RIGHT WAY LIVING: THE GIFT OF THORNS

March 30, 2025

 Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley

Today we finish Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians with the final two chapters. Paul had spent much time praying for this beloved body of believers who were targeted by Judaizers as they challenged the apostle. He addresses on-going issues in the church, then defends his apostleship, authority, and finally his ministry as they continually undercut his credibility. Charles Billingsley will summarize the different passages, but focus on the lesson we can learn as Paul discusses his ‘thorn.’ This topic shows God’s amazing goodness each of us can apply to those circumstances, people or situations not of our choosing that come into our lives to create upheaval. Paul shares how God allowed a ‘thorn in his flesh’ to keep him humble. Paul learned God’s power would be strong when he was weak and he could then glory in his thorn, knowing God would get him through every trial. We will summarize the chapters, then return to 12:7-10 to see how our own ‘thorns’ can be gifts to grow us in Christ.

Focal Passage: 2 Corinthians 12-13.

Paul’s Boasting:

• 2 Cor.11:18. Paul introduces his topic to refute the boasting of the Judaizers.

Paul’s Blessing:

• Chapter 12:1-6. In these verses. Paul recounts an experience of being caught up to the ‘third heaven’ (the abode of God). This was one of several visions Paul had.

Paul’s Brokenness:

• In verses 14-21, Paul’s heart is broken as he looks toward the time he will be able to visit the Corinthians again, but perhaps find many of them unrepentant.

Paul’s Boldness:

Chapter 13:1-10. Paul chastises the believers, warning them to be sure they are actually saved lest they be disqualified. He says he will not ‘spare’ them when he returns.

Paul’s Benediction:

• In verses 11-13, Paul ends his letter, encouraging the believers to keep moving toward the perfect will of God.

FOCUS: Paul’s Burden—God’s strategy for our Humility 2 Cor. 12:7-10:

• Read 2 Cor. 12:7-10. Paul had to refute the boasting of the Judaizers by ‘boasting’ of his own amazing visions and revelations. In verse 7, what were some of the marvelous miracles Paul was known for (Acts 19:11-12, 13:9-12, 14:9-11, 16:22-34)? In order to keep him humble, what did God allow to happen to Paul?
• Where did the ‘thorn’ come from? Who was ultimately behind the scene? Why did Satan have to get God’s permission to persecute Paul (read Job 1:6-12, 2:1-7, Luke 22:31-32)? What were some of the possibilities as to what the ‘thorn’ could have been? What could the thorn be used for? (See below)*
• What did Paul eventually ask for? How many times? What did God say?
• What did God mean by saying His strength would be adequate in weakness? Why is God’s answer to Paul something we should seek as well?
• What did God say He would provide? How does He mean that?
• Why is Paul’s response so amazing? What should it teach us?
• Does this help you view your thorns differently now?

*God uses thorns in our lives to accomplish several things:
To humble us and keep us from becoming conceited;
To break us from pride, or from sin, so that we stay in a state of brokenness;
To correct us;
To protect us from ourselves;
To shape us, for He is the Potter, we are the clay;
To use us.

 WHEN YOU ENDURE YOUR THORNS:

You are being sanctified for His service.

Christ is magnified in your service.

Others are edified by your service.

Close:

Can you even begin to imagine how broken-hearted Paul was to hear of the factions that continued within the Corinthian church? Part of these believers wanted the ability to pick new leaders, others didn’t, etc.—the same as today when a congregation argues over carpet colors and music. Meanwhile, the Judaizers sowed seeds of discontent because they thought themselves to be godlier than those whose only claim to salvation was the gospel of Jesus Christ and the letters and teachings of the apostle Paul or men sent by Paul. Judaizers felt nothing except the laws of Moses, and the 600 additional laws must be kept for salvation. Paul shared his heart in 2 Cor. 11:28, as he said his deep concern for the churches was with him every day. It is the same with any godly minister, especially today, when they know the amount of sin represented by the congregation. We have to always remember the three steps to a ‘perfect’ faith: read God’s Word daily, pray constantly, and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. May we, too, continue toward that completeness in 13:11 that will find us perfect as we stand before God, clothed in the righteous robe of Jesus Christ.

By Sandy Day
March 30, 2025

RIGHT WAY LIVING: GAME-CHANGING GENEROSITY

March 16, 2025

 Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Do you consider yourself to be a generous person? Have you ever considered giving might be a ‘gift’ from God? You probably know people who are the first to volunteer when asked in a group setting who would be willing to serve, go, pay, or whatever. Others sit there and try to mentally go through their commitments, and the moment passes by. Others may think for a second but decide no, things are too tight right now, either schedule or money. But God offers rich benefits to those who give generously throughout their lives, like the widow who gave all of her resources: two mites. Do you realize this would be 1/8 of a penny in today’s money? He gives blessings of joy, happiness that comes from seeing others benefit from your giving, serving, sharing, talents, and more. God wants to use you and all that you are to further His kingdom.

Focal Passages: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:6-15.

The Grace of Generosity: 8:1-7.                                                                                                                 

• Read 2 Cor. 8:1-2. Paul seems to be sharing some exciting news here. What was it? What did the word ‘grace’ mean here? What six words were used, bearing witness of God’s gift to them? What words were opposite in meaning?
• Read verse 3-5. In what manner did they give? What else did they do? What were their own circumstances like? Prior to giving their gifts, what had they done?
• In vs. 6, Can you tell what Paul is gently saying? (Read vv. 10-11. Had the Corinthians tried to get an offering generated, but eventually dropped the idea? Is this what Paul is trying to get them to see?)
• Read vs. 7. What are all the things Paul praises the Corinthians for? What is the last phrase, ‘see that you abound in this grace also’ referring to?
• How are you abounding in the gifts you give to others?

The example of Christ: 8:8-15

• Read verses 8-9. What does Paul mean that he is ‘testing the sincerity of their love’? How does he liken Christ’s gift of Himself to them?
• 10-11 were covered above. Read verses 12-15. What is the first thing the Lord looks for in any believer? Why does He not use someone who doesn’t want to be used? If you truly would give a great gift if you had it, do you give of your small gift whenever the opportunity presents itself? Read Mark 12:42-44.
• What is Paul trying to get across by the example of the children of Israel in the wilderness? Why would there have been different amounts of manna gathered? When it was all put together, was there enough for everyone?

The abundance of God’s grace: 9:6-11

• Read vv. 6-8 Can someone give an example of someone sowing sparingly or bountifully? Why is God giving us the choice? What does it mean if you ‘begrudge’ what you’ve given? What is giving out of ‘necessity’?
• What is the wonderful characteristic of God in verse 7? Compare it to Malachi 3:8-12. What is God promising Israel? Why is Israel called the ‘Breadbasket of the World’?
• Read verses 9-11. What all is promised in this passage?

The benefit of gratitude: 9:12-15

• Read vv. 12-15. When you give, what happens?
• Why will your giving point people to Christ?

TAKE AWAYS:

Be genuinely excited about giving opportunities.

Never be ashamed at the size of your gift… they are all significant.

Use every giving opportunity to point people to Christ, not to yourself.

Close: As we look today at the statements made about giving—of your money, your time, your talents, or whatever you can part with—you would have a very long list of the potential life-changing (game changing!) ways giving impacts: it will impact the giver, the receiver, others who see and may be convicted, how Christ looks at your giving, and on and on. Give even when times are most difficult; be a giver that makes a difference; giving shows the essence of our faith, and more. Giving shows our trust in God. And grace—which a follower of Christ must give—needs to be an integral part of your life, for without it you will not be generous. Think about your opportunities to give something this week.

By Sandy Day
March 16, 2025                               

RIGHT WAY LIVING: AIM HIGH: IT’S WORTH IT!

March 02, 2025

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

This past week our church family experienced several deaths: two, in particular, were difficult because one involved a young child who had not had time to live his life, while another was a beloved man in his prime. Not that it takes away from the pain of losing the older people, but a person in their elderly years realizes death can result at almost any moment, while losing a child is traumatic. We find comfort in knowing that to be ‘absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.’ In today’s passage, Paul speaks of the glory that will be ours when we make the transition from this life to eternity. So often it’s not the fear of dying that is the issue—it’s the uncertainty of what we will go through to make that short trip that concerns us. Join us as we read Paul’s anticipation of the life we will live when we finish our ministry here on earth.

Focal Passages: 2 Corinthians 5:1-21, Col. 3:2-4.

“What is” cannot be compared to what will be:                                                                                                                 

• Read Col. 3:2-4. Why does Paul tell us to keep in mind the life we will have in heaven? Read Rom. 8:11, Eph. 2:5, Col. 2:12, 1 Jn. 3:14. Why should death not cause us anxiety? Why will it be exciting when Christ is revealed to the world?
• Read 2 Cor. 5:1-5. Paul begins by saying ‘we know’; how do we know? What is the earthly house he is referring to? Why does he say we have in heaven an eternal ‘building’? Who makes our eternal body?
• In vs. 4, why do we groan and complain while we are in this body? Why is it so easy to allow our present problems to keep us from trusting God? Do you truly anticipate heaven or are you so caught up with your life on earth that you desire to wait?
• What statement is made in both verse 1 and verse 5? Why, since it is God who has made our eternal body, should we have peace about it? What guarantee does He give us for our future? If God gives us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee, will He take Him back if we sin again?
• How often do you consciously think of the Holy Spirit indwelling you? Do you ever ask for His help? Why should the knowledge that He is within you keep you from getting discouraged over problems you encounter?

“What is” can be made better by what will be:

• Read verses 6-10. What does Paul mean that we are always confident about? Explain how being ‘at home’ in the body would mean we are absent from the Lord. Where are the two places believers are found today? Is this what Paul meant?
• Have you been in a situation where you thought you might die? How did you react? So, if we walk by faith, not by sight, will we be ready if God calls us home? Is your faith in God so strong you are willing to die the moment He calls your name? How did Paul know how he would react in a death situation?
• What is he referring to when he says we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ? How will that effect how we live here?

“What will be” is not just for us:

• Read vv. 11-13. Read in NLT if possible. What does Paul mean by the terror of the Lord? Because we have a healthy fear of the Lord, what will we do in vs. 11? Why should we have a clear conscience? Do you fixate on what others think of you?
• In verse 13, what is Paul saying about what people think of him? Read Acts 16:24. Is this what he meant that some might think we are crazy?
• Read verses 14-16. In a very human perspective, think of husbands or wives who do so much for the spouse to make him/her happy. What is the parallel Paul is saying that if we love Christ so much it will be a joy to serve Him and try to reach as many people as possible, no matter what the world says about us?
• Do you love Him so much that you want others to be brought into the kingdom? What are some specific things you do to make this happen?

“What will be” will be worth the effort:

• Read vv. 18-21. As you heard these verses read, what word did you notice? What does reconcile mean? What was the first use of reconcile? Who initiated it? Who needed to be reconciled—man or God?
• What is the second use? What did Paul mean that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself? What is the third use? Where did God give man the responsibility to reconcile sinners to Himself? What greater love could there be than verse 21?

Take Aways:
Don’t allow the pain of this present day to cloud the view of your eternal day.                                                                                             See the importance of sharing the hope of eternity.                                                                                                                        Let the hope of eternity be the catalyst for joy today.

Close: One of the hardest things we have to do daily is overcome the trials and crises of our lives, for we end up losing our joy, and it takes our thoughts off of eternity. Not only do we often lose our joy, but we also are diverted from thinking intentionally about the role of the Holy Spirit in our life. How will the loss of these two important factors in our day affect us? One, it can be very discouraging to focus on our inability to control most of our lives. If you think about it, as soon as one other person enters your day, you lose control. The only thing you can ultimately control is your attitude toward things that are happening. Second, the more aware you are of the Holy Spirit—God, by the way,—indwelling you, the more you realize you have power from Him to react in godly ways. Do you need to let go of being the one who is ‘right’? Ask Him for help. Need patience with the children? Ask Him to help you. Use the Take Aways above to reset your thinking this next week and see how much better it goes.

By Sandy Day
March 02, 2025

RIGHT WAY LIVING: THE POWER OF MINISTRY

February 16, 2025

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, we continue our series, Right Way Living in a Wrong Way World, as we go through 2 Corinthians. None of us would deny we are living in a world out of control and going the wrong way. The good news is, 2 Pet. 1:3 tells us ‘His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.’ We really don’t have to worry about anything.  All God has asked of us is to love Him and love other people with all that we are. When we asked the Lord to save us and forgive our sins, and we turned from our wicked ways and sought His face, He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is living and active in our lives, helping us through every difficulty, no matter how challenging. God the Spirit indwelling us as we go through this life and a future with God for eternity. What a win-win situation!

Focal Passages: 2 Corinthians 3-4, Rom. 1:16.

The ministry of the Spirit:                                                                                                                 

• Read 2 Cor. 3:1-6. Who was trying to destroy the church in Corinth, getting the Christians off the right path? What was their purpose? What were they saying? Why were they undermining Paul’s authority?
• In verses 2-3, what was Paul saying about their lifestyle? Think of your own life: are others able to look at what you say and do, and know that you are a believer, because your heart is a reflection of the work of Christ? Read Jer. 31:33. Who does the work? What is the visible evidence that you belong to Christ?
• Who gets the glory for our salvation? Are we capable of anything on our own? Is this why the world is in turmoil right now—that so many people are trying their own way and not looking to God? What point was Paul trying to make about the law? If we read 20—the law given to Moses—will that save us? What is the only thing that brings salvation? How did the law prepare the way for the New Covenant?
• How is it possible to show that God the Holy Spirit resides in you by the actions you perform when no one is around? What is some invisible evidence you belong to Christ? Are you listening each moment to the Holy Spirit?

The ministry of the promise:

• Read verses 7-8. Why did Paul refer to the law as a “minister of death”? How did the law of Moses and the New Covenant of grace differ? Think of Matt. 5: what point was Jesus making about the law?
• Read verses 9-10. What was the point of the OT law if it wasn’t salvation? (Gal. 3:24). What is man’s greatest need? What is God’s greatest gift? Read Gal. 2:21. Is Paul saying in verse 10 that there is no comparison between the law ‘of death’ and grace?
• How did everything change when salvation was available to us, and we became indwelt by God the Holy Spirit?
• Read vv. 14-18. Paul was a minister to the Gentiles; did he have any problem with them accepting Jesus as Savior? Read Rom. 9:1-5. How badly did he wish for the Jews to become saved? In verse 14, why did most Jews not accept Jesus? In verse 16, what is the only thing that takes away the veil that blinds the eyes of the unsaved?
• In verse 18, how does the Holy Spirit change everything?

The ministry of the gospel:

• Read 2 Cor. 4:1-6. What is the superb result of having the ministry of the Holy Spirit living within us? Is this your attitude when things get so heavy on your heart? Read John 6:67-69. Is this your ‘war cry’ when you feel like quitting?
• In verse 2, what is Paul saying his conduct is like? Read John 1:47. Is that what Paul meant? Can that be said about you? Are there little things that you do that are deceitful?
• In verses 5-6, think of Paul’s humility. What are some examples that come to mind?
• What greater gift could you have than salvation, with the Holy Spirit being with you, in you, and helping you at all times?

Take Aways:
Spend more time recognizing the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Spend less time focusing on the performance of your faith.
Never lose sight of the wonder of the gospel.

Close:

Have you given much thought to the amount of time you spend on your body, your clothes, and your priorities? For instance, in the morning you take time to make yourself presentable, and perhaps during the day or evening, if you have a special appointment, you may do all of it over again. Another shower, outfit, and so much more. For some women, two hours is about right each time, for men, probably not nearly that much. And we could go down the list with everything that falls into each category of our day. Soon, it’s bedtime. And yet—those are not important in the grand scheme of things if you remember that our “vessel” (our body) is nothing but clay, or dust, and yet we pamper it like it’s the ultimate prize. But the internal—the heart, soul, mind, and spirit, that’s where the focus needs for be. That should be our priority. When we get up in the morning, we need to set the tone for the day by talking to God. Choose joy! Read your Bible and pray. Be certain God is first in your life. Check the attitude of your heart, making certain all is well there. Make sure the humility is there, the gratefulness, the love, the holiness, the purity. God the Holy Spirit is dwelling there—let Him feel at home.

By Sandy Day
February 16, 2025

RIGHT WAY LIVING: LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE

February 2, 2025

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

So often we think that our generation does not have problems like previous generations, or conversely, that no one else has had it as rough as we do. Both of these assumptions are false, as is shown by today’s sermon from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church. These people lived in a city where the lifestyle of sin makes us shudder. For instance, the temple on top of the mount had one thousand prostitutes always available. Yet we have the internet, phones, or computers that will give us the same sinful scenarios in a second—in the privacy of our home, where no one sees. We can cite example after example of sin, wickedness, and so much more that we can partake in without others having a clue. Like Paul, we want to present a clear conscience to others. Let us conduct ourselves daily—when no one is looking—as godly as we do on Sundays.

Focal Passages: 2 Corinthians 1:12-24.

Live differently than anyone else:                                                                                                                 

• Read 2 Cor. 1:12-14. Why did the Corinthians have a hard time living the Christian life? Was it so very different than times today? Name some issues that are prevalent in our society that were rampant then as well?
• What was another word Paul could have used rather than boast? Why did he talk of how he, Silas, and Timothy had conducted themselves? What is the modern-day word parents use instead of conducted? What did he mean by “godly sincerity”?
• What is fleshly wisdom? (It is the expression of sinful man’s revolt against the sovereignty of God in being and knowledge). Read Prov. 2:6-7. Where does godly wisdom come from? How does one live in godly wisdom?
• Paul had lived at least eighteen months in the presence of the Corinthians; what would they have seen from his simplicity and godly wisdom that would have been different from their city friends? Do you think Paul lived with any regret?
• Why did Paul say he had a clear conscience? If Christ walked into your house right now, would you be okay with that, or would you want to get rid of some things as fast as possible? Would you be embarrassed for Christ to see your movies or books?

Be ready to change:

• Read verses 15-18, What is Paul saying in these two verses? Have you ever said you would do something for someone and then had to say you can’t? Is that always truthful, or do you make an excuse, wishing you had never committed yourself?
• There is a phrase that used to be often added when we committed to do something; does anyone recall what it was? (If God is willing). How do we know whether a barrier is a challenge from Satan or a restraint from God?
• How will we know if a change of plans has come from the Lord?

God’s ways are best for you:

• Read vv. 19-20. Why did Paul call Jesus the “Son of God”? Who else had done so? Had there been anything in Paul’s actions or character that was contrary to his teaching and preaching? Think back to last week when we read of the perils he had undergone; why would he continue to follow Christ—when on every hand were people who would hurt him—if he was not completely sold out to Him?
• Paul asks the question, does Jesus waffle on his promises? How do we know? Read Luke 1:70. Have His promises always been carried out?

God’s plan includes God’s presence:

• Read verses 21-24. Do we have to worry that God will change His mind about us being saved? How do you know? What does the word sealed mean in vs. 22? What else has He done to make us His own?
• Are we conscious all the day that the Holy Spirit is indwelling us, and therefore knows all we do, all we think, and all we say, good and bad? If you train yourself to be cognizant of this, what part of your behavior would it change? If we are aware the Holy Spirit is within us, how will that give us assurance that God is trustworthy?
• Read Heb. 13:5. What promise from God do we have that we can believe? What does that mean to you?

Take Aways:
Spend more time being influenced by Him rather than by the world;                                                                                                                                                          Hold your plans loosely for He may change them;
Listen to the Spirit’s voice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Close:

God’s presence is something we often take for granted—unfortunately. If we treated our spouse or our children with the same languid attitude, how would they take it? Yet the Holy Spirit is within us—even though we cannot understand it—and knows us intimately. Do we give Him a thought as we go about our day? Understandably, we are involved in tasks at home or work that take our complete attention, but even so, in the back of our mind we should be as aware of His presence as we would be of a friend who could be sitting in the living room. If you’ve ever cared for an aged parent, you know no matter what you are doing, you have an innate sense of their presence. You know where they are in the house, and probably, what they are doing. You know if you should be talking to them, or letting them be quiet. You can be at peace because you know the relationship between you is right and you are doing your best to see to their care. Granted, the Holy Spirit does not need our care, but you can still be sure the relationship is in a good place, that everything is right between you, and you are comfortable in and with His presence. He should be that real, at all times.

By Sandy Day
February 02, 2025

LOVE PEOPLE

January 19, 2025

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Last week we read Matthew 22, as Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your spirit,”—our sermon last Sunday. But Jesus went further. He said the “second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Did you ask during the week, (knowing this was coming), “How do I love people I can’t stand?” Today, we are hearing Pastor tell us how to love people. As last week, today the answer is simple. As last week, today the doing is hard. Who bugged you while you were trying to listen—the people two rows over who were talking during the whole message? A nearby member who was playing a card game on her cell the whole message? The person who cut in front of you on the way home? Love. It’s important. It’s necessary. But see them with God’s eyes.

Focal Passages: Matt. 3:13-17, 5:43-45, 27:57-61, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 7:36-50, 8:26-39,10:25-37, John 4:5-26, 5:1-15, 8:3-12, Heb. 10:24-25, 1 Jn. 4:19-21.

HOW DO I LOVE PEOPLE?

Through Him:                                                                                                                 

• Read Matt. 22:29-30. Last week, how did we learn to love God? In today’s passage, what are the first several words? If ‘something’ is like ‘something else’ then what does that mean to us? So, how important are those words? What did Jesus mean?
• Does that mean we are to love other people with all our heart, soul, mind and spirit? Do we hear a collective gasp in the room?! How much does God love you? Think of your family: how much does God love each of them? What about the person at work whom you don’t like: how much does God love them? Why does He love them?
• Why does God love all those people who are so unlovely? A person this week said God ‘asked them’, “Who are YOU in Me?” They floundered: a spouse, a teacher? But God said to them, “You are the ‘apple of My eye’!” Then He asked, “Who is ___ in Me?” The person was their enemy. Then God said, “He is the ‘apple of My eye’ also.” Why is it so vital we see other people as God sees them?
• Who are some of the people in Scripture He loved or healed whom we would not have touched? How did He model loving behavior while He was here?
• At the end of the day, if God counted your ‘good works’ as only the ones prompted by your inner desire to show love to someone, how many would you have?

With others:

• Can someone who heard the story of Roseta, Italy tell the group what the end result has been for that community in PA.? What is so special in being in community with other believers? Has there been a time you spent a retreat of several days with believers, and can tell what it was like? How is that like church on Sunday? Do you take time to talk with those you don’t know when you are at church?
• What are some of the community groups you serve in? Tell some of the relationships you’ve developed because of the group. What are you able to accomplish through a group involved in ministry? Give some examples.
• What should be our motivations that should help the community relish getting together? To spread the gospel? Feed the poor? Clothe the ones who have little?
• Read Heb. 10:24-25. What should occur when believers work together in community? Is this another way to worship our Lord?

Through intentional acts:

• Read 1 Jn. 4:19-21. What do you consider an intentional act? If someone in your group or class has a need, are you active in helping meet it? If not, why not?
• What are some of the passages in the NT where an individual did an intentional act for Jesus that could have caused a backlash (Washing Jesus’ feet, the Good Samaritan, Joseph’s Tomb)?
• Have you ever done something for someone that cost you more than money?

In the overflow:

• What is the only way we can learn to love those who are unlovely? Do you really see yourself as not meriting the forgiveness God has shown you? Should that be your catalyst? How do you ever expect to exemplify Christ if you’re angry at others?
• Read Matt. 5:43-45. What is the first reason we love all people? Look at verse 45 again: does God differentiate between the evil and good? Then why would we?

