2021-05-09

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations as a poem of grief over the destruction of the city of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the city, the temple and the homeland Jeremiah loved. Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, wrote this “lament” in distress over what had happened to his great city, but also as a reminder of the faithfulness of God.

Lamentations 1:2 (CSB) She weeps bitterly during the night, with tears on her cheeks. There is no one to offer her comfort, not one from all her lovers. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies

There are moments in life when everything seems to be out of control. These are times when we feel the turmoil is too much, the pain too great, the hurt overwhelming. There is no help to be found.

Lamentations 3:52-54 (CSB) For no reason, my enemies hunted me like a bird. ⁵³ They smothered my life in a pit and threw stones on me. ⁵⁴ Water flooded over my head, and I thought, “I’m going to die!”

But in those moments, it is important to remember who our God really is and what He has promised. It is, at those times, comforting to know we can cry out to Him and He always answers.

The Right Cry for Help

Lamentations 3:55-66 (CSB) I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. ⁵⁶ You heard my plea: Do not ignore my cry for relief. ⁵⁷ You came near whenever I called you; you said, “Do not be afraid.” ⁵⁸ You championed my cause, Lord; you redeemed my life. ⁵⁹ Lord, you saw the wrong done to me; judge my case. ⁶⁰ You saw all their vengefulness, all their plots against me. ⁶¹ Lord, you heard their insults, all their plots against me. ⁶² The slander and murmuring of my opponents attack me all day long. ⁶³ When they sit and when they rise, look, I am mocked by their songs. ⁶⁴ You will pay them back what they deserve, Lord, according to the work of their hands. ⁶⁵ You will give them a heart filled with anguish. May your curse be on them! ⁶⁶ You will pursue them in anger and destroy them under your heavens.

1. Our first turn should be to Him

Vs 55 I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit.

• The key in this middle passage of the book of Jeremiah is that the Lord is our only source of hope and deliverance
• No matter how desperate things might seem, God is always with us

2. His promise is absolute

Vss 56-57 You heard my plea: Do not ignore my cry for relief. ⁵⁷ You came near whenever I called you; you said, “Do not be afraid.”

• This is one of the greatest reminders of help found in the Scriptures

This passage echoes the promise found in Psalm 23 – “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

Vs 56 (NKJV) You have heard my voice: “Do not hide Your ear From my sighing, from my cry for help.”

• Two types of prayer – “sighing” and “cry”
• the sigh of a prayer silently breathed forth, and the loud, earnest cry (compare “prayer,” “secret speech,” Is 26:16, Margin; with “cry aloud,” Ps 55:17).^[1]

^[1] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 564.

Psalm 55:17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice

1 Peter 5:7    casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you

3. He will do the heavy lifting

Vss 58-61 You championed my cause, Lord; you redeemed my life. ⁵⁹ Lord, you saw the wrong done to me; judge my case. ⁶⁰ You saw all their vengefulness, all their plots against me. ⁶¹ Lord, you heard their insults, all their plots against me.

• It is not our job to get back at those who have hurt us, our job is to trust

Romans 12:19 (NKJV) Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,^, says the Lord

4. Nothing is too hard for Him

Lamentations 3:22-25 (CSB) Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! ²⁴ I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” ²⁵ The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him.

• Each day, God promises to give us what we need in a new and refreshing way
• There is never anything you will ever face for which God doesn’t promise to give you the strength you need to make it through

Jeremiah 29:13 (CSB) You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart

2021-04-11

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, we being a new series entitled…WISE WORDS. Over the coming weeks we will be spending time studying what’s called the Wisdom Books. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon; all written by the wisest man to ever live. While in the Bible they are found in the order above, in our series we are going to walk through these books in the order in which they were written. Solomon wrote his Songs when he was young and in love. He wrote Proverbs as he enjoyed the wisdom God granted to him in middle age. He wrote Ecclesiastes as an old man after having seen the consequences of carelessness and disobedience.

For our example, A love …

1. Of overwhelming desire

Song of Solomon 1:7 (CSB) Tell me, you, the one I love: Where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you let them rest at noon? Why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions?

• She longed to find Solomon even if it meant she would have to search for him which was unexpected of a “daughter of Jerusalem”
• She was afraid some would accuse her of being a “wanderer” among the shepherds which would infer a promiscuous woman and she wanted to avoid this completely
• There are many who wander today looking for “their love” but because the object of their desire is not clearly defined, they wander aimlessly (2 Tim 3; 2 Tim 4; Eph 4)
• Our love for God must be clearly focused on Him and nothing else

Song of Solomon 2:14 My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

• Here, Solomon longs for her yet in his words he speaks as if she was unreachable
• But his desire was unmistakable

2. That gives completely

Song of Solomon 4:6-7 Before the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will make my way to the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincense. ⁷You are absolutely beautiful, my darling, with no imperfection in you.

• This is a statement focusing on the consummation of their marriage, of wanting to be completely hers and her being completely his. This is something that is to be treasured between husband and wife alone.
• In today’s culture, so much of this has been thrown out as not being important.
• Yet, God’s ideal for marriage is vitally important.
• And, God’s ideal for our response to Him is even more important.

3. That overcomes

Song of Solomon 5:6-9 I opened to my love, but my love had turned and gone away. I was crushed that he had left. I sought him, but did not find him. I called him, but he did not answer. ⁷The guards who go about the city found me. They beat and wounded me;  they took my cloak from me— the guardians of the walls. ⁸Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you: if you find my love, tell him that I am lovesick. ⁹What makes the one you love better than another, most beautiful of women? What makes him better than another, that you would give us this charge?

• The woman here gives a statement of loss yet her love has not weakened
• We must stand fully committed to not letting the difficulties of life separate us from the love of God.

Song of Solomon 6:1 Where has your love gone, most beautiful of women? Which way has he turned? We will seek him with you.

4. That lasts

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death;  ardent love is as unrelenting as Sheol. Love’s flames are fiery flames — the fiercest of all. ⁷Mighty waters cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all his wealth for love, it would be utterly scorned.

• The image given here is of the kind of love that cannot be defeated or destroyed
• Today, love is looked at as something that can easily be discarded or dismissed at the first sign of trouble.
• God has given us a clear directive…LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13:7-8a (NKJV) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never fails.

2021-01-31

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

In the book of Numbers, God is preparing His people for the fulfillment of His promise to them. Yet, God’s people are impatient, skeptical, disobedient and rebellious. Sounds familiar.

Numbers 11:1 CSB “Now the people began complaining openly before the Lord about hardship. When the Lord heard, his anger burned, and fire from the Lord blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.”

