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.

2020-03-08

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men

As we discussed last week, our salvation is not a “one and done” transaction with God, it is a life-changing, life-altering decision which should guide you for the rest of your days. The greatest hindrance to allowing this decision to not only change our eternity but also to change the here and now is how we value this gift.

Titus 2:11-15 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself Hisown special people, zealous for good works. ¹⁵ Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

1. We are saved by the grace of God

Vs 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it isthe gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast

• Salvation is an undeserved gift
• How do you value this gift?

2. Which should affect the way we live and act

Vs 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

• Is your status as redeemed altering your actions?

3. As we wait for the great promise

Vs 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

• What we are waiting for is far greater than you can imagine

4. Because He has changed us for a reason

Vs 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself Hisown special people, zealous for good works.

Vs 14 (NLT) He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

• Our Father changed us so we could be more like Him

5. So we can change the world through Him

Vs 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

• So what do we speak to a world that is running from truth?

Titus 3:1-7 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.³ For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2020-02-23

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Exodus 13:18a So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea…

Exodus 13:17-18a (NKJV) Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them byway of the land of the Philistines, although that wasnear; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God led the people around byway of the wilderness of the Red Sea…

1. Letting go is better than taking charge

Vs 17b …that God did not lead them byway of the land of the Philistines…

• The Philistines were lined up on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea on the border of Egypt
• They were a daunting military force which Israel would not have been prepared for at that time
• God had a very specific process for the Israelites as they begin this victory story

2. The easy way is not always the best way

Vs 17c …although that wasnear…

Vs 17c (NLT) even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land.

• The easiest and fastest route from Egypt to the Promised Land was the Via Maris which was the coastal road that was a fairly direct path
• The Via Maris would have led directly through the Philistine territory at a time when the Philistines were planning to expand their dominance
• The Philistines would have most certainly attacked a strange people walking through their territory
• And, the Israelites would not have been prepared for battle. In fact, at this time, it is likely they had few if any weapons with them.

3. God sees our potential weakness even when we don’t

Vs 17d  …for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”

• God knew the Israelites would have been attacked and destroyed
• God knew the mental state of the Israelites would have led to a hasty retreat running back to what they knew, not what was best for them
• So why wouldn’t God just destroy the Philistines for them as He had done with the Egyptians when crossing the Red Sea?

4. God leads us on the path that will lead to His best, not our wants

Vs 18a So God led the people around byway of the wilderness of the Red Sea…

Vs 18a (NLT) So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.

• God knew the Israelites had much growing to do in order to fully trust Him and become the people He wanted them to be
• Had He led them directly into the Promised Land without the wilderness experience, it is likely the Israelites would never have become as fully dependent on Him as they could have
• The narratives found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua clearly show a people needing to follow God’s path, not their own

2020-02-09

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Psalm 27:13 I would have lost heart,unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LordIn the land of the living.

1 Samuel 21:1 Now David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And Ahimelech was afraid when he met David, and said to him, “Why areyou alone, and no one is with you?”

1 Samuel 21: 10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. ¹¹ And the servants of Achish said to him, “Isthis not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” ¹² Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. ¹³ So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. ¹⁴ Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane.

1. Feeling alone is a common condition (vss 1-3a)

Psalm 27: 1 The Lordismy light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lordisthe strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? ²When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. ³Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear;

2. Feeling alone should not shake your confidence in God (vss 3b-5)

3b Though war may rise against me, In this I will beconfident. ⁴One thingI have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LordAll the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. ⁵For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

3. Trusting God in our trouble is the first step towards victory (vss 6-7)

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. ⁷Hear, O Lord, whenI cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

4. Trusting God requires seeking God (vss 8-9)

8 When You said,“Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” ⁹Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

5. When all else fails, trust Him (vss 10-14)

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lordwill take care of me. ¹¹Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. ¹²Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. ¹³I would have lost heart,unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LordIn the land of the living. ¹⁴Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

January 26, 2020

Key Verse: Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. ¹⁹ By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

The Struggle to be Faithful

1. GREED – We all know people who are greedy, we just THINK WE DON’T STRUGGLE OURSELVES

Vs 17a Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable.

2. DOUBT – Can God really TAKE CARE OF ALL OF MY NEEDS?

Vs 17b Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

3. COMFORT– We think WE’VE DONE ENOUGH OR FOCUS ON SELF

Vs 18-19 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. ¹⁹ By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

Our RESPONSIBILITYto be Faithful

1 Corinthians 4:2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful

1. It all BELONGS TO GOD

Psalm 89:11The heavens are yours; and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours – you created it all.

James 1:17-18 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. ¹⁸ He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession

a. WE belong to God

b. OUR STUFF belongs to God

c. OUR HOPE comes from God

2. Our response to God

2 Corinthians 9:7-9 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹ As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

a. Give ABUNDANTLY

1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

b. Give REGULARLY

2 Cor. 9:7a You must each decide in your heart how much to give.

c. Give JOYFULLY

2

2 Corinthians 9:7-9  NLT

Cor. 9:7b …For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.

Our ACCOUNTABILITYin being Faithful

Romans 14:12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God

1. We are accountable to OURSELVES

2. We are accountable for OURPOSSESSIONS

3. We are accountable for OUR TIME

4. We are accountable for OUR GIFTS

2020-01-12

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

In order to see God accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think, we actually need to ASK AND THINK!

Today, we’re going to focus on the importance and power of prayer and fasting in our lives.  There are some important truths about prayer as it relates to our relationship with God.

Prayer is the reflection of our relationship with God.

