Joshua Gregory Messages and Sermons: Recent Episodes
This sermon explores the doctrine of baptism through the lens of the Great Commission in Matthew 28, emphasizing that all authority belongs solely to Jesus Christ. The preacher argues that baptism is a symbolic act of immersion representing identification with Christ's death, rather than a means of salvation or mere ritualistic obedience. By analyzing the Greek terms and biblical examples like the Ethiopian eunuch, the message clarifies that baptism follows conversion and serves as a public declaration of submission to Christ's authority. The speaker warns against focusing on administrative church power or secondary traditions, urging the listeners to center their faith on the supernatural work of God in making disciples. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a serious, truthful approach to serving God that prioritizes spiritual transformation over human tradition.
The sermon explores the forty-day period between Jesus' resurrection and ascension, highlighting how He appeared in tangible yet supernatural ways to equip His followers for a new reality. By examining encounters with Mary Magdalene, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and Thomas, the message emphasizes that the risen Christ transcends time and space while retaining His physical scars as proof of redemption. This interim phase serves to teach believers to recognize Jesus' presence in everyday life and understand that God transforms past suffering rather than erasing it.
This sermon defines salvation not merely as a future ticket to heaven but as the present restoration of fellowship with God and rescue from the effects of sin. The preacher emphasizes that salvation is entirely of the Lord, achieved through grace and the faith of Jesus Christ rather than human effort or religious performance. Key themes include the necessity of new birth, the reality of forgiveness, and the immediate peace and joy available to those who have obtained New Life. By contrasting Adam's original innocence with humanity's fallen state, the message highlights that only Christ's obedience can justify sinners. The ultimate goal is an ongoing, intimate relationship with God that transforms identity and provides strength in daily life.
This is the 5th installment of our lessons on "Foundational Doctrines." The sermon centers on the vital distinction between biblical doctrine—rooted in the revealed, living Word of God and grounded in the identity of Jesus Christ as Master and Lord—and human traditions or precepts that, while sometimes beneficial, are not divinely mandated. It emphasizes that true doctrine is not merely personal preference or inherited custom, but instruction derived from Scripture that shapes every aspect of life, from worship and community to ethics and discipleship. The preacher warns against confusing religious cultural practices with divine commands, urging the congregation to discern between what is essential and what is traditional, especially in matters of church practice and personal faith. He underscores that the written Word of God, is the ultimate standard for testing all spiritual experiences, feelings, and claims, ensuring that personal revelations align with Christ's revealed truth. Ultimately, the message calls for a deep, ongoing engagement with Scripture as the foundation for authentic faith, spiritual discernment, and faithful discipleship, where love and truth are inseparable and the lives Christ's children are shaped by the eternal reality of Christ's lordship.
The sermon centers on the profound call to genuine discipleship, rooted in the redemptive sacrifice of Christ's precious blood and the necessity of a transformed life that transcends cultural traditions and religious routines. It challenges us to move beyond mere church membership or doctrinal correctness toward a personal, intimate relationship with Christ, marked by surrender, obedience, and a lifestyle that glorifies God in all things. Drawing from Scripture, especially 1 Peter, Romans, and Ephesians, it emphasizes that true discipleship is defined not by external forms or denominational labels, but by a heart transformed by grace, characterized by humility, love, and a commitment to Christ's authority and mission. The message warns against both legalism and emotional-spiritual chaos, urging discernment through Scripture and the fruit of the Spirit, while affirming that the ultimate goal is not institutional survival, but the worship of Christ, the one true Bridegroom, in whose presence all divisions will be reconciled.
Have you forgotten what it is like to be truly in love with Christ? The sermon centers on the urgent call to recover the 'first love'—a passionate, transformative, and childlike devotion to Christ—that can be lost even amidst faithful service, doctrinal purity, and perseverance in the face of evil. Drawing from Revelation 2:4–5, it warns that while the church at Ephesus excelled in works, endurance, and discernment, it had abandoned the heartfelt love that characterized its beginning, a love that is not merely emotional but a surrendering, Christ-centered affection that reorients every aspect of life. The preacher emphasizes that true worship and church life are not defined by religious rituals, traditions, or doctrinal correctness alone, but by a living, ongoing relationship with Christ, where love for Him and for one another becomes the non-negotiable foundation. He illustrates this through the parallel of marriage and family, showing that just as love sustains and transforms those relationships, so too must divine love sustain the church, even among broken, imperfect followers. Ultimately, the message is a pastoral plea: without this first love, even the most diligent religious efforts are empty, and the church risks becoming a hollow institution devoid of the Holy Spirit's presence.
Children are a divine blessing and intentional design of God, originating in His original command to be fruitful and multiply, reflecting His image and purpose for humanity long before sin entered the world. Far from being accidental or burdensome, children are sacred gifts meant to perpetuate God's image, fulfill His mandate to steward creation, and carry forward spiritual legacy through generations. The sermon emphasizes that parenting is a sacred responsibility to train children in the knowledge of the Lord, instilling a biblical worldview, humility, and godly character, rather than merely providing comfort or entertainment. It calls for intentional, sacrificial love that prioritizes spiritual formation over cultural convenience, recognizing that children reveal our own sinfulness and require grace, discipline, and modeling of repentance. Ultimately, raising children is not about personal fulfillment but about preparing them to become well-functioning, responsible, and humble servants of God in a broken world.
This sermon presents a biblical vision of marriage as a divinely instituted, lifelong union between one man and one woman, rooted in Genesis and reflecting God's good design before sin. It emphasizes that marriage's primary purposes are not personal happiness, but spiritual co-laboring in God's work and the fruitful stewardship of life through procreation, both of which point to deeper eternal realities. The speaker candidly addresses the reality of marital struggle, affirming that tension, difference, and even conflict are not signs of failure but part of God's sanctifying process, where two sinners grow in grace through mutual submission and sacrificial love. While affirming biblical principles like the husband's role as protector and provider and the wife's domestic calling, the sermon stresses that practical expressions of marriage vary widely and are not bound to cultural norms, as long as they reflect Christ-like love and mutual service. Ultimately, marriage is portrayed not as a romantic ideal, but as a sacred, transformative relationship that mirrors the union between Christ and His church, making it a profound means of grace and spiritual growth in this life.
The sermon centers on Jesus' model prayer in Matthew 6, focusing on the petition 'Give us this day our daily bread' as a call to trust God with present needs rather than anxiously fixating on past regrets or future uncertainties. It emphasizes that prayer is not about performative piety or self-effort, but about approaching God with honest, childlike dependence, recognizing Him as the faithful, unchanging Giver of every good gift. The message underscores the importance of present-focused faith, urging the children of God to live with diligence in action while resting in divine provision, and highlights the inseparable link between receiving God's forgiveness and extending it to others. Ultimately, the prayer is a declaration of identity: as children of God, we are called to live in daily dependence, forgiveness, and surrender, trusting that all things—past, present, and future—belong to Him, and that His kingdom, power, and glory are eternal.
The sermon centers on the profound reality of God's Kingdom as both present and future, revealed most fully in Jesus Christ, who is the embodied Kingdom, establishing it through His life, death, and resurrection. It emphasizes that the Kingdom is not a distant, physical, or institutional realm, but a spiritual reality that manifests when God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven, particularly in the midst of the Lord's people as they assemble in His Name. The Lord's Prayer is unpacked not as a formula, but as a model of intimate communion with God as Father, calling us to approach Him with reverence, not casual familiarity, while recognizing His holiness and the sacredness of His name. The message challenges listeners to move beyond religious rituals and materialistic worldviews, affirming that the Kingdom is experienced in worship, obedience, and unity among God's followers, where the presence of God becomes tangible. Ultimately, the sermon calls the church to recognize that when they gather in Jesus' name, they are not merely attending a service, but participating in the living, active Kingdom of God, fulfilling Christ's high priestly prayer for unity and divine manifestation in the world.
