Mission Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Mission Bible Church
We are a community of Christians who are committed to God's Word. We give our best to understand it, share it accurately, and apply it diligently to our lives.
For more information about Mission Bible Church, please visit www.missionbible.org.
When grace runs out of room for record-keeping, all that's left is joy. A look at how easily Christians drift from grace into the Pharisaism of works, comparison, and quiet resentment.
From Genesis 12 to Revelation 20, discover how every era of the Bible — Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the Church — points to the same promise, so you can finally see how the whole Book fits together.
From astrology and mysticism to the coming one-world religion of Revelation, Genesis 11 reveals how every false religion traces back to Babel—and why only Jesus provides the true way to God.
Every nation, language, and ethnicity on earth can trace its ancestry back to Noah, revealing God's sovereign plan to bring the gospel to every people through the line of Shem and ultimately Jesus Christ.
What does the rainbow really mean? Genesis 9 reveals that long before it became a cultural symbol, God gave it as a covenant sign declaring His mercy, His authority, and His promise to preserve the world until His plan of redemption is complete.
What does it look like to remain faithful when an entire culture rejects God? Through Noah's life in Genesis 6–8, we discover how grace enables ordinary believers to trust God's Word, endure opposition, escape judgment, and help others find refuge in Christ.
Genesis 6:1–4 contains some of the most mysterious verses in all of Scripture, sparking debate for centuries over the identity of the "sons of God," the Nephilim, and what triggered God's judgment through the Flood.
Why did God take Enoch to heaven without letting him experience death, and what does his life teach us about walking with God in a corrupt generation? In this message from Genesis 5, we'll discover the faithful line leading to Noah, the patience of God before judgment, and why every Christian is called to be an Enoch!
Genesis 4 reveals that every societal collapse begins with the same ancient lie of Cain: rejecting God’s substitute and trusting our own goodness instead.
Why is life filled with pain, broken marriages, exhausting work, blame-shifting, and death? In Genesis 3:8–24 we uncover the moment humanity cursed the planet, lost Eden, and received the first promise of Jesus Christ, the Serpent Crusher to come.
Genesis 3 reveals humanity’s oldest temptation: believing God is withholding something better, leading us to question His goodness, redefine truth, and ultimately hide from the very God we were created to know.
God created a good world, gave man everything he needed, and granted real moral freedom. Evil enters not because God failed creation, but because man rebelled within it.
Pride quietly distorts how we see ourselves, others, and God—but Philippians 2 reveals a better way. In this message, discover four mindset shifts—embracing your identity, pursuing unity, elevating others, and following Jesus Christ—to kill pride before it kills you.
God created humanity in His image with a defined design, role, and gender, giving every person inherent dignity and purpose. When we reject Him, we lose our understanding of who we are, but in Him we recover true identity, meaning, and joy.
God created the world in six literal days, forming everything with order, purpose, and care for human life. You are not here by accident, but by design, and your life is meant to reflect your Creator.
Easter shows that the God who created light came into the world to save it. In Jesus Christ, the Light shines into your darkness so you can know your Creator and be made new.
As you walk moment by moment in the Spirit, He produces real transformation, replacing the works of the flesh with a life marked by His fruit.
Christian freedom isn’t the permission to follow your sinful desires—it’s the power to reject them, love others, and live from a transformed heart.
Christian freedom shows up in the church as we restore the fallen, carry each other’s burdens, and invest our lives in what lasts forever.
Paul drops a theological bomb: Jesus plus anything equals nothing—your identity is a son, your family is promise, and your life is freedom. Who you are determines where you belong and how you live, so stand firm in grace and refuse to go back to slavery.
We are no longer spiritual minors under the Law but adopted sons and daughters who inherit the promises of God. Because we are royalty in God’s family, returning to legalistic religion is trading the freedom of sons for the slavery of servants.
In Acts 4, we see God’s pattern for a world-impacting church: pressure drives believers together, unity leads to prayer, prayer invites God’s power, and God’s power produces bold proclamation of the gospel. When God’s people depend on Him and courageously proclaim Christ, the gospel advances, and lives are transformed.
The law was never given to save you, elevate you, or transform you; it was given to expose your sin, shut down your pride, and drive you to Christ. The promise in Christ alone secures your inheritance, creates your identity, and gives you the life the law could never produce.
Many believers begin by trusting Christ alone, yet slowly drift into measuring their growth, identity, and assurance by performance, comparison, and external badges of spirituality. Here Paul calls us back to the blazing center of every true Reformation: we are saved, adopted, and redeemed by faith alone in Christ alone.
When Peter pulled back from Gentile believers out of fear, Paul publicly confronted him because the gospel itself was at stake: we are justified by faith in Christ alone, not by law, culture, or performance, and unbelievers will see the change in our life.
The early church fought for the gospel’s independence, refusing to add religious requirements to salvation and standing united on justification by faith alone.
Paul’s dramatic conversion, lost career, and years of obscurity prove he did not invent the gospel, inherit it from religious leaders, or adopt it for personal gain. It was revealed directly to him by the risen Jesus and is the only hope for mankind.
Paul confronts the Galatian churches with the truth that the gospel comes from God, not men, and that any attempt to add to grace through human effort is a complete distortion of Christ’s saving work.
Jesus teaches that wise money management begins with a settled heart, treasuring what lasts, not what fades, because our spending always follows our loves.
The risen Christ doesn’t just prove He is alive; He commissions ordinary, broken people to go and tell that death has been defeated and hope is real.
Jesus’ lifeless body was carefully wrapped in a burial shroud and laid in a rich man’s tomb, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy and proving His death was real, honored, and witnessed. What looked like a sealed ending was actually God’s setup for resurrection life.
Every step of the cross—from the nails to the final cry was not forced on Jesus but freely embraced out of love for sinners. The crucifixion shows a Savior who satisfied God’s justice by choice, opening the way to God because love was willing to pay the full cost.
Peter’s greatest failure unfolded beside a charcoal fire, yet Jesus later rebuilt him beside another fire, proving that the Savior restores the very places sin once destroyed. This sermon shows how Christ exposes our denial, breaks our self-reliance, and then invites us to renewed commitment and usefulness in His service.
Pastor Connor McFarland unpacks 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 to reveal five marks of a disciple-making church and how every believer is called to help one another grow in Christ.
This sermon calls our church to start giving church a good name by embracing a gospel-worthy reputation. Bold in witness, kind in unity, and clean in purity. When we stand firm, serve humbly, and shine brightly, we display to a watching world the supernatural reality of Christ among us.
Paul warned the Ephesian elders that Satan’s strategy to destroy the church always begins the same way by corrupting leaders, releasing wolves, and raising up warped insiders who twist truth and divide the flock. Faithful shepherds must guard the church Christ purchased with His blood.
Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20–24 reveals that the greatest threat to the church is not persecution from without but division from within and the true evidence of our faith is not uniformity of style or opinion, but supernatural love and unity that mirror the Father’s love for the Son and display Christ’s glory to the watching world.
In this message, we peer into the very heart of God as Jesus lifts His eyes toward heaven. This sacred prayer exposes the divine plan of redemption, showing that the Son’s obedience, the Father’s glory, and the believer’s salvation are forever intertwined in the love of the Godhead.
The Bible truly comes alive when we see Jesus Christ as its central purpose and theme—the One who turns confusion into clarity. From His death and resurrection to His promise of the Spirit, Christ is the key who unlocks our understanding, our access to the Father, and our fullness of joy both now and forever.
As Mission Bible celebrates its 15th birthday this message calls on believers to build visible reminders of God’s faithfulness so future generations will know His power and fear Him.
When the Holy Spirit truly touches a person, it's not about feelings or signs. Rather, it's conviction: exposing sin, revealing God’s perfect righteousness, warning of coming judgment, and guiding the believer into all truth.
God’s will isn’t a mystical maze but a clear path marked by obedience to His Word, trust in His providence, and the wise use of Spirit-filled freedom. When a believer is walking in holiness, gratitude, and submission, they can confidently make choices—knowing God is sovereign over every step and delights to lead through both open and closed doors.
This quite personal sermon unpacks the transforming power of God's grace through the lens of a personal salvation story. Tracing humanity’s dead nature, enslaved lifestyle, divine rescue, supernatural change, and ultimate purpose, it declares that salvation is entirely God’s doing, so that our lives become living trophies of His mercy.
In this message, we examine a Christian's response to LGBT relationships, not by affirming sin or reacting with rage, but by tethering themselves to truth while extending compassion to the lost.
This sermon answers the question, “Has my church become attractional?” by showing from John 4:20–24 that true worship isn’t about place or style but must be offered in spirit and truth, from the heart and grounded in Scripture. While the essence of worship stays fixed, centered on Christ and guided by God’s Word, the expression has varied across centuries and cultures, warning us not to confuse method with message or form with faithfulness.
When hurt by others in the church—misunderstood, falsely accused, or gossiped about—our flesh wants to fight back, but Christ calls us to bless, not retaliate. This sermon reminds us not to let pride poison us, not to go to war, and not to take vengeance into our own hands.
Why do the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer? In Psalm 73, Asaph wrestles with this same tension—until worship gives him an eternal perspective where God’s nearness is his true good.
Jesus warns His disciples that faithful gospel witness will provoke hatred from the world. He explains that this hatred stems from spiritual ignorance and rejection of God, but promises the Holy Spirit will empower their witness. Christians should not be surprised by persecution but recognize it as a mark of genuine discipleship.
In a world where Gen-Z is more digitally connected yet more relationally isolated than ever, Jesus offers the only true answer: sacrificial love. This message unpacks how Christians can embody Christ’s love as the only lasting solution to a lonely and artificial age.
In this message, we see how a true relationship with Jesus is evidenced by bearing spiritual fruit, as He is the true vine and believers are the branches.
Greatness in God’s kingdom comes not by self promotion, but by serving, suffering, and sacrificing like Christ.
In this passage we learn of why Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as the divine Helper who will dwell within believers, bringing peace, guidance, and a deeper love for Christ.
In this message, we examine Jesus’ shocking promise that His followers would do “greater works" than He. We'll explore how faith, prayer, and obedience unlock spiritual fruitfulness beyond what the disciples could imagine.
In this world, we have tribulation. Political corruption, riots, wars, inflation, and myriad relational difficulties. Yet, in the most beloved words of Scripture Jesus promises the pathway to perfect peace.
Jesus specifies that Love is the special mark which will distinguish the true Christian from everyone else! With this in mind, we explore why and how the New Testament expands on this vital principle.
In this cautionary passage, we learn that many who claim to follow Jesus, and look the part, may inwardly rebel. Though Judas was used uniquely for God's redemptive purposes, he is a reminder that some kiss the door of heaven but still go to hell.
On their final evening together, Jesus shocks his men with a stunning display of humility, washing their feet, and explaining that this level of service should be the defining characteristic of a Christian's life.
Israel's unbelief reveals the hardened condition of their hearts, and God's righteous judgment confirms their blindness as foretold by Isaiah. Even among those who profess, fear of man exposed a false, superficial faith—showing that when God judges a nation, He begins by exposing its spiritual hypocrisy.
In this enlightening passage, John expands on questions surrounding Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, giving us insight into how the cross of Calvary marked the defeat of death and the beginning of His Church victorious.
In a special Mother's Day message, we see that the real battle of life starts in our minds. Philippians 4:8 reminds us to focus on what’s true, pure, and lovely—because what we think about shapes how we feel and live. When we fill our thoughts with God’s truth, peace and joy begin to guard our hearts like a gentle shield.
In all history there's been no better picture of deep, humble, and contagious worship than Mary's devotion, which stands in stark contrast to Judas’ false religion of external works.
In this famous story, Jesus comforts his friends and demonstrates His power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. This miracle reveals Jesus’ divine authority and foreshadows His own resurrection, offering hope of eternal life to all who believe.
In one of the most renowned apologetics in Christian history, the apostle Paul exposes the flaws of elite human philosophy, contrasting them with the spiritual truth and divine logic of the Christian message.
In this passage, Jesus highlights how the Godhead works in union to choose, call, save, and keep the sheep of His pasture.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can inflict more damage. In this sermon from Proverbs 12:18, we see the deadly consequences of an unbridled tongue contrasted with the benefit of a saved and sanctified heart.
In some of His most famous words Jesus declares Himself the "Good Shepherd" and "The Door" through which followers must enter for salvation, thereby excluding any other avenue to heaven.
In this stirring encounter, Jesus explains why the Jewish leaders will reject Him, and how He'll bring many others to saving faith. In this message, we encounter some of Jesus' most compelling explanations regarding election, calling, and eternal security.
In this famed chapter, Jesus miraculously gives sight to a blind man, who becomes the classic representative of all "Lambs" brought into the pastures of the Great Shepherd.
In this passage, Moses reflects on God’s eternal nature in contrast to our fleeting lives, reminding us of sin’s consequences and our desperate need for His grace. This Psalm calls us to live with the gift of urgency, numbering our days wisely before the Lord.
In this passage, Jesus confronts followers that had indicated their "belief" in Him, but proved in the end not to be true disciples. His words provide a litmus test of those who are sons of God versus those who are sons of the devil.
Many people have been deceived into believing in a cultural Christianity, but this version of Christianity is often does not offer how a person can be made right with God.
