CCR Sermons

Wise Up! Pt. 7: The Foolishness of God by Louie Marsh, 11-30-2025 Today we want to talk about a kind of foolishness everyone needs to have in their life - the foolishness of God!! 1.  Christianity appears to be  FOOLISH "18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV) 2. God DESIGNED it that way.   "27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." (1 Corinthians 1:27–29, ESV) · So we'll trust Him & NOTHING ELSE! · So He will get all the CREDIT · To show His Power DRAMATICALLY. 3. Three Examples of God's Foolishness ·  NOAH ·  ABRAHAM · MOSES   4. Why God's Wisdom Appears Foolish · It deals with the  UNSEEN   "7By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith." (Hebrews 11:7, ESV) · It sends me into the  UNKNOWN   "8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV) · It takes me  BEYOND  myself.   "11By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised." (Hebrews 11:11, ESV) · It requires great  SACRIFICE   "17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son," (Hebrews 11:17, ESV) · It leads me into  SUFFERING   "36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." (Hebrews 11:36–38, ESV)   5. Why God's Wisdom Isn't Foolish · Because God COMMENDS it. "2For by it the people of old received their commendation."…33who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." (Hebrews 11:2, 33–34, ESV)

Wise Up! Part 6: Wise In the End by Louie Marsh, 11-23-2025   Intro.  chocolate   1) If I'm Wise I'll Consider My  DEATH   "12So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, ESV)   I know that right now I've lost some of you - we run and hide from death - it's not a fun topic - yet we must face and deal with it sooner or later. There are good reasons for doing so - it pays off not only in the next life but in this one too!   2) Doing So Give Me the PROPER Persepctive   "5For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5, ESV) Of course everyone knows this - but most people avoid thinking about it and so end up wasting their life. WISDOM'S PROPER PERSPECTIVE 1) On Myself… · God Made Me For A REASON (PURPOSE) "36For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption," (Acts 13:36, ESV) "10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV) ·  This SHAPES  My Entire Life. "12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12–14, ESV)   · I Only Have So Much TIME  To Finish.  "6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6–8, ESV) 2) On Life… · I Won't Fear TROUBLE "5Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me," (Psalm 49:5, ESV) · Status & Power Won't INTIMIDATE  Me. "16Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him." (Psalm 49:16–17, ESV) · I'll Think & Live In The LONG  TERM "25choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward." (Hebrews 11:25–26, ESV) 3) On God… · After This Life I am ACCOUNTABLE to God. "27And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment," (Hebrews 9:27, ESV) · The Only Way To God Is CHRIST "6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, ESV) · He Will  REWARD  What I've Done "12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:12–15, ESV)        

Wise Up! Part 5: Acting Wise in Relationships by Louie Marsh, 11-16-2025   Intro.   "18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:18, ESV) · Wisdom is a LIFESTYLE.   "13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13, ESV) · Lack of wisdom causes CONFLICT.   "14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." (James 3:14–16, ESV)   Relating Wisely To Others:   "17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (James 3:17, ESV) 1. If I'm Wise I Won't Compromise  my INTEGRITY. 17But the wisdom from above is first pure,…   "9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9, ESV)   2. If I'm Wise I Won't Antagonize your ANGER. …then peaceable…   "3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling." (Proverbs 20:3, ESV) 3 Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them. (Pro. 20:3 GN)   "29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." (Proverbs 14:29, ESV)   29A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes. (Prov. 14:29 LB)   3. If I'm wise I won't minimize your FEELINGS. …Gentle…  Considerate another good translation. "4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4, ESV) 4. If I'm wise I won't criticize your SUGGESTIONS. … open to reason …    Means: "approachable, congenial, open to reason" "15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." (Proverbs 12:15, ESV) 5. If I'm wise I won't emphasize your MISTAKES. … full of mercy and good fruits… "9Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends." (Proverbs 17:9, ESV) "1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV) "1We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves." (Romans 15:1, ESV)   "3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3, ESV)   6. If I'm wise I won't disguise my WEAKNESSES.   … impartial and sincere."   " Means: "Straightforward & without hypocrisy"   "13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. 14Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity." (Proverbs 28:13–14, ESV) "2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." (Colossians 2:2–4, ESV)    

Wise Up! #4 Part 4: Wisdom in Action by Louie Marsh, 11-9-2025   Intro. Continuing our series on Wisdom. Need for wisdom shown this week by couple who were drinking and driving with some dynamite in car. Thought it would be funny to light it and throw it, drank more - if became funnier. Finally they lit and threw it - just one problem - they had forgotten to roll down the car window! They are expected to recover.   1) Get the FACTS   "14But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, "Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them. 15Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. 16They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 17Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him."" (1 Samuel 25:14–17, ESV)   "28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"…"31Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace." (Luke 14:28, 31–32, ESV)   · You cannot make wise decisions without data! · But you can't always be fact gathering! 2) Make A PLAN   "18Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. 19And she said to her young men, "Go on before me; behold, I come after you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal." (1 Samuel 25:18–19, ESV)   Commit to the LORD whatever you do,  and your plans will succeed. (Prov.16:3)   · Godly wisdom isn't without thought or plans - God wants us to plan! · Time spent in creating a good plan is rarely wasted - tho like fact gathering you can't do this forever either! 3) Take RESPONSIBILITY   "24She fell at his feet and said, "On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant." (1 Samuel 25:24, ESV)   The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.  (Ezekiel 18:20)   · The Bible teaches that YOU are responsible for YOU! · Don't play the victim game - take responsibility! 4) Be Painfully HONEST   May my lord pay no attention to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name--his name is Fool, and folly goes with him. (1 Sam. 25:25)   "15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ," (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)   · It's not always easy to tell the truth - but it's the wise thing to do. · This must have been painful for Abigail - but God blessed her for it 5) Ask For FORGIVENESS   "28Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live." (1 Samuel 25:28, ESV)   · Don't be afraid to admit when you are wrong and ask for forgiveness · This is the KEY to finding your way to God and receiving His blessings in your life! 6) Solve the PROBLEM   "33Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!" (1 Samuel 25:33, ESV)   "6Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you." (Proverbs 4:6, ESV)   · Remember - Godly wisdom is practical - it is seen in good results! · You must have the faith to act - "But what if I'm wrong?"  What if you ARE? · Go back to #1 - and work your way through this wisdom loop 7) Be REWARDED   "39When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The Lord has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head." Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife." (1 Samuel 25:39, ESV)   "14Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off." (Proverbs 24:14, ESV)   · Living by God's wisdom brings God's blessings into your life. · Ultimate blessing - salvation!  

Wise Up! Part 3: "Sharp Wisdom" by Louie Marsh, 10-2-2025 blical wisdom shown in a little know story about a wise woman in a difficult situation.   S - SEIZE the Initiative   "16Then a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, 'Come here, that I may speak to you.' "" (2 Samuel 20:16, ESV)   "7a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;" (Ecclesiastes 3:7, ESV)   1)  2 extremes to avoid - speaking too soon - brashly shooting your mouth off 2)  being to passive never saying anything!   H - HAVE  a Respectful Attitude   "17And he came near her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your servant." And he answered, "I am listening."" (2 Samuel 20:17, ESV)   "17Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17, ESV)   1)  There is a time to be blunt, but it's usually NOT when I want too! 2)  The more I want to let someone have it - the less likely it is that that's the wise choice! A - APPRECIATE  the Consequences   "18Then she said, "They used to say in former times, 'Let them but ask counsel at Abel,' and so they settled a matter. 19I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?"" (2 Samuel 20:18–19, ESV)   "7Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)   "17For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17, ESV)   1) Remember the Law of Unintended Consequences! R - RECOGNIZE  the Real Issue   "21That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city." And the woman said to Joab, "Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall."" (2 Samuel 20:21, ESV) "21And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Mark 10:21–22, ESV) P - PRODUCE  what's Needed "22Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king." (2 Samuel 20:22, ESV)   "5Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him." (Ecclesiastes 8:5–6, ESV)   S.H.A.R.P. towards PROBLEMS, relationships, children, etc. S.H.A.R.P. towards GOD S - God has already taken the initiative - you must now seize the moment and respond! H - Have a respectful attitude - that's repentance for our sins! A - Look at the consequences - both good and bad! R - Recognize the real issue - It's not politics, evolution, or a hundred other things - it's          our standing before God and our eternal destiny! P - Produce what's needed - by giving your life to Jesus Christ!!        

