Bible Family Fellowship

Many call themselves Reformed without ever being willing to reform anything. Others all themselves Protestants without being willing to protest anything. Reformation was not, and is not for the faint of heart. Continuing in the line of the Reformers who came before us demands the character and courage to faithfully fight in God's army, on God's battlefield- Continuing the Reformation means fighting the battle to which God's sovereignty calls us---Reminder- Reformation means fighting the fight faithfully. We can't be Reformers and Cowards at the same time. We cannot defend conscience if we delight in comforts. This is true historically, theologically, and practically-

Luther was opposed by Prince and Pope. He was resisted by Church and Culture. And yet, he fully recognized the true enemies of conscience. In the battle cry of the Reformation Luther penned the now famous words contained in --A Mighty Fortress Is Our God---...--As we now see the Reformation repeating itself in our times, we too would do well to recognize the true combatants of our conscience.

The Reformation was a -Conscience conflict- on two fronts - Church and Culture. The Reformers actively confessed conscience against both Church and Culture -ex. Calvin's Institutes-Zwingli-. Luther held Church and Culture at Proper Tension, and confessed conscience against both.

History is now repeating itself. The conditions of the Reformation are currently reoccurring. At its core, the Reformation was conditioned by the conflict between conscience and and compromise. In Martin Luther God found a man willing to confess the conviction of conscience at all cost------I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen-- -Martin Luther-----NOTE- By his own words Luther confessed the heart of the Reformation. He understood that there cannot be, and will not be true reformation until men are committed enough and courageous enough to put conscience over convenience.

Conflict kills communion, because conflict kills friendship. Christians must kill conflict, or conflict will kill communion. God addresses how to confront conflict in order to cultivate and continue communion.

The seventh and final more Mid-Week event prior to the Great Tribulation is the Destruction of the Great Whore. This Great Whore plays a powerful and prominent role during the first 3 1-2 years of the 70th Week. John's revelation introduces and then interprets the Great Whore. Today's message spot-lights the introduction of the Great Whore-

True biblical salvation is a miraculous after-death experience. It is the miracle of a New Creation, involving a New Life, produced by a New Birth known as Regeneration. This message focuses upon apprehending and appreciating the miracle of regeneration.

God's eternal will to order salvation through sovereign election includes the means whereby that eternal election is orchestrated in real pace-time. Regeneration is that initial work in God's sovereign operation of His elective order.

God's eternally ordered election includes the means whereby eternal election is orchestrated in real space-time. Regeneration is the initial work in God's sovereign orchestration of election.

SERMON THESIS- Having seen the primary aspects in the ministry of God's -Two Witnesses, we need to now consider two more biblical details concerning-these anointed prophets who will preach on the streets of Jerusalem during the-first 3 - years of the final seven years on God's pathway through prophecy.--I. The PROPHETIC ACTIVITIES of Their Ministry - vs. 3, 5-10.--A. Their DEEDS--1. They will PROPHESY to the whole earth - --a. The LORD of their prophetic ministry-b. The LABOR of their prophetic ministry-c. The LENGTH of their prophetic ministry--2. They will PUNISH the whole earth ---a. By fire b. By drought-c. By pestilence d. By plague --B. Their DEATH--1. The AGE of their death - -2. The AGENT of their death ---C. Their DISDAIN--1. The LOCATION of their disdain- -2. The LENGTH of their disdain- -3. The LAUD over their disdain- --II. The PROVIDENTIAL ATTESTATION of Their Ministry - vs. 11-14.--A. Through their Public Resurrection - -B. Through their Public Presentation - -C. Through their Public Exaltation - -D. Through their Public Justification -

Coinciding with the Great War on Earth, the Great War in Heaven, the Removal of the Restrainer, the Abomination of Desolation, and the Rise of the False Prophet a sixth eschatological episode unfolds in the very streets of Jerusalem. Today's sermon examines this major Mid-Week event known as the ministry of God's Two Witnesses.

The revelation of the Antichrist will be accompanied by, and accelerated through the rise of the False Prophet. The False Prophet will be the Antichrist's Minister of Propaganda in the train of that notorious Nazi - Joseph Goebbels- Scripture presents the False Prophet in all his beastly character.

