CCR Sermons

Life Lessons from Jeremiah Pt. 3: Faith of the Heart By Louie Marsh, 5-17-2026     1) The truth HURTS.   "4Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel. 5Thus says the Lord: "What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? 6They did not say, 'Where is the Lord who brought us up from the land of Egypt, who led us in the wilderness, in a land of deserts and pits, in a land of drought and deep darkness, in a land that none passes through, where no man dwells?'" (Jeremiah 2:4–6, ESV)   2) God Calls EVERYONE to Repentance: "12Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, " 'Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever. 13Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord. 14Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15" 'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jeremiah 3:12–15, ESV)   · Repent of Empty Forms of GODLINESS.   3Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. 4Do not trust in these deceptive words: 'This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.' 5"For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another," (Jeremiah 7:3–5, ESV)   "8"Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. 9Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, 10and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, 'We are delivered!'—only to go on doing all these abominations?" (Jeremiah 7:8–10, ESV)   "5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." (2 Timothy 3:5, ESV)   3) We must teach the whole, ESPECIALLY the unpopular parts!   "2"Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word." (Jeremiah 26:2, ESV)   "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. 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:18–25, ESV) 4) I must understand the power of CHOICE.   "23But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.' 24But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. 25From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day. 26Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. 27"So you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall call to them, but they will not answer you. 28And you shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips." (Jeremiah 7:23–28, ESV)   We must do this just in case some might hear and repent. People will react very negatively to this – don't let that surprise you.   5) I must keep my heart SOFT. "18My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is sick within me. 19Behold, the cry of the daughter of my people from the length and breadth of the land: "Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?" "Why have they provoked me to anger with their carved images and with their foreign idols?" 20"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." 21For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. 22Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?" (Jeremiah 8:18–22, ESV) "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) 6) The Bible says faith must come from our HEART.  "23Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." 25"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart."" (Jeremiah 9:23–26, ESV)   · No matter how PAINFUL that is.   Woe is me because of my hurt! My wound is grievous. But I said, "Truly this is an affliction, and I must bear it." My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken; my children have gone from me, and they are not; there is no one to spread my tent again and to set up my curtains. For the shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered. A voice, a rumor! Behold, it comes!— a great commotion out of the north country to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a lair of jackals. I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. Jeremiah 10:19-24 (ESV) But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut. 4:29   Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23  

Life Lessons From Jeremiah Pt. 2: Be On Mission By Louie Marsh, 5-10-2026   IF I'M GOING TO SERVE GOD…   1) It helps to know WHAT I'm supposed to do!   See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:10 (ESV)   The three pairs of verbs-pull up/tear down, take apart/demolish, build/plant-are all-involving. In the way of faith we do not escape because it is too much for us; we plunge into it because we are commanded and equipped. It is not our feelings that determine our level of participation in life, nor our experience that qualifies us for what we will do and be; it is what God decides about us.   · To uproot and tear down   "13He answered, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up." (Matthew 15:13, ESV)   "7If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it." (Jeremiah 18:7–8, ESV)   • Sin-corrupted structures must be pulled up at the roots (Jeremiah 18:7-8; Matthew 15:13).   • "Tear down" pictures dismantling false worship, injustice, and empty confidence.   · To destroy and overthrow   "52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;" (Luke 1:52, ESV)   • Intensified verbs stress total demolition of prideful kingdoms.   • Nothing withstands the Lord's decree—not Jerusalem's walls, Babylon's empire, nor modern idols (Jeremiah 25:29; Luke 1:52).   • Destruction here is mercy: it halts evil before it devours further   · To build and plant   "6I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up." (Jeremiah 24:6, ESV)   • Judgment clears ground for restoration.   • "Build" promises stability; "plant" promises fruitfulness.   • God never leaves ruins unattended; His ultimate aim is a people and a place flourishing under His reign. · This is Jeremiah's MISSION STATEMENT.   Other Biblical Mission Statements:   John the Baptist;    A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 (ESV)    Jesus:   "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."  And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:18-21 (ESV)   Paul:   But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles— to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26:16-18 (ESV)   For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV)   My Mission Statement:   To go anywhere, at anytime, to teach anyone God's Word, and to Empower Disciples.   2) To fulfill God's call I need lots of REASSURANCE!   · 1st Assurance – God is WATCHING over him.   And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see an almond branch." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it." Jeremiah 1:11-12 (ESV)   The almond tree is one of the earliest trees to bloom in Palestine. Before it puts forth leaves, it puts forth blossoms, white and snowy.   The vision is accented with a word play. The word almond and the word watching are nearly identical in Hebrew. "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I see a shaped ("almond"). "Good eyes! I'm sticking with you. I am shoqed ("watching") my word to make every word I give you come true. I am watching my word like a shepherd watching his flock.   ·  2nd Assurance – BELIEVE that God limits evil in this world.   The word of the LORD came to me a second time, saying, "What do you see?" And I said, "I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north." Then the LORD said to me, "Out of the north disaster shall be let loose upon all the inhabitants of the land. For behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the LORD, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah. And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. Jeremiah 1:13-16 (ESV)   "I believe in getting into hot water, it keeps you clean." - G. K. Chesterton   The subject of the vision is negative (in contrast to the almond vision) but its message is positive, for its effect is to contain evil. The boiling pot is a container of evil, and it poured out by someone – it is limited and controlled.   The boiling pot reduces evil to a location and a use. We cannot afford to be naive about evil-it must be faced. But we cannot be intimidated by it either. It will be used by God to bring good.   "7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." (2 Thessalonians 2:7, ESV)   The first vision convinced Jeremiah that the word of God bursts with wonders and that its wonders are not illusions. The second vision convinced Jeremiah that the world is very dangerous but that the danger is not catastrophic.   3) I must be SHAPED by God's Word & Vision, nothing else!   Jeremiah was shaped by the visions, not by the fashions of the day, not by his feelings about himself. We know that he often felt terrible and that he was treated terribly. He often felt weak; he often was near despair. In fact, he was always strong. His emotions often failed him; his faith always held fast. His strength was not achieved by growing calluses over his highly sensitive spirit.   "18And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you."" (Jeremiah 1:18–19, ESV)   Educated by the almond rod, his inward responsiveness to the personal, whether God or human, deepened and developed. Educated by the boiling pot, his outward capacity to deal with dehumanizing evil and to resist depersonalizing intimidation became invincible: "impregnable as a castle, immovable as a steel post, solid as a concrete block wall." Not bad for someone who started out as "only a boy."   4) Now it's time to get to work – be PROFESSIONAL.   But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you… Jeremiah 1:17a (ESV)   "6Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey." (Mark 1:6, ESV)   Pictures – map of E.Timor, story of when you first taught this.   THE UNLIVED LIFE – taken from The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. (Gates of Fire) Resistance is the most toxic force on the planet. It is the root of more unhappiness than poverty, or disease. To yield to Resistance deforms our spirit. It stunts us and makes us less than we are and were born to be. If you believe in God (and I do) you must declare Resistance evil, for it prevents us from achieving the life God intended when He endowed each of us with our own unique genius.   Genius is a Latin word; the Romans used it to denote an inner spirit, holy and inviolable, which watches over us, guiding us to our calling. A writer writes with his genius; an artist paints with hers; everyone who creates operates from this sacramental center. It is our soul's seat, the vessel that holds our being-in-potential, our star's beacon and Polaris.   WHAT IS THIS RESISTANCE?   · I won't let my FLESH stop me.   For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 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. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. Romans 7:14-20 (ESV)   5) To overcome I must RELY on God's strength.   … Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you." Jeremiah 1:17b-19 (ESV)   · God's strength shows itself in my WEAKNESSES.   Jeremiah 1:17b-19; 2 Corinthians 4:7–10, 12:7-10   "17... Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. 18And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you."" (Jeremiah 1:17b–19, ESV)   "7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies." (2 Corinthians 4:7–10, ESV)   "7So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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. 10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7–10, ESV)