Wise Up! Part 2: The Blessings of Wisdom by Louie Marsh, 10-12-2025   Intro.  Donald Duck last slide - Anyone remember Mr. T, a guy who made an entire career based on this phrase - “I pity the fool!”  Only in America!!  But he was right - foolishness is to be pitied and avoided! Which is why we're talking about wisdom. The Bible teaches us that wisdom is the key to happiness. So why should we be wise??   1) What Wisdom Will Do For You. · Wisdom Makes Us  BLESSED (FULFILLED).   “13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,” (Proverbs 3:13, ESV) · Wisdom Makes Us  PROFITABLE .   “14for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 3:14–15, ESV) Hebrew word means a good return on a trade. Wisdom will help us to get a good return on the work we do in our life. Wisdom makes our life worthwhile - not wasted. Therefore wisdom gives us a profitable life. · Wisdom Makes Us  HONORABLE .   “16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.” (Proverbs 3:16, ESV) The world could use more honorable people. · Wisdom Makes Us  COMPLETE/WHOLE.   “17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:17, ESV) The word here is Shalom - the Hebrew word for peace. But it means far more than just the absence of conflict. Instead it refers to the peace that comes from being whole - from having every part of your life in harmony with God, you and others. · Wisdom Makes Us  SPIRITUALLY ALIVE.   “18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” (Proverbs 3:18, ESV) The Tree of Life is a symbol of spiritual life - wisdom shows us how to take our Bible knowledge and turn it into reality - thus bring us spiritually alive. 2) How To Become Wise…   · ASK   For It.   “5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5, ESV)   Two important things to understand about this verse:     1, It doesn't say HOW God will give wisdom  2, It doesn't say WHEN He'll do it!   · SEARCH  for It.   “3yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,” (Proverbs 2:3–4, ESV)   “7“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, ESV)   o  Seek - like we said a LIFELONG process. o  Knock - BOLDLY requesting what you need. ·   IDENTIFY   It (Prov. 2:5)   “5then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:5, ESV) Biblical Wisdom is different from all others - because it is always linked to and flowing from God! We've got to understand that and never sever wisdom from God. · LIVE    It.   “28And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.' ”” (Job 28:28, ESV)   Notice that wisdom is something that show in what you do not just in what you say. Notice also that wisdom is avoiding sin. A wise person is someone who avoids sin.   3) Where Wisdom Begins…   ·  CHRIST  is Our Wisdom.   “18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”… “24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18, 24, ESV) ·  RESULTS  Prove Him True.   “19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”” (Matthew 11:19, ESV) ·  ACCEPTING  Him Is the Wise Choice.   “5Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.” (Ecclesiastes 8:5, ESV) “2For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV)  

Wise Up! Part One: Be A Wise Guy By Louie Marsh, 10-5-2025   1) Biblical wisdom is PRACTICAL  not THEORETICAL.   20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:20–21, ESV)   “5Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him.” (Ecclesiastes 8:5–6, ESV)   “10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10, ESV)   The word translated “wisdom” is hakam.   The essential idea of wisdom represents a manner of thinking and attitude concerning life's experiences; including matters of general interest and basic morality. The wisdom of the OT however, is quite distinct from other ancient world views...Reflected in OT wisdom is the teaching of a personal God who is holy and just and who expects those who know him to exhibit his character in the many practical affairs of life.... The emphasis of OT wisdom was that the human will, in the realm of practical matters, was to subject to divine causes. Therefore, Hebrew wisdom was not theoretical and speculative. It was practical, based on revealed principles of right and wrong to lived out in daily life.   In the NT the Greek for Wisdom is Sophia.  Sophia originally  indicated unusual ability and knowledge in the practical sphere...but later concentrated on theoretical knowledge. 2) Biblical Wisdom is DOING Not just knowing.   “5See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'” (Deuteronomy 4:5–6, ESV)   “43Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” (Psalm 107:43, ESV)   3) Biblical wisdom engages the WILL, not just the intellect.   “17Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, 18for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.” (Proverbs 22:17–18, ESV)   “22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” (Romans 1:22–23, ESV)   “The ethical dynamic of Greek philosophy lay in the intellect...Knowledge was virtue” Two extremes to avoid:   ·  Biblical KNOWLEDGE is wisdom.   The Usual Evangelical One - thinking of spiritual growth and wisdom is equated with how much you know about God and the Bible.  Wrong - there are many knowledgeable yet carnal Christians!!   · Knowledge isn't important – it's about OBEDIENCE.   The Usual Fundamentalist One - thinking that knowledge isn't important and developing an anti-intellectual attitude.  The Real Truth – I can't obey God if I don't KNOW His Word. But knowledge without obedience is worthless - and foolish!   4) Biblical wisdom comes from GOD.   “10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!” (Psalm 111:10, ESV)   “7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7, ESV)   “Wisdom is accordingly connected with the fear of Yahweh...Here also is developed the distinctive aspect of the understanding of wisdom in Israel: wisdom is rooted in adherence to God...'This idea is among the most characteristic of Israelite religion. Non-Israelite wisdom is unaware of this kind of almost programmatic rooting of wisdom in the fear of God.' (Gerhard von Rad)”   “1The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” (Psalm 14:1, ESV) 5) Biblical wisdom is CHRIST.   “24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24, ESV)   For the Christian who is searching for Wisdom - you need look no further than Christ. What He said, how he lived, what he did - these are wisdom incarnate!!   6) Biblical wisdom is LOOKING for me!   “20Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; 21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:” (Proverbs 1:20–21, ESV)   “1Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: 4“To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.” (Proverbs 8:1–4, ESV)   “1Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,” (Proverbs 9:1–3, ESV)   Unlike what most people think - wisdom isn't all that hard to find. God wants you to be wise - and will do all He can to help you be that way!        

THE FIVE FACETS OF THE GOSPEL Part Five, The Gospel Demands By Louie Marsh, 9-28-2025   · The Gospel Events - The Death and Resurrection of Jesus   · The Gospel Witnesses – Scripture, Apostles Eye-Witness Testimony   · The Gospel Affirmations - Jesus is Lord - Jesus is Savior   · The Gospel Promises - Forgiveness of sins – the gift of the Holy Spirit 1) The First Gospel Demand   ·  Repent!   “37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37–38, ESV)   “19Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” (Acts 3:19, ESV)   “30The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,” (Acts 17:30, ESV)   o Repentance means to have a "CHANGE of mind or heart."   o Used in Greek army for our phrase "ABOUT FACE!"   · What do I repent about?   o All my SINS in general.   o  DISBELIEF about Jesus in particular.   “21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21, ESV)    Our main change of mind is about Christ, from rejecting Him to Accepting Him!   · My repentance shows through my BAPTISM.   The first sign of real repentance is following the command of Christ to be baptized. If you're still arguing about it – ask yourself who's really in charge? If it's Jesus then why not just do it?   “18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV)   · My repentance shows through my LIFESTYLE.   “7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:7–8, ESV)   Quote from Dr. Rene Padilla..   "This new reality places men in a position of crisis-they cannot continue to live as if nothing had happened; the Kingdom of God demands a new mentality, a reorientation for all their values ...repentance is much more than a private affair between the individual and God.  It is the complete reorientation of life in the world- among men- in response to the work of God in Jesus Christ."   2) The Second Gospel Demand   ·  Submit to Christ as Lord!   This is the real goal of repentance - to turn away from a self directed life and toward a Christ directed one! That's why as a Christian repentance continues to be a vital part of our lives - we must do it every day!  All Gospel preaching in the NT led to this point!   3) Savior VS Lord Question   John Stott wrote this in 1975,   "They distinguish sharply between the acceptance of Jesus as Savior and the surrender to Him as Lord, and they even promulgate the grotesque notion that to insist on surrender in addition to acceptance is to distort the Gospel.  Well I honor their conscientious desire to protect the Gospel from all perversions...Further we must be careful never to define faith in such a way as to ascribe to it any merit.  The whole value of faith lies in its object (Jesus Christ), not in itself.  Nevertheless, saving faith in not an acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior in within a kind of mystical vacuum, and without any awareness either of the Christ being accepted or of the concrete implications of this acceptance.  Saving faith is a total, penitent and submissive commitment to Christ, and it would have been inconceivable to the apostles that anybody could believe in Jesus as Savior without submitting to him as Lord."   · I must adopt a BIBLICAL Balance   “7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:7–9, ESV)   We're not talking perfectionism here. That's why forgiveness and repentance are so vital. Neither are we saying it's o.k. to get fire insurance alone. To accept Christ in truth is to struggle with making Him and Him alone Lord of all your life.   Jason Sacks said, "If you're not going live like a Christian then don't call yourself one!"  

The Five Facets of the Gospel Pt. 4, The Gospel Promises By Louie Marsh, 9-21-2025   Intro. The last two weeks of this series.     What is the Good News?  Well it's more than just what Jesus once did, and what He now is, it's also about what He now offers.  Today the promises of the Gospel is what we'll look at.   REMEMBER!   The Gospel Events · The Death and Resurrection of Jesus. · These two historical events, and what they mean, are the heart of the Gospel.   The Gospel Witnesses · Scripture · Apostles Eye-Witness Testimony   The Gospel Affirmations · Jesus is Lord · Jesus is Savior   The Gospel Promises -   1) God in Christ will FORGIVE my sins.   · Forgiveness is ESSENTIAL to New Testament salvation.   “22Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV)   ·  Jesus COMMANDED it preached   “45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:45–47, ESV)   2) This promise EMPOWERED the Apostles.   “23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”” (John 20:23, ESV)   · The Apostles ACTIONS proved what that statement meant.   “38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins… (Acts 2:38, ESV)   “19Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” (Acts 3:19, ESV)   “43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”” (Acts 10:43, ESV)   “38Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,” (Acts 13:38, ESV)   Jesus gave them the authority to preach boldly and with authority the terms of divine forgiveness.   3) Forgiveness is NOT POPULAR.   Because it forces you to take responsibility for what you've done, and to admit there are objective standards of right and wrong!   The good news of forgiveness is also the bad news that I'm a sinner who needs forgiveness! Without this there is no salvation!   4) The Second Gospel Promise   · Make Jesus your Lord and God will give you the HOLY SPIRIT.   “38… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, ESV)   The Gospel offers more than just forgiveness of our past sins. It offers a new life in the present through the new birth and the Holy Spirit living in us.   · One vital aspect of the Ministry of the Spirit – NO FEAR.   “12So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” (Romans 8:12–16, ESV)   He sets us free from sin Sets us free from fear Draws us near to God the Father   Claiming the Promise Your Past, Present and Future can be assured today By accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, repenting and being baptized you are assured of at least two things - forgiveness and the Holy Spirit!  

