2023-05-07

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, we’re going to discuss a topic that is a highly charged and controversial issue in our nation, and the world. There are many arguments, protests and disagreements that are taking place online, in the media, in schools and state houses, and in homes. While it is highly charged, it really shouldn’t be if we as Christians are acting as God intends. We know truth, but we also know Jesus’ command to love. And while we may disagree, we never have the right to attack, denigrate or dismiss those with which we disagree. With that in mind, let’s answer some questions on the LGBTQ issue.

Question 1: Why does the LGBTQ issue seem to be the topic of every conversation these days?

Answer 1: Same-Sex marriage, Men competing in women’s sports, Locker rooms & bathrooms, “drag queen” shows in schools & libraries, Educational changes.

• This is not a new issue; it has been going on for decades. My dad preached on this topic back in the 1970’s with the same passages and the same passion as I preach today.
• There does seem to be an all-out effort to normalize and rationalize behavior which goes against the Bible.

Answer 2: Ultimately, it’s a cultural attempt to dismiss the Biblical narrative of what is truth

• Even the National Institutes of Health, a government agency, dismisses the possibility of the Bible being true on their website as it relates to this issue.[1]

Question 2: So, what does the Bible say?

Answer 1: God created “Man” in His own image. The image bearers of God are reflected in two sexes/genders: Male & Female

Genesis 1:27-28a (CSB) So God created man (‘āḏām – “mankind”) in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male (zāḵār – “male”) and female. (nᵊqēḇâ – “female”) ²⁸ God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.

• God created “mankind” in two complementary forms – “male & female” (XX or XY)
• Some groups would argue the idea that God created a “non-binary” first and then male and female. However, even though through all of creation God created opposite sets of creation (i.e. day & night, land & sea, male and female animals) that we can’t take this literally because there are subtle variations or “spectrums” of creation like “dusk”, etc.[2]
• So, in other words, for us to discount the idea that God created a complementary set in creation would mean we would have to dismiss God’s Word.
• The Genesis 1 statement on the creation of man is the declaration of what happened, the Genesis 2 statement is the declaration of how it happened.[3]

Answer 2: God’s perfect design is marriage between two people; one male and one female

Genesis 2:24-25 This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. ²⁵ Both the man and his wife were naked, yet felt no shame.

• We must look back to the verses prior to vss 24-25 to see that God’s plan was for mankind to rule over all of creation. Only mankind was created in His own image. Only mankind received the “breath of life.” Only mankind was referenced in verse 18 that “it is not good for him to be alone.” So God created male and female for the purpose of being together as a complementary set. We are created perfectly to fit together: physically, biologically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Answer 3: Any other plan or design that dismisses the “Imago Dei” or God’s plan for marriage and gender is sin

• There are six references in the Bible to LGBTQ behavior (Gen 19; Lev 18; Lev 20; Rom 1; 1 Cor 6; 1 Tim 1)
  • Some would argue that we can’t use the Old Testament as an image of what is permitted today because there is so much in the Mosaic Law that we do not recognize today. However, in both Leviticus 18 & 20, references to the same-sex lifestyle are placed within a list of sexual sins which are still considered unacceptable today.
  • In fact, the statements in Leviticus 18:22 and Lev. 20:13 regarding these acts are actually referred to as “detestable” or an “abomination.” (tôʿēḇâ)
  • So, if it was detestable in the Old Testament, it certainly would be detestable in the New Testament age.
• There are at least two references in the Bible about the Transgender issue (Deut. 22:5 and 1 Cor. 11)
• Ultimately, God created two sexes or genders; male and female. His intention is for them to be joined together as one. A complementary set.

Answer 4: Jesus affirms God’s design for sex, gender, and marriage in Matthew 19

Matthew 19:3-9 Some Pharisees approached him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?” ⁴ “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female,^,5 and he also said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?^{, 6} So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” ⁷ “Why then,” they asked him, “did Moses command us to give divorce papers and to send her away?” ⁸ He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning. ⁹ I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”

• Jesus points back before the fall to affirm God’s perfect creation and design
• He doesn’t reference even Abraham, Moses, Jacob, David, Solomon. He goes back to the creation story. Why? Because this is what God intended.