Close:

What would you say if God spoke to your heart, saying, “Who are you in Me?” In other words, God is asking you if you know how He views you. Does He see you as loving, as forgiven, as His child? We just read that all of the works we do are as nothing unless we are doing them for love—love for God and love for the person who might just have hurt you. Really, God? It’s so easy to do things for God, but what about the kid (perhaps yours) who bugs you to death because of their room, or their lack of motivation, or their unwillingness to help? Is it justified that you get angry, or say harsh things, or even curse, to make your point at how disappointed you are in them? Do you know millions of parents do this without thinking every day? Is that the way we show the love of Jesus Christ to them?

A person who heard the example of the one to whom God said “Who are you in Me?” said, “I can’t even imagine running to my earthly father as an older child (not as a toddler) and throwing my arms around him, and saying, “I love you, Papa!” That is beyond sad. Both for the child and for the father—and for the idea that young person will have of what God the Father is like. They will believe He is waiting with a huge fly swatter to flatten you each time you fail Him. Please—think before you portray our God as mean or hateful to anyone, but especially a young person or an unbeliever. He is good. All the time.

By Sandy Day
January 19, 2025

                                                                              THE BLESSING: NUMBERS 6:22-27
January 05, 2025
Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley

Today, Charles Billingsley dissects the blessing God gives to His people in Numbers 6:22-27. When we know the original Hebrew meaning of the words He uses, our hearts are affected in new ways, and we see His words of  protection, love, faithfulness, and constant care for us come with a depth of meaning almost beyond description. He is not only the One, True God, but the only God period. And He loves us, not as the Church universal, but as individuals with needs, hurts, pains, peace, and the ability to make Him smile. Have you ever thought God was smiling on you? Did it ever occur to you He loves to laugh? And He loves it when you are happy and holy, living close in His everlasting arms.

Focal Passage: Numbers 6:22-27.

God’s Transformation:

• Read Num. 6:22. Have you ever wondered what the word ‘bless’ means when we use it within the framework of our Christian life? What are some of the things you mean when you tell someone ‘God bless you’? Do you have any idea what God means when He says, ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’? First, who is God? What are some of His characteristics? What does He name, YHWH, mean? Is anyone else also God?
• If God ‘blesses’ us (Hebrew word Barakh), what is meant? Does anyone recall the illustration of kneeling before their child? What was the father going to do? What is the ultimate gift from God to us?

God’s Preservation:

• What did it mean for someone to ‘keep’ something? What does the Hebrew word, shamir, mean in our language? What did these nomadic people do with thorns? What was protected by the thorns? Is it possible there was a meaning we don’t understand that Jesus had a crown of thorns on His head?
• What was significant about the word ‘you’ used in this verse? How does that make you feel? Read Psalm 121:3b-8. What are some of the verbs of protection used in this Psalm?

God’s Illumination:

• Read verse 25. Do you recall an instance when you saw someone’s face shine when they saw you? If so, how did you interpret that? Can you imagine God’s face shining with happiness when He looks at you?
• Read 2 Cor. 4:6. Has it ever occurred to you that God made light before He made the sun? What would that light have been? Read Rev. 21:23. Who is the light in the New Jerusalem? When God shines on us, what happens to our lives? How do our faces reflect the happiness when someone—or God—shines their face on us?
• “And.” What is special about ‘and’? How often does someone say, ‘You can have this or that?’ So, what is special about God’s face shining on us and giving us grace? What is grace? What has He rescued us from? When we give someone grace, what are we doing?

God’s Pacification:

• Read verse 26. What does it mean for someone to look at you? Where are their eyes? What if their eyes keep glancing away—does it bother you? What are they doing with their ears while they are watching you? Is their focused attention special to you?
• When God has His countenance upon you, and His face turned toward you, is all His focus on you at the time? Is He watching over you to see that you are okay?
• What does His peace mean? Does anyone recall the three areas of peace in the Hebrew? (Hint: River, Bird, Kettle). Where does God the Holy Spirit dwell? Read 1 Cor. 6:19 and Col. 3:15. What is special about each?

God’s Glorification:

• Read verse 27. What are some of the things we do in the name of Jesus? Here are a few: Matt.18:5, 20, 24:5, 28:18-20; Mark 9:39, 41. What is special about praying or doing good in Jesus’ name?
• Does God want His name to be glorified? Read 1 Cor. 6:19-20.
• Who does He want to glorify His name? Who will NOT be His child? How will we know those people?

Close:

To not doubt the presence of God in one’s life, to know that one’s sins were all nailed to the cross of Jesus Christ (Col.2:13-15), these are the greatest treasures we can own. It means His blessing from Numbers 6:22-27 is for us—you, me, and any others who have surrendered their lives to Him, asking forgiveness for sins, turning from them, and spreading the good news of Jesus’ love available to all men. It means He will be blessing us, keeping us—He is, as Scripture says, our defender, our protector, our king, our champion, our fortress, our light, everything we need to make it in this life. We can trade our messed-up lives, our faults, sins, chaos, and more for His peace. How crazy would someone have to be to turn that down?

By Sandy Day
January 05, 2025

                                                                             THE COMING KING: HE IS ABLE                                                                                                               December 22, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

What do you envision when you think of Christmas? We walk into a mall and immediately all our senses are on overload. How can we get back to the reason for the season, and celebrate the holy, eternal God, coming in human form as the Babe in the manger (Phil. 2:5-11, Psa. 41:13), the years of His ministry, the cross He endured for our sakes, the empty tomb, and eternal life. It is the angel announcing to a group of shepherds that the longed-for Messiah had been born. It is the angels saying, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” It was the people—well over five hundred—who saw the crucified Christ walking and talking for forty days after His crucifixion and resurrection. It is His power (dynamite) and authority (all) over everything in creation, and over anything that can happen to us, if we’re willing to make Him our Lord and Savior. It’s nothing about you, or what you’ve done. Not your works, not your lifestyle, not your merit (Is. 64:6). Life—it’s only about Him.

Focal Passages: Isaiah 9:6-7.

He is able to calm your heart:                                                                                                                              

• Read Isaiah 9:6. For the last four weeks we have discussed these verses, perfect for Christmas, yet perfect for the Second Coming as well. How do they describe Jesus?
• What are some of the reasons you see the world as crazy now? If you or your parents had years ago envisioned life today, would the possibility of it getting even worse be real? Do you believe it might be the “last days”? Why or why not?
• When we think of the turmoil, hate, and devastation in so many places, do you think it will get much worse? What are some of the situations people you know are going through right now, that are so bad they are not sure they will make it through?
• Read Mark 4:39. What did Jesus have authority over? What are other things He controlled with His authority? Do we have any authority? Read 1 Cor. 6:19-20. Do we have any authority that is not given to us by God? Why do we rebel against being told what to do?

He is able to see you through:

• Is there any storm in your life too big for Him to speak a word and it is over? Read Gen. 18:14a, Jer. 32:17, 32:27. We have read these the past weeks, but they must be internalized until they are part of our natural thinking. Do you believe them?
• Jesus is Omnipotent and has all What does that mean? Read Mk. 5:1-8. What did Jesus have power and authority over in this passage? Read Lk. 7:11-15. What did He have power and authority over here? Name some other situations where Jesus had both power and authority.
• What is the hardest thing you can think of that you are going through right now? If God said, “Ok, you can have the authority to fix this,” would you want to? Would it scare you that even though He said you had His permission you still don’t have the wisdom? We would probably make a greater mess than it already is. But what happens if you depend on Him, letting Him take the problem? Does He ever make a mistake? Can we really count on His promises? What are some promises you take great comfort in?

He is able to see you home:

• Read vs. 7b. Do you have any memory of a time when your parent or guardian was there for you at a time when you were going to be the object of someone’s wrath? How often do you consciously think of the truth that God the Holy Spirit is with you at all times, indwelling you, bringing you through various tough situations?
• Read John 14:1-6. Can Jesus lie? Then what promise here is so great that we can know it is the truth?
• Read Rev. 22:12. What is His promise to us? What reward do you think He will give us? Why should we get a reward?

Close:

Do you realize how impressive our God really is? When He was born in the manger in Bethlehem, Mary had given birth to Him just as billions of mothers have had billions of babies. But His existence did not begin at that time—Jesus Christ had existed forever before that night. And He still exists, and always will. He will never change, never stop living, never need to go to Plan B. He is the author and creator of everything in the world, He holds it all together. He has all power to do His perfect will and has all authority over everything. He never has to get permission to do anything—He can do whatever His will determines. We do not have the authority to do anything we want with our bodies, with other people or with life. We have all known people who desire to take their own life and it fails. That is because it was not our right to decide. He controls our lives, including the day we die. Give your entire life—heart, soul, mind, and spirit—to Him, and He will make it beautiful.

By Sandy Day
December 22, 2024

                                                                              THE COMING KING: WHO HE IS
December 08, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Are there ways people treat Jesus that send pain through your heart and disgust through your soul for the flippancy with which they refer to our God? For instance, it seems everyone, even Christians, constantly use His name in vain: their exclamations are so often “O L…d!” or “Oh my g..d!” Does this feel like a knife to your stomach? Some refer to Him as “the man upstairs,” as if He is no more than someone in a penthouse. God says in Exo. 20:7: “The Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” And Paul writes in Col. 1:15ff: “He is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of Creation, by Him all things were created…He holds them all together…” Reading all of this passage puts God higher than any man can imagine. With Abraham we would say “I am but dust!” He deserves all honor and glory, power and wisdom, thanksgiving and blessing and praise!

Focal Passages: Isaiah 9:6-7.

The wonder of  Christ:                                                                                                                              

• Read Isaiah 9:6b. When we read the word “wonderful” what are some of the meanings we attribute to it? What was the meaning of wonderful as used by Isaiah?
• Have you ever seen something so unbelievable you could hardly put it into words? Read Judges 13:17-18. Who was Manoa talking to? What did Christ say about His name? Was it the same word used in Isaiah?
• What do you think of when you hear these adjectives—Remarkable, Secret, Incomprehensible, Extraordinary, Astonishing? Does the grandeur of His name bring Him to a different level than ‘wonderful’? Why do we lose some of the wonder or awe of Christ when we say ‘wonderful’?
• Read Col. 1:15-20. Do these verses put some of the amazement back into the reality that Christ is truly God Himself?

The inspiration of Christ:

• What is the second designation of His name? What do we normally think of when we think of a counselor? Why is it so vital that a counselor knows intimately what he/she is talking about? What kind of guidance do they give? Have you had guidance from someone giving counsel—but no experience of your problem?
• What was the difference in the coming Babe who would be a Counselor? Who made man? Who better to know everything about him than the One who made him?
• What is the difference between someone you pay to talk to you for an hour, and someone who will be with you day and night forever? What are ways in which He instructs us in the way we should go?

The power of Christ:

• Has there been anyone in your life who stood up for you during a conflict in which you were terrified? What did you feel when they came to your aid? How do you think the Philistines felt when Goliath would go out every day and taunt the Israelites? Did they feel the same fear when David came out? Were they impressed?
• When we are at the end of our strength, money, etc. why should we not worry? Are we so tight with Jesus that we see the problem as solved? Does He want us to be?

Everlasting Father:

• Many of us had a dad who was so much less than he should have been—and we may be scarred. What is the difference between our earthly dad and God our Father? The Everlasting Father may be paraphrased “One who is eternally a Father.”* Can we conceive such a thing? Read Ps. 103:13. How is God like a Father?
• What does God say of Himself in John 10:11, 14? What is a good Shepherd?
• Read Ps. 68:5. How can we get into a Father-child relationship with God?

The Prince of Peace:

• Why have people always conquered by war? Have you ever known someone who conquers by peace? How will Anti-Christ conquer? How will the Millennial Kingdom be a kingdom of peace?
• Read Rom. 14:17. Explain this verse. What is the root cause of war? How, then, will peace be established? Must sin be removed for peace to reign? How will that be?

TAKE AWAYS:

• Never lose sight of the goodness of God!
• When everything seems difficult, trust His power.
• When everything seems out of control, trust His peace.

Close:

It’s amazing how different Christianity is from other religions. Jesus Christ was/is/and always will be God—the eternal One, forever in the past and forever in the future, God the Son. He is the only one who can claim He spoke creation into existence. He alone made man in His own image. And when man chose to disobey and sin entered his DNA, God Himself became flesh and came to this earth as a human Baby, 100% man and 100% God, living a life just as we live, but without sin. By doing so, He became the sacrifice that was perfect. He died upon the cross for our sins—no other religion has someone who has done this for mankind. He rose again and went back to heaven, where He waits until it is time to come for His children. He is the only one who ever rose from the dead under His own power, ascended back to heaven, and will come again a Second time. Such a story has never been told before. No other religion can last centuries and bring change to the worst sinner who can become a saint. How could anyone ever turn from Him when He calls?

By Sandy Day
December 08, 2024
*Young, E.J., The Book of Isaiah, Eerdmans, 1983, page 338.

THANKSGIVING: JUST BE HAPPY

November 24, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell and Scott Bullman

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice!” It is impossible to ‘rejoice’ unless there is joy in our heart. Giving thanks to God is necessary for our spiritual health just as healthy food is to our bodies. We could never list all the reasons there are to praise and thank God for all He has done. Are you going through a wonderful time in your life? Then you have a myriad of things you can be thankful for. Are you going through a time so tough you feel you may not make it to the other side? You can start praying the prayers of gratefulness and thanksgiving that He is with you through the storm, He will never leave you, He will protect you—and keep listing the praises until the storm passes over. You need to know only this: “Give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thes. 5:18). That is reason enough to start praising Him today—it is His Will.

Focal Passage: Philippians 4:4-9.

Things are not nearly as bad as you think:

• Read Phil. 4:4. Why is it so important to rejoice? What does the word “rejoice” mean to you? When will you have joy in your life? What is in your life that gives you reasons to rejoice?
• In the worst trials in your life, what are some verses from Scripture that give you reason to focus on God and not on the tribulation? Read Jer. 32:27. Is this true of the God who has saved you? What can cause our faith to suffer and steal our joy? What is in your life that is too big for God to handle?
• Why would God desire to bring you (personally) through the storms of your life? What do you have to do for God to be so active in your life that He quiets those feelings of being drowned?

Trust Him with the difficult moments:

• Read Phil. 4:5-6. What word would we normally use rather than ‘graciousness,’ or ‘gentleness’? Please paraphrase verse 5 in our vernacular.
• What does the next phrase (6a) say? Why do we worry? Do we love to worry? Do you think it is possible that we doubt our __________(finances, children, health, strength, whatever) is as important to God as it/he is to us? How can we overcome worry? Can we worry and give thanks at the same time? What are we NOT to worry about?
• Read verse 6b-6d again. What are we to do with our ‘requests’? Why do you think God has used the word “request” here? What should we do rather than worry?
• If you’re in a time of testing, does God know what you’re going through? Will He ever let us go? What are some possible reasons that we think God may not help us? Who is behind any of those emotions? Does God tell us to be thankful FOR every trial? What is the difference between ‘in everything,’ and ‘for everything’?

Trust Him for the wonderful results:

• Read verses 7-9. How does God guard our hearts and minds? What does He guard our heart or mind with? Why do we know that He will bring our storms to pass?
• What are we to focus our thought life on? Have you figured a way to commit these to memory (vs. 8)? How does a modern translation list these words?
• In verse 9, Paul says the things we have learned from him are to be followed; how can he say this? What will God do if we are glorifying Him?

Close:  

Do you ever have a time of personal Thanksgiving—perhaps at night when you’ve gone to bed and want your last thoughts to be on Him, or before you rise in the morning, or perhaps during your darkest hour?

“Give thanks—for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you; give thanks for He is good; give thanks  for His indescribable gift; give thanks for all the joy with which we rejoice; give thanks for His mercy endures forever; give thanks for the upright shall dwell in Your presence; give thanks for He qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; give thanks and praise Him; give thanks and call upon His name; give thanks and make known His wondrous deeds among the people; give thanks at the memory of His holy name; give thanks because of His righteous judgments. [Give thanks to Him:] He gives the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ; He always leads us in triumph in Christ. Your wondrous works declare Your name is near.”

These are scripture verses. This is how concerned God is that you recognize you are His child, and you are grateful for His protection, kindness, love, peace, eternal life and so much more. Praise Him today. Worry about nothing—pray about everything!

By Sandy Day
November 24, 2024

GET OUT OF THE BOAT

November 10, 2024

Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley

Does fear control you? Fear not only keeps us from accomplishing great goals, it can grow bigger in our heads than faith, if we’re not careful. Today Charles said, “Do not let winds of culture, the temptation of the evil one, or the weakness of your own convictions allow you to fall.” He also reminded us of a quote by Chuck Smith: “You are either going to walk [in faith or in fear]: If you walk in faith it will cancel out fear. But if you walk in fear, it will diminish your faith.”  Join us as we learn lessons from Peter’s willingness to walk on water when Jesus said, “Come!” Twenty seconds of insane courage on his part changed his life—and caused him to see Jesus as the Almighty God who is Creator of the universe.

Focal Passage: Matthew 14:22-33, Colossians 1:15-18.

Stand Watch:

• Before we start, do you recall what miracle the disciples had just witnessed? Where had they been, on the Sea of Galilee? Read Matt. 14:22-24. Where did Jesus want the disciples to go?  What verb is used in vs. 22? How did He “make” them? Can you think of another verse where God “makes” us do something? Read Ps. 23:2. How/Why does He make us? Where did Jesus go? How long did He stay?
• Read Matt. 14:25. Where were the disciples now? How far from land were they? What was the sea like? Were they afraid? What time was it? When they saw Jesus, what did they think? Why?
• What was Jesus’ purpose in approaching them at 4 a.m., walking on the boisterous sea? Were the disciples where Jesus wanted them to be? Discuss. Had they obeyed His word (vs. 22a)? Read Mark 6:46-48. What else was Jesus doing? Did the disciples realize He was watching them? Do you think it would have made a difference? Does He ever take His eyes off us? Why would a storm come if they were doing what He said?
• What are some reasons God “troubles” our lives? What emotions do we feel while we are in a storm? If HE sent you into the storm, how can you absolutely KNOW that He will protect you while you are in it?
• Why are we to “stand watch”? What are we to watch over? What is the truth important? What are we to be in the world? How do we guard our heart? How can we protect our family? How important is prayer to our Christian life?

 Step out of the boat:

• Read Mt. 14:26-29. When the disciples were afraid, how did Jesus identify Himself? Who was the only one to get out of the boat? Did he think it was really Jesus? Did Peter show faith in getting out of the boat? What did it take for Peter to do this?
• Read Ex. 3:14. What does God mean when He calls Himself the “I AM”? What is He Lord over? Does He ever call “I AM! Don’t be afraid” to us?

Stay focused on Jesus:

• Read Matt. 14:30. How did Peter walk (those steps) on the water? Was the sea still roaring? What happened next? What emotion replaced the faith that Peter had that he could go to Jesus? Can fear and faith exist together?
• Did Peter realize quickly that he was sinking?  What did he do?
• Read verse 31. How quickly did the Lord act? Why does it seem so often that we call, but we do not hear a response? What did He say to Peter? Does He say this to us?

Jesus will silence the storm:

• Read vv. 32-33. What happened instantly when Jesus and Peter got back to the boat? Did Jesus say anything to the storm or to the sea?
• Even though Jesus said nothing, what did the disciples realize? What did they do then? Was this the first time they “worshipped” Him? Why?

WHAT WE SHOULD DO:

• Stand watch! We can be in the center of God’s will and still have storms.
• Step out of the boat! If He is calling you to step out of your boat, do it.
• Stay focused on God! If you take your eyes off of God, you will sink.
• Jesus will silence the storm. What He tells you to do, He brings you through.

Close:   There may be very few times when we worship our Lord with everything we are, in the way He really is. How many times do we see Him as a genie, to do our bidding (in the name of prayer), to get what we feel we need? James tells us in 4:2-3, “You desire and do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” We need to see the Lord as Paul writes in Colossians 1:15-18: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

By Sandy Day
November 10, 2024

                                          FAITH WORTH FOLLOWING: FOLLOWING FAITHFULLY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              October 27, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

S.M. Lockridge, a pastor in the 1900’s, preached a sermon entitled “That’s My King,” on knowing who God is. It is perfect for today’s sermon, as we strive to know Who God is. This is only a part of the message: “Who is your King? My King is the King of Israel, the King of Righteousness, the King of the Ages, King of Heaven, of Glory, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! He’s Unparalleled and Unprecedented! My King is Sovereign, with no means of Measure, Enduringly Strong, Entirely Sincere, Eternally Steadfast, Immortally Graceful, Empirically Powerful, Impartially Merciful. I wonder, do you know Him? My King is God’s Son, the Sinner’s Savior, the Centerpiece of Civilization, and the Only One qualified to be the All-Sufficient Savior! I wonder, do you know Him?”

You can still listen to this powerful message. It will thrill your soul. Is this your view of God? Today, join as we see Jacob mature to an awareness of how to serve and worship God..

Focal Passage: Genesis 35:1-15.

Following God requires preparation:

• Read Gen. 35:2-4. What had Jacob been through during the past few years? What had God told him in verse 1? When the Bible says, “God said to Jacob,” what goes through your mind? Read Acts 10:4 and Acts 9:5-7, 10-11. Did God (or Jesus) stop speaking to man when the Scriptures were completed? What do you think when someone today says, “God told me…”? How does He usually reveal His will to us?
• What three things did Jacob tell his house in this passage? How did he know there were “gods” among them? Name the gods we would put away if Jesus said he was coming to our house? If there are things that come to your mind, what does that tell you? Why do we not realize He is always with us? What is the second thing Jacob told them to do? What do we need to purify? How do we do that? Read 1 Jn. 1:9.
• What was the third thing? What was He speaking of? In the ‘old days,’ people wore their best clothes to church. Is that what we should do? What matters most to God?

God’s protection is unmatched:

• Read Gen. 35:5. Does anyone recall what had recently happened to cause Jacob concern for the safety of his family (and rightly so)? Do you think this protection was for Jacob alone, or something available to all of God’s children?
• What/who are some of the enemies we have? When God marks us as His children, are the times in life when His secret—or hidden will (not His ‘revealed will’) is going to bring Him glory that only comes through our suffering?

Recognize God’s place in your life:

• Read 35:6-7. In 28:13-22, Jacob had set up a stone and poured oil (a drink offering) in Bethel; now he does it again in this passage. What was he doing? Was there anything sacred about the stone? What was sacred? What can we learn from this?
• Do we have to be in church to worship God, to pray, or to have His protection? Why or why not? Why does the church building seem sacred? Is it?

Know Who God is:

• Read 35:9-11. What did Jacob’s old name mean? Do you think he felt shame when God asked his name? If your name means something despicable, would it embarrass you to tell Him your name? What was Jacob’s new name?
• What did God mean, “I am God Almighty”? What other names does He have? If we do not know His what He is, how will we KNOW Him? Do His names help us to see Him for Who He is?

Always celebrate God’s presence:

• Read vv. 13-15. Does this sound familiar? We read the same situation in 28:17-19, and afterwards Jacob went into Canaan. Why did he tarry there?
• As Jacob raised the pillar and anointed it with oil, why was he setting a place of worship? God had been with him all along—did he realize that? Do you?

TAKE AWAYS:

• It is difficult today to separate ourselves from the temptations of the world but we must be intentional in doing so. We can’t reflect God by accident, it takes work.
• Don’t fear attacks or criticism from the world, as a follower of Christ you are marked and can’t be harmed. We may be attacked, but God will protect us, though there are times His hidden will takes precedence for His glory.
• Focus more on His presence than yours. Simply showing up at church is not enough. Seek Him.
• Never stop celebrating the goodness of God. When you find yourself discouraged, remember what He’s done for you in the past so you can recognize His help now.

