Mt Pleasant Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mt Pleasant Baptist Church
Mt Pleasant is a weekly podcast featuring the most recent sermons and exclusive content from Mt Pleasant Baptist Church in Wilkesboro, NC..
Jesus is shown all throughout the gospels as having compassion on the lost and on the crowds. One of the few exceptions was when He reclaimed His temple from those who had misused and misrepresented the name of “God’s people” for too long.
How much faith do you have? The nation of Israel rejected Jesus, showing their lack of faith. As a picture of that rejection, Jesus cursed a fig tree because it had no fruit. Join us as we see “The Lesson of the Fig Tree” and the fact that the Christian life is about bearing fruit in keeping with repentance.
When Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, it was described as the “Triumphal Entry.” The people were looking for a King to overthrow Rome and set up His kingdom. They praised Jesus, shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” But everything changed in a matter of days. That praise of Jesus was “false praise.” Why did it happen? How did it happen? Join us, and we’ll find out, as we see, “False Praise and Jesus’ Triumphal Entry."
When was the last time the power went out at night in your home and you had to grope around looking for a flashlight to turn on some light so you could see? That’s a disconcerting feeling. For a man named Bartimaeus, this was his life. Yet, Jesus had mercy on him and gave him back his sight. But Jesus also gave him more than his sight. He gave him salvation. Join us as we see “The Mercy of Jesus.” You’ll be encouraged and strengthened as we ponder Christ’s great mercy for us!
We live in a day and age where everyone wants to be seen. Some call it the “Age of the Selfie.” However, the kingdom of Jesus is an upside-down kingdom where being great is defined as something the world hates: humility. Join us as we see “Greatness Defined” by our Lord Jesus. It’s not what you think!
The trials and temptations of life give us the opportunity to grow our faith in God by running to Him. In these situations, if we are not grounded in our faith, we can become fearful and run from our Creator. Join us as we explore practical ways to overcome fear while we follow the path God has set for us.
“The Problem with Stuff” is that we often don’t possess it—it possesses us! Even the blessings God gives us can become a hindrance to obeying Him if we’re not careful. Join us as we discuss this problem and learn how to overcome it.
A baby, an infant, a toddler, and even a young child are helpless in many ways. As their parent, there is a dependency, a trust, a faith that they place in us to protect them and give them what they need. Jesus uses this example to show us how we must come to him for our greatest need. Join us as we learn the steps to "Come As a Child" to Jesus and be part of his kingdom.
There is so much confusion in our culture today about what marriage is and what are the biblical conditions for divorce. Join us as we seek to gain a “Biblical Understanding of Marriage and Divorce.” We’ll erase the confusion that has been created in many minds by seeing what Jesus said about marriage and divorce.
Let’s say you've been diagnosed with cancer and the surgeon says, "I can get all of it or leave some of it." What would you prefer the surgeon to do? Obviously the answer is: GET IT ALL. The same is true of sin. We should want the Holy Spirit to cleanse us from all sin, just like a surgeon removing all of the cancer. However, for many Christians, they’ve become comfortable with it. Join us Sunday as we see what the Scripture teaches on: “Overcoming Sin.” This message will challenge you and inspire you!
Who are the people in your life whom you would consider “great”. Most likely, it would be people who have invested in your life, sacrificed for you, and loved you in times of difficulty. Unfortunately, for the Apostles of Jesus, they had this understanding totally backward about “Who is the Greatest.” Join us as Jesus sets the record straight on what greatness really is!
Facing something that looks impossible? Do you feel like there’s a situation in your life that can't be fixed or is unattainable? Jesus specializes in what looks to be impossible. Join us as we see: “All Things Are Possible,” and you’ll be encouraged in your life, and you’ll see that there is hope, and it’s found in Jesus!
Have you ever seen something so magnificent and profound that you were left speechless? That was Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration when they saw Jesus wrapped in glory. That event changed their lives forever, and it would carry them through many difficult days ahead. Join us as we see: “The Glory of Jesus.” You will be amazed! Don’t miss it!
Do you know what an “oxymoron” is? It’s when you say something that’s contradictory. Like, “Momma, this apple pie is ‘awful good.’” Now, here in the south, we know that you mean that your mom’s pie is excellent! Yet, the term “awful good” is an oxymoron. Jesus often spoke in this way. He said that if you wanted to have life, you had to be willing to lose your life. Join us as we see what He meant when He offered that oxymoron. And yes, we believe it’s going to be an “awful good” day!
The Apostle Peter had a personality that was bold and courageous, and also temperamental and hasty. Perhaps no truer example of that can be found than in Mark’s Gospel. Peter goes from proclaiming Jesus as the Christ, the Anointed Son of God, to being told by Jesus, “Get behind me, Satan.” What happened? How could this be?
Spiritual blindness keeps people in spiritual darkness. They lack any true understanding of God and who Jesus truly is. What is needed to dispel darkness? You're right! Light! Join us as we examine the reason for spiritual blindness and the one who can bring light to that condition!
