The Modern Pew: Recent Episodes
From the Pulpit
Bible teaching and preaching from the pulpit of West Georgia Apostolic Tabernacle and our online ministry The Modern Pew.
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a message reminding believers that life is shaped by the countless decisions made each day, and that God has never intended His people to navigate those choices alone. Drawing from Psalm 119:105, he explained how God's Word serves as both a lamp for the immediate steps before us and a light that reveals the greater direction of our lives. While the light points toward God's eternal purpose, the lamp provides practical guidance for everyday decisions, ensuring that Christians not only know where they are going but also how to walk faithfully along the journey.
Building on Psalm 23:3, Pastor Bailey emphasized that God continually leads His children in "the paths of righteousness." The Christian life is not simply about avoiding sinful behavior but about becoming increasingly like Jesus Christ. Rather than leaving believers to rely on their own understanding, the Good Shepherd walks ahead, inviting His followers to trust His leadership daily. Every decision presents another opportunity to either follow His voice or pursue a path of our own making.
The message then turned to one of Scripture's most encouraging promises found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Pastor Bailey explained that God's faithfulness is often recognized in the "way of escape" He provides during temptation, but His faithfulness begins much earlier through His continual guidance and warnings. Long before temptation becomes failure, and before failure develops into bondage or destruction, God is already speaking to His people. His desire is to keep them on the path of righteousness rather than rescue them after wandering away.
Several biblical examples illustrated this truth. Cain was warned before murdering Abel, yet ignored God's counsel. David's sin with Bathsheba was revealed as a progression of ignored opportunities to change course, with each decision taking him farther from God's will until painful correction became unavoidable. Likewise, Ananias and Sapphira were given every opportunity to tell the truth, but chose deception instead of the simple escape God placed before them.
Pastor Bailey carefully distinguished between the ordinary trials that come with living in a fallen world and the painful consequences that sometimes result from disregarding God's direction. While not every hardship is caused by disobedience, many seasons of correction could be avoided by responding to God's leading sooner. Even when believers fail, however, God's mercy remains evident as He faithfully provides a path back through repentance and obedience.
Concluding with Proverbs 4:18, Pastor Bailey encouraged listeners to examine whether they are following the Shepherd or merely asking Him to bless their own plans. The message offered both challenge and hope, reminding every believer that God is a faithful Shepherd who not only points the way but walks ahead of His people every step of the journey. Those who choose His path will discover that His leadership always leads toward righteousness, His correction is rooted in mercy, and His guidance grows brighter with every step of faithful obedience.
What Makes a Person Usable to God?
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a message centered on a simple but powerful truth: God is not primarily looking for the most talented, educated, experienced, or influential people to accomplish His work. Instead, Scripture reveals that God is searching for men and women with willing hearts. Using Isaiah 6:8 as the foundation, he explained that the greatest qualification for being used by God is a willingness to say, “Here am I; send me.”
The message emphasized that Isaiah volunteered himself before knowing where God would send him or what the assignment would involve. His willingness became the doorway through which God fulfilled His purpose. Pastor Bailey challenged listeners to move beyond asking whether God can use them and instead ask whether they are willing to be used.
Drawing from Exodus 35, he highlighted how the construction of the tabernacle was accomplished by people whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were made willing. God has always looked first at the heart, and willingness always precedes usefulness. Reluctant service may fulfill an obligation, but willing obedience brings joy to the Lord and positions believers for His work.
The sermon also addressed the common struggle of feeling unqualified. Moses believed he lacked the ability to speak, Gideon considered himself insignificant, and Jeremiah thought he was too young. Yet God consistently reminded His servants that their limitations were never greater than His power. Through passages such as Exodus 4 and 2 Corinthians 12:9, Pastor Bailey encouraged believers to trust God more than their own weaknesses, reminding them that God’s strength is perfected in human weakness. When believers depend on Him instead of themselves, God receives the glory for what He accomplishes.
Finally, the message underscored that genuine willingness is demonstrated through obedience. From Mary accepting God’s plan to Peter leaving his fishing nets, David faithfully serving as a shepherd, the little boy offering his lunch, and Ananias obeying God’s command to visit Saul, Scripture repeatedly shows ordinary people being used in extraordinary ways because they simply said yes to God. Their willingness became part of God’s greater purpose, often in ways they could never have imagined.
Closing with Romans 12:1, Pastor Bailey called believers to present themselves as living sacrifices, fully surrendered to God. He reminded the congregation that when a person yields their life to the Lord, God takes responsibility for equipping them for His service. The challenge remains the same today as it was in Isaiah’s day: God is still asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” This encouraging message reminds every listener that the most usable person in God’s kingdom is not the one with the greatest abilities, but the one with the most willing heart.
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a compelling message titled “Is Someone Waiting for Me?”, challenging listeners to see obedience to God from a completely different perspective. Rather than viewing God’s direction as something that only affects their own lives, he emphasized that every act of obedience may be connected to someone else’s miracle, salvation, or calling.
Using 1 Samuel 15:22-23 as the foundation, Pastor Bailey reminded the congregation that God values obedience above sacrifice. King Saul believed his good intentions could replace simple obedience, but Scripture reveals that God is looking for hearts willing to follow His voice rather than justify their own reasoning. This timeless principle continues to apply today whenever God speaks to His people.
The message explored three powerful biblical examples that reveal how God’s plans often extend far beyond the individual He is calling. Jonah’s second opportunity to preach in Nineveh demonstrated that God’s repeated call was not merely about restoring a reluctant prophet—it was about an entire city waiting to experience God’s mercy. Pastor Bailey encouraged listeners to recognize that delayed obedience can postpone someone else’s opportunity to encounter the grace of God.
The sermon then turned to Peter’s vision in Acts 10. While Peter struggled to understand God’s unusual instruction, Cornelius was already praying and waiting for someone to bring him the Gospel. Pastor Bailey highlighted how God was working on both ends of the divine appointment, preparing both the messenger and the recipient. Peter discovered that what seemed confusing at first became the doorway for the Gentiles to receive the Holy Ghost, proving that God’s direction is often much larger than we can initially understand.
Finally, the account of Ananias and Saul illustrated how one courageous act of obedience can influence generations. Although Ananias only saw Saul’s dangerous past, God saw the future Apostle Paul. His willingness to obey despite fear became a vital part of one of the greatest ministries recorded in Scripture, reminding believers that God sees potential where people often see only problems.
Throughout the message, Pastor Bailey challenged every listener with heartfelt questions: Is God asking you to take a step you have been delaying? Have explanations replaced obedience? Could someone else’s answer to prayer be waiting on your “yes”? Concluding with Jesus’ words in John 10:27, he reminded the church that God’s sheep hear His voice and follow Him.
This encouraging message serves as a powerful reminder that every prompting of the Holy Ghost carries eternal significance. Listeners will be inspired to trust God’s direction, respond without delay, and recognize that their obedience may become the very answer to someone else’s prayer.
The Way of the Few
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a challenging and encouraging message that called believers to embrace the distinct life Christ has always intended for His followers. Centered on Jesus' prayer in John 17, the sermon reminded listeners that Christians are called to live in the world without becoming part of it. While the culture continues to drift further from God's truth, those who faithfully walk with Christ will naturally find their values, priorities, and desires shaped by His Word instead of the world around them.
The message began by emphasizing that a close walk with God produces biblical separation. Pastor Bailey explained that as believers mature spiritually, God transforms them from the inside out, renewing their minds and changing their desires. He carefully distinguished biblical separation from isolation, teaching that the principle is one of consecration—being set apart for God's purposes. Rather than withdrawing from society, Christians are called to remain engaged, allowing God to use them as instruments of His grace. Isolation, he warned, leaves believers without purpose, while consecration prepares them for service.
Pastor Bailey then turned to Christ's example of ministering to people. Jesus never withdrew from sinners, nor did He compromise His holiness to gain their acceptance. Instead, He entered their lives with compassion, mercy, and truth. Believers are called to follow that same pattern. Christians are not required to embrace sinful lifestyles or participate in worldly practices, but neither are they to lose their burden for those who are far from God. Remembering that every believer was once lost and rescued by God's grace should produce humility, compassion, and a desire to faithfully share the gospel.
The sermon concluded by reminding listeners that God's purpose for leaving His people in the world is so they can serve as visible witnesses for Christ. Drawing from Jesus' teaching that believers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, Pastor Bailey challenged Christians to live lives of holiness that give credibility to their testimony. In an increasingly dark culture, God's people are not called to blend in but to shine brightly, holding forth the Word of Life and pointing others to the Savior.
Closing with the powerful words of 1 Peter, Pastor Bailey reminded the congregation that they are a chosen people called out of darkness into God's marvelous light. The message left listeners with searching questions about their own walk with Christ, their love for lost people, and the testimony their lives present each day. It was a compelling reminder that following Jesus means choosing His approval over the world's acceptance while living with both unwavering truth and genuine compassion.
This message offers biblical encouragement for every believer seeking to faithfully navigate today's culture. Listen as Pastor Paul Bailey explains how God's people can remain consecrated to Christ, compassionate toward others, and committed to shining His light in a world that desperately needs the hope of the gospel.
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a timely and practical message titled “Be Content,” addressing a challenge that many believers face: finding the balance between contentment and continued growth. Drawing from Philippians 4:11-13, Pastor Bailey explained that true contentment is not found in favorable circumstances, personal achievements, or material possessions. Instead, it is learned through a growing confidence in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness regardless of life's changing conditions.
Throughout the message, listeners were reminded that contentment should never be confused with complacency. Using a humorous illustration of four cows standing at a fence, each reaching into another pasture because they believed the grass was greener elsewhere, Pastor Bailey highlighted humanity’s tendency toward dissatisfaction. Many people spend their lives longing for something different and fail to appreciate the blessings God has already placed before them.
At the same time, the sermon emphasized that God never intended contentment to lead to inactivity. Looking at Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Pastor Bailey showed that even in the most perfect environment ever known, God immediately entrusted mankind with responsibility. Genesis reveals that God blessed Adam and Eve, but He also commanded them to be fruitful, multiply, and exercise stewardship over His creation. Blessing and responsibility have always gone hand in hand.
The message then turned to Noah’s experience after the flood. Standing amid the devastation of a world that had been destroyed, Noah received the same commission from God to move forward and fulfill His purpose. Pastor Bailey encouraged listeners not to allow loss, disappointment, setbacks, or difficult seasons to become reasons for quitting. God’s plans do not end when circumstances become difficult. Through Isaiah 40:31, believers were reminded that God renews the strength of those who continue to trust Him and move forward in faith.
Finally, the sermon examined God’s instructions to the Jewish captives living in Babylon. Though they were far from home and living under less-than-ideal conditions, God called them to build, plant, grow, and seek the peace of the city where they lived. Pastor Bailey challenged believers to stop waiting for perfect circumstances before serving God. Instead, they are called to be a blessing and a positive influence wherever God has placed them.
This encouraging message reminds listeners that while circumstances may change, God’s expectations remain consistent. Whether experiencing abundance or adversity, believers are called to trust God, steward their responsibilities faithfully, and impact others for His glory. It is a powerful reminder that contentment and purposeful living can—and should—exist together.
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a practical and encouraging message on the subject of prayer, reminding believers that prayer is one of the greatest privileges given to the child of God. Drawing from Matthew 6, he emphasized that prayer is far more than a religious obligation—it is a relationship with God. Prayer is not simply communication from man to God, but communion between God and man.
Beginning with Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:5-6, Pastor Bailey highlighted that Jesus did not say “if” you pray, but “when” you pray. Prayer is expected to be a normal and consistent part of the believer’s life. He challenged listeners to consider how consistency is often what separates ordinary people from those considered extraordinary. Just as growth in exercise, finances, music, or art requires regular effort, a strong relationship with God is developed through consistent communication and fellowship with Him.
Turning to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-10, Pastor Bailey pointed out that prayer begins with reverence for God and seeks His will before seeking our own desires. He reminded believers that they approach God as children coming to their Heavenly Father for fellowship, counsel, provision, and instruction. Prayer is not merely about presenting requests; it is about cultivating a relationship with the One who loves and cares for His children.
The message also focused on the importance of continual prayer. Using 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Pastor Bailey encouraged believers to maintain an ongoing awareness of God throughout the day. Prayer should not be confined to a specific location or time but should become a continual fellowship with the Lord. He noted that thanksgiving and listening are essential parts of prayer, preventing it from becoming nothing more than a list of requests, complaints, or regrets. Continual prayer keeps the heart close to God and sensitive to His direction.
Pastor Bailey further taught that prayer is a vital part of diligently seeking God. Referencing Hebrews 11:6 and Psalm 63:1, he explained that God rewards those who earnestly pursue Him. Prayer demonstrates that we value God’s presence, instruction, counsel, and fellowship. Seeking God early, both spiritually and practically, helps set the course for the entire day.
In closing, listeners were challenged to examine whether they view prayer as a duty or a relationship. Pastor Bailey encouraged believers to seek God before seeking anything else, make prayer their first response rather than their last resort, and learn to recognize God’s voice through His Word. Ending with Mark 1:35, he reminded the congregation that if Jesus made time for prayer, then surely His followers need it as well. The message served as a powerful call to become people who seek God faithfully, continually, and sincerely.
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a message focused on the believer’s personal responsibility in evangelism, challenging the common assumption that reaching souls is reserved for preachers, evangelists, or ministry leaders. The message, titled Personal Evangelism, emphasized that sharing the gospel is not confined to an office or title, but is a calling placed upon every follower of Christ.
Using Paul’s instruction to Timothy from 2 Timothy 4:5, Pastor Bailey highlighted an important truth: Timothy was primarily known as a pastor and leader, yet Paul still instructed him to “do the work of an evangelist.” The focus, he explained, was not a ministry position but a spiritual obligation. He compared this responsibility to responding to a fire in a home. People do not stand back and wait for a certified firefighter when danger is immediate; they respond because urgency demands action. In the same way, believers should recognize the spiritual condition of those around them and respond to people trapped in hopelessness, confusion, depression, and sin rather than assuming someone else will step in.
The message then explored two types of evangelistic opportunities. First, some opportunities come naturally. Pastor Bailey reminded listeners that people often watch the lives of believers long before they ever hear their words. A life marked by peace, faithfulness, joy, and holiness creates curiosity in others. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:15 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 5, he explained that faith was never intended to remain hidden. Just as light naturally draws attention, God uses visible testimonies to open doors for spiritual conversations.
However, the message also stressed that not every opportunity simply appears on its own. Some moments require intentional pursuit. Referring to Jesus’ command in Mark 16:15 to “go into all the world,” Pastor Bailey encouraged believers not to sit passively waiting for opportunities but to actively seek them. He challenged listeners with the idea that before salvation many pursued worldly things with passion and determination; now that same energy should be redirected toward reaching souls.
The message concluded with a powerful reminder that opportunities create responsibility. Pastor Bailey urged believers to ask themselves difficult but necessary questions: If not me, then who? If not now, then when? Ending with Jesus’ words about the plentiful harvest and the shortage of laborers, he called believers to move beyond hesitation and become willing workers in God’s harvest field. This message serves as both a challenge and an encouragement that God is still seeking people willing to respond to His call.
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a timely and convicting message titled “The Power of Words,” reminding listeners that words are never empty. Drawing from the opening chapter of Genesis, he emphasized that God revealed the incredible authority connected to speech when He spoke creation into existence. Repeatedly, Scripture declares, “And God said,” showing that God’s words brought order, light, and life out of chaos. Pastor Bailey explained that while mankind cannot create as God does, people made in God’s image still possess tremendous influence through the words they speak every day.
