God can do the impossible!
No matter how far you have come in your walk with the Lord, we have to come to Christ every day with helpless dependence...we must come as a child. I know this passage is often used to preach that we are to have the "faith as a child" and yet interestingly this passage has nothing to do with faith at all. In fact, Jesus was talking about babies when he spoke these words. What are babies? They are helpless and dependent. It is only through helpless dependence that we can come into the kingdom!
Often Jesus would be tempted by the pharisees with difficult questions concerning their culture or the legal system. The question they propose in this passage is one that is still asked today....Is divorce allowable? This is an important question for us to ask because our marriages stand as a beautiful picture of Christ and the church. Often the world views Christianity in light of how their Christian neighbors live their everyday life. Jesus answers their question very clearly. He is not ambiguous on the matter. His words help us understand how God view marriage and divorce.
A dependence on God doesn't guarantee that life will be free from difficulty and trial, but a firm trust in his goodness will help calm the fears that come as we walk through that trial. In our passage (Luke 12), Jesus is helping the disciples see that their faith and hope should rest in the all-sufficient supply of our Heavenly Father to meet our needs.
True discipleship demands radical holiness. Jesus uses the illustration of radical removal of a hand and foot to demonstrate that sin is serious....much more serious than we treat it in our lives. When we have lives littered with sin, our salt becomes weak and we lose influence in our culture. True discipleship demands radical holiness!
Anxiety, worry, and fear...these three are at the forefront of the disciples minds in Luke 12. The call to be a disciple of Christ is a call to live without fear and anxiety. How can that happen? Listen in as we discuss three ways (in part one) that anxiety and fear can creep in our lives.
As Jesus and the disciples walked along the way toward Galilee, there was a constant rumbling from the back of the group. What was all the discussion about? They were still arguing as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom! Jesus pulls them aside and reveals a shocking yet revolutionary truth that should guide us as we serve others...God is pleased with those that are last in line because they are serving others. To be first you must be last!
Anxiety....Fear...Discouragement...Depression....There is a real battle that is being fought on the battlefield of our minds.
Why do I feel broken? Why can't I just get out of this slump? No one will understand what I'm going through.
Before we can begin to address the weapons that our enemy uses to attack our minds, we have to acknowledge that the battle is real. This part concludes with a very practical truth...our thoughts control our emotions which control our behavior. Become a gate-keeper for your mind and you will be able to control your emotions and bring them in line with the Truth of Scripture.
Discouragement is real. In fact, you may not even know it but you are infected with the disease of discouragement...though it hasn't shown any outward symptoms yet. Listen in as we walk through Numbers 11 and see the symptoms, diagnosis, and cure for discouragement though the lives of the Israelite and Moses.
Christ was tempted in all points as we are...and yet without sin. The temptation of Christ stands as an incredible blueprint for us to follow when tempted to sin. Jesus was tempted in the same there areas we are tempted: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. What were the circumstances surrounding his temptation? We find that Satan often uses the same playbook on us...and by following Christ's example, we can be prepared to defeat Satan and the temptations of our flesh!
God's Word declares that there will be a day that all those that have rejected Christ will stand and be judged. This Great White Throne will be a time of eternal sentencing...the unsaved will be cast into an eternal punishment that is terrible beyond imagination. The good news is that God has given mankind a way to be reconciled to him...to be brought back into fellowship with the Father. What will you do with Jesus?
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God....and it is powerful to bring about change in our lives. Listen in as Evangelist Ron DeGarde challenges Needhams Grove Baptist Church to have open hearts for personal revival.
Often we think that revival is something special..something that God has only done a few times in history to special people. The reality is that "revival" simply means to a return back to normal. God reveals four things that steal our hearts away from revival...and then tells us how to return back to a hear that is set toward God!
In this final chapter of Abraham's life, we see a picture of life abundant..filled with blessings from God! While he did have six more sons in this later stage of life, Abraham never takes his eyes off the significance of Isaac as the son of promise. God fulfilled all he had promised Abraham in his life, though he never saw with his own eyes. His was truly a journey of faith!
It is so easy for us to get our eyes off of the Savior and place them on ourselves....the disciples faced that same problem when they failed to cast out the demon in Mark 9. Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith. In doing so he teaches us an important lesson. God is not limited by our imperfect faith, but demands humble faith!
There is a cost to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. In Mark 8:34-38, Jesus turns to his disciples...and the multitudes...and lays out this simple truth: it will cost much to be a true disciple of Jesus. It takes denial of self. It requires a willingness to bear the cross of persecution. It demands obedience. Listen in as Stephen Snipes (on staff at Needhams Grove) unfolds Christ's words and challenges us to be disciples of Christ!
