2018-07-08
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Acts 9:20  Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Today, we’ll begin a Summer series walking through some familiar, powerful stories from the New Testament that I believe can help bolster our faith. These are stories that most of us have heard or read, yet today we’re going old school once again and using the “power of flannel graph” to revisit these stories. And today’s story is about a man named Saul, or Paul, as we now know him.

1. When He Calls, LISTEN!

– Even if you think you’re doing the right thing.

– Paul thought he was doing important work for his religion
Acts 9:1-2 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

2. God’s Call Is Unmistakable

Acts 9:3-4 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

– while most of us will never have a blinding light and a loud voice show up in the midst of a walk, when God calls us it is still undeniable

– He speaks through His Word

– He speaks through His Spirit

3. God’s Call Can Be Confusing

Acts 9:10-15 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

– God didn’t give Ananias the luxury of reason

– Though Ananias wasn’t sure about the task he was given, he obeyed because it came from God

– Even though the work seemed to be scary and uncomfortable

4. God’s Call Is Urgent

Acts 9:20-22 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

2018-06-24
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

For the next two weeks, we’re going to have what might be considered a family meeting. This will be an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate what God has done and dream about what He wants to do in the days ahead. We’re going to break this sermon down into two parts, part 1 today and part 2 will be next Sunday. Here’s the question that we’ll attempt to answer; What does God want us to do as His Church? Well, let’s get into the Word of God and find out

Matthew 16:18-19 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Eph. 4:7-16 (NLT) However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

The Church – There and Here

1. It is Christ that builds the church

– Matt 16:18b “… I will build My church,”

– It’s not up to us

– We can’t destroy it, we can’t stop it!

– Nor can the world

– The world, and some within the church, desire to keep the church from being what Christ intended…but 1 John 4:4 gives us the encouragement that He  equips us with the ability to see their attempts.

2. Christ has chosen us to be His tools

– Eph. 4:7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

– While Christ builds the church, He has chosen us to help

– If we fail in our duty, He’ll raise up someone else

3. He has equipped us for the job

– Eph. 4:11-12 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

4. He uses the church to grow us

– Eph. 4:13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth

– This is where 1 John 4:4 comes into play, our growth within the church helps us to discern the problem outside the church

5. And then He uses us to grow the church

– Eph. 4:15-16 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

– Go into all the world…

– “so that the whole body is healthy and growing…”

– that phrase is not about TRBC Lynchburg, it is about the global church

Eph. 4:1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

2018-06-10
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

For the last few weeks, we’ve been talking about the Holy Spirit’s presence and purpose in our lives. Going back to Acts 1 when He was promised, Acts 2 when He arrived, and on and on as His present work continues to lead and guide us. Spirit-filled and Spirit-led living is the only way to find joy in life. Today, let’s talk about the importance of LETTING Him do His work in our lives.

Galatians 5:16-26 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Spirit Led Living

1. Live in poverty

– Total dependence

– vs 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

2. Because it’s an uphill battle

– vs 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

– Doing the right thing is always tough but always right

– Paul said even he struggled with doing right in Romans 7:15

– There’s an internal battle going on daily in your heart and mind. Let God’s Word and His presence strengthen you to be on the right side.

3. But you can do it

– vs 18a But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

4. He will make you what you need to be

– vs 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

– When allowed, the Holy Spirit will do a great work in our hearts which will naturally flow out in what we do.

– Complete surrender is the only way to let it work.

5. And He will give you victory

– vs 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

– Does this mean you will not sin anymore? Of course not. But it does mean that we will see His victory at work within us.

2018-05-27
Scott Bullman

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”
Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT)

KEY VERSE:

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

The Power of our Words:

“People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue…”
James 3:7-8a (NLT)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

“Words kill…words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.”
Proverbs 18:21 (The Message)

OUR WORDS CAN BE LIFE-GIVING

• Words that Encourage

“So, encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

• Words that Inspire

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)

• Words of Kindness and Gentleness

“Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

“Gentle words are a tree of life, a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
Proverbs 15:4 (NLT)

• Words of Truth and Honesty

“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”
Proverbs 27:29 (NLT)

“In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.”
Proverbs 28:23 (NLT)

“…Speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ…”
Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)

• A Timely Word

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

“The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry.”
Proverbs 25:11 (The Message)

• A Smart Word

“From a wise mind comes wise speech…”
Proverbs 16:23a (NLT)

“Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”
Proverbs 10:19 (NLT)

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
Proverbs 17:27-28 (NLT)

“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.”
James 3:2-6 (NLT)

OUR WORDS CAN BE TOXIC

• Critical Words

“Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.”
Proverbs 12:18 (NLT)

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

• Slanderous Words

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)

Proverbs 16:2 – “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”

“Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.”
Proverbs 25:18 (NIV)

• Gossip

“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.”
Proverbs 16:28 (NLT)

“Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.”
Proverbs 18:8 (NLT)

Proverbs 11:13 “A gossip goes around telling secrets,but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.”

Romans 12:17 – “Never pay back evil for more evil.”

“Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.”
Proverbs 26:20 (NLT)

• Inappropriate Words

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil”
Proverbs 4:23-27 (NIV)

CONCLUSION

A heart filled with BITTERNESS speaks ANGRY words
A heart filled with FORGIVENESS speaks GRACIOUS words

A heart filled with ENTITLEMENT speaks COMPLAINING words
A heart filled with GRATITUDE speaks UPLIFTING words

A heart filled with GUILT speaks HARSH words
A heart filled with PEACE speaks TENDER words

A heart filled with REJECTION speaks RESENTFUL words
A heart filled with ACCEPTANCE speaks KIND words

A heart filled with GRUMBLING speaks NEGATIVE words
A heart filled with THANKSGIVING speaks POSITIVE words

A heart filled with CONDEMNATION speaks JUDGMENTAL words
A heart filled with LOVE speaks COMPASSIONATE words

A heart filled with JEALOUSY speaks words of GOSSIP
A heart filled with CONTENTMENT speaks words of BLESSING

A heart filled with SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS speaks CRITICISM
A heart filled with HOPE speaks ENCOURAGING words

8 No one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”
James 3:8-12 (NLT)

2018-05-13

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Jeremiah 33:3

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

2018-04-29
Sergio Guardia

Revelation 7:9-10
Main idea: May your Kingdom be done on earth, as it is seen in Heaven.
God’s strategy is the body of Christ doing ministry together

God’s vision is UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Here God is showing us who He envisions on being in Heaven with Him. Every nation, all tribes, peoples and tongues from earth. The only color here is the blood of the Lamb, the only nation is the nation of the Lamb, we are all people of the Lamb. We were not part of his people, and he made His people, we were not part of His covenant, and He died to make us part of the New Covenant, we did not belong to His Heaven, but he made us citizens of the New Jerusalem. All of us are just sojourners on our way home.

When it comes to racial reconciliation, We need to take more than forward steps, we need to be a model for the world of what heaven would look like.

In Heaven, we will all be sinners forgiven by the same blood, called from a sin status to sons and daughters status, with the same citizenship given to us by the same King.

God’s vision is great, and the price to accomplish this vision had to be great.
This vision cost God the precious blood of Jesus. A price given to have a body of believers from every nation, tribe and tongue. God paid the Son’s blood to make it EVERY.

EVERY was expensive, and God paid it because it was important to him, thus, it should be important to us as well.

Let’s be part of making disciples that can become citizens of heaven. Let’s do our part to preach the Kingdom and to live out the culture of King Jesus’s kingdom.

Are we committed more to culture than Christ? Is it more important how people will perceive us than what the Bible is telling us to do?

How can we foster racial reconciliation? Dr. Tony Evans says this should be not the end in itself, It is a mean to a common cause.

The Kingdom is near, repent. We need to repent if we want reconciliation. Reconciliation cannot happen before repentance. Peace and unity cannot happen before reconciliation. We need to close the circle, in order to close the circle, we need to start the circle, and it starts with repentance. This is not a call to one race only, this is a calling to the church of Jesus Christ. When we have not lived to the standards God set, we need to repent.

What it would look if we do outreach together? What if several life groups would adopt a School in their area to minister? This would reach out diversity itself.
On a personal level. How many people have you mentored that is a different skin color than yours? That has a different background? We cannot force this, it has to be done in a natural way when we build the relationships

God’s vision done in His power
God is worshiped because of who He is and because of what He has done.
He deserves Glory, because He is the deliverer.
He deserves Honor and thanksgiving. Those are the marks of a grateful heart.
We praise him for His wisdom. He has a deliverance plan, he knows the way to go, He is the way.
We praise him for His strength. He is wise to come up with the better plan, and He has the strength to make it happen.

He brings his to people to his presence, and His presence is synonym of protection, provision and fellowship. In his presence they shall hunger no more, they shall thirst no more, no heat no more. He meets our greatest needs and he comforts from our deepest sorrows.

Meanwhile, we still suffer of heat or cold, hunger and thirst, of broken families, broken lives, and broken dreams. It is still a broken world. But, in the midst of a broken world, God provides HIS UNBREAKABLE PRESENCE.

I might cry, but he is my comfort
I might thirst, but he is living water
I might be hungry, but He is the bread of life
I might lose sight, but He is the light of the world

We cannot accomplish this great vision without depending on Him. As a church, we need to seek him. Not only we cannot do this as an individual, but, we cannot do this as a church without depending on God. We need to keep trusting Him, and follow Him on this God sized vision, and we need to do it together.

Maranatha!

2018-04-15
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

1. Sin will damage your relationships beyond repair

Vss 17-19 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

– hopelessness can never result in happiness

– full of darkness, wandering FAR from the life God gives

– John 10:10 “life more abundantly”

– Phil 4:7 “peace that passes all understanding”

2. The “TURN” that happened when you came to Christ is a daily commitment

Vss 20-24 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

– we are a new creation, but we must work daily to remain where God wants us

– “throw off” (a-paw-TITH-a-me) = to put away or to cease what one is accustomed to doing

How does this play out in our relationships?