The centering point of any great relationship is communication and this is true with God. In Scripture the Lord speaks to us, yet we often feel too busy, tired, or apathetic to listen. Why is this? How can it change?
People naturally believe that there's enough goodness or ability in themselves to earn heaven. The outcome are religions like Hinduism, Islam, and Roman Catholicism. In this passage, Jesus warns about the consequences of trusting human merit and self-righteousness.
In this famous story, Jesus peers into the heart of a sinful woman, along with her self-righteous accusers, to showcase that there is only one way for all to receive mercy from God.
There are many ways Christians share the good news of Jesus Christ. In this message, we examine the most time tested methods for soul-winning, along with the one thing they all have in common.
Jesus came offering salvation to the Jews, but they rejected Him, so He turned his promises to the Gentiles, explaining how the future would be a world of church expansion and individual salvation.
In recent years, identifiers such as puritan or pietist have fallen out of favor. However, according to the apostle Paul, all of life should be lived for all of God.
Humility in prayer is something rarely talked about, however scripture is clear that we are to approach the God with a humble heart throughout the ups and downs in life.
The arrival and persecution Jesus faced had been predicted for hundreds of years and reminds us that faithfulness will always come with some level of opposition.
For twenty centuries, the person and work of Jesus Christ has been dividing homes, communities, and cultures. In this message we are forced to make our choice to accept or reject Him.
In a profound lesson against antagonistic Jewish leaders, Jesus explains that the only path to salvation is through the electing hand of God the Father, substitution of Jesus the Son, and indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
In a strong response to the materialistic seekers of His day, Jesus exposes the need to seek His person rather than His perks, and subsequently indicts modern forms of prosperity style Christianity.
Part of being a faithful Christian is encountering stormy trials that can easily discourage us and create doubt. But Jesus reassures us in our darkest night that He sees our situation, is in control, and will provide His power to carry us through.
In one of the most beloved stories in Scripture Jesus teaches His men (and us) that when we take big steps for God, we can always expect big help from God.
Worries and anxieties are all too common in our world today. Yet, in the face of life's challenges, believers throughout history have always found refuge in God Almighty.
Many Americans are surprised by the aggressive assault on their faith and ethics, yet Peter reminds Christians not to be shocked in the face of suffering and persecution, but instead continue to do good, trusting that every fiery ordeal is ultimately part of God's plan.
Far too many Christians see singleness and their young adult years as simple preparation for married life. But the apostle Paul points out that, if used properly, the single years can be a superior situation, that leads to multiplied impact for the glory of God.
In America there has always been tension surrounding the place of (and for) Christianity in politics, so in this message we examine the theological importance of Christians staying engaged in the political process.
It's common for sincere believers to feel as though God has not heard their prayers. Often, we may overlook the assurance that Jesus offers. However, those who ask, seek, and knock on the door of the Almighty can approach their prayer life with great confidence.
In a society waging war on children, it is the parents' responsibility to provide clarity, safety, instruction, discipline, and training for their kids.
The secular world promotes sex as a form of short-term fulfillment (lustmaking) that never satisfies the spiritual and emotional longings of an individual. God, however, offers marital sex (lovemaking) as a lasting expression of covenant and devotion, that offers true joy.
Modern celebrity and social status has greatly diminished the concept of honor in our culture. However, scripture is clear that believers are called to honor God with their lives. Pastor Grant Castleberry teaches us through the example of King David how to live a life that is honoring to God.
In our age of hook-ups, hang-outs, living together, and no-fault divorce, Paul clarifies the theological reason God gave marriage, and the value of making that marriage last a lifetime.
God's man is called to sacrificially and tenderly care for his wife as exemplified by how Jesus so lovingly cares for His church.
Over the past 50-years we've witnessed the collapse of the home in America. In this message we dive into God's design for marriage, specifically the role of a wife, and learn how to build our marriage in a way that's pleasing to God and joyful for both spouses.
Many people live their lives full of stress, anxiety, and worry. Believers, however, have an opportunity to cast their cares upon their Savior, Jesus Christ. Mark Spence unpacks the implications of this truth.
All people face trials, but when believers are confronted with the challenges of life they have a hope that separates them from others. Jeremy Vuolo unpacks this hope through the opening verses of Hebrews chapter 12.
Everyone makes a truth claim. The Hindu, Muslim, Catholic, or Jehovah Witness. Even an atheist contends, "There is no God or judgment..." But these claims lack any evidence. But when it comes to God, heaven, hell, and salvation, one set of truth claims come with overwhelming evidence -- those taught by Jesus Christ.
As modern society seeks answers from mystics and false gods, we must remember the words of Jesus; specifically, that He is the only Way to God, only One with the power to save from sin, and the One who will stand in judgment of all mankind.
Depression, anxiety, and suicide rates have risen nearly 200% in the past decade. The data suggests that the primary contributor to this hopelessness and disconnection is technology and social media, so in this sermon we'll address ways to avoid the dangers of digital distraction, in order to remain a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and contributor to His church.
The recent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump highlights the declining civil virtue of America, and prompts Christians renew their commitment to prayer, bold gospel witness, and the kingdom of God.
In this sermon confronting secular psychology, self-help, and self-esteem, we evaluate the imago dei, along with what it means to be made in God's image, and to live faithfully as image-bearers.
In this stirring passage, we find Jesus showing compassion to a lost and hopeless man. In so doing, he platforms His authority, and begins a showdown with the self-righteous leaders of Israel.
JC Ryle once said that if a young man does not turn to Jesus by age twenty, he likely never will. In this special father's day sermon we study ten scriptural takeaways every young man must heed and obey.
Far too many Christians endure life dissatisfied and depressed, most often because they aren't living out the mission God's called them to. In this sermon we learn of the Father's heart for His children and how we can and must live it out each day.
In this message we study Jesus' explanation of true worship. Contrary to every world religion, Christians are able to worship their heavenly Father in daily, ongoing, vital, and devotional communion.
Christians will inevitably face trials in life. But how should they endure them? In this message, we will explore the Lord's purpose for Christians undergoing trials and how they can faithfully navigate these challenging times.
In this sermon we meet a woman burdened by a past of sin and guilt, and Jesus steps into her life, revealing Himself as the answer to all of her sin and soul's restlessness.
Statistics suggest that cult groups and counterfeit forms of Christianity, draw far more female adherents than male. In this special Mother's Day message, we examine the biblical directives ensuring God's women are not "taken captive" by false teachers and their false movements.
Granger Smith unpacks the hope provided through the gospel for all believers, for both this life and the next.
In this message, we evaluate John the Baptist's final teaching about Jesus; specifically, His supreme origin, testimony, and authority, against which everyone will be either saved or condemned.
