Grace Fellowship Church

Closing Thought: Peter encourages God's chosen exiles toremember that their hope as believers is not found in present comfort, but in the assured promise of eternal glory. They can endure life's trials with confidence, knowing that their future salvation is secured by God's power through faith—and that the eternal inheritance awaiting them far outweighs the fleeting hardships of this world. Beloved, as elect exiles, let us praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us not merely a promise, but a living hope—one that anchors our souls and guarantees our eternal destiny.

Closing Thought: In his first letter, Peter addresses thescattered Christians of the 1st century by reminding them oftheir identity as God's chosen people, the means by which they became His people through divine intervention, and the manner in which they should conduct their lives in obedience to Jesus Christ while enduring trials, temptations, and persecution during their earthly existence. May we, as Christians in the 21st century, also receive an abundance of grace and peace to navigate this same reality.

Closing Thought: Peter wrote this epistle late in the firstcentury to God's chosen people living in a land in which theywere exiles. He was writing to them to stand firm in the grace of God in the face of persecution, trials, and suffering. He begins his letter by reminding them that it is God who made them His chosen exiles. May this encourage those of us who are God's people today to rejoice as we remember that we too were chosen by God to be His exiles in a place that is not our eternal home.

Closing Thought: In the final moments of His earthly ministry, Jesus led His disciples to Bethany to bless them. As He blessed them, He ascended to glory. The disciples did not grieve; they rejoiced. Their worship flowed from the deep well of hope, fueled by the promises of Jesus. Jesus rose and ascended to the right hand of the Father where He reigns, He intercedes, He prepares a place for us. He will return to take us to glory, and until then we will live in submission to our King, filled with the hope of His return.

1. The apostles did not see Jesus completely until they saw Him in the Scriptures2. Repentance and Forgiveness of sin cannot be separated. While repentance is not a work that leads to salvation, it most certainly is an inevitable and necessary fruit of salvation.3. Understanding the Scriptures is not enough to power the Christian life. The Christian must be clothed by power from on high.

After Jesus rose from the dead, and took on an immortal body, He appeared to His true disciples. Their "eyewitness" reports, which we find in the Bible, allow us to "see" the Risen Lord and assure us that we too will one day have an immortal body like His and share in eternal life with Him in heaven. Hallelujah and Amen!

Closing Thought: The disciples on the road to Emmaus weredowncast because the Messiah they had followed was dead and gone. Jesus met them on their way, explained to them that the true Messiah would suffer and die like the One whom they were lamenting having lost. When God allowed them to see Jesus for Who He truly is they believed. This is a great pattern for us to follow; proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are hopeless and pray God would send His Holy Spirit to quicken hearts.

Closing Thought: Jesus has risen; He is alive! Because He lives, death loses its sting, and the grave holds no power over those who believe. As believers, we will live eternally with Him in glory—free from pain, sorrow, and sin, embracing perfect harmony and peace with God forever. Our faith is rooted in the truth that Jesus rose from the dead, confirming that God accepts Jesus' sacrifice and that eternal death has been defeated. If you haven't done so already, will today be the day that you believe that Jesus died for your sins and is now risen, so you can be reconciled with God?

The reactions to Jesus' death were deeplyvaried. The Gentile Centurion recognized His divine nature and righteousness, while the Jewish crowd felt remorse for their actions. His followers were heartbroken, grappling with the reality of His death. Among them was a devoted disciple who placed his trust in Jesus as the key to the Kingdom of God. Meanwhile, those who had orchestrated Jesus' death sought to hide their involvement, hoping to cover up their sin. The beliefin Jesus as the Messiah resonates across different perspectives, yet some, despite their knowledge, choose to reject it. Others believe in the death of death via the Son of God. So, where do you stand?

Closing Thought: The death of Jesus stands as the most significant moment in all of history. His sacrifice didn't merely open the door to eternal life; it guaranteed it for His people. Jesus bore the full weight of God's wrath, serving as a redemptive force for those destined to be saved by grace through faith, bestowing His righteousness upon us. IT IS FINISHED! There is nothing more to achieve. Jesus completed everything for those who have faith. His death defeated death itself, ushering countless sons and daughters into glory.

We never outgrow the cross...

Closing Thought: The Jews who demanded Jesus' crucifixion, and Pilate who ordered it against his own verdict, had no justification for their actions. They were condemned for rejecting Jesus as the path to The Kingdom of God through the forgiveness of sins. God's plan of redemption has existed since the beginning of time and cannot be changed. Regardless of the severity of one's sins, the only requirement for salvation is to know they are sinners, to repent of those sins and have faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness and remission of the penalty due them because of their sins.

