Podcasts about 1therefore

in this episode, Pastor Dom teaches us about the importance of pursuing holinesHebrews 12:1414 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:1 John 5:19We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.1 Peter 1:13-16 13 Therefore gird up the loins ( waist area ) of your mind, be sober ( to be self-controlled, to be watchful ), and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.Ephesians 4:24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.1 Thessalonians 4:77 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

1Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

[teaching text]What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.Romans 6:1-11We must come to realize that following Jesus is the main point of life.John Mark ComerBECOME LIKE HIMPICTURE*VIDEO***23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them.Matthew 4:23-2423 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. Matthew 8:23-248 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,“‘You shall worship the Lord your God     and him only shall you serve.'”11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.Matthew 4:8-1119 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.Matthew 14:19-2112 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.John 14:12Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”Matthew 26:41Humans are capable of achieving amazing things, like the very things we see Him doing, and humans are capable of achieving terrible things, like the very sins we see Him warning against.So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.Genesis 1:277 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.Colossians 3:10The true nature of man in the image of God was also seen in the earthly life of Christ.Wayne GrudemThe Sermon on the Mount is not a set of principles to be obeyed apart from identification with Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit is getting his way with us.Oswald ChambersAs the saying goes, “A black belt is just a white belt who never quit.” A saint is just an ordinary apprentice who stayed at it with Jesus.John Mark Comer7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.1 Timothy 4:7-8gymnasia—training: the exercise of the body in a palaestra or school of athleticsThe aim and substance of spiritual life is not fasting, prayer, hymn singing, frugal living, and so forth. Rather, it is the effective and full enjoyment of active love of God and humankind in all the daily rounds of normal existence where we are placed. The spiritually advanced person is not the one who engages in lots and lots of disciplines, any more than the good child is the one who receives lots and lots of instruction or punishment. People who think they are spiritually superior because they make a practice of a discipline such as fasting or silence or frugality are entirely missing the point.Dallas WillardWhat shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?Romans 6:1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…  10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.Romans 5:1, 10-11WHAT IS ROMANS 6 PUSHING BACK AGAINST?LAZY CHRISTIANSWHAT'S THE POINT OF BECOMING LIKE JESUS IF I'M ALREADY PERFECTLY LOVED BY HIM? DESIGN5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:8WITNESS8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8 FULFILLMENT10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.John 15:10-11THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINESDISCIPLINES OF ABSTINENCE...

A Conversation on Church Girls, Witchcraft, Rebellion, and Restoration with Dr. Sarita LyonsThe Best Kept Secret exists to help women identify the secret to healing their hearts and connecting with others despite their past. Here, you'll find engaging conversations and important questions that help us connect to the body of Christ despite what the culture believes to be true.This season, we are learning how the enemy misleads church girls and to what lengths the Lord goes to restore our faith in Him.ROMANS 8:1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.MEET DR. SARITADr. Sarita Lyons, affectionately called “Dr. Sarita,” is a wife, mother, speaker, bible teacher, and psychotherapist. Dr. Lyons speaks, writes, and advocates about the intersections of faith, mental health, and justice; as well as women's issues in and outside of the church. Most importantly, Dr. Lyons is called to unashamedly preach the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ.Dr. Lyons is passionate about the emotional and spiritual health of the Church, making disciples, and developing leaders. She deeply cares about the Church being stabilized in Christ amidst the changing tides and influence of culture. She is a highly sought-after speaker and consultant for churches, women's groups, organizations, and educational institutions around the country.Dr. Lyons will soon release her first published book titled Church Girl, published by WaterBrook & Multnomah, which is the Christian imprint of Penguin Random House. RESOURCESPurchase Church GirlConnect with Dr. Sarita on IGConnect with Me on IGPodcast NotesSELAH: A STUDY OF 1 AND 2 SAMUELWant to subscribe to Selah on YouVersion? Join the 7 Day devotional here.Purchase your copy of Selah: A Study of 1 and 2 Samue

Is My Life an Offering to God?2 Timothy 4:6-86 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I havefought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me thecrown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not onlyto me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.Paul writes this as he is languishing in a cold, damp, subterranean Roman prison – awaiting his executionPaul's perspective and focus as awaits death, show us how to live and how to dieHe takes a few minutes to look at his life as a Christ follower in the present, in the past and what thatmeans for his future.We all have a future after death…”the best is yet to come” for those who believe in JesusWhat he is NOT talking about is his persecution of Christians prior to his conversion…there's no “BUT” inhis description of his life.THE PRESENT- As Mikey talked about last week - Paul is issuing his charge to Timothy in light of his (Paul's)impending martyrdom- After urging Timothy to fulfill his ministry, Paul reflects on his own…6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. - Paul is speaking about dying – being poured out like a drink offering- Paul is reflecting on his life of sacrifice to God- (AND) departing – maybe the image of a boat (talk about that in a minute)- Paul used the same drink offering reference about 5 years earlier – referring to the possibility ofhis own death…Philippians 2:1717 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from yourfaith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.- In THIS case, he is aware that his death is no longer a possibility, but impending- Paul is referring to the Old Testament sacrificial system – make sacrifices for the atonement of theirsin…- Leviticus 23:13- 13 together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah [a] of the finest flour mixed with oliveoil—a food offering presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma—and its drink offering of a quarter of ahin [b] of wine.- During the ritual of sacrificing a lamb, wine was poured out at the base of the altar – atime of pouring out, or emptying the life of the sacrifice- In this case, the pouring out of life would represent an offering to Jesus- Though there would still be a little time before his death, but he was aware that theprocess had begunA question for us: are we aware that the process has begun?- Had a friend who said he might believe on his death bed.- we don't get to pick the time of our death…even if we think we should get to, weshouldn't- this became an operative metaphor for how Paul regarded his life – a drink offeringbeing poured out- The details of Paul's death are not described in scripture, but this picture of beingpoured out for Christ's sake is awe-inspiring.Paul was facing death, but triumphant. From the time of his conversion on the Damascus road,everything he had was given to God: his wealth, his mind, his body, his passions, his position, hisreputation, his relationships, his dreams – all of it was poured out, sacrificed to God. All thatremained was his life's breath, and he triumphantly gave that.You might say…well…this was Paul. I mean, THE PAUL. I could never do that.Could we say the same? Have we given Jesus EVERYTHING?This is a question you have to ask yourself - Hopefully the answer is yesWhen your life is over, will they say “he/she poured out his life for Christ's sake”? If not, what are yougoing to do about it?- You could say…”well, life is short and I want to live it my way”…- “my way” never worksHow do you want to be remembered?- Finishing well does not happen by accident.- Solomon – started out strong – asked for wisdom, so God gave it to him- Somewhere along the line, he decided to do it his way and died with 700 wivesand 300 concubines- - God told him that he should not marry women who serve other gods,because they would turn him away from Him – the one true God.-- - 1 Kings 11:6- “So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord;…”-- Jonah – God told him to Ninevah, and he ran (sailed) the other way- - Jonah ends with him so angry he wished he was dead, and God shaking Hishead.-Looking back on your life, has it been lived and poured out as a drink offering? In order to finish well,you should look at every day to live as an opportunity to live your life as a drink offering.Start today…life – year – month – day – hour…break it down and get going now. You have the powerto pick the start date…not the end date.Paul adds: “and the time for my departure is near”- The word translated “departure” is also used in Greek literature for the loosing of a ship from it'smoorings, or a soldier loosing the stakes from his tent. - An army packing up / breaking camp toleave the battle field – the war is over and they're going home-- The image of Paul, in death. boarding a boat for departure for another shore is pretty awesome.Paul wanted to live his life for Jesus, but eagerly anticipated the day he would board that boatPhillipians 1:22-2322 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I donot know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;This was Paul's dream, and his ship was about to leave. He was ready. ARE YOU?Of course he was excited…what awaits the believer is incomparable, and he knew it…DO WE?If you're not aware that the best is yet to come, and anticipate that day…why not?- We all get a boarding pass, but not all our boats are headed for the same shore- You don't want to choose the wrong boat hereNon believers fear death…actually, for some, they believe you just die, and we take our chances. Infinancial terms, I would say that one who believes nothing happens after death is like someone giventhe opportunity to have a billion dollars to the infinite power if they would just give up the penny theyare clutching.- Some would say, I just can't muster the faith to believe…- Too many hypocrite Christians – prosperity gospel – crooked evangelists – celebrity pastors goingoff the rails-I would say that the one who does not believe in life with Jesus after death because it requirestoo much faith, must have a whole lot of faith that nothing's going to happen after death. Even if that weretrue, which it isn't, the Christian ends up in the same nothingness as the non-believer. But if it IS true,which I promise you it is, the non-believer has so much more to risk and lose. It's illogical to take thoseodds.- But faith in Jesus is not just afterlife fire insurance – it is the promise of a fulfilling life…not a lifewithout pain, but a life of sacrifice that ends with eternity to the one who will take our pain away.-2 Corinthians 4:1717 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs themall.Romans 8:1818 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed inus.Charles Spurgeon put it this way: "To come to Thee is to come home from exile, to come to land out of the raging storm, to come torest after long labor, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes" Time is short…has your life been a drink offering poured out for Jesus, or have you been neglectingthe poor, withholding from the church and pouring your life into a future here that you're notguaranteed…If you're “living your best life now” going at it your way…this may be the only heaven you'll ever know- Doesn't look like heaven to meTHE PAST7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.Looking back on his life, Paul uses 3 more words associated with his victory:“I have fought the good fight” – Paul was a spiritual warriorHe had stood before Felix, Agrippa and the officials of Rome with courageHe endured the riots in Ephesus, and the opposition in CorinthPaul describes some of his hardships in 2 Corinthians 11:23-2823 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked muchharder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to deathagain and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times Iwas beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a nightand a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers,in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in thecity, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have laboredand toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gonewithout food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of myconcern for all the churches.You've heard it said – if being a Christian was illegal, would there be enough to convict you?If the church of the US was being persecuted, would we be perceived as not worth the effort by thosedoing it?Paul goes on to say : “I have finished the race”- Paul says he has simply “finished” the race”…not won it…- We all have a race to run, and Paul's was nearly complete- What are you running to? Are you running from something?Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everythingthat hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race markedout for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him heendured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.In this, the author says that we run faithfully by remembering those who have gone before us; bythrowing off anything that keeps us from faithfulness, and by fixing our eyes on Jesus- We each have a race to run, a race that God has prepared for us, individually and corporately.- Are you running your race? Are we running ours?Finally, Paul says “I have kept the faith”- Paul is probably emphasizing his role as a steward of sound doctrine…kept the faith- Throughout his letters to Timothy, and others, Paul held tightly to the truth and was passing it on –like the passing of a baton…another great race analogyPassing the baton quickly for the sprint, and passing the baton slowly for the long runBoth are disciples making disciples- Every Christian has a fight to endure, a race to run and a treasure to guard.Are we just watching our brothers and sisters fight their good fight? Are we passively watchingother run their race, or maybe just lounging on our couch watching TV…- What are we doing? - I'm not saying there are boxes to check…- Paul didn't live his life as a drink offering in order to check boxes and gain the redemptionJesus offered. He poured out his life BECAUSE the redemption Jesus offers…a life ofgratitude and worship for the one who gives us eternal life.THE FUTURE8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will awardto me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.- The final picture is that of a crown or garland – another athletic analogy- Garlands won by the Greeks were greatly prized- He writes of a crown he will soon be receiving – the crown of righteousness – the ultimate,permanent state of righteousnessRomans 3: 22 - 22 This righteousness is given through faith in [a] Jesus Christ to all who believe.- While Nero was about to declare Paul guilty and condemn him, Christ the righteous Judge wasabout to declare him ultimately and permanently righteous.- Paul doesn't stop with his own crown, but reminds all of us of the crown awaiting all who believeand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.- a sure evidence of saving faith is having your heart set on Jesus, longing for that day, as Paul did.Titus 2:1313 while we wait for the blessed hopeThose who don't believe will surely dread that day…How can we be sure?Start by repenting and turning to God…turn around and live towards him-- Put all your cards on the table and commit your life to Jesus- Everything Paul had was given to God –- his wealth, his mind, his body, his passions, his position, his reputation, his relationships,his dreams – all of it was poured out, sacrificed to God…to the very last breath.- - This isn't a “say the sinner's prayer and you're good” and go on with your life thinking you haveafterlife fire insurance. Give yourself to Him, because He gave Himself for us.Ezekiel 36:25-2725 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities andfrom all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you yourheart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow mydecrees and be careful to keep my laws.Knowing that there's a God who loves you, why would you want to do anything your way?

