Wayside Bible Chapel: Recent Episodes
Paul Wallace
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
The heavenly perspective of greatness is humble dependence on God and loving service towards our fellow believers. That was followed by the lesson that the one who is not against us is for us, and the encouraging promise of reward for blessing our fellow believers.
The sermon covers two topics: The Jewish Messianic thought as related to Christian theology and the reason for the disciples inability to cast out the demon from the boy whose father cried out for more faith.
Transfigured is a translation of the Greek word metamorphos from which we get metamorphosis. The Son of God burst through His chrysalis of human flesh and spread His wings of light, pure, glorious light. The darkness fled. The two prophets of old in glory were illuminated even more by Jesus' glory and spoke of His departure.
Jesus rebuked Peter for minding the things of men more than the things of God. Then He went on to explain how we need to lose our life to find it, meaning giving up our natural desires and cravings to have the life of God in us. This passage challenges us to live in Christ and have our minds transformed that we might truly have life.
This is probably the most important sermon you could read. Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say I am?" He asks each person who ever lived something similar. The sermon explores what people thought then and now and challenges us to answer and then live accordingly.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel's Live Stream. Please join us virtually or in person in our sanctuary on Sundays at 10:30 am! Watch on our streaming service:https://Waysidechapel.sermon.net/21474586
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel's Live Stream. Please join us virtually or in person in our sanctuary on Sundays at 10:30 am! Watch on our streaming service:https://Waysidechapel.sermon.net/21474586
Faith is more important than health. In our passage todayJesus encourages a man little by little to have the faith to receivephysical healing. The miracle pictures our gradual growth in faith andtrust in our Savior.
Sometimes we can be so clueless as to what the Lord istrying to speak to us. This passage seems to show Jesus was disappointedwith the disciples' response to his warning. The warning is something weneed to heed, and Jesus' questions to the disciples should also warn usnot to be block heads.
In this sermon we explore where the feeding of the 4000 took place andhow it shows that Jesus is Jehovah Jireh. It challenges us to trustJesus for all our needs but especially our spiritual hunger and thirst.
In this episode Jesus brings out of a Gentile woman a powerful expression of humble faith. He heals a man who is deaf and amazingly gives him the instant ability to speak clearly. That would require a whole rewiring of portions of the brain!
Traditions of men had taken precedence over God's Word. Jesus reinterpreted the meaning of kosher and cleanliness while calling out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day.
Life in this fallen world is full of storms. This episode tells us how those storms are meant for our good and how we can go through them with peace and joy in our hearts. Where we fix our heart and mind determines how we experience life's storms.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel's Live Stream. Please join us virtually or in person in our sanctuary on Sundays at 10:30 am! Watch on our streaming service:https://Waysidechapel.sermon.net/21474586
Jesus directed the disciples to sail away from the crowds and be with Him. But when they landed, a crowd was already waiting for them. The disciples wanted to learn from Him, and they did, but not in the way they expected.
John the Baptist and Herod Antipas could not have been any different. The way they responded to their circumstances is a great illustration of the two paths that lie before us all.
Jesus sends His disciples out two by two for a reason. They are training to carry on when He is not present. They have been given authority to case out demons and heal. These are not always signs of belonging to Christ, but in this even were signs the Kingdom was breaking in.
Jesus revisits his hometown only to find them nearly as hardened as his last visit. We explore why and how it may apply to our expectations. We also find the fascinating prediction hidden within the meaning of his trade as a "carpenter".
Each time Moses confronts Pharoah, he promises a plague from God almighty against the false gods of Egypt. Each time Pharoah resists and hardens his heart. In this message, we examine plague #5 (Death of the livestock), plague #6 (Skin boils), plague #7 (Firey Hail), plague #8 (Locusts) and plague #9 (Darkness). Finally, we set the stage for the last and final plague, the Death of the Firstborn.
The disciples of Jesus went from complete dejection to unspeakable joy. The message takes that journey with them trying visualize and understand their experience. It also challenges us with the call that Jesus gave to them and to us.
The ruler of the synagogue humbly and urgently pleaded with Jesus to heal his daughter. Jesus went with him in the midst of a throng. A woman with a bleeding problem sneaked through the crowd to touch the tassel of his garment. She, like many, believed the tassel of the Messiah's tunic had the power to heal. She was healed and Jesus relieved her fear by calling her "daughter". The synagogue ruler's daughter died, but Jesus told him to not be afraid, only believe. He raised her to life. The parallels and contrasts of these two incidences are instructive and insightful.
Jesus and the disciples were met on the shores of Gadera by two men who look like zombies who came out of tombs and ran straight up to Jesus. The account seems to point to the demons stopping Jesus from reaching out to the Gentiles. But that is not the end of the story. The Lamb always wins!
After an exhausting day, Jesus set sail for the Greek side of the lake. He was so tired that He was sleeping through a storm that was swamping the boat. The disciples woke Him and He rebuked the wind and commanded the waves to be still. Jesus asked the disciples what we need to hear facing our storms, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"
While Jews around the world were reading of God's deliverance from their annihilation when God used Esther to expose the evil plot, Israel and USA began eliminating the Iranian regime which has vowed the destruction of Israel and America. The sermon illuminates the underlying theology and physical circumstances behind the attack. God's repetition of historical events on the same day on the Jewish calendar shows us that God is sovereign over history.
Jesus gave three short parables after the one on different types of soil. The first was about putting a lamp where it can be seen. The second was on the way the kingdom grows without our being aware of it. And the third was on the tiny beginnings of the kingdom of God and the promise of great growth. The more we shine and cast the seed of the Word, the greater is the growth of God's kingdom.
The parable of the sower is key to understanding parables. In it, we see the four kinds of soil that represent the condition of our hearts. We need to tend our heart's soil to see that we readily receive the Word when it is proclaimed and that we allow our roots of faith to grow deep into the living water if we are to bear fruit.
In this passage we learn about Jesus' family and the conflict with the scribes from Jerusalem. The sermon also covers the unforgivable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Mark's repeated mention of the pressing crowds lend validity to the account of Jesus' divine powers. After a night of prayer Jesus calls His disciples up a mountainside and selects the twelve who will officially represent Him in the kingdom He is ushering into the hearts of mankind.
When Jesus found himself in a trap set by the Pharisees to see if his compassion would cause him to break their oral laws, Jesus did not hesitate to show the heart of the Father. He asked them if it the Sabbath was to save or to kill. They would not answer. He healed a man with a crippled arm and their response was to plot his assassination. Apparently, their answer was to kill.
The Pharisees were trying to find fault with Jesus. They saw His disciples pulling grain from the edge of a field and eating it on the Sabbath. They accused Jesus of letting them break oral tradition. But Jesus reminded them of David sharing the shewbread with his men which were only to be eaten by the priests. The analogy was rich with comparisons including one that predicted the end of the Pharisees.
People asked Jesus why He and his disciples did not fast like Pharisees and John's disciples. Jesus answered that wedding guests do not fast during a wedding feast. Rabbi even said that joy was more important than religious rules. Inferring that He is the bridegroom means He is the Messiah. He predicted His departure saying they would fast when He is forcibly taken away. This is about the Kingdom of God breaking into the world and an invitation to joyfully be the bride of Christ.
Jesus called a greedy tax collector to be His disciple. That is because Jesus could see what others could not. He saw in Levi a future scribe and conveyor of the gospel, a gift of God to the world. That is why He renamed him Matthew, meaning a gift of God. Jesus sees in all of us the potential to restore the image of God that we might become who God created us to be.
When Jesus was trying to preach in Capernaum, the crowd was so thick that so men got their paralyzed friend in front of Jesus by breaking through the roof. Jesus first forgave the man of his sins. That caused the Scribes to think Jesus was declaring He was God. He was! Then He proved it by telling the man to rise, pick up his bed and walk. The greater miracle was the forgiveness of sins. Have you experience it?
Leprosy was considered to be a disease that only God can cure. To touch a leper was to defile oneself. But Jesus compassion went out to a leper, and His touch made him whole. The man had trusted that Jesus was equal with God. He not only found healing in Jesus, but acceptance as well. Sin like leprosy eats away our soul. Come to Jesus and let Him heal your sin sick soul.
Jesus began His healing with one extremely busy day. He preached, cast out a demon, healed Simon's mother-in-law, and that evening all the sick and cast demons out of all in Capernaum who came to his door. The next morning He was up before dawn to pray, and then on to other towns to preach on the coming kingdom.
Faced with a demon possessed person, Jesus first silenced the demon and then set the man free. The sermon elaborates on the possibilities of why the demon would publicly declare Jesus is the Son of God, the fact that we who are in Christ do not need to fear demons, and the authority we have in Christ.
Our national holiday of Thanksgiving is a time to ponder how good God has been to us, the many blessings He has showered us by His grace. Psalm 136 was a Hebrew writers effort to thank God for the many wonders he had seen and heard about. Each one is followed by the reason for that blessing. His steadfast love endures forever! While our blessings are somewhat different, they are also similar in many ways and we receive them for the same reason.
Once John was imprisoned, Jesus began His ministry in Galilee. After preaching on the shore of Galilee, He asked Peter to go out into deep water and let down his net. Peter was reluctant, but went ahead and obeyed. Seeing the miraculous catch, Peter realized Andrew was right in saying Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus knew how doubtful Peter had been, and how unqualified he was and yet Jesus saw something in Peter and called him to be a disciple. The pastor tells of his own experiences at that location on Galilee.
As soon as Jesus was baptized the Spirit that came upon Him led him into the wilderness where He faced temptations during His 40 day fast. Each temptation was answered by the Word from Scripture that countered the temptation. Jesus was showing us how to fight spiritual battles.
Mark begins his Gospel with John's declaration that the Lord is about to show up and come to His temple. He goes on to warn us that like cities preparing for an arriving dignitary by repairing and cleaning up the road he will arrive on, we must clear off the road to our hearts. Repentance is seeing the sin in the desert of our heart's highway, clearing it off, and welcoming the King to come and reign in us.
This sermon is a brief review of the main themes of the letters to the Thessalonians, and admonition to not grow weary in well doing, and a pray that the Lord of peace personally give us peace in al times and in every way. We explore how to not grow weary and the way God gives us perfect peace.
Paul gives his final address to the Thessalonians in chapter 3. He asks for prayers for him and his team that the Word my spread quickly as it did with them. He reminds them that God is faithful. He asks that their hearts be directed toward the love of God. He gives one final instruction to stay away from those who pretended to be Christians but refused to work.
The Thessalonians had been through a lot, so Paul encouraged them that they were not only okay, but that God saved them so that they could obtain the glory of Christ! That is an amazing declaration. He also emphasized the eternal comfort and good hope that comes from God.
When the Antichrist sits in the temple of God declaring he is god, the world will have to choose between worshiping him or worshiping God. Those who reject the love of Jesus who is truth embodied will follow the Antichrist in making war on the saints. The love of Jesus is offered to all, but many reject it because they choose to go their own way.
This passage gives us two clear signs with descriptions of what will happen before Jesus comes to take us home in the rapture. These second sign includes details as to how to recognize it is happening. The rapture will not take place before they come to pass.
When we get to heaven we are not only be in awe of the glory of God, but also at that of our brothers and sisters. The grace that would take us from rebels to saints is amazing. Paul prays that God will resolve our every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power.
We begin 2 Thessalonians with Paul's praise for their growing faith and love for one another. He goes on to tell us that their perseverance is sign that God was right in calling them. It is also a warning to those who were persecuting them that they would face the wrath of God.
Last week we had the to do behaviors, and today we have the do not section and Paul's beautiful, rich, benediction that concludes in a blessing of assurance.
This weeks message is referred to as three diamond drops as each of the three verses give us instruction as believers in living the Spirit filled life.
This passage tells us how we should honor our elders for their hard work and sacrifice, but the pastor shares how that has to be kept in balance by biblical eldership. The passage goes on to tell us how we should serve one another in love with encouragement and help. But there to a balance must be struck so that we do not enable those who are lazy.
Paul was telling the Thessalonian church that we need to be spiritually awake, for we are children of the day. We are not of the darkness or night. We are clothed with the breastplate of faith and love and our helmet is the hope of salvation. While we face the trials of life, we know that they are temporary, and our eternal reward is much greater than we can fathom. We are to encourage one another with the hope that is before us and STAY AWAKE!
The Thessalonians were worried about some of their brothers who had died. Would they miss the gathering unto Jesus at His return? Paul clarifies when this will happen and assures them that God will bring the souls of the dead in Christ with Him at his return and they will be the first to receive their immortal bodies.
This sermon explores the deep and unwavering joy found in the book of Philippians—a joy not based on circumstances but rooted in Christ. Despite being written from prison, Paul's letter radiates gratitude, encouragement, and contentment. It reminds us that true joy flows from knowing Jesus, serving others, and pressing on toward the hope of eternal life.
