The Living Truth Fellowship: Recent Episodes
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In this teaching, Rich Robson opens Psalm 119:89–96 to show the beauty, precision, and enduring power of God’s Word. He explains how Hebrew poetry joins corresponding thoughts together, allowing one expression to reinforce, expand, or contrast another. God’s Word is forever settled in heaven, His faithfulness continues through every generation, and all creation remains subject to His ordinances. These carefully arranged truths reveal that the Bible is far more than another religious book—it is the inspired Word through which God has made Himself and His faithfulness known.
Rich also contrasts the stability of God’s Word with the fear, speculation, and troubling voices that constantly compete for our attention. Rather than allowing the world’s uncertainties to dominate our thinking, we can delight in God’s teaching, seek His precepts, and meditate upon His promises. His Word gives us life, steadies us during affliction, and reminds us that we belong to Him. Although human knowledge and achievement will always have their limits, God’s truth is “exceedingly broad,” offering an inexhaustible source of wisdom, joy, strength, and hope.
Shaped by the Living God, explores God’s desire to restore humanity to its original purpose as His image and representative on the earth. Drawing from Genesis, Ephesians, Romans, Colossians, and the Psalms, Rich Robson contrasts God’s design for mankind with humanity’s tendency to reject God’s wisdom and create its own standards of truth. He emphasizes that the root problem of the human condition is not merely bad behavior but the refusal to let God define who we are and how we should live. Instead of allowing God to shape us, people often attempt to reshape God into their own image, leading to vanity, confusion, and separation from the life God intended.
The teaching highlights the believer’s calling to put off the “old man” and embrace the “new man” created in righteousness and true holiness. Rich explains that spiritual growth is not accomplished through self-improvement or human effort but by continually setting our minds on Christ and allowing God to work within us. Using the analogy of learning kung fu, he illustrates that transformation is a lifelong process of learning to move and respond according to God’s ways rather than our own instincts, desires, or reasoning.
Ultimately, Shaped by the Living God is a call to humility, obedience, and hope. Rich reminds believers that God never stops working to conform His children to the image He intended from the beginning. While complete transformation awaits the appearing of Jesus Christ, God is faithfully shaping His people today through His Word, His spirit, and their daily decision to follow His paths rather than their own. The teaching encourages listeners to keep their eyes fixed on the coming kingdom, trust God’s wisdom above human wisdom, and allow the living God to shape their lives according to His purpose.
In this practical and thought-provoking teaching, Rich Robson examines one of the most persistent temptations of the human heart—the desire for more. Beginning with Jesus’ warning in Luke 12 and the parable of the rich fool, Rich demonstrates that true abundance is not found in wealth, possessions, status, or security, but in a relationship with God. Through biblical examples such as the rich man with overflowing barns, Israel gathering manna in the wilderness, Adam and Eve in the Garden, and even Lucifer himself, Rich shows how the pursuit of “more” often leads to dissatisfaction, anxiety, and spiritual emptiness.
Drawing from Philippians 4, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and other passages, Rich contrasts greed with the biblical virtue of contentment. He explains that contentment is not natural—it is learned. The Apostle Paul learned how to abound and how to suffer need because his confidence was rooted in Christ rather than circumstances. Rich encourages believers to stop measuring life by what they possess and instead find peace in the sufficiency of God’s provision. Whether facing abundance or lack, Christians can experience genuine joy and stability because Christ strengthens them to endure every situation.
The teaching concludes by lifting the listener’s eyes beyond the temporary treasures of this world to the eternal inheritance reserved for God’s children. Rich reminds us that everything earthly is ultimately fleeting, but the hope secured through the resurrection of Jesus Christ is incorruptible, undefiled, and everlasting. The central message is both simple and profound: more possessions will never satisfy the human heart, but a life anchored in God and empowered by Jesus Christ provides everything we truly need.
Marc Dickie shares a teaching focused on faithfulness, using the example of King Hezekiah of Judah during a dire military threat from Assyria. Drawing from Isaiah 36–37, Marc described how Hezekiah and his officials responded to the taunts of the Assyrian commander, Rabshakeh, by turning to prayer and consulting the prophet Isaiah. The study concluded with the narrative of divine intervention, in which an angel struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing King Sennacherib to withdraw. Ultimately, Marc emphasized that prayer is powerful and that remaining faithful is essential for God’s people during challenging times.
Rich Robson shared from Matthew 18, focusing on the parable of a king who forgave an unpayable debt owed by one of his servants. He explained how the king “absorbed the cost” of the debt, drawing a parallel to how Jesus Christ absorbed the cost of humanity’s sins through his death on the cross. Rich referenced John 3:16 and 1 John 4:9 to emphasize that Jesus’ sacrifice was God’s loving provision for forgiveness and eternal life.
Rich further explained that Jesus willingly took upon himself the punishment humanity deserved, using passages from 1 Peter, Hebrews, and Isaiah to illustrate this truth. He highlighted the importance of forgiveness by pointing to Jesus’ instruction to forgive not merely seven times, but “seventy times seven.” Rich emphasized that Jesus’ example calls believers to extend forgiveness to others in the same spirit of grace they have received.
Rich also connected the parable of the forgiven debt to the believer’s new relationship with God. He explained that through Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s forgiveness, people can receive the gift of holy spirit, become children of God, and be restored to fellowship with Him. He concluded by reminding listeners that believers belong to God and are called to glorify Him in both body and spirit through the way they live.
Rich Robson taught on addressing low self-esteem by removing the “self” from self-esteem and returning to what God says. Rather than seeking validation through behavior or the opinions of others, he emphasized that believers are justified by God through Jesus Christ. True righteousness is not earned through performance; it is given by grace.
Building on 1 Corinthians 4:3–4, Rich explained that the only verdict that ultimately matters is God’s. The tendency to measure ourselves—either by our own standards or by the judgments of others—keeps the focus misplaced. Scripture redirects that focus away from self-evaluation and toward God’s declaration. Drawing from passages in Romans and 2 Corinthians, he showed that confidence and identity are grounded in what God has already established, not in how we assess ourselves.
Marc Dickie shared on Hebrews, focusing on the concept of the priesthood and its application to believers. He discussed how Abraham's role as a priest predated the Levitical priesthood and emphasized the responsibility of fathers to lead their families in prayer and right living. Marc explored the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ, comparing him to Melchizedek and highlighting his role as a mediator and intercessor. He also addressed the topic of eternal security, clarifying that Hebrews 6 does not teach that believers can lose their salvation but rather emphasizes the finality of Jesus' sacrifice. Marc concluded by emphasizing the importance of living out one’s identity in Christ and the assurance of salvation that comes through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice.
This teaching on Psalm 89 walks through one of Scripture’s most profound declarations of God’s covenant faithfulness. Rich unfolds the psalm’s poetic structure, showing how it moves from praise to tension and back to trust—anchored in the unshakable lovingkindness of Yahweh. At the heart of the psalm is God’s covenant with David, a promise ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ and extended in hope to all believers. Even when human unfaithfulness brings discipline, God’s mercy and faithfulness remain constant. His justice restores balance; His covenant endures beyond circumstance.
The study also highlights the supremacy of Yahweh over all spiritual powers and contrasts God’s unwavering reliability with human inconsistency. Rich Robson emphasizes that God’s ownership of all things frees believers from anxiety, reminding us that our defense rests in Him. The imagery of God’s presence—like the pillar of cloud and fire—points to the joy of walking in His guidance. This teaching concludes with reflection on the eternal promises fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the refreshment of God’s spirit in the lives of believers, and the encouragement that true spiritual renewal flourishes in fellowship with those who rejoice in God’s name and righteousness.
In this teaching Marc Dickie shares from Hebrews 1, drawing our attention to the supremacy of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah and the reality of his ongoing, active ministry today. He beautifully wove together how the Bible speaks with one unified voice—across different authors and generations—revealing God’s faithful plan to send His Son as the redeemer of mankind.
Marc also invited us to step back and see the bigger picture of God’s purpose in the Word, helping us appreciate how Scripture fits together as a coherent whole. Along the way, he thoughtfully addressed the ongoing spiritual conflict at work in the world, reminding us that this is not merely abstract theology, but a real and present battle in which Jesus stands victorious over the enemy.
Rich Robson taught on the “foolishness of the cross,” grounding his message in Isaiah 29 and 1 Corinthians 1–2. He opened by showing how God routinely overturns the expectations of the world—using what seems weak, unimpressive, or foolish to accomplish His greatest purposes. Where human wisdom exalts intellect, status, and accomplishment, divine wisdom reveals itself through humility, faith, and the self-giving work of Jesus Christ. Rich highlighted that the message of salvation is remarkably simple: confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved (Romans 10:9–10). This simplicity is precisely what offends worldly wisdom, yet it is the very means by which God displays His power and grace.
He then shifted the focus to what lies ahead—the future world under Jesus’ righteous rule, the restoration of creation, and the gift of eternal life. In that coming day, believers will receive new, imperishable bodies and share in the glory God has prepared for those who love Him.
Rich Robson shared a powerful reminder of how unforgiveness can poison the heart and hinder spiritual growth. Citing a 2022 study showing that 78% of adults worldwide carry lingering resentment, he explained that holding grudges harms only the one who refuses to let go. Forgiveness, he noted, is not a feeling but a choice—one modeled perfectly by God throughout Scripture. He encouraged everyone to pray for those who have wronged them, to seek understanding of others’ motives, and to extend the same grace that God extends to us. Rich also emphasized the importance of forgiving ourselves, aligning our hearts with God’s mercy. He reminded us that forgiveness is essential for effective prayer, just as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.
This teaching is also about the deeper reality of embracing God’s forgiveness. Rich highlighted that God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ sets the standard for how we are to forgive others. Grudges only stunt personal growth and spiritual maturity. Drawing from biblical examples like David’s forgiveness of Saul and Jesus forgiving those who crucified him, Rich urged others to forgive without limit and to live in peace by resting in Christ’s finished work, not their own effort.
Marc Dickie delivers a stirring message that true faith is not proven by words or mental assent but by obedience to God. To believe while living in disobedience is a contradiction, for surrendering our will to God’s commands is the only path to genuine spiritual freedom. He warns against diluted doctrines that reduce faith to surface-level practice, reminding us that authentic Christianity demands faithful obedience.
Marc also underscores the transforming power of prayer—quiet, contemplative, and intimate time spent in the Father’s presence. He exhorts believers to seek the deep things of God in stillness, cultivating intimacy with the One who heals and restores. He frames the Christian life as spiritual warfare, not won by debate or argument but through prayer. Victory comes when we open our hearts to the great physician, allowing him to purify our motives and shape our minds into the likeness of Christ.
Mark Dickey taught on the role of prayer in spiritual life, using the Lord’s Prayer as a model. He emphasized that prayer is not just asking for needs but an intimate father–child relationship that builds closeness with God and strengthens believers. Mark urged a return to daily prayer, noting that modern culture has drifted from biblical teaching, and reminded the fellowship that God is always ready to meet both spiritual and physical needs.
He also spoke on the coming Kingdom of God, assuring that Christ’s victory over evil guarantees ultimate triumph despite dark times. Mark highlighted the importance of forgiveness as a command that protects against bitterness and fosters gratitude. He concluded with a call to bold, fearless prayer, reminding believers that the holy spirit intercedes and helps them grow deeper in their walk with God.
Gary Lee Corns emphasized the importance of humility and service, using Jesus’ example of washing the disciples’ feet to illustrate how true Christianity is expressed. He taught that following Jesus involves loving and serving others, rather than focusing on church growth, programs, or simply accumulating knowledge. Obedience to Christ’s commandments, such as those in the Sermon on the Mount, leads to a deeper relationship with God, and he cautioned against misusing dispensational teaching to neglect any biblical command.
He further explained that spiritual maturity is measured not by ministry titles or church metrics, but by practical acts of service. Gary encouraged the fellowship to live out their faith through tangible demonstrations of love and humility, reflecting Jesus’ teachings about loving others—even enemies—and striving for completeness through selfless service.
Franco Bottley teaches that prayer is not performance or simply asking God for things but a conversation that nurtures genuine fellowship with the Father. He encouraged believers to move past intimidation and misconceptions about prayer, seeing it instead as open communication that builds relationship with God just as communication is essential in all relationships. Prayer is not meant to move God closer to us — it is meant to move us closer to Him.
He also emphasized prayer’s transformative power—helping overcome anxiety (Philippians 4), being led by the spirit (Romans 8), and becoming a daily habit of life (Ephesians 6). Drawing from Paul’s prayers in Ephesians and Colossians, Franco reminded listeners to focus on eternal realities, practice persistent prayer, and trust that the measure of a life of prayer is not how many of our requests are answered, but how deeply our hearts are conformed to the Father’s. Every prayer is a step closer to the Father, drawing us into deeper fellowship and greater trust in Him.
Ever wonder how biblical figures like Paul had such a powerful relationship with God? It wasn't just through academic study—it was through a vibrant, two-way conversation with God. In this audio teaching, you’ll learn how prayer was central to their lives and how it can be to yours as well.
Marc Dickie will take you on a journey through the Bible, from Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus to his stoning in Derby, showing you how prayer isn’t just a duty—it’s a powerful tool to influence the world around you, even when you feel helpless.
Marc Dickie emphasizes that true effectiveness in ministry comes from the heart, not just intellect or theological knowledge. Quoting Grace from the Heart, he stressed that great preachers are made in the “closet” of prayer, not the classroom. An hour of prayer, he said, can do more than hours of study.
Sharing his own journey, Marc reflected on how prayer revealed both God’s heart and his own weaknesses. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 12, he highlighted that God’s grace is sufficient and that real transformation begins when God reshapes our hearts. He challenged believers to prioritize prayer, love God deeply, and let that love overflow to others.
In closing, Marc urged the fellowship to seek a more intimate relationship with God—because it’s from that place of prayer that lasting impact flows.
Many struggle with trusting God because they believe His sovereignty makes Him the source of human suffering. If He controls all things, good or evil, how can we rely on Him? Some say suffering teaches lessons—but how comforting is that to a parent who has just lost a newborn?
In this teaching, we explore Yahweh’s love from the very beginning. In Genesis, He created the garden of Eden, a place of delight and intimate fellowship with humanity. Everything was “very good,” with no suffering or evil. He gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth and the freedom to choose—but when they chose their own way, sin entered the world. Sin—not Yahweh—is the true source of suffering.
Yet Yahweh’s response reveals His infinite resources. Horrified by the consequences of sin, He immediately set a plan of redemption in motion. By working with humanity through persuasion rather than coercion, He continually guides creation toward restoration. No matter the choices people make, Yahweh is able to turn even hardship into an opportunity for good and keep His promise of a renewed creation.
