The real battle at first wasn’t external, it was internal. The people were restless, thirsty, and discontent. They complained against Moses, but their unbelief was aimed at God. Even so, God did not answer them with wrath. He met them with mercy. He provided what they did not have and did not deserve.

The real battle moved outside the camp. The godless and fierce cousins of Israel, the Amalekites came to fight. A real enemy. A real threat. But Moses sent Joshua and his warriors into the field with confidence, not in skill, but in God’s favor.

As Moses’ hands and the rod of God were raised, it was as though an invisible banner lifted high over the battlefield. Israel fought under the LORD’S, Jehovah-Nissi, “The LORD is My Banner.” He was their covering and their cause.

The victory came in a way that no one could mistake. When Moses lifted the rod of God, Israel prevailed in battle. When his hands dropped, Amalek gained ground. This was no ordinary battle. God made something extremely clear: the outcome didn’t rest in human strength, but in divine power. The battle belonged to the Lord.

After the battle, God told Moses to write a memorial of the events and the faithfulness of God. He wanted them to remember this and not forget it. They were to teach the generations to trust God.

So, Moses built an altar and named it: “The LORD is My Banner.” One name, mentioned once, but a truth for every generation. We do not win by strength, strategy, or striving. We win when we stand under His name, trust His power, and follow His lead.

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David, himself a former shepherd, declared under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that Jehovah Rohi is the great Shepherd of His people. The LORD is compassionate and makes faithful provision for all who believe in Him and belong to Him, because of His active, covenant-based loyalty, which is unshakable and unwavering.

Jehovah Rohi grants spiritual rest and restores the souls of His sheep. He leads them according to His will and for His name’s sake. Because of the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresence of God, the righteous believer can live with confidence, knowing that the LORD is present even in life’s darkest valleys. He is a secure refuge for all who are His. Romans 8:35-39

Scripture makes clear that Jehovah Rohi not only guided His people through life but has prepared an eternal dwelling for them. For us. John 14:1-6
Nearly a thousand years after David wrote Psalm 23, God revealed that His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is the Good Shepherd. In Him, the Old Testament revelation of Jehovah Rohi found its fulfillment. Jesus declared Himself to be the Shepherd who knows His sheep, cares for them, and lays down His life for them.

Though Jesus confirmed His identity through His teaching and mighty works, many rejected Him in unbelief. Yet His sheep heard His voice, and all who believe continue to hear Him. God knows us, we follow Him, and He gives us eternal life. He remains present, accessible, and near to all who call on Him, for He is indeed Jehovah Rohi.

Is Jesus your Jehovah Rohi, your Good Shepherd?
Have you believed His truth for eternal life?
Have you surrendered your life to His care and leadership?

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Though Elohim is grammatically plural in form, it is consistently used with singular verbs when referring to the one true God, affirming that Scripture teaches the existence of only one God. This reveals both God’s unity and hints at the depth and mystery of His nature, which finite human minds cannot fully comprehend. Deuteronomy 6:4,5

In Genesis 1, each time God spoke, Creation came into existence by His word alone. After each creative act, God declared what He had made to be good, demonstrating His perfect will and moral authority. Creation is not random, but intentional, ordered, and inherently good, as it comes from Him. Psalm 33:1-9

As the culmination of creation, Elohim created humanity in His own image. This concept, often called the imago Dei, refers to the immaterial aspects of human beings that reflect God’s nature. It set apart humanity from the rest of Creation and equipped us for dominion, relationship with God, and moral responsibility. This likeness included our reason, intellect, creativity, our conscience, capacity for righteousness, and our capacity for relationship, reflecting God’s relational nature. Genesis 1:26–27

Being made in God’s image also included the capacity for choice. Though Adam and Eve were created upright they exercised their will in disobedience This act of rebellion against God brought sin into the world. Genesis 3; Ecclesiastes 7:29

As a result, the image of God in humanity was not destroyed, but marred. All people still bear God’s image yet are affected by sin in every aspect of their being, mentally, morally, socially, and physically. Humanity now exists in a fallen condition, separated from God, but there is hope. Genesis 9:6; Romans 5:1-12; James 3:7-12

Because God is holy and just, sin required judgment. Therefore, redemption became necessary. This redemption was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who Scripture declares Him as God incarnate, fully God and fully man. He brought about divine redemption through His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection. Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-13

Scripture affirms that the one God revealed as Elohim is fully expressed in the person of Jesus Christ. While God is one in essence, He is revealed in Scripture as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God in three persons. Salvation, therefore, is the work of God Himself, accomplished directly through Jesus Christ alone. Matthew 28:18-20

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In Thessalonica, Paul went into the synagogue as was his custom. Over three Sabbaths he reasoned from the Scriptures, explaining that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, declaring, “This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.” Some were persuaded and believed, including God-fearing Greeks and prominent women. 1 Corinthians 15:1-6

Unbelieving Jews were rebellious and jealous. They formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked Jason’s house seeking Paul and Silas. In mob-like protest they dragged believers before the authorities and accused them of “turning the world upside down” and proclaiming another king, Jesus. The believers had to bond out.

Paul and Silas were sent by night to Berea. There, the people received the word eagerly, examining the Scriptures daily to test Paul’s message. Many believed, including prominent Greek women and men.

Opposition soon followed. Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea and protested and stirred up the crowds there. Paul was sent on to Athens, while Silas and Timothy remained behind to minister in Jesus’ name.

In Athens, Paul was distressed by the city’s idolatry. He reasoned in the synagogue and spoke daily in the marketplace. Some philosophers dismissed him as a babbler, while others said he was preaching foreign deities because he proclaimed Jesus and the resurrection.

They brought him to the Areopagus and asked him to explain his teaching. There, Paul declared the one true God, the One they did not know: the Creator of all, who does not dwell in temples made by hands, who gives life to all, and who now commands all people everywhere to repent. God has fixed a day of judgment and has appointed Jesus, giving proof by raising Him from the dead.

When they heard of the resurrection, some mocked, others were curious, and some believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite and Damaris. Matthew 28:1-20

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Pilate, though unconvinced of Jesus’ guilt, still delivered Him over to be scourged and crucified. Pressured by the crowd, he chose approval and self-preservation over justice. The same voices that demanded freedom for Barabbas cried out for Jesus’ death. Humanity’s brokenness is laid bare—how easily we exchange truth for comfort, conviction for convenience.

At the cross, the chief priests mocked Him: “He saved others; He cannot save Himself” (cf. Mark 15:31). What appeared to be weakness was, in truth, divine purpose. Jesus did not lose His life, He gave it (cf. John 10:18). As Scripture declares, “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16).
A profound irony is that those who delivered Jesus to death were themselves in desperate need of deliverance.

The chief priests, the crowd, Pilate, every one of them stood in need of the very salvation Jesus was accomplishing. Had they believed the Gospel, He would have delivered them, from sin, from death, and from eternal separation from God.

Joseph of Arimathea stands as an example for us. While others rejected and abandoned Jesus, he determined to honor Him publicly. He took His body down from the cross, wrapped it in fine linen, and laid it in his own new tomb (cf. Matthew 27:57–60). Even in death, Jesus was still being “delivered,” this time into the care of one who loved Him.

This is the Good News: the very One who was handed over to suffering death on the cross, now delivers all who place their faith and trust in Him, calling them to be His disciples.

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In this passage, we are brought face to face with a profound and holy mystery. Jesus Christ, who is one with the Father and fully possesses the nature of God, did not cling to His divine privileges. He did not cease to be God, nor did He diminish His deity. Instead, He willingly laid aside the outward display of His glory and took on the form of a servant.

Born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus became truly human while remaining fully God. He entered into our condition, yet without sin. This is a truth that stretches our understanding, but it is the very heart of the Gospel: fully God and fully man, He came near to save us.

In His humanity, Jesus humbled Himself even further. He walked in perfect obedience to the Father, choosing the path of suffering and surrender—even to death on a cross. This was not weakness, but the fullest expression of divine love and obedience.

Because of this, God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name above every name. This is the great and unshakable truth: one day, every knee will bow, in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This passage calls us not only to believe these truths, but to be shaped by them. We are invited to walk in the same humility, surrender, and obedience, trusting that the way of Christ is the way of life.
• What will you do with these truths?
• Will you bow your knee now and confess Jesus as Lord, while you have time?

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The writer of Hebrews humbly asked for prayer, that he might have personal integrity, moral strength, and safe travel. He reminded us that even faithful believers need grace, accountability, and the support of the Church.

Like the early Church, we must walk together in prayer, pursuing holiness and faithfulness in Christ. And by His strength, we must live well day by day, so that, in the end, we may finish well. 1 John 1:1-10

We trust in the God of peace, who raised our Lord Jesus from the dead. Jesus, our Great Shepherd, has secured us through His covenant blood and now equips us with everything we need to do His will.

As we labor with integrity and godly patience, our work becomes an offering that is pleasing in God’s sight. Through Christ, we are not only called but strengthened, made complete for every good work, and have direct access to the Father that endures forever. Ephesians 2:8-10

God’s call and our faithful obedience positions us for the God of peace to accomplish in us what He desires, shaping our lives for His purposes. As we follow our Great Shepherd, Jesus, all that we do according to His will, will bring glory to Him, now and forever. Philippians 4:8-9

As he concluded the Epistle, the writer urged believers to patiently receive his message as an encouragement to strengthen their faith. He expressed his desire for fellowship, possibly visiting them soon, and called the Church to greet their spiritual leaders and all the saints on his behalf, emphasizing unity and love within the body of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Through today’s Scripture reading, we are reminded that the Church is a Global Faith Family. This local Church was encouraged that believers from Italy sent them greetings. Today, receive this final precious blessing: “Grace be with you all.”

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Spiritual leaders who have received a high calling from God and who live God-centered lives are worthy of honor. The Church is called to remember those leaders who first brought them the Word of God and to watch their lives carefully, considering both their example and their faithful walk with the Lord.

We are called to imitate their faith: their settled conviction that God is, that He is the Creator and Ruler of all things, and that He has provided eternal salvation through Christ. As we follow their example, we too are to walk worthy of this God-centered calling, learning to rest in Him with deep trust and confidence in His power, His wisdom, and His goodness.

One of Scripture’s great anchors is the everlasting truth that Jesus Christ is eternally unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Spiritual leaders and the Church are sanctified through the blood of Christ. He is our Model, our Guide, and our Great High Priest. Through Him we have redemption and the hope of Heaven, and through Him we are called to continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God. This praise is the fruit of our lips, thankfully exalting, confessing, and glorifying His holy name.

Our Christian lives require more than easy believism; action is essential. We are commanded to please God and to joyfully honor those He has placed as spiritual leaders over us. Your Pastor is your Soul Guardian. Christians are called to honor their spiritual leaders with respect, support, and faithful prayer, knowing that in doing so, we serve the Lord Himself.

Together, let us commit ourselves both to being equipped through God’s Word and to honoring the spiritual leaders He has appointed over us, walking in faith, offering continual praise, and living lives that reflect the unchanging glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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When salvation takes root, the Holy Spirit bears fruit immediately and the lead fruit is love. God’s own love planted deep within our soul, presses outward, longing to be expressed. Galatians 5:22-23; John 13:34-35

Each day we must heed the Holy Spirit’s voice and labor to let love and hospitality lead, especially among the family of believers. We are called to be like Jesus Christ: warm, openhearted, and gracious in spirit, freely sharing our comforts and our resources. With willing hearts, we give our part generously, that love may dwell richly among us and that we might make our Master known and honored.

When our love moves from word to action, Heaven touches Earth. In simple acts of costly kindness, some of God’s children have loved on some of God’s angels with hospitality without even knowing it. So, love boldly, because ordinary obedience may open the door to extraordinary glory.

Many believers have been, and still are, persecuted and imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel. We are called not only to remember them but to pray for the persecuted Church and to stand with those in chains as if we were bound beside them. We are to care for those who are mistreated, knowing we share the same human frailty and the same bodies subject to suffering. Their pain is not distant; in Christ, it is our concern too. 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Marriage, and all the sacred gifts that flow from it, is honorable. In love, God Himself ordained it and set His blessing upon it. He placed great value on marriage and on the covenant it represents. Culture has sought to diminish and distort it, for marriage stands as a living picture of Jesus Christ and His Church. Strike at marriage, and you strike at that holy image. Wound the covenant, and both the witness of the Church and the watching world feel the ache. Matthew 19:3–9; Ephesians 5:25–33

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But the writer of Hebrews does not leave us at Sinai. He gently reminds believers that we have not come to a mountain of fear, but to the grace of a new covenant. Because of Jesus, we do not stand at a distance in terror; we draw near with confidence. Those who trust in Him are not turned away, they are welcomed, registered in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and secured by His finished work. What once inspired fear now gives way to comfort, assurance, and abiding hope in Christ. Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 21

We are tenderly reminded that we have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem. To begin to grasp the wonder of this gift, we must lift our eyes and set our minds on the awesome realities of Heaven.

By sheer grace, God has given us the astonishing assurance that our citizenship is secure in His holy city. We belong there, not as strangers, but as welcomed sons and daughters. Our security rests not in shifting earthly circumstances, but in the unshakable promise of God. We are gathered with all the redeemed saints, surrounded by the joyful assembly of angels, and held fast in and by the presence of the living God Himself.

Such truth should steady our anxious hearts and strengthen weary souls. Our future is not uncertain; it is anchored in the God of the Heavenly City where He reigns, and where our names are known and forever registered.

Our hearts must adore Jesus, the Mediator of a new blood covenant. He is the gracious One who brings God and humanity together, not through fear or distance, but through His own sprinkled blood that speaks a better word: mercy instead of judgment, forgiveness instead of condemnation. He awaits His redeemed, not with reluctance, but with welcoming love secured by His finished work. 1 Timothy 2:1-6

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Our calling emphasizes renewed vigor after discipline, not discouragement. God’s discipline is meant to produce healing and restoration, especially for those who are weak, not further harm.

Christians, therefore, are called to persevere in faith, endure hardship, and actively participate in spiritual renewal. The goal is growth, not passivity, and a life that helps others move toward healing rather than stumbling. Romans 5:1-4

Last time we spoke about God’s discipline as an expression of His love, intended to encourage endurance in the Christian race. Our aim must be to press on through hardship, exhaustion, and doubt, while maturing spiritually and strengthening those walking alongside us. Isaiah 35:3-8

The substitutionary atonement refers to Jesus Christ dying as a substitute for sinners. Christ’s sacrifice made His people holy. Those sanctified and pursuing the Prince of Peace belong to God and when we share His chastening, we will experience His holiness. John 17; 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24; Hebrews 10:8-18

Warning: When we wander outside the call of God, the flesh is given room to grow, and it bears vices instead of the virtues God desires for us. When sin, defilement, and unchecked desires are tolerated, they do not remain without consequence. Some wounds linger, even after the heart awakens to its own folly. When left unrepented, these things weigh down the soul, leading to loss, sorrow, and brokenness, like Esau, who exchanged what was eternal for a moment’s satisfaction and later found the door to repentance closed. Genesis 27:30-46

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As Christians, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who endured relentless hostility from sinners. When we measure our struggles against what He faced, our perspective must shift. We don’t give up. We don’t lose heart.

The believers were under real pressure, facing persecution and temptation, but they had not yet paid the ultimate price, as our Savior Jesus did. They were beginning to interpret hardship as abandonment, when Scripture teaches the opposite. By quoting Proverbs 3:11–12, the writer reminded them that God’s discipline is a sign of love, not rejection.

As believers endure God’s daily discipline, like the saints of old, we must remember that He is treating us as His own children. The next statement may sound almost foreign to twenty-first-century parents: “who has ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by their father?” John 1:10-13; Galatians 4:4-7; Romans 8:14-16

God’s discipline is not rejection; it is confirmation. When He corrects you, it is because you belong to Him. His discipline is evidence that you are truly His child, known, cared for, and claimed as His own. The opposite is also true: the absence of discipline points to the absence of sonship. If God never corrects a person, it is not because of indifference, but because that person does not belong to Him.

If we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, who offers us eternal life? Our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is perfect and always for our good, shaping us so that we might share in His holiness. Romans 8:28

Our takeaway: discipline is never pleasant in the moment, it hurts! But for those who embrace it, it yields a lasting harvest of righteous living. 1 John 3:1-3

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Almost every team that enters a competition believes it has a champion. While team sports may celebrate an individual champion, true victory is never achieved alone, it requires the full commitment and effort of the entire team. In Hebrews 11:39–40 and 12:1–2, we are reminded that those who endured suffering and persecution, and were approved by God, now stand as faithful veterans of the faith. Their testimony surrounds us as a great cloud of witnesses, cheering on the next generation as we run our race, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

The faithful were chosen and given grace to exercise their faith so that they might finish the race with a powerful spiritual testimony. God approved them as they stood firm through miraculous victories and seasons of intense persecution. They did not abandon God, and God did not abandon them.

God did not delay His promise by accident. He delayed it because He had us, the Church, in mind. He had something better, so that the heroes of faith would not be made complete without us.

Today, as born-again believers, we have responsibilities. We must persevere through life’s successes and the distractions of pain, casting off the sin of unbelief that causes us to falter in the race set before us.

We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses whose stories have been preserved for us. By God’s grace and their relentless faith, they testify to us today of His absolute faithfulness.

Clothed in righteousness, we have a race to run. A race set by God. Run at His pace. Run with endurance. Run with active persistence.

As we run this race, we must look constantly to Jesus, our Author, our Perfecter, the One who completes our faith. He is the Coach.

Jesus, for the joy of fulfilling the goal God set before Him, endured the cross. He disregarded the shame. He sat down in the place of authority at the right hand of the throne of God, revealing His deity, His power, and the completion of His work.

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In Hebrews 11:30–40, the writer presents both triumphs and suffering as a concluding portrait of faith. Heroes of faith experience miraculous victories through God’s divine presence and protection, while others endure intense suffering for the sake of their trust in Him. Ordinary believers were transformed into martyrs through faithful obedience, especially during hardships. God allowed His people to honor Him not only through miraculous deliverance, but also through perseverance in the most difficult circumstances.

The power of God is demonstrated when the righteous believe Him and obey Him. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell after they were encircled for seven days by Joshua and the sons of Israel. By faith, Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who were disobedient, because she expressed faith in God’s plan to deliver Jericho to Israel and played an integral role in accomplishing it. Joshua 2-6; James 2:14-26

God caused the writer of Hebrews to recount examples of the heroes of the faith, pointing to real people and miraculous events that testify to His power.

The heroes of faith had enduring trust in God and His promises. They subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty and unbeatable in battle, and put enemy forces to flight. Judges 6-8; 13-14; 1 & 2 Samuel; Daniel 6

The faithful suffered immense trauma for the sake of their faith. Women received back their dead by resurrection; others were tortured to death, refusing release on the condition of denying their faith, so that they might attain a better, eternal resurrection. Still others endured mocking and scourging, along with chains and imprisonment.

The persecuted were ordinary people with extraordinary faith, of whom God says the world was not worthy. All these earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none received all that God had promised. God, in His eternal plan, had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection apart from us. God is love!

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Together, Amram and Jochebed showed us that God used imperfect families, courageous parents, and faithful obedience to accomplish extraordinary purposes. They remind us that raising children and influencing others is holy work, even when done under pressure, with limited resources, and no guarantee of outcomes. God sees, God remembers, and God often writes a far bigger story than parents can imagine. These two produced Aaron, Miriam, and Moses. Exodus 2

As a young man of faith, Moses refused Egypt’s identity, choosing instead to endure hardship and suffering with the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. That faith was later confirmed when God appeared to him at the burning bush and called him to deliver the Israelites. Exodus 3:1-15

By faith, Moses regarded the reproach associated with Christ, that is, the suffering he endured for faithful obedience to God, as greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, because he looked ahead to the reward God had promised.

By faith, Moses left Egypt unafraid of the king’s wrath, for he endured with spiritual courage, fixing his eyes on the unseen God. Exodus 3-12
By faith, Moses kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, as God commanded, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of the Israelites. Exodus 12:43-51

By faith, the people of Israel crossed safely on dry ground through the Red Sea as Moses held up his hands, experiencing God’s miraculous power as the waters parted and the waters stood as a wall to them on the right and left. Exodus 14

God demonstrated His supremacy over all “gods” by commanding Moses to stretch out his hands over the waters as the Egyptians pursued Israel. The waters returned with full force, crushing the entire Egyptian army. Not a single man escaped, and the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the far shore of the sea. Exodus 14

The Red Sea miracle led the Israelites to fear the LORD and to trust both Him and His servant Moses. Moses’ song of praise and celebration is recorded in Exodus 15:1–19, and his sister Miriam joined in worship in verses 20–21. Family!

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The Apostle Peter gave vital end-of-life wisdom as he was divinely directed by God. As false teachers began to infiltrate the early churches, Peter urged believers to grow and become strong in their faith so they could discern error and withstand the spread of apostasy. He emphasized the absolute reliability of the Word of God and the certain return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Knowing that his time on earth was short and that the church faced immediate danger, Peter sought to stir believers toward greater spiritual maturity. He spoke with clarity and conviction, proclaiming the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ—not as cleverly devised myths, but as truth confirmed by his own experience as a personal Disciple/Apostle of Christ during Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Peter was an eyewitness of the glorified Christ’s majesty, authority, and sovereignty. On that sacred mountain, in the presence of God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, Moses, Elijah, James, and John, Peter heard the very voice of God calling him to obedience. That divine encounter forever changed him. Matthew 17:1–9

Peter proclaimed that the Word of God is sure and trustworthy. The Church must grasp the truth that God’s Word is like a waterfall of truth, pouring the light of God into the spiritual darkness that surrounds it. This is true enlightenment.

Because the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God, we can conclude, as Peter did, that they are inerrant and authoritative. A correct view of God leads to a correct view of His Word. Since God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and completely perfect, His Word necessarily reflects those same attributes. The same passages that affirm the inspiration of Scripture also establish its inerrancy and authority. Without doubt, the Bible is exactly what it claims to be—the undeniable and authoritative Word of God given to humanity. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

From a human perspective, the Bible is composed of 66 books written by approximately 40 men from diverse backgrounds over a span of about 1,500 years. The writers of Scripture included prophets, priests, kings, tax collectors, fishermen, tentmakers, shepherds, physicians, and others. Yet despite its many human authors and long period of composition, the Bible does not contradict itself and contains no errors. The God of the Bible is GREAT! Psalm 145:3

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The Apostle Peter gave vital end-of-life wisdom as he was divinely directed by God. As false teachers began to infiltrate the early churches, Peter urged believers to grow and become strong in their faith so they could discern error and withstand the spread of apostasy. He emphasized the absolute reliability of the Word of God and the certain return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Knowing that his time on earth was short and that the church faced immediate danger, Peter sought to stir believers toward greater spiritual maturity. He spoke with clarity and conviction, proclaiming the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ—not as cleverly devised myths, but as truth confirmed by his own experience as a personal Disciple/Apostle of Christ during Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Peter was an eyewitness of the glorified Christ’s majesty, authority, and sovereignty. On that sacred mountain, in the presence of God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, Moses, Elijah, James, and John, Peter heard the very voice of God calling him to obedience. That divine encounter forever changed him. Matthew 17:1–9

Peter proclaimed that the Word of God is sure and trustworthy. The Church must grasp the truth that God’s Word is like a waterfall of truth, pouring the light of God into the spiritual darkness that surrounds it. This is true enlightenment.

Because the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God, we can conclude, as Peter did, that they are inerrant and authoritative. A correct view of God leads to a correct view of His Word. Since God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and completely perfect, His Word necessarily reflects those same attributes. The same passages that affirm the inspiration of Scripture also establish its inerrancy and authority. Without doubt, the Bible is exactly what it claims to be—the undeniable and authoritative Word of God given to humanity. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

From a human perspective, the Bible is composed of 66 books written by approximately 40 men from diverse backgrounds over a span of about 1,500 years. The writers of Scripture included prophets, priests, kings, tax collectors, fishermen, tentmakers, shepherds, physicians, and others. Yet despite its many human authors and long period of composition, the Bible does not contradict itself and contains no errors. The God of the Bible is GREAT! Psalm 145:3

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Guest speaker Donn Broeker, missionary serving the Asia-Pacific Rim with the International Mission Board

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The Holy Scriptures give us glimpses of what took place before the foundation of the world, and these truths should bring great comfort to believers. We have a Savior who is eternal. God’s grace toward us was purposed in eternity past, and because His plan of salvation is eternal, it is unchanging—nothing can frustrate, alter, or hinder it. Before the foundation of the world, God established His gracious design to love us, redeem us, lavish us with grace, and make us holy. And when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4,5

The Son of God is not a created being. Before the universe was made, He shared glory with the Father, was loved by the Father, and dwelt in perfect fellowship with Him. While on earth, Jesus affirmed this truth in His High Priestly Prayer, acknowledging the glory and love He had with the Father before the foundation of the world. John 17:24

John presented the doctrine of the deity of Christ by affirming His co-eternal nature with God and His role as Creator of the universe. Jesus, “the Word,” is not merely a representation of God; He is God and has existed eternally.

Spiritual darkness describes the state of those living apart from God. John testified that Jesus is the Light who pierced the world’s darkness with the truth of God. John the Baptist made clear that he himself was not the Light, but a witness to the Light—Jesus. All who place their faith in Christ, believing in His name, are given the privilege of becoming children of God, born not by natural descent or human will, but by God through a divine and supernatural new birth. 2 Corinthians 4:1–6

The “Word” became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory—the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God the Father, but the one and only Son, who is at the Father’s side and shares His very nature, has made Him known. Exodus 20; John 14:8–25

Do you know Him? Have you believed in the only name by which we must be saved? His name is Jesus. Acts 4:12

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Since before the creation of the world, and especially after the fall of humanity, God had planned to send a Savior. The statement “the birth of Jesus is the gateway to eternal life” highlights our central Christian conviction. Throughout history, mankind awaited the promised Messiah, and Jesus’ birth marked the visible beginning of God’s saving work. Through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, salvation and eternal life became possible for all who would believe. Jesus came into the world as “God with us” (Emmanuel), and opened the path to forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. In this sense, His birth signified the arrival of the One who is Himself the “door” and the “way” to eternal life.