In the flesh, we all struggle with the desire to be popular and influential; but in the final recorded instruction from John the Baptist, we learn that the heart of believers must grow excited for more glory and fame toward Christ, with far less focus on self.
In a world full of men and women who agonize over their reason for existing, this Easter message examines the most famous verse of Scripture, describing the only true path to be forgiven of sin and thereby know eternal life and purpose.
In this famed passage, Jesus is visited and questioned by a man of noble achievement, education, and national renown, and ultimately shows him that despite his stunning earthly credentials, he is yet to become a true child of God.
In this sermon, we study Jesus storming the temple compound, overthrowing the greedy racket that abused people, and brought dishonor to God, quickly learning that He now does the same for the temple of our hearts today.
Pastor James Coates teaches on the the King's sovereignty, holiness, and atonement out of Isaiah 6.
In this teaching from the "Embracing God's Design" women's conference, Erin Coates discusses how the attributes of a wise woman start with the fear of the Lord.
In this teaching from the "Embracing God's Design" women's conference, Bre Wood draws attention to the importance of prayer for in the Christian life.
In this well known story, John describes the moment Jesus proved his omnipotent power to the disciples, and symbolically explains the personal nature of Christ's work, ensuring every follower can have joy even as they wrestle through the gloom and despair of life.
As Pastor Anthony Wood continues his study through the Gospel of John, we see the first interactions between a group of disciples, and are forced to determine whether they found God, or God found them, and what impact this has on believers twenty centuries later.
Modern "evangelism" has devolved into nothing more than social justice with "Jesus" in the caption, and ignores the fundamental doctrine of propitiation on which the entire gospel rests. In this sermon, we study the realities of sin, wrath, judgment, and redemption.
There is much confusion in the Church today regarding baptism of the Holy Spirit. What does it means to be baptized by the Holy Spirit? Is one is baptized by the Spirit separately? If so, then when is one baptized by the Spirit? In today's sermon, Pastor Anthony Wood breaks down the biblical understanding of this of vital doctrine.
In this passage we're challenged to examine our witness, seeing the bold testimony of John the Baptist as he prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ.
To many, the miracle of the Incarnation of Christ has lost it's importance. In this sermon, Pastor Anthony teaches us why this doctrine is foundational to the faith, and the out workings it has in the life of all Believers.
John introduces Jesus as light of the world; including the witness of John the Baptist, the world's rejection of Him, and the offer of salvation He makes available. This sermon underscores the rejection of the Light by some, while promising that those who receive and believe in Him gain the right to become children of God.
The opening of the Apostle John's magnum opus presents Jesus of Nazareth as the focal point of Christian faith and the essence of human existence. He delineates Jesus as the eternal, singular, creative, truth-revealing second member of the triune Godhead.
Pastor Desmond Outlaw outlines the necessary importance of prayer in the life of a believer, focusing on commitment, discipline, and confidence in prayer, illustrated through various texts.
There's no way Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and townspeople could have fully understood all that was transpiring when Jesus was born into a Bethlehem stable. But the author of Hebrews displays for us, with unparalleled beauty, the supernatural purposes and magnificent blessings of God's Son coming to earth.
All of us go through seasons of doubt and despair where our first response is to search out an answer, asking, "What should I do?" or "What is the answer?" But in this message, we see that the solution to life's great problem is not a "What" but rather a "Who."
In December 2023, TIME Magazine dubbed Taylor Swift their person of the year, stating she's become the world's "light" in darkness. As with every generation, the Bible reminds us of the true Light, the Redeemer who solves mankind's woes with eternal answers.
In times of social or personal despair, it's easy to forget that our God is all sovereign, all knowing, and all loving, and that no matter how discouraging our circumstances, everything is absolutely guaranteed to culminate for His glory and our good.
In this compelling finale to Paul's letter, he warns young Timothy not to fall in line with early prosperity preachers, men who proclaimed the truth only for their personal gain.
Everything rises and falls on leadership. Due to the precious nature of the Church being Christ's bride, trustworthy leaders should be joyfully supported, while immoral leaders must be strongly and immediately disciplined.
How we see people impacts how we treat people, and in this compelling chapter Paul reminds Timothy that the church is a "family", a large group of fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers, requiring each member to care for others accordingly.
In order to help Timothy respond to the alarming apostasy of Ephesus, Paul details the internal and external qualities of a minister who perseveres to protect the church of Christ.
Paul continues to lay out the marks of a healthy church, which includes a body of believers who recognize they're saved to serve, fulfilling special and important works which God prepared for them from before time.
Far too many evangelicals follow a pastor based on his popularity, magnetism, humor, business acumen, or political ties. But Paul says it is not these external characteristics that Christians should desire in a leader at all. Rather, as we will see in this sermon, they should follow leaders based on 15-traits of spiritual ministry set forth by God.
Encouraging his timid young protege, Paul reminds Timothy that the first sign of a healthy church will be the depth and breadth of people's prayer life; specifically, in how they share the desire of God to save people from all walks of life saved, ushering them into the family of God.
In this sermon, Jonny Ardavanis looks at three precious truths from Psalm 46: God is our refuge, God is our strength, and God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. Are you facing a trial? Is there something that keeps you up at night? Is there something that you are afraid of? Then listen to the truths the psalmist declares about our great God.
After leaving young Timothy to pastor in Ephesus, Paul heard of men teaching falsely and creating strife. In response, he sends a letter to his young son in the faith demanding he uphold the crystalline truths of the Gospel and protect the church from error.
In this sermon, Pastor Desmond Outlaw discusses how we are to pursue a life entirely unto God's glory. What does a life full of godly ambition amount to? What is its nature, goal, and extent?
As a rule, Christians obey the government as peaceful and non-violent citizens. Yet, because their supreme allegiance remains to Christ, there are exceptions to the rule, and they must discern when and how they are to civilly disregard government, in order to maintain a pure conscience before God.
Since the 1980's humanism has been the only worldview allowed in the public education system, and three generations of Americans have been taught that truth, right, and wrong are meaningless. Yet, the Scriptures are clear that each Christian parent must steward their child's education in a way that immerses him or her in a biblical worldview.
Since the sexual revolution of the 1960's America has degraded into every form of sexual sin, to the point now that lawmakers legislate perversity upon our children. In this message, we discuss three levels of God's judgment upon a wicked society, and how Christians must respond.
In this sermon, we review the 50-year slaughter of unborn babies in America, and examine what the Bible says about the miracle, dignity, and uniqueness of human life.
The foundation of biblical anthropology, including matters of life, gender, marriage, and parenting, is the understanding that God created the heavens and the earth. In this sermon we evaluate the modern religion of naturalism, and how beliefs based in Darwinian evolution have destroyed the western world along with many evangelical churches.
