Hilliard Christian Assembly - HCA: Recent Episodes
John Myer
We must enthusiastically expect blessing, and realistically expect trouble on any average day (Ps. 118:24, Mt. 6:34).
God governs us with an unparalleled sacrificial love -- Rev. 1:5-7, 2 Cor. 5:14-15, John 15:9-10.
The world lies under the dark authority of Satan, but light governs those in the kingdom of His Son (Luke 4:5-7, 1 John 1:5-9).
Divine life and nature rules God's kingdom, in contrast to human kingdoms ruled by fallen human nature (Dan. 7, 1 Cor. 15:50, 2 Pet. 1:4).
A biblical perspective is the most important thing to have when dealing with earthly citizenship (Acts 22:27, Phil. 3:20, Dan. 2:31-45).
Great power flows through our faith connection to Christ, especially in healing interruptions in the fellowship between believers (Luke 17:3-6).
The cross has broken down the middle walls between people to enable our fellowship with one another, not only between races, but between personalities (Eph. 2:12-16).
Worldly life is about finding and losing; the Christian life is about losing and finding (Matt. 16:16-25).
Our only satisfactory response to the writing on the wall is with Christ (Dan. 5:24-27; Luke 1:33).
The gospel is simple and good, but does that mean there's nothing to it? (2 Kings 5:1-14, Acts 16:30-31)
We ready ourselves for a great many things--when young, it means prep for a great future; when old, it means financial security. God tells us to get ready to meet Him (Amos 4:12, John 3:16, Revelation 20:12-15).
There are hundreds of paths that sound plausible and agreeable to mortal men, but only Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (Prov. 14:12, 16:25, John 14:6).
The Christian life is full of reality and spiritual riches; to dismiss the good news of the gospel would be to miss considerable blessings (2 Kings 7; Eph. 3:8).
Like the Apostle Paul, we can make use of an established facility to teach the Word and spread the gospel throughout the region (Acts 19:8-10).
Our small groups are excellent places to announce the word, and every attendant can take part in it (1 Cor. 14:24-31).
The church bears the gospel by way of its members coordinating with each other (1 Cor. 12:4-7).
In the absence of knowing what else to do, we can always invest our strengths together with those who labor (Matthew 25:14-30).
The core expectation of the gospel is that we would stand with others in their preaching of the gospel (Lk. 5:4-11).
Extroverts alone should not carry the gospel; introverts need to leverage each other for the work (1 Thess. 1:8-10).
Lamentations is Jeremiah’s “song of sorrow” warning us of the severe consequences of sin and reminding us of the hope of salvation that is found in God alone.
When it comes to His house, God cares for its reality, and He will judge those who seek to "remodel" or destroy His design (Chapter 52, Matt 23:38, 24:1-2, 1 Cor 3:16-17).
Babylon and its judgment contains a significance beyond what we see in Jeremiah (Jer. 50:1-51:64; Rev. 17-18).
God's judgment upon the enemies of His people always results in their deliverance and salvation (Jeremiah 50:1-51:64).
Whether the nations of the world recognize it or not, Yahweh God is the God of the whole earth (Jer. 46:1-49:39, Mt. 28:18-20, Acts 17:29).
The Lord speaks to us in the midst of our disillusionment, revealing who He is and reminding us of our glorious future (Jeremiah 45:1-5).
Even after discipline and judgment, God still warns, and makes promises, but the people still rebel (Jeremiah 42:1-44:30).
Prophetic faithfulness not only has to do with preserving the integrity of the Word, but the willingness to speak it (37:1-38:28).
The Word of God cannot be destroyed; the more humans attempt to destroy it, the more the Holy Spirit persists in multiplying it (36:20-32).
God commits His word to writing, and this writing conveys His mind, heart, and voice (36:1-19).
God demonstrates that the scandal of unfaithfulness is made the more obvious, by comparing it with our faithfulness to smaller things (34:1-35:19).
Like Jeremiah, we are to invest in the certainty of God's promises with our obedience and our living (Jeremiah 32:1-33:26).