Close:  How like Jacob we are! Conceived with his twin, Esau, God had other plans for Jacob. God would call Jacob to be the one to carry on the blessing given to his grandfather, Abraham. Isaac inherited the blessing of Abraham, but if he aspired to the greatness of faith of his father, the Bible does not record it. However, Jacob, leaving his family to find a bride within the extended family of Laban in Haran, where he stayed twenty years, does not return to Canaan until he is fleeing from Laban. Laban behind him, Esau in front, with many mistakes over the years. Aren’t we like that? We get hemmed in, then call out to God.  Finally, Jacob matures in his faith, and eventually the deceiver, supplanter, and liar turns into Prince of God (Israel). Would that we would mature in such a manner, without all the mistakes! If so, keep that short account, having only seconds between a sinful thought and repentance. Celebrate God’s presence in your life—you can’t sin and celebrate at the same time. If He’s worth following, then do your best.

By Sandy Day                                                                                                                                                                                    October 27, 2024

FAITH WORTH FOLLOWING:  STANDING WHEN YOU’RE TOLD TO SIT DOWN

October 13, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Many decades ago, a large number of people were referred to as the Silent Majority. The attempts to describe these persons can include those who remain aloof from situations in the midst of turmoil because it doesn’t affect them personally. It reminds one of King Hezekiah, in 2 Kings 20:19, upon learning destruction would be coming from Babylon, saying, “Well, it isn’t going to happen in my day, so it’s all good” (a loose paraphrase, but so like us today). If trouble isn’t going to affect us, we’re quiet. Today we study Isaac, who stayed faithful to God when everyone around him was causing trouble. Let’s learn from Isaac: there are times we must stand up against false ideologies and obey God—no matter what.

Focal Passage: Genesis 26:12-33.

Following God faithfully will lead to trouble:

• Read Gen. 26:1-4,12-17. What had God promised Isaac in verses 1-4? Why did he go to Gerar? Why did he stay where he was? Yet, when Isaac planted his crops, what was his harvest?
• How could you interpret verse 12, if it applied to you? What did he have? Can you imagine investing something, and reaping the maximum amount of return? Would you feel blessed?
• What did the Philistines feel toward him? Why? What did they do to show their jealousy? What were they hoping to accomplish? What were Isaac’s choices at this time?
• Ultimately, who is motivating those who are causing trouble or being jealous (read Eph. 6:12)? Are you ever jealous of people who are receiving God’s blessings? Why?

Following God faithfully will lead to blessing:

• Read Gen. 26:18-22. When this passage begins, what are the Philistines doing to try to run Isaac out of the area? Did he throw up his hands and say, “I quit!”?
• What happened when his servants dug the last well? What does its name mean? If you named something Rohoboth, meaning “wide open spaces,” how would you visualize it? What was Isaac’s response to the end of the dissension with the Philistines (vs. 22b)? How did this show God’s blessing?
• Think back to Abraham’s life for a moment; how were some of the ways he was blessed because he had been faithful to God? Did he have a promise from God to rely on in his life? Did the promise get passed on to Isaac? Why does perseverance make such a difference in life when we are striving to reach a goal?

Following God faithfully is the only option:

• Read Gen. 26:23-29. Isaac had resided outside of Gerar after his final well was dug; now, in vs. 23, he moves about twenty miles to Beersheba. What occurred the “same night”? What did Isaac do after God appeared to him?
• After Isaac settles in Beersheba, why does Abimelech, a friend, and the commander of his army come to Isaac? What were they basing their request on? Why were they concerned about Isaac’s faithfulness to his God?
• Is it possible, since God was blessing Isaac so greatly, these men might be concerned their villages and their lives might be in danger, if he kept increasing in goods and servants? What was the flattery for? Should this be our testimony?

TAKE AWAYS:

• Living a life of faithfulness will likely lead to trouble but live it anyway.
• When others oppose you, don’t fight, live like Christ. Throwing bombs does not make a good testimony. You want others to see Jesus in your actions.
• If it is possible, live peaceably with all men!
• When the only acceptable response to opposition is compromise—DON’T!

Close:                                                                                                                                                                                             In this passage from the life of Isaac, we see two major lessons to be learned for today’s world. Isaac, living in the middle of Philistines in the land of Canaan, was the recipient of God’s promise to his father, Abraham, that as far as his eye could see he would inherit the land of Canaan. Also, his descendants would be many and inherit the land as well. As we sojourn here on this earth, we are not unlike Isaac: we are living among a people and culture who hate what we stand for. Not because we are troubling them in any way, but because our beliefs are a constant indictment of what God desires from all men. They do not want to live for Him, worship Him, or trust Him. Their lives are wrapped up in themselves, and for a people to live for God makes them uncomfortable. So, they hate us. We should be just like Isaac – living among them and having a testimony that we love them, despite hating to see lifestyles that will one day condemn them to an eternity far from God.

Our second lesson is the faithfulness of Isaac’s father, Abraham, passed on to Isaac, produced God’s blessings in Isaac’s life. When we think of Abraham, we see a man who trusted every word God spoke to him. If God gave instructions, he obeyed. If He gave a promise, Abraham believed it. His life became an example for us, that we live with obedience and trust every day, so we can become a testimony to everyone we see.  Do we have options? Yes, we can quit. Is that the thing to do? Not if we want to live life to the fullest, with others saying, “You are now blessed of the Lord.” How inspiring is that?

By Sandy Day

October 13, 2024

FAITH WORTH FOLLOWING: THE TESTIMONY OF FAITH

 September 29, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

What is your reputation among those who know you? King Solomon wrote “A good name is [better] than riches.” Without a doubt you have known others who have that good name, but as Christians, it should be our testimony—our reputation—is that we are loving, honorable individuals, even if someone gets tired of hearing about Jesus from us! Abraham, once he was living in the land of Canaan, had a name for integrity, honor, and was called a mighty “prince” of God among the people of the land. His character was built on his faith in the Lord God, and he was held in high regard. Abraham believed God when He spoke to him, and it was counted for him as righteousness.

Focal Passage: Genesis 23:1-19.

True faith leads to a strong witness:

• Read Gen. 23:3-6. This act by Abraham is the first time Moses addresses burial; however, it was practiced from ancient times. Why do you think God put it into our hearts to bury our dead? Why did Abraham not return to Ur and the family plot? Why did he feel it necessary to purchase a cave (unused burial plot for posterity)?
• Abraham refers to himself as a “foreigner”; had the Hittites allowed him to live among them peacefully? In verse 6, what do their words of praise mean about the lifestyle of Abraham while he had been living among them? Can you infer from their words he lived quietly and honorably among them?
• What kind of witness do you assume Abraham was while in Canaan? Would your neighbors say the same thing about you, in your community?

True faith leads to respect for others:

• Read Gen. 23:7-9. What evidence is there that Abraham was respected by the Hittites? In verse 7, how did he show respect for them?
• Why did Abraham insist on paying for the sepulcher? How do you see this same analogy in Gen. 14:21-23? Read Gen. 13:14-15. In verse 9, why does Abraham reiterate that he will pay full purchase price for the cave?
• What could Ephron and the Hittites have said had Abraham let them give him the land, rather than paying for it?
• Why did he want the burial place to be separate from the Hittites?

True faith leads to respect FROM others:

• Read Gen. 23:10-11. During this conversation with Ephron and the Hittites, what sense of regard did they hold for Abraham? What are some qualities he must have shown to them? Do your friends see these same qualities from you?
• Read 1 Tim. 3:7. When missionaries from our church go into foreign fields to win people to Christ, what type of lifestyles must they see in order to understand the love of God?

True faith demands integrity:

• Read Gen. 23:12-16. Can someone give a definition for integrity? What are the characteristics of someone who has integrity? Why is it so important in this day to have a lifestyle of integrity? Can you live one way in the home, and another when you pull into the church? How long will it be before people see the real person?                                           
• Have you learned anything from the life of Abraham that causes you to desire to have a closer relationship with God? What has been the catalyst?

ACTION POINTS:

• You are called to be a witness in this world, trust God to accomplish it.
• Show respect to others, regardless of what they believe or how they act.
• Live your life in such a manner that you will be respected in the world.

Close: 

There are some people who inspire you to be better than “ordinary.” As we read of the life of Abraham, particularly the trip to Mt. Moriah (when he had no reason to think he would not have to go through with the act of sacrificing Isaac), we see time after time God appearing to him, giving him promises or instructions, and Abraham obeying instantly and fully. Are you a person like that, or do you know people like that?

Has it caused a desire to grow in your heart that you would like to emulate Abraham, and have a closer, more intimate, relationship with the Lord God? What would that look like for you? Perhaps to give up television time, or reading time; perhaps to stay home more with your children and spouse, respecting them, rather than berating them, spending quality time with them, telling them how proud you are of them? It is so easy to find time for the fun or wasteful things of life, but hard to discipline ourselves to live in such a way that we will encourage those we live with to develop characters that will result in a “good name.” But we get to choose, don’t we?

By Sandy Day

September 29, 2024

FAITH WORTH FOLLOWING: STANDING UP IN YOUR FAITH

  September 15, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today we will read of Abraham in a beautiful conversation with God as he reasons with Him concerning the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah—and ultimately Lot and his family. This mattered greatly to Abraham, as he begs God to spare the city if God could find ten righteous people in it. One has to assume he was thinking of Lot, his wife, and their four daughters, with possibilities of husbands in each case. In the end, the city was destroyed while the angels led Lot, his wife, and two of his daughters out. Join us as we study to glean wisdom from this passage, given—that is, “God-breathed”—by the Giver of the only Truth that is trustworthy.

Focal Passages: Genesis 18:16-26,19:1-17.

Faith Brings Favor:

• Read Gen. 18:16-26. Why was the destruction of Sodom so important to Abraham? Look back at 18:1-2; who are the three men in these verses? Would “the Lord” (lit. “YAHWEH,” vs. 1) be either God the Father, or possibly Jesus, Preincarnate? Who were the other two (19:1)? How did Abraham know the Lord? Read John 10:27.
• In vs. 17, why does the Lord speak His thoughts? Why does He tell Abraham what His plans are? Read Isaiah 1:18a. Does the Lord love our conversations with Him? In vs. 19, did the Lord already know whether Sodom’s sin was grave?
• In vv. 22-33, could someone please paraphrase these verses? Was Abraham being respectful? What were some reasons YAHWEH told Abraham He was going to destroy Sodom? Why did the Lord capitulate upon each negotiation? Read vs. 33. Where did each go when the conversation was over?
• Why does faith bring God’s favor? Read Psalms 5:12, 35:27. Do these apply to us as well? Can we have a faith so firm that no one can shake us, or do we stand silent as God is attacked in today’s world? Do we stand up for the moral values we see attacked?

Faith Brings Wisdom

• Read Gen. 19:1-3a. What is happening here? What was the significance of the “gate”? What was different about the angels that Lot recognized their identity? Why did Lot insist they go into his house? Why did he stay outside?
• What comes into your mind first when someone mentions Lot? What are some of the facts you know of him? How do you view Lot from passages you know? Read 2 Pet. 2:6-9 [“For if God…turned]. How is this different than what you may have thought about him?

Faith Brings Protection:

• Read Gen. 19:9-11. Who is yelling “Stand back!”? How do the men of Sodom describe Lot? How did they threaten him? Where was he standing at this time? What happened next? Did that stop the men of Sodom? Do you understand now why some people are called “Sodomites”?
• Did Lot realize how evil the city was? What did he offer the men of Sodom? Can you even begin to imagine the wickedness of such a place? Why did he remain living there? Why would God have protected Lot and his family?

Faith Brings a Future:

• Read Gen. 19:12-14. What did the angels reveal to Lot, and instruct him to do? Did he do this? How did his sons-in-law respond? Would God have saved them from destruction if they had gone with Lot, leaving Sodom?
• Read vv. 15-17. Night passes: does Lot take the angels seriously yet? In the end, what did they do? Why did they do this? What was it the angels actually did (vs. 16b)? How far did they take them? What were their instructions in vs. 17?
• When Abraham was told Sodom was going to be destroyed, do you think Lot’s welfare was uppermost in his mind? Do you see this experience by Abraham as an incentive for us to intercede in prayer for loved ones? Do you think the Lord have saved Lot without Abraham’s interceding?

ACTION POINTS:

• Be deliberate in strengthening your faith as it positions you closer to God.
• Spend more time looking for the “visitations” of God than the applause of men.
• Don’t cling to what “is” and miss the “what can be”!

Close:   Family is important to all of us. We have traveled with Abraham from Ur to Haran to Canaan, then Egypt, and back to Canaan. Now, at 99, he learns he will be a father and Sarah a mother in nine months, so surely he often reflected on his journey. God told him to leave his family in Ur, at 75 years old, yet he took Lot with him. When Lot chose the fertile land for his herds, leaving the prairie for his uncle, Abraham didn’t speak. When Abraham had to take his 318 servants to rescue Lot and his household in Chap. 14, he did not seem to resent it. Now, he is concerned Lot and his family may be killed in a fire that will destroy the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham negotiates with God, asking (in an indirect way) for protection and escape for Lot’s family before the fire comes. We never see Lot thanking his uncle, although certainly he must have felt gratefulness. Is anyone being such a protector for you, and are you showing your gratitude? Don’t ever take a family’s help for granted—it may be costing them dearly, as it did Abraham.

By Sandy Day

September 15, 2024

FAITH WORTH FOLLOWING: GOD’S PLAN, OUR DOUBT

September 01, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today we begin a new series and church-wide study of the book of Genesis—the Book of Beginnings. Besides the story of the creation of the world, Genesis is Moses’ account of the birth of civilization, of mankind, and particularly of individuals who started their journeys with God, some successfully and some with disastrous results. We begin today with Abram (Abraham), the father of Israel’s covenant with God. And even though he was not perfect, Hebrews 11 says “…He waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And it is good to keep in mind the statements of Jesus in Luke 24 and John 5, as He tells the people to be careful how you speak of Moses, as “he wrote of Me.”

Focal Passages: Genesis, Chapters 12-14

God’s Call:

• Read Gen. 12:1-4. What was the first command God gave Abram? Did He tell him where he was going? What did it take for Abram to do what God told him? When was God going to “show him” where he was going? Did God ask Abram if he wanted to go? What was he to leave?
• What were the first four promises God gave him? Did God need Abram to pay for the trip, get a job, or have a route mapped out? What strikes you about these promises? What were the other three promises? Are these still in effect for Israel?
• Did Abram go? Was anything different in his going that was not commanded? Read 5b. Where did they stop? Imagine a circle divided with east-west, north-south lines. Where did Abram settle? What did the names of Bethel and Ai mean? Where did Abram continue later?
• Do you feel God has called you somewhere? Are you waiting until He shows you everything (cost, way, destination, etc.) before you pick up and leave? Based on the story of Abram, what should be your response? What is the only thing God wants?

Doubt from Fear of Others:

• Read Gen. 12:10-13. What situation had Abram placed himself in at verse 8? Was he wholeheartedly following God? What happened in Canaan? What could he have done in the famine? Was he being tested? Where did Abram go? What did he do there?
• What emotion overtook him? How did God continue to protect him? Why does God continue to protect us when we don’t deserve it?
• What causes us to fear? If you are going through health issues, moving issues, financial issues, or relationship issues, what is it that is the basis for the fear you are experiencing? Are you doubting God’s protection for your life in any way?

Doubt from the Place of Self-Reliance

• Read Gen. 13:1-4. When Abram left Egypt, where did he go? Why do you think he went back to where he had originally been? Had he learned a lesson? (Think for a moment: who probably had he added to his household while in Egypt?)
• Read Genesis 13:14-18. In vv. 15 and 17, what does God promise again? What financial condition was he in when he returned to Canaan? What were his choices now? Could he have continued to be self-reliant? In vs. 18, what did he choose? Why?

Doubt from the Potential for Greed

• Read Gen. 14:16. Can someone tell the story of the rescue of Lot? What was offered to Abram? What was his response? Could he have patted himself on the back for acquiring more “stuff” by getting Lot back? Who had he decided to trust for his future?
• What was he wanting his testimony to be now?
• What about you? Are you satisfied with what God has done for you, or do you desire more money, more stuff, more __________? How does 1 Cor. 10:31 fit here?

ACTION POINTS:

• Work hard to hear His call: Why is it so hard to hear today?
• Don’t allow the noise and distraction to diminish your trust: What calls you louder than the voice of God?
• Don’t let the “spoils” of the world tempt you: It is easy to let the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life grab your attention.

Close: There are many lessons that can be gleaned from these chapters in Genesis, but we must see how they apply to us. When God gave Abram the instruction to “get out of your country,” he took his wife and left Haran. God added, “get out from your family,” so he left his father, Terah, but took his nephew Lot. We do not know why. In chapter 11:31, Terah, the father, had taken Abram, Sarai, and Lot, who could have been under Abram’s care, and left Ur for Canaan. They stopped in Haran, where Terah remained until he died. This is where Abram was when he got the call from God to leave his family and go on to Canaan. Was taking Lot, who later fathered Moab and Ammon—top enemies of Israel—a fruit of partial obedience? We do not know, except to guess. But had Abram left Lot in Haran, those boys possibly would not have been born, and many wars against Israel might have been avoided. What we do see, though, is that God blesses obedience when He calls us. He does not give us all the details but wants our trust. If famine comes, He does not ask us to fix it, go to Plan B (Egypt), but trust Him to provide. God often tests us through trials to see if we will remain faithful. Let’s stand firm, obeying blindly and trusting implicitly!

By Sandy Day

September 01, 2024

REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSISTENCY

August 18, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church has covered everything about their holdovers of a sinful, boastful, lifestyle (carried over from their days before salvation), as they allow the immorality of the city to permeate the church. From chapter one to eleven Paul speaks of them cleansing their church of all habits that denigrate the name of Jesus. In chapters twelve through fifteen he tells them how to live faithfully, focused on bringing glory to God. In chapter sixteen, as he closes, he gives them instructions on the things that are most important as they live the Christian life. All of these are as important to today’s church as they were two thousand years ago, as we see the world outside entering our church.

Focal Passages: 1 Corinthians 16.

The Importance of Generosity                                                                                                                  

Generosity in Giving:                                                                                                                                                                                   

Read 1 Cor. 16:1-4. Why was Paul so concerned that the Corinthians would be generous with their giving? What is the commandment in Matt. 28:19-20 that Jesus gives to all believers, through all the ages? Can that passage be done without Christians supporting mission efforts? What is the purpose of reaching others?

• Where does everything we have come from? Read Mal. 3:7-9. Why is God concerned that we are not stingy with what we have? Why should it be something that is “planned” and be done on the first day of the week? Why is it not limited to wealthy brethren? Who is supposed to be generous?
• What did Paul mean when he writes for Christians to “store up as he may prosper”?
• Read 1 Tim. 6:17-19, Matt. 19:23-25 and Mal. 3:10. How do these three passages illustrate the New Testament plan of giving in 1 Cor. 16:1-4?

Generosity in going:

• Read 1 Cor. 16:5-8. Where did Paul desire to go in the coming months? Did he leave himself an “out” if God asked something else of him?
• When you plan something—whether for God in ministry, or for yourself for work or fun—how open are you to a change of schedule? What makes some people react in anger when their plans are thwarted by others, or sickness, or ‘happenstance’? If this is you, list some steps you can take to be open to God changing your plans?
• How can we be sensitive to what God wants, rather than having our own way?

The Importance of Discernment:                                                                                                                       

Open eyes in ministry:

• Read 1 Cor. 16:9-12. Paul desperately wanted to see the Corinthians, whom he loved, but what held him back? What is the phrase we often use if our plans are not able to be carried through (Matt. 8:2a)?
• In verses 10-11, what instructions did Paul give concerning Timothy? Read 1 Tim. 4:12. What apparently had happened prior to this time? How did Paul want the Corinthians to treat Timothy, and how anxious was Paul that he come to him?
• Read Acts 18:25-27. What kind of a man was Apollos? If, in verse 12, Apollos feels the time was not right, does it seem he is being sensitive to God’s leading in his life?

Open eyes in partnership:

• Read 1 Cor. 16:13-18. What five commands should we strive to be or do in vv. 13-14? What are we to watch for? Why is danger always present (1 Pet. 5:8)? Can you think of some examples we must be watchful of? How do we stand fast in the faith?

Read Eph. 4:14 and Jas. 1:6-8. How do these passages illustrate us standing fast?

• How are we to be brave or strong? What weakens us? What frightens us, as Christians? What will show that we are acting with courage?

The Importance of Family:

• Read vv. 19-24. When we become a Christian, who is our family? Why is it so important that if we have a falling out, we to handle it as God instructs?
• In verse 22, how are we to act, regardless of the opposition? Why is revenge wrong?

ACTION POINTS:

• Live generously: We all have an abundance of “stuff.” Share it. Be Selfless!
• Seek direction: Spend time daily in God’s Word—nothing else will satisfy.
• Seek others: There are unsaved people all around us. Tell them your story. Love them.

Close:

For the elderly who are saved, this world, although frightening, is not completely overwhelming because we know God will never desert us, nor take us beyond what we can bear. However, we are concerned for the children and grandchildren who are being brought into the world now, as we fear they will see catastrophic events. Only if they are instilled with the Word of God to stand fast when opposition comes, to be brave, strong, and love the unlovely, the unloved, and the family of God, will they be able to face the trials that will come. Teach them how faithful, loving, true, and strong our God is, pointing it out at every opportunity, always keeping in mind that you reflect God in their eyes.

By Sandy Day

August 18, 2024

REPEATING HISTORY: CONFUSION IN CORINTH

Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley

                     August 04, 2024                      

In last week’s sermon on 1 Cor. 13, Paul has given us an expose on the topic of love. He continues his thought on love in the opening of Chapter 14—not hampered by punctuation or chapters—by telling the Corinthian believers, caught up in the frenzy of the world of immorality and idolatry found in Corinth, that love is the foundation of our life in Jesus Christ. Paul takes love a step further than chapter 14, showing that love is the essence of God, with all of His attributes, and should be the spiritual fruit of our lives, whether in church, our daily family life, at work, relaxing—whatever we do, we should do it all to bring God glory, for everything should be done in love. Without love, the spiritual gifts are not active. He exhorts in this chapter that worship in the body of Christ should be a time of peace, order, and encouragement, not disruptive, chaotic or confusing.

Focal Passages: 1 Corinthians 14. 

Pursue Love:

• Read 1 Cor. 14:1-2. What is special about the word pursue? Love is a spiritual gift, as well as a fruit of the Spirit—why must we “pursue” it rather than it being a well-spring flowing naturally out of us? Why would it have been difficult for the Corinthians to separate godly love from sinful lust and immorality?
• What is meant by “spiritual gifts”? List some of them. What were the “sign gifts” that may have ceased except in rare circumstances? Read 1 Cor. 12:7, 11. Why were spiritual gifts given? Who gives them and how much?
• What is the difference between prophesying and speaking in tongues? Why did Paul say that the gift of prophecy was to be coveted more than tongues? How was/is the gift of prophecy verified that it was/is authentic? Has this gift ceased? Why?
• Can someone explain what the gift of tongues were, as in this chapter and in Acts 2 (the only two places in the Bible)? If someone spoke in tongues, what was the restriction under which it had to be done in the church? Could the same person speak in tongues, then interpret? Then why would they not have spoken in the language of the church to begin with? Did it ever include indiscernible babble? Why not?
• What are the three predominant views on speaking in tongues? Why is there so much controversy about it? Why do ‘Cessationists’ believe it to be a discontinued gift, except in rare instances that God dictates? What has replaced the need for the gift of tongues?
• “Paul lays down four principles that the Corinthians had to observe: tongues should be interpreted; they must edify the members of the church; they ought to be intelligent in the context of love; orderliness must characterize believers at worship”.[1]

The gifts of the Spirit never contradict the fruits of the Spirit:                                                                                                                         

• Read 1 Cor. 14:20-32. Paul put himself on their level of fellowship by calling them “Brothers” as he was about to reprimand them. What was the problem? Read Jer. 4:22. The Greek indicates these Corinthians were susceptible to the entertainment provided by the babble of tongues, enjoying the chaos. Why is something that results in chaos not of God?
• Who were the tongues to be a sign for? Why? In vs. 27, what was the limited number of those to speak in tongues? If there was no one to interpret, what was the person to do?
• In vv. 23-25, who was prophecy for? Why? What should be the result of prophecy? Read vs 26b. What is the ultimate purpose?
• Read vv. 29-32. What were the restrictions on prophesying? Read vs. 33. What point does Paul make again?