Jesus feeds the 4,000. Wait a second? Didn’t He already do that? Not exactly! In fact, when you look a little closer, you find that this meal from Jesus communicated something very special to those in this crowd and to us.
No one has ever shown greater compassion on this earth than Jesus Christ. After all, He gave His life for those who would call on Him, repenting of their sins, to save them. Join us as we see Jesus' compassion for a man who was deaf and couldn’t speak. This is an astounding story of hope and deliverance that will encourage and inspire you through life's difficult seasons.
When Jesus came to this earth, He came for one reason: “To seek and save that which is lost.” To do that, He gave His life on the cross and proved He was the Son of God by rising from the dead. And all of this was pictured by something the Children of Israel did centuries earlier when they left bondage in Egypt. Join us as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and experience: The Story of Passover Through Jesus.”
Jesus encountered many people during His time on earth, but there was one lady who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. She had a sick daughter and begged Jesus to help her. Jesus hesitated. Why? Join us as we see “The Faith of a Broken-Down Woman.” You’ll be strengthened in your faith as you see what determined faith looks like.
When we think of something that’s dirty, we think of something we can touch or eat that might make us dirty or harm us, but Jesus says that what defiles a person isn’t something that’s outside them. Rather, it comes from inside! Join us as we see “What Defiles a Person.”
The Jewish religious leaders became the enemy of Jesus because He was attacking their traditions and “the way they’d always done it.” It’s like changing the color of the carpet in the church…that’s probably not going to make everyone happy. Join us as we see how “Jesus Blows Up Twisted Traditions,” and why truly following and worshiping Him comes from the heart and not from ritual.
One of the most well-known miracles of Jesus is the account of Him walking on water. In fact, all four Gospels record this miracle. It’s that significant. Why? Join us as we see the significance of when: “Jesus Walks on Water.” You will be encouraged and inspired!
We all know the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. It is a miraculous account for sure! Jesus made enough bread and fish out of a boy’s meal to feed thousands. But is there more to the story? Yes! It’s an account of faith and trust for the Apostles, and for us! Join us as we see the feeding of the 5,000 from a perspective of trust and faith in our Savior.
What a sad, twisted story! John the Baptist was killed because of pure spite and hatred. His death is another example that faith in Jesus doesn’t mean our lives will be easy. However, Jesus is faithful, and what Satan may seek for harm can be turned to good. Join us as we see the hand of God in John’s murder and see how tragedy can lead to triumph.
Jesus trained The Twelve (the Apostles) for about a year before He sent them out two by two to share His message. His instructions to them before they leave seem strange: take no extra clothes, money or food. How will they survive? The ministry has now shifted for The Twelve to total faith and trust. Join us as we’ll see that it is also true of us today.
We know that Jesus “came to His own, and His own received Him not.” Not only was that true of His town of Nazareth, but also the nation of Israel. Jesus was rejected by His own people to the point that He couldn’t do many mighty works because of their unbelief. That could easily be us. We can easily turn “unbelieving” in a heartbeat. We can begin to doubt the power of Jesus when He allows things into our lives that do not make sense. Join us as we see: “The Astonishing Rejection of Jesus,” and learn how we can stand grounded in Him, not doubt.
All seemed lost for the Synagogue Ruler. While he waited with Jesus to help a poor woman with her troubles, his daughter died. It’s no use! “Don’t bother the Teacher,” his friends said. Yet, Jesus said, “Keep on believing.” The man did, and Jesus raised his little girl from the dead. Never forget that Jesus specializes in resurrections of things that are dead. How about you? Does your marriage look dead? How about your job? Your health? Your finances? Don’t feed your doubts…starve them. Feed your faith and trust Jesus to do what only He can do. He is able!
Are you in a hopeless situation in your life right now? Do your circumstances seem insurmountable? Well, take heart! Jesus specializes in situations that seem impossible. Join us as we see Part 1 of “When All Seems Lost, Turn to Jesus,” as He is on His way to heal a little girl when He’s suddenly stopped by a woman with a serious health issue that’s plagued her for 12 years. She has spent all her money on doctors and tried everything imaginable for help, but with no success. Her last resort is Jesus, and she finally fights her way through the crowds and touches the hem of His garment. Everything changed after that! But the story has just begun!
We know Jesus is all-powerful! He can boldly make that claim because He has the power over life and death, because He rose from the grave. But He also has power over the world we can’t see with our eyes. What world is that? The world of demons and angels. Join us as we see: “The Power of Jesus Over Demons,” as He casts out a “Legion” of demons from a tormented man. You’ll be encouraged to know that He is stronger than anything in the seen and unseen world.
God reveals His divine plan for our lives, but so often, the way He accomplishes it looks nothing like we expect. The storms of life seemingly threaten to upend His plan, but the storms are actually part of the plan, and God goes through it with you. Join us and be encouraged as we see “Jesus in the Storm.”