Romans 12:1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Trusted & Trustworthy – A Biblical View of Stewardship Part One: A Steward is a Servant By Louie Marsh, 1-14-2024       1) When I come to Christ I become a SERVANT.   “1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1, ESV)   This is a radical shift in how I understand and live my life   “14For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14–15, ESV)   I become a servant and a steward:   “1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV)   2) This makes decisions SIMPLE.   “1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1–2, ESV)   o   If God's Word says no I say no – plain and simple o   If Bible says yes then I do it.   Doesn't always work that way in life – it's a theory – but still makes things simpler.   “15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15–17, ESV)   3) It REORIENTS my entire view of reality.   No longer about me – finding joy or peace, or success or self actualization or whatever.   “23And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  (Luke 9:23, ESV)   “4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:4–7, ESV)   4) It frees me from the BURDEN of self   Life isn't all about me – I'm free to be and do all that God has gifted me to do.   “16Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: 17Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 18And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 19Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”” (2 Kings 20:16–19, ESV)   5) It UNVEILS  the true purpose of my life.   When I let go of myself I find real self-satisfaction.   24For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:24–25, ESV)   “36For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37but he whom God raised up did not see corruption.” (Acts 13:36–37, ESV)    

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost The Collect: Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament: Exodus 32:1-14 1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took the gold from them, formed it in a mold, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord.” 6 They rose early the next day, and offered burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel. 7 The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; 8 they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'” 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. 10 Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.” 11 But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'” 14 And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people. Psalm: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 1 Hallelujah!   Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *        for his mercy endures for ever. 2 Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord *        or show forth all his praise? 3 Happy are those who act with justice *        and always do what is right! 4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favor you have for your people, *        and visit me with your saving help; 5 That I may see the prosperity of your elect   and be glad with the gladness of your people, *        that I may glory with your inheritance. 6 We have sinned as our forebears did; *        we have done wrong and dealt wickedly. 19 Israel made a bull-calf at Horeb *        and worshiped a molten image; 20 And so they exchanged their Glory *        for the image of an ox that feeds on grass. 21 They forgot God their Savior, *        who had done great things in Egypt, 22 Wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, *        and fearful things at the Red Sea. 23 So he would have destroyed them,    had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, *        to turn away his wrath from consuming them. Old Testament: Isaiah 25:1-9 1O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. 2For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin; the palace of aliens is a city no more, it will never be rebuilt. 3Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you. 4For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, 5the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place, you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds; the song of the ruthless was stilled. 6On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. 7And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. 8Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. 9It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Psalm: Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; *        I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *        and leads me beside still waters. 3 He revives my soul *        and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,   I shall fear no evil; *        for you are with me;        your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *        you have anointed my head with oil,        and my cup is running over. 6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *        and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Epistle: Philippians 4:1-9 1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 1Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe,12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14For many are called, but few are chosen.”

1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

(Hebrews 12:1-2) 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 1st Challenge – Hidden Sin  (Joshua 6:18-19) 18But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. 19But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.” (Joshua 7:1) 1But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel. (Joshua 7:20-21) 20Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: 21when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” 2nd Challenge – Lack of Prayer  3rd Challenge – Compromising Choices (Exodus 23:32-33) 32You shall make no covenant with them and their gods. 33They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.” (Joshua 9:3-4) 3But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4they on their part acted with cunning (Joshua 9:14-15) 14So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. 4th Challenge – Partial Obedience (Joshua 13:1) 1Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess. (Joshua 23:6-8) 6Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, 7that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, 8but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. (2 Corinthians 6:14) 14Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (Proverbs 4:23) 23Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Hebrews 12:1-2) 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.    

2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.Support the show

Third Sunday after Pentecost The Collect: Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament: Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) 1The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” 7Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it.8Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” 10Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. 11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'14Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.” [1 The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. 2Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. 4And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” 7And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”] Psalm: Psalm 116:1,10-17 1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *        because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. 10 How shall I repay the Lord *        for all the good things he has done for me? 11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *        and call upon the Name of the Lord. 12 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *        in the presence of all his people. 13 Precious in the sight of the Lord *        is the death of his servants. 14 O Lord, I am your servant; *        I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;        you have freed me from my bonds. 15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *        and call upon the Name of the Lord. 16 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *        in the presence of all his people, 17 In the courts of the Lord'S house, *        in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.        Hallelujah! Old Testament: Exodus 19:2-8a 2They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain.3Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites:4You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, 6but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.” 7So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8The people all answered as one: “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Psalm: Psalm 100 1 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *        serve the Lord with gladness        and come before his presence with a song. 2 Know this: The Lord himself is God; *        he himself has made us, and we are his;        we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;   go into his courts with praise; *        give thanks to him and call upon his Name. 4 For the Lord is good;   his mercy is everlasting; *        and his faithfulness endures from age to age. Epistle: Romans 5:1-8 1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:8,(9-23) 35Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 1Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. [9Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.]

    1Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John   2(although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were),   3He left Judea and went away again into Galilee.   4And He had to pass through Samaria.   5So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph;   6and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.   7There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”   8For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.   9Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)   10Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”   11She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water?   12“You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?”   13Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;   14but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”   15The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.”   16He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.”   17The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband';   18for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.”   19The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.   20“Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”   21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.   22“You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.   23“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.   24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”   25The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.”   26Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”   27At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why do You speak with her?”   28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men,   29“Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?”   30They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.   31Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”   32But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”   33So the disciples were saying to one another, “No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?”   34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.   35“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.   36“Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.   37“For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.'   38“I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”   39From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.”   40So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.   41Many more believed because of His word;   42and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”  New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update, (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 4:1–42.

Confronting Culture Part Four: No Distractions By Louie Marsh, 3-19-2023 1) To be a good witness I must be FOCUSED on Jesus.   “1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2, ESV)   Looking away from everything which may distract. - Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 4 (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1887), 537–538.   ·       To look towards Jesus means looking AWAY from everything else.   2) To stay focused on Jesus I must REJECT all sin.   “1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1–3, ESV)   3) To stay focused on Jesus I must FORSAKE myself.   “1In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 11:1, ESV)   “4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”” (1 Kings 19:4, ESV)   4) To stay focused on Jesus I must DISCERN between good, better & best.   “38Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”” (Luke 10:38–42, ESV)   “4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4–5, ESV)   5) Staying focused on Jesus means I follow the Word NOT my FEELINGS.   “57As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”” (Luke 9:57–62, ESV)   Example of Super Spirituality Distraction   A few days ago, a sister in Christ posted a video entitled End Unrighteous Fellowship. It was about limiting time spent with non-Christians because of the spiritual effect they can have on us…we shouldn't actively seek them out for fellowship/fun.   As soon as I heard the video, my mind instantly went to the three ladies I run with at work. We are all on the same team in public education. As such, we spend hours and hours together…Occasionally, we eat lunch together…The weird thing is, more often than not when I leave those meetings/lunches, I'm repenting for something I said or thought during that time. Sometimes, though, it's not even anything I can name. It's just a general feeling that I am out of sync with the Lord.   Then I got the object lesson. It was Sunday night, and just as I was putting on my boots for church, I got a phone call from one of my co-workers asking about something at school. When I was done talking, I put my phone on the arm of the couch and then forgot about it. When I got to church, I didn't have my cell phone to record the night's hymns for my YouTube channel playlist called Hymns With Hannah.   I was distracted, and I wasn't able to do the job that I believe that God called me to do. I think He was showing me a physical example of what actually happens in the spiritual realm. Whether it is ungodliness or just worldliness, time spent with people who don't have Jesus as their centerpiece can cause us to miss important details in the work that God has for us to do.          