Life Lessons From Jeremiah Pt. 1: Called & Qualified By Louie Marsh, 5-3-2026   Introduction: Excuses   The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month. Jeremiah 1:1-3 (ESV)   His family and town, near Jerusalem, center of power, might have known many famous people, etc.   The exact meaning of Jeremiah is not certain: it may mean "the LORD exalts"; it may mean "the LORD hurls." What is certain is that "the LORD," the personal name of God, is in his name.   1) Jeremiah Endured because He Knew God was CALLING HIM.   Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)   Jeremiah as almost all the prophets, saw themselves as people being acted upon by God. This is God's call, God's will, God's plan, NOT his! If we are to endure the hardships of ministry, we must understand that this is all about God and what HE wants, not about us. 2) God's First Call – the Call to Christlike Character.   For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)   3) God's Second Call – the Call to Christlike Conduct.   "5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—" (2 Thessalonians 1:5, ESV)   4) No EXCUSES allowed!   Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:6-9 (ESV)   We are practiced in pleading inadequacy in order to avoid living at the best that God calls us to. How tired the excuses sound! I am only a youth; I am only a housewife; I am only a layman; I am only a poor preacher; I only have an eighth-grade education; I don't have enough time; I don't have enough training; I don't have enough confidence; or, with biblical precedence, "Master, please, I don't talk well" (Ex 4:10). Too much is being asked of us. We cannot cope. We cannot manage.   Eugene H. Peterson. Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best (Kindle Locations 429-432). Kindle Edition.   Moses King of Excuses!   ·  "Who am I?" = I'm not IMPORTANT/QUALIFIED enough.   "11But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"" (Exodus 3:11, ESV)   · They won't ACCEPT my message.   "1Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The Lord did not appear to you.' "" (Exodus 4:1, ESV)   · I'm not a good SPEAKER.   "10But Moses said to the Lord, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."" (Exodus 4:10, ESV)   · I'm afraid and don't WANT to go!   "13But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."" (Exodus 4:13, ESV)   5) God's response to Jeremiah's Excuses.   ·   Excuse 2 - God's POWER is always available.   "3And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it." (Exodus 4:3, ESV)   · Excuse 3 - God will PROVIDE what I lack.   "11Then the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."" (Exodus 4:11–12, ESV)   · Excuse 1 & 4 – God is WITH me.   "12He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."" (Exodus 3:12, ESV)     These excuses show Moses' very human fear, insecurity, and reluctance—yet God still used him powerfully. The chapter highlights that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called.   I must be humble enough to accept learning from others what I need to learn and experiencing what I need to become fully qualified. If I think, "God called me so now I – who  know and have experienced nothing – will take over. I'm headed for a fall and refusing to accept God's qualifying school of some very hard knocks!

Living in the Last Days Pt. 9: Being Responsible By Louie Marsh, 4-26-2026         TO BE A RESPONSIBLE BELIEVER I NEED TO…   1) Live & pray according to GOD'S PRIORITIES.   "1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:1–3, ESV)   · My top priority is SPREADING the good news!   As to the rest, pray ye, brethren, concerning us, that the word of the Lord may run and may be glorified, as also with you, 2 Thes. 3:1 (Young's)   "…may have a triumphant career…" (Lightfoot)   · A secondary priority is DELIVERANCE from danger.   2) Ask God to GROW my heart.   "5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)   "32I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!" (Psalm 119:32, ESV) WHAT AREAS DO WE NEED TO GROW IN?   · GOD'S LOVE   · CHRIST'S PERSERVERANCE   3) Live out my faith through HARD WORK.   ·  Don't SETTLE.   "6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6, ESV)   ·  Don't DEMAND your rights   "7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate." (2 Thessalonians 3:7–9, ESV)   · Do stand up and LEAD   "10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:10–13, ESV)   ·  Practice TOUGH LOVE   "14If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15, ESV) WHY THIS EMPHASIS ON WORK?     · Because life is all about PRODUCING VALUE!   4) Seek and Receive CHRIST'S PEACE.   "16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16, ESV)   5) Live my life in GRACE!   "17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:17–18, ESV)   · Grace = SALVATION.   · Grace = LIFE.  