Join us as we ask and answer: “Three Questions about the Manger.” #1 Did Jesus exist before He was born in Bethlehem? (Hint: Yes. We’ll tell you why.) #2 What did Jesus have to do to come to this earth as a baby? (Hint: Set aside His glory and become one of us.) #3 What did He stand to gain by coming? (Hint: Us). Prepare to be thrilled and awed as we prepare for Christmas and conclude our time together with an always powerful “Candlelight Celebration” together.
Sometimes it’s hard to know if the Lord is speaking to us, or if we’re just hearing our own voices in our heads. Yet, Jesus said, “My sheep know me, and they recognize my voice.” Join us as we see: “How to listen to Jesus” as He speaks through three parables recorded in the Gospel of Mark and how we can actually “hear” when He is speaking.
Scripture, the Bible, refers to the heart many times. The majority of those times, it is speaking about our soul, and not the physical heart that pumps blood through our body. As the Gospel is proclaimed, there are four responses that people can make. Therefore, we could say four types of human hearts. Join us, and may the Lord speak to you to show you which type of heart you have when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus being proclaimed.
You know the phrase, “One nation under God.” You know the phrase “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator.” Just who is this God? This Creator? As you ponder, answer this: “Whom do we give thanks to at Thanksgiving?” The answer to all of those questions is this: Yahweh, Jehovah God of the Bible. Join us as we see why we celebrate Thanksgiving and the roots of this great holiday! Hint: It’s all about God!
Did you know Jesus had four brothers and at least two sisters? He sure did! The Bible is clear on that in Luke 8:2-3. Yet, they didn’t believe He was the Son of God. In fact, they thought He was crazy! What does it mean to be part of Jesus’ family? Join us as Jesus explains who His family really is.
Do you know what it means to “blaspheme the Holy Spirit?” Is it taking the Lord’s name in vain? Is it cursing the Holy Spirit? Well, there are many questions and several schools of thought on this question. Join us as we see what Jesus described as “The Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.”
It’s often been said, “Jesus changed the world with a handful of men.” It’s true that Jesus chose 12 Apostles to entrust the Gospel to and see that it was spread throughout the world. And here we are today! It worked! Join us as we see how Jesus chose the 12 Apostles and how that applies to His calling for your life!
What does Jesus want for you? One word: Believe. Jesus wants you to believe that He is the Son of God. He wants you to believe that and then act upon it and become His follower. Are you a follower of Jesus? Many claim to be, but aren’t. Jesus said: “They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Join us as we see a “Summary of Jesus’ Ministry.” We’ll see that He is indeed the Son of God.
You would think people would have been excited to see Jesus heal a man with a withered hand! But oh no, He did it on the Sabbath! Therefore, this was considered unlawful by the Pharisees! What was their problem? Why were the religious elites so frustrated with Jesus? Join us as we see why Jesus healed on the Sabbath and the lessons we can learn from His teaching!
Which day of the week is the Sabbath Day? Don’t say: Sunday. That’s the Lord’s Day. That’s the day Jesus rose from the dead and the day we are to come together to worship. The Sabbath is what the Jews observed, and that was Saturday. Join us as we see why the Pharisees were so infuriated with Jesus for plucking grain on a Sabbath. We’ll see why Jesus called Himself: “The Lord of the Sabbath.”
When you look back over your life, do you have parts of your past that you would like to forget, or change, or do over? I’m sure you do. We all do. So, how can we move past our past? How can we leave the old and embrace the new? Join us as we’ll be encouraged by Jesus to focus on the “new” and not the “old,” as we understand: “The Old vs the New: Moving Beyond Our Past.”
Matthew in the Bible was the worst of the worst in the first-century town of Capernaum. He was a Jew who turned his back on his people and went to work for the Romans collecting taxes from the nation of Israel. To say that Matthew was hated would be an understatement. Yet, Jesus called Matthew to follow Him. Why? Join us as we see how “Jesus Calls Matthew” and how Jesus still calls the downtrodden and lowly in our world.
Outside of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, there was perhaps no miracle more poignantly offensive to the Pharisees than when Jesus forgave the sins of the paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus by friends. It was one thing for Jesus to heal, but to say that He could “forgive sins.” That was preposterous! Join us as we see and understand how “Jesus Heals and Forgives.” You’ll be encouraged and challenged in your faith!
Jesus constantly showed compassion when He was on this earth, but perhaps no greater compassion was shown by Him than when He healed lepers. Lepers were so contagious and so labeled by the first-century world as “untouchables” that for Jesus to touch this man and heal him was beyond anything anyone of that day had ever seen. Today, Jesus still shows compassion, and He does it through His followers. Join us as we see “The Compassion of Jesus” and how we may show that compassion to our world today.
