Sermons - Pine Street Chapel: Recent Episodes
Pine Street Chapel
This podcast features weekly messages given during the Lord's Day morning ministry meeting at Pine Street Chapel. These messages are given by different brothers from week to week, as led by the Holy Spirit, and we pray that they will be an encouragement to you, wherever you are in your spiritual journey. Please visit www.PineStreetChapel.org to learn more about us. God bless you!
For Father’s Day, Brother Luke Harriman shared some thoughts on what it looks like to be a Proverbs 31 man. Though we usually focus on verses 10–31 of this chapter and the beautiful picture they give of a godly woman, we can also gain encouragement toward being a godly man from the opening of the chapter in the instructions to King Lemuel by his mother.
Right in time for our summer memory challenge, Brother Ken Huebner shared this challenge with us to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” as we read, study, memorize, and meditate on the Word of God.
Brother Norris Clarke shared this interactive message during our open Sunday School session—using a portable basketball hoop, no less—about the importance of drawing near to the Lord and following closely after Him. The audio ends with a song by Ken and Carolyn Huebner.
Brother Norris Clarke shared this message from the ten names of Genesis 5, showing how their meanings contain the gospel in a nutshell.
Brother Luke Harriman shared some thoughts from chapter 5 of Solomon’s Song of Songs which shows the way the beloved Shepherd deals with His Shulamite beloved in times of conflict. Among other things, this gives us a glimpse of just how wonderful the Lord’s love is for His church.
Brother Winston Bent shared these encouraging lessons learned from God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 15. Truly, we have nothing to fear for our future knowing that we have such a covenant-keeping God!
Inspired by hymn #308 in the Spiritual Songs hymnal, Brother Luke Harriman shared these thoughts on the effect of gaining a clearer view of the Lord Jesus as a cure for our idolatrous hearts.
Brother Collin Beckford shared these thoughts from John 6 on the Lord Jesus as the Bread from Heaven.
Brother Viv John shared these words of encouragement from 1 Corinthians 15 during a visit to Lake Worth, pointing out seven things about the Lord Jesus.
Brother Howard Gordon shared these stirring thoughts on our love for the Lord Jesus in response to His love for us. May we never be among those who “have lost their first love.”
Brother Luke Harriman shared this reflection on Psalm 89 as a meditation on the sufferings of the Lord’s chosen One, the Messiah. As we respond to it, we bow in worship to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
Brother Laurel Smalling reflects on Psalms 135 and 136 and the imperative we have to “praise the Lord.” Truly, if all we did when we gathered was to praise the Lord, it would be a worthwhile activity.
Brother Collin Beckford shared these thoughts from 1 Timothy 1, reminding us that God is able to keep that which we have committed to Him until “that Day.” We can truly trust Him with all things!
Brother Jasper Barnett shared these thoughts on the importance of living in such a way that we can say with the apostle Paul, “I am crucified with Christ.”
Luke Harriman takes us to Psalm 36 this morning as we reflect on the importance of meditating on the attributes of God. This will enable us to live the life He has called us to live in this world—a life of mercy and justice.
Brother Luke Harriman shared a few thoughts on Psalm 19, as it speaks of the power and beauty of both the written Word and the living Word, Jesus Christ.
We were blessed to have our three young brothers, Daniel, Youseff, and Maurice, share about their time at the Southern Youth Retreat in North Carolina. And afterward, Brother Luke Harriman went over some of the great teaching we received that weekend.
Brother Colbert Martin shared these thoughts on the way the Lord Jesus triumphed over the ultimate enemy: death. Just as David took the sword of Goliath to kill Goliath, we know that “through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14).
Brother Ken Huebner shared these four examples of a person finding salvation in Christ. In each case, we see the inability of a person to save themselves, but we also see the power and love of the Lord as He saves them.
As we continue to pray for those losing so much to the California wildfires, Brother Luke Harriman shares a few thoughts that we can learn from the fiery trials that often come into our lives.
Brother Colbert Martin shared this reflection on the sermon Peter preached in Acts 2, calling his hearers to submit to Christ, who has been raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father in glory in honor.
Although the biblical character, Samson, has many faults, his birth reminds us in many ways of the birth of the Lord Jesus and of his herald, John the Baptist. As in the case of the Lord’s nativity, Samson’s birth features an angelic messenger, miraculous circumstances, and fear and trembling. Brother Luke Harriman uses this story to remind us to expect the unexpected this holiday season.
In his message of encouragement on this past Lord’s Day, Brother Kazi Chhetri shared the most wonderful news of his daughter’s decision to come to Christ for salvation. What a joy to know, as she herself reminds all of us, that “Jesus never fails!”
During our open Sunday School session, Brother Nevin Koshy shared this meditation on the four locations Elisha traveled with Elijah before receiving his prophetic mantle. Each location carries significance for us as we consider our own spiritual journey with the Lord.