God's faithfulness backs the new covenant, not only guaranteeing its success, but the arrival of the New Jerusalem (Jer. 31:35-40).
Blessed are those who respond to the gospel today, before Jesus returns (Rev. 22:12-15).
All matters, people, and things are under the sovereign purview of Christ (Eph. 1:21-23).
Though death has gripped all other men and held them, It was not able to hold Christ (Acts 2:24; John 11:25).
The cross of Christ must be appreciated both in the visible and invisible sense (John 19:18, 1 Peter 2:24-25).
Jesus voluntarily laid aside His glory for our good and in obedience to God (Phil. 2:6-11).
Be ready to step into the moment that you help a person cross the bridge into eternal life (1 Peter 3:15; 2 Tim. 4:1-5).
Identify with the people of Scripture, and seek to be an eternal blessing to others (2 Tim. 4:5; John 4:31-33).
Spiritual Warfare always rages around the sharing of our faith (2 Tim. 4:5; Mt. 12:28-29).
Paul warns that times such as these are difficult and will grow worse; we must expect to labor (2 Tim 4:1-5).
Everyone wants to be just, which they hope to become through anger and outrage at injustices, but the way to be justified is by faith in Christ (Rom. 3:23-25; 5:1).
Everyone claims that they want truth today, and the truth is in Christ (John 14:6, 18:37-38, Eph. 1:13).
God shows us how we are to live in the midst of a world that often persecutes us (Jeremiah 29:1-32).
Man's condition is never so bad that God's grace cannot reach him (Jeremiah 24:1-25:38).
God dissects the lies and false process that pretenders utilize in presenting what they call, "God's Word" (Jeremiah 23:9-40).
A warning word to the kings, with a promise that the real king, Messiah, would come (Jeremiah 21:1-23:8).
Delivering the word of God can be met with persecution, but God is always with us, preparing us for eternal glory (Jeremiah 20:7-18).
God's sovereign will and man's free will are at all times a reality; God is in control, but man can respond (Jeremiah 18:1-20:6).
The Lord deals with us according to our heart; He knows it and searches it (Jeremiah 17:1-27).
Though the Lord's servants suffer together with Him in the present, it will not be a waste; redemption is coming (Jeremiah 16:1-21).
We believe in Christ's death for our sins with the result that we live for Him (2 Cor. 5:15).
Disillusionment, bitterness, and self-pity can easily enter our service if we are not careful (Jeremiah 15:10-21).
God's people must learn to fear and hate sin as it can be too late to repent and avoid the destructive consequences of our sin. Yet, as long as we are alive, we can still repent for our sins and God's grace will find you in the midst of the consequences (Jeremiah 14:1-15:9).
The purpose of God brings glory, but pride and stubbornness brings ruin (Jeremiah 13:1-27).
The tragedy of the broken covenant (Jeremiah 11:1-12:17) God's servants find themselves overwhelmed in dealing with the problem, but God works with them.
When God grieves for His people, so does His prophet (Jeremiah 8:4-10:25); it is all a picture of rich inner life.
God is faithful to clearly announce the consequences of ignoring repentance (4:5-6:30).
God sees His relationship with His people as that of a husband and wife, but marred by infidelity (2:1-3:5).
Jeremiah's appointment supplies important principles for those seeking to render faithful service to God (1:4-19; Acts 1:8).
The origin of all reality, authority, ministry, and stability are found in the eternal Word (1:1-3, John 1:1-4).
Seize the opportunity to use your financial resources in the service of God’s Kingdom while you have the chance (Luke 16:1-9).
God marks new beginnings according to His redemptive movements. Following His redemptive plan, we can experience a yearly tone of peace with God, being fed with Christ, and exiting spiritual Egypt (Ex. 12:1-6).
As the season calls for us to think of the Christ child, we remember the reason for His coming (Lk. 2:49, John 6:38, John 12:27).