Jesus, the Son of God, prayed. Let those six words resonate in your mind. Even though He was the Son of God, He knew that His power came from communion with His Father. Where does your power come from? Is it an energy drink? Is it money? What is it? For Jesus, it was prayer, and since Jesus is to be our example in all things, prayer should be an essential part of our lives. Join us Sunday as we see how: “Jesus Prays.”
Authority. Who or what has the authority in your life? Something or someone does. Authority is what determines how and why you make decisions and do the things you do. Jesus claimed to have “all authority.” And He does. But does He have authority in your life? Join us as we see “The Authority of Jesus” and learn how to allow His authority to guide our lives, because when we do, that’s when we know the greatest joy in life!
On August 21, 1875, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church was founded by 37 members, who sat on log benches in a log structure that served as the first church for MPBC. Join us this Sunday as we give thanks and celebrate our 150th Anniversary with a tremendous time of remembering our past and looking forward to an outstanding future. Sunday will be a day to remember!
Children love playing the game, “Follow the Leader,” by crawling under tables and climbing over and under things to make it difficult to keep up and follow them. However, that is not the case with Jesus. He said, “Follow me.” He didn’t say: “Ask me into your heart.” He didn’t say, “Receive me." "Applaud for me," or even “Like me.” He simply said: “Follow me.” Join us as we look at what it truly means to follow Jesus and live for Him. And we’ll see that doing so will bring the greatest joy that you can know in this life.
So often in our day, where “easy-believism” has begun to reign supreme (where people think they can just “believe in Jesus” and go to heaven), repentance has been cut out of the equation. Jesus didn’t just say, “believe.” He said: “Repent and believe.” Join us as we see what true salvation is and see how “repentance” is the doorway to salvation.
When we’re tempted, does that mean we’ve automatically sinned? The short answer is: No, but the temptation of Jesus by Satan gives us a tutorial on how to overcome temptation by using the Word of God. Join us as we see: “The Temptation of Jesus) and learn that temptation is part of life in this sinful world, but those temptations don’t have to lead us to sin.
The baptism of Jesus is recounted in some form or fashion in all four gospels. For some, it’s a bit confusing. “Why was Jesus baptized?” Many more walk past it too quickly and largely miss its meaning. Join us as we strive to soak up all the glorious significance that "The Baptism of Jesus" holds for our walk with Him.
The continued waiting for the Messiah has been going on for 400 years after the Prophet Malachi last spoke words from God to the Jewish nation. The wait is over, and a man steps on the scene prophesied about by the Prophet Isaiah as one that will be, "Like a voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord!" Join us as we see who this man is, and should we also be one crying out in our generation as a voice saying, "Prepare the way of the Lord in your life!"
What a triumph! Noah and his family made it through the flood, and all is well! Not so fast! Noah gets drunk, and everything changes for the family! Noah’s sons will now be on different paths. Join us as we see why and how this happened as we study: “Noah’s Trouble.”
What a triumph! Noah and his family made it through the flood, and all is well! Not so fast! Noah gets drunk, and everything changes for the family! Noah’s sons will now be on different paths. Join us as we see why and how this happened as we study: “Noah’s Trouble.”
God promised Noah that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood, and He put a rainbow in the sky to prove it. The rainbow is a reminder to all generations that God keeps His promises and is a faithful covenant-keeper. Join us as we see: “God’s Promise to Noah,” and are encouraged in our trials and “floods,” because our Lord is faithful!
The debate rages: “How old is the Earth?” Is it 4.5 billion years old or just thousands of years old? Does it matter, and if so, why? Join us for a fascinating deep dive: “How Old is the Earth? Fossilization and Dating Methods.” We’ll discover that the dating methods are flawed because of erroneous starting points and a predetermined outcome. This message will be one that you don’t want to miss!
Did you know all of the Earth’s land mass used to be one mass? It’s true! It wasn’t until after the cataclysmic changes brought on by the Flood that the earth’s land mass broke apart and created the continents we know today. This is one of the reasons all of the animals could make it easily to the ark for safe passage. Did that include dinosaurs? Yes. So, what happened to them? Join us as we find out what happened to the dinosaurs, as well as the Ice Age that occurred after the flood. We’ll be encouraged as we are reminded of the Lord’s care and protection for His followers!
Do you think it was just 40 days of rain that caused Noah’s flood, which flooded the entire earth? No way! The Bible says, “the fountains of the great deep burst forth” (Genesis 7:11). The waters prevailed so high that it covered all the mountains by 23 feet (Genesis 7:20). Join us as we learn more about the fascinating reasons as we study: “What Caused Noah’s Flood.”
Some of the most often asked questions about Noah’s Ark are: How could a boat that big be built so long ago? How could Noah fit all the animals (including dinosaurs) into the ark? How did Noah care for those animals for 13 months on the ark? Join us as we answer those questions and more as we look at “The Building of Noah’s Ark.”