In this sermon, Pastor Albert Kilgore discusses the goodness of God. Let it be a reminder that God's goodness is unchanging and worthy of continual meditation.
The great battlefield of the mind is where Christians win and lose their spiritual joy and vitality daily. In this message Pastor Tony guides us through a summary of the inner-man, to help us learn the importance of biblical thinking, a clear conscience, right response, and Godward affections.
In this concluding chapter, Paul commands the Christians to turn from their selfish pride and personal desires to instead "think bigger" about their support of God's work around the world; including, missionaries, faithful pastors, and their fellow church members.
When our Lord Jesus returns, He will not only resurrect His saints who are dead but will also transform those who are living. In these concluding verses of 1 Corinthians 15 we learn of a coming rapture for God's people along with how it must motivate our daily lifestyle.
In this fascinating portion of Scripture Paul responds to the critics asking, "How can our dead bodies be resurrected?" and "What will they be like?" And from his answer we learn that death is not an obstacle for God, but rather a condition of our eternal life and coming resurrection.
In this highly convincing paragraph, the apostle Paul clarifies the present realities for anyone who believes in a coming resurrection, and showcases how every true Christian will live in the present with the future always in mind.
In this sermon, Family Pastor Desmond Outlaw discusses how the Bible, the Word of God, is powerful. Further, he explains how God's Word is perfect, profitable, piercing, and purifying.
In this special Father's Day message, we evaluate Paul's concluding commands to the church of Corinth, noting five marks of God's man, even as he stands against the torrents of secularized culture.
In this highpoint of Paul's instruction, He clarifies the hope of a believer's bodily resurrection, along with the stages leading to Christ's reign over all creation.
Christianity rests on whether Jesus physically rose from the dead. In this text, the apostle Paul summons voices from the 1st century to testify of Christ's resurrection, along with the life-changing impact this reality had on their lives.
After many chapters detailing the Corinthians sinful past, Paul makes the turn to describe their glorious future, including a coming bodily resurrection, and eternal life, but first clarifies that it's only possible through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this sermon, Costi Hinn discusses sins that believers are called to lay aside. He discusses lies, anger, stealing, and cussing -- and calls us to a higher standard.
This message of hope is for those who have been unable to have children. In 1 Samuel 1, we read of a young woman enduring the pain of infertility, yet quickly discover that God has a perfect answer at the perfect time.
In this video, Susan Heck addresses a women’s conference on the sin of grumbling and complaining.
In this video, Susan Heck addresses a women’s conference on how to be content regardless of the circumstances.
Part of Corinthian disorder was the disruptive outbursts of women, so in this important sermon, we'll evaluate God's intended design for women, both in how they relate to their local church, and how they respond to their husband's instruction.
Due to the Corinthians' egotistic understanding of ministry, their church services had degraded into showmanship and individual experiences. In this sermon we will perform a summary view of Paul's treatise against private fanaticism, for the sake of building up, and maintaining corporate order, within each local expression of Christ's church.
In this sermon we evaluate the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge, assessing the more technical matters associated, along with finding clarity on "the perfect" in which every believer should place their hope.
In the most beautiful chapter of the New Testament, Paul points out the fading nature of spiritual gifts, and the eternal treasure of love; reminding us that even if we're the most "gifted" Christian in the room, lest we serve in love, all our effort will be counted as waste.
Our world is filled with sin, sorrow, loss, and crisis. Even Christians who love Christ often feel overwhelmed by the pain and forget God's promises. On Easter morning, there was one young woman enduring such a moment, and John lets us peek into her beautiful story of restored faith and hope.
The Corinthians pursued showy gifts and ministry roles, turning their church into a display of human power, rather than a symphony of holy harmony led by the Spirit. In this message, we study Paul's warning to have the right attitude in relation to our spiritual gift, and how we use that gift to bless the body of Christ.
Over the past 30-years "faith healing" movements have mainstreamed in the evangelical church. In this message, we analyze the claims of these so-called healers, holding their ministry and teaching up against the New Testament.
In this message we'll review Ephesians 5 and Galatians 5, among other passages, to define the filling of the Holy Spirit, and ascertain the notable evidence of a Christian who is walking in daily yield to the Spirit's work.
Over the coming months, our church body plans to undertake the next phase of building projects, aiming to complete a new children's wing, adult classrooms, and sanctuary expansion. In this message, we analyze the heart behind a Christian's sacrificial giving to the Lord's work.
Paul tells the Corinthians that their spiritual baptism was done in the past, and we find historical accounts of this throughout the Book of Acts. In this message, we examine the historical development of Acts, learning when and why the Holy Spirit was sent to Earth.
In recent days many are saying there is a new "revival" at Asbury University in Kentucky. Similar to many other "revivals" people are traveling hours to visit this small college town in order to "seek" God for an "outpouring" of the Holy Spirit. In this sermon, we study the roots of such revival, and work to define a true Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit gives every Christian a gift to be used for the edification of others, and in this vital section of Scripture, Paul instructs the church about the beautiful variety and vital unity of true spiritual gifts.
Due to their immense pride, the Corinthians were abusing spiritual gifts, using them to bolster notoriety, instead of to honor Christ. So Paul responds, reminding them that true works of the Spirit will always point to Christ, and bring holy harmony, and edification, to the church.
The elitist Corinthians had turned communion into a status gathering; the rich enjoying their hors d'oeuvres in the dining room, while the poor ate leftovers on the back porch. Paul responds by canceling their love-feast, and calling the entire group to self-examination before they dare to eat again.
Similar to the modern American church, the church of Corinth had begun to blur and obfuscate genders, including the heart with which male and females arrived for worship. In this passage, Paul clarifies the proper church order for men and women, based on God's created design, and in the Godhead itself.
Due to the Corinthians' pride, they had begun to use their Christian freedoms to live with license, often causing others to stumble. So Paul responds, reminding them that a Christian's entire life exists for the glory of God and good of men.
In the third of our 4-part Christmas Weekend, we go behind the story of Old Simeon, learning why people will either rejoice or reject the Christ-child, and all the promises that foretold Him.
In the fourth installment of our 4-part Christmas Weekend, we meet elderly Anna, who's prayer and praise remind us of Christ's role to redeem, offering us hope in this life, and the next.
In the first of our 4-part Christmas Weekend, we review the Christmas Story from the vantage point of God's pinnacle providence, seeing how He weaves together history, geography, and ancestry to usher Christ on earth.
In the second of our 4-part Christmas Weekend, we learn about the shepherds, and why God chose this particular group of misfits to be the first recipients of glad tidings of greatest joy.