Their complaints seemed to be unending:

• Numbers 11 Hardship
• Numbers 11 Food
• Numbers 12 Moses
• Numbers 13-14 The Promised Land
• Numbers 16 Moses and Aaron
• Numbers 20 Water
• Numbers 21 Food and Water

But throughout the rebellion, the complaining, the criticism, God remained faithful to His promise.

Numbers 23:7-10 CSB Balaam proclaimed his poem: Balak brought me from Aram; the king of Moab, from the eastern mountains: “Come, put a curse on Jacob for me; come, denounce Israel!” ⁸ How can I curse someone God has not cursed? How can I denounce someone the Lord has not denounced? ⁹ I see them from the top of rocky cliffs, and I watch them from the hills. There is a people living alone; it does not consider itself among the nations. ¹⁰ Who has counted the dust of Jacob or numbered the dust clouds of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright; let the end of my life be like theirs.

Numbers 23:17-24 CSB So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the officials of Moab. Balak asked him, “What did the Lord say?” ¹⁸ Balaam proclaimed his poem: Balak, get up and listen; son of Zippor, pay attention to what I say! ¹⁹ God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind. Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill? ²⁰ I have indeed received a command to bless; since He has blessed, I cannot change it. ²¹ He considers no disaster for Jacob; He sees no trouble for Israel. The Lord their God is with them, and there is rejoicing over the King among them. ²² God brought them out of Egypt; He is like the horns of a wild ox for them. ²³ There is no magic curse against Jacob and no divination against Israel. It will now be said about Jacob and Israel, “What great things God has done!” ²⁴ A people rise up like a lioness; They rouse themselves like a lion. They will not lie down until they devour the prey and drink the blood of the slain.

Numbers 24:5-9 CSB How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. ⁶ The stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the Lord has planted, like cedars beside the water. ⁷ Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. ⁸ God brought him out of Egypt; He is like the horns of a wild ox for them. He will feed on enemy nations and gnaw their bones; he will strike them with his arrows. ⁹ He crouches, he lies down like a lion or a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Those who bless you will be blessed, and those who curse you will be cursed.

1. Regardless of what others might say, if God is for you who can be against you

Numbers 23:8 How can I curse someone God has not cursed? How can I denounce someone the Lord has not denounced?

• We may be constantly under attack, but if we are focused on God’s will and plan for our lives, nothing can stop us and nothing can destroy us

Romans 8:31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

2. Regardless of our disobedience, God can always be trusted

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes His mind. Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?

• Even when we stray from God’s ideal, which we will, God still is on our side

3. Regardless of the ugliness of our actions, God still sees beauty

Numbers 24:5-6 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwellings, Israel. ⁶ The stretch out like river valleys, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the Lord has planted, like cedars beside the water.

• God never stops seeing us for who we are, people He loves and people for whom Jesus died

4. Regardless of our past, God has secured our future

Numbers 24: 7 Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.

1 Peter 1:3-4 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ⁴ and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

2020-12-24

Luke 2:1-14 (KJV) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. ⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.

Luke 1:30-33 (KJV) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. ³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. ³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

1. God Became Man

Vs 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

2. But He Never Ceased to be God

Vs 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest

and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David

3. He Reigned Then, He Reigns Now, He will Reign Forever

Vs 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end

Luke 1:35 (NKJV) that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:37 (NKJV) For with God nothing will be impossible.

2020-12-13

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Isaiah 9:6-7a For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of Hisgovernment and peace There will be no end…

1. He redefines hope

Vs 6b And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

• Wonderful – Greater than we can imagine
• Counselor – A guide for our daily struggles
• Mighty God – His divine nature cannot be diminished
• Everlasting Father – His eternal care for His children
• Prince of Peace – the very definition of hope; finally at peace

2. His hope has no end

Vs 7a Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end…

• This is not referring to an earthly government, this is referring to His eternal Kingdom which will come ONE DAY
• This Kingdom will be one of eternal peace

This promise implies that no one will be able to successfully oppose his authority or undermine the positive effects of his government.^[1]

3. His hope has a catch

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 8 – The Son of Man

John 4 – Messiah

John 8 – Light of the World – you will never walk in darkness

John 8 – I AM

John 10 – the Gate – whoever enters through me will be saved

John 10 – the Good Shepherd – He knows us

John 11 – the Resurrection and the Life

John 13 – Our Lord

John 14 – Way, Truth and Life

Rev 1 – The First and the Last

Rev 22 – the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end

^[1] Gary V. Smith, Isaiah 1–39, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, The New American Commentary (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2007), 242.

2020-11-29
Charles Billingsley

Introduction:

In 1944, Corrie Ten Boom, her sister Betsie, and their father Casper, were placed in a Nazi prison for giving refuge to Jewish people during WWII.  You can read the full story in her famous biography called The Hiding Place.  Eventually, Corrie and Betsie ended up in the Ravensbruck Concentration Camp for women.  While they were imprisoned at Ravensbruck, Betsie and Corrie would lead a Bible study each evening with a single copy of a smuggled Bible. Through their genuine love for the other prisoners, they would end up leading many of them to faith in Christ.

However, Betsie’s health deteriorated quickly while in those horrible conditions, and she died on December 16, 1944 at the age of 59.  Before she died, and in a particularly hard time while being ravished by the cold and tortured with starvation, she told Corrie,”There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.” Corrie held on to those words of hope from her sister.  Then suddenly, twelve days later, Corrie was released. Afterwards, she was told that her release was because of a clerical error and that a week later, all the women in her age group were sent to the gas chambers.

Even in the midst of the worst of conditions, Corrie and Betsie never gave up hope.

Hope is the life preserver of our souls when it seems that all is lost.

But before we go any further, lets define it.

What is Hope?

Tertullian said that “Hope is patience with the lamp lit.”

Or maybe I could say it this way:
“Hope is the Motel 6 of virtues:  It always leaves the light on.”

One thing is for sure… We cannot live without hope.

Max Lucado put it this way: “Biblical hope is not wishful thinking.
It is the unshakable confidence that God can be trusted.  It is the belief that God is always at work for our good.  It is the assurance that God’s promises are true even while we wait for their fulfillment. Because our hope is certain, we wait patiently, not fretfully, trusting that God is already at work to provide the light we seek, the help we need, and the deliverance we long for.”

Jesus is the light we seek.
Jesus is the help we need.
Jesus is the deliverance we long for.

This Hope is thrilling because of the confidence and the salvation that it brings.  It is NOT a false hope.  This is a hope that is based on absolute truth!

This is the kind of hope that only God can give us.  why? because God keeps His promises!

1. Hope Revealed – In the promise of the Christ

There are 332 passages in the Old Testament that scholars recognize as prophesies of the first coming of the Messiah.

Many of these have to do specifically with His birth.