Are you willing for Jesus to take away your religion so he can give you His life? The central message of the sermon is that true worship and service to God are not defined by external actions or religious performance, but by a heart surrendered to Him. Drawing from Scripture—particularly Acts 17, where Paul confronts the Athenians' idolatry by declaring that God 'dwelleth not in temples made with hands'—the preacher emphasizes that God, who needs nothing, is not served by human effort. Instead, genuine service is rooted in a broken, contrite heart, as seen in David's repentance, Jesus' obedience in Gethsemane, and the prophetic call to 'act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly' with God. The sermon challenges the congregation to move beyond ritual and legalism, recognizing that even the most devout acts are meaningless without inner transformation, and that God's ultimate delight is in a surrendered heart, not in human hands or works.
The sermon centers on the profound significance of Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet during the Last Supper, presenting it as a divine model of humble, self-giving service rooted in His eternal love and sacrificial identity. Drawing from John 13, it emphasizes Jesus' simultaneous full divinity and humanity, highlighting how He voluntarily laid aside His glory to serve, thereby revealing the heart of God's kingdom: humility, not power. The act symbolizes spiritual cleansing through Christ's blood, the necessity of ongoing repentance, and the call for his followers to emulate His servanthood in daily life. The sermon underscores that participation in the Lord's Supper is not about ritual perfection or exclusionary rules, but about a heart-focused remembrance of Christ's death, a continual spiritual renewal, and the transformative power of grace that cleanses the whole person Ultimately, it calls the Body of Christ to live in humble obedience, recognizing that true discipleship is defined not by status or tradition, but by love expressed in service.
The sermon centers on the profound truth that the New Testament's very existence hinges on Christ's sacrificial death, revealing that God's redemptive plan has always been rooted in grace, not legalistic obedience. Drawing from Hebrews and Numbers, it emphasizes that the Old Testament rituals—though meticulously prescribed—were never ends in themselves but shadowy types pointing to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, which fulfilled and transcended the law. The central message is that God has never been interested in external compliance, but in the heart's surrender and obedience, as seen in Abraham's faith and David's devotion, culminating in Christ's willing offering of His body. The sermon calls believers to a deeper spiritual reality: not merely following religious rules, but living as a living sacrifice, transformed by the renewing of the mind, and continually seeking God's presence rather than ritual performance. Ultimately, it invites the church to embrace the freedom and intimacy of Christ's finished work, where true worship is not in prescribed acts, but in the daily offering of one's whole self to God's will.
The sermon centers on the vital importance of unity within the church, grounded not in uniformity of opinion or practice, but in the shared identity of believers as adopted children of God through faith in Christ. Drawing from Psalm 133, 1 Corinthians 12, and Romans 14–15, it emphasizes that true unity is a divine witness to the world, reflecting the oneness of the Father and Son, and is essential for the church's gospel mission. The preacher warns against the danger of disunity, especially when believers judge one another over non-essential matters, and calls for humility, love, and mutual bearing of weaknesses, recognizing that each member is indispensable in the body of Christ. Rather than striving for agreement on every doctrinal detail, the church is called to embrace diversity in gifts and convictions, using them to build one another up in love, just as Christ bore our weaknesses. Ultimately, unity is not achieved by human effort but by the Spirit's work, and it is sustained through grace, patience, and the shared hope of eternal life.
The sermon discusses Christ's return, reframing the end not as a source of fear but as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Drawing from Luke 21, it emphasizes that while signs of the end are real, Jesus' primary instruction is not to obsess over timing but to remain vigilant, sober, and focused on faithful service in the present. The preacher warns against spiritual distractions—whether from apocalyptic speculation or political misapplications of Scripture—urging believers to prioritize relationships, obedience, and inner peace over anxious speculation. Rooted in the assurance that Christ has conquered death and holds the keys to life and eternity, the message calls for joyful anticipation, not dread, as our true hope lies not in the end itself, but in the eternal life and presence of Christ, who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
The sermon centers on Christ as the ultimate expression of God's power and wisdom, emphasizing that salvation is not achieved through human effort, clever rhetoric, or religious performance, but through a personal, transformative encounter with Jesus crucified. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1, it highlights how the cross—though deemed foolishness by the world—reveals divine power and wisdom to those called by God, challenging the church to abandon attempts to systematize or market the gospel and instead trust in the Holy Spirit's work. The message calls for humility, authenticity, and a return to the foundational truth of Christ alone, rejecting the temptation to elevate doctrine, emotion, or strategy over the living reality of Christ's presence. It underscores that true faith is not intellectual assent but a surrender of self, a reception of Christ as Lord, and an experience that transcends explanation.
The sermon centers on the profound truth that God is the Lord of the harvest, not merely a helper or provider, but the ultimate authority whose will must be sought above all else. Drawing from Matthew 9:38 and the imagery of a rancher who owns the land and directs every worker, the preacher challenges the modern church's obsession with growth, size, and institutional success, arguing that these are cultural distractions rather than biblical mandates. Instead, he calls believers to a posture of humble submission—asking the boss what He wants, rather than assuming or strategizing based on human preferences or religious trends. Through vivid illustrations from Ezekiel, Gideon, and Joshua, the message underscores that God often works through small, seemingly foolish, or counterintuitive means, and that true effectiveness is not measured by numbers but by faithfulness to His voice. The ultimate call is to abandon self-reliance, reject the idolatry of church growth metrics, and instead live as a body whose only purpose is to obey the Lord, whose presence and power are not dependent on the size of the building or the number of attendees.
The central message of the sermon is the profound and all-encompassing faithfulness of God, which undergirds every aspect of our lives—past, present, and future. Rooted in Scripture, particularly 1 Corinthians 1:9 and passages from Isaiah, Psalm, and the Epistles, the preacher emphasizes that God's faithfulness is not contingent on human performance but is the foundation of salvation, sanctification, and eternal hope. This faithfulness is revealed in God's eternal plan, His personal redemption of individuals, His sustaining presence in daily trials, His readiness to forgive, and His certain promise to complete the work He began in His Children. The sermon calls for a posture of surrender, humility, and trust, urging listeners to release their reliance on self-effort, routines, and religious performance, and instead to rest in God's unchanging character. Ultimately, the message is one of profound comfort and freedom: because God is faithful, believers need not fear failure, doubt, or future uncertainty, for His love, provision, and power are sufficient and eternal.
The sermon centers on the profound truth that Jesus Christ, as the rejected cornerstone, is the foundation of all genuine Christian fellowship and spiritual blessing, a reality that should continually amaze believers. It warns against the human tendency to replace heartfelt devotion with religious routine, urging the congregation to preserve their first love by prioritizing intimacy with Christ over institutional expectations, and to avoid imposing personal burdens or standards on others. Drawing from Scripture and personal reflection, the message emphasizes the diversity of gifts and callings within the body of Christ, affirming that unity does not require uniformity but is rooted in mutual submission, grace, and a shared focus on Jesus. The preacher calls for humility, caution against pride and resentment, and a continual surrender of self to God, reminding listeners that true fellowship is not measured by attendance or activity but by the Spirit's presence and the heart's surrender to Christ.
The sermon centers on the indispensable truth that Jesus Christ is the sole spiritual foundation of authentic Christian fellowship, emphasizing that genuine community among believers is not built on programs, personalities, or cultural preferences, but on a shared, living relationship with Christ as the cornerstone. Drawing from Ephesians 2 and 1 Corinthians 3:11, the preacher underscores that the church is a living temple, united by the Holy Spirit, where fellowship flows from personal salvation and mutual love rooted in Christ's truth, not human strategies or emotional manipulation. He warns against the pervasive false gospel of cultural niceness and performance-driven religion, urging the congregation to prioritize spiritual depth over comfort, and to trust in the Holy Spirit's work rather than marketing techniques or personal agendas. The powerful testimony from Belize illustrates this truth in action—where deep relationships, patient teaching, and the Spirit's conviction led to genuine conversions, not through spectacle, but through truth, love, and the presence of God among His people.