Question 3: How does LGBTQ behavior go against God’s design

Answer 1: It attempts to disrupt and upend God’s desire and design

Galatians 5:16-21 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy,^, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• It rejects God’s design of “He made them male and female” (XX or XY)
• Rejects God’s design of marriage (Romans 1:22ff)
• The American Psychiatric Association has changed its descriptions and definitions of Gender Dysphoria to be more affirming and accepting.[4] In 2013, they changed their language from “gender identity disorder” to “gender dysphoria” to be more inclusive.[5]
• It is being promoted by Social Contagion[6] and Cultural Confusion
  • CDC Report states the number of young people who identify as LGBTQ or are questioning has more than doubled in the past 7 years[7]
  • According to the Gallup Organization, in 2015 only 3.9% of Americans identified as LGBTQ while in 2022 that number has risen to 7.1%[8]
  • For high schoolers, that number has gone from 11% who identified as LGBTQ (or questioning) to 24.5% in 2021.[9]
  • In these same years, the explosion of social media has taken place thus creating a space where contradictory messages can be delivered directly into the hands of impressionable individuals who are struggling with self-worth and acceptance.
  • In 2021, 4.33 billion people worldwide were using social media. And studies revealed that they were spending 22% of their online time on social media.[10]
  • Facebook has nearly 3 billion users monthly spending more than 35 minutes daily.⁴
  • Twitter with over 200 million daily users sharing over 500 million tweets daily.⁴
  • Instagram with over 1 billion active users with over 500 million stories shared daily⁴
  • TikTok had over 850 million downloads in 2020 and over 600 million daily users[11]
• Thus, it is not difficult to recognize that with the explosive growth of the online spaces, the growth of confusion had to follow.
• Further, for young people who all struggle with identity and acceptance, finding their heroes/actors/musicians all affirming this behavior creates a “safe space” for them to identify, regardless of truth.

Question 4: What is the Christian’s response?

Answer 1: Truth in love

• Ephesians 4:14-15 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.
• 1 Timothy 1:15 This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them.
• No compromise yet no attack or dismissal
• We must be grounded in truth so we can speak the truth in love
• Jesus did this very thing in John 8 when He was confronted with the woman caught in adultery. His response “he who has no sin cast the first stone” (verse 7) and “go and sin no more” (verse 11.) = TRUTH IN LOVE

Question 5: What do I do if a loved one is walking this path?

Answer 1: Love, but don’t affirm

• Matthew 22 – The Great Commandment – LOVE

Question 6: What do I do if I am questioning my identity?

Answer 1: Recognize your worth

• Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, (poiēma – “creation”) created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
• Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.

Answer 2: Find your identity in what God created you to be, not what the culture encourages you to change

Psalm 139:13-16 For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.^,

Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well. ¹⁵ My bones were not hidden from you

when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.

Bottom Line: You are created in the image of God, God doesn’t make mistakes, you are perfect in your created form, don’t let the world destroy truth.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1127544/

[2] https://www.hrc.org/resources/what-does-the-bible-say-about-transgender-people

[3] https://answersingenesis.org/family/gender/god-created-adam-both-genders/

[4] https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Practice/DSM/DSM-5-TR/APA-DSM5TR-GenderDysphoria.pdf

[5] Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), 2013.

[6] Social contagion occurs when a memory spreads from one individual to one or multiple others via social interaction (Roediger et al., 2001); https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/social-contagion

[7] https://thehill.com/homenews/education/3975959-one-in-four-high-school-students-identify-as-lgbtq/

[8] https://news.gallup.com/poll/389792/lgbt-identification-ticks-up.aspx

[9] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12017939/Record-one-FOUR-high-school-students-gay-bisexual.html

[10] https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/2022/02/18/the-rise-of-social-media-how-the-world-became-connected/#

[11] https://backlinko.com/tiktok-users

2023-02-26

Charles Billingsley

Matthew 22:35-40

³⁵ And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test him: ³⁶ “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” ³⁷ He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  ³⁸ This is the greatest and most important command. ³⁹ The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

Our mission is to change our world by developing Christ followers who Love God and Love People  

Specks and Logs 

Matthew 7:1-2

¹ “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. ² For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you us.”

1. Don’t Judge

    A. Don’t judge unfairly

    B. Don’t judge superficially 

John 7:24 NLT

²⁴ Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.

We MUST also be very careful to never ascribe a moral value to our own personal preference.  