The case of women speaking in church:

• Read 14:33b-35. In this passage, we have to focus on the original Greek which gives more insight than English. Paul gives commands where trouble has been brewing, therefore we are to assume women were getting out of hand during the services. Charles exegeted this by putting forth the circumstance that women were questioning the prophets, not only for their content but also going off on tangents as to the authority or background of the prophet, causing chaos, discord and confusion. This behavior is contrary to Scripture.

How has that impacted the church today? Could there be cases where raucous behavior by women could cause discord, that might apply today? The majority of churches won’t face the issue, but in some circumstances might elders need to step in?

• Read verse 40. This is the conclusion that Paul continually comes back to: if it is something causing disorder, what is the church to do about it?

Close:        

When there are brilliant scholars and theologians on both sides of an issue from the Scripture, it behooves everyone involved to study God’s word (as the Bereans did) to “see that these things are true.” So, it is with today’s sermon. Tongues, prophesying, and women speaking in church are all hot topics. Yet, each, in their own way, can be settled simply. Tongues: if it is completely within the guidelines Paul has set, it should not cause division as to judging one’s salvation, although many churches believe the true gift of tongues has ceased. If the speaking in tongues causes chaos, it isn’t from God. Prophesying: If it comes true, the prophet was from God; if it doesn’t, he wasn’t. Women in the church: women—more than men—tend to speak out in services. If they cause disorder, unruly behavior, or discord, the elders should escort them out, and perhaps that’s all it would take. If the church is filled with women of this type, the elders need to perhaps rethink establishing rules such as Paul had to dictate for the church in Corinth. If anything in the church causes chaos, it isn’t from God.

By Sandy Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                  August 04, 2024

[1] Simon Kistemaker, 1^st Corinthians (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1993) page 488.

                                                     REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY

  July 21, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

In writing under the inspiration of Holy Spirit, Paul hits home on issues that are sometimes uncomfortable, or hard to swallow, but always are the will of God. In today’s passage in 1 Corinthians 7, 8, and 9, he deals with our responsibilities in our marriages, our future, our freedoms, our sacrifice, and our service. It may touch areas where you disagree with the message, but keep in mind that obedience to God’s word is how you know you are truly saved, not because you walked an aisle, nor even because at some point you may have been baptized, but “we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments” (1 Jn 2:3).

Focal Passages: 1 Corinthians 7, 8, and 9.

Responsibility in Marriage:                                                                                                                         

Sexual Purity and Connection

• Read 1 Cor. 7:1-5. Paul opens this section, replying to a letter from the Corinthians concerning marriage. It was acknowledged in Corinth that some believing husbands thought abstinence made one more spiritual. Paul, rebuking these men, addressed purity in marriage. Read Eph. 5:25. How does this verse apply to those men, or those who twist the Corinthian passage to mean sex-on-demand?
• In today’s world, many men and woman are addicted to porn; how does this play out in marriage? Do the partners expect the same looks or perversion that they see on the screen? Why is it so destructive that we live in a world where feelings have overtaken reason?  Why did God ordain the sex act? Does anything give a spouse the right to justify porn? How can a couple reestablish a relationship of cherishing each other? Does a sex-starved marriage justify divorce or adultery?

Responsibilities in Service:

• Read verses 17-24. What does Paul say that links this passage back to the previous verses? Why might some people feel that if they become a believer but had previously failed in a marriage, they should/could go back to the previous spouse or some other action (leave the current family) to right the wrong?
• Why does Paul say that in whatever state you were when you were saved, do not attempt to change that in order to become a better Christian? Can God use you In whatever vocation (see next question) you are In when you became saved? Why would that not apply to situations where you are in a vocation that is immoral?

Responsibilities for the Future:

• Read vv. 32-35. What is Paul’s point in this passage? Is he simply explaining the obvious: that one who is married has to take care of the marriage, while one who is unmarried can live to please God?
• Which is more important to God, living life to please Him or being romantically involved? Does that make marriage wrong? Read Gen. 2:18. Is marriage sanctified and set apart by God?

Responsibilities in Freedom:

• Read 1 Cor. 8:7-13. Why, when Paul begins to talk of food and idols, does he switch to knowledge and love? What do you personally know about idols? Read 1 Cor. 10:20. Why does Paul say things revolve around love? What is Paul’s main concern?
• Liken the meat of then to today and tell what can make other Christians stumble if they see us partaking of _____. So, if we ignore their thinking “if it’s okay for them, it’s okay for me,” how does this thinking negate love? Where is our responsibility?
• What should be our “yardstick” of measure when it comes to our freedoms?

Responsibilities of Sacrifice:

• Read 1 Cor. 9:19-23. How does Paul link this passage to the one in chapter 8? Are we free to do whatever we wish?
• What restriction should we place on ourselves? What will it take to reach others?

So Run!

• Read 1 Cor. 9:24-27. How do athletes train for winning a competition? Is food bad?
• What does it take to bring the body into subjection, and allow the Spirit to lead us?

TAKE AWAYS:

• If married, know your rights and responsibilities; you belong to your spouse.
• If unmarried, know the value of your position; regardless of the future, it is a gift.
• For everyone, know your responsibility to the King.

Close: As we close this section of 1 Corinthians, we find everything boils down to this: we are to love God with everything we are and love other people as we love ourselves. If we do these two things, we will not betray our spouse, friends or family. We won’t partake of things that make others stumble, for we may be the only “Bible” they ever read. Let them see our 100% devotion to God in all things. They should sense the true joy and inner peace in us that comes with serving God. As Prov. 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

By Sandy Day

July 07, 2024

                                                    REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY

July 07, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

In writing under the inspiration of Holy Spirit, Paul hits home on issues that are sometimes uncomfortable, or hard to swallow, but always are the will of God. In today’s passage in 1 Corinthians 7, 8, and 9, he deals with our responsibilities in our marriages, our future, our freedoms, our sacrifice, and our service. It may touch areas where you disagree with the message, but keep in mind that obedience to God’s word is how you know you are truly saved, not because you walked an aisle, nor even because at some point you may have been baptized, but “we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments” (1 Jn 2:3).

Focal Passages: 1 Corinthians 7, 8, and 9. 

Responsibility in Marriage:                                                                                                                         

Sexual Purity and Connection

• Read 1 Cor. 7:1-5. Paul opens this section, replying to a letter from the Corinthians concerning marriage. It was acknowledged in Corinth that some believing husbands thought abstinence made one more spiritual. Paul, rebuking these men, addressed purity in marriage. Read Eph. 5:25. How does this verse apply to those men, or those who twist the Corinthian passage to mean sex-on-demand?
• In today’s world, many men and woman are addicted to porn; how does this play out in marriage? Do the partners expect the same looks or perversion that they see on the screen? Why is it so destructive that we live in a world where feelings have overtaken reason?  Why did God ordain the sex act? Does anything give a spouse the right to justify porn? How can a couple reestablish a relationship of cherishing each other? Does a sex-starved marriage justify divorce or adultery?

Responsibilities in Service:

• Read verses 17-24. What does Paul say that links this passage back to the previous verses? Why might some people feel that if they become a believer but had previously failed in a marriage, they should/could go back to the previous spouse or some other action (leave the current family) to right the wrong?
• Why does Paul say that in whatever state you were when you were saved, do not attempt to change that in order to become a better Christian? Can God use you In whatever vocation (see next question) you are In when you became saved? Why would that not apply to situations where you are in a vocation that is immoral?

Responsibilities for the Future:

• Read vv. 32-35. What is Paul’s point in this passage? Is he simply explaining the obvious: that one who is married has to take care of the marriage, while one who is unmarried can live to please God?
• Which is more important to God, living life to please Him or being romantically involved? Does that make marriage wrong? Read Gen. 2:18. Is marriage sanctified and set apart by God?

Responsibilities in Freedom:

• Read 1 Cor. 8:7-13. Why, when Paul begins to talk of food and idols, does he switch to knowledge and love? What do you personally know about idols? Read 1 Cor. 10:20. Why does Paul say things revolve around love? What is Paul’s main concern?
• Liken the meat of then to today and tell what can make other Christians stumble if they see us partaking of _____. So, if we ignore their thinking “if it’s okay for them, it’s okay for me,” how does this thinking negate love? Where is our responsibility?
• What should be our “yardstick” of measure when it comes to our freedoms?

Responsibilities of Sacrifice:

• Read 1 Cor. 9:19-23. How does Paul link this passage to the one in chapter 8? Are we free to do whatever we wish?
• What restriction should we place on ourselves? What will it take to reach others?

So Run!

• Read 1 Cor. 9:24-27. How do athletes train for winning a competition? Is food bad?
• What does it take to bring the body into subjection, and allow the Spirit to lead us?

TAKE AWAYS:

• If married, know your rights and responsibilities; you belong to your spouse.
• If unmarried, know the value of your position; regardless of the future, it is a gift.
• For everyone, know your responsibility to the King.

Close: As we close this section of 1 Corinthians, we find everything boils down to this: we are to love God with everything we are and love other people as we love ourselves. If we do these two things, we will not betray our spouse, friends or family. We won’t partake of things that make others stumble, for we may be the only “Bible” they ever read. Let them see our 100% devotion to God in all things. They should sense the true joy and inner peace in us that comes with serving God. As Prov. 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

By Sandy Day

July 07, 2024

REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITHFULNESS

June 23, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Have you ever asked yourself what God counts as faithfulness? Is it being obedient in the things He has asked us to do, loving Him, and loving others?  If you look at the passages in Scripture on the subject of faithfulness, you’ll see most are focused on God being the One who is faithful. As Paul points out in 1 Cor. 4, as he writes to the church at Corinth to encourage and correct them, we must be a willing servant, a good steward (manager) of what God has given us, and always are to be found faithful to Him each day.

Focal Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21.

Understanding our position:

• Read 1 Cor. 4:1-2. What was Paul’s main theme in Chapter 1, and the theme of Chapter 2? Why was he so uneasy over their relationship to God in Chapter 3?
• Now, in Chap. 4, he continues his correction. How will our lives show we are Christ-followers if we are faithful in these two areas (being a servant to God and to other people, and being a good manager of what God has placed under our control)?
• Read James 1:1a. How does James introduce himself? How is a reputation for faithfulness to God obvious? What does a faithful servant do?
• When someone gives you something to take care of, do you treat it as if it were your own, and precious? Can you honestly say you consider all of your “stuff” to be on loan from God? What about items in your attic, storage buildings, or basements? Could they be helping other people? What would a good manager do?

Having the proper perspective:                                                                                                                         

• Read 1 Cor. 4:3-5. What now becomes Paul’s main concern? Something has come to his attention concerning his reputation. What seems to be his situation?
• How did Paul respond to people judging him? What should be our attitude if someone uses criticism, rumors, gossip, etc., against us as one of God’s servants?
• Why should we not judge ourselves? Why are we so often our own worst critic? Who is the only one who should judge us? Does God see us the way we see ourselves?
• Why is God’s judgment the only one that would be correct? How do we remain accountable to others without incurring judgment?

Walking in humility:

• Read vv. 6-13. What seems to be the main type of language Paul uses in these verses? What was his position of authority? Who called him to be an apostle? He knew where his apostleship came from; did anyone in Corinth have the right to condemn him?
• What are some of the things he went through (in this passage) as an apostle? Yet how were the Corinthians treating him?
• Paul is trying to get the Corinthians to understand their true position in Christ. What attitude did he want them to have? Do we consider ourselves to be humble in what God has called us to do? In our heart, are we truly humble, or do we think we deserve better (sometimes even better than what God gives us..)?

In what really matters:

• Read vv. 14-21. How does Paul change his tone with the church? How can we liken this to raising our children in the faith, doing our best, only to see them accept the world’s values? Can we be assured that God will bring the church to where it should be?
• Read Heb. 12:2 and John 17:12, 18:9. How do these passages comfort us when there are things outside our control? Read 1 Cor. 11:1. If we imitate Christ, will we win? How will we be spoken of if we serve well those with whom we come in contact, manage well what God has given us, and are found faithful to the end?

TAKE AWAYS:

• Know that it’s all his anyway (vs 2-we are stewards of all He has given us).
• Know everything we do, private and public, is in the eyesight of God (vs 5b).
• Know where our power comes from (vs 20).

Close: 

                  Years ago, a famous movie, Ben Hur, was filmed as the story of a Jew who eventually rode in the Roman gladiator race against a Roman friend. At one point, Judah Ben Hur (Charlton Heston) was sentenced to life as a slave, spending time rowing on the lowest level of a Roman ship. More than likely, nearly every adult who has seen the movie recalls vividly the scene in the galley of the ship, with the slaves or prisoners chained to the boat. Had it sunk, all lives of those who rowed would have been lost. This example of “under-rowing” is the word used in verse 1 as servants of Christ.

We should be so sold out to Him that everything we do is as His slave, happily serving Him in all areas of our lives. We should also see everything we own as something He has given us to use, to share, and to take care of as we try to be a faithful steward of all that He has given us. This would especially include our children, for we should raise them to recognize they belong to Him, never putting them down, calling them names, or treating them with disrespect and anger.

Do you understand that everything you own is really His and you try to manage it to the best of your ability? Will you serve Him faithfully as long as you live?

By Sandy Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                June 23, 2024

REPEATING HISTORY: THE IMPORTANCE OF WISDOM

June 09, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

As we continue comparing the culture and lifestyles of the Bible times during which Paul lived and wrote, we see that our world today is no better off—even with all our technology and labor-saving devices—than it was over two thousand years ago. That should be quite a shock to all of us, as we should assume life would be less stressful, less sinful, less crime-ridden, and have more happiness today. As we look at the book of 1 Corinthians, we see Paul addresses issues we face daily in our lives. Foolishness abounds! People look in all the wrong places for pleasure and peace and ignore Jesus Christ—the author and finisher of our faith, and the only one in whom life, joy, peace, salvation, and eternal life is found.

Focal Passages: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, 2:1-16.

The wisdom of foolishness:

• Read 1 Cor. 1:18. What are some reasons unbelievers think Christianity is foolish? What did Paul mean when he said to believers, the message of the cross is the power of God? What are some benefits of being saved?
• Read vv. 22-24. What type of signs were the Jews looking for? Why was Jesus a stumbling block to them? Why had they expected Messiah to be different than Jesus? Why was He as “foolishness” to the Greeks? What type of wisdom were they seeking? Read Acts 17:16-21. What did the Greeks at Athens admire?
• When we hear Christ preached, what are ways we interpret the power of God? Read 1 Cor. 1:27-29. What are some of the “opposites” that are in these verses? What is God’s point? What is the reason He chose things that the wise or mighty consider weak, foolish, base, or despised?

The foolishness of wisdom:                                                                                                                          

• Read 1 Cor. 2:1-5. Why would it have been easy for Paul to preach “over the heads” of the common people? What was the only thing he wanted to preach to them?
• What was he trying to help them see (vs. 4)? Last week we saw in 1:11-13 that the Corinthians had problems; how does verse 5 reinforce his concern?
• Why was he so concerned that he not preach as if to impress them?

The hope of God’s wisdom:

• Read vv. 6-9. Paul could have taught this church as if they were mature in the Lord; why didn’t he? If a person has been saved and the Holy Spirit indwells them, what kind of wisdom will they seek? What is the mystery Paul is speaking of?
• Why would He not have been crucified had they understood how he would come? What are some of the Scriptures you can think of that might have given them clues that He was not coming as a military leader?
• List some blessings we receive when we believe in Jesus Christ.

Finding God’s wisdom:

• Read vv. 10-16. Read verse 9 again. How does this go with verse 10? How are these things revealed? What does that tell you about the Holy Spirit?
• Why can the natural man not understand these things the Spirit teaches? What are some of the things the spiritual man is able to judge? Why is he not able to be judged by the world? Why is it such an honor for a Christian to have the mind of Christ, as revealed by the Spirit?

TAKE AWAYS:

1. Never lose sight of what is truly important to Christ (1 Cor. 1:18).
2. Determine daily to seek the wisdom gained from the Holy Spirit (2:12).
3. Seek the mind of Christ: life’s goal is to be more like Him (Heb. 11:6).

Close: 

                  Have you ever listened to a pastor/teacher who finished a lesson or sermon and you left the facility wondering what they had just said? Not because you are not smart enough, but their rhetoric was so filled with confusing words that you got rather lost trying to get the meaning of what you had heard. Paul probably could have preached like that, having studied all his life, and been a Pharisee for many years. Yet in 1 Cor. 2:1-5, he said he simply wanted to preach the gospel of the cross and the testimony of God to the common people. Common, as in many were not learned in Paul’s day, most did not have university degrees, and it was the people who were the poor, the untrained and the uneducated that Jesus knew would have open hearts to listen to what He was saying.

We see this illustrated in Acts 4:12-14 when the rulers and elders of Israel were listening to Peter and John and “perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men” but then they marveled, because they realized the two men had “been with Jesus.” Paul, in today’s focal passage, said he had come in the demonstration of the Spirit and power of God, so that men were not admiring him, but looking at the story of the gospel he was preaching.

How about you? When you get to tell someone what God has done for you, do you try to just tell your story of how you have been saved, or do you use flowery speech and speak so much “Christianese” language (blood, communion, baptism, salvation, justification, redemption, sanctification, etc.) that those who are not saved lose track of what you’re saying? As is said so often, “Keep it simple!” You don’t want to lose their attention because it’s too deep—just tell them the story of what God has done for you!

By Sandy Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                June 09, 2024

           BEYOND WORDS: WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR

 May 26, 2024

Charles Billingsley

How many times in your life have you heard the parable of the “Good Samaritan”? It is probably one of the two most familiar in Scripture, the other being the parable of the Prodigal Son. Today, Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley gives us a fresh perspective on this story told by Jesus, which will change your thoughts on it for the rest of your life. Join us as we wind up the series on the Parables of Jesus, seeing in the story that Jesus Christ Himself is the true Good Samaritan, who rescued us out of the ditch we were in, helpless and wounded, to heal us by His stripes, and give us eternal life. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is the story of the gospel!

Focal Passages: Luke 10:25-37.

Who is my neighbor?

• Read Luke 10:25-29. How many of you, when you first heard the story of the good Samaritan, asked someone, “Who is my neighbor?” What did the lawyer ask Jesus when he opened the conversation? What vocation did “lawyer” indicate at that time? What was his motive? Why did Jesus ask him for his interpretation of the answer the lawyer gave?
• How did Jesus respond? Could the man do this (vs. 27)? Why did Jesus tell the lawyer to do it and he would “live”?
• In vs. 29, what is meant by “he wanted to justify himself”? Leaders like the lawyer were teaching people that they could hate which persons?

What did the ‘preacher’, the ‘music leader’ and the Samaritan do?                                                                                                                         

• Read Luke 10:30-37. Will someone please paraphrase the parable? What was the likely reason the priest and the Levite passed by? Why did the Samaritan not pass him by? What were the ten things the Samaritan did for the man? Talk about each one and critique your own actions in each of these areas. How much money’s worth of care did he give the innkeeper?
• What is the major reason we do not respond to the needs we see around us each day? Are we using this as a “justification” for ourselves? What would happen to our time if we gave it to others? Will we make excuses to God for being too busy to minister to the needs of others?

In serving others, we ARE serving God!

To be a Good Neighbor is often an interruption.                                                                                                                         

• Read vv. 33-35. Which one of the ten actions the Samaritan took required the most amount of time? When he took the wounded man to the inn, when did he leave? Do you think he paid the innkeeper so much money for just the room, (1/32^nd of a denarii per night), or for the “Take care of him” part?
• This whole scenario Jesus told could have taken a full day’s worth of the Samaritan’s time—maybe more. When is the last time you gave someone a whole day of your life? Do you let yourself be interrupted for an hour? BUILD TIME IN YOUR DAY FOR INTERRUPTIONS!

To be a Good Neighbor is usually an inconvenience:

• In vv. 33-35, at what point did the interruption become an inconvenience for the Samaritan? Did that cause him to stop? Why do we get so bent out of shape when someone asks us to do something that causes our schedule to be rearranged, even for a short while?
• Where is the sin in that attitude? A NEED SEEN IS A TASK REQUIRED

To be a Good Neighbor will require an investment:

• Spend a couple of minutes discussing the differences between “seeing” and other forms of using our eyes that ends up processing someone’s internal condition. You have to do more than just “see”! How can you open the eyes of your heart to the needs around you?
• Give up something—your seat, money, ticket, clothes. What happens when we give generously? THE LEVEL OF THE NEED WILL USUALLY DETERMINE THE INVESTMENT.
• Meet the need. Read James 2:15-16. James lays it out plainly—if you see someone in need and say “Well, have a nice day!” but you give them nothing for whatever their obvious need is, you have really messed up. What are ways we can meet needs of others all day long that costs us little or nothing—in money or in time?
• Plant the seed: As you’ve often heard from the TRBC pulpit, we have to “earn the right to be heard.” What does that mean to you? How do we do that?

Be the Innkeeper.  WHAT DID THE INNKEEPER DO?

“Do all the good you can, to all the folks you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, for as long as ever you can…. for Jesus’ sake!” David Jeremiah.

“They [the people of the world] don’t care what you know until they know that you care!”

TAKE AWAYS: THE STORY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN IS THE STORY OF THE GOSPEL!

 1) JESUS CHRIST IS THE TRUE GOOD SAMARITAN!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

2) EVERY ONE OF US IS THAT POOR MAN LYING IN THE DITCH AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIVES!                                                                                                                                                                  

3) WE WERE LOST AND HELPLESS AND HOPELESS, AND LEFT FOR DEAD!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

4) JESUS CAME TO US, IN OUR HOPELESS CONDITION—HE MET OUR NEED!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

5) HE TOOK OUR PLACE IN THE DITCH—THAT’S MERCY!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

6) HE GIVES US HOPE ETERNAL WITH HIM!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    7) HE OFFERS US AN INHERITANCE!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

8) JESUS BECAME A NEIGHBOR TO US!                                                                                                                      

Close: 

                  Will you ever again hear the story of the Good Samaritan without thinking of Jesus Himself intentionally coming down the road, knowing we were lying in the ditch, broken and almost dead? In fact, we were dead in our trespasses and sins and He came to us and made us alive! He had compassion on us and healed our wounds, and HE carried the old rugged cross on which He died, so He could pay the price for our sins! He gave us His love, offered us eternal life and a home forever with Him. The story of the Good Samaritan is the story of Salvation! It is the story of the gospel.

By Sandy Day

May 26, 2024

BEYOND WORDS: THE SON WORTH SAVING

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL

May 05, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is probably the most well known of any of Jesus’ parables. In it, He pictures a son who asks for his inheritance (in effect, saying the father will be as good as dead to him in the future). Because he is the younger, he is entitled to one-third (or possibly less, depending on siblings), and the father generously gives it. Eventually, after he loses it all on sinful living, he “comes to himself” and in repentance returns to the father, asking that he be made a servant. The father joyously accepts him back as his son, to the jealousy and frustration of the older son, who has never caused any problem. Which person are you like? Join as we find one more person in this tale, who plays a great role!