1. A relationship between THE CREATOR AND HIS CREATION

2. A relationship between the KING AND HIS SUBJECTS

3. A relationship between a FATHER AND HIS SON

Mark 9:14-29 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. ¹⁵ When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. ¹⁶ “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked. ¹⁷ One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. ¹⁸ And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” ¹⁹ Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” ²⁰ So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. ²¹ “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. ²² The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” ²³ “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” ²⁴ The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” ²⁵ When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!” ²⁶ Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. ²⁸ Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” ²⁹ Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”

In our lives today, we should all be looking for the “infinitely more”that only God can accomplish. So why is it we miss out so often on God’s “more?”

1. Our LACK OF FAITH

Mark 9:19a Jesus said to them, “You faithless people!…

2. Our LACK OF COMMITMENT

3. Our LACK OF ASKING

Mark 9:29 Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”

Mark 9:29 (NKJV) So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

“Prayer CONNECTSus to the Father while fasting DISCONNECTS us from the world”

– Chris Hodges

“Fasting is more about REPLACING than it is about ABSTAINING.”

– Gary Rohrmayer

In the Bible, God’s people fasted before a major victory, miracle, or answer to prayer:

SEEKING MIRACLES: 2 Samuel 12:16 David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground.

SEEKING REPENTANCE: 1 Samuel 7:6So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord. (It was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel’s judge.)

MAKING DECISIONS:Acts 13:2-3 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” ³ So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

Why Prayer and Fasting Matters

1. We rely onHIS STRENGTH

2. We FOCUS ON THE ETERNAL

3. We REPENT OF OUR SINS

4. We RECEIVE THE DIRECTION WE NEED

How to Pray:

Philippians 4:6 — Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

• Tell Him WHAT YOU NEED

• Thank Him FOR ALL HE HAS DONE

How to Fast:

1. Set a REALISTIC GOAL

2. Determine THE SCOPE OF YOUR FASTING

3. Make it about YOUR HEART

4. Focus on WHAT YOU HAVE TO GAIN RATHER THAN WHAT MIGHT MISS

2019-12-29

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

We’ve had an amazing year in 2019. God has blessed in incredible and eternal ways. But we are trusting God for more in 2020. SO MUCH MORE!

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT) When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. ²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ²¹ Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

1. No limit to God’s greatness or God’s goodness

Vss 15-16 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

• There is nothing God will hold back from you as it relates to His perfect will and way in your life
• God will never call us to defeat or failure
• God will never give us an impossible task
• The key is making sure our direction is His path!

Jeremiah 32:17 O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!

Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

2. Our contentment is based on our connection

Vs 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

• The world is constantly looking for happiness
• This is only possible through our connection to Him

3. God wants us to trust Him that much

Vs 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

• His “covering” goes far beyond our human understanding
• We attempt to define trusting God in human terms, this never works
• His ways our not our ways – Isaiah 55:8

4. We will be complete

Vs 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

• Our completeness in life doesn’t come from outward influences, it comes from within

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ²¹ Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

2019-12-15

Charles Billingsley

We are in the middle of our sermon series entitled “Sing Noel” where we are exploring the powerful messages of a few of our most beloved Christmas Carols.  Each song has a unique story, and today’s hymn, O Holy Night, is very unique, indeed.  The message of O Holy night is a powerful one.  It is full of wonderful, Biblical truths has inspired untold millions through the generations.  Today we will explore the lyrics of this great old song and how it’s poetic lyrics tell the Biblical story of Christ’s birth.

Key Verses:   Colossians 1:15-18

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

The Space Between

1. He is Holy 

O Holy Night – 

Luke 1:35 New King James Version (NKJV)

35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

The word “Holy” means to be “set apart” – and this night above all nights is certainly set apart!  This night split time in two!  This night is the space between BC and AD.

I think sometimes we forget that this Jesus who was born in a manger, has always been.  He was there when God roamed the expanses of the Heavens.  He was there when God lit the Sun and the stars with just a spoken word….Let there be Light!  And then….That word became flesh….and He was there again…in physical form.

Jesus is the embodiment of holiness itself.

 Colossians 1:15-18

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Jesus is Holy!

Yes!  It was a holy night because the King of Kings left his throne in glory, and Humbled himself before us so that we might see the face of God.

Phil. 2:5-8

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 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.”

Hebrews 7:26-27

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He died once for all when He offered up Himself.

Phil. 2:9-11

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 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, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus is Holy.

And also….

2. He is Here

“Long Lay the world in sin and Error Pining till He appeared!”

Christmas is not about our presents under the tree.  It is about His Presence with us….right now!   

Long lay the world in sin and error pining – till He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth 

What is the soul? 

We all have worth!  We are worth so much to God that He gave His only son to suffer and die on a cross for your sin and mine.

He is here – And the more time you spend with Him, the more you discover that He is the one who can fill thespace between who you are now, and who He created you to be.

This Christmas, let’s remember that:

1. He is Holy

2. He is Here

and

3. He is Hope!

The story of Christmas is filled with hope.

A thrill of Hope the song says.  Not hope for just that moment – but hope for eternity!!!

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.

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

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

vs 3 of the carol says:

“Truly He taught us to love one another.

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother

And in His name, all oppression shall cease.”

Luke 4:16-21

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me [a]to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are [b]oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

So the space between the throes of despair and the thrill of Hope – is Jesus !  

The space between your reality and your expectations can be filled with the hope of Jesus! 

Our response to Him should be one of hope-filled worship and praise!

Oh that this weary world might some day rejoice in the sweet and precious presence of the Savior  – for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn !

He’s Worthy of Our Praise!!

Fall on your knees!!!  O hear the angel voices.  O night divine!

And let the

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim!!!!

O Holy night has had quite a history and it has blessed the hearts of untold millions.  But so much more…infinitely more important ….is the  story from which O holy night is written that truly changes lives.  We could live without the hymn.  We cannot live without Jesus.