The sermon centers on the biblical call to 'redeem the time' by embracing the fleeting, present moments of life as sacred opportunities for worship, gratitude, and connection with God and others. Drawing from Ephesians 5 and the narrative of Eden, it contrasts the original state of unbroken communion with God—marked by rest, presence, and delight in creation—with the modern condition of distraction, busyness, and anxiety, particularly fueled by constant digital engagement. The preacher challenges believers to intentionally create space for stillness, joy, and mindfulness, not through withdrawal from responsibility, but through disciplined presence, urging a shift from frantic productivity to holy attentiveness. He calls for practical steps—such as setting aside time free from distraction—to reclaim the ability to savor life's simple blessings, echoing Christ's example of walking with God and others without haste. Ultimately, the message is a pastoral invitation to live in the reality of God's presence now, cultivating peace and worship in the midst of life's transient moments.
This sermon emphasizes the divine authority and practical value of all Scripture, affirming that it is 'God-breathed' and essential for teaching, correction, and spiritual growth. It distinguishes between different literary genres in the Bible—law, prophecy, history, wisdom literature, the Gospels, and epistles—urging believers to interpret each according to its intended purpose rather than applying all passages uniformly. The preacher warns against misapplying principles as commands, treating promises as guarantees, or reducing Scripture to legalistic rules, especially in light of cultural and historical context. He encourages a humble, discerning approach to Scripture, reminding listeners that while some passages may seem dull or confusing, they are still profitable when understood in their proper category, and that the ultimate goal is not mere knowledge but a deeper relationship with God through His revealed Word.
This sermon delivers a profound and urgent call to prioritize familial duty as a sacred calling, rooted in Scripture and grounded in the reality of God's design for family life. It emphasizes that every believer—regardless of marital status, parenting stage, or generational role—has a divine responsibility to honor, serve, and love their family with intentional sacrifice, especially in the context of adult children and their aging parents. Drawing from Ephesians, Deuteronomy, and Mark 7, the message confronts cultural trends that prioritize personal peace and self-fulfillment over biblical obedience, warning that neglecting familial duties can disqualify one from full service in God's work. The preacher challenges listeners to move beyond emotional sentimentality, urging practical, sacrificial love—financial, emotional, and relational—while rejecting the notion that religious activity can replace foundational family obligations. Ultimately, the sermon calls for spiritual maturity, forgiveness, and a reorientation of values to honor God through faithful, Christ-like service within the family, even when it is difficult, imperfect, or inconvenient.
Every Child of God has access to three realms of influence: Heavenly, Spiritual, and Temporal. Christian life is not defined by religious routines but by active participation in God's will for the world. While fellowship with God's people is vital, it is not the ultimate purpose of life; rather, believers are sent into the world, not to escape it, but to fulfill their calling in family, church, and society. The message warns against idolizing church attendance or seeking earthly utopias, instead calling for a disciplined, Spirit-led life marked by prayer, Scripture, and intentional service, grounded in the conviction that true discipleship requires balancing responsibility across all spheres of life while remaining anchored in the spiritual realm.
Give Thanks! It's a command. It's a choice. It's a responsibility. It's our opportunity to live as people who have been redeemed.
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." If you have love one for another. . .the evidence The certainty, the tangible awareness of who are the people of God is the love we express toward each other. Kind. Tenderhearted. Forgiving. Our flesh doesn't possess those attributes. Even if you have a temperament that is less given to offending other people. It requires a work of the Holy Spirit for you to be truly forgiving, or truly loving, truly kind. And we stand in need of that because this is a direct instruction to us from the Lord through His Apostle that this is how we are supposed to be. This is the sort of people we're supposed to be. Kind, tender-hearted, forgiving.
"John's first vision was not of events, but of Jesus Christ himself. A knowledge of coming events will only stimulate our curiosity. Even John the beloved disciple must first have a sight of his eternal Lord that shattered him o the dust. Only such a sight creates warriors. Not till we see him thus are we equipped for conflict. For Christ is the answer to all our questions. Get clear first about him, and we shall know about 'things to come.' He is the risen and victorious King of Kings. All the ensuing events are the outcome of his being that." - Watchman Nee
Our meandering series on "The Gospel and the Gathering" concludes with this, "The Spiritual Body."
What does "All Things Work Together for Good" really mean in the context of Scripture, and more specifically in the context of Romans 8. How can you know things are working together for good in situations or seasons where it feels like things are impossibly difficult. How can that be good? What is the good that the Apostle Paul is talking about?
When we are born from above, God gives us a new way of living -- and this should encompass everything about our lives, including how we gather and worship as His body
What is the New and Living Way? How Should We worship the Lord in light of that. What should "Church" be like? Where the Old Testament (and the Old Way) is sometimes prescriptive (do this; don't do that), the New Testament (the New and Living Way) is focused entirely on an inward new birth transforming the outward life through the Law that is written in our Hearts. There are many examples in the Old Testament—especially in the Books of the Law—of the people being instructed to do specific things in a very specific way. God directed Moses to have the Tabernacle constructed in a very specific manner, by particular workmen. He was building a building which would be the physical place that God would "tabernacle" among the people. There are clear instructions about dimensions and materials and finishes and furnishings, and then the proper protocol to follow when there. It was similar with Solomon's Temple. And under the Old Way (which centered around Temple Worship), even the method is spelled out. How and when to make sacrifice, to give offerings, and to tithe. But under the new and living way, the external structure is not the focus. The Tabernacle and the Temple and the sacrifices and offerings were only a shadow of the Good thing to come. NOW we have seen his glory – Jesus walked among us—and he CHANGED EVERYTHING
Anything we think we are doing for the Kingdom of Christ or for God – if we are not doing it in love and by love, we are not really doing what we think we are doing. You think you can be an effective church member? Not without love. You think you can be a faithful husband? Not without love Do you think you can be a good wife? Not without love Do you think you can be a good father or mother? Not without love Do you think you can be a pleasing disciple of Christ? Not without love There is NOTHING we can do to please God without love. Everything that is pleasing to the father is produced in and supported by and leads toward love. True love. Not without love Does it matter if I speak all the languages of men? Not without love. Does it matter if I speak the language of Angels? Not without Love. Without love I become a noisy, broken instrument Does it matter if I give my body to burned? Not without love. Does it matter if I have the gift of proficy? Not without love. Does it matter if I understand all mysteries? – Nothing in the spiritual realm is hid from me? Not without love Does it matter if I have all knowledge? No information is hidden from me? No one is smarter than me? Not without love Does it matter if I have all faith – to the degree that I could even move mountains? Not without love Without Love I am nothing. Does it matter if I sell everything I have to feed the poor? Not without love. Does it matter if I sacrifice my body as a martyr? – Not without love Without Love, there is no profit. Love is patient and long-suffering Love is kind and mild-mannered Love does not envy Love does not boast Love is not puffed up with pride. . .
As we continue our discussion of "The Gospel and the Gathering," in this, part 3, we discuss: 1. Who are the People of God? 2. God does not see as man sees. 3. The only people who are the people of God are sinners. 4. Love is the clearest evidence of who the people of God are. 5. The Ekklesia is supposed to be a gathering of these people.
In part 2, we discuss what it means to be the children of God, and how that ought to affect us. We discuss the dangers of pride and the utter insufficiency of any religio-social affiliation to justify us in the sight of God. We continue our discussion of the difference in doctrine and tradition.