Focal Passages: Luke 15:11-32

THE GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL:

• Can someone please paraphrase the parable of the “Prodigal Son”? How much of the inheritance would the younger son receive? How do you see the Gospel of Jesus Christ presented in this parable? Why does it so well illustrate the Christian life?
• Read 15:20. When the father saw the son returning, how did he react? How is that like God when we have sinned and repented? Read verse 21. How did the son react? What is the analogy as a Christian? Is true repentance able to be witnessed? What had the son done that showed genuine repentance?
• Read vv. 22-23. What were the next things the father did for his son? Who did the robe probably belong to? What did the ring and the sandals signify? When we get to heaven, what are a few things which we are going to receive?
• Read vs. 24. What reasons did the father give the servants for the celebration?
• Read Luke 15:5-7. How does this parable illustrate the joy of the father in vv. 11ff?

THE HUMAN RESPONSE:                                                                                                                         

• Read vv. 25-27. What had the second son been doing as all the excitement above had taken place? What was his first indication that something out of the ordinary was going on? How much of the family inheritance was he going to receive? Would he get any less now that the younger son has returned?
• What was the significance of the fatted calf? Did the older son expect it to be his? Do you think he had ever asked his father if he could kill the fatted calf for friends?
• Read vs. 28a. Why was he so angry? What were some of his problems?
• What was at the root of his anger? Can you imagine him coming in, jubilant and rejoicing that his brother had come home?
• Currently, the entire globe is watching a similar scenario to this play out on the world stage—almost to the details. What family is experiencing this, and who are the players? Could there be any better analogy than what we are watching daily? And yet, who has our sympathies?

THE NONSENSE OF LOVE:

• Read VV. 28b. What did the father say to the older son? Read vs. 29. How did he answer? Again, do you think he had ever asked to have his friends in?
• Read verse 30. What is so “cheap” about the phrasing “this son of YOURS”? Read Gen. 3:12,13b, How were these verses like the older brother’s response to his father? Why do we always want someone besides us to be the person to blame?
• Do you get the sense that no matter what the father said, the son would not have come into the celebration? At what point do we give up trying to force love from someone, and simply be ready to give it when it is desired?
• Read the focal passage, vv.11-24, once more. Who is one more character in this story? What is his role? Does he take sides? Does he do all that is his duty?
• Why should we be like him?

TAKE AWAYS:

• You have to identify which son you are most like:
  • 1) The younger son, running from righteousness and running to sin, or                                        
  • 2) The older son, entitled because of your own actions and words?
• Repent either way—neither are right!
• Celebrate the lavish grace God bestows on us as His sons and daughters!

Close:

                  If we want to be totally honest with ourselves—sometimes not as easy as it sounds—most of us would find it rather hard to come into the celebration and embrace the brother who had gotten such a warm welcome from the father, while we, (the older brother), had done nothing except obey! On the other hand, perhaps we have been, at some point in our life, the younger brother. Perhaps not losing money so much as costing the family grief and heartache, then being forgiven. The hurt we may have caused could take years to be forgotten by our own heart, even though we were forgiven by parents. Or—a third possibility—maybe we were gladly reunited with a sibling and experienced the joy the younger brother should have received. Are any of these you?

In the background of all of this is the servant: the man who provides everything the father asks for, never disobeys, always ready to serve the younger—or older—son as well as the father. He knows his place, does his duty, and is not mentioned as responding. He serves with joy because that is what is expected of him. Is that the way we live our Christian lives? It should be!

By Sandy Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                May 05, 2024

BEYOND WORDS: THE FREEDOM OF FORGIVENESS

April 21, 2024

Charles Billingsley

Has anyone ever done you wrong? Mary H. of Florida visited a killer in prison, offering forgiveness to him, while her family lambasted her for doing so, as he had slain her daughter in a jealous rage. How much did it cost her to do that? How much did it cost God to give His only Son to die for our sins, two thousand years ago? Forgiveness is not cheap: it dearly costs the one who gives it, yet the one who offers it finds a freedom that is indescribable. Today we look at forgiveness—and how God views unforgiveness. He commands us to forgive our enemies, as well as our friends, who hurt or harm us beyond description.  The only way that is possible is to understand how much God has forgiven us. To forgive is a big command (Phil. 4:13), but we must be obedient if we expect Him to forgive us (Mark 11:26).

Focal Passages: Matthew 18:21-35, 6:12-14, Luke 6:37, 17:3-4, Mark 11:25-26, 1 Jn. 1:9.

Accept the Forgiveness of God

• Read Matt. 18:21-22. How do we become a person who forgives when someone has wronged us? What is the first step we must take? Read Matt. 18:15-16. What are some ways you can be wronged?
• Read Matt. 18:25. How seriously does God take it if we don’t forgive someone who has sinned against us? Is it a suggestion or a command?
• Can anyone share an example when someone did them wrong? Did you forgive them immediately? How did you get the strength to forgive them? What kind of reaction did you receive? How is it possible to forgive someone, but unrealistic to expect to forget the situation? Does ‘not forgetting’ mean you haven’t forgiven? No.
• Who is the hardest person to forgive? Who is at the root of making certain we never forget that we have committed an “unforgiveable” action? How can we get beyond that?

Practice the Forgiveness of God                                                                                                                         

• In our parable for today, how much did the servant owe the king? How much did another man owe the servant? Why did the king forgive the servant? Why did the servant not forgive his debtor?
• If God said, “You owe me $1.2 Billion in order to spend eternity in heaven,” could we pay it? Why did (does) He extend His forgiveness to us freely? What did it cost Him?
• We accept God’s free gift, so why do we withhold forgiveness from a friend who has not repaid us $5K? What are some ways it costs us to forgive a wrong done to us? What type of freedom do we get when we forgive someone who has hurt us?

REACHing for the Forgiven—an Acronym for Forgiveness:

• R—for RECALL-remember the hurt that was done to you as objectively as you can.
• E—for EMPATHIZE-try to understand the viewpoint of the person who wronged you.
• A—for ALTRUISM- think about a time you hurt someone and were forgiven, then offer the gift of forgiveness to the person who hurt you.
• C—for COMMITTING-publicly forgive the person who wronged you. (This is not always possible).
• H—for HOLDING ON-not forgetting the hurt but reminding yourself that you made the choice to forgive.

Forgiving Like God

How does God forgive us:

• God forgives us completely! Read 1 John 1:9.
• God forgives repeatedly! Read Mark 3:28.
• God forgives us generously! Read Luke 7:47a.
• God forgives freely! Read Eph. 1:7.

Close:

                  As most of us know, sometimes it is not the forgiving of others that causes us to lose sleep as much as that we do not allow our own hearts to forgive ourselves for heinous sins which we have committed. We can waste a huge amount of time regretting things we have done that disgraced or grieved the heart of God. Yet if God has forgiven us, (and He has if we have genuinely repented and offered to Him a broken heart and contrite spirit), why do we hold our own standards above His and grieve Him even more by our unforgiveness toward ourselves? We need to take this seriously and stop letting Satan ruin our days or nights over sins that God has put in the depth of the ocean.

How do we accept His forgiveness? By an act of our will. By making a choice to do so. How do we accept the truth of salvation? How do we accept that He loves us? How do we accept that Scripture is “inspired by God”? We accept it because He cannot lie, and His promises are true.  1 John 1:9 states that if “we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So we either believe that, as a promise of God, or we reject it and say our sin was too big, too bad, too long-reaching for Him to forgive. Shame on us.

As Charles finished today, he asked you to examine your life: If there are people you refuse to forgive for what they’ve done to you, you need to ask yourself “AM I REALLY SAVED?”

By Sandy Day                                                                                                                                                                                                                April 21, 2024

BEYOND WORDS: FOUR CONDITIONS OF THE HEART

April 07, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

If you have ever wondered why Jesus taught the common people with parables, you are not alone! In today’s Focal Passage, Matthew 13, the disciples asked Jesus “Why do You speak to them in parables?” They genuinely desired to understand. As you will see in the sermon, these parables were illustrations that Jesus used in order to describe a deep thought or come alongside a statement or thought to bring out the truth. They also are meant to separate those who truly desire to understand what Jesus is saying from those who have only a mediocre interest, emotional impulse, or even a disdain for the meaning. As we study this chapter, you will be able to discern the condition of your heart as you identify which type of person you are.

Focal Passages: Matthew 13:10-13, 1-9, 19-22.

THE FOUR CONDITIONS OF THE HEART:                                                                                                    

• Read Matt. 13:10-14. Does Jesus know the hearts of all men? According to verse 11, why did He choose those particular twelve apostles? In verse 11b, what does He say about the “common people”? What did He mean?
• In vv. 13-14, what did Jesus say would happen when people heard what He would be preaching? What did He mean?

The Hard Heart                                                                                                                           

• Read Matt. 13:1-9. What does this parable illustrate when you connect it to the passage above? Where kind of soil (one’s heart) does the first type of seed fall into? What was the ‘wayside’ soil? What characterized it? Would anything grow there?
• Read verse 19. Jesus now explains this seed. What type of person is represented here? When they hear preaching, or attend a worship service, what is their reaction? What are they likely to be doing during the message? Even though they are hard-hearted, is there hope that they can be saved? Why?

The Volatile Heart

• Read verses 5-6 and vv. 20-21. On what type of soil did the second seed fall? Does anyone recall the picture from Israel of the area of Masada? What did it look like? How does this ground receive the seed?
• Would the plant in this type of soil enable the roots to grow well? If someone with a stony heart hears the sermon, and enjoys it, and perhaps is stirred emotionally by it, what will eventually happen? Is it possible they could eventually get saved? Why?

The Distracted Heart

• Read verse 7 and verse 22. Where does the third type of seed fall? What happens when this seed springs up? What do the thorns represent? Can the person who embraces the truth, but is pulled by the world with the lust for riches and the cares of this world, bear fruit?
• We know no one is outside of the scope of God’s grace. These people without fruit may be in a back-slidden condition, or, in this parable, they may be unsaved. What must they do to return to the Lord if they have let Satan render them fruitless? Read Matt. 3:10, 7:17-19, Luke 13:9.

The Tender Heart

• Read vv. 8-9 and verse 23. What are the characteristics of the person whose seed falls on “good ground”? Does God ask for a certain amount of fruit? Why will fruit always come from a heart that is sold out to God?
• Read John 15:1-8 and Luke 8:15. What does God expect from us?

Close:

            Over the years we who have been Christians since youth or grown up in a home with Christian parents who raised us to know and love Jesus Christ have gotten so familiar with Biblical words like “parables,” “fruit,” Spiritual gifts,” “communion,” “baptism,” and so many others that we sometimes use these terms without giving thought to those who are new to the faith. In other words, the question asked by the disciples (“why do you teach the people with parables”) may seem strange to us, but could it possibly have been a fairly new concept for the disciples? They honestly wanted to know why Jesus didn’t just say—in plain language—what He was trying to teach. He knew those who truly had a heart that wanted to understand Him would seek out the truth.

We see a similar question when, in Matthew 6:9-13, the disciples asked Jesus to “teach us to pray, as John has taught his disciples.” Prayer has come so naturally to us that we may forget it is a learned action! It is giving praise to God, speaking to Him as to a beloved Father, having a conversation with the Holy Creator of the universe, yet the One who loves us so much we are able to come boldly before His throne with our cares and supplications. We should never look down on anyone who has not had the advantage of a relationship with Jesus Christ for many years, but mentor and teach them to embrace it with all the love in their mind, heart, soul, and strength!

By Sandy Day

April 07, 2024

BEYOND BELIEF: FROM DEATH TO LIFE

THE HEALING OF THE WIDOW’S SON

March 24, 2024

Charles Billingsley

As we end our series on the miracles of Jesus, we find the perfect illustration of this act of Jesus in Matthew 18:12-14, one of His parables. This widow—residing in Nain—had no way to make a living now that both her husband and her son were dead. Jesus, walking with his disciples, went to this small town seeking her. The road led only to this village, a few miles from Nazareth. He said nothing to anyone else, and she was His only focus. She was the ONE He sought, for the ninety-nine were safe. Like the woman at the well, her testimony of Jesus (raising her dead son back to life) was seen or heard about by a great number, and they said, “God has visited His people.” The Shepherd sought His lost sheep, she was found, and many glorified God because of her.

Focal Passages: Luke 7:11-17, Psalm 121:5-8, 139:1-4, 34:18-19, John 11:25, Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:8, Matt. 18:12-14.

The Scene:

• Read Luke 7:11-12. What is happening in the streets of the ancient city of Nain? What was the group of people in the “extremely large” (possibly even one or two thousand) group, and who was the second group of much less, though still “large”? What city was a close neighbor? Where did the two groups meet? What did each represent?
• Can you imagine two households (not these groups) next to each other, one having a giant party of celebration, the other having lost a close relative; how would each view the other? Do you think there could have been contention for a moment, or respect?
• Read vv. 12-13. Who are the four characters in this miracle? What was the common denominator between the two males? What did Jesus see? How often do we see Jesus meet someone and “have compassion on them”? Do we have compassion for people?

His compassion:

• What did Jesus say to the woman? Do you think she understood what He meant? Do you ever consider that Jesus has compassion on you when trouble comes? In verse 13, when Jesus “saw” her, did He see her deepest need? Does He see your deepest needs?
• Read Psa. 121:5-8. Does the Lord ever take His eyes off you? How often are you aware of His constant watchfulness? How often are you aware of the needs of the people you meet throughout your day?
• How much did He know about her? Was He totally aware of her entire situation, and every need she had, now that she was not only a widow but also the mother of a dead son? Read Psalm 139:1-4. During times when you are choosing the wrong path (even in such a “small” matter like traffic, are you very conscious of the fact that Jesus sees your sins, fears, and faults as well as the good you are doing?

He feels her pain:

• Read Psa. 34:18-19 and Luke 7:14. What did Pastor Charles mean when he said, “Real compassion requires action”? Read Luke 10:30-37. Which of the three would you have been? His touch: Why would Jesus have been able to touch the son and not be unclean?

His power: How powerful is Jesus? Read Rom. 1:20 and Luke 7:16-17. How did the people of Nain react? Did Jesus give him a new body or new life for his soul?

• Read Rom. 5:8. Which is stronger, the power of death or the power of our God? This coming Sunday we will celebrate that death itself it about to die!

Close:

There is still a town called Nein (Nain) today in the same area, though not at all large. In Luke’s writing it was called a “city”, but no record is found to give a number to the residents. In fact, the Romans felt the village of Nazareth—as well as Nain—so ineffective that neither was even listed by them among towns, which might explain why Nathanael had remarked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” This small village (or city in the time of Christ) was only twelve miles from where Jesus grew up. Obviously, Jesus went to Nain for only one purpose: because this grieving widow, without husband or son, now without a way to have food to eat, was one of His chosen ones. He sought no one else, talked with no one else, and apparently left after giving the mother back her son, fully alive and well. He had sought the “one” from the ninety-nine.

Can you imagine the scene? The dust of the area, the heat, people walking in the two large groups and “colliding” as the jovial crowd met the distraught grieving mother who had no idea how she would eat tomorrow. Jesus knew this and had compassion on her. He walked straight to her to say, “Do not weep.” He had to have presented authority, love, compassion and more as the large crowd with her stopped long enough for Jesus to lay His hand on the “coffin,” whatever that was at the time. When He addressed the son of the widow, Jesus told him to “arise”. Some would have jeered, but they would have stopped the moment there was some movement, then the son sat up. He would have looked around, knew he felt wonderful, saw his mother and immediately would have run to her. Jesus would have probably walked away—He had done what He had come for.  As recorded in Matt. 11:5, as Jesus responded to John the Baptist’s question, “Are you the One?” He would have replied, “Tell John what you see…the dead are raised up!” One day every knee will bow. Do it now, before it’s eternally too late. Believe on Jesus Christ with all your heart, repent of your sins, and confess Him as Lord.

By Sandy Day

March 24, 2024

BEYOND BELIEF: FEAR OR FAITH

March 10, 2024

Matt Willmington

Today we continue our series, Beyond Belief, looking at some of the miracles Jesus performed during the three years that encompassed His ministry before the crucifixion. Miracles, as Scott Bulman shared, are those impossible acts of significance that occur during a time of desperate circumstances. Are you one of those who needs a miracle in your life today? You can’t escape the turbulence of life but you can learn to praise God in the middle of your storm, even while it is happening. When you are having a period of agonizing days (or weeks, or months) do you have a fear of what’s happening or a faith that God will show up and bring you through the storm? You don’t want to hear Him to say “O, you of little faith” but “Well done!”

Focal Passages: Matthew 8:23-28, Jonah 1, Job 1, 38, Romans 1.

The Raging Storm:

• Read Matt. 8:23-24. As we hear often, there is no better place to be than with Jesus, in the center of His Read verse 18 to learn the current circumstances. Who gets in the boat first? As the disciples follow Him, are they doing what He asked of them when He had originally called them? What about the scribe in verse 19? These disciples, then, were doing God’s will, and yet the storm still came–one that threatened their lives.
• How quickly did it come? Are you someone who has figured out that you can have your day planned but all it takes is one phone call or text for your schedule to be completely cast aside?
• This storm was “seismic”! What does that mean to you? Can you share if that is a good description for something you have gone through, or are going through? Where do the storms come from? If one has been ordained by God, what may be the reasons (Jn. 9:3, 5:14, Deut. 8:2, Jonah 1:3a, 4)? If Satan or evil is behind it, what can you do (Luke 4:8, Jas. 4:7) and (Luke 22:3, 31, 1 Chron. 21:1, Luke 13:16)? Is it possible your storm is of your own making? If so, take immediate steps to get to the source, change it if you can or if you need to, or repent if there is sin involved. God will restore you!

The Reactions:

• Read Matt. 8:25-26. How did the disciples react? What were some of the miracles they had recently seen? We wonder how they could have been so dense; are there situations in your life that cause you worry, yet you forget how faithful God has been to you the past year or decade? What is the first thing Jesus says to His disciples?
• What was Jesus more concerned about in the moment, the faith of His disciples or the boat sinking? Read Mark 4:39. The Greek can be translated “Hush! Be still!” Read Job 9:7, 36:32, Psa. 89:9, Rom. 1:20. How can you prove that God controls all things?
• How did the disciples react to Jesus’ command to the storm? Was it building their faith?

The Result:

• Read Matt. 8:28a. Did the boat get to where it was supposed to go? Do you ever take notice in your life of how faithful God has been, and how He has always brought you through every storm, getting you “to the other side”? Is Romans 8:28 real to you?
• The greater the storm, the greater the calm. Do you realize He’s always within you?

APPLICATIONS:                                                                                                                                             

1. Jesus was in the boat! It was not about the storm, it’s not about you, and you are not the victim.

2. Don’t mistake God’s silence in the boat for His absence from the storm in your life.

3. Storms are “faith gyms.” They cause us to move from fear of the storm to faith in God. The storms cause trees to put their roots deeper so they grow stronger—just as we should, too!

4. He will always get your boat to the shore!

Close:

Are we like the disciples as storms come into our lives, resorting instantly to fear, rather than faith? Let’s face it, most of us go from one crisis to another; we have a health issue that is eventually healed by our doctor, only to have a child make mistakes that could impact their eternal life. We endure stress for something expensive that needs to be replaced and wonder where the money will come from to pay the doctor. Sometimes in frustration we’ll remark that we’ve done everything we can, so we’ll have to pray. No! We MUST cultivate an attitude of gratitude as God ministers to our needs daily, just as we take care of our children! We should be thanking Him always and intentionally for His goodness. Soon we will start seeing Him work in the moment! He provides for us, takes care of us, protects us, feeds us, clothes us, finds the things we lose, gives us patience when we’re angry, loves us when we’re upset…. how can we not fall on our knees and cry out to Him that we need Him every hour? He calms the storms in our lives every day. He never leaves us. There’s nothing that our God can’t do! 

            “For I know that the LORD is great, and our LORD is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries.” Psa. 135:5-7. “He does great things which we cannot comprehend!” (Job 37:5b).

By Sandy Day

March 10, 2024

BEYOND BELIEF: JESUS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

                                                               February 25, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter writes that the “beloved [apostle] Paul…has written to you…some things which are hard to understand”! This is a very true statement, not just of Paul, but no matter how learned someone may be, there can be a passage or a verse that presents a thought or idea that may cause us to wonder what God means. Today’s miracle of the fish with the coin in its mouth is a good illustration. We all know that Jesus is able to do anything He desires but the “why” is sometimes obscure. Join us as we learn why Jesus wanted Peter to take money to pay a tax that He didn’t owe. We want to answer the question, “Why is this in the Bible?”

Focal Passage: Matthew 17:24-27

Being in the family makes all the difference:

• Read Matt. 24-26. As the incident occurs, what was the temple tax? Why do you think the collectors of the temple tax accosted Peter, rather than Jesus? Speculation is useless as to why they would have been hesitant to ask Jesus directly, but for the sake of knowing the situation better, what could have been a reason? Why did Peter say “Yes”?
• How did Jesus know what had happened with Peter, prior to his coming into the house? What does that tell you about your own life, and the intimate knowledge He has of what is going on with you even when you don’t see Him with your eyes?
• Why did Jesus take this moment as a “teachable moment” to illustrate to Peter His unique position? What are some benefits our children receive from us as their parents? What are some of the advantages they have because they are our children?
• Whose house was the temple? Read Matt. 5:17 and Gal. 4:4. Why did He—the Son—still pay tax? Did Jesus pay this tax because He, in human form, was fulfilling the laws?

But we must be a witness:

• Read Matt. 17:27a. If Jesus had not paid the temple tax, would the collectors feel He was somehow setting Himself apart from them? What kind of testimony would He have been had He ignored their taxes because He was the Son of God? Did they yet believe that?
• Who is it that we—as Christians—want to be a witness to? Do you think Peter understood why Jesus was doing this?
• Read 1 Thess. 5:22. How did Jesus illustrate this verse?

But don’t worry, be happy—Jesus paid it all!

• Read Matt.17:27b. What did Jesus tell Peter to do? If you were Peter, what would be going through your mind? Do we ever doubt Jesus when we feel like He is telling us to do something we might think is a bit quirky?
• What does this section of verse 27 tell you about His authority over all the earth and everything in it? Does He have any less power now than He did at that time?

APPLICATIONS:                                                                                                                                             

1. As children of God, this world should not be our worry!

2. While here, we must be “IN” but not “OF” the world but should be a witness of the Gospel.

3. In the midst of the insanity of the day, He is still a miracle working God in our lives!

4. TRUST HIM!

Close:

Right now—just like other times in the past—life seems to be nothing but a giant mass of worry-causing events, happening one right after another. We cannot control the crises that seem to come daily, nor the people who cause the chaos, nor even how involved we sometimes get, though we don’t mean to. What we CAN control is our reaction to whatever the world is throwing at us. Like Peter, who was outside of his house when the tax collectors asked him if Jesus paid the temple tax, we have a God who is with us every moment whether we realize it or not. He is not unaware of what is happening with us at any time. He not only knows who we are interacting with, but what they are doing to our spirit. He cares how we’re thinking, how we’re feeling, and especially, how we’re trusting Him in all our circumstances.

What about you? Does Jesus ever tell you to go somewhere and do something? He might not tell you to go to water and cast in your fishing line with a hook on it, but it could still be something as easy. And you might think, “Lord, that is so crazy! I need (fill in the blank), and You’re telling me to do (this)??” Read the story of the leper, Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Elisha told him, at God’s direction, to go wash in the Jordan River to be healed. He thought that was nonsense, until someone of his own counsel told him to do it. Of course, he was healed. What need do you have in your life that you would be told to “go fishing”? Perhaps it seems a waste of time to you, but Jesus does nothing in our lives that is a waste of time. As with Peter, He desires our complete trust that He knows what He is doing. As we sang this morning, He is our Solid Rock with Love Divine! Praise Him for loving us through all our sinful actions, careless words, or inept witnessing! Praise Him for His presence in our lives, and for “remembering our frame, that we are but dust.” Praise Him for life, for miracles beyond number, for family, for friends, for a loving church, but most of all, for heaven with Him one day. What a Day that will be!