The Space between your eternal hope and eternal despair is bridged by Jesus – It is bridged by His cross, His blood, His sacrifice, His forgiveness, His peace, His grace, His mercy.

He is Holy.  He is Here.  He is our hope. 

And the story of Christmas, in the space between what happened in a lowly manger over 2000 years ago until this morning in Lynchburg, Va….. in that space screams one big loud message –

YOU ARE LOVED!  YOU ARE LOVED!  YOU ARE LOVED!

2019-12-01

Key Verse: Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord

Noël is the French word for Christmas and is from the Latin natalis, meaning“birthday.” Most medieval poetry was written to be sung, so it is presumed that the words were written with an existing tune in mind. … ‘The First Nowell‘ was first published in Gilbert’s Some Ancient Christmas Carols in 1823.[1]

The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Chorus:
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east, beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.

And by the light of that same star
three Wise Men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay.

Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
their gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

The announcement of His birth was:

1. Delivered to people just like you and me

Luke 2:8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Matthew 2:1-2a Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

2. Confusing and Scary

Luke 2:9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Matthew 2:3-6 When Herod the king heard this,he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ⁶‘Butyou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;For out of you shall come a RulerWho will shepherd My people Israel.’ 

3. Life-Changing

Luke 2:10-11 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Matthew 2:7-8 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him,bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.

4. Miraculous

Matthew 2:2b For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Matthew 2:9-11a When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ¹¹ And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him…

[1]http://www.classichistory.net/archives/first-noel-carol

2019-11-17

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Malachi 3:8-10 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.    ⁹ You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. ¹⁰Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

“Windows of Heaven” – The word translated “floodgates” (or windows) occurs nine times in the Hebrew Bible and usually refers to an opening in the wall of a building, whether a window (Eccl 12:3) or a chimney (Hos 13:3). The phrase “floodgates of heaven” occurs elsewhere in Gen 7:11; 8:2 (where it is translated “floodgates of the heavens”) as the source of the rain that flooded the earth.^[1]

Rick Warren says:“The Bible is very clear: God uses money to test your faithfulness as a servant. That’s why Jesus talked more about money than he did about either heaven or hell”[2]

1.  God wants us to give

1 Cor. 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: ² On the first dayof the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier mattersof the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

• The pharisees were considered hypocrites by Jesus because they tithed on every little thing yet neglected justice, mercy and faith
• But He does say…these you ought to have done…

2. God wants us to give properly

2 Cor 9:7a So let each one giveas he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity…

• Faithfulness

Deut 16:17 Every man shall giveas he is able, according to the blessing of the Lordyour God which He has given you

• Not to be seen (Matthew 6:1-4 …do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.)
• Not because of being manipulated (vs 7 “of necessity” – anan-kēs= pressure)
• Not to receive in return

3. God wants us to give with the right heart

2 Cor. 9:7b …for God loves a cheerful giver.

• Worship
• Cheerful (hilaros “hee-la-ROS”)

4. God’s response to our giving

2 Cor. 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

• Sparingly (pheidomenõs “fade-oh-MEAN-os”= limited, scant)

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds ofevil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

• Bountifully (eulogia “you-lo-GIA”= generous gift)

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

^[1]Taylor, R. A., & Clendenen, E. R. (2004). Haggai, Malachi (Vol. 21A, p. 424). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[2](The Purpose-Driven Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002], 267).

2019-11-03

Charles Billingsley

Key verse: Proverbs 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Today we study the incredible story of the fall of Babylon. We will see how the selfishness and negligence of a young and ignorant King led to the sudden downfall of one of history’s greatest empires. There is much we can learn from this King’s mistakes. But ultimately, we will see that it all comes down to an issue of the soul.

It is not so much that archeology proves the Bible is correct but that the Bible proves archeology is correct.

History is “HIS-Story”!

Jeremiah 50:1-3

1 The Lord gave Jeremiah the prophet this message concerning Babylon and the land of the Babylonians.  2 This is what the Lord says:“Tell the whole world,and keep nothing back. Raise a signal flagto tell everyone that Babylon will fall!Her images and idols will be shattered.Her gods Bel and Marduk will be utterly disgraced.3 For a nation will attack her from the northand bring such destruction that no one will live there again.Everything will be gone;both people and animals will flee.

The Feast of Belshazzar

Daniel 5:1-2

1Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 While he tasted (aramaic word meaning: guzzled) the wine, Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.

Daniel 5:3-4

3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.

Jeremiah 51:57 (NLT)

57 I will make her officials and wise men drunk,along with her captains, officers, and warriors.They will fall asleepand never wake up again!”says the King, whose name isthe Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

The Fingers of God

Daniel 5:5-6

5 In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.

Proverbs 29:1

A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

The Failure of the Wise men

Daniel 5:7-9

7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Now all the king’s wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.

Daniel 5:10-12

10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, “O king, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

The Fearlessness of Daniel 

Daniel 5:13-14

13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, “Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.

“Your faithfulness makes you trustworthy to God” – Edwin Cole

Daniel 5:15-23

15 Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.

Daniel 5:24-25

24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, Upharsin (or PERES).

Daniel 5:26

26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it;

Psalm 139:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 90:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

12 So teach us to number our days,

That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Daniel 5:27

27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;

Daniel 5:28

28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Daniel 5:29

29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

We all have 4 major elements to our lives.

The will

The mind

The body

The soul  

The Fall of Babylon

Daniel 5:30-31

30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Proverbs 4: 23-27 (NIV)

23 Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil.

The river is your soul.  And you are its keeper.

2019-10-20

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Daniel 3:18 (NKJV) But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.

Daniel 3:4-6 (NKJV) Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, ⁵ that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, andpsaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; ⁶ and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”

1. The pressure to compromise never goes away

Daniel 3:13-15 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king. ¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is ittrue, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, thatyou do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? ¹⁵ Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, andpsaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good!But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who isthe god who will deliver you from my hands?”