The church is the family of God. As a family we are to love one another. In the passage we are covering, Paul asks us to do so more and more. We can and should increase in love for one another because our brothers and sisters in the Lord are the body of Christ. If we cannot love them, John said we do love God. 1 John 4:20
Apostle Paul is relieved to have heard from Timothy that the church in Thessalonica was standing firm in the faith. He encourages them to continue on the road to living in holiness. In the passage today he urges them to live in a way that pleases God, to avoid sexual immorality, and to control our bodily desires, especially in relation to our brothers and sisters in Christ. The passage ends with a warning that those who disregard the warning will face the avenger.
In text this week we are not only are challenged by Paul's love for those he has led to Christ, but are also encouraged to have abounding love for others. It is a challenge to put God's desires above our own.
This weeks passage in 1 Thessalonians tells of Paul's pastoral heart for the congregation in Thessalonika. He knew they were facing persecution and feared it would cause them to backslide. He was so concerned that he sent Timothy, his right hand man, to check on them. He assured them that affliction was a normal part of the Christian life and that God used it for our good and His glory.
Suffering is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for mankind. As we explore Psalm 119:65-72 we see how God can use it for all believers, both now and in eternity.
When people live a godly life out of love for God, those who do not know God are often angered by their joy and peace. The unbeliever cannot comprehend why we do what we do, so they ascribe ulterior motives to our actions. That often becomes their basis for persecution. Some people just do not like Christians because they feel conviction around them. They think we are trying to change them and they do not want to change. When people persecute us, it helps to refines us and at the same time stores up wrath for their day of judgment.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
What does it mean to be chosen by God? Are you sure of your salvation? Is there evidence of it in your life? The sermon on 1 Thessalonians 1:4-9 will address these important topics.
The Apostle begins his letter to the Thessalonians by telling them they in God and the Lord Jesus. That is profound and agrees with Jesus' prayer in John 17. He goes on to tell them how he thanks God for their work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. The sermon expounds on what that should look like in our churches.
This sermon summarizes the Song of Songs up to this final message on the importance of a full surrender to Jesus' love. Only then will we truly know peace and feel the security and love our hearts long for. Our desire will be for His soon return.
A few verses in the last chapter of the Song of Songs are the climax of the whole book. Our identity becomes lost in our Savior as our hearts become secure in His love. His love never ends and cannot be quenched nor purchased. It is priceless, and it is ours in Jesus.
Exodus 8 describes three plagues—frogs, gnats, and flies—that God sends upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. Despite temporary moments of repentance, Pharaoh repeatedly hardens his heart, refusing to free the people
Exodus 7 begins with God's dramatic confrontation with Pharaoh, showcasing His power and sovereignty. In this chapter, God empowers Moses and Aaron to serve as His representatives, performing signs and wonders to demand the release of the Israelites. Despite witnessing miracles—such as Aaron's staff turning into a serpent and the waters of the Nile turning to blood—Pharaoh's heart remains hardened.
Jesus' resurrection is a historical fact. It changes everything! Not only does it verify that His sacrifice was accepted and that He has victory over death, but it also means that we can be sure of our future resurrection. That power that raised Jesus is at work in and through every believer if we allow it to.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel's Live Stream. Please join us virtually or in person in our sanctuary on Sundays at 10:30 am! Watch on our streaming service:https://Waysidechapel.sermon.net/21474586
While the woman in the song had to pursue her husband later in the marriage and invite him to a romantic setting, we know Jesus is constantly pursuing us. There is no need to entice Him. But when we seek Him, we can know He is pleased, and we will find Him. He desires us more than we desire Him!
There is a progression of love that equates to spiritual maturity. We grow from loving God for our sake to loving God for His sake. His desires become our own. The more we realize how great His love is for us the greater our love is for Him.
Can we tell of our love for Jesus as passionately as the woman in the song? Is it possible for us to comprehend the greatness of the love Jesus has for us? The sermon challenges us to be the beautiful bride Jesus is forming us to become.
The woman passionately describes her beloved, concluding with the phrase, "He is altogether desirable." We should be as fervent and illustrative when asked to describe our Lord's beauty. Does our life prompt them to ask what we see in Him?
Sometimes, couples who are truly in love can misunderstand one another or have unrealistic expectations. This can cause doubts and hard feelings that prevent us from sharing our hearts. The same can happen in our relationship with God. The sermon includes the basic needs of husbands and wives.
In this passage, the groom praises the bride's beauty in similar words she uses to describe him. The invitation to the bride is the same as the invitation to us. "Come away with me!" It is Jesus' invitation to take time to be alone with Him. One day, it will be His call to our heavenly home. We again visit the wedding night, symbolically picturing the wedding feast of the Lamb.
What a comfort it is to know that when God looks on us, He declares us as altogether beautiful and without a flaw. That is because He sees the righteousness of Christ. He knows we are a work in progress, but He also knows what Jesus did for us and credits us with His righteousness even now.
Solomon sends his limo with an armed security detail to pick up his bride. His ride is full of symbolism for us today. His request to behold her man invites us to behold the glory and majesty of our Savior.
The bride wakes up to find her husband missing. She is so eager to have him back with her that she goes out into the night seeking him. When she finds him, she won't let him go until they are back to the honeymoon. The sermon addresses the dark night of the soul and the passion we should have for communion with Christ.
Solomon lets the woman know how special she is to him, that none can compare. They express their desire for one another, but Solomon warns against the little foxes. Those are attitudes and stances that keep their love from staying passionate and strong. There are lessons for the church, couples, and singles.
Can we fathom how loved we are by God? Not possible! Can we love God too much? Not possible! Abide in His love is the crux of this message.
Does Jesus consider us beautiful? Could He possibly want us fallen people to become His bride? I believe the Song of Solomon shows us that it is His great desire to do so. If He condescended to take on a human body and live a perfect life to lay it down to make us His bride, we must consider He sees what He is making of us even now. Embrace that love, and it will cause you to love Him more.
This passage tells us how Christ sees His bride. Knowing how He sees us can help increase our desire to meet with Him in prayer. This beautiful passage shows the wooing of the Spirit.
Jesus wants a relationship with us that is much deeper than most of us are willing to go. The sermon addresses what stops us from that deeper intimacy. How do we get to that place? Where do we begin? The core of the message is a prayer the Prince of Preachers encourages us to pray.
The Song of Songs has been interpreted in many different ways. I believe it is clearly about Solomon and his bride, but I also believe that the Bible clearly teaches that marriage is a mystery concerning Christ and the church. So what are His kisses? And why are they better than wine? The applications point to a rich, deep love relationship between us and our Savior.
The book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus. John is sharing the Word and testimony of Jesus, so we should expect that the book is full of descriptions of Jesus. The sermon covers the descriptions of Jesus in nearly every chapter, giving us a greater understanding of who Jesus is and of His nature.
"Light came into the world," John the Beloved wrote of Jesus being born. He claims the whole world lies in darkness, but when the Light was born in Bethlehem, everything began to change and would never be the same again. A war between Light and darkness began, the church versus Babylon; but it is no contest. Darkness will never overcome the Light. It was plan within the Holy Trinity which began before there was space or time.
The Bible closes with a promise of blessing to those who keep the words of Revelation. The final stark contrast is between the evil people and the righteous. The theme of the whole book is coming out of the world of evil (Babylon) and entering the glorious kingdom of God with its future glory. That is why John's final cry is, "Come Lord Jesus!"
The first verses in the last chapter of the Bible pull together many of the Bible themes and bring them together in one glorious conclusion. The vision John saw of what we will be and what we will experience is too wonderful to fully grasp. It gives us hope to endure and promises us complete fulfillment.
The second half of Revelation 21 tells us more about the bride of Christ. The bride is the city. The description of the city tells us the glorious clarity of the saints in the heavenly city allows the God's glory to shine through all who are there. We will be worshiping in the very presence of Jesus. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all His holy mountain which is the heavenly kingdom. Everything there is described as being golden which represents the complete holiness of God.
Prayer throughout Scripture is mostly about giving thanks to God. When we realize that every good thing we have has come from God, it should result in us regularly thanking and praising God for all His goodness. Psalm 118 commands us to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and His love endures forever!
New Jerusalem comes down from heaven, the bride of Christ, adorned in robes of righteousness, as God presents the finished bride to His Son. The new heaven and new earth will never know sin. The atmosphere will be joy and peace forever, with no tears, pain, or sorrow. But the highlight of New Jerusalem is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, our groom.
Revelation 20 includes the binding of Satan in the abyss, the 1000 year reign of Christ with his followers as judges and priests in the world. Man will find what it is like to live in a world where their only temptation comes from within.
At the end of the age of man ruling over nations, after the great tribulation and the vials of wrath, the armies of the world will gather together to fight against Jesus and His followers. There is no contest. One word from Jesus and the battle is over. The Word of God incarnate is King of kings. Every knee will bow! We choose today what side we will be on.
The message celebrates Reformation Day (October 31) by presenting highlights from two earth-changing decades (1505-1524) in the life of Martin Luther (1483-1546) wherein he challenged the Roman church in a successful quest to find the solution to his sin problem. In so doing, God protected, inspired and prompted him to continue to share these reforms widely.
Sanctification and obedience go hand in hand as God guides us by His Spirit to His heavenly land. Walking in the fear of the Lord, we make a godly stand.
The great confrontation begins! Moses confronts Pharaoh and says, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Let my people go!’” What happens when life doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would?
While the world mourns and wails at the fall of Babylon, the bride rejoices. Justice will be served. The saints will be vindicated. And then the wedding feast of the Lamb takes place. We are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. It is the most beautiful wedding dress ever worn. It was provided at great cost by our groom!
The third chapter on crushing the grapes of wrath warns us to come out of Babylon so that we will not partake of her sins or suffer in her judgment. The judgment is so complete that it affects every class of society and ends the world's systems as we know them.
Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and built a city. Cities have become focal points for anti-Christian movements. Babylon represents all of them, as it was the nation that destroyed the temple and took the Jews out of their land. In Revelation, Jesus depicts this spirit as a great prostitute offering satisfaction in the things of the world. She is Satan's counterpart to New Jerusalem. We all choose which city we will be citizens of, determining our future.
After the seals, trumpets, and warnings from angels, the saints are gathered to the Lord before the throne. The seven angels chosen for the task are given seven bowls of wrath and sent to pour them upon the earth. This is the wine press of God's wrath. The souls of the dwellers on the earth are so hardened that nothing will turn them. Their response to the judgments is to curse God. Revelation tells us of the insanity of living for the things of the world and rejecting the grace of God.
This chapter is the introduction to the next three chapters. It begins with the beautiful song of Moses, which will sing before the throne of God as God sends the seven angels to pour out His just wrath to cleanse the earth.
Revelation 14:14-20 presents two harvests. The Antichrist has been revealed and made war on the saints. The trumpets have plagued a third of the earth. Three angels have given final warnings. The harvest of the righteous by Jesus coming in the clouds takes place, followed by the harvest of the wicked, who are compared to grapes thrown into the wine press to be trampled in God's wrath. The latter is the subject of the next four chapters.
Before God sends out the seven angels with the seven bowls of wrath that will affect the whole world, He sends three angels with an invitation and warnings. The first makes certain all have heard the gospel. The second announces the fall of Babylon, and the third warns of eternal punishment for those who take the mark of the beast.
For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How, then, was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
The sermon addresses who the 144,000 are on Mount Zion, where Mount Zion is, and the prophecies concerning Zion, plus why the descriptions of virgins and firstborn apply to the faithful.
The second beast arises with two horns like a lamb. Here is another Jesus counterfeit. He is a false prophet who makes the world worship the first beast. Read this sermon to find out how he accomplishes this. Also included are thoughts on the number 666.
In Revelation, we are introduced to the first beast, one that is drawn from Daniel 7. Satan gives him his power and authority so that he causes all who are not in the Lamb's book of life to worship him. The sermon brings out various interpretations of the time period and the of the deadly wound.
The dragon has only a short time, so he pursues the people of God with false teachings and persecution. But we have the Word and the Spirit to crush him under our feet. In the end, the Lamb wins! We just need to rely on the everlasting arms of our mighty Savior and get our directions from His Word.
Satan has served as an adversary to God, even arguing against God's merciful nature. But now that Jesus' blood has paid our sin debt, he has no basis for his accusations. He is now trying to keep people from service to God with temptations, false doctrine, and persecution. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
False teachers have been prevalent throughout Christianity. In today's message, we will address some of the NAR's false teachings and their ties to the New Age. God's word guards us against false teachers because of its sufficiency, inerrancy, clarity, and necessity.
There is a war taking place between the forces of good and evil. The beginning of Revelation 12 describes this ongoing battle between good and evil. The only way for the darkness to fight the light is to keep people from it and try to draw those in light back into darkness. It has been a repeated effort to keep the Messiah from being born, but now that the effort failed, the attack is focused on those who follow the Messiah.
Right in the middle of the book of Revelation, the author writes that it is over. God wins, and Satan loses, and the wicked are judged. How does this come about? Why does this fall in the middle of the book? I offer some interpretive thoughts.