Sermon Title- Antichrist Revealed - -Mid-Week Event -4--Sermon Text- 2 Thess 2- 3-8a-Sermon Thesis- The -Law of Repetition- signals the key term and thought in todays text - -REVELATION-- Three times it speaks of -the revelation of the man of sin,- also known as, -the Abomination of Desolation-- This revelation of Antichrist is the 4th major Mid-Week event and the focus of today's message-

SERMON TOPIC- A Layman's Guide to Reformed Theology--SERMON TITLE- Man's Reaction to Sovereign Election--SERMON TEXT- Luke 4-23-32-SERMON THESIS- Jesus' message and ministry would be marked by conflict between God's election and man's reaction- It all started with Jesus' preaching---I. The Historical SETTING for Jesus' Sermon ---A. The PLACE of Jesus' sermon - -Nazareth - His hometown--B. The PERIOD of Jesus' sermon - -Chronological - Theological--C. The PEOPLE of Jesus' sermon - -Religious Church-goers--D. The POINT of Jesus' sermon - -God's decree vs Man's demand- --NOTE- Jesus' point is a prophetic prelude to the tension which the whole of His ministry and message faces based upon a conflict between God's decree and man's demand- Jesus' point can be called the -Capernaum Conflict----II. The Historical SUBJECT of Jesus' Sermon - v.23-24--A. Man's PERSONAL DEMAND - -Do what we think best--B. God's PROVIDENTIAL DECREE - -Do what God knows best---III. The Historical SCRIPTURES of Jesus' Sermon - vs.25-27--A. God's Sovereign Selection of a WIDOW - 1 Ki.17-8-16-B. God's Sovereign Selection of a LEPER - 2 Ki.5-1-14--IV. The Historical STATEMENT against Jesus' Sermon - vs.28-29--A. Man's ANGER over Jesus' message - -filled with wrath--B. Man's ATTACK against Jesus' message--1. -Rose Up- - -2. -Thrust Out- - -3. -Led unto- - -4. -To Cast down- ---V. The Historical START of Jesus' Sermon - vs. 30-32 -Capernaum-

SERMON THESIS- Today the Holy Spirit spot-lights two spiritual elements within our current cultural condition- 1- The operative force of -the mystery of iniquity- which is already active, and 2- The removal of that prophetic figure specified as -the Restrainer- who is currently withstanding the forces of iniquity. These two truths stand central to God's prophetic program and must ever be held in tension. The operations of -The mystery of iniquity- are reaching flood levels in modern society, and once -the Restrainer- is finally and fully removed, the dam will give way to an unprecedented tidal surge of world-wide wickedness. It behooves us to learn all we can about the reality and removal of the Restrainer---I. The EXHORTATIONS relating to the Restrainer - vs.1-3a.-II. The EVENTS relating to the Restrainer - vs.3b-4.-III. The EXPOSITION relating to the Restrainer - vs.5-8a.--QUESTION- Who is the Restrainer- Prominent Proposals include - - -1. The Institution of HUMAN GOVERNMENT-2. The CHURCH of God-3. The GRACE of God-4. The HOLY SPIRIT--IV. The EXPLANATION relating to the Restrainer - Dan.12-1.--A. The PERIOD identified in the text - -And at that time--B. The PROMINENT PERSON identified in the text - -Michael , - the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people--C. The PERFORMANCE identified in the text - -shall Michael stand up---1. The CONNOTATION of the verbal notion-2. The COMPARISON of the verbal notion - Josh.10-12-13-3. The CONTEXT of the verbal notion-4. The CONSEQUENCE of the verbal notion - -a time of t

SERMON THESIS- Today the Holy Spirit spot-lights two spiritual elements within our current cultural condition- 1- The operative force of -the mystery of iniquity- which is already active, and 2- The removal of that prophetic figure specified as -the Restrainer- who is currently withstanding the forces of iniquity. These two truths stand central to God's prophetic program and must ever be held in tension. The operations of -The mystery of iniquity- are reaching flood levels in modern society, and once -the Restrainer- is finally and fully removed, the dam will give way to an unprecedented tidal surge of world-wide wickedness. It behooves us to learn all we can about the reality and removal of the Restrainer---I. The EXHORTATIONS relating to the Restrainer - vs.1-3a.-II. The EVENTS relating to the Restrainer - vs.3b-4.-III. The EXPOSITION relating to the Restrainer - vs.5-8a.--A. The PERCEPTION about the Restrainer - 6a.-B. The PERSONHOOD of the Restrainer - 7c.-C. The PURPOSE of the Restrainer - 6a, 7b-D. The PERIOD of the Restrainer - 6-8a-E. The PROBLEM of the Restrainer-F. The PROPOSALS of the Restrainer--NOTE- In lieu of the problem surrounding the identity of the Restrainer, it is needful to look at the major proposals set forward concerning who the Restrainer is. It should prove helpful in first determining who HE is not, so as to then allow Scripture to specify who HE actually is---1. The Institution of HUMAN GOVERNMENT-2. The CHURCH of God-3. The GRACE of God-4. The HOLY SPIRIT

