Castle Grace

Job 42:1-2 "Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee." This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the sixteenth and final sermon in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter 42, chronicles Job's confession to the Lord and the Lord's restoration of Job: “Once a man has been sufficiently hum­bled, then all the agitation that previously existed in his soul subsides. Faith in God, and submission to God's sovereignty, brings calmness to the heart, where pre­viously there was contention and confu­sion. How wonderful it is when erring and rebellious men confess their sin and admit their guilt before God. This is what God demands of sinners, and it is the only way reconciliation with the Lord can be achieved. “It is not until we are able to see God's greatness that true humility will be evi­denced. This is because man is not made humble by merely seeing personal error, but also, and perhaps more importantly, by coming to spiritually realize the beauty and majesty of God. “Job's confession to God, revealed his new understanding that no thought can be hidden from the Lord, since part of God's splendor is His supernatural abil­ity to see both the thoughts and hearts of men. “Sin lies not simply in what men do, but is equally convictive in what they think. It is the inside of the cup that is the most unclean. As the thoughts sinners think, are generally far more sinful than even the deeds they do, or the words they speak. “Job confesses to uttering things he understood not, and things so wonderful, that he knew not. The “I” is repeated and used with force, simply because Job had come to know that the source of his sin, was himself. His friends were not blamed, because when men are truly repentant, it is not others' sins that are brought to the altar of God, but only our own. “Where many will remain content with simply hearing, God's true children cannot cease in their search for the Lord, until they by grace are brought to see Him for themselves. It is sight of Christ also which will be the ul­timate reward of faith, for those who have believed upon the Lord Jesus. “Here we see that it is no longer self-righteousness, but rather self-incrimina­tion, that Job utters. Through then God's influence on his life, Job's evaluation of himself had changed. With accurate spir­itual sight, came Job's repentance. True repentance also will not merely consist of confession of sin, but will go so much further, ultimately resulting in an abhor­rence of self. Hence, if men say they have repented but do not despise themselves, then we know that there is still great lack in their acknowledgement of sin. For true repentance will always touch the soul of a man, and not merely be a mental thing. Sin therefore pangs the sinner, whereas casual confession surely will not. “Though God's children must undergo trials in this life, God's pity and mercy shall help them overcome them. Hence, though spiritual lessons are necessary to be taught, God's pity will remain with the afflicted while under their trial, and God's mercy shall in the end, await them after it. And just as with Jesus' trial in the wilderness, when it was necessary that He be tempted of the devil for forty days and forty nights, after His trial the Lord sent angels to minister unto him. Ultimately, all trial has an end, and it is after the trial that God's love will be fully evidenced.” This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 42:1-17. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 11/28/2021

Job 40:5 "Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further." This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fifteenth in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter 40:5 to 41:34 chronicles the Lord's reproof of Job and Job's response: "Job's words and thoughts have gotten him in trouble with the Lord, and now he has gained sufficient wisdom to hold his peace and quietly humble him­self to the Lord's correction. No longer will he speak of the perceived errors of God's ways; instead, he will confine his speech to the subject of his unworthiness. Contrite, he rejects saying anything that might tempt him to be lifted with pride again. It is in humility that men find God and learn more about Him, whereas in human pride, the Lord will not be found at all. “Every man will have to stand and give an account of himself before God, as Job must do here. Human cowardice will not be tolerated, nor will any be able to plead weakness to escape God's correction or judgment for their sin. Like with Adam and Eve, no matter what effort is made to hide, a full account for transgressing God's Word will have to be given. "For the believer, it is God's hand and the Lord's mighty arm, that gains victory in his life. Because without God's strength being exhibited in the Christian's life, there would be absolutely no chance of victory. This includes victory over death, and sin, as well as all other earthly afflictions. "Because they lack this heavenly glory and are merely corrupted flesh, they are unworthy of entering God's presence. A naked man is completely vulnerable; he cannot protect himself from God's judgment nor defend himself in God's courtroom. Because of his destitute condition, he is estranged from the Lord's holy presence. Unless God clothes sinners in His righteousness, they will be found unfit to enter His celestial presence. “To a proud and rebellious man, his strong internal and unchanging confidence is, that God should  receive him as he is. Even if, how he is, is only fleshly and carnal. Hence, for the pretentious, they think they need not to repent for sin, simply because, they are not themselves unrighteous. Instead, when challenged by the Lord for sin, they deem God's correction itself as sinful. “The reason God draws such attention to this mighty beast's strength is to fur­ther impress upon Job His own strength. All this is meant to produce humility in Job so he might consider the vastness of the power of the One he so foolishly con­tended against. Men would never even consider wrestling with a creature such as behemoth, so why would they imagine they could successfully strive against God and be successful? “Pride also can so inflate a man, that he loses all real touch with reality. To then be reminded of his inability, is purposed to bring back some sensibility to his true strength. Until then Job could subdue and domesticate fierce creatures in the earth, he should not think himself as equal to the Lord. Sinners also frequently manifest characteristics of megalomania, whereby grandiose thoughts of themselves, tempt them, to foolishly believe that they are at least minimally, co-equal with God in wisdom and strength. For none will resist God's will, unless they first think themselves strong enough, to not do God's will in their life. Hence, whenever men buck the truth, they believe themselves sufficiently strong enough to not have to submit to it. “There are so many creatures in this world, including the hippo, the elephant, the crocodile, the lion, the tiger, and even the North American grizzly, that men have the natural sense not to stir up and disturb, lest the creature's great power and strength be exerted towards them. Yet, it is astounding how seldom this same fear is attributed to God. So that where men are rightly afraid of the fierceness of so many of the earth's creatures, stunningly, most share not the same fear of the Lord. This is evidenced by the casualness in which they break God's laws, and lightly esteem His commands. Divine wisdom should also teach us, that just as it is foolish to stir up the anger of creatures like the crocodile, how much more foolish is it to stir up God's anger?” This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 40:5-41:34. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 11/14/2021

Job 38:37 "Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven," This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fourteenth in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter 38:37-40:4 explores the power and wisdom of the Almighty through creation and Job's response to the Lord's questioning: "Shifting from the heavens, the Lord now directs Job's attention to the creatures of the earth, that solely by God's providence are cared for. Lions are mentioned, which are regarded by many as the most regal of nature's animals, to show that even towards them, through either natural instincts or patience, their needs are provided for. And just as man cannot, through his own power, care for himself, without an  environment supplied by God, likewise man does not care for, nor does he sustain the well-being of any other of earth's creatures. This is the Lord's work, and He alone should be praised for it. "Moving to the wild goats which live in the high mountain, the Lord asks Job what he really knows about these majestic creatures. If Job could speak very little about the wild goat, which inhabits the highest regions of the earth, how could he really know a God, Whose habitation is Heaven? If also the mountain goat, which makes its home in the highest peaks of the earth, cannot be fully known, without great and extensive human effort, how could the God of Heaven, Whom no man can approach, thought to be so easily understood? "Speaking pointedly to Job, the Lord now asks him, if the hawk has gained its extraordinary power of flight by Job's wisdom. When one examines the prominent features of birds like the hawk, their gift of flight, as well as the great speeds and distances they fly, you have to wonder if men ever really even consider, that God is the Creator of all things living. Simply because no man can deeply ponder the gifts and abilities given to God's creatures, and not be spellbound by God's wisdom. So that if men refuse to attribute glory to God, it is only because they have removed themselves from believing in the evidences of Himself, in creation. "From the hawk to now the eagle, another glorious creature is brought to Job's attention, highlighting the Lord's spectacular wisdom in creating birds such as this. Like with the mountain goat, which lives in the highest regions of the earth, the eagle ascends to the highest atmosphere of the earth. The Lord, no doubt, chooses majestic creatures like these, simply because His own home is high, and unobservable by earthly men. "Here we see a dramatic change in Job's demeanor, for now instead of confessing personal self-righteousness, he openly confesses his own vileness. No doubt the vileness that Job experienced in his soul, was directly related to his understanding of being proud of heart. Such pride also that was previously willing to condemn God, in order to justify self. Ultimately, Job's entire view of life changed. Whereas before he thought God was at fault, and himself righteous, now he sees God as righteous, and himself as vile. Through then God's Spirit, via the entrance of God's Word, Job had come to realize the true condition of himself. No longer would he lodge false claims against the Lord, accusing God of injustice. No longer would he complain against God's government. For now he fully realized, that it was not God who had sinned against him, but he against God." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 38:37-40:4. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 10/24/2021

