2020-12-13

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

1. He redefines hope

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

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

2. His hope has no end

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

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

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

3. His hope has a catch

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

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

Matthew 8 – The Son of Man

John 4 – Messiah

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

John 8 – I AM

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

John 10 – the Good Shepherd – He knows us

John 11 – the Resurrection and the Life

John 13 – Our Lord

John 14 – Way, Truth and Life

Rev 1 – The First and the Last

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

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

2020-11-29
Charles Billingsley

Introduction:

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

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

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

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

But before we go any further, lets define it.

What is Hope?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Hope Revealed – In the promise of the Christ

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

Many of these have to do specifically with His birth.

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

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

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

A few things you need to know about The Incarnate God –
1. The incarnation was not the beginning of Christ. Jesus has always been.  He didn’t just suddenly appear 2,000 years ago as a baby. He’s been here from the beginning.  He is creator God.
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Don’t ever forget that Jesus is creator, ruler, master, and authority over ALL things!!  He always has been and always will be!! He IS King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

2. The incarnation fulfilled prophesy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He is Immanuel – God WITH Us.

But He is also God FOR us!

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

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

2. Hope Revealed – In the power of the Cross

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God is always with you
God is always for you

You need to remember that today.

You also need to remember this:

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

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

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

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

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

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

One day He will take us out of this mess!

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

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

2020-11-15

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

1. Jesus has always been the only Way

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

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

2. Jesus became like us to save us

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

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

3. Jesus came to give us life

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

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

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

4. Jesus came to bring us home

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

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

2020-11-01

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Loving your neighbor never develops in passivity

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

3. Loving your neighbor always requires being active

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[2]English Language Learners Dictionary

[3]Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2014

2020-10-18 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

1. The desire for status

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

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

2. An empty pursuit

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

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

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

3. The right way

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

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

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

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

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

2020-10-04

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

1. “Lovers of Themselves”– vs 2a

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

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

2. The result of messing up God’s plan

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

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

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

3. A false worship

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

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

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

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

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

2020-09-20

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

1. Spiritual Awareness In An Ungodly World

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

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

2. A Breaking Away From God

Vs 12b …that departs from the living God.

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

3. Better Together

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

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

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

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

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

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

2020-09-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

1. The Confidence of the Believer

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

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

– Jesus called Himself the WAY in John 14:6

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

2. The Closeness of the Believer

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

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

3. The Consistency of the Believer

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

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

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

4. The Commitment of the Believer

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

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

b. This responsibility includes:

i. Encouragement

ii. Serving

iii. Gathering

iv. Exhorting

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

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

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

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

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

2020-08-23

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

1. Example

• Tu-POS– an image left

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

• This does not happen by accident or default

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

2. Speech

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

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

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

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

3. Conduct

• Our actions should match our faith

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

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

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

4. Love

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

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

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

• 1 Corinthians 13 is how we are to love

5. Faith

• Pistis – conviction of truth

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

6. Purity

• Cleanliness

• Sexual purity

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

Vs 14 – Don’t neglect what God gave you

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

2020-08-09

Charles Billingsley

Psalm 46 

1 God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

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

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

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

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

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

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

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

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

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

1. God’s Presence is with Us.  

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

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

Psalm 36:7 (NKJV)

How precious is your lovingkindness, O God!

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

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

and strength –  He will bear your burdens.  

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

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

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

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

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

2. We Have Nothing to Fear 

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

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

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

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

WE will not fear…. 

Even though the earth be removed,

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

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

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. or an Earthquake 

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

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

3. God’s Spirit is in us

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

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. We have nothing to flee

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

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

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

So take heart……you have nothing to flee! 

The Gulf Stream

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

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

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

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

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. 

Selah

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

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

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

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

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

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

A mighty fortress is our God,

A bulwark never failing.

Our helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe.

His craft and power are great,

And, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing,

Were not the right man on our side,

The man of God’s own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He.

Lord Sabboth, his name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him.

His rage we can endure,

For lo, his doom is sure.

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers

Not thanks to them, abideth.

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also.

The body they may kill,

God’s truth abideth still.