Take for instance – Isaiah 7:14  -Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

It was fulfilled in Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His nameJesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

He is Jesus by name.  But He is Immanuel by nature.  He is God with Us.

A few things you need to know about The Incarnate God –
1. The incarnation was not the beginning of Christ. Jesus has always been.  He didn’t just suddenly appear 2,000 years ago as a baby. He’s been here from the beginning.  He is creator God.
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 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. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 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.
Don’t ever forget that Jesus is creator, ruler, master, and authority over ALL things!!  He always has been and always will be!! He IS King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

2. The incarnation fulfilled prophesy.

3. The Mega Millions had a $1.6 billon jackpot in October 2018, and the odds of winning it were merely 1 in 302,575,350

Peter Stone’s mathematical calculations determined that the chances of Jesus fulfilling just 8 of the 332 prophesies about his first coming is 1 in 10 to the 17th power.  (Silver Dollar analogy I gave last year) Thats a 1 with 17 0’s behind it.

And what if he fulfilled just 48 of the 332?  The chances of that are 1 in 10 to the 57th power!!!  And yet Christ fulfilled them all!  How?   Because he wrote all the prophesies!

4. The incarnation is necessary for salvation. Salvation comes through Christ alone by way of the cross and HIs resurrection . None of us know why this is God’s plan, but it is.  And certainly none of us, if we were delivering a savior to a broken world, would send him in the form of a helpless, peasant baby.  And yet, this is exactly what God has done.
Jesus removed His robes of royalty, purposefully stepped away from the glory of heaven where He was being attended to by legions of Angels, where He was sitting on a throne of splendor and majesty, where He was omnipotent and omnipresent, and chose to confine Himself to flesh – and humbled himself and became a person.

Philippians 2:7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
He willingly stepped away from His majestic throne and into our messy home.

And what a mess it was!
It had been 400 years since anyone had heard from God.  He was silent.  This is known as the Intertestamental period.   There is no record where God spoke through any prophets.  There was no Biblical book written in that time.  No one heard God’s voice. He was, of course present, but He did not manifest His presence. He was not dead….but He was silent.  So the world lie in wait.

So He did all this in just the right way at just the right time.

My friend Chris Rice summed it up well in his song Welcome to Our World:

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don’t mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven’s silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Immanuel was here…..God was now with us.  And he would grow and experience the highs and lows of everyday life.  Fully God…yet fully human.

Jesus gets you!   He truly gets you!  And He came because he wants to help you get out of your mess!! He wants to give you hope!

He is Immanuel – God WITH Us.

But He is also God FOR us!

Romans 15:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 Now may the God of hope fill YOU with ALL joy and peace in believing, that YOU may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

What an incredible Christmas gift of YOU!  God is FOR you!

2. Hope Revealed – In the power of the Cross

Romans 8:31 – What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What the cross reveals to us is just how much God truly LOVES us!  He loves us so much that He came and died for our mess. Nothing can diminish the Love of God for us.

John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

So you can’t earn this salvation. You can’t buy this hope.  You can’t lease it for a little while.  It’s permanent, but it only through the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

So what??? What does any of this have to do with us today? Everything!!!  Because the cross is just as powerful and life changing now as it has ever been.

You may find yourself in a desperate situation today…lost and in a pit of despair.

The lure of wealth
the temptation of sex/relationships
the enticement of addictive substances.

but then there’s Jesus… revealed as the promised Christ…gets down into the pit with you….
wraps his loving arms around you and holds you with his nail scarred hands and says “come unto me….I love you and gave my life for you!

The overwhelming message of Christmas is simply this:
You are loved !!

No matter who you are or what you’ve done…you are loved.

Corrie Ten Boom never forgot that statement:  “There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.”

God is always with you
God is always for you

You need to remember that today.

You also need to remember this:

There is no darkness dark enough where the light of Jesus can’t illuminate your soul.

There is no distance far enough that God’s loving arms can’t reach around you.

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

1. Hope Revealed – in the promise of the Christ –
He jumped into our mess

2. Hope Revealed – in the power of the Cross –
He died for our mess

3. Hope Revealed – In the presence of HIs Coming –
Remember I mentioned 332 prophesies are about his first coming.
Did you know that there are literally more than 1800 Biblical references to His second coming!!  And if Jesus fulfilled all 332 prophesies about His first coming, you better believe the prophesies about what is yet to come are going to happen.  That’s biblical hope…hope with an unshakeable confidence that

One day He will take us out of this mess!

Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Peter 1:3 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

2020-11-15

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

1 John 1:1-4 (NLT) We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. ² This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

1. Jesus has always been the only Way

1:1a We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning…

• At a time when everyone is looking for anything that can bring joy, peace and contentment; the answer is still the same…Jesus
• John clearly wanted to point people to Christ for he knew the hope we needed was in Christ alone

2. Jesus became like us to save us

1:1b … whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.

• Some false teachers at the time were declaring that Jesus wasn’t really fully man when He was on earth
• John is reaffirming the Incarnation of Christ. Jesus was fully man and fully God which was necessary to fulfill His mission

3. Jesus came to give us life

1:2b … And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.

• John also reaffirms the statement Jesus made in John 14:6
• He also states that Jesus has always been and will always be

Rev. 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”

4. Jesus came to bring us home

1 John 5:20-21 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. ²¹ Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

• Jesus has come
• He has revealed truth and hope
• He has given us the opportunity through his resurrection to have fellowship with God
• HE has given us the promise of Heaven
• So, why do we run from Him?

2020-11-01

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Tribalism – “tribalism is the attitude and practice of harboring such a strong feeling of loyalty or bonds to one’s tribe that one excludes or even demonizes those ‘others’ who do not belong to that group”[1]or; 2) often disapproving : loyalty to a tribe or other social group especially when combined with strong negative feelings for people outside the group.[2]

Racism – 1) “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capabilities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”[3]

There are varying types of tribalism. It can come from Northerners and Southerners, it can come from ethnic or racial bounds. It can flow from political differences. Obviously, it can flow from political or belief systems. Regardless of its foundations, tribalism when it is taken to the extreme, is always damaging and always sin.

Luke 10:25-37 (CSB) Just then an expert in the law stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ “What is written in the law?” He asked him. “How do you read it?” ²⁷ He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. ²⁸ “You’ve answered correctly,” He told him. “Do this and you will live.” ²⁹ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ³⁰ Jesus took up the question and said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. ³⁴ He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’³⁶ “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” ³⁷ “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”

The monumental question in this passage is found in verse 29:  And who is my neighbor?

