E.P.I.C. Word of Truth

To fully understand what is happening here, we must return to the scene on earth where the final war—the War of Armageddon—is reaching its peak. The Antichrist, still in power and enraged by the destruction of his headquarters in Babylon, now targets Jerusalem to establish his final seat of authority. Stages of the Campaign of Armageddon So Far: Stage I – Movement Toward Jezreel Valley: This happens as the Euphrates is dried up and the Antichrist begins advancing westward across the Euphrates into Israel, aiming to invade Jerusalem in his last-ditch effort to defend his empire from God. Stage II – Babylon Attacked and Destroyed: God ensures the final and complete destruction of the city with the final vial judgment, as the Antichrist marches on Jerusalem. We mentioned how God possibly could have used Russia for this. Daniel 11:44 speaks of the moment the Antichrist receives this news about this. Stage III – The Siege of Jerusalem and the Battle at Bozrah (Petra): The Antichrist being enraged over the report of the total destruction of Babylon, desires the total annihilation of all believing Jews and Christians and launches a final offensive: At Bozrah (Edom): He targets the protected Jews hiding in Petra. Prophets like Jeremiah foretell the Lord's defense and destruction of the Antichrist's forces there. And at Jerusalem: Armies from all nations besiege the city. Prophets Joel, Isaiah, Micah, and Zechariah describe the siege in vivid, prophetic detail. Jerusalem will be surrounded, humbled, and pressed—but will cry out in repentance and faith. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more Bible lessons, teachings, books, video teachings, and resources please visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

There is coming a day that will burst the seams of joy itself. There is a supper on the schedule of eternity that will make every wedding you have ever attended seem like a shadow. It will not be a wedding of one man and one woman, but of the Bride and the Lamb. It will not take place in a cathedral but in Heaven itself. And when the trumpet sounds, and the sky rolls back, and the clouds part as a scroll, revealing the King in His glory—what will follow is not just judgment, not just triumph, but celebration. This is the marriage supper of the Lamb!! And my heart is so stirred by this, because if you are in Christ, this is your wedding day. This is the moment when longing is satisfied, when the Church—spotless, radiant, glorified—is united forever with Her Bridegroom. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more resources and Bible teaching, visit our website faithfoundations.church

Imagine a moment when every voice on earth falls silent—the cities that once roared with traffic and trade, the parliaments that once passed their policies, the theaters that once entertained the masses, the stadiums that once erupted with applause—all fall silent. The music has stopped. The lights have gone out. The laughter of sin is gone. And in that vast silence… a new sound rises—not from earth, but from Heaven. “Alleluia.” This is not poetic hyperbole. This is prophetic reality. We are standing at the brink of the end of the world system as we know it—Babylon is falling. The great city, symbolic of all human rebellion, religious deception, and economic corruption, is not merely being judged—she is being erased. Revelation 18:21–19:3 is God's thunderous final word on a world that said to Him, “We will not have this man to reign over us.” It is the funeral of the godless, followed immediately by the wedding music of the saints. Babylon is gone. The Bride is ready. And Heaven erupts in the loudest hallelujah the Bible has ever recorded. What do you do when God finally judges every wrong? When every injustice is answered? When every martyr's cry is vindicated? You worship. You lift your voice not in horror, but in hallelujah. Because when God judges, He does so in truth and righteousness. And when Babylon falls, Heaven doesn't mourn—it sings. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more resources, Bible teachings and lessons visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

There are seasons in the Christian life when we cannot see what God is doing. We pray, but there seems to be no answer. We seek direction, but the path remains unclear. We long to sense His presence, but instead, we feel silence. Job experienced this kind of deep distress. His life had been shattered—his family taken, his health destroyed, his wealth lost. And in his suffering, he searched for God but could not find Him. "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him." (Job 23:8) Yet, in the midst of his darkness, Job declares a profound truth, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) Just because you can't see God doesn't mean He isn't working. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more Bible teaching, studies, and resources visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

In this sermon, we are considering what to do when God has not said “yes,” and He has not said “no.” He's just said… “Wait.” And it is in that place—that long, painful, uncertain place—that Isaiah 40 speaks with such tenderness, such hope, and such power. You see, if we are honest—we all hate to wait. We hate it because waiting reminds us we are not in control. And we like control, don't we? We like plans. We like progress. We like seeing the next step. We like speed. But then life hits the brakes, and we hit a wall. And we find ourselves in that painful, confusing, in-between space—the space where God has not said “yes,” but He has not said “no” either. He's just said… “Wait.” And the truth is—we do not know what to do with that. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more Bible teachings, studies, and resources visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

Part of Unveiling the End Times Series Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more study materials and resources, visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more helpful Bible studies and resources visit our website @ faithfoundations.church What do you do when God does not do what you have asked Him to do? What do you do when you pray the right prayer, for the right reason, with the right heart— and the answer is no? Not silence. Not “wait.” Not “in a little while.” But a hard, clear, painful “no.” What do you do when God says no? You asked for the healing—and it did not come. You asked for the door to open—but it stayed shut – like really shut like slammed shut. You asked for the storm to pass—but it pressed in harder. You begged for the burden to be lifted—but it's still on your back, day after day. And what's even harder to swallow is this: You know God could have said yes. He had the power to do it. He had the authority to do it. He had the compassion to do it. But He didn't. He didn't do it. He said very plainly no.  And now you are left with a question that shakes your faith to its core: Can I or How Do I Trust God When He Says No? This is where faith begins to grow or unravel. Because saying “yes” to God when He says “yes” to us is easy. But saying “yes” to God when He says “no” to us— That's where trust becomes real. That's where hope is tested. That's where belief is refined. And that's exactly where the apostle Paul found himself in 2 Corinthians 12. Here's a man who had seen things no one else had seen.