His kingdom is forever…

2020-07-26 

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

1. Motives Matter(vss 1-6)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2020-07-12

Charles Billingsley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

^{Proverbs 26: 20 (ESV)}

Fire goes out without wood,

and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

Proverbs 20:19 

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

Proverbs 16:28 (ESV)

A dishonest man spreads strife,

and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

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

Proverbs 17:27-28

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,

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

 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;

when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

^{James 3:7-12}

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

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

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

A. Be careful what you say

B. Be careful how you say it

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

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

Four things you can’t recover from your words:

1. the word after it’s been said

2. the blow after it’s been delivered

3. the pain from the blow

4. the scar that it leaves

C. Be careful when you say it

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A.  Live in wisdom 

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

B. Live in peace

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

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

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

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

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

2020-06-28

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

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

1. Feet to the Fire (vss 1-18)

a. The Fire Perfects Us

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

b. Knowing How to Persevere

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

c. The Reward For Doing Right

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

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

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

2. Listening in the Fire (vss 19-20)

a. The Right Steps

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

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

a. Stepping Away From Sin

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

b. The Dangers of Hypocrisy

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

c. The Danger in our Words

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

d. The Safety in our Acts

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

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

2020-06-14

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2020-05-31

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

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

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

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

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

1. You are never alone

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

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

2. Joy comes in the journey

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

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

3. His victory is our victory

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

• Because He lives, we live

4. The path is clear

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

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

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

2020-05-17

Delivered by Rev. Jerry Falwell, April 1999

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

2020-05-03

Charles Billingsley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew 16:24  

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

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

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

1. Life is fragile 

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

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

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

James 4:13-14

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

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

2. Faith is essential

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

What is faith?  

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

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

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

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

3. Fear is not an option  

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

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

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

His power is perfect in our weakness.  

Anxiety and worry keep us from hearing God. 

Why do we worry? 

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

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

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

One of the cures for worry and anxiety is thankfulness!

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

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

John 14:27 

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

So…

Life is fragile

Faith is essential

Fear is not an option

and lastly…..

4. No matter what – keep your eyes on Jesus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2020-04-19

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

1. Fear Not

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

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

2. Make A Difference

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

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

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

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

3. Do The Right Thing

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

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

4. You’re Not Alone

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

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

…And, you’ll never be alone!

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

2020-04-05

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

1. His Pain

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

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

2. His Humanity

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

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

3. His Purpose

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

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

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

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

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

2020-03-22

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Our crisis is never greater than our God

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

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

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

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

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

2020-03-08

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

1. We are saved by the grace of God

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

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

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

2. Which should affect the way we live and act

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

• Is your status as redeemed altering your actions?

3. As we wait for the great promise

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

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

4. Because He has changed us for a reason

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

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

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

5. So we can change the world through Him

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

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

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

2020-02-23

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

1. Letting go is better than taking charge

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

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

2. The easy way is not always the best way

Vs 17c …although that wasnear…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2020-02-09

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 26, 2020

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

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

The Struggle to be Faithful

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our RESPONSIBILITYto be Faithful

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

1. It all BELONGS TO GOD

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

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

a. WE belong to God

b. OUR STUFF belongs to God

c. OUR HOPE comes from God

2. Our response to God

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

a. Give ABUNDANTLY

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

b. Give REGULARLY

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

c. Give JOYFULLY

2

2 Corinthians 9:7-9  NLT

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

Our ACCOUNTABILITYin being Faithful

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

1. We are accountable to OURSELVES

2. We are accountable for OURPOSSESSIONS

3. We are accountable for OUR TIME

4. We are accountable for OUR GIFTS

2020-01-12

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

Prayer is the reflection of our relationship with God.