“Before the question ‘Who is my neighbor?’ at the beginning of time was the question ‘Am I my brother’s keeper’ [Cain]? The answer was and is ‘YES’.”Genesis 4:9

The answer Jesus gave: vs 37 “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”

1. The only way to truly love your neighbor begins in your personal relationship with Christ

Vs 27 He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind

2. Loving your neighbor never develops in passivity

Vss 31-32 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

3. Loving your neighbor always requires being active

Vs 33a But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him…

4. Loving your neighbor always requires reflecting God’s love

1 Cor. 13:4-8 (CSB) Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, ⁵ does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. ⁶ Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. ⁷ It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never ends.

Vs 33b …and when he saw the man, he had compassion.

5. Loving your neighbor does not mean having to sacrifice your beliefs or Biblical truth

• “We can DISAGREE – but we should not be DIVIDED”
• “Bottom line – are you aChrist follower? Then we are in ONE tribe – God’s! Eph 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit —just as you were called to one hope at your calling— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

[1]Nothwehr D. M., 2008, That They May Be One,Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY, p. 5

[2]English Language Learners Dictionary

[3]Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2014

2020-10-18 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Matthew 20:20-28 (CSB) Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached Him with her sons. She knelt down to ask Him for something. ²¹ “What do you want?” He asked her. “Promise,” she said to Him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and the other on Your left, in Your kingdom.” ²² But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” “We are able,” they said to Him. ²³ He told them, “You will indeed drink My cup. But to sit at My right and left is not Mine to give; instead, it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”  ²⁴ When the 10 disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers. ²⁵ But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. ²⁶ It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”

1. The desire for status

Vs 21b “Promise,” she said to Him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and the other on Your left, in Your kingdom.”

• She may have been made aware of what Jesus said in Matthew 19:28 that the
  twelve “would sit on twelve thrones, judging the tribes of Israel”
• She was advocating that her sons have the most important spots, the right and the left
• Today, things are no different. Many times, we all angle for positions and status in order to convey the image of greatness and power

2. An empty pursuit

Vs 22 But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”

• Jesus clearly conveyed they had a false sense of what greatness is
• They answered in the second part of the verse, “we are able” but they had no idea Jesus was speaking of His death on the cross
• Jesus used these words to convey the path to greatness is not found in status, it is found in serving

Matthew 23:11-12 The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

3. The right way

Vss 25-27 But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. ²⁶ It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”

• Jesus used the contrast between the world’s rulers and what Jesus said was true greatness
• The world’s rulers abused their power and abused their people with their status
• Jesus clearly gave the order, “it must not be like that among you”
• Jesus is our example

Stuart Weber said, “The person who is truly great, by heaven’s definition, is the one who chooses an attitude of submission to others in the family of believers.^[1]”

^[1]Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 324.

Phil. 2:3-8 (CSB) Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. ⁷ Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, ⁸ He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.

2020-10-04

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

1. “Lovers of Themselves”– vs 2a

• The exact opposite of God’s plan
• Matt. 22:37-39 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lordyour God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’³⁸ This is thefirst and great commandment. ³⁹ Andthesecond islike it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
• Knute Larson said,

“When we fall in love with ourselves, our own appetites consume our souls. We become our own lover, pandering to that solitary “i” which must, of necessity, dismiss all threats and counterclaims to our affections. Everything from thoughts to possessions must be lavished upon the one we love—ourselves.^[1]”

2. The result of messing up God’s plan

Vss 2b – 4a lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty,

• When we fixate on self rather than focus on God, the inevitable result is abuse of everything, and everyone, around us
• We elevate self over others. We criticize, gossip, attack, and turn on even those closest to us, because our ultimate goal is feeding the appetite of self

Ecc. 2:9-11 (NLT) So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. ¹⁰ Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. ¹¹ But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.

3. A false worship

Vs 4b – 5 lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

• Thomas Lea says it this way, “Because they loved themselves, they also loved sensual pleasures. They were controlled by the quest for the thrill of pleasure. Given a choice, they would always please themselves rather than God^[2]”
• Hypocritical faith never leads to Godliness
• God calls us to reject those who are “lovers of pleasure”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

^[1]Knute Larson, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, vol. 9, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 301.

^[2]Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 225–226.

2020-09-20

Hebrews 3:12–13 (HCSB) Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. ¹³ But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.

1. Spiritual Awareness In An Ungodly World

Vs 12a Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart

• We are living in a dangerous time in history
• Apathy towards, or ignorance of, God’s Word during these days can only result in a negative heart change

2. A Breaking Away From God

Vs 12b …that departs from the living God.

• A lack of intentionality as it relates to our faith will lead to moving away from God
• Humans don’t naturally drift towards righteousness

3. Better Together

Vs 13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.

• Corrie Ten Boom said, “When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy.”[1]

• Gene Getz stated, “Though true Christianity uniquely involves a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is also a corporate experience…Christians cannot grow spiritually as they ought to in isolation from one another.”[2]

Acts 2:46–47 (HCSB) Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

[1]Corrie Ten Boom, https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/christian-fellowship.html

[2]Encouraging One Another, Victor Books, 1985, p. 10.

2020-09-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

1. The Confidence of the Believer

Vss 20-21 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God,

• “new” – made possible by Christ’s death
• “living” – because of His resurrection
• “way” – the path by which we must walk

– Jesus called Himself the WAY in John 14:6

– Early Christians described their newfound faith as “people of the way”

2. The Closeness of the Believer

Vs 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

• “true heart” – absolute commitment to our faith, not hypocrisy
• “full assurance of our faith” – confidence as discussed in the previous verse
• “hearts sprinkled” – continual and constant confession of our sins

3. The Consistency of the Believer

Vs 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

• We must continue to hold tightly to the promise we have in Christ

“Faith reposes completely in the love of God: Hope vividly anticipates that God will fulfill His promises in a particular way”^[1]– Westcott

4. The Commitment of the Believer

Vs 24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

a. We have a responsibility, not only to Christ, but to each other

b. This responsibility includes:

i. Encouragement

ii. Serving

iii. Gathering

iv. Exhorting

‘The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.’^[2]– John Wesley

It is interesting that this kind of love is thus a product of community activity, for it is a virtue that requires others for its exercise. One may practice faith or hope alone, but not love.^[3]– Leon Morris

^[1]Leon Morris, “Hebrews,”in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 104.

^[2]Raymond Brown, The Message of Hebrews: Christ above All, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 186–187.

^[3]Leon Morris, “Hebrews,”in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 105.