Closing Thought: The irony of the "trials" of Jesus is that those who were "judging" were truly the ones being judged. Those who condemned Jesus for blasphemy, those who desired Him only for His miracles, and those who acted out of fear of rejection if they believed in Him all shared one fate. They were ultimately judged and deemed guilty for their lack of faith in the very One capable of delivering them from the consequences of their sins against God. Do not be fooled, no one can judge Jesus because He is Who He says He is, and those who try, will be condemned for their lack of belief in Him.

Closing Thought: It is important that we remember the corrupt and brutal treatment that Jesus received at the hands of the Jews on the night before He was crucified, dwelling on the suffering He endured for the sake of His elect. And yet, the main thing we should dwell on from the night of Jesus' humiliation is the words He spoke before being sent away to Pontius Pilate, "But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God". The suffering Servant is risen, and will return to take His people to glory, and to cast into hell all of those who that have not believed into Him and therefore are still His enemies.

Closing Thought: Peter's sin of denying Jesus, followed by his restoration and faithfulness, can provide us with great comfort, hope, and resolve. May it inspire us to live our lives for Christ's sake, repenting of sin and living by faith, led by the indwelling Holy Spirit, to the glory of God!

C.T. Studd once said, "If Jesus Christ be God, and He died for me, no sacrifice I make would be too great to make for Him . . . Only one life, twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last."

Closing Thought: In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus' full humanity displayed on the night of His arrest. He was overcome with sadness, sorrow, anguish, depression, and terror at the prospect of His impending torture and crucifixion. Jesus knew He was about to bear God's wrath against sin. So, He turned to God the Father in prayer and was given the strength to carry out His calling. Beloved, when we face similar struggles--sadness, sorrow, anguish, depression, and fear--may we follow Jesus' example. Instead of turning to sleep, alcohol, nicotine, or legal or illegal mind-altering drugs, let us pray to our Heavenly Father, trusting that He will empower us to live our His purpose for our lives.

Closing Thought: Isaiah's prophecy about the Messiah had to be fulfilled by Jesus. The time had come for Jesus to be arrested and the Lamb to be led to the slaughter to be sacrificed to atone for the sins of many. In order for Jesus to be portrayed as a transgressor (a rebel against Rome, an insurrectionist, a threat to Caesar), the disciples would need to carry daggers to be perceived this way. The two swords were a means to an end, as are all things that serve as part of God's plan of redemption.

Closing Thought: If Peter's continuing faith had been dependent on him, it would have failed. In the same way, if my faith was kept certain by me it would fail. The same is true for you, my beloved brothers and sisters. What a great comfort it is to know HE WILL HOLD US FAST.

Closing Thought: The final Passover meal for God's people, remembering their deliverance from God's wrath by the blood of a spotless lamb, and their exodus from slavery in Egypt, was eaten on the night before Jesus would become the sacrificial Lamb of God, Who would shed His blood to usher in the new and better Covenant. From that day forward, God's people have a new meal that we partake of, the Lord's Supper, in which we remember the body given and the blood shed to accomplish our redemption as God's people. We remember the new and better exodus, the new and better Covenant, the ultimate sacrifice for sins. We remember Christ Jesus our Lord and will continue this meal of remembrance until He returns to feast with us in glory. Amen and Amen! Come Lord Jesus!

Closing Thought: There is much for us to learn from Judas' betrayal, Pharaoh's hardening, and Esau's forfeiture. While there is nothing that comes to pass that God did not decree, ("There is not one random molecule in all the universe." – RC Sproul) as He is sovereign over all events for all time. We must remember that even though we cannot see the reasons, we can trust His plan is perfect and good. However, even though God is sovereign, there is no one who will be able to stand before God with the excuse "the Devil made me do it". And it will not go well for the man who stands before God and claims that is His fault for the sinful choices he has made. Do not be confused; God's sovereignty does not take away the responsibility for the choices that we make. Full stop!

Closing Thought: It was time for the Passover Lamb to be killed, and His blood to be shed for the forgiveness of sins once for all. Beloved, we remember the Lamb had to be killed, His blood shed to protect us from the wrath of God. And while our salvation is immediate, yet there remains a journey ahead of us filled with trials and temptations before we reach heaven. So we remember, we will stay hidden in Christ and covered by His blood.