Living in the Last Days Pt. 8: Building Up By Louie Marsh, 4-19-2026  1) My speech should be FREE & OPEN   "2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction," (2 Thessalonians 2:2–3, ESV)   "5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness." (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)   2) My life should be TRANSPARENT.   "1Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come." (2 Thessalonians 2:1–2, ESV)   "5Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?" (2 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)   "9The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false," (2 Thessalonians 2:9–11, ESV)   3) My Responsibility is to manage God's gifts WISELY.   "4who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)   · Approved by GOD   · Trusted with the GOSPEL   4) My goal is to please God ALONE.   "5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." (1 Thessalonians 2:5–6, ESV)   5) My love should be SOUL DEEP.   "7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:7–8, ESV)   6) My conduct must be GODLY.   "10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:10–12, ESV)   ·  ENCOURAGING   ·  COMFORTING   ·  URGING   7) My calling is to SHARE the good news of Christ!   "13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." (1 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV) 

Living In The Last Days Pt. 7: Hanging Tough By Louie Marsh, 3-12-2026 You know you're in trouble when....   • Your accountant's letter of resignation is postmarked from Zurich.   • You're taking a bus to the bank to make your car payment.   • You take assertiveness training, but you're afraid to tell your wife.   • You tell a barber what you think of his prices before he cuts your hair.   • You see your stockbroker hitchhiking out of town.   • The plumber floats by on your kitchen table.   • Your pacemaker comes with a 30-day guarantee.   • Your wages are paid out of petty cash.   • The pest control guy crawls under your house and never comes out.   IN TOUGH TIMES I NEED TO…   1) DECIDE to deepen my spiritual life starting NOW!.   "3We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:3–4, ESV)   ·  Growing FAITH & LOVE are two signs my spiritual life is deepening.   Paul uses a compound Greek verb meaning growth above expectations – huper from which we get hyper.   Trouble Makes My Faith Grow By…   · Making me face UNPLEASANT truths.   · Testing to see if I'm LIVING a supernatural life.   2) TRUST GOD to bring about justice.   "5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels" (2 Thessalonians 1:5–7, ESV)   3) Compassionately REACH OUT to the lost.   "8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." (2 Thessalonians 1:8–10, ESV)   Hell is horrible because it goes on forever – you are eternally brought to "complete ruin" as it says literally.   Hell is even worse because you are shut away from God completely. That's why it won't be a party – ALL GOOD THINGS are absent from Hell. There is nothing there but evil and pain. This ought to motivate us!   4) FOCUS on giving Glory to Jesus!   "12so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:12, ESV)   5) BELIEVE that God will fulfill His purposes in my life.   "11To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power," (2 Thessalonians 1:11, ESV)   6) YBH – YES BUT HOW?   · Pay attention to my HEART.   "23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)   Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NAS)   Keep means to watch over and protect – what many of us do in the name of guarding our hearts is actually hardening and kill it!   This doesn't mean to suck it up – be tough – shut down your emotions – and ACT okay when you are not.   Rather it means to be authentic and open before the Lord on all occasions about everything – and as open with others as you can be.   "34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34, ESV)   The heart "spurts out" good or evil according to the supply within.   1) as ejection by force throw out, expel, drive out; (2) as expelling or excluding without force repudiate, send away, let go.     "18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." (Matthew 15:18, ESV)   Out of the mouth. Spoken words come out of the heart and so are a true index of character.   · An open heart to God is the KEY to real spiritual depth.   "14Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: " ' "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive." 15For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'" (Matthew 13:14–15, ESV)    

Because Jesus is alive…   1) I need to be KINGDOM focused.   3  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 (ESV)   · God is calling me to live in a ACCOUNTABLE community.   It's not just all about me!   24  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)   Not neglecting = "Not leaving behind, not leaving in the lurch" -Word Pictures in the New Testament.   · The Kingdom works from the INSIDE OUT not the outside in.   17  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (ESV)   2) I need to OUT my doubts.   24  Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25  So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." John 20:24-25 (ESV)   ·  ADMIT you've got them.   "16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted." (Matthew 28:16–17, ESV)   · FIGURE OUT the what's and whys of my doubts.   15  but 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)   · TALK OUT my doubts with God.   26  Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28  Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:26-28 (ESV)   · Remember God will BLESS my faith without a doubt.   29  Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 (ESV)   6  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)   3) I need to respond to Jesus' call to a HIGHER LOVE.   15  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16  He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17  He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (ESV)   First time Jesus asks a comparative question, because Peter had said he loved Jesus more than the rest.  Once that's done Jesus no longer compares but probes Peter's heart.   First two times Jesus says agape while Peter responds with philio. Third time Jesus says philio.   12  May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)   Go Through – Gospel in a Nutshell & B.A.S.I.S.   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) 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)