After Sarah's death, Abraham now sets his eyes on finding a wife for Isaac. Consider this...the father, seeking a bride for the son of promise, sends out a servant to find the one willing to become part of the family. God the father, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and willing believers, invites those outside the family to be the bride for his only begotten Son. This passage demonstrates for us the 5 steps that take place when we invite unbelievers to join the family of God. You will be blessed by this study!
At this part of the story, Sarah has been Abraham's faithful friend, partner, and spouse for many years. Sadly, Sarah's passing reminds us of the inevitability of death. Abraham demonstrates his humanity by weeping at the side of his dear wife....and then he stands and gives a clear testimony to the God of Heaven. Abraham gives for us an incredible example of the process of grieving as well as the importance of setting our affection back on the things above during that time of grief.
Sometimes God asks us to do things that push us to our limits...he is testing to see if we will trust in him no matter what! It is during these times of testing that God's glory can shine the brightest and our faith is strengthened beyond measure. Abraham faces a test that will push him to his limits of faith...and yet he still trusts that God will raise up Isaac from the dead, even if he obeys and takes his life. What an incredible testimony of rock-solid faith!
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto a mountain to see something that no other human eyes have seen...they were given a glimpse of Christ's glory! It was no mistake that Jesus took these three pivotal men that day and encouraged their faith by giving their faith sight. This passage is a wonderful reminder that there is more to this life than what we normally see!
Though Abraham was years beyond the decision to have a son through Hagar, the consequences of that decision were still around the camp. Though it was painful and difficult, God told Abraham that it was time for Ishmael to go...he had to leave the place of God's blessing. Abraham's response was quick and decisive, though painful. Maybe you have an "Ishmael" in your life....a daily reminder of the life of the past. When God chooses to clean up your life, will you be as obedient as Abraham was?
Children are the future of any ministry...and just as Jesus bid the children to come to him, we should also rejoice in the joy and privilege of serving the next generation of believers. Being a "Next Generation Church" protects us from traditionalism, keeps us from living in the past, and keeps us pushing forward for the cause of Christ!
Immediately following the destruction of Sodom we find Abraham journeying again away from his place of peace and rest...and we find him again lying about Sarah being his sister. What a sad sight to see an unbelieving King taking Abraham to task for his dishonesty. No matter where you stand in your journey of faith, you are always capable of the worst sin you have ever committed when you walk away from the place of God's blessing!
Unnecessary suffering is always difficult to watch....we struggle when we see the innocent in pain and anguish. Why did Jesus choose the path of suffering? Why was his suffering necessary? In this sermon we look at Mark 8:31 where Jesus reveals to his disciples that he must suffer and experience rejection and death at the hands of the unbelieving Jews. Christ's incredible suffering is a reminder to us of the absolute depths of our sin and his far-reaching mercy!
Not only do we find Lot in a position of prominence in Sodom, we find Sodom taking a position of prominence in the heart of Lot. Why did this have to happen? What was the progression that destroyed Lot's family beyond repair?
In this central passage to Marks' gospel account, Jesus confronts the disciples with two aspects to his Messiahship. First...who am I? It was a question of identity. Then Jesus tells them of his coming suffering...that their Messiah would be rejected and crucified. Though Peter proudly proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, he was far from understanding the true mission of the Messiah.
As the disciples sat in the upper room they ate their final earthly meal with Jesus. They passed the elements that we have come to know as the Last Supper...when Jesus commanded them to continue eating and drinking in remembrance of Christ's final sacrifice. All of this was happening during the passover celebration in Jerusalem. What significance is the passover to our remembrance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Jesus is surrounded by ignorance. The multitudes don't really understand his identity. The Pharisees are willingly ignorant of his authority...and the disciples as well seem to fall short of full understanding of Jesus's messiahship. How is it that so many people could see so many miracles and yet still be ignorant of Christ's identity?
While Jesus did minister to the multitudes, he did it one person at a time! Jesus comes across the man that was deaf and mute...and with all the care and compassion within his person he reached forth and healed him physically. Join us as we look at three important truths about Jesus and his ministry to people!
While it is true that we can come boldly to the throne of Grace, we must not forget that it is God's throne we are approaching. Our boldness is at his invitation and does not demand humility on our part. Abraham's humble intercessory prayer for Sodom and Gomorra are an incredible example for us to see and model as we pray for the sinful world in which we live.
When Jesus ventured away from the shores of Galilee he was soon confronted by a Greek woman who asked for healing for her daughter. Christ's response? It is not fitting to take food from the children at the table (Israel) and give it to the dogs (Gentiles). Her response? Lord...I don't need to sit at the table, I don't need all of their "food"....I just need a few crumbs of your mercy. That is the type of faith that we need...simple, humble faith.
Abraham is visited by three unique individuals that share the news...Sarah will have a child! These words are given to strengthen Sarah's faith...Is anything too hard for the Lord? Are you facing obstacles that seem overwhelming? Do you feel like God's promises are left undone in your life? You can trust that nothing is too hard for your God!