Across the Scriptures, God made His plan known through prophets, angels, scribes, visions, and many other ways. To reach Joseph, God drew him in by revealing part of that plan personally and directly. 1 Corinthians 15: 1-5, 20-28

Joseph was a just and righteous man, but he was still only human. He was engaged to Mary. Before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, Mary became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph did not want to expose her to public shame, so he resolved to end the engagement quietly. He truly faced a painful and perplexing dilemma. Deuteronomy 22:23-27

As Joseph quietly formed his plan to end the engagement, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and revealed God’s purpose. The angel addressed him by his royal heritage: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, ‘the Lord is salvation,’ for He will save His people from their sins.” This Jesus is the gateway to eternal life. Luke 19:10; John 14:6

All this took place to fulfill God’s prophetic word: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call His name Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” When Joseph woke from his dream, he obeyed the angel’s command and took Mary as his wife, but he kept her a virgin until she gave birth to her Son. And he named Him Jesus. God’s righteous plan was accomplished just as He said. Isaiah 7:14

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In the beginning of John 3, Jesus—the Divine Teacher—held a candid conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee and respected Jewish leader. In this encounter, Jesus revealed the true conditions of salvation. Although Nicodemus was highly educated in religious matters, he remained spiritually unaware of the deeper realities of God. He represents many today who possess head knowledge but lack genuine heart-faith in God. Jesus spoke truth, and Nicodemus, like all who encounter this and other Scriptures, was faced with a choice: to believe and follow Jesus, or to turn away in unbelief. John 10:24-30

Jesus assured Nicodemus, as well as all of us, that if people will not believe when He speaks of earthly things, how will they believe when He reveals heavenly things? By referring to Himself as the Son of Man, Jesus affirmed His eternal relationship with the Father and His divine authority to unveil the truths of God’s Kingdom. John 1:1; 14

Jesus pointed back to the Old Testament to reveal the hope of eternal life. He said that just as Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, referring to His crucifixion, so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Those who trust in Him will live beyond physical death and share in everlasting life. Numbers 21:4-9; John 17:1-5

Jesus further explained that God so greatly loved and valued the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him as Savior will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to bring final judgment, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

Whoever believes in Jesus and chooses to trust Him as personal Savior and Lord is not judged. But the one who does not believe, who has chosen to reject Him, is already under judgment, having condemned himself by refusing to believe in the name of the one and only Son of God, the unique and eternal Savior who alone can save. Revelation 21:5-8

Everyone who loves practicing evil hates the light and, because of their unbelief, refuses to believe in the name of Jesus for salvation. Revelation 21:22-27

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Abraham is one of the most well-known figures in Scripture for his acts of faith when called by God. Though he was a sinful man, he obeyed the Lord, and Scripture even calls him a “friend of God.” Genesis 22”1-19; 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8-11; James 2:23

When God called Abraham to leave his homeland, he obeyed without knowing where he was going. He believed God’s promise of a spiritual inheritance and, by faith, set out on a journey that would ultimately lead to a future he couldn’t yet see or imagine. Genesis chapters 12-16

Abraham and Sarah trusted God for the child He had promised, and in faith, they waited for the fulfillment of that promise. They also looked forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Genesis chapters 17-18, 21

All of these patriarchs died in faith, guided and sustained by it, without receiving the full realization of God’s promises. Instead, they welcomed them from a distance, acknowledging that they were strangers and exiles on earth. They were righteous pilgrims, living by faith in God’s unseen promises.

The faithful patriarchs were commended for their heavenly focus. Scripture tells us that if they had been thinking of returning to the godless nations they had left behind, they could have easily gone back. But in truth, they longed for a better country—a heavenly one.

God showed divine favor to His righteous people. He prepared a city for His prepared people! John 14

God’s grace toward us is abundant also, and His heavenly home is prepared for the righteous of all generations. Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, aligning his life with God’s will and purpose, so it is with us. The Scriptures, knowing that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, shared the good news with Abraham ahead of time. Anyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, are blessed and favored by God. That person is declared free from the guilt of sin and its penalty and placed in right standing with Him. Galatians 3:6-9

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Noah lived in a corrupt and sinful generation, yet his faith heritage remained strong. He walked with God, just as his great-grandfather Enoch had done before him. Noah’s faith was steadfast, and by it, he received God’s warning of the coming Great Flood, even though the flood was still over a century away. Genesis 5:22

By faith, Noah obeyed God’s command and, with unwavering trust in God’s word, began to build the Ark. Though the world had never seen rain or flood, Noah, moved by reverence for God, followed His instructions, preparing the Ark for the salvation of his family.

Through his obedient faith, Noah condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that comes by faith. As God revealed His plan to judge the earth with a flood, Noah found grace in God’s sight. This grace was God’s unmerited favor, given to Noah and his family in a time of widespread wickedness Genesis 6:8; 1 Peter 3:18-20

By faith, Noah stood as a righteous man in a perverse generation, walking with God and living in obedience to Him. When God spoke, Noah listened, God revealed His divine plans for both the unrighteous and the blueprints for the Ark that would float Noah and his family to safety.

God established a covenant with Noah. After the floodwaters receded, Noah and his family were saved by God’s grace. Noah did all that God commanded him, and by faith, he and his family entered the Ark, escaping the flood that destroyed every living thing on the earth.

Noah’s first action after leaving the Ark was to worship God, offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving. In response, God blessed Noah and his sons, commanding them to be fruitful and multiply, filling the earth once again. Genesis 8:18-22

God gave the rainbow as a sign of His covenant, promising that He would never again destroy the entire earth with a flood. The rainbow is God’s own sign, a reminder of His everlasting covenant with Noah, his descendants, and all generations to come. Genesis 9:8-17

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Biblical faith is a wonderful gift from God that enables us to trust Him even when life feels complicated or uncertain. It’s more than just believing in God, it’s an active, wholehearted trust rooted in His perfect character. True faith shows itself through obedience, integrity, and confident assurance that God is in control, even when we can’t see what He’s doing. It anchors us in the unseen realities and future promises of God.

God evaluated the righteous patriarchs of old, By faith they gained divine approval and a strong spiritual reputation. We learn from them to trust and rely on God’s character, promises, and power, even when circumstances seem uncertain.

By faith, that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom, and goodness of God, we realize that all of Creation and the ages were framed and created, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose by the Word of God.

Faith not only helps us believe God’s divine truth but also deepens our spiritual perception of the unseen. Through faith, we come to know our Creator more intimately and begin to recognize His purpose for our lives. Just as God’s spoken Word brought the visible world into existence, our faith enables us to perceive and trust the unseen workings of His divine plan. Genesis 1:1–31; 2:1–25

By faith, Abel offered a better sacrifice to God than his brother Cain. Because of his faith, God showed that Abel was right with Him by accepting his offering. Even though Abel died long ago, his faith still speaks to us today about what it means to trust and obey God. Genesis 4:1-12

By faith, Enoch lived in a way that pleased God. Because of that, God took him straight to heaven, and he never had to experience death. Before he was taken, God and people knew that Enoch walked closely with God and righteously pleased Him. Genesis 5:18-24

Without faith, it’s impossible to walk with God or make Him happy. Anyone who wants to be close to God must believe that He is real and that He rewards those who honestly seek Him and keep trusting Him with all their being.

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All throughout the Old Testament, we see foreshadowings of the coming and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. These are referred to as “types.” A type is a person, object, or event in the Old Testament that prefigures a person, object, or event in the New Testament, namely Jesus. For example, the tabernacle, the sacrificial system, and the Passover are all types that point to Christ’s redemptive work. Additionally, the lives of certain Old Testament figures reflect aspects of the life and ministry of Jesus.

The New Testament clearly teaches that the sacrifices under the Law were ultimately insufficient, animal blood could never take away sin. These sacrifices pointed forward to the true and final sacrifice: Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:21-25

Jesus’ death fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. He came to accomplish the will of God once and for all. His death, burial, and resurrection constitute the completed and final sacrificial work of grace. Now, He is exalted and seated at the right hand of God in majesty on high. Psalm 40:6–8, Psalm 22, and Isaiah 53

By His one offering, Jesus has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. He has completely cleansed them, bringing each believer toward spiritual maturity and completion. Philippians 3:10-16

When a person places their faith in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus and is cleansed from sin by His blood, the Holy Spirit testifies in their heart that the Father has fulfilled His covenant. From that moment forward, believers are granted continual access to God through the blood of our eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Because of the promises made and fulfilled in Christ, Christians are called to walk in holy boldness. Together, we live in expectation of His appearing. We must hold fast the confession of our hope, found in Christ alone, with unwavering faith.

A Challenge to you, the Saint: Let us thoughtfully consider how we may encourage one another toward love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together for worship and instruction, as some have made a habit but instead, encouraging one another all the more as you see the Day of Christ’s return drawing near.

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Jesus’ superiority as the Mediator of a new and eternally lasting covenant is central to God’s message. Christ appeared once, died once, and His death served as the final judgment on sin. Therefore, His Second Coming will not be for additional atonement. Just as it is appointed for each person to die once, Christ has already died and will return—not to bear sin again—but to judge the unbelieving world and to bring the fullness of salvation to those who eagerly await Him. Jesus Christ is the victorious Completer of God’s plan to judge sin and save His people. Colossians 1:14-20

In the Old Covenant, God established a beautiful system of divine worship, with every article and ceremony in the earthly sanctuary pointing directly to Jesus. He must be worshipped according to God’s way. John 4:24

Although God accepted animal sacrifices under the Old Covenant, the people were flawed individuals striving to meet a holy standard, and their efforts always fell short. While their sacrifices held significance, they were ultimately insufficient to remove sin. In His grace, however, God provided a better sacrifice, His Son. John 3:16

As High Priest, Jesus entered the holy places made by God and offered His own blood as the better sacrifice to take away sins, rather than merely covering them. He did this in the very presence of God, in Heaven, before all of Heaven’s hosts.

Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all, unlike the repeated sacrifices offered by priests. His sacrifice was perfect and fully accepted by the Father. Through His death, He dealt with sin and overcame death, which is the consequence of sin. In response, we continue to worship Jesus by offering ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1,2; Galatians 2:20

It is appointed for men to die once, and after that, to be judged. But because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, believers have received perfect salvation. We no longer need to fear death, for we will be raised to new life. We no longer need to fear judgment, for by grace through faith, we are delivered from sin. We will not be condemned for sin because we are forgiven and made righteous through the blood of Jesus. When He comes again, it will not be to judge the sin of those who have been redeemed. 1 Corinthians 15:20–21; Ephesians 2:8–9

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Here is a profound truth: God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. He establishes the rules, designs the plans, and provides the grace we need to follow Him. For some, this reality provokes rebellion in their hearts and minds; for others, it brings deep comfort and lasting hope, hope found only in the greatness of the God we serve. God’s ways lead to God’s results. Trust Him.

The writer of Hebrews directs our attention to a main, Spirit-inspired truth: we have a perfect High Priest, (Christ Jesus), who is seated at the place of highest honor, at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in Heaven. He serves as our officiating Priest in the true tabernacle, the heavenly sanctuary established by the Lord Himself. Romans 8:31-39

Every earthly high priest was appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices as part of his duties to God. In the same way, it was necessary for Christ Jesus to have something to offer. He offered Himself once as the sacrifice for our sins.
Hebrews 7:26-28

Jesus was not and is not an earthly priest serving under the Law. He has obtained a priestly ministry that is far greater than the old Levitical priesthood. He is the only Mediator of a better covenant that brings God and man together, a covenant established and built on better promises. 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Let’s look back for a moment. If the first covenant had been without fault, there would have been no need for a second, nor any reason to introduce a new covenant. Yet God, through the prophet Jeremiah, foretold the coming of this new covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34

When God spoke of “a new covenant,” He declared the first one obsolete. The old covenant required the continual, daily sacrifice of animals as a constant reminder of the people’s sin. But as Hebrews 10:4 reminds us, “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

If, by faith, we have believed in Jesus for the salvation of our souls, then we are under the new covenant. This means we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. His perfect offering brought an end to the need for repeated animal sacrifices. As Scripture declares, “Where sins and lawless acts have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.” Ephesians 2:8,9; Hebrews 10:18

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A covenant is a solemn promise between parties to carry out certain commitments. In the Bible, covenants or testaments are oath bound, relationship-forming commitments that reveal God’s redemptive plan for restoring humanity. God covenants stretching from the Noahic to the New Covenant in Christ, each one demonstrates God’s unwavering faithfulness and desire for relationship with His people. Unlike modern contracts, which are easily broken, Biblical covenants were enduring and rooted in loyal love. Though human faithfulness may fail, God remains perfectly faithful to His covenant promises. 2 Timothy 2:8-13

God’s new and final covenant was established with a solemn oath. While Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, Jesus was appointed with one. For God declared: “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break His vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Psalm 110:4

Jesus came to establish a new and better covenant sealed by His own blood. As He declared, this covenant was “in My blood,” shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and the redemption of the world. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus not only took away the sins of humanity but also ratified this new covenant between God and man. Because it is founded on God’s unchangeable oath and Christ’s eternal priesthood, Jesus has become the sure and eternal guarantee of this better covenant, never to be replaced or annulled. Matthew 26:27-28; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 11:25

Under the old system, there were many priests because death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood is permanent and unchanging. Therefore, He is able to save completely and forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede on their behalf.

Jesus is the kind of High Priest we need; holy, blameless, and unstained by sin.

Set apart from sinners, He has been exalted to the highest place of honor in Heaven. Unlike the former high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s. Jesus offered Himself once for all as the perfect sacrifice for sin. The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness, but after the law was given, God appointed His Son with an oath. Jesus has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

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Hope is a powerful word. In the darkest nights and through our toughest struggles, we, as humans, cling to hope. There are still those who use hope as wishful thinking, like saying, “I hope so.” Biblical hope is confident expectations, a firm assurance about things that are unclear or unknown. A better hope.

God revealed this better hope through the coming of Christ and His eternal priesthood. This hope is rooted in Christ’s power to save completely and in His ability to bring us near to God. As believers, we are firmly anchored in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ.

If perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper had been achieved through the Levitical priesthood, from which the Law came, there would not have been a need for another priest to arise, like Melchizedek.

The writer of Hebrews presents this dilemma: When the priesthood changes, the law concerning the priesthood must also change. The One to whom these things refer did not come from the priestly line of Levi, but from a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.

It is evident that our Lord descended from the tribe of Judah, a tribe about which Moses said nothing regarding the priesthood. This becomes even more striking when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, one whose priesthood is not founded on legal or physical requirements of ancestry, as with the descendants of Levi, but upon the foundation of an indestructible and eternal life. This is not of man, but of God, eternal, unshakable, and divine.

God spoke of His eternal Priest in Psalm 110:4, proclaiming to the world, that Christ is the Great High Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.

On the one hand, the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and ineffective, unable to justify the sinner before God, for the Law made nothing perfect. On the other hand, a better hope was introduced, through which we now continually draw near to God. This better hope is in Christ Jesus.

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The Hebrew Scriptures provide a timeline that spans approximately 1,656 years from Adam’s creation to the beginning of Noah’s Flood. From the Flood to the birth of Abram, there is an additional 292 to 352 years. Then, from Abram to Moses, we find another 600 to 700 years. Throughout these generations, God specifically chose key individuals—Noah, Abram, and Moses—and gave each of them a divine commission that would significantly impact the course of history.

God chose Abram. God blessed Abram. Throughout Abram’s journey, God continually interacted with him, revealing His will and introducing him to Melchizedek.

After his courageous victory over the kings who had captured Abram’s nephew Lot and plundered his city, Abram was met by Melchizedek, the King of Salem, and Priest of God Most High. Melchizedek greeted the victorious yet weary Abram with bread and wine and offered him holy blessings. He blessed Abram, calling him “Abram of God Most High,” and gave abundant glory to God, the “Possessor of Heaven and Earth,” who had delivered Abram from his enemies.

In a reverent response, Abram presented Melchizedek with a tithe (a tenth) of all the choicest spoils of battle he had gathered. This act demonstrated that Abram recognized Melchizedek as a priest with a higher spiritual authority than his own. Genesis 14:10-24

Melchizedek appeared as a precise historical time without father or mother, no ancestral lineage, and no record of beginning or end. He is described as one “made like the Son of God,” a priest who remains without interruption and without successor. Melchizedek is understood by many scholars to be a Christophany—a preincarnate appearance of Christ, foreshadowing the eternal priesthood of Jesus.

Melchizedek, Priest of God Most High, appeared on the historical scene around 600 years before the establishment of the Levitical priesthood. This significant time gap underscores that Melchizedek’s priesthood was distinct from, and predates, the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood that God later formally instituted through Moses. Exodus 28,29,30

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God is holy, and He cannot lie. He does not conform to a culture’s standard of purity; He is the standard. His holiness is absolute, marked by infinite purity that cannot change. Because He is holy, every word He speaks is true. He never deceives, distorts, or misrepresents. Lying is completely contrary to His nature.

God’s promises to Abraham were certain and unshakable. He promised them by His name, the name that stands above every authority, power, and other name.

God made a divine covenant with Abraham, and He kept His word. He continues to keep it now and will for all eternity. Abraham waited patiently, endured hardships, and in the end obtained the blessings of the covenant. Genesis 12

Scripture teaches that people across all cultures have made, and still make, promises by swearing on something precious or greater to settle issues. While on earth, Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of certain religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, who distorted the proper understanding of taking oaths. Matthew 23:16–22

God determined to settle two things:
1. To show the heirs of the promise the unchangeable nature of His covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:10-31
2. To guarantee the covenant by His oath. John 8:30-59

It is impossible for God to lie, so He graced us with strong confidence that by these two unchangeable things, His promise and His oath, we who have fled to Him for refuge may have strong encouragement and inner strength to hold firmly to the hope set before us.

We have this confident hope as an anchor for our souls, firm and secure. This anchor cannot slip, and it cannot break down under any pressure that bears upon it. The Church of the living God possesses a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil of the heavenly Temple, into the Most Holy Place where the very presence of God dwells. There, Jesus has gone before us as the Forerunner, having become our High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

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When we look at the life of Jesus, we see a perfect model of obedience. God the Son was always watching, always attentive, to see where God the Father was at work, and He joined Him. That is how He lived every day of His ministry. And this same Jesus who modeled obedience for His disciples in the first century is still modeling it for us, His disciples in the 21st century.

Through His suffering on the cross, Christ Jesus fulfilled the mission the Father gave Him. By His obedience, He opened the way of eternal salvation for all, who by faith, live in obedience to Him. John 3:16; Romans 1:16; 10:9-13

Jesus was designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. In Genesis 14 and other passages, we see Melchizedek described with mysterious yet meaningful characteristics. He is portrayed as the King of Righteousness, the King of Peace, and a Royal, Eternal Priest, pointing to the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Throughout Scripture, God has consistently pointed those who believe, toward Jesus. He has done this through historical narratives, events, people, and even natural and supernatural occurrences. Yet, just as in the past, people today are often sluggish in their spiritual growth. Instead of pressing on to study the deeper truths of God’s Word, many remain content with only with the milkshakes of Scripture, unwilling to move on to the solid food that leads to spiritual maturity.

A steady milkshake only diet of God’s Word will result in doctrinal inexperience, leaving the believer unskilled in handling the Word of righteousness. In other words, such believers remain spiritual infants, immature, underdeveloped, and unable to discern truth from error. Romans 12:1,2

A healthy, balanced diet of God’s Word is the chosen nourishment of those who are maturing spiritually. Through consistent practice, they train their spiritual senses to develop the mind of Christ, equipping them to distinguish clearly between what is morally good and what is evil. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Immaturity avoids depth; maturity hungers for it. Immaturity drifts; maturity discerns. Immaturity is satisfied with milkshakes; maturity longs for a good steak.

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If we are honest, as Americans we often don’t fully grasp the Biblical job description of the high priest given to Moses in the Old Testament. The high priest was the supreme religious leader of Israel. His office was hereditary, traced from Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the tribe of Levi. Exodus 28:1; Numbers 18:7

The writer of Hebrews gives us powerful insight into the contrast between the high priest of Israel and the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.
Although chosen from imperfect men, the high priest was set apart as holy unto the LORD. His office was a gift of grace, not a personal achievement, and he served at the altar of God.
1. Called by God: Just as Aaron was, no man could choose himself for this role.
2. Gentle with the people: Because he shared in human weakness, he was able to deal gently with the spiritually ignorant and misguided.
3. Sacrifices required: His weakness also meant he had to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4. Day of Atonement: His most important duty was to enter the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to offer blood sacrifices for himself and for Israel. Only he could enter behind the veil and sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat, God’s throne of grace. Leviticus 16:14–15

Jesus, though eternally God, became fully man so that He could suffer death and serve as our true High Priest. Unlike every other priest, Jesus was not of Aaron’s order and was sinless, therefore needed no sacrifice for Himself. Because He obeyed the Father completely and bore the penalty of sin in our place, He is greater than any priest before or after Him. This is why Scripture calls Him our Great High Priest.
1. Perfect in every way: Jesus was, is, and always will be honored as holy, spotless, and eternal.
2. Author of hope and salvation: Through His sacrifice, He became the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
3. Appointed by the Father: God the Father called Him High Priest, not after Aaron, but according to the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood both royal and eternal.
4. Hallowed, eternal mediator: Jesus is the everlasting mediator between God and man, the final authority as Priest and King. He will one day return to reign in Jerusalem, the very city from which Melchizedek once ruled. Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110

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Have you ever been given access to box seats? That feeling of being trusted with something exclusive or allowed into a restricted space can be incredibly empowering for some. There’s something about knowing you have access, or even more, that you belong in a confidential space. Being trusted with “need-to-know” information or hidden details can stir a unique sense of significance and belonging.

Christians are graced with the immense honor of having Jesus Christ as our great High Priest. He sacrificed Himself for our sins, was buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised Him from the dead. After His resurrection, He ascended and now sits at the right hand of the Throne of God the Father. 2 Corinthians 5:12-21

Our challenge in this life is to hold fast to our confession of faith and intentionally cling to our complete trust in Jesus as Savior. The salvation God grants us through faith is a profound expression of His love toward us. Colossians 2:6-10

Jesus, our High Priest, is uniquely able to sympathize with our weaknesses and temptations, having endured the same trials Himself.
Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13

Jesus’ ability to fully understand our struggles while remaining sinless not only deepens His compassion but also affirms His divine qualification to intercede on our behalf as the Great High Priest. His sinlessness reveals His divine nature, though fully human, He was also fully God. Despite being tempted “in every respect,” Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father, demonstrating both His humanity and His divinity. John 1:1–14; Colossians 2:9

We have instantaneous access to the throne of God. We are commanded to approach the throne of God’s gracious favor through holy bold prayers.
Prayer grants us access to God’s throne, where we receive mercy for our failures and find His abundant grace to help us in our time of need.

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Most people enjoy rest, perhaps a vacation to a special place, a day with no agenda, or simply some free time to unwind. From the very beginning, God modeled rest for us when He rested on the seventh day of Creation. He not only established the rhythm of earthly rest but also prepared an eternal rest for those who obey His holy Word and place their trust in the finished work of Christ Jesus.

God made a promise to the obedient, that is those who live with godly fear. Hearing the Gospel alone is not enough; it only becomes profitable only when it is received with faith. Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:5

The reality is that many have believed God and have entered the eternal rest He has provided since the foundation of the world. God’s people have His guarantee. Revelation 14:12-13

On the seventh day of Creation, God completed His work and rested from all He had done. He blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, [set it apart as holy from all other days], because in it He rested from all His creative work. This rest was not only for that moment in time; His promise still remains open for those who will believe. Genesis 2:1-3

There are those who, though they heard the good news preached to them, failed to grasp it, and did not enter His rest. Their blinded unbelief, revealed by their disobedience, kept them from receiving the promise. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Since the fall of Adam, God continues to extend. He has given another TODAY for those who will hear His Word. The challenge remains for all who hear it: accept this Truth, TODAY! Now is the accepted time of salvation, and it is found in Jesus Christ alone. He is our High Priest, our Lord, our Rest.

No one can escape the Word of God when it is preached. It is living and active, full of power, operative, energizing, and effective. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, joints, and marrow reaching to the deepest parts of our nature. It exposes and judges the very thoughts and intentions of our hearts. Romans 10:4-17

God is all-seeing, and each of us will give an account before Him, either for receiving the Gospel by faith or for rejecting it through unbelief. Revelation. 20:11-15

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1. Obedience protects us from a hardened heart (v12-13)
2. Obedience confirms our faith (v14-15)
3. Obedience spares us from consequences of rebellion (v16-19)

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Most people, if not all, desire to be part of something special or important at least once in their lifetime. We often find ourselves wondering, “Will people remember me when I’m gone?” The good news for Christ-followers today is that God has a word for you.

Hebrew (and all) Christians are described as “partakers of Christ,” meaning we share in His sufferings, His glory, and the benefits of His sacrifice. This includes redemption and the forgiveness of sins. As partakers of Christ, we experience a deep and abiding spiritual union with Christ, one that lasts forever.

As believers, we are instructed to thoughtfully and attentively consider Jesus, the Apostle, and High Priest whom we confess as our Savior. As the Apostle, much like the Old Testament prophets, He brought God’s message to mankind. As the High Priest, He represented humanity before God. He is the Believer’s Advocate!

Moses was a faithful servant of God, revered by the Hebrews. However, Scripture teaches us that Jesus is considered worthy of far greater glory and honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house holds more honor than the house itself.

Moses was indeed faithful as a servant in God’s house, and his work served as an illustration of the truths God would later reveal. But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we hold firm to our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

God despises unbelief. He cares for us deeply and reveals truths to us today that He fully expects us to hear and respond to, through the Holy Spirit and His Word, when He speaks. God warns us about the dangers of unbelief and the risk of drifting away from the living God.

As humans, we have a tendency to grow cold and hardhearted, drifting toward sin, especially when the world around us decays. We are commanded to encourage one another daily, because sin is deceptive and we can be easily led astray.

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People often fear death, it is the great unknown, a mystery common to all humanity. The Bible tells us that it is appointed for every person to die once, and after that comes judgment. Death is real, judgment is real, and—thankfully—deliverance is also real. Hebrews 9:27

The Bible teaches that God Himself has provided the only Way for His wrath to be satisfied and for sinful humanity to be reconciled to Him and receive eternal life. This way of assurance is found in and through His perfect Son, Jesus Christ.

Because we are physical beings, made of flesh and blood, Jesus had to take on flesh and blood as well, becoming fully human, yet without sin. John 1:1–4, 14

Only by becoming human could Jesus die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who held the power of death. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus rendered the devil powerless. In doing so, He set free all who trust Him for salvation and no longer live their lives enslaved by the fear of dying.

Scripture also teaches that Christ did not come to help fallen angels, but rather He came to help the descendants of Abraham, extending His powerful hand of deliverance to humanity. Hebrews 2:16

It was necessary for Jesus to be made like His brothers and sisters in every way so that, through experience, He could become a merciful and faithful High Priest before God. He died to make propitiation for our sins—removing our guilt, satisfying divine justice, and reconciling us to God.
Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted in His humanity, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and experiencing suffering.

Jesus’ propitiation on the cross is the sole means by which God’s divine condemnation of sin can be turned away. Those who reject Christ as their Savior and refuse to place their faith in Him have no hope of salvation. Instead, they can only anticipate the wrath of God, which they have been storing up for the coming day of judgment. No other sacrifice or propitiation can atone for their sins. Romans 2:1-11

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A future time is coming when Jesus will reign over the entire inhabited Earth, marking the arrival of the messianic (millennial) kingdom. He will be the ruler, not angels. Angels have never ruled in the past, do not rule now, and will not rule in the future. They are ministering spirits, carrying out God’s purposes.

Psalm 8 speaks of humanity collectively, declaring that God made mankind a little lower than the angels, still in a position of great honor. The author of Hebrews applied Psalm 8 to Christ, who obediently represented and continues to represent all of humanity through His life, death, and resurrection. Psalm 8:3–9; Philippians 2:5–11

We see Jesus, for His brief time on Earth, made a little lower than the angels, referring to His incarnation and His role as the perfect man. Because of His suffering and death, He is now crowned with glory and honor. By the grace of God, Jesus experienced death for everyone, offering Himself as the sacrifice for sin. Through His resurrection, He has been exalted above the angels and now reigns supremely over all creation.

By God’s grace, we witness Jesus in full authority, seated at the right hand of the Father. He offered Himself once and for all as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. To be saved, we are called to repent of our sins and place our trust in Him and His finished work. We are instructed to believe in Christ, trusting Him as the One who offers forgiveness of sins and the One who provided the way to forgiveness and new life.

It was fitting for God, consistent with His divine nature, that the One for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should be made perfect through suffering. Through both His active and passive obedience, throughout His life and ultimately on the cross, Christ was made complete in His humanity, fully prepared to serve as our faithful Savior, Redeemer, High Priest and King.

Only Jesus, the One who sanctifies, and those who are being sanctified, that is, spiritually transformed, made holy, and set apart for God’s purposes, are all from one Father. For this reason, He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters.