The two witnesses, whether they are Moses and Elijah, or represent the church, are not conquered until they have finished their testimony. We are protected until we have done what God has called us to do. The sermon discusses the different interpretations of the 42 month testimony and the Antichrist reign of the same length.
Chapter eleven of Revelation begins by describing the two witnesses whose ministry is to last 42 months. The sermon covers who these witnesses are, what they may represent, and other references to 42 months and how they may apply in this chapter. It concludes with an application for our lives.
An angel who sounds a lot like Jesus gives John a little scroll. In this sermon, we will see the parallel to Ezekiel and Exodus events. I tell us the importance of taking in God's Word and sharing it with others.
The monsters of Revelation 9 have a number of interpretations. Might they be fulfilled in multiple ways? Are those powers already at work? Most importantly, what are we to do about it today?
When the final seal is opened there is a pause before the tribulation trumpets begin. God's judgments are similar to the plagues on Egypt, turning the hearts of mankind away from the temporal and to the eternal.
Affliction is something that every human being experiences in this life. What distinguishes Christianity from humanity is that the Church is guaranteed hope and comfort in affliction. This hope is not based on something passing in the temporal, but the incorruptible in the eternal. Earth is not the believers permanent residence and a greater inheritance awaits us on God's eternal shores.
This passage in Revelation describes the wonderful conclusion of God's work in us. He is able to make us stand, to endure to the end, and to see us safely to our promised land where we will worship and serve in His glorious presence.
The sixth seal is opened and forecasts utter devastation. Chapter six ends with the question, "Who can stand?" Chapter seven answers the question with the 144,000. But who are they? Jews? All believers? Various interpretations are addressed.
The mercy of God understands our weakness, and meets us in our frailties; The sovereign magnificence of God fulfils his own purposes without adjustment or alternation – from beginning to end. In spite of all his excuses, Moses obeyed. God used him because he obeyed. Because the Lord is truly sovereign over all things, then the only reasonable response to his call on our lives is to trust him. It is his omnipotence that matters, not our incompetence.
Seal five on the scroll is opened by the Lamb and we see the souls under the altar asking, how long before they are avenged and justice is executed? This is followed by a seal six that previews the final judgment that will come after the last soul comes into the kingdom of God.
As Jesus opens the seals horsemen are released causing war, famine, and death. There are various interpretations, some of which are covered in the message. But we know the theme is that God oversees it all to judge the wicked and purify the believers lives. What we see as disaster is often God bringing His people home while judging the wicked. We are in a spiritual war!
The resurrection revealed a mystery that was hidden in God. God's plan was always to redeem the lost, but until the disciples saw the risen Lord, the plan was not fully understood. Many Jews even thought there was no afterlife. Jesus' resurrection not only proved that there was, but that faith in His death on our behalf was the way to eternal life.
The death and burial of Jesus are central events in Christian theology. Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. This act of burial was done in haste due to the approaching Sabbath, during which no work could be done. The accounts of Jesus's death and burial are found in all four canonical gospels, with each providing unique details to the narrative. These events set the stage for what is considered the cornerstone of Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus.
Will there ever be justice in the earth? Will pain and suffering and heartache go on forever? Will the kingdom of God ever be established as an experiential reality on the earth? Revelation 4 introduced us to the throne room of God. Revelation 5 reveals the Victor who bring all these things to pass. All of creation comes together to praise the Lamb of God for the victory He is ushering in.
After the letters Jesus had John transcribe for the churches, John was caught up into the heavenly realm. There he saw what others in the Old Testament saw, the throne room of God. The descriptions are awe inspiring. The intent is to help us see that there is so much more than what we see on this earthly plane. From that realm God reigns supreme over the affairs of man. It is meant to have us lift our eyes from our earthly troubles and realize that the God who loves us is the focus of heaven and should be our focus as well.
Confession and repentance are two essential aspects of the Christian life. Confession means admitting our sins to God and asking for His forgiveness. Repentance means turning away from our sins and changing our behavior to align with God's will. When we confess and repent, we receive God's grace and mercy, and we restore our relationship with Him. Confession and repentance also help us grow in holiness and maturity as followers of Christ.
The church of Laodicea was a very affluent city. The church enjoyed their physical prosperity to the extent that they had impoverished themselves spiritually. Wealth and comfort can be a hindrance to our spiritual life in Christ. We can rely on wealth instead of relying on God. We can become so focused on comfort that we avoid doing what we know the Spirit of God is directing us to do.
The church of Philadelphia was one of only two churches that did not receive a rebuke. They had a little power, and they kept the Lord's word and had not denied His name. They stood firm, refusing to compromise with the world. The Lord Jesus was setting before them an open door. To those who kept the word of patient endurance, Jesus' promised to keep them from the hour of trial. And to the conquerors, He gave the promise of making them pillar in the temple and to put His name on their foreheads.
The city where gold was once in abundance, home of Croesus and Aesop, had a church that had a reputation for being alive, but it was dead. God sees the heart. We can be mister perfect Christian on the outside but be an impatient, selfish brat at home when no one sees. That means all the praise of man for our good works is misplaced. But God is not fooled. Time to wake up!
Jesus' letter to the church of Thyatira starts off with a recognition of their love, faith, service, patient endurance, and how their good works are more than before, but from there it is all downhill. The fact that they tolerated a faction in the church approved of eating food offered to idols and fornication and even taught the deep things of Satan meant the elders were not guarding the flock. The Lord promised to deal with each according to their works. Our works come from our heart. It is a promise and a warning.
The church in Pergamum had seen one of their brothers martyred. They stood their ground and held firm to the name of Jesus. But they had among them a faction that compromised with the Roman culture in a way that was ruining the testimony of the church. Find out how it applies to us today.
Smyrna was a beautiful city that was very much into emperor worship. It had a street called Golden with a temple to Zeus on one end and Cybele on the other. Christians were excluded from guilds because of their refusal to worship the gods. That meant they were in poverty but Jesus said they were rich. One of them, Antipas, was martyred for his faithful witness. What we see as wealth is shaped by our worldview. There was no reprimand, only a warning of more persecution to come and an encouragement to stay faithful.
The first letter from Jesus to the churches in Asia Minor went to Ephesus. It was a large city of decadence because of the temple to Diana. The church had superstars of the faith that established it, and forty years later they were still doing lots of good works and careful to kick out false teachers. But they had lost their first love. It is a warning to all Christians who are faithful to walk the walk but who have forgotten the passion they once had for Jesus.
Our passage today includes John's description of the glorified Christ, and Jesus' own self-description. What an introduction to the seriousness of the letters and the prophecies that follow!
Revelation opens with a declaration that the Trinity is giving John a letter for the churches that were in Asia, which is now Turkey. Then God tells us He is the Alpha and Omega who was and is and is to come. He is declaring the letter is from Him, the timeless One. That means it is for the church of every age, preparing us to face the persecution that is inevitable, and to show us the grand conclusion is worth suffering with Christ.
James gives us step by step instructions on how to make agreements, what to do when we are sick, when we are happy, and when someone strays away from fellowship. The last is instruction is the very purpose of his letter.
Almost 300 years ago, Charles Wesley wrote the hymn, Hark, The Herold Angels Sing. The message and the poetry were thoroughly Biblical. This year's Christmas message is an explanation of what he penned so long ago.
When faced with those in the church who are not acting as they should, what are we to do? Life is often difficult and we expect the church to be a refuge. So how should we respond to ungodly behavior toward us? Those James was writing to were being abused by the wealthy, even to the point of fraud and what James calls murder. Hear his inspired instruction.
This sermon's passage is the harshest warning against the misuse of wealth in all of Scripture. Money is one of the chief, if not the chief, competitor for our affections. It promises security, comfort, enjoyment. So what is the balance of using it while keeping Jesus as our priority and source of satisfaction? Listen and take the challenge.
In this sermon, James is telling us of our tendency to do our own thing without considering God's will. We make plans and even arrogantly boast about them, when God had something much better for us to do. We act as if we control our lives when God has already planned every day before we were born. He has a better plan for our short lives than what we would naturally desire. But we must seek Him and acknowledge Him.
Submission and humility are not terms that our culture values, but the Bible tells us that they are essential to blessing and exaltation. In this brief but memorable passage, James confronts our insincerity and challenges us to be the people God can bless and exalt.
In a culture dominated by worldly pursuits, it is important that followers of Christ take time to consider the wonder of the eternal unseen blessings that are ours in Christ. In the message Counting My Blessings, Pastor Paul tells of the top ten things he is grateful for, all of which have an eternal value. The message challenges us to do this regularly.
There is a war going on within every follower of Jesus. Our old nature wants to find pleasure in this world. Our new nature in Christ wants to seek those things that are from above. The danger of letting the old win out is that in the process we make ourselves enemies of God. Thankfully, God gives us grace and His promises assure us that He will help us. He is jealous for us and longs for our hearts to be fixed on Him.
James tells us there are two kinds of wisdom. The fruit of the wisdom from below is demonic, selfish, and divisive. The wisdom from above is gentle, meek, and peaceable. One is an expression of our old nature and the other of our new nature in Christ. Every moment we choose between the two.
The Bible places a major emphasis on the power of words both to help and to destroy. James tells us our words should be holy, but he also tells us no man can tame the tongue. We will be judged by every word we have spoken. That is the dilemma. What are we to do about it?
John is caught up into the throne room of heaven. What he saw there was the culmination of the history of mankind. What is life all about? Why is there so much suffering? Will it ever end? Will there ever be justice? It all depends on if someone is worthy to open the scroll with seven seals.
Can a person be born-again and their life not change? Is it possible to be a new creation in Christ but not have something in our lives that shows that change? And if we have not changed, are we deceiving ourselves about our faith? This passage in James addresses these questions.
King Jesus gave us a royal law, one of two that sum up all God's laws and the prophets: Love your neighbor as yourself. But what does that mean? Thankfully Jesus explained. James brought this up because it addressed the churches' tendency to favor the rich. It gets to the very heart of God.
James tells the Lord of Glory is impartial. He loves the world. He died for any person of any race, condition, status, or nationality. The Bible shows people of faith are from every walk of life. So how can we treat some individuals with preference over others? Are we sure that we have the heart of God for all people we meet?
When we say we are religious people, are we fooling ourselves? James gives us some indicators. While Home Depot says its stores help doers get things done, James says it is those who look into the perfect law of liberty and persevere who actually get eternal things done and are blessed in the process.
James tells us we must hear this. Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry! Our old nature struggles with these three issues. To master them by the aid of the Holy Spirit, we grow in the righteousness of God. The sermon helps us get the right mindset to do so.
James describes temptation like a fishing lure. It is all shiny and bright and so attractive, promising a satisfaction that will thrill us. What we cannot see are the hooks and line that will drag us to destruction. He tells us it is our desires that conceive sin and sin gives birth to death. Instead, we need to see that good and perfect gifts come from God.
God will generously give wisdom to those who ask. Wisdom is how to live rightly, which God longs for us to do. That wisdom helps us to see what is truly valuable and eternal. That means that we see the trials we face in a different light. Instead of temporary frustration and disappointment, we can see by faith what God is producing in our lives that is eternal.
James addressed a church undergoing persecution and told them to welcome trials with joy. He explains that we can be joyful in suffering because we know that God is refining our faith resulting in a steadfast spirit. The result is our perfection and lacking in nothing. It is what we long to attain. Therefore, we should have joy in the process knowing the end results.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
Jonah thought the nice shade plant that shaded him was a gift from God. The next morning a worm killed the plant and the east wind drove the heat into his bones. He asked God to die, but God had a lesson for Jonah and for us! You will also see the reason Jesus declared He is greater than Jonah.
We often get an idea of what we would like God to do. Then when He orchestrates events in a different way, we become angry with God. We do not understand why He allows certain things. Jonah was so angry that he just wanted to die. He did not see that he was about to learn some attitude altering lessons. He was right where God would have him to transform his perspectives.
The psalmist prays for God’s steadfast love and salvation, according to His promise. He trusts in God’s truth and hopes in his word, which sets him in a wide place of freedom. He asks God to not let him be put to shame but to help him delight in his commandments and love his law.
The king joined the repentance and fasting and issued an edict that everyone participate. There was genuine repentance verified by them changing their ways. It is the very thing we long to see in our own nation. Lincoln's proclamation for a day of prayer and fasting is exactly what we need in our day. If it can happen in Nineveh, it can happen here.
Jonah is given a second chance to do God's will. Traumatized by the experience in the great fish, he has not surrendered to God's will. He makes the journey of hundreds of miles not yet knowing the exact message. Finally there, he proclaims the message God gave him. "Forty days and Nineveh will be destroyed!" What would God have a prophet today declare to our nation?
This passage of Psalm 119 is filled with humble petitions of prayer, repentance, and fear rooted in the righteousness that could only be granted by God alone.
Jonah's prayer in chapter two is filled with quotations from Messianic psalms. There is even a declaration which in Hebrew reads, "Yeshua makes peace with God." That too is a quotation from the psalms. In this beautiful prayer we see Jonah's confession and declaration of faith. There are many expressions that are not understood without some knowledge of the culture and Hebrew expressions.