Using Proverbs 18:21, Pastor Bailey taught that “death and life are in the power of the tongue,” challenging the congregation to recognize that every word spoken plants a seed that will eventually produce fruit. Words can heal or wound, restore or destroy, strengthen faith or spread fear. He warned that careless speech can leave lasting damage in homes, friendships, marriages, and churches. Referring to James chapter 3, he described the tongue as a small member capable of starting great fires, illustrating how uncontrolled speech can quickly spread destruction and alter the course of a person’s life.
The message then turned toward the believer’s responsibility to speak words that edify and minister grace. Through Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 4:6, Pastor Bailey encouraged Christians to sound different from the world by speaking with wisdom, kindness, and spiritual maturity. He stressed that every conversation leaves an impact and that believers represent Christ in every interaction. Rather than speaking negativity, criticism, or corruption, Christians are called to use words that build people up, strengthen relationships, and reflect the love of God.
Pastor Bailey also highlighted Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 12, where the Lord declared that words reveal the true condition of the heart. What fills the heart will eventually come out through speech. Spirit-filled hearts produce life-giving words, while bitterness, anger, and unbelief reveal themselves through harmful conversation. He reminded listeners that even idle words matter to God and that spiritual maturity is often revealed by the way a person speaks.
The sermon concluded with practical challenges for everyday life. Pastor Bailey urged listeners to examine whether their words are producing life or death, faith or fear, peace or conflict. He encouraged the congregation to speak gratitude, encouragement, prayer, and truth daily while allowing God to shape both their hearts and conversations. Closing with Proverbs 15:1 and Philippians 4:8, he reminded everyone that gentle, godly speech has the power to turn away wrath and create a harvest of righteousness.
This powerful message serves as both a warning and an encouragement for every believer seeking to honor God through daily speech and Christ-centered communication.
In this message titled “The Cost of Misalignment,” Pastor Paul Bailey delivers a compelling teaching on the danger of living out of alignment with God’s will, and the power that is released when faith, speech, prayer, and action are unified under divine purpose.
Drawing from Matthew 21:18–22, he begins with the account of Jesus cursing the barren fig tree. As the morning unfolds between Bethany and Jerusalem, Jesus encounters a fig tree “in the way” that appears fruitful but produces nothing but leaves. Pastor Bailey highlights the symbolism: the tree represents anything in life that gives the appearance of productivity but lacks true fruit. Jesus’ response is immediate, and the tree withers—illustrating the swift consequences of misalignment with purpose. From this moment, he emphasizes Christ’s teaching on faith without doubt, speaking to obstacles, and ensuring that what is prayed for is believed and aligned with what is spoken.
The message then expands into the tension of life, death, and eternal life. Pastor Bailey stresses that believers must accept the reality of physical death while also embracing the promise of life after death. However, the greater focus is on “abundant life” now—an experience shaped by aligning belief, confession, prayer, and obedience with the will of God.
Through personal testimonies, he illustrates how alignment produces divine outcomes. From a locked church door opened at the right moment, to a distracting fly removed during ministry, to supernatural protection during a long drive, and even a healing in a hospital room—each story is presented not as personal power, but as yielded obedience to God’s will. He repeatedly emphasizes that he was simply a willing vessel, positioned in alignment with God’s purpose.
Turning to James 2:15–17, Pastor Bailey reinforces that faith without works is dead. He challenges the idea of passive belief, insisting that faith must be demonstrated through action. Even when God commands stillness, as seen in Old Testament examples like Exodus and 2 Chronicles, obedience still requires action in response to God’s instruction.
The message then moves to the book of Jonah, exploring why Jonah resisted God’s command to preach repentance to Nineveh. Pastor Bailey highlights God’s mercy, the people’s repentance, and the surprising fact that God responded to their change of heart. He emphasizes that God intentionally involves human participation in His redemptive work, choosing to work through obedience rather than bypassing it.
Concluding with Deuteronomy 6:4–5, the call is clear: wholehearted love and total alignment with God are the foundation of a life that bears fruit.
The sermon ends as a strong encouragement to listeners to examine their own alignment and discover the power of a life fully surrendered to God’s will.
In a sermon titled “The Divine Order of Life,” Pastor Paul Bailey addressed the modern struggle of balancing competing life responsibilities without establishing a clear spiritual hierarchy. He emphasized that Scripture does not present life as a set of equal priorities, but rather as an ordered structure with God at the center. Referencing Matthew 6:33, he taught that seeking first the Kingdom of God establishes the foundation for every other area of life. The message challenged listeners to evaluate whether God is simply included in their routines or truly placed first, shaping every decision and direction they take.
Pastor Bailey centered the message on God’s rightful place as the believer’s first priority. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6:5 and John 14:15, he explained that love for God is demonstrated through wholehearted devotion and obedient living. He stressed that obedience is the clearest evidence of genuine love. When God is truly first, it brings order to a person’s responsibilities, roles, loyalties, and identity. Whether in work, family, or civic life, everything must be subordinated to the believer’s relationship with God. Without this order, he warned, confusion increases, but with it, life gains clarity, stability, and purpose.
He then highlighted the family as the primary earthly arena where spiritual order is lived out. Drawing from 1 Timothy 5:8, Pastor Bailey taught that providing for one’s household extends far beyond financial provision, including love, time, forgiveness, patience, and spiritual leadership. While acknowledging that every family faces challenges, he stressed that caring for one’s home is a direct expression of serving God. The home, he noted, becomes the first and most visible place where godly order is demonstrated through practical love and faithful responsibility.
Addressing work and societal roles, he taught that all responsibilities flow correctly when God is first and the home is aligned under that order. Citing Colossians 3:23, he encouraged believers to work wholeheartedly as unto the Lord, transforming everyday labor into worship. While affirming respect for governing authorities from Romans 13:1, he reminded the congregation that God remains supreme, as reflected in Acts 5:29. Misplaced priorities, he cautioned, lead to conflict and instability, but proper divine order produces integrity, peace, and purpose in daily living.
Pastor Bailey concluded with reflective questions that pressed listeners to examine whether God is truly first in their daily decisions and whether their lives reflect proper spiritual alignment. Referencing Proverbs 3:6, he affirmed that God directs the paths of those who acknowledge Him in all their ways. He emphasized that biblical order is simple but often neglected, and that transformation comes not from adding God to an already full life, but from placing Him at the center so everything else falls into place. Listeners were encouraged to hear the full message for deeper insight, clarity, and encouragement.
The Power of Choice – Pastor Paul Bailey
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a clear and challenging message centered on one of the most fundamental realities of spiritual life: God has always given humanity the power—and responsibility—of choice. Beginning in Genesis, he pointed to the tree in the Garden of Eden as the earliest evidence that obedience to God has never been forced. God gave instruction, warning, and provision, but He also left room for man to decide whether to obey or reject His voice.
Using Genesis 2:16–17, Pastor Bailey explained that the presence of the forbidden tree established an eternal principle: true obedience always involves a decision. From the very beginning, God made it clear that people would live with the responsibility of choosing what influences them, what directs them, and ultimately what rules their hearts.
Moving to the life of Cain in Genesis 4, he showed how God did not leave Cain without guidance before sin took hold. Instead, God spoke directly, warning him that sin was near but also reminding him that he had authority over what happened next. That same pattern appears throughout Scripture—God reveals the way, but individuals must still choose whether to follow it. Joshua’s famous declaration, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve,” reinforced that serving God remains a personal decision that cannot be delegated.
Pastor Bailey then turned to the example of Jesus, emphasizing that even Christ demonstrated the power of voluntary submission. In the wilderness and later in Gethsemane, Jesus faced moments where desire and obedience stood in tension. Luke 22:42 highlighted that surrender to God’s will was not automatic—it was chosen. He also noted that while Jesus invited many to follow Him, not all accepted that invitation, as seen in the rich young ruler who walked away sorrowfully because of competing priorities.
The message continued with the reminder that even God’s promised “way of escape” must be chosen. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, believers are assured that God always provides a way through temptation, yet Pastor Bailey stressed that the escape route often does not look like what the flesh prefers. Forgiveness may be the way out of bitterness. Friendliness may be the answer to loneliness. God provides direction, but people must make room to recognize it before habit reacts.
In closing, Pastor Bailey connected the message to the present spiritual climate, noting that while nations and kingdoms struggle outwardly, the deepest conflict happens within the human heart—over who will rule. Past patterns, flesh, fear, or the Spirit of God all compete for authority. His final challenge was direct: every believer has a choice to make, not only about life itself, but about how they will make their choices going forward.
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a practical and timely message centered on the New Testament’s repeated call to minister to “one another,” emphasizing that Christianity was never intended to be lived in isolation but within active, relational fellowship. Drawing first from The Gospel of John 13:34–35, he reminded listeners that Jesus established love as the defining mark of true discipleship—not gifts, titles, or outward activity, but visible, sacrificial love expressed between believers.
The message began by examining the command to love one another, showing that biblical love is far more than emotion; it is a deliberate choice to seek another person’s good through compassion, commitment, and sacrifice. Referencing Epistle to the Romans 12:10, Pastor Bailey explained that genuine love honors others instead of demanding honor for self. He stressed that where love is absent, the Body of Christ weakens, but where love is active, spiritual life flourishes. ❤️
He then turned to the need to exhort and encourage one another, using passages from Epistle to the Hebrews 10:24–25 and First Epistle to the Thessalonians 5:11. He described exhortation as calling someone forward spiritually and encouragement as placing courage into another heart during seasons of weariness, trial, or pressure. He noted that believers must intentionally think about one another, because strengthening rarely happens by accident. Gathering together, he taught, creates opportunities for spiritual reinforcement, while isolation often leaves people vulnerable. 🤝
The sermon continued with the call to serve one another, drawn from Epistle to the Galatians 5:13–14 and First Epistle of Peter 4:10. Pastor Bailey emphasized that every believer has something to contribute and that spiritual gifts are not possessions to admire, but grace entrusted to be used for others. Service, he explained, is one of the clearest signs of maturity because love becomes visible when it takes practical form. 🛠️
Addressing forgiveness, he taught from Epistle to the Ephesians 4:31–32 and Epistle to the Colossians 3:13, warning that bitterness left unchecked quickly becomes division. Forgiveness, he said, is releasing the debt created by offense and choosing grace because Christ first extended grace to us. He reminded listeners that fellowship survives when forgiveness remains active. 💛
Finally, prayer for one another was presented as one of the deepest ministries believers can offer, using Epistle of James 5:16 and Ephesians 6:18. Pastor Bailey highlighted prayer as spiritual burden-bearing that brings healing, strength, and divine intervention where human effort cannot reach. He closed by challenging listeners to ask which of these five ministries they are intentionally practicing now, noting that the Body works best when believers stay close enough to love, serve, forgive, encourage, and pray in living fellowship. 🙏
This message offers both challenge and encouragement, making it especially worth hearing in full for anyone desiring stronger Christian relationships and deeper church life.
Pastor Paul Bailey’s message, “Trust and Obey,” centered on the timeless instruction of Proverbs 3:5-6, calling believers to trust the Lord fully rather than depend on their own limited understanding. Preaching with clarity and practical force, he reminded listeners that many people want explanations before they are willing to obey God, yet Scripture repeatedly shows that obedience often comes first and understanding follows later.
Throughout the message, Pastor Bailey emphasized that God does not always reveal every detail of His plan before asking His people to act. Instead, the Lord often provides enough light for the next step, and that step becomes a test of faith. True wisdom, he explained, is not found in having every answer, but in responding rightly to what God has already said.
Using Simon Peter’s experience in Luke 5:5-6, Pastor Bailey highlighted how human reasoning can conflict with God’s instruction. Peter and the other fishermen had worked all night without success, and everything in Peter’s experience told him that letting down the net again would be pointless. Yet Peter answered, “Nevertheless at thy word,” and that decision became the doorway to a miracle. The sermon made clear that the blessing came after obedience, not after debate. Trusting God means choosing His word over personal logic.
The message also pointed to the servants at the wedding in Cana from John 2:7-8. Pastor Bailey noted that they were told exactly what to do, but they were not told why. Their part was obedience; Christ’s part was the miracle. It was a powerful reminder that believers are not responsible for figuring out everything ahead of time. They are simply called to obey, trusting that God knows what He is doing.
Pastor Bailey then brought the message home with John 13:17 and James 1:22, stressing that hearing truth is not enough. Scripture connects blessing, joy, and spiritual maturity not merely to knowing truth, but to doing it. A person can listen to sermons, quote verses, and still miss the benefit of God’s word if it never moves into action. Obedience protects the believer from empty religion and produces fruit in everyday life.
Closing with Hebrews 11:8, Pastor Bailey pointed to Abraham, who obeyed God’s call without knowing where the journey would lead. That example captured the heart of the sermon: the Christian life is built on trusting God enough to obey Him, even without seeing the whole road ahead.
This message offers both challenge and encouragement. It urges listeners to stop delaying what God has already made clear and to take the next faithful step. Those who hear it will be reminded that God’s word is enough reason to move forward—and that many blessings are waiting on the other side of obedience.
Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a direct and searching message titled “Known of God,” drawing attention to one of the most sobering truths in Scripture—the difference between merely knowing about Christ and truly being known by Him.
Beginning in Matthew 7:21–23, Pastor Bailey reminded listeners that outward religious activity is not the same as a genuine relationship with the Lord. Jesus warned that many will one day call Him “Lord” and point to impressive spiritual works done in His name. Yet despite their activity, Christ will say to them, “I never knew you.” The message emphasized that religious performance, even when done publicly or passionately, is not proof of salvation. A person may speak the right language, participate in ministry, and appear devoted while still lacking a true submission to Christ.
From there, the message unfolded a clear biblical chain: those who love God are the ones who are known by Him. Drawing from passages such as 1 Corinthians 8:3 and 2 Timothy 2:19, Pastor Bailey explained that being “known” by the Lord speaks of belonging to Him—being recognized as one of His own. God’s foundation stands firm, and He knows those who truly belong to Him. Yet Scripture also attaches a clear expectation: those who name the name of Christ must depart from iniquity. A real relationship with Christ never excuses sin; instead, it calls the believer to turn away from it.
The message also highlighted the personal nature of Christ’s relationship with His people. In John 10, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep. This knowledge is not distant or theoretical—it is personal, intimate, and relational. True believers do not simply know facts about Christ; they live in fellowship with Him and respond to His voice.
Pastor Bailey then focused on one of the clearest tests of genuine love for Christ: obedience. Jesus Himself defined love in unmistakable terms in John 14:15—“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Love for Christ is not merely an emotional expression or verbal confession. According to 1 John 2:3–5, obedience to His Word is the evidence that a person truly knows Him. Where God’s Word is honored and followed, the love of God is being perfected and matured in the life of the believer.
The message closed with a series of probing questions that challenge every listener to examine their own walk with Christ. Is Christianity built more on words than obedience? Is there a desire for God’s blessings while resisting His authority? Does daily life reflect a genuine love for Jesus through alignment with His teaching?
Pastor Bailey concluded with the comforting promise of John 10:27–28, where Jesus declares that His sheep hear His voice, follow Him, and receive eternal life. The ultimate goal of the Christian life is not simply to know about Christ, but to be known by Him. Listeners are encouraged to pursue a real relationship with the Savior—one marked by love, obedience, and faithful devotion to His Word.
This powerful message invites believers to move beyond empty profession and into a living, obedient relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Sunday’s message titled “Pursued by a Faithful God,” Pastor Paul Bailey walked the congregation through a sweeping biblical narrative that reveals the heart of God toward fallen humanity. With careful distinction, he explained that there is a profound difference between chasing and pursuing. Chasing pressures, corners, and often drives someone farther away. Biblical pursuit, however, is relational — marked by restoration, reconciliation, and renewed fellowship.
Pastor Bailey began in Genesis, immediately after the fall of man. In Genesis 3:9, when God called out to Adam, “Where art thou?”, it was not a question seeking information but an invitation to confession. Rather than storming into the garden in wrath, God created space for response. The pattern continued with Cain in Genesis 4:6–7. Before judgment fell, God reasoned. He warned before consequences. He offered opportunity before discipline. Even in conviction, God spoke gently instead of forcing compliance.