2. Trusting God is always more important than personal comfort

• • Three refused to bow down
  • Where was Daniel? (Daniel 2:49)

Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If that is the case,our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliverusfrom your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

• Matthew 13:42 and 13:50 – “Throw in the fiery furnace and gnashing of teeth”

3. God will never leave you on your own

Daniel 3:24-25 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste andspoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” ²⁵ “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Daniel 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace andspoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.”

Daniel 3:27b …the smell of fire was not on them.

• Nebuchadnezzar built the statue, probably as a response, to the dream in Daniel 2. He demanded all to worship but they refused. They stood their ground, refusing to compromise, and God protected them. They didn’t even

4. God’s presence is greater than you could ever imagine

Daniel 3:29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”

2019-10-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Daniel 1:8a  But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…

Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about loving our neighbors, and our enemies. Today, we begin a study of the life of Daniel. This is a purposeful transition, mainly because of the temptation for compromise as we follow God’s command to love “the world.” We must remain faithful to God, no matter what.

Daniel 1:1–21 (NKJV): 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”

11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

History: This story takes place around 605 B.C. While some say the story of Daniel might be exaggerated because of the amazing moments taking place in His life, as well as in the life of his friends, there is independent proof of the stories found here. The Babylonian historian, Berosus, wrote of Nebuchadnezzar’s capturing of Judah in 303 B.C. Further, in 1956, an ancient cuneiform was discovered that also confirms these events.

1. Sometimes God allows the enemy a victory

Vs 1-2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god

“And the Lord gave…” literally means Judah was handed over to the Babylonians

Why?

• Sometimes to punish
• Sometimes to test
• Sometimes to refine

– 1 Peter 1:6-7 “for a little while…”

– Isaiah 48:10 “I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering”

• Always to make us better

2. Our actions in the midst of oppression determine our position

Vs 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

• Daniel was determined to not compromise in the face of adversity or temptation

Vss 12-13 Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”

What we do when we are in a time of attack or oppression will determine or ability to fulfill the call of God

• Compromise destroys testimony
• Compromise destroys growth
• Compromise destroys futures

3. God will always reward faithfulness

Vss 17-19 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

• God will always reward us when we remain faithful to His call and His Word
• Vs 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

4. Our success in life is based on the condition of our heart

Vs 8a But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself

• What have you purposed in your heart? The temptations are all around us, compromise is so easy, but God requires us to remain true.

“The Power of Affirmation”

Dr. Thomas D. Mullins

2019-09-22 

Matt 5:16 (NIV)“…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.”

Matt 5:16 (Coach)“Let God’s love shine so bright through you, that people are drawn to you, so you can lead them to me.”

1Thess 5:11 (Msg)“So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.  I know you’re already doing this’ just keep on doing it.” 

Eph 4:29 (NIV) “Do not any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

Prov 18:21 (NIV)“The tongue has the power of life and death…”

Judges 6:12 (NIV)“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’”

Judges 6:14-15 (NIV) “The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand.  Am I not sending you?’ ‘But Lord,’ Gideon asked, ‘how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’”

Matt 22:39 (NIV)“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Be secure in your IDENTITYin Christ.   

Eph 1:11 (NIV)“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for…”

1 John 3:1 (NIV)“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God…”

Neil Anderson– “The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity.”                                                                                

 How to Establish a Life that Affirms:

1. Focus your THOUGHT LIFE.

2 Cor 10:5 (NIV)“…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Phil 4:8 (NIV)“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

2. Hang with AFFIRMING PEOPLE.

Prov 13:20 (NIV)“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools        suffers            harm.”

3. Keep focused on your MISSION.

Acts 20:24 (NLT)“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the     mission assigned me by the Lord Jesus….”

2 Cor 5:20 (NIV)“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…”

Matt 5:16 (Coach)“Let God’s love shine so bright through you, that people are drawn to you, so you can lead them to me.” 

Gal 5:6 (NIV)“…the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

2019-09-08
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:34–40 (NKJV): But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

The Lawyer’s challenge

What did Jesus mean? What did the lawyer hear? How was this a radically different approach than what they had been taught to believe?

What did Jesus mean by “neighbor”?

• Plēsion – close by, neighboring, adjacent, near

So is Jesus only saying we are to love those close, those like us, those similar to us both in location and belief? In fact, Jesus quoted here from the book of Leviticus…which is the rule book of the Jews.

Leviticus 19:1-2a (NKJV): And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them…

Leviticus 19:18 (NKJV): You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

So, then what was Jesus trying to say? Let’s go back to another conversation between a lawyer and Jesus where we find what Jesus really meant.

Luke 10:25–37 (NKJV): And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall 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 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

So who is my neighbor?

1. People close
2. People far
3. People like us
4. People not like us
5. People we like
6. People we don’t

Why? Because Jesus commanded it…Go and do likewise

Show mercy!

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV): The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2019-08-25

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: James 1:5 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.

Mission statement of TRBC:

“To change our world by developing Christ followers who love God and love people” 1

What is the expression of this mission statement in each of our lives? The only way to find the answer is to find His will. This should be our primary focus in life.

James 1:5-8 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.

1. A pure heart 

Vs 5a If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…

1 Thess 4:3a For this is the will of God, your sanctification…

A double minded man or woman will never accomplish the will of God

Vs 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

1 John 2:15 – “don’t love the things of the world”

2. A ready heart

Vs 6a But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…

Is 45:9b Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’

This is the picture of a desire to be molded by God

George Müller said “I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are over come when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.” 2

3. A passionate heart 

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Living with the end in mind

Caring about the right things: the Gospel and others.