This audio teaching dives deep into how Yahweh’s love, wisdom, and resourcefulness transform our understanding of suffering and redemption. Discover how He works behind the scenes to bring restoration, hope, and ultimately, a new garden of Eden.
Listen now and gain insight into the God who can make beauty from even the most broken circumstances.
In this teaching, Rich Robson emphasizes the power of words to bring life or death, urging people to speak with purity and integrity. He stresses that words must be backed by actions and that speech impacts both the speaker and the listener. Drawing from Proverbs, he highlights that even fools seem wise when silent, while the righteous use their words to uplift and benefit others.
He also shares about the creative power of God’s purified Word, which is “like silver refined seven times,” encouraging believers to use their words to heal, rescue, and build up. Just as God’s Word brings life and truth, Rich challenges us to align our speech with God’s heart, speaking in ways that edify and strengthen those around us.
In this teaching Marc Dickie shares how trials, though uncomfortable, are essential for building character, endurance, and trust in God. Drawing from Romans 5, he explained that spiritual maturity often comes through hardship—not ease.
He also emphasized that real faith means acting on God’s Word, even when fear or doubt is present. Through examples like Gideon and David, Marc encourages believers to stay prayerful, trust God fully, and boldly share their testimonies of His faithfulness.
The first Passover, as recorded in Exodus 12, raises significant theological and ethical questions. It has prompted reflection on divine justice, the fate of the innocent, and the character of God. Most English translations seem to suggest that Yahweh went from house to house, killing the firstborn—except in homes where the blood was on the doorposts. In those cases, He would “pass over” and move on to the next.
But the original Hebrew text tells a different story. It does not say that Yahweh killed anyone, nor does it describe Him simply skipping over certain homes because of the blood. This teaching takes a closer look at what the Hebrew actually says happened that night.
By examining some basic Hebrew grammar and comparing this account with other parts of Scripture, it becomes clear: it was the destroyer—identified as the devil—who carried out the killing. And far from merely “passing over” homes with blood on the doorposts (a phrase that can sound like passive avoidance), Yahweh took an active role in guarding those inside. He stood between the destroyer and the protected, much like a mother bird hovering over her young, shielding them from danger.
The first Passover was a foreshadowing of something greater. In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul wrote that Christ is our Passover. Just as Yahweh protected every household marked with blood during the exodus, Jesus Christ now actively protects you from the evil one—the destroyer who still seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. You can rest confidently knowing that Jesus is ever-present, constantly working to ensure that your life is full, guarded, and more than abundant.
Though one of the shortest chapters in the Bible, Psalm 1 is rich with practical wisdom for living a life of blessing. In just six verses, it unveils the path to true happiness and fulfillment by clearly showing both what to avoid and what to embrace. Its structure highlights that genuine blessing doesn’t come from following the counsel of the world, but from delighting in the counsel of Yahweh.
Psalm 1 calls us to prioritize Yahweh’s Word daily, contrasting the eternal rewards of righteousness with the fleeting pleasures of this world. It reminds us that righteousness is not about rigid rule-following, but about living a life rooted in God’s wisdom—one that bears lasting fruit, like a tree planted by streams of living water. Echoing the promise in Revelation of the pure river of life, this psalm offers both inspiration and challenge to all who desire to love God and others with a faithful heart.
Marc Dickie discusses the concept of love in Christianity, focusing on God’s love as exemplified by Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that love is not just a feeling but an action and a choice. He explains that Christians are obligated to love one another and lay down their lives for others, just as Jesus did. Stressing the importance of putting faith into action through works of love, rather than relying solely on knowledge or doctrine. Additionally, he highlights that true love reflects God’s nature and that, as believers, they are called to mirror this selfless, unconditional love. He reminds us that love is the fulfillment of God’s law and that living in love leads to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, transcending any worldly distinctions or divisions.
Rich Robson explores the biblical account of the siege of Jerusalem at the beginning of the 6th century BC, emphasizing King Zedekiah’s rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, which results in a 2.5-year siege and devastating consequences. He explains how Zedekiah’s disobedience reflects a broader breakdown in godly leadership and highlights the biblical structure of government, where the roles of both leaders and the people are rooted in accountability to God. Drawing comparisons to modern governance, Rich points forward to the ideal society that will exist under Jesus’ rule—one marked by obedience, justice, and divine order. He also emphasizes God’s incredible patience, allowing Israel to violate their covenant for 800 years before permitting punishment through the Babylonian invasion. Using Lamentations 4, Rich illustrates the suffering and degradation Jerusalem faces, stressing that Yahweh does not cause their suffering directly. Israel abandons God, thus choosing to forfeit His care and protection. Yahweh has no choice but to allow them to suffer the consequences of their repeated idolatry and grievous sins. But the story doesn’t end there.
Yahweh’s mercy and grace far outweigh His wrath. Under absolutely no obligation to do so, Yahweh promises that He will be with Israel—that He will strengthen, help, and uphold them. In this context, Rich discusses how God’s ways in history are often unexpected, such as His use of the Persian king Cyrus to bring Israel back from captivity. It is noteworthy that Isaiah says Yahweh calls Cyrus by name to be Israel’s shepherd and messiah—the very words later used to describe Jesus Christ! Rich highlights how God can work through unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes and underscores the importance of trusting in God’s eternal perspective, even when His methods seem mysterious. Rich concludes by encouraging believers to view present sufferings in light of God’s ultimate plan for redemption, restoration, and glory.
In this teaching, Marc Dickie opens his heart about the lifelong journey of spiritual growth and the necessity of continually learning about God. He dives into the often-overlooked contrast between what the Bible actually teaches and what many Christians believe, offering a refreshing perspective that invites deeper reflection and renewed purpose.
Marc unpacks how the love of God is not just a concept but a transformative force that empowers us to rise above the distractions of the world. He explains how the holy spirit works within us to guide, correct, and inspire—and why our response to that guidance matters.
This teaching is a call to walk in love daily—not as a religious duty, but as the genuine evidence of God’s presence in our lives. If you're hungry for truth, ready to challenge the status quo, and seeking a faith that’s rooted in Scripture and led by love, this teaching is for you.
Rich Robson presents a powerful reflection on God’s perfect design in creation and His unmatched love for humanity. He begins by highlighting how every element of nature—the earth, sea, weather, day and night, and the celestial bodies—operates in flawless obedience to God’s laws. Humans, however, stand apart as the only part of creation granted free will. While it is to their benefit to obey their creator, humans are nonetheless perfectly free to disobey and suffer the attendant consequences. While you are free to choose to obey or to disobey, there is no negotiating the consequences for your choice.
Rich explains that this freedom was part of God’s intentional design, resolving the tension between determinism and free will by affirming that God determined that humans are free to choose their own destiny. They are free to choose obedience which leads to life, or to choose disobedience which leads to death. Using the analogy of a cruise ship, he illustrates how God's sovereign plan of a renewed garden of Eden remains on course, even as individuals make their own decisions along the journey.
Rich then shifts focus to God’s deep love for people, emphasizing that, above all creation, it is humanity that God cherishes most—even with their propensity to disobey. He makes it clear that salvation is not something earned by works or perfect obedience, but a gift received through trust in God, who saved us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ while we were still sinners. In closing, Rich contrasts the pride of Satan, who sought to exalt himself, with the humility of Jesus, who chose to submit to God’s will. This contrast serves as an invitation for us to respond to God's grace not out of obligation, but with love, humility, and thankfulness. We love Him because He first loved us.
In this teaching, Marc Dickie delves into the vital topic of spiritual growth and maturity in the Christian life. He challenges believers to move beyond simply being born again, emphasizing the ongoing need for purification, the renewal of the mind, and the practice of consistent moral and ethical choices. Marc highlights the importance of maturity in the faith, urging listeners to take their walk with God seriously by consistently practicing righteousness.
Marc also explores the insidious nature of indifference, one of the most common yet dangerous forms of spiritual neglect. Drawing from the story of Cain and Abel, he illustrates the subtle dangers of ignoring God’s commands and the ever-present threat of sin that lurks in the heart. Ultimately, Marc calls believers to remain vigilant, faithful, and rooted in God’s Word, as they navigate the battles within and around them, growing deeper in their faith and bearing the fruit of a transformed life.
This teaching offers a clear and thoughtful exploration of the biblical concept of sin, distinguishing between individual sinful acts and the deeper, inherited sin nature of humanity. Marc Dickie emphasizes that sin—defined as “missing the mark”—cannot be overcome through human effort, but must be dealt with spiritually through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He highlights that Jesus conquered sin at its root, making it possible for believers to receive a new spiritual identity as children of God—no longer defined by sin, but reborn through faith in him.
Building on this foundation, Marc explains that being a child of God is both a present reality and a future hope, as believers await full transformation into Christ’s likeness. He addresses the tension between being born of God and still wrestling with sin, clarifying that 1 John speaks of lawlessness as a broader rejection of God's authority rather than isolated moral failings. This understanding calls believers to pursue righteousness—not to earn salvation, but as a faithful response to the grace and new identity they have received in Christ.
Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, is often misunderstood as suggesting that life has no meaning or value. It depicts a world filled with unpredictability and chaos—despite our best efforts to control outcomes, things often don’t go as planned. To make matters worse, Ecclesiastes highlights that the one certainty in life is death.
Depressing? If that were the book’s only message, it certainly would be. But there is much more to the story. Ultimately, Ecclesiastes offers wisdom not just for surviving but for thriving in such a fleeting world.
Rich Robson provides a detailed explanation of Ecclesiastes 9:1-12, summarizing its key themes: the certainty of death, the uncertainty of life, and how to live well despite these realities. He emphasizes that while death is inevitable for all, we are called to enjoy the gifts God has given us. Life’s simple pleasures—food, drink, relationships—are all blessings from a generous God who delights in seeing His people enjoy them.
In contrast to the limited perspective of Ecclesiastes, Christians are blessed with the hope of resurrection and eternal life. That hope inspires us to live with purpose, engage in good works, and prioritize spiritual matters over earthly concerns.
This teaching delivers a thought-provoking message on the importance of embracing life rather than worrying about things beyond our control. It encourages us to focus on the present, trust in God’s plan, and avoid dwelling on past mistakes or future uncertainties.
In this teaching, Gary Lee Corns delves into the essence of worship, focusing on John 4:24, where Jesus calls believers to worship in spirit and truth. He emphasizes that biblical worship is not merely an intellectual or emotional experience but also involves physical expressions such as bowing the head, lifting hands, and kneeling. These outward acts, he explains, symbolize a heart posture of surrender and submission to God.
Gary also contrasts ancient and modern worship, noting that while people in biblical times primarily engaged in acts of worship, many today focus more on studying God. He urges believers to embrace a more active approach to worship by humbling themselves before God, physically expressing reverence, and cultivating stillness to hear His voice.
This world is not the one God originally created. Because of Adam’s rebellion, it is now filled with uncertainty and unpredictability. No one knows what the future holds. Yet, despite this reality being difficult to accept, people often act as though they can control what lies ahead. However, life — whether in terms of work, finances, health, or relationships — is full of unexpected, and often unpleasant, surprises.
King Solomon recognized this and set out to discover the true meaning of life. To his dismay, he concluded that life is fleeting, elusive, and repetitive. He sought fulfillment in laughter, pleasure, possessions, ambitious projects, power, and more. Yet, no matter what he pursued, everything eventually came to an end — including life itself. He realized that no matter how much he achieved or acquired, death was inevitable. And when that day arrived, what would all his efforts have meant? The sobering answer: nothing. He concluded that life is like a vapor, a puff of smoke, a mere breath.
Is that depressing? At first glance, it might seem so. But Ecclesiastes teaches that by confronting the reality of death — even meditating on it — the events of life take on new significance. Instead of striving in vain to control life’s uncertainties, you can embrace the simple, daily gifts God provides: watching the sunrise, reading Scripture, praying, sharing a meal, working, enjoying time with loved ones, listening to music, and resting at the end of the day. There is no need to exhaust yourself chasing after things; true joy is found in appreciating what God graciously gives. This, according to Ecclesiastes, is the key to living a life of joy in an unpredictable world.
In this teaching, we explored the concept of agency and authority within ancient Near Eastern culture and its application to Christian prayer. Using the example of the Centurion in Luke 7, Marc Dickie illustrates how agency allows representatives to act on behalf of their principals, demonstrating trust and humility in a higher authority. Marc emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the ultimate agent and authority through whom reconciliation with God is possible, as highlighted in passages from Romans, Philippians, and Colossians. He stresses the significance of praying in the name of Jesus, which represents his authority and power. We also look at how as Christians we can grow in our faith, strive for maturity in Christ, and embrace our role as ambassadors for him.
Jesus taught that if we ask for anything in his name, believing that we will receive it, we shall. But what does it truly mean to believe? What action does belief necessitate? Jesus provides insight into this in John 3:14–15, referencing Numbers 21:7–8. In the Old Testament passage, God instructed the Israelites, who were bitten by serpents, to look at a brass serpent on a pole to be healed. Jesus, however, reinterprets this: he presents himself as the remedy and replaces the act of looking with the act of believing, promising not mere physical healing but eternal life. This suggests that belief in Jesus is akin to looking to him.
This concept of "looking to Jesus" in prayer implies maintaining a steadfast focus on him. Crucially, for prayers to be answered, our gaze must remain fixed on him after we pray, preventing us from reverting to the problem that prompted our prayer. To experience the power of prayer, we must direct our thoughts heavenward, away from earthly concerns. Scripture reveals that dwelling on worldly matters leads to suffering, while focusing on Christ, seated at God's right hand, brings deliverance. This requires a continuous and disciplined effort to bring every thought captive to Christ—not just during prayer. It is a moment-by-moment commitment. As we consistently practice focusing on the one who offers solutions rather than on the problems themselves, this discipline will become easier, drawing us closer to the God for whom all things are possible.
Unfortunately, and decidedly contrary to God’s desire, adversity is part of this life. First-century Jews who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior were acutely aware of this. Not long after the Day of Pentecost, Peter and John were imprisoned by Jewish leaders for healing a lame man in Jesus Christ’s name. This was just the beginning of escalating pressure. It peaked when Saul, a self-proclaimed “Pharisee of the Pharisees,” began capturing and imprisoning Christian Jews. But it didn’t end there; their challenges only intensified over time.
In his epistle to his fellow Jews, James instructed his Christian brothers and sisters not to succumb to self-pity or helplessness amid adversity. Instead, he urged them to embrace joy. Indeed, this wasn’t a suggestion; it was a divine command. Like all of God’s commands, facing adversity with joy was crucial to living the abundant life made possible by Jesus’ death and resurrection.
James explained that encountering adversity with joy would fortify their ability to withstand future assaults on their faith. By doing so, they would grow more courageous, witnessing their loving Father deliver them from hardship time and time again. This process would create a feedback loop, with each victory reinforcing their determination to trust God, regardless of external appearances.