That same divine posture appears in the New Testament. In Luke 15, Pastor Bailey highlighted the parable of the prodigal son. The father did not chase the rebellious son into the far country. He allowed distance but remained watchful. When the son “arose,” repentance triggered restoration. As recorded in Luke 15:20, while the son was still a great way off, the father saw him, ran to him, and embraced him. The pursuit waited for awakening.
Pastor Bailey then pointed to Christ’s lament over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 — “I would… but ye would not.” Divine desire was clear, yet human responsibility remained intact. God longs to gather, but He does not override the will. This truth echoes again in Revelation 3:20, where Christ stands at the door and knocks. He stands patiently. He knocks persistently. He speaks personally. But the door must be opened from within. Fellowship cannot be forced.
Closing in Jeremiah 31:3, Pastor Bailey reminded listeners that God’s posture has never changed: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Across Scripture, the pattern remains consistent — God calls, God warns, God waits, and God draws.
This message offers both comfort and conviction. When conviction comes, it is loving pursuit. When distance is felt, He is still watching. When His voice speaks, answer. When He knocks, open. “Pursued by a Faithful God” is a timely reminder that salvation is not God chasing humanity into subjection, but lovingly pursuing hearts in hope of willing surrender.
In a sobering and thought-provoking message titled “The Opportunity in Offence,” Pastor Paul Bailey drew the congregation into a deeper understanding of how unavoidable offences in life can become defining spiritual moments. Preaching from Gospel of Matthew 18:7, he reminded listeners that Jesus made it clear offences “must needs come.” They are not sent by God, nor should they be blamed on Him. Rather, they are the inevitable result of living among fallen humanity. Yet within every offence lies a divine opportunity — not for retaliation, but for mercy.
Pastor Bailey revisited the powerful confrontation between the prophet Nathan and King David in 2 Samuel 12. Nathan’s story of a rich man stealing a poor man’s lamb stirred David’s anger. Before realizing he was the guilty party, David pronounced severe judgment. The preacher emphasized that this was not merely a trap set by Nathan, but a moment of opportunity. David could have responded with compassion. Instead, he judged without pity. That response, Pastor Bailey suggested, revealed David’s heart and positioned him to receive judgment when the words came: “Thou art the man.”
Throughout Scripture, a consistent pattern emerges: what is prepared for another often becomes the instrument of one’s own downfall. Haman’s gallows in Book of Esther 7:10 became his own means of execution. The men who heated the fiery furnace in Book of Daniel 3:22 were consumed by the very flames they intensified. Those who accused Daniel were cast into the lions’ den they had designed for him (Daniel 6:24). The message was clear — bitterness builds gallows, anger stokes fires, and unmerciful schemes often return to their architect.
Turning again to Gospel of Matthew 18, Pastor Bailey examined the parable of the unforgiving servant. While the servant’s original debt was impossible to repay, forgiveness toward others was entirely within his power. The torment he experienced, Pastor Bailey proposed, was tied not to the original debt — which had been forgiven — but to mercy withheld. “What is due,” he asked, “may be the obligation of compassion.” Drawing from Epistle of James 2:13, he concluded with a resounding truth: mercy rejoices against judgment.
Offences will come. But how one responds determines whether the cycle of judgment continues or is broken. Pastor Bailey urged listeners to see every offence not as a setback, but as an opportunity — an invitation to extend the very mercy they themselves have received. It is a challenging message, but one filled with hope for anyone willing to choose mercy over judgment.
In The Manifold Christian Life, Pastor Paul Bailey delivers a clear and thought-provoking message on the purpose, flow, and responsibility of God’s grace in the life of a believer. Beginning with the foundational truth that God pours into many areas of our lives intentionally, Pastor Bailey reminds listeners that all grace flows from one source—God Himself. From that single divine source, every area in need of healing, restoration, or strengthening can be touched by the Creator and Savior. The Christian life, he explains, is not merely about receiving grace, but about stewarding it faithfully.
Anchoring the message in 1 Peter 4:10, Pastor Bailey emphasizes the call for believers to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” He explains that the word manifold speaks of variety and diversity—many expressions flowing from one source. God’s grace is not limited or single-purpose; it is designed to reach every part of the Christian life.
Using the illustration of a car engine, Pastor Bailey compares God’s grace to an intake manifold. Though there is only one fuel source, the manifold distributes fuel into multiple cylinders so the engine can function as designed. In the same way, God’s grace flows inward into many areas of a believer’s life. When grace does not flow inward properly, nothing else functions as it should. Grace, he teaches, is more than favor—it is God’s influence working within the heart and mind.
Pastor Bailey walks through how this inward flow of grace meets specific needs: forgiveness that leads to repentance and restoration, encouragement to endure, companionship that assures God’s nearness, love that brings security, compassion that softens the heart, and understanding that provides clarity and wisdom. Ephesians 4:7 affirms that each believer receives grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift—exactly what is needed for each situation.
The message then turns outward, stressing that grace is never meant to stop with us. What God pours in must be stewarded wisely as it flows out. Returning to the engine analogy, Pastor Bailey describes how exhaust manifolds direct what flows out. When properly managed, they produce power and efficiency; when restricted, they cause damage. Likewise, grace that is governed by faithful stewardship blesses others, but grace governed by self can be misused or restricted.
Drawing from Luke 12:48, Pastor Bailey reminds listeners that receiving much brings responsibility. God evaluates not just what we receive, but how we manage it—through our words, actions, priorities, and decisions.
This message challenges believers to examine their stewardship of grace and encourages listeners to hear how God’s grace can flow powerfully through their lives for His glory.
The God of Second Chances
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
In this encouraging and reflective message, Pastor Paul Bailey presented a clear reminder that the God of the Bible is not a God who discards people when they fail, but One who restores, redirects, and renews. Drawing from Scripture across both Testaments, the sermon highlighted how failure is often the very place where God’s grace is most clearly displayed. A second chance, Pastor Bailey emphasized, is not evidence that sin is insignificant, but proof that God’s mercy is great.
The message opened with Lamentations 3:22–23, affirming that it is only because of the Lord’s mercies that people are not consumed, and that His compassion is renewed every morning. Pastor Bailey framed the theme by reminding listeners that when people fail—sometimes publicly and painfully—God often steps back into their story, offering another opportunity to obey, believe, and trust Him.
Transitioning into the body of the message, Pastor Bailey reflected on the story of Jonah, a familiar account often taught to children for its dramatic elements. However, he pointed out that beneath the surface lies a powerful message for adults who have struggled with rebellion, repentance, and restoration. Jonah, a prophet who clearly knew God’s voice, chose disobedience and ran in the opposite direction of God’s command. His failure brought danger to himself and those around him. Yet even after Jonah’s rebellion, God did not abandon him. After discipline and repentance, Scripture records that “the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time.” Pastor Bailey noted that God’s command did not change, even though Jonah failed, and that this second chance ultimately led to city-wide repentance in Nineveh.
The sermon then turned to Peter, whose failure was both personal and public. Despite boldly professing loyalty to Jesus, Peter denied knowing Him three times under pressure. Broken by his actions, Peter wept bitterly, likely believing his role among the disciples was finished. However, Pastor Bailey highlighted the powerful moment after the resurrection when Jesus specifically instructed that Peter be told of His plans. Grace met Peter at his lowest point, restoring him to fellowship and service. His failure did not remove him from discipleship, and his second chance renewed both his purpose and hope.
Finally, Pastor Bailey examined the disciples’ experience of empty nets in Luke 5. After working all night without success, discouragement set in. When Jesus instructed them to try again—His way—their obedience turned failure into abundance. This moment illustrated that human effort without Christ can come up empty, but obedience following disappointment can result in far more than expected.
The message concluded with a series of heart-searching questions, challenging listeners to consider where they may have mistaken failure for finality. Pastor Bailey closed by reminding the congregation that God’s second chances often become many more, as He patiently calls people to seek Him, trust Him, and align their lives with His will.
This sermon offers hope to anyone weighed down by past mistakes and encourages listeners to discover anew the faithfulness of the God of second chances.
Sermon Summary – “The Quiet Side of Sin”
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
In this thought-provoking message, Pastor Paul Bailey draws attention to a form of sin that often goes unnoticed—the sin of omission. Using James 4:17 as the foundation, he reminds listeners that sin is not only found in wrongful actions, but also in the failure to do what God has clearly instructed. According to Pastor Bailey, some of the most spiritually dangerous disobedience is not loud or defiant, but quiet, passive, and delayed.
Pastor Bailey opens by challenging the common assumption that sin is always dramatic. He explains that many believers fall into a pattern of spiritual inaction—knowing what is right, sensing God’s direction, yet choosing hesitation, partial obedience, or silence instead of action. This “quiet rebellion,” he says, can be just as damaging as overt wrongdoing.
To illustrate this truth, the message walks through several familiar biblical accounts. The rich young ruler is presented as a man who clearly understood Jesus’ invitation but walked away unchanged. His sin was not hostility toward Christ, but his unwillingness to obey. Likewise, King Saul’s downfall is traced not to outright rebellion, but to partial obedience. Though he carried out part of God’s command, his failure to fully obey cost him his kingdom. Jonah’s story further reinforces the theme, as his refusal to go to Nineveh demonstrates how avoiding God’s call—even temporarily—can lead to serious consequences. In each case, Pastor Bailey emphasizes the same point: the issue was not merely what these men did, but what they refused to do.
Turning to the believer’s daily life, Pastor Bailey connects this idea to Romans 3:23, explaining that many people “fall short” of God’s glory not through active evil, but through spiritual neglect. Distraction, indifference, and a failure to listen can all result in missed opportunities to obey God’s voice. Sin, he notes, is often a matter of omission rather than commission.
The message then shifts to hope and provision. Pastor Bailey highlights God’s promise to lead His people through the Holy Spirit. Scriptures from John, Galatians, Corinthians, and Matthew underscore that God not only warns against sin but actively provides guidance and a way of escape. The responsibility of the believer is to pray, listen, recognize the Spirit’s leading, and respond with submission.
Pastor Bailey closes by urging listeners to reflect honestly on their spiritual attentiveness. God has provided everything needed for obedience—the Word, the Spirit, and grace. The lingering question, he says, is whether believers will actively seek, recognize, and follow that guidance. “The Quiet Side of Sin” is a compelling reminder that spiritual growth requires more than avoiding wrong—it demands faithful obedience to what God has already revealed.
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
In this message from Galatians 6:7–8, Pastor Paul Bailey delivers a clear and sobering reminder about spiritual reality, personal responsibility, and the unchanging principle of sowing and reaping. Speaking with pastoral clarity and practical illustration, he warns believers against subtle forms of deception that often arise not from false teaching outside the church, but from desires and assumptions within our own hearts.
Pastor Bailey explains that biblical deception is not believing an outright lie, but believing something other than what is true. Using everyday examples, he highlights how people often hope that repentance, sorrow, or good intentions will erase the consequences of sinful choices. While these responses deeply matter in restoring fellowship with God, they rarely undo the real-world outcomes of what has already been sown. Just as an accidental cut still causes bleeding, harmful actions—even when regretted—still produce real effects.
Anchoring the message in Scripture, Pastor Bailey emphasizes that God’s design for the world includes order, structure, and consistency. God is not mocked, and His laws of sowing and reaping are unavoidable. Whether seeds are planted deliberately or unintentionally, the environment God created will still bring forth a harvest. Good intentions, he notes, do not override divine reality.
The sermon then turns to the concept of corruption, described as contamination—something entering where it does not belong. Pastor Bailey teaches that sowing to the flesh introduces corruption not only into our external lives but also into our hearts and minds. Drawing from passages in Corinthians and James, he illustrates how corruption distorts purity, much like impurities diminish the value of gold. Some corruptions are obvious, while others are subtle and easily ignored, yet far more dangerous.
Pastor Bailey explores how internal corruption reshapes desires, expectations, and satisfaction. He warns that artificial pleasures—such as substance abuse, pornography, or extreme stimulation—can dull appreciation for God’s intended joys like honest work, godly relationships, and faithful routines. Over time, this distortion can make holiness feel burdensome rather than life-giving, leading believers to grow weary in well doing.
Yet the message remains deeply hopeful. Pastor Bailey points listeners toward renewal through repentance, the intentional putting on of the “new man,” and the daily renewing of the mind. Separation from corrupting influences leads back to true satisfaction, and those who faithfully sow to the Spirit will reap life everlasting in due season.
The sermon closes with a heartfelt call to self-examination and intentional holiness, reminding listeners that the rewards of righteousness are real, lasting, and worth the wait. Listeners are encouraged to hear the full message and consider carefully the seeds they are planting today—and the harvest they are shaping for tomorrow.
In this message titled “Missing the Mark,” Pastor Paul Bailey walks listeners through a powerful biblical understanding of sin—not merely as bad behavior, but as the condition of a heart aimed in the wrong direction.
Drawing from Romans 5, Pastor Bailey explains that sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience, and with it came death and separation from God for all humanity. Yet he emphasizes that this is not just about isolated sinful acts; it is about missing the mark of God’s glory and God’s will. Using the biblical languages, he notes that both the Hebrew word chata and the Greek word hamartia carry the idea of “missing the mark,” painting sin as a failure to hit the target God has set.
From Romans 3:23, Pastor Bailey stresses that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The “mark” is not human decency or moral effort, but the very glory and perfection of God Himself. He shows that sin is just as much about what we fail to do as it is about what we do wrong—what we don’t look at, don’t listen to, and don’t obey when God speaks. He also highlights the seriousness of sins of omission, challenging listeners not to be content simply avoiding obvious outward sins while ignoring God’s voice and direction.
Using the Garden of Eden account in Genesis and the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 15, Pastor Bailey underscores that God sets the mark by His commands, His Word, and His Spirit. Obedience is better than sacrifice; rebellion and stubbornness are presented as deep spiritual problems, not minor flaws. The issue is whether a person is truly aligning their life with God’s will or charting their own course.
The message does not leave listeners in despair. Pastor Bailey points them to the hope found in God’s provision: His written Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and His Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth. The sermon builds to a Christ-centered conclusion from Hebrews 12, calling believers to lay aside sin, run their race with patience, and keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith.
This sermon is both convicting and encouraging, challenging listeners to examine their aim, not just their actions. Those who hear it will be stirred to pursue a life that truly hits the mark by looking to Christ, trusting His righteousness, and walking in daily obedience to God’s Word and Spirit.
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
In this message, Pastor Paul Bailey continues his series on “Which Way Should I Go?”—a practical call to discern whether we are being led by the soul or by the Spirit. He frames the “soul” with a memorable acronym—M.E.W.A.D.: Mind, Emotions, Will, Attitude, and Desire—then contrasts it with the human spirit that communes with God’s Spirit. The key text is Proverbs 14:12 (KJV): “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Pastor Bailey argues that what “seems right” is often our MIWAD taking the lead—logic, moods, preferences, and impulses—whereas life and direction are found by submitting our inner life to the Holy Ghost.
He underscores that Scripture never sanctions guidance that contradicts God’s Word. Echoing Romans 8, he reminds listeners that there is “no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” and that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” To show how even sincere believers can drift, Pastor Bailey walks through Matthew 16:16–23. Peter accurately confesses, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” a revelation Jesus says came not from “flesh and blood” but from the Father. Moments later, Peter resists the foretold path of the cross and is rebuked: “Get thee behind me, Satan.” The lesson: spiritual sensitivity alone isn’t enough; our spirit must stay submitted to the Spirit of God so every thought is brought “into obedience of Christ.”