Pastor Albert Kilgore dives into the topic of prayer. Are you devoted to prayer? Learn how prayer is commanded by God and a necessity of the Christian life.
In the opening verses of Chapter 10, Paul signals his grave concern for the Corinthian pride, and how the old vices of idolatry, sex, and complaint can hamstring their Christian service. Yet in verse 13, he explains temptation, and offers hope, explaining the pathway God offers through temptation.
In this grave passage, Paul points out what can disqualify a Christian from useful ministry. He warns how toying with idols, sex, testing, and grumbling, will eventually forfeit the Christian's opportunity for productive service.
Pride was causing the church of Corinth to demand their "rights" and "privileges" so in this stirring chapter Paul provides an illustration from his own life to prove that true Christianity isn't about personal rights, but rather Gospel reach.
The Corinthian church was well versed in knowledge; yet that knowledge was being used in a prideful way, and ultimately harming the conscience of new converts and babes in the faith. Paul steps in to explain that knowledge blows up, but love is what builds up, and the Christian must always speak and live the truth in love.
Paul continues his counsel on singleness and marriage, yet pauses to provide a life-changing universal principle regarding contentment. In this sermon, we will assess the disease of discontentment, and cures that provide peace and joy.
Paul continues his counsel on singleness and marriage, yet pauses to provide a life-changing universal principle regarding contentment. In this sermon, we will assess the disease of discontentment, and cures that provide peace and joy.
Much like our day, the Christians of Corinth were confused about the basics of singleness, marriage, and divorce. In this pertinent text, Paul explains the four familial categories everyone will find themselves in, and gives answers on how to operate in a way that brings honor to Christ.
Similar to our own, the sexualized culture of Corinth had confused Christians about marriage and appropriate sexual conduct. In response, Paul provides clarity on the importance of marriage, and how a couple should be selfless in the marriage bed.
In Psalm 32, David shares his personal testimony of sin, guilt, and forgiveness. From David's hand, we learn about the immense joy of having our sins forgiven, and what it means to experience close fellowship with God.
Sadly, the Corinthian church still believed that they could follow Christ with their soul, while using their bodies for gross sexual sin. Paul instructs them that Christ died for their body, and has a future for their body; hence, their body must be used to glorify Him.
The Corinthian church had splintered into factions, even heading to the civil courts and pagan judges to solve their petty disputes! Sadly, they'd forgotten that Christ gave them a new heart, new Spirit, and new Word to guide their relationships, so Paul calls them back to loving Christian reconciliation.
In this chapter, Paul confronts Corinthian sin head-on, enacting church discipline in order to protect the purity of Christ's bride. In this sermon, we'll learn the need, method, purpose, and grounds for church discipline; along with the appropriate heart with which to perform it.
In this section, Paul clarifies the root of Corinth's sin and uses sarcasm to awaken them to the preposterous notion that they've arrived, or are better than others, taking credit for something God has providentially done.
In this brief passage, Paul upends the big-shot preaching culture of Corinth, by explaining the role, requirements, and future rewards of God's true and faithful ministers.
The church at Corinth had many people spiritually helping to build the church but few were using the right spiritual materials. They were involved in church work, but their message and motives were wrong. So, in one of the most convincing pieces of Scripture, Paul warns about a coming judgment when Christian works will be revealed and rewarded.
The church at Corinth looked effective on the outside, but was quite immature on the inside. So much so, that Paul calls the congregation spiritual babies. In 1 Corinthians 3, we see the marks of an immature church along with the path to maturity.
Paul's been clear that human wisdom; including philosophy, prestige, power, history, and aristocracy, will never save souls or society. So, how can man be saved? In this section of Scripture Paul details the Holy Spirit's role to reveal heavenly saving wisdom, inspire heavenly wisdom, and illuminate people to heavenly wisdom.
Human wisdom depends on man's nobility, strength, riches, and prestige, but God operates on a different system entirely. The cross of Christ points out that only God can save, and as Christians we must prioritize that message, never compromise that message, and stand proud of that message.
The Corinthian church had developed a thirst for big-time personalities and human philosophies, which was ultimately dividing their congregation. So, Paul reminds them of the simple and humble gospel message, about a Carpenter, who humbly died on a cross.
Proverbs 31 is the quintessential biblical description of a Godly wife and mother. King Lemuel shares all that his mother taught him, about a woman who fears the Lord, and remains devoted to her family. Outside of salvation, there's no more precious gift than to have been raised in the home of a God-fearing Proverbs 31 woman.
The Corinthians were building cliques: A few church members were loyalists to Paul, others stylists of Apollos. Still others were traditionalists who loved Peter, and a few were pietists with an over-spiritualized allegiance "only" to Christ. So Paul clarifies the danger of cliques, and reminds the church that the cross of Christ is a great equalizer.
In this message, we get a summary view of how Paul commends and corrects the Corinthian church. Corinth was an urban crossroads of the Roman Empire filled with sinful temptations. Sadly, instead of the church impacting the city, the city was beginning to impact the church.
The Christian lives between two Easters; the first Easter was a resurrected Savior while the next will be resurrected saints. As we begin our study of 1 Corinthians we meet a group of believers who doubted the bodily resurrection. In response, Paul clarifies how the resurrection of Christ and His people are the very backbone of Christian hope and purpose.
One aspect of celebrating Communion is proclaiming the Lord's death until He returns. Join us this Good Friday, as we look back to Christ's sacrifice, and forward to His soon return.
When Jesus came riding into Jerusalem, the city was posed with the most critical question in history: Who is this? A small group answered correctly and gathered to cheer the King's arrival. In contrast, and quite sadly, a much larger group answered incorrectly and gathered to crucify.
Christians often wonder how they can overcome doubts regarding the status of their salvation. The simple answer to that is prayer. In 1 John 3:19-24, John specifies how true believers will develop an active, theological, and experiential prayer-life, learning to pray for the right things, and seeing the Lord respond in kind.
Those who are born of God are guaranteed to exhibit the characteristics of God. In this section of his epistle, John explains how a follower of Jesus will have confidence in Christ's return, be conformed to Christ's image, and be cleansed from perpetual impurities.
In John's sixth sign of salvation, he contrasts deceivers and believers, by highlighting their response to truth. In John's day (as in ours), there will always be people who attend church, even serve in church, but their motives are malicious and their faith is false. In these verses, John showcases how two people can hear the same truth, but perceive and respond in two completely different ways.
Dr. Richard Bargas, Executive Director of IFCA International, preaches a sermon out of Ephesians 6:10-12, where he will encourage and challenge California Christians to stand firm in the wake of an ever-darkening world.