During a visit to Lake Worth, Brother Howard Gordan from Jamaica shared this encouraging word on what it means for us to “see Jesus” in the context of our worship.
Brother Ken Huebner took us through the many places the “greatest commandment” is shared in the Bible, reminding us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. May this be increasingly true of us!
Brother Kazi Chhetri reflects on the words to this beloved hymn, where we see the Lord gently calling all people who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him and find rest.
Brother Luke Harriman presented this brief meditation on the quotation of Psalm 8 in the letter to the Hebrews. “But we see Jesus.” What impact will it have on us as we see the true Son of Man crowned with glory and honor?
One of our hymns this morning asks, “And did the Holy and the Just / The Sovereign of the skies / Stoop down to man’s estate and dust / That guilty worms might rise?” Brother Luke Harriman shared these four times in the Gospel of John where the Lord Jesus stoops down in the dirt. Truly there is no depth to which He wouldn’t stoop to show His love for us!
During our open Sunday School this month, Brother Kazi Chhetri challenged us to think about whether we are keeping our spiritual batteries charged. This parable-like teaching had many practical applications for all of us, young and old alike.
Preaching from Psalm 136, Brother Collin encouraged us to remember this abiding truth: the Lord’s mercy endures forever, through every circumstance.
Brother Ken Huebner shared these thoughts on King Saul’s incident with the Amalekites, where Samuel tells him that obedience is better than any sacrifice.
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Ashton Bristol shared this encouraging word, taking us throughout scriptural history and revealing the desire at the heart of every person to “enter the temple”—to have intimate access to the God of the universe. Thanks be to God, through the work of the Lord Jesus, the veil has been rent!
Brother Luke Harriman asks the question this morning, “Are you full?” When we fill our hearts and minds with the Lord Jesus, all else begins to fall into place.
During our most recent open Sunday School, Brother Ken and Sister Carolyn Huebner shared several songs with us that were drawn from biblical stories, drawing out lessons from each that are practical and inspiring.
Brother Norris Clarke concludes his thoughts on Jeremiah’s experience with the Lord at the potter’s house, reflecting on the significance of the wheel and the clay.
Brother Howard Gordon presented a wide range of scriptures concerning the Lamb of God and His glorious work, moving from God’s counsels in eternity past all the way to the blessed consummation of His purposes in the eternal state of the Day of God.
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Howard Gordon was gracious enough to take the opportunity (on short notice :) to speak to our open Sunday School regarding what Scripture says about our purpose.
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Howard Gordon shared these reflections on some of the names given to the Lord Jesus in the Scriptures. To love His name is to love His matchless character.
Brother Norris Clarke took us to Jeremiah 18 and the lessons from the Potter’s house. How good to know that we are in the Potter’s hands and that He will shape us as He sees fit.
Brother Ken Huebner shared these thoughts from the second section of Psalm 119, verses 9 through 16, on the many blessings that come to us when we take heed to the Word of God.
Luke Harriman delivered this message of encouragement to enter the rest of the Lord. When He said, “It is finished” on the cross, our salvation was secured. Now, we work from that rest.
Brother Collin shared with us this challenge from the experience of the rich young ruler who approached the Lord Jesus in search of eternal life. When told he needed to give his all to follow Him, this man went away sad. May we aspire to give our all to Jesus and serve Him wholeheartedly!
Brother Collin shared this encouragement from Acts 1 concerning what we do while we wait for the Lord’s return.
Brother Laurel Smalling turns our eyes to the fact that sometimes death can be a means for God to take us to the next level; it isn’t always the worst thing that can happen.
Brother Colbert Martin shared these few thoughts on responses to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
During his visit to South Florida, Brother Ruel Clarke shared this message of encouragement with the assembly, highlighting examples of a faithful man, a faithful woman, and a faithful young person, each one inspiring us to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord in the midst of the challenges we face.
As we reflect on the many sham trials of the Lord Jesus, we can give thanks that He bore the false accusations of man so we might not be condemned as we are accused by the world, by Satan, or by ourselves.
Brother Luke Harriman shared this brief meditation on Psalm 49 as we reflected on the Lord’s substitutionary suffering on our behalf.
Brother Luke Harriman read from Psalm 42, considering its relevance for the Lord Jesus’s experiences in His incarnation—particularly, His sufferings on the cross, where He cried out, “I thirst.”
Brother Colbert Martin shared an encouragement toward costly worship as we considered the example of Mary of Bethany.
Luke Harriman shared this brief Lord’s Day meditation on the Lord Jesus as the One who leads the singing in the assembly.
Luke Harriman uses the story of Joseph and his brothers to encourage us to be transparent in our confession of sins before the Lord.
Luke Harriman shared these few thoughts on the prophecy from Micah 5 that revealed to the wise men where the Lord Jesus was born. Their approach to the Scriptures is one that we should imitate: they saw it as a map to the true destination, which is the Lord Himself.