1. Honesty

Vs 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

– Prov 12:22 The Lord detests (an abomination) lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth

2. Self-control

Vss 26-29a And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language.

– controlling our anger requires complete dependence on God

– uncontrolled anger provides fertile ground for the devil

– turn what is natural (sin) into what is eternal (God’s plan)

3. Building up

Vs 29b Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

– be an encourager, lifting others up every chance you get

4. A change in action and attitude

Vss 30-32a And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted…

5. A life of forgiveness

Vs 32b …forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

– forgiveness is the primary action to stronger relationships

– Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer[a] sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

2018-04-01
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

The Cross. A powerful symbol. Think of what it must have been like that day. Three wooden crosses, fashioned from the rough wood of a recently felled tree. They didn’t spend time putting the finishing touches on these works. No smooth finish, no shiny lacquer. Just rough, splintering wood. Left that way to ensure the greatest pain for the criminal who would die there. As the condemned would slowly push up with their legs to grasp for air, getting ever more difficult with each move, the splinters from that rough tree would rip at their already shredded skin.

Three crosses stood that day. The whole town no doubt came out to see what this was all about, to watch these men die. The pharisees and religious leaders there to see their plan come to fruition. Their friends and family, with tears in their eyes, standing by in denial of what they would see witness. The soldiers simply doing what they were told to do, just another day at work.

Soon, the crowd grew larger as these men were led to the hillside. Their pain already more than most could withstand. They were brought to where the wooden crosses were waiting. Nailed to these trees then lifted to begin the agonizing process of dying as they hung for the world to see. Three men dying for the sins committed. Two for their own sins, one for the sins of us all.

2 Cor. 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

“Him who knew no sin” became our sin. That’s why Jesus died. The substitutionary atonement for the sins of the world. Payment for your sins and mine. You see, someone had to pay. That’s what His substitutionary death was all about.

God is a Holy God. A righteous God, and the righteous Judge. He hates sin, cannot allow sin to go unpunished, to go unpaid. He had to judge and punish sin. But God is also a God of love. Ultimate love, unending love. And so, through His great love, He found a way for our sins to be punished, for the price to be paid, without getting what we deserve.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…

That way was for His only Son, Jesus, to pay that price. To bear the weight of our sins, to be punished for our wrongdoing.

Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Jesus came to this earth, hung on that cross, died a horrible death. Not for what He had done, but for what we had done. Not for His bad acts, but for ours. Not for His sin, but for mine, and yours, and for all of mankind. Why? Because God loves us that much. Jesus stepped in and took the punishment so we wouldn’t have to suffer. To save us from our sin, to save us from Hell, to save us for Heaven.

That day was a long day. As they watched Jesus hanging on the cross, the pain he endured became greater and greater. The words He uttered became more troubling with each passing breath. And eventually, He breathed His last.

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.

When He died, the earth shook, the sky darkened, dead people came out of their tombs, the veil in the temple was ripped in two. It was utter chaos. The family, friends and disciples who stood nearby were gripped by grief and fear. Tears rolled down their cheeks as they watched the man they loved, the man they had followed, for whom they had given up everything, slowly lose His life. Now, they probably slipped further away from the crowd, not sure what to do next.

The pharisees and religious leaders, those who had set this into motion, were no doubt filled with pride. Never again would they hear of this man Jesus, never again hear His teachings, never again see Him turn over the tables in the temple, never again dealing with those He healed, never again listening to what they perceived to be blasphemies uttered from His lips. Never again, this Jesus. They walked away with heads held high, they had won. The day had ended in defeat for this Jesus.

The soldiers? Just another day at work. They had done what they were told to do, accomplished their assigned tasks. No big deal, just another day at the office. The day was over, it had ended. Time to go home.

Soon, His body was taken down from that cross. Wrapped and prepared for burial. Carried off to the tomb borrowed for this purpose, not a great distance from where they stood. He was placed in the tomb, the entrance way sealed with a great rock. Guards placed there to ensure that no one would steal the body to cause confusion. The day was done, Jesus was dead, it was finished.

Not much is said about what took place between that day and a few days later. Reading the Gospel accounts, we are aware of a number of different events that took place on that morning. Angels appeared, soldiers knocked out, stone rolled from the entrance way to the tomb, disciples coming and going. Peter looking into the space seeing that Jesus wasn’t there and running away. But there’s an account in John 20 that I want to take a brief look at this morning because I believe it captures a special moment after the resurrection of Jesus.

John 20:11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

Mary had come to the tomb filled with hopelessness, pain, loss and grief. She had come that day to continue to grieve. To anoint His body as Mark 16 tells us. Her heart was broken because Jesus was dead. Now, to add insult to injury, His body was gone.

As she stood there, angels spoke to her asking her why she was upset. She answered because they had taken away the body of Jesus. Then she sees another man who also asks why she was upset. Thinking this man was the gardener, she begs him to just tell her where the body is, tell me where they’ve taken him! With the tears in her eyes, the grief in her heart, the pain that flooded her spirit, she had no idea who she was talking to at that moment. Then, one word changed everything. The man simply said…MARY!

A simple word, her name, that immediately changed everything about this situation. She heard her name spoken, she had heard it a million times before, but this wasn’t just another mention, she wasn’t overhearing this common name spoken by someone else, this was her name uttered by someone that meant everything to her. It was Jesus. He was alive. She immediately recognized His voice, she looks at Him and speaks, RABBONI (rabb-ee-oh-NEE). Teacher! The one who had taught her everything that really mattered. The one who had healed her. Seven demons cast out of her by this Man. It was Jesus. He was ALIVE! It was a BRAND NEW DAY! Everything changed! Jesus is ALIVE!

Lamentations 3:22-26 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly. For the salvation of the Lord.

I love that phrase in verse 23…”they are new every morning!” What an amazing concept. Everyday is a brand new day with Him.

DARKNESS, SLEEP AT NIGHT, WAKE UP
a. Darkness
b. Uncertainty
c. Worry

You just want your mind to shut down, to stop thinking about all of the problems, the challenges, the hurts and worry. But yet in the midst of the darkness of night, sometimes it seems as if that is all we can think about and it just won’t stop. But, when day arrives, when dawn breaks, when the light begins to shine, it seems as if everything is okay once again.

That’s a picture of verse 23…NEW EVERY MORNING! That’s the picture of His resurrection. Darkness reigned, worry consumed, grief overwhelmed, fear abounds, then morning came! The light shines, Jesus raised from the grave! GREAT IS THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD! No matter how bad it might seem, He is faithful because HE LIVES.

Verse 24 states, “Therefore I hope in Him, the Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who sees Him!”

Our hope is in Him because He has defeated death, the grave and hell. He has destroyed the plans of Satan himself. The darkness that was all-consuming when they rolled the stone in front of the entrance to the tomb was shattered by an ever-burning, ever-present light that can never be extinguished. Jesus rose from the grave, HE IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE! Darkness, then the dawn.

Verse 25 states, “It is good that one should hope and wait quietly. For the salvation of the Lord.”

For the salvation of the Lord! That is what Easter is all about, the salvation of the Lord. God the holy One, the righteous judge, has to see sin punished. He hates sin and cannot allow sin to go without payment. Our sin, the sins of the world, is something that God cannot tolerate and will not let slide. He has to punish sin. The sin must be covered and it requires the shedding of blood to atone for our sins.

Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

There must be blood to pay for our sins and the blood that was required was our own. For the wages of sin is death…We deserve to pay that price, we deserve to suffer, we deserve to die for our sins. But yet God, the righteous judge, loves us so very much that He wouldn’t hear of it. He doesn’t want us to pay with our blood, our lives, for our sin. He doesn’t want us to pay eternally for the sin in our lives. His desire is for there to be a covering and Jesus is that covering.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

For the whole world. He is that covering, He Paid that price. That is the Gospel in a nutshell. He died for our sins according the Scripture, and he was buried, and He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15). Jesus died and rose again so that everyone of us, all of us, could have victory over the darkness of our lives, the pain of our past, the severity of our sins, the suffering we deserve. He died and rose again so that we might have life in His name. He died and rose again so that by believing in Him, we can escape the reality of the Hell we deserve to experience the hope of the Heaven we’ve been given through Jesus Christ.

Today we celebrate, not because it’s Spring, not because of the Easter bunny, not because we might like candy, not because we like to look for little plastic eggs. We celebrate because there’s a God in Heaven who loves us so very much that He gave His all (His Son Jesus) to pay it all, for us all, so we could have it all…if we will just believe.

Jesus shed His blood. He died. He was buried. But praise God, on the third day, He shattered the darkness, He broke through the bondage, He cast aside the shackles, He tossed off the guilt, He wrapped His arms around us, He welcomed us into His family, and gave us the greatest gift that one could ever imagine. He gave us A BRAND NEW DAY! A BRAND NEW TOMORROW! A BRAND NEW ETERNITY!

BECAUSE HE LIVES!

They thought He was dead. They thought He was defeated. They thought it was over, that Jesus had been stopped. They thought they would never again have to hear about what He had done, no more miracles, no more sermons, no more throwing the money changers from the temple, no more graves robbed, no more supposed blasphemies from His lips. He was dead, locked away in His tomb, sealed away for all time, dead, gone, forever! BUT…

UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE;
WITH A MIGHTY TRIUMPH OVER HIS FOES;
HE AROSE A VICTOR FROM THE DARK DOMAIN,
AND HE LIVES FOREVER, WITH HIS SAINTS TO REIGN.
HE AROSE, HE AROSE, HALLELUJAH, CHRIST AROSE!
Robert Lowry, 1826-1899

2018-03-25
Jerry Vines

Memory verse:
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Scripture says of Enoch that he “walked with God.” This is a descriptive way of saying that Enoch lived his life in fellowship with God. The Christian faith is sometimes described as “the way.” Throughout Church history this figure of walking has been used. John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” follows this theme. To walk with God suggests the three phases of the Christian life. We walk in- that’s conversion; we walk on- that’s sanctification; we walk out- that is glorification!