——————————————————————————————

1 Matthew 22, Matthew 28, Mark 16, Acts 1

2 George Müller, https://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/knowing-gods-will.htm

2019-08-11

Matt Willmington

2 Peter 2:1-3 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.”

• Prophets versus teachers

• Bad teaching is not false teaching. 

• False teachers = Twist truth to trick people for their gain

• Teaching that leads away from Jesus, denies the core beliefs of Christianity

4-11 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

 • Reserve = angels, world, Sodom, teachers

• Preserved = Noah, Lot, you!

12-19 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 

• Strategy = Entice, Exploit

• “Balaam” = their way goes astray

• loud, arrogant, disrespectful, sensual, greedy, empty deceivers.

• Conclusion? Destruction.

• Target? Unstable souls. 

• Don’t anchor in a good teacher– anchor in good teaching!

• Are you stable? What’s unanchored?

20 – 22 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.””

2019-07-28
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: I Peter 1:6 NLT So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

Last week, we talked about the protection of God promised in His Word. Regardless of what we may face in the days to come in our lives, God has already promised He will protect us. What a great joy it is to know we have the God of the universe on our side.

1 John 4:4 NLT But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Today, we will look at I Peter 4:7-5:13

Reality #5: ____________________________________________________________

Job 14:1 NLT How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble!

• The truth is _________________________________________________________
• This is true because of ________________________________________________

Romans 5:17a NLT For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many…But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Response #5: _________________________________________________________

Romans 5:17b NLT But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Be encouraged: _______________________________________________________

I Peter 4:7-8 NLT The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

• We have a God-given responsibility to _____________________________________
• As we suffer, we have been ________________________________________________

Meaning, if you go through suffering the right way – God’s Way – you will help others who are suffering not to give into sin and not get tripped up by sin and maintain a proper perspective.

Be encouraged: _______________________________________________________

I Peter 4:9-11 NLT Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as
though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

• Our suffering can result in ______________________________________________
• He will give us what is needed to _________________________________________

Be encouraged: ______________________________________________________

I Peter 4:12-13 NLT Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

• Our suffering ______________________________________________________
• Our suffering ______________________________________________________
• Our suffering ______________________________________________________

Be encouraged: _____________________________________________________

I Peter 4:14-19 NLT If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s
affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those
who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

• We will never face ____________________________________________________
• The power of God ____________________________________________________
• Therefore, stay focused on _____________________________________________

Deuteronomy 31:6. NLT
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Be encouraged: ________________________________________________________

I Peter 5:1-7 NLT And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that
God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great
Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

• God doesn’t expect us to __________________________________________________
• When we try to live without Him _____________________________________________
• Pride will ALWAYS ______________________________________________________
• Humility will ALWAYS ____________________________________________________

Vs.5b God gives “grace” to the “humble”
“humble” = those who acknowledge that only God is God and that they need God.

“Grace” = “favor” in this context. Contrast with “opposes” (i.e. oppose any progress they attempt to make) the proud. God will allow humble people who are dependent upon God to make progress in their spiritual lives. Believers should heed the injunction to be humble because God sets his face against the proud, but he lavishes his grace upon the humble. Those who submit to God’s sovereignty in humility will find that he will lift them up and reward them.

Be encouraged: ________________________________________________________

I Peter 5:8-11 NLT Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is
going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.

• Satan is __________________________________________________________
• Your faith is _______________________________________________________
• You are __________________________________________________________
• Your suffering now will ______________________________________________

An interesting observation – Peter practiced what he preached! Everything we have talked about for the past five weeks was not just preacher
talk…Peter himself was suffering and knew what persecution was all about. Notice the word “Babylon” in the verses below – it was a codeword to other Christians at this time in the Ancient world to mean “Rome.” But in times of persecution, they came up with code-words for where they were and where other people were. So, instead of stating they were in “Rome,” Christians code-named Rome as “Babylon.”

Babylon is a reference to the city of Rome, which was increasingly called by this name by both Jews and Christians. The nickname expressed the fact that the Christians in the city felt themselves to be in exile in a foreign land, a city of luxury and sin and the oppressor of God’s people. This identification also corresponds to Peter’s earlier description of the Christians in the city as aliens and strangers in the world (2:11).
This shows that Peter was himself dealing with persecution and suffering. Thus, ALL his advice and encouragements were not just words given by an Apostle who had it all together, he was living through suffering while he was writing this letter! Ironically, tradition tells us that Peter was found two years after writing this letter and was martyred near Rome for the cause of Christ. He rejoiced in the ultimate victory of being home with the Lord!!
I Peter 5:12-14 I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. 13 Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet each other with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.
• Even in our suffering we can find __________________________________________

2019-06-30

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: I Peter 1:6 NLT So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

For the next five weeks, we will be walking through the book of 1 Peter. This book was written by the Apostle Peter in about 62-64 A.D. to Christians in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) who were facing an ever-increasing wave of persecution and suffering as a result of their faith.

While this book is quite short compared to many of the other 65 books in the Bible, this book is packed with great truths on how to turn your trials into triumph. During our time together, we will focus on three different areas of wisdom given in this book. These include:

1) Realities about suffering we need to understand

2) Proper responses to those realities for the Christ follower

3) Encouragements to embrace as you are go through suffering in your own life

TODAY, we will look at I Peter 1:1-12.

Reality #1: We are not yet home

Even though your citizenship is in heaven, we are not yet there. Until then, believers will suffer because they are strangers in a foreign land. We live in a broken world caused by sin. As a result, we must recognize we will face hardships, trials, pain and suffering. But all along the way, we must remain focused on what is yet ahead.

Response #1: Rejoice in what lies ahead

When you focus on your promised future, you will be able to endure uncertainty today!