1 Corinthians 3:11 "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth teaches the importance of building your spiritual life upon only one foundation, Jesus Christ, in No Other Foundation: "Men often look for foundations to build their faith upon, searching for the right preacher, denomination, or doctrine. But unless they are directly led by God's Holy Spirit, they rarely seek Jesus Christ as their foundation. Yet there is only one true foundation upon which any man can properly build his spiritual life, and that is the Son of God. In Him lives the foundation of all true religion, and without Him, one will only find sinking sand. "The apostle Paul warned Timothy that men would eventually abandon the true Gospel of Jesus Christ simply because they would look for a more pleasing doctrine, one more adaptable to their fleshly lusts. Even in the very early years of Christianity, Paul realized that the practice of true Christianity would ultimately be lowered to the carnality of sinful people. Religion, Paul states, would grow worse and worse simply because carnal and unspiritual men would begin to practice it. They would leave the proper foundation of Jesus Christ to form religions more pleasing to themselves. Such is the depravity of men that even though God has set His Son as the base of everything, men will still abandon Him and His words to form their own religions, ones more appealing to their own fleshly lusts. "Paul's words also teach that the Church of Christ, or at least those who profess to be in it, will not grow better but will actually develop more resistance to the truth. According to Paul, as the years passed, Christianity would decline and move further and further away from the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ. Because men's lusts are many, false teachers would be multiplied in abundance; for every human desire, a new corrupt teacher would arise to nurture and care for it. "This verse speaks to the corruptness of man—that he does not want nor desire to be taught the right things that come from God but prefers the smooth and delusional things of man. This was Israel's sin, and it is still common today, as men do not desire the true Word of God but prefer words not grounded in truth. In short, because of their fleshly appetites, carnal men prefer false prophecies so they can remain deceived. "Observe as well that if sin remains unaddressed by those who say they speak for God, then you can know that whatever godly ministry is being promoted is not really what it claims to be. For God endorses no true ministry that endeavors to keep people blind to sin and its dreadful consequences. "Again, there is but One religious foundation and One Solid Rock that any can build upon to secure themselves from a future fall. This foundation is Christ and obedience to His words. When under the storms of this life, all other human thought will quickly reveal itself as insufficient for maintaining proper religion. Consequently, if Jesus Christ and His words are not the foundation of a man's faith, it is sure to inevitably crumble under Him. Every man, therefore, should be warned that if Jesus Christ and obedience to His words are not the foundation of faith, then nothing but a great collapse of religion is both guaranteed and promised in the future, since none can reject the words of the Lord Jesus and not eventually have to pay a great personal consequence and cost for it. "Through Christ, a world that has departed from God will become subject to God again. So great is Jesus Christ as God's foundation that a brand-new world of willing subjection to God will be produced. This world shall be much different than the one we live in now, for it shall adore God and not rebel against Him. It shall embrace His sovereignty and not despise it. Ultimately, the God of creation will fill and completely reside in all His created beings. God will be all in all, with His people greatly desiring Him to be." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: 1 Corinthians 3:11, 2 Timothy 4:3, Isaiah 30:10, Lamentations 2:14, Matthew 7:24-29, 1 Peter 2:6, Isaiah 8:14, Ephesians 2:20-21, 1 Corinthians 15:28.  Broadcast live from Castle Grace on 10/10/2021.

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth teaches What God Requires for Proper Worship: "The apostle is beseeching those special souls called by Christ, sanctified by His Spirit, and promised eternal inheritance. They are unique above all men of the earth simply because God has chosen them, like He did Israel, to be His possession. Because they are part of God's heavenly call, complete devotion to Him is their sole reason for living. And like Israel be­fore them, they have been brought forth solely by the will of the Lord and have been designated a holy people by Him. "The Christian must, through faith, present himself as a living sacrifice to God. This is an individual choice and must be offered of one's own free will. The Lord delights in those who give their lives to Him not grudgingly or out of necessity but with cheerful hearts. Hence, if any think that they can present an offering to God and He will be blessed with it when it lacks either willingness or cheerfulness, then they know little to nothing of the standards for acceptable sacrifice. Like with so many other things, if the heart is not right, the action will be rejected. To worship God properly, one's soul must initiate and prompt the wor­ship. Again, if the heart does not desire to offer itself to God for His use, we should not think that He finds anything pleasing in any action performed by the body. "What sets a man up for engaging in proper worship of the Lord is that in heart, mind, and body, he presents himself as a living sacrifice to the Lord. To properly worship God, one must first present one­self as a living sacrifice to God, as there can be no proper spiritual worship of the Lord without first dedicating one's life to Him. Any sinner who does less is unwor­thy of mercy. Therefore, to properly wor­ship God, the Christian must be willing to give his entire life, the totality of his being, to doing God's will, with nothing held back nor anything denied. "For any sacrifice to be accepted by God, holiness must be its main character­istic. Throughout Scripture, God's Word reiterates that holiness is essential to have fellowship with the Lord and serve Him properly. "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." God's Word also declares that he who is unholy will be kept from ever truly seeing the Lord. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" Holiness is es­sential if we are to see the Lord and have the worship we present to Him be found acceptable. "How astounding is this truth, that the basis of all true worship resides in men and women presenting themselves to God as living sacrifices. And this can only hap­pen when they completely, and without hesitation, give their entire lives to Him. This is the foundation of all true Christian worship: if we are to worship God prop­erly, our bodies, representing our entire lives, must be presented to Him for His spiritual use, not for a moment, not for a week, but for the rest of our earthly lives and we are finally, miraculously changed into the image of God's Son. "Ultimately, if our bodies and lives are not presented to God, they will be kept for ourselves. In the end, the life lived un­der His name is the only one that will ac­tually be found acceptable by Him." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Romans 12:1-2, Deuteronomy 7:6. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 09/05/2021