What is the Gospel? What is repentance? The word Gospel is used 93 times in the New Testament, and the word Repentance is used 46 times. What do they mean? When it comes to our salvation, they go hand in hand! Join us Sunday as we learn what the Bible says about the clear meaning of both.
Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus or stuck in spiritual infancy? Join us as we examine the balance between discipline and dependence in our walk with the Lord and gain useful tools for “Making Room For Jesus.”
“The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” When was that written? Yesterday? No, but it could have been. Today, we are living much like the people of Noah’s Day. There was such great corruption and evil. It was that condition that brought the flood. What happened? How did those people get to that point? Join us as we see “The Corruption of Noah’s Day” and learn how to avoid those conditions for our day.
Do you know the name of the man who lived the longest of anyone on earth? Methuselah. He lived to be 969 and died just before Noah’s Flood. So, why did people live so long? Why, as much as we try to fight death with our modern technology, do we struggle to live longer than 80-90 years? Join us as we answer the question: “Why Did People Live So Long Before the Flood?” You might be surprised by what you learn!
Cain and Abel had the opportunity to bring their best offering to God, instead, Cain brought his leftovers. That act led to jealousy and rage and ultimately to the first murder, as Cain killed his brother. What a travesty, and yet, sin crouches at all of our doors. We must be on guard. Join us as we see: “The First Murder and Why?”
Jesus spoke seven "words or phrases” as He hung on the cross. Those seven “words” are some of the most profound words ever spoken. Join us as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and rejoice over: “The Last Word of Jesus from the Cross.”
The command was simple: “Don’t eat from that tree.” And yet, Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Join us as we see “The Bite that Changed Everything,” and while the juice of the forbidden fruit was running down the throats of Adam and Eve, Jesus was preparing to come to earth to break the curse of their sin.
In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him a helper fit for him.” And there you have it: “God’s Divine Design for Marriage.” Of course, the culture says, “Marriage is anything you want it to be.” Join us as we see what Biblical Marriage is and why God designed it the way He did.
Why do we have a seven-day week? An evolutionist can’t or won’t answer that question. That’s because it points back to six days of creation and a 7th day of rest. Join us as we see God’s plan for rest and His plan for work on the earth. We’ll see that work was created before the “Fall of Man,” (when sin came into the world) and see why work is so valuable and good for humanity.
“Let us make man in our image.” That’s one of the most monumental statements of all time. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit making Adam in the image of the God-head. What does that mean? It means we are all spirit beings. As followers of Jesus we know: to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Join us as we see God’s plan for humanity as we are all “Made in God’s Image.”
Contrary to the Evolutionary teaching of our day, God created everything in the universe in six 24-hour days, just as Scripture teaches. And in that creation, God created everything according to their “kinds,” which crushes the evolution narrative. Join us, and we will see why as we dive in and investigate the “Six Days of Creation.”
Since Charles Darwin’s “Origin of the Species” was published in 1859, there has been a debate about where humanity came from. Was it an explosion in space and we’re the product of “Survival of the Fittest” or did God create us, “In the Beginning?” Join us Sunday as we begin our new series, “In the Beginning” and we see why evolution is the biggest hoax of our the past 150 years and why the Bible is our authority for all that happened “in the beginning."
Invitations. We get them all the time. We get them to weddings, birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, etc. The decision is then: can we go or not? For Jesus and His invitation to all to join Him in heaven…He’s been offering that invitation for over 2,000 years. However, time will eventually come to an end, and the invitation will end. Join us Sunday as we see “Jesus’ Last Invitation.” In fact, this is your invitation to come!
The word: “Maranatha,” means: “Come Lord.” Many churches have the word in their name. That one word sums up the hope and longing of the church for Jesus to return and take us home! Join us as we see the definite certainty of Christ’s return: “Jesus IS Coming Back!”
The Bible tells us that the throne of God and Jesus will be in the New Jerusalem and the “servants will worship Him.” And think about this: Revelation 22:4 says: “They will see his face…” Can you fathom what that moment will be like? There are no words that can describe it. That moment will be the fulfillment of all that we have longed and hoped for! Join us as we celebrate: “Seeing God,” as we ponder the joy that awaits the follower of Christ!
Jesus said He was going away to prepare a place for His people. That place is the New Jerusalem. It’s the New Jerusalem that has streets of gold and gates of pearl. Join us as we see the fascinating details of this prepared place that contains the “Father’s House” with many rooms.
What a day it will be for the believer in Christ to arrive in heaven where there will be no more tears, death, mourning, or pain. These are called the “No Mores of Heaven.” Don’t miss tomorrow as we are encouraged through the trials and difficulties of life as we ponder the “no mores.”
Think about it. Heaven, the earth, and Jerusalem have all been tainted by Satan and sin. Satan rebelled in heaven, leaving a trail of mutiny, and then, having been banished to earth, tempted Adam and Eve to sin and ultimately, laughed as Jesus died on Calvary outside the city walls of Jerusalem. Because of these events, God will bring a New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem into existence. Join us as we see all things become new as every tear is wiped away and the former things pass away.