I. The Intermediate State2 Corinthians 5:1-10Philippians 1:21-23Luke 16:22-23II. The Second ComingRevelation 1:12-18Revelation 19:11-16Matthew 24:36-41Acts 1:9-112 Thessalonians 1:7-81 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11Luke 9:23-26Luke 12:8-10Luke 23:30John 5:22-32John 14:1-41 Corinthians 13:8-13III. The Resurrection of the DeadLuke 20:34-361 Corinthians 15:23-24, 43-44, 51-55Colossians 3:41 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11John 5:25-29IV. The Great White Throne JudgementMatthew 10:26-36Matthew 12:33-37Matthew 16:26-27Matthew 25:31-46Acts 10:42Romans 2:3-16Romans 14:10-12Philippians 2:9-111 Corinthians 4:52 Corinthians 11:152 Peter 3:1-13Jude 6-7 Revelation 20:10-15V. The Saints JudgedLuke 14:7-24Luke 22:28-30Romans 8:11 Corinthians 3:10-161 Corinthians 6:1-32 Timothy 4:6-81 Peter 5:4James 2:12-13Revelation 7:9-17Revelation 11:15-19 VI. The Wicked Judged Matthew 7:21-23Matthew 25:11-12Matthew 11:20-24Mark 12:40Luke 13:22-30John 12:44-50VII. The Lake of FireMatthew 13:36-43, 47-50Romans 9:22-24Revelation 20:10-15Matthew 22:13Matthew 24:50-51Matthew 25:30Mark 9:48Luke 3:17Luke 6:20-26Luke 16:19-312 Thessalonians 1:5-12Revelation 14:9-13Revelation 21:8, 27Revelation 22:15VIII. The New Heavens and New EarthMatthew 26:29Luke 6:20-26Luke 22:28-30John 14:1-4Romans 8:18-251 John 3:2Revelation 1:12-18Revelation 2:11, 26-28Revelation 3:4-5, 12, 21Revelation 7:9-17Revelation 14:9-13Revelation 21-22

Closing Thought: The destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and of Judaism was the beginning of the end. When that prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70, the second coming of Christ can come at any time. We must always be awake and praying that we will have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

Through endurance and through the Scriptures, we have hope.Reference Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1Hebrews 13:8Deuteronomy 3:21-22Deuteronomy 1:30 2 Kings 18-19 2Chronicles 32:1-8Matthew 14:18-31Luke 9:62 Psalm 50:152 Chronicles 32:19 Isaiah 40:15,17

Closing Thought: Jesus warns His disciples to watch out for religious leaders who use their position for their own exaltation, comfort, and financial gain. They are not leading people to heaven, rather to hell, where their own condemnation will be extraordinary.

Closing Thought: Jesus is the promised Messiah, David's Son and David's Lord. He has come to save sinners and He will return to inflict vengeance on those who have not believed His gospel. Beloved, it is our job to tell people of the God-Man Who is the only way into the Kingdom of God, that they might be saved. Unbeliever, will you be like these religious Jews who would not see Him for Who He is and perish in your sin? May it not be so.

Closing Thought- God is not God of the spiritually dead, but of the spiritually alive. Are you dead in your sins or alive through Jesus Christ-- Do not be like the Sadducees, denying the reality of the age to come. We will all be resurrected in the age to come to dwell eternally with our God having been reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ and therefore in perfect relationship, or because of our sin to dwell separated from Him except for His terrible wrath.

Closing Thought: God is not God of the spiritually dead, but of the spiritually alive. Are you dead in your sins or alive through Jesus Christ? Do not be like the Sadducees, denying the reality of the age to come. We will all be resurrected in the age to come to dwell eternally with our God having been reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ and therefore in perfect relationship, or because of our sin to dwell separated from Him except for His terrible wrath.

Closing Thought- We can see that it is useless to try and argue with God by asking -gotcha- questions. We can also see that the end of those who deny Jesus and His Gospel is their destruction. Be warned not to be like these leaders of Judaism, who wanting to keep their life, they lost it. Jesus is the only way into the Kingdom of God, have you-will you believe into Him today--

Closing Thought: We can see that it is useless to try and argue with God by asking "gotcha" questions. We can also see that the end of those who deny Jesus and His Gospel is their destruction. Be warned not to be like these leaders of Judaism, who wanting to keep their life, they lost it. Jesus is the only way into the Kingdom of God, have you/will you believe into Him today?

Willow Cunningham testifies to receiving Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She is then baptized and brought into church membership by Pastor Mike Reid.

Closing Thought- Everyone will either have their life built on the foundation of the Rock of Jesus Christ, or they will be crushed and turned to dust by the weight of the Living Stone when He returns. How are you dealing with this, the weightiest of matters--

Closing Thought: Everyone will either have their life built on the foundation of the Rock of Jesus Christ, or they will be crushed and turned to dust by the weight of the Living Stone when He returns. How are you dealing with this, the weightiest of matters?