Job 34:35 "Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom." This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the thirteenth in the series on the Book of Job, Elihu: Job 34:35 to 35:16, teaches the importance of bridling the tongue and the significance and necessity of suffering in the Christian life: “What Job both said of himself, as being righteous, and what he said of God, as denying him justice, were both notably in error. It is also common among men that when they speak of God, the words they utter, and the ideas they infer, are rarely inspired of the Lord. Yet, a lack of any true wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, does not stop most from speaking about a God they know little of. Much confusion also would leave the Church, if those not inspired by the Holy Spirit would hold their peace until they possessed true spiritual enlightenment. “Nothing is more important to keep in its original and unadulterated form than the spoken Word, either written or inspired through the power of the Holy Spirit. For by it men are saved, and by it, is God made known. Job therefore was worthy of be­ing corrected for his words, since both life and death, lay in the power of the tongue. Observe as well that only right and good speech, will produce for a man or woman, a path to a blessed and good life. “What Job did not know, was that no sin can be properly confessed, or atoned for, until it is known. Thus, where there is ignorance of sin, there cannot be full and complete repentance, which alone will produce forgiveness. It is also a very foolish thing to judge anything as being right or wrong, simply by wheth­er or not, it is profitable to us. Observe as well, that many have been called by the Lord to suffer for His sake, and surely not to have a more blessed physical existence. Moses was called to suffer affliction with the people of God. The Apostle Paul also was called by the Lord Jesus to suffer for His name. Simply because most heavenly calls, will entail with them, a large degree of human suf­fering, though at the end of them, there is promise of eternal blessing. “Though God remains invisible, still He should be trusted. Though Job could not see God overseeing his life, this did not mean that justice would not prevail. It is good then to place our trust in an invis­ible God, Who though He is not seen to us by the human eye, still retains the power to execute proper justice and judg­ment in the earth. Consider as well that there are so many spiritual problems that can be overcome, simply by trusting in the Lord. So much peace in the heart that can be gained, by trusting in God's plan of predestination, and protection for our lives. He also, who will keep his soul trusting in the Lord, will save his heart from much spiritual confusion.” This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 34:35-Job 35:16. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 08/01/2021

Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth teaches on a topic that is essential to the Christian's spiritual peace, The Righteousness of God: "Few things are more important to a Christian's spiritual peace than being made righteous by God. This act of divine grace is so beyond the realm of human thought that few can fully relish how glorious it is: sinners, worthy of condemnation, are made righteous by God because of their faith in His Son. It makes no difference, then, what the world thinks of God's elect, because their righteousness makes them both cleansed and forgiven in Heaven. "God does not justify a man because He finds him pure. There are no such men. Hence, sinners should not think that justification is the result of their own purification process. It is not. If this were the case, then the righteousness would be man's. Only when men become spiritually enlightened enough to realize that they cannot produce righteousness on their own will they turn to Christ. "There is no middle ground between reverence for the Lord Jesus and rejection of His God-given lordship over all creation. When men do not yield to the Son of God and the grace of God brought through Him, they prove themselves unworthy of reform. When Jesus is rejected, all divine mercy for sin vanishes. However, for the saint who believes in the Son of God and yields himself to the Spirit and Word of God, a much different future lies ahead: he is justified, and sin can no longer prevent God's blessings from being imparted to him. Righteousness also means that many good things await the believer in the future, just as certainly as judgment awaits the God-rejector. "Lastly, let us emphasize the great reality that the righteousness the believer receives through Christ is solely God's. It does not come from man, and there is nothing in him to make him as God makes him in Christ, so we should not think that it is because of any part of our fleshly nature. Faith in Christ is how we are made righteous; consequently, to look for righteousness in any other place than Christ will only result in doubting its existence. By faith, we believe in God's Son, and by faith, we should also trust in the righteousness given to us through Christ." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Isaiah 54:17, Philippians 3:9, Romans 10:4, Hebrews 10:28-29, Romans 8:29-31. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 07/11/2021

Job 34:5-6 "For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression." This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the twelfth in the series on the Book of Job, Elihu: Job 34:5-35, continues to chronicle Elihu's response to Job: "Whenever we have improper beliefs of our own righteous character, it is wrongly assumed that tragic events in our life are divinely unfair. So that if we lack faith in God's greater plan for our lives, then all we can see is our present misery. Job's words contain an absoluteness on two accounts: first, in his own pure righteousness; secondly, in his wound being incurable. Both assumptions were proved wrong by the Lord. For Job was not as righteous as he thought and God did restore his life back to health. Sickness and pain can easily cause men to view themselves as overly pure, and their hope of recovery as potentially unrecoverable. But like with Job, neither of these conclusions will prove true.  "The sin in a man, no doubt, causing him to believe himself, so much more pure than he really is, and because of this, he will often lack the perception to know, that his own heart, life, and actions, are the cause of his misery, and not God. "Elihu's argument is thus, if men think they have a right to challenge God in earthly judgments, and/or the trials they might need to endure, then they have completely forgotten that their entire existence, is dependent on God's grace. Elihu's position then is, do not question God in smaller judgments, lest a far greater judgment be administered. For if God set His heart upon man, to fully execute judgment for his sins, then God could gather all breath life, and return it solely to God's own possession. Teaching us that all life is God's, whether it is flesh life, or spirit life. Even as all life is either extended or shortened, according to God's will. For He Who first gave man life, can just as easily, if He so wills it, remove it from him. "It is not man who makes the rules regarding sin, but God. Not man who sets the terms for chastisement, or its duration, but the Lord alone. Not until men realize that God sets the terms for all things, will they then humble themselves sufficiently enough to learn and yield to Him. How often also do men get lost in the lie, that they can set the terms for either salvation, or blessing. The pride of man often assuming that God must meet his terms, and not he, God's."   This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 34:5-35. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 07/04/2021

Job 32:15-16 "They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)" This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the eleventh in the series on the Book of Job, Elihu: Job 32:15 to Job 33:3 examines the characteristics between true and false prophets and whether they have been sent by the Lord to speak on His behalf: "Immediately we see the effectiveness of Elihu's spiritual ministry. As Job's friends were: 1) amazed, 2) ceased to formulate reasons in their minds to refute any of his words, and 3) left off, no longer speaking. Teaching us that there is hardly anything more effective in stopping men's mouths from presuming they know, than when one sent from God, begins to deliver revelation from God. Then, even the most imperceptive men seem to be able to detect that God has entered the room. "Where human wisdom is anything but pure, heavenly wisdom is. And because the wisdom from above has as its source in God, it will be felt to possess the very same holy attributes as the Lord. Hence, where carnal and human wisdom will agitate further the confused, the Lord's wisdom will promote peace. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar's words had done nothing but to provoke Job and cause him internal unrest. Yet now Elihu's message would do just the opposite. Having its origin from above, it would prove itself as easy to be entreated. Elihu therefore would become a breath of fresh air to Job, whereas previously debate and strife had ruled the day. Job's friends had spoken of their own will, but Elihu would speak under the direction of God's will. "Job's friends, unintentionally, had carried themselves no differently than false prophets. God did not send them to speak for Himself, yet they ran, egotistically thinking they could perform service for the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:21) "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." It is easy to see why Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar's words manifestly failed, simply because they spoke to Job, things not of the truth, and focused on arguments devoid of God's Spirit leading them. It is not enough then to claim that we come in God's name, if God has not commissioned us to speak for Him. Job's friends, unintentionally, had carried themselves no differently than false prophets. God did not send them to speak for Himself, yet they ran, egotistically thinking they could perform service for the Lord. It is easy to see why Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar's words manifestly failed, simply because they spoke to Job, things not of the truth, and focused on arguments devoid of God's Spirit leading them." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 32:15-Job 33:2-3. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 05/30/2021

