Calvary Baltimore: Recent Episodes
Calvary Baltimore
If you want peace with God, all you have to do is believe in the One who provides it!Jesus doesn't say "future peace" or "possible peace"... It's peace now, AND forever! His finished work is that powerful. Even now, you have already been justified and accepted into Heaven!
On Palm Sunday, Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem was so well attended because many were welcoming a coming king... but in a political sense. They thought He'd be a military leader who'd fix their earthly problems.This tendency still plagues us today. We have a choice: demand that God do for us what we think He should do, or let Him do it His way. Is it better to have the king we want, or the King we need?
In today's passage, we see that the "least" parts of Jesus are more worthy than the best parts of ourselves.
We know that God is love... but He's much more than that. In fact, one attribute of God that is mentioned to the third degree is His holiness! He is separate, holy, our Lord and our King... much greater than a friend!God is big, and that's a good thing... we need a big God.
In Revelation, God uses symbols He established throughout Scripture to communicate the necessity of Jesus' atoning death on the cross for our sins. If we reject all that Jesus offered to us, his body (bread) his blood (wine), his payment for our sin by taking the wrath of the Father upon Himself, then we'll have to pay for those things ourselves... our own body will be crushed, our own blood spilled, and we must face the wrath of God.His death on the cross spares us this terrible fate!
There is no such thing as a modern-day apostle.The blessing described in verse 13 applies to us today. Those who follow the Lamb will be intensely blessed!Our endurance is defined in times of persecution. Choosing to do right and not to partake in impure activities is difficult in our society. To this end, God has sent His Holy Spirit, to teach us and lead us in the right way.Therefore we should read scripture daily with one primary purpose: to know God better!
Now that Jesus has fulfilled the Law of the Old Testament, are we no longer bound by it? After all, we're in! Jesus has saved us for all eternity through His atoning death and resurrection.Pastor Josh describes our relationship to the Law as Christians, and gives practical wisdom in walking the walk, running the race, fighting the good fight, living out the Christian life. We must walk by the Spirit, and He will provide the endurance. What awaits is eternal peace and rest in God's presence!
We must choose whom we will serve: Satan, or the Lord. A true child of God endures; we must press on through all storms. Despite physical sickness, mental illness, worry over a prodigal child, or any difficulty life may bring, we must persevere!If we seek God first, He will provide for our needs. As we persevere, God preserves.Chasing sinful desires, we end up with nothing. Persevering in Christ, we have everything!
The more our country falls into sexual perversion, the more society will turn against the Church and force it to abandon Biblical truth. But there is no scenario in which Christ doesn't end up ruling this nation and this world: in the end, every square inch of the world will belong to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.Our job is to urgently spread the Gospel, and gather as many of the lost as we can for the Kingdom!
As Christians, we need to endure, to fight, to run the race as hard as we can until we draw our last breath. Yet, Jesus Christ is the one who gifts us this endurance, and who protects and sustains us!Because of this, our faith is enriched. We don't need to be so fixated on our performance; it's not about what we bring to the table... it's about what He does through us.Jesus is the author and perfecter, the hero of our faith!
Jesus spoke more of hell than of Heaven. He didn't die to keep us from something minor; He saved us from hell. If you're not right with the Lord, believe in Him and be saved. If you're right with the Lord, be aware of the reality of hell for others, and tell them about the Gospel!
We are the salt and the light of the world, a city on a hill, not to be hidden! Through reading and applying God's Word in our lives, the light of His character will shine through us, and good works will flow forth... and as we are His lamps, He will keep us filled with oil.As His people, our salt and light are magnified when we are working together, pointing others not to ourselves, but to Him. When our light shines bright, all we need to do is cast the net, and He will catch the fish.
It is in God's Word that He shows us who He is, and through His Word, salvation comes.Jesus' angel in this passage may be the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Bible, the Father gives to the Son, who gives to the Spirit, who gives to church leaders, who give to the church.The Good News comes with a price: you must be willing to lose everything to advance the Gospel. The more our culture turns from God, the higher this cost will be. But we must resolve to enter through that narrow gate!