After Jesus returns to this earth, He will set up what is described in Revelation 20 as the: “Millennial Kingdom.” That kingdom will be set up from Jerusalem, where Jesus will reign for 1,000 as He keeps His promise to Israel to rule and reign from the throne of David as Israel’s king. Join us as we see: ’The Reign of Christ.”
Jesus is coming back! Do you believe that? You better! As sure as He came the first time, which we just celebrated at Christmas, He’s coming again! Join us as we see the details of: “The Glorious Second Coming of Jesus.” Truly, these details are so powerful and enthralling, you don’t want to miss it!
Babylon, the great prostitute, was used and abused by the devil, and judged by God almighty. Meanwhile, the lovely Bride has readied herself for her marriage to the Lamb who bought her with His blood. Join us as we rejoice and look forward to that glorious wedding in Heaven.
Have you ever thought about this: “What if Jesus Had Not Come?” If He had not come, we would be a people still suffocated by the darkness, overcome by death, and have no hope of eternal life. The thought of that is mind-numbing, yet true. Join us as we rejoice together because Jesus did come and because of Christmas we have victory over spiritual darkness and death and have the guarantee of eternity in heaven with Him. It’s Christmas! May we truly celebrate and rejoice because Jesus came to save us!
The Church is described in Scripture as the Bride of Christ. Jesus bought us with His own blood. For the Antichrist, he chose a harlot called “Babylon.” As the Tribulation Period comes to an end on earth, the harlot will be destroyed and the Antichrist’s kingdom will crumble. Join us as we see: “The Destruction of the Antichrist,” and ask the question: “Do you belong to the Bride or the Harlot?”
In every age, the Church is always in danger of accommodation, especially as it attempts to present the Gospel. Churches feel they need to be “seeker-friendly” and dumb down the teaching to "keep with cultural norms.” Those phrases should scare us to death! Because those phrases tell us that there’s a great likelihood for a “false gospel” to be taught. During the Tribulation that’s exactly what will happen. Join us as we see the "False Religion of the Antichrist,” and we learn how not to be deceived.
Let’s just be honest, Joy can be difficult to find these days. The joy that the world tries to sell us is a counterfeit, so if we only look at the things happening in this world, we will miss out on the joy that God wants us to know and experience every day of our lives. That’s why we need fresh, daily reminders that God’s mercies are new and that we have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Join us for a special Thanksgiving message as we return to the Word of God to find the fount of every blessing.
The Tribulation Period is a season of time that will be unlike anything this earth or its inhabitants have ever seen. And that is certainly true when God pours out His wrath through what are known as the “Bowl Judgments.” Join us for "Judgment and Armageddon," as we see all the catastrophes that will come upon this earth during the bowl judgments and the march to the valley of Megiddo for war.
Fall is a time of harvest. It’s the way the seasons work. In heaven we’ll witness the harvest of all the souls who have trust Jesus and followed Him as Lord and Savior. That’s the good news! The bad news is there is also a harvest of the disobedient, who chose to reject the Lord Jesus. A harvest of wrath has been stored up for them. Join us as we see the future harvest of souls in “The Great Harvest.”
We don’t necessarily think about singing when we study the book of the Revelation, right? After all, we know terrible things are happening: tribulation, strife, wrath, and judgment! But there will also be singing! There is singing because justice is going to be served. There is singing because the right will triumph over wrong…and good over evil! Join us as we see: “Voices of Victory” during the Tribulation and we’re encouraged to keep singing!
Yes, the world is marching toward future chaos. A season of time known as the Tribulation Period is going to bring with it a worldwide outcry for relief and order at almost any cost. That will set the stage for the emergence of a new world leader who will promise a solution to all problems. He will negotiate world peace and promise order and security. This man is known as the Antichrist. Never has there been a dictator or tyrant like this man. Join us as we see: “The Antichrist Revealed.”
By the middle of the seven-year Tribulation period, the Antichrist is going to be on the warpath seeking to hunt down anyone who doesn’t have his mark on their forehead or wrist. He will come after Christians and the nation of Israel. Yet again, God will provide and Israel will be protected and cared for during the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation. Join us as we see: “Satan’s Plot to Destroy.” You will be encouraged knowing that God protects you and Satan can do nothing to you outside of God’s will for your life.
In great pride the angel Lucifer chose to rebel. He wanted to ascend to the throne that is occupied by God, yet He was overthrown, along with 1/3 of the angels, who are now his demonic hoard. Join us as we see: “War in Heaven,” as Michael the archangel and God’s holy angels fight against Satan and his demons. We’ll see that Satan and his demons are no match for God and his angels. You’ll be encouraged as we see where our strength comes from in Christ!
Today, the majority of the world hates Israel. But you haven’t seen anything yet! As we rush toward the End Times and future catastrophic judgments, Israel is going to be abandoned by every nation. They will be left totally alone with no support! But God!! He will come to Israel's aid and defense. But, yet again, during the Tribulation Period, Israel will be the target of Satan. Join us as we see why Israel is so important to the future of the world.