Gen. 5:21-24 KJV
21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Enoch walked IN, ON, OUT.

Crossroads
2018-03-04
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse:
Matthew 15:30 Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.

Matthew 15:29 Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30 Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. 31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

When our paths cross His path, everything can be made whole. Notice the word used in the previous sentence…”can.” It’s critical for us to notice that the greatest hindrance to Christ doing His greatest work, outside of Salvation, in our lives is us, not Him.  Over the next few weeks, leading to Easter, we’re going to take a look at some of the moments found in Scripture where people’s lives crossed with Jesus, some of which were inadvertent, and they were forever changed because of the intersection of their lives with Christ. Our prayer is that these stories of life change will be a catalyst to all of us to remember the power found in Christ and for some of us, that He is the only way to Heaven.

Matthew 20:29-34 (Christian Standard Bible) As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 31 The crowd told them to keep quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 33 “Lord,” they said to Him, “open our eyes!” 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see, and they followed Him.

What they did…

1. They heard…

vs 30b When they heard that Jesus was passing by…

– this indicates that they had already heard of this man Jesus
– they knew of His power- the stories of what Jesus had done had no doubt brought about serious conversations for these men, but they had not acted on it.

2. They called…

vs 30c …they cried out…

3. They knew…

vs 30d …Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!…

– theirs was not a problem of lack of belief, it was a problem of lack of action

4. They persisted…

vs 31a The crowd told them to keep quiet, but they cried out all the more…

– when they finally decided to act, nothing was going to stop them

What He did…

5. Jesus listened…

vs 32 Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?

– in every situation found in Scripture when people called out to Jesus, He listened. Not once did He ignore those calling.

6. Jesus cared…

vs 34a Moved with compassion…

– the constant state of Jesus during His ministry here, and still today

7. Jesus healed…

vs 34b … Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they could see…

– what Jesus ALWAYS did

8. They followed…

vs 34c …and they followed Him.

Galatians 5:13
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

The last several weeks we’ve talked about being a difference maker. We’ve talked about making an impact in our world, in our community, with the Gospel. Not just in helping people know who Jesus is and what He has done, but helping them grow in their faith and become witnesses for Him. That is called discipleship, which is a command from God to all of us.  Last week specifically, we ended with this statement:

– In other words, we need to help them map their mission to impact others with the Gospel story (this is replication)

Today and next week, I want to talk about how to make that happen. And the one clear understanding we must all have about discipleship, about SENDING them, is this:

TO SEND IS TO SERVE, TO SERVE IS TO GIVE, TO GIVE IS TO LOVE

Galatians 5:13-15 (NLT) For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

TO SEND IS TO SERVE

1.   Serving is the antidote to selfishness

– vs 13b But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

2.   Serving is picture of God’s command (the great commandment)

– vs 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

3.   Serving will keep us together – division will dissipate

– vs 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

SERVE
– serve them by helping them walk in the way and the word
– START book
– Group Life
– Serve TOGETHER

2 Corinthians 8:1-12 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

TO SERVE IS TO GIVE

4.   Giving Is The Pathway To Abundant Joy

– vs 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

5.  Giving Is A Sign Of Spiritual Maturity

– vs 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

6.   Giving Is A Calling From God

– vss 6-7 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

7.   Giving Is A Response To Your Love For Christ

– vs 8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

Next week, we’re going to talk about what giving really is…

2018-02-04
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verses:
John 4:28-29
The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men,  “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

Last week:
Know who you are…
Know who they are…
Know what your job is…

John 4:1 (NLT)
Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” 15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” 16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” 21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!” 27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.

1. Identify them

– family members, neighbors, co-workers, friends, fellow students

– all of them are people for whom Jesus died (2 Peter 3:9)

2. Pray for them – No one call tell your story but you, and if you don’t…

Romans 10:1-4
Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

3. Tell them your story – No one call tell your story but you, and if you don’t…

vs 28-29 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?”

Acts 26:15-18 Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. 17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

4. Invest in them

– Spending time with them, helping them follow Jesus

Matthew 28:19-20a Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you…

– nothing to fear because He will give you everything you need

Vs 20b And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

5. Walk with them

– Recognize you will grow as you help them grow

God has called us all to be Difference Makers in our world today. These verses, and many others throughout the Bible, clearly indicate we have a responsibility to impact our world for Christ. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to talk about how we can make sure we are fulfilling our God-given mission.

– LOVES PEOPLE, USES THINGS

– a difference maker has a heart for the hurting (Nehemiah)

– a difference maker has a heart for the lost (Christ)

2018-01-07
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

What is the church?
Why is the church important?
Is it still relevant today?
Do I really need to be a part of the church?

These are questions that many people ask often about the church. Today, on the first Sunday of the year, it might be good for us to review our understanding of what makes the church the church.

Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

1. The church is God-ordained
(vs 18b I will build My church)

– Jesus builds our church

– church (ekklesia) A group called out for a particular purpose

– what we do here is not a construct of man, it is a God-ordained, God-planned movement

– And, when done according to His plan, there’s no stopping it!

(vs 18c and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.)

2. The church is not a building or an organization, it’s YOU!

I Corinthians 1:1-3 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

– “the church” is not a specific place, title, denomination…it is “a group called out for a particular purpose”

– meaning, WE ARE THE CHURCH

(vs 2a To the church of God which is at Corinth)

3. Jesus is the Head of the church

Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

– The “head” (kay-FALL-ay) the leader, one responsible to care for

– “preeminence” (pro-TOO-oh) the first, the most prominent

– Any time that anything is placed in higher priority or importance than the proclamation of the Gospel and the preeminence of Christ in a church, the church ceases to be the church Jesus talked about in Matthew 16:18

4. Jesus gave us the plan for the church

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

– the teaching, the gathering, the fellowship, the praying, the serving

– Worship, Bible teaching, Lifegroups, personal growth, service=

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.

– The acting? The proclamation of the Gospel

– Outreach, missions, camping ministry, personal evangelism

5. Jesus gave us the keys to the church

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.

– The keys? Belief in Jesus Christ as the only savior of the world!

Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

2017-12-24

Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

* Wonderful – the wonder of Christmas season is nothing compared to the wonder He brings

* Counselor – When life falls apart and we don’t know what to do, He came to be the One to guide us through our most difficult day

* Mighty God – With Him, nothing is impossible

* Everlasting Father – In the loneliness of life, He is the one with always open arms

* Prince of Peace – In the midst of chaos, He is the constant source of peace

He is all of these things, but so much more. He is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. He is your light in the midst of all the darkness we face.

Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

* “land of the shadow of death” – Heb. 9:27, …appointed unto man once to die
Rom 5:12 …through one man..death entered

* We are all in the land of the shadow of death

* We need LIGHT

“A light has shined” is the image of what the birth of Christ would mean for us all. And, oh how that light is needed.

Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

The wise men came to see this baby born as the light of the world.

Matthew 2:1-2 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? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Sad words indeed. The light shines, but world didn’t understand. The story of Christmas is the light that shines to take away the darkness from the world, from you!

Will you let Him?

2017-12-10
Matt Willmington / Harold Willmington

Memory Verse:
Genesis 22:14
And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Genesis 22:1-14 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”
6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.
7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”
12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

QUESTION: What do you have to put on the altar?

The Heart of Thanksgiving
2017-11-26

Key Verse:
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Heart of Gratitude

1. Be different (vs 12)

– the world has a picture of what life is supposed to be like, God’s plan is different

2. Be caring (vs 13-14)

– the world is hurting, make a difference

– help one another

– forgive one another

– love one another

3. Be together (vs 15)

– peace and thankfulness go together

4. Be consistent (vs 16-17)

– have a heart of gratitude to God for all He has done

– let your life be a picture of gratitude in how you act, serve, live

2017-11-12
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: 3 John 3-4 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Today we continue our study of the the shortest books of the Bible. We’ve looked at Philemon, 2 John and today we move to the shortest of all the books in the Bible…3 John. This book was written by John in the late first century, probably around 90 A.D. from the city of Ephesus. John, as the last living apostle wrote this letter to help strengthen the local church and to provide guidance on how to act within the church. While 1900 years old, this book is timely as the same struggles and challenges continue to exist within the modern day church.

3 John 1 (NLT) This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 5 Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. 7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 8 So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. 9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth. 13 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to write it with pen and ink. 14 For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face. 15  Peace be with you. Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there.

1. Someone who encourages (vss 1-8) – Gaius

– 3 John 3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

– Gaius had a good reputation (vs 3a)

– he was living in the truth of God’s Word (vs 3b)

– he was helping and serving others (vss 5-6)

– This is a picture of what was right in the early church

2. Someone to avoid (vss 9-11) -Diotrephes

– 3 John 9-10 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

-he was filled with pride (vs 9)

– he rejected others’ wisdom and leadership

– he spread gossip about those in church

– he sought ways to hurt them

– This is a picture of what was very wrong in the early church

3. Someone to emulate (vs 12) – Demetrius

– 3 John 12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

– Gaius was given the right example in how to continue to live and lead

– vs 11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good

Lessons we can learn from 3 John:

1. Follow the example of Christ in serving and encouraging others

2. Be careful to never fall into the trap of pride

– seeing yourself as more important than others in the church is the first

step towards being the modern day pharisee

3. Surround yourself with the right kind of Christ followers as this will make

everyone better

2017-10-29
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key Verse: Philemon 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

Today, we’re going to begin a a short series, just three weeks, focusing on some small books in the New Testament. They’re not small in content or impact, just small in size. We’ve entitled this series, Tiny Giants, and today we’re going to spend time in the book of Philemon, the third shortest book in the Bible (335 words.) Next week, we will move to 2 John (245 words) and then conclude the series with 3 John (219 words.)