Jonah was willing to die so his shipmates might live. When that storm ceased after throwing Jonah into the waves, the Gentile mariners prayed to Jonah's God. They may be his first converts. Is it possible for someone to survive in a great fish for three days and nights?
The storm raged and threatened to tear the ship apart. They cast lots to see who was responsible. The lot fell on Jonah. We cannot hide from God. We cannot flee from God. His love will persistently pursue us and correct us. It may seem like a final judgment, but it is the beginning of restoration.
Jonah is a real character mentioned in 1 Kings. The circumstances surrounding his attempt to flee from God's calling have a lot to teach us about our human nature. It is full of warnings for the modern Christian. This book is full of contrasts and similarities with the life of Christ.
Paul ends his second letter to the Corinthians with a stern warning that they would not like to see God exercise discipline through him, and he would not like it either. His hope is that they be restored, all of them, even those false teachers. He ends the letter with five imperative commands and a unique benediction.
In the passage for this week we read of Paul giving a stern warning about not wanting to have to discipline the Corinthian believers. He is warning them to repent so they do not have to see the Paul as a disciplinarian and face God's judgment. Paul had exercised this authority and knew how painful it was for all involved. The passage ends with him challenging them to examine their hearts to see if they are in the faith. It is something we should do regularly.
Paul tells the Corinthians that the founding of the church included signs and wonders. We do not have a report of what those miracles consisted of. The sermon examines the reasons for signs and wonders, when they are first mentioned in Scripture, and the reason we rarely have them in western culture today.
Our passage for this week sums up Paul's message throughout the letter and redefines for us what real strength is. "When I am weak, then I am strong!" That is because God's power is made perfect in our weakness. Recognizing we are weak causes us to depend on the strength of the Almighty!
While on vacation, I had a very vivid dream. A man looked into my eyes and said in a manner that was matter of fact, "You need to be strong, courageous, and endure." This sermon is a look into Scripture to see that same message and instruction as to how that can be possible in our lives.
Paul continues his defense by sharing how much he has suffered for the cause of Christ. He lists many things he had endured including being beaten with rods, scourged five times and even stoned. Many things on his list are not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. The heart of a true pastor is to do the will of God to advance the gospel no matter the cost. May God give us that kind of heart.
Paul mocks the false teachers by calling them super-apostles. They deem themselves to be so special that they treat the Corinthian believers harshly and make demands on them. Paul contrasts his sacrificial behavior and generosity with their greed and egos. This message warns us how to spot these false-teachers in sheep's clothing and what to do about them. It also promises us we will be rewarded for what we do, and they will be paid back for their greed and deception.
The providence of God is revealed in the Book of Exodus. We serve a God who hears. We serve a God who remembers. We serve a God who sees. We serve a God who knows.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
The Apostle Paul sees a very clear picture of our spiritual journey through life and the deliverance we have in Christ in the Hebrews exodus from Egypt and journey to the promised land. The many parallels have so much to teach us. The God who planned history was revealing the pattern that unfolded in the first century to this day.
In this passage Paul tells the Corinthians he wanted to present them as a pure virgin to their husband, Christ. He was afraid that as Eve was deceived, so the Corinthians would be led astray from their pure and sincere devotion to Christ. He was concerned that they were being receptive to a different Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel. It is the same issues our culture struggles with today. Until Jesus returns there will be false teachers trying to lead us away from the biblical Jesus to faith in ourselves.
In this passage Paul confronts his detractors and those who side with them. He reminds us that if we are going to boast about anything, it should be about our Lord. Man gives out awards and praises people, but the only commendation that really counts is that which comes from God.
Paul was going to deal with the false teachers when he goes to Corinth. He gave them a warning. He does not fight like they are fighting, with slander and demeaning appearances. He fights with divine weapons that bring down strongholds and arguments against the knowledge of God. He is pleading with the meekness and gentleness of Christ, but he is coming with bold authority to take every thought captive and make them obedient to Christ.
In this passage, Paul describes the benefits of being a generous giver. It includes promises from God and the Old Testament Scripture that backs the promise!
In this weeks passage we learn about the character of several godly men and why they were chosen. It give us practical instructions as to how churches should handle finances. We can also see the importance of men working together as a team.
What does the daily supply of manna have to do with giving to meet the needs of others? Apostle Paul quotes a verse regarding manna to teach us about God's heart and how the miracle takes place today.
There are two kinds of grief. Worldly grief leads to death and godly grief to repentance and life. The passage also expresses Paul's joy in the restoration of his relationship with the Corinthian believers. Joy can be contagious.
Paul challenged the Corinthians to live holy lives because of the promises he had quoted in the previous verses. Then he told of the God who comforts the downcast and had lifted his spirit by the coming of Titus. Not only did Titus' report encourage him, but the comfort Titus had received from the Corinthians receptivity spilled over to comfort Paul too.
The Bible has an emphasis on separation. All throughout the Torah certain things were not allowed to be mixed. Apostle Paul uses a passage from Leviticus to tell us the deeper meaning behind the passage warning us not to be unequally yoked to unbelievers. It is especially applicable to those who teach a different path to God, but is also applicable to joining with anything that is worldly. Holiness is to be separated for God's purposes.
The Apostle Paul describes the heart of his team in an effort to help the Corinthians see who was telling them the truth. He was bearing his heart and asking them to open their heart to him.
In this sermon Pastor Paul describes the issues pastors deal with, what enables them to best serve their congregations, and have longevity in one location. The text deals with the difficulties that Paul and his team endured, but also gives us a perspective on the suffering that is common to all of us.
God sent Jesus into the world to heal the breach between us and God that our sin had caused. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Now He asks us to be His ambassadors to the world to invite them to be reconciled to Him. It is a high and holy privilege to work together with God!
The sermon looks at two very important verses. The first reminds believers that we should consider anyone after the flesh. In other words, we need to see others from God's perspective regardless of where they are in their journey. The next verse tells us why. We are new creations. The old may raise its ugly head from the grave, but God has begun His work of transforming all things by starting in the hearts of all who come to Him in faith.
Paul told the Corinthians that sometimes he is out of his senses, beside himself, and at other times in his right mind for their sake. What in the world does that mean? The next verse tells us that it is the love of Christ that controls/constrains him. How does his experience relate to our lives in Christ?
This year's Christmas message looks at one phrase from Gabriel's announcement to Mary: "He will be great!" What is greatness in the eyes of an archangel? Because he was a messenger of God, the expression comes from God. How great is great in the eyes of God? We will count the ways!
We have these amazing bodies to use for the glory of God, and yet they grow old and wear out. But in this passage, Paul tells us that we have a home in the heavens not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We have so much to look forward to! But we must also realize that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account with how we used these temporal dwellings.
In our passage for this sermon, Paul expresses his conviction based on a psalm that spoke to his heart and encouraged his faith. It gave him the assurance that we will all rise together to meet the Lord. Even though the outer man is wasting away, our inner man is being renewed day by day. As we age we can be continually renewed and reconstructed spiritually to be increasingly effective for God's kingdom. What we see with our eyes is passing away, but the Word of our God is forever!
Even though our soul is beset with great sorrow, we can trust God to revive us according to His faithfulness when we turn from our ways and trust in His ways as He empowers us with grace to run the race.
Paul tells us we have the treasure of the life of Christ in clay post, referring to our fragile, weak bodies. God uses us as weak as we are to show that the power comes from Him. This keeps us from pride and reveals how much we should depend on Him. If we will fully surrender, the life of Jesus will be seen in our mortal bodies.
This sermon is Paul's defense of his ministry and a challenge to pastors and all who minister in any way to be people of integrity. The final verse in this passage tells us: 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. What a great reason for us to give thanks this Thanksgiving season!
There is a veil over the eyes of mankind that can only be lifted by the Spirit of God when they turn to Christ. In our day the veil is being lifted in ways never before seen in history. I can only assume that means the times of the Gentiles are coming to an end and the return of the Lord is nearing. The passage we are looking at ends with an incredible truth. As we behold the glory of the Lord we are transformed into the same image from glory to glory. The sermon delves into the wonder of what that means.
Seeking the full counsel of God is extremely important as a Christian today to help us make informed biblical decisions in every arena of our lives. The Word is the source and a life giving spring of truth that keeps our hearts in check with God's wonderful will for our lives.
The message this week is an illustration of Jesus' radical statement, "Without me, you can do nothing." You will see examples of the inadequacies of man and the sufficiency of God. The message also touches on the supremacy of the new covenant over the old one based on good works.
The believer in Jesus who is walking in the Spirit carries what Paul called the aroma of Christ. We spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. It is a metaphor for our words and actions being Christlike, having the fruits of the Spirit as opposed to the works of the flesh. People see a difference in us. They are either drawn or repelled, as it is a fragrance of life to those who are being saved and a fragrance of death to those who are perishing.
Paul tells us in this passage that his heart is for restoration and unity, even with those who have ridiculed him. He wants to see the repentant man restored, forgiven, and loved. Otherwise, the enemy will gain a victory over him by making him feel he will never be accepted. Condemnation will destroy his ability to be fruitful for the Lord. But there is also the warning from personal experience of grace without boundaries enabling the sinner to repeat their offense and further harm the church.
In this passage, Paul was defending the reason he changed his travel plans, as his detractors claimed he vacillated and was not honest with them. Paul points to his testimony with them, the honesty and sincerity he showed in the past, and how the grace of God through him was manifest among them. He boasted in what God was doing in them and they boasted in what God was doing through him. All glory to God alone.
We all face times when we feel overwhelmed and don't know what to do. The story of the Jehoshaphat facing an army of overwhelming odds teaches us how to deal with our crises. It shows how faithful God is when we place our complete trust in Him.
What do we do when we feel we just cannot go on, when we have been pushed past our limits? The Apostle Paul knew the feeling. He said he despaired of life. Our passage today teaches us that God's intent is that good comes from our suffering so that we in turn can help others and learn to trust God to a greater extent. We turn to Jesus who is the life-giving spirit, and we find the strength to endure.
The second letter to the Corinthians has us focus on comfort and suffering. Since some in the church thought Paul's suffering disqualified him from being an apostle, Paul begins by explaining the great good that comes from suffering and the comfort that comes from God. He gives us four reasons for our suffering.
Paul's closing remarks in his first letter to the Corinthians give us five imperative commands and suggestions to keep them on track until he could visit. The commands conclude with, "Let all that you do be done in love!" That is a great daily guide to keep in mind if you want to walk in the Spirit. And his suggestion is to follow those who are real examples of serving others.
In the passage for this sermon, Paul gives instructions to the church of Corinth to take up a collection each Sunday for the church in Jerusalem. There is much to learn from his instructions, not only from the early church day of worship but how we are to be concerned for the entire body of Christ.
When the last trumpet sounds the perishable will put on the imperishable! What does that mean, when does that happen, and how is it even possible? The sermon delves into these questions and the passage concludes with what we are to do if we because these promises are certain to come to pass.
Ever wonder what your body will be like in heaven? In this passage written to the Corinthians, Paul not only encourages us to believe in something beyond our imagination but also gives us examples of it in nature to help us have faith. The Scriptures tell us our new bodies will be like Jesus resurrected body. The sermon explains what we see in Scripture of what that body could do.
In this passage in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul gives us two memorable statements that defend the fact of bodily resurrection. The first is that if there is no resurrection, Christians are to be pitied, for we invest our lives in this truth and suffer persecution and hardships to share it with others. The second is Paul's declaration that he dies daily. He put his own desires and personal safety aside to proclaim the risen Savior. His point is that he does so because he knows with certainty that Jesus gives us victory over death.
In this Bible passage, the Apostle Paul tells us of the very basis of our faith and belief that was taught to him at the very beginning of the Christian faith. It gives us reasons to have faith and should affect our outlook in everything we do.
Because the church in Corinth tended to have chaotic worship services, Paul gave outlines of how the church was to function. Many of these instructions are ignored today. The sermon also addressed gender roles in a worship service and marriage. The passage tells us the reason we need to gather.
Chapter 14 of the first letter to the Corinthians is the most detailed account that we have of a worship service in the first century. Yet, churches today ignore many of the instructions we find there. Paul gives guidelines for the use of spiritual gifts and emphasizes that all that is done must be for the building up of the body of Christ, the believers. This sermon covers the first half of the chapter.
The conclusion of 1 Corinthians 13 stresses the temporary nature of our present spiritual gifts and the eternal quality of agape love. It concludes by telling us that of the things that will remain into the coming age, love is the greatest of all.
Verses four through seven of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians gives us a definition of what agape love is by defining its actions and also by what it does not do. It is a beautiful succinct definition that all can relate to. When we read it, we are struck with the reality that God's love is so much greater than our own and with how much the world needs us to demonstrate that love.
The importance of storing up the Word of God in a biblically illiterate and increasingly post-Christian society/culture. Allowing the Word of God to be our moral compass on every issue. Never straying away from the reliability, truth, and trustworthiness that the Bible affords. Cherishing the privilege and eternal priceless value of the Word of God, laying our treasure and hope in heaven.