In This message, we consider: 1. What is the Gospel? 2. What is Salvation? 3. What is preaching and evangelism? 4. What is the Christian Gathering (AKA "Church") 5. What should our Worship Gathering be like? a. How should it be when the Body of Christ comes together?
We have a tendency to forget. We who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and adopted into his family and reconciled into his fellowship – if we are not careful, can forget what we've been saved from. So, God, in his mercy, places us in the refiner's fire from time to time. He allows us to experience pain and loss and fear – so that we might see clearly everything of ourselves that is not in Him. And this is when we are able to get down to the truth of the matter. What do we love most – the gifts or the gift-giver? • The Lord uses different things at different times in different people's lives. And what is difficult for you might not be so difficult for another. But the Lord knows how to deliver them that are his. o Financial problems o Relationships o Health o Family Whatever you are going through, God has a purpose, and He can deliver you!
I suspect the prevalence of depression and anxiety and despair (and the destructive outcome of those things) is directly due to people loving the world. We are consumed with the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life. We were made for another world. And one day, those of us who are redeemed by Christ will experience a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Until then, "Walk in the spirit, that you might not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." 1 John 2: 15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
o The House of God should be approached circumspectly – with the same short of circumspection that is expected of a Christian's daily life. We ought to be aware of who we are and who we are not Where we are Who we are around or among or with When you come to the house of God, never forget that you are seeking an audience with the king. And we should be wise enough to remember this and conduct our behavior accordingly.
What does it mean to be reconciled? In this message, we discuss Reconciliation in Christ, Reconciliation by Christ, Reconciliation through Christ, and Reconciliation for Christ.
In this culture in which we live – this Post-Industrial Western culture – we have developed the idea of retirement – That you can work until you get to a place that you no longer need to. That you will finally be able to relax and stop worrying – that things will just be taken care of. In a sense, that things will finally be easy and we can relax. We have somewhere absorbed the notion that we should be able to get to a place where we are able to be where we should be spiritually and emotionally. . .that we should just be able to stay there. But REST in this life is not the goal. Jesus's call to his apostles is not "find rest." It is "follow me." If we seek to follow Jesus, we will find rest when we need it most; if we seek rest, we may find ourselves in a state of dejection or depression or just simple laziness. God made you what He intended you to be, and your path is not necessarily the same as another person – even a revered brother or sister. Be careful that we don't look up to someone with respect and honor and then begin to assume that person's experience is the ideal – or what we should be striving for. We should not ever strive to experience another person's experiences – we are instead called to FOLLOW Jesus. Jesus had a different calling and path for each of his disciples. And he had a different calling and purpose for example, for Peter and Paul. Peter was such an integral part of the early church, and yet God chose to raise up another apostle who was very different than Peter – someone who was outside the religious system so that he might see the faults that were developing within it. Jesus Christ is the standard, and the one who upholds us.
Our culture has implemented and then assumed certain techniques for "evangelizing" people. Are these methods scriptural? Mainstream evangelicals have reduced the gospel to a simple transaction in which you follow the ABC's and declare yourself justified. Other groups, in response to that error, have gone perhaps too far in other directions, for example OVER-emphasizing predestination and the sovereignty of God. But what is the appropriate scriptural way to evangelize? What did Jesus do? What did He say. Specifically, what gospel did he preach regarding himself: In essence, He preached, "If you want to follow me, it will cost you everything."
When we think about Solomon, we tend to think of His wisdom, his wealth, or his women. We don't typically think of His humility. But Solomon, at this point in his life, had a consuming hunger for the presence of God and an accurately low view of himself. And he held in his heart an all-compelling purpose to build the House of God.
Is Your Religion Separating You from the Love of God? Is your religion making you more or less like Jesus Christ? In this message, we consider The Dangers of Religious 'isms Some Religious "ism's" that separate you from the love of God: -Religious Elitism -Religious Legalism -Religious Colonialism -Religious Tribalism
2 Chr 20- 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them-- for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us- neither know we what to do- but our eyes are upon thee.
Matt 6- -KJV- 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal- 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal- 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.--Every time I have heard this scripture preached, it has been used as a warning against materialism. Even to the extreme of suggesting money is bad, and if you have too much of it, you are bad. --But was that the original focus of this verse-- --When Jesus says, -Lay not up treasure on earth,- could it be that this is a warning against holding too tightly to whatever you have -how little or much it may be-, rather than a mere warning against obtaining material blessing -however it may arrive-.---Let's take a fresh look at this familiar passage together, with the Lord's help.
Proverbs Lesson 8- Responsibilities for Men.--In this message, we explore Solomon's wisdom from Proverbs 4, especially as it relates to husbands and fathers. --If you are a man, or if you are raising men, or if you have any influence at all over young men, this message is a must-listen-
Solomon's admonition in this chapter is simple- Get Wisdom. Who you associate with influences who you are. And you get wisdom largely by who and what you are exposed to. --Do not enter the path of the wicked. Sometimes we think we can be strong enough, but God never meant for us to be. He just meant for us to avoid that path or situation altogether. --As a child of God, there are people and situations and people we would be wise to avoid. --Your willpower is limited. You aren't supposed to rely on your willpower to protect you from things that wisdom is supposed to protect you from. --Let your questions be prompted by wisdom and in pursuit of wisdom. The more you pursue wisdom, the more you will be equipped for wise questions, and further understanding of wisdom.
This is Lesson 10 of our -Sermons from Proverbs- series. --In this message, we explore Proverbs 4-20-27, in which we are admonished to Listen and Incline to the words and sayings of life. ---Let your eyes look directly forward.- --Ponder the Path of your feet.- --How much of our personal pain, suffering, and sickness is a direct result of the culmination of a lifetime of our own choices--failing to look straight ahead and not ponder the path of our feet- --The Enemy has a demonic agenda to distract us from focusing on and living in Christ. In contrast, Jesus came to give us abundant life. --Jesus is the great healer, and he came to give us life- He is not pleased with our chronic suffering, and He has given us provision in His Holy Word to prevent so much of our chronic suffering. --In this message we also discuss how Jesus came to deliver us from the enslaving nature of our own choices. --Brothers and Sisters, we are called to disciplined lives through the power of God, the help of the Holy Spirit, and the Truth of His word.
This was my burden to proclaim to God's people after the attempted assassination of President Trump.
Sometimes in life things happen that are so painful or difficult to bear, and in those times, we may wonder why. -Why did God let this happen--- But in those moments, we may fail to see the bigger picture. We may not understand. And, indeed, we may never fully understand in this life. But with time and with the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we begin to understand a bit more of the depth of God's plans and purposes. -The things you experience are for a greater purpose. Though they may feel unbearable at the time, there is a purpose. --Jesus came to BE your comfort.-Jesus came to BE your strength.-Jesus came to BE your hope.-Jesus came to BE your life.-Jesus came to BE your light. -Jesus came to BE your salvation.-Jesus came to overcome death and the grave.--Everything that is so significant about Jesus. . .which is everything. . .is IN HIM.--Whatever you may be enduring, Jesus loves you and he can help you-
We are at a crossroads in this generation. And we have an opportunity to influence how future generations perceive what it means to serve God. --Are we going to serve the living God, or continue to perpetuate dead religious traditions-- --I pray this message is a help to you all- --- Pastor Josh Gregory --Ecc 7-10 Do not say, -Why were the old days better than these--- For it is not wise to ask such questions.--Isaiah 43- 16This is what the LORD says--he who made a way through the sea,-a path through the mighty waters,-17who drew out the chariots and horses,-the army and reinforcements together,-and they lay there, never to rise again,-extinguished, snuffed out like a wick--18-Forget the former things--do not dwell on the past.-19See, I am doing a new thing--Now it springs up- do you not perceive it---I am making a way in the wilderness-and streams in the wasteland.-20The wild animals honor me,-the jackals and the owls,-because I provide water in the wilderness-and streams in the wasteland,-to give drink to my people, my chosen,-21the people I formed for myself-that they may proclaim my praise.