Holidays are often accompanied by misplaced expectations and hopes, but when we return to the original hope that Christ brings we are not disappointed (Luke 2:25-35, Isa 40:1-2,10-11).
Holidays sometimes contribute to our loneliness; we need the incarnated community, the family of God, that comes from the incarnated Christ (Mt. 12:46-50).
Only Christ can be the source and substance of joy which truly satisfies a human being (John 6:35, Ps. 63).
The Christian life is invisible, visible, and then manifested (Matt. 7:15-20; John 15:8). Fruit, the manifested, means the outcome of our inner knowledge and practiced walk (Col. 1:5-6; Phil. 1:22).
The practice of our faith brings the new life in Christ into view and prepares us for spiritual fruit (Ps. 80:8-13, Isa. 27:6; John 15:5a).
Jesus addresses things like anger, lust, and vindictiveness while offering a powerful solution (Mt. 5-7, Col. 2:6-7).
The kingdom of heaven is firstly possessed and known in our spirit (Matt. 5:1-3)--meaning the Christian life begins at root level.
We trust our children and their future to the might and glory of the gospel (Ps 78:1-8).
Our children are neither disposable, nor are they to be gods to us, but gifts from a good Father (James 1:17; 1 John 4:19; Genesis 22).
There is nothing worse than Hell, and there is nothing better than eternal life (Mark 9:43-48; John 3:16).
Your conscience and the Bible tell you that you need forgiveness of sins; a gift that is yours to receive through Jesus (1 John 1:7-10).
Our world is crowded with cares and concerns - hard realities that we cannot change without making things worse (Gen. 3:16-19).
As we enter different seasons of life we must learn to prioritize the Word of God above all and not allow the things of the world to crowd it out (Matt. 13:7, 22).
We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Jesus as we go out (Acts 1:6-8).
God takes pleasure when we “go," and God is glorified when we “Go” (Haggai 1:2-8; Matthew 28:18-20).
When we come to Jesus, take his yoke upon us, and learn to spiritually labor from him we will find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:25-30).
The older son, who was dutiful and responsible, had an even harder time understanding the Father's heart of grace (Luke 15:25-32).
Prodigal Son, Part 1 - Son #1 - We must understand the heart of the Father (Luke 15:11-32).
Biblical compassion for people drives us to labor for people in the gospel with earnest prayer (Matthew 9:35-38).
Time spent with the Lord should lead to a balanced Christian life – energizing us to deepen relationships with other believers, and together, showing God’s love to the world (Mark 1:35-39).
We must be regularly filled with Christ to be transformed into His image (Romans 12:1-8).
Jesus, the new wine, is full of life to be enjoyed and fill us with the life of Christ to overflow outward to others. (Matthew 9:14-17).
Jesus doesn't want us stuck in the past; He has presented a new wine & flexible new wineskin focused forward and outward (Matthew 9:14-17).
God sent truth through the apostles for all believers through all time (2 Thess. 3:16-18).
Our work ethic needs discipleship, not unto the idolatry of work, but unto a productive, Christ honoring life (2 Thess. 3:6-15).
Our prayers should frequently rise above personal concerns into the advance of the Word and love and holiness among the believers (2 Thess. 3:1-5).
Our spiritual condition can be adversely affected by wrong teachings concerning the Lord's coming (2 Thess. 2:1-8).
The Bible offers the most substantial encouragement and validation to those under persecution (2 Thess. 1:1-12).
Our seeking of the Lord should reflect the fact that He has risen from the dead (Luke 23:55-24:8).
When you have a healthy hope of Christ’s return, as portrayed in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians, your life will be aligned with the Great Commandment.
The faith community is the provided means and support for holy living unto the return of Christ (1 Thess 5:12-28).
The Day of the Lord calls for us to live on a faith, love, hope continuum (1 Thess 5:1-11).
Because of His death and resurrection, the dead in Christ have as much hope as the living (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
Brotherly love in the Christian community provides a conducive environment for sanctification (1 Thess. 4:9-12).