So what you have in Micah 7 is the voice of a righteous man living in a nation under judgment. He is not naive about the sin around him, and he is not unaware of the sin within him. He feels the weight of national collapse and the weight of personal guilt. He has watched justice break down, truth be silenced, and enemies rise in power. But—in the midst of it all, Micah speaks words that defy despair. "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise..." (v. 8) That is what makes this passage so compelling. It is a cry of defiant hope. This is not an idealist. This is a man who has been in the valley, who has tasted the consequences of sin, who has witnessed devastation, and yet—he still looks up and says, "My God will hear me... He will bring me forth to the light... I shall behold His righteousness." Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more resources, teaching & preaching please visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

We live our lives surrounded by the tangible, the visible, and the physical. Yet, that is the least of our reality. The greatest part of our reality we cannot see. The spiritual world is vast and eternal. We navigate our days based on what our eyes see and what our hands touch. But Scripture tells us that beyond the veil of our senses lies an invisible world filled with celestial beings—angels—sent by God Himself, engaged in divine ministry, and intricately involved in our lives. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com Visit our website for more resources and teaching: faithfoundations.church

One of the realities of the Christian life that is often misunderstood is the presence of spiritual dryness. There are times when we feel vibrant, when prayer is easy, when the Word of God leaps off the page and grips our hearts. There are seasons when obedience flows naturally, when the fire of devotion burns bright, and when we feel a deep sense of intimacy with the Lord. But… there are also times when none of that seems to be true. There are seasons in the Christian life when we simply don't want to do anything. We don't want to read the Bible. We don't want to pray. We don't want to fight sin. We don't even want to go through the motions. The fire we once had seems to have burned low, and we feel spiritually dull, tired, and numb. This is not uncommon. In fact, this kind of struggle is woven throughout the pages of Scripture. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more resources visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

The Apostle Paul, the most influential missionary in church history, a man of unwavering faith and perseverance, openly confesses here that he was "pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life." This is not a casual statement. The Greek word for despaired (ἐξαπορέομαι, exaporeō) means to be utterly without a way out, completely at a loss, to feel trapped with no escape. This is deep affliction. This is the kind of suffering that pushes a person to the very brink. This is the kind of affliction that pushes a person to the edge where life itself feels like it is slipping away. This is the inspired Word of God - Paul is not exaggerating here. He is describing a moment in which he and his companions believed they were going to die. And yet, what do we see in this passage? That God had a purpose even in this depth of suffering—to strip Paul of all self-reliance and teach him to trust only in "God which raiseth the dead” (v.9). This passage is not just about suffering; it is about where we place our trust in suffering. Paul's affliction serves as a lesson for us: When we reach the end of our rope, the end of our strength, we discover the sufficiency of God's power. Let's examine four key truths from this passage that will help us understand how we, as believers, are to respond when we find ourselves despairing even of life. The Weight of Suffering The Purpose of Suffering The Power of Deliverance The Role of Prayer Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com For more teaching, resources & helps visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

Paul is about to lay down qualifications—not preferences, not cultural norms, not church customs, not traditional requirements, but divine biblical requirements. The character of these men will determine the health of the church.  If they are compromised, the church will be compromised. If they are men of God, as imperfect as these men may be— but if they strive for holiness, if they are fearless in proclaiming “thus saith the Lord”, if they are men of the Bible, if they are unwavering in their commitment to God's Word then the church will be strong, the church will be steadfast, and the church will be unshakable. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com Visit our website for more resources and teaching @ faithfoundations.church  

This is one of the most controversial passages in 1 Timothy. And one of the most controversial and ignored or twisted passages in all of Paul's letters, of the New Testament, and all of the Bible. It has not always been controversial, twisted, or ignored. That is a more recent phenomenon in the history of the church. And controversial does not necessarily mean unclear. It is very clear. The passage itself is not too difficult to understand. Our problems with it today have to do with the proper and biblical application of this text. It has been gotten wrong, and misused and abused – quite often in my opinion, among conservative circles. We believe the Bible is God's Word to us. We believe this passage is God's Word to us. So we cannot ignore it. We should not abuse it. We must strive to get it right – and then believe it, preach it, teach it, and live it out. If this is not God's word, then the problems with the application of this passage disappear. Then you can simply say, Times have changed. But we are not a liberal church – we are a biblical church. So we affirm this to be God's Word for us today – just as much as it was God's Word for the 1st century Christians that first heard it. It is as relevant today as it ever was. Visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

This passage assumes that we already have a grasp on God's purpose for men and women. Paul assumes that is basic and elementary, but in our society today, unfortunately for many this is not the case. Paul refers back to Genesis 1, 2, and 3 — so, there is something that we need to know from Genesis before we can make sense of 1 Timothy. With this sermon, we are going to go back to the basics and seek to give a concise theology of the sexes. I am using the word “sexes” intentionally because I am trying to get at the normal, natural, biological reality of men and women.  Now, we are called to honor God's design in an Age of Confusion. We are living in a day where the world has lost its mind. The culture we see around us is not just confused—it is in open rebellion against the God of the universe. It has forsaken truth, rejected creation, and shaken its fist at the Almighty. One of the clearest battlegrounds of that rebellion is the denial of God's design for men and women. The world hates It hates the order of creation. It hates the headship of man. It hates the beauty of biblical womanhood. And it will shout down, cancel, and destroy anyone who dares to stand against its radical self-destruction. And yet, stand, we must! We must not compromise. We must not waver. We must not shrink back in fear. Because this is not about personal preference or cultural tradition—this is about God's glory. This is about obedience to His Word. This is about whether we will bow to the spirit of this age or whether we will submit to the unchanging and holy authority of Scripture. Visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

In these verses, God is summoning us through His Word to a life of prayer that shakes the heavens and transforms the earth. 1 Timothy 2:1, 7-8 stands as a holy command, beckoning us to prioritize prayer—not as a perfunctory duty, but as an all-encompassing posture of our lives before the living God. The Apostle Paul's words thunder down through the centuries: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men… [then verse 8] I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." “I exhort” “I will” What does this mean for us today? It means that our prayers are not peripheral to our faith—they are the very lifeblood of our communion with God. It means that to pray is not merely to speak into the void; it is to step boldly into the throne room of grace, where the King of kings bends His ear to hear us. And it means that the purity of our hearts, the truth of our words, and the faithfulness of our actions matter infinitely in the sight of God. But here is the question that presses upon us with unrelenting urgency: Do we live as if prayer is our lifeline to God? Or have we allowed prayer to be reduced to a hurried formality, a rushed checklist, or a desperate last resort? Paul's exhortation cuts through our complacency like a blade: Pray! Pray everywhere. Pray with holy hands lifted, hearts unshackled by anger, and minds fortified against doubt. This is not a casual request; it is a divine summons to live with heaven in view and Christ at the center of all we do. It is a call to be a people who pray with urgency, speak truth with boldness, and approach God with faith that moves mountains. For more resources and study material please visit our website @ faithfoundations.church

No amount of effort or ingenuity could ever bridge that gap. Yet, into this hopelessness, God Himself provided the only solution. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, not just to show the way, but to be the way—the one and only mediator who could bring sinful humanity back into fellowship with God. Today, we turn to one of the most powerful and foundational texts in Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5-7. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declares with clarity and urgency, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” This passage confronts a world that loves to believe in “many ways” to God, in endless “doors” to heaven. It contradicts a culture that prizes individualism and self-made spirituality. But here we see an unyielding truth: There are not many ways, only one. There are not many mediators, only one. There are not many doors, only one—Jesus Christ, the one who gave Himself as a ransom for all. This message is more than theology; it is the heartbeat of the gospel. It declares the exclusivity of Jesus as the only means of salvation and emphasizes that His work on the cross was sufficient and final.