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God has granted believers the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

Because of God’s final revelation through His Son, Jesus Christ, and because of Jesus’ superiority even to the angels, we must pay much closer attention to the message we have heard. If we ignore this warning, we risk neglecting the very Word of God. Neglect in any area of life can be damaging, but how much more dangerous is spiritual neglect? Romans 10:17

This leads us to two critical questions:
1. What must I do to be lost and go to Hell? Answer – nothing.
2. What must I do to be saved and go to Heaven? Acts 16:30–34

Many people have heard the Gospel, can articulate it, and may even profess belief in God, yet they have never truly confessed their sin or received the free gift of salvation. Why? Because they love their sin. Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9–13

God revealed His holy standard of righteousness in the Old Testament. Those who rejected His Word received the just penalty for their heinous sin.
So how will we escape if we ignore such a great salvation now revealed through Jesus Christ and His Gospel, His New Covenant?

This salvation was first spoken by Jesus and then confirmed by those who heard Him directly. Beyond that, God Himself testified to its truth through signs, wonders, and miracles performed by Jesus and the Apostles.

Beginning at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has given believers spiritual gifts according to His will. God is clear, do not drift, but anchor yourself in the truth of the Gospel and walk in the salvation He freely offers.

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God has always communicated with His people. He spoke at the beginning of time and continues to speak today. In the Old Testament, He revealed His will to the ancient fathers through the prophets, using many different means, including dreams, visions, and circumstances. But primarily, He spoke through the Prophets messages.

In the New Testament, God chose a new and greater way to speak to us: through His Son. Jesus Christ is God’s final and most important message, the Word made flesh, the very Creator Himself. Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:9-20

Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature. He upholds all things by His powerful word. On the cross, He provided purification for sins and made the way for our forgiveness. On the third day, the Father raised Him from the dead, just as the Scriptures foretold. Now, the resurrected Christ is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Romans 10:9-13

Jesus is not merely a messenger—He is the wonderful Creator, the Sustainer, the Son of God, our God, our Savior, and our King. John 14:1-11; Titus 2:11-15

All angels are ministering spirits, sent out by God to serve, accompany, and protect those who will inherit salvation. God has never said to any angel, “You are My Son; today I have established You with kingly dignity.” But to Jesus, He gave that honor. God the Father even commanded the angels to worship His Son.

Humans, too, are commanded to worship Jesus—for one reason: He is worthy. Revelation 1:4-9; 5:1-14; 22:12-17

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1. Gather for worship: Come together as the encouraging people of God. Hebrews 10:25

2. Sing to the LORD joyfully: Let your heart overflow with delight in Him through heartfelt song. When the Holy Spirit fills our lives, joyful expression becomes a natural response. God desires us to experience such deep joy and excitement in Him that it cannot be contained. Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:18,19

3. Enter God’s presence with thanksgiving: Approach Him boldly with hearts full of gratitude and adoration. Matthew 6:5-15; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

4. Shout joyfully to God with psalms and songs: Proclaim His goodness with exuberant passion and praise. John 4:24

5. Praise Him for His excellence: Honor Him as our Cosmic King, Creator, and LORD. Colossians 3:23,24

6. Bow before Him: Humbly surrender to God, acknowledging Jesus as Shepherd, Master, Lord, and Savior. Exclaim that He is our God and we are His people, fully devoted to His will and reign. Daniel 7:13, 14; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 19:6–16

7. Listen and respond with an obedient, contrite heart: Exhort one another in Christ, be receptive to the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 3:1-15; 4:1-16
Biblical worship is not confined to a moment or a place; it flows from a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ and is marked by a lifestyle of grace, faith, and obedience to our eternal God, who is worthy of all praise.

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Have you ever prayed and said, “God, I just want You to speak to me?” Often, we wait, looking up to the sky for a sign. When nothing happens, we may walk away thinking God must be busy, or worse, we might misinterpret something as ordinary as a drifting cloud and assume it’s a sign from Him. But the truth is, God is speaking today, and He speaks clearly, primarily through His written Word.

One powerful example of this is found here in Psalm 110:1: “The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” This verse reveals a divine conversation between God the Father (Yahweh) and God the Son (the Messiah). It points to the exaltation of Jesus, who will one day reign physically as King in Jerusalem. His kingship will be everlasting, fulfilling the promise recorded in 2 Samuel 7:13.

As we’ve taught before, the phrase “The LORD says to my Lord” uses two different Hebrew words for “lord”:
1. YHWH (Yahweh), is God’s covenant name, revealed to Moses as “I AM.”
2. Adoni, means “lord” or “master.”

David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “Yahweh says to my Adoni…”[a prophetic reference to the coming Messiah].

The New Testament confirmed this truth: Jesus is God. The writer of Hebrews clearly affirmed the divinity of Christ. Additionally, Jesus Himself referenced this very passage to confront and silence the Pharisees. He asked, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls Him ‘Lord’?” (Matthew 22:43). By merging these Scriptures, Jesus was declared that He is Adonai, the divine Messiah. Matthew 22:34–46; Mark 12:35–37; Luke 20:41–44; Hebrews 1:8–13

Moreover, God made an unbreakable oath that Jesus is both High Priest and King forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. Genesis 14; Hebrews 4:14–16; 7

Jesus is the eternal mediator between God and man, the final authority, and the soon-returning King who will establish His physical kingdom on Earth. Revelation 19:16

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The psalmist, King David, declared to people of all generations that the righteous person’s priority and purpose in life is this: we exist to bring glory to God. David identified the LORD, our Lord, as exalted above all Creation. Even today, the fame of His majesty stretches above the heavens and fills the earth. Psalm 19:1–14

God ordained—and still ordains—praise, especially from little children who worship Him without shame. After cleansing the temple, Jesus quoted this truth from Psalm 8. The praise of children—even infants still being weaned—has the power to silence and shame the enemies of God. He delights in using what is weak—believing humans who trust and obey Him—to confound the strong.
Psalm 8; Matthew 21:16; 1 Corinthians 1:27

In his praise and acknowledgment of God as our Creator, David revealed the dignity that God has bestowed upon humanity. We were created in His image—not to rule over Him, but to exercise dominion over His vast and wondrous creation. From the beginning, God appointed humans to be His representatives on the Earth, granting us authority to rule over every other creature in His name. Genesis 1:24–31; Hebrews 2:1-8

Although humanity is the crown of God’s creation, we sinned and broke our relationship with Him in the very Garden where He formed us. Yet even then, David foresaw that God would send One to redeem us and restore that broken relationship. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the writer of Hebrews referenced Psalm 8 to affirm that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. Hebrews 2:9–18

Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus set us free and restored our right relationship with God the Father. His name is excellent—He is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. Romans 3:23; 6:23; Philippians 2:5–11

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Though David found himself in a slimy pit of life’s troubles, he waited patiently and expectantly for the LORD to act—and God heard his cry.

David proclaimed that it was the LORD—the Rock of his salvation—who lifted him out of the pit of despair. It was God who set his feet on solid ground and established his steps forward. Proverbs 3:5,6

David’s heart was refreshed. In his joy, he praised God. His confidence in the LORD grew stronger, and he became a bold witness of God’s goodness.

He pronounced a blessing on all who trust in the LORD and do not seek guidance from the proud or from those who speak lies.

God used David’s plea as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus. Hebrews 10:1–10

David boldly preached the goodness and faithfulness of God to his generation—and to all generations to come.

He longed for God’s continual compassion and tender mercy, knowing that God’s beautiful lovingkindness and truth would preserve him.

In the midst of spiritual battles, David cried out for forgiveness of his personal sins and deliverance from those who mocked him and sought his harm.

With confidence, he stirred his own heart in prayer, calling on God to cause all who love His salvation to rejoice and be glad in Him. He rallied the faithful to proclaim together: “The LORD be magnified!”

Though David was a king, he humbly recognized himself as poor, afflicted, and needy. Yet most importantly, he knew this truth: God was thinking about him.

David trusted in the LORD—his ever-present help, his “On-Time God who rescues His people!”

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The Psalmist cried out to God about his troubles. He urgently sought God’s attention concerning the matters that burdened him. He called upon the LORD—Adonai, the highest name for God! When troubles come—and they will—we too must cry out to God in prayer, asking Him to intervene. Psalm 46:1-3; 86:1-17

The Psalmist lamented deeply before God. He was hurting in the worst way. His poor circumstances drained his hope, and he even contemplated death. Though surrounded by others, he still felt alone.

He was in a dark place emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally, and likely even financially. At times, he even directed his frustration at God, questioning His presence and purpose. Deep inside he knew the truth. Psalm 91:1,2

In his past, the Psalmist had been exposed to the truths of God through Holy Scripture. In his prayer, he turned his attention back to the power and strength of Adonai.

He wrote about God’s power and promises, knowing that future generations—facing their own dark days—would read his words and find hope, catching a glimmer of light that would bring glory to the LORD’s name.

God hears the prayers of the faithful. With perfect, divine sight, He sees everything happening on Earth and in our lives.

Jesus is our Creator. He personally knows everything about us. He understands how we think, feel, and function. He has promised us a future in His kingdom—if we will repent and believe in the truth of the Gospel. John 1:1-4; 3:16-21;

Let our praise rise to God, for He is eternal and immutable. Let us find shelter in time of need in the shadow of the Almighty. Hebrews 1:1-4; 13:8

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Jesus is the ultimate example of how Christians are to endure hardship. As our Master, He has called His Church to persevere in doing good and to remain steadfast through trials and persecution. John 16:33; Luke 14:27; 2 Timothy 3:12–13

The apostle Paul held the Church of God in the highest regard and longed for her purity. With apostolic authority, he instructed that if anyone among the believers refused to obey the teachings of Scripture, the Church should take note of their disobedience and distance themselves—not to condemn, but to awaken the individual to their need for repentance and restoration.

When a believer persists in sin that harms themselves, others, or the Body of Christ, intervention is necessary. Yet even then, we must never view a rebellious brother or sister as an enemy, but admonish them firmly as a fellow believer, with grace and love. Romans 12:9-21

Paul offered a blessing over the Church in Thessalonica, praying that the God of Peace would grant them unity—getting along with one another at all times and in every way. He encouraged them with the assurance of God’s abiding presence.

Because forged letters were circulating among the churches, Paul took care to authenticate his writings to protect the integrity of his message.

Though Paul often delivered difficult truths, his prayer remained that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ would always be with the Church. Paul loved the Church deeply and labored for her growth and purity.

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Our soft and comfort-seeking generation may view Paul’s words as harsh when he instructed the Church to separate from any brother or sister who lived in idleness and refused to follow the teachings passed down through him and his fellow ministers. However, there was no confusion in the Thessalonian Church about how to live. Paul and his team modeled a godly lifestyle and a strong Christian work ethic. They were never idle or lazy but worked diligently at their daily responsibilities. 1 Corinthians 10:31

They did not rely on others to meet their needs. These were able-bodied men who earned their own living, bought their own food, and were careful not to be a financial burden to anyone. Though Paul had every right as an Apostle to receive support from the Church, he declined, choosing instead to labor with his own hands as an example to the believers.

Paul faithfully offered both correction and love. He wrote plainly: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Some in the Church had ceased working—possibly thinking Christ’s return was imminent—and had become idle and even disruptive. Proverbs 19:15
Paul framed work not merely as a necessity for survival, but as a spiritual duty. Laziness is a moral failure, while spiritual discipline in work brings honor to God.

Believers are instructed to avoid gossip, attend to their own responsibilities, and work diligently. Both then and now, Christians are called to view their work as an act of service to Christ—an expression of worship and a powerful testimony to others. Honoring and glorifying the Father in all things includes demonstrating a strong work ethic, even when serving under difficult circumstances or working for those we may not like. We should have the mind of Christ and work as Jesus taught His disciples. Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:1,2

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We all need encouragement. The Apostle Paul gave thanks for and encouraged the believers in Thessalonica as they endured persecution. With wisdom and inspiration from the Holy Spirit, he not only warned them of serious events to come but also strengthened them with hope and truth.

Paul reminded the Church that the Lord Jesus Christ would return for His people, and that all who belong to Him would be gathered together with Him. He also cautioned them about the coming revelation of the “mystery of lawlessness”—a time when evil and satanic influence would increase. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Despite these sobering warnings, Paul gave thanks for their faith in Jesus Christ—a faith that was a gift of grace through the work of the Holy Spirit. Through the preaching of the eternal good news—Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection—and their believing hearts, they were saved and set apart by God. John 10:28; Ephesians 2:8–10; Romans 5:10; 10:9–13

Paul exhorted the Church to stand firm and hold tightly to the godly traditions they had been taught. This bold perseverance is rooted in a deep belief in the truth of Scripture and in faithful, Spirit-filled preaching.

The Holy Spirit assures us that Jesus Christ and God our Father loves the Church and has given Us eternal encouragement and a solid hope of salvation through His grace. This truth brings comfort, strength, and perseverance to every believer. It is how the Church remains steadfast—grounded in every good word and work.

Then and now, the Church is called to give daily effort in praying for gospel preachers and teachers, that the Word of the Lord would spread quickly and be honored by those who hear it. We are also to pray for protection from wicked and faithless people.

Finally, believers must remember: the Lord is faithful. He will protect His own. Our part is to know His will, do His will, and remain patient—even in the midst of persecution. Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:6-11

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The Gospel of Jesus Christ stands or falls based on His resurrection. If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Just as death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Luke presented his account of the Resurrection morning for the public to witness. He shared the experience of a group of women who went to the tomb and brought spices to finish anointing the body of Jesus after His burial.

Upon arrival, the women found that the large, circular stone sealing the tomb had been rolled away. The guards who had been stationed outside were now missing, and the body of Jesus was no longer inside the tomb. Something major had happened!

The women entered the tomb and suddenly two men in dazzling clothes appeared beside the women. Terrified, they bowed their faces to the ground. The heavenly messengers gently rebuked them, saying, “Why are you looking for the living One among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day rise again?” Luke 9:21-26

The women’s memories were stirred by the Holy Spirit, and they recalled Jesus’ words. Filled with excitement, they hurried from the tomb to tell the apostles and all the other disciples the good news.

The disciples didn’t believe the women’s report. Their report seemed like futile nonsense, and the weight of what they had witnessed during Jesus’s death left them struggling to overcome their doubts. They were overwhelmed by sorrow, disillusionment, and unbelief.

Curiosity compelled Peter and John to rush to the tomb. At the tomb, they bent down and peered inside. They found the funeral cloths lying there, just as the women had said. Confused and puzzled, they left, still wondering what had happened.

So What Happened? 1 Corinthians 5:1-7

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Hopefully, in life, we’ve all experienced the joy of being invited to a special place or occasion—perhaps a beautiful wedding or a meaningful celebration. These moments remind us of love, connection, and something greater than ourselves.

Now, imagine receiving an open invitation to the most extraordinary place of all—God’s Place: Heaven.

On this Good Friday, let’s take a moment to reflect on that invitation. It was Jesus Christ who extended it during His time on Earth:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16

Throughout the generations, Jesus has sent messengers—people willing to carry this invitation far and wide. They speak to those who would listen and believe, offering hope and eternal life (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10, 13).

But the way to God’s place is not easy. It’s narrow and often filled with hardship, opposition, and loneliness from a worldly point of view (Matthew 7:13-14). Culturally, it can feel like swimming upstream. The world will hate you for accepting the invitation—because it hated the One who made the way possible (John 15:18-25).

Still, those who follow Jesus are called to be faithful and courageous, continuing the mission of sharing His invitation with others (2 Timothy 2:8-13; 1 Peter 3:13-17).

As we walk this path, we must fix our eyes on Jesus—the Author and Finisher of our faith. Remember that it was through His death on the cross, on this very Good Friday, that the way to God’s place was made available to all who would trust in Him. Hebrews 12:2

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God…” —1 Peter 3:18

This Good Friday, let’s not only accept the invitation—we must carry it forward. Matthew 18:18-20

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Although they knew the truth about Jesus, Pilate, the chief priests, the rulers, and the people rejected Him and called for His death. Three criminals were scheduled for crucifixion that Passover, but only two were punished. The One who knew no sin—innocent, sinless, guiltless Jesus the Christ—substituted Himself for a vile murderer and bandit named Jesus Barabbas. 1 Peter 3:18

Doctor Luke recorded that a great multitude followed Jesus on His painful journey to the cross. Among them were women who wept—some out of cultural tradition, others from genuine sorrow. Jesus turned to them and said not to weep for Him, but for themselves and for the generations to come. Why?

Pilate had prepared a nameplate to be fastened to Jesus’ cross: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” The Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders mocked Him, sneering with a satanic challenge: “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” They placed Him—innocent and holy—in the place of Barabbas, between two criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 22

As He was being crucified, Jesus prayed for those responsible, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

One of the criminals crucified beside Jesus hurled insults at Him: “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are guilty—we are getting what we deserve. But this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Jesus confirmed with a promise to the criminal who asked and believed, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

At the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil in the Temple—separating the Holy of Holies—was torn in two. This dramatic act symbolized that His sacrifice, the shedding of His own blood, was sufficient atonement for all who believe. It signified that Jesus Christ, through His death, became our High Priest, removing the barrier between God and mankind. Now, all who believe may freely approach God with confidence and boldness. Hebrews 4:14–16

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“Passover” and “Unleavened Bread” are used synonymously in the New Testament. Technically, there is a difference between them. Passover refers to the sacrificing of the lamb on the afternoon of the fourteenth of Nisan. The Festival of Unleavened Bread (Matzot) begins on the fifteenth of Nisan [sundown on the fourteenth] and continues seven days. The first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread [Fifteenth of Nisan] and the seventh day [twenty-first of Nisan] are special holidays within the Festival. These days are treated as Sabbath days regardless of which day of the week they fall.

Preparations for Passover had been made by every devout Jewish man. Passover itself was a day marked by sorrow and death. In contrast, The Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated the birth of a nation through a supernatural act of God—His powerful deliverance of His people, both then and in a future time to come.

On that day, Satan and the enemies of the Lord also came to Jerusalem, intent on murder. They hated Jesus and, in their blind ambition, had no idea that they were playing into God’s redemptive plan. Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, would die.

The unbelieving chief priests and scribes actively sought a way to put Jesus to death. Ironically, they feared the crowds—those who listened intently to Jesus’ teachings and respected His spiritual authority. Many had personally witnessed His miracles
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As Jesus spoke of His impending death, Judas—though known as a disciple—sought a way out. Greedy and disillusioned, he opened himself to Satan’s invasion and approached the religious leaders to discuss how he might betray Jesus privately. The chief priests and officers were thrilled and promised him money. Judas agreed and began watching for the right moment to hand Jesus over, away from the crowds.

Meanwhile, Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal, where He would both identify His betrayer and institute what we now call the Lord’s Supper. As He prayed over the bread and the fruit of the vine in the presence of His disciples, He revealed God’s foreordained plan—His death, burial, resurrection, and His soon return for those who remain faithful.

Jesus also promised His disciples a place in His future Kingdom. Then, preparing them for what was to come, He led them to the Mount of Olives, where He withdrew to pray, fully aware of His pending suffering and death.

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Doctor Luke provides us with a well-ordered account of Jesus’ movements and motives leading up to His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. The heart of God was on display as Jesus passed through Jericho (the City of Palms), ascended the Mount of Olives, and ultimately entered Jerusalem (the Holy City).

While traveling through Jericho, Jesus had a divine appointment with Zacchaeus, a wealthy but despised tax collector of short stature. Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus into his home and experienced salvation. Meanwhile, the townspeople reacted with disbelief and complaints at Jesus’ presence.

Continuing His journey, Jesus taught along the way, steadily making His nearly eighteen-mile ascent toward the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem. His disciples, listening intently, assumed the kingdom of God would appear immediately upon His arrival in the Holy City.

To correct this misunderstanding, Jesus shared a powerful parable, revealing that the coming of God’s kingdom was set for a later time. He also emphasized that every disciple must remain actively engaged in sharing the one and only gospel—no one possesses a better gospel.

Upon reaching the vicinity of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, Jesus instructed two of His disciples to enter the city and retrieve a donkey for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover. In doing so, He fulfilled prophecy.

As Jesus descended from the Mount of Olives, a multitude of His disciples rejoiced, praising God for the mighty works they had witnessed. In contrast, the Pharisees, steeped in willful unbelief, jeered at Him.

Approaching Jerusalem, Jesus beheld the city and wept aloud over it, grieving the unbelief and spiritual blindness of its people. He lamented, “If only you had known on this day of salvation—even you—the things that make for peace and on which peace depends!”

Jesus has come to our town – what will you do with Jesus?

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The Apostle Paul redirected the believers in Thessalonica from the overwhelming evil of the last days to joyful thanksgiving for their present and future blessings in God. Today, God calls us to keep our focus on Him through His Word.

With God’s love overflowing in his heart, Paul taught that he was morally obligated to always give thanks to God for the believers in Thessalonica, who were dearly loved by the Lord.

Like believers today, the believers in Thessalonica were called by God to the gospel of Jesus Christ. How? Through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, which sets every believer apart for God’s purpose.

Every believer’s faith in the truth of God’s Word, leading to spiritual maturity, is a supernatural act of God. An unbeliever can come to salvation in Christ alone only through the invitation of the Holy Spirit. When you come to Christ, it is never a surprise to God.

Throughout history, the Church has been challenged by God to remain steadfast in the world. We have the Holy Scriptures as The Authoritative Source to guide our daily lives.

The Word of God enables believers to grow. Paul preached that the Word alone brings stability to a Christian’s life. There are no new revelations—read what you have been given; it is complete, thorough, and enough.

The Word of God brings comfort to every believer’s heart. It is through the Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loves us, that we receive genuine spiritual hope through His Word.

This good hope that we have as believers comes through the riches of God’s grace. The realization of this hope brings comfort to our hearts and prepares us for every good word and work. Ephesians 2:8-10

Have received the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Are you reading God’s word for life transformation?

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The coming of the Lord Jesus for His Church has been a subject of debate, confusion, and false teachings throughout the history of the Church. Many, weary and troubled by these disagreements, have turned to the Scriptures to seek God’s truth and understand His will. Truth brings comfort to the Church, and God has provided all that we need to know in His written Word, the Bible.

The Apostle Paul, seeking to provide clarity and distinguish between the Rapture of the Church and the final return of Christ (the Second Coming), wrote an orderly account of the Lord Jesus’ coming to ensure that the Church would not be confused or led astray by false teachings. In the Rapture, the Church is taken up to Heaven by the Lord, whereas in the Second Coming, the Church will return to Earth with Him.

In his first letter to the Thessalonian Church, Paul reassured the Church that Jesus had not yet returned and that they had not been left behind. He also comforted them with the promise that their saved loved ones would be included in the glorious Rapture of the entire Church, the next prophetic event believers await. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

God instructed the Church how to keep their spiritual composure even when false doctrines abound. Paul warned the Church not to believe end times false teaching even if the preacher/teacher claims to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from the Apostle himself.

The Thessalonians were in danger of falling completely for Satan’s deception. Paul urgently warned the Church, ‘Do not let anyone deceive you in any way!’ Romans 7:7-13

In the last days, a great rebellion will take place as many who profess to be Christians abandon the true faith. During this time, the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction, the Antichrist, who is doomed to perish—will be revealed. With arrogant pride, he will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

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Paul thanked God and the Church for the believers’ flourishing faith and their growing love for one another. He proudly told God’s other churches about the Thessalonian Church’s endurance and faithfulness amid the persecutions and hardships they endured. John 15:18-23; 2 Timothy 3:12-17

All the troubles the Church endured were clear evidence that God was preparing them for His Kingdom. Paul acknowledged their intense suffering but assured them that God’s perfect justice and perfect rest were coming. Romans 8:28

When Jesus appears from Heaven with His mighty angels, He will bring judgment upon all unbelievers who persecuted the Church of God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They will face eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and His glorious power. Psalm 1:1-6

Paul reaffirmed that Jesus’ return was still in the future. He encouraged the Church to hold on to hope in God’s grace, goodness, and power. He reminded them that on that Day, when Jesus comes, He will be glorified by His holy people and praised by all who have believed, because they accepted the testimony of Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

Because the Lord is coming, Paul and his ministry team prayed for the Church, asking God to empower believers to live lives worthy of His calling. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called not only to proclaim their faith but also to live it out daily. Ephesians 3:14-21

When the Church is obedient and honors Jesus with their testimony, He honors the Church. Paul prayed that God’s power would enable believers to fulfill every desire for goodness and complete every work of true faith so that the name of the Lord Jesus would be glorified in them, and they in Him, according to the precious grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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The leaders of the local Church are given authority by the Head of the Church — Jesus Christ. He is the Head because He holds everything together and is the Savior of the Church. As a result, the Church is neither a dictatorship nor a democracy; it is a theocracy. Through the Holy Spirit, God calls and equips individuals for leadership within the Church. God is always guiding and supporting His Church.” John 13:12-17; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:22-25; Colossians 1:17,18

God, through the Apostle Paul instructed the Thessalonian Church to recognize, acknowledge, appreciate, and value their leadership that was over them in the Lord. 1 Timothy 5:17-25; Hebrews 13:17

A valiant spiritual leader will work hard and faithfully shepherd the flock of God.1 Peter 5:1-5

The Church is called to live in peace with one another. We are to verbally admonish those who stray, encourage those who lack spiritual courage, help the weak in faith, and exercise patience with everyone.

The Church must refuse to be cruel, vindictive, or driven by revenge — we are never called to repay wrong with wrong. Instead, we must be relentless in our pursuit of what is good, showing kindness and compassion to each other and to everyone we encounter. Romans 12:1-21

The Church should always walk in victory and find joy in faith, staying strong and consistent in prayer — especially prayers of thanksgiving to God. This is God’s desire for the Church through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-8

The Church must not fall into vanity or suppress the work of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16-26

The Church must never disregard or reject words of instruction, exhortation, or warning. We are responsible to voluntarily test all things, carefully discerning and holding fast to what is good.

The Church must hold firmly to that which is valuable and keep away from every kind of evil.

The God of peace sanctifies the Church, setting Her apart from the profane and the vulgar. He purifies, strengthens, and preserves Her, consecrating Her for His divine purposes.

Jesus is the Vanguard of the Christian Church; He leads Her with unwavering faithfulness. He makes Her holy, guards Her, watches over Her, and protects Her as His own. Ephesians 1:17-23; Colossians 1:15-23

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Disciples of Christ have been curious about when He will return for His Church even before the birth of the Church at Pentecost (Acts 1:6-7). However, Jesus emphasized that His disciples should not focus on the when, but on the what concerning the Kingdom. The what involves a command to share the Gospel with the nations. While we carry out our mission, we are comforted knowing that Jesus, our Wonderful Savior, is coming back for His Church.

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Church in Thessalonica with the assurance that at the sound of the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ will rise first and receive their new heavenly bodies and then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds for our eternal meeting with the Lord in the air.

Paul transitioned the Church’s thoughts from the Rapture to the Day of the Lord, highlighting the distinctions with his use of pronouns. He shifts from “I,” “you,” “your,” “yourselves,” “we,” and “us”—terms that describe the believers— to “they,” “them,”—referring to unbelievers.

Only believers who have died in Christ and those living at His return will positively experience the Rapture. The Church does not know the when, but we can know the times [Kairos (KIGH-RUSS) – the Greek word for seasons or the right or critical moment].

The Church of Thessalonica accurately knew that the day of the Lord is coming upon the unbeliever just as a thief comes unexpectedly and suddenly in the night. There is absolutely no way for the unbeliever to escape the certain judgment of the Lord. Rest assured; God has sharp words for unbelievers. (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6,9; Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1,11, 31; 3:14; Amos 5:18, 20; Obadiah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:7, 14; Zechariah 14:1; Malachi 4:5).