  The Five Facets of The Gospel Part Three: The Gospel Affirmations By Louie Marsh, 9-14-2025   Preached Parker, October 25, 1992   Intro.  We continue with this series, defining what the Gospel was in the preaching of the Apostles, and what it should be to us!  This may seem like old hat to some of you, but I believe that we all need to learn this, or be reminded of this - and to seriously consider whether this is how we present Christ to those around us.   Where We've Been:   · The Gospel Events – Death, Burial & Resurrection of Jesus,   · The Gospel Witnesses: Scripture & Apostle's witness     3rd Facet -  The Gospel Affirmations   1) Jesus is Lord is the PRIMARY affirmation of the New Testament.   “8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” (Romans 10:8–13, ESV)   · Becoming Lord of all is WHY Jesus died and rose again.   “9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” (Romans 14:9, ESV)   · The Father Himself EXALTED Jesus through his resurrection.   “8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8–11, ESV)   “36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”” (Acts 2:36, ESV)   · You can only say & mean Jesus is Lord - through the Holy Spirit.   “3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3, ESV)   · Why is it Primary?   Savior is used 24 times in the NIV New Testament Lord is used of Jesus 615 time in the NIV New Testament   κύριος 717 lord, Lord     2) Some practical results of AFFIRMING that Jesus is Lord.   ·  You START obeying Jesus in everything.   “46“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46, ESV)   “21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, ESV)   · You can then evangelize without HYPOCRISY,   “15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)           B) The Secondary Affirmation 1, Jesus is Savior a, This is also a result of His death and Resurrection - Acts 5:31   “31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31, ESV)   “23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.” (Ephesians 5:23, ESV)   b, It's a fulfillment of prophecy Acts 13:23   “23Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.” (Acts 13:23, ESV)       3, Being Lord includes and over shadows being Savior Eph. 5:23   “23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.” (Ephesians 5:23, ESV)        

THE 5 FACETS OF THE GOSPEL Part Two: "The Gospel Witnesses" By Louie Marsh, 9-7-2025     1) The first Gospel witness – SCRIPTURE.   ·  Jesus APPEALED to them all the time.   “27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27, ESV)   “44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:44–47, ESV)   · The Apostles constantly QUOTED them.   “3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, ESV)   “22To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”” (Acts 26:22–23, ESV)   · The Necessity of MULTIPLE Witnesses   “15“A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15, ESV)   As Jews the Apostles were steeped in this. Even Scripture alone wasn't enough to conclusively prove the identity of Jesus.   2) The Second Gospel Witness – the APOSTLES.   “48You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:48, ESV)   “8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8, ESV)   · Their early preaching RELIED on it.   “15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:15, ESV)   · Their later teaching still CLUNG to it.   “1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—” (1 John 1:1–2, ESV)   “16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16, ESV)   3) Some Conclusions   · Scripture & the apostles Witness is Primary.   · Our witness is ALWAYS secondary to theirs.   We don't preach a Jesus of our experience or opinion - but the Christ of Scriptures and of Apostolic witness!   “4For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:4, ESV)    

The Five Facets of The Gospel Part One, The Gospel Events By Louie Marsh, 8-31-2025   1) Is This Sermon Really Necessary?   ·  YES!! Many Christians don't know what they believe. Inviting people to church is good - but it's not sharing the Gospel. Besides that there are two major problem areas that make this series something YOU should pay attention to.   · The world continually DISTORTS what the Gospel is.   “3But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:3–4, ESV)   Just talking about Jesus isn't enough!  We must speak the truth about the true Jesus   “2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV)   · Too often Christians get CONFUSED as well.   The Spectacular - miracles, "words of revelation knowledge," Side issues - music, abortion, politics, etc.   Psychologized Religion. This isn't an attack on all psychology - but on it's extremes. At its worst it denies the Gospel!   Robert H. Shuller, Self Esteem, The New Reformation, January 1982, Pg. 98; "The most serious sin is the one that causes me to say, 'I am unworthy.  I may have no claim to divine sonship if you examine me at my worst.'  For once a person believes he is an "unworthy sinner," it is doubtful if he can really honestly accept the saving grace God offers in Jesus Christ."   “8But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:8–11, ESV)   If that's true - and it isn't - the Gospel was never preached or accepted for nearly 2000 years! The need for this series is clear, as the Reformers said, "Ecclesia Semper Reformanda," The church must always be reforming itself.   “19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies, 21but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21, ESV)   2) The First Gospel Event   “1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15:1–5, ESV)   ·  Jesus DIED on the cross.   “3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death…(Romans 6:3–4a, ESV)   His burial is mentioned as proof that He really died. Baptism is called burial. It's proof of our death to sin! o Paul taught this.   “12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12, ESV) [2 Cor. 5:20-21; Gal. 1:4]   o Peter taught this.   “23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” (Acts 2:23, ESV) ] Acts 4:27-28]   “30The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.” (Acts 5:30, ESV)  [Acts10:39, 13:28-29]   “22“And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 21:22–23, ESV)   3) The Second Gospel Event ·  Jesus PHYSCIALLY ROSE from the dead.   “25who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:25, ESV) “23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:23–24, ESV)   · These two events should DOMINATE my conversations about Jesus.   THESE should dominate our conversations about Christ.   NOT side issues That's hard to do.  The Gospel Confronts us.    

The Jesus Way Pt. 7: Forgiveness By Louie Marsh, 8-24-2025   Last Intro slide – Stupid!   Disciples of Jesus Forgive…   · As Jesus COMMANDED   12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (ESV)   Why Do We Forgive?   · Today we are told we forgive for OURSELVES.   Remember, you don't forgive someone for his or her sake - you forgive them for your sake.   Mayo Clinic - What are the benefits of forgiving someone?   Letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for compassion, kindness and peace. Forgiveness can lead to: · Healthier relationships · Greater spiritual and psychological well-being · Less anxiety, stress and hostility · Lower blood pressure · Fewer symptoms of depression · Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse   What Does the New Testament Say?   ·  Because GOD has forgiven me.   30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32 (ESV)   “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”  - CS Lewis   · To MODEL Jesus before the world.   35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36 (ESV)   The Essence of Discipleship:   ·  FORSAKING self.   23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)   · BECOMING LIKE Jesus.   “29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29, ESV)   “30He must increase, but I must decrease.”” (John 3:30, ESV)   How Do We Forgive?   · I must LET GO of my pain, resentment, anger etc.   “10To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11(but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:10–11, ESV)   ἀφίημι aphiēmi; from 575 and ἵημι hiēmi (to send); to send away, leave alone, permit:—abandoned(1), allow(5), allowed(2), divorce(2), forgave(2), forgive(23), forgiven(23), forgives(1), gave … permission(1), leave(7), leaves(2), leaving(8), left(38), let(9), let … alone(6), let him have(1), neglected(1), neglecting(2), permit(6), permitted(1), permitting(1), send … away(1), tolerate(1), uttered(1), yielded(1).  -  Robert L. Thomas, New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries : Updated Edition (Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998).   Forgive means to let go, separate even translated divorce once. So forgiving means I let go of my anger, resent, and all ill feelings towards those that hurt me.   · This can take a LONG TIME.   “41Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”” (Genesis 27:41, ESV)   “4But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” (Genesis 33:4, ESV)     · Forgiveness is not – agreeing or saying what happened was good, or even trusting that person again.    

The Jesus Way Pt. 6: Relationships By Louie Marsh, 8-17-2025 1) Jesus has a deep & abiding LOVE for people. “10And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.” (Matthew 12:10–14, ESV)   · He pushes me to always LIVE OUT His love.   “14When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18And he said, “Bring them here to me.”” (Matthew 14:14–18, ESV)   2) Jesus saw inside people & knew what they REALLY WERE.   “23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” (John 2:23–25, ESV)   · We are all CREATED in God's Image.   “6“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” (Genesis 9:6, ESV)   · We are all BROKEN by sin.   “9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.” (James 3:9, ESV)   ·  So, TRUST, but slowly with lots of verification.   “24Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, 25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. 26Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.” (Proverbs 22:24–26, ESV)   3) Jesus knew WITHOUT HIM we are sheep without a shepherd. “36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”” (Matthew 9:36–38, ESV)   · Can I obey Jesus & pray for workers if I'm not doing it myself?   4) I must TRUST GOD, not mankind.   “8It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:8–9, ESV)   “5Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.” (Jeremiah 17:5–6, ESV)   “9Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9, ESV)                      

The Jesus Way Pt. 5: Ministry By Louie Marsh, 8-10-2025   If I'm going to follow the Jesus Way, I need to understand how He ministered to everyone.     1) Jesus deeply LOVED people and they knew it.   “7And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”” (John 8:7–11, ESV)   “13Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15And he laid his hands on them and went away.” (Matthew 19:13–15, ESV)   2) Jesus loved EVERYONE – even the Samaritans. “33But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”” (Luke 10:33–37, ESV)   “39Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” 43After the two days he departed for Galilee.” (John 4:39–43, ESV)   3) Jesus loved the sick & STIGMATIZED. “43And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”” (Luke 8:43–48, ESV)   4) To Jesus ministry was just a part of His life - LIFESTYLE MINISTRY.   “5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” (Luke 19:5–10, ESV)   He dealt with:  1. lepers (Lk 5:12-16) 2. paralytics (Lk 5:17-26) 3. a centurion (Lk 7:1-10) 4. widows (Lk 7:11-17) 5. sinful women (Lk 7:36-50) 6. mothers (Lk 8:19-21) 7. children (Lk 8:40-56) 8. large crowds (Lk 9:10-17) 9.  the disciples (Lk 9:18-21) 10. angry people (Lk 9:51-56) 11. Godly women (Lk 10:38-42) 12. rejected people like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) 13. religious hypocrites (Lk 20:34-38) 14. traitors (Lk 22:47-49) 15. politicians (Lk 23:1-7) 16. a dying criminal (Lk 23:43)  17. His followers (Lk 24:46-49)   5) Jesus was always taking the role of leader and teacher to SERVE OTHERS.    “3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”” (John 13:3–9, ESV)        