By Sandy Day

February 25, 2024

BEYOND BELIEF: THE COST OF A COUNTERFEIT FAITH:

THE CURSING OF THE FIG TREE

February 11, 2024

Charles Billingsley

Most adults know to be aware of counterfeit items—watches, money, jewelry, etc. But the term can apply to people as well, meaning their reputation does not gel with the actions they often carry out. Jesus likened the Pharisees of His day to “white-washed sepulchers, beautiful on the outside but full of evil within.” They were counterfeit religious leaders, which we see in today’s world as well. Today we will see Jesus doing a destructive miracle in His ministry as He curses a fig tree—illustrating Israel—which has leaves but no fruit. The nation of Israel knew God but did not worship Him. Instead, they decided their “gods” were whatever made them feel good—resulting in a counterfeit faith with eternal consequences.

Focal Passage: Mark 11:11-26

The What: Jesus Curses the Fig Tree:

• Read Mark 11:12. Almost everyone has heard the story of the fig tree that was cursed by Jesus; what are some things you recall of this miracle? What is the phrase that causes people to feel confused about the fig tree? Are you aware it is incorrectly understood?
• Read verse 13-14. Why was Mark quick to point out that Jesus became hungry, just as we do? What did the leaves on the tree signify? Jesus saw the leaves and knew young edible “buds”, called taksh, should be on the tree. What did He do when He saw the tree was not filled with the taksh?
• If the presence of leaves should have also indicated the presence of the tender taksh—which would eventually become figs—did this mean the tree was barren?
• How did the fruitless state of this tree parallel Israel as she embraced false religions and caused her to be unable to recognize God’s Son as the promised Messiah?

Jesus Lowers the Boom:

• Read vv. 15-19. How is this action by Jesus like the story of the fig tree? How was Israel fruitless in her worship of God and in prayer?
• Can someone recall what Charles said when he described the millions of pilgrims, and how the religious leaders made huge profits from selling animals to sacrifice? What did Jesus do in His fury at the misuse of the temple? What did the word “destroy” mean?

The Why: Jesus Teaches the Lesson Behind the Miracle:

• Read vv. 20-21. What did Jesus say when the disciples pointed out the dead fig tree? What was the answer to both? How did “Have Faith in God” answer their question?
• Read 2 Pet. 1:5-9. Where there is faith, is there always fruit? Why is it so vital that we have fruit? Read Matt. 7:15-20, Luke 6:44, John 15:2. Are you a fruit-bearer?

BE A PERSON OF FAITH: It is the doorway to knowing God.

• Read Mk. 11:23, Matt. 7:15-20, 9:22, 25. Charles asked, “Do you know anyone who’s moved a mountain”? Dr. Jerry Falwell certainly did! What mountains have YOU moved with your faith? Are there miracles you have seen in your own life?
• Is there a mountain you are currently dealing with that needs to be moved?

BE A PERSON OF PRAYER: It is the passageway to hearing God.

• Read Matt. 6:9-13, Rom. 1:9, Mark 11:25. Why is it so vitally important that we are in a right relationship to God before asking for something in prayer?
• Have you learned how to pray constantly? Fervently? Do you intercede for others during their times of need? Do you listen for God to speak after you have prayed?

BE A PERSON WHO FORGIVES: It is the roadway to freedom with God.

• Read Mk. 11:25-26, Mt. 6:12, 14-15, 18:21, 35, Rom. 4:7 and Eph. 1:7. Why is forgiveness among Christians so crucial? Why do we wish God’s forgiveness for our sins, but have such trouble forgiving others? Is there anyone who you need to forgive?
• Do you have trouble forgiving yourself for the sins of the past? When is the last time you accepted the forgiveness Christ offers, putting your past to death? How did you do it?

BE A PERSON WHO WORSHIPS: It is the gateway to the presence of God.

• Read Jn. 15:1-8. Do you realize that everything God has made worships Him? Humans are the only creation that have a choice. Read Rev. 5:13 (all creatures in heaven, earth and sea), Joel 1:20 (stone, beam), Luke 4:41 (demons), 19:40 (rocks), Job 38:7 (the morning stars sing). Do you actually worship God when you attend a service on Sunday? What moves you to bow to our Holy God—the music? The sermon? Testimonies?
• How often are you alone and feel the need or the impetus to worship God? He is Holy and deserves the praise of His creation.

Close:

As we speak about God, especially contemplating faith, prayer, forgiveness and worship, we reflect on Romans 1:19-25. This passage sums up humanity, and how these few short years on earth will look when compared to eternity. “…Since the creation of the world [God’s] invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that [mankind is] without excuse; because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [They] exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” Don’t let this be you! We are not promised tomorrow, and eternity will be forever.

By Sandy Day

February 11, 2024

BEYOND BELIEF: THE MIRACLE OF JESUS

January 28, 2024

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

We are beginning a new series today, based on the four gospels, which will lead us up to Easter. The gospels are records of Jesus’ ministry, written by four individuals, two of whom were apostles, and two who believed Jesus was the Messiah. Each one recorded accounts of what Jesus said and miracles He performed. John concluded his book with the words, “And there were other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (Jn. 21:25). His very first miracle as the Christ child was written in Jn. 1:14: “And the Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” He left His glory in heaven to come to the earth to live and walk among us. Praise His holy name!

Focal Passage: Acts 2:22-32.

The miracles of Jesus were a display of His Godly power:

• Read Acts 2:22b. Why did Jesus—the second Person of the Godhead—take on flesh and come to earth? Read John 1:11-14. Why does John say Jesus came?
• Read NT passages Mark 1:25-28, 30-34; 3:1,5; and 5:2,18-19. Today, if we hear of a “faith-healer,” why are we skeptical? Who was He healing? Were they almost all known to friends and neighbors? Did anyone doubt His power?
• Read Isa. 42:6-7 and Matt. 11:3-6. Where did Jesus get His power? As a Man, did He keep His Deity?

Their purpose was to reveal His presence and provision:

• Read Acts 2:23-24. Always keep in mind that Jesus is God (clothed in flesh); why did He say He had come? Read John 6:38-40, Mat. 5:17-18, Mark 1:37-38, 1 Pet. 2:24-25.
• Why is it not possible that man could kill Him?

So we would fully understand He is all we need for our salvation:

• Read Acts 2:25-28. What were things about God that David knew a thousand years before Christ came? How did he know God this well? Do you have this closeness of fellowship with God? What would it take to have it?
• We know Jesus came in order that we who are His children could be saved. Read Heb. 10:59, Jn. 46:40, Jn. 9:39, Mark 10:45, 1 Jn. 3:8b, and 1 Pet. 2:24-25. Do these statements of His salvation that is available by grace give us everything we need?
• Why is it said that we do not have to die if we are saved?

His work among us continues to this day:

• Read Acts 2:29-32. What was Peter referring to when he said that “we are all witnesses to this”? How many people can you think of offhand who saw Jesus after the Resurrection? If someone in Lynchburg died and over 500-600 people saw them a few days later, what would be the response?
• Why do you think so many people were allowed to see Jesus after His rising again? Read 1 Cor. 15:3-8. How do you think seeing Him alive again affected those who saw Him?
• Read Acts 5:32. Who was Peter speaking to? When we are aware that the Holy Spirit has said or done something for us, are we experiencing the working of the Godhead? Can you give an example?

God will not allow you to impact the eternal until you’ve allowed Him to impact the internal, so PRAY!!

Close:

The miracles of Jesus were evidence of His Deity, being 100% God, yet 100% man. It is probably something we will never grasp fully. As stated in one of the points in today’s sermon study, we in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries are very skeptical when we hear of someone “healing” people at a meeting. We don’t believe it, assuming the “healer” has made their way through the crowd beforehand, getting some to act out a healing, perhaps for money. The Pharisees tried to convince themselves this was what Jesus was doing, but In the case of Jesus, this was not so.

As He traveled in and around the area of Jerusalem, most of the people knew the ones who daily begged because they were blind, lame, or had some other infirmity. In the case of the man who could not walk, even the Pharisees were asking if this wasn’t the man who sat every day asking for money. They refused to believe there was not some sort of dishonesty going on. That is why, when John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He were the Messiah, Jesus quoted Isaiah, as He was doing those miracles that Isaiah had written the Messiah would be doing.

In our own lives, we ask God for things continually—healings, salvations, help, money, etc. Our list gets very long, but we know God hears us, and though we may not always be sure He will give us what we are asking for, we know He CAN if He so desires. To have Him answer a prayer quickly, rather than sometime later, or provide for us at the time it is necessary, is to participate in His willingness to remind us that we are His children, and as such, He loves us beyond the scope of our understanding. What a wonder! Don’t hold yourself back from having this relationship with Him, for there is no other like it.

By Sandy Day

January 28, 2024

HOW TO WALK WITH JESUS IN 2024

January 14, 2024

Matt Willmington

If we had asked for a show of hands in the morning service, do you think most of the congregation would have admitted they “follow” someone (or many) on social media or YouTube? Probably! And yet how many actually know the people they follow? Depending on your sphere of interest, do they use profanity as they do their monologue or writing? Do they write of profane things, or have pictures that you shouldn’t view? Do they glorify Christ as our Savior? Almost all of us follow someone but is it someone who will take us to a place that will bring us closer to Jesus? Nothing else is worth our time! He is the only One we should follow.

Focal Passages: Luke 9:23-24; Gen. 5:22-24, 6:9, 17:1, 48:15; Ex. 16; Lev. 18:4, 26:12; Deut. 6:7; I Sam. 12:2; 1 Kings 3:3, 6, 14; Acts 2:46, 6:1, 16:5, 17:11; Heb. 3:13; 1 Jn. 2:6.

Where are you walking in 2024? When you get where you’re going, where will you be?                                           Who are you following? Will they lead you to Jesus?                                                                                                          Who are you walking with? Will they destroy you or get you where you want to go?                                                          The correct answer to these questions? JESUS!

  Walk:

• Read Genesis 3:8-9. Were Adam and Eve in a perfect world? Why were they not satisfied with what God had provided? Why did He ask, “Where are you?” Did He mean physically? What had God been doing? Was He wanting them to walk with Him?
• Read Gen. 5:22-24. What do you think Enoch was doing as he “walked with God”? Read Heb. 11:5 and Jude 1:14. What is one thing that we know he did? Would you like to live your life in such a way that God would say about you, “You pleased me”?
• Read Gen. 6:9. What are some things you know about Noah, outside of this verse? How do you envision that he lived his life? Do you think his sons lived as their father did?
• Read Gen. 17:1. What was God’s instruction to Abraham? Did he do this? Why did he not trust God enough to deny Sarah the suggestion that he lay with Hagar? What was the result of his having a son by Hagar? When did he follow God most closely?
• As you think of the people who are in Hebrews 11 (the “Hall of Faith”), what was the predominant thing about them?

God walking with His people in Good Places:

• If you were asked the theme of the entire Bible, how would you define it?
  • A. The Old Testament:

• Read Micah 6:8 and 2 Chron. 16:9. As you read the Old Testament, what did it point to? What did God seek in the Garden of Eden? What was the giving of the Law for? Why did He allow Solomon to build a Temple? What were two main themes of the OT prophets?
  • B. The Gospels of the New Testament:
• What is the essence of the New Testament? Why did God robe Himself in flesh and come to dwell among us? Did He leave us helpless when He returned to heaven?
  • C:  The Letters of the New Testament:
• What were some of the main issues that were addressed often in the letters of Paul, James, Peter, and John?

How to walk with Jesus in 2024:

• Read Luke 9:23-24. What is the very first admonition to walking with Jesus found twice in this passage? If you don’t “want” to do something, what usually happens? In your average day, how many non-business things do you do that you don’t want to?
• God tells us four things we must do if we want to walk with Him. What is the first one?

What must we deny ourselves? What does God desire from you? How hard is it to do?

• What is the second one? What kind of cross do we carry? What are things we must give up? Are you willing to give up things in your life that you would be ashamed of if you could physically see Jesus walking beside you? Yet what does He say of your body?
• What does He mean, that you must FOLLOW Him? In Psa. 23, where does He lead?

Take time later to read these Scriptures for walking with Jesus: Acts 2:46, 6:1, 16:5, 17:11, and Heb. 3:13. How often do we do all these things?

How do we follow Jesus together at TRBC:

• Does anyone know the Mission Statement for our church? Condense it to four words.
• What are some activities we can engage in that will help us walk with Jesus daily?
• Why is fellowship with others so important to living our Christian life?

CLOSE:

            When you think of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, it’s hard to picture a perfect world, with a perfect friend/spouse, with God as the central figure to walk with. Did He appear in His pre-Incarnate form, as He did to Gideon, to Abraham, and others? Possibly. Why, then, were they not satisfied with what He had provided, being willing to obey the one thing He had said not to do? Why did Adam not intercede when Satan deceived his wife?

What must YOU do to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? Are you like Adam and Eve, willing to give in to Satan’s seductive ways, following paths God has told us not to take, just for the moment’s thrill? Or are you like Enoch and Noah, desiring to walk with God so closely that you are willing to be the butt of jokes from the world, tuning them out as they jeer at you, so you can hear the Father’s voice? Are there things you are not crazy about doing, but since He wants you to, you are willing to die to yourself in order to please Him? It all comes back to you heart, whether you are sold out to be the person He created you to be, or to be the person Satan is trying to get you to be. You will have that fight between the Spirit and the flesh as long as you live, and it’s vital that you stay strong and resist Satan—when you do, he will flee from you!      

By Sandy Day

January 14, 2024

STARTING OVER (LESSONS FROM THE POTTER’S HOUSE)

December 31, 2023

Charles Billingsley

Tomorrow 2024 begins! If you are watching the sermon live, it means God has given you breath to live another year of life as 2023 closes. Today, Charles Billingsley reminds us that every day we live we have the ability to start over, surrendering our lives fully to Jesus Christ. Tomorrow, the first day of 2024, we can put the past behind us, as Paul says, and focus on the future. We can stop making excuses to procrastinate, be idle, or indulge in self-destructive habits and set new goals that will be inspiring, teach us self-discipline, and help us grow in our relationship to the Lord. This should be our way to start every day of the New Year, 2024.

Focal Passage: John 15:5; Gen. 2:7; Isa. 64:8; Jer.18:1-6; Psa. 40:1-2, 139:1-18; Jn. 10:28-30.

THE POTTER

  He has a purpose:

• Read Isaiah 64:8. Most of us have played with clay as children. What do you know about it? Why does Isaiah liken us, as humans, to clay? What does a potter do? Why does the prophet say we are “the work of [God’s] hand?
• Read Jeremiah 18:1-6. God gives Jeremiah a visual lesson for Israel. Where is he to go to learn this lesson? Why does God choose a potter and his clay, rather than (for example) a sheep and the shepherd? Do you know how clay is formed? How does clay differ from mud? Can that be a likeness to a believer and an unbeliever? Why?
• Do you recall from the sermon how clay is “purified” to become fit for a potter to use? In its unpurified state, is it useful to the potter? Why is that?
• Once the clay is on the wheel, does it matter what position it is in? Why is it necessary that the potter has a definite purpose for the piece of clay he begins turning on his wheel? In Jeremiah’s lesson at the Potter’s House, what happened after he started working on the clay? What did the potter do then?

He has a plan:

• Read Psa. 139: 13-14. How are we like the clay? Did God know us before we were created in our mother’s womb? Read Jer. 29:11. Does God have a plan and a purpose for each one of us, just as the potter does for his clay? Does that include every person?

1. He Never Takes His EYES Off of His Creation:

• Read Psa. 139:15-16. How do we know this? Read 1 Cor. 6:19-20. What does that reinforce? If Someone is inside of you (whether we can understand it or not), will He see you constantly? Read 2 Chron. 16:9. Does God ever cease His vigilance over the world?

1. He Never Takes His MIND Off of His Creation:

• Read Psa. 139:1-4, 17-18 and 2 Chron. 16:9. What would happen to the clay on the wheel if the potter took his eyes off of his work? How does that illustrate the truth that God never ceases from watching over His world?

 C:  He Never Takes His HANDS Off of His Creation:

• Read Psa. 139:5-10, Prov. 13:5 and Psa. 121:8. God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent. What do these three characteristics mean? Does He have the whole world in His hands right now when things look so bleak?
• Read John 10:28-30. Do we ever have to worry that God will somehow “lose” us to the devil? Is it even possible? How do you know?

THE WHEEL:

• Read Eph. 6:12. Can anything pull the clay off the wheel? What are some of the temptations Satan uses to try to get us to leave God?
• What would have happened to the clay if it had not been in the center of the wheel? What is the analogy for us?

THE WATER, THE CLAY, AND THE FIRE:

• Read Psa. 119:11. The water the potter uses shapes the vessel. What shapes our life? How do we find the will of God for our lives? Today, we are inundated with tools to look up any information we need. If you do not know what God desires of you, how can you find it? Where would you look? What happens if the clay grows dry?
• Read Jer. 18:4. Once the potter had taken the marred clay, what did he do? What was the spiritual lesson Jeremiah learned, in order to tell the people of Israel—and us? Read Heb. 12:5-11. What happens if we fall into sin—and become marred?
• Read Psa. 40:1-2. What does this verse teach us? Read Jn. 10:29. If we are living a life in fellowship with God, will anything take us out of His hand?

CLOSE:

In order to let this amazing sermon permeate your entire being, grab your phone or computer and watch a few YouTube videos as potters work, taking ugly clay and making beautiful vessels, fit for service! After you have watched the videos, go back and once more watch this service. It will mean so much more to imagine the potter and the clay, and God’s reference that HE is the potter—and we are the clay! The analogy that God used for Jeremiah should cause you to beg God to take your heart—perhaps marred by the sins of the world, or perhaps never have been given to Him—and let Him mold you into something He can use, giving you a new purpose and peace as you begin the New Year. You will not regret it.

By Sandy Day

December 31, 2023

BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN: BATHSHEBA

December 16, 2023

 Pastor Jonathan Falwell

It is amazing how we can form opinions based only on the written word, especially when there is ittle information available except one’s own imagination. In reading the story of David and Bathsheba, the story line centers around King David and his sin against God, as he usurps the authority of his throne in order to send for a girl only because he lusted for her. As we study this woman whose union to David produced the wisest man ever to be born, let’s have an open heart for Bathsheba’s lack of power against the circumstances dictated by a sinful king.

Focal Passage: 2 Samuel 11:1-25; 1 Kings 1:1-30, 2:13-25.

The Background:

• Read 2 Sam. 11:1-3. What are the two strikes against David in verse 1? Where should he have been? In verse 2, what two additional problems do we notice? (What time of the day is it? What was David doing?) In verse 3, the pronoun “he” is slightly ambiguous, but it seems to be a servant who recognizes or knows Bathsheba. Is it slightly surprising that David does not hide his intention?
• Read vv. 3-5. What are two facts told about Bathsheba? Read 2 Sam. 12:23a, 34 and 39. Who were Bathsheba’s father and husband? At the time David took her to the palace, she had no children. What age might she have been, based on their customs? Read 2 Sam. 11:15, 26. What happened? Did Bathsheba mourn for her husband like a woman who loved him?

Her Resilience:

• Read 2 Sam. 12:14a-15. Who can relate the situation Nathan the prophet had with David? How did God feel about David’s sin in vv. 5-6? What were David’s actions while the baby was sick? Why did he put it aside once the child had died?
• In a period of two years, what were the catastrophes that had befallen Bathsheba? Do you think she would have realized that it had been God who allowed the conception? Did she have control in any of the situations or only her own reaction to it?
• Do you find it remarkable that she was eventually able to love the man who had caused such sorrow for her?

Her Restoration:

• Read 2 Sam. 12:24-25. Surely some time had passed since Bathsheba’s baby had died;
• Does anyone remember how many sons David now had? What normally would it take for Solomon to become king over Israel? Why was this situation different?

Her Determination:

• Read 1 Kings 1:11-13. Apparently, in an unrevealed conversation, David told Bathsheba that Solomon would be king. What does she do when Adonijah tries to steal the throne?
• Why did Adonijah feel he should be king? Who besides Bathsheba knew that the Lord had chosen Solomon? What did Bathsheba do? How quickly did David respond?
• Why would this matter so much to Bathsheba? David had not responded when Adonijah wanted to steal the throne (1 Kings 1:6), but in verse 11 it seems he didn’t know. Read vv. 24 and 28. How soon did he act once he was told what was happening?

Her Discernment:

• Read 1 Kings 2:13-25. Why did it matter than Adonijah came to Bathsheba to ask for David’s concubine? Can you think of other children throughout the OT who took their father’s concubine and were punished? What did it signify?
• Why did Solomon immediately realize what Adonijah had in mind? Do you think Bathsheba was naïve about his intentions, or was she going to Solomon in order to squash Adonijah’s determination to get the throne from his younger brother?

Applications for today:                                                                                                                               1) Never forget that today’s tragedies can lead to tomorrow’s victories;                                                     2) The harm others cause you should not define your future—that’s God’s job;                                      3) Stay forever focused on God’s plans and promises for you.

Close:

It is convicting to realize that perhaps we have read the story of David and Bathsheba many times but assumed Bathsheba—bathing on her roof (or wherever)—knew she was in sight of the palace, and possibly intended to attract David. We also may have assumed she was in her twenties. As we think about the scenario, however, we can reshape our thoughts to what we know of the customs at that time. For instance, girls were eligible for marriage when they began their menstrual cycle—so perhaps Bathsheba was only a teen-ager; in fact, she and Uriah had apparently not yet had their own child. In addition, her father, being the son of one of David’s counselors (2 Sam. 15:12) and one of David’s “mighty men,” could have been a friend of Uriah, who was also one of the “mighty men” and she, like Mary, could have loved her husband greatly! All that to say, on reflection, Bathsheba, probably assuming the king was away and bathing in the evening before bed, could have been totally innocent when the King sent for her, and her options felt few and far between. His lust hopefully turned into a comforting love, but she lost her husband and her baby in the meantime. We will hope she became a happy wife and mother, and eventually had several little ones to mother. She spent her last days as the Queen Mother—a prestigious title in any kingdom—and became one of the five women listed in Matt. 1 in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.

By Sandy Day

December 17, 2023

      BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN: THE FAITH OF RAHAB

December 03, 2023

Scott Bullman

There are some people in the Bible who steal our hearts as we read their story. The young David (“What have I done now?!”) asking what is asked  by children every day; Joseph, Mary’s betrothed, who wanted to “put her away privately” because he loved her so much; Peter, whose foot was in his mouth often, reminding some of us of ourselves. Rahab may fit in this group, as she—though freed from her sin and shame  by salvation—was referred to as “the harlot” for the rest of time. While it may seem unfair, the reason could be that God is reminding every one of us that our backgrounds—who we were before salvation—no longer define who we are now that we have Christ, and give Him the glory for a new life. We are a new creation, with a purpose that means we can be used by the Son of God.

Focal Passage: Joshua 2-6.

Rahab’s Status:

• Will someone please paraphrase the story of the Israeli army as they got ready to attack Jericho? What do we know about Jericho? How did the people live? Why did people live on the wall? About how many acres was the city built on?
• Who was Rahab? Why would it be possible/probable that she ran an inn, catering to travelers, keeping up with the times? What was her “side” business? Why is it that prostitution seems to have been a common part of the history of civilization? In today’s world, what are two major reasons why women are involved in prostitution?
• When the Jericho king learned of the two Israeli spies who had come to Rahab, what did he do? Was Rahab’s lie acceptable? Read Ex. 1:17-19. What made the lie these women told acceptable? Where had Rahab hidden the spies? What happened next?