Hebrews 2:1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Third Sunday in Lent The Collect: Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7 1From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” 4So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” Psalm: Psalm 95 1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; *        let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *        and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God, *        and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *        and the heights of the hills are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, *        and his hands have molded the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *        and kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For he is our God,   and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *        Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! 8 Harden not your hearts,   as your forebears did in the wilderness, *        at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,        when they tempted me. 9 They put me to the test, *        though they had seen my works. 10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *       “This people are wayward in their hearts;        they do not know my ways.” 11 So I swore in my wrath, *       “They shall not enter into my rest.” Epistle: Romans 5:1-11 1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.9Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.11But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Gospel: John 4:5-42 5So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.7A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8(His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?” 13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” 17The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband'; 18for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!”19The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us.”26Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who is speaking to you.” 27Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” 28Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30They left the city and were on their way to him. 31Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?” 34Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.' 38I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” 39Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

Philippians 4:1Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.Support the show

The devotion for today, Tuesday, February 07, 2023 was written by Weber Baker and is narrated by Jay Williams. Today's Words of Inspiration come from 2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.Support the show

"Who I Am in Christ" Hebrews 12 - January 13, 2023 - Paul Brooks Read Here: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/111/HEB.12.NIV . Welcome to the Daily SOAP from New Hope. This is Paul Brooks, your guest host for today. I hope you are having a good day. Today we will explore Hebrews 12:1-3. It actually refers back to Hebrews 11, considered to be the “Hall of Fame” of faith. I encourage you to read both chapters 11 and 12. January 13, 2023 Read Hebrews 12:1-3 Scripture – Hebrews 12:1-3: 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Each verse of this passage speaks to me in its own right. Verse 1 paints a glorious picture of the saints surrounding us and cheering us on every step of our lives. Like a marathon runner, we move among them and they offer us encouragement, refreshment, prayer, and if we falter, they stay with us, through the finish line. Next time you bow your head in prayer, consider that around you are the likes of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Samson, David, and the prophets. Not only those, but I also envision my parents, my friends who have passed on. A great cloud of witnesses, indeed! “Throw off everything that hinders you”, they say. Verse 2 reminds us that Jesus is in that crowd, too. We are to fix our eyes on Him who sacrificed everything for our salvation, died for us, rose again, and ascended into Heaven, where he is seated at the right hand of God the Father. And he prays for us as believers, as recounted in John 17:20-26. Verse 3 challenges us to consider his victory over the sin of this world, so that we do not grow weary and lose heart. He is the perfect picture of how we should strive to live, and the promise of our ultimate hope. And collectively, they help me focus on an important word for all of us: Perseverance. Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The history of Christianity, going all the way back to Eden, is a history of persevering through trouble. The challenges we face today are a continuation of the challenge of this world. But we are to carry on. Two memories come to mind. The first is that old children's hymn, which my Mom had us sing at her celebration of life, that starts out, “I sing a song of the saints of God “Patient and brave and true, “Who toiled and fought and lived and died “For the Lord they loved and knew. “And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, “And one was a shepherdess on the green: “They were all of them saints of God – and I mean, “God helping, to be one too.” The second is my most enduring verse from the Bible, Romans 5:1-5. It hit my heart when my Dad was placed in the care of hospice, and was a source of discussion between us about faith, about suffering, and about hope. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Dad persevered through 18 months before going on to glory. So, as we face the challenges of this world, remember the amazing cloud of witnesses cheering us on. Remember the hope they promise us if we just persevere. Remember the character we are building as we run the race and strive to be part of that cloud for eternity. And there are more, right here on earth, cheering us on. As the song ends: “You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, “In church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea, “For the saints of God are just folks like me, “And I mean to be one too.” Let's pray. Almighty God, thank you for the grace you have given us through Jesus Christ. As this world poses challenges, help us remember that great cloud of witnesses cheering us on. Help us keep the faith and persevere through the turmoil and strife of this world, remaining focused on Jesus. And help us all, even as broken as we are, be a saint of God for those around us. Amen. Paul Brooks . https://www.findnewhope.com Our staff and leadership employ what's called the “S.O.A.P. Method”. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Each day, we read one or two chapters of Scripture and focus on one particular verse. We make some observations about how that verse touches us, discern how it applies to our lives, and offer a prayer related to what we have read. -- Donate via PayPal to support the podcasts and the Technical Arts Ministry of New Hope! https://goo.gl/o2a9oU Subscribe at: http://www.findnewhope.com/soap (813) 689-4161 keywords: devotional, bible study

This morning, we are celebrating 30 years as a church. As I considered what to share on today to mark this occasion, I believe the Lord wanted me to share with you some encouragement from Hebrews 12:1-3. We do not know who wrote Hebrews, but we know that it is a letter written to the church made up of Jewish Christians in Rome, encouraging them to remain faithful to Jesus in the midst of suffering. In the first three verses of chapter 12, we read this exhortation:   NIV Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Therefore – what is it there for? Follows Hebrews 11, the hall of faith, a long list of people found in the Old Testament who followed God by faith. Hebrews 11 begins with this explanation of what faith is: NIV Hebrews 11:1-3 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  2 This is what the ancients were commended for.  3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Look at the words he uses to describe faith: sure, certain. NOT blind, guessing, believing in something contrary to the evidence. The first example he gives is of God creating the universe – that out of what was unseen, God brought something tangible. This is what faith is like, according to the author. It is being sure of something that you do not yet have, believing it is true even if the fulfillment is not going to happen until some unknown future time.

Romans 8:9-17 (CWSB)9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Introduction 

Philippians 3:12–4:1 (ESV) 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 4:1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Principles to getting back at it: God has a purpose for your life. Fulfilling God's purpose for your life should be your main goal in life. Fulfilling God's purpose for your life comes with great reward. Fulfilling God's purpose for your life requires pressing. Fulfilling God's purpose for your life requires focus

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost The Collect: Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament: Jeremiah 23:23-29 23Am I a God near by, says the Lord, and not a God far off? 24Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord. 25I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed!” 26How long? Will the hearts of the prophets ever turn back—those who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart?27They plan to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, just as their ancestors forgot my name for Baal.28Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the Lord. 29Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Psalm: Psalm 82 1 God takes his stand in the council of heaven; he gives judgment in the midst of the gods: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly, and show favor to the wicked? 3 Save the weak and the orphan; defend the humble and needy; 4 Rescue the weak and the poor; deliver them from the power of the wicked. 5 They do not know, neither do they understand; they go about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 Now I say to you, ‘You are gods, and all of you children of the Most High; 7 Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince.'” 8 Arise, O God, and rule the earth, for you shall take all nations for your own. Epistle: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days.31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. 32And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Gospel: Luke 12:49-56 49“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three;53they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” 54He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain'; and so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

First Sunday after Pentecost Trinity Sunday The Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 1Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out: 4“To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live. 22The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago. 23Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth— 26when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world's first bits of soil. 27When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race. Psalm: Psalm 8 or Canticle 2 or 13 1 O Lord our Governor, *         how exalted is your Name in all the world! 2 Out of the mouths of infants and children *         your majesty is praised above the heavens. 3 You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *         to quell the enemy and the avenger. 4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *         the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, 5 What is man that you should be mindful of him? *         the son of man that you should seek him out? 6 You have made him but little lower than the angels; *         you adorn him with glory and honor; 7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *         you put all things under his feet: 8 All sheep and oxen, *         even the wild beasts of the field, 9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *         and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea. 10 O Lord our Governor, *         how exalted is your Name in all the world! or Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *        you are worthy of praise; glory to you. Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *        we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *        on the throne of your majesty, glory to you. Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *        we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. Glory to you, beholding the depths; *        in the high vault of heaven, glory to you. Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *        we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. Epistle: Romans 5:1-5 1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Gospel: John 16:12-15 12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 5:1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Pastor Karl opens a big Can of Worms on this podcast with a topic he has discussed privately and in seminary classrooms but never publicly until now. What adult ministry trends have had a negative impact on Children's Ministry - and how can and should children's ministry leaders adapt in response? It's a thought-provoking discussion sure to challenge and stimulate. You've likely never heard this theory before on how some positive trends in adult ministry have had a negative impact on children's ministry. Stewards of kids ministry need to react wisely and proactively - the future is at stake.Mentioned on the Show:The Great Commission - Matthew 28:18-20Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 1Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” FEATURED SPONSORS:KidCheck Online Check-InMy Brand New Life Follow Up BookletKIDOLOGY RESOURCES:Bible Ninja Warriors SundayUndercover Queen Series2022 it Bible Curriculum Scope & SequenceKidology Four Pillars eBook DownloadKidology Table Talker Family DevotionalsAwesome Adventure Discipleship BookNext Steps for Kids CourseKIDOLOGY and other links:Kidology Theorem #26 Do As I Say, Not As I DoBlog post about Awesome Adventure Discipleship with ParentsFB Post that inspired this podcastDale Hudson - Something That Recently Scared Me in Children's Ministry 

Second Sunday in Lent The Collect: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 1After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” 8But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. 17When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, Psalm: Psalm 27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;    whom then shall I fear? *        the Lord is the strength of my life;        of whom then shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *        it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who                              stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army should encamp against me, *        yet my heart shall not be afraid; 4 And though war should rise up against me, *        yet will I put my trust in him. 5 One thing have I asked of the Lord;    one thing I seek; *        that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days                             of my life; 6 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *        and to seek him in his temple. 7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe                            in his shelter; *        he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling        and set me high upon a rock. 8 Even now he lifts up my head *        above my enemies round about me. 9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation    with sounds of great gladness; *        I will sing and make music to the Lord. 10 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *        have mercy on me and answer me. 11 You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *        Your face, Lord, will I seek. 12 Hide not your face from me, *        nor turn away your servant in displeasure. 13 You have been my helper;      cast me not away; *        do not forsake me, O God of my salvation. 14 Though my father and my mother forsake me, *        the Lord will sustain me. 15 Show me your way, O Lord; *        lead me on a level path, because of my enemies. 16 Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *        for false witnesses have risen up against me,        and also those who speak malice. 17 What if I had not believed     that I should see the goodness of the Lord *        in the land of the living! 18 O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;     be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *        wait patiently for the Lord. Epistle: Philippians 3:17-4:1 17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. Gospel: Luke 13:31-35 31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'”

1Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Last Sunday after the Epiphany Transfiguration Sunday The Collect: O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Exodus 34:29-35 29Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 31But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 32Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded,35the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. Psalm: Psalm 99 1 The Lord is King;    let the people tremble; *        he is enthroned upon the cherubim;        let the earth shake. 2 The Lord is great in Zion; *        he is high above all peoples. 3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *        he is the Holy One. 4 “O mighty King, lover of justice,    you have established equity; *        you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.” 5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God   and fall down before his footstool; *        he is the Holy One. 6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,   and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *        they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. 7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *        they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them. 8 “O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *        you were a God who forgave them,        yet punished them for their evil deeds.” 9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God   and worship him upon his holy hill; *        for the Lord our God is the Holy One. Epistle: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 12Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 1Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. Gospel: Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a) 28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —not knowing what he said. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. [37On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43And all were astounded at the greatness of God.]