All who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son are not in spiritual darkness nor subject to its power. We are people of light and people of day. God’s truth about His coming is intended to cause believers to be alert and watchful, always sharing the faith, hope, and love of our Savior.

A Christians hope and destiny is critically different than that of an unbeliever.

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We are thankful to God that He used cultural pressures to prompt the Apostle Paul to leave Thessalonica. Likewise, we are grateful that Paul continued to love the Thessalonian Church and completed his first instructional discipleship in written guidance. Today, we have the benefit of these instructions.

Paul did not want the Thessalonians to remain “uninformed” about believers who had died. Their lack of clarity mixed with grief led them to doubt. Paul made a clear distinction between those who had died without hope and those who died with the blessed hope in Jesus Christ.

A foundational belief for every Christian is the truth that Jesus died and bodily rose again from the grave. In the same way, by raising Jesus from the dead, God will bring with Him those believers who have fallen asleep in Jesus. In this resurrection, those who have died in Christ will have their redeemed souls and spirits united with a body similar to Christ’s glorified body.

Paul issued the Lord’s guarantee in writing: “We Christians, who are still alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, (the Rapture), will in no way precede those believers who have fallen asleep in death into His presence. Christians living at the time of the rapture will not die but will be changed to be like Christ. 1 John 3:1-3

Paul promised that the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. This is the Churches summons – come up and appear!

Christians who are alive and remain on the Earth will simultaneously be raptured together with the resurrected ones in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Gloriously, we will be with the Lord forever! 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

The Holy Spirit generates hope in our hearts while we wait for our turn in death or the rapture of the Church. We are to comfort one another we have in the future return of Christ Jesus. Wonderful days are ahead for Christ-followers.

How about you, are you rapture ready?

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God has a people! His people come from every nation, tribe, people, and language. The love of God flows in and through His people, who make up the Church. The Apostle Paul deeply loved the Church at Thessalonica, and they, in turn, loved him. As God leads His Church, compassion supernaturally overflows. Revelation 7:9,10; 1 Corinthians 12:13-27

Pastor Timothy reported to Paul that, although the Church in Thessalonica was still immature, it was increasingly demonstrating oneness, unity, and love. Christian unity comes with Christian maturity. John 17:13-21

Paul rejoiced that the Christians in Thessalonica were boldly owning and exercising their faith in front of their pagan culture. 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Paul asked a rhetorical question, “For what adequate thanks can we offer to God for you in return for all the joy and delight we have before our God on your account?” He emphasized the worship of one God, our God.

Paul prayed fervently for the Church, openly expressing his deep desire to fellowship with his brothers and sisters in the faith and to guide them deeper in the doctrines of God.

Paul appealed to God to divinely remove any obstacles which might hinder his return to Thessalonica.

Paul asked Omnipotent God to cause the love in the Church to abound for each other as they suffered through persecution. He also asked that they continue to love those not yet in their fellowship who were persecuting them. Matthew 7:12 (Golden Rule)

Paul prayed that the Saints of God would take every opportunity to fully surrender to Him, allowing Him to establish their hearts in holiness.
1 Peter 1:15-17

Is the Church today loving God, loving others as we love ourselves?

What priorities must you change to put God first?

Will you be a man or woman of hope that is real?

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The Apostle Paul was bold in his gospel witness when addressing the Thessalonians. He thanked God that the message he preached was received not as the word of men but welcomed as the divine word of God.

Paul preached the supernatural truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, he preached the Word with great expectation. Isaiah 55:8-11; Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16,17

The Thessalonians provided evidence that the Word of God transformed their lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, they received and believed Paul’s witness. God’s Word is powerful and life-changing! Romans 12:1,2; Hebrews 4:12,13

The Word of God transformed the Thessalonians and renewed their minds, enabling them to reject their idolatrous culture and worship the One True God.

After their salvation, the Thessalonians became imitators of their spiritual brothers and sisters in other churches. They willingly endured sufferings for Christ from their non-believing fellow citizens. 1 John 5:1-5; 1 Peter 4:1-19

Haters of God reject the truth of the Word. They killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. Even today, these haters continue to persecute and wound His faithful followers, the Church. 2 Timothy 3:12-13

God is divinely displeased with those who oppose His truth. Paul’s adversaries made every effort to hinder the work he and his team were doing for the Lord.

Paul emphasized that God has a divinely appointed limit to the sin He will tolerate from unbelievers. Once that limit is reached, the full and eternal wrath of God comes upon them. John 3:35,36

How about us today, do we genuinely have hope in the Word of God?

Like the early Church, do you have the holy boldness to live out the Word of God?

Would you rather follow God’s path or suffer God’s wrath?

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“Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help you God?” This question and the accompanying oath or affirmation are commonly heard in courtrooms, where eyewitness testimony adds credibility to a case.

Paul addressed his Christian brothers and sisters in Thessalonica, appealing to their recognition of the effective and fruitful work God had accomplished in their lives through his labor, despite the persecution he and his team faced in Philippi. He credited the strength of God for their ability to boldly proclaim the good news of salvation while facing such great opposition.

Paul’s gospel doctrine did not arise from error, deception, or impure motives. His message came from God, and it was complete, accurate, and grounded in God’s everlasting, unchanging truth. (John 3:16; Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Hebrews 10:1-39)

God approved Paul and his team as His Gospel stewards. Since God entrusted Paul and his team with this message, they proclaimed the truth without seeking popularity or fearing man. Their aim was to please God, the ultimate Judge of the heart’s motives. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 1:9-17; Romans 8:1-17)

The Apostle Paul appealed directly to God as his silent witness while encouraging the Thessalonians to be physical witnesses. He urged the people to testify to the faithfulness of him and his team to God, as well as their tenderness toward the Church. Paul first compared their work with the Church at Thessalonica to that of a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own children, and second, to that of a very sincere and determined father who exhorted, comforted, and encouraged the Church.

The challenge for the Thessalonian believers—and for Christians today—is to live lives of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity, worthy of the God who saved you and called you into His everlasting kingdom and glory. (Galatians 2:20)

Do you understand God’s clear Gospel message of salvation?

Have you responded to God and said yes to His invitation?

Have you received the Believer’s Walk challenge?

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Scholars estimate that Paul traveled around 10,000 miles during his missionary journeys—roughly the equivalent of walking coast to coast across the United States three and a half times. What motivated him? His mission was clear: to bring people to salvation through the preaching of the gospel, followed by baptizing them and teaching them the doctrines of Christ. (2 Timothy 4:1-22)

Paul used the power of prayer to instill hope in the young believers at Thessalonica and continually asked God to strengthen their spiritual growth.

Paul applauded their powerful work, energized by faith, and their service motivated by love and their unwavering hope in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Paul first preached the hope of the gospel with power and with the unction of the Holy Spirit to those living in Thessalonica. He set a Christian witness before them, and they became imitators of Paul and the team the Lord had assembled with him. “There was no difference between the Christ whom Paul preached and the Christianity that he practiced.”(John Phillips).

The Holy Spirit filled the Thessalonians with great spiritual joy as they received the gospel message, even amid suffering and cultural afflictions. What they experienced through their love relationship with Jesus Christ was too good to keep to themselves. With limited knowledge and the Holy Spirit’s empowering, they faithfully fulfilled the Master’s commands. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Despite their challenges, the Thessalonian church’s Christian witness spread, being heard of, and modeled by communities as far as 300 miles away in Macedonia and Achaia. (Galatians 5:22,23)

The young church inspired their surrounding neighbors with their God story of turning from idol worship to worshiping and serving the living and true God.

Paul acknowledged their hopeful expectation that Jesus would soon return from Heaven. They truly believed that God had raised Jesus from the dead, and that He was coming back to deliver them—and all believers—from the coming wrath of God. (Acts 1:8-11)

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As we close out the year, we hear the Apostle Paul encouraging the Church with God’s divine plan of salvation. We praise God for revealing the divine mystery of His will.

Paul addresses the saints (God’s people) who are in Christ. A key spiritual blessing is the calling to love God, along with the evidence of this calling seen in those who are set apart to be holy and faithful before Him (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul rightly blessed God the Father first for every spiritual blessing given only to the saints, through the power of the finished work of Jesus Christ.

God foresaw the adoption of all the saints for Himself, according to His good pleasure. All saints in Jesus are saved by God’s grace. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Redemption means to “buy out.” In Christ, saints have redemption—deliverance and salvation through His blood, which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in the forgiveness and complete pardon of our transgressions, in accordance with the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us. (Romans 3:21-26)

In all wisdom and understanding, God made known to the saints the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ—regarding the fulfillment of history, when all is completed: to bring all things together in Christ, both things in the heavens and things on the earth.

In Him, saints have received God’s blessed spiritual inheritance through His sovereignty. We have been chosen according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the counsel and design of His will, so that we, who first placed our hope in Him as our Lord and Savior, may live to glorify God.

Paul preached to the saints: “In Him, you also, when you heard the gospel truth—the source of your salvation—and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, the One promised by Christ, marking you as belonging to and being protected by God.” (Romans 10:9-17)
The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of the saints’ spiritual inheritance, serving as a pledge until the redemption of God’s own purchased possession—His saints—unto the praise of His glory. (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 4:30)

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When studying the Word of God, one of the most trustworthy phrases in all of Scripture is, “And it came to pass…” God has always faithfully been in the business of communicating His love to all generations. For those who have received His truth by faith, the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, stands as His ultimate expression of love toward us. Psalm 119:89,90

By faith, we have great confidence that God, who is deeply concerned about us, causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose and plan. God used the government to begin the journey of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Bethlehem. Romans 8:28

Joseph and Mary’s faith was tested in multiple ways as they traveled approximately 90 miles, a journey that would have taken at least four days. Scholars believe there could have been as many as three thousand people who may have flooded the small town of Bethlehem to register for the government census. Joseph and Mary blessed God through it all. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:46-55; 2:19

While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to give birth, and she gave birth to her firstborn Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room available for them.

God’s great plan of revealing Jesus Christ involved local government, Joseph, Mary, shepherds, heavenly angels, the ordinary residents of Bethlehem, the visitors who had come for the government census, prophets, and wisemen. Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-15

The heavenly angels heralded the good news of great joy to the shepherds. This message about Jesus, brought hope, promise, and a future of faith to them. The shepherds ran to find the Babe—and they did, just as the angels had promised.

The shepherds became evangelists, spreading the good news of great joy. They glorified and praised God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them by the heavenly angels.

This Christmas, what will you do with the message of the Savior, Christ the Lord? Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8

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According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary [an oath is a solemn attestation of the truth of one’s words or the sincerity of one’s intentions; specially one accompanied by calling upon a deity as a witness].

In Genesis 22:1-17, the LORD made a binding oath with Abraham. Because of Abraham’s obedience, God committed blessings on him, his descendants, and all nations of the earth. God awarded and still awards faithfulness.

God swore His oath with Abraham by His Holy name because there was no greater name than His. The LORD is great.

God not only committed blessings in His oath, but He also committed multiplication of Abraham’s offspring. Have you ever sung “Father Abraham?”
Abraham obtained the promise of God. He patiently waited for what seemed like God’s delayed blessings. God had previously made a covenant with Abraham, promising blessings and even changing his name from Abram to Abraham. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15; Genesis 17:9-14; Romans 4:1-3; Galatians 3:6-14)

Throughout the ages, people have understood that an oath is only as reliable as the one making it, often appealing to a higher authority when taking such oaths.

God is a Promise Keeper. He has chosen to anchor the souls of all spiritual heirs of Abraham in His promises. This anchor for every believer today is the hope found in God’s unchanging and unwavering faithfulness. Only God is forever faithful, and He cannot lie.

We have sure and steadfast hope today because Jesus has entered that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells. Jesus has entered in advance as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 7)

Jesus is both High Priest and King—eternal Mediator between God and humanity, and the Ultimate Authority as reigning King. He will soon return to establish His physical kingdom in Jerusalem. Like Abraham we must trust and obey Him.

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Isaiah’s name means “the salvation of Jehovah.” He was the Prophet who received and prophesied the visions God gave him concerning the coming Messiah. The days in which he lived were dark, and the Nation of Israel was in sinful rebellion of God. Yet, the Prophet spoke of a future day of hope and deliverance from God. He declared the magnificent titles of our coming King: “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Today, we celebrate and know Him as King Jesus.

Isaiah prophesied that the Mighty God would be born as a special Child, conceived by a virgin. God became Man – (Immanuel), He was and will always be fully God yet fully Man! (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)

King Jesus is the Messiah that Isaiah prophesied about. This Immanuel possesses dominion, power, and sovereignty, with royal authority that lasts for all eternity. (Matthew 28:18)

As Wonderful Counselor, King Jesus is portrayed as the Great One who shares a deep, loving relationship with His people. He is always available, offering perfect wisdom 24/7. He provides flawless counsel and ensures complete confidentiality in every session. For His faithful followers, He is our Wonderful Counselor. (1 John 3:1-3).

King Jesus is Mighty God, revealed throughout Scripture exercising His divine power, wisdom, and omnipresence. (Genesis 1:1; Job 38; 39; 40; John 1:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 1:11-18)

Jesus, as Everlasting Father, is the eternal Protector and Provider of His people Israel and all who are grafted in. (Psalms 121; Romans 11:11-36)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. While this passage speaks of a future peace for Israel, believers today understand that Jesus doesn’t just give us peace; He gives us Himself. Through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers have peace with God. Jesus offers peace – a peace that surpasses all understanding. (Isaiah 26:3-4; John 14:23-27; Romans 5:1-11).

He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Pastor Titus, was speaking about the appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus when he wrote about the remarkable, undeserved grace of God that made salvation possible for mankind.

God’s saving grace is for all—older men, older women, younger men, younger women, and servants. There is no distinction with God. All who are saved become One in Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:26-28

God’s saving grace gives opportunity for Christians to deny ungodliness and worldly passions. Grace disciplines us to deny self. The Holy Spirit is our Helper. John 16:7-15; Galatians 5:16-26

God’s saving grace offers Christians the ability to live sensible, upright, and godly lives, purposefully reflecting spiritual maturity to the world around them.

God’s saving grace empowers every Christian to confidently await the fulfillment of our blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He willingly gave Himself to be crucified on our behalf, to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness. He also purifies for Himself a chosen and special people, His own possession, who are eager to do what is good. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift ever given.

Pastor Titus was responsible for preaching and teaching the standard of Kingdom living. Although the Cretans were known for their laziness and unscrupulous behavior, once they became born-again believers, they had an obligation to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom. 1 Peter 2:9-17

Pastor Titus was to encourage and correct the churches in all the communities on the island of Crete, exercising full Biblical authority as he confronted opposition to God’s holy standards.

Have you experienced God’s saving grace?

Are you living like a Kingdom citizen?

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After exposing false teachers and their impure doctrines, Paul turned his attention to instructing Pastor Titus on how he should live, what he should teach, and how to counsel the various age groups within the communities on the island of Crete. He emphasized that all people must embody and communicate the doctrine of God our Savior in every aspect of their lives.

Titus was responsible for teaching godly doctrine that would produce men and women of good character, whose lifestyles would clearly identify them as true Christians. As older Christian men and women followed Paul’s instructions from God, they would continually disciple the next generation of believers.

God instructed older Christian men in the Churches of Crete to be sober, reverent, temperate, sensible, sound in faith, love, and patience, all while reflecting Christ-like character.

God instructed older Christian women in the Churches of Crete, like older Christian men, to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips or to be a slave to wine. They were to teach what was right and good in order to encourage the younger Christian women.

God instructed older Christian women to admonish younger Christian women to tenderly love their husbands and their children, to be sensible, pure, and to create a home where God is honored. They were to be good-natured and willingly subject to their husbands, so that the Word of God would not be blasphemed.

Pastor Titus was instructed to urge younger Christian men to be sensible, self-controlled, and to behave wisely, taking life seriously. In all things, Titus was to serve as an example of good works, maintaining purity in doctrine and a strict regard for integrity and truth. He was to be dignified, sound, and beyond reproach in his teachings. Paul was concerned about the reputation of the Christian faith and God’s Word among outsiders.

Titus was to urge bondservants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing and not talk back, and to avoid stealing, regardless of the value of the items. Instead, they were to demonstrate good fidelity so that they would adorn and give credit to the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

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God’s Overseer must be blameless, serving as God’s steward and managing God’s household.

God’s Overseer should not be hot-tempered, greedy, or fond of wine.

God’s Overseer must be hospitable and sober-minded, embodying justice and holiness with self-control.

God’s Overseer must boldly hold fast to sound doctrine, exhorting, convicting, and opposing false teachings and false teachers.

Paul warned Titus that the Church and Overseers must be aware that there are many rebellious individuals who are empty talkers and deceivers, particularly among those of the circumcision—Jews who insist that Gentile believers must be circumcised and follow the Law to be saved. These teachers were happy to lead others astray. Romans 1:18-30

Evil Overseers must be confronted with the truth of sound doctrine and silenced. Like wolves among sheep, they do not confront in large groups; instead, they go from house to house, subverting individual families for dishonest gain. 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 2 John 1:7-11

Evil Overseers were recognized by their own. They were heretics boldly promoted their own version of Christianity, creating a division that echoed through the new Church communities on the Island of Crete.

Paul affirmed the negative testimony spoken about the Cretans. Due to their lifestyle, he instructed Titus to rebuke them harshly so they could be sound in the faith and turn away from false teachings and turn to the truth. 2 Timothy 3:16,17

Everything from God is acceptable and pure for His faithful followers. For unbelievers without a genuine faith, nothing is pure because of their defiled minds and consciences. They profess to know God, but in their actions, they deny Him. God deems them disqualified. Romans 2:1-16

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Paul authoritatively described his divinely appointed credentials (as a special messenger of God and a chosen representative of Jesus Christ). He shared his personal testimony of the grace of God.

Paul lovingly referred to Titus as my true son in our common faith. This common faith brings with it the gifts of grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church in Crete is believed to have been a young congregation. Pastor Titus was commanded by Paul to appoint Christian Elders in every town. The Church Overseer must be:

1. A man of truth with unquestionable integrity. Above reproach and blameless. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6
2. A man who is the faithful husband of one wife, exemplifying fidelity in marriage and demonstrating that Pastors should be above reproach in all aspects of life. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6
3. A man with believing children who are not accused of being immoral or rebellious. A good manager of his household, whose children trust and obey him. 1 Timothy 3:4–5; Titus 1:6
4. A steward of God. Devout. Not a new believer. 1 Timothy 3:6; Titus 1:9
5. Blameless. Titus 1:7
6. Selfless, not self-willed. Self-controlled. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8
7. Slow to anger, not quick-tempered. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8
8. Above reproach and not addicted to wine, avoiding thoughtless and inappropriate behaviors often associated with drunkenness. 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7
9. Gentle and not prone to violence. 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7
10. Generous, not greedy for dishonest gain, and financially ethical. Not a lover of money. 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7
11. Hospitable to both believers and strangers. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8
12. A lover of good, acting in ways that are upright, holy, and disciplined. Titus 1:8
13. Sensible and upright. Respectable. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7
14. Fair. Having a good reputation with outsiders. 1 Timothy 3:7; Titus 1:7
15. Self-disciplined. Titus 1:8
16. A man who holds firmly to the trustworthy word of God, promoting ideas that align with the Gospel and refuting false teachings. 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9

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Today’s text examines God’s fifth prophetic vision to Amos. God referenced Himself over thirty times in this vision to show Who He is and what He planned to do. God is awesome!

In the vision, God showed Amos His coming judgment by destroying the places of false worship along with those who worshipped and trusted false gods for protection.

The LORD God is omnipresent – present everywhere at the same time. He declared no one, nowhere, could escape His holy wrath. Psalm 139:7-12

The LORD God is omnipotent – unlimited in power. He created and controls all of Creation.

The LORD God’s wrath reflected His divine holiness. Although He loved His people, He detested their sin.

God revealed to Amos that He would preserve a remnant of the House of Jacob, the Jewish people.

God proclaimed that the penalty for sin is death and committed to sifting (separating) the faithful from the faithless. Romans 6:23

The LORD announced a future day of restoration for Israel and expressed His promise to welcoming all nations that would be called by His name. Acts 15:14-17

God promised future blessings and security for the Jewish remnant, committing to plant them in the promised land He had previously bestowed upon them. Romans 16:25-27

God finalized this vision by proclaiming, “says the LORD your God.”

What is your relationship with God?

Are you secure in God’s family through a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ?

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God gave Amos a vision of the summer fruit in a basket. This was evidence that the harvest had concluded, and the fruit had been gathered into a burden-bearing basket. Just as the harvest marked the end of the growing season, the basket of summer fruit signified the coming judgment of God in which the rebellious people of Israel would reap the bitter harvest they had sown. Galatians 6:7-10

The grotesque unrepented sins of Israel had reached their limit with God. conclusion. The appointed time of God’s judgment had arrived for His chosen people. God spelled out in detail their punishment.

Love had vanished from the hearts of God’s people, especially for Him and for their neighbors in need. Israel constantly oppressed the poor. Matthew 22:36-40

Israel had disregarded God’s commandments and instead devoted their lives to pursuing worldly pleasures and desires. God made an oath by His that through His heritage He would finalize what He promised.

Due to their disobedient lifestyle, God caused joy to gradually fade from their character until He took it from them completely. Galatians 5:22,23

Like Joel, Amos preached of the Day of Visitation. God has committed a future day of judgment for all men, women, and children.

As Israel chose to sink deeper into sin, they also turned away from the Word of God. In response to their spiritual decline, God declared He would send a catastrophic famine of His Word across the land, leaving no one to hear His message.

Today, we need to guard our hearts. Many churches are straying from Biblical teachings and the core message of salvation through Christ alone. In an effort to avoid offending anyone, they shy away from addressing the reality of sin and the need for redemption. Instead, our culture is filled with false teachers promoting messages centered on prosperity, self-esteem, and political agendas.

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God made His intentions clear: He would righteously judge Israel for their wickedness and rebellion. Though He would humble them through their enemies, God planned to preserve a remnant for Himself. Despite their unfaithfulness, He persistently called His chosen people to repent, seek Him, and live.

God took the initiative to call His people to repentance. He called for them to seek Him and live. God desires a personal love relationship with His people.

God warned His people not to seek false gods or even enter into the areas where idolatrous worship occurred. He promised ruin for those who persisted in their unholiness and destruction of the places where it happened. God sees.

God called His people to search diligently for Him and long for Him as their most essential need. He called them to observe the beauty and splendor around them and recognize that He is the All-powerful Creator of the universe. He defined His purpose, His power, and His name. Genesis 1; Job 9:7-10; 38:31-33; John 1:1-3; Romans 1:18-32; 2:1-11

Israel had reached a pinnacle of evil. They claimed to follow God with their words, but their actions and devotions revealed they were far from God. They despised judicial rulings that upheld justice and detested those who spoke the truth with integrity and honesty. They built luxurious houses and farms with money acquired through overtaxing and extorting the poor. They refused to listen to the truth and disregarded people of good character. God knew their sins and called them shocking and innumerable.

Though God exposed Israel’s sins and called them to seek good rather than evil so that they might live, they refused to repent. God sought to display His divine favor.

God declared His holy retribution against His people for their willful sins.

As God’s people today, we must remember that there is a future day when God will judge the world with righteousness and perfect justice. Judgment is coming. How shall we live in light of this? John 16:8-11; Revelation 22:12

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God spoke powerfully through His prophet Amos to His Chosen People, the entire nation of Israel. Amos delivered messages of judgment to both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, viewing them as a single Nation in the eyes of the LORD. God saw all of their terrible sins and warned them of His impending punishment that would come as a result.

God directed Amos to prophesy against the Hebrew twelve tribes collectively, referring to them as a whole family. He reminded them of His powerful hand in delivering them from slavery in Egypt. God made it clear that He had chosen, cared for, and loved the Hebrews above all the families of the earth to show the world His sovereignty; therefore, He promised great punishment for their wickedness.

Why punishment? The Hebrew people had heard the word of God, witnessed His deliverance, received the Mosaic Law, and possessed the Temple of God on Earth. They were without excuse, having the truth of the true God but choosing instead to worship false gods and engage in gross idolatry.

Amos posed seven examination questions. The first question addressed walking together with God. No one can walk with God while remaining in sin unless they repent and follow His path. This principle remains true in the New Testament as well, as illustrated in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

God has always provided mankind with warnings of His impending judgment, revealing His secrets to His prophets. Today, He discloses His thoughts through the eternal Holy Scriptures. Psalm 19:7-14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God revealed that though His judgment would be harsh, He would save a remnant of His people, who would experience a dramatic shift from prosperity to poverty.

The Almighty God had spoken, and Amos’ prophecy was exactly fulfilled as prophesied within 30 years of its delivery.

Are you in right relationship with God today? Are you in right fellowship with God today?

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God spoke powerfully through His prophet Amos to His Chosen People, the entire nation of Israel. Amos delivered messages of judgment to both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, viewing them as a single Nation in the eyes of the LORD. God saw all of their terrible sins and warned them of His impending punishment that would come as a result.

God directed Amos to prophesy against the Hebrew twelve tribes collectively, referring to them as a whole family. He reminded them of His powerful hand in delivering them from slavery in Egypt. God made it clear that He had chosen, cared for, and loved the Hebrews above all the families of the earth to show the world His sovereignty; therefore, He promised great punishment for their wickedness.

Why punishment? The Hebrew people had heard the word of God, witnessed His deliverance, received the Mosaic Law, and possessed the Temple of God on Earth. They were without excuse, having the truth of the true God but choosing instead to worship false gods and engage in gross idolatry.

Amos posed seven examination questions. The first question addressed walking together with God. No one can walk with God while remaining in sin unless they repent and follow His path. This principle remains true in the New Testament as well, as illustrated in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

God has always provided mankind with warnings of His impending judgment, revealing His secrets to His prophets. Today, He discloses His thoughts through the eternal Holy Scriptures. Psalm 19:7-14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God revealed that though His judgment would be harsh, He would save a remnant of His people, who would experience a dramatic shift from prosperity to poverty.

The Almighty God had spoken, and Amos’ prophecy was exactly fulfilled as prophesied within 30 years of its delivery.

Are you in right relationship with God today? Are you in right fellowship with God today?

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Handout 1
Handout 2

God’s Prophet Amos delivered a message of doom for all of Israel’s neighbors who had historically persecuted the Hebrew people. At the time of Amos’ prophecies, Israel was experiencing prosperity as a nation. While the people enjoyed hearing about God’s judgment coming against their enemies, they were simultaneously living in violation of God’s Law.

Amos prophesied a judgment of fire and destruction from God against Moab. The Moabites were known for their hostility and vengeance against Israel.

Amos shifted his focus from the enemies of the Hebrew people to prophesy judgment against his own people in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This transition was prompted because of their rejection of God’s Law and their refusal to keep His commandments. They had become idolatrous and deceitful, following the corrupt ways taught by their ancestors.

Amos turned his attention to the Hebrew people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, condemning their widespread injustice. God specifically highlighted their sins, including human trafficking, mistreatment of the poor, corruption of the humble, sexual immorality, idolatry, and violations of the Law of God. Additionally, they exploited people by taking their clothing and food as collateral for loans.

The Prophet provided Israel with a brief historical account of the LORD’s provision during the exodus, their subsequent conquest, and their uncountable blessings. Amos prophesied their rejection of God would lead to unescapable judgment, culminating in a catastrophic military defeat.

Amos concluded this part of his prophesy just like he began it, with the hallowed phrase, “says the LORD.”

Has God changed? What are the consequences of rejecting God today?