SERMON TITLE- Truth - America's Founding - Floundering--SERMON TEXT- John 8-32-SERMON THESIS- -We hold these truths to be self-evident-- So reads the Birth Certificate of America. America was born upon belief in Truth. Our founding fathers affirmed not only the existence of general truth claims, but the transcending existence of a specific universal and absolute reality of Truth encoded in the Cosmos by the Creator. This Truth was self-existent-self-evident. By this Truth humanity was to be governed for Life and Liberty. Apart from Truth there could be-would be no Life or Liberty. Truth traces America's founding - floundering. --I. Truth in the FOUNDATION of American History---A. The Godly Base of the REFORMATION -1517---1. A THEISTIC world-view-2. GOD was the measure-3. Truth is known through Divine REVELATION--B. The Godless Base of the RENAISSANCE -1500---1. A HUMANISTIC world-view-2. MAN was the measure-3. Truth is known through Human REASON--II. Truth in the FORMATION of American History---A. The arrival of PILGRIMS -1620--B. The arrival of PURITANS -1620---NOTE- Both held a Reformation Base. America's true founders were Reformers---III. Truth in the FACES of American History---A. The face of American PRE-MODERNITY -1620-1900---1. Truth REVERED - Rooted in Divine REVELATION-2. Truth was DEFINED-3. Truth was to be DECLARED-4. Truth was to be DEFENDED--B. The face of American MODERNITY -1900-1965---1. Truth RESPECTED - Rooted in Human REASON-2. Truth was to be DEFINED-3. Truth was to be DECLARED-4. Truth was to be DEFENDED--C. The face of American POST-MODERNITY -1966-Present---1. Truth REJECTED - Rooted in Cultural RELATIVISM-2. Truth DENIED-3. Divine Revelation DISAL

SERMON THESIS- Scripture reveals that Sunday is the Lord's Day- Accordingly, the Lord's Day helps reveal every believer's Lord- How we treat the Lord's Day reveals whose Lord of our Sabbath and of our life--SERMON TRANSITION- Regarding the Lord's Day the ancient confessions reveal the transitional connection between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day--- -From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, -the Sabbath- was the last day of the week- and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which, in Scripture, is called the Lord's Day, and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath- -WCF, 21-7-.---From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, -the Sabbath- was the last day of the week, and from the resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's Day- and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath- -London Confession, 22-7-.--QUESTION- How did we get from the Sabbath to the Lord's Day, and why is the Lord's Day different from every other day---I. The Sabbath is Holy because God C---------- it- - Gen.2-1-2a--A. The Sabbath was a C----------- ordinance-B. The Sabbath was a C------------ ordinance-C. The Sabbath was a C---------------- ordinance--II. The Sabbath is Holy because God C---------------- it- - Gen.2-2b-3--A. God Himself E----------- in it - 3x -God's REST- is stressed--B. God Himself E---------------- it--1. By means of B----------- it -Heb. barak - -to bless, to adore.- Opposite is to blaspheme.---2. By means of S--------------- it -H

Sermon Thesis- Throughout Holy Scripture and human history, men have been confronted with the challenge of putting away childish things and embracing manhood But what does it mean to be a man- What exactly is the role and responsibility of manhood- Today God's Word confronts every man with his God-given role and responsibility-

SERMON THESIS- Scripture clearly reveals at least two prophetic points pertaining to the Restrainer's removal- 1- It results in the start of the Great Tribulation such as the world has never known. 2- It is one of three prophetic precursors to the Day of Christ and the Rapture of the Church. For these reasons, the Holy Spirit wills for believers to understand His revelation of the Restrainer-----I.-The EXHORTATONS relating to the Restrainer - vs.1-3a.----A.-The INTRODUCTION to the Exhortations--B.-The INJUNCTIONS of the Exhortations----II.-The EVENTS relating to the Restrainer - vs.3b-4.----A.-The DAY of Christ--B.-The great APOSTACY--C.-The ABOMINATION of Desolation----NOTE- These three very important end time events have a direct time relationship to the Restrainer's removal. First, the Great Apostasy PRECEDES the Restrainer's removal. Second, the revelation of the Antichrist FOLLOWS the Restrainer's removal. Third all three of these events must occur BEFORE the Day of Christ and the Rapture of the Church can or will take place.----III.-The EXPOSITION Relating to the Restrainer - vs. 5-8a.----A.-The PERCEPTION of the Restrainer--B.-The PERSON of the Restrainer--C.-The PURPOSE of the Restrainer--D.-The PERIOD of the Restrainer