    C. Don’t judge hypocritically

Romans 2:1

Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.

The hypocritical are often the most hypercritical! – Adam Dooley

Matthew 7:3-5

³ Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.

Fix yourself first! Get rid of the logs!

Dogs and Hogs

2. Learn to discern

Matthew 7:6

⁶ Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.

Discern righteously. Don’t hang with the hogs.

3. Instead of pointing, start praying

Matthew 7:7

Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:8-11

⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ⁹ Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him.

4. Be active, not passive

Matthew 7:12
Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.\

5. Always ere on the side of Grace

A Simple Guide for Behavior

Matthew 7:1-12 – The Message

^1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

⁶ “Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege. ^7-11 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

¹² “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

Keys to the golden rule poem:

Get rid of the logs
Don’t hang with the hogs
Use prayer as your tool
Then follow the rule.
If your motive is pure
Then it’s golden for sure
It works for me as well as for you
As long as we’re grounded in grace and in truth.

2022-11-27

Charles Billingsley

Hope is a healer

Hope is a motivator

Hope is the anchor for our soul

Hebrews 6:13-20 – ESV

¹³ For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, ¹⁴ saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” ¹⁵ And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. ¹⁶ For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. ¹⁷ So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, ¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. ¹⁹ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, ²⁰ where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

1. Because of the Promises Jesus Fulfilledin the Past

Genesis 15:1-6 – ESV

¹ After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” ² But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³ And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” ⁴ And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” ⁵ And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” ⁶ And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

John 1:1-3 – ESV

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Our hope is the anchor for our soul because of the promises He fulfilled in the past.  

2. Because of the Promises Jesus will Fulfill in our Future

Biblical hope not only desires something good for the future — it also expects it to happen.

3. Because We have Access into His Presence.  

John 1:14 – ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth

I Peter 1:3-5 – ESV

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Romans 5:1-2 – ESV

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Hebrews 6:19 – ESV

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,

Hebrews 6:20 – ESV

Where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Psalm 110:4 – ESV

The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Headline: Sinner Pardoned. Goes to live with the Judge! 

2022-11-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, more than ever it is important for Christ-followers to stand up and stand out. Our voices must be heard but our voices need to look less like the world and more like Christ. We have been called to be ambassadors for the Gospel and there has never been a more critical need for the hope of the Gospel than now.

Ephesians 5:1-16 (NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them.⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. ¹³ But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. ¹⁴ Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil.^[1]

1. Look like Him

Vs 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

1. We can no longer try to “fit in” to a culture which is running away from truth and God’s Word
2. We must “stand out” and show the world an alternative to the evil around us

2. Love like Him

Vs 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

1. Standing Out is not permission to attack those who believe differently than us
2. It is a calling to reflect the love of Christ to a world that needs to be loved

3. Live like Him

Vss 3-4 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

1. Live differently than the world so we can be an image of holy living
2. While sin will always be a pull in our culture, holiness can always win out

4. Walk like Him

Vss 6-11 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them.⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

1. Even many of those who claim to stand for truth distort truth for their own purposes
2. Never allow false truth and false doctrine to sneak into your journey

5. Because the time is now

Vss 14-16 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Vss 15-16 (NLT) So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

1. It has never been more important than now to speak up and stand out
2. Our culture has entered a season where it has become a frontal attack on everything the Word of God teaches
3. We have no option but to hold fast to the Word and to His Way

^[1] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Eph 5:1–16.

2022-10-09

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

1 Samuel 24:1-7 (CSB) When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness near En-gedi.” ² So Saul took three thousand of Israel’s fit young men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. ³ When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave, ⁴ so they said to him, “Look, this is the day the Lord told you about: ‘I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.’ ” Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. ⁵ Afterward, David’s conscience bothered^, him because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. ⁶ He said to his men, “As the Lord is my witness, I would never do such a thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” ⁷ With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul.

Throughout the period of time from David’s anointing by Samuel until the time he became king, Saul sought to kill David a number of times. Throughout 1 Samuel 18-26, we read many different accounts of Saul’s attempts, even after Saul promised he would not hurt him in chapter 24. Can you imagine the fear that must have coursed through David’s veins knowing the king of Israel, and 3,000 of his soldiers, were out to kill you? Yet, David remained strong and encouraged.