Luke 11:42 "But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth teaches the importance of love in the Christian life and how carnal men will often choose success in the world over love for God and His people: "It is love for God and His people that is the essence and totality of all true religion, yet it is often so neglected that it cannot even be lightly observed in those who profess that they are Christ’s. Nowhere is faith in Jesus Christ more distorted than when His first two commandments are absent in His Church. "If you asked most, even many who claim to be religious, success carries more weight in their hearts than manifesting and following Christ’s commands to love. Non-spiritual men pursue worldly gain and acknowledgment over love for God and their neighbor. Whenever men pass over love, this shows that they have set aside Christ’s commands and replaced them with human desires. No man should think that he has come to know anything of God or that he knows God if love is not the dominant principle that rules his life. He who does not love does not know God. "That which takes the place of love for God in the last days will be the love of self. Hence, men’s deepest affection will either be themselves or the Lord, as no man can successfully love himself and, at the same time, love God fervently. He who loves God will love Him more than himself, just as he who loves himself will do so more than he loves God. Ultimately, all men will love someone; it is whom they love that will determine their eternal destiny. "True disciples of Christ possess what those in the world do not: love for the people of God. It is by this divine love that all the world shall see who Christ’s true disciples are." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Luke 11:42, 1 John 4:8, Galatians 5:6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 1 John 2:15, 1 John 2:5, Matthew 24:12, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:20, John 13:34-35. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 05/02/2021

Hebrews 10:5 "Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:" This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the glory of Christ's nature and person and how He is the only One qualified to atone for man's sin: "In order to understand how Christ atones for sin, it will help to study both the nature, and then glory of Christ’s person. The efficacy of Christ’s sin offering derides its strength from the holiness of His body, conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the glorious position God has given Jesus, as the Son of the Highest. "It is fitting that Jesus’ name describes the process of salvation: Jehovah shall save. “The name Jesus, in Greek, answers to Joshua, or rather, Jehoshuah, in Hebrew, which signifies Jehovah shall save;” It cannot be man, who saves himself, but only God, Who has the ability to save such fallen creatures, as ourselves. Jehovah shall save thus encapsulates the entire ministry of Jesus. "In truth, there could be no offering presented by man, that could atone for his own sin. Hence, for God to be satisfied with a sufficient sacrifice for sin, then God must provide this Sacrifice Himself. This is why Jesus was prepared a body by God—so that Christ’s holiness could, after Christ’s total obedience to God’s will, atone for man’s unholiness. We should never wonder if Jesus’ offering for sin is sufficient to cleanse us from it, simply because Jesus is God’s Offering for sin. And  because Jesus is God’s Offering, none should doubt, if Jesus dying for sin, can save them from it. For if the Lord Himself  made Jesus an Offering for sin, then there should remain no doubt, if men believe upon Him, that Jesus can completely and forever take away their sin. "Christ saving a man is also not simply a one-time event, for those He baptizes with His Spirit, are those also He continues to make intercession for. As His people’s High Priest, Jesus’ intercession for God’s new Sons will continue until their final and full deliverance, when their human body will be ultimately transformed to be like Christ’s glorified body. Intercession  therefore will be made by Christ for His people, until by His own power they are transformed into Christ’s own image." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Hebrews 10:5, Luke 1:26-35, Acts 4:12, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 7:25, Matthew 16:13-17, Hebrews 9:14, Matthew 11:28-29. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 04/04/2021

Job 32:1-2 "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God." This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the tenth in the series on the Book of Job, The Introduction of Elihu: Job 32 introduces Elihu, the one who speaks on God's Behalf: "Elihu is the only individual whose message Job does not refute, the only individual who could silence Job’s critics, and the only human character in the book whom God does not reprove and correct. This alone should draw our attention to this relatively obscure biblical figure. Perhaps Elihu was exactly who he claimed to be—one sent to speak on God’s behalf. "Job could not be persuaded of his guilt, nor have his conscience convict him of sin, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Yet when men are righteous in their own sight and claim innocence before God, He will often send a minister. This is repeated throughout human history. The blindness of men requires physical messengers led by the Holy Spirit to help open men’s ears so they can hear the great lessons critical for their deliverance, like that personal righteousness is never more than God’s and that it is always a sin against Heaven to justify the self more than God. Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, was chosen to introduce these lessons to Job to prepare his heart for the entrance of Jehovah. Elihu’s ministry was purposed to prepare for a much greater ministry to follow, the ministry of God Himself. As John the Baptist prepared the world for Christ, Elihu does the same in preparing Job for God. Thus, for five uninterrupted chapters, Elihu speaks, and Job offers no retort nor disagreement with any of his words, though he had previously done so with his other accusers. While Job resisted his friends’ harsh reasoning before, once Elihu begins his address, he remains silent. "This is the impact when a man filled with God’s Holy Spirit brings forth prophecy from the Lord—the power of God’s Spirit ultimately brings men to the conviction of sin. Hence, by God’s own holy Word, produced by the inspiration of the Spirit, sinners will be brought to their knees to both worship and acknowledge God as He should be. "Immediately we see the effectiveness of Elihu’s spiritually inspired words, as Job’s three friends were amazed and stopped speaking. This teaches us that when prophecy hits its mark, it will often produce silence and amazement. When men come to understand that it is truly the Lord speaking to them and they find themselves unable to defend themselves against His righteous words, their mouths will cease speaking." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 32:1-15, Job 42:1-6. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 03/21/2021

Job 12:1-2 "And Job answered and said, No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the ninth in the series on the Book of Job, Job’s Response to Zophar: Chapter 12 God’s Sovereignty, illuminates the topic of God's Sovereignty: "What Job said in sarcasm is not too far removed from what his three friends believed to be true—that their wisdom was rare and, without them, the earth would be devoid of wisdom. They each desired to tell Job what they believed to be the truth of his situation, but in reality, there was absolutely nothing they brought forth that could be deemed  enlightening or spiritually profitable. What Job said in jest was meant as a reproof of men who had far higher opinions of themselves than merited by the superficial wisdom they brought forth. They all spoke at length but helped Job not at all. Though men may speak much, it does not mean that either God or those they think themselves able to reprove will hear them.   "In God’s hand are the soul and breath of every living thing. All is under His overarching control. God can take life away as easily as he gives it. No doubt, what Job knew of Jehovah is what men are woefully ignorant of today, that the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind are in the hands and will of God. All life is solely in accordance with God’s will. It can be either lengthened or shortened if God so desires. The soul that lives in eternity will only do so because God has willed it, just as others souls are forbidden entrance to His kingdom because He never willed it. Though man thinks he can control his destiny, he cannot unless a path is given him through God’s will. If men knew this profound truth, that all life is in God’s hands, then they would hold a much greater and reverential fear of the Lord. He who does not properly fear the Lord and His power and dangerously mocks the eternal truth that all life is governed by Him will, ultimately, face His power. What God wills on earth shall be done. That God controls all life is a truth not known by most men.   "All life comes from God or is taken away by God. Ultimately, God is the final Governor of all who will live or die. No other has a say in the courtroom of life and death, simply because none could ever be found fit for such a critical decision as this. He Who created the heavens and earth determines the fate of every living thing.   "It is not man who seeks and finds out God, but God who calls men who, prior to His call, did not even know His name. The Church also exists because of predestination. In other words, it exists because God determined beforehand that it should. By God’s will are sons of God brought forth. "Saints are purposed for Heaven because of God’s will. They shall share an eternity with Christ because it is according to God’s will for their lives. All salvation has for its roots predestination. The Lord chooses who will inherit His promises, and then He exercises sufficient power so that all goes as He has determined. No man has ever been saved whom God did not first choose for salvation. His will is the source of all blessing, whether earthly or heavenly. When men enter into promised abundance, we can know that it was the Lord’s own eternal will that initiated that entrance."   This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 12:1-25, Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6, Job 13:1-2, Isaiah 45:1-4. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 03/07/2021