SERMON TOPIC- Reformation Theology--SERMON TITLE- Sovereign Election - Pt.2-SERMON TEXT- 2 Thess. 2-13-15-SERMON THESIS- Paul was the father of Reformed Theology- Reformed Theology would better be called Pauline Theology- He preached it in every Church. Were Paul preaching here today, he would preach Reformed Theology. What does the apostle Paul teach us in his Theology of Sovereign Election---I. The ADORATION for Sovereign Election - v.13a--A. The OBLIGATION of Adoration-B. The OCCURANCE of Adoration-C. The OBJECT of Adoration--II. The AUTHOR of Sovereign Election - v.13b-III. The AGE of Sovereign Election - v.13c--A. The FORM of the prepositional phrase-B. The FORCE of the prepositional phrase--IV. The ACT of Sovereign Election - v.13d--A. The MEANING of the Verbal Notion-B. The MOTION of the Verbal Notion-C. The MOOD of the Verbal Notion-D. The MODE of the Verbal Notion--V. The AIM of Sovereign Election - v.13e-VI. The ACTUALIZATION of Sovereign Election - v.13f--A. Through the work of the SPIRIT-B. Through the work of the SCRIPTURES--VII. The AGENCY of Sovereign Election - v.14--A. God's MEANS of Effectual Calling - -The GOSPEL of Christ--B. God's MARK of Effectual Calling - -The GLORY of Christ---VIII. The ASSURANCE of Sovereign Election - v.15

SERMON THESIS- Every nation has a providential rise and a purposeful reason. Once that nation revolts and rebels against her rise and reason, that nation faces punitive ruin. This is true of America. Today we consider, her rise, her reason, and her ruin.--I. America's Providential RISE - Her stage of REVOLUTION--A. The BIRTH of Liberty-B. The BUILDING of Liberty-C. The BLESSINGS of Liberty--II. America's Purposeful REASON - Her stage of REPUTATION--A. To CONFRONT the Enemy of Liberty - COMMUNISM-B. To COMBAT the Enemy of Liberty - COMMUNISM-C. To CONQUER the Enemy of Liberty - COMMUNISM--III. America's Punitive RUIN - Her stage of REVOLT - REBELLION --A. America's COMPROMISE of Liberty --- 1. She sought to CONTROL Communism- 2. She sought to CONDONE Communism- 3. She sought to CHAMPION Communism- -B. America's CORRUPTION of Liberty ---1. She used liberty to embrace Liberalism-2. She used liberty to embrace Humanism-3. She used liberty to embrace Atheism-4. She used liberty to embrace Relativism-4. She used liberty to embrace Scientism-5. She used liberty to embrace Pluralism-6. She used liberty to embrace Equalitarianism -7. She used liberty to embrace Communism--CONCLUSION- America's seven deadly sins resulted in -The Great Exchange- Liberty was traded for Libertinism--- Liberty proclaims freedom to live within God's Law- Libertinism proclaims freedom to live without God's Law- Libertine nations are Lawless nations- This is America- And this is America's DOOM---

SERMON THESIS- We all battle a seductive spirit that seeks to abuse us and use us. This spirit is like a serpent seeking to strike our hearts and inject its deadly venom into our veins. This deadly spirit is the spirit of religion. Religion is the enemy of relationship. Religion will kill our relationship. God redeemed us for Relationship. Either our Relationship with Christ will kill Religion, or Religion will kill our Relationship with Christ. Relationship kills religion through four daily relational exercises of loving devotion and dedication.--I. The Daily Relationship exercise of true FELLOWSHIP - 1 Cor. 1-9--A. With our CREATOR-B. With other CHRISTIANS--II. The Daily Relationship exercise of true WORSHIP - Rev. 4-11--A. In our PRIVATE COMMUNION-B. In our PUBLIC CELEBRATION--III. The Daily Relationship exercise of true DISCIPLESHIP - Jn. 15-4--A. ACTIVELY RECEIVING God's voice - Through His Word-B. ACTIVELY RESPONDING to God voice - Through Prayer--IV. The Daily Relationship exercise of true STEWARDSHIP - 1 Cor. 4-3--A. Living a life that is daily FOCUSED on Jesus-B. Living a life that is daily FAITHFUL to Jesus-C. Living a life that is daily FRUITFUL for Jesus