Jesus's maturity into a man gives us an incredible example for the type of maturity that will bring about Biblical manhood. What are the four marks of Biblical manhood? They are: Personal Maturity, Physical Maturity, Relational Maturity, and Spiritual Maturity!
In this passage, Jesus confronts the Pharisees with a head-on collision of truth vs tradition. Jesus exposes how they were worshiping the fences that they had erected around their religion and were missing out on Jesus! Isn't it easy for us to do the same? I pray that God will use this message to help you get your eyes off the 'religion' of Christianity and to put them on Jesus!
Years have passed since Ishmael was born. Abraham and Sarah are left wondering..."Has God forgotten about us?" God never forgets his children! God wonderfully reveals himself as El Shaddai, the powerful provider. God changes Abraham and Sarah's name...and God gives them a new sign as a physical token of their inward obedience.
Jesus was often moved with compassion when he saw the multitudes...but he also demonstrated care and concern for his disciples. As they struggle to understand and comprehend Jesus's miracles, our Savior demonstrates his grace by calming their storm. Listen in as we look at five lessons we can learn about trusting God in the storms of our life!
It is so easy for us to seek after God's will in our lives....only to begin acting in our own timing or seeking to follow God in our own way. Abraham and Sarah had to learn that lesson early on...that God not only has his desired will for our lives, but we must submit to his time and his way also!
When God promised Abraham a land and a nation, he picked up and immediately started on his journey. However, he didn't make it to the land of promise quite yet. Instead, Abraham dwelt in Haran for many years. For some reason he was content to have left his home...but wasn't yet ready for the joy and fulfillment of living in Canaanland. There are many people today that have left Ur and were sidetracked in Haran....spiritually. Everyone is living in one of three places..Ur, Haran, or dwelling in Canaan!
In Mark 5 we see the miraculous change that takes place in a man that is controlled by demons...only to experience the broken chains of freedom and a love for his Savior. However, Jesus set him free for a purpose! He is immediately given the task of going back to his people and telling them what Jesus has done for him. God has called each of us to share Christ's compassion with the people in our circle of influence!
Don't think that you can follow the Savior and not experience a few storms in your life. As the disciples cried out for mercy, Jesus calmly and powerfully calmed the storm...and demonstrated a power over the storms in our lives as well. Though our storms look large and are looming, Jesus can whisper "Peace, be still" into your storm!
Abraham is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament as an example of a man who lived by faith. It is for this reason that we begin this study, seeking to understand Abraham's life and uncover the principles of faithful living for those who are seeking after God's blessing.
Jesus finishes up the Parable of the Sower with these words..."Take heed what ye hear." There is both a warning and a blessing wrapped up in Christ's command to be a hearer of the Word. Faithful hearers listen with expectancy. Faithful hearers listen with dependency. Faithful hearers listen with confidence!! I hope this will be a wonderful challenge to each of you to be hearers of God's Word!
It is not hard to look through the pages of Scripture and find examples of what we might classify as "bad parenting." The reality? ...parenting is tough! You are not along in your struggle to bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In this message we look at two parents...the flawed parenting of Eli the Priest and the perfect parenting of God the Father!
A central part of the parenting process is understanding and implementing Biblical discipline. Does God's Word really speak to the issue of "spanking?" Is the chastisement that is described in the Bible really for today? Follow along as we dig into God's Word to understand God's plan for discipline in the home.
When the Word takes root, it brings forth fruit! In the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4), Jesus describes the soil that the seed falls on...but often we skip right over the fruit of the good soil. What is the fruit that we should expect in the life of a person that hears and receives the Word? Listen in as we uncover these truths from Jesus's words in Mark 4!
It is possible to see the miraculous....to catch a glimpse of the goodness of Jesus...and never let the seed take root in the soil of your heart. Jesus follows the interaction with the pharisees with a parable that reveals the different heart responses to the Gospel. Every time that the Gospel is given there is a spiritual warfare over the seed of the truth and how it will be received. The challenge for us...He who has ears, let him hear!!!
The progression into ministry was a slow one for the disciples. As they followed Jesus and observed his ministry, they became much more than just friends...they became his family. In this passage, Jesus is confronted by concerned family and friends as well as accused by the unbelieving Scribes. His response? He turned to his closest followers and declared them to be his family! Praise the Lord that we are part of the family of God and brought into sweet fellowship with him when we become his disciples!
As Jesus begins building the foundation for his church, he does so on through the training and sending out of the twelve disciples. It was more than just a call to be a disciple...it was a call to act as a disciple. Jesus was preparing them for a future ministry that would change the world! What is the greatest application? God doesn't always use the obvious choice in men...he uses those that are willing and answer the call!
While we are saved by grace and walk by faith, there is a purpose to the restrictions that we place on ourselves as we walk the Christian pathway. The challenge for us is to understand the purpose of the fences in our lives and to never lean on them for our own righteousness. In these two concluding chapter, Pauls reminds us to set our eyes on Christ alone for our sanctification!