Philemon 1 (NLT) This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, 2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. 3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. 8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. 10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11 Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. 12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. 13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. 15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul! 20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. 21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! 22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. 24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Mercy Matters

1. The Right Testimony

Verses 4-7 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

– Philemon was a church leader who found Christ through Paul, probably in Ephesus

– The church actually met in his home

– His testimony was one that had even reached Paul, in prison, in Rome (1300 miles)

– Our testimony is an important part of our faith walk as it allows us to be known for the things of God

– Paul wrote this letter to bring healing to a tense situation and to restore fellowship

2. The Right Response

Verse 8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do.

Verse 10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison

– Key phrase is here is “That is why…” Paul was asking based on what he already knew about Philemon’s character

– Onesimus was a thief, a deserter, and according to Roman law, could have been legally and rightfully punished for his actions.

– Yet, Paul said the right thing to do was forgive and restore

3. The Right Action

Verse 21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

– Here is the concept of “over-deliver”

– Paul knew it was the right thing to do, but he desired for Philemon to not only forgive but to restore and to develop a relationship that had never existed before

– This was not “I’ll forgive but I won’t forget” (1 Cor. 13 – no record of wrongs)

4. The Right Example

Verse 25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

– Key word – GRACE

This short book is a picture of how to deal with the certain conflicts of life with others, from both perspectives.  Paul knew it was the right thing to do for Philemon to forgive and restore. But, Paul also knew it was the right thing to do for Onesimus to go back. Onesimus didn’t have to tell Paul of his wrongdoing, but he did. Every element of this story is a great example of how to do everything right.

2017-10-15
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Ephesians 5:15
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

We live in a world that always seems to be fighting. Fighting in the workplace, fighting online, fighting at home and fighting within. Today, I’d like us to spend some time focusing on fights that are actually worth fighting.

1. FIGHT FOR YOUR HEART

Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

– Make what you care about what God cares about

– Proverbs 4:24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. (NLT)

2. FIGHT FOR YOUR MIND

Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

– Don’t let the world define who you are based on the world’s ideas of right and wrong

– The world today bombards us with images and ideas that are intended to take our minds where they should not be. RESIST

– Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (NLT)

3. FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY

Eph 5:25 (NLT) For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body. 31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33 So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

– Lead by example, not by status. Being the spiritual head of the household doesn’t make you the dictator. It just makes you the primary servant.

– The world is desperately trying to destroy your family, serve as the protector within the home.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (NKJV)

4. FIGHT FOR THE CHURCH

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT) 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.

– Don’t let the world define for you what it looks like to be a leader, look to the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

– Matthew 16:18 tells us the gates of hell can’t prevail against the church, but that requires the church to PUSH! Are you?

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done with love.

2017-10-01
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory 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,

Today, we’ll continue talking about how to take the next step from the step you’re on in regards to your faith walk by talking about God’s Word. Last week, we focused on our assurance. It is vital if we are going to walk the path that God has for us, we must recognize the keeping power of God. Today, we’ll talk about the incredible way that God speaks to us and guides us along the journey.

THE POWER OF THE WORD – Hebrews 4:12 The Word of God is living (zah-oh – full of life) and powerful (ener-gais – able to make things happen, bring them about)…

– Inspiration – God breathed out His Word

– Inerrancy – every word is accurate and absolute

– Infallible – absolutely trustworthy, exempt from error

Our response to the living and powerful Word…

1. Read what it says

– 16a All Scripture is given by inspiration of God

“It is God’s present Voice which makes His written word all-powerful.  Otherwise it would lie locked in slumber within the covers of a Book.” – A.W. Tozer

– Reading the Word of God is the only way to discover the Will of God. If you’re trying to discover God’s Will for your life without reading God’s Word for your life, you’re wasting your time.

2. Learn what it means

– 16b …and is profitable for doctrine (teach us what is right), for reproof (convict, show us what is wrong), for correction (teach us how to fix it)…

– We must be diligent in studying God’s Word in order to find its meaning and application

– We can do this through church, Bible studies, life groups, books, radio/tv

“God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds.  He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years.” – A.W. Tozer

– Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

– Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

3. Put it into practice

– 16c …for instruction in righteousness

– 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

– Our lives, or more importantly, our success in life is directly dependent on how we put God’s Word into practice in our daily lives

– If we are not actually applying His Word to life, we not only will fail, we are living in sin

– James 1:22   But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

“It is one thing to know that the Scripture is the Sword of the Spirit, but it another thing to know how to use it effectively. God expects us to use the Sword, not merely hang it up as a decoration.” – Rev. Jerry Falwell

I Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

2017-09-17
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Romans 8:18 NKJV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Life is full of trouble and pain. Often, we are left wondering why. Questions fly over how God could allow such suffering to take place if He is a loving God, or does He even exist at all. Today, let’s spend some time asking the question, WHY?

Job 5:7 Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.

Job 14:1 Man that is born of woman is of full days and full of trouble

1. This World Is Not What God Intended

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

– God created a perfect world and a perfect world must include choice

– A perfect world could not include forced servitude and worship

– Garden of Eden created a perfect place (Genesis 2:9 – every good tree, pleasant to sight)

– ¹⁵ Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. ¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” – Proof of man’s ability to choose good or evil

– Through an act of choice, sin entered into the world. Through that one act, the world

was forever changed.

– The world, and everything in it, are still God’s perfect creation but we messed it up, and we still do

“The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word ‘love’ and look on things as if man were the centre of them.”

(The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis)

2. Even Still There Is Hope

Romans 8:18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

– Our hope is found in looking not at the pain and suffering of today but in the joy and promise of what is to come. But it requires patience.

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

3. Our God Is Still In Control And Taking Care Of Us

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

– In the midst of the pain of this world, we remain fully in the perfect love of God

– Adrian Rogers said, “Sin is not just breaking the laws of God, it is breaking the heart of God.”

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world…No doubt Pain as God’s megaphone is a terrible instrument; it may lead to final and unrepented rebellion. But it gives the only opportunity the bad man can have for amendment. It removes the veil; it plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.”

(The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis)

2017-09-03

Dr. Ed Hindson

Memory Verse:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Dr. Ed Hindson, Dean of the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University will speak on, “The Believer’s Exciting Future.” He will point over seven key promises in the Bible that clearly predict our eternal future from the Rapture to the New Jerusalem. These seven promises will bless your heart and fill you with wonderful anticipation of our eternal home in heaven.

1. Rapture

“We which are alive and remain shall be caught up…”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

2. Bride to the Father’s House

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:2-3

3. Judgment Seat of Christ

“We shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive the things done in the body.”

2 Corinthians 5:10

4. Marriage of Lamb

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

Revelation 19:7-8

5. Triumphal Return

“The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.”

Revelation 19:14

6. Millennial Reign


“they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”

Revelation 20:1-6

7. Eternal City

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

Revelation 21:1-2

2017-08-20

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Daniel 6:27
He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders, In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Today, we build on the fantastic story of last week of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We now move to Daniel 6 and find him in a similar situation that these three found themselves last week. Different King, different conspirators, same old story. Jealousy leading to deception leading to what they hoped would be certain death. But God had a different plan.

Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

1. Being Faithful In The Tough Times Is Vital
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

– Even when Daniel knew that he would pay a price for his faithfulness, he was faithful anyway

2. Our Faithfulness Will Be Noticed By Even Those Against Us
Daniel 6:16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”

– The King knew that Daniel was firm in his trust in God

– The King probably didn’t agree that he would be saved, but he knew that Daniel believed it

3. Our Faithfulness Breeds Confidence When We Need It Most
Daniel 6:21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

4. Our Faithfulness Changes Others
Daniel 6:26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

– Daniel was comforted in knowing that the same God that had sustained him in the good times is the same God that would sustain him in the bad times

5. Our Faithfulness Is Only Possible When It Comes From The Heart
Daniel 1:8 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.

– Half hearted faith will never result in total victory

– Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself early in his life and it sustained him throughout his days

2017-08-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 17:47 NKJV

Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.

Today, we continue in our Flannelgraph series and talk about one of the most popular stories of the Old Testament. The story of David and Goliath. This is a story of human power defeated by the power of God. A story all of us have been inspired by in our lifetime.  But there are lessons that we can also walk away with from this story. And these are lessons that we can use in facing the giants in our own lives.

1. The greatest challenge in life is rarely the actual challenge

* If David had listened to the crowd, he would have never walked onto that field

* If David had listened to his brother, he would have no confidence

2. Facing opposition while doing God’s will should be expected

* David walked into a wall of opposition when he said he could defeat Goliath

* Eliab – a brother who thought David was useless – 1 Samuel 17:28

* Soldiers – who thought David was a joke

* Saul – a King who thought there was little hope

* We see the same type of opposition in our own lives

3. Your success or failure is directly related to how you handle that opposition

* So Many Christians Never Achieve The Maximum Potential In Their Lives    Because They Never Conquer The Thing That They Fear The Most

* Recognize that it is in God’s power that we find our victories

* David responded to his brother in 1 Sam. 17:29 – IS THERE NOT A CAUSE!

4. Depending on God’s power in the face of your biggest giant is always a winner

* Goliath lost this battle because he trusted in himself

* David won because he trusted God alone

* God didn’t simply hand Goliath over to David and Israel, He made them fight the battle

– 1 Samuel 17:51b …And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled

When we depend solely on the power of God in our lives, and His sufficiency, we will walk through the battlefields of life in victory.

2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God

2017-07-23
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Ruth 2:10
So she fell on her face, bowed down to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

We continue through our Flannelgraph series today focusing on the story of a woman named Ruth. This is a fascinating story, particularly a love story that is cherished by so many. It is a story that encourages us but also one that helps to guide many in their marriages.