Will God bring judgment on America? Will God bring judgment against you?

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Handout

Amos was a sheep breeder and fruit farmer from the desert town of Tekoa. Despite his ordinary background, God called him to become one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. A country preacher from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Amos was given a divine message to deliver to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. God declared His judgment. Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Isaiah 46:9-11

Amos was a contemporary with the Prophet Hosea. God used both men in extraordinary ways. Reading both men’s stories and prophecies, we see that God’s ways often seem strange and different. Isaiah 55:8-9

Amos delivered the LORD’s message to the people in Israel, addressing the nations surrounding them. If connected by a line, the nations he prophesied about would form a circle around the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

Each prophetic word that came from Amos’ mouth was a direct from God. Amos had to receive his motivation and message from the Holy Spirit in order to convey such powerfully accurate truths to God’s people.

Amos preached God’s judgment to the nations for their injustice and cruelty toward the poor and the weak, promising that God would send fire and retribution. God judged.

Amos preached God’s judgment to the nations for their injustice in enslaving His people. God said He would send judgment, and He did.

Amos preached God’s judgment to the nations for their injustice in breaking their covenant of brotherhood with Israel. God subjected the offending nation to judgment and punishment.

Amos preached God’s judgment against the nations for their injustice, characterized by a vengeful spirit and a lack of compassion toward the people of Israel.

Amos preached God’s judgment against the nations for their injustice, specifically their cruelty and violent crimes against His people.

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Since Adam, every human has had a sinful and rebellious nature against God. Throughout Scripture, God has provided clear commands to guide humanity in maintaining a right relationship and fellowship with Him.

When Jesus walked the Earth, He confronted unbelief with unwavering truth, regardless of how difficult it was for people to accept. He consistently spoke the truth, silencing the challenges posed by the Pharisees and Sadducees.

A Mosaic Law expert questioned Jesus about His understanding of God’s greatest commandment and the path to eternal life. In response, Jesus asked for the expert’s perspective and then reiterated God’s truth in order of priority.

Jesus commended the Mosaic law expert for his understanding of Scripture and encouraged him to complete his faith, as he was witnessing God’s prophetic fulfillment of the Messiah’s coming to Earth.

God, in His omnipotence, has made it clear to all of humanity that He must be first in every aspect of a person’s life. As God, He deserves to be prioritized above all else. Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 6:4,5; Matthew 6:24-34

God’s greatest commands:
1. The first command; You shall love the LORD with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
2. The second command is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus gave us the mind of Christ in Scripture when He declared that the whole Law and the writings of the Prophets depend on these two commandments.

Jesus tested His audience with a question in Matthew 22:41-46 and He gave a human example of how and a command to express this love in Luke 10:29-37.

Are you being obedient to the commands of God?
Do you love Him? Are you loving your neighbors like Christ?
Are you loving your neighbors as yourself?

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Sometimes in life, people will ask you to prove to them that you mean what you say. Examples might be: “If you love me prove it,” or “Let me see.” Jesus demonstrated His love and power toward us in that why we were sinners, Christ died for us. His proof – His death on the cross and His resurrection.

John brags on Jesus and tells us the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we actually saw His glory, glory as belongs to the One and only begotten Son of the Father, the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is full of grace and truth, absolutely free of deception.

“The Word” is the Logos, Jesus Christ Himself. He became “flesh,” meaning the divine Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, became human, like us. Romans 8:3; Philippians 2:7; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 7

When John spoke of seeing His glory, he used the Greek word skēnos, which means “to dwell in a tent.” This is important because it takes us to the Old Testament reference for the Tabernacle or the Tent of Meeting. Just as the glory of God was with His people of the Old Testament so He was with His people in the New Testament. Exodus 13:20-22; 14:24-25, 33; Colossians 2:9; John 14:9

John boasts that Jesus never has half empty tanks of grace or is ever partially filled with truth, He declared that Jesus was and is full of grace and truth.

Luke told us the Holy Spirit led Jesus while He lived down here on earth in the flesh. He ministered in and through the Word of God. Jesus lived a sinless life on this earth and followed the leading of God the Father. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22

King Jesus always spoke truth in love. He did not fear, He could not fear, because He was and is and will always be God. Hebrews 13:8

Following King Jesus will bring about persecution in a Christ-followers life. Matthew 10:34-36

Are you ready and willing to live your life in Kingdom Power?

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• Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He brings peace to those who believe in Him as Savior and Lord and He offends those who dwell in unbelief. The lifestyle of a faithful Jesus Follower differs from that of someone who merely professes religion. John 14:25-27; Matthew 10:34-39
• Jesus restored the joy in His disciple’s hearts before commissioning them with their divine purpose.
• Jesus gave His disciples the promised Holy Spirit.
• Jesus peacefully yet powerfully tackled His disciple’s unbelief.
• Matthew 28:16,17, Jesus gave His disciples reason to worship and not worry. He left His disciples the Authoritative policies, procedures, and practices of His Father (the Holy Scriptures). 2 Timothy 3:16,17
• Jesus proclaimed His authority to His disciples. He is El Shaddai – “God, the All-powerful One!”
• Jesus commissioned His disciples to GO to the people of all Nations.
• Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach to the people of all Nations because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:9-17
• Jesus commissioned His disciples to practice Biblical baptism for everyone who would believe.
• Jesus commissioned His disciples to properly teach His commands. John 14:15-24
• Jesus commissioned His disciples and promised them His divine presence forever.

We are Jesus followers and still have this great calling on our lives, we must obediently GO GLOBAL FOR JESUS AND SHARE HIS LOVE TO THE WORLD.

This begins with our families, friends, neighbors, classmates, teachers, professors, coworkers, or with anyone who will listen.

Fulfill your extreme mission from God, Jesus Follower!

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The Apostle Paul passionately proclaimed that the love of Christ compels us all to understand that Jesus died for everyone, and therefore, everyone who believes dies to sin and to self. He went on to explain that those who place their faith in Him no longer live for themselves but for the One who died and was raised on their behalf.

Imagine a powerful image of two rivers merging, creating a rush of energy—this is descriptive of the powerful love of Christ that drove Paul to share the Gospel. When we speak of the “love of Christ,” we can see it as both Christ’s love for people and the Apostles’ love for Christ.

When someone expresses their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, they are immediately reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Their old way of life has passed away, and a new life has begun. (John 15:1-10; Romans 6:9-11)

Because believers have been reconciled to God, the love of Christ compels each of us to love the lost enough to share the good news. We are entrusted with God’s everlasting message of love and reconciliation—we are Christ’s ambassadors. We implore others, “on Christ’s behalf, let God reconcile you to Himself.”

The sin of the world is the sin of everyone —past, present, and future. Jesus took upon Himself the sin of the world and triumphed over it. This does not mean that Jesus Himself sinned or was guilty of sin. John 1:29; Galatians 3:13

Jesus, though sinless, was treated by God the Father as if He were not, for our sake. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Through His gracious lovingkindness, God reconciles us to Himself for eternity. John 3:16; Hebrews 13:8

What compels us to share the good news of Jesus with others?

Words every Christian needs to know related to this passage of Scripture and to Christianity in general: Atonement, Conversion, Faith, Imputation, Justification, New Birth, Reconciliation, Repentance, Resurrection

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Jesus had spent three years with His group of disciples. One betrayed Him and then committed suicide. One betrayed Him and had severe guilt. All left Him the day He was arrested. They were men with a heavy call they did not comprehend or fully understand.

Peter decided he was going back to his old profession (fishing) because he did not have a clear path forward from God.

God did not allow Peter to have success in his occupation. God caused even the fish to hurry away from Peter’s nets.

Jesus appeared to Peter on a Sea of Galilee beach. Through a miracle, Jesus helped Peter and His disciples experience His power over Creation.

Jesus knew they did not catch any fish, but He asked them anyway if they had fish. Peter had to humble himself and openly state that he did not catch any fish.

Jesus called out and commanded the fishermen to cast their nets on the starboard side of the boat, so they did and took in a heavy haul of 153 large fish.

After the miracle catch of fish, Peter recognized Jesus on the beach. He jumped into the water to hurry to Jesus. Peter knew deep down he needed a fresh encounter with Christ.

Peter had fished all night. Jesus knew he was physically hungry, so He had bread and fish for them cooking on the beach.

After breakfast Jesus appealed to Peter’s heart before He revealed His will. Jesus knew he was spiritually hurting from his past sins.

Jesus’ words spoke deeply to Peter’s soul. He challenged Peter’s head knowledge and pushed Him to hold on to his faith.

Jesus revealed Peter’s hazardous future and commanded him to stay the course as a Jesus follower.

Are you willing to know and do the will of God?

What are you asking God for?

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Abiding in the love of God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ gives the Believer holy boldness to walk in faith.

When we abide in the love of God, our hunger for His Word grows. As our knowledge of God grows our faith grows. The closer we are to God, the more we receive revelation from Him, the more our faith increases. John 15; Romans 10:17

In this direct relationship and fellowship with Jesus, we find God’s love being completed and perfected in us. This is an everlasting relationship. 2 Peter 1:1-11

God’s perfect love gives every born-again Believer confidence to face God (our Judge) in the future day of judgment because Jesus’ atonement, the Judge sees our righteousness the same as He sees Jesus’ righteousness. Hebrews 9:24-28

As we mature in Christ, the fear fades because of His love. Perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear. Philippians 3:8-16

Fear involves the expectation of divine punishment, so the one who is afraid of God’s judgment is not perfected in love and has not fully grown into a sufficient understanding of His love.

We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and works against his Christian brother is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he can see, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. Loving the Faith Family is not just a spiritual suggestion, it is a spiritual command.

Father God commands His followers to obey and practice love for Him and also unselfishly love his brother and seek the best for him. Obedience reflects love.

Believing and confessing with a real trust in the fact that Jesus is the Christ, and that God has raised Him from the dead, makes one born of God. Romans 10:9-13

True love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. With the Holy Spirit’s leading, God’s commandments and His precepts are not difficult to obey.

Amid the storms of life in a dark and fallen world, we are overcomers in Christ!

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The Apostle John wrote on the Origin of love for the Christian’s benefit. He issued a command for Christians to unselfishly demonstrate God’s love to one another.

Many people on Earth recognize love. Unbelievers do not acknowledge that love is from God.

Everyone who loves others is born of God and knows God through personal experience. This love is expressed when an unregenerate person trusts in Jesus Christ alone for salvation and is converted. The regenerate person loves God, loves others, as they love themselves. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; 1 John 3:16-19

The universal truth is a person who does not love does not know God. That one does not and never did know God.

God is love. God’s love is unlimited, it knows no boundaries, measurements, or exceptions. It is inherent to His nature; since He is infinite, His love is also infinite.

God’s love was manifested toward us, in that God sent His One and only begotten Son, Jesus, into the world so that we might live through Him. Salvation is the complete and unified work of all three Persons of the Trinity. John 3:16-18

The incarnation represents God’s ultimate expression of love, therefore, anyone who denies that Jesus came in the flesh, rejects God’s love. Galatians 4:4-7

God loved us first. God took the initiative to invite us into a personal love relationship with Him. He made the way to know and love Him. Romans 5:8
God is unseen by man, but He can be personally known. The Holy Spirt is our Witness whereby we can know God the Father. When we have the Holy Spirit living within us we have the ability to express the love of God to others. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

We, like John, must have unwavering faith in and to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Understanding and experiencing God’s love inspires Believer’s to live life with holy boldness. Knowing Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross reflects not only God’s love but also His holiness and justice. Jesus demonstrated how seriously God views sin. His just penalty for sin was poured out on Christ while, in His boundless love, offered His Son for our transgressions. What an amazing God we serve!

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The world is full of spiritual wanna-be’s, tell-you-what’s, and experts of every flavor. The gullibility and ignorance of people in general is growing wildly by the day. Christians are commanded to be a spiritual bulwark of stability as the waves of deception pass over humanity.

The Apostle John addressed the Beloved. The Beloved are those who have their faith firmly planted in Jesus Christ.

John admonished Christians not to trust, but test, every spirit. Why? Because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.
Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 1:17,18

By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses the fact that Jesus Christ has actually come in the flesh as a man is from God. These beliefs are for the righteous ones of God. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

False, errant teachers break with truths of Scripture and lead people to false hopes of salvation and religion. People who are deceived into believing false teachers, are convinced that their false teachers doctrine is good, and therefore believable and reproducible.

The basic reason for testing the spirits and therefore for testing all religious teaching, is to see if it is truly from God or if it is a lie from Satan and his servants.

The Bible alone is the Word of God; it alone is inspired and inerrant. Therefore, the way to test the spirits is to see if what is being taught is in line with the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible is The Authoritative Source.

Those who are of God can boldly say, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” The contrast here is between the Holy Spirit and the spirit of antichrist; in short, God is greater than Satan. Revelation 20:10

Believers have no need to fear Satan; rather, we trust in the Lord and obey Him. By the living Spirit of God within us, we can overcome the lies and temptations of the powers of darkness. We know God and are gifted to recognize the spirit of truth, motivated by God, and the spirit of error, motivated by Satan.

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Rejoice means to feel or show great joy or delight. This is the idea John wants the Church to express when they understand God’s love toward us.

God’s love is supreme!

The good news is God gifts every person who truly receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior with His love and He grants us the privilege of being called children of the Most High God. This is our spiritual adoption. John1:12,13; Romans 8:14-17

The sad news is for the unbeliever. Those in the world who reject Jesus do not know us because they do not know God. They have no eternal hope.

For those of us who have surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we really are the children of God! In our present state of existence we cannot fully grasp what it means to be a child of God.

One day we will stand before Jesus and our spiritual eyes will be opened. We will see the Son in all His magnificent glory, and, at last, we will fully comprehend what it means to be a child of God.

Supernatural hope for Christians is brought into being through the presence of the promised Holy Spirit. While everyone who has this hope confidently placed in Jesus is purified just as He is pure. 1 Peter 3:15-22

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness. Sin is ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing. A sinner is unrestrained by God’s commands and God’s will.

Jesus appeared in visible form as a man in order to take away sins; and in Him there is absolutely no sin for He has neither the sin nature nor has He committed sin or acts worthy of blame. No one who remains united in fellowship with Him deliberately, knowingly, or habitually practices sin.

Righteous people act righteously. Unrighteous people act unrighteously. Jesus appeared to destroy the works of Satan.

Children of God and the children of the devil are clearly known. Your identity is not secret. Who’s your daddy?

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God has a prophetic clock He has been keeping for humanity. All throughout our existence, when He blesses humans, humans curse Him. When He has loved perfectly, we have not. Time is running out for this life so what do we do in the last hour?

1. It is time to be wise, know what time it is. Days are evil and God is good. Ephesians 5:15-18; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; James 4:13-17
2. It is time to keep focused on the things of Christ. Romans 10:9-17
3. It is time to exercise the spiritual knowledge given you by the Holy Spirit.
4. It is time Christians must make the truths of Scripture known, while recognizing and rejecting false teachers.
5. It is time to comprehend the fact that God has knit every Christian’s heart to His heart through a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ. He promised us eternal life. John 3:16; Romans 6:23
6. It is time to live in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. This is key in a Christian’s life because the Holy Spirit is the anointing of Truth.
7. It is time those living in righteousness express with holy boldness the Gospel message because the King is coming. Titus 2:11-15

Are you keeping your eye open for Christ’s return?
Will you commit yourself to a deeper fellowship with God through the studying of His Word and sharing His Gospel?

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A Christian knows the heavenly Father intimately through a love relationship with Jesus Christ and is therefore pardoned and released from spiritual debt. By believing on the only begotten Son of God our sins are forgiven. Luke 19:10; Romans 6:23

John encourages those spiritually mature because of their experiential knowledge of the eternal God of Creation. They have pursued God as Father through their lifestyle. They know God through His Holy Word. Philippians 3:12-14

John encourages those that are persistently growing in their spiritual maturity. They resist temptation and are victorious over the evil one through their faith in Jesus Christ. They continue to grow in their faith because the Word of God abides in them. Ephesians 6:10-18

John encourages those who are new believers, those spiritually immature. They have placed their faith in Jesus through the witness of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. 1 Peter 1:13-21

John warns believers; “do not love the world of sin that opposes God and His precepts, nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

John warns everyone of all ages against loving the things of this world that are not of the Father. He list them; (1) the lust and sensual craving of the flesh, (2)the lust and longing of the eyes, and (3)the pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things. Mark 8:34-38; Galatians 5:16-26

The world is passing away, and with it its shameful pursuits and ungodly longings; but the one who does the will of God and abides in Him has eternal life. John 3:16-21; John 15:1-11

Are you abiding in Christ?
Do you love the things of this world more than God?
What are you pursuing with all of your heart?

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A true Christian can have the blessed assurance in their daily experience that their salvation is real by being obedient to the Word of God. There will be a desire to please God.

Authentic Believers, like trees, will produce fruit. Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep focused on His precepts and obey His commandments, is a liar, and the truth of the divine word is not in him. Friends – don’t let friends be religious liars. Matthew 7:15-23; Galatians 5:16-26

Obedience to God’s Word is the best and only way of living for a Christ follower. Whoever habitually keeps God’s Word and obeys His precepts, is being completed and is reaching maturity. John 14:21-24

Jesus is the professing Christian’s example of living; Believers must be about the Father’s business and desire to do the Father’s will. Luke 2:49

Loving the Beloved will supernaturally occur when Christians walk in consistent fellowship with Christ. They will not intentionally hurt the cause of Christ or lead others to sin. John 13:34-35

Hatred for the Beloved happens naturally because the love and the light of Christ does not dwell in an individual. This person is blinded by the darkness of sin. The natural man never wants to keep the commands of God.

Are you in the Beloved?
Do you love the Beloved?

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The Apostle Luke told us that on Sunday, very early in the morning, women took spices to the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea to anoint Jesus dead body. They found the entrance stone rolled away and an empty tomb.

The women entered the tomb and did not find the body of Jesus. Two angels (men) in lightning white clothes appeared beside them.

In extreme fear, the women bowed their faces to the ground. They must have recognized these men as angelic beings.

The angels explained the resurrection: They asked, “Why are you looking for the living One among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise from death to life?”

The Bible records the women remembered His words, rushed from the tomb, and reported all things to the eleven Apostles and to all the rest.

Great joy, hope, amazement, worship, praises to God filled the hearts of everyone who witnessed the resurrected Christ. The same is available to everyone who will believe today.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, attested to by hundreds of eyewitnesses provides overwhelming proof that He is the Savior of the world. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Like all those faithful witnesses before us, we who believe in Jesus Christ will personally experience resurrection, because we have placed our faith in the Holy One, Jesus Christ. It is impossible for death to win. 1 Corinthians 15:53-57

Scripture is clear that all those who place their faith in Jesus Christ will be raised to eternal life. John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 15: 20-23

What about you? Do you believe in the resurrected Jesus? Have you placed your faith and trust in Him for salvation? Yes No

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Palm Sunday is the day Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, just days before His death, burial, and resurrection. Matthew 21-28

Christ Jesus marked the start of what is called “Passion Week,” with His final seven days of earthly ministry. Palm Sunday represents the “beginning of the end” of Jesus’ work in His earthly body.

Jesus commanded His disciples to retrieve the donkey that was created by God for Jesus to enter Jerusalem that faithful day. The disciples obeyed Jesus.

The 500+ year old prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9 was completely fulfilled by Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday. Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19

When Jesus came the first time to Earth, He came as a baby born in a stable and laid in a manger in Bethlehem, just as God caused to be prophesied by the prophets hundreds of years before. Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2

Zechariah’s prophecy in verses 10 and following is still a future prophecy when in God’s timing, Jesus will reign after defeating His enemies at the Second Coming.

In His first coming, Jesus was the suffering Servant. In His second coming, Jesus will be the conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances. In His second coming, Jesus will arrive with the armies of Heaven at His side. Revelation 19:11-16

On Palm Sunday, the people cried out in praise and honor to Jesus, just as was prophesied by King David and Prophet Isaiah. Psalm 118:26; Isaiah 56:7

Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Are you following Him faithfully each day?

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Real life revelation from God; God is Light, He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness forever.

Real life fact: in God there is no darkness at all, no sin, no wickedness, no imperfections.

Real life self-checkup: If anyone says they have fellowship with God and yet walks in the darkness of sin, they are a fake, a liar, and do not practice the truth.

Real life truth: if anyone faithfully walks in the Light, that is, lives each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God, as He Himself is in the Light, they have true, unbroken fellowship with Believers. God is with them, and they are with Him. The best comforting news is the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses these from all sin.

Real life deception: if a anyone refuses to admit they are a sinner, they fool themselves and the truth is not in them. God’s Word does not live in their hearts.

Real life confession: if anyone freely admits that they have sinned and confess their sins, God is true to His own nature and promises, and will forgive them their sins and will cleanse them continually from everything they do that is not in conformity with His will and purposes.

Real life choices: Do not sin. If anyone sins, they have an Advocate who will intercede for them with the Father: Jesus Christ the righteous One, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every way—purpose, thought, and action.

Real life salvation: Jesus is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for the sins of all believers found worldwide.

Real life obedience: True Believers will be focused on God’s precepts and obey His commandments. If the love of God is in anyone, they will conduct themselves in the way of Christ.

Are you in fellowship with God?
Is your real-life fellowship evident to those around you?

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John did his best to express his experiential knowledge of Jesus.

John explained that the message of Jesus is intimately related to who Jesus is.

Jesus is the Word of life, the One who existed before the beginning of the world. He never changes. Genesis 1:1, 27; John 1:1; Hebrews 13:8. John and other eyewitnesses saw Jesus as Deity, who they proclaimed had life in Himself from eternity, incarnated in time/space/history.

John emphatically stated that Jesus was the everlasting Son of God, Who is the true God and eternal life, and Who has been revealed in history, during John’s lifetime.

John enjoined all Saints to ‘koinonia’ (fellowship) in Jesus Christ. He shared his witness and proclamation. John declared that the distinguishing mark of born-again believers is that of fellowship with God the Father, with Jesus the Son, and with one another.

John encouraged the Church as they faced a barrage of false teachings. He wanted Believers to understand that fellowship with the Father and Jesus is equates to having eternal life.

John felt joy. He equated abiding in Christ for all born-again Believers as having complete joy. John 15:1-11

How’s your fellowship with the Church? How’s your fellowship with God?

How’s your joy?

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Each member of the Church was to give some portion of their income to the work of the Lord.

Paul laid out his itinerary before the Church leaders. He desired to be with the Church at Corinth but only if the Lord permitted him to do so. James 4:13-15

Paul intended to know and do the will of God. Led by the Holy Spirit, Paul recognized that God opened doors of effective ministry for him to complete. Ephesians 2:10

Paul insisted that the Church be on guard and stand firm in their faith. The Church was to respect God’s precepts and keep their doctrine pure. Ephesians 6:10-18

Paul instructed the Church to grow up in their faith, to be courageous, and to be strong.

Paul inspired the Church to lead out with love in everything. John 13:34-35

Paul identified specific people who went above and beyond in the Gospel ministry. They are forever acknowledged as co-laborers with Christ.

Paul brought to the Church at Corinth’s attention that they were not alone in God’s great work. He recognized other Churches who were on mission with God and some of the equipping influencers.

Paul imparted this truth; anyone who does not obey, respect, and believe in Jesus Christ and His message is condemned. [Anathema = accursed] John 3:16-21

Paul included “Maranatha!” as a motto or watchword to urge the Church to keep prepared and on watch for the Lord’s return.

Paul inscribed his salutation with Jesus’ grace and Paul’s love for the Church of Christ Jesus.

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People within the Church measured God’s power by their limited intelligence and refused to believe anything which they could not explain.

Paul refuted the foolish propogandists by reminding them; God is Creator and it is He Who created all bodies, as He pleased. Paul did not base his resurrection truth on principles of philosophy, but on the power of God, as declared by the Word of God. Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; 12:23; Luke 18:27

God created Adam and therefore by birth, we received our natural bodies, perfectly suited for Earth. Our natural bodies became corrupt and mortal the day Adam sinned. Aging, deterioration, and eventual death now affect all of us. From dust we came, and to dust we shall return. Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 3:20

Paul taught that after the resurrection Christians are given a new spiritual body because of the second Adam (Jesus), and that body will be perfectly suited for the new Heaven and the new Earth. The power of corruption is broken by the divine power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which gives all Christians access to eternity in the kingdom of God. Romans 1:16

Paul revealed a secret truth about a future sudden transformation date for all Christians. The mystery: God will resurrect all believers who have died, give them glorified bodies, and take them from the Earth, while simultaneously snatching away all living believers, transforming them to their glorified bodies on the way up to Heaven. This mystery is referred to as the rapture, or simply put, God removing His people from the Earth to prepare it for His imminent judgment. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Paul thanked God for the ultimate victory over death Christians have through Jesus’ resurrection! The Lord Jesus Christ inevitably has removed death’s stinger, and defeated death eternally. Romans 3:23; Revelation 1:18; 21:4

Paul encouraged the Church to continuously do the work of the Lord. A reward is coming. Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:8; James: 1:12; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 5:4; Revelation 2:10

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Since the time Christ was resurrected from the dead, people have chosen to not believe and desire to lead others away from the Truth.

It is a profession of faith that God has raised Jesus from the dead that salvation is given. Romans 10:9-13

Through faith in the resurrected Lord Jesus, a believer can never perish but has eternal life. John 3:16; Romans 6:23

Christ Jesus is the promised firstfruits from the dead.

The ultimate victory of Christ’s Kingdom is coming whereby He will rule in authority and power.

Christ must reign as King until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be abolished and put to an end is death. Psalm 8:1-9; Revelation 20:11-15

Though Christians will experience persecution in this life, we have hope of eternity because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ecclesiastes 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:10-12

Christians must perceive evil for what it is and resist its association. Bad company corrupts good morals.

Paul persuaded the Corinthian Church to be sensible and wake up from their spiritual stupor and stop their sinful living.

Paul verbally punched the Corinthian Church by saying some of them within the assembly were disgracefully ignorant of God and ignore His truths. Paul said this to their shame.

Is your hope in the resurrected Christ?

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Up to this point in our study of First Corinthians, the Corinthian Christians arrogantly boasted about many things. By letter, they were a self-centered group.

Paul initially addressed the Church using opposite or the negative connotations of what love does not do and what love is not.

Through the Holy Spirit Paul attempted to focus the Church on living a God-centered life focused on love.

God revealed to the Church that actions or sacrifices without love amount to very little in His economy. Love is premium.

God’s love will cause a Christian to assist others, focus on their needs, and offer help with no thought of repayment or recognition.

No Christian of any age has a right to boast about salvation because salvation is the undeserved gracious gift of God. Noone is able to take credit for it but God. Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 3:27-28

Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to be forward looking and forward living until the absolute completeness in Christ comes. Because of a person’s love relationship with Jesus we shall be complete! This earthly experience of God’s divine love gives Christians a taste of His perfect grace and glory. Hebrews 2:3,4

Christians of all ages have access to God through a love relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship is limited in understanding and knowledge but shall be made complete in glory.

God acknowledged that all Christians have three gifts that are tied exclusively together, namely faith, hope, and love. Faith, hope, and love are the three gifts that will be ours throughout all eternity.

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Fact Check: If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body, it is.

Fact Check: If the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body, it is.

Fact Check: If the whole body were an eye, there would be no sense of hearing.

Fact Check: If the whole body were an ear, there would be no sense of smell.

Fact Check: As to the makeup of the body, God has placed and arranged each part just as He was pleased. God decided.