Sanctification is both a once and for all (positional) and continual process of becoming holy (dispositional) (Heb. 10:10, 10:14).
The will of God is our sanctification, entering into the joy of becoming more and more holy (1 Thess. 4:1-8).
Increasing, and abounding in faith and love unto the coming of Christ (1 Thess. 3:6-13).
Re-evaluate what you are investing in and take hold of that which is really life lest the things of the world take hold of you (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
God's word came through human beings who had been deeply disciplined, and found faithful (John 16:12-14, Acts 9:15-16).
Receiving the Word as the Word of God leads to imitation of it; anything less leads ultimately to rejection (1 Thess. 2:13-16).
A description of true ministry, and the mark of its authenticity: boldness, gentleness, sincerity, holiness, righteousness, and blamelessness (1 Thess. 2:1-12).
1 Thess. 1:2-10 The new small church became an example to all the other churches as they imitated the apostolic form of living.
A short history of the founding of the church in Thessalonica, an encounter with the eternal word of God (1 Thess. 1:1, Acts 17:1-8).
Fullness of joy is found in having an others-focused mindset as exemplified in our Savior Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:1-11).
The gospel is for all who will hear, and all who will answer; receiving it is the right way to celebrate (Luke 14:17-24).
The coming of Christ was the beginning of God's great banquet (completed by the cross and the resurrection) Luke 14:15-24.
Anticipating the Lord's return and renewing work on the earth should have a direct impact on our lives (2 Peter 3:10-14).
Daniel's highest point--the great fighting prayer and release of Israel, the vision of the 70 weeks, the promise of resurrection and reward (Daniel 9 & 12).
Visions of the antichrist and the Christ, victory of Christ and the saints (Daniel 7; 1 Corinthians 14:26-30).
Resistance unto the lion's den, respect to the king, and growth again, with another pagan king praising God (Daniel 6, John 3:19; Revelation 1:12-13).
God is Lord of all - He disciplines governments, destroys and raises up nations (Daniel 4:1-5:31; Ephesians 1:22).
When Babylon oversteps and demands idolatry, the faithful will resist and find fellowship with Christ in the midst of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3).
Internal, Godly resistance is something we learn when facing pressure from the world (Daniel 1:8-16; John 17:15-17).
In some respects, God charges us to keep the peace of the prevailing culture we are in (Daniel 1:1-9).
We must let the gospel tell us who and what we are in Christ, and not base our identity in the expectations of men (Gal. 1:10, 2:20, 3:27-28).
We must prepare our children for interaction with a culture in which they will stand out and will often be looked down upon when they live their biblical faith (1 Peter 3:14-16; 4:3-5).
As parents, we cannot forget to apply the gospel to our own children - both the truth of Genesis 1:26 and the truth of Romans 5:12.
The gospels present a full picture of Christ, and this is the Christ we are called to receive.
While we look at others and measure ourselves according to them, we will never be happy. God must be our portion (Ps. 73).
When the church gathers for worship, our offerings of Christ make us the holiest place on earth (Lev. 9:15-24; 1 Corinthians 14:25-26).
Through hospitality, the Lord calls us and empowers us to love others like he does. Open our hearts and homes to others (Matthew 5:43-47; Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9).
We have been saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved (Eph. 2:5; 1 Cor. 1:18; Rom. 5:9-10).
Repentance is important because it reflects a change of thinking needed for entrance into the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:15-17).
When we see the true value God's reconciling work through Jesus Christ on the cross, we will rapidly respond by receiving the reconciliation and entering into the richness of relationship with God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2).
Discover how to lovingly unpack some verses to help people understand the seriousness of sin while sharing the good news of the gospel (Matthew 1:21; Romans 3:23-24).
Is there glory in Christ? Come and see. Don't let cultural subterfuge blind you (John 1:43-51).
Jesus' word to Sardis reminds us that we need more than a reputation of being alive - we must actually be spiritually alive (Rev. 3:1-6).