Brother Collin Beckford shared this brief meditation from Matthew 2 after our breaking of bread meeting, encouraging us to approach the Lord in an attitude of worship this holiday season.
Brother Laurel Smalling shared three “Behold” statements with us, from Isaiah and 1 John, encouraging us to pay attention to what the Lord is calling us to, to stop and take notice.
Luke Harriman shared this brief encouragement to follow the Lord’s instruction and example in John 12, as He laid down His life for others. We have opportunities each day to consider others above ourselves.
Brother Norris Clarke shared a message from John 15 this Lord’s Day, reflecting on the effect that suffering can have in the life of the believer. The pruning can be painful and troubling, but God can use even the most difficult experiences to bring life and nourishment to ourselves and those around us.
Using verses from Proverbs 3 and John 1, Brother Luke Harriman encourages us to to strive to experience the grace and truth that have come to us in the Lord Jesus. As we do, we will be transformed into His likeness.
Brother Winston Bent challenges us to be a peculiar people, separate from the world, particularly in the way we forgive those who have wronged us.
Returning from the Vacation Bible Camp in Pine Valley, California, where the theme of the week was “The Word of God,” Luke Harriman shared a reflection on three of the Lord’s prophets who “ate” the Word: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and John the Revelator. We can learn a lot by considering their response to the meal of the Lord’s Word.
Brother Collin shared this encouraging message from the Lord Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and Psalm 37, challenging us not to worry about our future. The Lord truly is worthy of our trust.
Considering some scenes from the early Church in Acts 2–4, Luke Harriman shares four different ways the name of the Lord Jesus affected those who heard it.
In this talk for our monthly Open Sunday School session, Luke Harriman presents the story of Elijah in the cave of Horeb as an example of how the believer can approach difficult mental health struggles like anxiety or depression.
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Glen Smalling shared this message considering the contradictions of sinners against the Lord Jesus, as mentioned in Hebrews 12. Truly, He bore all manner of sufferings for us while He walked this earth. The message is preceded by the hymn “They Nailed My Lord Upon the Tree,” sung by several members of the Smalling family.
This Lord’s Day, Luke Harriman reminded us of the need for love as we think about those who are living lives that run counter to what we know to be God’s will as revealed in Scripture.
Brother Viv John shared a brief encouragement after our breaking of bread meeting as we fix our eyes on the One who is seated at the right hand of the Father in glory.
Brother Collin drew from the hymns we sang during our Breaking of Bread meeting to share these few thoughts on looking, watching, and gazing. May we fix our earnest gaze so wholly on the Lord Jesus, that with His beauty occupied, we might remain undistracted by all else.
As believers in the Lord Jesus, we should be ready to give a response to someone who asks us why we believe. In this brief discussion, Brother Luke Harriman gives a strategy that relies heavily on focusing the conversation on the resurrection.
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Steve Campbell shared a message of encouragement with us Friday night from Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia. May we all be challenged to cling to the truth of the Gospel, realizing that it is truly a message from heaven to us.
Brother Laurel Smalling reflects on some of the questions asked in our hymns this morning and others in the Spiritual Songs hymnal.
As believers, we have been set free from slavery to sin, and now we serve a new Master. This is what it means to call Jesus Christ “Lord.” However, we don’t always live in light of this new reality. Romans 6 shows us the necessity of actively submitting all things to the Lord, that He might use them to further His purposes in our own lives and in the world.
Contrasting the temple experiences of King Uzziah and the prophet Isaiah gives us a great picture of the often repeated biblical principle that those who humble themselves before God will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
When we see the Lord high and lifted up, we have confidence to move forward in power as we follow the leading of the Spirit.
Brother Kazi Chhetri delivered an encouraging reminder of both our need to respect the elderly among us and to strive for a spiritual maturity that brings wisdom, regardless of our physical age.
We can learn a lot by looking at the example of the Magi in the birth narrative of the Lord Jesus. Brother Richard Ledgister shared these lessons with us during a visit last Lord’s Day.
The life of Judas presents a stark warning to those who are in the company of faith but haven’t yet yielded themselves to Christ or owned Him as Lord. Brother Laurel Smalling encourages all who hear this message to come to the Lord for salvation, accepting Him as their personal Savior.
During our fellowship Sunday, Brother Collin shared this object lesson on being attracted to the Lord Jesus by using magnets and other tools. As the Lord told us, as He is lifted up, He will draw all people to Himself.
In Hebrews 4, the author reflects on the meaning of rest for the believer. Truly, we must be diligent to enter our true Rest, the Lord Jesus, rather than laboring anxiously for the Lord’s favor.
A quick look at three scenes from the Bible featuring lepers can teach us a lot about the humility that should come to us as we realize who we are apart from Christ. This can result in worship and thanks to the Lord.
On our first fellowship Sunday since the pandemic, we were treated to a special selection of gospel songs by the Huebners, who shared some scriptural truths from each one to encourage and challenge all in attendance. This was followed by a brief word of exhortation by Brother Viv John.