Ask.--How often do we simply Ask God for what we need, or ask Him what He thinks, or ask Him how we ought to proceed-- This is part of child-like faith the Lord desires of us -- To simply ask.
The notion of balance in your life is a man-made weight that you can lay down at the feet of Jesus. Friends, Balance is a myth. We aren't called to balanced lives. We are called to live surrendered lives. We are called to live disciplined lives. But I can't find any scriptures teaching that God expects balance in our lives in the sense we are talking about it. Actually, I'm not sure balance in that sense is even possible. --What do I mean----In this moment, I am preaching. In this moment, that is all I am doing. I am not tending to my wife's needs, although those are important. I'm not tending to my daughter's needs, although those are important. I'm not making money, although that is necessary. I'm not eating, although that is essential. There are many things-good things-that I am not doing right now. Because I am doing this. I want to be fixed on this opportunity with single-minded focus. And isn't that what we are called to-- Isn't that how scripture admonishes us to live----Now, how does this apply to you--
This message is about the absolute necessity of repentance for everyone, saved and lost alike. --For the child of God, repentance is a necessary duty, and also offers the most beautiful benefits- --In this message we also discuss real issues like addition to alcohol, pornography, and other vices, and how to overcome besetting sins.
Jesus came to be with you in midst of your life's messes. --Maybe you feel like your life is a mess. Just one big, continual, ongoing mess. Like no matter what you try, you mess it up. Maybe you have even felt like you are one of life's messes. The Enemy might have even convinced you at some point that your life is a mistake- that you are a mistake. But I'm here to tell you today that Jesus came to clean up your messes. He came to be with you in the midst of your messes. He came to help you through your messes. And He came to rescue you from your messes. --Jesus came to seek and save the ones who were lost. He came to love His enemies so purely and selflessly that many would turn to Him for comfort and healing - many would surrender to his irresistible love. --I don't know what you have in your past. But Jesus came to save those with a past.--He's not afraid of the messes we make. And we don't have to clean ourselves up -- He does that for us-
Love is everything. Simply and truly, everything. Sometimes we feel like there are all kinds of things we must do--duties and obligations and religious responsibilities--and it will be better if we can manage to do them in love. But, in fact, LOVE is everything- --Without pure love, nothing we do has lasting value-
How should we evangelize-- What should we tell people when we talk about Salvation-- Is there a scriptural way to explain what actually happens when a person comes to know Jesus Christ-- --In the passage we are going to read today, a very smart religious man comes to Jesus in Secret, because he knows something is different about Jesus. Jesus clearly explains to Nicodemus the necessity of being -Born Again.- In Doing so, they discuss the kingdom of God and believing. So in this message, we will consider--1. What is the -Kingdom of God----2. What does it mean to believe-- -3. What does it mean to be -Born Again---
Pride distances us from God. God dwells with the humble, but casts away the proud. --Pride is the underlying cause of all human suffering - actually all of the suffering in the world is a result of Pride. But humility is the foundation of human flourishing. --Pride is, foundationally, an inappropriate focus on yourself. Pride is rooted in self-focus and self-concern. But Humility is fundamentally focused on others. -The royal law can only be fulfilled through humility-. --A Warning- We have to be very careful in approaching this topic so that we don't allow the Truth of God to spiral into a tool of Satan.-The aim of this message is not to get you to think less of yourself -although that may be necessary-- the goal is for you to think of yourself less. --Indeed- Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourselves less. Our aim is not to develop a low opinion of ourselves, but an accurate opinion of ourselves in relation to the Triune God. -We are the adopted Children of God the Father, fellow-hears of His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit LIVES inside of us if we are truly His- And none of that is a result of Anything we have done, but only of grace and mercy. --In this message we will consider the Dangers of Personal Pride, as well as the Dangers of Pride within the Body of Christ
Religious teaching about women has been characterized by two extremes. --Obviously neither extreme view is correct, but does anyone really believe what we have now is better-- The family unit is being dismantled- children are being raised by the State, families find it VERY difficult to survive on one income, Women are expected to do all the jobs of women AND men, and men are expected not to act like men. Women are expected to be something superhuman, and men are expected to be something less than human.--But What does scripture teach----What does God say about women--
This message is Part 2 of a series in which we focus on -What God Says About Men and Women.- --This message focuses on -What God Says About Men.- or -Biblical Masculinity.- Particularly, we look at seven aspects of Biblical Manhood. --1. A man has dominion over his environment.-2. He protects and provides for those he loves. -3. He has control over his own body.-4. He pursues wisdom and conforms his life and actions to what he knows to be true, rather than what he simply desires-5. He is calm in the midst of storms.-6. He shows emotion as appropriate based on the circumstances.-7. He is strong and courageous.
So much has happened in our culture so fast. And we as the people of God- we as the body of Christ can no longer afford to be silent. -We, in the west, live in a culture of exponentially accelerating insanity. -There is a definite agenda - an active undoing of what our culture has fundamentally been in the past. There is a grand conspiracy, and Satan is the author of it - a conspiracy to deny the Truth of God, the creation of God, and the existence of God. -This agenda is conditioning us to ignore our own eyes and ignore our own ears so that even the most fundamental and obvious truths are called into question -- obvious truths such as -What is a woman-----This will be the first message of a series in which we will examine what God says in scripture about men and women, as well as masculinity and femininity. --We will attempt to answer questions like- -What is a man, and how should a man live,- as well as -What is a woman, and how should a woman live.- --Christian Friends, It's time we return to foundational, Biblical Christianity, and stop filtering everything we think or say through the lens of the current cultural trends. Those in the world around us -- those who disagree with us -- need to hear the truth. Speak the truth in Love, friends. Yes, but we must speak the truth. Withholding truth is neither kind nor loving. May we be bold and full of the love of Christ-
Christian Brother, Christian Sister, Dear Child of God- This is a message of deliverance.--If you have been saved by the grace of God, he has forgiven you. If you have experienced a new birth spiritually by his power, he has forgiven you. . . Can you forgive yourself-- --On of the heaviest, most distracting, and most consuming weights that Christians carry around is guilt. Unnecessary, self-imposed guilt.--You can lay down your guilt at the feet of Jesus. Stop trying to earn his love.--The question is simple- Is Jesus's sacrifice on the cross enough for you, or do you feel you still need to add to it in some way--
There are three main causes of suffering--1. Results from your own decisions and actions -your sin--2. Direct spiritual attacks or attacks from others -other people's sin--3. The cross God has made for you.--This message deals with that 3rd category of suffering. We discuss WHY God allows his children to suffer if He loves us so much, what is meant by -take up your cross,- and how we can -and can not- do that.
You can't always trust what you see-You can't always trust what you hear-You can't always trust what you feel--Only through faith can we understand that things which are seen were not made by things which do appear. Only by faith can we understand the invisible creates the visible. Only by faith can we live in peace.
We tend to live as if there are things we should pray about or that we need to pray about - but most of the rest of our lives we just need to handle and figure out and -do---But our Lord says- -Bring me every burden, bring me every care.- He wants us to bring everything to him through prayer and supplication. This is the only path to ongoing peace as a Child of God.
