Messages

[2 Peter 2:1] There are clear biblical tests for true and false prophets given in Deuteronomy 18:18-22 and reinforced in 2 Peter 2:1. God protects His people by exposing those who speak presumptuously in His name, blend His truth with other gods through syncretism, or issue predictions that fail to come to pass. These ancient standards can be applied to the modern claims of new apostolic and prophetic offices, particularly within the New Apostolic Reformation; the church of Jesus Christ must reject extra-biblical revelation and hold fast to the sufficiency of Scripture.

[2 Peter 2:1] False prophets have always arisen among God's people, often from within the camp rather than from the outside. Just as Israel was warned in Deuteronomy 13, we must not be swayed by impressive signs, wonders, dreams, or even family and cultural pressures if they lead us away from the clear commands of Scripture. God's Word alone is truth; any teaching that adds to it, takes away from it, or exalts tradition, priests, or figures like Mary above Christ must be rejected as false teaching.

[1 Cor 13:1-7] "Love is patient" is not merely a wedding verse—it is a command for how Christians treat one another in the local church. The same God who is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Exodus 34:6) calls His people to reflect that same patience actively among the saints, even when it's difficult.

[2 Peter 1:20-21] The Bible is not a product of human invention or clever ideas, but God's own speech written down by men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21). Just as the Lord commanded Moses to write His words on stone for every generation (Exodus 34:27), the Holy Spirit moved prophets and apostles so that what they recorded is without error and fully trustworthy. In a world full of false teaching that springs from deceptive human hearts (Jeremiah 23:16), Scripture stands as our reliable interpreter of all things and the life-giving source that enables us to bear fruit for God's glory through Jesus Christ.

In 2 Peter 1:19, the Apostle Peter turns from the glory he witnessed at the Transfiguration to the even “more sure” prophetic word of Scripture. He reminds us that the Bible is not a collection of human ideas but the very Word of God, written by men carried along by the Holy Spirit. At the Transfiguration, the Father declared Jesus to be the fulfillment of Old Testament promises—God's beloved Son in whom He is well pleased—quoting and referencing multiple Old Testament passages. Therefore, in this dark world, we will do well to pay close attention to the Scriptures as a lamp for our feet until the day dawns and the Morning Star (Jesus Himself) rises in our hearts at His return. On that day, the outward display of Christ's glory will be matched by an inward, explosive transformation as we are changed into His likeness forever.

[2 Pet 1:15-18] The Apostle Peter, knowing his death was near and the Lord's Parousia was coming, urgently reminds the Church of what he personally witnessed on the Mount of Transfiguration: the majestic glory of the beloved Son, visibly approved by the Father. This is not another cleverly devised myth or religious fable; Christianity rests on historically verified, eyewitness testimony of divine power and heavenly majesty. Under the New Covenant, we do not follow a departed teacher or a fabricated story—we follow the risen, glorious Christ whose transfiguration foreshadows His second coming in power, calling us to steadfast faith in the only true and majestic Savior.

[2 Pet 1:14-15] The Apostle Peter faces his impending martyrdom with calm resolve because Jesus had clearly revealed the manner and timing of his death. Peter had surrendered his life completely to Christ, recognizing that the Lord has absolute authority over His own, and that the highest purpose of any life is to glorify God—even through suffering and death. This perspective transforms how believers view death: our earthly bodies are merely temporary tabernacles to be laid aside, like moving from an old house into our eternal home with the Lord. When God's glory becomes our greatest treasure—more important than avoiding pain or protecting our felt needs—death shifts from something to fear into something desirable, because to depart and be with Christ is “very much better” (Phil 1:23). Peter's example calls us to labor for the kingdom with our eyes fixed on that shared future glory.

1. Jesus' resurrection is a historical fact [Acts 2:32] 2. Jesus' resurrection proves our sins are paid for [Romans 4:25] 3. Jesus' resurrection effects our resurrection [Eph 2:4-6, Romans 6:4-11] 4. Jesus' resurrection guarantees Christ's return [1 Thessalonians 1:9-10]

[Eph 1:15-23] Because Christ has been raised and seated far above every power and authority, He now fills His church—His body—with His very presence and fullness, giving us confident hope, a rich shared inheritance, and resurrection power to live as His New Covenant people.

[Psalm 65:1-13] Psalm 65 celebrates the immeasurable goodness of God as the Creator and King who hears prayers, forgives transgressions, chooses and draws people near to dwell in His presence, and blesses all nations through His awesome deeds of provision and righteousness.

[2 Peter 1:12-13] Remember the cross and be diligent. Diligence is that consistent, focused effort for a specific goal. We need reminding even though we know, are established, and the truth is present with us! Peter at his restoration was instructed by the resurrected Christ to strengthen (establish) the brethren. He says it is right to remind them of "these things" as long as he lives, rousing them to remember the truth he has taught them.

[2 Peter 1:10-11] God's grace compels us to Godliness and we must do this. Holiness is not automatic, professing believers can forget, drift, and grow lukewarm-the point of this letter is inoculation to prevent the blindness, drifting, and deception that tempts Christians to useless, unfruitful lives.