I Peter 1:1 NLT This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

Peter writes this letter with authority as an APOSTLE, which is a representative of Christ Himself. In fact, the Holman New Testament commentary defines APOSTLE in this way: “An apostle is “one who is sent out with a message.”1 Peter was given this message by God to encourage believers because he is fully aware of the suffering which existed for followers of Christ. Peter himself had been persecuted. He had been arrested and even faced the potential of execution. Therefore, this letter is one written to bring hope and light in the midst of certain darkness.

Like Peter, the Apostle Paul encouraged the believers in Philippi to focus on the assurance their citizenship is in heaven to endure the increasing uncertainty of today:

Philippians 1:27-30 NLT Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

NOTE: “This will be a sign…that you are going to be saved” (v.28) – Meaning, when people persecute you for your faith and you are suffering because of living life God’s way, it is yet another way you can be assured that you are saved. You can know this will not always be the case for you will soon be delivered from the presence of sin. The trials we face in this world are not all there is for us to look forward to, God has given us a great promise of a future gift which is Heaven.

Six Encouragements to Christ-Followers who are suffering:

1. Be encouraged: He will give you grace

I Peter 1:2 NLT God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

• We have a hope which comes from God
• He will give us everything we need to make it through in victory
• Not only for today, but for eternity

2. Be encouraged: He has prepared a home

I Peter 1:3-5 NLT All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

• Our “great expectation” is what Jesus talked about in John 14
• Nothing can destroy what God has prepared
• Until then, we are safe

3. Be encouraged: This too shall pass

I Peter 1:6. NLT So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

• Joy is promised even in the midst of our pain

4. Be encouraged: He will give you strength

I Peter 1:7 NLT These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

• God uses our pain to increase our faith
• Our faith is perfected through the suffering of this world

James 1:2-4 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

5. Be encouraged: He will give you joy

I Peter 1:8-9 NLT You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

• God uses our pain as a pathway to Joy
• And, as a pathway to His promise

6. Be encouraged: This was God’s plan

• God is in control and He has a perfect plan for you
• He has you perfectly positioned in that plan
• It was planned from the very beginning
• So, don’t worry be happy

I Peter 1:10-12. NLT This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. 11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward. 12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

• Even Heaven rejoices over what God has in store for us all
• The “Good News” makes all the difference
• God Knows what’s ahead

2019-06-16
Ben Gutierrez

Memory Verse:
John 11:40
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”

“God’s Timing is Always Perfect!” Every person is tempted to doubt God when he/she does not understand what is happening or know how God is working in a given situation. This is a normal reaction and God understands, yet God always requires Christ-Followers to trust Him no matter what the circumstances. In this sermon, the congregation of Thomas Road Baptist Church studies John Chapter 11 in order to discover how God is always in control even when we may not understand what God is doing. Listen, learn, and be encouraged that “God’s Timing is Always Perfect!”

John 11:3
…Two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friendis very sick…”

John 11:4
But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death.”

John 11:5b
Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

John 11:3, 5-6
3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick…” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days.

John 11:14-15
14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there…

John 11:17
When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus hadalready been in his grave for four days.

Wondering “Why?” in the Waiting

“Is God Trustworthy?”

John 11:21
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

John 11:32
When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

John 11:36-37
36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”

John 11:35
Jesus wept.

Make Your Own Choice!

John 11:40
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”

Never Forget How God Has Proven Himself in the Past!

“If you believe, you will see the glory of God!” – Jesus

2019-06-02

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Hebrews 12:8 (NLT): If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV) But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT) But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work

How does God discipline His children? Through His Word! He tells us clearly what we should do, what we shouldn’t do and how we can be successful at both. God’s Word is the “manual” for right living and gives us everything needed to see how God works in our lives.

1. Instruction

• Vs 16a All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true
• God uses discipline to teach us right from wrong
• This is similar to what we as parents do when raising our children

2. Correction

• Vs 16b and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives
  • “reproof” – e’-len-khos(to convict, to show us what is in error)
  • This is where God uses discipline to punish us for doing wrong
  • God does use discipline to punish our wrongdoing, but this is not ultimate punishment, Christ has paid that price already
  • Job 5:17 But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.

3. Protection

• Vss 16c-17 It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
• Paul had thorn to keep him from pride
  • 2 Cor. 12:7-10 (NLT) Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• This is the idea that God uses discipline to keep us from harm
• Every Christian needs this form of discipline because we will always struggle with our sinful nature

Prov. 29:19 (NLT) Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded

So, what does God use to discipline His children?

• Pain? Yes
• Suffering? Yes
• Hardships? Yes
• Sickness? Yes
• Financial difficulty? Yes

Does He use all of these with all of us? No.

• God knows what each individual needs to bring them into right living and fellowship with God. He knows what we need to teach us to be what we should be.

Are all instances of pain, suffering, hardship, sickness, financial difficulty a result of God’s discipline? No.

• Some are results of the broken world in which we live. So how do we know the difference? Always go back to God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16.

2019-06-23
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Thomas Road Baptist Church was founded on June 21, 1956 with the idea of changing the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here we are, 63 years later, and that hasn’t changed nor will it ever change. What started in an small, abandoned brick building in a Lynchburg neighborhood has now touched the globe. And I firmly believe God still has much for us to do.

Philippians 1:1–11 (NKJV): Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The Call to Continue

1. A personal message

Verse 1b … To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the Ébishops and Édeacons

• While these words were written to a specific group of believers around 2000 years ago, they are words relevant to us today.
• God’s Word is personal for us

2. We are in His prayers

Verses 2-4 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy

• Christ is praying for us continually

Romans 8:34b (NKJV): It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us

In the very next verse…”Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”

• Think of all God has done through these many years through the people and ministries of Thomas Road Baptist Church. There is no doubt those things would not have happened without the powerful hand of God upon us all

3. A great promise

Verses 5-6 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

• This was the verse my dad would often reference in his vision to keep moving forward for God. It was his life’s verse.