Living in the Last Days Pt. 6: Staying With It, 1 Thess. 5:12-28 By Louie Marsh, 3-29-2026   For those who appreciate the intricacies of the English language, the Washington Post publishes a yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for various words. The following are some winning entries from a few years ago. Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightie. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp. Flatulence (n.) the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline. Frisbeetarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.   TO LIVE EFFECTIVELY FOR CHRIST I MUST…   1) REFUSE to stifle the Spirit's work in my life.   "19Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:19, ESV)   "18"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles."…"20a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;" (Matthew 12:18,20, ESV)   "6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands," (2 Timothy 1:6, ESV)   · SNUFF OUT  Satan's work in my life.   "16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;" (Ephesians 6:16, ESV)   2) RESPECT the Spirit's Word in my life.   "20Do not despise prophecies," (1 Thessalonians 5:20, ESV)   Contempt = "to count as nothing."  We must never treat any of the work of God with contempt   3) TEST EVERYTHING to discover what God's work and Word really are!   "21but test everything… (1 Thessalonians 5:21a, ESV)   Stress everything – note that this is what the Jewish leaders never did with Jesus. Lazarus was raised and they knew it and killed him anyway.   ·   God TESTS ME.   "4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)   · I am COMMANDED to test!   "4But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor." (Galatians 6:4, ESV)   "1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1, ESV)   4) APPLY the right standards in my testing.   ·  Keep my heart & mind OPEN before God.   "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 12:2, ESV)   How do I test? a, Not by what my parents says b, Not by what my preacher says c, Not by what my old church did d, Not by what my culture says e, not by how I feel about it!  · Use God's OBJECTIVE STANDARD – His Word.   "8The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)   "4But he answered, "It is written, " 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' ""… "7Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' "" …"10Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, " 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.' "" (Matthew 4:4,7,10, ESV)   ·  CONSULT other standards as well.   o COMMON SENSE o  PRAYERFUL guidance o  COUNSEL from others   5) HOLD ON to the good & run with it!   "21… hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21b, ESV)   Good = "something noble, something that is a blessing and a honor to receive."  The 2 words "good" and "hold" are only found in one other verse in the N.T.:   "15As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15, ESV)      

Living in the Last Days Pt. 5: Looking Forward By Louie Marsh, 3-22-2026 LOOKING FORWARD IN CHRIST MEANS I …   1) Temper my grief with HOPE.   "13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13, ESV)   Gordon Lightfoot – wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald   Does anyone know where the love of God goesWhen the waves turn the minutes to hours?The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish BayIf they'd put fifteen more miles behind herThey might have split up or they might have capsizedThey may have broke deep and took waterAnd all that remains is the faces and the namesOf the wives and the sons and the daughters   2) BELIEVE the source of hope – Christ's Truth!   "14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep." (1 Thessalonians 4:14–15, ESV)   3) Practice Prophecies with 3 Practical Purposes:   · To  ENCOURAGE me.   "18Therefore encourage one another with these words."…"11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11, ESV)     · To keep me ALERT!   "4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:4–6, ESV)   ·   To MOTIVATE me to fight the good fight!   "8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," (1 Thessalonians 5:8–9, ESV)   4) AVOID the wrong solution.   "1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:1–3, ESV)   "32"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32, ESV)   5) REJOICE in my relationship with Christ.   "10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:10, ESV)   ·   It's ETERNAL!   "38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor 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 8:38–39, ESV) 

Living in the Last Days Pt. 4: Living Right By Louie Marsh, 3-15-2026 TWO HALLMARKS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE   ·  SELFLESSNESS     ·  CONTINUED GROWTH   "1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more."…"10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more," (1 Thessalonians 4:1, 10, ESV)   LIVING RIGHT MEANS…   1) I am to PLEASE GOD first.   "1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 4:1–2, ESV)   2) I stay within God's SEXUAL BOUNDARIES.   "3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." (1 Thessalonians 4:3–8, ESV)   ESV, NIV, NLT, MESSAGE all say Body, Wife- LB and GW,  Vessel – NAS, ASV, NKJ.   Greek is vessel – Paul either means spouse, or body – there's equal weight for each one. I'm going to follow marriage, because it seems best and it speaks to our national situation today.   ·  God's Sexual Context – HETEROSEXUAL marriage   "24Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24, ESV)   Christian belief in heterosexual marriage and that homosexually is wrong, does not stem from the Law or Paul – but from the very creation of mankind. Moses and Paul simply follow what Jesus shows us – that it was from the beginning that we were made that way.   "2But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." (1 Corinthians 7:2–9, ESV)   · God's Sexual Style – HONOR.   "4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;" (1 Thessalonians 4:4–5, ESV)   The Christian view of sex within marriage is that BOTH spouses put the pleasure of their spouse before their own – thus ensuring fulfillment for both IF they keep this ideal! You don't just demand your own way or wishes – that's wrong even in marriage.   3) I live a life of LOVE.   "9Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more," (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10, ESV)   4) I SUPPORT MYSELF with God's help.   "11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, ESV)                  

Living in the Last Days Pt. 3: Praying Passionately By Louie Marsh, 2-8-2026   1) FIND the springs of passion within me.   ·  Love & SEPARATION   "17But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face," (1 Thessalonians 2:17, ESV)   "5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain." (1 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)   ·  SUFFERING   "3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know." (1 Thessalonians 3:3–4, ESV)   · GOOD NEWS   "6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God," (1 Thessalonians 3:6–9, ESV)   · GOD'S PURPOSE   "10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thessalonians 3:10, ESV)   2) Tell God my HEART'S DESIRE.   "11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you," (1 Thessalonians 3:11, ESV)   May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! 1 Thes. 3:11 (Mes)   3) Ask God to INCREASE my love.   "12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you," (1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)   And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. 1 Thes. 3:12 (Mes)   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23   4) ALLOW GOD to strengthen my heart.   "13so that he may establish your hearts… (1 Thessalonians 3:13a, ESV)   ESTABLISH = BUTRESS. A buttress is a support -- usually brick or stone -- built against a wall to support or reinforce it. A flying buttress is a free-standing buttress attached to the main structure by an arch or a half-arch.   "9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him… (2 Chronicles 16:9a, ESV)   "145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes." (Psalm 119:145, ESV)   5) KEEP Christlikeness my ultimate goal.   "13…blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." (1 Thessalonians 3:13b, ESV)   · Blameless = INWARD/NEGATIVE   (1) blameless, faultless, without guilt (LU 1.6); (2) of things faultless, without defect   · Holy – OUTWARD/POSITIVE   · Presence of God – UPWARD/ALWAYS   "4and 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 1:4, ESV)