Do this 3 step project that will position you for success and start your new year right! Every year we pick up weights of unforgiveness, often unintentionally! As a prophet, this is kryptonite to your anointing! So, get free and become empowered. The Lord has a promise for the year ahead, and your hosts, Apostles Craig and Colette Toach, are available to help you receive it.   Be free from bondages of the mind, guilt, depression and more by following the teaching in this episode. Your prophetic trainers lead you to forgiveness so that you might experience the presence of Jesus at a greater level. Be filled with love and joy again! “Every time you forgive, you take back some of the land that you gave to the enemy in your heart,” says Apostle Colette Toach. Be healed, be free, and rise up in your prophetic call. Push play now. Key Scriptures:   Hebrews 12:1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For [a]if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.   Enter the New Year Free! Click the Link BelowAt Liberty to Love (Audio Message)   Become A Sponsor of The Next Gen ProphetsHelp us Train God's Prophets Around The World    Get Connected with Apostles Craig and Colette Toach Submit Your Question to the Apostles: ToachMinistries.com Check Out the NextGen Prophets Website: Nextgenprophets.org   Follow the NextGen Prophets Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nextgenprophets/ Follow the NextGen Prophets Instagram: https://bit.ly/3nKC7hW

Romans 2:1Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/my/profile)

1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love andlong for,my joy andcrown,stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche toagree in the Lord. 3Yes, I ask you also, true companion,help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers,whose names are in the book of life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5Let your reasonablenessbe known to everyone.The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything,but in everything by prayer and supplicationwith thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7Andthe peace of God,which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Disciple Up # 231 Dead Works By Louie Marsh, 10-6-2021   Good Works vs. Dead Works   The Bible has much to say about good works and also about dead works. Most people assume that dead works refers to overtly sinful stuff and “bad behavior” while good works talks about things like showing acts of kindness towards others   Serving God is Good!   I'm not saying serving God is bad. But I am saying that you don't become acceptable to God through your works, and sometimes works can be dead and a stumbling block to our spiritual growth!   Dead Works   In the Bible the phrase “dead works” is only found in the book of Hebrews.   “1Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And this we will do if God permits.” (Hebrews 6:1–3, ESV)   Repentance from dead works is a foundational thing. Repentance means to change the way we think. Do an about face, go in the exact opposite direction.   Some Possible Dead Works:   Praying can be a dead or good work. Attending church can be a dead or good work. Reading the Bible can be a dead or good work. Telling others about Jesus can be a dead or good work.   Biblical Examples:   Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'— Matthew 7:22-23   “1“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” (Revelation 3:1–3, ESV)   “15“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” (Revelation 3:15–18, ESV)   I know a lot of people who are serving in a ministry or a position in their church purely because they don't feel they can say no. There's no real joy in it for them. They view it as a drag on them and are only doing it because they are people pleasers who refuse to tell the Pastor, Elder, etc. no when asked to serve.   Those could be great examples of dead works.   What are the end result of dead works?   “10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:10–15, ESV)   You can do all sorts of good things but do them in your own power, or do them for your own purposes (like being noticed, praised, becoming popular, etc.) that would render those good things as dead work.   Dead works can be good works.   “4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” (John 15:4–6, ESV)   The Cure for Dead Works:   1) Repentance.   This means we have to turn away from them. We have to learn how to say no when that's necessary!   2) Revive Our Spiritual Lives.   Get back to Christ and do whatever you're doing in Him! Apart from him lie only dead works. It'll look good to people, but it'll be dead in God's sight and disappear in a puff of smoke on the judgement day.            

Welcome to ALFC Podcast! We are so excited for what God has in store for you through today's message.If you are NEW here please click this

Disciple Up # 226 Greater Than – Don't Miss His Rest, Hebrews Chapter 3 By Louie Marsh, 9-1-2021   What's happening??  Last time we did this was Episode 186!   HEBREWS CHAPTER 3   Introduction:   “1Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” (Hebrews 3:1–6, ESV)   God's Rest   Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,       “Today, if you hear his voice, 8    do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9    where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 10   Therefore I was provoked with that generation,       and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.' 11   As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.' ” 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,       “Today, if you hear his voice,       do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”   What stops us from seeing this?   Blindness to the issue Pride Peer pressure Comfort zone 16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.  

A visible church is united as one with Christ as the head.  How does our reaction to anger disrupt that unity and grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians4:30-5:2 (Evangelical Heritage Version) 30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of every kind of bitterness, rage, anger, quarreling, and slander, along with every kind of malice. 32Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one other, just as God in Christ has forgiven us. 5:1Therefore, be imitators of God as his dearly loved children. 2And walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Life As It Was Meant To Be Part 4: Building Great Relationships Louie Marsh, 7-4-2021     1) PUT OTHERS ahead of myself.   “1Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,” (1 Thessalonians 3:1–2, ESV)   Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Philip. 2:3 (NLT)   Not Neurotic living of performance for acceptance, which we've talked about last week, but being humble – CHOOSING to serve others because of the love of Christ!   2) Focus on ENCOURAGING others.   “2and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.” (1 Thessalonians 3:2–3, ESV)   Remember Paul was in JAIL – he had his own problems yet was concerned about others too!   “9He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9, ESV)   Encouragement comes in many forms – teaching (doctrine) is one, but only one way to encourage those around you – you discover what kind of encouragement to use NOT by checking with how YOU feel or what YOU think – but by discovering THEIR condition and then responding appropriately.   3) TELL the whole ugly truth!   “3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.” (1 Thessalonians 3:3–4, ESV)   Paul was honest – the truth isn't always ugly – but it often is, we must tell it like it is, with love!   “18“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18, ESV)   Jesus was honest, at times brutally honest – let's not sugar coat the truth – but tell it truthfully and skillfully.   4) OPENLY SHARE my struggles.   “7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.” (1 Thessalonians 3:7, ESV)   Paul didn't make the mistake we often do – thinking we must remain stoic, not revealing our trouble so we can help others!  A generation ago Ministers were actually taught never to let their members see them without a tie on!!  That's not a biblical approach – instead honest openness is what we need if we are to build real relationships.   5) FREELY EXPRESS  my deepest feelings.   “8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8, ESV)   Paul wasn't embarrassed to open his heart and let them know how much he cared for them. How about us??   “1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:1–2, ESV)   Timothy wasn't his son, yet he loved him like one and was afraid to say so in a very public forum!   …and the secret ingredient is…   PRAYER that is…   THANKFUL   “9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,” (1 Thessalonians 3:9, ESV)   INTENSE   “10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?” (1 Thessalonians 3:10, ESV)             Story of boy having to say his prayers, and his “Ditto” prayer!   RELATIONAL   “11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,” (1 Thessalonians 3:11, ESV)   DEEP   “12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,” (1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)   CHRIST Centered & ETERNITY minded.   “13so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13, ESV)    

Summary:Will you walk in two realms, laying down your life and taking it up again? The experiences of spirit realm are for you. We put our thoughts aside to feed on Him.Show Notes:• We are a generation that He has called to walk in two realms at once and that is walking in the spirit and walking on this earth.• Walking in the spirit is a rebuke to the carnal mind which is limited.• What we do in the realm of spirit is permanent.• He has chosen us. We are created in His image by repentance, turning towards the Lord. There is no condemnation because you took that moment to turn back into His presence.References:Matthew 5:3-11The Sermon on the Mount: The BeatitudesRomans 8Our Life is in the Spirit.Romans 8:1Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.Quotes:• Everything happens first in the spirit realm and then it happens in the physical realm.• We are going to make this earth His footstool.• There is so much that is opening up to us by walking in the spirit.Take Away:This is the day of His grace, and it is a grace to become and to do.

Disciple Up #204 Greater Than – Jesus the Greatest of All Time! By Louie Marsh, 3-23-2021   “1Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” (Hebrews 3:1–6, ESV)   Partakers (μετοχοι [metochoi]). See Luke 5:7 for “partners” in the fishing, elsewhere in N. T. only in Hebrews (1:9; 6:4; 12:8) in N. T. Of a heavenly calling (κλησεως ἐπουρανιου [klēseōs epouraniou]). Only here in the N. T., though same idea in 9:15. See ἡ ἀνω κλησις [hē anō klēsis] in Phil. 3:14 (the upward calling) - Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Heb 3:1). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.   Consider (κατανοησατε [katanoēsate]). First aorist active imperative of κατανοεω [katanoeō], old compound verb (κατα, νους [kata, nous]), to put the mind down on a thing, to fix the mind on as in Matt. 7:3 and Luke 12:24. - Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Heb 3:1). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.   The apostle and high priest (τὸν ἀπόστολον καὶ ἀρχιερέα). In calling Jesus apostle, the writer is thinking of Moses as one sent by God to lead Israel to Canaan. Comp. LXX, where ἀποστέλλειν to send is often used of Moses. See Ex. 3–7. Often of Jesus - Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 4, p. 410). New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.   The Apostle and High Priest of our confession (τον ἀποστολον και ἀρχιερεα της ὁμολογιας ἡμων [ton apostolon kai archierea tēs homologias hēmōn]). In descriptive apposition with Ἰησουν [Iēsoun] and note the single article τον [ton]. This is the only time in the N. T. that Jesus is called ἀποστολος [apostolos], though he often used ἀποστελλω [apostellō] of God's sending him forth as in John 17:3 (ἀπεστειλας [apesteilas]). This verb is used of Moses as sent by God (Ex. 3:10). Moffatt notes that ἀποστολος [apostolos] is Ionic for πρεσβευτης [presbeutēs], “not a mere envoy, but an ambassador or representative sent with powers.” - Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Heb 3:1). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