On our first fellowship Sunday since the pandemic began, Brother Viv John shared this encouraging word from 1 Corinthians 15 on the beauty of true Christian fellowship.
Brother Laurel Smalling brought this word of encouragement from Psalm 119, reminding all of us of the importance of walking according to the revealed will of God in His Word.
Brother Kazi shared this clear message about spiritual death as he called us all—especially the many young people among us—to be honest with the Lord about our spiritual state.
In John 7, Jesus invites all who are thirsty to come to Him and drink. That offer is still available to us today.
While Jonah may have foolishly thought he could run away from the presence of God, Brother Norris Clarke points out that we are always in His presence. As we meditate on this truth, as seen beautifully in Psalm 139, we can take great comfort in knowing that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Brother Collin shared this meditation on the different ways people saw the Lord Jesus as He died on the cross. May our eyes be continually fixed on Him throughout the week.
The experience on the Mount of Transfiguration must have been a spiritual high for the three disciples. But they soon encountered the confusion, challenges, and conflicts of life as they descended back into the valley. Like them, we can use our mountaintop experiences with the Lord to keep us going when things get hard.
During a visit to Lake Worth, Brother Viv John shared this encouragement from the disciples’ experience with Jesus in the storm, reminding us to lean on Him as the source of our calm, comfort, and ultimate victory.
As we reflect on the celebration of American independence on July 4th this year, it can be a good opportunity for us as believers to remember our utter dependence on the Lord. For, while we are certainly free in the deepest sense of the word, we are also called to use that freedom to serve God and others.
Speaking on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3, Brother Luke Harriman emphasizes the importance of pressing forward in our comprehension of the incomprehensible love of Christ.
Brother Laurel Smalling shared this message from 1 Kings, warning that there is a time for everything and we need to wait on the Lord when it is time to wait, rest when it is time to rest, and run when it is time to run.
This Mother’s Day, it is encouraging to look to the first evangelists: the women at the empty tomb. Specifically, Brother Luke Harriman considers “the other Mary” in Matthew 28, highlighting the fact that God sees all that we do, even we might feel overlooked by the people in our lives.
Reading through John 20, Brother Collin shared some encouraging thoughts concerning the resurrected Lord.
The description of the Lord Jesus in Romans 8:33–34 assures us that He is for us to an extent that nothing else could ever stand against us.
Looking to the Mount of Transfiguration story in Matthew, Brother Collin Beckford directs our gaze toward the Lord Jesus alone, allowing for no distractions or competition.
Reflecting on the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 helps to remind us that Christ’s death on the cross is the truly acceptable sacrifice that opens the way for us to approach God in worship.
Many times in Scripture, we encounter the word “therefore,” and it is always a good idea to ask, “What is it there for?” Brother Laurel Smalling considers three of these instances as he encourages us to commit afresh to draw near to the Lord.
The cross of Christ stands at the center of all eternity, and we can see that mirrored in the structure of the most well-known of Isaiah’s “Servant Songs,” found in Isaiah 52:13–53:12. May we learn to focus on and orient our lives around the true center of God’s purposes.
Brother Collin Beckford shared a few thoughts from our Thursday night Bible Study on 2 Timothy at our Lord’s Day meeting. As Paul says to Timothy, we have this confidence: that the Lord knows those who are His. May those of us who belong to Him depart from iniquity.
As a demonstration of the way truths of the Old Testament are revealed in the New Testament, Brother Norris Clarke shared this meditation on the bronze serpent from Numbers 21.
Looking at the examples of Abraham and Moses, we can see the importance of having God as our ultimate treasure and reward. All else fades in comparison to this “one absorbing treasure that fills our heart and eye,” as the hymn puts it.
The opening verses of each of the first seven psalms hold much for our encouragement when it comes to living lives of prayer and devotion to the Lord.
At the end of Romans 8, Paul presents us with three powerful rhetorical questions that, as we meditate on them, can give us the confidence to face any difficulty in our lives.
In the well-known prophecy about the coming of the Lord in Isaiah 9, we read five beautiful names of the Messiah that speak of His matchless, incomparable character.
Brother Norris Clarke shares these few thoughts on the importance of aligning our thought patterns to the Lord through the power of His Spirit. While we might think it is always a good thing to “think for ourselves,” this can lead us into trouble, just as it did the people of Israel in the days of the judges.
As things go “back to normal,” it is good for us to reflect on the past and project into the future. In a way, we find ourselves in a similar situation to that of the Babylonian exiles who returned to Judah. As we meet this small group in Ezra 3 and the book of Haggai, we find them worshiping, weeping, working, and waiting.
For our final Lord’s Day meeting on Zoom, Brother Luke Harriman shared this message from Jeremiah 31 where the Lord assures His people He would gather them again from their captivity. We can truly give thanks to God for His faithful shepherding care over the past eighteen months online as we anticipate regathering in person next week.