This story takes place in Bethlehem and in Moab, occurring in the time of the Judges though written after this period had ended. It’s a story of intrigue, romance and redemption

Ruth 1:1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons

Elimelech, Naomi and their sons left the famine of Bethlehem and traveled to Moab to find hope Soon after, Elimelech dies and leaves Naomi with her two sons. They find wives there.

The sons marry Orpah and Ruth. Not long after, both sons die and leave the three women. Naomi tells the wives to return to their families and she will go back to Bethlehem.

They arrive in Bethlehem and Naomi sends Ruth off to glean the fields of barley for their food. She follows along behind the other workers and soon the boss arrives, his name is Boaz.

Ruth catches Boaz’s eye. He takes care of her, feeds her, sends her home with lots of food and is definitely interested. Ruth tells Naomi of this man and Naomi sends her off with a plan.

After finding out that Ruth is his relative, he seeks to marry her. He must find a closer relative to determine if he has a chance. He meets with the man, he comes up with the plan, and seals the deal that he will marry Ruth. They make the contract among the elders.

Boaz marries Ruth and later have a child. This child, Obed, later has a child named Jesse. Jesse later has a child named David, King of Israel. Down through the generations, eventually another child is born. His name is Jesus.

Ruth 4:14-15 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”

Application

1. God uses the famines of life to bring blessings

– Naomi wanted to be called “Mara” because she felt God had forgotten her

Ruth 1:20-21 But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

2. God’s love is not exclusive

– God proved His love through using unfortunate circumstances and unlikely participants to bring about deliverance

Ruth 4:15a And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age…

3. God’s plan is greater

– When Elimelech and his sons died, no one could have guessed from that broken home the future king of Israel, and the future of King of Kings, would come.

– Our brokenness in life is always an opportunity for God to do the unexpected, the unimaginable

2017-07-09
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Judges 6:16
And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”

Today we begin a Summer series using a “technology” that is pretty old. That technology is flannelgraph. I remember seeing these stories on a flannel graph board when I was a child. Right here at TRBC, flannel figures were used to teach me and thousands of others the great stories of the Bible. This Summer, we’re going to do the same thing, telling the great stories of the Old Testament through this old-school method while reframing these familiar stories so they apply to us today.

Today’s story is about a man named Gideon. This was about forty years after Israel had entered the promised land, Canaan. Joshua was dead and a new generation of Israelites were now living.

These Israelites had long since forgotten the promises and deliverance of God. They kept falling into sin, into idol worship and walking away from the one true God.

Judges 6:1
The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years.

The attacks were overwhelming. So much so that the Israelites dug holes in the ground in order to hid themselves (Verse 2).

Israel got to the place where they knew that something had to change and once again they remembered the God who had delivered them. So they cried out to God. (Verses 6-10) There was one man that God had chosen to deliver them from their enemies…and from their fears.

The Angel appeared to Gideon and told him that He would deliver them. But Gideon was just as afraid as everyone else. He didn’t believe that he could do it. He said that he was not capable of leading them out of this mess. But God assured Gideon of His faithfulness (Verses 11-16). Gideon then bargained with God for proof…twice!

So Gideon called for help and 32,000 showed up. But God said it was too many so he told those who were afraid to go home. 22,000 left. But God said there were still too many, so he took them to a stream for a test. Gideon was left with 300 men. (Judges 7:1-7)

God told Gideon and his men to go to the Midianite camp and wait until nightfall. They hid there until they heard the dream of one of the men. This dream encouraged them that God was truly with them. They did as God instructed and the Midianites were so afraid, they began killing each other. (Judges 7:9-22) Gideon got more help and continued to pursue the Midianites eventually capturing the kings. (Judges 8:1-21)

After the victory, Gideon asked all the men to bring gold to him. He made a golden ephod and placed it in the midst of the city. While God had made it abundantly clear that He was their victory and the only one to be worshiped, Gideon became a little to comfortable in his power and his celebrity. (Judges 8:22-27)

Judges 8:28
That is the story of how the people of Israel defeated Midian, which never recovered. Throughout the rest of Gideon’s lifetime—about forty years—there was peace in the land.

Judges 8:33
As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god. 34 They forgot the Lord their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them. 35 Nor did they show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon), despite all the good he had done for Israel.

Application

1. Defeating Fear Requires Faith  (Verses 6:13 & 15, 16)

– Faith in yourself

– As a result of your faith in God

2. Defeating Fear Requires Focus  (Verses 7:2 & 7)

– As the men beside the water were focused on the job at hand, we too must be focused on God’s will and plan for our lives

– we do not have the luxury of being distracted by the “things” of the day

3. Defeating Fear Requires Fidelity  (Remaining true to Him) (Verses 8:27 & 33)

2017-06-25

Charles Billingsley

This Sunday Charles Billingsley reminds us that our lives can leave an incredible impact on this world if we will lives totally surrendered to Christ. We will take a close look at the amazing events in Acts 16 and discover important lessons taught to us by the testimonies of Paul and Silas.

Everyone has a story.  What is yours?

Acts 16:6-34 (NKJV)

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit[a] did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

1. The great life: It starts with Surrender:

A. Surrender to the ways of God

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit[a] did not permit them. 8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

When you don’t know what to do…continue to do what you DO know you are supposed to do.

B.  Surrender to the will of God

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately WE sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

C.   Surrender daily to God

2. The great life: It’s Energized by a purpose

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

A.  It’s God’s plan

B.  It’s God’s purpose

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.

GOD wants you to get where He wants you to go, even more than YOU want to get where He wants you to go.

19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Luke 9:23 — “Then Jesus said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

3. The Great life: Is Sustained by worship

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

A. There is power in worship

B. There is freedom in worship

4. The great life: Is Motivated by Love

A. Love of God

B. Love for others

27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

it is God’s love for us that should motivate our love for others.

Am I totally surrendered to God?
Am I energized by His plan and His purpose?
Am I sustaining my walk with him with a lifestyle of Worship?
Am I motivated by a genuine love for Him and a love for others?

The choice is yours! It’s your life!
 

2017-06-11
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Today, we’re going to look at a familiar passage that underscores the importance of service.

There are many different views of what service should look like in today’s church. Some views are accurate, some are misguided, some are completely wrong. The best guide to becoming a fully engaged servant of Christ is to let Him explain what it looks like.

Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

1. We are to speak truth

vs 13 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

– Salt is a seasoning that adds flavor

– It is also a preservative which slows or prevents decay

– Our roles of service in the Kingdom are to fulfill both of these elements

– How?

1. Stand for Truth

2. Call for Repentance

2. We are to show love

vs 14a You are the light of the world…

– The purpose of light is to fill (replace) the darkness

– In the absence of light, darkness prevails

3. We are not to be ashamed

vs 14b A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden

– Our salvation is an amazing gift, an undeserved gift, that should compel us to share

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

4. We are to share the Gospel

vs 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house

– The “light” of the Gospel is given for all, to all, to be shared with all

– The church has been too good at putting our lights under “a basket”

– Reasons:

– “I don’t want to offend”

– “I don’t want to be made fun of or criticized”

– “I’m not sure what to say”

– “What if they ask a question I don’t know the answer to”

5. We are to set the pace

vs 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven

– How do we “let our light shine?”

1. Consecration – “a setting apart”

2. Dedication – working to show ourselves approved (2 Timothy 2:15)

3. Motivation – keep moving forward in our service to Him

– Genesis 24:27 – “being on the way”

1. Daily Bible reading and study

2. Committed to prayer

3. Connected to the local church

4. Telling others about Him

5. A constant pursuit of holiness

6. Giving of myself, my talent, my time, my treasure

2017-05-28
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
John 15:11
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Over the past few weeks, we’ve examined what the world says about Jesus, what God says about His Son, we’ve examined the words of Christ and what Jesus said about Himself. During this journey, we’ve discovered many encouraging truths about who Christ really is. Today, however, I believe we will be encouraged in even greater ways as we spend some time studying what Jesus said about us.

John 15:1-27
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’ 26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.”

1. You are ready

vs 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.

– We have been prepared by the “vinedresser” through the “vine” to produce

2. You are protected

vs 5a Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches…

– The branches of any plant are only healthy if they are connected to the vine

– Jesus provides us with life giving protection so that we can thrive

3. You are powerful

vs 5b …Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

– Phil 4:13 “I can do all things…”

– This refers to remaining in His Word, His presence, His impact

– vs 8 refers to the proof of our discipleship or growth

4. You are loved

vs 9-10 I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

– He loves us with an everlasting love, He proves that love through what He has done and continues to do for us

– We must prove our love in the same way

5. You are promised joy

vs 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

– We find joy through Him and through finding our purpose in Him

6. You are His friend

vs 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

7. You are chosen

vs 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

– We have been chosen to serve alongside the King of the Universe

– That ability is found in the power and presence of God in our lives

8. You are given great help

vs 26 But I will send you the Advocate-the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.

– We are given the Holy Spirit, the comforter, to come alongside

9. You are called

vs 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

– Speaking to the disciples, He calls them to continue the work

– Speaking to us, He calls us to the same work

10. You are forgiven

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2017-05-14
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2017-04-30
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Matthew 16:15-16
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

When you mention the name, Jesus, everyone on the face of the earth has an opinion. For some, He’s the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Savior of mankind. For some, a great teacher. For others, a good moral example. And for others, He’s a fraud.

As followers of Christ, it is important that we understand truly who He is and why He is. Over the next few weeks, we will spend time strengthening our view and understanding of the most important person that has ever walked the face of the earth.  Today, we’ll take a brief look at what the world believe, and set the stage for defending what we believe.

READ: Matthew 16:1-17

1. World is always looking for a sign

vs 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.