Living in the Last Days Pt. 2: Building Up By Louie Marsh, 3-1-2026     1) My speech should be FREE & OPEN   "2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive," (1 Thessalonians 2:2–3, ESV)   · I should never try and BUTTER PEOPLE UP.    "5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness." (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)   2) My life should be TRANSPARENT.   "1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict."…"9For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children," (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 9–11, ESV)   · God calls you to work and word HARD.   · If you want an easy life – DON'T follow Jesus!   14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:14, ESV)   3) My Responsibility is to manage God's gifts WISELY.   "4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)   ·  APPROVED by God.   "6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6, ESV)   ·  TRUSTED with the gospel.   "16For 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! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship." (1 Corinthians 9:16–17, ESV)   4) My goal is to please God ALONE.   "5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." (1 Thessalonians 2:5–6, ESV)

Living in the Last Days Pt. 1: Life In Three Dimensions 1 Thess. 1:1-10 By Louie Marsh, 2-22-2026   "16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17" 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…(Acts 2:16a, ESV)   TO LIVE IN THE LAST DAYS I NEED…   Three Graces to  MOTIVATE me.   1) FAITH   "3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith… (1 Thessalonians 1:3a, ESV)   Work = a job or task   · Faith brings us into SALVATION.   "8For by grace you have been saved through faith… (Ephesians 2:8, ESV)   · Faith looks BACK. (TO THE CROSS)   "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)   · Faith always produces ACTION.   "26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:26, ESV)   2) LOVE   "3…your…labor of love… (1 Thessalonians 1:3b, ESV)   labor = to cut, beat and used of working bread dough   · Love is my response to GOD LOVING me.   "19We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19, ESV)   · Love looks at the NOW.   "17But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" (1 John 3:17, ESV)   · Love keeps me GOING through the tough times.   "18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18, ESV)   3) HOPE   "3…and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:3, ESV)   · Hope keeps me from GIVING UP.   "4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)   · Hope looks AHEAD.   "24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:24–25, ESV)   · Hope is just as IMPORTANT as faith & Love.   [1 Cor. 13; Gal. 5:5-6; Col. 1:4-5; Heb. 10:22-24; 1 Pet. 1:22-23; 1 Thess. 5:8]   4) AIDS TO COMMUNICATE God's plan   ·  The CONTENT of the gospel.   "5because our gospel came to you not only in word…(1 Thessalonians 1:5a, ESV)   ·  God's POWER   "5… but also in power…(1 Thessalonians 1:5b, ESV)   · BEING FILLED with the Holy Spirit.   "5… and in the Holy Spirit..." (1 Thessalonians 1:5c, ESV)   · A vital FAITH in Christ.   "5… and with full conviction." (1 Thessalonians 1:5d, ESV)   5) Necessary RESPONSES TO GOD   · I must TURN from my idols   "9For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols…(1 Thessalonians 1:9a, ESV)   · I must live to SERVE God alone.   "9…to serve the living and true God," (1 Thessalonians 1:9b, ESV)   · I must LOOK FORWARD to Christ's return.   "10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV)    

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 6: Stand & Fight! By Louie Marsh, 2-15-2026   Introduction – 3 slides   1) PREPARE myself.   For the rest, brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the might of his strength. Put on the panoply of God, that ye may be able to stand against the artifices of the devil: Ephesians 6:10-11 (Darby)   ·  STRENGTHEN myself.   "19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might" (Ephesians 1:19, ESV)   2) KNOW my enemy.   "12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)   · My real enemy – EVIL spiritual forces.   They are…   ·  POWERFUL   ·  SCHEMERS   3) Take a STAND!   "13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:13, ESV)   4) SOLDIER UP!   Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)   The Armor Of God:   · Belt =  SINCERE KNOWLEDGE of Christ, honesty in everything   "14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…(Ephesians 6:14a, ESV)   · Breastplate –  BEING RIGHT with God (justification)  right conduct   …having put on the breastplate of righteousness," (Ephesians 6:14b, ESV)   · Shoes – FIRMNESS that comes from knowing Christ; readiness to share the faith   "15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15, ESV)   · Shield – God's PROTECTION   "16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;" (Ephesians 6:16, ESV)   Faith in What?   Show Pictures of  Chamberlain, Edsel   "5Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." (Proverbs 30:5, ESV)   · Helmet – BLESSINGS of salvation,    "17and take the helmet of salvation… (Ephesians 6:17a, ESV)   "8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:8, ESV)   · Sword of the Spirit – God's WORD; the Spirit giving us the right words   "17…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," (Ephesians 6:17b, ESV)   "19When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19–20, ESV)   5) Pray it DOWN!   "18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," (Ephesians 6:18, ESV)   · Pray in the SPIRIT. ·  Use ALL TYPES of prayer. ·  Stay ALERT · Pray for OTHER BELIEVERS.   Excerpts from FDR's D-Day Prayer. Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote the D-Day Prayer with assistance from his daughter, Anna, and her husband, John Boettiger.   6) Pray for my SPIRITUAL LEADERS.   "19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:19–20, ESV)  