Brother Colin Beckford shared these few words of encouragement as we remembered the Lord as our Good Shepherd, as revealed in John 10.
Brother Laurel Smalling takes us to Revelation 19, where we see the song of the glorified saints, who eternally will sing the praise of the Lord Jesus in the presence of God.
The great hope of the Christian is to one day see the Lord Jesus face to face, to be with Him forever, and to be made like Him, fit for glory in the presence of God. But we can also experience these three realities to some extent even now.
Psalm 37 gives us five teachings that can help keep us on the path when times get tough: trust in, delight in, commit your way to, rest in, and wait on the Lord. These can be remembered with the phrase, “The Dark Clouds Rain Water.” Like a dark grey cloud that promises water, the Lord can be trusted to deliver on the promises we find in Scripture. Let us cling to Him.
Drawing timely advice from Philippians 4, Brother Collin leads us to keep our minds fixed on Christ and all things true, lovely, praiseworthy, and right. This is particularly important during this difficult season we are passing through.
The story of Jesus healing the ten lepers gives us an opportunity to think about the barriers that might keep us from praising the Lord as we should. May we find in Christ the solution to overcoming these barriers.
This Lord’s Day, Brother Glen Smalling shared a meditation on these few words from John 19. What did He go forth to do? As He went to the cross, He was going forth to conquer sin, death, and Satan. Truly, He has won the victory!
At the end of Peter’s second letter, he encourages us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Luke Harriman gives a few thoughts on this verse and how we can enjoy more growth in the grace of our Lord.
Many things in our life compete with the Lord for our attention and devotion. As we see from the examples of Peter, Stephen, and Mary, the cure for Idolatry is to turn our eyes upon the face of Jesus as we endure suffering. The glimpse of Him as our Sun of Righteousness will cause all other lights to look dim by comparison. Luke Harriman delivered this message on the Lord’s Day morning, referring to hymn 308 in Spiritual Songs, “Hast Thou Heard Him, Seen Him, Known Him?”
2 Peter 2 tells us of some who “denied the Lord who bought them.” Brother Norris Clarke shared some thoughts with us this Lord’s Day on what it means to deny the Lord and, by contrast, what it means to confess Him.
From three passages in the book of Philippians, we see the supreme purpose, position, and peace available for the believer in Christ. May we live our lives oriented around these truths.
Brother Laurel Smalling brings this brief word of encouragement to fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus’s soon coming as our strong and steady hope through difficult days. Lord Jesus, come!
This morning, we turn to Psalm 116 to consider thoughts on the sacrifice of thanksgiving, which we offer in the presence of the people of God.
Reading from Romans 8, Brother Collin Beckford encouraged us this Lord’s Day to enjoy life in the Spirit as we reflect on all the Lord has done for us.
When the Lord Jesus came into the world, He quoted from Isaiah, declaring that He was the fulfillment of the prophetic word. We can take great comfort in knowing that the Lord sets us free from our spiritual poverty, blindness, and oppression.
Brother Ken Huebner shared some thoughts on the temptation of the Lord Jesus in the wilderness, encouraging us to find comfort knowing that He has faced every type of trial, and He is able to sympathize with us in every way.
On this Resurrection Sunday, Brother Glen Smalling shared a meditation on these few words from John 19. What did He go forth to do? As He went to the cross, He was going forth to conquer sin, death, and Satan. Truly, He has won the victory!
This Lord's Day morning, we read Isaiah's fourth "servant song" together in Isaiah 52 and 53.
Three times in the Gospel of John, the Lord Jesus spoke of Himself being “lifted up.” This is the source of our salvation, and it has two distinct meanings in Scripture: on the one hand, He was lifted up to scorn and shame on the cross, and on the other hand, He was lifted up to exaltation by God the Father. Now we have the privilege of lifting Him up in praise as we gather in His name.
Brother Norris Clarke shared this message from Acts 1, encouraging us to let our actions match what we are teaching with our mouths. In this way, we will be like our blessed Lord.
What an amazing thought, that our Lord Jesus intercedes for us in the presence of God! Reflecting on His High Priestly prayer in John 17, we see His abiding concerns for us, His beloved ones.
During our Lord’s Day meeting, Brother Glen Smalling took us to a verse in Exodus 12 describing the preparation of the spotless Passover Lamb as a picture of the perfections of the Lord Jesus—He who knew no sin, who did no sin, and in whom was no sin.
Luke Harriman brings the series on 2Peter 1:5–11 to a conclusion (finally) with a sermon on that greatest of all attributes: love. God himself is love, as we read in 1John, so as we become more loving, we are made more and more conformed to his divine image. After looking at some of the words of the Lord Jesus on loving our enemies, Brother Luke considers Joseph's treatment of his brothers as a beautiful picture of agape love.