2. There are signs from above and signs from below

vs 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Jewish

* He was jewish

* Ignored from 3rd century forward

* From year 1000, Jews felt that Jesus was source of their persecution

* After 14th century, Jesus was a religious and ethical master, reformer

Islam

* They agree with his virgin birth

* He was a prophet

* His divinity is denied

* Ranks after Mohammed

* Spiritual teacher

* Mentioned in Quran 25 times, more than Mohammed

* Messenger of God but NT is not that message

* Believe that he was not killed or crucified

Hinduism

* Some admire but no commitment

* Some love Him, and use Him as guide in their hinduism

* Some believe

* Ghandi admired teaching of Jesus

* No problem with Jesus being divine, but not exclusively

Buddhism

* Some view Christ as an example of denial of self (Kenosis)

* Admire His compassion (Dalai Lama)

* Attracted to His teaching

* Don’t agree with Him as Son of God

* No real view on Jesus as Buddha didn’t focus on God

Atheists for Jesus
Ken Schei says:”Secondly, when I say that I am “for Jesus”, I do not mean to imply in any way that I have converted to Christianity or that I now believe Jesus to be a god. What I do mean is that I have come to have a great deal of respect for the teachings of Jesus. My respect for Jesus is not based on the Cross, but rather on the Mount–not on His death and supposed resurrection, but on His teachings as exemplified by the Sermon on the Mount.

I will be attempting to present convincing evidence that the Ebionites were who they claimed to be (the Original Apostles and their followers), and that they presented the most accurate picture of the life and teachings of Jesus that is available to us today. If I am successful, the major effect will be to show that Jesus taught that the way to get to Heaven was the difficult path of working to live a good life (the position held by the Original Apostles) rather than the easy path of simply believing in a salvation provided by Jesus’ death (as presented by the followers of Paul).” 1

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted–you may well put up with it!

3. The greatest revelation of who Jesus is? Himself

vs 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.:” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”

Mark 8:29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

1 Ken Schei, Founder and President of Atheists for Jesus http://www.atheists-for-jesus.com

2017-04-16
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Matthew 18:11 (NKJV)
For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

The day started in agony. Jesus had already been ridiculed before Caiaphas, Annas, Pilate and Herod. He had already been beaten and bloodied. But now, the real journey began. The long road to Golgotha.

Mark 15:20 (NKJV) And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. 21 Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. 25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS 27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” 29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. 33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” 37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

At the moment Jesus breathed His last, the one man commissioned to kill Jesus was the man who immediately recognized Him for who He was. What must have gone through his mind at that moment. He had been present for the trials, he was present when Jesus was mocked and beaten, present for the crown of thorns. And, most certainly, present and complicit in nailing Jesus to the cross, complicit in His death. And now, he sees that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.

Many still mocked at this point, but this man knew Jesus was God. How many today know this same thing, yet ignore the truth?

Jesus was dead. His body removed from the tree and placed in a tomb. The tomb was sealed. The Sanhedrin were done with Him, putting this difficult moment in their past. There was no more worries about this man Jesus.

Mark 16:1
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

“You seek Jesus who was crucified, who was dead, but He is alive!”

Everything was different now. The soldiers feared for their lives, the disciples weren’t sure what to think, the women who were there…confused, frightened, unsure. Until one very important thing happened…they saw Him. And when they did, the fears were gone, confusion ended, uncertainty disappeared. Never again did they have to be encouraged to tell others, never again were they concerned about what others might think. Why? Because they had seen the risen Lord. Their words echoed the centurion who gazed upon the body of Jesus on the cross.

“Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

Two thousand years have come and gone since the events of those days. Two thousand years have passed since Malchus was healed in the garden, since Jesus spoke those supposedly blasphemous words to Caiaphas. Since Jesus uttered “It is as you say” to Pontius Pilate. Since the centurion uttered those amazing words…truly this man was the son of God.

And while the calendar has changed, the truth has not. The same Jesus who died, was buried and rose again is the one who today still lives. And loves. And loves you!

As you gaze into the face of Jesus today, what are your words? Confusion, complacency, not interested? Or are your words, truly this man IS the Son of God?

Matthew 18:11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

2017-04-02
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
John 11:50
“…nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”

Today, we continue our series, The Outsiders. Looking at the story of the passion of Christ from those who helped bring about His death. Last week, we looked at Malchus, the assistant to the High Priest whose ear was cut off by Peter and healed by Jesus. What an amazing story. Imagine what must have been going through Malchus’ mind during Christ’s trial and execution…this man healed me!

Today, we look at the high priest, Caiaphas. The man who wanted Jesus dead.

John 11:45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” 49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples. 55 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?” 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
The plot began. Caiaphas was the High Priest of Jerusalem. He was the son in law of the former High Priest, Annas, and was appointed in 18 a.d. to serve in this capacity. He maintained that position until around 36 a.d. when he was thrown out by the Roman procurator. The fact that he served that long proves that he knew what he was doing. He was a politician and knew how to play the games, and please the right people. He knew that he had to keep everything in line if he was going to maintain his power. That’s why he had to stop Jesus.
After the arrest in the garden, Jesus was led from the Garden across the Kidron Valley and taken first to Annas and then to the home of Caiaphas. Annas was appointed high priest by Quirinius, governor of Syria, in 7 A.D. The account of Jesus’ trial before Annas is found in John 18. Jesus was bound and sent to Caipahas.
It was during this time that Peter denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus had said. Let’s pick up the story as Jesus appears before Caiaphas at his house on Mt. Zion.
Matthew 26:57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” 62 And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66 What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
Why is the viewpoint of Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin so important to understand? Their religion was more important than truth. Their tradition was more important than hope. Their power was more important than God’s plan. Sound familiar?

1. The world is always looking for another way

vs 59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60a but found none…

* Their desired result was more important than truth
* Their comfort was more precious than their faithfulness

2. Jesus claimed to be able to do what no one could imagine

vs 60b …But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’

* This is from John 2:19-22 where Jesus cleaned the Temple
* Jesus was referring to His body as the Temple he would rebuild in three days
* After His resurrection, the disciples remembered these words

3. Sometimes in the most difficult moments of life, He remains silent

Not because He is powerless, but rather because His timing is far better than ours

vs 63a But Jesus kept silent… (He could have saved Himself but His plan was far greater)
vs 63b …”I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

* Caiaphas played an important role in carrying out the mission of Christ
* Sometimes the most vicious attackers are the greatest opportunities to help bring about God’s perfect plan

4. Jesus’ plan was the one we so desperately needed

John 11:47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” 49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”

– Caiphas had no idea that in these few simple words, he gave one of the greatest prophecies in all the Bible. He proclaimed the truth of Christ’s presence on this earth. One for all. The question is…will it be “all for One!”

2017-03-19
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
John 4:10
Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

John 4:1-14
1 Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Application:

1. See the worth in every person (vs 7)

-no matter the sin, no matter the pain they’ve caused, God values them

2. See them the way Christ sees them (vs 10a)

– He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9)

– He loves us despite our sin and desires to redeem EVERYONE (Rom 5:8)

3. See the value of the message (vs 10b)

– the only message that change a life is the Gospel…IT IS WORTH TELLING!

4. See the importance of telling them (vs 11)

– the world has a view that it’s what THEY do that will give them hope

– they need to know that it is what Christ has already done that makes the difference

5. Do whatever it takes (vs 13)

– we have a limited time to take this message to the world…OUR WORLD

– your story, simply and genuinely told, can be the catalyst that introduces someone to Jesus

2017-03-05
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse: John 9:39 NKJV
And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

Today, I’d like to spend some time talking about the importance of a story. How a story can change everything in the eyes of others. How an honest story of God’s love and redemption can change the world.  And, one of the greatest stories to emphasize this truth is found in John 9.

John 9:1-27 NLT
1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” 3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! 8 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!” 10 They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?” 11 He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” 12 “Where is he now?” they asked. “I don’t know,” he replied. 13 Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, 14 because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. 15 The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them. 17 Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?” The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.” 18 The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?” 20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.” 24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” 25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” 26 “But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?” 27 “Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”

1. The Beginning of a Story

vs 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!

– Story begins with Jesus seeing a man who had always been blind

– It is also a story that begins in Christians judging someone

– But Jesus took what the world sees as a sinful, punished man and turns it into the miraculous

– This took belief and action on the part of the man

2. The Power of a Story

vs 8 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!”

– Instantly the man wanted everyone to know about this miracle

– He had spent his entire life blind, and now he sees, and couldn’t stop sharing.

– This story turned the community upside down

3. The Faith of a Storyteller

vs 10 They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?” 11 He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!”

– There was no fear to share this story, no worry over being ridiculed

– The formerly blind man was now a spokesman for Jesus, who was not there

– This man had absolute faith in what had happened because he could see

4. The Courage of a Storyteller

vs 15 The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!”

vs 25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

vs 26 “But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?” 27 “Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”

– His testimony took great courage. His own parents were afraid (vss 18-20)

– Anyone who acknowledged Christ would be put out of the synagogue.

– Yet the man continued to tell the same story…I once was blind but now I see

– The man not only continued to share the story, he pushed back against the Pharisees. (vss 30-34) He was even thrown out for it, yet he stood and believed. (vs 35)

5. The Importance of a Storyteller

vs 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.

– Jesus made it clear, time is short, we must share our stories NOW!

2017-02-19
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:1
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. 4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. 5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Living our lives in the overflow means we can…

1. Truly love one another

v1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.

– philadelphia – brotherly love is encouraged here

– What does brotherly love look like?

– relationship (not helicopter relationships)

– genuine care and concern

– provision of needs

2. Have room to help others

v2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

– When we are not “bogged down” by the burdens of life, we are free to help others, care for others, spend time with others

– These two verses focus on the importance of kindness to all and the importance of helping those who are less fortunate

– Service, Missions, Outreach

3. Have the marriages we’ve always dreamed about

v4a Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage.