Let us fix our hearts and minds on the grandeur of God's righteous judgment, a truth proclaimed from the pages of His eternal Word. As we delve into the mystery of divine justice upon Babylon, that city of ancient pride and rebellion, we are drawn to the sovereign orchestration of God in the affairs of nations, “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will” (Revelation 17:17). Babylon—first among the Gentile kingdoms to subdue God's chosen people, Israel—was not merely a tool of conquest but an instrument of divine discipline. Thus saith the Lord through His prophet, "And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 51:24). How sobering is this truth: God, who raises up rulers and nations, also casts them down for their pride and iniquity. Babylon, far more than an ancient empire, stands as a symbol of every false system of worship and rebellion against the Most High. From her idolatrous foundations to her end-time personification as the harlot of Revelation 17, she epitomizes humanity's defiance against the holy God. As we contemplate this, let us marvel at the divine paradox: God's sovereign use of evil to accomplish His purposes while rendering just recompense to wickedness. Babylon's rise and fall unveil both the holiness of God and the rebellious heart of man. Yet, in these judgments, we see the gospel's shadow—pointing to the ultimate victory of Christ, the Lamb who was slain, who will one day cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess His Lordship. Visit our website for more resources and teachings: faithfoundations.church

For the church to fulfill what I Timothy 2:1-4 teaches us, and tells us the church is supposed to do, we need to be a healthy church, a biblical church, in other words, a strong church. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com Please visit our website: faithfoundations.church for many more resources to help you in your faith journey. 

Have you ever paused to consider what it means to worship a God who is infinitely wise? His wisdom is not like ours—limited, flawed, or bound by time. His wisdom is eternal, universal, and incomprehensible. It is a wisdom that designed the heavens, ordered the earth, and set the boundaries of the seas (Proverbs 3:19). It is a wisdom that governs the rise and fall of nations, the movement of the stars, and the beating of your very heart. But more than the grand works of creation, consider this: God's wisdom reached into the abyss of human sin and, through the foolishness of the cross, made a way for sinners like us to be reconciled to Him (1 Corinthians 1:21 - For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe). Think about it—while we were lost, blind, and running headlong into destruction, God's wisdom wove a plan of redemption so perfect, so profound, that even the angels marvel at it (Ephesians 3:10). And yet, how often do we lean on our own understanding, dismissing His perfect wisdom for the fleeting counsel of man? How often do we measure God's ways by our standards, doubting His goodness when life's path twists and turns? The wisdom of God is not a mere theological concept; it is the foundation of our faith, the comfort of our trials, and the guiding light for our lives.

This is our fourth message in I Timothy and we have seen a charge, its purpose, and why it was necessary in 1:1-7. Paul introduces his letter to Timothy with a command: “charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (vs.3-4).   The charge is a command to not teach things that undermine, mute, or contradict the gospel or engage in needless debates or questions that do not edify. Its aim is love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. The implication is that true doctrine creates and sustains a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith, and in so doing produces love. Paul is saying that everything he teaches, and every command he gives to be rid of false doctrine is for the sake of faith that produces love.    It was necessary because some men who wanted to be teachers of the law were misusing it and in so doing undermining the gospel. This leads Paul to an explanation of the law and its proper use in verses 8-11. Paul then spends 6 verses explaining how he came to have this ministry of ensuring that truth was being taught in the local church; and how God transformed him from a blasphemer into a faithful gospel teacher (1:12-17).   And then there is a hard stop at the end of verse 17.  A very strong, “enough about me.” A point at which I think a summary is appropriate. Like Paul, Timothy is to call others to believe and teach “sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God” (vs.10-11). Or another way to word it or look at it: Timothy is to call the church, the local church to right faith and right teaching, which flows from and agrees with the gospel. He is to ensure that the faith and teaching in the local church fits with the gospel. He is to protect and promote true doctrine. This leads us to our current text, which can be summarized this way: War a good warfare for the sake of your faith.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” The apostle Paul is so straightforward and simple here. He is intending to give us something that he wants us to hold onto. He is telling us something here that he wants us to never forget. And this is it — that Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners. That is the main message of this passage, and therefore it is the main message of this sermon. It is also the main message of this church. This is the reason why any of us are here right now. Its because Jesus saves sinners. 

When Paul refers to “the law,” what does he have in mind? Is it laws in general and how they work, or the commands of Christ specifically, or the Old Testament law in particular? And what does it mean for how we as Christians read and teach about “the law” today? But before we get to the question about law, there is another we need to tackle first. So let's approach  I Timothy 1:8–11 by asking (and answering) three questions. What is “sound doctrine” (v.10) How do Christians use the Old Testament Properly? (vs.8-10) Why is the “Glorious Gospel” so Good? (v.11) Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com  

The epistle opens with words that demand our attention, setting before us a foundation so steadfast that it has weathered the scrutiny and storms of time, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord" (I Timothy 1:1-2). In these verses, we find a declaration as firm as the apostle's calling, and as broad in scope as the eternal purposes of God Himself. There is a power, a divine authority that flows through Paul's words here, tracing its origins to the very command of God—a command that is not a mere suggestion but an edict of heaven itself. Paul calls himself an apostle not by choice, nor by chance, but by the commandment of "God our Saviour." We are called to serve by the commandment of "God our Saviour." Paul knows that his purpose is not self-willed but divinely mandated, pointing us toward the infinite grace and boundless mercy of God, who has orchestrated history to bring forth His Son as the beacon of hope for a broken humanity. As we reflect on this greeting, it is not just an ancient salutation; it is an invitation to consider the weight of this commission. Timothy is called “my own son in the faith,” a reminder of the relational fabric of Christian discipleship and community that binds us to Christ and each other.

We live in a world saturated with distractions. Every day, we are bombarded by messages, advertisements, and noise that pull us away from the most vital, most soul-sustaining, most life-giving truth available—the Word of Christ. The question for us today is not whether we are being influenced, but by what are we being influenced? What is shaping your mind, your heart, your decisions? If you are not allowing the Word of God to dwell in you richly, something else is. And the stakes could not be higher. Paul commands us in Colossians 3:16 to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” This is not just a suggestion or an option for those who have extra time. It is an urgent and vital command for every believer. If the Word of God is not filling your mind and saturating your soul, you will be starved spiritually, and you will begin to drift. There is no middle ground here. Either the Word of God is dwelling richly in you, transforming your mind, and guiding your steps (Romans 12:2), or the world is creeping in, filling the void with its own empty promises. But Paul does not stop with the command to dwell on the Word. He emphasizes the richness of it—“dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” This is not a shallow, surface-level engagement with Scripture. What Paul is talking about is a deep, transformative, life-changing relationship with the Word.