The Good News is a hard message to take: we are not good enough to save ourselves. We should fear, there will be judgment, we must worship someone outside ourselves. But if we accept it and believe in Him, we will not perish, but have everlasting life... our bad news turns to eternal Good News. As we don't know when Jesus will return, spreading this message is of the utmost urgency!
Psalm 130 is a Psalm of Ascents, rising from despair to redemption with God. We don't trust in our own works, but in Him because of the finished work of Jesus. He's quick to forgive, as we should be with others! He can pull us out of sin and raise us up. The least of our sins, if unforgiven, would condemn us for eternity... but if we come to Him for mercy, His redemption is plentiful!
To those God has saved, He gives the Holy Spirit, who gives us everything we need to serve and glorify God. Whatever gifts, skills and characteristics God has put in you, use them to make a joyful noise, and to serve and glorify Him! Do good and honest work, to the glory of God. If we do this, we'll be living in a way that fishes for men, for souls! This is an essential way that God draws people to Himself.
Those who fear the Lord, who turn to him, waiting expectantly, will receive Him. He is in the business of forgiving sinners... But it is the sinner's responsibility to come to God! Then nothing is strong enough to pry us from his hands. God's steadfast love is available for ALL of us. His redemption is plentiful because it was purchased by the blood of another, not our own works. We're saved only by believing and running to Him. So hope in His steadfast love!
We must "test the spirits" in every area before diving in too deep. Political candidates, social movements, entertainment. The Pharisees and Sadducees pushed ahead based on their gut feelings... they didn't test the spirits. The test: is this bringing glory to the Son?Anything in your life that you shouldn't be doing: run away from it now-- it may seem harmless like a lamb, but it's really a murderous dragon in disguise. Satan glorifies himself, and delights in our downfall.
Jesus seemed defeated on the cross, but in reality, He conquered. As we endure being persecuted for our faith, not compromising our witness, we're never more like the Lamb than we are in those moments. If we're in the Lamb's Book of Life, we must be prepared to be treated like He was... and meet it with faith and endurance, like He did. We must faithfully endure to the glory of God!
Revelation 12 is a series of Satan's failures, so in Chapter 13, he goes off to war with God's people. The antichrist is present when people...- Leave the Church- Lie, deny Jesus- Don't confess Jesus is from the Father- Deny the second comingThe spirit of the antichrist promotes false doctrine in essential areas.
Satan creates a crisis in our lives, and provides false pleasure as an escape. This false pleasure pacifies and numbs us, making us ineffective for God's Kingdom. But if we build our house on the rock of Christ, God sustains us, bringing true pleasure and peace. Abide in Christ, dwell in His house, and He brings us true joy!
Jesus is the bread of life-- we cannot live without Him. We eat the bread of adversity, and it leads us back to the bread of life. When we have a need, God hears! We eat the bread of sorrow, as we mourn our sin and God removes the idols from our lives... leading us back to the bread of life. With this bread, we will never hunger or thirst again! It brings healing, protection, and eternal love. We have direct communication with the bread of life through the Word!
Isaiah 8 describes a spiritual darkness... then Isaiah 9 says a light is coming! The prophecy describes God's people abandoning God, and His mercy resting on outcasts: the Gentiles. When His Son comes, He is one with the Father, and Prince of Peace. Eventually His Kingdom will bring justice and righteousness until it takes over the world, through the passion God has for His children! His jealousy for us moves Him to expand His kingdom.
Jesus' birth changed everything! He is the great light of the world. Unlike the glory of God as shown on Moses' face, Jesus' light never diminishes. We are the extension of that light into the world. As the Prince of Peace, He brought peace between God and us... if we follow Him, we will be a people of peace. God sent us His son because He passionately loves us. A debt we could never repay, paid in full. He is the only master who will love us unconditionally with a perfect zeal!
Pastor Rick explores John 1 and 2, and finds a common theme throughout scripture: God's purpose has always been to be together with His people... to unite Heaven and earth!