Job 11:1 "Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?" This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the eighth in the series on the Book of Job, The Introduction of Zophar: Job 11, examines the words and the heart of Zophar the Naamathite, the third of Job's three friends: "Zophar enters into the discussion with an even more caustic attitude than his other two friends. No doubt he is frustrated that Job could defend himself against Eliphaz’s and Bildad’s pretend wisdom, and this has incensed him. From the moment he first speaks, neither love nor compassion compels him, but only his own unrighteous anger, a personal anger that Job could not be humbled. "When men are not governed by love and a true desire to help those afflicted, malice and self-righteousness often fill the soul. It is also common for bitterness to enter self-righteous men when their arguments and decisions are rebutted. This seems to be the case with Zophar, as he is incensed that Eliphaz’s and Bildad’s words were easily rejected by Job and did nothing to change his opinion. Unrighteous anger fills Zophar because he thinks himself, as well as his other two friends, superior to Job. When men think themselves higher than their fellow man, especially in religious matters, then their words are dispersed with indignation. True religion is the opposite of this, for a renewed mind does not think of itself more highly than it ought. The core of men’s sin has always been the belief that they are bigger, wiser, and more virtuous than they really are. "When men are full of themselves, they pretend to be judges for God, but in reality, He has said nothing to them at all." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 11:1-20, 1 Corinthians 4:5. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 02/21/2021

Job 9:2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the seventh in the series on the Book of Job, How Should Man Be Just With God: Job 9:2, explores the most important question for man to ask, "How should man be just with God?" and the resulting answer: "No other question is as important as  this one, and it is essential for man to learn its answer if he wants to reach the Lord or learn His way of saving the soul. If men do not have the depth of thought to consider and contemplate how they may be found just before God, it is because they do not really care to be. If God’s Word is not brought to sinners, they will have little to no idea as to the degree that they have sinned against God. This is because sin deceives men about their true condition. It blinds them to how their fleshly and carnal nature offends God. Sin, because of its corrupting influence, deceives man, leads him from the right path and blinds him to his true condition. Man should fear nothing more than the sin that lives within him. Ultimately, self-deception is the greatest deception of all. "Yes, the world is meant to deceive and lead men deeper into sin, but at the core of the problem is man’s sinful nature. Man’s greatest enemy is himself, and he must look to God to be delivered from his fleshly conceit. Sin also produces a delusional effect on its victims. When coupled with evil spirits, further deception is created. The results are catastrophic. The only force able to cut through the spiritual blindness caused by sin and the evil spirits sent to deceive men is the Word of God. Consequently, the deception sin causes can be removed only when God’s Word is believed."Since God’s Word is a spiritual Sword, It can cut to the very core of a man, even unto the thoughts and intents of his heart, where unbelief has made its home. Men should thank God for this because, without the aid of God and His Word to try and test their hearts, sin would deceive them all the way to the grave. Oblivious to their nature leading them to hell, they would follow it until there was no possible way to escape. Therefore, God’s Word is critical to first making known the unbelief that lives in the heart and then to planting seeds of faith in God to replace it. Without the Word of God, it is impossible for any man to see himself properly as a sinner."Sinners can be saved from their sin because Christ exists as a Mediator for sin. There is but one Mediator for sin between God and man, and without this Mediator, only God’s wrath awaits sinners. Without Jesus as a Mediator for sin, men would be required to die for it themselves. Ultimately, for men to be found just before God, they need to confess themselves as sinners before God and then lean upon Christ as their Mediator for sin, because it is only when Christ’s ministry for sin is embraced that God’s mercy will be found."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 9:2, Hebrews 4:11-12, Mark 7:20, Romans 3;10, Job 33:27-28, Luke 18:9-14, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:16-17, Hebrews 7:25. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 02/07/2021

Job 9:1-2 "Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?"This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the sixth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: Job's Response to Bildad, chronicles Job's response to the second of Job's three friends, Bildad the Shuhite: "In Job’s words is the very attribute God praised him for—a very deep and profound fear of the Lord—but at the same time, he makes a great accusation against Him. Job loved, praised, and honored the Lord, but he knew little about himself and the self-righteousness that filled his heart. Job also did not know how any man, including himself, could be found just before God, a topic also that must be directly addressed before we finish this study. To a godly man, there is no question in life more important than this one."Though Job was not aware of how to be just before God, he was aware that hardening himself against the Lord was not the answer, because no one, not even one person, has ever hardened themselves against God and won. To harden one’s heart is to make oneself insensible to sin. It is to close the ears so truth can no longer be heard. The result of this is always calamity and further brokenness. Resisting the Lord only brings tragedy to those foolish enough to oppose God’s will. Pharaoh proved this, but he is just one of many who have suffered the awful consequences of hardening the heart against the Lord. The religious leaders in Christ’s day also hardened themselves against Christ, and as a result, they crucified the very One sent to save them. Bent on rebellion, a man with a hard heart will shut out all other voices, especially God’s, to do what he wants. This teaches us that the base of all hardening of the heart is the stubbornness to do one’s own will."It is true that men need an arbiter, and Jesus Christ is just that for the sinner. In Him, forgiveness is found, but it can never be found in ourselves. The Lord Jesus is man’s Advocate with God, and to stand righteous before God, all men need Him. To understand this is to begin to move towards receiving God’s salvation. For men to stand righteous before the Lord, a mediator is needed to intercede on their behalf. Since Jesus is the Mediator between God and man, if a man wants to stand righteous before God, then Christ must stand with him. In Christ, men can be made righteous, whereas, through themselves, they can never be."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 9:1-35.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 01/24/2021

Job 8:1-2 "Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?"This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fifth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Bildad, introduces the second of Job's three friends, Bildad the Shuhite: "Bildad, showing little patience towards Job, voices his irritations with Job’s response to Eliphaz. It is worth considering that though men improperly apply truth to the wrong situations, the truth itself still retains its own integrity. Hence, though men may speak God’s Word where it does not apply, it is still the truth. Bildad’s words, though spoken by a miserable comforter, are still true words. As God will neither pervert judgment nor deny justice. He cannot deal either unjustly or unrighteously with men. There is nothing for Him to gain by doing so, and nothing unrighteous in Him, that could cause such an action. Therefore, as a fair and just God, He cannot, and will not ever judge any man unrighteously. Men reap as they have sown, and they themselves determine their own fate. Teaching us that if God executes judgment in men’s lives, for either good or evil, it is what is deserved, according to His divine laws. To infer otherwise, must conclude God to be a corrupt Judge Who perverts justice."Job’s belief was that he was treated as a guilty man, without a proper trial and ability to defend himself. Thus, he infers that God not only perverted judgment, but would not even allow defense. But in the end, it would be God Who would demand of Job for what he had done, and not Job  complaining to God about God’s unfairness. Job, after being corrected by the Lord, repeats none of his previous claims against God, but rather confesses his own vileness. This because after Elihu’s and Jehovah’s reproof, Job’s heart had turned from accusation against God, to conviction of himself."What is learned here in Job’s life, should be considered by all men: that it is one thing for the atheist and God-rejector, and even professing Christians to indict God on this earth, but quite another thing to stand before the majesty of God’s power in Heaven. One thing for even God’s children to question God’s judgments in their life, and another to have to give account of their own."Christ shall sit on His throne, and every man shall have to give an account, of the things done in His body. This will include things done by his tongue, his hand, and his heart. See, all men will have to give account to the Lord. Job, as perhaps the oldest book of the Bible, then clearly teaches this—that those who complain against God’s justice, will have to stand and give an account before God’s throne."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 8:1-22, Job 34:1-5, Job 27:2, Job 34:6-12, Job 9:1-2, Matthew 7:24-27, Galatians 6:7.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 01/10/2021