The Jesus Way Pt. 4: Prayer By Louie Marsh, 8-3-2025 Last slide hand illustration of prayer.   1) Prayer was one of Jesus' TOP priorities.   “16But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:16, ESV)   As far as Jesus himself (αὐτός) was concerned, two more imperfects (these periphrastic) describe what he kept doing (iterative). At every opportunity he would slip quietly and secretly (ὑπό in the participle) away from these crowds and would be praying. We catch a glimpse of the soul life of Jesus, his frequent communing with God in lonely places while men were clamoring for him.   Jesus is described as praying about 25 times in the Gospels, with the exact count varying by Gospel: Matthew (9), Mark (8), Luke (15), and John (4).   · Jesus is described as praying about 25 times in the Gospels, with the exact count varying by Gospel: Matthew (9), Mark (8), Luke (15), and John (4). · Specific occasions of Jesus praying include His baptism, before choosing disciples, at Lazarus's raising, at the Transfiguration, and in Gethsemane.   2) Jesus taught me to pray AUTHENTICALLY.   “5“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5–6, ESV)   · I must pray with PERSISTENCE.   “7“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7–11, ESV)   · I must pray with FORGIVENESS.   “44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:44–45, ESV)   · I must pray to be aligned with GOD'S WILL.   “14And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” (1 John 5:14–15, ESV)   3) Jesus shows me that prayer is not transactional, it's TRANSFORMATIVE.   “11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” (Ephesians 1:11, ESV)   “15For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,” (Ephesians 1:15–16, ESV)   4) Jesus MODELED all this in his prayer life.   “41And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:41–44, ESV)          

The Jesus Way Pt. 3: Staying On Mission By Louie Marsh, 7-27-2025   Last week we looked at choices, this week we look at what happens after you make the choice.     1) Jesus SET HIS FACE to go to Jerusalem.   “51When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55But he turned and rebuked them. 56And they went on to another village.” (Luke 9:51–56, ESV)   “15then hear the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: If you set your faces to enter Egypt and go to live there,” (Jeremiah 42:15, ESV)   “7But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 50:7, ESV)   “17At that time Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath and took it. But when Hazael set his face to go up against Jerusalem, 18Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred gifts that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah his fathers, the kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own sacred gifts, and all the gold that was found in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent these to Hazael king of Syria. Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem.” (2 Kings 12:17–18, ESV)   2) Jesus KEPT AT IT no matter the cost.   “57As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”” (Luke 9:57–62, ESV)   3)  Jesus' mission was NOT for himself. “41And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”” (Luke 19:41–44, ESV)   “39And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”” (Luke 22:39–42, ESV)   “18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (1 Peter 3:18, ESV)   “8but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Romans 5:8–9, ESV)            

The Jesus Way Pt. 2: Choices By Louie Marsh, 7-20-2025 1) Jesus gave up His right to act APART from his father.   “4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:4–7, ESV) “19So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” (John 5:19, ESV)   2) Jesus chose to DENY his human nature “41And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:41–44, ESV) “32Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.” (Luke 23:32–34, ESV)   3) Jesus chose to do what GOD wanted l Choose the HARD way.   “13“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14, ESV)   l Set the PROPER priorities.   “25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25–33, ESV) l When it comes to quitting - be UNREASONABLE - don't!   “21Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:21–22, ESV)

The Jesus Way Pt. 1: Life By Louie Marsh, 7-13-2025     To Live Like Jesus Means My Life…    1) Has MEANING & PURPOSE. “46I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46, ESV)   “39Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” 40Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,' your guilt remains.” (John 9:39–41, ESV)   “10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)   2) Is not about ME. “38For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38, ESV)   “43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” (John 5:43, ESV)   “42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.” (John 8:42, ESV)   3) Is FOCUSED on doing my Father's business.   “38And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”” (Mark 1:38, ESV)   One of the fundamentals of Close Quarters Battle (CQB) training is that the first and second person into the room (1 and 2 man) are responsible for clearing the corners on the same wall they entered before moving to their 'point of domination'.   This is called "digging your corner." It is critical because the next two people into the room (3 & 4 men) are focused on the far wall.   If either the 1 or 2 man fails to dig their respective corner, a bad guy could potentially take out the entire team.   What causes the 1 or 2 man to fail to dig their corner?   Usually, it happens when something deeper in the room catches their eye, like a threat target. It is hard to ignore a known threat and focus on the corner of a room that is most likely empty, but that is what they have to do, because the security of the entire team depends on it. Similarly, in life, it can be easy to get 'target fixation' and turn our energy and attention to one of the millions of bright shiny things that some TikTok influencer or social media personality tells us will help us reach our goals faster and with less effort.   “49“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! (Luke 12:49–50, ESV)   4) Reflects HARD TRUTHS to everyone.   “17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17, ESV)   “34“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34, ESV)   “35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” (Matthew 10:35, ESV)   51Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51, ESV              

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 10 How God Cares for Me By Louie Marsh, 7-6-2025 One night I had a wondrous dream,One set of footprints there was seen,The footprints of my precious Lord,But mine were not along the shore. But then some stranger prints appeared,And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"Those prints are large and round and neat,"But Lord they are too big for feet." "My child," He said in somber tones,"For miles I carried you alone.I challenged you to walk in faith,But you refused and made me wait." "You disobeyed, you would not grow,The walk of faith, you would not know.So I got tired, I got fed up,and there I dropped you on your butt." "Because in life, there comes a time,when one must fight, and one must climb.When one must rise and take a stand,or leave their butt prints in the sand." GOD CARES FOR ME   1) By constantly CHALLENGING me.   14  I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15  But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16  to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:14-16 (ESV)   · Can I be PROUD of my work for Christ?   17  In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18  For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19  by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; Romans 15:17-19 (ESV)   Proud = καύχησις - Root kauchaomai; boasting (properly the act; by implication the object), in a good or a bad sense :- boasting, whereof I may glory, glorying, rejoicing. Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.   “13But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. 17“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2 Corinthians 10:13–18, ESV)   “21…But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 22Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. 23Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death… 27in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.” (2 Corinthians 11:21–31, ESV)   2) By Calling me out of my COMFORT ZONE.   20  and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, 21  but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” 22  This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23  But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24  I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. Romans 15:20-24 (ESV)   · And always giving me opportunities to SERVE OTHERS.   25  At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26  For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27  For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28  When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. Romans 15:25-28 (ESV)   3) By knowing me INTIMATELY.   1  I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2  that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. 3  Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4  who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Romans 16:1-4 (ESV)   28  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Matthew 6:28-32 (ESV)   HOW SHOULD I RESPOND TO THIS?   4) By always staying focused on JESUS & HIS GOSPEL.   25  Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26  but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27  to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 16:25-27 (ESV)    

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 8: Engaging My Culture By Louie Marsh, 6-15-2025   Intro: 50 Years & Counting then 5 pictures about changing culture.   1) I engage my culture by overcoming evil by DOING GOOD.   14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:14-21 (ESV)   · I respond to cultural rejection by HELPING THOSE  who hurt me.   14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 17  Repay no one evil for evil, 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves 20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good   ·  RESIST the temptation to always cheer people up.   15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.   · I focus on lifting up others NOT MYSELF.   . 16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.   · I leave the bringing of justice to GOD.   20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good   2) I engage my culture by UNDERSTANDING authority.   1  Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3  For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4  for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5  Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6  For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7  Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Romans 13:1-7 (ESV)   · God instituted authority to stop ANARCHY.   · I must obey the authorities UNTIL & UNLESS they contradict God's Word.   18  So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19  But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20  for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20 (ESV)   · Yes, this includes NOT CHEATING on my taxes.   3) I engage my culture by living a life of LOVE.   8  Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9  For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10 (ESV)   · Get & stay out of debt ASAP so you'll be free to serve God.   · The moral/sexual law of God is fulfilled by RESPECTING others.   4) I engage my culture by ACTING  like Jesus not them.   11  Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12  The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13  Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:11-14 (ESV)        

50th Anniversary Part 2: What I've Learned Along the Way By Louie Marsh, 6-22-2025   Intro – Last slide me preaching at ordination.   1) People will surprise you…   · In GOOD WAYS.   “5and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” 6So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.” (Exodus 36:5–7, ESV)   On January 13, 1982, the Boeing 737-200 that executed the flight, registered as N62AF, crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River just after takeoff from Washington National Airport.   Striking the bridge, which carries Interstate 395 between Washington, D.C., and Arlington County, Virginia, it hit seven occupied vehicles and destroyed 97 feet (30 m) of guard rail  before plunging through the ice into the Potomac River. The aircraft was carrying 74 passengers and five crew members. Only four passengers and one crew member (flight attendant Kelly Duncan) were rescued from the crash and survived.    Another passenger, Arland D. Williams Jr., assisted in the rescue of the survivors, but drowned before he could be rescued. Four motorists on the bridge were killed. The survivors were rescued from the icy river by civilians and professionals.   · & in very BAD WAYS.   “23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” (John 2:23–25, ESV)   2) God is SNEAKY   · He tends to take us THROUGH things, not around them.   “39And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.””…“42Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”” (Matthew 26:39,42, ESV)    “19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:19–21, ESV)   · He seems to enjoy staying HIDDEN.   “18The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18, ESV)   “15Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.” (Isaiah 45:15, ESV)   3) The Gospel is PROFOUNDLY SIMPLE   “1Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15:1–5, ESV)   · Our real strength is mostly found in SIMPLICITY.   Jesus Loves Me" is a Christian hymn written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). The lyrics first appeared as a poem in the context of an 1860 novel called Say and Seal, written by her older sister Susan Warner (1819–1885), in which the words were spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child. The tune was added in 1862 by William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Along with his tune, Bradbury added his own chorus "Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus Loves me..."   4) The Bible is the ULTIMATE TRUTH about God & His Will.   “16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, ESV)   · Accepting this deep in my heart makes most moral decisions CLEAR.   “105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, ESV)   · Knowing the truth in advance gives me PEACE OF MIND.   “165Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, ESV)  