Turning to emotions, Pastor Bailey notes that feelings are God-given but poor leaders. Citing Ephesians 4:26—“Be ye angry, and sin not”—he adds the balancing insight: don’t be happy in sin either. Whether anger or excitement, emotion must serve obedience. From Acts 3, the healed beggar’s joy is celebrated, yet the emphasis remains: joy should follow the Spirit’s leading, not replace it.
Addressing desire, he revisits Lot’s choice in Genesis 13. Lot selected what looked easy and prosperous, pitching his tent toward Sodom, only to face devastating consequences. Desire isn’t evil, but ungoverned desire deceives. Pastor Bailey clarifies that when the psalmist says God gives “the desires of thine heart,” it points to God forming our desires as we delight in Him—not rubber-stamping our wish list.
The message closes pastorally with Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” God’s knock is gentle; to hear it, believers must make space—turn down the noise, carve out stillness, and cultivate attentiveness. This warm, incisive teaching will encourage you to trade what “seems right” for what is right by the Spirit. Listen in and be equipped to let MIWAD serve, not steer—and to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to life.
Guest Speaker Gerald McLean – “That I May Know Him”
Guest Speaker Gerald McLean delivered a powerful and Scripture-rich message titled “That I May Know Him,” inviting listeners to pursue a deep, personal revelation of who God truly is. Drawing from Jeremiah 9:23–24, he reminded the congregation that human wisdom, strength, and riches are nothing to glory in—true glory comes from understanding and knowing the Lord. McLean’s teaching centered on the truth that the highest calling of every believer is to know God, not merely through religion or tradition, but through intimate relationship and revelation.
Beginning with the foundational truth of Deuteronomy 6:4—“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord”—McLean emphasized the oneness of God and the call to love Him with all the heart, soul, and strength. He warned from Scripture that prosperity and blessing should never lead to forgetfulness of the One who saves and sustains His people. Throughout the message, he wove a thread from Genesis to Revelation, revealing how the God of creation made Himself known to humanity through His Word, His covenant, and ultimately through His incarnation in Jesus Christ.
Citing passages such as Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, and Colossians 2:9, McLean declared that Jesus is not a separate or secondary being, but the full manifestation of the one true God in flesh—“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” He highlighted that Jesus’ own words—“Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58)—directly identified Him as the eternal God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. “To know Jesus,” McLean proclaimed, “is to know the Father.”
McLean pointed to the miracles of Christ as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy that God Himself would come and save His people—the blind would see, the lame would walk, and the gospel would be preached to the poor (Isaiah 35:4–6; Matthew 11:4–5). He explained that every miracle, every teaching, and every act of compassion revealed the nature of the invisible God made visible through His Son.
The message concluded with a passionate call to recognize the power and authority of the name of Jesus. From Matthew 28:19 to Acts 2:38 and Colossians 3:17, McLean showed that the apostles understood this revelation clearly: all things are to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
McLean’s message was both doctrinal and deeply devotional—an invitation to go beyond intellectual faith into genuine relationship. “Religion informs you,” he said, “but relationship transforms you.” With clarity and conviction, he called believers to seek the Lord with all their heart, that they might truly know Him—the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ.
Sermon Summary (Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey)
Pastor Paul Bailey opened candidly, saying he might not get past a single verse—and he meant it. With pages of color-marked notes, he settled into a teaching flow centered on Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” From there he drew a clear line between body, soul, and spirit. The “soul,” he said, contains five powerful components—mind, emotions, will, attitude, and desires—that God gave us for good, but which were never designed to lead. Too often, believers avoid the obvious works of the flesh yet live from that “middle ground” of the soul—separated from the world, but not fully surrendered to the Spirit.
Bailey illustrated with Peter walking on water. The problem, he noted, wasn’t the wind and waves; it was the moment Peter stopped looking at Jesus. In the same way, even respectable soul-drivers—sharp intellect, strong willpower, or compassionate emotion—can pull our focus off Christ and lead us into choices that only seem right. He likened Saul (flesh), David (spirit), and Jonathan (the likeable “in-between”) to our internal governance: as long as “Jonathan” lives on the throne—our preferred soul element—David will never fully reign.
Moving from headlines to heart-lines, Bailey contrasted “nation against nation” (borders) with “kingdom against kingdom” (who has the right to rule). That contest, he argued, is raging within each believer: Who rules my daily decisions—my soul’s impulses or the Spirit of God? He warned that fear-based choices can masquerade as wisdom, distinguishing Noah’s reverent fear from the destabilizing emotion of fear. A practical story about withholding a $20 “God pocket” gift at the Spirit’s check—only later realizing it spared a recovering addict—underscored the point: emotion can be kind, but the Spirit is truly wise.
Bailey urged a simple practice for discernment: ask God direct yes/no questions and listen for the Spirit’s steady answer—always aligned with Scripture. He recounted a personal, uncomfortable moment of public obedience that opened the door to prophetic confirmation, reminding the church that submission “flows through authority” and starts with surrender to the King of Kings.
The “straight and narrow,” he concluded, isn’t narrow merely because it’s exclusive; it’s narrow because there’s only one way to walk it—by the Spirit. Each time we switch from attitude to intellect to willpower, we’re widening lanes on the broad road. This message invites listeners out of the soul-led middle and into Spirit-led living marked by clear focus on Jesus, quiet obedience, and daily surrender. If you’ve ever felt stuck between separation and surrender, don’t miss this teaching—lean in and let the Word and the Spirit do what only God can do.
“The Process of Transformation” — Pastor Paul Bailey
In this week’s message, Pastor Paul Bailey explored the divine process of transformation that begins whenever someone hears the Word of God. Speaking from Acts 2:37 and other key passages, Pastor Bailey emphasized that the Word carries supernatural power — but transformation only happens when it travels all the way through the human heart, mind, and will. “The Word works,” he said, “but it must be welcomed.”
He outlined five stages that mark the journey of change: hearing, understanding, conviction, decision, and action. True spiritual growth, he explained, touches every part of our being — body, soul, and spirit. Hearing with the ears is only the first step; transformation is complete only when the heart is stirred, the will surrenders, and the body responds in obedience.
Drawing from James 1:22–24, Pastor Bailey warned that hearing alone leads to self-deception. Just as a person who looks in a mirror and immediately forgets his reflection, believers who hear but do not act lose the impact of God’s truth. “When the process breaks down,” he said, “the Word is forgotten.”
He illustrated this truth through powerful biblical examples. King Agrippa, after hearing Paul’s testimony, famously said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Agrippa’s mind understood, and his heart was moved, but his will refused to surrender — leaving him unchanged. Likewise, the rich young ruler in Mark 10:21–22 heard Jesus’ words and even felt sorrow, but he chose comfort over obedience. “Emotion,” Pastor Bailey reminded, “is not the same as transformation.”
Turning to Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13:18–23), Pastor Bailey described four types of soil representing four levels of response to God’s Word. Only the good ground — the one that hears, understands, obeys, and bears fruit — completes the full process of transformation. The others stop short somewhere along the way: the wayside hearer never understands, the stony ground lacks endurance, and the thorny soil is divided by worldly cares.
In closing, Pastor Bailey challenged listeners to reflect personally: Has God’s Word reached your will and your actions? Are you “almost persuaded,” or are you fully surrendered? Using Hebrews 4:2, he cautioned that the gospel profits nothing unless it is mixed with faith. The Word will work, he affirmed, “if you welcome it all the way through.”
This message offers a clear and practical roadmap for anyone longing for lasting change. It’s an invitation to let God’s Word finish what it started — transforming not just how we think or feel, but how we live.
Sermon Summary – “Consider the Lilies” | Pastor Paul Bailey
In this week’s message, Pastor Paul Bailey drew from Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:28–30, urging listeners to “consider the lilies of the field.” Lilies do not labor or strive, yet they grow into the fullness of what God designed them to be. Unlike the lilies, however, people often wrestle with anxiety, false expectations, and the pressures of the world that seek to shape them into something God never intended. Pastor Bailey reminded the congregation that the Christian journey is one of returning to God’s original design through repentance, renewal, and transformation by the Spirit.
The message began with the necessity of repentance. Drawing from Acts 3:19, Pastor Bailey explained that before anyone can live as God intends, they must first turn away from what the world has made them. Repentance clears the way for new life in Christ. Like the first believers in the book of Acts, we too must make a conscious decision to walk differently, laying aside old ways of thinking so God can begin His work of restoration.
From there, Pastor Bailey emphasized the ongoing work of renewal. Transformation does not happen overnight, but “line upon line, precept upon precept” (Isaiah 28:10). Passages such as Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:22–24 remind us that we are called to put off the old nature and be continually renewed in the spirit of our minds. Renewal happens daily through prayer, reading Scripture, and surrendering to the Spirit’s leading. Pastor Bailey encouraged believers not to be discouraged by the gradual pace of this process, but to trust that God is building His people step by step, just as a builder lays a structure brick by brick.
The ultimate aim, Pastor Bailey declared, is to take on the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5–8 paints a picture of humility, obedience, and servanthood—qualities that should increasingly shape every believer. Growth in grace and knowledge is lifelong (2 Peter 3:18), but we can rest in the promise that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).
Closing the message with 2 Corinthians 3:18, Pastor Bailey reminded the church that while none of us are yet all that God intends, His Spirit is transforming us from “glory to glory.” Just as the lilies reflect the beauty of God’s design without striving, we too can reflect His glory as we yield ourselves to Him.
This message challenges listeners to release anxiety, let go of worldly pressures, and embrace the Spirit-led journey of becoming who God created them to be. Pastor Bailey’s teaching offered both encouragement and direction: we are called to repentance, daily renewal, and the mind of Christ, with the assurance that God Himself is faithful to complete the work.
Sermon Summary: The Order to Stand
Text: Ephesians 6:12–13
Speaker: Pastor Bailey
Pastor Bailey delivered a powerful message titled “The Order to Stand,” reminding listeners that serving is never neutral. Every decision, priority, and act of loyalty reveals what spirit we are yielding to. As Jesus declared, “No man can serve two masters” (Matt. 6:24), and Paul affirmed, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are” (Rom. 6:16). In other words, there is no middle ground — we either serve righteousness or sin, God or the spirit of this world.
From Ephesians 6, Pastor Bailey outlined the reality of the conflict. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against unseen spiritual forces. Paul identifies these as principalities (high-ranking rulers), powers (delegated authorities of evil), rulers of darkness (who spread deception), and spiritual wickedness in high places (spirits fueling false religion, temptation, and rebellion). The battle is invisible, but very real.
Because the conflict is spiritual, Paul issues the command to stand. Believers are told to take the whole armor of God — not partial, not occasional, but complete. We must be prepared to withstand in the evil day, refusing to retreat or compromise. Pastor Bailey illustrated this with the Roman soldier who stood his ground; if one soldier broke formation, the entire line was at risk. Standing in God’s strength is an active, disciplined, Spirit-led stance.
The message also emphasized the context of submission. Paul’s teaching on spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6 follows his teaching on submission in chapters 5 and 6. Submission to God’s Spirit, and to His order in our relationships, provides spiritual covering and authority. Without it, we are left exposed. Pastor Bailey pointed to the example of the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19 — men who tried to invoke Jesus’ name without being under His authority, only to be overpowered. True authority comes through submission.
The sermon closed with a call to decision. Service is the outward expression of submission, and Joshua’s words still ring true: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Josh. 24:15). There is no neutral option. Either we submit to God and stand clothed in His armor, or we resist Him and stand powerless against the enemy.
Pastor Bailey left the congregation with this challenge: The question is not whether you are serving — the question is whom you are serving. If you will yield to God, then you will stand, and having done all, you will stand in victory.
Sermon Summary: “Every Member Matters” — Pastor Bailey
Traditions often feel timeless, but many of the practices we consider permanent are far younger than we realize. Pastor Bailey opened this message by reminding us that for over a century, Americans lived without reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Likewise, before the TSA was formed, air travel operated very differently. These examples reveal how quickly customs can become “normal,” even though they are not eternal truths.
The same danger exists in the church. Over time, congregations can mistake routines and programs for God’s pattern. What many think of as a “traditional service” often features one minister and a small team doing the work, while the majority remain passive observers. But Scripture paints a very different picture.
Pastor Bailey turned to Matthew 16:18, where Jesus declares, “I will build my church.” The Greek word ekklesia means “assembly” or “called out ones” — not a building. God’s design for the church is a living congregation, not a location or a structure. The Bible consistently describes the church as people: the congregation in the wilderness (Acts 7:38), the body of Christ made up of many members (1 Corinthians 12:27), and believers gathered in homes (Romans 16:5).
From the start, the church grew through a simple, Spirit-led pattern: Go, Teach, Baptize, Teach (Matthew 28:19–20). In Acts 2:42, we see them continuing in doctrine, fellowship, meals, and prayer. Ministry was relational and participatory, not complex or program-driven. Even a boy’s simple offering of loaves and fishes (John 6) became miraculous in Jesus’ hands — a reminder that God uses ordinary contributions to accomplish extraordinary results.
This truth leads to the heart of the message: every member matters. In 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul describes gatherings where “every one of you” brings something — a psalm, a teaching, a word of encouragement. Order was needed, not to silence participation, but to ensure edification. The biblical pattern is not passive attendance, but active, Spirit-led contribution from the body.
Pastor Bailey emphasized that the church grows healthiest when participation flows beyond the pulpit and into the congregation. Whether in public meetings or from house to house (Acts 20:20), God designed His people to strengthen one another through testimony, prayer, encouragement, and teaching.
To help restore this biblical pattern, Pastor Bailey shared practical questions he uses in gatherings, such as:
- Has anyone seen God answer prayer this week?
- Does anyone have a song or verse to share?
- Who needs prayer or encouragement today?
These are not programs, but invitations for the Spirit of God to work through His people.
Title: Generational Drift: How Did We Get Here?
Speaker: Pastor Bailey
Tradition can be a blessing when it helps preserve identity, structure, and continuity. But what happens when tradition drifts away from truth? In this message, Pastor Bailey explores the danger of elevating human customs above the Word of God. Over time, practices that may have begun with good intentions can harden into rules, even overshadowing God’s commands.
To illustrate, Pastor Bailey shares a humorous yet striking story of a family’s Thanksgiving turkey tradition. For generations, the family cut off part of the turkey before cooking, without knowing why. Only when the great-grandmother was asked did the truth come out: she had done it simply because her pan was too small. In the same way, we often follow traditions without questioning whether they reflect God’s will—or merely human habit.
The Bible consistently warns against this drift:
- Old Testament Warnings (Deuteronomy 12:32; Jeremiah 7:23–24) — God called His people to obey His voice fully, not adding or taking away. Yet, traditions often grew from their own imaginations instead of God’s commands.
- Jesus’ Rebuke (Matthew 15:3–6; Mark 7:7–9) — Jesus confronted the Pharisees for allowing tradition to override God’s law, exposing how rituals had replaced obedience.
- The Early Church Struggle (Galatians 1:13–14; Colossians 2:8) — Paul admitted he once clung zealously to traditions that led him to persecute the church. He later warned believers not to be spoiled by the philosophies and traditions of men.
- Future Warnings (2 Peter 2:1; 1 Timothy 4:1) — The apostles foresaw heresies and false teachings that would creep into the church, fueled by tradition and deception.
The call is urgent: Are we willing to examine the practices we’ve inherited and measure them against Scripture? Have we placed more weight on human customs than on God’s plain Word?
Pastor Bailey reminds us that the Bible both begins and ends with a clear warning—do not add to or take away from God’s commands (Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:18–19). The danger of generational drift is real, but so is the hope of realignment. By clinging to the Word of God, we safeguard our faith from being reshaped by man-made traditions.
Tradition should serve truth, not replace it. Listen closely to this timely message and consider: Have we drifted, and if so, how do we return?