Psalm 57:1-11 (CSB) Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in you. I will seek refuge in the shadow of your wings until danger passes. ² I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.^{, 3} He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. God sends his faithful love and truth. ⁴ I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among devouring lions—people whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. ⁵ God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth. ⁶ They prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! ⁷ My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises. ⁸ Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. ⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. ¹⁰ For your faithful love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the clouds. ¹¹ God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.

1. When the enemy approaches, take refuge in God

Vs 1 Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in you. I will seek refuge in the shadow of your wings until danger passes.

• As David sat in the cave, he recognized the imagery of the cave itself as a the picture of God’s protection
• Although just outside the cave the enemy was near, he knew the grace of God was enough to bring him through

2. The refuge starts in prayer

Vs 2 I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

• David’s journey of seeking refuge in the “shadow of God’s wings” began with an earnest prayer; crying out to God from the midst of the fear 

3. It continues in trust

Vss 3-4 He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. God sends his faithful love and truth. ⁴ I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among devouring lions—people whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

• Prayer is not the weapon you need if you cannot trust the one you are calling on
• David was aware he was surrounded, yet his trust in God was all he needed to survive
• God brought him from loneliness and despair to encouragement and support

1 Samuel 22:1-2 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. ² In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

4. It is confirmed in worship

Vss 5-11 ⁵ God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth. ⁶ They prepared a net for my steps; I was despondent. They dug a pit ahead of me, but they fell into it! ⁷ My heart is confident, God, my heart is confident. I will sing; I will sing praises. ⁸ Wake up, my soul! Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn. ⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. ¹⁰ For your faithful love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the clouds. ¹¹ God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.

• The only way to fully trust God in times of your greatest fear is to recognize God is greater than our problems
• There is nothing we face God cannot overcome

Application

1. If David faced intense attacks after being anointed as the next king of Israel, you can be sure you will face them as well
2. Prayer is our greatest weapon against fear, anxiety and attacks
3. Never forget the greatness of God. Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jeremiah 32:27)

2022-09-25

Charles Billingsley

Scene 1 – The Battlefield

17:1   Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle.

And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. ² And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. ³ And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.  

⁴ And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.  ⁵ He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.  ⁶ And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. ⁷ The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron.  And his shield-bearer went before him. ⁸ He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle?  Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. ⁹ If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” ¹⁰ And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” ¹¹ When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed.

Scene 2 – Bethlehem 

¹² Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. ¹³ The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. ¹⁴ David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, 

¹⁵ but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.

1.  David was faithful in the mundane 

When we are Faithful in the small things, God will trust us to be faithful in the big things. 

Scene 3 – Back to the battlefield

 ¹⁶ For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening.

¹⁷ And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. ¹⁸ Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.”

²⁸ Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”  ²⁹ And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” 

³⁰ And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before.

³¹ When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. ³² And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 

³⁶ Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” ³⁷ And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”

2. David was focused on the right things

A proper perspective will empower your faith.

With God all things are possible!!

3. David was fine with just being himself 

In everything natural, be spiritual.  In everything spiritual, be natural.

All you have… is all you need

Scene 4 – The Battle

4.  David was fearless in the face of giants

⁴⁰ Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.

⁴¹ And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. ⁴² And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.

⁴³ And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. ⁴⁴ The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” ⁴⁵ Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, ⁴⁷ and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

⁴⁸ When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. ⁴⁹ And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

⁵⁰ So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. ⁵¹ Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

Scene 5 – The Victory

 ⁵² And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron. ⁵³ And the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. ⁵⁴ And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent.

5. David firmly held on to his trophies

Stay Faithful in the mundane

Stay focused on the right things

Be fine with who God has made you

Face your giants head on

Firmly hold on to your trophies

Jesus is the greatest Champion of all.

YOU are a trophy of God’s grace. 

Put your fear down and pick up your faith!

The battle Belongs to the Lord!!!