We are indeed facing an urgent crisis in missions today. As of 2024, there are an estimated 3.4 billion people—roughly 42% of the world's population—who live in unreached people groups. These are people with little or no access to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They reside in places where there is no viable Christian witness, no church presence, and often no Bible in their language. Most of these unreached groups are concentrated in the "10/40 Window," which stretches from West Africa across Asia, home to over 3.2 billion unreached souls​.[1] This staggering number highlights the immense need for missions. Without intentional effort, these people will live and die without ever hearing the good news of Christ. It underscores the urgency of sending missionaries, supporting missionaries, and fervently praying for laborers to enter the harvest fields both in the world and here at home. In Romans 10, the Apostle Paul lays out a clear and compelling message about the necessity of getting the gospel to all people. The urgency of missions is clear, and Paul's words echo across the ages: “How shall they hear without a preacher?” Paul, writing with passion and urgency, reminds us that "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (v.13). But before we can see people calling on the name of Jesus, we must ask, "How will they hear?"   [1] (Koering, 2024) Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com Visit our website @ FaithFoundations.Church

There is a profound and foundational truth we need to grasp as believers in Jesus Christ: When we were saved, something radical happened. We were not just given the way to heaven, no, we were made new. There's just something about the risen life. In our previous message, we learned that we need to: Seek the things above with all your heart. Slay the sins that entangle you. Stop the old patterns of behavior that belong to your former life. In this message we will see how we have: Something to Start Something to Settle Something to Surrender   The Bible says in II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” In Colossians 3:10, the Apostle Paul declares this transformation clearly: “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Paul is not just giving us theology to ponder here; he is laying out a powerful challenge. You have put on the new man—now start living like it! Start acting like the new creation God has made you to be. This is where the battle begins, isn't it? We know we have been made new in Christ, but too often we still live like the old person. We fall back into sinful habits, we let worldly desires dictate our decisions, and we forget that we have been given a new nature, a nature that longs to serve God in righteousness. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com Visit our website @ FaithFoundations.Church  

“If ye then be risen with Christ.” What a staggering reality! Paul is not offering us a suggestion here—he is declaring a truth that changes everything. If you are in Christ, if you've truly been born again, you are not who you used to be. You have been raised to new life! This is not just some metaphorical language or spiritual sentiment. You have, by the power of God, been resurrected with Christ Himself! And now, this new life should govern everything about you. If we are indeed risen with Christ, then, why do we live as if we are still buried in the old ways? Why do we grope around in the darkness, enslaved to earthly things, when we have been called to walk in newness of life, in the light of His glorious resurrection? This is not just an abstract theological idea—it is the bedrock of our entire Christian existence. The resurrection of Christ was not just a historical event that we commemorate on Easter. No! The resurrection is a living, breathing reality that should infiltrate and transform every corner of our lives. When Paul says, “If ye then be risen with Christ,” he is declaring that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work in you! How can we possibly remain unchanged by that? Paul follows this with a command: “Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Here is the question: Are you seeking the things that are above? Are your thoughts and affections set on Christ, or are they tangled up in the trivial pursuits of this fading world? Paul is saying, if you have been saved, “You've been raised from death to life—now live like it!” Contact us @ 4faithfoudations@gmail.com Visit our website @ FaithFoundations.Church

We live in a time when hunger for many things dominates the world—hunger for power, influence, wealth, and pleasure. Yet, Jesus calls His people to hunger and thirst for something far greater: righteousness. What does this mean, and how does it apply not just to our personal lives but also to the broader life of our nation? To hunger and thirst for righteousness is not simply a religious aspiration but a deep-seated, urgent desire for God's moral order to reign in every aspect of life. The profound truth of Matthew 5:6 calls for nothing less than a total orientation of our lives toward the righteousness of God. We are not meant to nibble at the edges of righteousness or sample it like a buffet where we pick and choose what we want. No, this hunger and thirst Jesus speaks of is intense. It is a yearning, a deep longing that can only be satisfied by the fullness of God's presence and His righteous reign. It is a desire so overwhelming that it drives every thought, every decision, and every action. But here's the tragedy: this hunger can be dulled. As you feed your heart and mind with entertainment, comfort, and empty pleasures that do nothing to nourish your soul and, worse, dull your appetite for what truly matters. This is Where Many in our Culture Find Themselves Today Even Christians can fall into the trap of consuming the empty promises of a culture that denies God and His righteousness. But the hunger remains. Deep down, there is an ache—a hunger planted by God Himself—that longs for more than what the world can offer. That hunger is meant to drive us to God, but we must be vigilant, for the distractions of the world can quickly dull our spiritual appetites. As Christians, this hunger is not just personal. It has societal implications. Proverbs 14:34 declares, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” If righteousness exalts a nation, then what logically flows from that verse is that our desire for righteousness, then, must extend beyond our own lives and our own families.   It must influence how we engage in society. It must influence how we vote. It must influence how we speak and engage with the culture around us. And it must influence how we stand for truth. We are called to be salt and light in a world that desperately needs both (Matthew 5:13-16). But to do so, as Christians, as God's people, we must first recover a deep hunger for the righteousness of God, not only for ourselves but for our nation. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com Visit our website @ FaithFoundations.Church

In Matthew 5:5, we encounter one of the most counter-cultural statements Jesus ever made: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Think about that for a moment. Jesus, standing on that hillside, surrounded by the crowds, looking into the eyes of a people oppressed by the might of Rome, spoke these words: "Blessed are the meek." Not the powerful. Not the aggressive. Not the influential. The meek. “Blessed are the meek. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com Visit our website for other resources: FaithFoundations.Church

Revelation 16:8-16 is a vision of unrelenting judgment—vials of wrath poured out from heaven, scorching heat, suffocating darkness, and the assembling of armies for the final battle. This is not a distant, metaphorical warning. This is the real end of the world, and the horror we read about is not confined to paper—it is coming. The sun, which once gave life, will burn with an unbearable heat. The very air will grow thick with demonic deception. And nations, in a spiritual blindness, will march to the valley of Armageddon, where God Himself will bring His justice upon a rebellious world. But here is what should make us tremble most: even in the midst of these divine judgments, men will curse the name of God. They will see the plagues, feel the heat, experience the darkness, and yet, they “repented not to give Him glory” (Revelation 16:9). How can the heart be so hardened? How can humanity persist in defiance even as the earth crumbles beneath them? As we dig into these verses, I want you to feel the weight of this truth. This is not just about them—this is about us. This is a warning to our generation, and to every person who hears this word today. The time is short. The judgment is real. And the only hope is repentance before the living God. Visit our website: FaithFoundations.Church Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com