Returning to a series of messages on the seven qualities of 2Peter 1, Luke Harriman speaks about the necessity of adding brotherly affection to our faith. What exactly is the difference between brotherly affection and love in Scripture? If brotherly affection more properly describes the emotional side of love, what can we do practically to "add" this in our lives? After considering Joseph's more emotional attachment to his "true" brother Benjamin over his half brothers, Brother Luke encourages us to cultivate a sense of shared time, training, and trouble with our brethren in order to grow in this divine quality.
Luke Harriman continues the series on the seven qualities of 2Peter 1:5–11 by taking a close look at the word "godlness." One way of defining godliness is a living of one's life in the context of God. While there are many who would argue today that we can be "good without God," the godly person always strives to live in such a way that those looking on will see their good deeds and glorify God. The message concludes by looking at the godliness, or lack thereof, of Joseph in Genesis 44 and 50. If there were one of the seven qualities that Joseph could have made more of an effort to add, perhaps it would be godliness.
In this Mother's Day message, Luke Harriman continues to discuss the importance of steadfastness, or endurance, in the life of the believer, and specifically in the role of motherhood. Drawing from Hebrews 12 and Romans 5, he gives practical encouragement regarding the way the Lord uses our sufferings to develop this quality. A brief look at the steadfastness of Joseph and Moses concludes the message.
On this Lord’s Day, as we celebrate love in all its many manifestations, Brother Collin Beckford read a love letter from God to us from the book of 1 John.
Continuing the series on 2 Peter 1:5–11, Brother Luke takes a close look at steadfastness, or endurance, and its importance in the Christian life.
This is the fifth in the series of messages on the seven qualities of 2Peter 1:5–11. Here we are encouraged to add to our faith self-control.
This is the fourth in the series of messages on the seven qualities of 2Peter 1:5–11. Taking a break from the list of seven, Luke Harriman turns to a discussion of the general need for discipline in the life of the believer.
During our Lord’s Day meeting, Brother Glen Smalling shared these thoughts on the way the Lord is our sustaining help and hope in the past, in our present moment, and in the future glory that we await.
This is the third in the series of messages on the seven qualities of 2Peter 1:5–11. Here we are encouraged to add to our faith knowledge, a key theme in the book of 2 Peter.
This is the second in the series of messages on the seven qualities of 2Peter 1:5–11. Here we are encouraged to add to our faith excellence, or “virtue.”
Six years ago, as we were going through 2 Peter in our Thursday night Bible study, Luke Harriman preached a series of messages on the seven qualities of 2Peter 1:5–11. Since the Spirit of God has returned us to this chapter once again, we will be reposting these ten messages over the next few weeks for anyone interested in reviewing them. This is the introductory message in the series, originally delivered at Pine Street Chapel on a Lord’s Day morning in 2015.
In times of grief and trial—as with the recent home-call of our young sister Kimberly Gordon—the truths found in chapter 8 of Romans can be a source of comfort and encouragement. There we are reminded of the glory, groaning, goodness, and gracious gift promised to the children of God. Let us continue to bear the Howie Gordon family up in our prayers as they have had to say goodbye to their two young daughters within only a few months of one another. We are grateful to know the God who is near to those who are brokenhearted.
Luke Harriman shared these thoughts on the eternal destination for every believer: to be conformed to the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. Keeping this end goal in mind can help us course correct when we veer off the path.
Brother Ken shared this Lord’s Day meditation on the seven witnesses to the Lord Jesus in John 5. As Peter puts it in his second epistle, “we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
During our Thursday night open ministry, Brother Orrin Ledgister shared a word of encouragement for the New Year, that we would keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and His coming for us, as He promised in John 14.
During our Thursday night open ministry, Brother Glen Smalling shared a word from 2 Kings 4 on the sufficiency of Christ, symbolized by the meal (flour) thrown into the poisoned pot to make it clean. Truly, what we need in the midst of our trying circumstances is Jesus and Jesus alone.
At Jesus’s baptism, the voice from heaven came, saying, “This is my Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” Jesus received this commendation before entering the wilderness of His temptation. Now that we are in Christ, we can receive the same reminders that we are God’s child, that we are loved, and that we are acceptable to Him as we prepare to enter 2021.
Brother Collin Beckford offered these thoughts on Psalm 103 during our Lord’s Day meeting, encouraging us to live lives of praise to the Lord.
Brother Glen Smalling shared these thoughts on the love of the Father toward the Son. In every area, where man responded to the Lord in John 19 with rejection, the Father responds by glorifying and validating Him.
Brother Norris Clarke shares a word of encouragement from 2 Corinthians on the challenge from Paul to “examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.”
Ken Huebner and Luke Harriman reflect on the prophetic calling of Isaiah in chapter 6. Hidden within the ministry of Isaiah is the promise of One who will truly say, “Here I am, send Me.”