1. A relationship between THE CREATOR AND HIS CREATION

2. A relationship between the KING AND HIS SUBJECTS

3. A relationship between a FATHER AND HIS SON

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

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

1. Our LACK OF FAITH

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

2. Our LACK OF COMMITMENT

3. Our LACK OF ASKING

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

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

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

– Chris Hodges

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

– Gary Rohrmayer

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

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

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

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

Why Prayer and Fasting Matters

1. We rely onHIS STRENGTH

2. We FOCUS ON THE ETERNAL

3. We REPENT OF OUR SINS

4. We RECEIVE THE DIRECTION WE NEED

How to Pray:

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

• Tell Him WHAT YOU NEED

• Thank Him FOR ALL HE HAS DONE

How to Fast:

1. Set a REALISTIC GOAL

2. Determine THE SCOPE OF YOUR FASTING

3. Make it about YOUR HEART

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

2019-12-29

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Our contentment is based on our connection

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

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

3. God wants us to trust Him that much

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

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

4. We will be complete

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

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

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

2019-12-15

Charles Billingsley

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

Key Verses:   Colossians 1:15-18

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

The Space Between

1. He is Holy 

O Holy Night – 

Luke 1:35 New King James Version (NKJV)

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

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

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

Jesus is the embodiment of holiness itself.

 Colossians 1:15-18

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

Jesus is Holy!

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

Phil. 2:5-8

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to  the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Hebrews 7:26-27

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

Phil. 2:9-11

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

Jesus is Holy.

And also….

2. He is Here

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

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

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

What is the soul? 

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

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

This Christmas, let’s remember that:

1. He is Holy

2. He is Here

and

3. He is Hope!

The story of Christmas is filled with hope.

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

Jesus is the light we seek.

Jesus is the help we need.

Jesus is the deliverance we long for.

This Hope is thrilling because of the confidence and the salvation that it brings.

Romans 15:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

1 Peter 1:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

vs 3 of the carol says:

“Truly He taught us to love one another.

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother

And in His name, all oppression shall cease.”

Luke 4:16-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He’s Worthy of Our Praise!!

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

And let the

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

2019-12-01

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The announcement of His birth was:

1. Delivered to people just like you and me

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

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

2. Confusing and Scary

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

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

3. Life-Changing

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

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

4. Miraculous

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

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

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

2019-11-17

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

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

1.  God wants us to give

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

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

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

2. God wants us to give properly

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

• Faithfulness

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

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

3. God wants us to give with the right heart

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

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

4. God’s response to our giving

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019-11-03

Charles Billingsley

Key verse: Proverbs 4:23

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

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

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

History is “HIS-Story”!

Jeremiah 50:1-3

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

The Feast of Belshazzar

Daniel 5:1-2

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

Daniel 5:3-4

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

Jeremiah 51:57 (NLT)

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

The Fingers of God

Daniel 5:5-6

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

Proverbs 29:1

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

The Failure of the Wise men

Daniel 5:7-9

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

Daniel 5:10-12

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

The Fearlessness of Daniel 

Daniel 5:13-14

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

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

Daniel 5:15-23

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

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

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

Daniel 5:24-25

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

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

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

Daniel 5:26

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

Psalm 139:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 90:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

12 So teach us to number our days,

That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Daniel 5:27

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

Daniel 5:28

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

Daniel 5:29

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

We all have 4 major elements to our lives.

The will

The mind

The body

The soul  

The Fall of Babylon

Daniel 5:30-31

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

Proverbs 4: 23-27 (NIV)

23 Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;

keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;

fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil.

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

2019-10-20

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

1. The pressure to compromise never goes away

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

2. Trusting God is always more important than personal comfort

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

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

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

3. God will never leave you on your own

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019-10-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

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

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

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

1. Sometimes God allows the enemy a victory

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

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

Why?

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

– 1 Peter 1:6-7 “for a little while…”

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

• Always to make us better

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. God will always reward faithfulness

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

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

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

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

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

“The Power of Affirmation”

Dr. Thomas D. Mullins

2019-09-22 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be secure in your IDENTITYin Christ.   

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

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

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

 How to Establish a Life that Affirms:

1. Focus your THOUGHT LIFE.

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

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

2. Hang with AFFIRMING PEOPLE.

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

3. Keep focused on your MISSION.

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

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

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

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

2019-09-08
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

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

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

The Lawyer’s challenge

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

What did Jesus mean by “neighbor”?

• Plēsion – close by, neighboring, adjacent, near

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

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

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

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

Luke 10:25–37 (NKJV): And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

So who is my neighbor?

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

Why? Because Jesus commanded it…Go and do likewise

Show mercy!

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