2020-08-23

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

1 Timothy 4:11-13 (CSB) Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

1. Example

• Tu-POS– an image left

• We are called to be an example to those around us as a follower of Christ

• This does not happen by accident or default

• Claiming the name of Christ doesn’t automatically result in being an example for Christ

2. Speech

• The words we use are always a picture of what lies beneath

Matthew 12:34 (NKJV) “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

• If our heart is full of worldliness, our mouths will speak it

The principle is to pursue Christ so diligently that the inner spirit is purified, producing only good and appropriate things to say. The same is true of our outward acts, our lifestyle.^[1]– Knute Larson

3. Conduct

• Our actions should match our faith

• Timothy would have been looked on with suspicion, he had to prove the words he spoke by the life he lived

Phil. 1:27 (CSB) Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel

• 1 Peter 2:12 tells us to live in such a way that even the unbelievers around us will notice holiness

4. Love

• As followers of Christ, we do not have the luxury of hate

• First century Christians could have ignored and hated the non-Jews but they would have been disobeying God had they done so

• When we as followers of Christ dismiss others based on their status, position, color or beliefs…not only do we dishonor them, we dishonor God

• 1 Corinthians 13 is how we are to love

5. Faith

• Pistis – conviction of truth

• We must hold fast to truth, not our truth but God’s

6. Purity

• Cleanliness

• Sexual purity

1 Cor. 6:18-20 (CSB) Run from sexual immorality! “Every sin a person can commit is outside the body.” On the contrary, the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

Vs 14 – Don’t neglect what God gave you

^[1]Knute Larson, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, vol. 9, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 207.

2020-08-09

Charles Billingsley

Psalm 46 

1 God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

1. God’s Presence is with Us.  

46 God is our refuge  – He is who we can run to.  It is in Him that we find our shelter and rest.  

Golf story – Craig, Cindy, Shae and Me – We found refuge under that tree…And in God…we find refuge under the shadow of His wings.  

Psalm 36:7 (NKJV)

How precious is your lovingkindness, O God!

Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings.  

To take refuge in the Lord means we are now under His protection, His care, His watch.  And it also means this is where we can find rest.   But not only do we find God is our refuge, He is also our strength. 

and strength –  He will bear your burdens.  

Psalm 55:22 – Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you…

1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 

Psalm 59:9 – I will wait for You, O you His strength; For God is my defense.  

God is strong enough to handle any problem you’ve got!  

A very present help in trouble. – Not past, not future….but present!   VERY present.  He is the right now God for your right now problem.   God’s presence is with us!  

2. We Have Nothing to Fear 

2 Therefore we will not fear – This is the resolve we must have as children of God.  With Covid 19 on the increase, riots everywhere, racial tension, cultural unrest, political wars, terrorist attacks, this is one of the craziest and most volatile periods in our nation’s history!   But we have NO reason to Fear.  

In the Presence of God, there is no room for the child of God to fear anything! 

And as a child of God, you are always in the presence of God! 

The Holy Spirit resides within you.  He is your comforter and your protector.  And until God is through with you, you are invincible.  

WE will not fear…. 

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Gives us the picture of a volcano erupting  Or of a mass of land crashing into the sea…which would cause a tsunami.  

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, – Tsunami or even a hurricane

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. or an Earthquake 

The Psalmist is saying that no matter what natural disasters may occur, no matter how terrible, we will not fear.  No matter what catastrophe comes our way – from cancer to covid, from tornadoes to terrorist attacks, and from pandemics to protests, God’s presence is with us and we have nothing to fear.  

Selah –  Like a rest in music.  An intentional pause.  It means  “There ……what do you think about that.”   

3. God’s Spirit is in us

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

It’s interesting how a central theme of the Bible is rivers.  And the Bible is bookended with references to rivers.  

Gen. 2:10 –  Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.

Revelation 22:1-2 – And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

It appears as though one day there will be a river that flows from the throne of God in the New Jerusalem.     

But there is no river that currently flows through Jerusalem.  And yet, it is the City of God.  Or might the psalmist be referencing not just a place, but also people?   A city is not just buildings…it is the people who make up the real heart of the city.  

John 4 – the samaritan woman at the well – Jesus tells her:

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” 

Rivers bring life.  Rivers bring hope. The ultimate hope is found in the life giving grace of Jesus.  Do you know Him today?  

4. We have nothing to flee

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 

  God is always there, and He is always on time.  Though it may seem dark and lonely and desperate, God will bring hope and help just at the break of dawn.  He is in our midst as we move throughout our work place. 

So take heart……you have nothing to flee! 

The Gulf Stream

Did you know There is a river in the ocean?  It is actually the largest and one of the fastest moving rivers in the world.   In a drought it never fails, and in a flood it never overflows. It begins in the Gulf of Mexico off the southern tip of Florida and ends in the Arctic Ocean.  

We have this amazing opportunity as the church.  As we live and move in this ocean of humanity, we have the awesome opportunity to bring the love and grace and mercy and message of Christ to the world.  Throughout history the church has influenced society and government and education. This has to continue.  We must continue to be a calm voice of reason in the midst of a turbulent time in our culture.  

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; – this is not the first pandemic.  this is certainly not the first or the last time we will have cultural unrest or riots or violence.  That stuff was happening in this day too! Nations are raging and kingdoms are moving,  But God doesn’t move. 

He uttered His voice, the earth melted. – The earth and all that is in it…every nation, every kingdom, every culture, all the technology, all the people…it is all but putty in His hands.  God is sovereign and in control.  All of it was created by the utterance of HIs voice…and all of it can go away with the same voice.  

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. 

Selah

On 31 October 1517, Luther posted his historic Ninety-five Theses, launching his defiant protest against the abuses of the Catholic church in Rome. This decisive act became the hinge upon which history turned. And at the very core of this Protestant movement were the Psalms, which continued to play a defining role throughout Luther’s life and ministry.  Luther referred to the Psalms as ‘the Bible in miniature’.

Luther would later write a paraphrase of Psalm 46, and it would become his most famous hymn.  A Mighty Fortress is our God.  

I believe we, too, can draw  strength and encouragement from this Psalm.  Meditate on it.  Marinate in it.  Let the words of this Psalm speak deep into your soul until the fear in your heart disappears and you able to float freely and boldly in the river of God’s presence and power, His mercy and grace.  

God’s presence is with us, so we have nothing to fear. 

God’s Spirit is within us, so we have nothing to flee. 

As we close the service today, i would ask you to stand and let’s sing this great old hymn together.   

A mighty fortress is our God,

A bulwark never failing.

Our helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe.

His craft and power are great,

And, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing,

Were not the right man on our side,

The man of God’s own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He.

Lord Sabboth, his name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him.

His rage we can endure,

For lo, his doom is sure.

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers

Not thanks to them, abideth.

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also.

The body they may kill,

God’s truth abideth still.

His kingdom is forever…

2020-07-26 

Key Verse: James 5:8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

1. Motives Matter(vss 1-6)

1 Come now, yourich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!² Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. ⁴ Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. ⁵ You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

• The possession of wealth is not evil. Abusing wealth by selfish living and by harming people dependent on you, is. These people seem to have used their wealth only for themselves.^[1]
• We have focused our journey, not on serving and loving God, but serving and loving self
• James delivers a clear condemnation of the act of selfishness in these verses
• What are you living for?