– honor = timios (TEAM-eeh-os = valued, costly, prized)

v4b God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

4. Have the right attitudes about “stuff”

v5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

– encouragement to “not be greedy, selfish” about money

– 1 Corinthians 4:2 calls us to be “stewards” over what God gives us

– 1 Timothy 6:10 says the “love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”

– Money not that important. Why? Because He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us

5. Have the right attitude about God

v6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

– This is reference to Psalm 118

– Our dependence is on Him, not ourselves, not our money, not our status, not our power, not our job

– Therefore, nothing to fear. No one can destroy us.

Application:

1. Get rid of pride

– If it is a struggle, pray for deliverance

(If it’s all about you, it’s all about over)

2. Look for the opportunities to bless others

– Don’t just wait for the random opportunities, go make those opportunities

3. Look at your spouse as a gift from God, not a burden

– And treat and respect them as such

4. Stop caring so much about things

– There are scores of marriages and families that have been destroyed because they are so focused on “having” rather than “being”

5. Start caring about your relationship with Him

– Take it seriously

– A haphazard faith leads to a hazardous future

– Word/prayer/group/service/sharing

2017-02-05
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
Heb. 12:11 (NKJV)
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 12:5 (NLT)
And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?8 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. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

The Right Correction for the Right Direction

Today, is a message on discouragement. There are two major forms of discouragement in our lives: 1) discouragement brought on by our own actions, 2) discouragement brought on by the actions of others. Today we’re going to deal with the first form, and next week will deal with the second. And, the way that we bring on discouragement as a result of our own actions comes from the consequences of our actions.  That is, the price we pay for the things we do.

Heb. 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

1. All sin has consequences

– The sinfulness of sin is equal before God, but the consequences can be different

vs 5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.”

– Newton’s Third Law – For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction

– There are bad decisions we make that may not be sin, but still bad

2. Those consequences can leave us discouraged if we don’t see their value

vs 6 “For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

– every reaction from our action should be an opportunity to learn

Proverbs 3:11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. 12 For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

– rarely does one see a negative reaction to our action as a positive

3. God’s discipline is a clear picture of His love for us

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?8 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.

– This should be one of the most eye opening and frightening verses in all of Scripture

4. This discipline will ALWAYS make us better

vs 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

– The purpose of discipline is to bring correction, not simply punishment

– God’s plan is to allow our bad to shape our good

– If we don’t allow this process to happen, our bad will only create our “WORSE”

– “discipline” paideia (pie-DAY-o) – punished for the purpose of improved behavior

– BUT, this is your choice

5. Don’t allow these moments to get you down, let them raise you up

vs 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

– the picture of discouragement (tired hands and weak knees)

– God says “Therefore, stand up, keep moving, and let the past shape you for a better future”

Action Points

1. Make a list of consequences you are facing, or have faced, as a result of bad decisions

2. Evaluate each one from the viewpoint of what you learned from those consequences

3. If you can’t find something you’ve learned, take some time to determine what you should learn

4. If there is unconfessed sin that is part of this, confess it and ask forgiveness

5. If you need to seek forgiveness for something you’ve done to others, do so

6. Is there an action you need to take to move past it

7. Move on

2017-01-22
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Last week’s Memory Verse:
Hebrews 12:1
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,

Today’s Memory Verse:
Hebrews 12:2
Looking 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.

Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;* then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Losing Weight To Win

1. You’re Not Alone

1a Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…

– one of the greatest hindrances to living a “freed: life is being bound by loneliness

– byproducts of loneliness
– discouragement
– fear
– inadequacy
– apathy

2. Let It Go

1b …let us strip off every weight that slows us down…

– weight (onkos – impediment, encumbrance)
– Typical “weights” that slow us down
– financial
– health
– lack of wisdom
– double-mindedness
– sin

3. Clean It Up

1c …especially the sin that so easily trips us up…

– sin will always stop us from winning
– our tolerance of sin grows exponentially as our lack of repentance grows

“Never confuse God’s patience in punishing sin as God’s tolerance and acceptance of our sin” – Steve Gaines

– Daniel 4:27 ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.’ 28 “But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later…”

4. Never Quit

1d …And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

– endurance (hypomonē – perseverance, capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances)

– Why should we never quit? Because this is God’s plan!
– the race God has set before us.

5. Know What Matters

2a We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…

ACTION POINTS

1. Look for the weights (i.e. discouragement, financials, health, relationships, anger)

2. Come up with a game plan to fix it

3. Stop sin
– getting into God’s Word will help you avoid sin
– right crowds will help you avoid sin
– “Garbage in/Garbage out”

4. Seek the race God has for you
– prayer
– discernment

2017-01-08
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Last week, we talked about “A New Walk For A New You” in this new year. We discussed making sure that we are making room for God, family, others and that we are living with eternity in mind. Today, I want to talk about the church, specifically, this church.

Eph 4:23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Rev. 2:1 Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands: 2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. 4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6 But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do. 7 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.

Rev. 3:14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. 22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Two churches with two different and distinct problems, but those problems are directly related to one another. And, every church that starts down the road where the church at Ephesus found itself will eventually find itself in the same condition as the church at Laodicea. We cannot, and will not, allow that to happen to this church.

1. Doing the good things doesn’t always equal doing the right things

2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.

2. The right things always spring from the heart

4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!”

5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

3. Lacking the right thing will always turn your heart the wrong way

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!

17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

4. Make the right thing the main thing

16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

Eph 4:30b Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

2016-12-25
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Over these past few weeks, we looked at Zecherias and Elizabeth’s miraculous story in the birth of John the Baptist. We’ve talked about the Angel’s appearance to Mary, her time of personal worship after hearing of God’s plan and His faithfulness. Last week, we heard from Matt Willmington about the calling on all of our lives to point people to Christ. All of these sermons have been based out of Luke chapter 1. Today, we’ve heard from the children the amazing story of Christ’s birth, that great appearing of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords in the form of a baby born in a manger.

In all these passages, the one person we haven’t discussed that much is Joseph. If anyone had the opportunity to throw his hands up in disgust and walk away from this story, putting himself first, it was Joseph. His bride to be, the love of his life, was now pregnant and he knew this baby was not his. So today, let’s look at the angel’s announcement to Joseph that changed his heart, and that today, should change all of ours as well.

Matthew 1:18-21 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
1. The Purpose of His Coming
21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Heb. Yeshua), which means Yahweh is salvation or “the Lord saves”
God’s purpose in the birth of Jesus was to fulfill all of the OT prophecies of the coming messiah
God’s purpose in the birth of Jesus was to redeem what He had created, to provide a way out and a way back for all of us

Romans 5:12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 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. 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. 20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Peter 3:9 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.

2. The Promise of His Coming

23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
A fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14

A reminder that because of this “Greatest Gift”…
a. God is here with us
b. He can be known by us
c. He put on flesh and became one of us, yet without sin
d. He will never leave us
e. We can run to Him anytime (Heb 4:16)

The greatest of all gifts is that without Christ we all die, without hope, without a future…but with Christ we have eternal life, eternal hope, eternal joy…if we believe!

2016-12-11
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Luke 1:49 (NKJV)
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

For the past few weeks, we have been looking at Luke 1. We started with a discussion of the Angel’s appearing to Zacharias about the gift of a son, John the Baptist. Last week, we talked about another appearing. This one from the Angel Gabriel to Mary about the gift of THE SON, JESUS. Over these couple of weeks, we’ve seen the promise of God in the gift of Christmas. Today, I’d like to talk about a response to that gift.

Luke 1:46 (NLT)
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47   How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. 52 He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 54 He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. 55 For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

In order to “empty ourselves of ourselves,” – – to put ourselves on the shelf – –  it requires worship. Mary responded to all the angel had told her and all that Elizabeth said to her through worship and praise. The kind of worship that had nothing to do with a show, nothing to do with a church service, nothing to do with performance, but had everything to do with the condition of the heart.

1. Worship comes from within

v46 Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47   How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”

– Many look at worship as what we are led to when a church service begins, Mary saw worship as a response to what welled up inside her, from her very soul.

– This is a lesson for all of us. She took time to reflect on what the Angel had told her, what God was doing for her, and it changed her from within.

2. A life of worship results in a response from God

v48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.

– The key word in this passage is “LOWLY”

– Her humility and love of Him caused Him to bypass all others in His choice

– Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

3. This response is needed in our daily struggle

v50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.

– Mary recognized His mighty power and knew that it was necessary for life

– This is true of our journey as well..His mercy overcomes anything we might face

4. This response is all that is needed

v52 He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 54 He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.

– Many fear retribution or criticism from the world, Mary understood that everyone is subject to His power

– She recognized that those who truly love and worship Him will be taken care of, those who depend only on themselves and their own abilities will come to ruin

– God’s response to our worship, to our love for Him, is not only promised, not only needed, it’s a promise

5. This response is permanent

v55 “For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

– Mary recalled her study of Old Testament promises of God and His faithfulness to all that had come since, and all that will ever live. His promises are forever.

– She was about to return home, three months into a pregnancy as a single young girl

– She worshipped God because she knew she needed His promise, protection and provision for the days ahead

– Her worship was in advance of what she knew God would do, not simply in thankfulness for what He had already done.

“My soul doth magnify the Lord.” Here is an occupation for all of us who know the Lord, and have been born into His family. It is an occupation which may be followed by all sorts of people. This humble woman speaks of her low estate, and yet she could magnify the Lord. All believers, of every rank and condition, can attend to this work. This is an occupation which can be followed in all places. You need not go up to the meeting-house to magnify the Lord, you can do it at home. You may be tossed about upon the sea in a storm, but you may trust His name, and be calm, and so magnify Him. Or, you may be no traveller, and never go a hundred yards out of the village in which you were born, but you may magnify the Lord just as well for all that. This is not an occupation which requires a crowded congregation, it can be fitly performed in solitude. I suppose this sonnet of the Virgin was sung with only one to hear it, her cousin Elisabeth. There is quorum for God’s praise even where there is only one; but, where there are two that agree to praise God, then is the praise exceeding sweet.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

2016-11-27
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The common theme at Christmas is “What’s In It For Me?” This view of the beginning of the most beautiful love story in all of history has destroyed countless Christmases and as many lives. Today, we begin a four week series entitled “Self on the Shelf” to spend some time trying to refocus our attention on what really matters Christmas…not what’s in it for me but rather, “what’s in it for others from me?”