In Galatians chapter 4 Paul begins to walk us through the transition from the Law to Grace living. Paul's appeal is out of genuine love and concern...and this same love and concern should guide us today as well! Paul's intreats them to walk as sons of God and not as servants to the law. Praise the Lord for our position as sons in the grace of God!
As Christ finishes his first year of earthly ministry, the tension is mounting and the pressure is on. Though Jesus was 100% God, how would his humanity deal with the difficulties that surrounded him? Jesus's reaction becomes an example for us to follow when we are facing the pressures of life as well. First, he went to a place of peace and quiet. Then...he spent a season in prayer. If you are being bombarded with cares, trials, and hurts...maybe it is time to find a place of quiet and seek the Lord through prayer!
As Jesus ministers to those in need, the inevitable confrontation with the Pharisees takes place....where does Jesus's ministry fall in relation to the Sabbath? Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? The better question is this...what does this passage reveal about our Savior? Jesus's wonderful and powerful response gives hope to all the world...that he is the Lord of the Sabbath! There is a path of salvation for mankind and it is only through Jesus Christ!
Consider this analogy...."Dependence on the Law" and Christian Liberty" form two ditches that we can so easily slide into as we journey through life. Somewhere in the middle is the where we should be living...it is dwelling in the freedom of Christ. Listen in as we navigate that balance through Paul's teaching in Galatians chapter 3.
As Jesus begins calling his disciples to follow, it become very clear that there is a false gospel being pushed by the pharisees. What does a false gospel look like? Praise the Lord the True Gospel will always prevail!
We often get this miracle out of order...while Jesus did heal this man's physical condition, it was his faith in Jesus's mercy that brought about spiritual healing first!
It is so easy to rejoice over the unmerited favor of God in salvation...and then to begin to try to earn God's favor through righteous living after salvation. Paul's encouragement is simple...we are saved by grace through faith...and we are sanctified in the same manner!
There is no greater parable ever given than the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The full context of Luke 15 gives us incredible depth to the purpose of this parable as well as the wonderful powerful message that is contained within its words. Listen in as we uncover what Jesus intended to communicate...as well as a special dedication of "Salvation Through the Eyes of a Prodigal" to my dad!
Paul begins his letter to the Galatian churches by laying out his issue openly..he is saddened to hear that they have so quickly moved away from the true gospel and have been moved toward a works sanctification. This sets the stage for the entire letter and Paul's encouragement for the believers there to hold to the sound doctrine of grace by faith alone.
Jesus left Capernaum in Mark 1 and it is recorded that he returned in chapter 2. Interestingly, there is only one event that is recorded in Mark that happened during that interim...Jesus healed the leper. Why did Mark choose to give us this one event? Because it records for us the power of Christ over disease and illustrates his power over sin and its effects. The leper's cry? Lord...only you can make me clean! Christ's response? "I will; be thou clean."
We are curious creatures! When we drive by an accident we naturally slow down to see what has happened. In Christ's early ministry there was much to see. People were drawn to his miraculous wonders...and sadly many of them missed the message of redemption. It is possible to be amazed with Jesus and miss out on his wonderful offer of salvation!
Galatians is a wonderful book that is full of practical wisdom, needed warnings, and wonderful truths about our salvation and sanctification. Before we dig into the theology of Galatians, we need to understand the cultural context as well as the church context that drives Paul's thoughts in this letter to the Galatian churches.
As Jesus begins his earthly ministry, his teaching carried extra weight compared to the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees. He taught with all of the authority of God place within a man. Jesus was the Christ...the promised Messiah!
In this final installment of Gideon's life, we see his tragic legacy...the people of Israel fell back into Idolatry. There are some incredible lessons for us. Just because people are serving well under our leadership doesn't mean that we are preparing them to serve well after we are gone. I pray that we will leave a lasting legacy that is focused on Christ and endures!!
In our final installment of this series, we conclude by looking at the importance of cultural context when interpreting God's Word. If we are commanded to rightly divid the Word, we should do it well!!
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? In this passage we see that Jesus chose simple fishermen...called them to an eternal ministry...and can only use those that heed the call. Do you have what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
It is interesting how differently the Israelites responded to God's incredible victory over the Midianites. The Ephraimites complained. How would Gideon respond to the cries of the men of Succoth...men that were filled with doubt? How easy it is for our hearts to be filled with doubt when we get our eyes of the Lord!
There is no one aspect of Bible interpretation that is more important than understanding the context of the passage you are studying. Without context you can take almost any passage and make it say something that sounds good but is not supported from the passage. It is critical that we understand the context of God's Word in order to rightly divide its words and understand its message.
Much of the New Testament is written in the form of letters to churches. How are we to read and interpret those Biblical truths without taking them out of their context? Listen in as we explore the importance of understanding the geographical and historical context of the New Testament epistles.