EVERYTHING about Biblical evangelism springs forth from the life of Christ within you. True evangelism is not a thing you go do - it's not an event on a Saturday afternoon - and it's not something you can go to classes and be trained in. True evangelism is a result of the overflowing of Supernatural life--True evangelism is spiritual in its origins, spiritual in its implementation, and spiritual in its resulting effects.--We are not looking for natural results, and therefore we DARE NOT rely on natural means and methods. --- So much of so-called evangelism today is based on sales and marketing techniques and tactics, rather than the pure proclamation of the Truth.-o Well-intentioned or not, so many of todays preachers and Christian workers employ tactics and deploy systems that are designed to get people to -yes.- -o But our goal is not to -get them to yes.- It is not our goal to get them to simply agree and make a decision, but to live in such a way and proclaim the truth in such a way that they understand their deep need for The Savior- -- The only true-real-authentic evangelism must align with scripture-- The only real evangelism is Biblical Evangelism. All other forms are counterfeits
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.--Behold Your God-
- -I CAN- -o Too many Christians focus too little on this. We're prone to focus on what we can not do. We tend to focus on our own weaknesses -as if that were some sort of surprise--o Of course we have weaknesses - you are a human-o Of course we are utterly weak-completely impotent in fact-as compared to the Lord God Almighty-o But your own weakness is not an excuse for inaction. Your own personal weakness has nothing to do with whether or not you can do anything. Because it's never been about your own strength.-- You can because He can- I can because He can. We can because He can.-- -Through Christ who gives me strength--o Oh, that's the beautiful thing. You don't have to generate the strength on your own. It's not about your strength at all. It's not about your willpower. It's not about your ability. The strength doesn't come from you - no what we are talking about it supernatural strength from the Son of God Himself.
a. God knows His own perfect plans.-b. God knows the blessings He has planned for you, whether you do or not.-c. Your awareness of His blessings has no impact on the reality of what God is going to do. Just because you can't see it yet doesn't mean his planned blessings won't come to pass. -d. It doesn't really matter if you know the plans he has for you. . . the important thing is that He knows the plans He has for you
Are you a disciple of Christ---Notice how closely that word resembles the word -Discipline.- -Are you serious about following Christ---- Being a disciple means it's not about what you want or what you can get by with or maybe what God will tolerate, but ultimately what will please God.-- Oh how different our lives would be if we lived purely by this principle- -Will this please my master--- -- We live in a generation where people are more concerned with how they feel than with doing what is right.-o Part of being a disciple of Christ is having a basic foundation of character and morals, regardless of how you feel. In fact, that's just part of being an adult. -o True disciples can be relied on to do certain things regardless of how they feel in the moment-o Our generation has been far too focused on inspiration -an emotional high- and not nearly focused enough on duty and responsibility-- We go to church only when we feel like it-- We pray when we feel like it-- We get serious about the Lord's work -sort of- when we feel like it-- What if pastors preached only when they felt like it---- What if God only answered our prayers when he felt like it-- What if God relied on -motivation- like we do----o At the very beginning of Jesus's earthly ministry, when Jesus called his disciples, he said -Follow me-- which was at once an invitation and a command. -- So much more than just -don't you want to be saved.- -Don't you want to go to heaven---
God has burdened me with a message of deliverance today for those who suffer psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, physically. If you've ever been told you have anxiety or depression, or a depressive disorder, or some sort of mental health disorder - listen to this message. Or if you've struggled at any time, listen to this message. If you've struggled with addiction or addictive behavior -including food-, listen to this message. If you've struggled with lack of -self-discipline,- listen to this message. --- We need to preach things that are not only theologically accurate, but also practically applicable. It doesn't help to just say truisms or things that we all agree with if we don't explain to the listeners HOW to implement these truths in their lives. This is part of why Jesus taught in parables and used so many agricultural references. He wanted the people who were willing to have their eyes opened by the Spirit to truly get it We aren't just speaking about information that is technically accurate, we are proclaiming the good news of the very Word of Life.-- We have not been commissioned to preach an unattainable ideal- rather, we have been given eternal life and have been entrusted with preaching that good news to the world, and living in light of that good news IN the world right now.
This message has to do with approaching the things of God, and how we ought to do that. --Principles in approaching the things of God-- Don't ever put yourself in a place of honor. Let God do that-- Approach the worship service with your eyes on the Lord, and how you can please and honor him, rather than what you need to do to feel better-- Have a sober opinion of yourself. No man should think of himself more highly than he ought to think. . . -Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.- How much faith do you really have------ Don't take advantage of the Liberty of the Spirit -- Don't pride yourself on being -right- -- Trust but verify-- Be willing to wait on the Lord.-o If he has burdened you with something. If He has placed something in your heart. HE will bring it to pass in His own good time-- Nothing of eternal value is accomplished in our own strength
What a blessing to be adopted into the God's family- -Some points from this message---God will never un-adopt you.--God never gives up on His children who fall--God's love for His children is unconditional, immeasurable, and eternal.
When Tragedy strikes--We get a sense of underlying meaning from the very wording of that title. It is as if tragedy itself has its own will and purpose to destroy us -- that it wants to strike, cause suffering, and ultimately destroy. And it implies that you have no choice in the matter - that you have no control. But, is that accurate----This kind of language ascribes to tragedy a sort of anthropomorphic power. But listen, the power is in Jesus. The power is in his blood. Neither tragedy, nor grief, nor despair, nor discouragement, nor pain, nor suffering shall have control over you. Sin shall not have dominion over you. Death shall not have dominion over you.--You are not under the law, but under grace, and if you are not under the law, then neither are you bound by the forces of fate or any other such forces. You are the Lord's---Do you have any control---Is there anything you can do---How should you handle it---Or, should you try to handle it--
The only true service to the Lord is what HE deems service. The only authentic worship is what he deems worship, no matter how well-intentioned the presumed worshiper may be.--Good intentions don't always produce God-honoring results. In fact, they can sometimes do the exact opposite. That is why I haven't titled the message, -How to evangelize- or -How to win souls,- or -How to lead people to Christ.- --We ought to be wary of a person who says they know how to lead people to Christ and they can train you to do the same. Be cautious of that sort of language and be careful of people who think language like that is appropriate. --The truth is this- I don't know how to lead people to Christ, and neither do you. Every person who comes to truly know Christ undergoes a new birth that happens supernaturally through the power of God and has nothing to do with you. There are only 2 people present at the moment of salvation- God and the repentant sinner that has been drawn by God's own power and Spirit. There might be lots of people around, but those are the only two people involved in this new birth experience. --The Lord saves whom He will. And he does it by the power of his own mighty hand. --With that said, the Lord has established his Ekklesia and sends us into the world with the message of good news. He wants to use you. Each and every single saved child of God. He wants to use you to advance his kingdom. He's looking for willing servants to spread the message of hope and truth and salvation. But the question is how-- How should we evangelize-- --In this message, we discuss some of the main principles of evangelism according to Scripture.
In this message we consider the call to preach the gospel, according to scripture. We examine God's call to the prophet Ezekiel to preach to the rebellious House of Israel. May this message be an encouragement to all true God-called preachers and to all who may listen to the Truth. --To the preachers--YOU spend time alone with God.-YOU be sure you know him and what he wants you to bring to the people.-YOU preach the truth.--God is much more concerned with the faithfulness of your heart than the performance outcome. --Don't worry about the audience response. Just make sure you are doing your utmost to faithfully fulfill what God has commanded you to do.
God Changes Everything. That is what He does. And when the imperfect, changeable, sinful, double-mind creature meets the unchanging Lord of Glory, that creature will be changed- --The Christian must also change. And if the child of God is resistant to God-inspired change, that is dangerous, and potentially idolatrous. --The Greek discussed here is metamorphoo - the very same word used to describe the change that Jesus experienced and manifested on the Mount of Transfiguration.--We can be transfigured into the likeness of Christ more, and more, the more we behold Him -- but only if we are willing to be changed.