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 8: Engaging My Culture By Louie Marsh, 6-15-2025 1) I engage my culture by overcoming evil by DOING GOOD.   14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:14-21 (ESV)   · I respond to cultural rejection by HELPING THOSE  who hurt me.   14  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 17  Repay no one evil for evil, 19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves 20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good   ·  RESIST the temptation to always cheer people up.   15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.   · I focus on lifting up others NOT MYSELF.   . 16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.   · I leave the bringing of justice to GOD.   20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good   2) I engage my culture by UNDERSTANDING authority.   1  Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3  For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4  for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5  Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6  For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7  Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Romans 13:1-7 (ESV)   · God instituted authority to stop ANARCHY.   · I must obey the authorities UNTIL & UNLESS they contradict God's Word.   18  So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19  But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20  for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20 (ESV)   · Yes, this includes NOT CHEATING on my taxes.   3) I engage my culture by living a life of LOVE.   8  Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9  For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10 (ESV)   · Get & stay out of debt ASAP so you'll be free to serve God.   · The moral/sexual law of God is fulfilled by RESPECTING others.   4) I engage my culture by ACTING  like Jesus not them.   11  Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12  The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13  Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:11-14 (ESV)        

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 7: More of Jesus By Louie Marsh, 6-8-2025   Intro – 5 church sign pics – Holy Spirit entrance last one.   1) My response to the Gospel –MAKE a spiritual sacrifice.   1  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 (ESV)   · Why should I do this?   Therefore – everything from this point forward in Romans is derived from what has come before.   Appeal = from (para) and (kaleo); to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) :- beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), entreat, pray.  Basically means you are aiming at both the heart and the will.   Mercies of God = our motivation.   · How do I do this?   Present = a technical term for offering a sacrifice, though not in the O.T. Used of…   · Presenting the child Jesus in the temple: “22And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22, ESV)   · Of the Christian presenting himself: “13Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” (Romans 6:13, ESV)   · Of God presenting the saved: “27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27, ESV)   · Of Paul presenting mature believers: “28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28, ESV)   Bodies – containers of our soul   Living Sacrifices - Not a propitiatory sacrifice, but one of praise.   Spiritual Worship = "Your rational (spiritual) service (worship).". Logikos is from logos, reason. The phrase means here "worship rendered by the reason (or soul)." Old word, in N.T. only here and…   “2Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—” (1 Peter 2:2, ESV)     to logikon gala (not logical milk, but the milk nourishing the soul   2) The result of my sacrifice – TRANSFORMATION.   2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (ESV)   Transformed – metamorphosis   18  And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)   Renewal – It means to make new.   Mind – not emotions   Test – test & approve,  Only the transformed can really know God's will. It does not and cannot make sense to the world.   22  And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 2 Corinthians 8:22 (ESV)   When I'm being transformed…   · I have a BIBLICAL & FACTUAL view of myself   3  For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3 (ESV)   · I WELCOME the differences in the Body of Christ.   4  For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5  so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:4-5 (ESV)   · I SERVE God with the gifts he's given me.   6  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8 (ESV)   · I love HONESTLY & I HATE evil.   9  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10  Love one another with brotherly affection... Romans 12:9-10a (ESV)   · I serve the Lord with EVERYTHING I've got!   9  …Outdo one another in showing honor. 11  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.13  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:10b - 13 (ESV)            

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 6: God's Plan By Louie Marsh, 6-1-2025   Opening Graphics on Planning – ends with the 3 circles   1) I'm NOT in charge – God is!   19  You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20  But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21  Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22  What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23  in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24  even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25  As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.'” 26  “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,' there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.'” Romans 9:19-26 (ESV)   2) I need to REACH OUT to the lost just like God does.   5  For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6  But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?'” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7  “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?'” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8  But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11  For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13  For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:5-13 (ESV)   3) God's Plan is open to everyone who puts their FAITH in Christ.   17  But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18  do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19  Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20  That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21  For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22  Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23  And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. Romans 11:17-23 (ESV)   · The Eternal Plan of God is UNSTOPPABLE.   25  Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26  And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; 27  “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” 28  As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. Romans 11:25-28 (ESV)   · But I can miss God's plan for my life if I don't BELIEVE.   4) God is far wiser than I can EVER UNDERSTAND.   33  Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34  “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35  “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36 (ESV)      

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 5: Winning the War Against Sin, Romans 7: 7-8:39 By Louie Marsh, 5-25-2025   3 Funny Church Signs   The Transformational Arc – To the bottom and then up, to the end of myself, forsaking myself, realizing I'm in Christ, trusting in Jesus to take me up!   1) The Law SHOWS me what sin is.   7  What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8  But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9  I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10  The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11  For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12  So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Romans 7:7-12 (ESV)   2) The Law REVEALS the true state of my heart.   13  Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14  For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15  For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16  Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17  So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19  For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20  Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. Romans 7:13-20 (ESV)   3) The Law exposes the war between my TWO SELVES.   21  So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22  For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23  but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Romans 7:21-23 (ESV)   4) The Law brings me to despair – the end of MYSELF.   24  Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25 (ESV)   5) The Six Facets of Christ's Victory Over Sin.   · Guilt & Shame are GONE because of Jesus! 1  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3  For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4  in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 (ESV)   …there is not even one bit…  Kenneth S. Wuest Translation   · My old nature no longer CONTROLS ME.   5  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6  For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10  But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11  If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 12  So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13  For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:5-13 (ESV)   · My relationship with Christ is CONFIRMED.   14  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17  and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17 (ESV)   · My eternal inheritance is GUARANTEED.   18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24  For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:18-25 (ESV)   · My part in God's eternal plan is REVEALED.   26  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:26-30 (ESV)   · In Christ alone though I suffer I am a SUPER-CONQUEROR!    31  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33  Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36  As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39 (ESV)  

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans, Pt. 4 How the Gospel Deals with Sin, Romans 6:1-7:5 By Louie Marsh, 5-18-2025   1) I'm UNITED with Jesus' death & resurrection in baptism.   2  By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:2-4 (ESV)   · Death = SEPARATION   Sin is alive and well, but I'm part of a new Kingdom, therefore it only has power over me when I give it permission.   12  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12-14 (ESV)   · Baptism is a SYMBOL – and that's powerful.   · God doesn't reform our old nature He KILLS IT. · Then He starts fresh with our NEW NATURE.   2) My old nature was crucified with Christ to FREE ME from slavery to sin.   5  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6  We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7  For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8  Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9  We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10  For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. Romans 6:5-10 (ESV)   3) I must realize that in Christ I'm now DEAD to sin.   11  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11 (ESV)   ·  “consider” - Direct middle imperative of logizomai    Think, impute, reckon, count, account, reason, number From logos to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literal or figurative) :- conclude, (ac-) count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on). 4) I show I'm alive to God by letting Him use ALL OF ME.   12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13  Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14  For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:12-14 (ESV)   5) What I DO shows who my Lord is, not what I SAY.   16  Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17  But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18  and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:16-18 (ESV)   20  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:20-23 (ESV)        

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans, Pt. 3 The Grace of God in the Gospel, Romans 3:21-5:21 By Louie Marsh, 5-11-2025   Intro: 9 slides about silly laws – last one cactus.   1) I'm made right with God BY FAITH not the law.     21  But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22  the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25  whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26  It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26 (ESV)   2) I can MODEL my life after Abraham.     1  What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3  For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4  Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5  And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, Romans 4:1-5 (ESV)   · Why does Paul keep repeating this?   13  For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith…16  That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, Romans 4:13, 16(ESV)   3) Some results of being justified by faith:   1  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, Romans 5:1-3a (ESV)   ·  PEACE with God   A Colorado man who has been “fighting with his computer for the last several months” finally had had enough. According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, officers responding last night to a 911 call about shots fired discovered that a “fed up” Lucas Hinch took his computer into a back alley and “fired 8 shots into the computer with a handgun, effectively disabling it.” Hinch, 38, was cited for discharging a firearm within city limits, according to a police blotter entry that includes the summary description “Man Kills His Computer.” When asked about the shooting, Hinch told TSG, “I just had it,” adding that he tired of the balky computer's “blue screen of death.” Hinch said that he whacked the computer with a 9mm Hi-Point pistol recently purchased from a Craigslist seller. The gun was seized by police, who left the computer behind. The late Dell XPS 410 model is survived by a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. ·  LIVING by grace   · Joy in the HOPE of God's glory.   4) By faith I can walk the PATHWAY OF GROWTH.   3 knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3b-5 (ESV)   · I have a REASON to rejoice in suffering   3 knowing that… Romans 5:3b (ESV)   · Suffering produces cheerful ENDURANCE   suffering produces endurance, Romans 5:3c (ESV)   · Cheerful endurance produces PROOF of character   4  and endurance produces character, Romans 5:4a (ESV)   · Character produces biblical HOPE   character produces hope Romans 5:4b (ESV)   · Biblical hope doesn't fail because the Holy Spirit POURS God's love into me.   5  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 (ESV)   5) Where sin exists God's Grace will OVERFLOW to me.   20  Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21  so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 (ESV)