This morning we're continuing in our study in the book of Hebrews. We're going to be reading from studying Hebrews 3:1-6, so if you have Bibles with you, I'd invite you to open up with me to that text. Hear now the word of the Lord. 1Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Hebrews 3:1-6, ESV This is the word of the Lord. With the New Testament there are a few places where we encounter a surprising problem of sorts. It's a problem where godly people, some of whom are godly people, in a moment of awe-struck wonder radically mistake God's messengers and God's servants with the one they serve, with God. Now let me give you a few examples of this. First in Acts chapter 10, we read in account how one day the apostle Peter is sent out by God to a gentile he's never met before named Cornelius. The Lord spoke to Cornelius, a God-fearing man, in a vision and told him to send for Peter and so he does that. When Peter enters the household of Cornelius, a couple days later Cornelius starts to worship Peter. He falls down at his feet and he worships him, which leads to Peter's response, don't do that stand up, I too am a man. Then later in the New Testament in the book of Revelation the apostle John, of all people, makes a similar mistake. He spontaneously falls down and worships an angel, only for the angel to respond similarly, you must not do that I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus, worship God. Now if you're anything like me, when we come across accounts like that in the scriptures, we're probably taken aback by how confused you'd have to be to confuse a servant like Peter or an angel with the one that they serve, namely with the Lord. Now maybe we're somewhat sympathetic because after all Peter was an important guy, he was an apostle and angels look strikingly otherworldly, at least that's how Revelation invites us to imagine angels. To confuse a messenger of God with God himself would seem, at least in my mind, to be a pretty big error to make. Yet I would submit that as foreign as those errors may appear to us, that a related kind of problem often persists in the church today. Now of course when I say that I don't mean to suggest that the church is often prone to worshiping their pastors and their leaders. Fortunately, that's never been my experience and I commend you for that. It is true, I think, that very often we forget or confuse who's really in control of the church and who's really calling the shots. We forget, as our confession puts it, that there is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ. We forget and confuse that it's ultimately Jesus who empowers everything that we do. We forget that Jesus is the one who changes hearts and minds, it's not us. We forget that ultimately the marching orders of Jesus are what we're called to heed in our worship and work, not our personal preferences or our strategies that we make up of our own design. We sometimes forget that in the church all of us are ultimately held accountable to the head of the church, Jesus Christ. Now by God's grace, he raises up leaders and servants to shepherd his church and he uses such leaders and shepherds as instruments for his ministry. But above every leader, above every servant, and above every shepherd stands one head, Jesus Christ. So, our big idea this morning is this, Stay fixed on the Son instead of on servants. As we work through this passage and see this big idea developed, we're going to unpack it in three parts. So, I have three points for us to think through or to work through. 1. The Faithfulness of God's Appointed 2. The Greater Glory of God's Anointed One 3. The Perseverance of God's Adopted Ones As we work through this text, I'll transition us accordingly just so we get our bearings straight as we go along. The Faithfulness of God's First let's look at the faithfulness of God's appointed ones. Now you may notice if you're looking at your Bibles, and I'm using an ESV translation, but I think the NIV has something like this too, that there's an editorial heading that introduces our passage that says Jesus is greater than Moses. Now understand that these headings, they're not part of scripture, they're things that the editors of the various translations put into the scriptures to sort of help us keep our bearings and understand main highlights of this text or that text. In this case I think this is a very good summary that captures the main thrust of our passage. Just like in Hebrews chapters one and two, where our author labored at length to tell us how Jesus was superior to the angels, well now in chapter three he shifts and tells us how Jesus is superior to another servant, in this case how he's superior to Moses. Before we dive into all the specifics and the specific comparisons our author draws between these two servants, these two figures, I think it's worth stepping back a moment and asking ourselves the question why our author does that? After all there'd be a number of servants or shepherds that our author could have selected from the Old Testament against whom to compare and contrast Jesus, so why does he land, above all figures, on Moses? At this point bear in mind something about Hebrews itself, and I've made this point before, bear in mind that Hebrews as a whole is written to people in their historical context who are faced with a very potent persuasion. They were faced with a persuasion to return to the old covenant administration of the temple and bloody sacrifices, all of which Christ had rendered obsolete through his life, death, and resurrection. Nevertheless, they were faced with this theological fork in the road, as it were, either to persevere in Christ, even in the face of some intense persecution they were undergoing or alleviate that persecution and by doing so return to the old covenant way of doing things. Our author makes the point throughout Hebrews, including in this text, that to fail to persevere in Christ and to return instead to the old covenant would be a mistake. It would be to return to things which themselves pointed to Christ. To do so would be tantamount to even rejecting Christ. It would ultimately result, should they do that, in their spiritual death. So given that primary emphasis and background that we encounter throughout the book of Hebrews, including in this passage, our author at this point draws Moses into the conversation. Moses in the Old Testament functioned as the mediator of the old covenant. He, as it were, stood in the gap in the old covenant between the Lord and his people. We see Moses functioning in this way in a variety of texts in the Old Testament. On the one hand, we see that Moses served as a faithful representative of the Lord when he was, for example in the book of Exodus, summoned to climb Mount Sinai and receive the law of God. Then he descends from Mount Sinai with the law of God in his hands and proclaim the law to the people of God. In that way Moses stood in the gap between God and his people, serving as God's ambassador sent out to declare the will of God and ensure that God's word and God's law were adhered to by his people. Then on the other hand Moses was also a faithful representative of God's people to God, by interceding on their behalf when, as a priest of sorts, he pleaded with God to show mercy after God's people sinned in some terrible ways. They grumbled against God, and they deserve the judgment of God. When we read through much of the Old Testament, it's clear that Moses played a big role in all of these ways as the mediator of the old covenant. He represented, on the one hand, God before God's people and, on the other hand, God's people before God. The author of Hebrews, in remarking upon the one God appointed over his people in the old covenant, doesn't intend to slight Moses or downplay play the role that he played in the slightest. In fact, we notice in our text that the first thing he does in mentioning Moses is he commends him in verse 2. We read Moses was faithful in all God's house. Now of course, to call Moses faithful doesn't mean that Moses never sinned. We know that like every other human being, every other man and woman born in Adam, that Moses sinned. We learn from the first five books of the Bible, that Moses' sin was the reason Moses was eventually prohibited from leading God's people across the Jordan into the land of promise. Nevertheless, as a sinner Moses, the author of Hebrews judges, was faithful in God's house. He was faithful in serving among the people of God, which is what God's house in this text refers to, it's a reference to the church, the people that Moses was appointed to serve among. Theologically speaking the church is God's great building project that's born in the wilderness, we'll come back to that point in our next point, and Moses was appointed in the church to shepherd the church in the old covenant. So, Moses was faithful in all of God's house in the church of the Old Testament. That's very good news, but of course Moses, important as he is, isn't the primary focus of our passage. From start to finish we see that the author of Hebrews points us to the one Moses himself pointed to. This is explicit in what our author tells us in verse one, where he urges his church, he urges you and me, to consider not Moses but instead to consider Jesus. Whereas the NIV translation puts it, “Fix your thoughts on Jesus”, who is then described for us as the apostle and high priest of our confession. Now these two titles that are used to describe Jesus here in verse 1, apostle and high priest, also kind of fit Moses to some degree too. Moses was an apostle of sorts; an apostle simply means one who is sent out by God. Moses, as we just talked about was sent by God to represent God before God's people. Although Aaron was the high priest not Moses, Moses also kind of served as a priest of sorts when he interceded on behalf of God's people before God, we talked a little bit about that too. Even though these two titles apostle and high priest can kind of describe Moses to some degree, our author doesn't explicitly attribute them to Moses because only Jesus fills them perfectly. Jesus, we learn from the scriptures, is the faithful apostle, the one sent not from Egypt but from heaven as God's perfect ideal and sinless representative and ambassador among us. Jesus isn't just a high priest in the mold of every other high priest who came along in Israel's history, who represented God's people before God. Instead, he's the faithful high priest who offers, and we will learn this later on in Hebrews, who offers a single and complete sacrifice for sins that abolishes every other bloody sacrifice. Jesus, who unlike Moses, always lives to make intercession for his people. So, Moses was faithful, that's great news and Jesus was faithful and that's good news too. However, Jesus's faithfulness, in view of everything that we've already heard in Hebrews about the one who is Son, and in view of everything else we know of Jesus from the scriptures, takes on a weightier significance. This weightier significance our author is going to unpack for us in the next few verses, in verses 3 through 6. Yet at this point in our passage, at least in the first two verses, our author's emphasis lies not so much in the distance between Moses and Jesus, although to be sure there's significant difference that we can draw between them, as much as it lies in the faithfulness of God who's seen fit throughout human history to appoint faithful shepherds in and over his church. Now Moses and Jesus, again, were unique shepherds, they were mediators who were given unrepeatable tasks to do. Jesus was the mediator par excellence, the mediator above every other mediator, who's categorically distinct from Moses and distinct from you and me in a number of important ways. What both Moses and Jesus demonstrate through their ministries in and over the church, is that we have a God who's absolutely committed to his church. We see his commitment chiefly above everything else. When we do what our author urges us to do and that is consider Jesus, but we also see his commitment when we consider all of the various ministries that maybe we've benefited from in our own lives. Or from all the other servants that we've benefited from who God has raised up in human history and in church history including even today. Friends the Lord is faithful to his people, he's faithful in shepherding his church, and we see his faithfulness in raising up faithful shepherds in the days of Moses and even beyond including today. Yet now that our author has established the faithfulness of those whom he has appointed in history to lead his church, Moses and preeminently Jesus Christ we hear now explicitly that this is where any similarities between Jesus and Moses end. The Greater Glory of God's Anointed One So, second, looking at verses three through six, we're going to look at the greater glory of God's anointed one Jesus Christ. Let me read for us, just to orient us back to the text, verses three through six where we read this, 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Hebrews 3:3-6, ESV So now in these verses, our author begins to put some pretty significant distance between Jesus and Moses. We hear specifically that while both were faithful, Moses's person and ministry wasn't accompanied by nearly the same degree of glory that accompanied Jesus. This is a point that's drawn out for us explicitly elsewhere in the New Testament too, particularly in 2 Corinthians 3. Now in that text, and if you have Bibles, you're invited to turn with me there, I'm not going to dwell on that text too long, but I think there's an important connection here. In 2 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul reflects quite a bit on Moses and specifically on what happened in the book of Exodus when Moses was called up on Mount Sinai to speak with God. Paul reflects a little bit about this and tells us that what happened when Moses functioned as an apostle of sorts and reminds us of what the book of Exodus narrates. Namely that when Moses, after he had gone up on Mount Sinai, and then he descended from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the law in his hand. His face radiated glory and this was symbolic of the covenant Moses mediated, the Mosaic Covenant. Moses radiated glory and the covenant he mediated was a glorious covenant, but even though glory accompanied Moses and glory accompanied the covenant that Moses mediated at the same time, Paul reminds us of these things reflecting a little bit upon those events from the book of Exodus. Well, he also reminds us that the glory that accompanied Moses and the Mosaic Covenant was ultimately a fading glory, it wasn't a lasting glory, it wasn't a permanent glory. It was like the covenant Moses mediated, it, like Moses himself, destined to come to an end. This Paul tells us stands in sharp contrast to the glory that accompanies Jesus Christ and the new covenant that Jesus Christ mediates, because Jesus's glory isn't a fading glory, it's a permanent glory. Jesus's glory, unlike Moses', isn't a derivative glory, it's an innate glory. What Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3 about this glory contrast between Moses on the one hand and the greater glory of Jesus Christ and the new covenant on the other, is reflected here in Hebrews chapter 3. There we hear again that Jesus has been counted of more glory than Moses. To underscore this important point in Hebrews chapter 3, our author uses then two illustrations to sort of emphasize this point that Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses. Here are the two illustrations. First, we hear that Jesus is counted worthy of more glory than Moses because, notice, he's the builder of the house whereas Moses was only part of the house. Now Moses may have played an important role in the church of the Old Testament, but even still Moses was only part of it. More than that Moses only lived for a relatively short period of time in the history of the church's existence. On the other hand, Jesus is the builder, he's the one who built the church, who himself is the everlasting and eternal God over the house who was building the church even before Moses existed. He is who was ultimately responsible for building the church, even when Moses served as a servant and who then continued building the church long after Moses was gone. I like what the Heidelberg Catechism, another reformed confession we sometimes come back to in our worship services says on some of this stuff. In Heidelberg Catechism question and answer 54 we read this, Q. 54. What believest thou concerning the “holy catholic church” of Christ? A. That the Son of God from the beginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to himself by his Spirit and word, out of the whole human race, a church chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith. and that I am and forever shall remain, a living member thereof. Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 54 Did you hear that, from the beginning of the world to its end? Even in the days of Moses the Lord Jesus Christ has been building the church. What are the implications of what we read here in Hebrews and what we just read and considered in in Heidelberg Catechism question and answer 54? The implication is that in the history of God's redemptive work, there's only ever been one church, one people of God, one house over which the builder Jesus Christ, the Son of God rules, and reigns. Understand, and I think this is a common mistake we sometimes make in the church, that the church didn't simply come into existence in the New Testament, not at all. Rather the church took shape under the patriarchs in Genesis. The church was born in the wilderness in Exodus. The church is perfected in the new covenant under the glorious reign of Jesus Christ the Son of God. All along the way there was only ever one church, one people of God, one house built and established by the one and only Son of God, Jesus Christ. We, brothers and sisters, are part of this house through faith in Jesus Christ. That's not the only illustration that our author uses to reinforce Christ's greater glory. Yes, he's the builder and that's glorious, but as we continue, we also notice that Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses because he's also the owner of the house, whereas Moses is only a servant in the house. As the Son, the church is Jesus's inheritance. Jesus has rights over the house just as an owner has rights over his or her own house. He gets to call the shots over his house over his people. Moses on the other hand serves at the pleasure of the owner, he's responsible to do only what the owner of the house instructs him to do, no more and no less. I remember as a child that there were times in my own home when I would sometimes break the rules of the house. It didn't happen very often, I know that my parents might disagree with that assessment, but when I did break the rules of the house, I was often reminded by my parents that they're the ones who pay the mortgage. They're the ones who own the house and therefore I have a responsibility to submit to their rules as the owners of the house. So, as it went in my home, and I'm sure it goes in your home too, so it goes in the house of God. Understand that every servant Moses or anyone else, including me or you or the elders or the deacons, we do not have rights to dictate what happens or what doesn't happen in the church. All we get to do as elders specifically, is minister and declare the word of God as God's ambassadors. We're not the owners of this house and therefore we don't get to write the rules, all we do is follow as best as we can what God has already authoritatively declared to us in and through his word. One of the implications of this is that we also ought not to look to God's servants to be and do for us what only God's Son can be and do. Instead in all that we do as individual Christians, and as a church we take our marching orders from Jesus Christ the head of the church. We fix our thoughts above every other servant or minister or shepherd in God's house, upon the chief shepherd Jesus Christ. The Perseverance of God's Adopted Ones As the author of Hebrews wraps up our passage, we also learn that this is how we persevere as Christians and as a church. So, the third point is the perseverance of God's adopted ones. In preparation to dive into the end of verse six, we will also look at verse one, which is where we're going to focus in this final point. Let me give a quick structural note about Hebrews. Throughout the book of Hebrews our author, and you may have noticed this already reading through Hebrews as we've preached it or in your own personal Bible reading plan, our author often weaves together these direct appeals that he makes to his audience. He says do this or don't do that, with a robust theological support for those appeals. To put it very simply when our author says, as he often does, you know do this or don't do that, well he also graciously tells us why. This is what we find in our passage. If you're looking at the text our author, you may notice, begins with a direct appeal to the church and to us; consider Jesus. He grounds that appeal in why we should consider Jesus. Because Jesus is superior, he's superior to Moses, he has he's worthy of more glory than Moses. Then he comes back at the very end of the passage with another appeal, in this case an appeal for us to persevere in Christ. So, for this final point, I want to focus specifically on the author's final appeal in verse 6, when he tells us what perseverance as Christians and what perseverance as a church ultimately entails. Before we even do that and we consider some of what this passage calls us the church to do along those lines, well we need to back up for a moment and remind ourselves very briefly who we are. Look with me in verse one and notice how our author addresses the church right as he opens our passage, and by extension how he addresses you and me. We read in verse one, 1Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, Hebrews 3:1, ESV Now sometimes, maybe if you're like me I sometimes do this sometimes, our eyes can tend to glaze over introductory words like this in order to get to what we might consider the meat and potatoes of the passage. Yet it's really important, friends, that we pause on those words because they tell us something vitally important. They tell us that anything that we are called to do in the Christian life or in the church has as its starting point, has as its foundation, what God has already done for us. These words remind us that we've been set apart. That's what holy means, it means that we've been sanctified or set apart as a unique and peculiar people. That work of setting us apart came from heaven as individual Christians and together as the body of Christ. We have been born of God; we were formed from nothing of our own doing into living stones. Then we were placed together by the divine mason to be God's house. Then we became a fitting building for God to make his dwelling among us. None of that was of our own doing from start to finish. Who we are is credited exclusively to the Lord. This unique and special status that we enjoy, which is emphasized for us in verse 1, also carries with it a responsibility. That responsibility is emphasized for us in verse 6 where we are called to persevere. We read in the second half of verse 6, And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Hebrews 3:6b, ESV Now understand, and this is actually a really important note because these exhortations to persevere occur all over the place in Hebrews including in this text, we need to know that when our author exhorts the church to persevere that he's not telling us that our perseverance as Christians is somehow hanging in the balance. Not at all. In fact, the scriptures teach us repeatedly that no true believer can ever finally fall away from Jesus Christ. Moreover, that the certainty of our perseverance is grounded in the certainty of God's unfailing work. Yet as Christians, with that in mind, we do have a responsibility to keep pursuing Christ throughout the entirety of our lives, to continue fixing our every thought upon Jesus Christ. In the words of verse six, we do that by holding fast to Christ with confidence and a boastful kind of hope. So first the perseverance of that God demands of us is fueled by a spirit-empowered confidence in the promises of God. A confident trust that as Jesus Christ rules and defends his church, which he does as our king and our lord, rests in the truth that he has better blueprints for his church and offers better security over the church than anything we could dream up or imagine. It's a confident trust that Christ is absolutely committed to his church. Even if and when the church suffers for their profession, as the church so often does throughout our history, a confident trust that the Lord Jesus Christ knows what he's doing from start to finish. Then second, we learn that the perseverance God demands of his church also holds fast to Christ with a hope that boasts. A hope that in whatever the ebbs and flows we experience in the church or from outside the church, whether it seems to our subjective opinions that the church the worldwide church is growing or shrinking, that Jesus Christ is objectively, unquestionably building his church just as he promises. Also, that we are and will continue to be a spiritual house that will not crumble nor collapse with the passing of time or through the wear and tear of foreign elements beating at our walls and our doors. We're called to hold fast to Christ, then with a hope that whatever we face, our Lord Jesus Christ is preserving us and more than that that he is leading us into glory and perfection. I think this boastful kind of hope that we're called to embrace as we fix our eyes and thoughts on Jesus Christ the head of the church is captured for us very well in the classic hymn that we sing pretty often in church, The Church's One Foundation. So, we prepare to close out this part and then dive into a couple ways of to apply this passage I want to leave you very simply with what verse 4 of that hymn says. Let me read, The church shall never perish, her dear Lord to defend; to guide sustain and cherish, is with her to the end. Though there be those that hate her and false sons in her pale; against her foe and traitor, she ever shall prevail. The Church's One Foundation, verse 4 Brothers and sisters may that be our gospel hope as we seek to persevere by fixing our eyes on Jesus as a church and as individual Christians too. Application With that said let me give us two applications as we prepare to close. 1. The first application is this, it's a great question for all of us to ask ourselves, are you invested in the house of God, the church? Are you invested in the house of God, the church? Unfortunately, it's not all that uncommon today to hear the belief expressed among even professing Christians that the church isn't altogether important or necessary for Christians. Now perhaps you've heard the sentiment before that you can of course love Christ and you can belong to Jesus, but you don't need to belong to the church nor love the church. Yet the New Testament just doesn't support that popular understanding of how things work. To belong to Christ, in other words, the scriptures teach us necessarily implies that we also belong to his body the church. The various metaphors that are used throughout the New Testament to describe the people of God makes this, I think, abundantly clear. For example, the way the apostle Peter puts it in 1 Peter is that the church is a spiritual house made up of living stones, held together by the cornerstone Jesus Christ. Now as living stones it would be unnatural, no it would be unthinkable, for us to be separated from the house. In fact, our very purpose is realized only when we're ordered among all the other living stones. Or consider the metaphor of a body, another metaphor for the house of God, the church, that we encounter so often in scripture. We are as one body made up of knees and arms and legs, and as such it would be unfitting, unthinkable, to be severed from the rest of the body. In fact, our very survival is in jeopardy if we try to exist as a body part apart from the body and apart from the head. Belonging to the church then isn't just an added benefit to the Christian life for us to take advantage when it suits us or when we need a little extra help. In the Christian life, brothers and sisters, it is a necessity when Christ saves us, he saves us into a people. More particularly he saves us into a local people, a local church where the ordinary means of grace where word and sacrament and prayer are regularly dispensed for our spiritual maturity and discipleship. A local church where we come under the instruction and discipline and discipleship of ordained leaders who are looking out for our spiritual good. A local church where we commit ourselves in the good times, and especially in the bad, to one another flesh and blood. Actual real-life people, who in turn commit themselves to you and me too. Brothers and sisters, I recognize that perhaps some of you may not have had healthy experiences in the church or maybe you're just not convinced that God actually calls us in the scriptures to be members of local churches. If that's you I'd love to talk to you about what membership in the scriptures looks like, how the scriptures envision church membership, and even what church membership could look like for you here at Harvest Community Church. If not at Harvest, brothers and sisters, let me exhort you be members of a local church, belong to local churches. Recognize that in Christ, if you come to believe in Christ, that you're part of his body, his house. You can't get away from that and so the exhortation in light of that is live out that distinctive by actually committing yourself to the local church. That's the first application. 2. The second application is this, are you trusting in Jesus Christ to lead and guide his house, his church? So if you are a part of a local church, do you recognize that over everything we do Jesus Christ and Jesus alone gets to call the shots? In everything and in anything we do, Jesus Christ is ultimately the one who shapes hearts and minds for his glory. Listen to what the 19th century Scottish theologian James Barreman says on this, I think what he says is very accurate, very salient, he writes this. “The church has no store of life apart from Christ being in it. The ordinances of the church have no deposit of grace apart from Christ present with them. The office bearers of the church have no gift, or power, or authority, or action apart from Christ ruling and acting by them. It is most important to remember that it is in this high and very peculiar sense that we are to understand the expression that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only head of the church.” Friends, in the local church you should expect things from your leaders. There are qualifications set out for us in the New Testament for both elders and deacons and you should expect your ordained leaders to match up to those qualifications. Not perfectly, mind you, but you should expect a general adherence to them. You should also expect your leaders to care about what God has to say about things in his word and to minister, above everything else, according to the scriptures. Yet I would also submit that many frustrations we experience in church life either arise because, one leaders think that they're more than servants and act like it, or two members expect them to be more than servants, or three all of us together expect certain things of the church that Jesus Christ does not permit nor promise nor call his church to. That being said, know that there is one who is head over the church, and I promise you it's not me and it's not you. The only head of the church, the only one who will not disappoint us in the context of the church, the only one who can feed and nourish us in the heights of our joy and in the depths of our woes is Jesus Christ. The one who is more than faithful over the worldwide universal church, spread throughout all the corners of the earth. The one who is more than faithful over his local church, even our little local church here in Omaha, Nebraska. Harvest Community Church trust in Jesus to lead and guide his church, because after all he's the builder, he's the owner, and he is the faithful head of his church. Pray with me.