As we enter this passage in Revelation 16, the question that should echo in our hearts is this: “Are you ready to face the wrath of God?” And if you are not ready, what is holding you back from running to Christ today? Let's pray for eyes to see and hearts to respond as we walk through this solemn and urgent text together. In our passage, we see a vivid, terrifying picture of the judgment of God being poured out upon a rebellious world. This passage describes the beginning of the seven vial judgments, a final series of plagues unleashed upon the earth before the return of Christ. We are entering into a period of judgment unlike anything the world has ever seen—one that will make the plagues of Egypt look like minor inconveniences in comparison. There is urgency in this passage, and we must feel that urgency today. This is not a future that is far off. God's patience will not last forever, and when His wrath is finally poured out: it will be swift, it will be severe, and it will be utterly righteous. The time for grace will give way to the time for judgment. Visit our website: FaithFoundations.Church Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com    

In Matthew 5:4, Jesus, in part, speaks to these very experiences: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." But what does it mean to mourn in the way Jesus speaks of? This is not just any mourning; it is a righteous mourning, a mourning that flows from the heart of God Himself. Jesus promises comfort to those who mourn in this way. But this comfort is not the fleeting solace of worldly distractions; it is the profound, enduring comfort that flows from the very heart of God, who is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). This comfort is rooted in the cross, where Christ bore the full weight of our sins and opened the way for ultimate healing and restoration. Righteous mourning, as spoken of in Matthew 5:4, is a deep, spiritual sorrow that aligns with God's heart. It is not merely the grief that comes from personal loss or disappointment, but a mourning that arises from the recognition of the devastating effects of sin—both in our own lives and in the world around us. This mourning is a profound sorrow over a child who has turned away from the faith embracing the lies of the world. It is a mourning that recognizes the breakup of a marriage is not just the end of a relationship; it is the tearing apart of a sacred covenant that God has ordained. It is a sorrow that grieves over the loss of what God has joined together, recognizing the spiritual implications and the reflection of Christ's love for the Church. This mourning is accompanied by a deep reliance on God's promise to bring beauty from the ashes of brokenness. The death of a loved one brings profound grief, but for the believer, this mourning is also righteous because it acknowledges the intrusion of sin and death into God's good creation. This mourning is comforted by the assurance that we will be reunited with our loved ones in the presence of God. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" (I Thessalonians 4:14). Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” For the one who mourns in righteousness, there is the assurance that God is near to the brokenhearted and that He is a God: who redeems brokenness, who can bring beauty, and new joy into your life from the ashes, and who uses even our deepest sorrows to conform us more to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28). Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com

Pause with me for a moment and consider the staggering truth that confronts us. The God whom we worship is not a distant deity, confined to the lofty heavens, removed from the turmoil of this world. He is not a God who merely watches from afar, unconcerned with the pain and suffering of His creation. No, our God is both omnipresent and immanent. He is everywhere at once, and He is intimately near—so close that the very breath in your lungs is a testimony to His sustaining power. Let the weight of this sink in: The Almighty, who spoke the universe into existence, is not just beyond the stars; He is also right here, in this very room, in this very moment. The Psalmist cries out in Psalm 139:7-10, "Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me." Can you fathom that? There is no corner of this universe, no depth of despair, no height of joy where He is not present. You cannot escape His presence—nor should you want to! For this omnipresent God is not just everywhere: He is with you. He knows your fears. He knows your struggles. He knows your heartaches, and He stands ready to hold you, guide you, and comfort you with His omnipotent hand. This is not a God who is indifferent or aloof. This is a God who cares. A God who is involved. A God who is near. So, let us approach this truth with awe, with trembling, and with a heart yearning to know more of this God who is both transcendent in His majesty and immanent in His grace. Let us dive deep into the riches of His omnipresence and immanence, and may our souls be forever changed by the revelation of His glorious nearness. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com

Link to notes talked about in this episode: Faith Foundations Imagine a vast, invisible world teeming with spiritual beings – most of which are, thankfully, ministering spirits. These spirits are ancient, they are powerful, and they are purposeful. They were all created by God before the foundation of the world. These beings, known as angels, move at the command of the Almighty, executing His will with unwavering precision. Yet, not all of these beings remain in the light. Some have fallen, having rebelled against their Creator, casting themselves into darkness, becoming the enemies of our souls. These fallen angels, led by Lucifer, now seek to deceive, to kill, and to destroy. This is not merely a cosmic tale of good versus evil. This is our reality. These angels, both holy and fallen, are woven into the fabric of our lives and our spiritual battles. They are not distant, ethereal forces; they are active, engaged, and integral to the drama of redemption. In this message, we will embark on a journey through the Scriptures, where the veil between the seen and unseen is drawn back. We will encounter the terrifying reality of fallen angels and their moral corruption. We will end with a crescendo of hope, a trumpet blast of victory. Though the fallen angels wage their war, the battle is already won. Christ, our conquering King, has triumphed over them at the cross, disarming principalities and powers, and making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). In Him, we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), and no force in heaven, on earth, or in hell can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com

As we delve into this text, I want you to feel the weight of what is at stake. This is not just an ancient prophecy; it is a divine warning and a call to worship. God's justice is not to be trifled with, but neither is His grace. He offers you a way of escape, through the blood of the Lamb. But that offer has an expiration date. The question before us is urgent: Will you stand with those who sing the song of the Lamb, or will you face the seven last plagues? Let us approach this passage with reverence and trembling, with awe and with urgency, knowing that what we are about to explore is not fiction, but the very future of this world—a future ordained by the sovereign hand of God. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to respond to the truth that is set before us. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com  

With Matthew 5:4, there are so many different ways and angles you can look at this text. Originally, we were going to have a message on mourning and meekness, and then, the more I wrestled with this text, the more I thought about it and prayed over it, I realized we need to spend just some time on the mourning aspect maybe even a couple of messages on mourning before we move on to Matthew 5:5. This message is going to be about mourning, and exactly what mourning or kind of mourning Jesus is talking about. What Jesus is telling us here is that this mourning is a righteous mourning. With that, we are going to look at mourning over sin, which is the main application of this passage, but this passage also covers the comforting of all those who mourn righteously and so we are going to look at several different aspects of how you can mourn righteously. I think the main areas in which you can experience this righteous mourning are: (1) mourning over your sins and the sins of the world (which is the primary application of this text), (2) mourning over a wayward child, a prodigal, child, (3) morning over the loss of a loved one, and (4) mourning over the dissolution of a marriage. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com  