One of the most famous movies of our time was: “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The character Indiana Jones sought to find the ark. Well, it’s not here! It’s in heaven! Join us now as we see inside the throne room of heaven and see the ark of the covenant and learn what will be happening in heaven during the Tribulation! This will be a fascinating message!
The Antichrist will turn on Israel and the people of Earth midway through the Tribulation. Yet, He will believe he has all power over the people because of fear and intimidation. Yet, that’s not the case! God will send Two Witnesses to preach the Gospel to the world! Many will be saved and the Antichrist will kill them. Is this the end? Join us as we see the ministry of: “The Two Witnesses.”
Finally, God is going to say, “Enough.” Time will have run out for those on the earth during the Tribulation Period. God in His sovereign power and judgment will use a mighty angel to execute His final judgments on the earth. There will be no more delay. Join us as we study the “Bittersweet Book of Heaven.” Why is it bitter and sweet at the same time? Join us to find out!
The devastation continues as Trumpets are blown from heaven. Demons that look like locusts will appear and torment the earth's inhabitants. Ultimately, 1/3 of mankind will be destroyed as the fifth and sixth trumpets are blown. You would think the people would repent. They won’t! Why? Join us and we’ll see!
Join us as we see Jesus break open the Seventh Seal on the scroll in heaven. Seven Trumpets will be blown unleashing more catastrophes: hail, fire, and blood falling from heaven causing 1/3 of the trees to be burned, then 1/3 of the sea becoming blood, 1/3 of the freshwater to be polluted and 1/3 of the sun, and moon and stars being darkened. It seems beyond comprehension, but it’s as true as the fulfillment of all the other prophecies in Scripture. We’ll see these details now.
There has been much debate through the centuries about a group of people identified in the Book of Revelation as the 144,000. Just exactly who are these people? How will they be selected and what will be their role during the Tribulation Period? Join us for a fascinating message answering the question: “Who Are The 144,000?”
The Rapture has happened! The followers of Jesus Christ have been taken to heaven and all those who had not repented their sins have been left behind on earth. Jesus has now taken the scroll into his hands, detailing what is next in this prophetic timeline. What is next? The Tribulation! Join us to see the beginning of God's just verdict of judgment upon the wicked on the earth.
Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Some people believe that and some don’t. However, there will come a day when Jesus will reveal Himself to the World as just that…King of All. Join us as we continue to see inside the throne room of Heaven and why Jesus is worthy of honor, praise, and glory!
Heaven. It’s hard to fathom all that followers of Jesus will enjoy in Heaven. Our finite minds can’t grasp the joys we’ll behold. Join us as we get a glimpse of Heaven from the Apostle John! We’ll be mesmerized and encouraged by “Scenes of Heaven.”
Join us as we summarize the lessons we’ve learned in our study of the seven churches of the book of Revelation. We’ll see the striking similarities of the admonitions Jesus offered to these churches. From: “I know your works,” to the “one who conquers,” to “I have this against you,” to “He who has an ear…” All of these admonitions point to repentance. Who learned the lessons and who didn’t? We’ll see the stark contrasts now.
No one likes feeling nauseated. It’s an uneasy, unsettling feeling and that feeling goes into overdrive when the vomiting finally happens. Ugh! Jesus described the church at Laodicea as a people who nauseated Him and He wanted to spit them out of His mouth. Why? Because they were arrogant, and pompous and thought they needed nothing. Yet, they were poor, naked, and blind. How does a person get to the place where they can call themselves a “Christian” but be okay with living like the world and what can be done to remedy this nauseating condition? Join us now for the answer!
The “City of Brotherly Love.” We know that as Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. But, this city was also found in Asia Minor in the first century and praised by Jesus for how they used “open doors” of opportunity to share the Gospel. After all, that’s the job of any church: share the Gospel. But that takes the people inside that church to do so. Join us as we see “open doors” set before us to share the Good News that Jesus Saves!
How did everything come to be? Who am I, and why am I here? Why is there evil? Why do I need to be saved? Can I trust the Bible? Join us now, find answers to these questions, and see the Bible reflected in your everyday life.
Join us as we see: “The Autopsy of a Dead Church.” A dead church? Yes, the great preacher, Dr. Vance Havner said the church at Sardis was “Nothing more than a morgue with a steeple.” That can happen to the Christian as well. We can look good on the outside, but be dead on the inside. We can have the right outward appearance, but be living in sin. Jesus offers the cure for the dead church…but, it’s a path down Repentance Lane. It’s not easy, but there’s joy to be had for those who repent.