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 5: Be Filled with the Holy Spirit By Louie Marsh, 2-8-2026     1) I must be CONTINUALLY FILLED with the Holy Spirit.   "18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)   What does that mean? To be filled with the Spirit – or anything else – is to be controlled. So being Spirit filled isn't about emotions or experiences – it's about volunteering to allow God the Holy Spirit guide and control my life!   Here are some important things to understand about this much talked about verse.   · The verb is in the imperative mode - God commands us to be filled.   This isn't an option - it's part of letting Jesus be your Lord!  If you fail to seek this - you are disobeying God.   · Filled = controlled. When you are filled with anything it controls you – booze, food, drugs, sexual thoughts or images, greed, etc.   · The verb is in the present tense - this means it's an ongoing, continual action.   We are always to seek the Spirit's filling.  When we notice that our spiritual tank is getting low, we need to get tanked up - tanked up on the Spirit that is!   · The Verb is plural in number.  Meaning - it's for everybody!!   Being filled with the Spirit isn't just for Elders & preachers it's for every Christian, from the oldest to the youngest.   · The Verb is in the passive voice - meaning that the subject of the verb (us) is inactive but being acted upon!   You don't get filled by working for it.  No amount of crying, screaming, no amount of knowledge or degrees, will get it. No, you must bring a simple desire for the fullness and a complete surrender of your life to God.   2) What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?   ·  CONTROLED by the Spirit.   Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Eph. 5:18 (NLT)   ·  POWERED by the Spirit.   "8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…(Acts 1:8a, ESV)   "7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)   ·  DIRECTED by the Spirit.   "18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." (Galatians 5:18, ESV)   "14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:14, ESV)   WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RECEIVING THE SPIRIT & BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?   Receiving:   · Happens at SALVATION.   "5Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—" (Galatians 3:5, ESV)   · To Seal us as God's POSSESSION.   "13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit," (Ephesians 1:13, ESV)   · Is done ONCE FOR ALL.   "14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:14, ESV)   Filling:   ·  Happens AFTER SALVATION.   ·  For EMPOWERED SERVICE.   "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)   · Happens at DIFFERENT TIMES.   "8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders," (Acts 4:8, ESV)   "31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31, ESV)   PROOF THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE   "21…he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21–22, ESV)   "4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… (Acts 2:4, ESV)   ALL OF THIS IS SUMMED UP NEATLY WITH 3 LITTLE WORDS   WITH (para)– IN (en) – UPON (epi)   1. The Holy Spirit is with MANY PEOPLE he doesn't indwell.   "17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17, ESV)   2. The Holy Spirit is in  ALL who believe!   (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.) Romans 8:9b (NLT)   3. The Holy Spirit comes upon us in power when he FILLS US!   "15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning." (Acts 11:15, ESV)   "13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah." (1 Samuel 16:13, ESV)   Sermon Summary: The ONLY way to live Spirit empowered lives of service to God & those around us is stay full of the Holy Spirit!              

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 2: From Death to Life By Louie Marsh, 1-18-2026   Top 10 Preaching Rules   10: Any illustration can be massaged to fit any sermon. 9: If a story is funny enough, it doesn't have to fit the sermon. 8: A sermon that is "too short" is rarer than Bigfoot at a photographer's convention. 7: The kid who screams and throws a fit every week will wait until the quietest, most focused and serious moment of your sermon to let 'er rip. 6: The member who always gripes that you don't preach enough on (pick one) baptism/faith/giving/witnessing will be out of town the week you preach your best sermon ever on baptism/faith/giving/witnessing. 5: The two things people will remember from your sermons are: 1) mistakes and 2) funny or tear jerking stories. 4: People who request a sermon on a particular issue will miss church the day you preach it. 3: You are never as convicting as you think you are. 2: A mist in the pulpit is a fog in the pews. 1: Making God's Word boring or irrelevant is a sin.   TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY ALIVE…   1) I ACCEPT & ACT on my condition outside of Christ.   WE ARE SPIRITUALLY…   ·  SEPARATED from God.    "1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1, ESV)   o ACTIVE SINS = transgressions - knowingly crossing a boundary o  PASSIVE = sins  - missing the mark   ·  ENSLAVED   "2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind… (Ephesians 2:2–3a, ESV)   o To the WORLD   Kosmos – organized system of things, culture – not planet   o To the DEVIL   o To our OLD NATURE   "9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."" (Jeremiah 17:9–10, ESV)   ·  CONDEMNED   …and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." (Ephesians 2:2–3, ESV)   WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?   But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:47b (NIV)   If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal. Luke 7:47b (MSG)   By refusing to admit or believe this – and by conveniently leave it out of our Gospel presentations we are doing ourselves, those we talk too, and God Himself a disservice. 1) It degrades the non-Christian's real problem – they're not just dysfunctional – they are spiritually dead, hopelessly enslaved and condemned! 2) It degrades our understanding of things too, and produces in us and many of our converts a lack of depth in understanding of our wonderful Savior and salvation. 3) It degrades Christ! We turn Him from the all mighty wonderful Savior of the NT into someone who comes along to help us, give us some band aids, and boost our self image!   2) I BELIEVE & RECEIVE what we can become by Grace.   ·  Who? GOD   "4But God, being rich in mercy… (Ephesians 2:4a, ESV)   · What Did He Do? SAVED.   "4… because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus," (Ephesians 2:4–6, ESV)   o MADE ALIVE   o RAISED UP   o SAT DOWN   o All of this IN CHRIST!   In September of 1908, Giants player Fred Merkle committed what author Noel Hynd calls "baseball's most famous lapse." Dave Anderson says it has "endured for nearly a century as baseball's most controversial moment in baseball's most controversial pennant race."   It happened in the ninth inning of a Giants versus Cubs game.  The Giants came to bat with a chance to win. There were only three weeks left in the season and a win against the Cubs would put the Giants back in first place. There were two out, with runners on third and Fred Merkle on first.   Al Bridwell stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive into right center. The runner on third crossed the plate with the winning run but Merkle, instead of touching second, turned and ran quickly back to the clubhouse to avoid the oncoming crowd. The game was over or so he and everyone else thought.   A Cubs player noticed that Merkle had not touched second, took a ball to second base and called it to the umpire's attention. Later that night, the umpire ruled that Merkle was out and the next morning the National League allowed the ruling, saying the game had ended in a 1-1 tie.   In the press, Fred Merkle was blasted.  Merkle retired after the 1926 season and he retreated to the seclusion of Florida. Fred Merkle spent his remaining days in Daytona Beach. He became ill and passed away on March 2nd, 1956. Some years earlier, he had given an interview. In the back of a tackle shop, he told the reporter, "I suppose when I die, they'll put on my tombstone, 'Here Lies Bonehead Merkle.'"   The world can be an unforgiving place.  Make a mistake and you may never hear the end of it.  Make a big enough mistake, and it can ruin your life and label you forever as a goof, a screw-up, or even a bonehead.   · Why Do This? To make an eternal example of his GRACE!   "7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7, ESV)   · HOW Did He Do This?   "8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)   o By GRACE   A man dies and goes to heaven and of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates.  St. Peter says, "Here's how it works.  You need 100 points to make it into heaven.  You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was.  When you reach 100 points, you get in.   "Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."  "That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"     "Three points?"  He says.  "Well, I attended church all my life and fully supported its ministry with my tithe and service."  Terrific!"  Says St. Peter.  "That's certainly worth a point."     "One point!!!"  "I started a soup kitchen in my city and I worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."  "Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.     "Two points!!!"  Exasperated, the man cries.  "At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God."     "Bingo Dude! 100 points!  Come on in!"   o  Thru FAITH   o A GIFT   o Results – all glory going to GOD!   3) I GRASP & GLORIFY Whose I am!   "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)   · We are GOD'S work.   · We are HIS MASTERPIECE   · BUT – only IN CHRIST!   · Made To FULFILL God's plan for me.   "11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, declares the Lord…  (Jeremiah 29:11–14a, ESV)  