The transformation of Jesus, from a little boy to a minister of the gospel, largely took place out of our eyes. However, his first few days in public ministry were full of blessing and trial. Immediately after his baptism, Jesus is driven into the wilderness to experience the temptations of the flesh...and to overcome them. Praise the Lord we have a Savior that was tempted in all points like we are, and yet he remained sinless!
God gave Gideon incredible wisdom in regards to dealing with people. In Judges 8 Gideon has to deal with the Ephraimaites...and their unrealistic frustration at Gideon. Even though God had given the victory, there were some that were not happy that they hadn't played a bigger role. This is an excellent lesson for us...a soft answer turneth away wrath!
Over 1/3 of the Scriptures are written in poetic form of one type of another. It would make sense for us to consider why God chose that style of writing to communicate His truth to mankind!
In this critical portion of Gideon's life, God gives clear direction in the battle and cries out loudly...THIS IS MY BATTLE! Sometimes we must simply step aside and let God give direction in our lives...and simply obey that direction. Stop fighting God's battles in your life! Let God fight his battles through you!
Do we have the freedom to do as we please "in Christ" or is there a better understanding of what our Christian liberty actually involves? Let's look at Peter and Paul's explanation of liberty and make that we aren't becoming a stumbling block to other believers!
Can we interpret passages in Proverbs as promises given to believers? How do we balance the optimism of Proverbs with the seemingly pessimistic outlook of Ecclesiastes? Understanding the books of wisdom is no small task but one that we need to undertake to properly interpret Scripture!
As Mark begins his account of the good news of redemption, he introduces us to John the Baptist. He has a unique role as the herald of the gospel...and presents to us a great example of how we should share Christ boldly with the people around us!
God has whittled Gideon's army from 32,000 men to only 300. God understands when there is fear tucked away within our obedience! God offers to Gideon one more assurance that He was going to give the victory!
Understanding and applying the message contained within the law can be daunting as well as tricky. In this message, Pastor Harry explains the purpose of the law and how we interpret it properly in light of our freedom from the law!
When you play baseball you don't get to make up the rules as you go...in the same way, we don't get to make up the roles of fatherhood either! God has already established them in his Word, we just need to hear them and heed them!
All through Scripture we see memorials used to remind God's people of his goodness and protection. As we consider Memorial Day, let's also consider the importance of remembering all that God has done in our lives as well!
If you think that the 12 disciples were the special ones that Christ used in the New Testament...you would be mistaken. One of God's choicest servants had humble beginnings, was forsaken by Paul, mentored by Peter, and eventually wrote the 2nd Gospel account in the NT. God restored Mark to a special service, to point people to Jesus - The Christ!
Our God is a jealous God...and he knows that if man has any reason to boast in himself he will! God takes Gideon's army of 32,000 and reduces it to 300 men. When they defeat the Midianites, there will be no doubt that God gave the victory!
We live in a world of busyness and clutter. It can become difficult to hear God speak because our lives are so full of other things....many of them even good things. There are three things we need to do to hear from God: 1.Tune your radio to spiritual things 2. Focus in on God's frequency 3. Get rid of the interference
While we hold to a literal interpretation of the Scriptures, sometimes they are literally be interpreted as allegory or hyperbole. There are many genres of writing found in Scripture and understanding how to interpret the Books of the Law within their context is critical to a proper understanding of the Scriptures.
In the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus implores his listeners to be doer, and not hearers only. Build your life on the only sure foundation, the foundation of Christ!
There is no doubt that Jesus Christ came to earth to offer redemption for all mankind through his death on the cross. However, as he hang between heaven and earth, he looked down with compassion and demonstrated care for his earthly mother. What an incredible example of the love we should have for our mothers while serving the Lord!
Have you ever read through a portion of the Scripture and felt lost...or even heard someone explain it in a way that you knew wasn't consistent with the message of the rest of the Bible? In this series, we are going to look at several keys to Bible interpretation that will keep us understanding and interpreting God's Word consistently and accurately!!
It is possible to think you are on the narrow path but to be wrong...and the consequences are eternal. In this passage, Christ explains how many, catch that-many, will stand before him thinking that they are his, only to find out that they were deceived. Please allow the Lord to use his word to search your heart as you listen to this message!
After God got Gideon's attention, it was time for him so step up and lead the nation against the Midianites. As Gideon blew the trumpet, the people responded. Why? Because people are looking for a person to lead them!!
In this concluding sermon to our Eschatology series, we look at the Great White Throne Judgement. It is a sobering reminder that God will judge with perfect justice and that there is a day of reckoning for all of humanity!
In this second illustration at the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of two trees that produce fruit. Are there those that claim to be on the narrow path? You will know by the fruit of their lives. You will know them by their fruit!