Podcast Show Notes
Title: Humility: The Foundation of Teachability
Speaker: Pastor Bailey
In this episode, Pastor Bailey delivers a powerful reminder that true transformation begins with humility. Without it, the heart cannot be instructed, the spirit cannot be guided, and the life cannot be changed. Humility is not weakness—it is strength under God’s control, the very foundation of spiritual growth and lasting transformation.
Through Scripture, Pastor Bailey shows how humility makes us teachable and opens the way for God’s grace to work in our lives:
- Humility Opens the Heart to Guidance (Psalm 25:9) — God guides the meek, those who willingly bow before Him. Pride resists, but humility invites divine direction.
- Humility Receives the Word with Meekness (James 1:21) — The Word cannot take root in a proud heart. Only meekness allows truth to be planted deeply, where it can grow and save.
- Humility Brings Grace and Transformation (1 Peter 5:6; James 4:6) — God resists the proud but pours out grace on the humble. Exaltation and change come after surrender.
The central refrain echoes throughout: “If I am not humble, I am not teachable. If I am not teachable, I will not transform.”
Pastor Bailey also draws on 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God calls His people to humble themselves before prayer, seeking, and turning from sin. Humility is not forced—it is a choice. It is the first step in coming to God and the foundation for every other act of obedience.
The message closes with Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:4, reminding us that the greatest in the kingdom is the one who humbles himself like a child. True greatness does not come through self-promotion but through submission. Humility makes us like the child who is willing to listen, eager to learn, and open to correction.
This sermon calls each of us to examine our hearts: Are we bowing willingly to God or resisting His influence? Are we receiving His Word with meekness or wrestling against it? Do we truly want His guidance—or are we trying to guide ourselves?
Be challenged and encouraged by this message. When we humble ourselves, we become teachable. And when we are teachable, God can transform us into who He has called us to be.
In this episode, Pastor Bailey opens the Scriptures to reveal a powerful truth: God cares deeply about how we think. Our thoughts are the starting point of every decision and action. Before we act with our hands or speak with our lips, the battle is first fought — and won or lost — in the mind.
From repentance to transformation, from learning contentment to thinking on what is pure, the New Testament consistently shows that the Christian life begins in the renewing of the mind:
- Transformation Begins in the Mind (Romans 12:2) — True change is not outward first but inward, as God reshapes our thinking.
- The Mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5) — Following Jesus means adopting His humble, obedient mindset.
- Learning Contentment (Philippians 4:11) — Paul shows that contentment is learned; it is a mental discipline that brings peace.
- Openness Leads to Salvation (Acts 2:37) — On the Day of Pentecost, an open mind prepared people to receive the gospel.
- The Great Commission Shapes Minds (Matthew 28:19) — Teaching comes first, for discipleship begins when the truth is received in the mind.
- Repentance: A Change of Mind (Acts 2:38) — Repentance means literally “to change one’s mind,” a decisive turn toward God.
- Guarding the Thought Life (Philippians 4:8) — Scripture calls us to fill our minds with truth, purity, and virtue.
The message is clear: God’s plan for us is not only about what we do but about how we think. A surrendered mind leads to a surrendered life.
Pastor Bailey concludes by highlighting humility as the key to being teachable. Paul confessed, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). He did not rely on his own strength, but on Christ. Without humility, we cannot be taught. Without being taught, we cannot be transformed. But when we humble ourselves before God, He gives us grace to learn, grow, and walk in newness of life.
Be encouraged and challenged as you listen. Let God renew your mind, for He cares a great deal about how you think.
Breaking the Silence: Pastor Bailey Urges Believers to Recognize and Seize Gospel Opportunities
In his recent sermon, Breaking the Silence, Pastor Bailey delivered a pointed challenge to Christians everywhere: pray for divine appointments, remain spiritually alert, and be ready to speak when God opens the door.
Preaching with the conviction of experience and the urgency of eternal stakes, he began by painting a vivid picture of God “conspiring to bring someone hope” through the circumstances of daily life. These moments, he said, often come without warning — in grocery store aisles, workplace conversations, or unexpected encounters — and can have eternal consequences.
“The problem,” Bailey observed, “is that many believers hesitate to begin a gospel conversation because we’re not expecting it. We’re not looking for it. And when we’re not looking, we fail to recognize the opportunity right in front of us.”
Drawing on the Book of Acts, Pastor Bailey highlighted three biblical examples where God’s servants noticed an opening, took action, and turned an ordinary moment into an extraordinary encounter with truth.
Commitment Over Motivation
Interwoven throughout the sermon was Pastor Bailey’s conviction that commitment trumps motivation.
“Motivation changes with results and feelings,” he said. “A good outcome will increase it; a poor outcome will drain it. But commitment stays steady.” He compared the principle to weight loss, exercise, practicing a skill, or working in sales — success comes from consistency, not fleeting bursts of inspiration.
When it comes to evangelism, Bailey insisted that believers must commit to sharing the gospel regardless of the visible outcome. “Our job is obedience. The results are in God’s hands,” he stated.
The Action Plan
Pastor Bailey challenged listeners to take four deliberate steps in the coming week:
- Ask God to lead you into divine opportunity.
- Look for those opportunities.
- Reflect on the ones you missed.
- Prayerfully consider how you could have responded.
By adopting this approach, he said, believers could shift from passively hoping for a chance to share their faith, to actively seeking and seizing those moments.
Closing Call to Readiness
In closing, Bailey turned to Colossians 4:5-6, urging Christians to “walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” and to let their speech be “always with grace, seasoned with salt.”
“God calls us to be ready — ready to notice, ready to speak, and ready to connect the moment to the message of Christ,” he said. “That readiness begins with prayer: asking God to orchestrate those divine appointments, to make us aware when they happen, and to give us courage to step into them.”
The title of the sermon, Breaking the Silence, served not just as a theme but as a rallying cry — a reminder that the gospel is too important to keep to ourselves, and that every day brings fresh chances to turn ordinary encounters into eternal opportunities.
“Prayer That Changes Perspective”
Based on the message by Pastor Paul Bailey
In his latest message, “Prayer That Changes Perspective,” Pastor Paul Bailey delves into the powerful connection between expectation, awareness, and the daily habit of prayer. With clear conviction and real-life illustrations, he calls listeners to examine how their prayer life—or lack of one—shapes how they see the world and respond to God's direction.
Building on the foundation laid the previous week, Pastor Bailey reminds his audience that our expectations frame what we notice in life. “If I’m not expecting to see God move, I may completely miss what He’s doing around me,” he explains. Just as selective attention can cause us to overlook physical dangers, it can also blind us to spiritual opportunities.
The heart of the sermon focuses on how prayer shifts that expectation. True prayer, according to Pastor Bailey, isn't about persuading God to act on our behalf, but about surrendering our perspective to His. Quoting James 4:2–3, he warns that selfish prayers—those rooted in personal desire—are ineffective and misaligned with God’s purpose. Instead, he urges believers to approach God as willing servants, not demanding consumers.
“Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Thy will be done in earth,’” Pastor Bailey says, emphasizing that this includes our own hearts. He challenges listeners to move beyond praying for others to change and instead open themselves up to be changed by God.
One of the key takeaways from the sermon is the importance of daily, intentional prayer—especially in the morning. Comparing a consistent prayer life to the gathering of manna in the wilderness, he notes, “God’s provision was daily. You couldn’t live off yesterday’s bread.” Morning prayer, Pastor Bailey asserts, sets the tone, positions our hearts, and invites God to lead the day before it begins.
Using examples from everyday life, he illustrates how easy it is to build barriers between ourselves and a hurting world. “Prayer breaks that barrier,” he says. “It gets us moving. It puts us in places where God can use us.”
In a culture that often treats prayer as optional, Pastor Bailey’s message is a call back to biblical basics. Prayer isn’t performance—it’s partnership. It’s not about eloquence—it’s about surrender. And most of all, it’s not about changing others—it’s about being changed.
Listeners are left with both a challenge and an invitation: Don’t just go through your day—pray through it. Let God shape your vision before the day shapes you. Because when prayer changes your perspective, it just might change everything.
Expectation’s Impact on Perspective
Speaker: Pastor Bailey
Key Text: Hebrews 11:8–10 (KJV)
In this powerful and deeply thought-provoking sermon, Pastor Bailey takes us on a spiritual journey exploring how our expectations shape our experiences and perceptions—not just spiritually, but in every aspect of our lives. Drawing from Hebrews 11 and the story of Abraham, Pastor Bailey teaches that faithful expectation is not passive optimism, but an intentional lens through which we engage the world around us.
Abraham “looked for a city… whose builder and maker is God.” He lived with divine anticipation. Pastor Bailey unpacks this idea with vivid, real-life illustrations—from the color distortion of shooting glasses while driving to missing a family member in need because of a distracted mindset. These moments drive home the sermon’s central truth: we often don’t see what we’re not looking for.
Expectations act like a filter. If we expect fear, failure, or conflict, we begin to see and even generate it in our lives. But if we walk through our day with eyes of faith—believing that God can move, speak, and use us—we begin to see opportunity in the ordinary and ministry in the midst of brokenness.
Pastor Bailey compares the perspectives of the 12 spies sent into the Promised Land (Numbers 13). All twelve saw the same things, but only two—Joshua and Caleb—returned with faith. The other ten were blinded by fear. Their expectations of defeat distorted their perception and robbed them of victory. It’s a sobering reminder that our mindset can either magnify our problems or reveal God’s possibilities.
From Job’s fearful confession to the transformational power of prayer, this message calls believers to align their spiritual lens through daily communion with God. As Pastor Bailey says, prayer doesn’t just prepare us—it positions us to see what God wants to show us.
Whether you’re facing hardship, walking in uncertainty, or simply going through the motions, this sermon challenges you to stop and ask: What am I looking for today? Because what you expect to see will determine what you notice—and ultimately, how you live.
Podcast Title: Called But Not Exempt from Failure: We Need Grace
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
In a message that both challenges and comforts, Pastor Paul Bailey speaks candidly to those who have responded to the call of God—yet still find themselves tripping, stumbling, or feeling stuck in spiritual limbo. Titled “Called But Not Exempt from Failure: We Need Grace,” this sermon confronts a subtle but dangerous mindset that assumes being chosen by God somehow insulates us from falling.
From the outset, Pastor Bailey reminds the listener that spiritual calling is not a shield against failure, temptation, or inconsistency. “Being called doesn’t keep you from falling,” he says. “And if we don’t understand that, we’ll disqualify ourselves when God hasn’t.”
Preaching from Ephesians 2:8, Romans 11:29, and Proverbs 24:16 among others, he makes the case that grace—defined as both unmerited favor and divine influence—is not just a starting point for salvation, but an ongoing necessity. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,” he reads. “It is the gift of God.”
The sermon explores the tension many believers feel between progress and paralysis. Pastor Bailey describes the spiritual “middle ground” as a dangerous zone of unproductive contentment—where believers may no longer be doing wrong, but are no longer pressing forward either. “We end up resting on our laurels, thinking we’re okay because we’re not who we used to be,” he warns.
Drawing from Scripture, Pastor Bailey offers powerful examples of biblical figures who were undeniably called—and yet undeniably flawed. From Moses to David, from Samson to Peter, he shows that falling is not final. “Peter denied Christ, and later needed public correction even after Pentecost,” he says. “But God still used him. God still uses us.”
A recurring phrase punctuates the message like a heartbeat: “We need grace in our lives.” Whether it’s the grace to get back up, the grace to forgive ourselves, or the grace to keep moving forward despite imperfection, the message is clear—grace is not optional for the believer. It is essential.
Bailey does not shy away from hard truths. “Your righteousness is as filthy rags,” he quotes from Isaiah. “You’ll never live good enough to deserve salvation. That’s why we need grace.” But he balances this with an unwavering hope. “Falling isn’t failure—unless you stay down. A just man falls seven times and rises again.”
The sermon closes with an appeal to believers not to disqualify themselves from God’s purpose. “God is not sorry He called you,” he declares. “Even when you trip, He’s still working. But you’ve got to get back up.”
This message is a clarion call to the weary, the guilt-ridden, and the discouraged. It reminds us that the Christian life is not about perfect performance—it’s about persistent faith, powered by grace.
Pastor Bailey Delivers Message on the Intentional Pursuit of God
In a sermon titled “Seeking Is Not Accidental,” Pastor Paul Bailey of The Modern Pew challenged his audience to examine whether they are truly pursuing God—or simply going through the motions. Drawing from Scripture and real-life reflections, Bailey emphasized that seeking God is a deliberate act, not something that happens by chance.
Opening with personal transparency, Bailey admitted that at times, believers may resist hearing from God—not because He is silent, but because His direction might require change or discomfort. “There are times we pray for guidance but don’t actually want to hear what He says,” he remarked.
The sermon drew from the post-resurrection account where Jesus told His disciples to go to Galilee. While this might sound like a simple instruction, Bailey reminded listeners that Galilee was roughly 70–80 miles from Jerusalem—a four-day walk. “Jesus didn’t say why—just said go. And they went. That’s what seeking looks like,” Bailey explained.
He taught that obedience and spiritual pursuit must be intentional. Using Psalm 10:4, Bailey warned how pride blinds people from seeking God: “The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” Expounding on the Hebrew meaning, Bailey explained this isn’t about casually forgetting God—it’s about entirely excluding Him from one’s plans, decisions, and desires.
Further supporting his point, Bailey referenced 2 Chronicles 12:14, which describes how King Rehoboam “did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.” The issue wasn’t ignorance but a lack of preparation. “You don’t just stumble into spiritual growth,” Bailey said. “You have to plan for it.”
Bailey illustrated the principle with relatable humor. “You can accidentally gain weight—but you won’t accidentally live righteous. It takes effort.” He challenged believers not to rely solely on Sunday worship but to develop a daily relationship with God. “God didn’t want to meet Adam weekly; He walked with him daily in the garden.”
Referencing Psalm 119:105, Bailey closed by urging the congregation to let God’s Word serve as both a lamp to their feet and a light to their path. “Seeking God is not about wishful thinking—it’s a choice. A daily, purposeful pursuit.”
In a heartfelt and stirring message delivered during a recent Sunday service, Pastor Paul Bailey explored the deeply human journey of wandering, realization, and return — all through the lens of the parable commonly known as the Prodigal Son. However, Pastor Bailey challenged this traditional title, stating that the story is not just about a rebellious son, but more profoundly about a compassionate and ever-watchful father. “It’s really about a father,” he emphasized, “one who represents our Heavenly Father — always looking, always hoping, and always ready to restore.”
The Wake-Up Call: “How Did I Get Here?”
The sermon opened with a question that resonates with many: How did I get here? Pastor Bailey related it to everyday experiences — such as accidentally driving to the wrong destination out of habit — to illustrate how easily one can go through life on autopilot. In the same way, spiritual drift can occur subtly, through one small misstep at a time.
Referencing Luke 15, Pastor Bailey recounted the prodigal son’s journey: from demanding his inheritance, to reckless living, and eventually to feeding pigs in a foreign land. The young man, expecting condemnation upon returning, instead found love, grace, and restoration. This moment, Pastor Bailey noted, reflects a divine truth: “No matter how far you find yourself from God, you can still find that place of grace.”
Recognize Where You Are
At the heart of the message was a call for honest self-evaluation. Pastor Bailey reminded listeners that the turning point in the story was not when the pigpen got worse — pigpens are always pigpens — but when the son came to himself (Luke 15:17). That recognition was critical.
“We don’t change just because the pigpen gets worse,” Pastor Bailey said. “We change when we get honest with ourselves.” He encouraged the audience to ask themselves: Am I where I’m supposed to be spiritually? Am I following God’s path, or have I drifted into a place I never intended?
Drawing from Lamentations 3:40, he echoed the biblical call: “Let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord.” Recognizing one’s location — spiritually and morally — is the first step in the journey back to the Father.
Remember the Father’s House
Next came the prodigal’s recollection of what life was like back home. Even the lowest servant in his father’s house lived better than he now did in the pigpen. Pastor Bailey explained that remembering the goodness of God — His mercy, provision, and purpose — can serve as the spark that reignites a wayward heart.