Fact Check: Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to demonstrate his point by using our God-designed human body as a picture of the unity of Believers within the body of Christ. Christian unity comes with Christian maturity. John 17:11; 21-23; Romans 15:5-6

Fact Check: The Church is responsible to care for It’s members. If one member suffers, then the body suffers. If one member is honored, all members rejoice with it. Striving for unity, brings honor to Jesus, the Head of the Church. Ephesians 4:15

Fact Check: Believer’s collectively are Christ’s body, and individually members of it, each of us with our own special purpose and function.

Fact Check: God appointed and placed in the Church: first apostles, (chosen by Christ), second prophets, (those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people), third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of unknown tongues.

Fact Check: No matter the gift received by God, each Believer must exercise and put as preeminence, unselfish love.

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God is the God of boundless diversities. God gives diversities of gifts, but there is no competition between the gifts given. One Spirit, one body, multiple gifts. Eph. 4:4–6; 11-12; Rom. 12:6–8; 1 Pet. 4:10-11

Paul clarified that the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit was given individually to each Christian but was for the common good of all the Church. The Christian is given the spiritual gift, he or she does not choose it.

The gifts given to the Church at Corinth can be categorized into three groups:
1. Gifts of comprehension: (8) wisdom and knowledge,
2. Gifts of confirmation: (9,10a) faith, healings, miracles,
3. Gifts of communication: (10b-e) prophecy, discerning of spirits, unknow languages/tongues, interpretation of tongues.

Paul compared the Corinthian Church to that of the human body. Though they all were different and had differing gives, they all had their place and their purpose within the Body for the common good of all.

At conversion, every believer is baptized (spiritually transformed—united together) by the Holy Spirit into the one body of Christ.

Just as the created human body proclaims the sovereignty of God, so the Church of God using Her God-given spiritual gifts brings honor to Her Creator.

God constructed and arranged the parts in the body just as He willed with the best balance of function. When we exercise our gifts we please God.

Are you truly a member of the Body of Christ?

Are you exercising your giftedness today?

Have you asked God to use you according to His will?

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Those within the Corinthian Church who exercised their sinful behavior displeased God.

The Corinthians had so distorted worship, Paul told them they were not even celebrating the Lord’s Supper when they came together.

The divisions within the Church were obvious. Some within the Church were grossly self-centered in worship and some did attempt to make worship God-centered. Some were getting drunk at Church. The poor were left with no food to eat.

Paul delivered the instructions how to observe the Lord’s Supper to the Church at Corinth in the same order as God revealed them to him.

Paul taught that the Lord’s Supper was ordained by God as an ordinance to remember the death and resurrection of Christ.

During the night, just prior to His betrayal, Jesus took a piece of bread and gave thanks and said, “This is (represents) My body, which is offered as a sacrifice for you. Do this in affectionate remembrance of Me.”

In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant ratified and established in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in affectionate remembrance of Me.”

Every time Christians eat the bread and drink the cup, we are proclaiming the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes again.

Paul warned the Church, “whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is unworthy of Him will be guilty of profaning and sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

A person must prayerfully examine himself and his relationship to Christ, and only when he has done so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without solemn reverence and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ, eats and drinks a judgment on himself if he does not recognize the body of Christ.

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The Corinthian Church struggled with division and disunity. Paul credited this struggle, in part, to their sinful pride and their going beyond what God had commanded them.

The Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian Believer’s to imitate him as he imitated Christ. This was true for Believer’s in Paul’s lifetime and remains one of the most direct ways of disciple-making today.

Paul commended the Corinthian Church for their continued fellowship with him and for keeping the ordinances, such as baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Paul continued to answer the questions the Church sent him. (1 Corinthians 7:1a) We have his Holy Spirit inspired answers but not the original Church questions.

The ultimate principle of Paul’s writing is for the Church to submit to God-given authority and order in this life.

Christ is the Head and authority over every man, and man is the head of woman, and God (the Father) is the Head of Christ. Paul did not assert the inequality of male and female any more than he asserted the inequality of Father and Son.

There was an accepted order in the Church at Corinth regarding head coverings. If a man prophesied or prayed with his head covered, he dishonored his Head, (Christ). Likewise, if a woman prophesied or prayed with her head uncovered, she dishonored her head (man – commentators suggest her husband).

Men and women must treat each other in such a way as to reflect the picture God intended. (Ephesians 5:33). The man is to take his headship seriously, just as is the woman. Ironically, the angels, who are also under authority, are present in our worship services and observe the behavior of men and women.

Though cultures and methods change, gender roles within the Church do not. Gender is binary – masculine and feminine. Why? Humans were part of God’s plan and exist solely because of His creative action. Genesis 1:26,27

Men and women are different but are mutually interdependent. Men must not twist God’s order and take on the roles and appearances of women, nor should women take on the headship and responsibility roles and appearances of men. Honoring God should be our highest priority.

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The Good News was delivered specifically to and specifically in the City of David on a specific day. God through His prophets made His specific plans known Micah 4:8, 5:2. Immanuel specifically visited His people with His specific Kingdom purpose.

Joseph and his promised, pregnant wife Miriam traveled about 90 miles from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to register for their government census, because he was a descendant of King David.

While in Bethlehem, Miriam gave birth to Jesus in a specific place. Scholars believe it was in the Migdal Eder the tower of the flock. She wrapped her first-born Son in specific strips of cloths and laid Him in a specific stone manger.

A specific angel assigned by God appeared to specific shepherds who were keeping watch over the specific flocks during a specific night with the specific good news.

The shepherds received the good news but experienced needless fear.

The angel instructed the shepherds not to be afraid and announced that the Joy which was promised from old had come.

The good news was that the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord, had been born in the City of David.

The angel told the shepherds they would find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a food trough.

After the announcement, the brightly lit skies exploded with praise from Heaven’s angelic army.

Angelic praise: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.”

The angels went back to Heaven. The shepherds knew this was a special God-message and went straight to Bethlehem to see this Jesus.

The shepherds found Joseph, Mary, and Jesus exactly as the angels foretold. This caused the shepherds to glorify and praise God for all they had heard and seen.

The post The Specific Good News Revealed (Luke 2:4-21) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

• God demands faith and faithfulness from His followers. God is holy.  God is jealous for what belongs to Him; worship and service.  We deeply offend Him when we sin. Exodus 20:1-6
• God is all powerful. The very things He warns us to stay away from are the very things which cause us harm and destroy our lives.  Sin always brings death.  James 1:12-17
• God gives Christians freedoms in this life. Freedom in Christ should be profitable to every Christian.  We can live life His way with a clear conscience. Paul understood meat from the market was just that, meat – it didn’t matter if it was sacrificed to idols.
• God has divine ownership of the earth and everything in it. It does not matter if a pagan priest or any other declares it otherwise. Psalm 24:1, 10
• Christians should maintain social fellowships with believers and unbelievers. It is appropriate to discuss boundaries discreetly.
• If challenged regarding the Christian faith, one must respond to the unbelievers challenge, because it is a challenge to the lordship of Christ. Psalm 24:1
• The Apostle Paul summarizes our Christian lives, our freedoms, and our ability to keep our consciences and our neighbor’s conscience clear; do all things to the glory of God! This is the greatest love. Matthew 22:37-40
• People are precious to God.
  • God loves the Jews, so we love the Jews.
  • God loves the people of the nations, so we love the people of the nations.
  • God loves His Church, so we love His Church.

He wants none to be offended.  There is no glory brought to God when a Christian exercises freedoms and it harms a weaker brother, sister, or unbeliever.

• The Church at Corinth and the universal Church today must receive the challenge Paul issued. The challenge is to have a zeal for the souls of all people.  We must be unselfish soul-winners.

The post For Conscience Sake (1 Corinthians 10:21-33) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

• Throughout Biblical history, God has commanded His people to stay away from idolatry. Idolatry offends God. Genesis 3:1-24; Exodus 20:3-6; Psalm 135:13-21
• Those who worship false gods give their allegiance to demons who desire to usurp God’s rightful place in worship.
• Paul instructed the Church at Corinth to (1) keep far away from any sort of idolatry, (2) do not love anything more than God, and (3) do not participate in anything that leads to soul-trapping sin.
• Paul addressed the spiritual maturing Christian. He contrasted false idol worship with proper worship of God, as it related to communion.
• Paul focused on the utmost value of the blood of Jesus and His broken body.
• He asked rhetorical questions; Is the cup of blessing which we bless at the Lord’s Supper not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Christians spiritually share in the blood of Christ when we drink the cup!
• Is the bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ? Christians spiritually share in the body of Jesus when we break and eat the bread.
• Since there is one bread, true Christians from every geographical location and those from every age are united into one body; for we all partake of the one bread which represents the body of Christ.
• Paul used a story from Jewish traditions to further explain his point. Those who ate the sacrifices from the altar were united in their worship of the One True God.
• False gods and food sacrificed to them were nothing, yet the worship ascribed to them was actually demon worship.
• You cannot drink both the Lord’s cup and the cup of demons. Those involved with idolatrous actions became partners in demonic doctrine and deadly worship.
• Paul instructed the Church to stop striving with God. He asked, “Do we really provoke the Lord to jealousy when we eat food sacrificed to handmade “gods” at pagan feasts? Are we spiritually stronger than He?”
• God knows that the idols are nothing, but Christians in Corinth deeply offended Him by fellowshipping with demons through the feast at the pagan temples. We would do well to heed Paul’s warnings today, stay away, be set apart, flee, and not offend God through idolatry.

The post Offending God (1 Corinthians 10:14-22) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Do not touch that! Children in every culture must learn the dos and don’ts of their society. The easiest way to learn is by example. Adults in a child’s life ought to model correct behavior. The Apostle Paul gives the Church at Corinth a history lesson, a warning, and encouragement.

The Apostle Paul looked back to Israel’s history during their exodus from Egypt.
• All of the Hebrews experienced the Divine presence of God Who went before them in a Pillar of Cloud. Exodus 13:21-22; Numbers 9:15-23
• All of the Hebrews passed miraculously and safely through the Red Sea on dry ground. Exodus 14:19-31
• All of the Hebrews were baptized into Moses, that is into his safekeeping as their leader. They were identified with Moses and his deliverance by passing through the Red Sea and following God’s presence in the cloud. Exodus 14
• All of the Hebrews ate the same spiritual food – [manna from Heaven]. Exodus 16; Numbers 11:7
• All of the Hebrews drank the same spiritual water, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Exodus 17
• God was not pleased with most of the Hebrews due to their sin. Psalm 78:31-41 [ALL]

The warnings and admonitions took place and were recorded as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as the Hebrews did.
We must not be like those who sinned. They experienced supernatural acts of a loving God, yet were rebellious in their hearts.
• Some of the Hebrews were idolaters and were killed by God.
• Some of the Hebrews indulged in and tolerated sexual immorality. God struck twenty-three thousand dead in a single day.
• Some of the Hebrews tested God’s patience. They questioned His purpose and exploited His goodness. These were killed by serpents.
• Some of the Hebrews complained and were discontented with God. They were destroyed by the destroyer. It is not wrong to complain to God, but it is wrong to complain about God.

This is the equipping word for us today – no one is immune to temptation, so we should not be overconfident and self-righteous, otherwise we might fall into sin and condemnation just like the Hebrews.

God is faithful to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy. He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability to resist, but along with the temptation He has in the past and is now and will always provide the way out. Why would God do this? So you will be able to endure temptations that come in your life and have His complete joy in the process.

The post Sin Brings Death (1 Corinthians 10:1-13) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Paul faced opposition after being called by God as an Apostle. The religious and nonreligious society opposed him while he ministered in his lifetime and some still oppose him today. He provided clarity for unity.

Paul asked the Church at least nineteen rhetorical questions in order to provoke them to think. He sought to honor God and set the record straight.

Paul vindicated his faith, his call, and his official Apostolic authority. Acts 9:1-22

Paul countered those within the Church at Corinth who questioned the validity of his Apostleship.

Paul summarily cataloged his Apostolic rights and privileges.

Paul restated his purpose. He preached the hope of the Gospel.

Paul was motivated to reach all people with the Gospel with whatever appropriate means necessary.

Paul challenged the Church at Corinth to compete. This challenge would cause the Church to exercise the discipline necessary to grow spiritually and fulfill the will of God. The prize was Christlikeness. Philippians 3:14; 2 Timothy 4:7,8

Paul used his ministry as an example for others to follow. He believed upon Jesus and was saved. He submitted his life to the leading of the Holy Spirit. He was a student of the Word of God. Galatians 2:20

Paul’s missional lifestyle followed God’s leading and honored God’s call.

Paul gave a Biblical defense for his ministry. In preaching to others he disciplined himself so as not to become disqualified!

While we are not Apostles, we are Christians who are led by the Holy Spirit, guided by the Holy Word of God, called to live self-disciplined, holy lives, and make disciples of the nations through the sharing the Gospel.
Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Peter 1:13-16

The post A Biblical Defense (1 Corinthians 9:1-27) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Christians instinctively know that idolatry is folly. (Isaiah 44:9-20) The Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthian Churches ego over their religious “knowledge.” Some of the Christians in Corinth were hurting their brothers and sisters by being “puffed up” with knowledge they had acquired by their learning, efforts, and their experiences. They were not unified.

Paul acknowledged that the Christians at Corinth had knowledge concerning meats sacrificed to idols. His issue was with their self-righteous arrogance and their lack of unselfish love for others. Knowledge without love amounts to little.

God desires for His Church to build one another up and encourage one another to grow in wisdom. We cannot know what we ought to know pertaining to divine matters without love.

If we love God with awe-filled reverence, obedience, and gratitude we will be greatly loved by Him and be known as His very own! 2 Timothy 2:14-19
There is no God but the God of the Bible! Idols have no real existence, they are manmade. For the Corinthian believer, eating meat sacrificed to idols was not a big deal, unless it was.

Paul declared this truth, “there is but one God, the Father, who is the source of all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things that have been created, and we believers exist and have life and have been redeemed through Him.” John 1:1-3

In the Church in Corinth, not all believers had a proper knowledge of God. Before Christ, some of the Corinthians had been accustomed to worshipping idols as real and living. After salvation, their consciences still were weak and they felt guilty and ashamed when they experienced the idol meat market.

“Ever since Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden, mere knowledge has been a snare to the human race.”

The post In Good Conscience (1 Corinthians 8:1-8) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

God distributes His gifts to His people so that His Church might be in order.

Every Christian is unique and is accountable for his/her choices and conduct.

Every Christian was called by God. God always initiates salvation. John 6:44

Christians must be the person God has called them to be. Our lives must be brought under the authority of God’s Word. Be the best you can be just as you might envision the Lord being.

God becomes priority number one in a Christians life when we abide with Him. We valuable to God, we were bought at a precious price paid by Christ.

The Apostle Paul gives instructions to singles, widows, married, separated, and divorced people. His focus is on living for Jesus in the state you find yourself in.

The Apostle Paul had a focus on the Kingdom. He encouraged the Corinthian Church to look forward to the day of Christ return. We must live daily with the same expectation. This world is passing away and Jesus is coming soon!

God through Paul instructed the Corinthian Church to live as if Jesus was the proper authority in their lives. He wanted the Church to serve God without distractions.

Is it possible to live this Christian life on our own? No, impossible. This is why the Holy Spirit guides us through His holy Word and walks us through this life with brothers and sisters. He will make our paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Is it profitable for a Christian to live life God’s way? Yes. When we do it God’s way, we always get God’s results.

Where are you today with your Christian walk?

Is Jesus a priority in your life?

The post Consider Your Calling (1 Corinthians 7:17-40) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

The Congregation at Corinth had questions. Their culture was so divisive with sexual immorality, they needed guidance. The Apostle Paul helped with their questions head on with God’s holy truth.

Sexual immorality in relationships was within the Church. God provided clarity for believers through the Apostle.
Paul provided instructions to the singles, divorced, widowed, and the married.

Those who have never married should not have sex outside of marriage. If there is a struggle in thought and action with overpowering sexual temptations, get married.

Husbands and wives must fulfill their marital responsibilities toward one another with goodwill and kindness.

Godly marriage standards are so important, husbands and wives share mutual authority of one another’s bodies. The two have become one and are yoked together for life.

Intimacy is not to be dismissed in marriage except for a time of spiritual retreat which has been agreed upon by both husband and wife. This is the marriage partnership at it’s best.

Satan will attempt to deceive many who lack self-control, especially in the realm of human sexuality.

Paul gave this personal testimony, his singleness was a gift from God.

The unmarried were singles who were formerly married. The widows were singles whose spouse had died. Both groups were challenged to remain celibate unless they lacked self-control. They were instructed to marry if they “burned with passion,” in order not to engage in sexual immorality.

Christian married couples are commanded to keep their marriage vows. God hates divorce.

God commands Christians to live in peace. Personal relationships vary and God has answers for each. Humans complicate the simple plan of God because of selfish desires.

The post Real Questions – Real Answers (1 Corinthians 7:1-16) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

The Apostle Paul taught the Corinthian Church that Christian liberty has limitations. The desires of the flesh should never be allowed to override the Holy Spirit’s gift of self-control. Ephesians 4:17-23

Christians are commanded to live pure, holy lives. 1 Peter 1:3-16

God resurrected Jesus and will resurrect the Believer through His resurrection power. Romans 10:9-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Christian’s body is set apart by God. When Christ is Lord and Savior of one’s life, that person is unified with God as a member of His body.
God condemns impure living in the Christian’s life. The Holy Spirit reminded the Apostle Paul of God’s original plan. Genesis 2:24

Paul emphasized that Believer’s in Jesus Christ are united and joined to the Lord in one spirit.

The Bible is clear that the righteous person must run away from sexual immorality in any form, whether in thoughts, actions, or behavior, whether visual or written. 2 Timothy 2:22

The sin of sexual immorality is an internalized sin. Sin stings and stains. It has lasting affects for all parties involved. God wants pure living from His saints. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

The Believer is also the spiritual temple of God and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. You are not your own, you are expensive property of the Most High God.

Every Believer was bought with a great price. Christians were purchased with the precious, expensive blood of Jesus. Jesus made us His own.
John 3:16

Daily, Christians are to honor and glorify God with their Spirit-filled, earthly bodies. This is part of the Believer’s Biblical stewardship.

Are you living like you are loving Jesus?

How’s your Biblical stewardship?

The post Expensive Body and Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-20) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Paul discouraged secular lawsuits between the Christian community in Corinth. He stressed Church matters should be settled within the Church and not before the world.

Paul insisted the Church place all Christian disputes and wrongdoings before God’s people in order to receive Christ-like outcomes.

The Church is part of the Kingdom Judicial System. One day in the future the Saints of God will judge the world. Paul argued if the world be judged by the Church, in a greater way the petty disputes between Christians ought to be decided within the Church, by the Church. Revelation 20: 4-6

Paul further assured the Church one day in the future the Saints of God will judge and rule over angels. It is God who gives Saints their power, status, and standing in His Kingdom. Matthew 19:27-30; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Peter 2:4-10

The Corinthian Churches leadership was weakened by their self-centeredness. Paul called out the Churches faults. He rightfully judged the Churches poor behavior. He called for competent Christian leadership. It is required of God’s leaders to be bold, full of integrity and wisdom.

Accountability had been disregarded by most of the Corinthian Church until God had had enough and called Paul to correct it. Paul obeyed God.

Paul understood sinful human nature. Christians are capable of defrauding, hurting, maligning, and sometimes even attacking fellow Believers. Scripture is clear that God hates discord and fighting among His children. God corrects those in sin and drives the wrongdoer and the one done wrong to repent, seek reconciliation, seek forgiveness, and reenter right fellowship. Galatians 5:1-26

On God’s behalf, the Apostle Paul demanded the sinful actions of the Church in Corinth be stopped. Through many words he shouted Stop It!

The post Legally Responsible (1 Corinthians 6:1-8) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

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God has given the Believer every opportunity to mature in their faith and the ability to be encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16-26

Paul specifically saw himself as a servant of God and a steward of the mysteries of God. He understood God demanded him to be faithful and trustworthy.

Paul made it abundantly clear that he was not under human evaluation regarding his ministry but under the judgment of God. He knew God judged faithfully.

Paul forbade the Church from sitting in judgment on other Christians but instructed them to wait on the Lord who will judge the secret things that are hidden in darkness. God discloses the motives of people’s hearts.

Paul made the analogies about factions to himself and Apollos for the Churches benefit. His goal was to teach them not to go beyond what is written in Scripture so that they would not be puffed up and boast in favor of one minister or teacher against the other.

The unmature believers in the Corinthian Church thought they were superior or special in some particular way. They worked diligently to exalt their opinions and influence others with their words.

Paul disclosed the patient trials of the Apostles. He shared their sufferings for Christ. Matthew 5:3-16

Paul reinforced his love for the Corinthian Church which he helped found through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He loved them like a spiritual father. He sent Timothy to edify the Church.

He recognized that many in the Church remained puffed up with spiritual pride, so he invoked his Apostolic authority and challenged them. He insisted the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.

Paul asked the Church, shall I come to you with a rod of discipline and correction, or with love and a gentle spirit? They had a choice to make.

The post Puffed Up! (1 Corinthians 4:1-21) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Fact: The Corinthian Church was full of spiritually immature Christians. They were dominated by their human nature. Romans 7:1-6
Fact: Paul spent eighteen months personally discipling the Corinthian believers during his second missionary journey. Acts 18:11,12
Fact: As a messenger of God, Paul called out the specific sins of the people who were causing division in the Church. God always desires unity within His body.
Fact: The carnal Corinthian Christians were those who were truly saved but were self-centered not God-centered. Romans 7:14-25
Fact: Paul and Apollos were simple instruments used by God. Paul clarified their unity in Christ.
Fact: The believer’s boss is God. We are His servants working together.
Fact: There is only One firm foundation for the Church and His name is Jesus.
Fact: There is a day of judgment coming for all believer’s. God’s judgment will test the quality, character, and worth of each person’s work.
Fact: Believers are the temple of God, the Spirit of God dwells permanently in all, collectively and individually. He knows our thoughts.
Fact: The Church must beware of destructive teachers. Paul writes, if anyone corrupts the temple of God with false doctrine, God will destroy the destroyer. The temple of God is holy and sacred. You are the temple. Job 5:13; Psalm 94:11
Fact: All things belong to Christians; therefore, we must be good stewards of the grace given and the mysteries of God He has chosen to reveal.
Fact: God demands His stewards be found faithful and trustworthy. Matthew 6:24
Fact: We humans have nothing to brag about. We are spiritual debtors to Christ. We live our lives in accordance with Holy Scripture.

The post Foundational Facts for Faithful Living (1 Corinthians 3:1-4:7) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Paul preached a simple message. He shared God’s sacred secrets with the Corinthian Church.

Paul preached Jesus’ redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection to the Corinthian Church. He did not use the wisdom or rhetoric of the Jewish or Greek culture.
Paul was in a weakened state when he ministered to the people of Corinth. Paul had been blinded, stoned as to death, arrested, beaten, accused, and mocked prior to his visit with the people of Corinth. Acts 9; 1616-40; 17:1-34; 18:1-11

Paul shared the Gospel which he knew was the power of God. (Romans 1:16) The Holy Spirit powerfully moved Paul to preach the Gospel and gave the listeners a heart and mind to believe by faith the message preached. Ephesians 2:8,9

Paul was clear – it is not the wisdom of man which saves but it is the Christ-centered Gospel which brings about faith in an individual. Those who are spiritually maturing in their faith have access to the sacred secrets of God. God is the revealer of His secrets.

The ancient wisdom of God is and always will be hidden from the unrighteous until it is revealed by God to those who by faith believe. The insanity of sin blinded unbeliever’s who crucified the Lord of glory. Isaiah 64:4

The Holy Spirit is the teacher of the redeemed. God’s wisdom motivates Christians into deeper states of maturity.

The natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the teachings and revelations of the Holy Spirit. The wisdom of God is absurd and illogical to the unbeliever. Unbelievers are incapable of understanding God’s wisdom because it must be spiritually discerned and they are unqualified to judge spiritual matters.

The spiritually mature Christian questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals to him. The unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature. Believers have the mind of Christ. Isaiah 40:13

The post Need-To-Know Access (1 Corinthians 2:1-16) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Like the Apostle Paul we have our clarion call; preach the Gospel.

Paul was a very educated man with a certain pedigree, yet he preached the power and wisdom of God to the common man in common language.

Paul understood that in every audience there were two types of people. There were those people who were perishing from unbelief and there were those who were being saved by the power of God because they believed.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, understood that the preaching of the cross was foolishness to those who would not believe. Afterall, he was one of them when his name was Saul.

God foretold through the Prophet Isaiah that He would destroy worldly wisdom that leads to unbelief. We must listen, obey, and trust the truth from God. Isaiah 29:13-16

God’s power is and God’s wisdom is superior to mans. God is smarter than you.

The Church is God’s chosen ones. He has called us to preach the Gospel.

God’s toolchest is full of common instruments.

God has chosen to show His strength in the Christians weakness.

God’s people must live lives of humility knowing Christ is their fullness. In and of themselves, Believer’s have nothing to brag about.

God’s determined gift is that all Believer’s are in Christ Jesus.

Jesus revealed God’s plan of salvation.

Jesus makes us acceptable to God.

Jesus makes us holy and sets us apart for God.

Jesus provides our ransom from the penalty for sin.

Paul and the Prophet Jeremiah quote the LORD when they exhort us to brag on the LORD! Go King Jesus! Jeremiah 9:23-24

The post The Gospel Must Be Our Priority (1 Corinthians 1:18-31) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Paul greeted the Church in Corinth with Apostolic grace and authority. He was a God-appointed special messenger, personally chosen representative of Jesus Christ. Acts 9:3–9; 22:6–11; 26:12–18

Paul acknowledged the work of the Holy Spirit in the Corinthian Church and the spiritual gifts God had blessed them with. 1 Corinthians 12

Paul commended the Corinthian Church for their spiritual knowledge and their Christian testimony.

The Corinthian Church was established in Jesus Christ so much so, they were looking forward to His return.

Paul declared to the Church that God is forever faithful, impeccably reliable, unswervingly trustworthy, and eternally true to His promise – He can be depended on. Malachi 3:6; James 1:17

Paul affirmed the call of the Corinthian Church into fellowship with Jesus Christ our Lord. It was evident, they belong to the family of God.

All things in the Corinthian Church were not good. Paul plead with the Church in the name of Jesus to be unified in all things.

Division by definition is the process of being separated. Paul called the Church to be of the same mind and of the same judgment. W.W.J.D.?

Disputes concerning Christian brothers and sisters were and are divisive. It is okay to disagree but disagree without being disagreeable.

Each person in the Corinthian Church had their favorite religious leader. They erred due to their personal opinions instead of having the mind of Christ.

Division in the Corinthian Church focused on personal likes.
1. “I am of Paul.” Paul was a well-educated, leading Jew.
2. “I am of Apollos.” He was a man with zeal and was an eloquent speaker.
3. “I am of Cephas. Simon Peter, also known as Cephas. He was enthusiastic, strong-willed, impulsive, and, at times, brash.
4. “I am of Christ.” Jesus was the Son of God.

Paul did not speak against liking certain speakers, he spoke against dividing the Church. He wanted them united around Christ Jesus.

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Jesus spoke clearly to the people and His disciples near Caesarea Philippi about the costly conditions of being His disciple. This area was a stronghold for idol worship. Many false religions and cults called this area home.

Previous to this teaching, Jesus fed 4000 people and healed a blind man in the city of Bethsaida. His teachings and miracles led to a crisis of belief for those who wished to be His disciples.