John sees "one like unto the Son of man" sitting on a white cloud, wearing a golden crown and holding a sharp sickle (Revelation 14:14). This imagery of “one like unto the Son of Man” signifies the authority of this figure to carry out this harvesting. Notice verses 15-16, “another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth…” (Revelation 14:15-16). We see here “one like unto the Son of Man,” at the cry of “another angel” thrusts in his sickle and reaps the harvest of the earth, gathering the faithful to God (Revelation 14:15-16). This harvest represents the righteous being brought into the presence of the Lord. Mark 13:27 "And then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." In stark contrast, another angel emerges from the temple in Heaven, also holding a sharp sickle. This angel is instructed to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, representing the wicked, and cast them into "the great winepress of the wrath of God" (Revelation 14:17-19). The ensuing imagery of blood flowing from the winepress, reaching "unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs" (Revelation 14:20), vividly depicts the severity of God's judgment upon the unrepentant. May this sobering vision drive us to deeper faithfulness and a greater commitment to the Lord, as we await the day when He will bring His righteous judgment upon the earth. May we be found faithful, proclaiming His gospel and standing firm in our testimony, until that glorious day when we are gathered into His eternal kingdom.

The Sermon on the Mount is widely recognized as the heart of the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. Although almost 2000 years have passed since Jesus uttered these words, they remain as relevant today as when the Savior's lips first breathed them. One author described the Sermon on the Mount this way: “After nineteen hundred years the Sermon on the Mount still haunts men. They may praise it, as Mahatma Gandhi did; or like Nietzsche, they may curse it. They cannot ignore it. Its words are winged words, quick and powerful to rebuke, to challenge, to inspire. And though some turn from it in despair, it continues, like some mighty magnetic mountain, to attract to itself the greatest spirits of our race (many not Christians), so that if some world-wide vote were taken, there is little doubt that men would account it ‘the most searching and powerful utterance we posses on what concerns the moral life.'”[1] The Sermon on the Mount does express the ethic of the Millennial Kingdom, but it also applies to all of God's people at this moment in history. The righteousness described in the Sermon on the Mount should be the goal for the character and conduct of every believer today.[2] “Although the Sermon on the Mount may drive sinners to seek God's forgiving grace, the sermon was intended to be a description of the effects of God's transforming grace. Believers should recognize that the righteousness described in the Sermon on the Mount is not attained through mere human effort. On the contrary, this amazing righteousness is progressively produced in Jesus' disciples through the expression of God's saving power.”[3]   [1] (Hunter, 1965) [2] (Quarles, 2011) [3] (Quarles, 2011)

The attributes of God are not that of which He is composed. The fact that God is God should indicate to us that God is not composed of anything, He is not a sum of His attributes. Anything that is composed of different parts, or attributes of its nature, had to be composed by something greater than the composition. If God, the Almighty Father, had been composed, then something greater than God would have had to do the composing. But God is not composed of His various attributes, God is not made of parts, God is not made, God simply is, and always was, and always will be. A.W. Tozer put it this way: “God's attributes are not God; that is, I say that God is self-existent, but that's something that I posit about God – that isn't God. I say that God is holy, but holiness is not God. I say that God is wisdom, but wisdom is not God. God is God!”[1] Now, I want you to imagine for a moment the vastness of the universe. Picture the innumerable stars, galaxies, and celestial wonders that stretch beyond our comprehension. Now, consider the One who spoke all of this into existence with a word. Imagine the One who was before time itself began, who exists in perfect independence, needing nothing and needing no one, yet choosing to create, choosing to create so that He could love, and so that He could redeem, so that He could redeem a race that would reject Him, blaspheme Him, and eventually crucify His own Son. With this message, we are going to explore a little bit of that God, and the attributes or qualities of that God that led Him to do just that. We are going to explore the profound and awe-inspiring attributes of our God: His Self-Existence, Eternity, and Transcendence. These are not mere theological concepts, but truths that reveal the very nature of the Almighty. They should shake us to the core and draw us into deeper worship and adoration. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com [1] (Tozer, 2015)

The Bible speaks often of angels, and yet their true nature, purpose, and activities are subjects shrouded in both wonder and misconception. Today, we will journey through the Scriptures to explore the characteristics of these extraordinary beings, who serve as messengers, warriors, and ministers of God's divine will. Imagine with me for a moment a realm teeming with beings of unimaginable power and purity, a realm that intersects with our own in ways we often cannot see, that we cannot begin to comprehend, but at times we can profoundly feel or sense. This realm is not a product of human imagination or the stuff of ancient myths; it is reality. It is a reality described in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Today, journey into this realm as we begin our study of the Doctrine of Angels. Our study will encompass three key areas: Creation and Existence of Angels Characteristics of Angels: Angels are spiritual beings created by God, possessing remarkable power, intelligence, and holiness. They are innumerable, and though they are spirits, they can take on physical forms when required by God's purposes. Organization, Nature & Employment of the Holy Angels: The Holy Angels, those who have remained faithful to God, are organized into various ranks and orders. We will explore the archangel, Michael, the captain of the heavenly host, and Gabriel, God's special messenger. We will look into the seraphim, who stand in the presence of God, crying, "Holy, holy, holy," and the cherubim, who guard the glory of God. We will also consider the roles of the ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14). So, as we open the Scriptures and explore these profound truths, let us do so with hearts full of reverence and minds eager to understand more fully the mysteries of God's creation. Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com  

First, we observe Jesus teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. His message was one of repentance, hope, and the imminent arrival of God's Kingdom. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus preached with authority and clarity, captivating the hearts and minds of His listeners. This was not just a proclamation; it was an invitation to enter into a new relationship with God, a relationship defined by grace and truth. Second, we see Jesus healing all manner of sickness and disease. His miracles were not mere acts of compassion; they were signs of the Kingdom's power breaking into the world. Every healing was a foretaste of the restoration and wholeness that the Kingdom of God brings. Lastly, we witness the multitudes following Him. From Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond Jordan, people flocked to Jesus. They were drawn by His teachings, His miracles, and His undeniable presence. They came seeking healing, hope, and the words of eternal life that only He could provide. As we embark on this series exploring the Sermon on the Mount, let us remember the profound impact of Jesus' ministry that drew the multitudes to Him. It was a ministry marked by powerful preaching. It was a ministry marked by compassionate healing. And it was a ministry marked by a magnetic draw that transcended social and geographical boundaries. May we, too, be drawn to His words, seeking to understand and live by the principles He taught. May the Lord open our hearts and minds as we journey through His Word together.