The Bible is filled with warnings about people who claim a "love" for God, while also carrying a love of the world and its possessions. Yet, Jesus said this could not be. A human heart cannot hold divided loyalties. God does not permit spiritual adultery. Thus, a primary test of salvation, and a fork in the road of our spiritual existence, is determining if we love God or love the world.
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. On the cross, Jesus set a new standard of love, and true believers will be given this supernatural love, showcasing a heart of sacrificial selflessness toward others. Ultimately, our love for God and others becomes the preeminent benchmark, the primary marker, of true salvation.
The root of salvation will always lead to the fruit of a transformed life. The next surefire sign of salvation will be a radical shift in attitude and behavior where an individual not only loves the commands of God, but delights in obeying the commands of God. This lifestyle of obedience comes with assurance of one's position in Christ.
Satan's ultimate counterfeit leads people to believe that they are inherently good, and that their issues can be blamed on their environment, parents, teachers, or social system. Sadly unless men and women confess their own sin, clinging to the cross of Christ for solution, they will remain forever damned.
John begins his epistle by clarifying Christianity is based on the true Christ. Many know about Christ, but few know Christ, they know facts on Christ, but have no faith in Christ. John explains that the only way to heaven is via a personal encounter with Jesus, the God-Man, who offers a pathway for sinners to be saved.
John the apostle writes his epistle so that true Christians can be sure of their salvation, while false converts will reexamine their lives. In this opening sermon, we'll learn of John's nine vital signs, and how a believer can know, beyond any doubt, that he is a child of God
Fireside Chats is back on! Our pastor's wives are going to sit down to chat with us about topics relevant to biblical womanhood.
The final day of Jesus' public ministry was filled with interrogation by angry religious leaders, dirty politicians, and cutthroat scribes, all seeking the plaudits and praises of man. But one poor woman, alone in the temple courts, proved a heart of allegiance toward God and was forever enshrined in the pages of Scripture for her faithfulness.
As Jesus neared Jerusalem to die, large crowds assumed His earthly reign would soon begin. So by story, Jesus warned them that He would leave for an extended time. But upon return, He would review the investment choices of His followers, their obedience with what He had left them, and ultimately judge who was His foe, who was a fake, and who was found faithful.
We often view wealth as privilege, yet Jesus warns it is dangerous. One healthy and handsome young seeker came desperate to Jesus, hoping to add eternal life atop his portfolio of riches. Sadly he found that Christ will not be partnered alongside the god of money; rather, Jesus demands to be first, and first alone.
What are Christians called to be? 1st Peter 2:9-10 states, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." Pastor Jesse Randolph expands upon this passage.
Most Americans still know the story of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in the manger. But, few know that the who, what, and where of Christmas was a plan God had been unfolding since the beginning of time. Join us, and our children, as we learn how God created Christmas.
The gross majority of modern Christmas music has little, or nothing, to do with Christ. Even music by evangelical song writers that attempt a biblical storyline, are ignorant of sound theology; hence, many churchgoers have never had the joy of singing songs that guide their minds, and uplift their spirits, at Christmas. In response, Luke gives us the song of Mary, which provides four verses of personal, humble, grateful, and doxological Christmas praise.
Ephesians begins in the heavenlies and ends on its knees. The believer who has been given a new life, new calling, new direction, new family, and new gifts, accesses the power and effectiveness of His heavenly Father through the practice of prayer.
In First John 3:10, the Apostle reminds us that there are two families to which everyone belongs: the family of God or the family of Satan. Through sin, we all begin in one family but upon coming to faith, the new Christian is rescued and adopted into the other. Entrance into this new family results in several blessings, including a new Father, a new identity, a new life, and a new inheritance. As we look to Romans 8:14-17, the Apostle Paul highlights the role of the Spirit in this process of spiritual adoption and highlights four aspects of the believer's ongoing sonship.
Satan and his forces regularly unleash an assault on the Christian mind. Evil ideas, wicked thoughts, lewd fantasies, jealousies, doubt, discouragement, and disobedience, are all part and parcel of his attack. But the believer has been given weapons to fight.
At salvation, the Christian enters a spiritual war. Yet the Lord does not leave him to fight without spiritual armor. In this message, we will examine the armor -- Christ Himself -- that each Christian has been given to fend against the devil's darts.
In the modern world the devil is largely ignored; science mocks him, scholars mythologize him, and movies trivialize him. Sadly, this only plays into his manipulative scheming, luring people into false ideologies, and eternal hellfire. Only the Christian is aware of the evil-behind-the-evil, and is spiritually enabled to fight back.
Entitlement and greed are the hallmarks of the modern corporate world. But the Lord expects Christian workers to represent a different attitude, and maintain a different posture, towards their employers and places of employment. In this sermon, we'll discuss the activity, attitude, and awareness of a Christian in the workforce.
America is harvesting 100-years of poor parenting. Since Dewey, Freud, and Spock, parents have let children express themselves. Law, order, chastisement, and true parenting were laid on the altar of personal autonomy. Sadly, those children have now grown up, and they're leading our nation into riot and rebellion; hence, the only hope for modern parents is to get back to God's Word, building families who obey authority.
Throughout history there have been people who outright refuse God. These rebellious, ignore their Creator, and will be judged. Conversely there are the religious -- the moralists -- who live apparently good on the outside, while hosting myriad evils on the inside, and likewise will be judged. In Romans 1-3, Paul speaks to both the rebels and the religious, explaining why their only hope is to be redeemed.
Global information and activism have exploded yet the world grows darker by the day. No matter how many protests march, how many ballot measures are passed, how much industry invents, or new technologies launch, morality continues to decay. Jesus said there is only one group that can help. This group is called the light of the world.
Adam and Eve were perfect companions, yet the Fall inserted sin and perverted roles. Satan struck at the heart by striking the home. In Genesis alone we witness polygamy, adultery, homosexuality, fornication, and rape. But God gave a path back to Eden; a way Spirit-filled Christians could enjoy their home and model Christ's love for the church. And it all begins with the husband who sacrifices, sanctifies, supplies, and secures.
How do you follow the example of Christ? When hard times came, did he try to get out of it, or retaliate back? Pastor Costi Hinn explores this question at Mission Bible Church.
The fall of society begins with the fall of the family. In America, nuclear homes are all but gone; the sexual revolution won, abortions sky-rocketed, marriage was redefined, gender erased, homosexuals applauded, and most children grew up missing one (or both) parents. All because we did not heed God's instructions for the home where a wife submits, a husband sacrifices, and children are raised in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Christians relate to one another differently than the world. Husbands, wives, friends, families, pews, and pastors. And there's a unique attitude that undergirds these relationships, the glue -- of mutual submission -- that holds them all together.
As go the men, so goes the home. As go the men, so goes the church. As go the men, so goes society.