After describing the gifts of the Spirit, Paul tells us of the most excellent way. He begins by telling us that no matter how special you think your gift is, if it is not expressed with agape love, you are meaningless. This sermon describes agape and how we can let it flow through our lives to others.
What happens if part of your body wont work with the rest of it? We are used to every part of the body obeying our brain and working together with all the other body parts. If we see a body part is disconnected from the body, we think some horrible accident has happened. Apostle Paul tells us the same is true for the church of Jesus, His body in the world. We all need one another and need to work together in obedience to the Head, Jesus, to faithfully represent Him in the world.
There is a lot of confusion about the gifts of the Spirit. In this message, the numerous uses of the word charismata are noted showing that the word has a much broader usage than most Christians understand. While this list of gifts is the focus of some Christians, Paul's point is not about the gifts, but rather the importance of each member of the local church. Paul was addressing the need to value one another and to be of service to all.
This passage covers two topics: division within the church and the seriousness of the communion celebration. We learn that there was an ungodly class distinction in the early church that distorted the message of the gospel. It was so serious that God was afflicting those who were guilty of this sin. The sermon also addresses the way in which the celebration of the communion meal goes all the way back to the covenant God made with Abram.
1 Corinthians 11 tells us of divine order, women covering their heads when they pray or prophesy, and angels watching our worship services. In this most difficult of texts, we find a lot of different interpretations. What does it say to us today and how are we to apply the eternal truths that underlie this passage? See what you think.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul explains how to live the law of love. We must set aside our freedoms to think of how we can connect with those engage and not stumble them. The purpose is to create a hunger in them to know our Savior. If we act selfishly and offend them we may lose that opportunity. Can we do everything for the glory of God? What would that look like? How is it possible?
What does communion have to do with staying free from idolatry? This passage at first glance doesn't seem to continue with Paul's flow of thought unless we look a little deeper. Our participation in the New Covenant makes us one family that is to love the Lord our God with our whole hearts!
Listen to Jory as he talks about the riches found in the word of the Lord. He delves into psalm 119 to sincerely take apart the text by going verse by verse. Going through each verse we learn the differences in Hebrew and take words apart to reveal the vastness of the meaning behind the text. How blessed are those who walk in the ways of the Lord? Join in as he takes you through the acrostic poem that is psalm 119 letter by letter.
Join Kip as takes us through an age-old question, "Who Do You Say I Am". We all need to ask ourselves this, who is Jesus Christ? A truly great teacher with a crazy god complex, or the true Living God. Ask your friends, your relatives, and even your co-worker. Be open-minded in your listening to their responses for we will be more readily apt to respond in love if listening with openness.
The Hebrews see the natural world as pictures of divine things. In this passage Paul points out some of those pictures and I bring up some of the obvious extensions of those pictures. The Apostle is warning us to learn from the Israelite's mistakes. He tells us these accounts were recorded for our benefit, so that we might not fall into the same errors and their consequences.
Jesus said that because He lives we too will live. We live now with resurrection power, and we will live eternally in resurrected life. In this sermon, we explore some of the wonders of the resurrected life to come.
This year's Good Friday message was an overview of the war of the ages, the only war that really counts in eternity. We skim through history and see how this war culminated in the final battle that was won on the cross. The paradox was that through defeat and death, Jesus actually won the war. "It is finished!" was a victory shout.
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem was filled with intrigue. There were different powers and political views that all factored into that day. There were also numerous prophecies, some of which the crowd was singing. But Jesus knew things would not turn out as the crowd hoped. Nevertheless, he wept for them and what He could see coming. The message concludes with how this account brought two different men to salvation.
The Apostle Paul knew he was a steward of the good news to the Gentiles. Because of the abundant grace he received, he was obligated to carry out that ministry. But Paul went above and beyond by not accepting support from the church of Corinth. He fought through tiredness and pain to labor to support himself and Barnabas while teaching and preaching the rest of each day. Paul's examples challenge us to give our all to our individual callings and go above and beyond for the reward of sharing the blessings of those to whom we minister and a heavenly reward as well.
In this passage, Paul gives multiple reasons full-time ministers should be supported. Then he declares he is free to deny himself that privilege. Paul did not want anything to interfere with the message of the gospel, so he poured himself out into teaching and working for the sake of the Corinthians. His zeal challenges us to give our all and to let no personal freedom interfere with communicating the message of salvation and growing in Christ.
In this chapter, Paul instructs us that knowledge without love can be harmful to weaker believers. We need to set aside our freedoms to not offend our weaker brothers and sisters. Paul went to a great extent to not stumble those who were weak in the faith because of his concern for their eternal souls. If we stumble them because of our "knowledge" we can destroy someone for whom Jesus died!
In this passage, Paul addresses a question the church had about sexuality. Should people marry or remain single? What about a couple who is betrothed? As Paul often does, he gets down to the heart of the issue, but he also addresses the fact that the current situation is a major factor in our choices.
New believers in Corinth wanted to change their employment because of the persecution they would face, but Paul encourages them to stay and be a witness. God has sovereignly assigned us our lot in life. He has us where we are to be a witness. This sermon shows the need for Christians to be in every part of society.
In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul teaches on God's plan for sexuality in marriage. Unlike those who were teaching abstinence, Paul taught that regular sex with the bounds of married life helped both partners avoid temptation. He also teaches on being single, and under what conditions it is permissible to separate.
When the Scriptures declare those who are in Christ are free, what does that mean? The church of Corinth took it to include acting outside of the boundaries found in other passages. Paul brings it back to the fact that our bodies belong to God. He purchased us with His body and blood. Our freedom is from the enslavement of sin, to glorify God, and lead others to that same freedom.
The first half of 1 Corinthians 6 deals with the Corinthian church's bad example of taking their differences to civil court. Paul tells them the humblest person in the church could decide the issue better than the local magistrate. Anyone with the Spirit of God should be able to arbitrate more fairly than an unbeliever. It presented a poor example to the city.
The church in Corinth thought grace was a license to sin. But God did not save us so we could stay in sin, but that we might forsake sin. If we love one another, and if we realize the damage sin does in our lives, we will lovingly and gently dissuade one another from sinful behavior. Instead, we will encourage one another to pursue holiness.
Our passage for this sermon is a warning to believers to live up to what they know. Head knowledge needs to become heart and body action or it means little. Paul encouraged them to imitate his way of life. Would we ask fellow Christians the same? If not, what needs to change in our daily lives?
In the passage we cover in the sermon, Paul reminds us that we have no reason to be proud or to boast in men. Everything we have comes from God and He is the One in whom we should boast. We should never go beyond what is written in God's Word if we want to be truly blessed.
The Corinthians were divided over who was the best teacher, but in the passage today, Paul explains that all the teachers are their servants. Even more than that, all things are ours. That is because we belong to Christ, and He is God's. It is a concept that is difficult for us to believe, but if we do, it changes our whole outlook on life.
Our passage for this sermon describes those who build the temple of God made up of the living stones which are believers in Jesus. But it also warns of those who tear down the building through their false teaching and selfish agendas. We all have a part to play in building the temple of God and we must take great care in how we build. Our eternal condition is affected by it.
Are science and religion at odds? This year starts with a review of Eric Metaxas book Is Atheism Dead? In this short summary, we'll see how modern education has withheld from us the incredible odds that show life could not possibly have come about by chance. We'll see why seraphim sing that the whole earth is full of His glory. And we will wonder at the great faith of the educated atheist!
There has been a cosmic battle for the souls of men and women from the beginning of creation. Jesus' birth was the turning point in that battle. It was a kind of sneak attack that would end in the fulfillment of the promise to Eve that the battle would be won in an unusual way.
The root of the problem of factionalism in Corinth was their spiritual immaturity. The sermon explains from Scripture just how that immaturity is expressed and how we grow beyond it.
The world's wisdom is foolishness to God and yet we so often lean on it instead of looking to the wisdom that comes from above. The eternal wisdom that comes from God is often the opposite of what the world thinks. Yet, it is the answer to the world's problems. Jesus showed us that it is better to give than receive. In giving His life, He conquered sin and death and purchased His bride.
Paul was determined to preach the cross and trust the Holy Spirit to convey to listeners' hearts the power that it has to convict of sin and reveal the love of God. In this message, you will hear of dozens of effects that the Scriptures tell us the cross has in our lives.
This message touches on the fact that God's wisdom is infinitely superior to that of man. God chooses those that this world looks down on and reveals to them His divine wisdom demonstrated on the cross. While the Corinthians were pridefully associating themselves with an individual teacher whom they thought to be the best, Paul was telling them that the kingdom of God does not work along those lines. The cross nullifies all human pretension!
Psalm 118 repeats the national anthem of Israel. It is a message we desperately need today. Gratitude should be the key element in every human heart, but especially in the hearts of believers. God has shown His love for us, declared His promises to us, and prepared a future for us that is greater than we can imagine. Though we have trials in this life, we are blessed beyond measure, and it is only right for us to live a life expressing our gratitude for the goodness of God.
In the passage for this week Paul quotes from Isaiah to explain that God doesn't honor what the world honors. He calls those who are weak and inconsequential. And the reason He does that is because it shows how foolish man's wisdom is. The place where God has supremely destroyed all human arrogance and pretension is the cross.
Paul begins his corrections to the church in Corinth by addressing the cult of personality. Division and strife over which elder was the favorite was harming the testimony of Christ in that city. The problem is just as prevalent today. How is a church supposed to function according to Scripture? The sermon addresses which issues are essential and what a person should do about disagreement over minor issues.
Verses 4-9 of the first chapter in the letter to the Corinthians tells them of Paul's thankfulness for the growth he has seen in them. He reminds them that they have all that they need to see them through to the return of Christ. And perhaps most encouraging of all, he tells them that God will present them guiltless on the day of Jesus' appearing and keeping them in fellowship with Jesus. It was an encouraging introduction that reminded them who they are in Christ before he dealt with their many problems.
The first three verses of the first letter to the Corinthians give Paul's typical greeting, but in that greeting, we can see the gospel of grace. It was grace that called Paul to be an apostle. It was grace that calls us to be saints. It is grace that sees us as sanctified. In the light of these wonders the world's typical greeting of that day, "grace and peace," took on a much richer meaning. Are you experiencing the peace of God?
Jesus accomplished so much more on the cross than just paying for the sins of the world. He invited all who would put their trust in him to share his fate. If your hope rests in the necessity and work of Christ, then you have been raised with him; you are living a new life with Christ and you will be glorified with him forever!
Paul concludes the letter to the Galatians by telling them that the Judaizers were trying to use them to make a name for themselves. Circumcision or uncircumcision was meaningless compared to being a new creation. While those false teachers wanted to boast in the flesh, Paul's one boast was on what Jesus had done for them on the cross.
After explaining why the false teachers were off base, Paul begins wrapping up the book of Galatians by telling them that walking in the Spirit is so superior to the letter of the Law. Then in our passage today he tells us what the life of the Spirit through us looks like in everyday life, along with a few warnings of what we should avoid.
After Paul told us that we need to walk in the Spirit, he described the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. It isn't a list of dos and don'ts, but rather a description that lets us know where our hearts are at. Then Paul concluded chapter five by urging us to keep in step with the Spirit and warns us to watch out for pride and envy.
Paul told the Galatians that if they would walk in the Spirit they would not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. This war between flesh and Spirit is a normal battle of every Christian's life. This sermon tells us just what the flesh is and informs of numerous passages where Paul instructs how to walk in the Spirit. How we fight this battle will determine whether or not our lives will bear fruit unto God.
The Apostle Paul tells us that the only thing that really counts is faith working through love. The passage has a profound warning and a wonderful promise. It shares insights on how to maintain unity and love in our relationships.
In the text for this sermon, we see that trying to earn our way to salvation actually separates us from Christ. The Apostle Paul sums up the whole letter and in some ways the whole of the Bible by telling us the only thing that matters is faith working through love!
This week's sermon covers Paul's allegory of Sarah and Hagar's sons, Isaac and Ishmael. One was a child of promise, a product of faith in God. The other was naturally born. One relates to Israel under the law, the other to children of God through faith in Jesus. The freedom we have as children of God is not only the ability to say no sin but to let the life of Christ be expressed through us.
Man prefers religious rituals over relationship because rituals are much less costly. We can perform them and go on with whatever we want to do. That is why so many religions are built around them. Even denominations fall into that pattern.
But real freedom is found in an intimate relationship with Jesus. It is freedom from the rituals of the Law and methods and routines that don't have any effect on our relationship with God. We were created for intimacy with God, and that is the only place we find true freedom.
In this passage in the letter to the Galatians, we can see some wonderful truths. All believers are in Christ who is THE Son and therefore we are called sons of God. The sermon touches on the gender issue and why it distorts the message. We also see the promise that as those who have faith like Abraham's we receive the promise given to Abraham. We become heirs of God because we are in His Son.