In this inspirational teaching, you’ll discover that James wasn’t the only servant of God who encouraged believers to find joy amid adversity. Both Peter and Paul echoed his counsel. You’ll also learn about Job, whose unwavering trust in God throughout severe misfortune brought him great rewards. But undoubtedly, the greatest example of finding joy in suffering was Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 states that Jesus persevered through the crucifixion by focusing on the joy he would experience at his resurrection. Let these extraordinary individuals serve as examples of how you, too, can find joy in adversity and thereby strengthen your faith in God.
Michael Kappelman passionately emphasizes the profound importance of trusting God, underscoring the fact that God’s Word serves as an unchanging truth for believers navigating the complexities of life. He draws attention to key Bible verses that highlight God’s promises and unwavering nature, illustrating how these passages provide a solid foundation for faith. In his exploration, Michael articulates the inherent risks associated with relying solely on oneself or on the fallibility of others. Instead, he advocates for a deep-seated faith in God, which he asserts is not just a spiritual discipline but a pathway to experiencing true blessings and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
To further illustrate his point, he likens the act of trusting God to a fruitful tree planted by water, nourished and sustained by a source that never runs dry. This imagery beautifully conveys the idea that faith in God not only provides stability but also fosters growth and abundance in every area of life. Just as a tree thrives when its roots reach deep into a reliable water source.
This sharing of God’s Word will inspire you to cultivate a relationship grounded in trust, encouraging you to lean on God’s unchanging truth as you navigate life’s uncertainties.
In our culture, self-sufficiency is lauded as a prized virtue. The self-sufficient man or woman earns the admiration and respect of all who know them. Miriam Webster defines self-sufficiency as “reliance on one’s own efforts and abilities.” Roy Baumeister, an American social psychologist, defines it as, “a reliance on internal resources to provide life with coherence and fulfillment.” Carl Jung said, “Who looks outside, dreams, who looks inside, awakens.”
But what did Jesus think about all of that? He strongly disagreed. In John 5:39, he declared, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
Jesus understood that in all things, he must look to God for his sufficiency. He knew that, by himself, he was unable to fulfill his mission of redeeming us from sin and death. Turning Jung’s idea on its head, Jesus knew that looking inside for his sufficiency was a pipe dream, but that looking to his Father for his sufficiency was to fully awake to the truth.
The Apostle Paul agreed, saying in 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God.”
Like Jesus, Paul knew that he could do nothing on his own. He also knew that God was his sufficiency.
Learn why both Jesus and Paul decided to look to God for their sufficiency in all things, and why you should do the same. While your own resources are rather limited, God’s resources are unlimited, and He wants to shower them on all who simply believe. Let God be your sufficiency.
With a resounding and powerful crescendo, Romans chapter eight stands as the pinnacle of the profound teachings that are laid out in the first seven chapters of this crucial text, serving as a solid foundation for Christian living. These early chapters meticulously outline essential doctrines, emphasizing themes such as sin, grace, salvation, and the gift of holy spirit. They serve to establish a comprehensive understanding of the faith that underpins the Christian life.
Now, as we turn our attention to chapter eight, we find ourselves on the threshold of an exhilarating spiritual journey. This chapter encapsulates the essence of what it means to live as a follower of Christ, offering breathtaking insights into the nature of God’s love, the incredible gift of holy spirit, and the ultimate assurance we have in our salvation. It tackles profound questions about suffering, hope, and the transformative work of grace in our lives.
Join us as we embark on this exploration, a mere scraping of the surface of a chapter teeming with biblical richness and spiritual depth. While we may only touch on a few key points, the truths embedded in this culminating chapter can lead to a lifetime of reflection and growth in faith. Each verse invites us to delve deeper into our relationship with God, uncovering new layers of understanding and experience. The themes and promises presented here are not just for intellectual pursuit; they are designed to foster a deeper connection with God and our Lord Jesus Christ, which will empower us in our daily spiritual walk.
With a resounding and powerful crescendo, Romans chapter eight stands as the pinnacle of the profound teachings that are laid out in the first seven chapters of this crucial text, serving as a solid foundation for Christian living. These early chapters meticulously outline essential doctrines, emphasizing themes such as sin, grace, salvation, and the gift of holy spirit. They serve to establish a comprehensive understanding of the faith that underpins the Christian life.
Now, as we turn our attention to chapter eight, we find ourselves on the threshold of an exhilarating spiritual journey. This chapter encapsulates the essence of what it means to live as a follower of Christ, offering breathtaking insights into the nature of God’s love, the incredible gift of holy spirit, and the ultimate assurance we have in our salvation. It tackles profound questions about suffering, hope, and the transformative work of grace in our lives.
Join us as we embark on this exploration, a mere scraping of the surface of a chapter teeming with biblical richness and spiritual depth. While we may only touch on a few key points, the truths embedded in this culminating chapter can lead to a lifetime of reflection and growth in faith. Each verse invites us to delve deeper into our relationship with God, uncovering new layers of understanding and experience. The themes and promises presented here are not just for intellectual pursuit; they are designed to foster a deeper connection with God and our Lord Jesus Christ, which will empower us in our daily spiritual walk.
Moment by moment, day by day, we face an essential decision that our Lord places before us: the choice to obey Him or to follow the desires of the flesh. This is not merely a one-time decision, but rather a continual, ongoing commitment that defines the essence of our walk of faith. Each day presents us with opportunities to embrace the light of the truth of Christ’s accomplishments in our lives or to remain trapped in the deep, muddy rut of the flesh that Adam, through his disobedience, has dug for us.
As followers of Christ, we are constantly called to rise above the patterns and inclinations of our natural selves, which often lead us away from His perfect will and purpose. This struggle is a fundamental aspect of our spiritual journey — an intricate dance between our human tendencies and the divine calling we receive through faith in Jesus Christ. It is in these moments of decision, where our hearts and minds wrestle with the two opposing forces, that we truly begin to understand the depth of our relationship with God.
Join us as we delve into the profound teachings of Romans 6, which illuminates this critical choice that God asks us to make in His name. In this chapter, we will explore the implications of our choices and the amazing benefits that come when we prioritize His Word — a timeless source of wisdom — over the fleeting temptations of this world. Through understanding what it means to be dead to sin and alive in Christ, we can discover the freedom that comes from living in obedience to God’s truth.
King David’s heart would have been overflowing with wonder and gratitude when he wrote the words of Psalm 103:2; “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
That exhortation is as true today as it was David’s time. In truth, thanks to the work of Jesus, He has done even more for all born again Christians than He did for David; much more. Of course, in order to not forget all of His benefits, we first need to know what they are. There are certainly no shortage of benefits God has lavished upon us. There are so many that it is impossible to fully know and appreciate all of them in this lifetime. It won’t be until Jesus’ future appearance that we can know the true fullness of those benefits. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn and remember enough of those benefits today to fill your heart with the same feeling of wonder and gratitude as that of King David.
If you only look, you will find that there is hardly a page in the New Testament of your Bible that does not contain multiple benefits that God has provided you through His son, Christ Jesus. This teaching will introduce you to just a very few of those benefits. Though small in number they are mighty in blessings, enough that you too will say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul.”
For fifteen centuries following the flood of Noah, the world existed without the written Word of God. Yet, the Creator, in His infinite wisdom and love, did not leave humanity in spiritual darkness. He provided a witness, a tangible proof of His existence and His unwavering love for His creation.
In this teaching we look closely at the book of Romans chapter 4, delving into the profound story of Abraham and his ‘reckoning’ of the stars. This isn’t just a historical account; it’s a powerful testament to the nature of faith and the legacy of believing salvation that resonates across generations.
This teaching explores the pivotal event of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, following his baptism by John. This encounter was a culmination of the devil’s persistent attempts to thwart the Messiah’s mission. God’s allowance of this temptation served as a testament to Jesus’ preparedness for the challenges ahead.
The teaching delves into the role of the Word of God in overcoming temptations. It distinguishes between temptation and sin, emphasizing that sin arises from mishandling temptation. Temptations may originate from Satan or our sinful nature. The teaching provides practical examples of using Scripture to resist temptations related to the ‘lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.’
Join Franco Bottley as he guides us in learning from Jesus’ unwavering example in handling temptation. He highlights the spiritual battle and the significance of obedience to God’s Word for strength and blessings. By embracing these principles, we can foster spiritual growth and enhance our service to God in our daily lives.
Before you fight a war, it’s always good to know as much as you can about your enemy. Nowhere is this statement more true than in the spiritual realm. Many Christians do not take our Adversary seriously because they simply do not know enough about him. In fact, the Devil’s cleverest strategy is to make people believe that he does not exist, or that he’s not a real threat. The Devil would rather have us fight among ourselves as he stays hidden behind the scenes orchestrating his treachery.
Some Christians do not even believe in a literal devil. Instead, they believe he is a biblical symbol for evil. But that is not the position of the Bible. Satan is every bit as real as God. Besides, it’s impossible for a symbol to do the things Scripture attributes to him: deceiving, murdering, tempting, destroying, lying, accusing, and controlling.
God’s will is for us to obey Him, and that will bring about opposition from His enemies. In this teaching Franco Bottley looks at why it is so important to understand our enemy, and the methods he uses to deceive mankind.
In 1998 the rock band Chicago released a song titled, “All Roads Lead to You.” The message of that song was that no matter where you go or what you do, you will always be led back to the one you love. Such a warm and fuzzy sentiment, on the surface, certainly appears to offer profound wisdom on the ways of life. However, if the one you Love is God, or you want to know and love Him, holding to that idea, no matter how sincere, will actually lead you far from Him. There is in fact only one road that leads to God and it is the road He Himself maps out in the Bible.
Jesus, the living Word of God, was crystal clear in saying that he was the only way that leads to God. He, in complete agreement with his Father, said that the way he prepared for you will lead you to life. To be precise, it will lead you to a life that is more than abundant. Any doctrine or belief of man, including that of the rock band Chicago, that runs counter to the way Jesus paved will inevitable lead you away from that abundant life. Surely that is not what you want, so why go any other way than that which God has so graciously laid out for you in His Word, the Bible? It’ll lead you to the best life possible this side of the new paradise coming when Jesus makes his appearance and we all arrive at the end of the road, the most wonderful and glorious destination to which God’s way inevitably leads.
The story of King David teaches us valuable lessons about prayer. In 1 Chronicles 17:1, David is described as sitting in his grand cedar house after defeating the Philistines with the help of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Feeling convicted that God’s dwelling place should not be a simple tent, David expresses his desire to build a permanent house for God to the prophet Nathan. Nathan agrees, thinking it to be God’s will, but they both fail to consult God about their plan. As a result, God reveals that instead of David building a house for Him, He will build a house for David and all of Israel. This was an unimaginable act in the Ancient Near East, leaving David in awe of God’s promise. After hearing God’s plan, David humbly questions his own worthiness, saying, ‘Who am I?’ He is amazed that the Almighty would show such favor to him, a mere shepherd who was elevated to the position of King. David understood the dynamics of his relationship with God, acknowledging Him as his Lord and Master, while also recognizing his own role as a servant – a title he mentions 12 times in this chapter. However, David does not cower or beg at the feet of God, but rather confidently asks Him to fulfill the promises He made. He knows that it is God’s will for him to boldly approach Him in prayer, a principle that still holds true in our present age of grace.
Ephesians 3:12 encourages us to approach God with boldness and confidence, much like David did when he trusted that God would fulfill His promises. Our gracious God eagerly awaits for us to claim the blessings He has promised. You can find them in the scriptures and confidently lay hold of what has already been made accessible to us through Jesus Christ.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul, in a spirit of loving reproof, told them that they were babes in Christ. He told them that he was only able to feed them with milk, that they were unable to digest meat. He told them the reason for this unfortunate state of affairs was that they were carnal as evidenced by the strife and division that existed in their church. Some said they followed Paul, others followed Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. By all appearances there were four denominations existing in Corinth which ran counter to God’s will that all spoke the same thing, that there should be no division, that they all share the same doctrine and judgment. They understood that Jesus had died for their sins and that he was raised from the dead, but they didn’t quite grasp the fullness of what that resurrection meant for their lives.
But then Paul went on to say that there are certain brethren to whom he was able to feed real meat, namely the ones who did not engage in arguments about who to follow as a source of truth. They knew that the only source for truth is the scriptures, not this man or that man. They too understood that Jesus died for their sins, but, unlike the carnal Corinthians, they were also open to learning about a secret that God had kept hidden up His sleeve until He revealed it to Paul. It is that secret that is the meat that can nourish all Christians and make them fully understand the true greatness of the new birth and the power it conferred upon them to do all the work Jesus did and even more. According Romans 16:25, an understanding of this secret is the only way any Christian can be fully established in the faith and grow up in the Lord.
In his first epistle, Peter exhorts you to cast all your cares to your heavenly Father. Furthermore, you are given complete assurance that He is both willing and able to relieve you of those cares, all of them, both the big and the small. But there is a reason beyond your own self that God wants you to allow Him to take those cares upon Himself. While it does indeed bring a calming relief to yourself, it also frees you up to serve others, and that is the main reason God wants to help you. Simply put, God wants to help you so you can help others. By serving others, you not only forget your cares, but you also help a brother or sister as they go through their own trials and tribulations.
God wants all of us to be free from cares so that we can be "clothed in humility," which Jesus exemplified when, shortly before his own ghastly trial was about to begin, he tied an apron around himself and washed the feet of his chosen apostles, even the very one who was about to betray him. When each member of the body of Christ operates within this paradigm of service, the church will become that beacon of light on the hill to which others will be drawn. There is no higher calling, a calling that, if carried out, will bring rewards, not only in this life but in that which is to come. God promises that those who cast their cares on Him and humble themselves in service to others will be exalted in due time.
Ephesians presents a beautiful picture of the Christian life. It reminds us that we are chosen and adopted into God’s family, redeemed and forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This truth fills us with a sense of awe and gratitude, knowing that we are beloved children of God and nothing can ever separate us from His love.
Have we truly contemplated the significance of this remarkable epistle, which stands as the cornerstone of the Church of Jesus Christ? Come with us as we delve into the first three chapters of this remarkable letter, and let the Lord’s work in and for us inspire, uplift, and invigorate us.
As believers, we are constantly faced with the internal battle between our flesh and our spirit. This struggle is not dependent on our level of maturity or spirituality, as even the most devout individuals can find themselves in a constant tug-of-war between these two opposing forces.
The battle between the flesh and the spirit is an ongoing struggle for all believers. But we are not left to fight this battle alone. We have a loving and powerful God who is always with us, providing us with the deliverance and direction we need to walk victoriously in this world. So let us surrender our fleshly desires to Him and allow His spirit to guide us towards a life that is pleasing to Him.
Join us as we delve into the deliverance and direction that the Father and His Son give us to walk victorious in this world.