SERMON THESIS- The final age-long Angelic conflict takes place at the middle of the Week. This great war results in the heavens being prepared for a time of true worship, while the earth is prepared for a time of terrible woe. Through this war Satan is removed from heaven, and relegated to planet earth. On that day ALL HELL will break loose as God turns this planet over to Satan's wrath- --I. The ARENA of the Great War in Heaven - Rev.12-7a.--A. The NUMBER of the Heavens - Gen.1-1- 2 Cor.12-2-B. The NATURE of the Heavens - -Image---II. The ARMIES of the Great War in Heaven - Rev.12-7b--A. The COMMANDERS of the Armies--1. The HOLY Commander-2. The HELLISH Commander--B. The COMPANIES of the Armies--1. The FAITHFUL Angels - Heb. 1-14- 2 Ki.6-17-2. The FALLEN Angels - Mt.25-41- Eph.6-12--III. The ACCOMPLISHMENTS of the Great War in Heaven - Rev.12-8-9--A. God's Commander DEFEATS Satan-B. God's Commander DISCARDS Satan--IV. The ANNOUNCEMENTS of the Great War in Heaven - Rev.12-10-12--A. The Heavens are called to WORSHIP-B. The Earth is called to WOE

SERMON THESIS--If we would understand God's truth, we must start where God starts. We must start right to finish right. Reformed Theology seeks to follow God's progress of redemption, as well as Paul's pattern of revelation, by beginning with man's problem and moving to God's solution. We cannot fully understand and appreciate God's solution of salvation, until we first understand man's problem of sin. Until we agree on the problem, we will never agree on the solution. We therefore begin where the Bible begins, with the PROBLEM of mankind-

SERMON THESIS- As Jesus closed His sermon, He proclaimed a final prophetic point to His elect, the Day is Dawning and the Rapture will occur. So then, in light of these two truths, and in light of the fact that no one knows the day or hour these events, Jesus issued a final charge followed by a final catalyst for the charge. --I. Jesus' final CHARGE in light of the Day - the Rapture - vs. 42-44--A. The INJUNCTION of the Charge - v.42-B. The ILLUSTRATION of the Charge - v.43-C. The INJUNCTION of the Charge - v.44---II. Jesus' final CATALYST in light of the Day - the Rapture - vs. 45-51--A. His PROMISE of PROSPERITY for the FAITHFUL - vs.45-47--B. His PROMISE of PUNISHMENT for the FAITHLESS - vs.48-51---III. Jesus' final CONCLUSION in light of the Day - the Rapture - --A. Be AWAKE-B. Be WATCHFUL-C. Be READY-D. Be FAITHFUL

SERMON THESIS- In His teaching on the Dawning of the Day of the Lord, Jesus introduced the Rapture. Jesus now returns to the Rapture and paints an ominous picture of the scenario just before God's Wrath falls. Since Jesus returned to the Rapture, we too shall revisit the Rapture so as to hear and heed His message.----I. The CONCEALMENT of the Day - the Rapture - v.36.----A. Its MYSTERIOUS nature - Mk.13-32--B. Its MATRIMONIAL nature - Jn. 14-1-3----II. The COMPARISON of the Day - the Rapture - vs.37-39.----A. In its TYPOLOGY--B. In its TEMPERMENT--C. In its TIMING----1. Noah's deliverance and the FLOOD of God's wrath--2. Lot's deliverance and the FIRE of God's wrath - Lk.17-28-30----D. In its TERMINATION----1. DELIVERANCE of SAINTS--2. DESTRUCTION of SINNERS----III. The CLEARANCE of the Day - the Rapture - vs.40-41.----A. Its OUTCOME----1. The elect shall be TAKEN--2. The non-elect shall be LEFT----B. Its OBJECTIVE----NOTE- The purpose of the Rapture is to pave the way for God's Wrath through the removal of God's elect from upon the earth. Once the Rapture occurs, Divine Retribution will fall upon those who are left behind- Noah - Lot testify to this---