Many times the greatest opposition to serving God comes from those that are the closest! As Gideon obeys and destroys the altar to Baal, the people of his town seek him out to kill him. It is exciting to see that Gideon's obedience seems to renew his father's faith and Gideon's dad becomes his greatest defender!
As Jesus begins drawing the Sermon on the Mount to a conclusion, he uses four illustrations to bring his listeners to a point of decision. In this first illustration he describes two paths; one is narrow and exclusive, the other is wide and very inclusive. Have you made the choice to walk the narrow path?
God calls us to take care of the sins of our own house before we can help bring revival to our community. Before Gideon could judge Israel he had to get rid of the altar to Baal in his own father's backyard! Would he take the risk? Confronting your family is a bold step of obedience that can bring incredible revival!
This is a recorded interview that I had with Pastor Neal Jackson of Beulah Baptist Church about the joys of pastoring in a rural community. If you are interested in more interview about pastoring and ministry, visit our website www.letstalk.church and choose a topic that would be a blessing to you!!
Do unto others...we have heard this so often and yet you have probably never stopped to see how this small verse actually fits into the sermon on the mount. Is it really a rule to live by? Actually, Jesus gives us this 'rule' for a completely different purpose!!
When God calls a person to service, the natural response is to come up with excuses...Gideon doesn't let us down by offering a perfect example of that reaction. God, however, persisted in his call and we see Gideon step out by faith and trust the call of God!
What happens after the rapture concludes? In this message we look at the stunning events of the final conflicts as well as the incredible peace during the Millennial Kingdom reign of Christ.
When Jesus tells us to "ask and receive", is this a 'name it and claim it' type of prayer? This passage actually reveals a progression of the heart as we ask of the Lord, then seek after those things, and then desperately knock on the heart of God. I'm thankful that we serve a God that wants to give good things to his children!
In part one we see Israel hiding in caves and mountain washouts, hiding form the invading forces. God hears the cry of the people and raises up a judge...Gideon. God's call to Gideon, though distinct and clear, fell on deaf ears as Gideon blamed God for Israel's problems. Are you listening to God as he speaks to you?...or are you too busy blaming him for life's problems!
What is the Gospel...if it isn't according to the Scriptures. Paul's declaration of the Gospel includes three things. He died according to the Scriptures, He rose again according to the Scriptures, and that he is the only way according to the Scriptures!!
Bruce Frye had his heart set on making it big in the country music industry. He moved from small-town NC to Nashville in order to get the singing contract of his dreams. It was there that God used the prayers of his older brother and the emptiness of sin to draw his heart to the Savior...Bruce is a change man because God changed him from the inside out!
Hannah is a great example of this simple truth...Trust God through the difficult times! Hannah's simple prayer of faith demonstrates how we should respond to God through our own difficulties
When faced with difficult situations in life, we have a choice...will we allow bitterness to set in or will we choose to trust in God!
God will never bless his people if they are covering up sin in their heart. In this sermon, Sammy Frye takes Proverbs 28:13 and reveals the cause of our coverup, the character of coverup, the consequences of covering our sin, and the cure for a heart that is covering sin.
There is no better picture of God's grace than Christ's interaction with the two thieves hanging beside him. One rejected the outpouring of God's grace...the other had a heart of humble repentance and was granted eternal life!!! Thank you Lord for your undeserved favor!!
Statistics show that Matthew 7:1 is the verse that is taken out of context more than any other verse. Why? Because we like to tell others not to judge us! Is that really what Christ is saying in this passage? In this message we explore what it means to judge but not be judgmental.
To fully understand the need of Old Testament judges you have to understand why God allowed Israel to be overthrown in the first place. In this series introduction, we look at Israel's sin and God's judgment on the land. Where was Gideon? Hiding from the Midianites!!
Financial support is wonderful. Without the financial support of local churches, missionaries would struggle to make it on the field. However, God has called us to do so much more than that!!! The church at Philippi gives us an incredible perspective of the local church/missionary relationship as it was designed in Scripture!!
Why do bad things happen to good people? In this third and final installment to this short series, we finish looking at the life of Job and then give three reasons why God allows suffering in the lives of believers.
Sending our monthly support to missionaries is a needed and necessary part of our church/missionary partnership. However, it doesn't end there!! God has called us to have a deep relationship with our fellow laborers of the Gospel! In this first part we look at the foundations of missions from Acts.
In Job's first interaction with suffering we see him stand tall and continue to worship. However, in Job 2 he is stricken with boils and is brought to his knees. Will he worship or curse God through his suffering?
The book of Jonah is less about Jonah and more about the overwhelming love of God to those in need of redemption!
Why do bad things happen to good people? The question of suffering gnaws at the heart of man in his desire to make sense of this world. Job stands as the best example in Scripture of suffering. In this three part series we will look at Job's reaction to suffering and his concluding thoughts about the sovereignty of God.