1 John 2:15 (NLT)
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

The World’s View

v16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

God’s View

17b …But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

So, in light of the Spirit of Christmas, let’s refocus ourselves on that which pleases God! Let’s take some time to put our selfish ambitions on the shelf and focus on God’s plan for our lives. And, it starts with living right, no matter what!

Luke 1:5 (NLT)

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. 11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

1. A refocused heart is one fixed on Him

v6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.

– As we read from 1 John 2 this morning, the world is not interested in what is righteous in God’s eyes nor in obeying all of the Lord’s commands. However, to live our lives in a way that god recognizes as righteous is the right focus for all of us.

2. Even when things don’t go your way

v13b …God has heard your prayer.

– It is obvious that Zechariah and Elizabeth had been crying out to God over the fact they didn’t have children. Yet, their hearts were in the right place. They were “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all…”

– They didn’t trust God only when things were good, they trusted God completely, and it made all the difference in the world

3. Refocus or Regret?

– what about you? Where is your heart in the midst of disappointments and shortcomings?
– The typical response is anger, discouragement, a lack of trust, an accusing heart.
– The right response is righteousness and obedience

This Christmas season has many opportunities for the right heart or the possibility for discouragement and disappointment for the heart of regret. Let’s be sure to focus, not on the things of this world but on the things of God.

1 John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

2016-11-13
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory verse:
Galatians 5:14 NKJV

As you walk the streets of this city, it is guaranteed that there are very few people you pass who are truly filled with joy. I’m not talking about happiness, that’s a different thing altogether. I’m talking about true joy. The kind of joy that fills your heart to overflowing. The reason, in my opinion, is that most people have allowed circumstances, situations, conflicts etc., to crowd out any room for joy. The focus is on here rather than on Him!

Our constant battle for personal preferences and desires has led us to conflict with one another, even in the church, which can do nothing but stop us in our pursuit of joy. The book of Galatians was written by Paul to encourage believers to let go of the burdens of the past and of sin and cling to the freedom that comes from Christ. As a result of living in this way, all will be able to experience the joy that Christ came to give. While Galatians is a powerful book full of theological truths, today we’re going to focus in on one specific passage that I believe is particularly relevant for this day.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-26 (NLT)
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Let’s talk about what it takes to make room for joy. It doesn’t happen by accident, nor does it happen naturally by default, it happens through action.  How?

1. To serve in love
13b …Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

– To make room for joy, we must be willing to do for others, to recognize that true joy does not come in what you can get for yourself or through what others can do for you but rather through what you can do to serve

Q. – What can I do today for someone that will put a genuine smile on their face?

2. To speak in love
15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

– Our actions, and reactions, determine the room for joy in our life

– this verse was a direct reference to those in the church who were destroying one another through their attacks on one another

– biting, devouring, destroying (Greek references to fights of wild animals to the death)

Q. – What can I say to someone today that will encourage them, to lift their spirit?

3. To act in love
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

– Simple words. Easy to say so hard to actually do.

– How do we have this fruit in our lives?

– Always see the good in others, even when you want to see the bad

– Make efforts to stop a conflict rather than feed it

– Be a genuinely kind and good person

– When your personal desires are at war with what is right, take a breath, then do the right thing

The opposite:
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

Q. – How can I change my actions today to show these fruits of the spirit to others?

4. To reflect Christ in love

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

– The only way to find joy is to find Him and follow

14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

2016-10-30
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

There is no question that our world today is in desperate need of “peacemakers.” This is a role that has been occupied so many times in history by the church, yet in today’s world, there seems to be a conspicuous absence of the church in this area.  Today, I believe it would be encouraging, and challenging, to us all to spend some time in James chapter 3 seeing what our role should be as the church and as Christ followers in world lacking peacemakers.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

James 3:13-18
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Living in peace

1. Serving and humility

v13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

– “prove” is a critical word here because it encourages action

– “doing good works with the humility…” means serving others with no ulterior motive and no desire for recognition

– this is the kind of service that comes from Godly wisdom and also the kind of service that is so often missing in our world today

2. Pure Heart

v14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

– “don’t cover up the truth” – this is a condemnation against hypocrisy

– the elements of hypocrisy do nothing but lead to disorder and evil

3. Desire to live as Christ lived

v17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

– To be pure, (hog-NOS = free from moral defect) believers must separate themselves from the vices of earthly wisdom.

– “peace loving”

Those who work for shālôm (wholeness and harmony rather than strife and discord in all aspects of life) and who reconcile others to God and each other will “be called sons of God.” Others will identify them as God’s true ambassadors, as those who are being conformed to his likeness.

– “no favoritism” indicates that we must see all as Christ sees all

– definition is without partiality AND non-judgmental

The Result

4. A changed world

v18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

– the defining term for all Christ followers

– Acceptance of Christ

– Seeking after Him

– Doing His will

– Changing His world

“A church that is rich in reconciling activities, that is, evangelism, the defense of the poor, counseling the troubled, offering hospitality to the stranger, providing shelter for the battered, sending gospel missionaries throughout the world, and many more, certainly reaps a rich harvest of righteousness. Wherever the church of Christ is doing these things, the kingdom of God is in evidence. This harvest precisely is what Jesus meant by the admonition to seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness:”

2016-10-16
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
2 Timothy 4:5
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
1. Our Command (vs 2a)

2a Preach the word!

– It is important that each of us understand our responsibility as it relates to the Gospel
– “Preach” is not just a command to me, it’s a command to us all

2. Our Commission (vs 2b)

2b Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching

– “In season and out of season”
– How do we?
– What does this preparation look like?
– What does the implementation look like?
– Convince
– Rebuke
– Exhort
– With long-suffering and teaching

3. The Time Is Now (vs 3-4)

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

– The world is already moving away from what we know and believe
– There is only one thing that can call them back – the power of the Gospel

Romans 10:13-14
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
14a How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

4. Your Time Is Now (vs 5)

5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

– We are here for such a time as this!
– What will you then do?

Romans 10:14b
And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

2016-10-02
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

It’s a simple choice really. Flee and pursue or allow sin to stop you dead in your tracks. Today, our focus is on a world that is desperate for righteousness, holiness, truth. But it is also a world that takes the easy way out, seeking personal pleasure over spiritual strength.

2 Timothy 3:1-9
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

1. Sin will keep you from the presence and the power of God (vs 2-4)

v2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

– A description of the self centered life

– when given the opportunity to either do the right thing or to please themselves, they will always choose themselves

2. Self-deception doesn’t make things better (vs 5a)

v5a “having a form of godliness but denying its power”

– this is nothing more than making the declaration – “I don’t need God!”

– BEING RELIGIOUS IS NOT THE SAME AS BEING RIGHTEOUS!

– In the current church….people who value authenticity more than valuing what’s right

– Accepting the sin of others and themselves by wrapping it in conversations of being true to themselves

What was Paul’s response to this situation?

3. Turn Away! vs 5b

v5b And from such people turn away!

The three steps of TURNING AWAY!

– Finishing the unfinished work of God requires repentance

– In essence, a “turning away” from sin

– Finishing the unfinished work of God requires diligence

v7 lways learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

– knowledge is not a replacement for truth

– don’t just learn, “study to show yourself approved”

– the Bible is the source of truth

– the Holy Spirit will do His work in you

– Prayer

– Finishing the unfinished work of God requires dependence

v9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

– Dependence on God develops character

– Who we are is all about our character

– Character can never be developed when we are nothing more than “Lovers of Self”

– Get to know God’s definition of love, seek His love and acceptance, Live according to His truth, and the unfinished work He has set out for us will be accomplished.

2016-09-18
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Memory Verse:
2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Last week, we began walking through the book of 2 Timothy, a letter written by Paul to Timothy from a jail cell in Rome. Nearing death, Paul’s desire was to encourage Timothy to continue the important work of reaching others for Christ. It was a work that was unfinished and Paul wanted to be sure never stopped. And, it’s a work that even today we have a duty to continue.

2 Tim. 1:8-18 NKJV
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me.18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day-and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

From last week, we ended with verse 7…For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. …THEREFORE:

1. Never be ashamed

vs 8a Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord

– While the world might attack, might laugh, the Gospel must be proclaimed
– Why? (Romans 1:16) It’s the only way
– Timothy had not yet been ashamed but Paul knew it was possible because of what was not underway, Paul wanted to remind Timothy what an important role he had
2. Because you are called

vs 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

– It is a great honor, a holy calling, to pursue Him and reach others
– 2 Characteristics of Christ listed here:
1. He has always been…
2. He was always be the only way…
3. With the message of life

vs 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

– The effect of the Gospel – “Death has been defeated”
– Still physical death, but not eternal
– nothing to fear

4. Though the journey might be tough

vs 12a For this reason I also suffer these things;

– what reason? The sake of the Gospel
– “Use the pain of now to strengthen the hope of the future”
5. God is faithful

vs 12b nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

– Even with Paul knowing he would soon be executed, he was not afraid
– Nothing to lose
– ABLE TO KEEP

6. You are not alone

vs 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

– Don’t let culture or compromise destroy or diminish
– When it seems to much to bear, you are not alone!

2016-09-04

Matt Willmington

Memory Verse:
Nehemiah 4:14b
“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

WORK

Nehemiah 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

WAR

Nehemiah 4:13 Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

WORD

Nehamiah 8:1 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.