Sheep are arguably the most helpless creatures God created. Being unable to care for themselves, they depend on their caretaker, their shepherd, for food, water, grooming, protection from ravenous beasts, and much more. In the 10th chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus said there is a good shepherd and there is a bad shepherd. The gulf between the two is deep and wide.
Jesus said he was the good shepherd, the one who was willing to lay down his life for his sheep who he purchased with his own blood. In contrast to Jesus’ loving care for his sheep, the bad shepherd, the hired hand who did not own his flock, would flee at the first sign of trouble.
When we confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead, we become a member of Jesus’ flock which guarantees that in this life we will get the best care possible. With the sure knowledge that all our needs are always fully satisfied, we can be glad and rejoice in saying, “The Lord is my shepherd!”
Sheep are arguably the most helpless creatures God created. Being unable to care for themselves, they depend on their caretaker, their shepherd, for food, water, grooming, protection from ravenous beasts, and much more. In the 10th chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus said there is a good shepherd and there is a bad shepherd. The gulf between the two is deep and wide.
Jesus said he was the good shepherd, the one who was willing to lay down his life for his sheep who he purchased with his own blood. In contrast to Jesus’ loving care for his sheep, the bad shepherd, the hired hand who did not own his flock, would flee at the first sign of trouble.
When we confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead, we become a member of Jesus’ flock which guarantees that in this life we will get the best care possible. With the sure knowledge that all our needs are always fully satisfied, we can be glad and rejoice in saying, “The Lord is my shepherd!”
The letter to the Colossians is a powerful reminder of the completed work of our savior Jesus Christ. It shows us that we do not have to add anything to what Jesus accomplished in order to be saved and stand as the righteousness of God. Paul wrote this letter in response to those who were teaching that something else was needed to be complete in Christ. Colossians corrects this false concept and shows that accepting the finished works of Christ and living a life of faith and obedience is all the Christian needs for salvation and holiness in God.
Listen as Marc Dickie presents an expository of this amazing letter to see our "response-ability" to the finished work of our complete Savior.
Jesus said that those who made the decision to follow him would experience suffering for having made that decision. The early church soon found out the truth of those words and Peter’s first epistle addresses that development head on. When he wrote it the pressure and suffering had already begun and he said it would get even worse. Of course, he didn’t just warn the church and let it go at that. Instead he exhorted them to always keep in mind the big picture, namely, that although all Christians will experience suffering in this life, it is nothing compared to the unspeakable joy that we will experience when Jesus returns.
The sufferings we experience in this life are both short lived and pale in comparison to the eternal glory which is guaranteed to us at the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is our hope and that which sustains us regardless of whatever fiery darts the devil may throw our way.
First John is a book of the Bible that speaks of the assurance of God’s love and the importance of living a life of obedience and faithfulness to Him. It is a powerful and inspiring reminder to stand strong in the faith and be faithful in our love for God and for one another. It calls us to keep our eyes on Jesus, to guard our hearts and minds, to live in fellowship with one another, and to remain obedient to God’s commands.
In part 1 of this series, we will explore the importance of standing strong with First John and how it can be applied to our lives today. In part 2, we will look at how we can stand strong in our faith in a culture that is increasingly hostile towards Christianity.
First John is a book of the Bible that speaks of the assurance of God’s love and the importance of living a life of obedience and faithfulness to Him. It is a powerful and inspiring reminder to stand strong in the faith and be faithful in our love for God and for one another. It calls us to keep our eyes on Jesus, to guard our hearts and minds, to live in fellowship with one another, and to remain obedient to God’s commands.
In part 1 of this series, we will explore the importance of standing strong with First John and how it can be applied to our lives today. In part 2, we will look at how we can stand strong in our faith in a culture that is increasingly hostile towards Christianity.
As we face the mounting opposition and oppression in our lives, it is important to remember the spiritual reality of our redemption. Our redemption is an eternal spiritual victory in the face of any adversity.
When we face the challenges of life, it is easy to forget this spiritual reality and instead focus on the immediate physical conditions we face. We may feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But, no matter what our current situation may be, we can take heart in the fact that our redemption is real and powerful.
Join us as we look at how to respond to the redemption the Father has provided and the ransom Jesus has paid for us in such challenging times.
Since the late 1980s we have all seen tee-shirts and placards displaying the phrase “No Fear”. While this popular mantra may give some degree of encouragement, it can also be misleading. While it may seem sensible to eliminate fear from our lives, not all fear is bad. It is a good thing to fear a sow Grizzly bear with cubs. It is also wise to fear a nearby raging wildfire while camping in the woods. Why does there seem to be this dichotomy of perspective about fear?
The problem arises when we view all fear as “harmful”. Some fears are not harmful, but rather they are wise. The Bible has a great deal to say about fear. In fact, there are nearly two hundred Bible verses that speak of the fear of the Lord. The real question should be this, “What do we fear most?”. If we fear failure, poverty or even death, then our fears are misplaced. But if we embrace the fear of the Lord, all other fears become meaningless.
The Proverbs teach that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and wisdom is the principal thing we should pursue in life. So, if we want to live wisely, then it is imperative that we understand and apprehend the fear of the Lord.
A common thought about Christian fellowship is that it should produce comfort and encouragement. But how many of us look at fellowship as a source of godly fear? Yet, that is precisely what the first Christians experienced immediately following the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2 informs us that they followed a specific pattern of behavior, but the outcome wasn’t what we normally expect. The outcome was that “fear came upon every soul.”
Godly fear is a good thing. It is something we should all desire more of. Furthermore, it came, it wasn’t imagined or sought out. It was the fruit or result of the four specific behaviors listed in the previous verse.
If we seek to see wonders and signs like those of the First Century church, perhaps we should welcome godly fear and not shun it?
Our world is spinning out of control. The most fundamental realities of life are under assault, and it seems most of earth’s human inhabitants are either ignorant, numbed or jaded about the inevitable outcome if we remain on the sidelines. What should Christ’s followers do? Do we march in the streets? Should we write letters of protest to our elected officials? Or perhaps we can raise public awareness by producing a slick, informative online documentary? Granted many have been and are doing these sorts of things. But our question should be what would our Lord, Jesus Christ have us do?
Gary Lee Corns explores the nature and state of the spiritual war in which we are encompassed and seek out the answer to these very questions… “What has Jesus empowered us to do?” and “What would Jesus have us to do?”
As Christian’s, should we be following our hearts? There are many calls to “follow your heart” in movies, novels, slogans, blogs, and memes. Related pieces of advice are “trust yourself” and “follow your instincts.” A corollary dictum is “your heart will never lead you astray.” The problem is that none of these quips are biblically supportable.
Rather than trust our hearts, we are to commit our hearts to the Lord. The Bible gives us an explicit command not to trust ourselves, while giving the promise of guidance to those who choose to follow after Christ (Proverbs 3:5–6).
We are, in fact, blinded to our own heart’s deceitful nature. As the prophet asks, “Who can understand it?” When we rely on ourselves for wisdom, we end up unable to tell right from wrong. The hit song of 1977, “You Light Up My Life,” contains these unfortunate words: “It can’t be wrong, when it feels so right.” Determining right from wrong based on “feelings” is a dangerous and unbiblical way to live.
Enjoy this sharing by Marc Dickie as he looks at what the Word of God defines as the heart, what we can expect from it, and how to transform it into the image of Christ.
Fellowship in our current Western culture has become a broadly used word to describe everything from government programs to civic organizations. Is fellowship just another way of describing a collective group or community or does it imply more? The Bible offers a much more nuanced picture of fellowship; one which will thrill the heart to perceive and practice.
In this sermon, Gary Lee Corns presents, “The Biblical Perspective of Fellowship” along with the importance it carries in every Christian’s life.
The purpose of the written Word is to reveal the Living Word (Jesus) who directs us to its source, God. Without pursuing a personal relationship with Jesus, the study of God’s Word falls into pointless and powerless academic pursuit. Scriptures continually point us to a living Savior who makes known our Heavenly Father that desires to have a deep relationship with us.
Join us for this heartfelt sharing on the importance of building a vital relationship with Jesus and our Heavenly Father.
To lament is to express deep regret, grief, or sorrow. We can lament through words or actions. Lamenting is a common theme in the Bible. Which is why there is an Old Testament book named Lamentations. In it we see that God has given us an entire book of the Bible that teaches us how to navigate the valley of sorrow and loss.
The book of Lamentations is a house for sorrow and a school for compassion. Studying this book will help you better understand what it means to grieve and hope at the same time. It will help you be better equipped to live and serve in a suffering world, and it will encourage you to meet Christ on the path of sorrow.
When the Christian is saved, he or she is filled with holy spirit. At that time, the person becomes a unique creation of God in Christ. No longer is he reliant on the external law but now has the inner witness of Christ within. But, while being God’s new child, the person at the same time retains the old fallen nature of Adam. This is the believer’s struggle; two natures - the old nature, the flesh, and the new nature, the spirit – both within the very same person. Join us as we explore in scripture this scriptural reality.
Galatians 5 and 6 succinctly defines the walk of the spirit in love. The early church at Galatia was beset by the religionists of the day, the Judaizers. Perfecting the flesh – the strictures of a works-based religion – was their false doctrine. At it’s center was their creed – “You must DO to be approved.” Paul confronts this and says, “No, it’s faith which works by love.” It’s in the walk of faith, selflessly sowing to the spirit, seeking in faith-filled service to bless and to uplift, to bear burdens and being good to all, especially to the household of faith, that the believer finds the key. It’s only in the context of loving service that the Christian comes into his own. This is where the spiritual life flourishes. Walking as Christ walked.
God doesn’t want much – He just wants all of you. It’s true. God wants your heart. Your whole heart. This isn’t selfishness on God’s part, since He is love. God wants our devotion, our commitment, our faithful loyalty, because God knows that when we enthrone him in our hearts, we are raised out of our mere human existence into the intimate relationship with him of love and light. Love God, and love him with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength.
Our wonderful Heavenly Father places a great opportunity before us continually; that of listening. We were created to hear His voice above all others and with the precious gift of holy spirit we are truly endowed with the ability to listen and hear his voice. Adam was the first to be given this opportunity to listen to the Creator, but sadly he chose not to. History is littered with those who have failed to listen to God’s merciful and gracious directions. But, the champions of faith are those who developed the skill of listening and following God’s leading voice.
One of the greatest types of giving is forgiving. When we think of the character of God, forgiveness is an extension of His mercy. He “forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases.” We simply cannot walk in intimate fellowship with Him without forgiveness. The fact is, unforgiveness arrests our spiritual development. It keeps us from being strong in grace and anchors us to our past. In this teaching we discuss both forgiveness and unforgiveness.
God desires us to be strong in His Grace, which is something we need from Him every day. It’s not just a word to be used in our Christian circles. Grace is the lifeblood of the believer. Ephesians 1:8 tells us that God lavished the riches of this Grace upon us through his son, Jesus Christ. By God’s Grace, He began a good work in us, and He promises to perform it until Jesus’s return. That spirit he placed within teaches and admonishes us so that we may live out the holy calling He’s called us to.
The Christmas story is important because the birth of Christ is important. The traditional story of His birth contains many errors, and presents a cold, hard, and lonely picture about the circumstances of his birth. This expository teaching explores and reveals a deeper, more accurate understanding of the customs, time and place, and other details that truly make the birth of Christ an inspiring account of love, obedience, giving, and sacrifice.
This teaching deals with historic misunderstandings and mistranslations and shows how the birth of Christ was a considerably different event than what is normally taught.
As Christians, we understand that we are involved in spiritual warfare. What we say takes on a significant role in how well we compete in this contest, for “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” In today’s teaching, we examine what scripture considers wholesome and honest communication, and what it considers destructive and misleading. We learn that, as much as we would like, no one is able just to tame the tongue. The matter lies deeper. What we habitually think about, that becomes our heart, and, as Matthew 12:34 says, it’s “out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”
This is part 3 of a series by Mike Tomberlin on Sanctification: Principles Of Walking In The Spirit – the hows of making a constant, conscious, and personal relationship with Jesus Christ a reality in your life.
We should be profoundly thankful we have holy spirit from God and can understand spiritual matters. God gave us new life through Jesus His son in the new birth (John 3:6), and we must continue to live, day by day, in that newness of life that dwells within us. Each Christian has God’s gift of holy spirit. Therefore, each Christian has spiritual “power” and should be exercising that power.
God’s Word tells us of Jesus, who as a servant humbled himself to God’s will, was crucified, buried, resurrected and seated with God at his right hand, far above all principalities, power, mights and dominions. He was given a name which is above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, both in heaven and on earth and under the earth. In this study we look at Jesus, seated at the right hand of God and explore his heavenly ministry.
We live in a culture that is driven by discontent instead of thankfulness. Being thankful illuminates God’s blessings in our lives and allows us to be strong in the Lord. Just as the Lord did for the Apostle Paul during his conversion, our Lord Jesus Christ is opening our eyes and turning us from darkness into light, from the power of Satan to the power of God. As we embrace God, we are to put off the old (darkness) and put on the new (light), so that we can live with thankfulness in our hearts and shine as lights in this world.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2)
It is God’s desire that we bear much fruit. In fact, our fruitful walk glorifies him. But to do this, we must recognize that, as a branch cannot bear fruit of itself when separated from the vine, neither can we. We must stay connected to Christ in our walks.
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” As Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Go, learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” God’s judgment is tempered by his mercy, the withholding of merited judgment. This was especially exemplified in the life of Jesus. In a culture full of criticism and accusation, mercy is a quality that God cultivates in his people.
As the people of God, we are set apart by virtue of the holy spirit the Lord gave us. In this world of darkness, we are His shining lights. But along with this sanctification given to us, we are called to the sanctified walk. God is light, and we are instructed to walk in the light as He, God, is light.
One of the most wonderful promises that God makes in his Word for all for whom Christ is their savior is eternal life. The Book of Titus tells us that our very faith rests upon this hope which God, who does not lie, promises us. Such blessed assurance. Imagine - eternity with God, with our Lord and with our brethren. 2 Peter 3:11 then asks us, in light of this eternal life, “What kind of People ought we to be?”
Christianity is not a mere moral code, ethnic club, or cultural phenomenon; rather, at it's very core is the acceptance of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as our personal Lord and Savior. This relationship that Christians have with Jesus can vary greatly from person to person. Just because a person becomes born again, doesn’t necessarily mean they have a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus.
Hebrews 2:11 (NASB) “For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for this reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
This verse tells us that it is the risen Lord Jesus who now sanctifies all those who believe in him. This sanctification occurs as a result of Jesus baptizing us with holy spirit, thus making us holy within, apart from our outward works. Like Jesus in his earthly ministry, we are in the world but not of the world, because we have been bought with a price.