The Holy Spirit desires to bring about unity in the body. But true abiding unity only comes when the individual body parts stop contending for what they want and submit themselves wholly to what the Head leads. The Holy Spirit desires to produce health in the body, but the body parts may not like the path it takes to get there, and may fight against it. --In the message we explore what it takes to have unity in the Body of Christ, and how it is absolutely essential for the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes we avoid or shy away from certain scriptural truths because un-scriptural preachers have hijacked, twisted, and perverted the truth. But, no matter how wrongly certain truths have been handled by false teachers, it doesn't make those truths any less true. --We ought to preach and embrace the truth, no matter how many people have misused it. We need never be reactive. We need never be on the defense as God's people. We just need to live, pressing toward the mark of the high calling in Jesus Christ, and not give in to any of the noise around us. --We need to preach and embrace the truth. And the law of the harvest is one of those scriptural truths we need not shy away from. ---Good Measure- means more than you deserve, more than you bargained for, more than you paid for -- And he gives us not only good measure -more than required-, but packs it down extra, shakes more in, makes sure it's overflowing, and then pours all of this into our laps. And this is not a new doctrine. --Oh Praise Our Good Father for His Abundance toward his children-
In this 6th look at -The Ekklessia- The Body of Christ and How She Functions with Christ as Her Head,- we consider the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. The whole purpose of a healthy body is to be able to do those things the head may lead and direct--the things only an active, living body can do. In short, the body is called to -GO.-
In this 5th look at -The Ekklesia,- we discuss how Love should be our foundation, our motivation, and our essence. Everything Jesus did was in love, and Scripture clearly teaches that Love is the only way to fulfill the Law of God. --Love is, at its most fundamental level, sacrifice. And -greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.-
In this message we consider the Life and Teachings of Jesus as it pertains to his body. How Did John the Baptist prepare the way- What Gospel Did He Preach. How did his Gospel cause division between true and false followers.
This is part 2 of -The Ekklesia- The Body of Christ and How She Should Function with Christ as Her Head.- --In this message we consider the scriptural usage of the word -ekklesia,- as well as the history and translation of Church.
There are 7 primary factors or categories that influence how a congregation functions. Of course this list is not all-encompassing, but generally speaking, additional aspects or points can likely be included in one of these 7 categories. --1. The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ-a. Everything Jesus explicitly commanded-b. Everything he implicitly taught-c. Everything he modeled in his own life and actions-d. -1 is most important. If you don't get anything else, get this- -I am the way, the truth, and the life.- -2. What is explicitly taught in scripture-a. The doctrines of the ekklesia-3. What is implicitly taught in scripture-a. The scriptures help us condition our minds so that we can serve Christ acceptably -4. What God has written in our hearts-a. Romans 2-14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves--5. What is revealed by the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit and prompted by the Holy Spirit-a. Number 4 and number 5 help us actually do number 1. -6. Everything else that complements or conforms to or promotes the first 5 points-a. The beneficial traditions, customs, and habits-b. These are not doctrinal points-c. These are not hills to die on-d. These are the things we need to be willing to let go of in an instant if they interfere with any of the first 5 things. -7. Everything else-a. All the religious stuff. All the cultural stuff.
We need more of Jesus and less of our own ideas and works and habits- We need more of Jesus and less religious activity We need more of Jesus and less Church stuff--A person may say, -Well You Can Have Both.- -- But why would you want both----If you have truly experienced Jesus as the transformational force that we claim He is, why would you want to attempt to add anything else to Him-
We MUST have power with God. Our entire future is dependent on this one thing. I would go so far as to say this. If we don't have power with God, all other religious activity is in vain. --Holy Spirit inspired, Holy Spirit-produced, and Holy Spirit-sustained power is everything.--You may say, -We just need to be more loving.- The problem with statements like that is that many people pushing that doctrine don't understand the concept of love according to the Bible. Love is not primarily niceness or kindness or gentleness. No, true love is so much deeper than mere demeanor or tone of voice or what is seen on the outside. --Love is deeper than how you say something. True love is and must be more concerned with the truth than with perception. Love and truth are inextricably intertwined. There is no such thing as love that turns a blind eye to truth. That is some kind of cheap counterfeit. --In the coming messages, we will dwell on these questions -1. What happens when we have power with God- What is it like when we have power with God--2. What happens when we lack power with God- What is it like -and what does it look like- when we are powerless--3. How do we Get power- Or What is the path to power-
Information alone is utterly inadequate to speak to a person's innermost needs. This is why God has given us more than the Bible. And Jesus has left us with much more than eyewitness accounts of what he did while here on this earth. What have we been left with-- The Holy Spirit-Moreover, Jesus did not give us a religion. He did not pass down mere religious custom and tradition. He didn't pass down rules and regulations. He gave us a new and living way. He gave us himself.-The message today deals with the Holy Spirit, how we can know Him, what He is like, and how he works with God's Children in this life.
We often feel like we must wait for something more or better or that we must wait until we have done more or been more, but what a refreshing reminder that, if we have been saved by the grace of God, -We Have Everything We Need--
Part 3 of -Wrestling with Romans 13.- There are times to resist -government authority,- but we must remember---- Our resistance shouldn't be primarily about our fleshly comfort or our own obstinate personal will, but about the kingdom of God and the Salvation of Lost Souls. -o Both now and in the future.-- Whatever we decide -and whatever we do-, we must remember that the Lord does not see as man sees. The Lord looks on the heart.-- We must beware of being defiant just for the sake of being defiant. -- The best way to submit to legitimate government authority is to obey God. If you obey God and live a life of love, you will have fulfilled the highest law.
Today We look at a Warrior's Heart in King David and how this applies to God's children today. Does he desire us to have the same type of heart of a Warrior-
Consensus of opinion is not the path to truth. Truth must be revealed by the Truthful One-o It is the Truth that matters. It is the Truth that sets you free. -o I must be more concerned with speaking the truth than whether you like what I'm saying. -o This is why it is necessary to understand proper submission to authority. And what authority is. And what restrictions it is appropriate to submit ourselves to. -- Simply put- Love ought to compel us to seek and speak truth. --AND--When be begin down the path toward truth, we embark on a dangerous journey.--o Consider this path--Seeking truth means that there is truth. The fact that there is truth means there is a right thing to believe. A desire to understand truth or to know the right thing can quickly settle into a satisfaction with being right. And feeling justified in being right can completely replace the hunger for truth altogether if we're not careful.-- Prov 16-18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.-- As we seek Truth, our heart's attitude ought to be- -Lord, you know,- rather than any self-satisfaction with being right.
In this message, brother Just wrestles with Romans 13 vs. 1-8. This passage of scripture is often invoked by people saying that you must submit to a certain law, edict, or mandate -because...Romans 13.- But is this what the Apostle Paul meant- --A surface reading makes it sound like everyone should do whatever the government says no matter what. . . but is this surface reading accurate, and does it align with the rest of Paul's teachings, his life, the life of Jesus and his teachings, and the body of Scripture as a whole- --How does this passage apply to Christians in 2021-
THE TRUE PRESENCE AND POWER OF GOD IS ALL THERE IS. There are no other things. There are no substitutes. There are no replacements. And only a people who are pitiful and anemic spiritually would settle for anything else. - We must have the Holy Spirit among us. Period. - -It is the Spirit who gives life- the flesh is no help at all.- It is the Spirit who will guide you into all truth. -Right- information is no substitute for Holy Spirit-led Truth.- You can be right yet totally ineffective. You can have the right information, yet be completely devoid of the power of God. You can gain a whole world of religious knowledge and still die in your unforgiven sins and spend eternity in Hell. -- I am not saying all religious activity is automatically bad. I am saying that all religious activity is inherently incomplete, insufficient, ineffectual. God didn't just give us a set of standards- He gave us a Savior. He didn't just give us some rules and traditions-a sort of life ethic to loosely base our lives on- He gave us a living way. - How often do we settle for religious activity when we could have REAL fellowship with Christ- You can satisfy yourself with the junk food that is religious activity, or you can seek the Spiritual Food of God from a Hungry Heart.