At the core of our faith is an impossible birth—the birth of the Lord Jesus to the virgin Mary. Clearly, as Gabriel told her when he announced the glorious news that she would bear the Son of God, nothing is impossible for God. This theme echoes the announcement to Sarah in Genesis 18, and it reemerges in Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 about the new birth. Truly, we can trust this God of the impossible to complete the good work in us and bring us safely into His presence in glory.
Although we continually confess the peerless nature of the Lord Jesus, there are times that we can be distracted from our undistracted focus on Him. In this Lord’s Day message, Luke Harriman looks at three people in the gospels who were distracted in the presence of Jesus. May we be encouraged to fix our eyes on Him!
After Brother Laurel Smalling shared a few thoughts on the blessings we receive from God—our justification and future glorification—Brother Glen Smalling spoke on the amazing truth of our identity as the Church. As we read in John 17 and elsewhere, the Church is a gift from God the Father to the Lord Jesus. What a thought to know we are His treasure!
Brother Laurel Smalling shared some thoughts this Lord’s Day on the Church as the Bride of Christ. Truly, this blessed identity can encourage us as we continue on in our walk with the Lord.
Brother Glen Smalling from Jamaica visited today and brought an encouraging message, asking us to search our hearts for the answer to this question: Why are you following the Lord? May we be like the women we see at the cross, who had followed the Lord from Galilee to Jerusalem in order to minister to Him.
The Lord Jesus is a refuge for all in a time of storm. One of our hymns we sang this morning says,
Then that closing scene of anguish;
All God’s waves and billows roll
Over Him, there left to languish
On the cross to save our souls.
Matchless love! How vast, how free,
Jesus gave Himself for me.
Like the ark Noah built to save his family from the flood, Jesus is our shelter from the terrible consequences of sin. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Brother Collin Beckford shared some thoughts during our Lord’s Day meeting on the connections between Genesis 22 and Isaiah 53; like a lamb that was led to the slaughter, so our Lord opened not His mouth. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
The final book of the Old Testament, Malachi, gives us a touching picture of a small group of God’s people who gathered together and spoke to one another about the Lord. As we reflect on the final verses of Chapter 3, we can see that this activity, of speaking about the Lord together in the midst of widespread trouble and decline, can have many beneficial effects on us.
The story of the creation of Eve from Adam’s rib gives a powerful picture of the intimate relationship between Christ and His bride: the Church. May we be encouraged to live in light of this blessed position we have as members of His own body.
Reflecting on the desire of King David to build the Lord a house of cedar, Brother Laurel Smalling encouraged us to continue to wait on the Lord and submit our desires to Him regarding our regathering. Surely, the Lord’s timing is perfect.
Some thoughts of encouragement from the prayer of Jabez, one of the most famous (and often misunderstood) prayers of the Old Testament.
The Bible is constantly reminding us that God’s power and might are revealed when we are at our weakest. Indeed, this seems to be a central theme of 2 Corinthians, the book we are studying together on Thursday nights. And no Old Testament character embodies this truth more than Gideon.
We were challenged by the life and legacy of Enoch, drawing important lessons from his example for our own walk with the Lord.
The story of Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian eunuch in Jeremiah 38–39, provides a touching example of the godly love described in the “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13.
During our Lord’s Day meeting, reflections on the glory of the Lord Jesus brought our minds back to the claim by the Queen of Sheba when confronted with the splendor and majesty of Solomon’s court: “Truly, the half has not been told.”
Moving from the final chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22) to Isaiah 55, we are challenged to come to Christ as the fountain of living water in order to find true satisfaction.
Romans 8 is an encouragement for us as we are reminded that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
The story of King Hezekiah’s reform policies is encouraging to us as we think about ways to pursue the Lord more closely and revive our hearts for worship.
Many of us were troubled by a video showing some officers that refused to stoop down and help up a man they had shoved to the ground. On the other hand, the Lord Jesus is an example of one who didn’t refuse to stoop. By looking at the story of the good Samaritan, we can see some of the barriers that often keep us from helping those who clearly need help.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord’s disciples faced one of their darkest nights. But the Lord was with them. Reflecting on this scene from Matthew 26 and John 18, we can learn several important lessons for ourselves as we pass through difficult experiences.
Thoughts shared from the final days of the Lord's time here on earth can encourage us as we reflect on His love, power, and promises.
This is a brief Mother’s Day message on Deborah, given during our Lord’s Day Zoom meeting. May we all learn from her example of courage and faithfulness in the midst of social and spiritual decline.
Here are a few thoughts shared on our Sunday morning Zoom call by Brother Colbert Martin concerning the Lord Jesus being worshiped by two individuals who have seen Him clearly. May we imitate them in their devotion!
A brief Resurrection Morning meditation on the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). May we be encouraged by the way the resurrected Lord draws near these two troubled followers as we endure our own strange season of trouble.