Rahab’s Salvation:

• When did Rahab declare her faith? Had she made a pact with the spies before she had believed in Israel’s God? How did that differ from Gideon when the pre-incarnate Jesus told him to go do a job for Him (Judg. 6)? When Rahab states the people of Jericho were terrified of Israel, how does that contradict the spies who had gone in to spy out the land 40 years prior, coming back with a verdict that Israel could not conquer them?
• In verse 12a, is there a particular word that stands out to you? She came from brutal, murderous, child-killing Canaanites, yet she uses the word “kindly”; had she possibly already been made a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17)? What did she think of God (vs 11b)?
• In verses 13-14, Rahab and the spies complete their pact. What was her part in the agreement? Do you think anyone would notice a red cord hanging from the window of a house on the wall? How would you explain it? Would you have had the courage to have done what she did?

• Read James 2:25-26. Why did James mention the faith of Rahab? In this passage, can “fruit” be a synonym for works? We know we are saved by grace alone; where does fruit come into it? Read Jas. 2:14-17. If we know a brother or sister is in need and we have the means to meet their need, why is it sin if we just say “Have a nice day!” and leave? Is that what James is saying? Read Col. 2:6. If we are rooted in Christ, will we have fruit?

Rahab’s Significance:

• Read Hebrews 11:31. How did Rahab show her faith? Do you think she had some fears? What might they have been?
• God had a reason to bring Israel into the Promised Land, giving it to them for the rest of time. Why would He choose a prostitute for the lineage to Christ? What was her relationship to David? How does this encourage you?

Close:

As was stated in the opening, the narrative of Rahab in the Scriptures is a story that has enormous implications for most of us! People who feel their lives have been lived so wickedly (in God’s sight) that they can never be used can find wondrous freedom from realizing He does not hold our past against us. Still, sometimes it is those sins that have been made after salvation that can eat us up. But God provides encouragement even in those situations, assuring us in Col. 2:13-15 that all of our sins were nailed to the Cross of Jesus.

Does that give us liberty to sin after salvation? Not at all. We all “fall” into sin on occasion, but Proverbs assures us the righteous fall but get up again. When God speaks of not sinning again, He means you do not live a lifestyle of sin: girls, you do not live with a boyfriend and vice versa. Wait until marriage. Are you waiting? Husbands, live with you wife with the same love Christ has for you with your sins and irritations. Are you often short tempered? Stop it! Commit any unclean thought immediately to Christ, taking it captive (picture chaining it up!), and beg God’s forgiveness and get washed clean. Make these disciplines into habits.

We’re all Rahab’s, Tamar’s, Samson’s, or Jonah’s, but we can do better. As the old hymn says, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love!” (Come, Thou fount of Every Blessing). But we don’t have to stay there. We can declare our love for God, follow Him, and be used for His glory. His glory is revealed when our lives are changed, and we are no longer listening to the lies of the world and Satan. Man up, Christians! Step aside from sin!

By Sandy Day

December 03, 2023

COLOSSIANS 4: THE CALL

November 19, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

One of the saddest things imaginable is for a child or adult to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, respond with enthusiasm, but then not understand how to grow in the Lord, or how to seek Him for daily living, having no one to come alongside and mentor them so they can grow. Paul understood the importance of this, and his letters to the churches throughout his portion of the world were filled with mentoring these new converts by encouraging words—and with the visitations of sound believers whenever possible. In the letter to the Colossians, he made certain to give them instructions to send the letter on to the other churches. He also filled it with directions for daily living that provided ways to seek God on a deeper level through community, family living and personal responsibilities to seek God’s face. Join us!

Focal Passage: Colossians 4

A call to fervent prayer:

• Read Colossians 4:1. In this letter from Paul to the church at Colossae, there were no chapters—it was one continuous letter. Chapter 4: 1 seems to be the ending of 3:22-25, speaking of masters and slaves, or today, employers and employees. What is the responsibility of the believer who hires someone to work for him? Often, we want the job done by the person who is willing to take the lowest pay; would we want Christ to treat us like that? Are we being examples of Christ if we pay them only a lesser amount?
• Read 4:2-4 and 1 Thess. 5:17-18. How does one pray without ceasing? How does “earnestly” fit in here? What did it mean? Where should thanksgiving be in the list?
• What did Paul specifically ask for prayer for, as he and his team ministered to unbelievers? How much do you think it means to Jonathan and the staff to know that you lift them up by name each day? Why? When you need serious prayer, whom do you want to pray for you?
• What acronym did we focus on, in order to make it easy to remember the areas where we need to pray? Why is it helpful to begin with the “Lord’s Prayer” when praying fervently?

A call to a faithful witness:

• Read vv. 5-6. Why is it so necessary that our walk matches our talk? What is the number one complaint when you hear people criticize the local church? What do you tell them?
• Read James 1:5. Is there any reason why any of us should not have wisdom? Each day, can we ask God for wisdom for the encounters we shall have that day? How will this help us as we interact with unbelievers? What does it mean to “redeem the time”?
• How can we use grace and salt when speaking to unbelievers? How often are we impatient or short-tempered and the hearer has no idea why? How can we change? The stickers we often see on cars of “Salt” and “Life” generally are associated with beach life; how can they apply as well to Christians?

A call to fellowship:

• Read Acts 2:44-47. How did the early believers live? What is the closest we can come to that model in today’s world? Without a doubt the church should be the “community” for us and our families. What are some ways in which our church fulfills this fellowship?
• Read vv. 7-15. How was Paul and his team carrying out the call to have fellowship with the believers? Does that mean that all of them will never fail the others? Read 2 Tim. 4:10. What later happened to Demas? Read 1 Cor. 10:12. What does this mean to you?

What’s your call?

• Read vv. 16-18. What were they to say to Archippus? Have you ever experienced the feeling that a particular person was going to be used by God? Did you say anything to them? Sometimes, all it takes for them to come to a decision is the encouragement of another believer. Think about it and ask God to use you.
• Read Jer. 29:11-13 and 31:17a. What does God say to you? Read Heb. 12:1-2 and Job 31:4. God knows every thought we have, every sin we commit and still gives us eternal life. What should be our response?
• How can we discover and get busy with our calling?

Close:

How much involved in community are you? To be sitting at your desk, writing a document and a text comes across your phone, saying “I was just sitting here thinking how thankful I am that you’ve been mentoring me, and what a joy it’s been!” That’s community. Or for the phone to ring and a fellow believer says, “I just heard you both are sick; what can I do for you?” That’s community. Knowing if things get too rough, you can call on any of your Life Group and they will bring a meal, that’s community. The prayers that go up on a daily basis, the moments taken out of someone’s busy day to say we’re thinking about you, that’s community.

Living in a college town with a large Christian university that pulls in thousands of students, and hundreds or thousands of staff, one may feel a camaraderie that is not at all what a big city is, but it probably is close to resembling the communities of believers of Paul’s day. There are few feelings so sweet as friends and acquaintances who share your faith and your joy in the Lord Jesus Christ. Would you like to join us? Christian communities are not hard to find.

By Sandy Day

November 19, 2023

COLOSSIANS: BUILDING YOUR LIFE UPON HIM

November 05, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

There has never been a more important time in history for Christians to stand for their faith, to know what they believe, to live following God’s word, and to share the gospel of Christ with unbelievers. However, to have the right to share the gospel means building relationships with those who need hope and salvation. We must not be part of their sinful lifestyles but must show we care about them. We have a hope for a future that we can share with them and must love them even when they are unlovely. None of that is easy, especially as we see evidence that believers are coming under attack on every side, but we must keep our eyes fixed on the goal. This was how Paul had to live nearly every day of his life—and how we may need to, as well.

Focal Passage: Colossians 2

The definition of everything:

· Read Col. 2:1-5. Who was Paul particularly concerned for? What was the main reason for his concern? What did he pray for, for the believers of Colossae, Laodicea, and “those who have not seen my face”?

· Why was he concerned that their hearts would be encouraged? In today’s churches, if Spirit-filled pastors lead the church, do you think their hearts are encouraged when they see their flock living godly lives?

· How can a body of believers be knit together in love? How can joy have an impact here? What can members of local bodies of Bible believers do to see their individual churches be knit together with others, extending to counties, states, and countries? What are the non-negotiables that one must believe to make this happen?

· What did Paul mean that he wanted believers to attain to all the riches available in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ? If they are living in Christ, will they grow?

The Christian’s response:

· Read vv. 6-7. If you are a Christian, what will be evident in your life? What did Paul mean, “walk in Him”? If you have no real desire to study your Bible or pray, what will happen to your “root” system, which should be going deeper each year with knowledge of God? Why do large trees with shallow root systems blow over during ice storms or when their height becomes heavier than the depth of their roots?

· How can we be built up in Him? Why is it necessary? How do you become established in your faith?

Don’t get sidetracked:

· Read vv. 8-15. Why are people so easily deceived about their faith in and the doctrine of Jesus Christ? Last week, in chapter 1:15-18, what were some of the attributes Paul laid out for us about Jesus? What are some other facts which you know of Jesus’ deity? Now, Paul is again warning the church to be so rooted in Christ that no man can deceive them. In vv. 10 & 11, what does Paul say about their salvation? Does that apply to us?

· What did we receive at the moment of salvation? What is meant by “circumcision made without hands”? Read Deut. 30:6. Does it seem by this passage that Moses understood that man’s heart could be created new by God? What does baptism exemplify?

· In vv. 13-15, what happened on the cross that affects our relationship to God? If you study this passage, does it seem as though we have the resurrection power to choose not to sin, but the war between the flesh and the spirit often trips us up? When will we be totally glorified?

For we have been set free:

· Read Col. 2:16-23. Just as Paul warns us not to be deceived by false doctrines, what is the difference in his warning in this passage? How many religions do you know of that add a second book to the Bible, or a separate list of rules that one must follow?

· If we have been saved from our sins, by grace alone, why do we still choose to sin? Read John 5:14, 8:10-11, and 1 John 2:1,3-4. What do these verses have in common? Salvation and a new life should give us a desire to live a life full of joy, and a desire to choose God’s way at all times. Is it possible to love God so much that we do not sin?

Applications: 1) Don’t miss the promise of tomorrow by being distracted by today (vs 3); 2) Don’t let the joy of following Christ be clouded by the task of following rules (vs 17); 3) Don’t miss the hope of tomorrow for the temptations of today (vs 18-19)

Close:

For many of us, the amazing truth that God loves us, gave His only Son to be the payment for our sin debt so that we can be with Him for eternity, is a big deal that has no equal! Yet many of us feel unworthy and think He must not realize how badly we have sinned, and we lose the joy we should have. Wrong. He not only knows every sin we have ever committed but also every thought we have ever had—and He knew it all before He saved us! In other words, you can’t do anything that He doesn’t already know you have done, are doing, or will do. He wrote the book of our faith, and in Hebrews, promises to finish our salvation. He will bring us to heaven.

Martin Luther was a monk in the 1500’s who felt himself so unworthy that he put his body through horrible tortures, trying to earn the salvation that Jesus freely offered him. He climbed up hundreds of steps on his knees, as well as many other painful actions, nearly driving himself crazy. Finally, while he was reading Hab. 2:4, he saw the truth: “the just shall live by faith.” God opened his heart to receive that truth: Martin Luther was unworthy to receive the gift of salvation, but God gave it to him freely, not to be paid for by torturous actions. He was a new man, and lived his life completely sold out to Christ, telling others what God had done for him. This is the responsibility of all of us today: to tell our story to the world. It might not be as dramatic as Martin Luther’s, but it is still the miracle of a life which was blood-bought upon a cross.

Sandy Day

November 05, 2023

PHILIPPIANS: THE RIVER OF CONTENTMENT

October 22, 2023

Charles Billingsley

There are some things you cannot put a price tag on—and peace and contentment in your life are two of them. They may come at a cost, but nothing can substitute for their presence. There is only one place you will ever get true peace: it comes from the Father of peace, when you make Him your Savior. Nothing or no-one else will ever be able to fill that spiritual void in your heart. True contentment comes when you learn that NOT having more or being better than everyone you meet is fine—don’t make discontent your reality. Learning to be satisfied with yourself as God made you, with what He has given you, with the ministry God has called you to, and not envying those to whom God has given more, are all keys to contentment!!

Focal Passage: Philippians 4.

The Rock of Location: Contentment is not determined by where you are.

• Read Gen. 2:8-9, 21-24. What did Adam and Eve lack in the Garden of Eden—were they in Paradise? Why did they want more? Did they find contentment?
• Read Acts 16:22, 24-30. What happened to Paul and Silas? In verse 23, how many stripes would they have received? How did they respond once they were in prison? What was the final result from their witness? Were they content?
• What was the difference between the two sets of people, and their reactions to where they were? Have you let your house, job, location or state determine your attitude?

The Rock of Stuff: Contentment is not determined by what you have.

• Last week we quoted Rockefeller who said “enough” was “a little bit more.” That gap never closes. Can you be honest enough to tell an area where you fight this pressure?
• Read II Sam. 12:1-4. Had David been content with his seven wives and innumerable concubines? Read 11:1. What was David’s main problem? (Why do we never hear of any of the blame being also placed on Bathsheba, “sunbathing” in the obvious view of the palace?) Why was David vulnerable in an area where he already had more than enough?
• Read Mark 12:41-44. What was remarkable about what this widow had done? How would she feed herself the next day? Was she content, whether she had food or not?
• Was either David or the widow content with what they had? Was the widow fretting because she was now broke? What would you have done in either circumstance? Read Prov. 30:7-9. What did Solomon write? How can this be our motto?

Rock of Comparison: Contentment is not determined by what you do.

• Read I Sam. 1:4-7. Describe the situation between Hannah and Peninnah. Was having a child in the control of either Hannah or Elkanah? What was their only hope? Read Gen. 29:16-17. Which of Laban’s daughters do we prefer, just from reading the passage?
• Read Luke 10:38-42. Are you a Mary or a Martha? What could Martha have done so that she, too, could have time learning from Jesus? Why is it we who are like Martha think there is only one way? What could Mary have done differently? How could this have been reconciled to the benefit of both? Were either happy, feeling the ire of the other?

CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR:

• Read Phil. 4:11 and II Cor. 11:24-28. Did Paul have any control over most of his attacks? What choices were available to Paul so far as his reactions?
• Is contentment an internal reaction to external circumstances? If so, how do we identify those situations so that we can “learn contentment in those circumstances”? (Quote from Joni E. Tada).

CONTENTMENT HAS A SECRET FORMULA:

• GRATITUDE: Read Phil. 4:6. Is gratitude a natural behavior or a learned action? If it is learned, is it ever too late to start? How can you discipline yourself to be thankful for God’s blessings, acts of kindness from others, etc.? Will it eventually show a change in your life?
• What is one of the first steps for developing an attitude of gratitude?
• JOY: Read verse 4. What is joy? Paul mentions being joyful sixteen times in this letter, therefore, he considers it to be an important part of his life. “Rejoice” is in the NKJV 238 times—so God also desires us to be full of joy. When do we feel joy?
• How can we obtain it, and then keep it? If you went to sleep counting your blessings, rather than concentrating on how to solve your problems, would you sleep better?
• PEACE: Read vv. 6-9. What is peace? In verse 7, how is peace described? In verse 9, what is the attribute of God mentioned? How do we get peace? How do we keep it?
• Is there any peace that is available to us except through Christ Jesus? Why? Does the world bring you peace? Read verse 13, and verses 19-20. God’s word never lies.

Close:

Paul’s inspired writing on peace and contentment in this chapter gives us an unqualified diagram for our own life. In verse 1, Paul sends his love to these people who are so dear to him. You can hear the peace and joy in his writing as he “speaks” to them. In verses 2-3, he implores two women who are at odds to make peace and be content with each other. In verses 4-9, he tells the believers in the Philippian church how to have peace and contentment in their own lives as they live daily with the Holy Spirit indwelling them. He gives a list of good things to meditate on throughout their days, which will also bring gratitude, peace and contentment. Finally, he writes a passage telling of his own joy and gratitude for being able to serve them and the Lord Jesus, despite trials and attacks. Paul does not harbor bitterness that he spends his life traveling, has no wife or children, is not looked up to as he had been in the days when he was one of the Pharisees—he counts himself blessed that he can suffer for Christ.

Look at Paul’s life! It is filled with days of hunger, pain, and so much more. But the joy, peace, and lifetime of blessings from God make it all worthwhile. Can we say that?

Sandy Day

October 22, 2023

PHILIPPIANS: THE MIND OF CHRIST

October 08, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Do you sincerely wish to pursue the mind of Christ as you go about your daily living? The sad truth is, not everyone does. But for those who do, God, through Paul, has more than enough guidelines and instructions for how to live as He would have you live, going beyond simply telling you to love God and love people. Sometimes, especially for new believers, there’s a gap between telling you to “love,” and telling you how to go about it. Last week, Dr. Costin showed us how Paul guided the Philippian church to a closer walk with God. Today, we will look at the second chapter of Philippians, focused on seeking the mind of Christ each and every day.

Focal Passage: Philippians 2.

Living in Unity:

· Read Phil. 2:1-2. As Paul continues his thought in chapter two, what is his main concern for the people of Philippi? What qualities does he ask them to exhibit?

What is the difference between the Spirit of fellowship from normal fellowship?

· How does it sound as though these believers were not being swayed by the Judaizers?

· Is it natural for us to put others first, or do we prefer to look out for our own interests? What does the world tell us to do? What are some things from the world that we find ourselves enjoying?

· What was the Greek work for “mind” in this passage? What are some ways in which we can develop a mind centered on being like Jesus Christ?

Living with Humility:

· Read vv. 3-5. What is one of the worst sins we are to avoid? How does selfish ambition and conceit have a basis in pride? Instead, what is the first thing you should think when you interact with someone else? What are some ways you can look out for the interest of others? Read James 4:6. Why is God opposed to proud people? What was Satan’s sin?

· Read vv. 6-8. Explain this passage. Why would Jesus—one-third of the Trinity—God in the flesh, come from heaven in order to “come in the likeness of men”? What did He give up? What man-like qualities did He take on Himself in order to live among us?

· Did He seek the status of the Father? How did He make Himself a slave to God’s will?

· What was God’s response to Jesus’ incarnation? What did Christ empty Himself of?

· What are some things we—or our children—do to seek a reputation? Is it worldly?

Living Well:

· Read vv. 12-13. What does it mean to work out your salvation with fear and trembling?

· How does God work in you “both to desire and to carry out His good pleasure”? What does this mean? Do you submit to this in your own life? Are you humbled by this?

· How often do you find yourself grumbling and complaining? How can you change this behavior? Why do you think it is so important to you to be right when you refute a “fact” someone has stated? How long can you go without complaining or arguing?

· Does God command or suggest that you stop this behavior? How can you stop it? What does he want us to be instead?

Living in Community:

· Read vv. 17-30. How did Paul feel about the team members who ministered with him? Do you have Christian friends who come along side you as you minister to the Lord? How much time do you spend thanking God for them and praying for their protection?

· What does it mean to remain faithful in service to God? Read Gal. 6:9. How would Christ have us carry on? What will be our reward? Read Jas. 1:12. Is this also a promise?

· Is “remaining faithful” the calling which God has placed upon all our lives?

· Read Rev. 1-11. This week, the adult studies are wrapping up Ephesians; as we ourselves carry out excellent works of righteousness, like the Philippian church—and the Ephesian church—what was the admonition God had for the church at Ephesus in Rev.? How can we be faithful to see that, as we are busy about the Father’s work, we must carefully examine our lives to make certain we have not lost that first love we had for Christ?

Close:

Last week Dr. Costin talked about the philosophy of ministry; this week we are looking at the practice of ministry. Can you really be useful to Christ if you have no real passion for serving Him as someone who is “sold out” to Him? Perhaps you can be useful in that you can fulfil a purpose, but without a passion for serving Him, you are not truly in love with Him. That is not an erotic love, but a love such as a young child has for a parent who loves and cares for them. List His attributes: He is faithful to you, loving, supplying all your needs (not wants), working things out for your good when you mess up, He’s holy, generous… the list is too long to write out. Do you really care, or do you take Him for granted—or worse, are you lukewarm? Do you want Him for what He can do for you, or what He has done for you? Don’t let the world mold you to its way of thinking—take your thoughts captive and spend time with Him daily, praying, serving Him for His glory, putting other people before yourself, and think of yourself last. You’ll soon develop the mind of Christ, and you will love Him the way you should.

By Sandy Day

October 08, 2023

GALATIANS: JESUS FIRST

September 24, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

In a few places in the Book of Galatians, Paul sounds like a frustrated parent whose child, into whose life he has lavishly poured the riches and gospel of Jesus Christ, turns away from what he has been taught. Certainly there are parents who remain calm at all times—even in the most chaotic of them—but they are few are far between. Like the parent, though, Paul, after chastising the Galatians for following false teachers who demand they return to the Law of Moses, becomes loving and instructive again, telling them how to walk in order to please God the Father with their lives. May we apply the instructions to walk holy with our God the same way Paul has again reiterated to the Galatians: if you live in the Spirit, you walk in the Spirit.

Focal Passage: Galatians 6

Be a help to others:

• Read Gal. 6:1-6. Perhaps Paul is thinking of those who have turned aside to follow the false teacher in verse 1: who, then, should help restore them to the fellowship of the church? Would this apply to any believer who falls into sin? What is your attitude as you come along side of them? Why is your attitude so important?
• Read 1 Cor. 10:12. In our Galatians passage, Paul says be careful, because you might also be tempted; why are these two verses so true?
• We all know Christians whose life seems so heavy with burdens and crises. What are we to do for them? What are some of the reasons that might keep us from helping? Why might they reject help?
• Do you recall the difference between the words for “load and burden”? Why should we help one another with heavy loads, but let them bear their “light” loads themselves?

Focus on the right things:

• Read vv 7-10. What does it mean to mock God? Can someone give an example? Whatever seed or plant you put into the ground, that is what you’ll get back. How is that the same with our actions in life, with the law of “sowing and reaping”? Think of a corn seed: how much “return” on the single kernel will we reap? Is life like that?
• When we learn from God’s word, why are we to share it with others? How does that carry out the Great Commission? How is that “mentoring” another believer? If you are walking in the Spirit, asking God for direction, won’t He always lead you to someone who knows less that you? Are you afraid to mentor?
• How is this illustrated in what Paul is trying to remind the Galatians, that if you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh—and vice versa? If the Galatians had not turned aside to false doctrine, would they have been able to correctly mentor new Christians? Were the ones who remained faithful to God still able to be used?
• How are we to treat all people? Is any group a priority? Do we love on people who are dressed correctly, or have money, or can befriend us—or do we choose those who need us?

As always, it’s all about Jesus:

• Read vv. 11-15. What, in particular, were these false teachers trying to get the new believers to do? In Gen. 17:10-12, was this given for any other reason than to set apart the Jews as God’s people? Later, was circumcision part of the Ten Commandments?
• After Jesus came, what saved people? Read these Scriptures aloud, and zero in on the part that refers how to NOT be saved: John 1:13; Titus 3:4-6; Eph. 2:8-9. In Titus, why does He list works of righteousness since God wants us to be righteous? If we came to Jesus on our own, could we not boast about it? If you want to brag about something, what should it be? What should it not be?

As always, God is always on your side:

• Read Gal. 6:16-18. Who is Paul bestowing “grace and mercy” on? In today’s world, is there anyone who hates your relationship with Christ so much that they are willing to try to destroy your reputation or testimony? How can you love them?
• When the world looks at you, and what you represent, what do they see? What do you post on Facebook, X, Meta, or more? Is it kind, gentle, loving—or bitter? How do they judge you after you walk away?
• What is the theme of the Book of Galatians? How does he want his “children” to act, after pouring Christ into them? Does he expect them to stand firm? Are you standing firm?