Contact us @ 4faithfoundations@gmail.com The recent events in our country should draw our hearts and minds to contemplate those three profound and interwoven truths: The sovereignty of God, The depravity of man, And the fragility of life. These truths reveal the grandeur of God's reign, the depths of our fallen state, and the fleeting nature of our earthly existence. God‘s hand, God's sovereign hand, I believe, was truly there in Butler Pennsylvania eight days ago. God is not finished writing the story that is the life of President Donald Trump. God has a purpose for him to be alive. President Trump, himself, recognized the gracious and providential hand of God in the events of that day. God spared His life, miraculously spared his life – I don't think you can argue against that statement. But just as God still has something He wants from the life of our former president - God still has something for each and every one of us: He still has plans for our lives. He has things He wants us to do for Him. He has a perfect will for our life that He still wants done. Everything I just said is true or we would not be here today either. Eight days ago, the events in Butler Pennsylvania got me thinking we need to ponder these truths as a church. We need to contemplate what we saw happen. But I think we need to look at it theologically. We need to look at those events from a theological perspective and the main three theological themes that kept coming to my mind as I considered what happened there in Butler Pennsylvania, with the attempted assassination of President Trump and the death of the firefighter from Pennsylvania, the three theological things that kept coming to mind were: the sovereignty and providential hand of God in the lives of men, the depravity and the sinfulness of man, of how one man could desire to kill other men, and the third theological thing that kept coming to my mind was the fragility of life. Our life is a vapor. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. We are not guaranteed this evening, much less tomorrow. In the book of Daniel, we read, "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" (Daniel 4:35). Here the Word of God declares God's absolute sovereignty. He reigns supreme over all creation. His decrees are unchallenged, His purposes are unthwarted. He is the Alpha and the Omega, orchestrating all things according to His divine will.

The time comes in every Christian's life when we must make a pivotal decision: whom will we serve? Joshua's challenge to the Israelites resonates through the ages and into our very hearts today. He declared in Joshua 24:15, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." The choice he presented was stark and clear-cut: serve the LORD or serve false gods. Today, the challenge remains the same, though the false gods may take different forms. Are we going to serve the Lord, or are we going to serve ourselves and our priorities? Are we going to serve evil and the devil, or are we going to serve the Lord? Are we going to serve tradition or are we going to serve the Lord our God properly?

In this message we turn our attention to Revelation 14:6-8, a passage that serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and justice. As we navigate through this prophetic vision, we are confronted with the reality of divine judgment and the urgency of the gospel message. This section of Scripture, set within the larger context of the Tribulation, provides us with profound insights into God's righteous dealings with humanity and the fate of those who reject His grace. The passage begins with the vision of three angels, each delivering a critical message to the inhabitants of the earth: The first angel, flying in the midst of heaven, proclaims the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people (Revelation 14:6). This angelic herald emphasizes the universal scope of the gospel, calling all people to "fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come" (Revelation 14:7). This proclamation underscores the imminence of divine judgment and the need for repentance. The second angel follows, announcing the fall of Babylon the Great, "that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Revelation 14:8). Babylon stands for the corrupt world system in rebellion against God, and its fall signifies the inevitable collapse of all that stands opposed to God's righteousness.

The Book of Hebrews has consistently pointed us to the supremacy of Christ. We have seen Jesus Christ exalted above angels, above Moses, and above the Levitical priesthood. To put it simply: Christ is So Much Better! We have been reminded that He is our great High Priest, who has entered once and for all into the holy place, obtaining eternal redemption for us. We have explored the themes of faith, perseverance, and the New Covenant, learning that our faith is anchored in the perfect work of Christ. We have been warned against the dangers of drifting away, of hardening our hearts, and of falling into apostasy. Yet, we have also been encouraged by the "great cloud of witnesses" that surrounds us, urging us to run with endurance the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. As we come to the final verses of this magnificent letter, Hebrews 13:22-25, we find the writer's closing remarks—a heartfelt plea, a blessing, and final greetings.

 While addressing the relationship between spiritual leaders and their congregations, this passage offers profound insights that are particularly relevant as we consider the role of fathers in our lives and the church's life. This passage calls us to obedience and submission to those who lead us, for they watch over our souls with a sense of divine accountability. Fathers, too, are called to be shepherds in their households, guiding their children in the ways of the Lord with love and integrity. Just as spiritual leaders are to watch over the flock of God, fathers are entrusted with the spiritual nurturing and protection of their families – that is the most important thing fathers can do, and that is our priority, this responsibility has priority over all other things for fathers. The role of a father mirrors that of our heavenly Father—caring, guiding, disciplining, and loving unconditionally. This caring guiding, and loving is not based on how our children behave or how they behave toward us – fathers we are to do all this unconditionally. Fathers, much like our spiritual leaders, are to lead by example, living out our faith in every aspect of life. We are to be men of good conscience, striving to live honestly and in a manner that glorifies God.

Welcome, today, we're discussing a topic that many of us have faced—dealing with people who believe lies about us. We'll explore how to respond, encourage ourselves in the Lord, and move on with peace and confidence. It's incredibly disheartening when people believe lies about you, especially when you've lived with integrity. Proverbs 12:19 reminds us, "The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." The truth stands the test of time, while lies are fleeting. In Proverbs 6:16-19 the Lord tells us just what He thinks about lies and the liars that tell them, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Jesus faced false accusations throughout His ministry. In I Peter 2:23, we read, "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." Instead of retaliating, Jesus entrusted Himself to God. We, too, should refrain from responding in anger or seeking revenge. Following Jesus' example in responding to false accusations and lies about us is a powerful testimony to our faith and character. Jesus faced numerous false accusations throughout His ministry, especially during His trial and crucifixion. Let's look at some key principles we can glean from His response, grounded in Scripture. In the face of false accusations, Jesus often chose silence. In Matthew 26:62-63, during His trial before the high priest, we read, "And the high priest arose, and said unto Him, Answerest Thou nothing? what is it which these witness against Thee? But Jesus held His peace." By holding His peace, Jesus demonstrated control and trust in God's ultimate justice. This echoes the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7, "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." Link to Purchase book mentioned in this episode      