March 8th is celebrated across the globe as International Women’s Day. The day is set aside to draw attention to the worldwide struggle for women’s rights and freedom from oppression. Sadly, throughout human history, women have suffered disproportionately in all cultures and epochs. But the world’s attempts to free or empower women have often led only to new forms of bondage. The true women’s liberation movement was inaugurated by the Lord Jesus when He came proclaiming the Kingdom of God. By considering four women’s encounters with Jesus, we can see the power that can be gained by giving Him our heart, body, mind, and entire life.
The Lord Jesus is completely unique and peerless. He is both the mighty Lion of Judah and the meek and lowly Lamb of God. As we come to Him, we can be assured of both His willingness and ability to come to our aid.
Considering five passages where we hear the voice of God calling us to come, Brother Ken Huebner reminds us all that when we come to Jesus, we are satisfied with the richest of fare, filled to the overflow with His Spirit, and able to bless those around us.
Brother Viv John shared this message at our midweek meeting, drawing our attention to the conclusion of Matthew’s gospel, where the Lord gives His followers the Great Commission. May we be likewise challenged by our living Lord to “Go”!
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Ashton Bristol shared this stirring call to serve the Lord with enthusiasm and excitement as we wait for His coming. Referring to the Apostle John’s presentation of the Lord Jesus in his gospel, Brother Ashton encourages us to take a fresh look at the Lamb of God—a look that will rekindle our passion for Him and fuel our service for His kingdom.
Speaking from Hebrews 9:24-27, Brother Colbert Martin shared some thoughts on the three instances of the word “appear” in that passage. The Lord appeared once in the past on account of sin, He appears now in the presence of the Father, and He will appear in the future at His coming. May these thoughts encourage you to walk worthy of your calling in Christ.
During his time in South Florida, Brother Carlton Jones from Jamaica shared this power call to consider the worthiness of God and our appropriate response. By walking through a catalog of biblical examples of people who were struck by the worthiness of the Lord, Brother Carlton showed the impact of truly coming to grips with God’s ultimate worth.
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Paul Palmer Sr. shared some thoughts at the Thursday night meeting from the Song of Solomon. While there are several ways to read this beautiful book, it is very moving to consider the Lord Jesus’s affections toward the individual believer.
Twice in Mark 10, the Lord Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”: first to James and John and again to blind Bartimaeus. As we reflect on the Lord’s Supper, may we be like the blind man and ask the Lord for renewed sight that we might better understand and appreciate all that was accomplished in the death and resurrection of the Son of Man.
Just like the first creation, the new creation in Christ is gracious, glorious, good, gradual, and goal-oriented. As we prepare to enter a new year, let us reflect on the power of the new creation the Lord has brought us into with our new birth.
Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 5 is challenging to our sense of right and wrong. He calls us there to “go the extra mile,” and this teaching can inspire us to reach beyond our natural sense of goodness to a supernatural expression of God’s love to the world around us.
During our Thursday night meeting, Brother Deron Porter shared this message on Ruth and Naomi’s experiences as they returned to Bethlehem.
When Jesus meets Nathaniel at the beginning of the Gospel of John, He tells him he would see “heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man” (John 1:51). By calling up the imagery from Jacob’s dream of the opened heaven, the Christ reveals the true significance of the Christmas story. The real question is, how will we respond to the wonder of it?
During this advent season, the ministry of John the Baptist takes on special significance as he prepared the way of the Lord. While we wait for the Lord to come into our lives and our situations, the valleys must be filled and the mountains laid low. The message of the gospel both humbles us and exalts us, depending on our unique need.
Advent is a season of waiting, and as we look at the condition of our lives and wait for the coming of Jesus, we can sometimes think there is little hope or beauty to be seen. However, when Jesus comes into our situation, He brings a beauty we can only begin to imagine. We spent time this Lord’s Day considering some scriptures on the Lord Jesus as the shoot from the stump of Jesse.
The account of King Asa in 2 Chronicles reminds us of the importance of turning to God for help in the midst of trouble rather than seeking the wisdom of man. May we all take this warning to heart!
When we stumble as believers, the Lord is not through with us. Instead, as Peter tells us, he intends to “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. As we look at the way the Lord restored Peter himself after he failed, we can gain encouragement for those times when we are at our lowest.
The picture of the Lord Jesus in 1 Peter 2 as the Cornerstone, rejected by men but chosen by God, is an encouraging one for us as we endure various forms of rejection in our own lives.
Brother Norris uses two object lessons to show the power of the gospel message in providing strength for us to endure the sufferings we face in this life.
There are several reasons the Lord left us with the practice of regularly breaking the bread and drinking the cup in remembrance of him. Brother Richard goes through several of these purposes as revealed in 1 Corinthians 11.
During a visit to our area, Brother Viv John preached an encouraging message on the “musts” of the Son, the Servant, the Savior, and the soul winner at our Thursday night meeting.
This briefest statement of the Lord from the cross holds a lot for our consideration. More than simply physical thirst, these words reveal the depth to which the Lord Jesus thirsts for our salvation and for the holiness of God to be manifest on the earth. Even in the darkest of moments, we were on His heart!