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 1: Our Standing In Christ By Louie Marsh, 1-11-2026 1) Who & what I AM. "1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are IN EPHESUS, and are faithful IN CHRIST JESUS: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1 1-2, ESV)   Intro.  Verses 3 - 14 have been called a Hymn of Grace.  They are a statement of our spiritual blessings in Christ.  These verses are one long, complex sentence in the Greek. According to Purdue University: Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly.   You can divide these verses into three parts.  1) The Father, 2) the Son, 3) the Spirit.  They are also mainly concerned with 1)the past, 2) the present, 3) the future.  These three sections are marked off by the repeated phrase "Praise of His Glory," or "glorious grace."  See verses 3, 12, 14.   This Passage is About   The Father -  The Past The Son – the Present The Spirit – The Future Created Loved Sealed Predestined Redeemed Guaranteed Blessed Blessed Blessed   Paul begins his letter by looking at what each member of the Trinity has done for those who have become followers of Christ.   2) I am BLESSED beyond measure.    3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us IN CHRIST with every spiritual blessing IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1 3-6, ESV)   Bless = eulogy.  The word literally means "to speak well of"   It's in the aorist tense, which refers to something done at a particular point in time, with effects still being felt now.  Example - rock in pond, ripples.   We bless God because He first blessed us   "19We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19, ESV)   God's word equals action. He created the universe by speaking so if God says you're blessed - you're blessed!   In the Heavenlies this phrase used 5 times in Ephesians and nowhere else by Paul. Paul is saying that these blessing of the Father reside in the unseen world of spiritual reality.  They are real - even though they can't always be seen.   Every Spiritual Blessing! Aorist Tense again. This is important, you have ALREADY BEEN GIVEN THIS! Freely Given. You don't have to do anything to earn this - works, praying through, study, etc. All These blessings are gifts of the Father's GRACE!!   3) God the Father CHOSE me before He created the universe.   4even as he chose us IN HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. IN LOVE 5he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV)   A Misunderstood Bible Truth. Entire Denominations have split over this issue of Predestination.  Obviously we don't have time today to go into it fully. This is my understanding of it in a nutshell.   God chose us. This word used in LXX of God's choice of Israel, implies taking a smaller number out of a larger group.  Written in aorist tense.   This choice is called Predestination. It's actually 2 words and literally means -  "Before the Horizon" & It was used of making a blueprint.   Add to this the word "before" in verse 4 which means "to see down into"   Then read I Peter 1: 1-2 and you arrive at what I believe is the Biblical doctrine of Predestination.   "1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you." (1 Peter 1:1–2, ESV)   "God knowing everything – even what we call the future (also called foreknowledge) based on that knowledge he chooses (predestines) those who respond to His Grace in Jesus Christ."   Our problem with this is we are time bound people used to dealing with things in a certain order, God isn't and doesn't.   4) To prove that GOD'S WAY is superior to Satan's or the world's way.   6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1:6, ESV)   Introduce Lindy Beige and show video – the world and the devil always rely on force. God doesn't.   5) Forgiveness is found ONLY in Christ.    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 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth IN CHRIST 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things IN HIM, things in heaven and things on earth.  (Ephesians 1:7–10, ESV)   · The grace of God in Christ is rich · It is LAVISHED upon us. · God does this wisely with insight · To show that only IN CHRIST will everyone & everything come together.   6) I am SEALED in Christ by the Holy Spirit.    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, 12so that we who were the first to hope IN CHRIST might be to the praise of his glory. 13IN HIM you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed IN HIM, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11–14, ESV)   · God CHOSE me – that's amazing. · I'm part of God working all things according to His will. · The Spirit seals me · He (Spirit) guarantee's our inheritance (all those spiritual blessings referred to above) until the time we can receive & live in them. · All of this results in the praise of God's glory.      

New Year's Sermon Coming Into Focus By Louie Marsh, 1-4-2026   Intro.  5 Cartoons, last one about being perfect just as I am.   36  He also told them a parable: "No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37  And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38  But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39  And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, 'The old is good.'" Luke 5:36-39 (ESV)   1) Change is INEVITABLE   2  When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. Mark 12:2 (ESV)   · That doesn't mean it's always GOOD   18  Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. Ecclesiastes 10:18 (ESV)   2) Becoming more like Christ doesn't "JUST HAPPEN."   3  and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 (ESV)   39  But 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 5:39 (ESV)   · It takes FOCUS,   2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)   ·  COMMITMENT (DISCIPLINE)   24  By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25  choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26  He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26 (ESV)   ·  PERSEVERANCE   1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)   3) Jesus wants you to make your choice CAREFULLY.   27  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28  For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30  saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31  Or 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? Luke 14:27-31 (ESV)  