This is a favorite Psalm of many great preachers throughout history. God's mercy: though we sin, God withholds the worst of what we deserve. His mercy means no matter how far you may have fallen, you're never too far gone. It shows us how little we bring to the relationship compared to His contribution... all He requires us to bring is an acknowledgement of our need for Him!
God calls us to serve Him and take care of our families first-- they get priority over our jobs. He'll never give up on us. Our lives can only be effective for Him if we walk according to the Word... in full view of our families, our coworkers, and whoever God brings to us.
In protecting the one sheep while leaving the 99, Jesus provides more security for all 100! He'll also give up His rights to benefit His weaker brothers. We too should turn the other cheek when needed, for the benefit of the Kingdom. And if we are weak in one area, we should not impose our personal restrictions on our stronger brothers, but rather seek spiritual growth and maturity in that area. As Christians, we are continually called to mature in the faith, and to help each other grow.
From His birth, Jesus was willing to be made low for the good of others. Yet when He died, He took His place next to the Father because He was worthy! Like Christ, we gain spiritual strength when we respond with gentleness and lowliness of heart, taking care not to offend our weaker brothers and sisters in matters that may cause them to stumble. This is a sign of spiritual maturity.
Satan pursues us because he wants to destroy us. But no matter how difficult Satan makes it for us, our God protects us and provides for us, especially in our most desperate moments. What Satan intends for evil, God will use for good. Sit down with Him, and let Him instruct you!
The extrabiblical letter to Diognetus gives insight into what it meant to be an early Christian. Christians were so different from other groups; they didn't separate themselves culturally: they made deep connections to their communities, but were not attached to the trappings of the culture. Though they did good, they were punished and persecuted, yet they grew in number and slayed dragons. They actively lived in the will of God, in preparation to meet Him!
Satan's days are numbered... on earth, ours are as well. Our time is in God's hands, and we need to be ready for His return! How? In every moment, we are to be faithful and obedient to God.
In today's B-Side, Pastor Josh goes beyond the "milk" of the Word and gets into the "meat" of the Word, more deeply exploring the meaning that can be gleaned from the structure of Revelation 12. The focal point is verses 7-12: the defeat of Satan!
Raw livestream: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/233654617
In every age, there is darkness, led by that serpent of old, Satan. But there is thunderous joy in the light of Christ!
Pastor Josh examines several interpretations and timelines for the events in Revelation 12. We should not divide over these nonessential points! The takeaway is that Satan is our chief adversary, and lives to slander and accuse God's people. In this chapter, he is thrown out of Heaven for eternity!
The woman in this chapter is a representation of God's people, likely the end times Messianic believers. There's a parallel to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her crown has 12 stars, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Clothed in the sun, heavenly light. She stands over the moon; it's a symbol of darkness, as if she has dominion over darkness. There is one "people of God": not a specific cultural group, but simply those who accept Jesus as Lord. Salvation comes from faith in the Son alone!
Satan is the devourer, intent on the destruction of God's children. Jesus is the Child who came to defeat the devourer. All people must choose either to run to Satan and be destroyed, or run to the Father, who gives us everlasting life in His presence!
The model for responding to God's calling is to leave everything you have and follow Him! As we do so, we're called to teach the Word, even if we're not called to preach as a pastor. We are to be concerned with God's Kingdom on earth, with an eye to the future hope of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus came from Heaven, and shines down from on high to bring light to the world.
Jesus is a challenge and disruption to all earthly politics; He calls sin what it is, and calls sinners to repent. Heaven's party matters more than any earthly political party. We are to respond immediately to Jesus's call, and become what He intends for us: fishers of men!
When God calls a person, two possible negative responses are pride and indifference. In pride, we are ignorant and self-centered. We fail to recognize our fallen nature, our insufficiency. In indifference, we yawn at the idea of a relationship with God in favor of other interests. The indifferent must come to Him, ask and receive, be zealous and repent! We have a command to self control, and must control our indifference, fight to develop zeal! Develop good habits.