Willow Cunningham testifies to receiving Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She is then baptized and brought into church membership by Pastor Mike Reid.

Closing Thought- Jesus waged war and cleared the temple from the sin that was taking place there. Then He took control over the teaching and preaching taking place in His house. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth and has tasked Christians with driving sin out of the temple and teaching Truth and preaching the Gospel. May we be spurred on by His boldness and focus to do the same.

Closing Thought: Jesus waged war and cleared the temple from the sin that was taking place there. Then He took control over the teaching and preaching taking place in His house. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth and has tasked Christians with driving sin out of the temple and teaching Truth and preaching the Gospel. May we be spurred on by His boldness and focus to do the same.

Closing Thought- Jesus wept over the judgment God would pour out on Jerusalem for her rejection of Him as the forever King, instead only wanting Him to be their earthly savior to deliver them from Roman oppression. Like Jesus, I weep over the wrath of God that is coming upon those who have a mental ascent to Jesus as Lord, trust Him for today's needs, and yet have not believed into Him as the Salvation of God for their eternal soul. Those who, even today, praise Him in song and prayer, but have not believed in Him for Who He truly is. That is why I am pleading with each of you to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ while it is still today, since there is no promise of tomorrow.

Closing Thought: Jesus wept over the judgment God would pour out on Jerusalem for her rejection of Him as the forever King, instead only wanting Him to be their earthly savior to deliver them from Roman oppression. Like Jesus, I weep over the wrath of God that is coming upon those who have a mental ascent to Jesus as Lord, trust Him for today's needs, and yet have not believed into Him as the Salvation of God for their eternal soul. Those who, even today, praise Him in song and prayer, but have not believed in Him for Who He truly is. That is why I am pleading with each of you to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ while it is still today, since there is no promise of tomorrow.

While ministering on the campus of Black Hawk College, in Moline, IL, two young ladies stopped for a conversation. While one more so than they other, both ladies loosely held to the belief in reincarnation.--Although by conversation's end neither young lady seemed particularly effected, both heard the truth and both now know that the idea of reincarnation is a lie.

A Young man stopped for a Bible while Tony ministered on the corner of Harrison and Locust, in Davenport, Iowa.--At different times during the conversation, the young man would start to laugh. It was difficult to discern if the young man was simply troubled, nervous, or if there was something more nefarious going on.--Was he simply a troubled young man affected by the use of psychotropic medication or could he have been influenced or possessed by a demon--

A Young man stopped for a Bible while Tony ministered on the corner of Harrison and Locust, in Davenport, Iowa.At different times during the conversation, the young man would start to laugh. It was difficult to discern if the young man was simply troubled, nervous, or if there was something more nefarious going on.Was he simply a troubled young man affected by the use of psychotropic medication or could he have been influenced or possessed by a demon?

While ministering on the campus of Black Hawk College, in Moline, IL, two young ladies stopped for a conversation. While one more so than they other, both ladies loosely held to the belief in reincarnation.Although by conversation's end neither young lady seemed particularly effected, both heard the truth and both now know that the idea of reincarnation is a lie.

Closing Thought- Jesus did not come to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, He came to seek and save the lost. And for those He saves, we have business to conduct that will have us to be rewarded when Jesus returns. For those who call Jesus Lord and not do what He says, there will be no reward and probable punishment on that Day. And when the forever King returns to rule those who have not submitted to His Lordship will be destroyed with great intensity by this vengeful King.

Closing Thought: Jesus did not come to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, He came to seek and save the lost. And for those He saves, we have business to conduct that will have us to be rewarded when Jesus returns. For those who call Jesus Lord and not do what He says, there will be no reward and probable punishment on that Day. And when the forever King returns to rule those who have not submitted to His Lordship will be destroyed with great intensity by this vengeful King.

Closing Thought- Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man, did not become incarnate to be a good teacher -although He was-. He did not come to model morality -even though He was perfectly moral-. He did not come to provide a better life now -although His people receive immediate comfort and hope-. He did not come to alter culture -although He did disrupt it-. He did not come to show kindness and practice benevolence -even though He was perfectly benevolent and kind-. And He did not come to establish an earthly kingdom -although He did provide entry into His eternal Kingdom to be fully manifest when He returns-. Jesus' reason for coming -His mission- was to seek and save the lost. Full stop. And, beginning with the Apostles -including Paul-, His followers' mission is the same, to seek and save the lost as His messengers of the Good News of the salvation that is available through faith in Him.