Rather than shy away from difficult biblical words and concepts, explain them (2 Peter 2:15-16; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
We have before us a vast field of gospel opportunities: unsaved cultural Christians (Eph. 1:13).
Even Christians can become callous to Christ when they don't spend time with Him in the truth of His Word (Ephesians 4:17-24, 5:17).
The attributes of the invisible God clearly seen through His creation ought to flow out in honor and thanksgiving (Rom. 1:18-25).
The Lord will touch an area of your life in which you are comfortable, yet spiritually lack, in order to lead you to repentance to take you into the eternal things of God (Matthew 19:16-22).
Hunger for the wisdom of God that multiplies godliness, but beware the wisdom of the world that multiplies error (Eccl. 12:9-14).
Growing older and nearing the end of life is often full of uncertainties, a reality we all must cope with as we live putting the Creator before all things (Eccl. 11:1-12:8).
Isaiah 53:10 shows the Father and the Son working together in the crucifixion and the resurrection (c.f. 2 Corinthians 5:21).
How are we to act when when nothing in life seems to go in an optimal direction? We navigate based upon the wisdom of God (Eccl. 8:1-17 ).
How can we make it not knowing all the answers? Obey God in what you know, and trust Him in the things you don't (Ecclesiastes 7:15-29; Luke 6:47; 1 Peter 3:15).
Good times are often deceptive, but during times of adversity God is often greatly at work, molding us into His image (Eccl. 7:1-14; Rom. 5:2-5).
Reactions and attitudes can offend God, and waste our time; learn from the apostles contentedness, and thanks (Eccl. 5:1-20; Phil. 4:10-13).
Though work is good, wealth can can drive a person into places he or she doesn't want to go (Eccl. 4:4-16; Luke 14:27-29).
We often feel distraught when justice is imperfect, but there is a time when full justice will come (Eccl. 3:16-4:3, 12:14; 1 Peter 2:23).
Good times and bad times seem to come to everyone, regardless of their faithfulness to God (Eccl. 3:1-15; Rom. 8:28-30).
Solomon begins to chronicle his search for meaning, and cannot find it in self indulgence, wisdom, or hard work; but points to the hand of God as the key to true pleasure (Eccl. 2:1-26; Phil. 3:18-21).
Ecclesiastes 1 exposes the temporal nature of things “under the sun” are exposed as vapor and will lead only to internal and external vexation if you place your meaning and purpose in them. In contrast, we have the newness only being found in Christ (Eccl. 1:1-18, Eph. 2:5-6).
Solomon shares the repentant reflections of his own life, recounting his failure to find meaning in anything.
The fall of mankind has introduced an upside-down situation, but God remains available and perfect (Gen. 3:14-24; Ecclesiastes 4).
As the Bible calls us forward into new and fresh experiences of Christ, let's press forward into this coming new year (Heb. 10).
No matter what circumstances we’re in, the Lord has abundant provisions ready for us (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-21).
We should never get carried away and think the giving started with us or that we are out-giving God (Matthew 2:9-11).
The Scriptures command our obedience. There are at least two very good reasons for following the commands of Scripture: 1) Relational and 2) (Jeremiah 36:22-32; Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 6:46; John 8:43, 14:23-24; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-16).
The scriptures invite us into a journey involving salvation, and spiritual experience (Ex. 34:5-9, 2 Thess. 2:14).
The scriptures describe, express God in language we can understand (John 1:1, 2 Cor. 3:15-18).
The scriptures provide an objective anchor and stability; they remain forever (1 Pet. 1:24-25, Mk. 13:31).
A large part of being an overcoming Christian today, lies in loving, and obeying God, and loving others (1 John 5:1-5).
Everything becomes clear when we turn to the Lord and behold His glory (2 Cor. 3:12-18).
Guard the deposit of the faith placed in your heart by the power of the Holy Spirit and the pattern of healthy words (2 Tim. 1:8-14).
When you find yourself in a spiritual fog, persevere by paying attention to the great cloud of witnesses in Scripture and in the church who help keep you looking to Jesus.