2022-09-11

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

1 Samuel 16:1- 13 (CSB) The Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected for myself a king from his sons.” ² Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!” The Lord answered, “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate to you.” ⁴ Samuel did what the Lord directed and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?” ⁵ “In peace,” he replied. “I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. ⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before him.” ⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” ⁸ Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either,” Samuel said. ⁹ Then Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either.” ¹⁰ After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord hasn’t chosen any of these.” ¹¹ Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” ¹² So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy, handsome appearance. Then the Lord said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.” ¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1. God is not limited by our limitations

Vs 11a Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” he answered…

Psalm 22:6-7 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by people. ⁷ Everyone who sees me mocks me; they sneer and shake their heads:

• Jesse hadn’t even considered to send for his son when Samuel arrived
• Everyone around David looked down on him as significant, yet insignificant

Psalm 22:6-7 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by people. ⁷ Everyone who sees me mocks me; they sneer and shake their heads:

2. God’s calling is greater than our failings

Vs 11b … he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep…”

• Jesse replied, “he’s doing what he is fit for…”
• At times, we believe we are not worthy of anything better than what we are, or what others think of us

Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 51:1-5 Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. ² Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. ³ For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. ⁴ Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge. ⁵ Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

3. God never anoints the incompetent

Vs 13a So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on David from that day forward…

• Even Samuel thought it must be someone else, yet God had a greater plan

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

• Man looks out the outward, God sees us for who we really are

2 Cor. 12:8-10 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. ¹⁰ So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Psalm 22:6-10 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by people. ⁷ Everyone who sees me mocks me; they sneer and shake their heads: ⁸ “He relies on the Lord; let him save him; let the Lord rescue him, since he takes pleasure in him.” ⁹ It was you who brought me out of the womb, making me secure at my mother’s breast. ¹⁰ I was given over to you at birth; you have been my God from my mother’s womb.

2022-07-17
Matt Willmington

1 John 4:7-21 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
17 In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.

SUMMARY: Love each other because God is love. He proved it by sending his son to save the world. He loved us first so we love him and each other. We haven’t seen God but we can see his family. When we love, God lives in us and we live in him. His love is completed in us, and it gives us confidence against fear, judgment, and punishment. If we say we love God and hate each other, we are liars and we have not seen God.

1. If you love the Father you love the family. [7, 8, 16, 19]

Love each other because God is love
a. “dear friends” “brothers sisters” not neighbors [Lev.18, Luke 10]
b. 4 times here, 11 times in John’s letters [agape]
c. No love? Don’t know God [7, 8, 16]

2. Love sends, serves, sacrifices. [9-11, 14]

He loved us first and proved it by sending His son to save the world
a. Trinity – Father [9 14], Son [9 14], Spirit [13]
b. Love’s Revelation = God sent the Son
i. ‘One and only’ = priority, not origination
ii. “world” – yes elect, but not exclusive
iii. “SAVIOR”= ‘atoning sacrifice’ not example, teaching
c. He loved first
d. Since God loved by serving WE must also

3. We love what we see to love what we can’t see. [12, 14, 20]

We can’t see God but we can see family
a. John testimony – “we saw him!”
b. We ‘see’ Jesus, we see His family
c. His love grows to completion

4. Live in God because he lives in you. [12, 13, 15, 16]

When we love, we have the Spirit, God lives in us and we live in him
a. Proof of his remaining in us = Spirit
b. Confess Jesus = God is in you, you are in God
c. We know + believe. You can know w/o believing
d. If you live in love God lives in you and you in him [John 17]

5. Completed love gives confidence. [12, 17, 18]

Love is completed in us, gives confidence for fear, judgment, punishment
a. Love doesn’t fear [1 Cor.13] it drives out fear.
b. Fear judgment? You aren’t living in love

6. Haters don’t love, lovers don’t lie. [20-21]

If we say we love God but hate each other we lie and have not seen God
a. Can’t love God if you hate family
b. Jesus’ command from – John 13, 17

ONE ANOTHERS

HONOR Romans 12:10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.

HARMONIZE Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

JUDGE Romans 14:13 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.

BUILD UP Romans 14:19 So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.

WELCOME / ACCEPT Romans 15:7 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.

INSTRUCT Romans 15:14 My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another

SERVE Galatians 5:13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.

DEVOUR Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

PROVOKE / ENVY Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

CARRY Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

BEAR Ephesians 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

LIE Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

KIND / COMPASSION / FORGIVE Ephesians 4:32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

SUBMIT Ephesians 5:21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

ENCOURAGE 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

DO GOOD 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

HATE Titus 3:3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.

CRITICIZE James 4:11 Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

COMPLAIN James 5:9 Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!