Listen to this powerful teaching by Mike Tomberlin on Sanctification – the hows of making a constant, conscious, and personal relationship with Jesus Christ a reality in your life.
A “walk” in the Bible is often a metaphor for practical daily living. The Christian life is a journey, and we are to walk it — we are to make consistent forward progress. The biblical norm for all believers is that they walk in the spirit: “If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit” (Galatians 5:25). In other words, God gave us new life through Jesus His son in the new birth (John 3:6), and we must continue to live, day by day, in that newness of life that dwells within us. Each Christian has God’s gift of holy spirit. Therefore, each Christian has spiritual “power” and should be exercising that power.
We are in an intense spiritual battle that required us to walk spiritually even though our sin nature is warring with the spirit of God that lives within us. God has given us many keys that will help us in this walk.
When we enter into an intimate heart relationship with God, He becomes our heart’s greatest desire. Knowing Him, hearing His voice, sharing our hearts with Him, and seeking to please Him become our all-consuming focus. He becomes everything to us. Meeting with Him is not an activity reserved for Sunday morning. We live to fellowship with Him.
This teaching covers an abundance of scriptures relating to walking with God. We trust it will be very helpful in your personal spiritual walk. Let’s continue to delight ourselves in God’s Word as we strive to have an intimate relationship with Him.
In this teaching, we examine the important spiritual concept called Intercession. When confronted with God’s impending judgment, God allows for a person to Interpose on behalf of an offender in prayer. By doing so, the person is able to mitigate the consequences of the offender’s sin. This intercession is known as “Standing in the Breach”.
Since his fall from grace through Adam, mankind has been separated from God. This is true for all except those who’ve been saved. This separation has been more than just a cool estrangement. The Bible tells us that it is a hostility. It tells us that a worldly person is at enmity with God; that he does not submit to God’s law, and neither can he. Why does this world vehemently reject God’s goodness and despise his son, Jesus Christ. Because light hates darkness.
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)
Join us to understand this spiritual reality from scripture.
Jesus Messiah. Jesus, God’s Anointed. Jesus Christ. Did you know that Christ is not Jesus’s last name? It’s not, yet for the majority of Christians, this is the unwitting assumption. The fact is, Christ, Christos in the Greek, means what Meshiac in the Hebrew means - ANOINTED.
Jesus is God’s Anointed. He was sent to carry out God’s plan for salvation. As Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15 - “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”
This is Jesus the Messiah. Savior of mankind. God’s only begotten Son.
As we look at the resurrection of God’s only begotten son and some of the following concepts: death, life, judgment, forgiveness, redemption. We look at the life of Jesus Christ and how God raised him from the dead by promise from the Old Testament. And just as God was faithful to fulfill his promise in Jesus, He will do so for us, his children. Our hope is assured!
Our culture has all but embraced homosexuality and transgenderism. Since God created man, God should have a say so in this discussion. Today we look at these two concepts and we look at God’s original creative intent behind mankind and behind his sexuality. This teaching will help in bringing a proper understanding to God’s intent.
In the ancient cultures of the Middle East, there was a concept we know as Agency. The central notion of agency is this: that one person would send another as a representative to carry out his bidding with all the authority of the sender. In this teaching we look at this concept in the relationship between God and his son Jesus Christ.
In our contemporary world, the idea of Service often has a bad connotation. People tend to associate it with diminished value and a lack of self-worth. But from a scriptural perspective, a person simply will not go far with the Lord unless he or she learns first to be a servant. From the prophet delivering the Lord’s message, to the pastor trending the Lord’s sheep, the practical Christian walk is defined by Service. As Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Service is the heartbeat of every disciple of Christ.
The Bible teaches, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Pridefulness, also called self-righteousness, is the affliction of the natural man and carnal Christian alike going back to Adam’s rebellion. “Better to be lowly in spirit,” scripture continues, “and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”
Pride’s only antidote to Pride is Humility. Humility to God. Humbleness is a quality shared by all godly men and women. It was said of Moses then he was more humble than any other man. Jesus never promoted himself but emptied himself of the l reputation and did the Father’s will.
Enjoy this wonderful teaching on Humility that will surely bless you!
These two chapters are the latter part of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. He shares in them the wonderful wisdom of God on a variety of topics; among them is Jesus’s instruction to “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Herein is the secret to the godly life – to seek Him above all. This represents the difference between true relationship and mere religion; and in response to doing this, God promises to provide for us all our needs. Enjoy this uplifting and illuminating teaching by Jon Touchstone.
The Epistle of Titus starts: “Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness…” Godliness is a genuine, true relationship with our God. It is so far beyond mere religion. To the world, the person who talks to God is considered devout, but he that says that God talks to him is ready for the looney bin, but the truth is, the believer should be hearing from God often. Godliness is the objective of the spiritual walk – to not just know of God, but to know and understand Him.
Hezekiah was a king of Judah. He ruled for 30 years between 716 and 686 BCE. He was one of the few kings “who did right in the sight of God.” Hezekiah did several notable things that set him apart from other, lesser kings. The first was to clean the temple thoroughly upon his coronation of all the idols his father, Ahaz, had filled it with. Secondly, he broke his alliance with Assyria and then proceeded to stand against the Assyrian king when Judah was subsequently invaded. Though he was not a perfect man, Hezekiah believed God and stood for him when all seemed lost.
When we talk about Christianity, we must be clear with our terms. By far the majority of Christians throughout the world are cultural Christians. This simply means that Christianity has become engrained within their cultures, and faith is something one does. He wears the label “Christian,” but the label has more to do with his family background and upbringing than any personal conviction that Jesus is Lord. Of those who remain, the church separates into two distinct categories – those who live and worship according to the flesh and those who live and worship according to the spirit. It’s this latter church that is the true, biblical Church. It’s the church of power, the one that Paul preached. It worships God in spirit and in truth, and it is bound to its Lord, the Ascended and Glorified Christ, who rules with power at the right hand of the Father as the Head of the Church. Spend some time with us learning about this magnificent Church.
Original Sin. It’s more correctly called, Adam’s Sin. The Humanist will call it, The Human Condition. Whatever the name, it describes the moral and spiritual degeneracy that afflicts all of humankind. So why is humanity, endowed with such intelligence and ability and created in the very Image of God, so depraved and destructive as a race? Is it a lack of philosophy or political acuity, as some would claim, or is it something deeper? Study the scriptures with us as we delve into this interesting and vitally important topic.
This letter was written to encourage the scattered Christians to maintain hope while suffering. The intended recipients of 1 Peter were facing significant hardships as a result of social and governmental opposition to their faith in Christ. In this Study of 1 Peter 1 and 2, Peter reminds these believers to stand fast, to endure persecution, to seek holiness and remember that it was through the precious blood of Christ that they are saved.
Why is the heart important? Well, from a biological point of view, it sustains life. Without the heart pumping the life-giving blood, the body would quickly die.
The same is true spiritually. The heart is the well-spring of life. When it is allowed to become infirm with sin, a person’s spiritual life quickly deteriorates. This is why God, our concerned heavenly parent, tells us to guard our hearts with all our diligence, since he knows from it come the issuance of life.
Jon Touchstone teaches this timely message on the importance of the heart.
The word gospel literally means “good news” and is used 93 times in the New Testament. In Greek, it’s the word euaggelion, from which we get our English words evangelist, evangel, and evangelical. Specifically, the gospel is the good news of Christ’s salvation to the world:
1.) That God so loved the world that he gave his only son to die for our sin.
2.) That our salvation, eternal life and home in heaven are all guaranteed through Christ.
3.) That we simply cannot earn our salvation; that work of redemption and justification has already been completed on the cross.
4.) That we, former enemies of God, have been reconciled by the blood of Christ and adopted into the family of God.
5.) That “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God. This fact is important for many reasons, not the least of which is that, as God’s son, Jesus is a member of God’s family. This is a spectacular truth to consider: God, creator of the heavens and the earth, has a family. And not only is Jesus a member of this family, but Romans 8 tells us that he is “the firstborn among many brethren.” Who are these brethren, you might ask? Well, they are you and me. In fact, anyone who is born-again of God’s spirit becomes a permanent member of this Household of God. What a humbling truth for the Christian – that this magnificent God is our Father, and this wonderful Lord and Savior is our big brother. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
The Book of Titus is a letter Paul wrote in AD 63 to one of his faithful ministers, a man named Titus, a fellow-laborer who Paul left on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean to complete a work he had previously started.
This Pastoral Epistle tells of Titus’s assignment regarding this Church at Crete – to “set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city.” This task was more than just an administrative responsibility – it was spiritually significant. Titus was to find those among the Cretan Christian population who were uniquely qualified to become Elders within the Church, and who would preach the Gospel and stand against both the legalists, known as Judaizers, who sought to force this fledgling assembly to abandon Grace and following the Mosaic Law, as well as the decadent local cultural norms. This is a recurring theme throughout the epistles of Titus.
The Book of Titus deserves our attention as we look to the Bible for instruction on how to live a life pleasing to our Lord. We can learn what we should avoid as well as that which we are to strive to imitate. Paul suggests we seek to be pure as we avoid the things which will defile our minds and consciences. As Christians, we must examine ourselves to be sure our lives line up with our profession of faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 13:5).
As Christians, individually, Christ is in each one of us – hence the name, Christian, meaning Christ-In. And we, both individually and as a Church, are in Christ, “In Christo.” This phrase signifies something dynamic, and not static; it signifies life and growth. Most importantly, it signifies union. We are in union with Christ. God provided this unchangeable reality of the new birth for each Christian. This union provides us, as scripture says, with God’s increase – righteousness, power, wisdom. It’s the very essence of what Christianity is.
Scripture states that Jesus “loved righteousness and hated wickedness.” That’s amazing. This phrase defines in a nutshell what it means to be a followers of the Lord Jesus. As he did, so are we as his followers to “love righteousness and hate wickedness.”
In this regard, complacency is our enemy. When we are complacent, the black and white precision of righteousness and wickedness fades to a murky gray. The fact is, clarity is only found through distinction.
Take some time to hear this teaching that’s so important to the spiritual contest of the Christ.
The early definition of the word “partiality” connotes something that is not whole or complete. The word later developed into an idea of one-sidedness, or, an unjust or unreasonable preference for a person or a group over against another, and this is its general meaning in scripture. In the Authorized Version, God testifies that He is not a “respecter of persons;” that His standards are applied the same to each who is judged. In addition, the bible admonishes us to keep ourselves free from partiality due to its distortive affects our perspective. In a world overwhelmed with contention and strife, the believer must keep free of partiality and, as John 7:24 says, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
The Bible tells us that God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Peace and order are essential to one’s relationship with God. When we consider God’s still, small voice, peace is essential for our well being in our walk with God. We cannot remain emotionally and spiritually balanced without it.
That secret place in our hearts is where we go to meet with God. When we choose to live there and hide away under His shadow, staying in constant communion with Him, we can remain peaceful, even when circumstances may not be. When we learn to cry out to Him in times of trouble, we find that His peace really does pass all human understanding (Philippians 4:7).
John Lynn was not only the Founder and Head Minister of this ministry, The Living Truth Fellowship, but for many of us he was a friend. His love for God and Christ and his commitment to God’s people throughout the tenure of his fifty-year ministry provided for us a great example of what faithfulness looks like. John was truly a faithful minister, and he will be missed.
Our God is faithful, and His work continues. Other than our Lord, it was never dependent upon any one man. When Moses died, God’s work continued with Joshua. And so must it be with us. We are called to put forth our best effort to work from our hearts to bring glory to our God.
Although the whole world has been under the prevailing influence of the Evil One since Adam forfeited his God-given earthly dominion to him, the state of the world today certainly appears worse than anything any of us have seen during our lifetimes. What comes our way each day requires an overriding Hope that gives us a clear vision of a new world to come, with multi-variegated blessings beyond our imagination.
Most believers associate Hope primarily with Christ’s coming to raise all our loved ones who have fallen asleep, and rightly so. But besides spending forever with countless sterling saints in a glorious Paradise, there surely will be every good thing we enjoy now—magnified immensely. One of the most satisfying aspects of our forever future is JUSTICE, as meted out by Judge Jesus. Every human being—believer and non-believer—will get what he or she deserves, both good and bad. For Christians, the good includes REWARDS for how we have lived since being saved.
Jesus told the Jewish Leader Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.” In this famous verse, we learn that the two realms, flesh and the spirit, are separate and mutually exclusive. The book of Galatians further elaborate for us that “the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh;” that these two are contrary, the one to the other, so that a person cannot do what he would. In this teaching by Jon Touchstone we learn more about the two realities - the walk of the spirit versus the walk of the flesh. And though the born-again Christian is filled with holy spirit at the time he accepts Christ, scripture tells us that he must choose to live by that spirit. His choice will determine whether his life will manifest the Works of the Flesh or the Fruit of the Spirit.
One of the refreshing qualities of the Word of God is its honesty about human nature. Just as we are burdened with our own sinfulness, so was the early church. The Corinthian Church at one time had been a growing and thriving Church, but it became mired in quarrellings and infighting. Leaders vied with one another and believers became followers of personalities rather following their spiritual head, Christ. As a result, the Church’s spiritual progress came to a grinding halt and Paul was forced to intervene and correct the situation. The fact is, this was his first order of business in 1 Corinthians.
Join us in this teaching to learn how, as told in 1 Timothy 3:15, the members of the Church should conduct themselves in God’s household, the pillar and foundation of TRUTH.
It’s been said, “There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.” This is a true. The conscience is our inner witness. Each of us has one. It praises us when do right and chastises us when we don’t. it’s our most valuable commodity for our moral life. This is why we must guard our conscience with all our effort. A violated and corrupted conscience is not just burdensome. It affects our ability to see things clearly and make sound, godly judgments. Unfortunately, for any of us who has lived life for long, the conscience invariably gets bruised along the way. But this good news is this: Jesus saves to the uttermost. He is able to heal your conscience and set you back on the path of righteousness.
The Word of God tells us that Wisdom is the principal thing; so therefore, we are to get wisdom; and with all our getting, we’re to get understanding also. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.
God’s wisdom is not far from us. God proclaims it from the rooftops. Wisdom simply requires our pursuit. We must seek her with our whole heart, or not at all. When we do, she promises to “pour out her spirit unto us.” Take some time today to pursue wisdom in this vital teaching by Jon Touchstone, you will be blessed you did.
Answer: A sermon on a mount. Paul Revere’s message (“The British are coming”) was considerably shorter than Jesus’ (“The kingdom is coming”). And, while Paul’s words were significant in regard to the future of our country, they can’t compare to the timeless truths that “King” Jesus (which is how Matthew’s gospel portrays him) spoke in his “Inaugural Address” to his people, Israel. Matthew 5-6-7 contain a plethora of prime principles regarding many aspects of life and godliness, including murder, adultery, divorce, helping the needy, trusting God, prayer, judging, and much more, but these God-breathed words must be understood in an administrational context. This current “administration of the Secret” was “hidden in God,” and therefore Jesus had no clue about it. Thus, everything he said (prior to his Resurrection) related to Israel, past, present, future. Don’t miss this comprehensive exposition of the first “recorded” teaching Jesus ever did.