Close:

It is hard to imagine Paul’s lifestyle, since we have no real idea what it was like except for his account in 2 Corinthians 11:23b-28. How many of us would put up with the oppression he was always undergoing bodily—stripes, beatings, nearly drowning, etc.—and adding to that his heartbreaking statement in this passage, “my deep concern for all the churches.”  In another place, Paul says he would gladly give his own salvation if it meant saving his Jewish brothers. Can you say that? Probably, none of us could. He says “Follow my example.” Can we say that? How can we get to the place where we do not take offense easily, or answer anger with anger? Will we ever recognize that it is Satan and his demons that we are fighting, not the person who has just uttered words that hurt us? If we live moment by moment in the Spirit, we will be able to walk in Him. Try it.

By Sandy Day

September 24, 2023

GALATIANS: AN ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION

September 10, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Last week as we studied chapters one and two of Galatians, we saw Paul upbraiding the Galatian church for “quickly” deserting the faith he had preached to them concerning Jesus Christ—and which they had believed. Now they have been “bewitched” (led astray) by false teachers who want them to go back to living under the Mosaic Law. Chapter three opens with Paul’s pain and outrage at their defection from Christ, when they had so clearly understood the gospel message of grace. He asks several serious questions, trying to get them to reason logically through their shallow thinking, which had resulted in their falling away from their faith.

Focal Passage: Galatians 3, 4.

An All-Important Question:

• Read Gal. 3:1-5. Why is Paul trying to get them to use reasonable logic as to why they accepted Jesus Christ, and why they are now embracing the “works” salvation that would entangle them again? In other words, why have they exchanged truth for a lie?
• Who were the ones actually misleading them? When Paul had preached Jesus, when had they received the Holy Spirit? Having understood that salvation was by grace alone, through Jesus Christ alone, why were they now convinced they must add works to it?
• Paul reasoned with them: when God supplied the Holy Spirit and worked miracles among them, did He do it by works of the Law or through faith?
• What about you? Did you believe the gospel message, but later thought your old sins might keep you from being saved, so you added teaching, taking meals, or trying to do acts of righteousness to your faith? Read Titus 3:5. Is this what Paul is saying?

The Answer from History:                                                                                                                

Abraham

• Read Gal. 3:6-9. The Jews loved to proclaim Abraham was their father; who does Paul say are the true children of Abraham? What did Abraham’s promise involve?
• Read Gen. 15:4-6. What was the Abrahamic Covenant? When God walked alone through the halves of the animals (the contractual sign) what did that indicate to Abraham?
• How many children did God tell Abraham he would have? Who also are included as his children? What was Abraham doing when God made this promise? Could it be annulled?

Moses

• Read vv. 10-14. If you decide to live based on the Mosaic Law, how will you be judged? Has anyone been able to keep the Law? (Reference Deut. 27, esp. 11ff).
• How could something God commanded be a curse? (Because no one can keep it).

Christ

• Read vv. 15-18. When God was talking to Abraham and spoke of his Seed, who was God speaking of? Can anyone achieve righteousness through the law? Can a promise by God be broken? Who are the only Two who can change it?
• Read Gal. 3:19. What purpose did the law serve, if no one could keep it? When was it going to end? What changed when Jesus came?
• What is another word for “works”? Read Titus 3:4-7. Do works save you? What does spiritual fruit prove?
• Read Mat. 5:17. What was Jesus’ relationship to the Law? Read Rom. 13:10 and Jas. 2:8!

The Explanation for the Free                                                                                                                    

A Dad Taking Care of His Children

• Read Gal. 4:1-7. What is Paul’s point in this passage? As unbelievers, are we like the children in a home, with elemental needs provided, but having no freedom until reaching an age of blessings (salvation)?
• What are some of the blessings we inherit when we reach “adulthood” (go to Eph. 1)

A Dad Trying to Control His Children

• Read Gal. 4:8-10. Prior to salvation what are some examples of idols that people worship? However, after salvation, what were the believers in Galatia doing?
• 13:1-23. Which soil are these people? Read Luke 15:11-24. How is this analogous? Read 2 Cor. 3:4-6. Why is going back under the law denying the sufficiency of Christ and His sacrifice? Read verse Gal. 4:17. Who are these false teachers really working for?

The illustration of our Choice

• Read vv. 21-31. Why was Ishmael not the child of the promise? Would anyone expect Abraham and Sarah to have a child? Is anything too hard for God? How is the sacrifice of Jesus the only way the Law could be fulfilled? Read Eph. 2:8-9.

Close:

There are few things more sad than meeting a friend or someone in your family whom you love and knowing they have chosen to live life on their terms, believing themselves to be on the way to heaven based on their good works. Those of us who love Jesus, who desire to trust Him with every part of our lives, know that any “good” we do is because our roots are in Him, and the fruit (works) that is produced is only because His Spirit lives in us. Others can achieve civil good—giving money for humanitarian projects, taking a meal to a grieving family, etc.—but those “acts of righteousness” count as nothing if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior. He alone is the way to heaven. Acts 4:12 tells us, “…for there is no name under heaven, given among men, whereby we can be saved.” Meditate on that verse this week and examine your heart. Are you saved through Jesus, or trusting your works for reaching heaven?

By Sandy Day

September 10, 2023

REVELATION: GOD’S TIMELINE

August 27, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Surely if you have been a believer very long, you’ve gone through a series of mental questions as to why the OT saints chose to sin! Why did Adam and Eve eat of the forbidden fruit? Why did they choose to sin? Why did Noah’s sons choose to sin when they got out of the ark? Why did David choose to sin with Bathsheba? It all comes down to “Free Will,” doesn’t it? God did not make us to be robots, worshiping Him because—like AI—we cannot do otherwise; He created us with a free will that chooses to worship Him because we love Him. One day, when the earth has fulfilled its purpose, we will live in a new heaven and a new earth where there is no more pain, no more sin, no more death. Will you choose to love God and go there? It’s your choice.

Focal Passage: Genesis-Revelation.

Creation and the Fall of Man:

• In Gen. 1:2, how did God describe creation? What are some of the ways you would describe the world at that time? Was man created for life or for death? What was the curse on Adam and Eve in Gen. 3:22-24? Did anyone force any of the saints to sin?
• Read Gen. 6:5-8. By this time, what had the people of the world chosen to worship? Was it possible some people could have chosen to be saved during the years it took Noah to build the ark? Read Rev. 22:17. Even after the Tribulation, until the moment it is all over, will God still offer grace and say “Come”? Read Gen. 11:4. After the flood, what did the people continue to choose in their free will? What did they want the tower for?
• Read Gen. 12:2-3. Finally, God chose a man to begin a nation; who was it, and why? What was the result over the next three hundred years? How long did Israel stay in Egypt as slaves? Who led them out of Egypt? What was Moses like?
• Over the next thousand years, what was Israel’s history like? What were they expecting?

The Messiah and Daniel’s Prophecy:

• Besides Gen. 3, who were two men who first spoke of a Messiah coming? Who else prophesied of Him? What were people looking for in the coming Messiah?
• Read Dan. 9:24-27. In this passage, how long was a “week”? After the 62 weeks when “Messiah was cut off,” what is happening now, until the final week when the Tribulation will occur? Can you summarize the seven years of the Great Tribulation?
• What are some signs that will probably come to pass that would help us realize the end is drawing near? (Why is Babylon being rebuilt? Why is the Euphrates drying up? Will the Temple need to be rebuilt?)

The Life of the Messiah:

• What were some of the prophecies about the Messiah, and how did Jesus fulfill them? What was spectacular about His three years of ministry? What are some promises He made?
• What impacted you the most about His crucifixion? What were some of the most significant accounts given about His resurrection? What command did Jesus give us?
• Read Acts 1:9-11. After Jesus ascended back to His heavenly Father, what “age” was ushered in? Does the Bible give any hint how long the church age will last?

The Rapture, The Judgment Seat, and The Revelation of Jesus

• Read 1 Thes. 4:17. What will happen in the Rapture? This will be an extremely silent event; what do people say they are “listening for”? How will Jesus actually come?
• Read 1 Cor. 5:10. What is the judgment of the saints for? Read 1 Cor. 3:11-15 and James 2:14-17. What is another word for “works”? Read Titus 3:4-6. Do works save you? What does fruit prove?
• What is the theme of the Book of Revelation? Just as Christ wanted us to know of His coming to earth as Messiah, what is His desire for the Revelations He gave John?

The Tribulation

• What are some of the signs that will signify that the tribulation has begun? How will people recognize the antichrist? Later, who else comes alongside him to form an “unholy trinity”? How long will he allow Jerusalem to have peace?
• (Rev. 6-8). How many seals of judgment were opened? Who was the only one who was worthy to open them? About what percent of the population was killed? (Rev. 8-11). How many trumpet judgments were there? How many more people were killed?
• (Rev. 12-14). What does the unholy trinity do at this time? What happens to the two witnesses? How does antichrist renege on his promise to Israel?

The Great Tribulation

• (Rev. 15-16). What are some events of the last three and a half years? What happens to those who do not take the mark of the beast? What are some of the 7 bowl judgments?
• (Rev. 17-19). What happens when the Tribulation ends? What city falls? What war is fought? What will the Euphrates be like? What will happen to Satan and his armies?

The Second Coming

• Read Rev. 1:7. How will Jesus return? Who will face complete defeat? What follows this scene in Rev. 19:7-9a? What happens to Satan during this Thousand years? To read of Satan’s end, go to Ezek. 28:16-19. The Great White Throne Judgment follows. What is special about that? What four books are opened?

Close:

There are only two things to ask: if the Rapture occurs today, will you be left behind? If

you are left behind, will you be following the world during the last 7 years, or evangelizing?

By Sandy Day

August 27, 2023

REVELATION: A NEW PLACE… BETTER THAN EVER

August 13, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Prior to Jesus Christ being crucified, resurrected, and returning to Heaven, He told His disciples that “in My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also!” (John 14:1-4). What a promise! We believe His words, and today, in Chapter 21 of Revelation, we read of the reality of the place that He has prepared. It is a glorious, incredible place, made ready for us. As Dr. Ed Hindson said when he opened his eyes from a short coma hours before he died, “UBELIEVABLE!” “What, Papa?” the family asked. “Heaven!” he answered. “It’s unbelievable!” But as another local pastor often says, “It is a prepared place—for a prepared people!” Have you prepared for it?

Focal Passage: Revelation 21.

The current heavens and earth destroyed, and a new heaven and earth is found

• Read Revelation 21:1-3. What did we learn in Chap. 20 about the location of the 1,000 year reign of Christ? Since it will be on this earth, why do we worry about global warming, fires, etc. in the world? Since Christ will be here in Person—the one Who rules the Creation—will He make certain that it lasts for the 1,000 years?
• When the new heaven and new earth comes down out of heaven, what is no longer present? What does the word “new” mean? Who speaks from heaven? In the new earth and heaven, where will God dwell? How is this like the first two chapters of Genesis?
• How long will we live in this new heaven and earth? How long will God dwell with us?

This “new place” is greater than we could ever imagine

• Read verses 4-7. John tells us of other things that will be missing from our new home; what are they? What does God mean, that some things have “passed away”?
• In this passage, God makes nine statements, some of which are promises. Discuss each one: in verse 5, why can we believe what He says? What was God referring to by “It is done!” What are we to overcome? What will life be like as a child of God? What was life like for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden?

This place is only for the ones who believe

• Read verse 8. Is the list of sins indicating that those are the people who will not be allowed to reside in the new earth and heaven with God? What does God mean by this list? What is the only sin that will keep a person out of heaven?
• What have we read about the lake of fire and brimstone previously? Now, who has been put in it for all of eternity? Why does He say, “this is the second death”? Who will go there forever and forever? Read Rev. 20:15. Whose names will not be written in the Book of Life? How can you be assured your name will be there? Don’t “hope” your name is there—take care of this most important decision right now–KNOW your name is written in it!

So, what is the place really like?

• Read verses 9-21. Now who comes to John? What is he going to show him? What does he mean that he will show John “the Bride of Christ”? Where did he carry him?
• What did John see coming down out of heaven? We are reminded in the early judgments of the trouble John had describing items that he had never seen (for instance, things like tanks, weapons of mass destruction, assault weapons, etc.) Does John seem to have any hesitation in describing the New Jerusalem?

Jesus at the center of it all

• Read verses 22-27. What are some things not in the new city of Jerusalem? Why is there no temple? Why is there no sun or moon? Does it seem weird to think of never needing darkness, to get a good night’s sleep?
• What are the nations and the kings of the earth going to be bringing into the city?
• Will there be any sin in the New Jerusalem? Why will the new creation be like God’s first design of how life was to be in the Garden of Eden?

Close

As we close this 21^st chapter of Revelation, we are left with hundreds of questions, aren’t we? Inevitably, the questions are both things relative to the millennium as well as to the new heaven and the new earth. Most are not addressed in Scripture, nor are they such that can be answered by anything except speculation—which causes foolish quarrels. For instance, in the millennium, will our technology still exist? Can you imagine a millennium where everyone is on an iPhone? The saints will be like angels, neither able to marry and bear children, nor be given in marriage; however, there seems to be people born during this time. In the New Jerusalem, will we live in a city? Our brains could go on and on.

The most important thing for us to remember is that God is going to make all things new. New as in “never before imagined.” New as in something you’ve never seen before. And “eye has not seen nor has ear heard nor has the mind imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him”(1 Cor. 2:9). One thing is sure: you will want to be there, rather than in the lake of fire and brimstone with wicked, evil people. But, as said in the opening, there is only one way to get there: you must have prepared yourself, through Jesus Christ. Remember, God made only one way—but He did not have to make any way at all and He would still have been righteous. He gave us that way because of His great love. Surrender your life and your heart to Him today, and your name will be written in the Book of Life.

By Sandy Day

August 13, 2023

REVELATION 17-18: BABYLON AND THE BEAST

July 30, 2023

Matt Willmington

We are entering the final chapters of the Book of Revelation, finishing the last bowl judgment, which ends the Great Tribulation. It seems almost impossible to understand how the earth’s population during the Tribulation suffers from the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments, yet they continue to blaspheme God. Pain such as most of us have never known will afflict these people for three and a half years, yet they continue their evil trajectory. Today, in Chapter 17, religious Babylon is destroyed, while chapter 18 destroys the economic and political Babylon. By God’s grace, people up to the bowl judgments still have the opportunity to turn to Jesus for salvation, reject taking the mark of the Beast, and receive eternal life. Then the final judgment will bring destruction upon all who are left on the earth. In one last victorious cry, God calls His children to get out before it’s too late (18:4).

Focal Passage: Revelation 17-18.

RELIGIOUS BABYLON                                                                                                                                   

Who is the Harlot?

• Read Revelation 17:1-5. In verse 3 and 18, who is the woman? Why was Babylon called a harlot? Why does it seem as though Babylon will be an actual city, having been rebuilt at some point? In verses 2-3, who were her faithful supporters?
• Read 18:5-8. What were some of her sins? How quickly will her destruction come (18: 8, 10, 17, 19)? Read Dan. 5:30-31. How quickly did ancient Babylon fall (not the one that may/will be rebuilt)? Who becomes distraught over her judgment? What is so sickening about 18:13? How bad is human trafficking now? Can it get worse? Who is behind it?
• Reference 18:9-19. Why were the men upset? What were their wares?
• In verse 20, who are the believers who will be rejoicing when Babylon is destroyed?
• Read 17:6 and 18:24. What groups of people have been killed by those ruling Babylon?

Who is the beast?

• Read 17:3. What is the woman sitting on? Read 17:1, 3, and 9. Why are there three different visions of what she sits on, and what do they represent? Read 17:15, 8-9, and (perhaps) possibly Rome, city of 7 Hills).
• Who is the beast? Read Rev. 13:1. Is this the same beast in 17:3?
• Read verse 8. What does the angel mean when he says the beast was, is not, and yet is? Read 13:3-4. Could this be the answer to “was, is not, and is”? Read 17:9-11. What are the seven heads? If these “hills” (mountains) are seven kings with kingdoms, how can five “fall”? Which was (and still is) in existence? Who was the seventh? How can he also be the eighth?
• Read vv. 12-14. What are the ten horns? Have they appeared on the scene yet (as far as we know)? How long will they be in power? Who will they be working with? What is their goal? Read vv. 16-17. What else will the ten horns (kings) do? Read 12c with 17c; why will they align themselves with the Beast?

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL BABYLON                                                                                                                                                       

What is it?

• Read 18:10b. We established in the first point that Babylon is a city dedicated to gross idolatrous worship. In chapter 18, we will find it is more than that! What is it?
• Reference 18:9-19 once more. What theme is carried out through this lengthy passage? The ruling power of Babylon desired to create a materialistic, covetous, society. What evidence do we have today that this will be easy to accomplish? Read vv. 15 and 19. What were the merchants concerned about? Can you give examples of this going on today?
• Read 18:2. What will it become? What will eventually happen? Read Isa. 13:21-22, 34:11-17. Is this the way ancient Babylon has looked for the past centuries? What happened when Saddam Hussein was alive? Did he achieve rebuilding Babylon as he planned?
• What will the political arena of the antichrist look like the second three and a half years? Who did we learn would be in the “unholy” trinity?
• Read 17:13. Who will give help to the beast? Who will they make war with? What is so comforting about 17:14?

Close:

The end of the Great Tribulation is frightening to read, but the reality will be so much worse than anything we can imagine. We have to remember that John was trying to describe in so many places things that he had never seen. How would you describe an army tank, for instance, or a helicopter, if they were totally unknown to you? However, these chapters today are not that difficult to understand, other than who, when, or where. The bottom line is, Babylon is spoken of as an actual city in seven places in Revelation—not a symbol, although it is possible it will be built on a site other than the original Babylon. These chapters imply it will be rebuilt and become the “hub” of the world. It will be so sinful and full of wickedness that the millions of people left on the earth will be devastated when it is destroyed—but they won’t turn to God! Yet until that time, there is hope. Hope for those who are left behind when the church has been removed from the earth, that people can still be saved. Hope for those who are in the queue to get the mark of the Beast and can choose to step away from the line—then most likely become a martyr. But to die in Jesus is a win. To live for Satan and the Beast is death for eternity. Choose wisely.

By Sandy Day

July 30, 2023

REVELATION 13: TWO BEASTS RISE UP; STILL, WE HAVE HOPE!

July 09, 2023

Dr. Troy Temple

Today we are heading into intense parts in the Book of Revelation—God’s revealing of not just future events alone, but the victorious completion of the plan of God that has been in place before the foundation of the world. From eternity past, God existed, still exists, and will always exist. As the visions from Jesus to John are studied, we see God was, is, and always will be in control of every event that occurs. Rev. 1:3 promises a blessing to the person who reads and/or hears the words of this book and responds by obeying. It is a book that has much symbolism, but the happenings it foretells will come to pass, and no one will be able to stop them.

Focal Passage: Revelation 13.

THE FIRST BEAST                                                                                                                                        

 The Agenda of the First Beast                                                                                                                   

He will establish and control evil leaders and governments.

• Read Revelation 13:1-2. What is rising out of the sea? He is one creature, but how many heads? How many horns? What is on each horn? What is written on each head?
• Who is he? What will he look like? What are his feet like? What is his mouth like?
• Read Dan. 7:3-8. How many heads are on the four beasts Daniel saw in his vision? How many horns are on the fourth beast? What are the similarities in the beasts’ animal likenesses to those John saw? What is the commonality of these four beasts?
• Did the beast have power when he came out of the sea? Where does he get it? What else does he get from the dragon? From last week, who is the dragon?

The worship of world leaders:

• Read Rev. 13:3, 12b, 14b. What happens to the beast that John sees? What does it usually mean if one is “mortally” wounded? What happens to the wound? In verse 14b, how does John say the wound occurred?
• Read verse 4 and Isa. 14:12-15. What has Satan always wanted? Why will everyone worship him during the Tribulation? Why do they worship the beast as well?
• Read 2 Cor. 11:14. What are characteristics that Satan will try to use to imitate Jesus that will ingratiate him with world leaders? How could he resurrect someone dead?
• Read Micah 7:18. Is anyone like our God? What will the world cry about the beast?

The temporary war of evil leaders:

• Read Rev. 13:5-6. How long will the peaceful reign of Antichrist last? How will he get the authority? How will he control people by his words? What does he do after that?
• Read verse 7. Who “grants” Satan the authority to let Antichrist have a war campaign?

Who will die in this war? Will there be people who are saved during this time?

The deception of evil leaders:

• Read verses 8-10. Who is going to be leading this war? What does God mean in verse 9?
• Why is it so vital for people to stand against Satan and the Antichrist? What option will there be for those who won’t take the mark of the beast?

THE SECOND BEAST                                                                                                                                       

Seven Characteristics of the Second Beast                                                                                              

He is a deceiver—a lamb, even friendly.             

• Read vs 11. This beast rises out of the ground. Who is he trying to imitate? What does John mean, “he spoke like a dragon”?

He speaks the words of Satan.

• Read Matt. 7:15 and Matt. 24:24. This False Prophet has an agenda as well; what is it? What has been Satan’s main goal since the Garden of Eden?

He is a false worship leader.

• Read verse 12. We must keep in mind the first beast is the Antichrist; who is this second beast, the false prophet, imitating in the Trinity? What are the main functions of the Holy Spirit? Will He seal believers to God (1 Jn. 3:24)? With Satan desiring to be “like God,” what kind of trinity do these three have (Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet)?
• What are the main functions of the false prophet? Who will he point men to worship? Will he mark unbelievers for Antichrist?

He uses miracles to amaze and deceive.

• Read 13:13-14. Who were other “magicians” who used great signs, deceiving people of Egypt, in the OT? What OT king made an image for the people to bow down to (Dan. 2)? Is Satan doing anything new or unusual for him? Read Matt. 24:5, 11.
• How can believers be aware of what is true and what is false during the Tribulation?
• Read 1 Kings 18:28. Can someone retell the situation when Elijah called down fire onto the altar of Baal? How does the False Prophet do the signs? Who grants him the right?
• Why do people tend to believe that which they see? With technology growing by the day, could there be ways in which technological illusions could be used by Antichrist?

He will kill those who reject worshiping the first beast.

• Read verse 15. Go back to re-read verses 7 and 10. What must be decided by those who will be saved during this time? How is this like Dan 3:1, 6? Does it seem as though Satan continues to re-do activities that have worked for him in the past?

He marks all antichrist worshipers as his.

• Read verse 16-17. What will be the outcome of those who are saved during that time? What would it be like to see one’s child starving to death? Is death the worst that could happen to people?

He will, ultimately, lead all people to worship a mere man.

• Read verse 18. No one knows what is meant by the name of Antichrist being 666. There are learned theologians on all sides, but no one knows. There will definitely be a price to pay for not taking the mark.
• In the end we must remember the words foretold by Isaiah: “Those who see you [Satan] will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities…”!!

BUT CHRIST IS OUR HOPE! He will never die! He will never fail! He will never reject His people! He will always answer! He will keep every promise!

By Sandy Day

July 09, 2023

REVELATION 8-11: THE SEVEN TRUMPETS: CHAOS UNDER CONTROL

June 25, 2023

Charles Billingsley

How is the Revelation study coming along for you—are you learning things you did not know? Are you feeling a total sense of security that God is very conscientious in reminding us that all the turmoil, furor, and devastation will only happen because He is allowing it to? Today we begin with the seventh seal (we looked at the first six last week), which contains the seven trumpet judgments.

Focal Passage: Revelation 8:1-11:19

THE FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS:                                                                                                                             

The First Trumpet—Weather

• Read Revelation 8:1. What is so special about a half-an-hour’s silence in heaven? Turn back to chapters 4, 5 and 6; what are some of the things going on in the Throne Room? Why would there be silence after the jubilant sounds of praise and worship? Could this be the calm before the chaos? What other disturbances have a quiet before the storm?
• Read Rev. 8:2-6. In verses 2 and 3, who did the angels receive the trumpets and the incense from? What did those who held the seven trumpets do (vs 6)? Read verse 7. What happened when the angel blew his trumpet? Think of the smoke over us from the Canadian wildfires this past week; what would these plagues do to life on the earth?