Isaiah 66 -ESV-- 1Thus says the LORD---Heaven is my throne,-and the earth is my footstool--what is the house that you would build for me,-and what is the place of my rest--2All these things my hand has made,-and so all these things came to be,-declares the LORD.-But this is the one to whom I will look--he who is humble and contrite in spirit-and trembles at my word.-3-He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man--he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck--he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers pig's blood--he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol.-These have chosen their own ways,-and their soul delights in their abominations--4I also will choose harsh treatment for them-and bring their fears upon them,-because when I called, no one answered,-when I spoke, they did not listen--but they did what was evil in my eyes-and chose that in which I did not delight.--5Hear the word of the LORD,-you who tremble at his word-
The power of a tender heart. This sounds at once self-contradictory, but in truth, there is no greater power than the ability to act that comes from a person living in tender submission to the Lord. In the master's hands, a tender heart is pliable and easily moved to whatever state or place or season our Master desires of us.--1. We must seek to cultivate tender hearts before the Lord--2. A tender heart proceeds from brokenness and leads to subsequent healing.--a. Psalm 34-18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.--b. In an insta-perfect culture, we are expected to be always -on,- but authentic brokenness is a good thing. If the truth is that you are at point of brokenness, then embrace that truth. The truth shall set you free.--3. We must embrace experiences that lead to our own self-brokenness.--a. Rather than dwelling on -why me,- ask -What can I learn from this-- -How is God going to redeem this for His glory-- Or even more importantly, go to the LORD and beg for help---i. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves those who have a crushed spirit--b. Trials are a blessing--c. Pain is an opportunity for increased vulnerability--i. Heb 5- -1For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.-
God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.--In this message, Brother Josh preaches about the spirit fear that has been so prevalent in recent times, and what Christians can do about it.
In this message, Brother Joshua discusses effective leadership, God-called -and Holy Spirit-inspired- preaching, and effective pastoring.
Romans 8- 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear- but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God- 17And if children, then heirs- heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ- if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.-- Would it be accurate to say that most of us have experienced fear at some point in life- -- Would it be accurate to say that most of us have experienced seasons of life where fear dominated us- -o I mean anxiety-producing, sleep depriving, soul-crushing, reality-altering fear.-o The only way to eliminate fear is to live in faith.-o This is not a state of being that we arrive at and stay at. -- We must be sober and vigilant-- We must stand-- We must choose, actively, to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith. --- DO not surrender your sovereign will to FEAR-o Fear is brought to the children of God to try to distract them from reality and to try to render them useless in the service of God-o Fear distorts reality-o Fear robs you of your freedom-o Fear steals your life-force-o Fear makes you sleep-deprived-o Fear causes you to make poor, near-sighted choices-o Fear prompts you to do mind-numbing activities and perhaps use mind-altering substances-o Ultimately, fear is sin, and sin brings death. ----51-00 -Be Strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might-
In this message, Brother Josh recounts his testimony and relays deep thankfulness to the members of Fellowship MBC. He addresses the foundational issue- The salvation of the Soul and how a person can obtain peace with God He then attempts to address the question, -What will going through the motions get us-- What happens when we go through the motions and fail to serve the Lord from the heart, in Spirit and Truth- --Here are some points from the message----The Law came by Moses, but Grace and Truth by Jesus Christ.---Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law. --A preacher can preach all of the right words with none of the right feeling.--We can serve the Lord by the Letter of the Law, and miss the HEART of true worship entirely. --It is LOVE that draws people to God. And if we lose our foundation of love, we will miss God's greatest purpose for us. --Sometimes we lose sight of God in light of the blessings of God.-Sometimes He is so good to us that we can forget that what we truly crave is God himself. --God wants our hearts. He wants us to crave His presence. It's not enough to simply be -correct.- Without love, all religion fails. --Have we lost our first love-
What it means to be -Born Again,- and how this happens, according to Jesus as explained to Nicodemus in John 3.--Preached at Taylor's Chapel Revival Effort Meeting in 2019.
Here we read that of all things Joseph the patriarch could have said as his last words, he gave instructions regarding his bones. Why- Isn't that weird- Maybe, or maybe not. In this message that admittedly is highly personal to our church, we examine this question. Maybe there's something there for everyone.
On Easter Sunday, let's consider the question- what exactly IS the power of the Resurrection-
When we find ourselves in danger or in trouble, our first instinct is to either fight or flee. But what if the only working solution is neither of these- How do we defeat instinct in order to be saved-
Seems that regularly, some group or preacher makes a new prediction about the end of time. The latest one was to be April 23. Yet we are still here. Does anyone know-
Do you ever just get tired- What does Jesus offer to those who are weary- Is this well-known passage just for those outside the church, or is there a message to Jesus' own people there, also-
What does it mean to -wait upon the Lord-- And what could that possibly have to do with a mikvah- Listen to see.
Jesus' friend Lazarus was sick. Jesus said the sickness was not unto death, but then he died. What did Jesus mean- And what does that mean for us-
When hard times come, do you ever feel as if you're being punished by God- Listen and see if your perspective on hard times changes.
We have a tendency to assume God wants to accomplish certain things for him----We assume that it-s about our activity--o-It-s not about our activity, but our identity--o-We spend so much energy trying to find out what we should be doing that we fail to consider who we are while we are doing it-whatever the -it- is. ----Sometimes we forget to think of who we are becoming while we sit around waiting for God to tell us what we should be doing----Obedience has more to do with your heart than your actions----Obedience has more to do with your attitude than your aptitude--o-God doesn-t expect you to become something you aren-t in order to serve him ----Our culture teaches us that we need to become something else before we are worthwhile-before we can be of use----Paul- -By the grace of God, I am what I am.- --o-God doesn-t expect you to become something you aren-t in order to serve him--o-Rather, He expects you to serve him with what you have and with who you are - with those particular set of talents and abilities you possess.----You focus on the Lord, and He will make you what he needs you to be--o-Your own particular set of strengths and weaknesses together comprise who you are. And brothers and sisters, the way you serve Jesus is to lay all of this down at his feet---o--Lord, you know me better than I know myself. You know what distracts me- you know what hinders me- you know my needs- you know my abilities. Lord, help me lay down my life so that I might KNOW you- ----THAT is obedience
Part 1 of a two-part sermon in which we revisit the past 25 sermons preached by pastor Joshua.
The effectiveness of the Lord-s Church has always been directly proportional to her power with Him. Or put differently, true power in prayer produces true power in practice. Personal communion with God results in lives of authentic public worship to God.
In a culture plagued by a lack of patience and a lack of gratitude, what can we learn from Psalm 136 about why and how to express our thankfulness as the people of God-
The total solar eclipse witnessed in the greater Nashville area on Monday, August 21 was an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon. Beholding the miracles of nature can often direct us to some truth of God. What can we learn about Jesus from a solar eclipse- This message was preached at Faith MBC in Nashville.
1 Cor 1- 18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness- but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise- where is the scribe- where is the disputer of this world- hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world- 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom- 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness-24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Nehemiah 1- 4And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 5And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments- 6Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee- both I and my father's house have sinned. 7We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. 8Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations- 9But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them- though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. 10Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 11O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name- and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
Scripture presents at least 5 different ways in which the phrase -in the spirit- is used, and yet religious people often use this phrase in a manner which may be less scriptural than we think. How do you know if you are -in the Spirit.- And, which spirit are you in- Which spirit are you of- How do you know whether the preacher is preaching from God's heart or from his own desires, concerns, or frustrations-----From the message- -God's Spirit produces love- He produces unselfishness- He produces an attitude of longsuffering- He produces an attitude of forgiveness. And the moment any preacher deviates from that, we've gotten into our own flesh. It doesn't mean the whole message is useless- it means we are imperfect vessels.-