[2 Peter 1:10-11] God's grace compels us to Godliness and we must do this. Holiness is not automatic, professing believers can forget, drift, and grow lukewarm-the point of this letter is inoculation to prevent the blindness, drifting, and deception that tempts Christians to useless, unfruitful lives.

[1 Cor 10:1-4] Baptism is the gravity of the New Testament, like a magnet pulling all the symbolism and types of the Old Testament into fulfillment in the lives of Christians following Jesus.

[Luke 2:40-52] Jesus responds to Mary's cry of distress in order to highlight His divinity by pointing to His Heavenly Father, eternal lineage, and His ultimate purpose for life in this world. This begins the inevitable break with His parents as he grows into adulthood to fulfill all righteousness as the Christ, accomplishing redemption. Let us not become forgetful and complacent; we must maintain clarity and zeal as we remember who Jesus is, and what our lives are to be walking as His disciples.

[Luke 2:39-40] Jesus grew and become strong, increasing in wisdom, and the favor of God was upon Him. This descrption is typical of young men throughout scripture who served God faithfully with the favor of God upon them, including Joseph, David, Josiah, Daniel, Timothy, and Samuel.

[Luke 2:36-39] The significance of her names meaning Grace and favor (Anna), the face of God (Phanuel), and happy or blessed (Asher). Psalm 92 describes Anna in her later years as full of life and service and praise to God. Luke gave this record of her as an encouraging example to older saints throughout the ages that we can remain faithful to the end, and a reminder that no labor in the Lord is in vain.

[Luke 2:25-35] God is light and love; the foundation of love is light. Like Simeon, what are you looking forward to, hoping in, strategizing your life to achieve? The Holy Spirit was upon him-will people say this about you when you die? Are you praying these things for yourself and your brethren?

[Luke 2:21-24, Gal 4:1-7] Jesus was born under the Law of Moses to fulfill the law and redeem those under the law, which can only condemn.

[Luke 1:56-80] After 9 months of silence for his unbelief, Zacharias' mouth is loosed and he extols God.

[Luke 1:46-55] Mary's song and Hannah's prayer have very similar elements -read them togethe; humility, exalting and rejoicing in the sovereign God, our Savior, Jesus the Christ.

[Luke 1:39-45] Upon Mary's greeting reaching Elizabth's ears, John the Baptist leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed Mary blessed because of her faith in God's message to her.

[Luke 1:26-35] The Lord is with you, favored one. We are all like Mary in this, being favored-God with us; but are we humble like she was? This eternal Son of the Most High will be conceived by the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary's womb to reign in the throne of David over His kingdom forever.

[Luke 1:5-25] Zecharias and Elizabeth were righteous and blamelessly obedient the sight of God - we can be too. He was chosen by lot and burned incense in the temple according to the Law of Moses, and God sent an angel to tell him He heard his prayer and is giving him a son who will be named John - God hears our prayers uttered out of the suffering experiencesof this life. Zecharias doubted the angel Gabriel sent from God - we should have faith when God speaks to you.

[Luke 1:1-4] Twelve Apostles were chosen as faithful eyewitness of the Old Testament fulfillment in their midst. Islam and Mormonism stand in opposition to this as unverifiable, secret revelation claimed by one man. Creation is our apologetic for God, but the Old Testament is our apologetic for Jesus. 
The Spirit and the Word together is the guarantee of truth; personal experience of objective truth is the Holy Spirit illuminating God's Word.

[1 Cor 1:10-17] Baptism does not confer grace, it is not a sacrament. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is what saves by grace through faith. There is nothing magical in the act itself that accomplishes forgiveness and eternal life but the faith that reaches out to Christ and obeys His example and command. The gospel is the diamond which shines on its own, clever speech is not needed to adorn the gospel of Christ.

[Luke 1:1-4] Luke, and the other 3 biblical gospels, are apostolic eyewitness testimony, not myths distorted over decades like the game of telephone. Gospel is a unique type of literature which certainly contains history, narrative, and biographical material, but it is a unique genre. Evangelion (the greek word) literally means "good news widely proclaimed and gladly received." Luke's gospel is good news about salvation in a real person - a historical record of a unique and unrepeatable history, person, and event.

[Luke 1:1-4] If you met Luke, after hearing of all his missionary journeys, hardships endured with Paul, skills as a physician & historian, intensive and thorough research as a faithful friend and man of God, would you trust him to write an orderly account of all that Jesus did and taught?

[2 Peter 1:5-9] What does Christian diligence look like? If you're not growing as a Christian, you've forgotten something - the cross of Christ that purified you from your sins. We as Christians must never forget our entry into this grace in which we stand, and continue to add to our faith so that we will be useful to God, bearing much fruit.

[Psalm 139:1-24] David reflecting on the all seeing, all knowing God, transcendent and personal God from the moment of his conception and in all places is ever present, guiding and helping him through every circumstance. The awe of this reality brings him to a sense of awe and worship of this powerful creator, protector, and guide.