Verses 7-8 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

• We are all in this together. There is no hierarchy in the church of Jesus Christ. He is the head, we are all his soldiers.

4. With a great challenge

Verses 9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness Éwhich are by Jesus Christ, Éto the glory and praise of God.

Four things Paul challenged them to continue in:

1. Love
2. Knowledge and understanding
3. Right living
4. To be more like Him

Verse 12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel

Even in difficult times, God will use us to change the world

2019-05-12
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

God wants us to live our lives in confidence of His presence and power. There is a great difference between confidence and arrogance. The world often confuses the two. But when we keep our eyes fixed on His Word and His way for us, we will see Him constantly at work in our lives.

Hebrews 10:19-25 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

1. Living close to the source

• Vss 19-20 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.
• Living the kind of lives God intends requires us to spend more time connected to Him than connected to the world
• Our personal walk with Christ is vital to a live “over the top”

2. Recognizing Jesus as our mediator

• Vss 21-22a And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him…
• We are not alone in the journey. Jesus is on our side!
• Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

3. Free from guilt

• Vs 22b For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
• Satan’s goal is to keep us paralyzed with guilt and fear
• Jesus has paid the price in full for us to live “free and clear”

4. Trusting Him completely

• Vs 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
• Thriving in life requires us to wake up each day knowing He is in control and will keep His Word

5. Encouraging one another

• Vss 24-25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

• We must put into practice what He has promised
• We must:
  • Gather regularly
  • Love unconditionally
  • Serve willingly
  • Share continually
  • Pray powerfully

2019-04-28
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:1-10 (NKJV) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The key to moving from surviving to thriving is understanding your purpose. The only way to understand your purpose is to know who you follow.

Thriving begins with security.

1. Protection

Vss 1-3a “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice;

• Jesus was talking about the protective nature of the Good Shepherd (vs 11)
• Jesus is giving the picture of Him gathering His “sheep” into the protective nature of the sheepfold

Thriving continues in truly knowing your source.

2. Intimacy

Vss 3b-5 …and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.

• There is an intimacy the exists between the Shepherd and the sheep which creates a bond that cannot be broken
• That intimacy is vital for a fulfilled life

Thriving grows from experiencing life as God intended.

3. Life-Giver

Vss 9-10 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

• Jesus was referring to the danger of following wrong ideas or teaching. This will always lead to disappointment and destruction.
• But following Christ will always result in life to the fullest.

The shepherd did not drive his sheep; he led them. Christ has gone the way before us. He has journeyed through life’s thorn-grown wilderness. He knows life’s dangers and perils. The Good Shepherd leads His sheep “beside the still waters.” Otherwise a rushing current might sweep away the flock to destruction, or mask the sound of an approaching enemy. But he does not always lead us in pastures green or by waters still. Sometimes he leads us amid the tempests and down into the deep ravines of life. But there is reassurance in the presence of the Good Shepherd (Gariepy, p. 212).^[1]

^[1]Gangel, K. O. (2000). John(Vol. 4, pp. 195–196). Holman New Testament Commentary, Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

2019-04-14
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Today, we’re going to walk through all four Gospels as we examine the great gift that is Jesus. And, how His words through this day make all the difference.

1. Silenced

Mt 27:27–31 (NLT) Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

• His silence had far greater impact in this moment than any words He could have spoken.
• His silence indicated His desire to do whatever was necessary to bring redemption to us all.

2. Shunned

Mk 15:33–34 (NLT) At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

• In payment for our sins, God turned His back on His own son
• How is this even possible?
• Because God transferred the sins of man to the Son of God. Sin cannot exist in the presence of God so this represents the separation from God we all deserve.

3. Secure

Lk 23:40–43 (NLT) But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

• As a man who deserved death hung next to Him, He extended grace and mercy.
• Grace and mercy, when accepted, will always bring security.

4. Salvation

John 19:30 (NLT) It is finished!”

• When Jesus breathed His last, the payment was made, our sins were forgiven.
• The words Jesus spoke were not referring to His own life being finished, but rather referring to our condemnation.
• Our sin debt was paid in full.

All of these moments lead us to a profound truth which is summed up in one word….LOVE!

So what should our response be to this kind of love?

2019-03-31
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: Mark 1:22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:21-28 (NKJV) Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

1. The Word of God amazed

a. Vs 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

i. (NLT) The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

ii. Until that moment, those gathered in that synagogue had heard the same thing time and time again until Jesus arrived.

iii. His Words were radically different because they were words of hope, love, grace, promise, truth.

b. Vs 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

i. They knew His words had power they had never experienced. Why?

ii. Because they were from God Himself.

iii. They were hearing the Word of God from the Son of God.

iv. The result?

2. The Word of God changed

a. Vss 23-26 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.

i. Even the “unclean spirits” recognized Jesus for who He is.

ii. When the Word of God is heard and believed, change happens.

iii. Same is true today. Although, many today “hear” the Word of God but don’t necessarily “believe” the Word of God. Then they wonder why they don’t see the change they need.

3. The Word of God traveled

a. Vs 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.

i. (NLT) The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.

ii. They couldn’t help but to tell anyone and everyone. Why?

iii. Because this Word was different. It was life-changing and life-giving.

iv. It inspired hope not thought possible until that moment.

Our problem today is we have stopped being amazed at hearing the Word of God because we have become so distracted and deceived by the words of the world.

Our focus is less aimed UP and more aimed OUT!

How do we recapture the wonder and amazement of the Word of God?