^[1]Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 340.

2. Patience is a Virtue(vss 7-12)

⁷ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See howthe farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. ⁸ You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! ¹⁰ My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended bythe Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.¹² But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your“No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

• The farmer must trust God to bring what cannot be created…rain
• We must work diligently while fully trusting God in every circumstance
• And, when things don’t go our way, we don’t complain, we trust
• Live as a clear representative of truth which flows from God

3. The Proper Posture of Prayer(vss 13-18)

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess yourtrespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

• Often times, our prayers fall short. Not because God doesn’t answer but because we don’t ask correctly.
• When we suffer, we pray with faith (vs 13)
• When we prosper, we praise with faith (vs 13)
• These verses underscore the importance of prayer
• Verse 15 is a portrait of healing. God always heals…from sickness and sin.
• Verse 16 is a crash course in praying right

4. The Power of Purpose(vss 19-20)

¹⁹ Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

• Some of the most encouraging verses in Scripture
• There is always hope
• There are some of us who have drifted away from righteousness for a myriad of reasons
• God will always welcome us back

2020-07-12

Charles Billingsley

The human tongue only weighs a few ounces, but what a powerful weapon it is.  it is not just used for swallowing.  Without it, we cannot form words. We have to have a tongue in order to talk.  And those who are most convincing with their talk, rule the world.  It is the tongue that is perhaps the most potent weapon on earth because it has the power to sway the heart and manipulate the mind.

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

When we can’t hold back, or set boundaries, on what comes from our lips, our words are in charge-not us. But we are still responsible for those words. Our words do not come from somewhere outside of us, as if we were a ventriloquist’s dummy. They are the product of our hearts. Our saying, “I didn’t mean that,” is probably better translated, “I didn’t want you to know I thought that about you.” We need to take responsibility for our words. “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matt. 12:36). – Henry Cloud

⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

What does the Bible have to say about all this? a great deal!!!

^{Proverbs 26: 20 (ESV)}

Fire goes out without wood,

and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

Proverbs 20:19 

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 16:28 (ESV)

A dishonest man spreads strife,

and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever refrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 17:27-28

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,

and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;

when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

^{James 3:7-12}

⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) – There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

1. We put feet to our faith by what we say

A. Be careful what you say

B. Be careful how you say it

We must learn how to communicate – and remember, Communication is not just what we say…..it is what they are hearing!  You can say things in a certain way, but depending on how you say it…it can be misconstrued and taken wrongly…and suddenly you’ve offended someone and didn’t even know it.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Four things you can’t recover from your words:

1. the word after it’s been said

2. the blow after it’s been delivered

3. the pain from the blow

4. the scar that it leaves

C. Be careful when you say it

Proverbs 15:23 (NLT) – Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time

James 1:19 – “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.”

The maturity of our speech is the mark of maturity in our life. 

Psalm 141:3 (ESV) – Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Be careful with what you say, how you say it, and when you say it!

2. 2. We put feet to our faith by what we sow

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

A.  Live in wisdom 

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

B. Live in peace

¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Romans 10:9 (ESV) – ” if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Remember Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and Life are in the Power of the tongue.”

Our faith is fleshed out in what we say and what we do.  

Faith without works is dead.  Words without works are useless.  

2020-06-28

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion isuseless

Today, we will begin a walk through the book of James. This is a powerful book written by the brother of Jesus. It is one of the earliest writings in the New Testament and written by a man who had an interesting history with Jesus. They were brothers and, for a while, James didn’t even believe Jesus was anything but an arrogant older brother. (John 7) But, after James saw Jesus in His resurrected body, everything changed. (1 Cor. 15)

This book is written so we may know how to live according to the words of Christ in times of difficulty and so we may truly make a difference in the world. This is a book desperately needed today.

Quotes: “The articulation of our lips should be matched by the activity of our lives”[1]

1. Feet to the Fire (vss 1-18)

a. The Fire Perfects Us

Vs 2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

b. Knowing How to Persevere

Vss 5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

c. The Reward For Doing Right

Vs 12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

d. The Difference Between The Wrongs of this World and The Rights from Him

Vss 13-18
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

2. Listening in the Fire (vss 19-20)

a. The Right Steps

Vss 19-20
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

3. The Action of the Faithful (vss 21-27)

a. Stepping Away From Sin

Vss 21-22
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

b. The Dangers of Hypocrisy

Vss 23- 25
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

c. The Danger in our Words

Vs 26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

d. The Safety in our Acts

Vs 27
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

[1]Harold Fickett, Jr., An Introduction to James, pg 1255, The Christian Life Study Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

2020-06-14

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

Today, let’s continue to walk through the Beatitudes as delivered by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Last week, we covered the first four and today we will cover the next four. All of these statements are timely messages from the heart of God for such a time as this.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy

Kingdom servants must reflect in their own hearts the heart of the king(Stuart Weber) ^[1]

• We have all been shown mercy in abundance. As a result, we must show mercy in abudance.
• We don’t have the luxury of selective or situational mercy
• Mercy embraces both forgiveness for the guilty and compassion for the suffering and needy. (D.A. Carson) ^[2]

2. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

• Purity and holiness are not nice things to have, they are critical elements of the Christian life
• Another beatitude:

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. ³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

• Any distracting or corrupting influence a kingdom servant allows into his or her heart makes that person less effective as a servant. (Stuart Weber) ^[3]

3. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

• As Christ-followers, not only do we have a duty to live “IN PEACE” but we have a duty to “BRING ABOUT PEACE”
• “There is no more godlike work to be done in this world than peacemaking” (Broadus quoted by D.A. Carson).^[4]
• God is the supreme peacemaker and this quality marks disciples out as his sons, for the son shares the characteristics of the father. (R.T. France) ^[5]

Ephesians 2:14-15 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. ¹⁵ He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.

4. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• This is not simply the idea of trying to be a good person, it means a completely changed life
• The success of the race we run is largely dependent on the change in our heart, not the actions of our hands
• It indicates a whole orientation of life towards God and his will. Such a life is conspicuous and so attracts persecution (T. France) ^[6]
• Kingdom honor is not granted as compensation for the unfairness of life, but as a blessing on those who have actively pursued true kingdom righteousness and have been persecuted for it(Stuart Weber)^[7]

^[1]Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 59.

^[2]D. A. Carson, “Matthew,”in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 134.

^[3]Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 60.

^[4]D. A. Carson, “Matthew,”in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 135.

^[5]R. T. France, Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 1, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985), 116.

^[6]R. T. France, Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 1, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985), 116.

^[7]Stuart K. Weber, Matthew, vol. 1, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 60.