CONFESS / PRAY James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

HOSPITABLE 1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

HUMBLE 1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

FELLOWSHIP 1 John 1:7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

2022-07-03

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Last week, we talked about making a change in our lives by seeking purity and avoiding sin. Today, John takes to another level of change as he tells us to love.

1 John 3:11-24 (CSB) For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another, ¹² unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. ¹³ Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. ¹⁶ This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.

¹⁹ This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and will reassure our hearts before him ²⁰ whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. ²³ Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us.

1. Love is not a choice

Vs 11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another

• A reminder from 1 John 2:7 – “this is not a new command but an old one…”
• John reminds the reader that love is not an option or a choice, but a command from God
• Matthew 22 clearly instructs us on God’s command to love

Vs 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death

• Our love for others is a clear marker of our faith

2. Jealousy is the enemy to love

Vss 12-13 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. ¹³ Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

• Cain’s actions were a result of his hatred of his brother doing the “right thing”
• The world will hate us too if we are seeking to following God’s plan for our lives
• Why? Because the world doesn’t know HIM

Vs 15 Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him

3. Love needs to be connected to action

Vss  17-18 If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.

• This is a reminder not to be like those who talk about love but don’t actually love
• The church was full of individuals claimed piety and love for others but were only focused on self
• We must act on our love
• Warren Wiersbe says, “To love “in word” means simply to talk about a need, but to love “in deed” means to do something about meeting it. You may think, because you have discussed a need, or even prayed about it, that you have done your duty, but love involves more than words—it calls for sacrificial deeds.”^[1]

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 512.

4. Love can only come through Christ

Vss 23- 24 Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us.

• This is a reminder of Jesus’ command from Matthew 22
• Verse 24 calls us to action and obedience
• Verse 24 also gives us a “check” in our spirit which flows from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives
• This is a precursor to chapter 4
• David Walls states, “True Christian experience is revealed not just in our beliefs but in our behavior.”^[1]

^[1] David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, vol. 11, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 199.

2022-06-19

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

1 John 2:12-29 (CSB) I am writing to you, little children, since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. ¹³ I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one. ¹⁴ I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one. ¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever. ¹⁸ Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour. ¹⁹ They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us. ²⁰ But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. ²¹ I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth. ²² Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. ²³ No one who denies the Son has the Father; he who confesses the Son has the Father as well. ²⁴ What you have heard from the beginning is to remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵ And this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life. ²⁶ I have written these things to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. ²⁷ As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, his anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you, remain in him. ²⁸ So now, little children, remain in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. ²⁹ If you know that he is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

1. A Universal Message

Vss 12-14 I am writing to you, little children, since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. ¹³ I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one. ¹⁴ I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one.

• John is clearly addressing his letter to EVERYONE within the church
• This message is not for a special group. He addressed it this way to refute the arrogance of the Gnostics

2. Walk from the world, walk towards the light

Vss15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

• You can’t have it both ways. Either you love God with all of your heart or you don’t.
• “If we love the world, we are not loving God. We cannot love the world and love God at the same time. This interpretation is strengthened by James 4:4, “Friendship with the world is hatred toward God.”^[1]

^[1] David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, vol. 11, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 175.

3. Now is the Time

Vs 18 Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour.

Vs 21 I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth.

Vs 25 And this is the promise that he himself made to us: eternal life.

• We clearly live in a time where “love of the world” seems to making inroads even into the church.
• We have a responsibility to recommit ourselves to the things of God.
• We know God’s plan and we know God’s promise, we have no excuse.

4.  Stand strong

Vs 28 So now, little children, remain in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

• It is time to do the right thing and live for Him.
• Ephesians 6 teaches us we must put on the armor of God to be protected and ready for what’s ahead.

2022-06-05

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, we’re going to begin a study through the letters written by John the Apostle. While he wrote both the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation, our study this summer is going to focus on the three small letters he wrote near the end of his life from the city of Ephesus. These letters were not written to a specific individual, or even a specific church, they were written as “circular letters.” Circular letters were intended to be passed around and read by anyone and everyone who had a vested interest, and the interest that brought the readers together was they were part of the family of God.