Quoting Psalm 84:10, he reminded listeners: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand . I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” This powerful contrast underscored the value of even the humblest place in God’s presence over the apparent comforts of a life lived outside His will.
Repentance Begins in the Mind
One of the most compelling parts of Pastor Bailey’s message was his explanation of repentance. He stressed that true repentance doesn’t begin with action — it begins with a change of mind. The son declared, “I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15:18), even before he took a single step.
“Repentance starts in your mind,” Pastor Bailey said. “It’s a decision. It’s a realization that what I’m doing isn’t working, and that God has a better plan for me.” Referencing Romans 12:2, he emphasized the importance of renewing the mind: “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Taking Action: Movement Toward the Father
It wasn’t until the son arose and returned that restoration took place. “Faith without works is dead,” Pastor Bailey reminded, quoting James 2:20. Good intentions and heartfelt remorse are not enough; the prodigal had to leave the pigpen and move toward his father.
This theme of action —
Title: The Quiet Danger: When Good Intentions Go Astray
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
Key Text:
📖 2 Corinthians 11:3–4
Paul compares his concern to a father protecting his daughter — he fears that, just like Eve was deceived, believers may be corrupted from the simplicity in Christ. He warns against:
- Another Jesus
- Another Spirit
- Another Gospel
1️⃣ Deceived by Others – When the Message Sounds Right but Isn’t
Not every spiritual-sounding voice is sent from God.
📖 Romans 16:17–18
Mark and avoid those teaching contrary to the gospel—even if they sound sincere.
🔹 Some deceive intentionally for personal gain.
🔹 Others mean well but are sincerely wrong.
🔹 The gospel doesn’t evolve to fit culture or comfort.
We must:
- Compare every teaching with Scripture.
- Contend for the faith that was once delivered (Jude 1:3).
- Stay rooted in truth, not personality or charisma.
2️⃣ Deceived by Tradition – When Familiar Isn’t Always Faithful
Traditions can feel sacred but must never replace the gospel.
📖 Colossians 2:8
Be cautious of philosophies or traditions that spoil you—leading away from Christ.
🔹 Question what you believe and why.
🔹 Methods may change—but the Message must not.
🔹 Don't confuse traditionalism with truth.
We must:
- Test every belief by the Word.
- Be cautious what we are contending for.
- Return often to the Bible as our final authority.
3️⃣ Deceived by Self – When We Assume Without Examining
Self-deception is the most subtle of all.
📖 James 1:22–24
Hearing the Word without doing it leads to self-deception.
🔹 We can’t see our spiritual condition if we won’t look honestly.
🔹 The Word reveals both where we are (lamp) and where to go (light).
🔹 Many think “others” need correction—while avoiding self-examination.
We must:
- Let the Word shape our walk.
- Submit in obedience, not assumption.
- Be doers, not just hearers.
🙋♂️ So What? (Reflection Questions)
- Am I open to the possibility that I could be deceived?
- Do I evaluate every message by Scripture?
- Are my beliefs shaped by tradition or by biblical truth?
- Am I walking in obedience—or just making assumptions?
- Am I staying close to the simplicity that is in Christ?
🏁 Close
Deception isn’t always loud. It can come dressed as wisdom, sincerity, or tradition. But only the gospel of Christ keeps us from being led astray.
📖 Ephesians 5:6–10
- Don’t be deceived by vain words.
- Walk as children of light.
- Prove what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Stay grounded. Stay watchful. Stay in the Word.
The truth is simple—but you must pursue it on purpose.
Careful What You Look For — You May Find It
Pastor Paul Bailey
Our focus shapes not only our perception but often our reality. If we look for problems, we will surely find them. If we look for blessings, we will find those, too. God calls us to cultivate a heart that seeks good — even when it feels scarce. What we seek, we tend to find.
📖 Key Text:
Proverbs 11:27 — “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.”
1️⃣ The Eye of the Seeker
What you seek determines what you find.
- 📖 Matthew 7:7-8 — “Seek, and ye shall find…”
- 📖 Jeremiah 29:13 — God is found when we seek Him with all our heart.
🔹 Seeking is an act of faith.
🔹 Wholehearted seeking leads to finding.
🔹 The heart guides the eyes — pure hearts find God's presence.
2️⃣ The Danger of a Critical Spirit
When we expect the worst, we blind ourselves to the good that God is doing around us.
- 📖 Titus 1:15 — To the pure, all things are pure.
- 📖 Matthew 6:22-23 — A focused eye brings light; a divided eye brings darkness.
🔹 Purity of heart changes our vision.
🔹 A critical spirit poisons our perception.
🔹 Your inward condition shapes your outward experience.
3️⃣ Choosing to See with Eyes of Faith
Faith opens our eyes to possibilities, not just problems.
- 📖 2 Corinthians 5:7 — We walk by faith, not by sight.
- 📖 Hebrews 11:1 — Faith is the evidence of things not seen.
🔹 Faith moves us beyond natural limitations.
🔹 Faith is proof of God's promises, even before fulfillment.
🔹 Faith finds what fear overlooks.
💭 Reflection:
- Am I looking for problems or possibilities?
- What dominates my daily focus — complaints or gratitude?
- Am I allowing a critical spirit to rob me of seeing God’s blessings?
- How can I walk by faith and see through God's eyes this week?
🏁 Closing Challenge:
📖 Philippians 4:8 — "Think on these things…"
Like Abraham, we are called to look for the good even when it seems hidden. Even in a world full of brokenness, seeking the righteous pleases God.
Change what you are looking for — and you will change what you find.
Title: The Power of Easter
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
Easter is more than a date on the calendar — it is the heart of the Gospel. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ were not meant to remain distant historical facts, but to become a personal, life-changing experience for every believer. The same power that raised Christ from the dead can transform our lives today.
📖 Key Text:
Romans 6:3-5 — “...like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
1️⃣ The Death: Repentance
Repentance is where transformation begins — the spiritual death of self. Just as Christ laid down His life, we must lay down ours at the altar of surrender.
- 📖 Acts 2:38 — Repentance is the first response to the Gospel.
- 📖 Luke 13:3 — Jesus taught that repentance is not optional: "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
2️⃣ The Burial: Baptism in the Name of Jesus
Baptism isn’t a symbol alone — it’s the burial of the old life. In baptism, we identify with Christ’s burial, our sins are washed away, and we rise into newness of life.
- 📖 Colossians 2:12 — "Buried with him in baptism..."
- 📖 Acts 22:16 — Baptism is an urgent and essential step in obeying the Gospel.
3️⃣ The Resurrection: Walking in Newness of Life
The resurrection is more than a past event — it’s a present power. As believers, we are called to walk in that new life, daily.
- 📖 2 Corinthians 5:17 — In Christ, old things are passed away.
- 📖 Galatians 2:20 — Our new life is Christ living in us.
💭 Reflection:
- Have you experienced the death of the old life through true repentance?
- Have you been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ?
- Are you living daily in the power of His resurrection, walking in newness of life?
🏁 Closing Challenge:
📖 Philippians 3:10-11 — "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection..."
The story of Easter doesn’t end at the empty tomb — it continues in every life that surrenders to the death, burial, and resurrection pattern of the Gospel.
The question isn’t just: do you know the Easter story?
The question is:
💡 Has it become your story?
Message Summary
Title: God’s Commandments – Foundation for Life
Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey
From the powerful voice at Mount Sinai to the quiet conversations we share at home, God’s commandments are more than historical laws — they are the framework for a blessed, well-ordered life. In this message, Pastor Bailey explores how the Ten Commandments shape personal character, strengthen families, and build healthy, stable communities.
💡 Key Text:
Exodus 20:1-17 — The Ten Commandments
1️⃣ God’s Commandments Shape Personal Character
God’s law is designed to shape us into people of integrity and reverence. His commandments teach us how to love God and others and hold us accountable for living righteously.
- 📖 Psalm 19:7-8 — God’s law brings wisdom, joy, and spiritual clarity.
- 📖 James 1:22-25 — The blessing is not in merely knowing God’s Word, but in doing it.
2️⃣ God’s Commandments Strengthen the Family
A strong, godly home starts with honor, obedience, and intentional teaching. The Ten Commandments provide the foundation for order, respect, and love in the family.
- 📖 Ephesians 6:1-3 — Obedience and honor bring stability and blessing.
- 📖 Deuteronomy 6:6-7 — Families are responsible to teach God’s Word diligently to the next generation.
3️⃣ God’s Commandments Build a Healthy Community
When God's principles shape individuals and homes, communities are transformed. Righteousness exalts a nation, and love for God and neighbor creates unity.
- 📖 Proverbs 14:34 — Righteousness lifts up a nation, while sin tears it down.
- 📖 Matthew 22:37-40 — Love is the foundation of all God’s commandments.
💭 Reflection Questions:
- Am I building my life on the foundation of God’s Word?
- Is my family growing through obedience to His commandments?
- Does my life reflect God’s love and truth in my community?
🏁 Closing Challenge:
📖 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 — “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
God’s commandments are not chains, but guides to life, peace, and blessing.
A strong individual, a loving family, and a thriving community are all built on the same foundation: obedience to God’s Word.
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Don't Give Up – Harvest Is Coming
Modern Pew Podcast Summary | Message by Pastor Paul Bailey
In this episode of The Modern Pew Podcast, Pastor Paul Bailey delivers an encouraging message for those feeling weary in well doing: “Don’t give up—harvest is coming.” Drawing from Galatians 6:9, Pastor Bailey challenges listeners to stay faithful, even when progress is slow or unseen, because God is at work beneath the surface.
- The Work Is Worth It
Even when unnoticed by others, God sees every good deed. Whether it's prayer, kindness, or encouragement, your labor is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). Pastor Bailey emphasizes the importance of knowing this truth: your consistency becomes easier when you’re confident that God rewards faithfulness.
- Growth Takes Time
Galatians 6 says we reap “in due season.” Using scriptures like Ecclesiastes 3:1 and James 5:7, the message reminds us that spiritual growth is often slow and unseen, especially when sowing truth or love into the lives of others. Just like a farmer patiently waits for crops, we must keep planting and trust that God is working—even when results aren’t immediate.
- The Reward Comes to the Faithful
Pastor Bailey highlights that the harvest isn’t always personal—it’s collective. “We shall reap, if we faint not” means that the entire body of Christ benefits when each of us does our part (1 Cor. 3:6–7). Whether you plant, water, or witness the harvest, you’re contributing to a much bigger picture. Faithfulness, not recognition, is the reward.
Final Challenge: Keep Going
He closes with 2 Timothy 4:6–8, reminding us that Paul didn’t claim a life free from hardship. Instead, he fought, finished, and kept the faith. That’s what earned him the crown—not perfection, but perseverance.
“You may be tired. You may feel overlooked. But don’t grow weary. Keep praying. Keep planting. Keep living holy. Because the harvest is coming.”
If you’re discouraged, Pastor Bailey invites you to bring your burden to the Lord. Ask Him to renew your strength, restore your focus, and revive your faith.
🌾 The seeds you’re planting in faith today will bring a harvest in God’s perfect time. Don’t give up.
The Danger of Compromise
On the latest episode of The Modern Pew Podcast, Pastor Paul Bailey delivered a powerful message titled The Danger of Compromise, urging believers to examine their level of obedience to God’s word. Using Judges 2 as a foundational text, he posed a sobering question: Have we truly obeyed, or are we justifying partial obedience?
Pastor Bailey highlighted how Israel’s failure to fully drive out the Canaanites led to spiritual decline, oppression, and eventual destruction. Though they initially obeyed under Joshua’s leadership, they compromised when the battle became difficult. Instead of removing the enemy completely, they chose convenience over obedience, justified coexistence, and blamed their circumstances. The result? They were ensnared by idolatry, weakened spiritually, and lost their divine protection.
This message resonates today—many believers justify sin, tolerate spiritual compromise, and neglect full obedience. Bailey challenged listeners to identify the "Canaanites" in their own lives—habits, sins, or compromises that God has commanded them to remove. Citing Hebrews 12:1 and 2 Corinthians 6:17, he urged Christians to fully surrender, separate themselves from sin, and resist the temptation to justify disobedience.
The warning was clear: Partial obedience is still disobedience, and the consequences affect not just us but future generations. Pastor Bailey’s final challenge echoed Jude 1:3—Will you earnestly contend for the faith, or will you compromise and suffer the consequences?
Pastor Paul Bailey, speaking on the Modern Pew Podcast, delivered a stirring message titled “Am I Doing Enough? A Call to Evangelism.” Drawing on 2 Peter 3:9, he reminded listeners that the Lord is patient, not wishing any to perish but calling all to repentance. Bailey urged every believer to prayerfully consider their personal responsibility in sharing the Gospel, emphasizing that evangelism is not merely a duty reserved for a select few but an essential part of every Christian’s calling.
In his sermon, Pastor Bailey examined the biblical mandate for evangelism, referencing passages such as 1 Timothy 2:3-4 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, which stress God’s desire for all to be reconciled to Him. He challenged his audience to reflect on whether they were actively letting their light shine in a world that desperately needs the message of reconciliation, as described in Matthew 5:14-16.
Bailey also addressed the practical aspects of engaging in evangelism, warning against extremes—whether hiding one’s light out of fear or burning out by overextending oneself. He encouraged believers to seek a balanced approach: to pray for boldness, recognize opportunities in family, work, and community, and consistently incorporate witnessing into everyday conversations. Citing 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, he reminded his listeners that while they may plant and water, it is God who gives the increase.
Concluding with three reflective questions about seeking God’s will, avoiding extremes, and taking tangible steps, Pastor Bailey called on his audience to commit to a deeper, more intentional evangelistic life, trusting that God will open the doors for them.
Podcast Notes: How Are You Spending Your Time?
In this sermon, Pastor Paul Bailey challenges believers to evaluate how they are spending their time. Drawing from Matthew 20:6-7, he highlights how Jesus called out those standing idle, urging them to work in the vineyard. The message reminds us that time is a limited resource—we either use it wisely or waste it.
Key Themes:
- Life is Shorter Than We Think
- James 4:14 reminds us that life is like a vapor, quickly vanishing.
- Are we investing in temporary things or in eternity?
- Illustration: Our life is just an inch of an infinitely long rope, yet most focus only on that inch.
- Time Spent Without Purpose is Time Wasted
- The Israelites wandered for 40 years but made no progress due to disobedience.
- Jesus asked, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” (Matthew 20:6).
- God has a purpose for each of us, yet we often resist it, remaining unfulfilled.
- Time Spent in God’s Purpose is Time Well Spent
- Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only days (Genesis 29:20).
- Matthew 6:33—When we seek God’s kingdom first, everything else falls into place.
- Investing in eternity brings true fulfillment, unlike idleness.
Redeeming the Time
- Ephesians 5:16—Make the most of every day, as wasted time is lost forever.
- Practical steps: Prioritize prayer, invest in people, focus on God’s will (Colossians 3:2).
Closing Thought:
Are you living with intentionality, investing in what matters? Or are you idly letting time slip away? Life is short—start redeeming the time today!
In this thought-provoking sermon, Pastor Paul Bailey examines the importance of hearing and responding to God’s Word, even when the message challenges us. Using biblical examples, he reminds us that faith isn’t about what feels good—it’s about confidently expecting what God has spoken to come to pass.
- Hearing God’s Word
Faith begins with hearing from God (Romans 10:17). Pastor Bailey explains how faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). However, hope doesn’t always mean expecting something positive—it’s about trusting what God says, no matter how it feels. - Biblical Examples of Faith
- Noah (Hebrews 11:7): God warned Noah of a devastating flood. Despite the difficulty, Noah believed, obeyed, and built the ark, demonstrating true faith.