The Gospel Manifesto in the Book of Romans Pt. 2: The Bad News, Romans 1:18-3:20 By Louie Marsh, 5-4-2025 3 Cartoons,   And Finally…   Doctor: "I have good news and bad news."  Patient: "Go with the good news first."  Doctor: "You have 24 hours to live."  Patient: "What?! How about the bad news?"  Doctor: Um... I forgot to tell you yesterday."   1) God wrath (anger) is stirred when I REPRESS the truth.   18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19  For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22  Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Romans 1:18-23 (ESV)   2) God honors my free will by allowing me to SIN.   24  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25  because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:24-25 (ESV)   26  For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; Romans 1:26 (ESV)   HOMOSEXUALITY IN ANCIENT ROME: The primary dichotomy of ancient Roman sexuality was active/dominant/masculine and passive/submissive/"feminized". In Roman society the freeborn male citizen possessed political liberty and the right to rule both himself and his household. "Virtue" was seen as an active quality through which a man defined himself. The conquest mentality and "cult of virility" shaped same-sex relations. Roman men were free to enjoy sex with other males without a perceived loss of masculinity or social status, as long as they took the dominant role. Acceptable male partners were slaves, prostitutes, and entertainers, Although Roman men in general seem to have preferred youths between the ages of 12 and 20 as sexual partners, freeborn male minors were strictly off-limits, and professional prostitutes and entertainers might be considerably older.   Same-sex relations among women are less documented. The Augustan poet Ovid takes an exceptionally keen interest, but advocates for a heterosexual lifestyle contrary to Roman sexual norms.   28  And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29  They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30  slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31  foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32  Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 (ESV)   Ways We Suppress the Truth:   ·  DENIAL · No one's PERFECT · I was BORN that way.   Dear Dr. Roach: I read your recent column regarding identical twins where one of the two was balding while his twin was not. Within my family, there are identical twin brothers, who also were almost impossible for family members to differentiate. If their DNA genes are “identical,” now that they are adults, how can one be homosexual, while his twin is married with children?   Studies have shown that in identical twins, if one twin is gay (the term “homosexual” is used in clinical studies but is considered offensive, so I won't use it further), then 30 per cent to 66 per cent of the identical twins also will be gay. As this is much higher than the overall rate in the population, this suggests some, but not absolute, genetic influence.   However, an adopted sibling of a gay person is also more likely to be gay (11 per cent in one study), suggesting that the familial environment also plays a significant role.   Some people who are attracted to the same gender can be so afraid of, or put off by, the social stigma against same-sex couples that they marry and have children with a person of the opposite sex despite being primarily or uniquely attracted to those of the same gender.   Some people have found that they may be attracted to a person of either gender; their choice of life partner depends more on the partner's personality and their unique situation than on his or her biological sex.   Sexual identity is not a choice. We cannot choose to whom we will be attracted. I'm afraid many people fundamentally misunderstand this point. *** Dramatic confirmation that the sea ice in the Arctic has been stable for nearly two decades is contained in a recently published science paper from a team led by Dr Mark England from the University of Exeter. The finding is of course obvious to anyone who studies the data but it will inconvenience the activist cranks who continue to promote supposed reductions in Arctic sea ice as an important sign of their imaginary ‘tipping points' and their fake climate crisis. Despite the data showing the ice has been stable over every month in the year since around 2007. ************ Living together before marriage increasing the changes of getting a divorce.   3) When I condemn others I'm really just condemning MYSELF.   1  Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things… 3  Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4  Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:1, 3-4 (ESV)   4) I must be PERFECT to be good enough for heaven.   12  For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13  For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Romans 2:12-13 (ESV)   5) I'm just as much a sinner as EVERYONE ELSE.   9  What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10  as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11  no one understands; no one seeks for God…20  For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:9-11, 20 (ESV)   6) God's answer to sin is FAITH in Jesus.   16  yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:16 (ESV)   11  Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12  But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14  so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:11-14 (ESV)                  

Unashamed, Undeserved, Unstoppable Part 1: The Good News By Louie Marsh, 4-27-2025   Four quotes about the book of Romans,   10 Little Known Facts About Ancient Rome   1. Gladiator blood was recommended by Roman physicians to aid various ailments, including epilepsy and infertility. 2. Purple clothing was a status symbol and reserved only for emperors or senators. To achieve the color, a dye was made from murex seashells. It was treason for anyone other than the emperor to dress completely in purple. 3. Left-handed people were considered unlucky. The word “sinister” was originally the Latin adjective “sinister”/”sinistra”/”sinistrum” that meant “left” but took on the meanings of “evil” or “unlucky” by the Classical Latin era. 4. Emperor Caligula often appeared in public dressed in women's clothing. 5. In the first century B.C., the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus addressed two of his critics, another poet Furius and a senator Aurelius, in a poem considered so vulgar and obscene that it was not translated outside of Latin until the 20th century. 6. Romans thought the early Christians were practicing cannibalism when they heard about them eating bread and wine as symbolic representations of the body and blood of Christ. 7. People would socialize at communal toilets. Rome had over 140 public toilets. Video slide 8. While Romans were extremely hygienic, they did not use soap. Instead, to get clean they would apply perfumed oils to their skin and then scrape it off with a tool known as a strigil. 9. Not everyone wore togas. Only free-born Roman men were allowed to wear togas (as a sign of Roman citizenship), while Roman women wore stolas. 10. Urine (because of the ammonia it contains) was used to clean clothes. The urine was collected by fullones (the Ancient Roman version of dry cleaners) from around the city.   1) Why is the Gospel so important?   · The Gospel comes from GOD   1  Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, Romans 1:1 (ESV)   · The Gospel is proved by SCRIPTURE   2  which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, Romans 1:2 (ESV)   · The Gospel's Substance is JESUS CHRIST   3  concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4  and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:3-4 (ESV)   · The Gospel's purpose is OBEDIENCE BY FAITH.   5  through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith , Romans 1:5a (ESV)   · The Gospel's scope is all NATIONS   5 the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, Romans 1:5b (ESV)   · The Gospel's goal is to BELONG to Jesus   6  including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, Romans 1:6 (ESV)   Slide: Summary: The good news of the Gospel is OF God, ABOUT Christ, ACCORDING to the Scriptures, FOR the nations, UNTO obedience of faith, FOR THE SAKE of the Name!   2) The Gospel Builds STRONG relationships.   8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10  always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12  that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13  I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. Romans 1:8-13 (ESV)   3) The Gospel is a DEBT I owe the world   14  I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15  So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Romans 1:14-15 (ESV)   Two ways to be in debt – borrow from you, or carry money to you from another person. That's our kind of debt.   16  For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV)   4) The Gospel Reveals GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS.   16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)   · You get right with God by FAITH in Jesus Christ.   Some stress God's righteousness is a divine attribute or quality. Others stress God's righteousness is a divine activity, his saving intervention on our behalf. Others say it's a divine achievement. It's what God has done for us in Christ.   I say, yes to all that – it's all three. Therefore…   Summary: The righteousness of God is God's righteous initiative in putting sinners right with himself by bestowing on them a righteousness which is not their own but his. The righteousness of God is God's just justification of the unjust, his righteous way of pronouncing the unrighteous righteous, in which he both demonstrates his righteousness and give righteousness to us. All done in and thru Jesus Christ.     · The entire Christian life is lived BY FAITH.    

Easter 2025 UNSTOPPABLE, 1 Cor. 15, Rom 8 By Louie Marsh, 4-20-2025   Intro – 5 pics – Jesus on road to Emmaus last one.   Easter – the HEART of the Christian faith.   And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.  1 Corinthians 15:14-19 (ESV)   If Jesus isn't alive then as a Disciple of Jesus I'm…   1) Guilty of  LYING about God   We are even found to be misrepresenting God…. 1 Corinthians 15:15A (ESV)   And face it—if there's no resurrection for Christ, everything we've told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you've staked your life on is smoke and mirrors. Not only that, but we would be guilty of telling a string of barefaced lies about God, all these affidavits we passed on to you verifying that God raised up Christ—sheer fabrications, if there's no resurrection. Message   2) Guilty of  lying to EVERYONE.   And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 1 Corinthians 15:14, 15B (ESV)   3) UNFORGIVEN   And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  1 Corinthians 15:17 (ESV)   4) Not going to HEAVEN.   Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  1 Corinthians 15:18 (ESV)   5) A sad person who is LIVING a lie!   If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.  1 Corinthians 15:19 (ESV)   Because Jesus Is Alive I'm Unstoppable Because…   1) I know that God is FOR ME!   What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  Romans 8:31 (ESV)   2) Jesus died & LIVES AGAIN for me!   He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 (ESV)   3) Jesus makes me RIGHT with God.   Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  Romans 8:33-34 (ESV)   4) Jesus will NEVER leave me!   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39 (ESV)   The Gospel In a Nutshell God: The one and only God, who is holy, made us in his image to know him. He is the creator of all things, perfect, holy and worth of our worship & obedience. He is love and in the end will judge all sin. 26  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… 27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)   Man: All people, though created good, have become sinful by nature, we sin and cut ourselves off from God's love and grace. (Gen. 3) 23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (ESV) 8  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 (ESV) Christ: Is God in human flesh (John 1:1), lived a perfect life, died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law & taking on himself the punishment for our sins.(Mark 10:45; John 1:14; Heb. 7:26; Rom. 3:21-26, 5:12-21) He rose again from the dead, showing that God accepted his sacrifice 45  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (ESV) 8  Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9  In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:8-10 (ESV) Response -   How Can I Give My Life To The Living Christ?   Establish Your Spiritual B.A.S.I.S.! B = Believe Jesus died on the Cross for me and showed He was God by coming back to life again. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:2-4) A = Accept Christ as Lord of My life and His free forgiveness of my sins. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- (John 1:12) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace (Eph. 1:7) S = Switch to God's Plan for my life. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15) I = Inform others of your decision. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) S = Submerge yourself in Christ. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27)  