1 John 1:1-10 (CSB) What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—² that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—³ what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. ⁶ If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. ⁷ If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1. Jesus is still the Way, Truth and Life

Vss 1-2 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—² that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—

• John’s purpose in this opening statement was to reiterate that Jesus was not just a man, He was God
• This letter is refute the rise of Gnosticism within the early church which denied the deity and incarnation of Christ

John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

2. We are one family because of Jesus

Vss 3-4 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

• The clear statement here is our fellowship with one another is not based on location, denomination, status or any other manmade position…it is based on the person of Jesus Christ
• Only through Christ and his love can we have true fellowship with one another

3. Hypocrisy destroys the family

Vss -5-6 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. ⁶ If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.

• A line is drawn here which clearly indicates we cannot have it both ways…we can’t live for the world and claim to live for Christ

4. Obedience builds the family

Vs 7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

• We must determine our daily steps on the word of God and His love

5. So let’s be honest

Vss 8-10 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

• We cannot achieve perfection in our human body, but we can maintain a perfect relationship with God through our recognition and confession of our sins
• Confess (homolegeo) – “acknowledge, to agree with”
• Verse 10 refers to the individual who may deny or ignore their sins with no conviction. The thought here is a believer with the Holy Spirit’s convicting work within will always recognize their failings and will be convicted of his sin.

Final Thought: Chapter 1 is a clear reminder of the fact Jesus is the Son of God who came to take away the sins of the world. As Christians, the family of God, we must recognize His deity and power and live according to His Word.

2022-04-24

Scott Bullman

“We live in a culture that seems to be attempting to redefine everything that God has ordained. This is especially seen in issues of family, marriage, and gender. Our culture as a whole is not just becoming more accepting of a new definition of family but is aggressively pushing this redefinition as good, healthy, and enlightened.” – Ken Ham

Genesis 2:18-24 (ESV)
“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So, the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Matthew 19:3-6 (ESV)
“And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV)
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:18-21 (ESV)
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

The Wife’s Role

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord” – Col. 3:18 (ESV)

Submit = “to arrange under rank… to come up under.”

The Husband’s Role

“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them” – Col. 3:19 (ESV).

“The white noise of cultural confusion has left men insecure and unsure of our manhood. So, we settle for something far less than what God originally intended.” – Mark Batterson

The Children’s Role

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” – Col. 3:20 (ESV)
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents… – Romans 1:28-30 (ESV)

The Parent’s Role

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” – Col. 3:21 (ESV)

You can embitter your child by…
1. … Not Disciplining Them.
2. … Abusing Them or Giving Improper Discipline.
3. … Neglecting Them.
4. … Never Encouraging Them and Showing Them Affection.
5. … Showing Favoritism Toward Other Siblings.

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” – Eph. 6:4 (ESV)

2022-04-10
Gary Habermas

I. Paul’s Preaching of the Gospel Message (1 Cor. 15:1-2)

A. The Gospel Facts

B. Faith

II. The Early Creed(s) in 1 Corinthians 15:3ff

A. Literary Characteristics

B. Early Dates in Paul’s Reception of the Gospel Data (Galatians 1-2)

C. Eyewitness Testimony

D. Empty Tomb

III. The Importance of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:53-58)

A. Endurance

B. Work

C. Conquering Death

2022-03-27

Dr. Ed Hindson

TRBC Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that the return of Christ for all believers is imminent…to be followed by…tribulation and then the coming of Christ to establish His earthly Kingdom.

Seven Prophetic Promises for Every Believer’s Future

1. Rapture

“Dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

Greek, harpazo = “caught up” “snatched up”, “seized”

Taken from one place to another

Timing: Pre-Tribulational

Why? “not appointed to wrath” 1 Thess. 5:9

2. Bride to Father’s House

“My Father’s house has many rooms…I go and prepare a place for you” John 14:2

“You” = Believers (7 times)

Pattern: Jewish Wedding

Betrothal: Groom and Bride

Groom to Father’s House

Bride Remains at Her House

Groom Prepares Room

Father Authorizes Return

Groom Returns for Bride

Bride to Father’s House

3. Judgment Seat of Christ

“For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ…so that each may be repaid…in the body” 2 Corinthians 5:10

Bema Seat: Rewards for Service

4. Marriage of the Lamb

“For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His Bride has made herself ready” Revelation 19:7

Wedding Garment: Fine linen, bright and clean v. 8

5. Triumphal Return

“The armies of heaven were following him…dressed in fine linen, white and clean” Revelation 19:14

6. Millennial Reign

“They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” Revelation 20:1-6

Satan bound in Abyss for 1,000 years

7. Eternal City

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth…Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven” Revelation 21:1-2

Final State of Sinless Glorification

Invitation

Spirit and Bride say: Come!