Past, Present & Future Louie Marsh, 12-28-2025 Verse: 17  O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18  So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Psalm 71:17-18 (ESV)   THE PAST – A Great Place to Visit but don't LIVE THERE!   16  Thus says the LORD: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)   History is a great teacher, ·  LEARN from others mistakes · REFERENCE it to stay on course.   But A BAD Master!   62  Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 (ESV)   26  But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26 (ESV)   THE PRESENT – The Place Where…   · I can LIVE OUT my faith.   34  "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 (ESV   Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!  1 Cor. 9:19-23 (Mes)   ·  My FUTURE is born.   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 3:13-14 (ESV)   Example – Hezekiah.   · He started WELL!   2  He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. 3  And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. 4  He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). 5  He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. 2 Kings 18:2-5 (ESV)   1  In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover." 2  Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3  and said, "Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Isaiah 38:1-3 (ESV)   · But he finished WEAK.   The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord…."The word of the Lord you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime."   Isaiah 39:6,8   THE FUTURE – WHERE WE FINISH   17  "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2:17 (ESV)   How Can I Finish Strong?   1.  Keep my Eyes on GOD's WORD 2. Have a Healthy RELATIONSHIP  with the past. 3. Make Christ the unchallenged CENTER of my life! 4. Commit to die FACING the future.  

Christmas Songs Pt. 3: Simeon's Song By Louie Marsh, 12/21-2025   Intro – last cartoon, lights out together   1)  Worth  WAITING for.   "25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ." (Luke 2:25–26, ESV)   "12It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look." (1 Peter 1:12, ESV)   2) All about  SALVATION.   "30for my eyes have seen your salvation" (Luke 2:30, ESV)   "6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6, ESV)   3) For  EVERYONE!   "31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."" (Luke 2:31–32, ESV)   "6"I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations," (Isaiah 42:6, ESV)   4) A  MARVEL.   "33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him." (Luke 2:33, ESV)   "5"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." (Habakkuk 1:5, ESV)   It's Painful Face – Christmas is…   1) Worth DYING FOR.   "28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;" (Luke 2:28–29, ESV)   2) A  DECISION   "34And 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" (Luke 2:34, ESV)   "30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Matthew 12:30, ESV)   3) REVEALING   so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."" (Luke 2:35b, ESV)   "12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12–13, ESV)   4) PAINFUL   "35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), (Luke 2:35a, ESV)   "3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:3, ESV)  

Christmas Songs Pt. 2: Zechariah's Song By Louie Marsh, 12-14-2025 67  And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, Luke 1:67 (ESV)   Zachariah praises God for the birth of his son, John the Baptist, and the Messiah to come.   1) God VISITING us.   "68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited…" (Luke 1:68a, ESV)   "14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)   2) God REDEEMING us.   … and redeemed his people" (Luke 1:68b, ESV)   "4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4–5, ESV)   3) God DELIVERING us.   "69and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;" (Luke 1:69–71, ESV)   Show picture of Emily & play audio.   4) God showing us MERCY.   "72to show the mercy promised to our fathers…" (Luke 1:72a, ESV)   "12But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."" (Matthew 9:12–13, ESV)   5) God giving me PURPOSE.   "72… and to remember his holy covenant, 73the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us 74that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." (Luke 1:72b–75, ESV)   · My purpose is – to serve God – HIS WAY.   o The character of my service Is…   Ø Holy - focused on GOD.   "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." (Romans 12:1, ESV)   Ø Righteous – doing things GOD'S WAY.   "11Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."" (Galatians 3:11, ESV)   Ø Free – living in the light of the TRUTH.   "2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone." (Isaiah 9:2, ESV)   Ø Loving & Pleasing God  – without FEAR.   "18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." (1 John 4:18, ESV)   Ø Life Long – ALL our days   "8who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:8, ESV)   6) God FORGIVING us.   "76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."" (Luke 1:76–79, ESV)  

Christmas Songs Pt. 1: Mary's Song By Louie Marsh, 12-7-2025 In response to the situation at hand Mary recited a song which praised God's favor on her and her people. "The Magnificat," as the song is called, consists almost entirely of Old Testament allusions and quotations. The same is true of the songs of Zechariah and Simeon. Mary's song has similarities to Hannah's song. 1 Sam. 2:1-10 – First four verses on the PPT   1) Gratitude – for a PERSONAL relationship with God.   "46And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior," (Luke 1:46–47, ESV)   Some have wondered how this young woman managed to speak these insightful words. We can take this beautiful song as coming from the lips of a woman who deeply loved God and to whom God gave special understanding of what he was doing. Just as the Holy Spirit gave Elizabeth insight, so Mary received it as well   "12But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12–13, ESV)   2) Hope – because appearances are DECEPTIVE.   "48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant…" (Luke 1:48a, ESV)   ·  The FOOLISHNESS of God.   "25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."…"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;" (1 Corinthians 1:25,27, ESV)   3) Wonder – over GOD'S PLAN for my life.   "48… from now on all generations will call me blessed;" (Luke 1:48b, ESV)   When Mary said, "From now on all generations will call me blessed," was she being proud? No, she was recognizing and accepting the gift God had given her. If Mary had denied her privileged position, she would have been throwing God's blessing back at him. Pride is refusing to accept God's gifts or taking credit for what God has done; humility is accepting the gifts and using them to praise and serve God. Don't deny, belittle, or ignore your gifts. Thank God for them and use them to his glory   "11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)   4) Excitement – that GOD'S POWER accomplishes His Plan!   "49for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." (Luke 1:49, ESV)   "29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Colossians 1:29, ESV)   5) Relief – I'm FORGIVEN & RESTARTED by His Mercy!   "50And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation." (Luke 1:50, ESV)   THE BIG PICTURE   1) Peace – God is in CONTROL.   "51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;" (Luke 1:51–52, ESV)   2) Joy – God EXALTS the humble.   "53he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty." (Luke 1:53, ESV)   3) Faith – God will NEVER leave me.    "54He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."" (Luke 1:54–55, ESV)   "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)  

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)