Suffering & God's Response Pt. 6: God Chooses to Suffer By Louie Marsh, 4-13-2025   1) God's Response to Suffering   · He suffered WITH us.   “21From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21, ESV)   This includes the incarnation, his choosing to give up his divine power (Phil 2) etc.   · He suffered LIKE us.   “40And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:40–44, ESV)   Sweating blood, known as hematidrosis, is a rare condition where a person oozes blood from their skin, often triggered by extreme stress or fear. It occurs when tiny blood vessels near sweat glands rupture, allowing blood to mix with sweat.   · He suffered FOR us.   “4Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4–5, ESV)   · He suffered unto DEATH for us.   “28After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28–30, ESV)   2) The Results of His Response   · He EMPATHIZES with us in our suffering.   “14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16, ESV)   · He gives our suffering MEANING & PURPOSE.   “3Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5, ESV)   “16So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18, ESV)   · He offers us FORGIVENESS through His suffering.   “7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight” (Ephesians 1:7–8, ESV)   “23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:23–24, ESV)        

Suffering & God's Response Pt. 5 Choosing to Suffer By Louie Marsh, 4-6-2025   Intro – X quotes, video of man who quit believing.   1) When I accepted Christ I accepted SUFFERING in His Name.   “24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24–25, ESV)   2) This suffering can impact my ENTIRE life.   “34“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34–39, ESV)   3) I suffer INTERNALLY as well as physically.   “23And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23, ESV)   “20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, ESV)   “13“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14, ESV)   4) Why not ask WHY?   “1The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.” (Judges 6:1, ESV)   “12And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” 13And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”” (Judges 6:12–14, ESV)   5) Don't ask why, ask…   ·  WHAT can I learn from this?   “11For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11, ESV)   ·  HOW can I deal with this?   “1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1–2, ESV)   “18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18, ESV)   ·  WHERE do I go with this?   “20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:20–21, ESV)   “25that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” (1 Corinthians 12:25–26, ESV)   ·  WHO can I help with the lessons learned?   “3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, ESV)   6) A snap shot of living by FAITH.   “32And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38of whom THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11:32–38, ESV)      

04 Suffering & God's Response Pt. 4 Called to Suffer By Louie Marsh, 3-30-2025   Last slide – good must suffer with them.   1) Suffering is an INTEGRAL part of following Jesus.   “19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:19–21, ESV)   Suffering should come as no surprise to Christians   2) There's No ESCAPE From It.   “18“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” (John 15:18–20, ESV)   No escape that is if we want to continue to follow Jesus   3) Suffering Can be GOOD For our Faith!   “6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6–7, ESV)   What These Verses Say About Suffering     1, It refines our faith - helps us to grow spiritually   2, It results in glorifying God   3, So for the Christian - suffering has a purpose!   4) The four SOURCES of suffering.   · The World – culture, society   “22and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” (Matthew 10:22–25, ESV)   This includes people around us, and the systems of government and law that they create. This also includes YOU when you do things that bring suffering upon yourself!   · The Flesh – Myself   “16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” (Galatians 5:16–17, ESV)   · The Devil   “8Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8–9, ESV)   Spiritual warfare is a reality. Satan is the driving force behind much of what we see in the world   ·  God!   “7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:7–10, ESV)   This is called discipline for the purpose of helping us grow spiritually. But it still hurts and it's still suffering!   5) EMBRACE it, don't try and erase it.   “8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” (Psalm 32:8–9, ESV)   “16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:16–18, ESV)    

Suffering & God's Response Pt. 3 Why Am I Suffering? By Louie Marsh, 3-23-2025   Last slide – Don't know what he died of.   1) God ALLOWS  us to experience the consequences of Free Will.   “15And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”” (Joshua 24:15, ESV)   2) Why doesn't God DESTROY evil & suffering?   · The Argument Against God.   ¨ If a good, eternal and all-powerful God exists, He could annihilate evil at will, and thus end all pain and suffering. ¨ A Being who had the power to do this, is cruel and unjust not to exercise this power and thus end all evil and its consequences. ¨ Theism (the belief in one God – Christianity is Theistic) affirms the all-powerful, loving God we have just described; Who never the less does not annihilate evil. ¨ Therefore: He is cruel and unjust, or He does not exist!   · What's Wrong with the Argument? ¨ It places a restriction on the nature of God, something you can NEVER do!   “35all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”” (Daniel 4:35, ESV)   ¨ It presupposes that our reasoning processes are equal or superior to God's, and that our solution must be the right one!       "My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)   ¨ It doesn't work when you try and apply it practically.   Tell Dr. Walter Martin Story of being on the radio with an atheist challenging him to do this as a philosophical experiment.   3) How Then Should I Respond to Suffering?   · I need to ACCEPT that suffering will happen to me and mine.   18  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18-19 (ESV)   · I need to REMEMBER that God is active in my suffering.   20  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20 (ESV)   · I need to EMBRACE suffering as part of my spiritual growth.   8  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ …10  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 3:8, 10 (ESV)      

Suffering & God's Response Pt. 2 Why Does God Allow Suffering By Louie Marsh, 3-16-2025   Big vs. Small Picture:   Today I'll be talking about the big picture of suffering not the smaller more personal one. The Bible gives us a framework to understand how a good and loving God can allow suffering in this world. It does not explain why certain things happen to certain people. No one can answer that question, and if someone says they can – run away!!   But there are two scriptures we must rely to help us as we deal with the smaller picture and they are not on your outline so please write them down:   1  There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2  And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-5 (ESV)   45  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45 (ESV)   God allows suffering because … GOD IS LOVE   1)  God made humans in His IMAGE.   26  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)   · Us = trinity · Image - Human life was created in (lit., “as,” meaning “in essence as”) the image of God (v. 27). This image was imparted only to humans (2:7). “Image” (ṣelem) is used figuratively here, for God does not have a human form. Being in God's image means that humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God's nature, that is, in His communicable attributes (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.   2) God made us to LOVE HIM.   34  Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36  "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37  Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38  This is the first and greatest commandment. 39  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV)   3) Love cannot be forced but only FREELY CHOSEN.   20  Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21  When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Genesis 9:20-21 (NIV)   “1Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” 3But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” (Jonah 1:1–3, ESV)   · God gave us REAL choices in a real universe. · Therefore he HAD to allow us to choose evil over good. · Adam & Eve did and so has every one of their offspring save one – JESUS!   4) But God will hold us accountable on JUDGMENT DAY.   34  You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35  The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36  I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37  for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37 (ESV)   So, eternal love – God – allows evil to exist now to honor our sovereign free will and so that we can, if we choose, freely love Him and others. However, because He is just, there will be a judgment day where all wrongs will be righted.  

Suffering & God's Response Pt, 1: Who Causes Suffering? By Louie Marsh, 3-9-2025 Last slide – Buddah quote   1) We always blame GOD.   “13And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” 14And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”” (Judges 6:13–14, ESV)   “2“Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! 3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash. 4For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.” (Job 6:2–4, ESV)   Philosophers say:  If an almighty, good God exists, and does not eliminate evil, then either that god is evil, or he does not exist. A good God must destroy evil.   The Greek philosopher Epicurus (342-271 BC) claimed that the existence of evil proved there is no God. ·       He claimed that if God cannot stop evil then he is not all-powerful (omnipotent). ·       He then argued that if God can prevent evil but does not, then God is not good. ·       He linked these two points together, claiming that if God is all-powerful and good, then evil would not exist. ·       Finally, human experience is that evil does exist. Therefore Epicurus concluded that God must not exist.   2) The REAL culprits.   ·       SATAN   “1Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?”” (Genesis 3:1, ESV)   ·       US.   “4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:4–6, ESV)   ·       We brought it in, we PERPETUATE it.   “9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV)     3) God is pledged to ELIMINATE it eventually.   “4He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4, ESV)   “18And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety.” (Hosea 2:18, ESV)   4) The GOSPEL of Jesus is how God will do it.   “4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”” (Revelation 21:4, ESV)   “15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15, ESV)   “1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1, ESV)        

My First Half Century in the Ministry, Pt. 1 50 Years & Counting By Louie Marsh, 3-2-2025 Announce 50 years since my ordination!   What have I learned?   22Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”” (Matthew 20:22, ESV)   1) If you want to serve God, you will have your heart BROKEN over and over again.   “16Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. 17I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation. 18Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail? (Jeremiah 15:16–18, ESV)   “18The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, ESV)   2) Self never DIES, ego is EVERYWHERE & the cost of serving Jesus is higher than you can possibly imagine when you begin.   “13“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14, ESV)   “23And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23–24, ESV)   · The ups & downs of the ministry take their TOLL.   “27in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (2 Corinthians 11:27–30, ESV)   3) God's answer to this – BROKENNESS.   “9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)   · Jacob is the ultimate EXAMPLE.   “22The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. 24And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 25When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” 31The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. 32Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.” (Genesis 32:22–32, ESV)   4) To trust in Jesus I must RELY on the Scriptures.   “39You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39–40, ESV)          

Habitual Pt. 4: Solitude By Louie Marsh, 2- 9-2025   Intro. Last slide T-Shirt.   1) The difference between solitude & loneliness is CHOICE.   “18Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”” (Genesis 2:18, ESV)   · All spiritual disciplines are personal DECISIONS.   “15But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” (Luke 5:15–16, ESV)   2) Solitude helps me restore my…   ·  PEACE   “3You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)   ·  OBJECTIVITY   “17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17, ESV)   · sense of SCALE.   “6I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; 7I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop.” (Psalm 102:6–7, ESV)   ·  ENERGY   “29He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:29, ESV)   ·  PRIORITIES   “12So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, ESV)   3) Solitude is an indicator of my spiritual HEALTH.    “39And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow,” (Luke 22:39–45, ESV)   Slides of garden   The area it encompasses is flat and measures less than 57 square yards (47 1/2 square meters). The garden is located on the western foot of the Mount of Olives, beyond the brook Kidron, and is only a short distance from Jerusalem. The villages of Bethany and Bethphage are also located very near it.   “35And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35, ESV)