As it is with the fallen angel Lucifer, pride is a primary constituent of man’s fallen nature. Psalm 10:4 says that in his pride the wicked does not seek God; in all his thoughts there is no room for Him. This is because the person of pride is consumed with thoughts of himself. As long as a person thinks he is right, he is going to be incomprehensibly proud and presumptuous. This is the opposite of the spirit of humility of Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The “poor in spirit” are those who recognize their utter spiritual bankruptcy, their dependence on God and their inability to come to Him aside from His divine grace.
1 Timothy 4:1 tells the Christian that in these latter days many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Because of this, he must be armed with understanding so that he can discern between the truth of God and the subtle errors of the wicked one.
The subtitle for this teaching is Yo Jesus, Thanks for EVERYTHING! As you probably know, the Bible is the story of two men. The first man bequeathed to us an irreparable SIN nature that plagues us daily—that’s the problem. The second man imbued us with a DIVINE nature that gives us the potential, and the authority, to think and trust God like he did, to speak as he spoke, and to do the works he did—that’s the solution to the problem. Think about the cavernous contrast between how good and how bad a human being can become, in all categories of life—physical, mental, spiritual.
I have come to the conclusion that most Christians have a much lower opinion of themselves than God and Christ do. Perhaps you are in that category, along with me. As the saying goes, each of us is definitely “a piece of work,” but we can learn how to be “strong in the grace of God” and overcome the nagging sin that dwells in us. That is what this teaching is about.
The Bible states that we have the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, which are universal concepts that apply to all of humanity, not just Christianity (1 John 4:5). The world’s viewpoint is that man is able to subsist apart from God, which is the great lie and a temptation for those who do not know Christ.
In this teaching John Touchstone shares the three principles of truth which are universal realities. Each person has the right and the responsibility to hold on to their freedoms, while pursuing the truth where it leads them. Just as the man who stood as independent from all others when it came to the truth – Jesus Christ.
Grace is defined in Scripture as God’s unmerited favor. It’s due to his goodness that God bestows this favor, along with its concomitant, Mercy, upon mankind. However, to understand these attributes in their deeper significance, the student of Scripture must first understand God’s judgment.
This teaching is about two men – Adam and Jesus Christ. It was through the God’s judgment of the one man, Adam, that sin and death found their way into this world and passed upon every human, estranging him from his God. Thankfully, however, it is through the blessed Grace of the other, Jesus Christ, that we find life and peace with God.
Join us for this engaging topic of God’s Word.
The key word in this inspiring teaching is “authority,” which is the Greek, exousia. It means, “the power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)”.
As you probably know, Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing. When he sent out the 70 disciples, he said: “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy. They believed him, and did the same works he did. When he interrupted Saul on the road to Damascus, the Lord said: “I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God.”
Jesus never prayed that a demon would come out, nor are we are told to do so. Ditto for sickness. He simply exercised the authority God had given him to deal with it. Romans and Ephesians tell us that you and I died with Christ, were buried with him, raised with him, and then seated with him. We now sit in a position of authority IN CHRIST. The question is: Will we choose to use that authority?
The power of God is light and the power of Satan is darkness. This is the way in which the servant of God must discern things. Since God is light (1 John 1:5), it is God alone who defines what light is, just as Satan shows us what the opposite of light is – darkness.
This truth provides in God’s Word the deeper understanding for the spiritually antithetical relationship that exists between God’s light, which represents holiness and goodness and awakening and clarity, and Satan’s darkness, which connotes fear and despair and wickedness and blindness. In this ensuing struggle, darkness eclipses the light, while the light in turn dispels the darkness.
In this teaching Jon Touchstone explains how God makes the distinction between light and darkness. Showing how Jesus became the light of the world, and those that follow after him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
You may recognize the Latin words, E Pluribus Unum, which are the traditional motto of our United States of America. They mean, “Out of many, One.” As you know, Jesus Christ changed A LOT of things, and on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the newly appointed Lord reversed the last two words and made his motto, “From ONE, Many.” From one Promised Seed came many fruit, both that which he knew from prophecy (Israel), and that which was a Secret until God told him after his Resurrection. That second “many” became One (Body). John’s exciting teaching features the word “seed,” and will both enlighten and inspire you. The magnitude of what happened on the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 is still reverberating around the globe. Think about how Jesus’ disciples went from being so terrified that they hid from the Jews, to being so bold in proclaiming the Resurrection truth that it cost them their lives, and set in motion 2000 years of deliverance for millions of people. Each of us has the same gift they received that day, and we too can walk in that holy spirit power.
There is one trait that is constant to the human species: it’s hypocrisy. What we intend and what we actually do aren’t always the same.
In this informative teaching, Jon Touchstone takes a look at what God’s Word says about hypocrisy, and how we can combat moral defect through lives built upon simplicity and integrity.
Faithfulness is one of those defining virtues in the character of any man or woman that’s required for success in virtually every category of life. It’s the faithful spouse who stays true to the marriage when tempted to do otherwise; it’s the faithful parent who nurtures and admonishes his or her children through the challenges of child-rearing; and it’s the faithful servant whose walk pleases the Lord’s heart.
As Proverbs 3:4 tells us, it’s by faithfulness we find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. The Christian is instructed through faithful examples of our God and our Lord. We are reminded of God’s faithfulness every time we hear the promise, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,” or his son’s when we consider how he endured the cross and despised the shame.
We know you will be truly blessed by this provocative and affirming teaching on Faithfulness.
In today’s world, the Christian is confronted with a variety of points of view. From the social doctrine of humanist Christianity, to the promises of the prosperity doctrine, to the recent political ideologies of the Social Justice and Black Lives Matter movements, our churches often find themselves as the center of these conflicts.
There is a collision of worldviews occurring in the pews of our churches, unnoticed in many cases, and more than ever fault lines of difference are appearing. What does the Bible say about the Christian witness in these modern times? What does Jesus have to say? In this very frank teaching Jon Touchstone lays out some stark contrasts between biblical and worldly points of view.
On Easter, Christendom celebrates the joyous Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The contrast between death and life cannot be more pronounced. Death elicits faces twisted in grief, and weeping, while the birth of a new life brings radiant countenances, and laughter.
The face is an essential element of every human relationship. Even God, to make himself known by men, had to reveal His “face” by way of His Son, Jesus Christ. He was his Father’s “genetic lookalike” because he flawlessly internalized the heart of God as found in His written Word and was thus the perfect image (face) of our Father.
What’s in a face? Each person’s rubbery kaleidoscope reveals a wide range of emotions – and the best thing about anyone’s face is his smile! The state into which mostly masked humanity has fallen during the Covid-19 furor has systematically “defaced” and dehumanized people and diluted the quality of countless relationships.
Our modern Western culture has embraced so many of the debilitating ideologies of victimhood. It’s taught to our children in schools and mandated in our business and cultural policy. What is the servant of God to do? It’s been said that “Suffering is universal, but victimhood is optional.” Each of us daily must face this choice – to either acquiesce to the circumstances and assume the role of the victim, or to draw strength and resolve from our limitless heavenly Father and push on through until we overcome. It’s always our choice. Join Jon Touchstone in investigating this culturally-prevalent notion of Victimhood to understand why we must, as God’s children, reject these harmful ideologies.
Last month, John taught on one of the other two reproof epistles, The Heart of 2 Corinthians. He is following up with Philippians, another such epistle that corrects the behavioral deviation from a doctrinal epistle (Ephesians). Short and sweet, it is a remarkable letter that is LOADED with heart and pathos. If you first read Acts 16, the scintillating account of how Paul became so bonded with the believers at Philippi, his ensuing words to them will even more deeply touch your heart.
Surprisingly, the underlying theme of this reproof epistle is JOY and REJOICING. If greater intimacy with the Lord Jesus, more humility, and less focus on yourself are your goals, understanding Philippians will definitely enhance and empower your spiritual walk.
Many people ruin their health and their lives by taking the poison of unforgiveness. It is a spiritually crippling affliction that impedes the life of the Christian. Past wrongs, hurts and injustices enslave and deprive a person of the blessings that they would otherwise enjoy. Far from being optional, forgiveness is a must for the person who desires a healthy spiritual life.
God has given us everything a Christian needs for a godly life. He does this through the knowledge of Him and His Son which we find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything that we need. And yet today, just as in the early church, we find those who would pervert this Gospel and nullify its message of salvation.
This teaching explores the very real threat faced by the Church from these worldly ideologies, and the importance of staying vigilant against their influence.
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is a heartfelt, comforting, and inspiring section of Scripture. It was likely written about 4-6 months after 1 Corinthians. The believers there had gone way off track in many categories of God’s exhortation to them as set forth in Romans, and even though it was painful for him to do, Paul reproved them over and over throughout his first epistle. Given that they took heed to his reproof (the correction of practical/behavioral error), his second letter is filled with heart and love and anticipation of seeing them again and enjoying sweet fellowship with them. It also points them to the glorious HOPE of Christ’s coming back for them and him.
Compassion is an essential part of God's character, and mankind is the object of that compassion. In Isaiah 49:15, God tells us that, even though there exists a remote possibility that a compassionate mother would forget her dear child, God will never forget us. This same compassion was highlight of Jesus's earthy ministry. In this teaching, Jon Touchstone takes an in-depth look at compassion with all of its wonderful aspects that will help you to grow in compassion toward others.
The terms wickedness and righteousness are generally left out of public conversation, because these words indicate that there is actually a spiritual realm that many would like to ignore. In this timely teaching by Jon Touchstone we see that God does not ignore this subject and has much to say, often with a harsh emphasis, toward the wicked, as well as the wonderful blessings He extends to the Righteous.
Welcome 2021, which we are praying is much different from 2020. In the face of an unprecedented tidal wave of evil sweeping over us all, how then shall we live? Each minute of each hour of each day that passes is gone forever. So are the “kairos moments” (opportunities—Gal. 6:9,10) that came with them. In “such a time as this,” we can step up and sprint to the tape, so to speak, and find out what we are made of.
The fabulous record of Gideon (Judges 6/7), a weak man whom God made strong, is the centerpiece of John Lynn's presentation. It is scintillating account of God patiently working with a frail human being like us, to the end that he pulled off a noble and heroic deed, to say the least.
As per the title of this teaching, we will look at 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, which shows us that by focusing on our Lord Jesus, we become confident of who we are in Christ, what we can do because of who we are, and how to reflect the glory of our Lord. John will show that the three brief prayers in the Church (Ekklesia) Epistles give us God’s vision of us, which we can make our own.
What is the basis of Christian morality and why is it important? Many think if what they do doesn't hurt others, it's okay. Some say racial equality is good and then equate it with sinful, behaviors. Jon Touchstone shows what the difference is between Christian morality and the false morality of the age, how it affects our relationships with others, ourselves and with our God.
Is God a forgiving God? A question that is often considered today. People think there are limits to God’s forgiveness. Hebrews 10:26 can cause doudt. Throughout the Bible we read about God’s compassionate forgiveness, however this verse seems to indicate a limit to His forgiveness. In this teaching, Jon Touchstone takes a closer look at Hebrews in light of many other verses about God’s forgiveness to help us understand how this verse fits in with the rest of the Bible.
2020 may go down in history as the most tumultuous year in our lifetime, especially for the USA and other Western societies. This upheaval has left many asking, “What can I do?” or “What should I do?” Given that none of this caught the Lord Jesus or our Father off guard, what better way to prepare our lives for what is ahead than to place our complete trust in them by deepening our relationship with them?
Have you ever heard the idea that once a Christian finds his “place” or “gift” or “calling,” life flows with fulfillment and joy? If so, you may have heard phrases like, “Once you discover your true identity and purpose, you will go to bed dreaming about it and awaken with enthusiasm to pursue it.” Numerous books and seminars offer to help believers discover what they were “meant” to be. I know, because I’ve read and tried many of them on for myself. But such pursuits usually left me looking more deeply into myself for answers, rather than looking at the Lord.
In this teaching, Gary Lee Corns will endeavor to reorient us to certain rock-solid truths found in the Bible. First, to seek to know God. Second, to commit ourselves to following Him. Third, to remain “available” to do whatever He asks. As it turns out, living this way is sure to bring us peace and courage as we move forward into 2021.
There are a variety of opinions on what it means to be spiritual, but it’s God’s Word that teaches this idea most clearly? To be spiritual means to walk in step with God, to be in unity with him so we can hear his voice. It is a peaceable, easy walk with the father. But like any relationship, it requires time to cultivate. So much of the Scriptures compares our spiritual growth to the growth cycle of a plant. As with the plant, we need food, light, water and patience for that plant to grow into a mature, fruit-bearing tree. In this teaching, Jon Touchstone shares the parable of the sower and the four categories of ground – the seed which fell 1) by the wayside, 2) upon the stony ground, 3) among the weeds, and 4) upon good ground. God is responsible for our growth, but it’s our choice of what kind of ground we are.
Ephesians 5:20 tells us to give thanks to God the Father always in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this teaching, Jon Touchstone explains the benefits of maintaining a thankful heart towards God. Besides blessing God Himself, thankfulness guards our souls from an often hostile world. Being thankful fortifies us to stand against resentment, discontent, bitterness and unforgiveness. There are physiological blessings as well. Scripture teaches us that the posture of our hearts affects our health, both in blessing and cursing. Thankfulness clears our perceptions so that we are able to see things properly. Having a thankful heart is the true antidote to selfishness, one of the believer’s greatest enemies.
In recent months, we have addressed the concept of Civil Government, and how God instituted it in Genesis 9 when Noah and his family came off the Ark and He delegated to mankind the governing of the earth. Romans 13 is the most quoted section of Scripture when it comes to civil government, but its context is often overlooked. We’ll see how misunderstanding its opening verses ties in to what I believe is the most harmful lie being promulgated in Christianity today.
Diversity is an integral part of the Christian experience. When we consider God, we see His diversity in everything He creates, and since He created us in His image, and gave us freedom of will, our lives should reflect this diversity as well.
As Christians working alongside each other to do the Lord’s will, our diversity should be evident as we each carry out our specific functions within the Church. It is through our combined strengths that the Church is to stand in this dark age. And while differing opinions at times puts us in conflict with one another, we’re able to work things out with Scripture as our guide so that we can reach sound and truthful conclusions. We live in a time, however, when diversity has become an idol and is practiced for the sake of diversity. In this quest for relentless change, our culture has abandoned many of moral truisms that have given civilizations strength and longevity throughout history. In this crucial time Christians must stand for the non-negotiables of God’s Word.