In spite of the judgment we deserve, God pleads with us to repent. He cries out for us to turn away from their sin and turn towards Jesus. The good news is that God has made a way for all men to be reconciled with him. Though most refuse to take it, many have and are and will take hold of the hope found in Jesus our savior. Hallelujah!
In this passage, God reaches out to the southern kingdom of Judah, warning them against the temptation they have to let go of the LORD. In it, he calls them to emulate Jacob, who sought God's favor above all else; who understood his own sinful nature and yet clung to God, yearning for his mercy and grace. Will you cling to God?
The law that came centuries after the promise to Abraham cannot change the promise. The promise was that a singular male descendant would be a blessing to the world. That descendant was even predicted in Jewish writings to make us righteous because of His righteousness. That man was of course Jesus!
The Laws of Moses actually put the nation of Israel under a curse if they did not obey all 613 laws. So what was the purpose of the law? It was to show us how fallen we are and have us turn to God in faith that He would provide a way. That way was not the animal sacrifices, for God says He was never pleased with them. They only pointed forward to the sacrifice He would provide. The righteous are not those who try to keep the laws, but those who live by faith in His Word, just as Abraham who believed in God's promise to Him.
After eight chapters of God expounding his case for Israel's infidelity and necessary destruction, we are brought to this heart-wrenching passage. God reveals the pain within him as his perfect justice demands their destruction and his perfect mercy pleads for their lives. What will God do? Let us find out together.
The message of Genesis 1 through 11 is that man is fallen and goes from bad to worse. Even when God shows us what He expects, we see we just can't live up to it. In Romans 1 to 6, we have the same message. So what is the remedy? Paul tells us that the Gospel was preached to Abraham. It is the verse repeated four times in Scripture: "The just shall live by faith!"
How could anyone who is saved by grace and experiencing the presence and power of the Holy Spirit think they need to add to their salvation by obeying the Laws of Moses? In this brief passage presented in this sermon, Paul asks six poignant questions to help the Galatians and us see that salvation is by grace alone.
We return to a key verse in the last sermon to mine the riches in it.
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? What does it mean for Christ to live in me? This sermon goes into depth on this key passage and challenge to the Galatians and to our lives today.
The legalistic Jewish Christians were insinuating that Paul was sinning by eating with the Gentile believers. They had missed the wonder of the new covenant in Jesus' blood making Jew and Gentile one.
The old covenant and its demands along with pride in keeping the rules Paul declared crucified with Christ on the cross. Now, in place of the law, the Spirit reigns in us, the very life of Christ! His life in us helps us to live in the Spirit, which is something the laws of Moses could never do.
Peter had previously agreed with Paul that salvation was by grace alone. But when Peter went to visit the mostly Gentile church in Antioch and Jews came up from Jerusalem, he separated himself from the Gentiles and ate with the Jews. Paul called out his hypocrisy. It was an essential turning point for the church. If Paul had not confronted Peter, we would have a very different church trying to obey the laws of Moses.
Paul attempted to resolve the conflict with some of the false teachers that came from Jerusalem to Antioch in a discreet manner. He made sure he and the leaders of the church were on the same page regarding salvation by grace alone. Later it would require a public meeting because the false teachers couldn't let go of their traditions. The sermon addresses the issues that we as followers of Christ must contend for and what things are debatable. You will also learn about the cultural issues that affected this confrontation.
The Apostle Paul received his gospel of grace through a revelation of Jesus. The sermon explains the process and why it was important for him to mention it. The text has a number of references to back the opinion.
The sermon also looks into the difference in translation regarding Christ being revealed to Paul or in Paul and why the traditional translation is more powerful.
In this passage, Paul makes one of the harshest statements in any of his letters. It shows the ferocity with which he would go to defend the gospel of grace delivered to him to proclaim to the world. He also defends himself by declaring he isn't a people-pleaser. It challenges us to check our motivations and devotion to the truth he taught.
Paul's introduction to his letter to the Galatians not only reminds us that Jesus is more than a mere man and the conqueror of death, but that grace and peace are ours in Him. He delivers us from the present evil age. Without some knowledge of Jewish thought, the concept is hard to grasp. It is the truth that the Galatians and all who doubt the wonder of grace need to understand.
Our first sermon in Galatians explains the problem in the churches of Galatia and why Paul so fiercely opposed the teaching that had infiltrated the church there. It also takes a deep look at the first verse which is a compact defense of Paul's ministry and a rebuttal to the error in doctrine.
Joshua's last words to the new nation of Israel reminded them of all God had done for them. Then he told them what their response should be. It is the same for us today. God has sent His Son to die the death we deserved that we might have life. How should we respond to such love? And what should He do if we turn our backs to that love and serve other gods? That challenge and warning Joshua gives are just as relevant today.
In one of Joshua's last messages to the nation, he told them how important it is for them to cling to God (23:8). We first find that word in the Bible when Adam is told to cling to his wife so that they are one flesh (Gen 2:24).
The relationship of God with His people was always meant to be a love relationship. It is no wonder then that Paul describes the relationship of marriage as a picture of Christ and the church. Everything that would interfere in that relationship then is idolatry which the prophets refer to as an adulterous act.
In today’s passage, we will discover just how heinous Israel’s depravity was and just how far God was willing to go to purify those who could still be saved. Indeed, it was so bad that another prophet of the time of Hosea wrote, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.”
If God prepared with long-suffering the kingdom of Israel as a vessel destined for destruction, will we learn from their insolence?
Jesus' resurrection means that those who place their faith in the fact that He died for our sins and offers us forgiveness will also be raised. But that is just part of what that means to us. It has everything to do with how we live our life today. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us from the moment we accept what He did for us. That power frees us from enslavement to sin and enables us to be God's instruments in the world.
What is happening to our country is very similar to what happened to the new nation of Israel. In this sermon, we see how their intentions were very sincere and their dedication was unquestionable, but there was a failure to convince the next generation. It is a challenge for every sincere believer to be sure to communicate with their children the great things God has done out of His love for us.
The Levites did not inherit tribal land because the Lord was their inheritance. Since we are priests to the world introducing them to our Savior, our inheritance is not created things, but the Creator Himself. This sermon also challenges us with the life of Caleb who wholly followed the Lord and conquered giants at the age of 85!
After conquering the southern coalition that came against Israel, Joshua reminded the nation there was much land yet to be taken. It reminds us that in our spiritual life we cannot settle for the initial victories.
God has good works prepared in advance for us to do. He will enable and empower us, but we must be willing and cooperate. We can stay in the land we have already conquered, but God has more for us. Armor up church! There is much land yet to be taken.
The king of Jerusalem's name meant the Lord of Retribution. He gathered a coalition against Gibeon to punish them for capitulating to Israel.
The Lord promised Joshua that He would give them into his hand. God gave him the victory by throwing the kings into confusion and raining hail upon them. After the victory, Joshua told the people to be strong and courageous, for there was still much land to be taken. We too need to be strong and courageous spiritually to take the land God has given us.
There is much yet to be conquered in each of our lives.
While God was patiently faithful to Israel, they were not faithful to Him. It is a refreshing break from the chapters surrounding it because it demonstrates God’s desire for their restoration. He earnestly sought after them, but they gave him only lies and treachery in return. “How better describe a half-fed people, a half-cultured society, a half-lived religion, a half-hearted policy, than by a half-baked scone? ” — George Adam Smith
Joshua needed one more lesson on looking to God instead of trusting in how things appear. This time it was in the form of an elaborate deception. But God has a way of turning things around and using them for His glory. The story is one of failure turned into a blessing. It is one of many examples of God's grace and mercy upon our lives, as well as His desire that all be saved.
Once we have dealt with sin in our lives, then God can direct us to fulfill His purposes through us. This sermon gives us Israel's path to getting back on the right track and mirrors our own spiritual journey. The promises and curses in God's Word need to be remembered on a regular basis.
Can one man’s sin affect an entire nation? The account of Achan’s theft and violation of Israel’s covenant with God did. He tried to hide what he did, but our sins always find us out. God is ruthless with sin because He is holy, and He loves us. Sin is destructive to us. Its earned wages are death. But in mercy and love, Jesus took the punishment we deserved.
What do you do when it seems like God has abandoned you when His promises don't seem to come to pass? What should we think? The defeat of Israel by the little town of Ai gives us some insight into what we should do and what we must be careful not to do.
The Bible gives us a clear description of mankind's problem but also tells us the solution. It isn't about being good enough for God, as no one can be holy as He is holy. There is a dilemma presented to us in Scripture. God must be just and judge us for our sins, yet He loves us and is full of grace and mercy. Centuries before Christ the answer was given through the prophet Isaiah. This sermon addresses the answer and how we should respond to it.
Join us as Elder Kip shares from the abundance of his heart the need for us to take hold of the power and calling bestowed to each of us as new creations of God.
In the final instruction from Joshua regarding the battle over Jericho, the soldiers were warned that the entire city was devoted to destruction. Only the metals were to be saved for the Lord, which would later be used to build the temple. We find the Old Testament full of instructions to separate things: food items, materials, etc. The Lord was teaching them to not be defiled with the pagan influences. In the same way, we are called to separate ourselves from the ungodliness in the world. James tells us not to be polluted/stained by the world (James 1:27). While we are in the world, we are not to be of this world.
While Joshua was wondering how the Lord was directing him in to conquer Jericho, he suddenly encountered the Commander of the Lord's army. This being was the voice of YHWH. We refer to Him as a Christophany. That is to say Jesus before His incarnation. The battle plan was odd, to say the least, but Joshua did what we should do. He obeyed. The pattern is to get God's direction and do it regardless of how impracticable it seems.
Have you ever thought of Jesus as an alien invader? He did say Satan was the prince of this world and that He was not of this world. In that sense, He invites us all to be aliens in this world. While it was made by Him, He came from outside space and time and entered this world as a baby.
What do we do with all the shame we have from our past wounds, failures, and compromises? Our past can become a heavy weight. Our passage in Joshua this week tells us how to begin anew. We need to cross this milestone before we face the bigger battles that lie before us.
Remembering is an important task for Christians. We read the Word throughout our lives to remember the teachings. We take communion regularly to remember the great price Jesus paid to redeem us. We should also remember the times when God has met us in ways that transformed our lives. We can and should record them and share them with our children and grandchildren. Declare the wonderful acts of God.
"But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:24
We all experience times when the obstacles before us seem to be greater than our ability to overcome. Yet we know that God says to march forward. This message will remind us of why we can step out in faith and see God do what we thought was impossible.
Romans chapter eight is one of the richest passages in Scripture on life in the Spirit. The sermon focuses on promises for which we should be thankful. Some of them are so amazing they are hard to grasp. If we really take hold of them we would be living in a constant state of gratitude for what is and what is to come.
Is there such a thing as mere coincidence? Are the situations and circumstances in our lives planned by an all-knowing God? And what about the heathen who grow up in a culture that is pagan? Can God reach them? Is anyone too bad to be redeemed? The beautiful account in Joshua 2 addresses these issues and more. Enjoy!
"Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months and the harvest comes’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already.'" John 4:35
As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, Joshua was challenged with his first test of faith as a new leader. The people were also being tested to see if they believed God's Word and were ready for a new life on the other side of the Jordan River.
The book of Joshua opens with God's commands and encouragement to Joshua. We find in the New Testament spiritual parallels to almost everything God spoke to him. When we understand Joshua is the name of Jesus, it makes perfect sense, as He is our example and model for a godly life.
The Israelites were finally entering the promised land, but not under Moses. God appointed and ordained Joshua to lead the people into their promise. A second "Joshua" leads us into the promises of God where the Law could never take us.
The Lord called his children to repent, but did they understand what he means by that? Do we? Discover what the Lord desires from us, what his heart earnestly seeks. Come, let us love mercy and justice and walk humbly before our God!
God had warned the Children of Israel over and over of where their path would lead if they persisted in idolatry. Now, the time for repentance was over, and the time of reaping what was sown was upon them. May we turn to the LORD while there is a window of opportunity and find forgiveness in the blood of his son.
The Gospel of Luke brings out Jesus' emphasis on women, prayer, the poor, the Word, and the Holy Spirit to a greater degree than any other Gospel. What Jesus said about those issues stuck in the minds of those people Luke interviewed. That tells us that if we had been there listening alongside them, we would have gone away with the same importance on these topics burning in our hearts. Hear these key issues again with a passion to let Jesus' mind be in you.
Jesus met with the Apostles in the upper room in His resurrected body. He encouraged them to touch him and see that He was flesh and bone. He ate a fish in their presence. Scripture tells us our resurrected bodies will be like His. After appearing to them for forty days, they saw Jesus ascend into heaven. Then they were to wait in Jerusalem for the power to fulfill the Great Commission.
Two of the disciples of Jesus who were not among the twelve had heard of the empty tomb but didn't know what it meant. They were walking away from Jerusalem when a man came up walking beside them. It was Jesus, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. That which He taught them on the road made their hearts burn within them. Find out what He taught them and who the two may have been.