Jesus, the light of the world, came into the darkest place imaginable to bring light to the world. He's faithful when we're faithless. He calls the supremely unqualified, because He loves us. It delights Him, and through this our lives bring glory to Him. We are justified not because we're the cream of the crop, but because we deeply understand our unworthiness, and bow humbly before Him in worship. We earned none of His favor, and yet it's eternal-- nothing can separate us from the love of God!
God's Kingdom has great things in store for us after this life, but it is also living and active and moving today. While we're here, we're called to be warriors for Christ, boldly praying and standing for Him, rooted in His Word and not blown in the wind.
Pastor Josh examines Revelation 11, and finds many connections between it and Psalms 1 and 2. Both Psalms make references to the life and ministry of Jesus, focusing on the crucifixion. Revelation 11 mirrors the events and warnings predicted in Psalms 1 and 2.
Our sins put Jesus on the cross, but He is willing to make peace with us if we submit to Him and "kiss the Son". If we don't, we will perish. We're either a tree, or we're chaff. All men are sinners, and Christ has come to save sinners!
One day, the destroyers of the earth (unrepentant sinners) will themselves be destroyed, and God's people will inherit a new Heaven and a new Earth, without sin! So the Good News is truly good news to some, and bad news to others. In this way, the true Gospel is hardly inoffensive; it is an outright offense to the unregenerate, as it must be. A gospel that doesn't require the shed blood of Jesus to pay for our sin is a false gospel.
The book of Revelation's main reason for existence is not to provide details about the end times, but to unveil God's Son to his Church! As the Son submits to the Father, we are to follow in that submission. The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Who are the two witnesses described in Revelation 11? Will Israel be restored in the last days? The early Church was fueled by reading of the Word, prayer, and fellowship. The Holy Spirit still moves through supernatural works, though these works lead to false idol worship without the knowledge of God! We must first know Him. And He must be the goal of our existence, at any cost!
We are at peace with God solely because of what He has done. But as His children, we must be intentional about planting ourselves in His presence, through reading His Word and through prayer, every day. And we must spend time with His people! Through these things He will fill us up and use us for His glory.
Pastor Josh explores the prophecy regarding the two witnesses in Revelation 11. Their time is 1,260 days-- about 3 1/2 years, half of a perfect 7, as if showing that God is cutting their time short. Here the enemy's plan is interrupted, bringing about revival, and giving way to God's plan of salvation for His people!
Matthew retells the story of Israel in Jesus. When mankind is faithless, He is faithful! Adam failed the test in the garden of Eden; Jesus repeatedly passes it. He completely trusts His Father. When Satan attempts to flatter and deceive Him, His response is scripture! Later, He resists temptation on the cross, and after His death, even gentiles are moved to confess He was the Son of God. Sonship is not recognized in great works of power, but in loving, faithful obedience to the Father!
What is our responsibility around witnessing to others? And who is responsible for the outcome? Pastor Josh answers these questions straight from the Word, and reminds us not to neglect our time alone with God, on our knees in prayer.
God desires that all would be saved, and we're saved only because He's faithful. He, in his sovereign will, brings revival in His time. In our country, churches have abandoned the sufficiency of God's Word in favor of a focus on social change. If we desire true revival, we must do the opposite, giving ourselves over to the Word, and to prayer! As we mourn lost souls, we should faithfully pray for revival, that God would be glorified and the lost would be saved!
Pastor Josh explores interpretations of Revelation 11, why end-imes timelines can be unhelpful, and asks the question: by what means are the Jewish people saved in the last days?
As Paul and Silas are released from prison, the Spirit of the Lord convicts their jailer, and what began like an attempted suicide ends in joy, as the jailer and his whole family are saved and baptized as new members of the family of God!
God works sovereignly and beautifully through our suffering. When Paul and Silas were beaten and falsely imprisoned for casting out a profitable demon, they prayed and sang hymns to God from their prison cell! The other prisoners were listening, and were deeply affected by their peace and joy in suffering. Quoting Tertullian, "The legs feel nothing in the stocks when the heart is in heaven." God will use our suffering to bear beautiful fruit if we stay focused on Him!