It's my prayer that people around me will be able to see that my hope is in Christ. May I be quick to help and show love to others. May I be a reflection of Christ in all that I say and do. I pray that I am sharp and “ready to run” this great race called life. Sometimes it's easy to let our spiritual shoelaces come untied. We become comfortable Christians, and it's easy for us to get tripped up. I am thankful the Lord can use situations in life to remind me that I need to lace up my spiritual running shoes and be prepared for this sometimes chaotic, but always beautiful life. So, what condition are your running shoes in?1 Corinthians 9:24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,Support the show

BUY THE GO CREATOR GO BOOK & JOURNAL:www.antoinebeane.comhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GV2DK1Vhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GVJ6MP5FOLLOW GO CREATOR GO & TRIUMPH MEDIAWORKS:Facebook & IG: @gogreatorgo & @triumphmediaworksTwitter: @gcreatorgwww.triumphmediaworks.com___________________________________SCRIPTURES CONCERNING IDENTIGenesis 1:27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.Jeremiah 1:5Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.1 Corinthians 1:30And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.1 Corinthians 12:27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.1 Corinthians 6:17But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.1 John 3:1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.1 Samuel 12:22For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.Colossians 2:10And you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.Colossians 3:12Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.Ephesians 1:1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus.Ephesians 1:11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.Ephesians 1:13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.Ephesians 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.Ephesians 1:4Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love.Ephesians 1:5He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.Ephesians 1:7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.Ephesians 2:19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.Ephesians 2:6And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.Ephesians 2:8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.Ephesians 4:24And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.Ephesians 5:8For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.Genesis 2:7Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.Isaiah 43:1But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”Isaiah 49:16Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.Isaiah 64:8But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.John 1:12But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.John 15:15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.John 15:16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.John 15:5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.Matthew 5:48You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.Matthew 6:26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?Philippians 3:20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,Philippians 4:19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.Psalm 100:3Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Psalm 139:14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.Romans 6:6We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.Romans 8:15For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”Romans 8:17And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Disciple Up #181 Greater Than: Hebrews 2:1-4, Don't Drift Away By Louie Marsh, 10-12-2020   Intro:   Simple Outline of Hebrews Chapter Two:   1) I must stay focused on Jesus & His Salvation (1-4)   2) Jesus was a servant, but will be exalted (5-9)   3) Jesus suffered & died to bring believers back to God (10-18)   “1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:1–4, ESV)   1) I must stay focused on Jesus & His Salvation (1-4)   Therefore - For this reason – We need to realize that Christ is pre-eminent over everything else. Because of this, the salvation He offers is of utmost importance that requires all of our attention.   This here is the same idea as we saw in Chapter One. Because Christ is supreme, everything He has done for us and teaches us is of maximum importance that we should pay attention to and not deviate from in the slightest.   Pay attention – really focus on this new covenant and upon Jesus who gave it to us. If you don't then you're going to end up in trouble.   Some Actions that will help your focus:   Fellowship – depending on how real your fellowship is. Read & Study the Bible. Meditate on Scripture Find your ministry and do it full force!   “1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2, ESV)   Drift away  – Notice the word “drift.” Drift means to slowly change direction. This change in direction is not done on purpose, it's an accident or happenstance. Boats will slowly drift off course if the captain is not paying careful attention to maintain his heading. It's also used of boats and other floating things that are NOT powered; they just drift along with the current.   Drift Away Uncle Kracker (Sang by Dobie Gray in 1973) Day after day I'm more confused Yet I look for the light in the pouring rain You know that's a game that I hate to lose I'm feelin' the strain, ain't it a shame Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away   “19holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,” (1 Timothy 1:19, ESV)    A married couple will slowly drift apart in their relationship. A student may slowly drift off to sleep in class. You slowly fall asleep while driving. None of these things are intentional.   Drifting happens subtly and without warning. It's hard to notice unless you are really paying attention. It's very hard to see unless you have a fixed point to focus on. If you have a fixed point then the drifting can be seen much easier.   This also happens with churches drifting away from sound doctrine and individuals drifting away from God in their relationship with Him.   Strong believers don't just wake up one day and decide to leave church and never come back. It is incremental. It's a slow, steady process that eases you into doing and believing things you once would have never considered. Sin creeps in on us gradually. This is Satan's method. He wins little battle at a time until he has won the war.   “6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6–9, ESV)   The word “word” or message in verse two refers to Scripture. This is the greater/less than argument. If the lesser is true (the words from angels are true and do not change and can't be altered) then certainly Jesus' words are true (verse 3) and the consequences of rejecting His words are serious.   “1This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. 2He said, “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.” (Deuteronomy 33:1–2, ESV)   Verse 2 implies the spiritual law that “sin must be punished.” If this was not true, Christ would not have to die for us. But because sin must be punished it is either we face the punishment or Christ face it for us.   “5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” (1 Timothy 2:5–7, ESV)   Verse 3 – If even disobeying the angels comes with a very costly punishment, how about if we reject the great salvation that Christ has made possible for us?   This great salvation was offered by Christ. For that reason alone we should not ignore it, take it for granted, reject it, or drift away from it.   God used a variety of signs and wonders and miracles to verify this gospel.   You need to check this site out – fantastic videos!  https://patternsofevidence.com/    