Spring flowers are beautiful. Watching the robins gather worms from the back yard is beholding. If God cares enough for the birds and the flowers to provide for their needs, so much more does God want to provide for the needs of his people! Don't fret over the cares of this world; God is the provider of those that seek him!
Paul uses a very specific word as he writes of the "Judgement Seat of Christ." He uses the Greek word 'bema', which has a very unique connection to the Olympics and the giving out of rewards at the end of the race. Study this out with us as we learn of the time of rewards as we gather around the 'Bema' with the Righteous Judge.
Jesus Christ crafts a beautiful conclusion to this riveting parable by holding the pharisees in suspense. What happens to the older son? Does he repent? Does he get angry at the Father's rebuke? Believe it or not, the parable actually does have an ending! Listen to see where the ending is found in the Gospels!
In this sermon we try to answer 7 of the most often asked questions about the Tribulation. Will people be saved? Who will tell them? Who are the 144,000? Who are the two witnesses? Listen as we look in Scripture to answer each of these questions as well as others.
There are only two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self. -Ken Collier. Jesus demonstrates this truth by telling us that there are only two treasures, only two focuses, and only two masters. Either you are serving God............or you are not!!!
As Jesus begins drawing this parable to a close, he introduces the main character in the entire story...the older distant son. Though we often focus on the younger son, the whole purpose of the parable was to demonstrate how the pharisees (like the older son) were distant from the Father and unwilling to rejoice over the mercy of the Father.
In this sermon we look at the three downward petitions that are given in this model prayer. Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our sins, and lead us not into temptation. This model for prayer requires that we be humble and dependent on God alone for our needs!
In this part of our study of future things we look at the events found in the second half of the Book of Revelation as they deal with the Great Tribulation. It will be an incredible time of destruction, sorrow, and turmoil...we look at the judgments on the earth during the second half of the Tribulation period.
As the son makes the turn toward home, the Father's loving embrace welcomes him into the family. The son that once was dead is not made alive again!! What a beautiful picture of salvation!!
As we continue our study of eschatology, we look closely at Matthew 24 and 25 and consider what is the context of this passage and what exactly is Jesus Christ communicating to his disciples. In the end, we see that Jesus is simply answering the questions that they asked about the end of time and he uses parables to help with the explanation.
After warning the listeners to avoid pretentious prayers and repetition in their praying, Jesus gives a model prayer that outlines the way in which we are to approach God. This is a monumental point in God's revelation of himself...we are seeing the attitude that God expects in prayer!
In this part of the series, the prodigal son finds himself alone, in want, with no food and no one to turn to. He attaches himself to a farmer who sends him out into the wilderness to watch over the pigs as they eat the carob husks. He has hit the lowest point that a person could hit in their culture ...but then he comes to himself!!
Why do you pray? When we only pray to 'get' from God we are exposing a selfish motive. In this passage, Jesus teaches us to avoid praying to serve our own selfish motives. He also exposes the vanity of repetitious prayers. "Dear Lord, thank you for the food, bless the hands that prepared it..." Do you mean what you say in prayer or are you just repeating what you have learned to say?
In this study we begin looking at the events of the Tribulation. We begin our study in I Thessalonians 4 and 5. In this passage Paul is encouraging the believers about things to come and that they will be delivered from the terrible time of wrath to come.
In the previous sermon we began looking at passages of Scripture that point to a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. In this episode we unpack II Thessalonians 5 to discover Paul's perspective on the doctrine of future things.
...now go and live out what I just told you (in chapter 5) but do it with the right motives! Here in Matthew 6, Jesus tells the listeners of this first sermon that their motives are the most important aspect of their righteous living. What are your motives? Do you live righteously just to be seen of men?
As the prodigal son takes his inheritance, he travels to a far country and wastes all he has on a wicked and perverse lifestyle. In this section of the parable we see that the younger son is being set up as the ultimate 'bad guy' within the Jewish culture in order to set the Pharisees up for the main point of the parable.
Even though we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, the cross is central to the Christmas message! Explore Paul's message about the cross in this series finale message.
The angels proclaimed "Peace on Earth!" ...but the message of Christ brought anything but peace to those that believed and followed him with their lives. What did the angels really mean when they proclaimed that Christ would bring peace?
In the same way that there is often confusion today about the coming of the Lord, there was confusion in Paul's day as well. That is why he deals with the Lord's return in detail in First and Second Thessalonians. In this episode we will look at the details of the Lord's return and the 'mass departure' described in II Thessalonians.
Two verses into the Parable of the Prodigal Son it is evident that the younger son is being set up as selfish and full of sinful pride. He causes the family great shame...much of it tied to the culture during Bible times. Listen to this episode to discover the layers of shame that this son caused on his family.
In this message we begin a series study through the doctrine of Eschatology by walking through the important issues of Progressive Revelation, Progressive Illumination, and a Literal Interpretation of Scripture. Each of these will help us understand God's Word in a framework that is consistent with the message of Scripture.