In Philippi, Jews were treated as outsiders, a pattern we continue to see in many contexts throughout history. After Paul and Silas are jailed for being "not one of us," God opens the prison door, the jailer seeks to be saved, and he and his family are saved... Paul and Silas are released the next morning. Much like the Passover in Exodus, God swept over the jail in Philippi, and passed judgment, freeing Paul and Silas, and saving the jailer and his family!
Once we've repented and turned our lives over to Christ, we are commanded as Christians to be baptized! In doing so, we partake in the life of Christ and His divinity. We declare to all humanity that it's our privilege to belong to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
As the spirit of Elijah once rested upon Elisha in 2nd Kings, so now it rests upon John the Baptist in Matthew 3. John says there are two kinds of people: those who belong to God, and those who will be judged. John baptizes with water for repentance; Jesus is far greater: He baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. With His baptism, we are one with God. As in Genesis, the Spirit of God brings new life! In Matthew 3, God's Son, His chosen servant, has arrived!
This passage in Revelation links back to the Old Testament. A strong case can be made that that in the end times, Israel, after a long period of rejecting the Messiah, will be restored. At that time there will still be hard-hearted doubters, but just the same, God gives us as believers a hardness/strength in our belief. We are to be faithful and preach God's Word giving no thought to rejection, leaving the outcome to Him!
John the Baptist's mission parallels with that of Elijah and Elisha: to call people to repentance, and prepare the way for the King. Just as Elijah, Elisha, and John the Baptist had a double portion of God's spirit, so do we, with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Our mission is therefore the same: to call people to repentance and prepare the way of the Lord!
The scroll in Revelation 10 is the Word of God, which is sweet to taste, but upsetting to our innards. We spend time in the Word to be conformed to it. Unlike entertainment media, once we've consumed it, we're better than we were before. If we lack wisdom, pray for it and God will give it. He loves us so much He's jealous of anything that would turn our attention away from Him. When we do fail, we repent and He will forgive!
For Christians, this life may be filled with trouble. Though Satan may claim dominion over our lives and over this earth, only God truly has dominion! God's dominion means Satan's tyranny is limited; he's on a short leash. There will come a day when it must end. When this life is over, we'll live eternally in perfect communion with God!
This passage parallels several other parts of scripture that describe standing on a place as a sign of dominion over it. The mighty angel here may be the Holy Spirit, always pointing to another. God shows He has dominion over both Israel and the gentiles. Rather than delaying and focusing on the 7 thunders, God wants the contents of the scroll to be taught to those who haven't heard in the final days... this may mean a last-days revival for Jerusalem.
As believers, don't let sorrow dominate our lives, but fight for joy! We are free to explore and enjoy life in Christ, not living in fear of sin. Our enjoyment is tempered by wisdom; when we cross the line into sin, it will be judged by God. Jesus lived this, enjoying everything the Father gave Him without sin, even with the knowledge that his life would end in crucifixion. He received from the Father and joyfully gave to those around Him. Our most effective witness: spread the gospel with joy!
As Herod's power grew, he became more and more narcissistic. It got so bad he ordered the killing of children, to eliminate the perceived threat of Jesus. Despite his best efforts, God outsmarted him at every turn. Joseph was a faithful father, obeying the Lord immediately (as should we!), keeping his family safe, and ensuring Jesus's survival. God prevailed over Herod's bad religion, and Jesus lived and died to save mankind.
All throughout scripture, we see that in the end, God wants us with Him, now and for eternity!
Solomon tells us we should enjoy the gifts of God while they last, and rely on Him to provide. Only He can save us, and we must in all things resist the temptation to wrestle control from Him. His gift of salvation is free, and our response is to thank Him and enjoy Him!
This week we examine the first two verses of Ecclesiastes 1. Solomon was a king, introduced to us in Scripture as a "shepherd," a pastor of God's people. He was wise, teaching the truth with great care, emphasizing that God is in control. And that human pursuits apart from God are but a vapor, a term also used in the name of Adam and Eve's son Abel, whose life was cut short. But God promised Eve that even so, the fruit she bears would one day defeat death. God brings redemption, not man!