1. Immerse yourself in the Word of God. (i.e. READ IT)

2. Trust the Words you read (i.e. BELIEVE IT)

3. Tell others about the things you read (i.e. TELL IT)

Special Speaker: Rick Rigsby

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NASB)

⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lordyour God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

– Rare is the sight today of  authentic manhood in our superficial culture

– Yet, God commands that we love Him so deeply that we model His love

– The Greatest Teacher ever modeled the love of God before His Disciples

– Men . . . (and women), Living a Godly life can impact generations!

2019-03-03

Key Verses:
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.

1. Be Ready

• “Watch…” (vs 13a)
• This statement is given Paul as a reminder to those in Corinth, and us, to be ever mindful of the sudden return of Christ
• When we keep our eyes fixed on Christ’s return, it will keep our hearts fixed on the mission we’ve been given
  • 1 Thess 5:6 – (NLT) So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded
• When we keep our eyes fixed on Christ’s return, it will keep our hearts fixed on being more like Him
  • 1 John 3:2-3 (NLT) Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. ³ And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

2. Be Right

• “…stand fast in the faith…” (vs13b)
• Paul wanted to encourage the church at Corinth to stay committed to the doctrines of God’s Word, not the world’s idea of what’s right
  • 4:1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord.
• “False doctrines lead to loose morals, and Paul wants them to tie their conduct to their beliefs.^[1]”

^[1]Staton, K. (1987). First Corinthians: Unlocking the Scriptures for You(p. 266). Cincinnati, OH: Standard.

3. Be Tough

• “…be brave, be strong…” (vs 13c)
• Andrizomai(ahn-DRID-zo-my) – “to show one’s self a man”
• Paul was literally calling them to “be a man” (KJV, NKJV, ESV, CSB)
• In today’s culture, men are either viewed as bullies or babies but God wants us to be men shaped the Word of God
  • 2 Sam. 10:12 Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.
  • 1 Cor. 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.
• 1 Timothy 3 gives us a great view of what a Godly man is supposed to be. While this passage gives us the prerequisites for leading in the church, it is also a great list of leading in life
  • 1 Timothy 3:2 (NLT) So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation….

4. Be Tender

• “Let all that you do be done with love.” (vs 14)
• When we have a genuine, Godly love for others; it will define how we will act and treat others
  • 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins^”

1 Kings 2:1-4 (NLT) As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon: ² “I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. ³ Observe the requirements of the Lordyour God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. ⁴ If you do this, then the Lordwill keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’

2019-02-17
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: 1 Cor. 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1–13 (NLT): I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! 10 But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. 11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Verses 1-3 You can have everything and have accomplished everything but if you missed out on the great commandment, you missed it all and it really doesn’t matter.

Verses 4-7 A picture of God’s love, not tempered by the world’s likes, dislikes and desires, is one of unconditional, absolute love. Let’s walk through this passage so we have a clear understanding of what God expects when Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 22.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

A picture of Christian love

1. Love is patient and kind (vs 4a)

• Patience requires discipline
• Patience does not allow for indifference or ignoring wrong
• Kindness changes outcomes, it is the pathway of dealing with others that honors Christ

2. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude (vs4b-vs5a)

• Your desires are focused on their best interests, not your own
• “Jealousy and envy begin when admiration and desire turn to resentment of others for what they have”
•Jealousy is the absolute opposite of the Christ we see in Phil. 2:3-8

– Phil. 2:3-8 (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

• Boastful, Proud and Rude are all connected in their outcome

– Boastful – (perpereuomai – to praise one’s self excessively) All about you…
– Proud – to be puffed up, to think you’re better than anyone else aschemoneo
– Rude – (aschemoneo – to behave dishonorably, without decorum)

3. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged (vs 5b)

• Does not demand its own way (does not seek its own – NKJV)
– 1 Cor. 10:24 (NLT) Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
– 1 Cor. 10:33 (NLT) I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. 11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

• Not irritable (is not provoked – NKJV)
– James 1:19-20 (NLT) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

• Keeps no record of bring wronged
– Not holding on to old hurts to bring up when needed
– Forgiveness

2019-02-03

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: John 14:15 (NKJV) “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Matthew 4:18-22 (NKJV) And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

What does Jesus want us to do today in response to His call to “follow Him?”

1. Go to church

• 58% of Evangelical Christians attend church regularly
• Only 36% attend more than once a month
• 52% attend church seldom or never
• 69% 18-29 year olds attend either once a month, seldom or never
• The average “faithful” Christ follower attends church 1.26 to 2.3 times per month

• Clearly, the Bible gives overwhelming arguments advocating for regular attendance and involvement in the local church.
• Romans 12:5 tells “while we are many, we form one body”
• 1 Corinthians 12 challenges us that as one body, we have all a part to play and when we don’t show up, we are not only harming ourselves, we are harming the body

Luke 4:16 (NKJV) So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Hebrews 10:25 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.

Acts 2:41-47 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

2. Grow in church

• 19% of Christians read their Bible every day
• 48% of Christians pray every day
• 15% of Christians have fasted in the last year
• 91% of Christians have not memorized more than 3 Bible verses in the last year

• Colossians 2:7 tells us to allow our “roots to grow down into Him build our lives on Him and we will grow strong in our faith”
• Our spiritual growth is our responsibility and it won’t happen by accident or proxy

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.

2 Peter 1:5-8 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

—————
1 www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/attendance-at-religious-services/ 2014 Data 2 www.statista.com/statistics/245491/church-attendance-of-americans/ 2017 Data 3 pushpay.com/blog/church-attendance/ 2017 Data 4 www.lifeway.com/en/articles/philip-nation-transformation-spiritual-disciplines-growth – Phillip Nation