In this message we explore a profound and stirring passage from the book of Hebrews, one that calls us to reflect deeply on our salvation, our sacrifice, and our service to God. Hebrews 13:10-16 provides us with a rich tapestry of theological truths that not only illuminate the path of our redemption but also challenge us to live lives of faithful devotion and sacrificial service. Our journey today will take us through three pivotal points: Grace Not Works - Not Both (v.10): This verse draws a clear line between the old covenant of works and the new covenant of grace. It underscores the futility of attempting to earn God's favor through our deeds while emphasizing the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. This point turns our attention to Ephesians 2:5 which says, "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" This reminds us to remember our past condition—dead in sin—and the miraculous transformation through Christ who made us alive. Our Second Point – The Sacrificial Type & Antitype (vs. 11-13): The sacrificial system of the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice. He suffered outside the gate to sanctify us, calling us to bear His reproach and follow Him. Our Third and Final Point - Service of the Saints: (vs. 14-16): Our earthly journey is temporary, but our service to God has eternal significance. We are called to offer continual praise and thanksgiving, to do good, and to share with others. These acts of service are the sacrifices that please God, reflecting our transformed lives and our commitment to His kingdom. Let us be encouraged and emboldened to live out our faith with conviction, knowing that our salvation, our sacrifice, and our service are all rooted in the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This message will explore four main points. First, we will delve into the idea of guarding against carnality, as emphasized in verses one through four. Next, we will reflect on the assurance that God gives the increase, beautifully outlined in verses five through seven. We will then examine the concept of God rewarding our efforts, as highlighted in verses eight and nine. Lastly, we will uncover the importance of growing on the right foundation, as explored in verses ten and eleven. So, let's briefly as an introduction look at each of these points, and then we will dig into them as we move along in our message. Point #1 - Guard Against Carnality vs. 1-4: Here the Apostle Paul addresses a concerning issue within the Corinthian church—carnality. Here, he reminds the believers that their spiritual growth should move them beyond infancy. It is a timely reminder for us as well, urging us to remain vigilant against allowing our spiritual journey to be constrained by worldly desires. We will explore the dangers of carnality and the steps we can take to guard against it. Point #2 - God Gives the Increase vs. 5-7: Here, Paul reminds us that while he may have planted seeds of faith, it is only through God's grace and power that true growth and increase occur. As we navigate our journey of faith, it is essential to relinquish control and trust that God will work in wondrous ways. Point #3 - God Rewards Our Efforts vs. 8-9: In these verses the Apostle Paul draws our attention to the importance of our efforts in building God's kingdom. We learn that our labor in the Lord is not in vain and that each one of our contributions, however small they may seem, holds significance in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. God honors and rewards our faithfulness as we work diligently in His service. And Point #4 - Grow on the Right Foundation vs. 10-11: In the final portion of our passage, Paul highlights the necessity of building our spiritual lives on the right foundation. We must ensure that our foundation is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. In these next few moments, may the Holy Spirit guide us as we dive deeper into this passage, desiring to grow in our understanding, commitment, and purpose in God's glorious plan.

Please like, share, & subscribe to our Podcast to help us get a greater reach with this ministry. Click the link below for the book referenced in the introduction to this message on Revelation 13. https://2020bible.pub/2024/04/06/rise-of-the-beast-a-study-of-revelation-chapter-13/ Here in Revelation 12 and our passage in the final verses of this chapter we are met with vivid imagery, symbolic language, and profound truths that unveil the ultimate plan of God for the culmination of human history. In these verses, we witness a dramatic scene unfold before our eyes: the dragon, Satan himself, enraged and filled with fury, pursues the woman who had given birth to the male Child. This woman, representing the nation of Israel, is protected by God and flees into the wilderness, where she is nourished and kept safe for a time, times, and half a time. This period represents the final three and a half years of the Tribulation, a time of unparalleled turmoil and persecution on the earth. During this time, the Dragon, knowing his time is short, unleashes his full wrath against the woman and her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God, and hold to the testimony of Jesus. As we unpack these verses, we will see the unfolding of God's sovereign plan, the fierce opposition of the enemy, and the ultimate victory of God's people through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.

The Faith Foundations website mentioned in this message has foundational and doctrinal messages (audio and full notes). You can access it at the following link: Faith Foundations for the Church This passage, encapsulated in the single word "Remember," serves as a poignant reminder of our duties, our doctrines, and our devotion to the Almighty. First, we are called to: Remember Faithful Leaders (Hebrews 13:7). The writer of Hebrews urges us to recall those who have spoken the Word of God to us, whose faithfulness echoes through the corridors of time. Their examples, their sacrifices, and their steadfastness in the face of adversity serve as beacons, guiding us in our own pilgrimage of faith. Second, we are to: Remember Our Unchanging Savior (Hebrews 13:8). In a world of shifting sands and fleeting ideologies, our Lord Jesus Christ stands as the immutable Anchor of our souls. His unchanging nature is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer, offering us stability in a world of uncertainty. Third, we are to: Remember Right Doctrine (Hebrews 13:9a). The writer warns against being led astray by diverse and strange teachings. We are called to hold fast to the sound doctrines passed down to us, doctrines that are rooted in the unchanging Word of God. Lastly, we are to: Remember Grace (Hebrews 13:9b). It is by grace that we are saved, through faith, and not of ourselves. This grace is not a license to sin but a call to live in obedience to God's Word, empowered by His Spirit. So, let us heed the call to remember. Let us remember the faithful leaders who have gone before us. Let us remember the unchanging Savior who walks beside us. Let us remember the right doctrines that guide us. And let us remember the grace that sustains us. May this remembrance be the foundation upon which we build our lives, to the glory of our God. Imagine you are on a hiking trail in beautiful East Tennessee, surrounded by dense forest (which I hope to be on such a trail in a couple of weeks). And as you walk, you notice that the path splits into two. One trail is well-worn, with clear signs pointing the way, while the other is overgrown and barely visible. The well-worn path represents the teachings and examples of faithful leaders who have gone before us. These leaders have faithfully proclaimed the Word of God, guiding us on the right path. Their lives serve as signposts, pointing us toward Christ and His unchanging truth. On the other hand, the overgrown path symbolizes the diverse and strange doctrines that seek to lead us astray. These teachings may seem new, different, and appealing at first glance, promising easy answers or worldly wisdom. However, they ultimately lead to confusion, spiritual danger, and death. As we navigate through life, we are faced with these two paths. The challenge is to Remember the example of those who have faithfully taught and lived out the Word of God while rejecting the false teachings that seek to divert us from the truth. Hebrews 13:7-9 reminds us to remember these faithful leaders and to be wary of strange doctrines. Let us stay on the path of truth, firmly grounded in the unchanging grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.