These are the realities revealed to us in Scripture, in history, and our current cultural context. Homes are broken, faltering, and otherwise spiritually malnourished because of a lack of godly leadership modeled by biblically-minded men. Churches are misdirected, splintering, and shutting down because of misinformed and misdirected men. And society is speeding ever faster in the direction of godless autonomy because of compromises that have been made with the culture by fearful, compromising men.
These things should not be! Men of God are to embody the godly virtue and wisdom which God has revealed to them in His Word. Men of God are called to love their wives sacrificially, train up their children faithfully, serve their church joyfully, work heartily, steward God’s blessings wisely, pursue purity vigorously, live counter-culturally, and pray unceasingly and expectantly. Men of God are called to embody strength, bravery, and courage in the face of a culture that constantly calls them to compromise.
In short, men of God are called to be men of valor.
Please listen as Pastor Anthony Wood brings the seconds session of the Men of Valor conference.
As go the men, so goes the home. As go the men, so goes the church. As go the men, so goes society.
These are the realities revealed to us in Scripture, in history, and our current cultural context. Homes are broken, faltering, and otherwise spiritually malnourished because of a lack of godly leadership modeled by biblically-minded men. Churches are misdirected, splintering, and shutting down because of misinformed and misdirected men. And society is speeding ever faster in the direction of godless autonomy because of compromises that have been made with the culture by fearful, compromising men.
These things should not be! Men of God are to embody the godly virtue and wisdom which God has revealed to them in His Word. Men of God are called to love their wives sacrificially, train up their children faithfully, serve their church joyfully, work heartily, steward God’s blessings wisely, pursue purity vigorously, live counter-culturally, and pray unceasingly and expectantly. Men of God are called to embody strength, bravery, and courage in the face of a culture that constantly calls them to compromise.
In short, men of God are called to be men of valor.
Please listen as Pastor Jesse Randolph brings the third session of the Men of Valor conference.
As go the men, so goes the home. As go the men, so goes the church. As go the men, so goes society.
These are the realities revealed to us in Scripture, in history, and our current cultural context. Homes are broken, faltering, and otherwise spiritually malnourished because of a lack of godly leadership modeled by biblically-minded men. Churches are misdirected, splintering, and shutting down because of misinformed and misdirected men. And society is speeding ever faster in the direction of godless autonomy because of compromises that have been made with the culture by fearful, compromising men.
These things should not be! Men of God are to embody the godly virtue and wisdom which God has revealed to them in His Word. Men of God are called to love their wives sacrificially, train up their children faithfully, serve their church joyfully, work heartily, steward God’s blessings wisely, pursue purity vigorously, live counter-culturally, and pray unceasingly and expectantly. Men of God are called to embody strength, bravery, and courage in the face of a culture that constantly calls them to compromise.
In short, men of God are called to be men of valor.
Please listen as Dr. Alex Montoya brings the first session of the Men of Valor conference.
Christians are to shine in a dark society. But to shine brightly for Christ requires spiritual wisdom; hence, in our text, Paul provides the perspective, priority, and power for walking in wisdom. These are astoundingly practical elements of being a mature believer.
While the Apostle John was imprisoned on the isle of Patmos, the ascended and glorified Christ directed him to send a series of short letters (or “postcards”) to seven churches in Asia Minor. Christ's third “postcard” (Revelation 2:12-17), written to the church at Pergamum, was addressed to a gathering of early believers who had, to that point, been steadfast in their commitment to Christ, but who at the same time were starting to show cracks of compromise. Through this letter, the Lord of the church instructs not only Pergamum — but all churches, in all places, of all generations — to hold fast to Christ, while holding firm against compromise.
The Christian is in the world but not of the world; hence, he remains in a precarious position, hopeful of eternal glory, but still finishing his journey on earth. Paul commands the Christian to avoid evil, beware of evil, contrast evil, and courageously expose evil.
Often Christians get caught up in the destination and forget the pathway. Paul stops midway through his practical exhortations towards christian living to remind the believer of the secret which drives his conduct, and ultimately distinguishes him from the world.
Before Christ, we lived with pointless thinking, deceptive words, materialism, and cut-throat power plays. But, Christ calls us to take off the old life and put on His new uniform which consists of truthfulness, tempering, and tenderness.
Christ doesn't just put new clothes on the man, he puts a new man in the suit! Part of being a Christian is daily "putting on" a new way of thinking. Whereas our old way of thinking consisted of ignorance, selfishness, lusts, and greed, our new mind in Christ is meant to daily embrace righteousness, holiness, and truth.
The global movement of mystical-miracle enthusiasts has put a modern face on historical heresies. Men and women posing as prophets and apostles make millions preying on the sick, poor, and emotionally fragile. This 8-part "Counterfeit Miracles" class pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth behind this deceptive movement.
This sermon will explore the question of whether or not there are modern apostles.
This sermon will explore the "NAR" (New Apostolic Reformation) and explain its 1) patriarchs 2) theological system 3) cultish practices 4) primary influences 5) vast networks 6) missionaries (the relation to music such as Jesus Culture, Hillsong, etc. 7) theology 8) hermeneutics (how it reads the bible in an inaccurate, and even scary, way)
Psalm 88 is the crying supplication of a submerged soul. As best we can tell, Heman was an outcast from his youth -- likely a leper -- forced to live alone and disfigured. He represents the man or woman in soulful torment. In his pain, he cries to Jehovah, asks honest questions of Jehovah, but never turns from his faith in Jehovah.
New believers are spiritual babes and they need to be fed spiritually in order to grow strong. Sadly, many churches in America do not feed people the Word of God. More alarmingly, many modern leaders are spiritual children themselves. The end result is immature, weak, unfaithful, and undependable Christians. This was not God's design.
Our society is collapsing because men will not and cannot lead. Millions of husbands and fathers are not leading their families to better spiritual situations, and all too often, they're leaving them worse off. In this study, the apostle Paul gives men four keys to spiritual leadership in the home, allowing their family to experience God's best.
Author and Pastor Costi Hinn joins us this Sunday to discuss the sincere brotherly love that believers display when they are obedient to the truth of God's Word.
After describing the unity of the church, Paul now explains the variety of the church. Not an organization, corporation, or country club, but rather a body, where every individual cell matters, and when properly coordinated, moves with great health and flourish. The church is composed of active players, not passive spectators.
The Heidelberg Catechism begins: “What is our only comfort in life and death?” Later, this same catechism responds with, “That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.”
Today, in his Easter special titled 'He Is Risen: The Christian's First Creed,’ Pastor Tony continues his study on the ‘Foundations of the Christian Faith’ by examining the historical, theological, and personal significance of the glorious phrase – He Is Risen.