The Church of Thyatira was called: “The Church of Jezebel.” Wow! Can you imagine a church being identified by Jesus with such a terrible name? Jezebel was the evil queen of King Ahab of the Old Testament. However, her name is still known today because of how she pushed overt evil and sin to get her way and to turn her husband’s head from the truth. Disaster awaits those who tolerate sin in their lives, their homes, and their churches. Join us as we see how Jesus encouraged the church at Thyatira to stand on truth and what would happen to them if they continued to tolerate sin.
We live in an age of compromise. Often the word used for compromise is “tolerance.” Yes, we should be a tolerant people in that we are patient and kind to all. However, “tolerance” is often used today to excuse and even applaud lifestyles and practices that are blatantly contrary to Scripture. Join us now as we see what compromise does to a life, a church, and to a nation: “When Truth is Compromised."
Divorce. It’s the elephant in the room. No one wants to talk about it, but it's impacted us all. If you haven’t experienced it for yourself, you probably know someone who has. However, God isn't done! Don't skip this encouraging message on such a common, real life issue.
When Jesus walked this earth and ministered for three and a half years, everything changed. Jesus brought peace for pain, strength for weakness, healing for disease, and salvation for those who would receive Him. How are you? How is life? Is Jesus in the house?
What does it take to have a good marriage? Are there principles in Scripture that can give us a model for a good marriage? The answer is a definite: “Yes!” Join us and see what that looks in everyday life.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s Not About You.” That phrase embodies what it means to surrender our lives and follow Jesus. The truth is, we will never experience the abundant life Jesus has for us if we hold on to our life with clenched fists. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “You are not your own.” Join us this Sunday as we see how to have and experience a life that is full and abundant.
Jesus said, “A man will leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” That union created humanity’s ability to procreate… To be “fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” But why? What is His plan and purpose for marriage and family? Join us Sunday as we continue in our new series: “Marriage and Family, God’s Design,” and we’ll see the beautiful details of God’s plan for our marriages and our families.
When growing up, because of your unruly behavior, did one of your parents ever say, "Don't make me come over there!" This is what Paul is getting ready to say to the church in Corinth. Their pride has led to an arrogance that is bringing a division and a bad testimony within the church. What's sad is when the person or people can not see it but others do. At some point it will be dealt with. Join us Sunday as we continue to look at "Pride Versus Humility" from 1 Corinthians 4.
Do you like to be rewarded? Do you like getting a paycheck for a job well done? An “A” in a class where you gave it your all? A trophy for the championship? Sure! We all love rewards! Are there rewards in following Jesus? You better believe it! There are rewards in eternity, but there are also rewards now and they’re amazing! Listen as we look at: “The Rewards of Following Jesus.”
Do you have wisdom? The following question will help answer that: How is the Holy Spirit influencing your life? It's through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we’re able to have the wisdom to live an abundant life. So, what role does the Holy Spirit play in your life? Can you sense His presence? Is He directing your life? Join us as we understand the work of the Holy Spirit to make us wise as we live “The Life Worth Living.”
What is wisdom? Is it being smart, intelligent and astute? No. Intelligence and wisdom aren’t the same. Godly wisdom often goes against what someone would consider “smart.” Often, when the Lord asks us to do something, it will go against the grain of what the “intelligent” might think or say. Wisdom. Do you have it? How do you get it? How do we live in it? Join us for the first part of this life-altering study of “Wisdom.”
The last prayer Jesus prayed that’s recorded in Scripture was His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. What was His focus? “Make the one.” He wanted His followers to be unified. During this time of social distancing, this isn’t easy; yet, we know that the Lord has a plan in all things and we’ll see Sunday how we can stay together and be unified. Jesus loves us and wants us to live in unity with one another, which is the greatest testimony to a lost world that love wins as it dominates us through Jesus! Join us as we talk about: “Staying Together.”
As we look at Calvary and a bloody cross, it would be easy to think: this was the end…it’s over between us and God. At last, we had gone too far…we had tortured and killed the son of God. But Sunday came! Easter. And He came back. Back to the very ones who didn’t deserve Him, the very ones who had betrayed Him and walked away from Him. Yet, He came back to us! No…we didn’t go to Him…we couldn’t go to Him…and that’s why He came back…because of us! That’s Easter! He Came Back…to Us!
Now more than ever, we need “grace” in our lives. It’s been said the best definition of grace is: “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Jesus came offered grace to all who would receive Him by confessing their sins and calling on His name for salvation. And once we come to know Jesus, we can continue to receive His grace and offer His grace, as we seek to live “The Life Worth Living.”
Join us as Matthew shares how to experience the best of what God for you and your life. Thanks for joining us!
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Discipline. Seeing that word will bring to mind various things. The word almost has a negative connotation in our culture. Yet, followers of Christ are called: Disciples. That's the same root word! As Christians Jesus said, "Come, follow me." That requires a disciplined life and that's not easy.
Overwhelmed? Paralyzed by your circumstances? Jesus knows who we feel. He's been there!
Victories in life seem few and far between. But, is that true? Can we have victory in the Christian life even when times are difficult?