Jesus declared a broad call for whoever desired to be His disciple. The call still echoes today. Three surrenders must take place in an individual’s life in order to be a disciple of Jesus:

1. A disciple of Jesus must deny self and set aside selfish desires.
2. A disciple of Jesus must take-up and bear his cross, thereby expressing a willingness to endure the hardships that may come as a result of following Him.
3. A disciple of Jesus must follow Jesus, fully believe His teachings, conform to His example of living, and if need be, suffer or perhaps die because of faith in Him.

Jesus was clear, whoever wishes to save his life in this world will eventually lose it through natural death and eternal separation from God.
In contrast, Jesus emphasized those disciples of His who lose their lives in this world for His name sake and the Gospel’s sake, will save it from the consequences of sin and separation from God. That disciple will have eternal life.

Jesus asked two pointed questions:
1. What does it benefit a man to gain the whole world with all of its pleasures and forfeit his soul? Answer: __________________________
2. What will a man give in exchange for his soul and eternal life in God’s kingdom? Answer: ___________________________________________

Jesus made a Kingdom announcement! “Whoever is ashamed here and now of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Are you a faithful disciple of Jesus? Will you follow Him all the days of your earthly life?

The post Costly Conditions of Discipleship (Mark 8:34-38) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

God has a clear message for the world. (John 3:14-21: John 14:6; Romans 6:23)

God has assigned messengers who are required to share His message with the world. (Romans 10:5-17)

As it relates to God, the world’s wisdom/philosophy is evil and lacks understanding. Systems of unbelief are driven by wicked and confounded men.

Through His messenger Paul, God asked four direct questions:
1. Where is the philosopher? __________________________________
2. Where is the scholar? ______________________________________
3. Where is the disputer of this age? ____________________________
4. Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? _____________

God has zero tolerance with willful spiritual ignorance. Romans 1:14-32

Although the world’s wise see preaching the Gospel of salvation in Christ alone as foolishness, this is how God revealed His wisdom. Isaiah 55:8,9

The unbelieving scholar seeks after extraordinary and astonishing happenings so they can see whether it is of a divine power or nature.

The unbelieving philosopher seeks after more and more earthly knowledge but rejects the truth of Holy Scriptures. Acts 17:16-34

Faithful followers of Jesus preach the truth of Christ crucified, dead, buried, and resurrected.

The message of Christ is offensive and is seen as foolishness to those who will not believe.

To those who are called by God from all walks of life, the message of Christ is the power of God and it is the wisdom of God. Romans 1:16

God created man. He is the potter and man is the clay. God’s wisdom is superior to man’s wisdom! Isaiah 64:8

God is the Life Giver. His power is intensity, infinitely, immeasurably greater than man’s power! Genesis 1:1; John 1:1

The post Spiritually Speaking – Special Delivery (1 Corinthians 1:18-25) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

1. It is not a sin to be wealthy. Wealth is not offensive to God; all things belong to Him. When wealth becomes an idol, it also becomes a downfall.
2. Warning! Everyone must guard against covetousness [greed]. Greed comes in various forms. Exodus 20:17
3. An individual’s personal property does not define them. 1 Timothy 6:6-10
4. A FOOL will waste their wealth on self-gratifying things verses investing their resources on Kingdom agendas.
5. Who will inherit your “stuff?”
6. We must strive to be rich in our relationship toward God.
7. Do not worry! God will provide because He is the Great Provider and He loves you. Luke 11:9-13
8. Do not be lazy – work for what God has provided.
Proverbs 18:9; 1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
9. Keep/maintain your self-worth. God has given the greatest commandment. Matthew 22:36-40
10. Remember FLOWER POWER! Take many walks outside and gaze at God’s Creation.
11. Seek God first! Make your relationship with Him your priority. Matthew 6:33
12. Do not live in fear. God has the Kingdom awaiting and He is pleased to give it to all of those who believe.
13. Save some, spend some, give some away! Your resources come from God, continuously reinvest them for Kingdom purposes. Demonstrate compassion to those around you.
14. The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

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Jeremiah 29:11

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2 Corinthians 2:14

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John 1:12

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Sermon Direct Link

The excitement of knowing a secret can sometimes be overwhelming. Solving a mystery brings a since of victory in the mind. God revealed to John an awesome secret and a great mystery – “the Glory walk!”

John joyfully wrote the things he saw and heard.

John experienced such spiritual beauty as he witnessed the great, holy city, New Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God.

God revealed that all righteous people will have God’s divine presence and His divine fellowship for eternity.

God declared these faithful and true words, “Behold, I make all things new!” The former “things” have passed away – gone! God’s word is sure.

God announced the completion of His redemption plan. Why? Because He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End!

God committed His inheritance to the righteous and thirsty overcomers. He warned the unrighteous. There is a requirement to walk in glory before you walk in Glory! Romans 6

God gave to us, through John, a snapshot of His Bride and a He gave us a quick tour of our eternal home. We have access only by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

The angel of God finished John’s tour by repeating these urgent words, “these words are faithful and true.” He revealed Jesus is coming quickly, so we must walk worthy. Ephesians 4

John, overwhelmed with emotions, fell at the angel’s feet to worship him. He instructed John not to worship him because he was a fellow servant. He commanded John’s attention to obey the Word of God and to worship the One True God.

The angel of God gave warning to the unjust and to the righteous. The time for choice is over.

Jesus testified to people of all ages. He is coming quickly and He is bringing His reward with Him, to give to everyone according to his work. He blessed the righteous and He warned the unrighteous.

God’s Word is sacred – He warned that no one should add to it or take away from it.

Only those whose name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life shall enter into the new Holy City. Is your name written there? Are you ready for Jesus’ return?

John prayed God’s grace on all of His servants. Jesus is coming Soon Church! Soon!

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John saw a powerful angel from Heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain (for which to bind Satan) in his hand. The angel overpowered Satan and hurled him into the bottomless pit.

God revealed to John a vivid picture of Saints reigning with Christ Jesus for one thousand years. Satan has zero influence in the millennial kingdom.
The millennial kingdom time period is also referred to as the first resurrection. God determines that those who are in the first resurrection are blessed and holy. He calls the Saints, Priests of God, who will reign with Christ for one thousand years.

God revealed to John that at the end of the thousand-year period (millennial kingdom), Satan will be released from the bottomless pit to deceive the nations for a short time.

Satan futilely attempts to lead a last great rebellion against God. Unrighteous people will follow him but God’s holy fire from Heaven will fall and devour them. Satan will be hurled into lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever.

The last judgement for all of the unrighteous dead happens at the Great White Throne Judgment. Heaven’s accounting books are opened and all unrighteous unbelievers are judged by Jesus for their works done while on earth. God keeps records.

The Bible refers to Death and Hades being cast into the eternal lake of fire. This is where the beast and the false prophet are. This time of judgement is also referred to as the second death. Hebrews 9:27,28

Sadly, anyone’s name not found in the Book of Life, will be hurled (like Satan) into the eternal lake of fire.

Is it possible to escape the Great White Throne Judgment and the eternal lake of fire? Yes, but the only means of escape offered by God is a decision to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior before a person dies. Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-13

Jesus said you must be born again. The Spirit of God will give you this new life when by faith you profess Jesus as Lord and fully surrender your life to His call. He invites you to live with Him now and forever. John 3:1-20

What will your decision be?

Everyone will make a decision.

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John was given a special name for Jesus – “Faithful and True.” This descriptive name reveals Jesus’ total trustworthiness, reliability, and dependability. It describes His character and makes known His words and works as Lord of lords and King of kings.

John hears all of Heaven shouting the glory of God. God is praised for His salvation, glory, honor, and His power.

God’s divine justice is celebrated because His judgments are true and righteous. He will exercise divine vengeance on the persecutors of His servants.

Heaven is loud with praise. All of Heaven can only worship and shout, “Hallelujah!” – “Praise the Lord!”

A voice from the throne of God sparked even greater heavenly praise when God’s power was acknowledged. John said he heard “something like the shout of a vast multitude, and like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all reigns.”

John saw that joy and gladness had filled Heaven because the marriage of the Lamb had come. His Bride had made Herself ready.

John was instructed by the angel of God to write the true and exact words of God – “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The angel instructed John to only worship God. He said, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy, His life and teaching are the heart of prophecy.”

John saw Heaven open and Jesus appeared on a white horse. Jesus was called Faith and True, and it was declared that in righteousness, He judges and makes war.

In his heavenly vision, John described Jesus’ appearance similar to that of Revelation 1. John saw His heavenly army following their King of kings and Lord of lords into battle.

John saw another heavenly angel preparing for another feast. He declared a complete conquest of evil and a feast for the birds.
Evil powers and armies gathered together to make war against the Lamb and His army.

The beast (Antichrist) and the false prophet who assigned the mark of the beast, were snatched up and hurled into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The armies of the beast were killed with the Sword of the Spirit which proceeded from the mouth of Christ. The birds fed ravenously and gorged themselves with their flesh.

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God revealed to John great and marvelous sights that acted as a warning of terrifying and horrible events to come.

John saw seven angels who had the last seven plagues (afflictions, calamities). They are last because this will complete God’s Tribulation wrath.

John received a vision of those victorious redeemed worshipping before God. They overcame the beast, his image, and did not receive his 666 mark. John could not fully describe this great and marvelous sight.

The seven angels were sent from the presence of God to release His full, holy wrath on the Earth.

First Bowl Judgment: Loathsome and malignant sores. This holy judgment plagued anyone who worshipped the beast and had his mark, (666).

Second Bowl Judgment: The sea (saltwater) turns to blood. This holy blood judgment caused the sea to instantly turn foul and disgusting. Every living thing in the sea died.

Third Bowl Judgment: The fresh water – rivers and streams turned to blood. This holy judgment is recompence on bloodthirsty men because of their evil.

Fourth Bowl Judgment: Severe solar heat which scorches people. This holy judgment caused solar radiation to severely burn humans. Instead of repenting, the people who are burned by this heat cursed God’s name. They are blasphemers.

Fifth Bowl Judgment: Darkness and severe pain. This holy judgment was directed at the throne of the beast and his kingdom. Everyone was plunged into darkness and people gnawed their tongues because of their excruciating anguish and severe torment. They loved their wickedness and refused to repent. They continued to blaspheme the God of Heaven because of their anguish and their sores.

Sixth Bowl Judgment: The Great Euphrates River dried up. This holy judgment dried up the Euphrates River and removed a natural barrier which allowed nations from the east to sweep westward to join up with the forces of the Antichrist for the Battle of Armageddon. Satan will send spirits of demons to push evil men to the great day

Seventh Bowl Judgment: Massive earthquake and catastrophic weather and destruction. This holy judgment completed the Tribulation wrath of God. Extreme noises, booming thunder, and white bright lightning filled the atmosphere. A massive earthquake like never before on earth caused severe damage to Jerusalem and the rest of the world. Giant hailstones weighing about a hundred pounds each fell on people. Still, men refused to repent of their wickedness and they blasphemed God.

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The Apostle John uses many literary descriptions to describe what he saw. God revealed all God wanted John to experience and all we need to know. As we study, we study to share, not just be informed.

The Holy Spirit revived the two witnesses. God recalled them home to Heaven.

Just after the seventh trumpet sounded, all of Heaven erupted in praise. Heaven is loud again with worship.

God took the time in the middle of His revelation to give a summary report. He demonstrated His power over Satan and His ability to protect His own.
War broke out in heaven, Michael [the archangel] and his angels waged war with the dragon and his angels. The dragon and his angels fought but they were not strong enough and did not prevail. Heaven was cleared out and they were thrown down to the Earth.

The dragon is Satan. He hates the kingdom of God, the power of Christ, Israel, and the Church.

The Christian’s strength comes through the blood of the Lamb and their testimony faith in Him.

People on earth will worship Satan and his representatives. Their unholy trinity will blaspheme the name of God during their short reign given them by God. Every unbeliever will receive the mark of the beast – 666 in their right hand or on their forehead. There is no chance of salvation after receiving his mark.

Many will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus during the Tribulation. They will be attacked and killed by the satanic ruling government.

Jesus will stand on the Mount of Zion with His sealed Saints. They have His name written on their foreheads. They worship and praise God with a new song- the song of His victory!

God will send His angel to preach the everlasting Gospel to all who dwell on the Earth. He calls on all people to place their faith in Him as their Creator and Savior.

God will send His second angel to declare the defeat of Babylon, the representation of all fallen evil powers.

God will send His third angel to loudly warn those who worship falsely and receive the mark of the beast (666), will experience 100% of God’s wrath. They will experience eternal life in hell.

Saints of God will experience rest from the labors, their works will follow them in Heaven.

Jesus reaps His harvest because time has come. God’s wrath is coming in due time.

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“Are we there yet?” This is possibly the most asked question on any family road trip. When looking into the prophecies found in Revelation, we often want to know, “are we there yet?” The simple answer for today is, “no, we are not there yet, but we are close.” Believers should be comforted knowing God is completely in charge of all things!

In John’s vision God gave seven angels His seven trumpets. The seven angels prepared to sound trumpets of God. Notice all begins around God’s throne.

The seven angels discharge their duties and initiate God’s judgment. Trumpets 1-4 release supernatural judgments on the Creation.

God sends grace in the form of a single angel warning those on earth with this message of repentance: “Woe, woe, woe, great wrath is coming to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpets which the three angels are about to sound announcing ever greater judgments!”

In John’s vision, trumpet five revealed the abyss opening and an outpouring of scorpion locusts along with their king. People on earth are severely tormented for five months.

In the vision, God’s sixth angel sounded his trumpet and was commanded to release four demonic angels of death from the great river Euphrates. These demonic angels killed one-third of all people. After this great judgment, people continued in their sin and still refused to repent and turn to God.

John experienced spectacular mysteries revealed and then sealed by God’s mighty angel. The angel is a special holy angel and holds a scroll in his hand.

John was commanded to prophesy God’s divine judgment to the nations.

In John’s vision, John was given a measuring rod. He is presented those who righteous and those who are unrighteous.

God provided two human witnesses. The witnesses had supernatural powers to prophecy, perform miracles, and had strong abilities to defend themselves. They were clothed in sackcloth and preached repentance. People hated them and wanted to kill them.

The Church of Jesus Christ is not present during this Great Tribulation. Are you sure of your salvation? You can be sure today!

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Power is contained in the seven-sealed scroll. The contents were so powerful only Jesus could take it and open each seal. Lawlessness reigns during this appointed time on Earth, in accordance with God’s plan and timing, one-by-one the Lord Jesus reveals the seven mysteries found within the scroll of God.

Only Jesus is worthy to open the seven-sealed scroll. He is in control.

The seal judgments are followed shortly by the trumpet judgments, and then the vial judgements. Each of the judgements are real future events.

Seal one – The white horse: The rider personifies a victorious government on earth which will make peace, although it will be fake and will not last.

Seal two – The fiery red horse: The rider personifies a government stirring the heart of man to unfettered war. Violence and murder reign; peace will not be found.

Seal three – The black horse: The rider personifies a government which is dishonest and oversees a world-wide famine.

Seal four – The pale green horse: This is Death and Hades – a personification of the fallout of the first three seals. One fourth of the population will die from the leftovers of war, disease, famine.

Seal five – In Heaven, believers who have been murdered for their faith in Jesus cry out to Him for justice. Evil men hate Jesus.

Seal six – Chaos erupts on Earth. It is time for God’s wrath. No one can stand against God.

God preserves, marks, and seals 144,000 Jews for His glory. God revealed to John the vast multitudes of Tribulation Saints standing before the Throne of God. Every nation, tribe, people group, and languages were there. Worship happens!

Seal seven – All the jubilant celebration in Heaven stops for 30 minutes – all is quiet. The seven trumpet judgments are ready to be sounded. God’s wrath is about to be unleashed on Earth.

We must not fear but we must prepare and share.

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God’s throne is the origin and center of all history. God allowed John to take a peek into Heaven and see revelations of future events. John could only describe the glory and greatness of what he saw. The views he witnessed could only be described in comparison to things he knew. John was in the Spirit seeing holy, spiritual things. What an overwhelming experience!

John saw Heaven opened. He had a grand spiritual reception and was given grand revelations.

John transitioned from Jesus’ words to the seven Churches in Asia, to a God’s throne room in Heaven. His transition began with “after these things…”
Notice, Heaven is a real place. John had to reflect on the words His Master told him when he was younger and Jesus when He was headed to the cross. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for His disciples. John 14:1-6

John appeared overwhelmed by the majesty and sights of Heaven. He heard unceasing praise of God coming from the twenty-four elders, the four living creatures who are before the throne of God, and the multitudes of angels. He experienced beauty and glory like never before.

John saw his Friend, his Savior, his God – Jesus Christ glorified and He saw Him presented as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and also as the Lamb who had been sacrificed.

John described with great delight, the beautiful, loud worship of Jesus in Heaven. “Worthy is the Lamb; worthy is the Lamb was and is repeated by the inhabitants of Heaven.

John heard blessings pronounced on the Lamb Who is worthy. Christ was and is to be honored repeatedly.

John released some of the lyrics of the “new song” (v9) in Heaven. With great joy the elders and creatures sang of God’s glorious redemption through Jesus.

The “new song” proclaimed the finished work of redemption. It also proclaimed the future reign of the saints for eternity.

Are we ready Church? Are you ready saint?

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In chapters two and three, Jesus spoke to and is speaking to His Church. The Church (the Ekklesia) is “called out” by God. He clearly declares He knows each Churches works. If we want to make a Kingdom difference in our world, we must work to be different from the world but never lose our love for Jesus. God has called the Church to be separate from sin to embrace fellowship with other believers and to be salt and light to the world. We must have eternity on our minds. Matthew 5:14; Acts 2:42; 1 Peter 1:16

Ephesus – The Church of sound doctrine but sorry love for (Jesus).
Key words – (remember, repent, return, and reward)

Smyrna – The Church who was poor but rich. They were fearful people.
Key words – (risk, righteousness, reward)

Pergamum – The Church who was compromised. They knowingly tolerated sin.
Key words – (reject, repent, reward)

Thyatira – The Church who allowed false teachings. They had evil associations.
Key words – (recognize, repent, reward)

Sardis – The Church which was dying. They were satisfied with mediocracy.
Key words – (rotten reputation, remember, repent)

Philadelphia – The Church who were faithful. They were loyal to Jesus.
Key words – (remain, recognize, receive, reward)

Laodicea – The Church who was self-satisfied. The were rich but poor.
Key words – (rich, realize, rebuke, repent, reward)

Repeatedly Jesus calls the Church to hear spiritually and obey His commands. His commands always come from His nature, a nature of love.

Jesus loves His Church. If you are saved, you are His.

In your personal life, which of the seven Churches does your spiritual walk resemble?

Are there any “key words” you hear the Holy Spirit saying to your heart?

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Everyone loves a good rescue story, especially the ones where rescue seems hopeless. For believers, there is nothing sweeter than being rescued. We call it being saved. We must always be careful not to take our Rescuer (Jesus) for granted. He is and will always be Holy God.

John identifies with Christians from all ages. He is our brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance which are in Jesus. John 16:33; Acts 14:22

John was a prisoner on Patmos Island. He was exiled there for preaching the Word of God regarding eternal salvation and for his personal witness for Jesus the Messiah (Christ).

John was in prison to Rome while simultaneously being in praise to God. He was physically in a very difficult place in his senior years, but he was spiritually in worship with God.

John heard a loud voice like a shofar! The blessed sound was Eternal Alpha and Omega with a message to the churches in Asia.

Jesus called His Churches by name. John revealed to all the reality that Jesus was and is in the presence of His Churches. Jesus is the Head of every Church. Colossians 1:15-20

John turned to see this powerful voice he heard. When he saw Jesus, John fell at His feet as if he were dying. He feared His presence, he feared His holiness.

John revealed the vision of our glorified Christ to all generations. Revelation 1:12-16

Jesus touched John with His right hand and instructed John not to be afraid because He Himself was the First and the Last. He lives and was dead, He is alive forever more.

Jesus is the owner of the keys to Hell and Death. For the believer, there is no more fear of death and hell because we are overwhelmingly victorious through our Wonderful Savior Jesus Christ! Romans 8:35-39

God revealed to John a mystery. Jesus explained the mystery of the seven stars in His right hand and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are God’s seven divine messengers. The seven lampstands are the seven churches mentioned in Revelation 1:11; 2:1-29;3:1-22.

Are you confident in your personal salvation with Jesus Christ?

Are you boldly telling others about the way of salvation through Jesus alone?

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God the Father gave these words to show what would soon be taking place on planet Earth. We must be alert, watch, and take care in reading Revelation just as careful as John took writing it. Matthew 25:13; Romans 13:11-14

God did not allow John mistakes when understanding and writing the revelation of Jesus Christ. John wrote the things he witnessed, the things which were, and the things to come. (1:19)

God issued a blessing to all who reads, hears, and obeys His Word.

God caused John to proclaim the urgency of His message. The fullness of time is coming quickly.

The Triune God greets the seven churches with grace and peace. Revelation deals primarily with God’s judgment, thank God for His grace and peace.

God makes much of Jesus, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

God inspired John to tell us, Jesus loves us, He washed us from our sins in His blood, He has made us a kingdom and priests to the Father. Glory, power, majesty, and dominion are His forever! Amen!

John emphatically stresses – LOOK! Jesus is coming with clouds; every eye will see Him. All nations on earth will be overwhelmed by Him and weep because of His overpowering presence. They will realize their sin and guilt, and will anticipate and fear His coming judgment and wrath. Isaiah 52:7-8; Daniel 7:13-14

Jesus is omniscient – the Alpha and the Omega. He is Truth, He knows all things. No one can dispute Him!

Jesus is omnipresent – the Beginning and the End. He is present everywhere. His victory will be forever.

Jesus is omnipotent – the Lord which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. He has unlimited power.

Are you ready for His return?

Are you headed for Heaven?

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We enjoy being on the winning side. Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem, knowing He was heading toward His death, to pay for all men’s sin, so that we might have eternal life. We celebrate Palm Sunday to remember that momentous occasion.

Jesus is divinely awesome – because He is God. He demonstrated His omniscience by detailing for His disciples where to go and what and who to encounter.

Jesus’ disciples listened intently to Jesus’ instructions.

Jesus’ disciples obediently traveled to the specific place Jesus commanded and found everything, just as He said.

Jesus’ disciples trusted Him and spoke His own word’s to the owners of the colt.

Jesus was honored by His disciples as they sat Him on the donkey.

As Jesus rode the donkey down the descent from the Mount of Olives, towards Jerusalem, people spread their coats on the road as an act of homage before a king. All who were or claimed to be His followers praised God adoring Him joyfully with loud voices for all the miracles and works of power that they had seen. Jesus fulfilled prophecy. Zechariah 9:9

They multitudes praised Him shouting, “BLESSED (celebrated, praised) IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! Peace in heaven and glory (majesty, splendor) in the highest [heaven]!” Luke 19:38 (AMP) Psalm 118:25,26

The unbelieving religious Pharisees insisted Jesus rebuke His disciples for shouting this Messianic praise. Jesus told them if the people kept quiet, the rocks would shout with praise.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, He wept over the city and the spiritual ignorance of its people. He said, “If only you had known on this day of salvation, even you, the things which make for peace and on which peace depends! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.” He prophesied their future destruction.

Jesus entered the temple enclosure and with authority threw out those who were selling and trading there. He rebuked their sinful misuse of His house!

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Joel capitalized on the devastating locust plague to emphasis God’s message of future judgment and also the hope that comes for a repentant people. Joel prophesied of God’s future ultimate judgment. This judgment is still future, but we are 2023 years or so closer to the Valley of Decision.

God’s word is true – “It shall come to pass.”

This future time shall be full of the wonders of the Holy Spirit.

A beautiful word for the future and for our day is this truth – “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

A fact to be remembered, God’s Word affirms that the Jews are God’s chosen people. Deuteronomy 7:6

The ultimate goal of God’s choice of the Jews as His chosen people was to produce the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would be the Savior of the world.

There is much war, pain, heartache, and toil left for Israel to endure. Every nation will turn against them to destroy them, but God promised to deliver them.

In that great day, the LORD will bring the multitudes of all nations to the Valley of Decision. There He will pass judgement and show Himself strong.

We, like the early Church, must not be deceived or troubled, because this time has not yet come, but is near. 2 Thessalonians 2:2

As we await the return of our LORD to take us home, we must be an example and a witness to the world. 2 Peter 3:8-18

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Just as in verse one the shofar is commanded to be sounded. God has something to say to those reaping the consequences of their sins. God always prescribes the way to right relationship and fellowship with Him.

The Prophet Joel gave the people of God, God’s method for reconciliation:
1. Blow the Shofar – sound the alarm to safety.
2. Consecrate a fast. Stop everything – even eating.
3. Gather the people. God wanted to concentrate His people.
4. Sanctify the congregation. God wanted to consecrate His people.
5. Assemble the elders. God called out the spiritual leaders to lead in repentance.
6. Gather the children and the babies. This was a multi-generational message.
7. The Bridegroom was to leave his chambers. The bride was to leave her dressing room. They were to stop normal life and make God a priority.
8. The priests, mediators for the people of God to God, were to weep and call out to God. (Psalms 51:10-19)

If the people did what God commanded through His prophet, then God would have Divine compassion for the land and for the people.

When the people of God repent and do life God’s way, He showers them with blessings and protection.

God further encouraged His people with promises of great things to come. They would have a hope and a future.

God promised His people His Divine presence.

Do you know Jesus today as Lord and Savior?

Are you living like He is coming again?

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Shofar [SHOH-far] noun. : the horn of an animal (usually a ram) blown as a trumpet by the ancient Hebrews in battle and during religious observances and used in modern Judaism especially during Rosh Hashanah [Jewish New Year] and at the end of Yom Kippur [Day of Atonement].

The Shofar was commanded by God to be the instrument to alert the children of Israel to get ready to move. Numbers 10:1-10

Although we do not completely understand all future prophecies, God, through His prophets promised, the Day of the LORD is coming! It is mentioned 75 times in the Bible. Note: the Day of the LORD is a period of time not just a 24-hour period. God’s prophets never contradict each other.

God has warned that the Day of the LORD is at hand – this time is near and close. As he preached, the Prophet Joel looked away from the locusts plague and looked toward the Great Tribulation period.

The Day of the Lord will be a time of separation for the righteous and judgement for the unrighteous. It is going to be a dark and dreadful time for the unrighteous. Amos 5:18-20; Daniel 12:1-4

As the future instruments of God’s judgment come, there is hope. The Church will be raptured (taken up), prior to the Tribulation time will begin. People will be saved during the Tribulation.

The Prophet Joel prepared the time for the Apostle John to affirm this terrible time. Revelation 9

Joel is clear, no one can stand against the Day of the LORD! God called and continues to call His people to repent and prepare.

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By the simple nature, a Biblical prophet is one who prophesies the words spoken to him by God. Joel writes – “this word of the LORD came to the Prophet Joel.” The initial audience was the spiritual leaders and people of the land of Israel. This plague Israel had recently experienced was a unique warning sent from God.

In the Old Testament, literal locust swarms had been sent by God in the past to bring judgment, but nothing like this, literal four-part locust plague had never hit Israel. Deuteronomy 28-38-42; 1 Kings 8:37

God expressed through Joel; a dual meaning using this event. A here-and-now happening and as a prophetic warning of future events. This warning was commanded to be passed on to future generations.

In the New Testament times, Jesus referenced a future distress coming like has never happened before. The Great Tribulation. Matthew 24:15-22

The sinfulness of the people of Israel was so great, even their worship outward expression of worship was altered.

Joel proclaimed a fast, a solemn assembly, a gathering of the elders and the people of the land. They were called to meet at the house of the LORD and plead to God for mercy.