In part two of our series, Christmas Confusion, we look at the paradox of the humble earthly beginning of the King of Kings. Christ accomplished more through his humility than he would have through a triumphant entry into the world!
Parables were Christ's way to reveal truth to some and hide truth from others. No parable demonstrates this more than the Parable of the Prodigals in Luke 15. Join us through this series as we discover the truths that Jesus was revealing in this well-loved parable.
There are four incredibly difficult concepts to understand at Christmas...the first is that God became a man! Listen to the first in a four part series as we uncover the Paradox within the Incarnation.
I'm sure you are thankful for you family, your home, and your health. When those are gone (and they could be tomorrow), there are still 5 fundamentals for which we can be thankful. Salvation, God's Word, Creation, Suffering, and Weakness
Christ continues his correction of the false teachings of the Pharisees by setting straight the principle of retribution. We have all heard "an eye for an eye," but is that really how Christ expects us to live? As you study Christ's teachings on our rights, be ready to give them up for the cause of Christ!
In our series on Christianity and culture, we come to the cultural attacks on marriage. Before we understand how our culture views marriage, we must go to the eternal Word of God and see what marriage was created for and the parameters set on that relationship. Let's discover God's marriage template!
After establishing himself as the fulfillment of the entire OT, Jesus has to undo some of the false teaching that the Pharisees had spread into the culture. You have heard it said...but I say unto you!!
How would you defend your position against abortion with someone that refuses to look at the Scriptures? Could you? Listen as we discover two simple truths from science that prove from God's creation that the unborn are both human and valuable!!
Knowing that his teachings went against the grain of the Pharisees, Jesus Christ assures the listeners of his sermon that he didn't come to destroy the Old Testament or the customs and traditions of the temple. Rather, Jesus Christ proclaimed that he was the fulfillment of all that was in the Old Testament! "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, and the prophets!"
Does God's Word speak to the issue of abortion? Yes! You need to be prepared to articulate from Scripture the Truth about the value of life and the special place that the unborn have in God's eyes. Make sure to listen to part two as well as we cover the topic of abortion from God's creation and the position of science.
Are you letting the light of Christ be seen through you? When Jesus looks at his disciples and tells them that they are the light of the world, he is using cultural and geographic clues to make his point. Study this passage with us as we discover what it means to be the "light of the world."
In this capstone illustration of influence, Jesus proclaims that His disciples are the 'salt of the earth.' Why salt? Because salt has a preserving influence. God wants to use you to preserve the world around you through your righteous living!
God has designed believers to influence their community...to be salt and light to the world! If we are to do that we must understand what culture is and how we are to interact with cultural issues. This is part 2 of the series 'Counter Culture' where we seek to understand common cultural issues from a biblical perspective.
"No man is an island." This is true in life and is even more true in the daily walk of a Christian. In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ made that point very clear to His disciples. You are the salt of the earth...you are the light of the world! Believers, you are designed for influence!
We are living in a culture that is not afraid to confront Christians for their beliefs...What will you do when your faith and culture collide? Not if, but when! We must be prepared to stand for truth in the midst of a corrupt culture. In this sermon, we address the foundations for our faith since they become the 'truth' that we stand on!
Before Christ commanded his disciples to go and share the Gospel, he opened their hearts to see the harvest of souls. Are you aware of the bountiful harvest that God is preparing around you? Do you have a heart for the harvest?
When God took the children of Israel to the Red Sea, he wanted them to trust through the trial. Listen to these 5 rules for trusting God through the difficult time!
"God never wastes suffering. He always uses it for his glory."
Is your prayer life what it should be...powerful? Or are sins paralyzing your prayer and making it ineffective?
The church of Ephesus looked great from the outside...but on the inside they had left their first love!
Should Christians drink alcohol? To answer this question from Scripture we must take the time to understand what Scripture says in the OT and the NT. Join us on part two as we study New Testament passages and discover what Scripture says about Christ's first miracle...turning the water into wine!
The final 'beatitude' given by our Lord outlines the reality of persecution in the life of a believer. How can we rejoice through persecution? Because it places us into a brotherhood of believers who have suffered for the cause of Christ. Rejoice through persecution!
Should Christians drink alcohol? To answer this question from Scripture we must take the time to understand what Scripture says in the OT and the NT. Join us on part one as we consider the words used for 'wine' in the OT and what they actually refer to in the Biblical context.
We are at odds with our world. Our culture seeks to make mountains out of mole hills...Christians, that should never be said of us! Blessed are the peacemakers. Our lives should bring peace to circumstances around us and point others to the only source of real peace, Jesus Christ!
In the incredible conclusion to Paul's defense of the Gospel, we are confronted with a simple question. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Paul concludes the Gospel presentation with this simple truth...nothing will separate a believer from the incredible love of his Savior!