2020-05-31

Key verse: Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks beto God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Last week, we looked at the three elements of our race; Remove, Renew and Return. Today, we continue in our series, Run The Race, by beginning the conversation of the purpose of the race. Where are we going, why are we going, what are supposed to do along the way? These are all great questions and there’s really no better day to begin this discussion than on Pentecost Sunday. The day the church began its mission.

Acts 2:22-28 (NLT) People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. ²³ But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. ²⁴ But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. ²⁵ King David said this about him: ‘Isee that the Lordis always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. ²⁶ No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. ²⁷ For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. ²⁸ You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’

The church’s mission has never been more important than it is today. And, the only way the church’s mission will be accomplished is if we all “run the race” He has called us to.

1. You are never alone

Vs 25b I see that the Lordis always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

• No one likes to run alone
• The good news is that we never will

2. Joy comes in the journey

Vs 26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope

• We worship Him because His promises are absolute and continual
• The power and presence of God is not dependent on our action or inaction

3. His victory is our victory

Vs 27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.

• Because He lives, we live

4. The path is clear

Vs 28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.

• The Gospel is the way of life
• When we embrace the Gospel, let it guide us every day, we will follow the path that leads to Him

Acts 2:36 So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!

2020-05-17

Delivered by Rev. Jerry Falwell, April 1999

1. Never, never quit
   1. 2 Cor 3:5-6
2. Most Christians have a wrong view of trouble
   1. Being a Christian doesn’t guarantee deliverance from trouble, rather deliverance in trouble
   2. You don’t determine a man’s greatness by his wealth or status as the world does, but rather by what it takes to discourage him
3. Trouble is a basic need for spiritual growth
   1. God doesn’t give us an overcoming life, he gives us life as we overcome
   2. God will give you the strength
4. God’s grace is not available for tomorrow, it is for today
   1. 2 Cor 12 – in our weakness we are made strong by his great strength
   2. He gives strength for the moment
5. God’s ultimate high is only revealed in life’s greatest crisis
6. You will never get out of trouble
   1. Learn how to live while you’re in trouble
   2. God promises to never leave us nor forsake us
7. You are not the only one who suffers
   1. 1 Cor. 10:13 – God is faithful
   2. He will never take us past what we are able to bear
8. Trouble is not always judgment
   1. Hebrews 12:6
   2. Your trouble comes from God. He either allows it or sends it.
   3. Job 13:16 – Yet will I trust Him
9. Bear your own burdens
   1. God may send someone to help, but we must trust God alone
   2. God will give you everything you need
10. False optimism are detrimental
    1. Get alone with God in prayer
    2. The world needs pillars of strength
11. When we complain, our problem is really a heart problem
    1. Pray about your problem
    2. Pray for others, don’t gossip or complain
12. Satan uses a lot of things to discourage us
    1. Lack of prayer
    2. Physical fatigue
    3. Unconfessed Sin
    4. Failure
    5. Routine
    6. Betrayal and Bitterness
    7. Selfishness
13. No matter what today holds; never, never quit!

2020-05-03

Charles Billingsley

Acorns – inside each one is a small seed that carries all the DNA or chemical make up required to become a giant oak tree.  

Each acorn that falls to the ground is up against a lot in order to succeed.   It must end up in the right spot..where it can receive sunlight and rain.  It must be shielded or somehow passed over by squirrels and chipmunks and various other critters that feed off its protein.   it must be given time to germinate.  

If all this happens, then the acorn might just begin to grow into an oak tree. 

But in order for it to grow upward and outward, it must grow downward.   The first thing that happens in an acorn is that the seed begins to grow a taproot deep down into the soil.  Only after this, will a tiny green shoot grow upward above the soil.   Finally, after about 4-5 years, if it is somehow able to avoid the many dangers of animals and storms and flooding, then it will grow into a small little tree known as a sapling.  And eventually, through the years, that sapling matures into an oak tree. 

Oak trees are know as a symbol of strength, sturdiness, beauty and toughness.  

It is on record that some oak trees, especially the red oak in the north, can live upwards of 1,000 years.  

And they can be huge.  One oak tree in Poland measured over 43 meters around its base.  

Oak trees are a picture of steadiness in an restless and ever-changing world.  

Some of us are still in the acorn phase.  We may have said a prayer, or surrendered our heart to Jesus at some point, but for some reason, we’ve never gone any deeper.  No taproots have formed, and we are still just an acorn laying on the ground….useless, exposed, weak, and thrown about by the ever changing winds of culture…at high risk of being destroyed by the evil one, or swayed by public opinion, or tossed about by whatever new distraction comes our way.   

Matthew 16:24  

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” 

This is no small call.  And it certainly doesn’t sound like Jesus expects us to remain acorns.  

At some point, as believers, we must begin to grow.  A taproot must begin to form.  And, having been in church my whole life, it is my estimation, that most church goers are either still in the acorn phase, or you have grown enough to become a sapling.  But where are all the oaks?    Oh every church has them.  That person of faith…many times an elderly person, but it doesnt have to be.  I thing of little Nathan Norman.   Just  13  years old.  He’s battled cancer for most of his life. But because of all he’s been through, he’s a giant of the faith.  I think of Benji Nasser, who just went home to be with the Lord.  He was an oak….a strong and steady believer who inspired thousands with His genuine love for Christ.  

1. Life is fragile 

We’ve all seen how in just a few weeks time we can go from riding high in the stock market, everything cooking on all cylinders, to total devastation.   It’s amazing the transformation we have undergone as a nation and as a world in just 6 weeks.  Shocking.   

And it is a reminder to us all….life is fragile. It is tissue-paper thin.  Things can turn on a dime.  Are we prepared?  

when my doctor told me how bad my blood tests were and how if i wasn’t in decent shape I’d be dead right now…it was a wake-up call to me that my life is truly fragile.  

James 4:13-14

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

We do not know what tomorrow holds.  But thankfully, we know who holds our tomorrow.  That brings me to my second lesson.  

2. Faith is essential

I asked this question in an earlier message:  When Fear comes knocking at your door, will Faith answer?  

What is faith?  

Heb.11:1 reminds us that it is the substance or the assurance of things hoped for.    But faith is also the evidence of things unseen.  I don’t see it.  I don’t feel it.  But faith is the confidence and the assurance that I WILL see it in due time.  

God reminded me of how faith works in all of this.  

God showed me once again, that my faith has a long ways to go. 

Just like an oak tree, faith takes time to grow.  

3. Fear is not an option  

365 times in scripture we are told….do not fear. 

 And it is in His perfect presence that we find perfect peace which allows us to rest in His perfect plan.  

And when you are at rest…you are not in fear. 

His power is perfect in our weakness.  