Job 4:1-21, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30: The Introduction of EliphazThis sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fourth in the series on the Book of Job, Job and His Three Friends: The Introduction of Eliphaz, introduces the first of Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite: "Eliphaz begins speaking before the other two, either because he was the most aged, or thought himself the most knowledgeable. Either way, he thinks himself more than able to set Job right. As we  shall see, he is the only one of Job’s friends that God calls out by name and personally labels him for divine correction, later in the book."Hence, since Eliphaz placed himself first, by singling himself out as leader of the other two, then God determines that he shall have to also be singled out for personal correction. Eliphaz continues, but notice how all he can do is speak of God, and we sense no power whatsoever that he was sent to speak for God. No doubt here is a man who liked to talk, but had very little to actually say."Those thus who say they speak by the Spirit, should be tried. This can be done by observing the sincerity by which men confess Jesus Christ as their Lord. By also if it is a Holy Spirit or not. Hence just because men speak in either God or Christ’s name, does not mean that the Holy Spirit accompanies them when they speak. Even as human reason and religious speculation, are not proof whatsoever of the Holy Spirit's influence."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 4:1-21, James 1:17, Romans 11:33, Job 5:1-27, Job 6:1-30.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 12/27/2020

Job 3:1 "After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day."This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the third in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter Three: Job Curses His Day, analyzes Job's dialogue with himself during his time of affliction and what we can learn from it: “Where previously Job had not sinned with this lips, he would not be able to claim this by the end of the book. Because in chapter 38 the Lord reproves Job for darkening His counsel by uttering words without knowledge. (Job 38:2) Although Job does not directly curse God, he does curse his day. Perhaps un­known to him at this stage of his trial, is that once men begin to curse the circum­stances of their life, then soon reproach upon God will follow.  See, where previ­ously Job had praised God, now he begins to despise the day of his birth. How fickle then are we as men whereby where once came praise and worship, now comes bit­terness and cursing.“So often in trials we are misled to think that we must ourselves find a way out. Yet, the truth is, for every trial, God already has a plan in place, after it has ac­complished its designated purpose. So that in the end it shall not be men’s wis­dom that delivers them, but God’s mercy. As none shall find divine deliverance, un­less by God’s mercy it is brought to them. Whenever then Satan binds us, it must be God’s involvement that delivers us.”This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 3:1-26, James 5:15-16.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 12/13/2020

Job 2:1-3 "Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause."This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the second in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter Two: Satan's Assault, highlights Satan's assaults on Job, Job's response, Satan's aims in the assaults, and God's ultimate purposes for Job: "It is very tempting for people to read a trial like Job’s and then themselves be tempted to blame God. As the book has no doubt caused many to bring accusations against the Lord, simply because they have lacked the insight to see God’s ultimate purpose. It is for this reason that men should not foolishly judge God, because also they lack the wisdom of His divine purpose. And just because men might fail God’s test, through their own lack of trust in God, does not mean that divine trials are wrong. Ultimately it will be seen that what Job endured did not exceed the limitations of his faith, but actually in the end strengthened it. The justice of God prohibiting that any man shall be tempted above that which he can—by his continued reliance and trust in God—also overcome. It is important to remember this, lest we judge Job as a victim, and God’s decision to allow Satan’s assaults as wrong. Simply because whatever God purposes for men, if they remain confident in Him and His will for their life, the trial will be proven to have been purposed for their own good. See, God will never bring men through difficult times unless He knows, through His foreknowledge of them, that it shall be for their final profit." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 2:1-13.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 11/29/2020

Job 1:1 "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one  that feared God, and eschewed evil."This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the first in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter One, touches on God's dealing's with man, angels, the devil, and all of our trials and circumstances in life: "Job was not perfect in that he had no flaws, but rather is defined as one whose inward heart was sincere in his reverence for God, and his distaste for evil. Observe also that those whom God first delivers and then teaches greater truth about Himself, are those who fear Him, and seek to live their lives as perfectly before the Lord, as their weak flesh permits. See, God works with no man, who does not possess an inward desire to be both upright and blameless before Him.  For the true Christian then, not even one sin will be deemed as a small and allowable thing. And though the righteous will sin, and far more than they would ever desire, in their souls no sin will be deemed as permissible. Job was such a man as this. Where God is concerned, if men make casual allowances for their sin, they shall neither be reckoned as of God’s company, nor used for His service. There is no evil greater than sin, and if men do not flee it,  and highly esteem what an affront it is to God, then it will prove impossible for them to have any true and lasting relationship with God. God is righteous, and so for any to be numbered among His people, it is His own righteous integrity that they must pursue." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 1:1-22, 2 Peter 1:5-8.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 11/15/2020

Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explains what Jesus gave His life for in Who Gave Himself For Us: “To understand the ministry of the Son of God, we must learn what Jesus gave His life for. It was for the cleansing of men’s iniquity in order to ultimately purify unto Himself a people zealous to do good works. Teaching us as well that where sin is in control, Christ cannot really be served, nor will divine works really be produced. All men born naturally, are born in this state of lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, and sin. In their flesh, men will have no true regard for either God, or God’s laws over them.“It is because of this, that Jesus came to redeem men from it. For those in iniquity have no true connection to God at all. They are estranged from God’s presence, because their sin makes them to be so.”This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Titus 2:14, Isaiah 59:2, Isaiah 13:11, Isaiah 26:21, Exodus 34:9, Romans 5:6, Galatians 1:4, Hebrews 7:25, John 10:28, John 17:12.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 11/01/2020

Psalm 50:3 "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him."This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth expounds upon the whole of Psalm 50 in Our God Shall Come and Shall Not Keep Silence: “The context of Psalm 50 is the Day of the Lord. It is the day that the mighty God calls men to His Day of Judgment. The Lord hath spoken and called the earth, and whether men tremble at His summons or rejoice in hope of His justice, all must together take their stand before Him. No man shall be able to escape this day of reckoning, and because of this he should spend his life in fear of God, that how he has lived his life, might be found acceptable to God. All therefore shall be required to gather and hear what God has to say regarding the manner in which they have lived.”This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Psalm 50: 1-23. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 10/18/2020