Our lives are fleeting, like a vapor. Our human pursuits of wisdom and knowledge all lead to sorrow. By comparison, God's wisdom and sovereignty are eternal. His gifts, like a vapor, are are given freely to us but for a time. We must enjoy them while he provides them, and rest in his provision! If we're truly wise, we'll walk by faith, not striving to control our destiny, but handing over that control to our eternal, loving God!
The birth of Jesus had political implications. The first gentiles to worship Him, the Magi, made a choice: to follow His authority over Herod's. As our society becomes more and more secular, the difference between following the rule of government and the rule of Christ becomes an ever widening chasm. And just as the Magi made a choice, so must we.
In Revelation 9, despite all the seals and woes, the ungodly are still unrepentant. Sorcery, sexual sin and idolizing the gods of the current culture. Christians should grieve and mourn this sin, and see it for what it is: fiery darts of Satan, intended to drag our loved ones into the pits of hell. We must not remain as silent believers, and instead be salt and light to them, giving them the good news of the Gospel!
Just as God has a plan for our lives, Satan has goals for us: to divide our focus from God in favor of worshiping self, or worshiping another god. To this end, Satan has many tactics up his sleeve, involving many kinds of sin... some obvious, some more subtle. As a God of mercy, the Lord desires all to be saved, and actively pursues us when we go astray, sometimes allowing trials to turn us back to Him, and sometimes using other Christians. We are his hands and feet!
When God gives people over to their sin, it is a judgment upon them. Disobedience that once seemed harmless, over time, becomes a curse, and entire nations can suffer.
Since the unsaved, in their bondage, build the kingdom of darkness... then God's people, who have been freed from bondage, out of gratitude and joy for being freed, are to use our freed hands to build for the Kingdom of God. Before the foundation of the world was laid you were prepared for this hour, this day, this month, this year. You have been saved for a purpose, for such a time as this... to be freed and used by our heavenly Father to do good, godly, kingdom things!
Joseph the husband of Mary sometimes gets a bad rap. Contrary to popular opinion, he was a righteous man... he puts his reputation on the line to stand by Mary. Through the virgin birth, we see that salvation cannot come from within mankind. Jesus is the answer to our hopelessness! Accept him and we are saved. Deny him, and we're in a lot of trouble!
When mercenary prophet-for-hire Balaam is paid by King Balak of Moab to curse Israel, he discovers God will not bend to his will. After multiple attempts on multiple mountaintops to manipulate God, it becomes clear to Balaam that he simply will not be controlled. God wants us to stop climbing mountains to get him to do what we want... and instead, submit to his perfect will, revere him above all else, and simply enjoy our Father!
Pastor Josh delves into the background behind the events of Revelation 9:1-12... scorpion-locusts, a watery abyss, the release of demons upon the world. There's a lot of evil coming in Revelation 9! It is our job as believers to read the Word of God, and to warn people of the coming wrath.
In the Bible, every jot and tittle is masterfully placed by God. The birth of Christ is placed in Matthew as the 7th item in a list of sevens. His genealogy includes many imperfect people, gentiles... those he will die to save. This part of Matthew recounts Genesis, where even then, the stage is being set for Jesus to save mankind. He's the promised son from the Old Testament, the anointed one. The whole Old Testament has been building to the Christ, and here in Matthew 1, he has arrived!
God is glorified in the order he created in the universe. Satan tries to glorify himself by drawing us away from God's order, twisting it into chaos to fit his own plan, which ends in death. Though Satan expects us to fall when he tempts us, we must resist and live in obedience to the King of Kings!
The Pharisees taught the law but didn't follow it, loved the appearance of purity but didn't live it. Enjoyed their status, but lacked humility. They forced God's people to focus on the minutiae of the law, but lacked the justice, grace and love of God. They were headed for hell.
Jesus laments over Jerusalem, and prophesies its destruction. To protect his people from a similar fate, he offers us eternal life in his son Jesus. So we must reject the way of the Pharisees, and humbly abide in him!