Anxiety and worry keep us from hearing God. 

Why do we worry? 

Quite simply, because We are focused on the wrong authority. We are in effect saying, “God I’m not sure you are capable of handling this.”

So one thing I began to do, was read Phil. 4:6-7 over and over again.   

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

One of the cures for worry and anxiety is thankfulness!

It’s amazing, but when we begin to truly just live a live of thanksgiving, it will take your mind off of the negative situation you are in and place you in a positive mindset so you can overcome.  This leads to the peace of God which passes ALL understanding.  No words can describe it.  And this peace places a shield of protection around your heart and your mind through Jesus Christ.  

It was the peace of God and HIs sustaining grace that kept my mind at peace through those 24 days. But when I began to worship the Lord with thanksgiving, He brought me peace that passes all understanding.  

John 14:27 

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

So…

Life is fragile

Faith is essential

Fear is not an option

and lastly…..

4. No matter what – keep your eyes on Jesus

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:1-2   Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our  faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Keep your eyes on Jesus – the author – He is writing your story.  Yes there may be some rough chapters, yes there will be some challenges, some which may seem insurmountable .  Yes there will be many difficult and dark days.  But keep your eyes on Jesus.   He is chastening you and molding you to turn you from an acorn into an oak tree.   He is pushing you to grow up and become a man or a woman of God.  And He is the finisher of your Faith. 

Jesus sees in every acorn, a potential oak tree!!

And as the Author OF YOUR STORY and Finisher of YOUR faith….He is standing in your corner and exhorting you….”LOOK AT ME!   

LISTEN TO ME!  FOLLOW ME!!!!  TRUST ME!   

YOU CAN DO IT! YOU CAN DO IT !!   YOU CAN DO IT!!!!”

2020-04-19

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse:  Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Today we conclude our look at the “Famous Last Words” of Jesus during His time here on earth. The words we’ve studied to this point were all statements made from the cross, but today we shift to two final statements. Statements made as he left this earth and as He promised to return soon. These statements give us hope, challenge and encouragement. Honestly, there’s never been a better time for us to be reminded of these words.

1. Fear Not

Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

• We are told at least 365 times in the Bible to “Fear Not”
• While those words are often repeated, it is only possible when look at this command from Christ through the lens of Matt. 28:18
• Christ has been give ALL authority

2. Make A Difference

Matt. 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

• In other words, make a difference until I return
• How do we make a difference? Through the Gospel

3. Do The Right Thing

Matt. 28:20a teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;

• Jesus made it clear we have an obligation to obey
• James 4:17 tells us it is sin to not obey
• John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commandments”

4. You’re Not Alone

Matt. 28:20b …and lo, I am with you always, evento the end of the age.” Amen.

• Isn’t it encouraging to know the same Jesus who stated in verse 18 He has all authority went on to tell us in verse 20 “I will be with you always”

…And, you’ll never be alone!

Revelation 22:20-21 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! ²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ bewith you all. Amen.

2020-04-05

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

We continue to look at the “famous last words” of Jesus as He hung on the cross. Last week we examined the statements of forgiveness, hope and comfort. Today we’ll look at the statements which point to His pain, His humanity and His purpose. Jesus came for a reason and as we begin this Passion week leading up to Easter, we must never forget the great hope Jesus brings.

1. His Pain

Matthew 27:45-46 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. ⁴⁶ And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

• This darkness cannot be attributed to anything other than a supernatural occurrence which signified “creation’s awareness of its creator’s death”
• Just before His death, He cried out to His Father for He now experienced the great pain of our sin
• His statement is a reflection of Psalm 22:1
  • Psalm 22:1 MyGod, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
    Why are You so far from helping Me,
    And from the words of My groaning?
• Jesus Himself had questioned this path He was taking
  • John 12:27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’?But for this purpose I came to this hour.

2. His Humanity

John 19:28-29 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” ²⁹ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put iton hyssop, and put itto His mouth.

• The deity of Christ was never in question, but this does underscore the hypostatic union: the dual nature of Christ as both God and man
• His statement is a reflection of Psalm 69:21
  • Psalm 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food,And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
• This “sour wine” referred to here was a bitter mix of cheap wine and vinegar which would cause the throat muscles to contract restricting the ability cry out in pain

3. His Purpose

Luke 23:45-46 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

• Again, the darkness was a supernatural event signifying when the Light of the World is absent, there can be no light at all
• A world that rejects God’s Son must expect signs that God has rejected the sinful world.^[1]
• The veil was ripped indicating there would be no more separation between God and man
• Then Jesus clearly gave us the picture of the promise of death; the God-Man reminds us even in death, God is still in control

Christ’s purpose was that of salvation. While He had accomplished much during His time on earth as it relates to doctrine, service, example, teaching…it was for the salvation of mankind that He came.

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

^[1]Butler, T. C. (2000). Luke(Vol. 3, p. 396). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

2020-03-22

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Jonah 2:9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.

These are interesting days. Days of uncertainty, fear and isolation. Today I want to spend a little time talking about the man who faced the most difficult quarantine in the history of mankind. If you think you feel isolated, this guy had it far worse.

The story of Jonah is one that is extremely relevant for us today.

Jonah 1:17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

T. Kendall says it well: “The belly of the fish is not a happy place to live, but it is a good place to learn.”

Jonah 2:1-10 Then Jonah prayed to the Lordhis God from inside the fish. ² He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me! ³ You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. ⁴ Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ ⁵ “I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. ⁶ I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! ⁷ As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. ⁸ Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. ⁹ But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.” ¹⁰ Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.

1. Crying out to God is more important than crying about our circumstances

Vs 2 He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me!

• Fear and self-pity will never provide the help we need
• Focusing on the surroundings rather than God will leave us fearful, empty and without hope
• No matter how isolated you may feel, God is never far away. He is always listening, responding and acting.

2. Focusing on His promises is more important than focusing on our problems

Vss 3-4 You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. ⁴ Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’

• Jonah knew that trusting God in this moment was His only hope

3. Worshipping our Master is more important that worrying about our mess

Vss 5-7 “I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. ⁶ I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! ⁷ As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple.

• Worship in the midst of our worst days is more meaningful than worship in the midst of our best days
• Jonah remembered the Lord when common sense would have told him, “You’re Done!”

4. Our crisis is never greater than our God

Vs 9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

• No matter what you’re going through, our salvation comes from Him ALONE!
• No matter how bad it is, it’s not too much for Him to handle
  • Jeremiah 32:27 “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?”

VS 10 Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.

Today is full of uncertainty and the opportunity for fear. Never forget, the same God who commanded a great fish to swallow a man whole, and then to spit him out again three days later unharmed, is the same God who has you in His grip!

Amos, Obadiah, Jonah(Vol. 19B, p. 241). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.