- Abraham (Hebrews 11:8): Called to leave everything familiar, Abraham obeyed, trusting God’s promise of an unknown inheritance.
- The Early Church (Acts 11:27-30): Prophets foretold a famine, prompting believers to send relief in faith, showing their trust in God’s guidance.
- The Challenge of God’s Word
Sometimes God’s message is hard to accept—it may not feel victorious or comfortable. Yet Pastor Bailey encourages believers to find comfort in the fact that God is speaking to them. Faith is about confidently expecting God’s Word to come to pass, even when it requires sacrifice or hardship.
Closing Thought
What God says may not always be easy, but it is still God. Trust in His Word, even when it’s difficult, and know that you’re in good company with heroes of faith who obeyed despite the challenges.
In this sermon, Pastor Paul Bailey explores the transformative power of God’s Word in shaping our identity. Drawing from James 1:23-24, he highlights how hearing the Word but failing to act on it is like forgetting what we see in a mirror. God’s Word reveals not just who we are but who He intends us to become—our “Intended Identity.”
Using key biblical examples, Pastor Bailey illustrates this journey of transformation:
-
Peter’s Self-Perception (Luke 5:4-10)
Peter initially saw himself as sinful and unworthy, yet Jesus saw his potential as a “fisher of men.” God calls us not based on our flaws but on the greatness He envisions for us. -
The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22)
This man’s identity was tied to his wealth, preventing him from embracing Christ’s call. Pastor Bailey challenges listeners to move beyond worldly definitions of success and focus on eternal treasures. -
Transformation in Christ (Romans 12:1-2)
God’s work in us is a continual process of renewing our minds and conforming us to His will. True transformation happens when we embrace the person God sees us becoming.
Pastor Bailey encourages reflection: Are you living as the person God intends? This week, let the mirror of God’s Word guide you to align your life with His vision. Embrace the journey of becoming holy, faithful, and fully devoted to Christ.
Pastor Paul Bailey takes an in-depth look at the parable of the Good Samaritan, challenging listeners to reflect on their spiritual journey and roles within the body of Christ. Preaching from Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 10:25-37, Pastor Bailey emphasizes the multifaceted roles God plays in our lives—Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace—and draws parallels to the roles we are called to embody in our own lives.
In the parable, Pastor Bailey identifies seven characters, focusing on three key roles: the wounded man, the Good Samaritan, and the innkeeper. He reminds us that we may simultaneously occupy multiple roles—being wounded yet helping others to heal.
- The Wounded Man: Acknowledging the need for help is essential. Pastor Bailey urges believers not to let their wounds define them but to seek healing through faith and the support of others.
- The Samaritan: Ministering to the wounded often requires sacrifice, time, and resources. Reflecting Christ’s love, the Samaritan demonstrates the importance of compassion and action.
- The Innkeeper: Representing the church, the innkeeper continued the work begun by the Samaritan, highlighting the collective responsibility to nurture and care for those in need.
Pastor Bailey concludes by encouraging listeners to examine their current roles and to actively embrace opportunities to serve, heal, and grow within the Kingdom of God. His message is a powerful reminder that our actions can reflect God’s love and bring restoration to others.
In this sermon, Pastor Paul Bailey delves into Titus 1, emphasizing the call for Christians to live above reproach. While the Apostle Paul outlines qualifications for bishops and elders, Pastor Bailey highlights how these principles are applicable to every believer. From being blameless to showing hospitality, Paul’s list of 16 characteristics reflects not just the expectations for church leadership but also the broader Christian life.
Pastor Bailey stresses that all Christians are called to live with integrity, discipline, and holiness, setting an example for others to follow. Using personal anecdotes and biblical examples, he illustrates the importance of aligning our lives with God’s standards, noting that believers must strive to reflect godliness in both character and actions.
The sermon also addresses the pitfalls of self-will, quick anger, and greed, urging listeners to examine their lives and ensure they are not just holding others accountable but also themselves. Pastor Bailey challenges his audience to embrace their role in the body of Christ, actively seeking ways to edify and uplift others.
Through this expository teaching, Pastor Bailey reminds listeners that living a life above reproach is not just for ministry leaders but for every Christian. This high standard, he explains, is both a reflection of God’s holiness and a testimony to the world of His transformative power.
In this sermon, Pastor Paul Bailey explores the profound truth that with God, there are no loopholes. Drawing from Galatians 6:7-10, Pastor Bailey emphasizes the unchangeable nature of God’s principles, reminding listeners that “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” He warns against mocking God through disobedience or neglecting His laws, as seen in the story of David’s sins with Bathsheba and Uriah. Despite being blessed and favored by God, David’s actions displayed a disregard for God’s commandments, leading to severe consequences.
Pastor Bailey encourages believers to take heed of the rumble strips in life—God’s warnings meant to guide us back to the right path. He also highlights the parable of the great supper in Luke 14:16-24, illustrating that even when initial efforts seem rejected, there are still others willing to partake in God’s blessings. The message is clear: do not grow weary in well-doing. Whether it’s sowing spiritually or reaching out to others, the promise of reaping in due season holds firm.
Pastor Bailey concludes with a powerful call to action—believers must seek opportunities to do good, even when faced with rejection or weariness. He reminds us that God sees our efforts and rewards those who diligently seek Him. Through steadfastness and faith, the seeds sown in righteousness will bear fruit both in this life and the life to come.
Eph 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (2) Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
2 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Psa 126:1-6 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. (2) Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. (3) The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. (4) Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. (5) They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. (6) He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
1 Cor 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (2) Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Pet 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Luke 16:1-13 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. (2) And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. (3) Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
(4) I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. (5) So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? (6) And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. (7) Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
(8) And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
(9) And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
(10) He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (11) If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (12) And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (13) No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
John 14:1-2 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 13:33-35 (33) Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. (34) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Luke 19:41-44 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, (42) Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. (43) For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, (44) And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
John 21:24-25 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. (25) And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
John 13:36-38 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. (37) Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. (38) Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Heb 12:5-6 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: (6) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Mat 4:1-2 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (2) And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Mar 1:12-13 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. (13) And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Th 1:7-8 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Mat 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Act 10:13-16 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. (14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. (15) And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. (16) This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Act 9:13-14 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: (14) And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Rev 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
1Tim 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Gen 1:11-12 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. (12) And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:20-21 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. (21) And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Psa 8:3-6 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; (4) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (5) For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. (6) Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Luk 9:53-56 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. (54) And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? (55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. (56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Mat 27:37-43 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (38) Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. (39) And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, (40) And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. (41) Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, (42) He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. (43) He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Mar 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Luke 24:44-47 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Gen 37:2, 5-7 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report…….. (5) And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. (6) And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: (7) For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
Gen 41:46-47 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. (47) And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
Gen 45:5-6 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. (6) For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.
Rom 14:1-23 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. (2) For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. (3) Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (4) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (6) He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
(7) For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. (8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. (9) For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
(10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (13) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (14) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
(15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
(20) For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. (21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. (23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 14:1-23 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. (2) For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. (3) Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (4) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (6) He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
(7) For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. (8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. (9) For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
(10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (13) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (14) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
(15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of: (17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
(20) For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. (21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. (22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. (23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Mat 2:9-10 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. (10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Eph 4:5-6 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph 4:2-3 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Cor 12:14-18 For the body is not one member, but many. (15) If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (16) And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (17) If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? (18) But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
Prov 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1 Pet 4:8-10 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (9) Use hospitality one to another without grudging. (10) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Judges 2:11-12 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: (12) And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
Judges 2:20-23 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; (21) I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: (22) That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. (23) Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
2 Tim 3:12-13 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Act 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Jude 1:17-23 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; (18) How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (19) These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22) And of some have compassion, making a difference: (23) And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
John 3:16-20 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Gen 3:6-10 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (9) And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
1 Pet 3:10-11 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 Thes 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Cor 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Gal 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Peter 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
John 18:10-11 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. (11) Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Gen 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Rev 14:9-10 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
James 1:12-14 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Jonah 2:1-2 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, (2) And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Psalm 51:1-2 (KJV): "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."
Psa 8:3-5 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; (4) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (5) For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Psa 42:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Php 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
James 1:5-7 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Psa 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Jas 3:2-3 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (3) Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
2 Pet 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Gen 11:1-5 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. (2) And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. (3) And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. (4) And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (5) And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
Isa 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Act 2:36-41 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (37) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (40) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Act 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Jud 1:3-4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Ti 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Pro 9:7-10 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. (8) Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. (9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. (10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Rev 14:14-20 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (15) And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. (16) And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (17) And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. (18) And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. (19) And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (20) And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Mat 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (25) But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. (26) But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. (27) So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? (28) He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? (29) But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. (30) Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mat 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 25:1-2 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (25) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (26) And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: (27) And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
Mat 26:6-7 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, (7) There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
Mar 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
Pro 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Act 8:14-21 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (18) And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, (19) Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. (20) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (21) Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Mat 26:6-13 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, (7) There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. (8) But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? (9) For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. (10) When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. (11) For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. (12) For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. (13) Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Isa 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
Mat 26:14-16 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, (15) And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. (16) And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1 John 2:1-3 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (2) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (3) And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Psa 138:6-8 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. (7) Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. (8) The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Jas 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Peter 3:9-13 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (11) Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness, (12) looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (13) But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
1Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 19:45-46 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; (46) Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Act 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Dan 3:15-18 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? (16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. (17) If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. (18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will
not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Act 4:15-20 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, (16) Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. (17) But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. (18) And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in
the name of Jesus. (19) But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. (20) For we cannot but speak
the things which we have seen and heard.
Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Joh 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Mar 8:31-38 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. (32) And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. (33) But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. (34) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (35) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. (36) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (37) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (38) Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
John 15:12-13 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Eph 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rom 8:15-17 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
John 12:44-50 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. (45) And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. (46) I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. (47) And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. (48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (49) For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (50) And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Joh 12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
Joh 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: (43) For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Mar 6:10-12 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. (11) And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (12) And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Mat 10:7-8 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Ecc 11:1-5
(1) Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
(2) Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
(3) If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.
(4) He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
(5) As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
John 21:18-19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (19) This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
2 Chron 26:16-21 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense. (17) And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: (18) And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God. (19) Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. (20) And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. (21) And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
Isa 6:1-4 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. (2) Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. (3) And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. (4) And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Mat 12:34-35 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (35) A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Rev 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Act 4:18-20 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. (19) But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Isa 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Mat 24:4-6 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Act 1:6-7 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Luke 19:5-8 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. (6) And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. (7) And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. (8) And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Luke 15:17-18 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
John 21:4-6 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. (5) Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. (6) And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
2 Cor 5:14-17 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (15) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (16) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Heb 11:24-25 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
2 Pet 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Joh 4:28-30 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, (29) Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (30) Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
1 Cor 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Act 9:17-18 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Act 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Joh 16:16-19 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. (17) Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? (18) They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. (19) Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
Act 26:27-28 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. (28) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Mar 10:21-22 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (22) And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isa 43:11-13 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. (12) I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. (13) Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
2Co 4:1-4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Isa 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Pro 14:12-14 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (13) Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. (14) The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
Mat 2:10-12 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (11) And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (12) And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Mat 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? (25) He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? (26) Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. (27) Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Gen 6:12-15 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. (13) And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (14) Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. (15) And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
Gen 41:28-30 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. (29) Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: (30) And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land
Gen 41:33-36 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. (34) Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. (35) And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. (36) And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
2Th 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Joh 6:64-68 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (65) And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (66) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (67) Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? (68) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
2 Cor 4:1-4 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
Gal 1:6-10 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (10) For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Jude 1:3-5 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (5) I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
2Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1Co 1:12-18 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (13) Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (14) I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (15) Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. (16) And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. (17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 3:4-11 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (5) Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Eph 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
2Ti 1:11-13 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (12) For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (13) Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Pet 3:14-16 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
2 TiM 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
2 Cor 5:17-20 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Rev 21:2-5 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Psa 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
1Th 4:13-17 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Joh 21:15-17
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. (16) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
1 Cor 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
Eph 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2 Pet 1:10-11 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 12:14-17 For the body is not one member, but many. (15) If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (16) And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (17) If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
Joh 6:5-11 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (6) And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. (7) Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. (8) One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, (9) There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? (10) And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. (11) And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
Mat 6:28-29 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: (29) And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 24:3-6 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mar 13:3-7 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, (4) Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? (5) And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: (6) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (7) And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
2 Th 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
2Co 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Psa 133:1 .. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Act 2:44-47 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Rom 12:9-13 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (10) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; (11) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; (12) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (13) Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
1Co 6:5-7 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (6) But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. (7) Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
2Co 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Jas 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Mat 15:18-20 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Col 2:9-10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Gen 27:11-12 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man: (12) My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
Heb 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Psa 119:1-8 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. (2) Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. (3) They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. (4) Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. (5) O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! (6) Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. (7) I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. (8) I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
Mar 7:1-9 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. (2) And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. (3) For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. (4) And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. (5) Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? (6) He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (7) Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (8) For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. (9) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Mat 19:16-22 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, (19) Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (20) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
1Co 12:4-9 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Luk 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. (23) But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. (24) And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. (25) And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
1Co 12:7-9 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Mar 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Jas 5:13-15 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Joh 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, 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.
1Co 12:4-7 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
(1Co 2:6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
(1Co 2:7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(1Co 2:8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Mat 16:13-20 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (14) And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (15) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (20) Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Gen 21:29-30 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? (30) And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
Gen 26:15 For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
Gen 26:18-22 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. (19) And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. (20) And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. (21) And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah. (22) And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
Heb 6:1-2 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Exo 14:16-22 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. (17) And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. (18) And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. (19) And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: (20) And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. (21) And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. (22) And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit,
and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit,
and I will sing with the understanding also.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave
them utterance.
1Co 14:18-19 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (19) Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Mat 12:49-50 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! (50) For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Rom 2:1-11 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (2) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. (3) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? (4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: (11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
Cain and Able Gen 4:3-7
Noah & The World Gen 6:9-14
Two Marys Mat 28:5-10
Elijah and the Widow 1Ki 17:8-16
David & His Brothers 1Sa 17:22-29
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Php 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Luk 24:36-43 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (37) But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. (38) And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? (39) Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (40) And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. (41) And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? (42) And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. (43) And he took it, and did eat before them.
Eph 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Rom 8:12-17 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
1Co 12:1-11 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (2) Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. (3) Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (4) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Joh 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Examples of Competing Principles
Mat 21:18-20 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. (19) And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. (20) And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Luk 19:41-46 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, (42) Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. (43) For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, (44) And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. (45) And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; (46) Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Rom 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God.
John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches:
He that abideth in me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.
Heb 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Gal 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
longsuffering,
gentleness,
goodness,
faith,
(23) Meekness,
temperance:
against such there is no law.
**Luk 19:1-5 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. (2) And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. (3) And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. (4) And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. (5) And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Mar 10:46-49 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. (47) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (48) And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (49) And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: (2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.**
Joh 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Rom 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (13) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Jas 1:12-16 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (16) Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Rom 7:19-21 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Php 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1Jn 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (2) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
2Ti 3:12-13 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Mat 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set
on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and
put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that
are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Gal 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we
shall reap, if we faint not. (10) As we have therefore opportunity,
let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of
faith.
Jer 29:4-7 KJV 4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are
carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem
unto Babylon; 5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat
the fruit of them; 6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take
wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear
sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And
seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives,
and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
Mat 24:37-39 KJV 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the
Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were
eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe
entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all
away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Gen 6:17-18 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. (18) But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
Mar 12:28-31 KJV 28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these
Psa 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
2Co 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
(Rom 6:1) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
(Rom 6:2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
(Rom 6:3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
(Rom 6:4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(Rom 6:5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
(Rom 6:6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(Rom 6:7) For he that is dead is freed from sin.