Joel, through inspiration of God, moved from preaching about the unforgettable locust crisis to preaching about a future divine judgement(s), the Day of the LORD. [The New Testament calls it a day of “wrath,” a day of “visitation,” and the “great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14) and refers to a still future fulfillment when God’s wrath is poured out on unbelieving Israel (Isaiah 22; Jeremiah 30:1-17; Joel 1-2; Amos 5; Zephaniah 1) and on the unbelieving world (Ezekiel 38–39; Zechariah 14).]

The Church must pray and diligently preach God’s reconciliation ministry. (2 Corinthians 5:16-21) We must plead with God help us live holy lives and to save sinners from their sins. People who are called by God’s name reap the consequences of a sinful life. Romans 5:1-12

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Why does God’s plans include sufferings and judgments? Why are there bad events in life? We must understand the perfect life was over when Adam and Eve chose to sin against God in the Garden of Eden. God has never asked us what we think He should do, He is holy God.

Satan hates and attacks the Saints of God with tribulations with intent to hurt.

The Savior loves and protects the Saints of God and sometimes brings tribulations in order to cause righteous living. Hebrews 12:4-11

We must understand that Christ suffered for us, even while we were sinners. Romans 5:8

Although Christ’s sufferings for us seem unfair, it was the will of God.

Peter addressed our former sinful lives before salvation and our redeemed lives after salvation. It was the Gospel preached and received that changed us. Romans 10:9-13

In our day, with the devil, the world’s system, and our old natures are still warring, we must be on guard to live a righteous and holy life through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Our Savior’s love must shine through, in this darkened, sinful world. 1 Peter 1:16

We will be persecuted for following Christ. God allows difficulties and suffering in the lives of His people to purify them. When we are persecuted for the cause of Christ, we share in His sufferings. Romans 8:17

Ultimately, Christians will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ and unbelievers will be judged at The Great White Throne Judgment. 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15

God’s desire is that His people learn to walk in holiness and fellowship with Him. Romans 8:29

God expects the ones He has redeemed by the blood of His Son to set the example for the rest of the world. Judgment begins at God’s house!

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God loves us unconditionally. Jesus was so motivated by love that He gave Himself a ransom for us on the cross. Jesus spoke into Peter’s life and gave him hope where he had none. Much like the Prophet Jeremiah, God gave Peter a great assignment and a great future. Although they both were martyred, we read their stories in the Ancient Text of Scripture.

Failure – Peter was weak in his flesh and struggled through spiritual warfare (Luke 22:31-34). He adamantly denied knowing the Lord three times, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus. Matthew 26:69–74; Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:55–62; John 18:15–18, 25–27

Peter wrote and encouraged saints to keep on keeping on for Christ. 1 Peter 5:5-11

Forgiven – Jesus questioned Peter’s love for Him three times. He restored and forgave him on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). John 21:1-17

Focus – Jesus told Peter he would indeed die for Jesus and by his death glorify God. Peter understood what Jesus said, but his curiosity got the best of him and he wanted to know about John’s future. Jesus focused Peter on Peter’s mission.

Follow – Jesus specifically called and commanded Peter to follow Him at the Sea of Galilee. Peter was to stop fishing for fish and start fishing for people. Matthew 4:18-22; John 21:19; John 21:22

John attested to the truthfulness of his Gospel. He gave to the Church, a portion of God’s Holy Word.

John wrote to encourage all Saints regarding the many mighty works of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Like Saints of old, we serve an awesome God!

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Living in community with others exposes ones personality. Togetherness allows for mistakes, errors, failures, and make-ups. This is true in our relationship with God. Peter would tell us later, “Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].” (1 Peter 4:8 AMP)

After Jesus miraculously supplied His disciples with a superabundant catch of fish, He invited them to breakfast.

After breakfast Jesus focused His attention on restoring Peter to right fellowship with Himself.

Jesus asked Peter a simple question; “do you love Me more than these.” After Peter affirmed his love for the Lord, Jesus commissioned him to feed His lambs.

Jesus asked Peter a second time; “do you love Me?” Again, Peter affirmed his love for the Lord. Jesus commissioned him to shepherd His sheep. 1 Peter 5:1-11

Jesus asked Peter a third time; “Do you love Me?” Peter affirmed Jesus’ omniscience by saying Lord You know all things. Jesus commanded Him to feed the flock of God. Acts 20:25-30

Jesus prophesied concerning the future persecution and death of Peter.

Jesus indicated Peter’s death would glorify God.

Jesus refreshed His call to Peter to “Follow Me.”

Peter left fishing permanently that day. He became a forgiven and faithful follower of Christ Jesus. This is discipleship! This is loving Jesus!
Have you received the forgiving love of Jesus?

Are you following Him daily?

Do you want to be right with God?

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Jesus visited with His disciples multiple times prior to His final ascension into Heaven. Jesus cares for His own deeply, with a love we cannot fully comprehend. Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Peter led a group of seven disciples to go back to fishing on the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee). They decided to return to what they where “good at.”

We must not forget; Jesus had earlier called the disciples to leave fishing for fish and become fishers of men. Matthew 4:18-22

The disciples failed at catching men and at catching fish.

Jesus watched the disciples from shore. He knew their hearts. He knew their failures, yet His compassion for them remained.

Jesus yelled out to the disciples in their failure, do you have any food? They were about a football fields length from the shore.

Jesus caused His disciples to admit their failure. Then He blessed them with a superabundant catch of fish.

John recognized it was Jesus on the shore. Peter jumped in and swam ashore. (This is the same water Peter walked on previously).

The disciples tugged the full net of fish to shore. They counted 153 large fish! Jesus did a miracle in their presence.

Jesus had a of fish and bread breakfast cooking on a fire. He invited the disciples to bring some of their catch and place it also on the fire.

Jesus took the bread and fish and gave it to each of them to eat. Jesus fellowshipped with His disciples.

This was the third time Jesus had revealed Himself to the disciples, after God had raised Him from the dead.

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John 1:1-14 Jesus is God – He created all things.
John 2:1-11 Jesus turned water into wine.
John 3:1-21 Jesus offered eternal life.
John 4: 43-54 Jesus healed the officials son.
John 5:1-9 Jesus healed the lame man by the Sheep Gate Pool.
John 6:1-14 Jesus fed 5000 people plus women and children.
John 7: 14-19 Jesus spoke doctrinal truths of God.
John 8:54-58 Jesus declared Himself God, the Great I Am.
John 9: 1-41 Jesus healed the 40+ year old man who was born blind.
John 10:1-42 Jesus affirmed His Messiahship. He divided the people.
John 11:38-44 Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 12: 12-19 Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, He was announced “The King of Israel.”
John 13:1-17 Jesus washed His disciples feet. He demonstrated Kingdom leadership.
John 14:1-31 Jesus preached about Heaven and the Holy Spirit.
John 15:1-26 Jesus commanded love from His disciples.
John 16:1-33 Jesus committed God’s love to His disciples.
John 17:1-26 Jesus prayed for His disciples.
John 18:1-40 Jesus suffered for being the Truth.
John 19:1-42 Jesus was crucified on a cross, He died, and was buried.
John 20:1-31 God raised Jesus from the dead and Jesus appeared to His disciples.

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On Resurrection Sunday evening, the disciples (minus Judas and Thomas) left their homes and had a meeting. They secured the doors behind them, possibly planning for that most disturbing knock from the Judaizers.

To their surprise, Jesus showed up. In the middle of their deepest fear, Jesus walked right through their secure door and greeted them with these words, “Peace be with you.”

Luke 24:36,37, tells us Jesus startled and terrified them by His appearing. They were sure He was a spirit.

Jesus confronted and comforted His disciples. He asked the ultimate question we often ask – Why? He showed them His nailed scared hands and feet.

The disciples were amazed and overjoyed Jesus was there. They still were not fully believing. Jesus asked for food and ate with them. He allowed them to touch Him. He gave them the ability to believe in His resurrection and receive the Holy Spirit. Romans 10:1-17

The disciples later told Thomas of the events. Thomas wanted a personal, hands-on experience in order for him to believe. A week later, he received the very thing he desired. Jesus appeared again, walking through a closed door.

Jesus rebuked Thomas’ doubt. Thomas confessed Jesus as Lord and God.

Jesus committed a blessing on all future Believers. What a difference a day makes.

Have you received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?

The post What a Difference a Day Makes (John 20:19-29) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

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Like the Apostle Paul, we preach the Gospel.

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

God demonstrated His absolute sovereignty over life and death when He raised Jesus from the dead.

The resurrected Jesus, as eye-witnessed by hundreds people, provides irrefutable proof that He is the Savior of the world.

The resurrection of Christ is fundamental to our Christian faith. We serve a living Savior. Romans 10:9-13

Paul made it clear, if Jesus Christ is not resurrected, then we have no hope, no Savior, no salvation, and no hope of eternal life.

In John 11:25 – Jesus said to Martha, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies; and everyone who lives and believes in Me [as Savior] will never die. Do you believe this?”

Our resurrected Jesus was and is part of God’s ultimate victory plan.

We have hope of eternity and we have the wisdom of God knowing He will be exalted when all things are subject to Jesus. To God be the glory!

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Mary Magdalene truly loved Jesus with a God-honoring love. She rose early Sunday morning to visit the tomb where Jesus was laid.

She along with other ladies visited Joseph’s tomb to anoint the body of Jesus as was the custom of the Jews. They were not looking for the living among the dead.

Mary was looking for a dead Jesus – she panicked over a missing corpse.

Mary ran and reported the empty grave to Peter and John.

Both Peter and John ran to the burial tomb. They both viewed the massive entrance stone out of the way, an empty tomb, and the linen graveclothes of Jesus.

Peter marveled at what he saw. John began believing in the hope of the resurrection when he looked at the evidence.

Peter and John returned to their homes. Mary returned to the tomb. Weeping, she looked in the tomb and had an encounter with two angels. Mary could see the empty grave but instead of a resurrected Lord, she thought someone stole the corpse of Jesus.

The angels asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Then they said, “He is not here, but is risen! Remember…” Matthew 24:1-11

Jesus has compassion and spoke with Mary. When Mary saw Jesus, she rejoiced and desired to embrace Jesus strongly.

Jesus gave Mary a commission to Go and tell His brothers the Good News, while He ascended to God the Father. Mary obeyed the commands of Jesus.

The post Looking For Jesus (John 20:1-18) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

What characteristics did Joseph model for Jesus?
• Joseph was a humble man who obeyed God and God’s law.
• Joseph was teachable.
• Joseph was a righteous man.
• Joseph bore the stigma of the Nazareth community because his wife was pregnant before they were fully married. He married Jesus’ mother.
• Joseph named his son Jesus, just as the angel of the Lord instructed him. He had Jesus circumcised according to the covenant.
• Joseph abstained from a physical relationship with Mary until after Jesus was born. Matthew 1:25
• Joseph obeyed the government of his paid his taxes.
• Joseph raised Jesus as his son. He registered Him as his son with the government as being from the lineage of David. Luke 2:4,5
• Joseph dedicated Jesus according to the law of Moses. Exodus 13:2, 12, 15; Leviticus 12:8; Luke 2:2-24
• Joseph kept the Festival of Passover annually. Exodus 12; Luke 2:41-52
• Joseph raised Jesus to love God the Father and obey Him fully.
• Joseph knew he was raising “Jesus – Emmanuel –God with us!”
• Joseph knew Jesus would save His people from their sins. Joseph was one of those people. Mary was one of those people.
• Joseph heard from the angel of the Lord, shepherds, Simeon, Anna, the wise men, teachers from the temple, and Mary, concerning his son Jesus.
• Jesus continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him. He went down to Nazareth with them, and was continually submissive and obedient to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:40; 52

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Christmas Eve Service

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God sent His special delivery minister to Nazareth in Galilee. The angel Gabriel was tasked by God to deliver His message with clarity.
Previously, in another town (Jerusalem, about 90 miles away) and to another human, Gabriel delivered another special message from God. Luke 1:5-25
Mary was betrothed to Joseph, of the house of King David.

Mary was a virgin. Gabriel told her to rejoice because she was highly favored and blessed by God.

Mary feared Gabriel and his message. She knew the pregnancy of a virgin without any intervention of man was naturally, physically, and biologically impossible.

Gabriel delivered God’s messages to Mary.
1. Do not fear.
2. God has divinely favored you.
3. You will conceive in your womb.
4. You will bring forth a Son.
5. You will call His name Jesus.
6. Jesus will be great.
7. Jesus will be called the Son of the Highest.
8. The Lord God will give Him the throne of David.
9. Jesus will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
10. Jesus’ kingdom is eternal.
11.The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.
12. Jesus, the Holy One who is to be born, will be called the Son of God.
13. Your relative Elizabeth, who was barren, is now six months pregnant.
14. With God nothing is or ever shall be impossible.

When you remain obediently close with the Lord, He always has you ready for His next assignment. Christians are now part of Heaven’s special deliveries.

The post Heaven’s Special Delivery (Luke 1:26-38) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Humanly speaking, we refer to the events of the cross as a tragedy, although the event was actually the perfect plan of God. Scripture had to be fulfilled.

The Jewish rulers did not want the bodies of the crucified to remain on the cross during the high holy day referred to as the Preparation Day. They were so maliciously religious, that they asked Pilate to break the legs of the crucified and take down their bodies.

At Pilate’s command, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. When they came to Jesus, He was already dead, therefore they did not break His legs. Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20

One soldier impaled Jesus with his spear and immediately blood and water came flowing out of His body. Zechariah 12:10

John emphasized his eyewitness truth of the events of the cross of Christ. Being led by the Holy Spirit, he recorded the event for all of humanity, the sacrifice of our Savior, so all might believe. This is the purpose of Scripture, that you might believe.

Jesus had authority over His own death. He died so that Scripture may be fulfilled. Jesus never violated Scripture.

Joseph of Arimathea—a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews—asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission.

Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, also came. He and Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body in linen and burial spices. They closed the tomb with a stone. John 3:1-21

Jesus was buried in Joseph’s family tomb. This tomb had never been used for burial. Jesus only borrowed the rich man’s burial place in the garden.

Jesus perfectly carried out the will of God! Jesus is the Victor over death, hell, and the grave.

Have you rejected the blood and cross of Jesus?
Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

The post Telling the Truth So That You May Believe (John 19: 31-42) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Jesus was led away by the guards to Mt. Calvary. Even His humiliating journey to the cross was prophesied. Isaiah 53:6,7

Jesus was crucified between two other criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Those men deserved their punishment for the wrong they had committed. Jesus took Barabbas’ place and paid his debt. Jesus paid for everyone’s sin debt that day. Romans 5:6-11

All that Jesus suffered, He suffered for all of humanity, this includes you. His great love was His motivation. Jesus loves you!

Pilate knew who Jesus was. He was afraid of Him. He made sure the Passover public knew who Jesus was, but He privately rejected Jesus. Almost persuaded!

The soldiers unknowingly fulfilled ancient prophecy by casting lots for Jesus’ tunic. Psalm 22:18

In His death, Jesus cared deeply for His mother. He gave charge of her to John, His beloved Apostle. John cared for her in his own home.

Jesus was the Bread of Life and the Passover Lamb. The only thing missing from completing the Passover command issued by God was bitter herbs. Jesus said, “I thirst!”

Jesus was so in charge of all things, He even controlled the time of His death. He proclaimed, “It is finished!”

Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus today?

Do you have a personal love relationship with Him?

Have you realized your redemption?

The post Realize Your Redemption (John 19:16-30) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

The Roman soldiers flogged Jesus, jammed a crown of twisted thorns on His head, draped a purple robe around Him to mock Him, and they repeatedly struck Him. They humiliated Him.

Pilate presented a beaten King of the Jews to the Jewish leadership and desired to release Him, because Jesus was innocent.

The corrupt chief priest and officers shouted with vitriolic hatred, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!” Pilate insisted that they take Him and crucify Him since he found Jesus faultless.

They murderous Jewish leadership invoked their blasphemy law, stating Jesus made Himself out to be the Son of God. They convicted themselves by their own statements.

Pilate knew Jesus was different. When he heard He was called the Son of God, Pilate became even more fearful.

Pilate questioned Jesus. Jesus did not initially answer him. Pilate told Jesus he had the power to crucify Him.

Jesus informed Pilate where his power came from. Jesus indicated that Pilate was sinning by participating in this crucifixion.

Pilate looked for various ways to release Jesus. Pilate feared losing his power and position more than losing his soul.

Pilate presented Jesus one last time to the Jewish leadership prior to sentencing and asked, “Shall I crucify your King?”

The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

The post No King But Caesar (John 19:1-16) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

These men were so religious, they would not enter into the Roman Praetorium in order that they would not be defiled to offer the sacrifices to God at the Feast of Passover.

Pilate, an unbelieving Gentile, wanted to know what accusation “do you – the Jewish leadership” bring against this “Man?”

The lying and unbelieving Jewish leadership gave a very vague response to Pilate’s question. They were poised to do anything to crucify Jesus – unknowingly fulfilling Scripture.

When asked, Jesus established His purpose for coming to earth and He confirmed His Kingship of truth.

Pilate in scornful unbelief asked Jesus, “What is truth?” He did not wait to hear the answer from very God standing right in front of him.

Pilate confessed Jesus’ innocence. But he wanted to appease the Jewish leadership and keep a running custom, so he offered them a choice – release Jesus or Barabbas.

They ALL shouted for the death of Jesus and the release of Barabbas. They wanted to exchange the guilty for the Innocent. Ironically, so did God the Father!

Are you religious? Do you know about Jesus but that is your limit?
Do you have saving faith in Jesus?
Are you living by faith in Jesus Christ daily?
When your time is accounted for during a week, is there time for Jesus?

The post Knowledge Never Replaces Faith (John 18:28-40) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

We are thankful Peter was motivated by God to follow those who arrested Jesus to the high priest’s home. Peter was conflicted between his fear and his love.

We are thankful for the relationships that were built prior to this moment of Jesus’s trial. They proved to open doors for Scripture fulfillment.

We are thankful it was cold the evening of Jesus’s arrest. A fire was kindled and the outside arresting crowd huddled around it, and so did Peter.

We are thankful the high priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

We are especially thankful for Jesus’ clarity about His teachings.

We are thankful Jesus our Savior took the abuse from the high priest and those in authority. Without His perseverance through it all, we could not have eternal life.

We are thankful Peter denied Jesus, just as Jesus said he would.

We are thankful for roosters; they are proof God can use anything to fulfill His plans and purposes.

Are you walking in obedient relationship with Jesus?

Are you sharing the Gospel with those around you?

For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 NLT

The post Thanksgiving to God for His Plans and Purposes (John 18:15-27) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Jesus had prepared His disciples for the moment in this Scripture passage we find ourselves. Christ had foreknowledge of the events which were about to unfold.

Jesus crossed over the ravine at Kidron (murky) and entered into this spiritual warfare in the Garden of Gethsemane (olive oil press), after a time of prayer. John 17

Judas had set his heart on gaining wealth and earthly authority. He led a detachment of troops and officers (potentially 300-600 men), to arrest Jesus.

The Bible tells us plainly that Jesus knew all things that would come upon Him during this fulfilling of prophecy.

Jesus completely obeyed His Father’s will. He set the example for all of His disciples.

Jesus controlled His own arrest. He asked whom they were seeking. They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth” (He Who keeps – separated, crowned, sanctified).

Jesus responded to the arresting authority with the sacred name of God, “I am.” Judas, the troops, and officers fell backwards to the ground when He spoke.

Even in this major physical and spiritual conflict, Jesus remained at peace. Why? How? He is the Prince of Peace.

Jesus protected His sheep. Why? Because He is the Great Shepherd.

The post Because God Said So (John 18:1-16) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Jesus prayed to God the Father in order that He may bring Him glory.

Jesus prayed the Gospel to God the Father, by which, He gave and gives eternal life.

Jesus rejoiced that His mission down here on earth was coming to completion. He was ready to return to Heaven from whence He came.

Jesus prayed and thanked the Holy Father for the disciples He had given Him. Jesus prayed that the disciples would be sanctified, (set apart for God’s purposes, making them holy) through the Word of Truth (the Bible).

Note: The best way to know the character of God is to read His Word and do what He says do and don’t do what He says don’t do.

Jesus prayed for us (those who have a covenant relationship with God), His twenty-first century disciples. He prayed for love and unity between us and the Godhead.

Jesus prayed for us to be with Him eternally! He desired we see His glory.

Jesus prayed to God the Father and recognized that the world does not know Him, but the righteous do.

Jesus prayed for the oneness of the Church.

Jesus prayed and declared the name and love of Holy Father to disciples of all ages. He prayed this so the love of God may be manifested from Him to us.

Jesus prayed for you! Are you living for Him?

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

The post Jesus Prayed (John 17:1-26) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

They were perplexed because they remained spiritually ignorant of what Jesus was saying. Although they desired to ask Jesus for clarity, they asked each other.

Jesus, full of compassion for His own, asked them if they had a question about His comments. He gave them clear answers.
He explained that they must endure sorrow for a season but their sorrow would be turned to joy.

Jesus further gave them a word picture they would all understand. He gave a snapshot of the cares of motherhood associated with child birth. Sorrow was in their near future but soon they would experience spiritual joy.

Prayer was to be a source of their joy. They soon would be able to ask God the Father anything in Jesus’ name and it was promised to them.

Jesus committed the Father’s love to His disciples and they understood.

The compassion of Christ helped the disciples in their time of need. They acknowledged their faith in Him. They knew He was from Heaven.

Jesus confirmed their belief with a question, “Do you now believe?” He then proceeded to tell them His hour of departure was near. He would be crucified within the next 24 or so hours.

Jesus warned of coming tribulations but He offered them peace to make it through.

Jesus Christ is the Victor; through Him all disciples can be overcomers.

Are you an overcomer through Christ?

Are you telling a watching world of His love for them?

What will you do differently this week in order to live for Christ with overcoming joy?

The post Overcoming Joy (John 16:16-33) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Jesus spoke with clarity about the future persecution coming to each faithful follower of His.

The disciples were real men with real emotions. Sorrow had taken complete possession of their hearts. They were overwhelmed.

Jesus gave His disciples this truth – the work of the Holy Spirit is an advantage for all Christians.

The work of the Holy Spirit would bring conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement against unbelievers.

Jesus told His disciples of their spiritual immaturity. He committed the Spirit of Truth to them so they might have a fuller and more complete revelation of Himself.

The Holy Spirit will always glorify Jesus. We must learn and model this truth.

Jesus taught the Spirit of Truth would reveal all of what is Christ’s to the disciples.

Jesus further explained that His Oneness with the Father gave them access to the wisdom of God the Father.

The Holy Spirit is the great Revelator!
Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?
Are you walking daily with Him?
Are you maturing in your faith and wisdom?

The post He Is With Us (John 16:1-15) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Jesus painted a true picture of the life as a faithful follower of Christ. On one hand His disciples would enjoy the fellowship of one another and the friendship of God. On the other hand, the outside world would reject them and show hatred toward them. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4

Jesus said a Disciple of Christ would not love the world – that is the sinful works of the flesh which are in it. Jesus wanted their focus on the Kingdom. Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus stressed to His disciples – because they were chosen out of the world, and they followed Christ, they would be persecuted, just as He their Master was.

Jesus judged the world because of His word He preached to them. The world is guilty of loving sin.

Those who hate Jesus, hate God the Father.

The Holy Scriptures were and are being fulfilled through the world’s demonstration of hatred for all things holy.

Do you have a personal love relationship with Jesus?
Are you keeping yourself pure from the world and it’s desires?
What does God want you to do today?

The post Chosen – Keep this in Mind John 15:17-27 appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

https://alphanews.org/87-year-old-concentration-camp-survivor-among-11-pro-lifers-hit-with-federal-charges/
https://www.liveaction.org/news/fbi-charges-multiple-individuals-peaceful-protests-abortion/
https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdtn/pr/eleven-charged-face-act-violations-stemming-2021-blockade-mount-juliet-reproductive
https://newschannel9.com/news/local/prolife-activists-at-mt-juliet-clinic-say-they-were-obeying-commands-of-the-gospel

2/19/17
Eva Edl

https://www.wjbf.com/news/special-reports/special-report-a-story-of-survival/
Eva Edl’s life-story is an inspiring testimony of God’s faithfulness even while living under the most horrendous conditions imaginable. Eva was nine years old when her home country of Yugoslavia was overtaken by the Communists in 1945. Her family was divided and forced to live in different death camps. Eva is now an impassioned Pro-Life advocate that encourages people to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Jeremiah 14-15
Jeremiah 45
Galatians 6
Psalm 139

The post Eva Edl – A Feather in the Furnace appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

Jesus demonstrated the Father’s love to His disciples. He gave them the love He had received.

Jesus knew the disciples must abide in His love in order to keep His commandments. There was no other way.

Jesus equipped His disciples to have maximum joy in this life.

Jesus emphasized the strongest demonstration of love was to sacrifice one’s life for another. He was foretelling them of His pending death on the cross.

Jesus qualified His disciples as His friends if they kept His commandments.

Like Abraham, the disciples were called God’s friends. James 2:23

Jesus made it clear that His disciples were God’s appointed men who were tasked with bearing much.

Jesus intended for His disciple’s fruit to remain and be lasting. Galatians 5:22-23

In being fruitful, the disciples had a promise of answered prayer.

Jesus insisted that His disciples must follow His command of love for one another.

Do you know Jesus personally?
Are you loving like Jesus loved?
Are your prayers being answer?

The post Fruit from the Vine (John 15:9-17) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

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The Father was sending a gift, the Helper! God the Son was returning to Heaven and God the Father was sending God the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name to help them.

God the Holy Spirit was not only coming to help, but He was also coming to teach the disciples spiritual truths and remind them of Jesus’ teachings. Ephesians 1:3-14

Jesus left His disciples a gift – Peace! Jesus left the disciples with His personal peace. He could do this because He is the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Jesus comforted His disciples troubled and fearful hearts. Philippians 4:4-9

Once more, Jesus told His disciples about His imminent future ascension to the Father.

Jesus had/has a high view of God the Father. He loved because He is love.

Jesus provided aid to the weak faith of the disciples. He referenced “when” – a future state when everything He said would come (did come) to pass.

Jesus acknowledge the present work and limited power of Satan. 1 Peter 5:8-11

Jesus declared Satan’s liabilities and his failures before a sinless King Jesus, therefore, having no part of His Kingdom. John 8:44

Jesus’ determined to demonstrate to His disciples and the world, His love of and His obedience to, God the Father.

Have you received the free gift from the Prince of Peace? Romans 6:23

Are you telling others how to have the peace of God?

The post The Gift from the Prince of Peace (John 14:25-31) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.

What commandments would they have to keep? The number ranges from 600-1000 in the whole Bible. Jesus intended for them to keep the greatest commandment. Matthew 22:35-40

God the Son promised His disciples that He would ask God the Father to send to them God the Holy Spirit when He (Jesus) went away.

The work of the Holy Spirit brings glory to God the Father and the Son. He is the Helper, the Comforter, the Counselor, the Spirit of truth.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would live within the disciples of Christ and around them, eternally.

Jesus lovingly implanted the truth of His going to the Father as being imminent. He comforted His disciples with the knowledge that if they keep His commandments, they would be loved by Him and God the Father.

Jesus taught that the world does not love Jesus and therefore does not keep His words. Nonbelievers are disobedient to the Word of God.

The Holy Spirit is the personal Teacher for every Believer.

The Holy Spirit gives special spiritual memory to a Believer at the time of need.

Have you given your life to Jesus Christ?

Are you walking daily in His presence?

Are you listening to the Teacher, the Holy Spirit?

The post I Love You More (John 14:14-26) appeared first on Town Creek Baptist Church.