[2 Cor 12:1-10] Paul was driven to boasting by necessity, in order to respond to the super apostles who are false teachers leading the beloved Corinthians astray from the truth, but he only boasts in his weakness.

[2 Peter 1:4] The word of God actually makes you more like God. The source is God's glory and excellence and the goal is to become partakers of the divine nature through the means of His precious and magnificent promises. Continue to renew your mind by the Word of God.

[Romans 6:1-4] Water baptism, "immersion," is fundamental to Christianity because it represents the entry point so that we will understand what salvation is from the beginning; saving faith (justification) and personal holiness (sanctification) are required for salvation. Paul is using baptism as an illustration of the true gospel - don't you "know" what baptism teaches?

[Matt 5:1-3] Blessesd are those who mourn - see Isaiah 61, which Jesus takes up and applies to himself for the entirety of humanity in the sermon on the Mount, not just Israel. This hope manifested is finally fulfilled in the New Heavens and New Earth depicted in Revelation 21.

[2 Peter 1:3-4] God has one agenda in our lives: conform us into the image of His Son in godliness and holiness. These verses provide us the source, goal and means of this sanctification. Source: His divine power granted to you Goal: Life and godliness, partakers of divine nature - like God Means: Through true knowledge of Him Only through knowing Jesus-fixing our eyes on and seeking Him-will we be godly.

[2 Peter 1:2] Peace is an absence of conflict and presence of well-being and wholeness with a sense of blessing. God's peace can be granted in the midst of conflict. God is the only one with the ability to free our hearts from debilitating worry and establish us in a sense of loving control of our lives, that He is for us. Why are you afraid? Do you have a prayer life, full of thanksgiving? Jesus will lead us into storms, He will not fret. Our hardships are His idea, His plan, His working good in our lives-He is for us.

[1 Peter 1:2] God's grace multiplies in us through the knowledge of Him.

[1 Peter 1:1] Jesus Christ is the one true God and only savior of sinners like us. God is who Jesus is, and Savior is what he has done as Christ-the purpose for which he came into the world.

[2 Peter 1:1] Holiness and certainty go hand in hand, for those who doubt are fruitless and tossed about. Peter writes this second letter to inoculate the saints against false teaching with the truth. What does it mean to be a bond-servant of Jesus Christ and to have the same kind of faith as Peter?

Steve Cowden and Michael Reece visited our brother Andre in the Central African Republic earlier this year and report back what they saw and heard with a presentation full of photos. They also visited Jonathan's House, an orphanage, clinic and school that serves hundreds of children and adults in the area. We praise God for the opportunity he has given us to partner with faithful brethren in Africa.

What are we doing? Appointing an elder before God with His authority: Jonah Stauffer What is our responsibility? As elders: diligently labor, charge over the body, admonish, work, bring the word of God, example of life and faith. As body: appreciate, esteem, love, peace, obey, submit, and let them do their oversight with joy and not grief.

[1 Peter 5:13-14] Family relationships are a precious reality in Christ, full of tender love and peace.

[1 Peter 5:13] Fact. He chooses When. Before the world was Why. Love

[1 Peter 5:12-13a] Silvanus - a faithful brother - take note young men and be faithful in the little things now! Peter is writing to exhort and testify in the true grace of God - stand firm in it!

[1 Peter 5:10-11] Warfare yields a wholeness to our Christian lives that makes us more useful to Jesus. After recounting the glorious truths of life in Christ, believers are moved to exclamations of worship & praise of our sovereign God, maker and ruler of Heaven and earth.

[1 Peter 5:9b] This verse reminds us of seven truths about suffering: it is universal, has purpose, is inevitable, painful, and temporary, God has promised to help us in it and it reminds us of God's call.

[Matt 18:1-6] Jesus answers the question of who is the greatest by showing His disciples a child and launching into an object lesson about humility and love of the brethren. If you see yourself as a needy child before God your Heavenly Father, you will pray to seek His provision, help, salvation. If you love the Lord, you will love His children.

[Matt 5:3-12] Jesus' sermon on the Mount is the single greatest exposition of the Christian life. The Beatitudes are eight characteristics of being a true disciple of Jesus. Hope is not just a noun but a verb, we must exercise that hope in God's promises. We must feed and water our Christian hope for it to grow strong and bear fruit. The poor in spirit live in fear of God, esteem His name, and keep His holy word.

[2 Tim 1:5, 3:15] Timothy's mother and grandmother had a significant influence on him and regard for sacred scripture. The expression of their sincere faith was to teach Timothy the scriptures, which lead to salvation through faith alone in Jesus. They allowed the scriptures, the word of God, to do its work by His power. Mothers like Timothy's are the piers of the church, hidden underground but supporting everything you see.

There are many examples throughout the New Testament of leaders being appointed to meet a need by the consensus of the body with the agreement of other elders. Considering adding another elder at the request of our current elders because they need his hep, just like Paul needed Timothy.