(Rom 6:8) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(Rom 6:9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
(Rom 6:10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
(Rom 6:11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Rom 6:12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
(Rom 6:13) Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(Rom 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Joh 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (39) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Joh 14:15-20 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (19) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (20) At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 16:12-13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Mar 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Acts 2
(1)And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
(4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(12) And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (13) Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
(14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: (15) For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (17) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams
(36) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (37) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
(38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
2Ti 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (no self control), fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady (headstrong), highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
2 Cor 4:1-4 KJV 1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Mat 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
1Pe 3:12-21 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (13) And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? (14) But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (16) Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (17) For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (19) By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (20) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Jas 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Jas 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Jas 1:12-15 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
1Cor 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1Cor 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Ch 29:10-13 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. (11) Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is
thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head
above all. (12) Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. (13) Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
Ecc 5:18-19 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. (19) Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
Deu 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
Mat 6:9-11 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (11) Give us this day our daily bread.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
1Co 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
KJV - Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Num 18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Pro 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: (10) So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mal 3:7-11 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? (8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed
me, even this whole nation. (10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Neh 13:10-11 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. (11) Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
Neh 1:2-4 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. (3) And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. (4) And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
Neh 4:11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
Neh 4:17-18 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. (18) For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
Neh 6:15-16 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. (16) And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
Luk 12:35-40 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; (36) And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. (37) Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (38) And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. (39) And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. (40) Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Luke 12:22-34
(22) And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
(23) The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
(24) Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
(25) And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? (26) If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
(27) Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (28) If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
(29) And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. (30) For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
(31) But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (32) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
(33) Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
(34) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
1Ti 6:5-10 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (6) But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Luk 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: (17) And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? (18) And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. (19) And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (20) But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (21) So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Text
Eph 4:11-12 KJV 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
We will give account
Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mat 25:31-33 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Servants should change to please their master
Mat 25:26-28 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: (27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 18:32-35 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: (33) Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? (34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (35) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Our heavenly Father only wants good for us…
Joh 10:10-11 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Final Point
Gal 6:7-8 KJV 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
1Pe 4:8-10 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of
sins. (9) Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
(10) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one
to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
2Sa 11:1-27 (1)And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. (2) And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. (3) And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
(4) And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. (5) And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
(6) And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. (7) And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. (8) And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
(9) But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. (10) And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? (11) And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
(12) And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. (13) And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
(14) And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. (15) And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. (16) And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. (17) And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. (18) Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war;
(26) And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. (27) And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.
**Joh 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (19) If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Php 4:5-7 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Rom 14:19-21 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (20) For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. (21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Mat 10:34-39 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (35) For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (36) And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. (37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (39) He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.**
Mat 26:40-41 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? (41) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
James 5:13-16 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Jas 1:5-8 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But
let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let
not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (8) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
2 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then
will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Mat 6:6-8 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Psa 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness?
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Our voice should be
● Clear
● Godly
● Consistent
Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
1 John 1:9-10 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Psa 51:9-11 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. (10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (11) Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
2 Tim 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Luk 15:11-24 And he said, A certain man had two sons: (12) And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. (13) And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. (14) And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. (15) And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (16) And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (17) And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, (19) And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (20) And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (21) And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. (22) But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (23) And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: (24) For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
We can not judge the righteousness of a thing by the support or resistance we encounter.
As Christians we need to be careful to:
- Seek out the DIRECTION of God in the matter.
- Yield to the direction of God.
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
- Kingdom - the right to direct our lives
- Power - the power to fulfill our petition
- Glory - perspective needed for oversight
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
**2 Peter 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
1 Cor 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
1 Cor 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Cor 13:4-8a Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8a) Charity never faileth:**
2Pe 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
- Brotherly kindness is not just commanded but it is practical.
- We need each other.
- A single member of the body is not much good by itself.
(2Pe 1:6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
Here with the introduction of the word godliness - it is very much external
Our Christianity - can not just be internal.
Our Christianity should also be External and DEMONSTRATED in how we interact with:
●The world
●Fellow believers (the church)
●God
In this situation - godliness - we are talking about - respect to God, reverence to God and .. How we consistently SERVE God.
2 Pe 1:5-7 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
(2Pe 1:6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
Temperance: Self-Control (one who masters their desires and passions)
(2Pe 1:5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
Mat 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Someone who says....
- “You don’t need to repent.”
- “You don’t need to be baptized.”
- “It does not matter how you are baptized.”
- “You don’t need the Holy Ghost.”
- “You don’t need to live righteous.”
- “God does not care how you dress.”
- “God does not care if you give and tithe.”
**.... they ERR not KNOWING the scripture.
Psa 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.**
(2Pe 1:5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
Jer 29:4-9 (4) Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; (5) Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; (6) Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. (7) And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. (8) For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. (9) For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
Joh 1:16-17 And of his fulness have all we received, and
grace for grace. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by
Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any
man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Rom 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Shall we
continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2) God forbid. How shall we, that are
dead to sin, live any longer therein? (3) Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we
are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of
life.
2Cor 12:7-9 And lest I should be exalted above
measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted
above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart
from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Psa 51:9-11 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. (10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (11) Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
David wrote this psalm with a very real transparency that often seems lacking in the world today.
Acknowledging the brokenness that was in his own life and his desire for God to bring about healing and restoration.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Was David saying - God I want to please you, so you need to change what you want from me?
No, David was not asking God to change… David was stating HIS need to change.
Mat 14:13-21 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. (14) And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (15) And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. (16) But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. (17) And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. (18) He said, Bring them hither to me. (19) And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. (20) And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. (21) And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
**An intentional Christian life is one that is best lived with one hand on God and the other hand reaching out to the lost and ministering to the family of God.
Luk 19:10 KJV For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Shouldn't we all…as Christians... living with intent, purpose, and passion…. be about our Fathers business?**
**Mal 3:10-11 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
If you are not practicing Tithing. You should.**
The scripture calls for us to be humble and obedience in this area is rewarded by God.
The dictionary will advise
Humility is: a modest or low view of one's own importance
Humble is: having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.
Being humble is basically… possessing or manifesting humility.
Having a low view of one’s importance - BUT…… in contrast to WHAT?
I submit for consideration that:
For the Christian - as ambassadors for Christ. That humility is not SIMPLY about my understanding of who I am - but also of who I am in my RELATIONSHIP with Christ.
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
1Pe 5:5-7 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Jas 4:6-8 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Our society may be controlled in large part by what the majority wants. But being righteous - can not be determined by a large crowd that might agree with you.
2 Pet 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find
I have heard so many Christians down on themselves for their lack of perfection.
While the Bible does in fact declare that scripture has been given to us for the purpose of perfection.
Perfection does not come in an explosion. We do not get “blown” into new depths of Christianity so much as we get “grown” into new depths of Christianity.
While many things will not be perfected in this life. We can still strive for better.
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Php 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 1:3-6 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, (4) Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, (5) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; (6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Heb 4:1-2 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. (2) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Rom 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
No matter your part in the body - you matter!
1Co 12:12-14 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (14) For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:8-11 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Rom 13:1-5 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (5) Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Don’t let that government, twist the word of God and try to tell YOU, what YOU must do “if you are a good Christian.”
We will stand before God and we will be judged according to our works - how we lived / what we did.
Mat 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Joh 14:10-12 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (11) Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. (12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Jas 2:14-18 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (15) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Rev 20:11-13 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
The enemy of the church is never satisfied.
The devil always wants more.
As you start getting closer to God - it often causes the enemy of our souls to be more active in trying to draw us away, lead us astray, and cause us to fall.
**Luk 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Let’s look at a few things the enemy might use to get an advantage over us and how we as Christians should win the victory.**
**Mat 24:32-36 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: (33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (34) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. (35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37-39 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.**
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Luk 9:23-25 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (25) For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
We all should be: Training on purpose!
- Read the word of God!
- Spend Time in Prayer
- Spend time Fasting
- Spend time being LED BY GOD
Archilochos (a greek poet) once said:“We don't rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.”
Rev 13:15-17 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Rev 14:9-11 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: (11) And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
White Horse
(Rev 6:1)
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
(Rev 6:2)
And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Bow - TOXON =
Google - “etymology toxon greek”
Word History The Greek word toxon means "bow" or "arrow." From this came the Greek toxikon, meaning "a poison in which arrows are dipped." Toxikon was borrowed into Latin as toxicum, which gave rise to the Latin verb intoxicare, "to poison."
Do we have anything in the world today associated with WHITE - that John may have looked at and thought we was seeing an archer dipping his arrow tip in poison?
Red Horse
(Rev 6:3)
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
(Rev 6:4)
And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Do we have anything in the world today associated with
RED - that John may have looked at and saw it taking peace from the earth?
Black Horse
(Rev 6:5)
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
(Rev 6:6)
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Balance are used to weigh things - or to BALANCE things on one side with what is on the other side.
You could say - they are used to make things equal.
Do we have anything in the world today associated with
BLACK - that is seeking balance.
Pale Horse (green)
(Rev 6:7)
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
(Rev 6:8)
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Pale - chlōros = greenish (maybe pale green)
Every other translation is JUST green.
Mark 6:39 - Green grass
Rev 8:7 - green grass
Rev 9:4 any green thing
75% of the earth is covered in water - leaving 25% for where people live.
I do NOT think that this “horse” will only impact ¼ of the population.
I do not know if the “THEM” was in reference ot JUST Death and Hell - it sounds like it was talking about ALL of the four that were mentioned.
Do we have anything in the world today associated with
GREEN - that threatens tyranny?
FIFTH SEAL
(Rev 6:9)
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
(Rev 6:10)
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
(Rev 6:11)
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
(Eph 5:1-17)
Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2Th 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
God expects this people to be committed to Him and to truth above all other relationships.
They tried to prevent His ministry, soil His reputation, take His life. When all this failed they tried to hide His name form history.
Don't Let Them Hide His Name
We all have no doubt seen a rock or even a pebble dropped into water and watched the waves ripple out in all directions.
Those Ripples come from the rock interacting with the water creating movement.
Our physical lives can have a similar impact on the people around us.
1Co 3:5-7 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
While he was saying the main part is Gods part. He did describe the part others play in this life changing process. He called it - planting and watering.
You can touch other people in a way that creates positive spiritual ripples in their life.
Many things in our life are an exchange.
- We exchange grudges for peace.
- We exchange time (Sunday Morning) for learning, emotional support, and fellowship.
- We exchange energy for money.
Pro 23:23 KJV
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
No matter what it cost you. It will be worth it.
No matter what you go through in this life. It will be worth it.
Your friends may reject you. Your heavenly father will not.
Your family may push you away. God will draw you near.
Fresh Knowledge or Understanding – is NOT normally about the INTRODUCTION of something NEW but the revelation of something old.
New Revelation, Knowledge, or Understanding of seems to be the biggest, most important, very influential, information in your life.
The mind is a battlefield.
2Co 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
1Co 13:11-12 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
As a man – I’m not going to speak, understand, or think – like a child.
As a child – I thought I knew it all.
As a man – I know – I don’t KNOW it all. I only KNOW in part.
The obstacle of the Red sea can be intimidating when you only KNOW that you are trapped between the Red Sea and a hostile army. It is less threatening if you only KNEW that God plans to use the Red Sea to drown your enemies.
So, don’t be intimidated by anything you KNOW that wants to exalt itself above the KNOWLEDGE of God!
In the church we often talk about RECOVERY.
Defined: Returning to a normal state of health, mind, or strength – the process of regaining control.
While we don’t always use the word recovery and we may define it a bit different than a 12-step program might. The fact remains that many of the stories in the Bible have a theme or at least a thread of “recovery” mixed in.
God has made a way for us – to recover – when we miss the mark, when we come up short, when we fall.
But there is a better way for the Christian. Something Better Than Recovery (from a FALL).
Jud 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
If you want something better than recovery - try this:
· Seek Direction from God.
· Seek a deeper relationship with God by following the direction.
· Seek to maintain humility and submission – whenever you want to do something different.
In a very simple definition.
Faith is the: Conviction of the truth of anything.
Conviction: Firmly held belief or opinion.
While I say that faith should be on display – I am not saying that it should be on display – for the sake of it being on display.
It should be on display because we are convicted of the truth of something. If we are convicted of the truth of something Godly and Right. We should be careful – to NOT let this world rob us of the blessing that comes from faith displayed.
Jas 2:14-18 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (15) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The word study in 2Tim 2:15 means: make an effort or endeavor.
This is a principle we should have in our spiritual walk:
Rightly Dividing the word of truth and proper application of the word of God into our lives.
We really should make an effort to make sure we are properly applying the word of God in our lives and into the lives of others.
We need conviction of Biblical truth – and we should be ready to as Jude stated: “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
Beyond Bible Truth: There might be times – because of your history, the way you were raised or the culture and age in which you minister that there my be convictions in your life that are not in black and white in the scripture.
1Co 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
In those areas of conviction – not bible truth convictions – but how I navigate life convictions.
We need to be understanding and not EARNESTLY CONTEND for those convictions to be manifest in others.
One of the definitions of the word intervention is: action taken to improve a situation.
Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain
We NEED an Intervention By God.
Very Rarely (in fact - only once in a lifetime) is the season we are currently in – the LAST season. So, be deliberate in how you progress through whatever season you are in.
Phi 4:11-13 KJV 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Course correction – new direction – misconception – failed inspection - all are opportunities for God to step into our lives to exert influence. Because we lack perfection.
Jon 3:1-3 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, (2) Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. (3) So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
Joe 2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
We have All Sinned or Missed The Mark
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Sin = Missed the Mark
Baptism is the way God has chosen to “Wash away” our sin.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Having a relationship with God is not forced on us. Being a Christian is a choice.
After living the Christian life for 1, 10, or 50 years and seeing something new in the Bible. It is a choice to follow truth or not.
Some will not try to show others truth. Some will not contend for the faith. Contending for the Faith is also a choice.
We are not perfected in this life. We all have room to grow in this life. We need to always make the choice to follow after God and be a Christian.
Paul said in Eph 4: “henceforth be no more children”
Paul also said: 1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
One childish thing we need to put away, is living our SPIRITUAL LIFE - REACTIVELY.
Jesus said: Mat 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (8) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
We need to live PROACTIVE spiritual life!
Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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Ecc 4:9-12Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (10) For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. (11) Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? (12) And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.Amo 3:3Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
The answer is: Yes. As long as one of you are willing to submit.
Pro 16:25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.Heb 12:6-7For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?Heb 12:11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.Job 5:17Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:Correction does not need to be something that we run from – correction should be something we run to.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
KJV – 1 Co 13:4-8a - (4)Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8a) Charity never faileth
The battle between peace of mind and torment in your own life is decided by your willingness to forgive others.
Pro 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: (10) So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
A tithe – when you present 10% of your increase, to the church, as unto the Lord. You receive an increase of $1,000 and you bring $100 as a tithe. The FIRST $100 – not the last or the MAYBE $100 if it is left over after I do all that I want to do.
A gift or offering – is when you, release something you control to someone else. Not out of obligation, but because you are moved or because you choose to do so.
It is OK – if a tithe or gift feels like it cost you something.
Psa 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
We can find confirmation and validation IF that is what we seek.
Know this, one day you will stand before almighty God. God will NOT be looking to validate whatever sick choices you have made in this life.
Too often we recognize what others need to do in life but fail to recognize what we need to do.
The world needs that the church stand up and represent.
It is ok and right for the voice of the church to be heard even if the world does not agree with truth. Some people are still looking for God and we have a part to play in helping them find God.
Let the church be the church!
The Bible provides us many examples of how we should live as Christians. We may have missed the mark in times past, but there will be new opportunities in the future that will allow you to answer the question: "What sort of Christian are you?"
James 1:22-24 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Some people seem to have no code by which they live. Driven in different directions with situational ethics.
As Christians we should live in a way that pleases God.
Some things that please God may seem natural to us while other things may not.
We must do it His way if we are going to please Him!
It does matter: The Code By Which You Live
The voice of the city might have you think the church is not essential. God thinks different. Don't let those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God define the value of the Kingdom of God!