Jon Touchstone expounds upon those non-negotiables that we, as followers of Christ, should be considering when heading to the voting polls: the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage, and religious freedom.
Throughout the centuries God has made his will clear and He has pointed out when Israel was being disobedient. Our God is patient, loving and forgiving as well as righteous. So deliberate disobedience will have consequences. In this teaching Jon Touchstone expounds the first few chapters of Isaiah rebuking Israel’s sinfulness. This is a good lesson for us today. God still wants obedience and He wants us to have the blessings that follow. What He does not want is superficial religious actions.
Isaiah makes God’s heart clear on what He thinks about sinful behavior and warns us not to parade our disobedience due to the calamity it will bring upon us. A nation must be run by a clear set of Biblical principles in order to shut down evil and keep it from expanding.
Redemption is a term we often hear in Christian circles, but what should it mean to the Christian? By definition, redemption is what God accomplished through his Son, our Redeemer Jesus Christ, when he laid down his life on the cross. For those of us who have called upon the blessed Name of Jesus Christ, our lives were purchased through his sacrifice, yet many Christians live their lives with little difference from the unredeemed of this world. Why is this?
God’s love for mankind is in full display through the story of redemption, and there is no better way to understand the accomplishment of Jesus Christ than to delve into what the Word of God says about it.
In this teaching Jon Touchstone goes through Scripture to identify the kinds of glory. Glory is referred to in several instances throughout the Bible. We are encouraged to glorify God and not ourselves. Like the sun illuminates the moon, God illuminates Jesus Christ and now Jesus Christ illuminates us when we turn our face toward him.
This teaching expounds on biblical records dealing with glory, and will enrich your life and increase your understanding.
Each of us daily is confronted with a variety of voices that call out for our attention - voices of seduction and pleasure, voice of anger and accusation, voices worldly is philosophies and political ideologies. They entice us with promises of freedom and wisdom to live our lives as we so choose. All these voices cry out for our submission. In this teaching Jon Touchstone discusses that contrary to these voices, there is only one Voice of genuine Truth. Real truth is supernatural, transcending ages and causes. Truth comes to us from its author – God. We as Christians must once again declare that true wisdom comes from above, and that it’s this vital truth that results in the fresh breath of God’s redemption and goodness on this dying world.
For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, it is crystal clear that our Adversary has racheted up his assault on mankind on a worldwide scale perhaps unlike anything the world has seen since Genesis 11. Actually, his target is the Word of God, as it has been since Genesis 3. In boxing, gloves are now used to lessen the injuries caused by the original bare-knuckle fighting. In the context of current events, to say that the “gloves are off” means that those opposing God, Christ, and us are going all out to hurt us—and we must meet their evil aggression with aggressive faith, i.e., trust in our great big wonderful God. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS this presentation of what God has to say about how and why we followers of Jesus Christ are persecuted, and how we should respond. Now more than ever, we Christians who know the depths of God’s Truth need one another. No doubt you’ve heard the burning coals analogy: if one is separated from the others, it rather quickly loses its heat, and its purpose. How on fire are you?
In this teaching Jon Touchstone delves into the subject of morality showing us the law of God being the standard for moral strength – what is right and what is wrong. God wants us to know what is right and then have the discipline and courage to do it.
God’s Word warns us about the danger of keeping bad company because it corrupts good morals and good character. We look at examples of how cowardice can take the place of moral courage as it did with Adam and later King Saul, and how King David showed moral courage when he deliberately chose to fight Goliath.
We hope you'll find this teaching powerful and encouraging.
We live in a culture that’s addicted to offense. Even comedy is suffering because of so much sensitivity, and self-pity.
The Bible tells us that love is not easily provoked, it is not easily offended. In this teaching, Jon Touchstone covers a wealth a Truths in God’s Word that teaches us how to deal with offense, rather than being offended.
God instructs us to live in harmony, and to live honorably with our fellow man. We are to love our enemies and allow God to take vengeance where it is due. Many more wonderful truths are dealt with in this amazing teaching. We hope it will inspire you to deal with today’s culture of offense.
Ephesians 6 encourages Christians to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to stand against the “wiles” (methods) of the Devil. As a spirit being, Satan does not directly attack people, but rather he works through worldly systems promulgated by humans. Humans who have bought into the Devil’s systems promote his methods, which are designed to confuse, discourage, and ultimately enslave humanity. Ephesians explains the role and purpose of the ministries in the Body of Christ is to equip believers so they are no longer tossed about by these worldly systems of men.
Presently, we are witnessing an all-out assault on humanity through a scheme or system of anarchy. Anarchists promote the idea of “no government,” which appeals to the baser instincts of humanity. However, history shows that anarchy generally devolves into slavery and oppression, for at the end of the day, “He with the biggest stick wins.”
The Book of Judges is a narrative of what humanity can expect to see if anarchy continues. The stories of deception, treachery, and ungodly behavior are shocking, yet the book does offer hope. Ultimately, Judges shows that the ONLY hope for humanity is the government of God where truth, righteousness, and judgment rule the day. Rather than that which is right in our own eyes!
Before you fight a war, it’s always good to know as much as you can about your enemy. Nowhere is this statement more true than in the spiritual realm. Many Christians do not take our Adversary seriously because they simply do not know enough about him. In fact, the Devil’s cleverest strategy is to make people believe that he does not exist, or that he’s not a real threat. The Devil would rather have us fight among ourselves as he stays hidden behind the scenes orchestrating his treachery.
Some Christians do not even believe in a literal devil. Instead, they believe he is a biblical symbol for evil. But that is not the position of the Bible. Satan is every bit as real as God. Besides, it’s impossible for a symbol to do the things Scripture attributes to him: deceiving, murdering, tempting, destroying, lying, accusing, and controlling.
God’s will is for us to obey Him, and that will bring about opposition from His enemies. In this teaching we will look at why it is so important to understand our enemy, and the methods he uses to deceive mankind.
Since culture is primarily the way in which people choose to conduct their lives – then where do we find in the Bible where God shows us His order for culture? The answer is: Genesis.
We all know there are some strange and unusual cultural ideas being embraced today. Genesis has a lot to say about how we as humans are to live and behave in society. Our duty as followers of Christ is to lead people to an understanding of what God has declared, not go along with the whims of man. In the very first book of the Bible is the where God lays out the foundations of truth on this matter.
One of the most misguided judgments ever made is to judge by appearance (John 7:24). Judging by wrong standards will never lead to a godly perspective of how God sees the different races of people in the world. All humanity is created equal in the eyes of God and we all bear the image of God, however the whole world is a prisoner of sin. So as we are equal in sin – we are also equal in salvation. The world draws distinctions, comparisons, and man-made theologies, but God says Christ is all and in all that believe. His desire is for us to live in perfect unity.
In this teaching Jon Touchstone begins in Colossians 2 where we learn that wisdom of the world offers fine sounding arguments, but in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Flattery and smooth sounding speech is used by those promoting the wisdom of the world, but God states He reveals His thoughts to those who have the spirit and love God.
This is a timely teaching that sheds light on current issues including social justice, identity politics, call out culture, cancel culture, and the power of accusation. It warns us not to get entangled with worldly thinking. God delights in how orderly we are, how firm our faith in Christ is, and to be spiritually preceptive to avoid elemental philosophies and doctrines of devils.
We know from Scripture that there are two spiritual kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Both kingdoms rely upon authority, but use it in very different ways. God is not a God of disorder, but peace. Therefore His authority, which we find in self-government, the government of the family, church government, civil government, and within God’s kingdom, are all given to man to bless him and order his reality. Satan, on the other hand, uses his authority to tyrannize and oppress.
God’s principles are clear from a societal point of view. As Christians, we believe in strong and consistent authority. We support strong personal responsibility, and strong families. We support strong faith and spiritual affiliation. We support just laws, and we support strong and just law enforcement. In this very timely teaching, given the current state of our nation and the world, Jon Touchstone takes us into the Word of God and looks at His intention for Civil Government.
In this study we continue the theme of our Research Night of understanding Love and the Manifestations of the holy spirit. Love is much more than a sentiment. It energizes our faith. In First John, we learn that we are able to love because God first loved us by giving his son up to death on the cross. We first love God, and then we love one another. In fact, the love we have for one another is really an extension of our love for God, because we are actually loving those whom God loves.
We learn from Matthew 24, however, that because of an increase of lawlessness in the world, the love of many will grow cold. We look into the nature of the person, called the man of lawlessness; otherwise known as the antichrist. This person figures prominently in First John and stands in stark opposition to Christ.
We know from scripture that there are two spiritual kingdoms – the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom of Satan. Both Kingdoms rely upon authority, but use it in very different ways. Since God is not a God of disorder but peace, His authority, which we find in self-governance, in the government of the family, the civil government and within his kingdom overall, are all given to man to bless him and order his reality. Satan, on the other hand, uses his authority to tyrannize and oppress.
As a Christian the principles are clear from a societal point of view. We believe in strong and consistent authority. We support strong personal responsibility. We support strong families. We support strong faith and spiritual affiliation. We support just laws, and we support strong and just law enforcement. In this teaching Jon takes a look in the Bible at Civil Government.
Jon Touchstone teaches on Pentecost, the birth of the Church as recorded in Acts 1 and 2. A time when God gave those who believed in His Son the ability to fluently speak one or more languages they had never learned. This teaching also looks at the power that Pentecost brought to mankind – and asks the question, “why don’t we see that kind of power today in the Church?”
The current state of our nation, and the world, has given us more than the usual number of unwanted opportunities to WAIT, as follows: to leave the house, for a new job, for a restaurant to open, to shake hands, to hug someone, to see people’s smiles, for baseball to begin, and for sure to wait in line while only so many patrons are allowed into an establishment. These things have been added to everything else for which life requires us to wait.
One of the apostle Paul’s most encouraging—and remarkable—statements is: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” And he certainly endured some challenging situations, to say the least. What does he mean by “content”? That sounds quite passive. The dictionary says that “to wait” means “to remain inactive or in a state of repose until something expected happens,” but God defines it differently, as we will see.
Gary Lee Corns, one of our TLTF Elders, will teach “The Scope of our Hope.” Looking at God’s Word from a “30,000-foot view of Scripture,” we see that it has ALWAYS been God’s plan to redeem mankind from his foolish mistake of turning his back on God. Via the administrations in His-Story, He has made repeated attempts and adjustments to get man “back to the Garden” (not a geographical location) and into an intimate state of fellowship. As Messiah, King, and Redeemer, Jesus Christ is THE HOPE for all mankind to get there. John Lynn will follow with “Going Up?" This enlightening verse-by-verse exposition of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 through 2 Thessalonians 3:5, a critical section of God’s Word, clarifies the difference between the Gathering Together of the Body of Christ and the Day of the Lord. Chief among these glorious truths is that the Anti-Christ cannot come to power in a one-world government (which will happen) until AFTER we Christians have been rescued from “this present evil age.”
In this teaching Jon Touchstone explains how we live has a tremendous impact on the land. Currently our land is hurting and in deep need of God’s divine healing. The admonitions from God’s Word addresses the critical fact that the sin in our life as a nation has direct — and disastrous — effects on our health as a nation and as a global community.
The consequences of deliberate sin is rapidly spreading throughout our culture and the Church. It is time that believers in Christ intentionally humble themselves in prayer, and seek God’s face through obedience, allowing the blessings of God to flow from heaven to heal our land. If we are going to call on God to heal our land, to heal our nation, and to heal our communities, it is vital that we are also forthright in changing our ways before God as a nation.
In humanity we have two groups, one that recognizes and battles against sin, and one that is unaware and blithely goes through life subject to sin.
Jesus exposed evil, and evil hates light because it’s deeds get exposed. We have a sphere of influence where we can be lights. We are citizens of Heaven and must awaken and put aside the deeds of darkness. We are living in an evil day and must put off the things of the flesh. Prayer is our first line of defense and offense.
Let us pray for a “Great Awakening.”
Scripture teaches that the heart of unredeemed man is in a state of corruption. Even with regards to the best of men, the Word of God testifies that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. It is only through the spirit of God that the human heart is regenerated.
On April 12 this year Christians will celebrate the glorious RESURRECTION of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. No doubt God will use the observance of this historically verifiable event to prompt everyone He can to consider what it means that only one human in history has ever conquered death, our ultimate enemy. If there is no such thing as actual death (“the end of life”), Resurrection is superfluous—and our Hope is diluted. If we are to maximize our vast spiritual potential, we must know WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST. Paul’s epistles show us our complete identification with our risen Lord and Savior—in his life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and newness of life. What the risen Christ said to his disciples just before his ascension is what he now says to you and me: “I am with you always, even to the very end of the age.” Our Lord Jesus is not an “absent Christ,” as he would be had he “departed” from us. Instead, he disappeared, and thus created an invisible presence.
The quality of thankfulness is an absolute requirement for the disciple of Christ. This thankfulness isn't contingent upon circumstances but what God did for us in Christ, what He continues to do for us each day and the promises of what He will do for us in the future.
TLTF Trustee Franco Bottley shares the Word re: Intimacy With God.
Being intimate involves mixing our life with another's, a uniting of souls, a sharing of hearts. This is something we all long for because it’s how God made us. We were created to connect. God made us and He intimately knows us better than anyone can. And for this reason, He can make us feel known in a way that no one on earth is able; and in this we can experience intimacy with Him in a profound way.
This teaching looks at intimacy in a way that goes beyond its common meaning. It shows us how to build a vital relationship with God, along with other factors necessary in developing a deep and meaningful connection with Him.
John Lynn follows with Living in the Presence of Christ. 1 John 1:3 says that each Christian is to have “fellowship” with both God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, our Brother. The “partnership” expressed in the Greek word koinonia is 100%/100%. Like Jesus, you and I are called to both suffering and glory. Jesus gave his all for us, and we are to do likewise for him, out of thankfulness and love. The primary way we can measure the quality of our relationship with the Lord by how we treat the people in our lives, such as “the least of these, my brethren,” whom he loves as much as he loves us.
A word that is not used often in our culture is the word 'vow'. God places a high premium on our vows. So much so that he would discourage us from making the vow if we don't intent to follow through. But it's with the making and fulfilling of the vow that life takes on the godliness that God intends for us to walk in.
What is godliness? How necessary is it within the Christian experience? In this teaching, we explore what it means to be godly and how to do so in an ungodly age.
Jon Touchstone teaches on oneness, or unity, and how it is a vital aspect of our relationship with God. In the Shema (Deut. 6:4ff), every Old Testament Jew daily recited, “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.” But more than just a declaration of God’s monotheism, the Shema conveys the element of relationship. “Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh alone!” He is our God, alone! Yahweh is both knowable and relatable. As a person, He has character, values, and personality, and our goal should be oneness with Him.