1 Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."To view on YouTube, click here: J.D. Montieth - Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit the KingdomThis sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth teaches that Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit the Kingdom: "To understand God’s Kingdom, we must understand that it is not ac­cessible through flesh and blood. God is Spirit, and as such, the spiritual world He reigns is a spiritual domain. Therefore without receiving God’s Spirit, Heaven will remain completely out of reach, be­cause God has deemed that fleshly cor­ruption cannot share with spiritual in­corruption. This is an established biblical truth, that is supported throughout the scriptures. It is beyond reasonable debate, simply because it is taught so frequently and so consistently in God’s Word—that those of the flesh, because of their sin­ful condition, are unfit for entrance into Heaven. Unrenewed man, in his natural and carnal state, therefore, cannot enter into God’s holy world. Hence, not only will sin ruin men’s lives on earth, and cre­ate here present misery, but it will also prohibit entrance into Heaven. The phys­ical body that the natural man is born with, cannot transcend into the glory which is Heaven. This is why the scrip­tures reveal that Jesus, the Son of God, must change the bodies of those who be­lieve upon Him, so that they can become vessels fit for Heaven’s glory."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: 1 Corinthians 15:50, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 John 3:2, John 3:1-6, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:1-4, Romans 8:15.  Broadcast live from Castle Grace 10/4/2020

Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the topic of spiritual warfare and the protection that the full armor of God provides in the second of a two part teaching on We Wrestle Not Against Flesh and Blood.This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the "At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses" Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Ephesians 6:12-18Broadcast live from Castle Grace 9/27/2020

Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the topic of spiritual warfare in the Christian life in the first of a two part teaching on We Wrestle Not Against Flesh and Blood: "Though Christians are in a physi­cal world, the conflicts that they face are spiritual in nature. And though it appears that only earthly agents move upon the earth, in fact there are spiritual influences everywhere. The Christian’s journey in this life will therefore be a very arduous and treacherous path, simply because of the spiritual forces that must be contended with. Part of the Christian calling therefore is that suffering and tribulation will precede deliverance. He, who believes in the Son of God, will suf­fer from a world that despises and hates everything about Him. And as sons of God ourselves we, like our Lord, shall not be able to escape suffering will be part of the journey to Heaven. But what is not always seen, or generally believed in, is that the source of both earthly temp­tations and worldly persecutions have evil spiritual agents as their origination. "But though the devil has been successful in advancing sin in the earth, we should never forget his ultimate end. For the ministry of the Son of God is purposed to destroy both the devil and the vice of sin he encour­ages to grow. The Lord Jesus ultimately destroying both the author of sin, and every weed that he has planted on this earth. Yea, the oppressor will be overthrown, as well as all the shackles that have bound his captives." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the "At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses" Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: John 10:10, 1 John 3:8, Ephesians 6:10-14, Psalm 124:2–8, Matthew 4:1–11.  Broadcast live from Castle Grace 9/20/2020

Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"To view on YouTube, click here: J.D. Montieth - The Mind of ChristThis sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explores The Mind of Christ: "The initial characteristic we see re­garding the mind of Christ, is that though Christ held the form of God, He did not reach to be equal with God. It is also this characteristic of Christ that dif­fers so greatly from what both Satan, and Adam and Eve grasped at, which was equality with God. Satan seeking to be like the Most High, and Adam and Eve seeking to know as God. Hence it was Jesus not seeking to be superior to God, that separated Him from not only the men of the earth, but also the devil and his fallen angels. Men’s greatest sin, and apparently also the spirits’ that were cast out of Heaven, has always been to think themselves equal to the Lord, yea supe­rior to the Lord, in wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. Fallen beings, because of pride, thinking themselves equal to God, as to how not only God should deal with man, but how also God should both judge and rule Heaven and earth. There­fore, in essence, in spite of their sin na­ture, men still today believe themselves to be equal and on the same level as God. This is why they will condemn the Lord when they think He deals improperly with them, and murmur against Him, despise His laws, and generally reject any of His rule."Yet, completely contrary to sinful man, is the divine na­ture of the Son of God, Who though He carried God’s form, did not in any way regard Himself as equal with God. And though He was one with the Father, still Christ did not try to in any way, usurp authority from God. This is seen in how Jesus lived in subjection to God, and completely obeyed the will of God in His life. God was always with the Son, because the Son always did the will of the Father. It is this behavior of remaining in God’s will, and seeking to live a life that pleased God, that gave Christ His heavenly posi­tion in Heaven. Because Jesus was sub­ject, God exalted His Son. And because Jesus did God’s will, God did not forsake His Son. Seeking to live our lives as be­ing pleasing to the Lord, having as its main fruit also, God remaining with us in hardships, trials, tribulation, and even death. Living our lives by doing things that are always in God’s will, having as its reward, God never leaving us."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Philippians 2:5-8, Matthew 11:29, Galatians 2:16,  Broadcast live from Castle Grace 9/13/2020

1 John 3:9, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."To view on YouTube, click here: J.D. Montieth - What (Or Who) Causes Men To Depart From SinThis sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explores What (Or Who) Causes Men To Depart From Sin: "Sin, all men should confess if they are honest, is a very strong influ­ence over both the soul and body. For none can have lived any earthly existence and not have had the power of sin exer­cise its control over them. The sin in man also ultimately is that which has sepa­rated him from God. (Isa. 59:2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Hence, for men to be able to depart from sin and its stronghold on them, God must intervene in their lives. As none of us on our own, has the individual power to break sin’s reign over us."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: 1 John 3:9, 1 John 4:4, John 14:17, Acts 5:32. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 5/24/2020

Colossians 2:19: "And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God."To view on YouTube, click here: J.D. Montieth - Not Holding The HeadThis sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Not Holding the Head: "Men will, if given the chance, hold on to almost anything—whether it be religious rites, doctrines, church af­filiation, or even most commonly, sim­ply themselves—rather than holding on to He, Who is the Source of all spiritual power and life, Jesus Christ. Yet, when, this is done, and men do not hold the Son of God in His rightful place, then all the life and spiritual nourishment which comes from Him will be lost. It is also reasonable to consider that there is a strong possibility if Christ is not a man’s Head, then there is little chance that he is a member of God’s redeemed Church. For none can have separation from the Son of God, and be misled to think that any of God’s promises are actually avail­able to them. As God has determined that for Heaven to be gained, and its blessings to be received, then fellowship with God’s Son must be possessed. Thus, if Jesus is not held in His rightful position, then it is impossible to assume that any promise of God through Him can be ours. Failure to hold the Head, in the end, separating men completely from all that God has purposed should come through His Son."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Colossians 2:19, Jeremiah 2:13, John 15:5-6, Ephesians 4:15-16, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:12, John 13:35. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 8/30/2020

Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." To view on YouTube, click here: J.D. Montieth - Who Was Delivered for Our Offences - Part 3 This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth chronicles the last events of Our Lord's life in the third of a four part teaching on Who Was Delivered For Our Offences: "Pilate, after failing to get Jesus released by the crowd, then orders His scourging, as what shall be seen to be, an attempt to gain sufficient pity for Jesus in order for the mob to change its mind. This in no way alters Pilate’s sin, but only shows his reluctancy to put a man to death whom he surely knew did not deserve it. Yet, as is always the case, how a man feels mat­ters little, if his actions do not match his intentions. For it is not what we think or hope to do which will determine the final judgment upon our lives, but rather what we do. Our life then shall be judged for the actions we have taken, not the good intentions that we hoped to have done. Good intentions meaning nothing with­out appropriate actions to follow them. And like where faith without works is dead, so it is, if what we are trying to do never gets accomplished. Beware also, dear Christian, of misleading yourself to believe that just because you wanted to do good, if it is not done, then it will ulti­mately make no difference at all."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Romans 4:25, John 19:1-18, Deuteronomy 28:1–13, Isaiah 53:12.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 7/5/2020 

Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." To view on YouTube, click here: J.D. Montieth - Who Was Delivered For Our Offences Part 2 This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth chronicles the last events of Our Lord's life in the second of a four part teaching on Who Was Delivered For Our Offences: "Religion improperly lived is a contra­dictory thing. For though men are willing to break the greatest of God’s command­ments, yet because of some perverted sense of warped conscience, they will keep the smallest of rituals, thinking themselves still pure in God’s sight. Thus, these religious men were willing to seek, and ultimately accomplish the murder of an innocent Man by delivering Him to an unjust death, yet they did not want to de­file themselves by going into this Gentile judgement hall. As if murder would not defile the soul, but coming into contact with a pagan would. This is often the way of the hypocrite—concerned about exte­rior show, yet caring little for the heart’s inward corruption." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Romans 4:25, John 18:28-40, 2 Corinthians 5:21.  Broadcast live from Castle Grace 6/28/2020 

Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."  To view on YouTube click here: J.D. Montieth - Who Was Delivered for Our Offences Part 1 This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth chronicles the last events of Our Lord's life in the first of a four part teaching on Who Was Delivered For Our Offences: "How many there are who though giv­en an opportunity of having their sins removed, still resist Jesus as their Lord. Who have a chance at gaining peace with God and an eternal life beyond this tem­poral life, but instead choose to remain in their sinful state. The great amount of this world’s population more than satisfied in their separation from God, and remark­ably also, the eternal spiritual life God of­fers to men. This, though, is not the Chris­tian position. As the Church is humbly willing to receive Christ’s death for their sin, and will then gladly and wholeheart­edly glorify God because of it. "To help us more deeply perceive Christ being delivered to the cross, and dying for our sin, let us study the journey of Christ whereby also by the hands of sinners Je­sus was delivered to die, for our sin." This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the "At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses" Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: 1 Peter 2:24, John 18:1-24, Matthew 12:14, Matthew 26:70-74. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 6/21/2020

Psalm 15:1-5, "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? [2] He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. [3] He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. [4] In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. [5] He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved." To view on YouTube click here: J.D. Montieth - Who May Dwell On Your Holy Hill This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Who May Dwell On Your Holy Hill: "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? If a man has not asked this question of the Lord, he is not enlightened enough to have asked the most important question in his life. It was David’s question to the Lord, and it should be our question as well. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? What kind of man then shall be worthy enough to be in Thy holy presence? It is Heaven, therefore, that those who have wisdom should seek, for an answer to this most important question. This is why it is fool­ish for men to either ask themselves, or other men the road to eternal life, sim­ply because without divine revelation, no man can have any proper sense of it at all. Heaven is God’s world and His mystical realm, and only a highly ignorant man would be so presumptuous to conclude that he by himself, knows anything con­cerning its entrance. See, it is only the Lord Who may enlighten a man’s heart as to how Heaven can be gained. The Lord revealing quite abundantly in scripture that His thoughts are not ours, and surely so when it comes to who will be found worthy to dwell on God’s holy hill (Isa. 55:8&9) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways high­er than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Because God’s thoughts are esteemedly higher than ours, should it not then teach us that we should reach for them, and not be so arrogant to pre­sume that we know anything of either God, or the world Jesus has called us into without divine instruction? God’s Word warning us, that whatever we think we know about anything, is far short of what we really ought to know, and this knowl­edge must include entrance into God’s heavenly Kingdom. This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Psalm15:1-5, Proverbs 10:21, 1 John 3:7-10, James 2:14-17, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 John 4:20, Matthew 7:7. Broadcast live from Castle Grace 6/14/2020       

Isaiah 65:1, “I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name." Broadcast live from Castle Grace 7/20/2020

Isaiah 5:21, "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth explores the The Dangers of Conceit and Its Awful Consequences: "There is no sin so common in man and detrimental to both his salva­tion and his improvement in life than conceit. How conceited a man or woman is, revealed by how much they will rely on God’s Word and God’s Spirit to lead them or not. Hence all who make deci­sions solely on their own, and see no real spiritual need for either God or others to help them, you can know are conceited beyond measure. Those therefore who are filled with conceit, will not hold a sin­cere fear of God, and secondly, will be­lieve that they can be successful in this life, without God."  "A man’s conceit can be so developed, that he will not even ask God the way to Heaven. Men therefore shall die, simply because their conceit was too great to al­low them to search for what it will take to live."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Proverbs 26:12, Isaiah 5:1-30, Romans 1:24-28, Luke 12:16-21

1 John 1:2 "(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)"This sermon, Life Was Manifested, from Pastor J.D. Montieth teaches what he considers the most important topic he has preached on in his 40 years of ministry; instructing men on how fellowship with God and Jesus Christ can be found: “1 John is a book of fellowship, instructing men on how fellowship with God and Jesus Christ can be found. As such, its initial verses focus on the Son of God and the eternal life of God that He manifested to men. It teaches us that the only way men can gain eternal life and enter into both present and eternal fellowship with God is through His Son. It is only through faith and then obedience to the Son of God that true fellowship with God can be gained.“For men to have fellowship with God, Jesus, God’s Son, must be revealed, believed in, relied on, and obeyed. The Father and Son are one, so none can rightfully claim fellowship with the Father who neglect the Son and His ministry to men. The true Gospel of God has as its center fellowship with the Son of God. Thus, the apostle opens his writing with a focus on He Whom God sent to reveal His own eternal life to men.”This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: 1 John 1:1-10, John 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:16, 1 John 5:20, Job 33:8-9, Romans 3:9-19, Luke 15:11-24.Broadcast live from Castle Grace 7/12/2020

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."  Broadcast live from Castle Grace 8/16/2020

2 Peter 1:16-18, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."This sermon from Pastor J.D. Montieth reveals the magnificent glory of Christ shown throughout Scripture; from the Gospels, to the Book of Daniel and to the Book of Revelation in Eyewitnesses of His Majesty: "It is important for us to both under­stand and believe, that neither the message of Christ, nor His person are part of a cleverly devised fable. Rather, that Christianity as we know it today is based upon the personal and eyewitness accounts of those who themselves saw not only Christ in His resurrected body, but also the glory that shall be Christ’s at His return. This glory was first seen by Peter, James and John, on the mount of transfiguration."Everything about the glory of Christ, from the glory of His head to the white brass-like finish of His feet, shows us the great Creature that is Christ. John sees Jesus in His heavenly glory, beautiful, brilliant, and full of the glory of God."One cannot come into contact with God’s holy presence and not be taken aback, so much so that even time seems to stand still. Revelations from God will always greatly humble the heart so that we internally feel unworthy of being in the Lord’s presence. Any true sight of the Son of God, therefore, will not puff a man up like just knowledge can, but will send him to his knees and to his face. God’s glory has a great effect on a man’s inward soul, and even on his physical body. The true glory of the Lord is well beyond man’s physical limitations to see Him and to live. Hence, though this was a vision given to the apostle John of Christ’s glory, he still fell before the Lord as one dead. This shall also be the same result in us if ever, by God’s grace, we are allowed to see the great glory that is the Son of God’s."This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: 2 Peter 1:16-18, Matthew 17:1-2, Revelation 1:13-18, Daniel 7:9-22, John 5:27, Broadcast live from Castle Grace 7/26/2020