Habitual Pt. 2: Meditation By Louie Marsh, 1-26-2025   1) Biblical meditation is FOCUSED THINKING.   “34May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.” (Psalm 104:34, ESV)   ·       Yes, I CAN do this!   “19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, ESV)   2) Different kinds of biblical meditation:   ·       For spiritual GROWTH.   …2but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1–6, ESV)   ·       To SOLVE a problem.   “97Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:97–104, ESV)   ·       To FIND the courage I need to obey God.   ... 5No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”” (Joshua 1:1–9, ESV)   ·       Courage comes when I DO what God says to do.   3) To be like Jesus I must understand & practice biblical MEDITATION.   “148My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.” (Psalm 119:148, ESV)   4) What to do while turning the other cheek.   “38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38–39, ESV)   “23Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.” (Psalm 119:23, ESV)   “78Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.” (Psalm 119:78, ESV)   “19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19–21, ESV)                                  

Introduction to Habitual Pt. 2: The Power of Good Habits By Louie Marsh, 1-12-2025       “14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)   1)    A habit is a CUSTOMARY way of doing or not doing something.   “14Do all things without grumbling or disputing,” (Philippians 2:14, ESV)   Original Word: ἔθος Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ethos Pronunciation: EH-thos Definition: Custom, habit, manner Meaning: a custom, habit; an institute, rite. Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root ἔθω (ethō), meaning "to be accustomed" or "to be used to."   2)    I need to FORM good, godly habits.   39  Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40  On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." Luke 22:39-40 (NIV)   One popular idea suggests that it takes 21 days to solidify a habit. A three-week time frame might sound easily reachable to someone making a resolution on New Year's Day, when people tend to feel extra motivated to start a new habit or kick an old one. Yet every January 21 very few people can boast that they have kept their resolutions. One survey showed that only 9 percent of people actually stuck to their goals in 2023.   The time it takes to establish a new habit varies widely depending on the individual and the complexity of the behavior. Recent studies suggest that it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to form a new habit, with an average of around 66 days. Factors such as the specific habit, environmental influences, and personal consistency play significant roles in the duration of habit formation. It is important to approach habit formation with realistic expectations and patience, as it may take longer than commonly believed.   Everyone has a unique habit-building timeline—and no matter how long it is for any individual, repetition is the key to making it work,   3)    How habits help my SPIRITUAL GROWTH.   “14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)   Story of how I had to learn to use the clutch, once done I was a much more mature driver than I had been before.   4)    Some good habits to me to ESTABLISH.   “14And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14, ESV)   ·       REGULAR church attendance.   25  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)   ·       Actively TESTING to distinguish good from evil.   “21but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV)   ·       To be SEXUALLY pure.   “18Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18–20, ESV)   ·       Be FILLED with the Spirit not alcohol.   “18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)  

Habitual Introduction: Pt. 1: Don't Waste Your Life By Louie Marsh, 1-5-2025         15  Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)   John Wesley taught his Methodist followers to pray each new year:    “I am no longer my own, but yours.  Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;  Put me to doing, put me to suffering;   Let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,  Exalted for you, or brought low for you;  Let me be full, Let me be empty,  Let me have all things, Let me have nothing: I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things To your pleasure and disposal.     And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am yours. So be it.  And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.  Amen.”   1) God wants my WHOLE life!   13  Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. Romans 6:13 (NIV)   12  And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, Deuteronomy 10:12 (NIV)   24  "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:24 (NIV)   6  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)          2) To give God this control takes DISCIPLINE.   7  But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 1 Timothy 4:7 (NASB)   1  Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)   40  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41  "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42  but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40-42 (NIV)   13  for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 (NIV)   “Discipline = Freedom” – Jocko Willink   3) How do I come to God? Only through the CROSS.   15  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV)   7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)   1  As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1 (NIV)   2  LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV)    

New Years 2024 Rosh Hashanah & a Christian New Years By Louie Marsh, 12-29-2024     Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה‎, lit. 'head of the year') is the New Year in Judaism. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah (יוֹם תְּרוּעָה‎, lit. 'day of shouting/blasting'). It is the first of the High Holy Days (יָמִים נוֹרָאִים‎, Yāmīm Nōrāʾīm, 'Days of Awe"), as specified by Leviticus 23:23–25, that occur in the late summer/early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere. Rosh Hashanah begins ten days of penitence culminating in Yom Kippur, as well as beginning the cycle of autumnal religious festivals running through Sukkot which end on Shemini Atzeret in Israel and Simchat Torah everywhere else.   “24“Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall present a food offering to the Lord.”” (Leviticus 23:24–25, ESV)   Rosh Hashanah is a two-day observance and celebration that begins on the first day of Tishrei, which is the seventh month of the ecclesiastical year. In contrast to the ecclesiastical lunar new year on the first day of the first month Nisan, the spring Passover month which marks Israel's exodus from Egypt, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil year, according to the teachings of Judaism, and is the traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.   Rosh Hashanah customs include sounding the shofar (a hollowed-out ram's horn), as prescribed in the Torah, following the prescription of the Hebrew Bible to "raise a noise" on Yom Teruah. Eating symbolic foods that represent various wishes for the new year is an ancient custom recorded in the Talmud. Other rabbinical customs include the "tashlich", attending synagogue services and reciting special liturgy about teshuva, as well as enjoying festive meals.   Tashlikh or Tashlich (Hebrew: תשליך "cast off") is a customary Jewish atonement ritual performed during the High Holy Days on Rosh Hashanah. In some Judaeo-Spanish-speaking communities the practice is referred to as sakudirse las faldas ('to shake the flaps [of clothing]') or simply as faldas]   Practice The ritual is performed at a large, natural body of flowing water (e.g., river, lake, sea, or ocean) on the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, although it may be performed until Hoshana Rabbah. If the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbat, most Ashkenazim recite Tashlich on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, whereas most Sephardim recite it on the first day as normal. The penitent recites a Biblical passage and, optionally, additional prayers. During the Tashlikh prayer, the worshipers symbolically throw their sins into a source of water. Some people throw small pieces of bread into the water, though many rabbis consider throwing bread into the water on Rosh Hashanah to be forbidden by halakha   The name "Tashlikh" and the practice itself are derived from an allusion mentioned in the Biblical passage (Micah 7:18–20) recited at the ceremony: "You will cast (tashlikh) all their sins into the depths of the sea."   “18Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. 19He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.” (Micah 7:18–20, ESV)   Because the New Year ushers in a 10-day period of self-examination and penitence, Rosh Hashana is also called the annual Day of Judgment; during this period Jews review their individual relationships with God, the Supreme Judge.   “1“On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a day for you to blow the trumpets, 2and you shall offer a burnt offering, for a pleasing aroma to the Lord: one bull from the herd, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish;” (Numbers 29:1–2, ESV)   “1When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 2Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. 3They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. 4And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required,” (Ezra 3:1–4, ESV)   A More Biblical Approach to New Years   “12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12–14, ESV)   1) Be HUMBLE   ·       Especially about my SPIRITUAL LIFE.   2) Be DILIGENT   ·       Especially in dealing with my PAST   3) Be ALL IN on my future.   ·       Especially in being more like JESUS.   ·       APPLY this to all areas of my life.   4) Be WISE in how I approach all this.   ·       Do things SEQUENTIALLY.

Christmas 2024 The Purpose of Christmas By Louie Marsh, 12-22-2024   1) Christmas is all about God's PLAN.   4  But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,5  to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)   2) Christmas is all about Christ's PURPOSE.   27  “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. John 12:27 (ESV)   38  And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” Mark 1:38 (ESV)   3) Christmas is all about The CROSS   33  And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. 34  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35  (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:33-35 (ESV)   51  When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 (ESV)   4) Christmas is about God's CALL on my life   To KNOW Him. 29  Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Mark 12:29 (ESV)   10  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead…13  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:10-11,13-14 (ESV)   To make him KNOWN .   31  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (ESV)   18  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)   YOUR CHRISTMAS QUESTIONS:   1) Am I following Christ's call on my life?   2) List one practical action you can take that will help you either know Him better or make Him known to others this Christmas week.  

Jesus Calling Pt. 7 – Puking the Lukewarm By Louie Marsh, 12-15-2024   Last slide – Super Barf Bag/   1) Jesus is the TRUTH & CREATOR of everything/   “14“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.” (Revelation 3:14, ESV)   “15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:15–18, ESV)   2) APATHY not allowed.   “15“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16, ESV)   ·       What about the VOMIT?   Synonyms Strongest matches   Strong matches   Out of the 26 major English translations 13 say spit or spew, 13 say vomit. Of the 4 Literal translations 3 say vomit and one says spit.   Difference between spitting (with Mom story) and vomiting.   ·       Jesus wants COMMITMENT – either for or against Him.   “30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30, ESV)   3) Don't mistake prosperity with spiritual MATURITY.   “17For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” (Revelation 3:17–18, ESV)   ·       Things going well don't necessarily mean you are CLOSE to God.   “1“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1, ESV)   “19And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ' 20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”” (Luke 12:19–21, ESV)   4) Jesus rebukes me because He LOVES  ME.   “19Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:19–20, ESV)   “6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”” (Hebrews 12:6, ESV)   5) SHARING Jesus' throne – the ultimate way to be like Jesus.   “21The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' ”” (Revelation 3:21–22, ESV)