John Lynn follows with Two Are Better Than One, and Three Are Better Than Two. We will look briefly at God’s purpose for Israel as a nation of priests who were to bring life to the world, how they failed to do so, how we Christians as the Body of Christ now have the ministry of reconciliation, and how those of the Israel bloodline who believed God will, in their new bodies, finally carry out that ministry during the Millennial Kingdom.
We’ll see the only two uses of the word “unity” in the epistles, and why our “keeping the unity of the spirit” (and how to do so) is vital to our successfully exercising the ministry of bringing men to God. As His “manufacturer’s reps,” we must stay tuned to our Head, the Lord Jesus, and follow his guidance in order to bring life to those who desire it.
Just as a person develops a reputation for his works and words, so a church is know by its reputation as well. It is certainly true that the Lord's perspective is often very different from ours. The Seven Churches of Revelation shows us how the Lord deals with Churches – how he encourages right behavior, confronts wrong and warns those Churches that fail to change.
Well, it’s now 2020, which begs the ocular question: What is your VISION of yourself and your ministry in the Body of Christ? Do you see yourself doing great things with the Lord this year? In this initial WWF teaching of the new year, John will take us to a number of relevant and provocative sections of Scripture, including 1 Kings 19, the record of Elijah temporarily losing his vision of who God made him to be and what God would do in working with him. God reminded him of the Big Picture, which is something each of us must keep in view. With regard to God’s promises to mankind, Jesus Christ is how He “put it in writing,” so to speak. Or rather, how He put writing in flesh. But He had to have Jesus’ total commitment to His will. God made a request of His Son, and also many promises to him, chief among which was that He would raise Jesus from the dead. Because our Lord embraced the will of God, all the way to the Cross, ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD are wrapped up in him. Chief among those promises is his coming for us, which will not be an end, but the BEGINNING of something beyond our expectation, and without end.
You’ve no doubt heard that phrase from Nehemiah 8:10, and perhaps sung the catchy song by that title many times, but what is its context, what exactly does it mean, and how do you apply it? John did this simple and most edifying teaching several times on his recent Western trip, and it was so well received that we want to get it online for future reference.
How would you deal with a person who treated you the way that most Christians are taught that God treats them? For example, He can do anything He wants to do at any time, and He might suddenly decide to “call you home,” that is, end your life without your permission, that is, murder you. But don’t worry, because death is a friend that introduces you to Jesus. Short of that, He might just make you sick for years to test your faith or teach you some kind of lesson.
Beginning with the classic verse in Hebrews 11:6, this teaching cites the record of Elijah and the widow in 1 Kings 17 as a prime example of the often confusing language God uses in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), and why He does so. It will definitely help you to be totally assured that your Heavenly Father is always doing everything He can for you, and that He never “allows” anything bad to happen to you.
Probably more so than I’ve ever seen in my brief 76 years, there is a massive cultural assault on freedom of speech. Why? Because in the spiritual battle raging in the realm beyond our five senses and playing out in the world, the Enemy knows that those promoting his lies cannot defend them in an honest, civil verbal exchange, so, as he tried to do in the Bible, he must shut them up. I’m thankful that we live during WORD WAR 5, with the assurance that our salvation is permanent, that we are righteous in God’s sight, and that we have nothing to fear—except maybe fear itself. As per Romans 10:14 (“And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”), somebody’s gotta say something! Now that we have been given the Word and the ministry of reconciling men to God, we are on a Treasure Hunt with God and the Lord Jesus, searching with them for humans who want spiritual Truth. Most of that treasure is buried, so we must learn how to get below the surface of people’s often gruff exteriors. Most of them are simply hurt, confused, hopeless, etc., and SELF-centered, because they do not know The One who will love and care for them far better than they can do for themselves.
A subtitle of this teaching could be Grace Unto Works. Much of the controversy about whether salvation is permanent misses the point that BIRTH and GROWTH are two totally different processes, with the former really being a one-time event. God does not get us “out of the soup” (“death unto life”) just so that we can spend the rest of our lives circling the rim of the bowl and worrying about falling back in with the soggy crackers.
God wants all men to both get saved AND acquire a thorough, experiential knowledge of His Truth that we practice daily. He saves and equips us to effectually represent Him and the Lord Jesus in this world.
This teaching is loaded with inspiring truths about how God’s amazing grace should motivate us to unreservedly live and work for Him—and the guarantee we have that He will reward us for so doing.
In Acts 17, while hanging out at Athens waiting for his pals Silas and Timbo, the apostle Paul encountered a gaggle of Greek philosophers who spent most of their time “listening to the latest ideas,” not unlike many people today. The way in which Paul masterfully presented God’s Truth to those steeped in paganism and godlessness gives us some keys to doing likewise in today’s increasingly “post-Christian” culture. We too are called to “contend for the faith” against competing ideologies designed to obscure the true Word of God. This Wednesday, John will tie together this record with that in Acts 25/26 when Paul appeared before King Agrippa to plead his case, as it were. Once again, his testimony focused on the Resurrection of Christ, and was precise and provocative. In conjunction, John will share a few very pertinent excerpts from the ONE GOD & ONE LORD book about how God has made Himself knowable and not mysterious.
Do you remember your youthful family car trip(s) when you voiced those words? I’m guessing that the more you matured, the less often you asked that—partly because you came to realize how far the trip was and how long it would take. But mostly because as you matured, you developed increasing patience. Thus, we see is that patience—the ability to WAIT with eager expectancy—is tied to HOPE (the promised destination), and Hope is based upon our view of the character of the Promiser.
As per Hebrews 11:6, God is The Rewarder. Our trust in Him stems from the depth of our relationship with Him. That’s one reason why Satan’s primary goal is to besmirch God’s flawless character. Many of us are “control freaks,” but not God, despite contemporary Christian teaching. He never manipulates us, because His true love honors our free will, and He seeks to help us trust and obey Him. What current situations in your life are opportunities for you to apply these keys?
John Lynn will unpack some comforting and encouraging verses regarding what to do in agonizing circumstances when you may see no clear course of action.
It seems that expository, verse-by-verse teachings of sections of the Word of God are too rare in Christendom today. But clearly, for maximum learning and assimilation of His Truth, they are indispensable. Given the God-breathed content, they are also enlightening, stimulating, and provocative. In one way, the Bible reads somewhat like a grocery list, as it speaks of milk, water, bread, meat, salt, fruit, and “let us.” Together, its ingredients give us a delicious recipe to “taste and see” how good it really is. In this teaching, John Lynn will take us through 2 Corinthians 3:17—6:2, a veritable feast of biblical truth that contains vital knowledge and wisdom about a number of key issues.
In 2019, the Christian Church calendar celebrated Pentecost this month. The glorious truth of what happened on that day, as recorded in Acts 2, is unintentionally given short shrift by too many Christian teachers and their pupils, mainly because they have not been taught what parts of Scripture are written TO WHOM. You may know that 1 Corinthians 10:32 sets forth the only THREE kinds of people who have ever lived on the earth: Jews, Gentiles (non-Jews), and Christians. But mankind can also be divided into TWO groups: those who could not be born again of incorruptible seed” and those who could. And that monumental Day of Pentecost is the dividing line between the two. John Lynn sets forth these truths, primarily focusing on John 3:1-10, a section that has been cited countless times in “evangelistic” sermons and crusades to get people saved. But, of course, no one could be “born again” until Pentecost, so what is that section really talking about, and can you thoroughly explain it (citing the relevant verses in Psalm 2, Isaiah 26, and Ezekiel 37) to someone seeking truth?
In the beginning, God created life. As life’s creator, He is invested in life, sustaining it and affirming it. The fact is, God was pro-life way before “pro-life” was a position one could support. All of life finds its source in God, and outside of God there is no life. With regards to mankind, He has committed himself in his son, Jesus Christ, in whom we find God’s way, God’s truth and God’s life. In this teaching Jon Touchstone explains how God is the creator of all life, and it is He alone who qualifies it.
Holy Courage is a requirement for EVERY Christian believer. There is no substitute. Our Lord Jesus exhibited this courage throughout his life and especially when he went to the cross for us. John and Peter, his disciples, in turn exhibited this same holy courage when they stood before the ruling class of Israel and defied their threatenings. We too exhorted to forsake our timid spirits and rise up in holy boldness for the Lord.
That’s the question we should ask ourselves when we read Acts 4:13 and see what even those who despised the apostles thought of them. In this teaching, John Lynn will exposit all of Acts 3 and 4, including references from the Hebrew Scriptures that the apostles used in their declaration of God’s Truth. This scintillating account of our brethren Peter and John doing exactly what you are now equipped to do—preach, teach, and heal—is LOADED with pertinent principles relevant to many aspects of our Christian walk.
The times in which we live are in many ways akin to the first century, when the stalwart followers of Jesus Christ boldly proclaimed his Name despite aggressive opposition. We are still fighting "WORD WAR 5," and this teaching will greatly encourage you to stand for our Lord in today’s “post-Truth” world.
There were two qualities that the scripture says characterizes the life and Ministry of Jesus Christ. Those two qualities are Grace and Truth. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we too are supposed to walk in Grace and Truth. Sadly, in many cases contemporary Christianity either emphasizes Grace over truth or truth over Grace, to the injury of the Gospel. This teaching explores our need for both.
The cross means many things to many persons. Ultimately, it represents Jesus’s victory over sin. But Jesus was a man, and as scripture tells us, was called to endure the cross and despise the shame it represented. He was tempted in all points, just as all of us are, yet he never sinned. His endurance is an example to us all. In running the race of life, we not only look at the exaltation of Jesus at the end of his race, but the motivation he needed to get to the finish line.
Who are the Godly? Who are the ungodly? Scripture shows us a clear distinction between the two, and the wide differences they hold in both principle and practice. In this teaching we take a look at why our culture seems to maintain choosing the path of error, rather than the heavenly perspective God has proclaimed.
Have you ever seen the poster in a jail in an old western movie that says, “WANTED: DEAD and ALIVE”? No, because that would be ridiculous. In fact, there is perhaps no more stark contrast between two adjectives than the words “DEAD” and “ALIVE.” Think about the warmth and vitality of LIFE vs. the coldness, total silence and finality of DEATH—man’s mortal enemy.
In this teaching, most appropriate for the month in which we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, John Lynn will do a critical thinking critique of a Colson Report titled “Happy Lent. Seriously.” It is about our culture’s fear of mortality, and the lengths some people go in order to deny it. On the other hand, it seems that not many of our Christian brethren are aware of the truth that millions of us WILL NOT DIE. Thus too many for “all their lifetimes are subject to the fear of death.” Conversely, understanding what Jesus accomplished for us will negate any such fear and help us be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
Throughout the history of the Church, Christian Ministry has been defined in a variety of ways. While some ministries bring glory to God, others unfortunately bring disgrace. What does scripture say about true ministry?
This teaching looks at some of God's expectation for the minister, as well as those attributes that the true minister, Jesus Christ, exhibited in his earthy walk.
This teaching on Romans Chapter 9 looks at some thorny theological issues regarding God's predetermined will on salvation, asking the question, Does the bible teach that God in his sovereignty choose those who will be saved and those who will spend eternity in Hell?
Set in the electrifying context of Philippians 3, we find this most practical truth, and the theme verse for this teaching: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (3:12).
Understanding the absolute assurance of our salvation is critical if we are to maximize our spiritual potential. It is perhaps the most pressing issue for many Christians, and one that few Bible teachers are accurately addressing for them. This WWF teaching makes clear the vital differences between Standing, Sonship, Birth & State, Fellowship, and Behavior.
Like you, we have no idea when our Lord Jesus is coming for us, and, like you, we want to leave behind a legacy for future generations. We’ll look at what that means, as well as what it means to be a catalyst for change in another person’s life.
Jon Touchstone shares on what the Bible teaches about the two spiritual kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan. This teaching will help you understand vital truths concerning the dominate powers which rule over all mankind.
An enlightening overview of Scripture that will help you see more clearly how important we as God’s “imagers” are to Him, and what we can do for Him and the Lord Jesus. That emphasizes how vital it is for us to understand His Word, especially the fabulous truth that God has given us genuine free will. He is THE GOD WHO RISKS.
God’s original goal was to live among His people—on earth. Had Adam and Eve obeyed Him, there would have been no need for Jesus—the logos in the mind of God. Then humans would have joined His Divine Council—and one day we will. God is very inclusive—His goal is to produce a race of “imagers,” i.e., “reps,” who are commissioned to re-present him and increase that number. God desires our genuine, meaningful participation in accomplishing His goal for mankind.
Israel was to be a kingdom of priests who would make known to the world God’s goodness, but they failed miserably. Now it is you and I who are His “ambassadors” to the world. Our status began with Adam, was rescued in Abraham, and fulfilled in Jesus. Our destiny is that when we inherit the rule of the nations with Jesus, we will displace the corrupted angelic “sons of God” presently ruling them, but who are already under God’s judgment.
Jon Touchstone teaches on the grace of God which brings salvation to all mankind. God's grace is the only hope for a dying world.
Jon Touchstone teaches on God's commands to the believer to stay free from the entanglements of carnal religion and to walk in spiritual liberty.
Hebrews 11:8 says: “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”
Now, a new year is set before each of us. God can see farther up the road of our lives than we can, but He has relegated Himself to work with our free will choices to which He adroitly adjusts. He hopes our decisions will be in alignment with His Word, so that His love for us can lead us into the blessings and growth that He has in mind for us as His beloved children. The Lord Jesus, our prime example of perfect trust in the Father, has a personal curriculum for each of us, in which we can excel by walking hand-in-hand with him.
Holiness is not a destination, but a lifelong journey. The finished work of Jesus Christ is the starting point for each Christian’s journey, and it is also the reason why each of us can become like him, despite the sin nature that dwells in us. “Holiness” means conformity in thought, word, and deed to the character of God, our Father. It is available for us to achieve this character to a great degree, and we hope this teaching will help you move forward on your own personal path of righteousness.
As we are gripped by our love for God and our desire to please Him, and as we are energized by our Lord Jesus, we CAN follow his example and achieve this godly character to a great degree. “The fear of God” basically means being more concerned with what God thinks than with what anyone else thinks. God wants us to grieve our sins and thus repent of them. The more we realize that all sin is against our Heavenly Father, the more we will desire to eliminate it from our lives.
Jon Touchstone teaches on Spiritual Discernment, which can be described as the process of determining God’s desire in a situation or for one’s life or identifying the true nature of a thing, such as discerning whether a thing is good or evil.
Jon Touchstone hosts a Biblical Research Night every 2nd & 3rd Wednesday of the month. Click the link below to join the meeting during the scheduled time.
Biblical Research Night 8:00 pm | EDT | 1 hr 30 mins Meeting number: 628 697 200
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Jon Touchstone teaches on spiritual leadership by using God’s methods to get people where He wants them. Trusting in God and His promises, which yield the strength of a true leader.