The woes described in Revelation 8 are curses, horrific to the 3rd degree. But the worst of the worst is still yet to come for the unbelievers in the end times. With this in mind, we should read scripture to know God's commands, and in doing so, take care to understand these warnings apply to us as much as they do to unbelievers... we must guard our hearts and repent where needed, holding fast to our faith in Christ!
God desires us all to be saved... why does he use trumpets? They symbolize God's presence, voice, and command. They herald that Jesus is reclaiming the land for his people! Revelation is like an "Exodus" to the new earth and new Jerusalem.
In this passage, God is bringing destruction in order to bring his people to him. He rebukes us because he loves us... despite the idols in the lives of his people, which he is faithful to destroy. His rebukes are a gift!
God is sovereign and may return whenever he chooses, so we interpret the imagery in Revelation using scripture, not current events.
When God punishes or curses those in darkness, the punishment ironically reflects their sin. For them, the darkness will only grow darker... for those who walk in the light of Christ, the day only grows brighter!
In Heaven, light from the sun is not needed; the Lamb is the lamp!
The trumpets in Revelation, like the plagues in Exodus, are linked to the sins of the people. They are a rebuke from God, and we praise him that he smashes our idols and bruises our pride!
In Christ, all divisions between us and the Father (symbolized by the veil in the tabernacle) are removed! Old Testament incense was seasoned with salt to symbolize the salt of the earth, God's people. Like the incense, our righteous prayers are a sweet-smelling savor to God. In Revelation, Jesus shows the Church the power of prayer now! If we are abiding in Christ and living as he prescribes in his Word, our prayers ascend to the very throne of the Father.
Prayer is the privilege to directly connect with the King of kings! When God's silence means he's listening, and we should wait for what comes next. In his Word, he shows us which personal behaviors and attitudes we should cultivate to ensure our prayers are effective. If we are godly, faithful, loving people who live in joy, kindness, and peace with our families, we glorify God and our prayers avail much! It's through living this life of joyful celebration that Jesus extends his kingdom.
Those who trust in the cross receive seven heavenly blessings in Revelation, signifying the completeness of God's blessings to his children. One blessing is that he will shelter and protect us, and we'll experience an intimacy and closeness with him! Though Jesus is shown in Revelation destroying evil, here he's also shown tenderly caring for our needs... his love and protection are not limited to one approach.
God is faithful to provide on this earth, but in Heaven this is multiplied and eternal! We are secure only in his presence. The pain of this life will not be eased in Heaven; it will be gone! Even so, the main blessing of Heaven is not freedom from our troubles, but dwelling in God's presence forever. And he gives us this if we simply follow him!
Our righteousness is as filthy rags, and the blood of the Lamb alone can clean our robes. We must not simply dip our toe in it, but fully submerge ourselves in the blood of Jesus Christ!
John's journey through heaven is like a journey through the tabernacle... at the far end, in the Holy of Holies, only a priest with a perfectly clean garment was allowed inside. In Revelation, the blood of Jesus has cleansed us so thoroughly that the saints may now stand directly before God, in His presence, with nothing between us and Him! Later in Revelation, the slain saints will ride with Him into battle, slaying evil and establishing the millennial kingdom.
In Revelation 7:9-12, we learn that Heaven is going to be filled with the redeemed, giving thanks and praising God for all He is! Though Satan wanted to be the object of this worship, he was cast down from Heaven.
In Matthew 28, God shows us that Jesus rose bodily, not just in spirit. With his resurrection, the boundary between God and man has been removed. The wrath of the Father is appeased, and just as Jesus was raised, so will we be!
Non-believers must focus solely on this life, because death is the end for them. As Christians, death is just the beginning of our eternal life of worship, in which every day is better than the last!
The heavens and earth were separated in the beginning, and the tabernacle showed mankind's separation from God. But Jesus' death on the cross allows us to be together with him, tearing the veil that once separated us from life with God. In his resurrection, all things are made new, and we're reminded on this day that we too will be risen to spend eternity with him!