This is a message the whole world needs to hear. It the resurrection of Jesus is real, then nothing else matters. Jesus said that would be the verification that His message is from God. Who would make a claim like that? Consider the evidence along with the claims that Jesus made, and then decide what you should do about it.
During the hours that Jesus was on the cross, darkness interrupted the noonday. We will look at what took place in the darkness and why Jesus ended His life with the words He prayed. We will also look at the life-changing decision of Joseph that challenges us today.
When is it too late to be converted? The thief on the cross shows it can be the last minute. But why wait? His life would have had meaning and purpose had he lived for Jesus instead of dying for a political cause or greed. This sermon looks at a part of Jesus' time on the cross.
After the religious trial, Jesus was taken to the secular courts for the purpose of having Him legally executed. But Governor Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. The problem he had is discovered in historical accounts. The sermon also addresses the parallel we have with Barabbas.
After Jesus was arrested, Peter followed from a distance. In the courtyard of Annas' home, Peter denied being a follower of Jesus three times, something he swore he would never do. Upon the last denial, Jesus turned to look at Peter. We should all be able to relate to times we feel we let the Lord down by our failure to declare we belong to Him.
Peter is a model of repentance and restoration that should encourage us all.
Jesus told the disciples to pray to not enter into temptation, but they slept instead. When the moment of testing came, they all fled. Jesus had wrestled with the horror of taking the sins of the world on Himself. He chose the Father's will above His own, leaving us an example in our times of testing. Our passage in this sermon covers the beginning of Jesus' day of passion for us and gives us some historical insight into where they went that night.
The fundamental story of the Bible is not, as it might seem in today’s reading, about judgment and punishment for transgressions, but the story of perfect love and overwhelming grace. So often, when reading God’s Word, passages like this call us to confront the depravity of our natures—looking into the mirror of who we are in the light of God’s perfection—and acknowledge our inability to measure up. It is only then that we can truly accept grace.
Luke gives us a perspective of the Last Supper that is a bit different from the other Gospel writers. He focuses on the disciples' complete inability to understand what Jesus is saying and their overconfidence in themselves. The lesson that Jesus was teaching us it that without Him, we can do nothing. A deeper look at His words show us He knew exactly what was to take place over that night and the next day.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
In our journey through the Gospel of Luke we've come to the betrayal and last supper. Luke's account has a few unique additions that are not in the other Gospels. Jesus explained the meaning of the supper and adds a promise that should thrill our souls.
Unfortunately, due to an encoding error, the video was unwatchable. However, the audio was salvageable!
We continue this week with Jesus' prediction of what was soon to happen and what would happen before His return. He not only gave us things to watch for, but He also told us what our attitude should be.
There are those who teach that if we are obedient to the Lord and give generously to Him, He will bless us with an abundance of wealth, health, and peace. But what did Jesus teach His disciples about their future and that of future disciples. In our passage for today He lays out a number of predictions that have proven true ever since His ascension. He also tells us how we are to face those conditions.
We are finally opening up from our long period of lock down when the murder of George Floyd took place. The marches and riots that followed with demands of de-funding police departments set the country on edge. What can bring us together? Are there any examples of overcoming differences in the past that would help us today? There is a solution!
As Jesus wound down His teaching in the temple, He observed a widow giving two tiny coins. Why was Jesus so impressed and what does it tell us about how God sees things? Then before leaving the temple He as much as sealed His fate by rebuking the hypocrisy of the religious leaders within the sound of His voice. While the people honored them to the extreme, Jesus exposed their worst hypocritical actions. Two examples are set before us to consider how we appear to God.
The religious leaders had some gotcha questions to try to incriminate Jesus. Jesus doesn't just answer off the top of His head. He gets to the real issue underlying their question. It's an issue we must all consider. In the process, the leaders found they were the ones who were trapped.
Once Jesus had taken over the temple, the Jewish leaders demanded to know where He got His authority. First He stumped them with a question that revealed to the people where those leader's hearts were. Then, He told a prophetic parable that upset not only the leaders, but the rest of the people in the audience as well.
Why would Jesus break down sobbing when people were proclaiming Him king and asking for Him to save them? Why would He get violent in the temple flipping the money changer tables and chasing out the animals? What do the answers have to do with us?
When Jesus entered Jerusalem on that foal of a donkey there was a confluence of prophecy and cultural timing rich with meaning. Do we recognize the time of God visiting us?
Jesus' parable not only covered the upcoming week but two thousand years into the future and what we are to be doing in-between. It was prophetic and challenging. It gives us our purpose for today and vision for our future.
This is the third in a series of individuals that Jesus encounters on His way to the cross. Each is unique in their status in the culture, from the bottom to the top, the despised to the honored. Jesus reaches out to each hungry heart no matter where we are and invites Himself into our home.
Those who lack discernment will come to ruin. That is the theme of today's passage in Hosea. God allowed the consequences of their sin to come to bear upon the nation of Israel, and was calling his people to repent. He is doing so today, and we have an opportunity to run back to Jesus, or struggle on alone. What do you choose?
Jesus is the firstfruits from among the dead and the beginning of the new creation. What does that mean to us? How do we accept His invitation to be a part of that new creation? The patterns and pictures in the Old Testament show us the way and give us warnings.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
In this message, Jesus describes His immediate future to prepare the disciples for the shock they were to face. That was followed by the restoration of Bartimaeus' sight. Mercy was granted and his sight was restored, but he already received mercy to see spiritually. What do you want Jesus to do for you?
How good is good enough for God? A devout Jew asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit the Kingdom of God. The way Jesus answered and his invitation is something we all need to hear!
We live in uncertain times. What should that mean to the follower of Jesus? How should we look at the current situation and respond? This is a message that believers need to hear today.
It's difficult to hear Jesus' words in the way that the first listeners heard them without understanding the culture and some the original language nuances. In this message, Pastor Paul tries to give us the ears of a first century Jew so that we can see how radical Jesus' teaching was to the culture of His day. That helps us relate His message to our lives.
The 2020 Israel trip was an incredible success. Listen in to testimonies from those who were blessed, and see how God grew and strengthened his flock through this incredible journey!
Jesus told a parable with the message of always praying and not losing hope. Many misunderstand the message because they don't understand the rabbinical teaching method that Jesus was employing. The contrasts Jesus makes should give us all hope that our prayers are heard by our loving heavenly Father.
God instructs Hosea to seek out his wife (who has returned to prostitution), pay her slave price, and take her back. “Where, I say, do we find anything like this save in the parables of Jesus? For the love of Hosea was as the love of that greater Galilean.1” I can’t imagine how difficult that would have been—to be betrayed and abandoned (for a life of prostitution no less) and then to go and find her and bring her home. But that is what God told him to do, and today we’re going to dig deep into the why and explore what it tells us about God and his desires for us.
Jesus was asked about when the kingdom of God would come. He replied that it was already among them. They were asking the King of kings. He went on to explain that He would be rejected by that generation, but that He would return suddenly like lightning. Are you ready for that day He returns?
Can Jesus do a mass healing without even a word or touch? He did in today's passage. This account only found in Luke also teaches us about faith and gratitude. It shows us our need for mercy that leads to salvation.
Today’s passage follows the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with a warning not to tempt others to sin and to examine our lives to see where we are at fault. Luke is pointing out the rich man’s example of hardness of heart could encourage others in his household and among his servants to be like him. This is a call to examine ourselves is to see if we are leading others to sin by our bad example to them.
Who is worthy to enter heaven? What mankind expects God to do and what God knows is perfect justice are completely different. In this parable, Jesus tells us the one thing necessary to lead people to a life transformation.
In just five verses Luke covers three topics that are so important to our understanding of the Bible and how we are to live. The topics include mankind's tendency to justify our sins, the difference between the Old and New Testaments along with the fact that God's Word is eternal, and seemingly off topic - divorce. You'll see how these last two are actually connected.
Jesus told an interesting parable about a money manager who was fired. He came up with an ingenious idea of how to provide for his future. Then Jesus pointed out how the worldly people are so cunning to provide for their comfort, They are more clever than we are with our resources for the cause for which we live. How are you handling your resources?
The Prodigal Son parable addresses the Pharisees question of why Jesus would associate with sinners. In the parable Jesus reveals God's heart for the lost, the hardness and pride of the Pharisees, and how many of us arrogantly think God owes them something.
Why were all the tax collectors and sinners drawn to Jesus? And why were the religious elite so offended about it? In this sermon we will be challenged to learn from the way Jesus communicated with "sinners".
What in the world does Jesus mean by "hating our father and mother" to be His disciple? Why would Jesus command us to put Him first above everything else? This is one of the most challenging passages in Scripture.
Was the man Jesus really the incarnation of the Word of God? And if He was, why would He humble Himself to become a human being. This Christmas message looks into the Scriptures to answer these questions. If what the Bible says about these issues is true, then it should affect our reason for living and the way we live each day.
In Luke 14 Jesus taught an important lesson on humility. This sermon gives suggestions on how we can apply this teaching to our lives. The upside down world of God's kingdom teaches us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Humble yourself and you will be exalted!
As a banquet guest, Jesus was very confrontational. Three corrections, one after the other, told the guests they were not being who they claimed to be. The excuses of the guests in Jesus' parable hit too close to home. Do they sound familiar to you?
"To Know God" is to have an intimate, experiential relationship with him, It is not merely knowing of Him or acknowledging him. Knowing God is having a personal relationship with him that is based on fear, submission, and trust... and that is what the LORD promises in today's passage. That is what has been made available to each and every one of us through Christ Jesus.
How do we interpret the events of daily life, and how does that interpretation affect your attitude? That plays a major role in our attitudes and emotions. A biblical worldview can give us a grateful attitude in any circumstance we face in life. If you struggle with a negative attitude at times, the message in this sermon can help you have a more joyful life.
When the Spirit of God draws us through conviction, what is our role? Certainly salvation is all by grace. Why then does Jesus ask us to strive to enter the narrow door, and why do some who try to enter find they are unable to do so?
If anyone believes that the death, burial and resurrection of Christ canceled the record of debt that stood against them, they are a new creation. The wars that we’ve raged against God in our old rebellious way of living has been removed and a new way of living has replaced the old. All this grace and mercy is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself (2 Cor. 5:17-19).
Our infidelity and God's zealous pursuit should cause us to repent. It's time to stop whoring, and return to our first love.
One of the greatest hindrances to the advancement of God's kingdom is religiosity. And yet nothing can stop the exponential growth of that kingdom. Are you participating in God's plan to advance His kingdom?
Are accidents and calamities the judgment of God? What should our reaction be? Jesus answers these questions with a warning. He continued by telling us what God expects from our lives. Are you ready for the day you will stand before the Judge of all mankind?
The Buddha sought to avoid pain by loving nothing as he sat under the Bo tree with his eyes closed. On the other hand, Jesus, eyes wide open to the cost, chose to suffer for our salvation. It's the bliss of nothingness versus eternity in the presence of God who loves us to such a great extent. He invites us to share in the suffering of the One who died for us.
Jesus encouraged us to think about the brevity of life. What is our purpose? The end of our lives or His return can come unexpectedly. In this passage, Jesus tells us how to live and why we should live that way.
Life seems to be filled with worries and anxiety, but Jesus said those who follow Him don't need to live that way. When we worry we live under the false paradigm that everything is up to us. It is to forget the fact that we have a heavenly Father who loves us and is more than capable of meeting all our needs.
When Jesus was asked to solve an issue of inheritance, He declined. Instead, he told a parable about a very wealthy man who was about to die. Material wealth can be a god. Covetousness is our worship of it. What really matters is if we are rich toward God. Are our treasures in heaven or will we leave them all behind when we die?
The passage for this sermon touches a number of issues: the unforgivable sin, the fear God and fear of man, standing up for the faith, and trusting God for the words when on trial. Each issue needs to be understood correctly if we desire to let Christ live through us.
Have you ever been invited to someone’s home to dine only to find out the host wanted to find fault in you? That was Jesus’ experience in this passage, but He turned the tables and made some accusations of His own. How do they apply to us? Read or listen and see where you stand.
We all have a God shaped hole in our hearts that only God can fill. Jesus addressed a man delivered from a demon warning him to fill that hole or the demon would return with other demons. The next three short accounts seem to be Luke's compilations of teachings that instruct us what needs to fill our emptiness so that the light in us not only blesses us but others as well.
In order to believe and know that we have received God's abundant grace, we first must understand and know what our true and original sinful state is. This does not diminish His grace, but magnifies it. Join us as we dig through Hosea to understand our own personal depravity and God's redeeming love. It won't be easy, but it is well worth it.
Jesus' critics claimed he cast out a demon that made a man mute by the power of the "Lord of Dung." Jesus refuted the claim with simple logic, and then tells us that everyone is either gathering people into the kingdom or scattering people. The sermon concludes with a recent recording of a similar miracle.
Whether you are half full, or only have a drop left, or never really surrendered to Jesus, we can do what Jesus is suggesting in this passage and ask for the best, the Holy Spirit. “Give me that good gift Jesus, because I want to be completely Yours. I give You all of me. Fill me up and work through me.” Will you pray that with me?