Revelation 22:17

2022-03-20

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

TRBC Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that at the end of this age the unsaved will be raised and judged according to their works and separated forever from God in hell. The saved, having been raised, will live forever in heaven in fellowship with God.

Jesus spent more time talking about Hell than He did talking about Heaven. Hell is mentioned approximately 160 times in the New Testament and of those, 70 mentions were from Christ Himself. Jesus had to talk about Hell because it is the guaranteed destination for everyone who is ever born because of sin. The purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to provide the alternative to Hell.

Three keys to remember about the Doctrine of Heaven and Hell

1. The Coming Wrath

Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that at the end of this age the unsaved will be raised and judged according to their works and separated forever from God in hell.

Doctrine of Sin…they are therefore subject to eternal punishment, under the just condemnation of a holy God.

Matthew 22:12-13 (NKJV) Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. ¹³ Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 25:41 (NKJV) Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’

Rev 20:14-15 (NKJV) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Matthew 25:46 (NKJV) And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’

2. The Promised Path

Doctrinal Statement: The saved, having been raised, will live forever in heaven in fellowship with God.

Doctrine of Salvation: …The believer is declared righteous, born again by the Holy Spirit, turned from sin, and assured of heaven.

John 14:1-3 (NKJV) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Rev 21:3-5 (NKJV) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

3. So, Let’s Do the Math

Doctrine of Salvation: … assured of heaven

Col 3:1-4 (NKJV) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

2022-03-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that human beings were directly created, not evolved, in the very image of God. As reasoning moral agents, they are responsible under God for understanding and governing themselves and the world. Adam, the first man, willfully disobeyed God, bringing sin and death into the world. As a result, all persons are sinners from conception, which is evidenced in their willful acts of sin; and they are therefore subject to eternal punishment, under the just condemnation of a holy God.

1. How we got here

Doctrinal Statement: We affirm that human beings were directly created, not evolved…

Gen. 1:26-27 (NKJV) Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

• Three views
  • Atheistic Evolution – random event which produced everything
  • Theistic Evolution – Deity used evolution to bring about everything
  • Special Creation – Genesis 1; God spoke the world into existence in six literal days
    • Day – yom
    • Uses of “yom” in Genesis and in other parts of Scripture refer to a 24 hour day. (So the evening and the morning were…)
    • Exodus 20:11 – “in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them and rested on the seventh day.”[1]
    • Why does it matter? Because if God did not create as recorded in Genesis, all of the Bible must be called into question.

2. How we were created

Doctrinal Statement: …in the very image of God.

Genesis 1:26b …Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…

• In God’s image – at creation, we were given similar characteristics as God
  • Ability to think
  • Emotion
  • Free will
• In God’s likeness – at creation, we were made holy, without sin
  • We have lost this element through our sin
  • But, we retain spiritual likeness through salvation
  • We receive character likeness through sanctification
  • We will receive physical likeness at glorification[2]

3. Why we were created

Doctrinal Statement: As reasoning moral agents, they are responsible under God for understanding and governing themselves and the world.

Rev. 4:9-11 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ¹¹ “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

• we were created for His glory
• to reflect His image
• and to carry out His work

4. How we messed it all up

Doctrinal Statement: Adam, the first man, willfully disobeyed God, bringing sin and death into the world. As a result, all persons are sinners from conception, which is evidenced in their willful acts of sin…

Gen. 3:1a Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made

• Satan devised a plan to tempt man into sin
• Humanity gave into that temptation

Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.

• God devised a plan to redeem man – Jesus

5. God’s great plan of redemption

Doctrinal Statement: …and they are therefore subject to eternal punishment, under the just condemnation of a holy God.

Rom. 5:8-11 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. ¹¹ And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Rom. 5:18-19 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

What we believe about mankind?

1. God created with a purpose
2. Man fell to temptation
3. God established a plan of redemption
4. When man accepts and believes in this plan, he is reconciled to God for all eternity

[1] https://www.icr.org/article/meaning-day-genesis/

[2] Foundational Doctrines of the Faith, Elmer Towns, pg. 63.