We must let Scripture tell us who Jesus is... and it says He is the only way to salvation!
Jesus reveals himself to be not just a great prophet or teacher, not just the king of Israel, but something even greater...
As Pastor Josh examines some parallels between how God works in the Old Testament and in Revelation, we find that the 144,000 in Revelation 7 are shining examples of warriors putting on the full armor of God. This is what we should aspire to in our age as well.
In the last days, God gathers together the 144,000 to accomplish his will before the earth will be destroyed. We can learn from the qualities of these mighty men of God!
Nonbelievers pursue autonomy, but give up the true freedom of a life in Christ. The 144,000 who are sealed in John's vision are set apart to bring more of these lost souls into the family of God. They, like Paul and like the rest of us, are unworthy of this honor, so we give glory to God for his perfect, immutable love, grace and mercy toward us!
Pastor Josh digs deeper into the meaning and structure of Revelation 7:1-8, and how chapter 7 connects to its surrounding chapters. Though we look forward to eternity in God's presence, he will, in his sovereignty, hold back his wrath on the earth for a time, as he allows all of his children to be brought into his kingdom.
Hiding from God may not be your best strategy... we are called to bow to him now, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, while we still have the choice.
Though the world around us is divided over political and social lines, as Christians we are to set aside personal opinion and focus on God's truth, his sovereignty and his holiness!
Though we may be persecuted in this world for our faith in Christ, Heaven is filled with those like us, who have suffered and even died for their faith. Jesus's work on earth isn't finished until every last believer is in Heaven, and he has defeated evil forever!
Government is a blessing, instituted by God, yet in every age, we have evil rulers. Although the final antichrist will be the most evil ruler in history, his abilities as well as Satan's will be restrained by God. They'll both eventually be thrown into a lake of fire, while God's plan for his people is victory through him, and eternal life in his presence!
Livestream video: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelBaltimore/videos/998411761094727 (Livestream.com link didn't save this time, so FB only)
The final antichrist will one day come. But Jesus left us with what we need to survive the storm: his Church.
We, like Jonah, are unworthy by nature. But if we have repented, our sins are forgiven! Go and proclaim Christ to all who will hear, give glory to him, and enjoy him forever!
The world can only offer a false peace, but in Christ we are unified, submitted and fixed to His Word, which brings the only true peace.
Livestream video: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelBaltimore/videos/283304610403533 (Facebook link only... the livestream.com video is not available this week)
If God had so much patience with a rebellious, selfish man like Jonah, he has that patience with us, too. Likewise we are to share that same gift with the people he brings into our lives.
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/229046663
Christ has overcome on earth, and will overcome again as He breaks the seals and rules with His Church in Heaven and on earth. As earthly events reflect the events of Heaven, the Church will overcome and outlast the kingdom of darkness!
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/228874908
The Holy Spirit gives us new eyes to see, to grow in understanding His Word, and to share our faith.
The Holy Spirit gives us new eyes to see, to grow in understanding His Word, and to share our faith.
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/228603909
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/228382032
From humble beginnings, God creates heroes who accomplish His work to His glory. Zechariah was an imperfect man, but God still used him as part of the plan to usher in the Messiah.
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/10032167/videos/228260314
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/228164751
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/228043940
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/227890059
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/227739617
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/227710031
Heaven is a glorious and beautiful place. We can look forward to a reunion with family and friends... our glorified bodies will be whole and working again... there will be no more pain or sorrow in our hearts. But the focus in Heaven is not on us. It's all about God and His glory!
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/227333899
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/227201984
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/227166869
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/227036678
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/227005585
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/226867655
If you've lost focus, or are lukewarm concerning the things of God, repent. And enter back into the loving arms of God!
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/226661112
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/226520759
Livestream video: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryChapelBaltimore/videos/405800761108168 ...just the Facebook video this week; the Livestream.com one is not showing up!
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/226344805
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/226175088
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/calvarychapelbaltimore/videos/225976796
Livestream video: https://livestream.com/accounts/14426408/events/7724407/videos/225858109