The Lord's Prayer in Luke is an abbreviated form of the version in Matthew but it has the essentials in five requests. It begins with the wonderful revelation that God is our personal Father.
This Sunday the Pastor put aside his notes and spoke from his heart about the love of God for each individual. He was led to Ephesians chapter one to explain how greatly we are blessed, even beyond our ability to fathom. A person in the prayer room could not hear the sermon but had a vision of a Holy Spirit monsoon downpour.
Modern life has many pressing demands, some are from our culture, and some from our own expectations. These pressures can keep us from what is really necessary for our souls. The account of Martha and Mary is full of insights as to how we should best prioritize our time.
God’s will is being done here on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-13). God is on the move, He is doing miraculous activities globally and locally. He is accomplishing great things in nations and in individuals. His plans and outcomes are perfect in every way. God has never made an error and he promises to work out all things for good (Romans 8:28).
Do you obey God? Or do you go through the actions, serving him? What, even, is the difference? Join us as we dig into what the Word says and learn what the LORD desires for you.
Can we be good enough for God? Can we do enough good deeds? The Good Samaritan story is telling us more about Jesus than it is about doing good works. Don't miss the ending of this message!
We are each called to be laborers in God's field. We may have great successes but our only true reason for rejoicing is the fact that our names are written in heaven. What do you rejoice over?
Jesus' disciples follow Jesus to the cross. They put others first. They are gracious in the face of rejection. Their first priority is their relationship with Jesus. They don’t cave to the world’s expectations or worldly desires. They look forward in faith and refuse to look back. Are you willing to follow Jesus to the cross?
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
Jesus asked the disciples who people were identifying him to be. Then He asked them who they thought He was. Our answer should affect everything we do. A quote from C.S. Lewis debunks the possibility that He was just a good moral teacher. Who do you say He is?
Jesus gave all power and authority to his disciples to cast out demons and heal diseases. Then, he handed over his ministry... but even when crowds numbering in the thousands showed up hungry, they lacked faith. Do you believe that Christ gave you all power and authority in heaven? Can you do what he has called you to, even when it seems impossible?
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
Who are you really? This Mother's Day, I wanted to take a few minutes to point out some of the lies we hear every day and remind us all of who we are according to God's Word.
His ways are always best. We need to understand that to doubt that is foolish. Will you reach out and touch Him even now as we close with a moment of silence? Will you take that time daily to be still with Him?
After Jesus miraculously calmed the waters on the Sea of Galilee, He and the disciples landed in a Greek region. He was met by a demonic welcoming committee. Jesus set the man free from being possessed by thousands of demons. Does that happen today? The sermon concludes with the true account of a man that prison guards named, The Animal.
We celebrate the resurrection, but how does the resurrection affect our daily life? Is it just a historical fact? Is it only the assurance of heaven? This Easter message challenges us to live in the resurrected life of Jesus even now.
As Easter and Passover coincide this year, the message is on the parallels with Moses and Jesus. We can clearly see God foreshadowing what Jesus would do in the account of Moses and the Exodus.
We all face storms in life. The waves seem to fill our boat faster than we can bail the water out. In the passage today we learn the way to face storms, the way to be a light to a dark world, with a family that we'll have throughout eternity.
The first half of Luke chapter eight which includes women’s role in Jesus’ ministry and the parable of the sower. Both are controversial in our modern world, but Jesus is never outdated. He gives us the perspective of heaven. Culture constantly changes, but Jesus never changes!
Do you want to love Jesus more? While dining with Pharisees, a prostitute washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair and anointed them with perfume. Jesus explained to Simon, great forgiveness engenders great love. How much has God forgiven you?
Every religion including Christianity can be practiced in a prideful attitude of how spiritual we are, but true followers of Jesus know our spirituality is all due to Jesus and what He has done for us, rather than how well we do what He asks.
It is a sin sick world in which we live. We can go through those times offended at God and try to endure in our own strength or we can find our sanctuary in Jesus and rely on His comfort and strength. One way is faith in self. The other is faith in Jesus. We must choose which it will be for us. From what Jesus said in the next verses we can know that John made the right one.
All He needs to do is speak the word. All we need to do is trust Him and believe that His will is best. We humbly understand that we don’t know all that is involved now and in the future. We look to the worthy One who knows all, and in faith we submit all to His will. We know His will is good, for we have seen His love displayed on the cross (Romans 8:32). Like the centurion, we can cause Jesus to marvel at our faith if we will trust Him even when we don’t understand what He has allowed.
This morning you have come, and hopefully it was to hear what Jesus had to speak to your heart in His Word. And His Word declared to us that the fruit of our lives shows us what kind of heart we have. We are either living in Jesus or we are full of ourselves, and the words that come from our mouths can cut through our justifications and reveal the truth of the condition of our hearts. Jesus then asked why we would call Him Lord but not do what He tells us.
There is more opportunity to learn in our time. A computer can hold volumes written by many of God's humble servants. A disciple today can learn from many teachers and even catch their authenticity and dedication to Jesus. This is one reason the creation of the printing press was world transforming. Do we take this opportunity to learn from great saints who have gone before us? I encourage you to read their testimonies and to study the Bible with the aid of their commentaries. Borrow some of their biographies from me. You’ll be blessed and discipled by the best!
Rejection from the world puts you among the prophets who were also rejected. It means your reward is in heaven and eternal rather than on the earth and temporal. That is truly a great reward! You've chosen the right path. Think about this for a moment. Would you want to end up in eternity with everyone who wants to be lord, or with the one true Lord how made you and loves you enough to die for you and be among all those who recognize He is worthy to be Lord of all?
We wonder how those who persecute believers could be so full of hatred when all we do is try to share the love of Jesus. I read a New York times article about a recent Christian martyr. The author made those who murdered him the heroes because they prevented the missionary from spreading infectious disease and changing their primitive way of life. Did the author really care about the people on that island? Did the author know the missionary carried infections disease? Probably not. The whole point of the article was to make the missionary the bad guy and the murder justifiable. What that author and others like him won’t acknowledge is that so much of what we enjoy came from the influence of Christianity that transformed society.
Our present culture is a mixture of these two sets of sinners. It worships money and thinks itself spiritual. It is prideful in its lust for money. It sees no need to repent for many think they are morally superior just as the Pharisees of Jesus' day. They don’t even see their own spiritual paralysis. Perhaps one take away from this passage is to focus our evangelism efforts on those who know they are sinners and to be among them to share the answer we have found in Jesus. At Jesus’ direction we can tell them to rise and walk and leave their old life to follow Him.
In these two accounts Peter and this leper both recognized the wretchedness of their sins. They both realized Jesus was the answer. They both humbled themselves before Him. They were both transformed by His response. It can be the same for anyone who will come to Him in the same way. No matter how arrogant or rotten you have been, Jesus longs to begin His sanctifying work in you, to give you the joy of the cleansed leper and the call to catch men.
What a day! And you think you have tough days. Try confronting a demon, healing your host’s mother-in-law, healing every sick person in town, and then get up early to go pray. But Jesus’ strength was His reliance on the Father’s strength. What He commands us to do He can give us the strength to do. When you feel you can’t go on, ask first if you are doing God’s will, then ask if you are depending on your own strength or on His.
Humble, broken, and contrite believer, you are rich in Jesus, you are clothed in His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), you are liberated from captivity to sin (John 8:36). Realize the blessings you have in Him and be thankful. Continue to realize our desperate need to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Rejection by the world can be disappointing, but Jesus tells us to rejoice and be exceeding glad, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:12).
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
The devil's mistake is often our own. He thought Jesus would be most concerned about physical suffering and self-preservation. That is because that is how he thinks. We make the same mistake in thinking God is like us, that He wants physical things or actions when what He desires is our hearts. We think God will just overlook sin, because that is what we in our weakness tend to do. But God is holy. We must understand God from Scripture and never think He is like us (Psalm 50:21). We are made in His image, but that doesn't mean we should think of Him in our fallen image.
Jesus came into the world, born of a woman, to defeat sin and death. He came to defeat the rulers and authorities, the principalities and powers that rule this present age. This Christmas story, this Merry Christmas that we refer to, the birth of Christ, is the most significant event in human history. God becomes a man, Immanuel, God with us (Matt. 1:23). This Christ child, the son of God, the creator of the universe (Col.1:16) would humble himself and arrive on the scene to be born of a woman, to walk among us. This time of year is the time of year to remind us.
Do you know that you can be free from the Law of Sin and Death? Stop trying to be righteous—you literally cannot be "good enough"—and accept Jesus' righteous, cleansing blood.
Going in and out of the water doesn’t save you, but it does make a declaration to the world that you are serious about following Jesus. If you have never been immersed in baptism, it would be a great way to start the coming year. Let me know if you would like to make that declaration. And for those who have been baptized, I would ask if you are living out that declaration you made then, or has the whale swallowed you? The beloved is coming to rescue you, take you in His arms, and give you a fresh start.
A common expression before John was, “There was no voice nor any who answered.” Finally, the Word was spoken again. We need to always check to see that our hearts are ready to receive the King, receive His instructions and directions, His rebuke and His love. If we are not yielding to the King’s commands, can we truly say we are a part of His Kingdom? The mountains and valleys in our hearts are the areas in which we do not readily yield to Him. They are the little gods, and we are to have no other gods (Exodus 20:3). Fill up the valleys and level the mountains and receive the word of the Lord. Then you will see the glory of God!
Jesus obviously did His best to present Himself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). We should as well. We have this false impression that Jesus just knew it all supernaturally, that somehow it was easier for Him to work and yield Himself to God. He was a human just like us and tempted in every way we are, yet He went it through it all without sin (Hebrews 4:15). That is why we need to follow His perfect example. Grow in wisdom! Study God’s Word. Learn to die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31), spend time in prayer, and obey the Holy Spirit. You’ll be storing up treasure in heaven.
I have a list of all the people I’ve seen pass on that attended Wayside. I know they are now completely whole and the work of God in them is completed. They could not be more glorious than they are now, for they share Jesus’ glory. I’m looking forward to seeing them and rejoicing together with them in His presence. But most of all I’m looking forward in expectation of Jesus finishing the work in me when I see Him face to face (1 John 3:2). I’m longing to look into His eyes, and though they are a flame of fire I know they will be filled with love for me. That’s not because of anything I did, but because of what He did for me. Sometimes I see the rays of sun beaming through a gap in a brilliant white cloud and imagine Jesus bursting through. What a day of rejoicing that will be! Amen? Simeon and Anna waited in faithful expectation and were rewarded.
If we believe the angels’ words, we too should be glorifying and praising God for what we have just heard, what Luke has passed on to us. Have you received the Good News? Is your heart filled with great joy? If you have the eternal perspective and know the peace that is ours in Jesus, it certainly will be! Let us glorify God by allowing Him to be born in us, living in and through us each day. Let us walk in the Spirit and keep the fire in our hearts brightly burning. Let us share this Good News at every opportunity. 17 " ...the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:17
Is the Gospel only for Unbelievers? This seems like such an elementary question as to not require answering. Surely, it is best summed up by that immortal verse we all have memorized: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16 ESV] Can this be all that there is to it? If so, then the Gospel (the good news) is for an unsaved, unreached world. However, while studying Romans chapter one with pastor Paul, I came across an interesting verse that seems to fly in the face of this conclusion
“Has ‘the Sunrise from on high’ filled your life? Do you have ‘the knowledge of salvation’? Is Christ your mighty ‘horn of salvation’? Are you assured of ‘the forgiveness of sins’? Have you been delivered from ‘the shadow of death’? Are you able to ‘serve him without fear’? Are your feet treading ‘the path of peace’? If not, you need the Sunrise—you need the Christ who came to die for you—you need the spiritual realities of Luke 2, the birth of Jesus - within you!” Then you too will leap like calves released from their stall.
Welcome to Wayside Bible Chapel. We preach Christ throughout the Word of God, and we let him do the talking. If you are tired of topical sermons and bite-sized platitudes, you have come to the right place. Join us as we dig deeper into the living Word!
As we read the Word of God and pray, the Holy Spirit prompts us to action. It may not be as clear as the encounter Mary had with Gabriel, but it is God’s call to us nevertheless. We can believe God can work in and through us and surrender ourselves as God’s servants, or we can refuse and go our own way. But how much more fulfilling and exciting to join with God in His work in the world! Frightening as it may be, it’s nothing like what Mary faced. Be courageous! Receive God’s favor by believing and acting, knowing your reward is in heaven (Matthew 6:20-32). When the Spirit of God calls you to action, remember Mary’s response.
Do you realize you are more blessed than Elizabeth? If you are in Christ, the Lord has taken away your reproach from before your Creator (Colossians 1:22). The curse of sin and death was lifted off you and placed on Jesus your Savior (2 Corinthians 5:21). Don't doubt it. Live in the joy of it. And now something greater than a child is being formed in us. Christ Jesus Himself is taking shape in us as we increasingly yield our lives to the Lord (Galatians 4:19).