CLICK HERE FOR SERMON HANDOUT Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Occasion: Proper 23 Sunday, October 11, 2020 Year (cycle): A   The Collect:  Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament:  Exodus 32:1-14 [Alternate: Isaiah 25:1-9] 1When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron and said to him, ‘Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' 2Aaron said to them, ‘Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.' 3So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. 4He took the gold from them, formed it in a mould, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!' 5When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, ‘Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord.' 6They rose early the next day, and offered burnt-offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel. 7 The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; 8they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it, and said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” ' 9The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. 10Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.' 11 But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, ‘O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, “I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.” ' 14And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people. Alternate: 1O Lord, you are my God;    I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things,    plans formed of old, faithful and sure. 2 For you have made the city a heap,    the fortified city a ruin; the palace of aliens is a city no more,    it will never be rebuilt. 3 Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;    cities of ruthless nations will fear you. 4 For you have been a refuge to the poor,    a refuge to the needy in their distress,    a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, 5   the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place, you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;    the song of the ruthless was stilled. 6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples    a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,    of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear. 7 And he will destroy on this mountain    the shroud that is cast over all peoples,    the sheet that is spread over all nations; 8 he will swallow up death for ever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,    and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,    for the Lord has spoken. 9 It will be said on that day,    Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.    This is the Lord for whom we have waited;    let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Psalm:  Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23 [Alternate: Psalm 23] 1 Hallelujah!   Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *        for his mercy endures for ever. 2 Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord *        or show forth all his praise? 3 Happy are those who act with justice *        and always do what is right! 4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favor you have for your people, *        and visit me with your saving help; 5 That I may see the prosperity of your elect   and be glad with the gladness of your people, *        that I may glory with your inheritance. 6 We have sinned as our forebears did; *        we have done wrong and dealt wickedly. 19 Israel made a bull-calf at Horeb *        and worshiped a molten image; 20 And so they exchanged their Glory *        for the image of an ox that feeds on grass. 21 They forgot God their Savior, *        who had done great things in Egypt, 22 Wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, *        and fearful things at the Red Sea. 23 So he would have destroyed them,    had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, *        to turn away his wrath from consuming them. Alternate: 1 The Lord is my shepherd; *        I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *        and leads me beside still waters. 3 He revives my soul *        and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,   I shall fear no evil; *        for you are with me;        your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *        you have anointed my head with oil,        and my cup is running over. 6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *        and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Epistle:  Philippians 4:1-9 1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Gospel:  Matthew 22:1-14 1Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 14For many are called, but few are chosen.'

Well if you have Bibles with you please turn with me to Hebrews 2:1-4. Last time that we were in Hebrews, in Hebrews chapter 1 and I understand it was a long time ago, we heard in Hebrews 1 this rather rich exposition on just who the Son of God is. Jesus Christ is, we heard back in chapter one, the one who is the Son, the very God of very God, the one who always was always is and always will be. As we'll see today, all of that rich theology that was unfurled for us in chapter one of the book of Hebrews concerning Jesus Christ, although it was some pretty deep theology that we were in, isn't in the slightest just some interesting theological musings for interested theologians. Far from it. These are truths that we encountered in chapter one that have life and death significance attached to them. In chapter two our author makes the turn, as he so often does in this epistle, from exposition, from the theological discourse if you will, to exhortation, to telling us as a church what to do with all of that really rich theology that was unpacked for us. So, bearing that in mind. Hear now the word of the Lord from Hebrews 2:1-4. 1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:1-4, ESV Friends, this is the word of the Lord. When I was in grade school, and later in college, there was a popular tactic that many of my teachers and later professors used that was particularly effective, I think, in quickly overcoming any boredom that may have lingered among me and my fellow classmates in a given class. You see whenever they lectured through material that may have been particularly dry or dull and they having trouble holding the attention of teenagers, well they knew, and I assumed it was an intentional strategy one that they always kept in their back pocket that they could pull out at will and make use of, that they could draw everyone in the class back to attention by appealing to our more practical sensibilities and warning that this material, whatever it was, was going to be included on the next exam. Now predictably as soon as everybody heard what was at stake, I along with my fellow classmates although I was always paying attention, snap to attention. You would notice glazed over eyes in the class suddenly became laser focused. You heard the click of pens as a chorus throughout the whole classes, everybody got ready to take meticulous notes. The once silent classroom was roused to attention with clarifying questions left and right for the professor. All it took was a gentle reminder of what was at stake for nearly everyone in the classroom to wake up and to pay attention. When the stakes are high, we would do well to pay attention. We know that from other areas of our lives as well. This is what we also hear in our passage this morning. When we turn to Hebrews chapter two, we are coming to the first of five what are called warning passages in the book of Hebrews. Now understand that throughout the book our author makes use of a variety of methods in order to stir our minds and our affections towards Christ in a whole host, a variety, of ways. He powerfully and effectively prunes our hearts so that we would begin to think more rightly and feel rightly and move rightly according to the greater salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Among the many methods that our author employs to keep our attention focused and fixed on Jesus Christ and his gospel, well he also issues warnings as an ordained means for our perseverance as Christians in the Christian life. These warnings are intended to impress upon us just what is at stake, especially in those times in our lives where we might feel duller towards Christ. They are intended to drive us repeatedly to a life of faith and repentance. In short, warning passages like the one we encountered today are intended to stir us so that we would begin more and more to heed what we have heard about the gospel of our salvation. Our big idea today is heed what you have heard. We're going three points that we're going to work through. 1. A Command to Heed 2. A Warning to Fear 3. A Word to Embrace A Command to Heed Let's start out with that first one, a command to heed. Again, in verse 1 we read, 1Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1, ESV Now understand that up until this point in the book of Hebrews, really throughout the entirety of the first chapter as I already kind of alluded to, we've already heard this rich theology unpacked for us about the person of Jesus Christ and the work of Jesus Christ. Just to review a little bit of that, first we heard it in a variety of ways in chapter one that Jesus is the eternally begotten Son of the Father. In verse 3 of chapter 1 we heard that Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. In verse 5 of chapter 1 we heard that together with the Father, so too the Son, and of course the Spirit is to be worshipped and glorified. We read in verse 5, “let all God's angels worship him,” in reference to the Son. Then in verse 8 of chapter 1 we heard of the eternal reign of Jesus Christ the Son as king, where God the Father is also explicitly heard addressing God the Son as God. We read in verse 8, “your throne O God is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.” So who is this one? Who is this So, we've encountered in chapter one and who the author of Hebrews exhorts us now to pay much closer attention to? Who is this Son who took upon himself flesh in the first century AD? Well we learn in chapter one that this is very God of very God, who always was, always is, and always will be. He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Yet that's not all we heard in chapter one about the one who is Son, because we also heard about what the Son Jesus Christ accomplished in his in the flesh incarnate ministry on earth. When he, the eternal Son of God, took the form of a servant in history. We heard that when Jesus did that, the eternal Son of God did that, he made purification for sins, in verse 3. He did what the priesthood of the Old Testament and the blood of bulls and goats could never accomplish. He became for us our great high priest. Actually the author of Hebrews is foremost concerned with unpacking Christ's priesthood, as we'll see walking through the rest of the book of Hebrews, and then in declaring to us the will of God and revealing God in his person in a more full way than any of the prophets of the Old Testament could do. Jesus became to us our final word, the final word spoken by God, and the better prophet. Then in vanquishing the forces of sin, death, and the devil, and sitting down on his throne at the right hand of the Father on high, when everything was accomplished, the one who his Son was revealed to be for us our great king who even now rules and defends his church in the heavenly places. So, in short, we heard throughout the entirety of chapter one that the one who is the Son is fully God, always has been and always will be. Then for us in the fullness of time he became fully man as our second Adam, our better David, and our great high priest. Friends this is the gospel. That the word of salvation that we're commanded to pay much closer attention to, it's the hope of the world. Now when chapter two rolls around, our author tells us that these things, everything that was unpacked for us in chapter one about the Son, well these are critical matters of life and death. Despite the theological depth that chapter one plunged us into, this is not a theology that can be brushed aside or dismissed as only stuff professional theologians need to be concerned with, not in the least. Instead these are truths of life and death significance. This comes out in verse 1 of chapter 2 where our author commands us, in view of everything that was said about Jesus Christ the Son of God in chapter one, that we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard unless we drift from it. Brothers and sisters understand first and foremost the great advantage that we have as the church of Jesus Christ, being recipients of the gospel of Jesus Christ and heirs of salvation. First together with the first century Christians who heard and received the contents of this book at some point in the first century AD, we share an advantaged position redemptive historically. That is in comparison with believers who came previously in the Old Testament, because we see the glory of God unveiled in the face of Jesus Christ in a way that Old Testament believers could only look upon in a veiled and shadowy way. Yet even in our own time and place we're at a great advantage compared with peoples elsewhere in our world, who lack an established church in their midst. Those who don't have a single soul among them to preach the word of the Lord, and who in many cases may even lack a translated copy of the Bible in their own languages. In contrast we have churches in every pocket of our city, we have more than 450 translations of the Bible into English, and a copious number of Christians to proclaim the gospel of our salvation to us. Brothers and sisters there are incredible truths to hear in the gospel of Jesus Christ and we have every opportunity to hear them. With those great advantages that we have at our disposal, comes a greater responsibility to hear and to heed what has been graciously preserved and revealed to us in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. In fact, this theme that greater revelation brings with it a greater responsibility is something that recurs throughout the scripture. In Luke 12 for instance, Jesus himself tells us that everyone to whom much has been given of him much will be required. We have been given much by way of revelation and therefore we have all of the more reason to pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift from it. So how do we do that? What does it mean to pay attention? Then on the flip side what it would look like to drift from that? Well in this opening verse it's interesting that these two key words in verse one. The words that are translated in the ESV “pay attention” and then “drift away” are, in the Greek, sailing terms. Now I understand we live in Nebraska and some of you in Iowa and so you may be unaware that there are these vessels that float on water called boats. That's the imagery that this text invites us to unpack a little bit. It's imagery of keeping a ship on its proper course and intentionally fighting the currents or the wind to keep it steadily pointed in the right direction. In the same way we're urged, as the church, as believers, to stay fixed on the greater revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we have been advantaged in a number of ways to receive. We're called here to continue to keep it before our minds and hearts at all times, to drive deeper into it, to fight the currents and the drift so that we never lose sight of it. In that sailing analogy we also learned something about drift as well, the flip side of what it means to keep straight on the proper path. Now I've never sailed before, but I do remember as a child going to the beach and playing in the ocean for hours. Again, ocean is a big body of water that lies on either coast, if you're unfamiliar with it. There would be these long stretches of time as a kid at the beach in the water where I'd get so carried away, bobbing up and down in the water and looking out towards the oncoming waves and watching out for the sharks that as a kid I was terrified of, but oddly enough still kind of hoping that I'd see one. After about 10 to 15 minutes of bobbing up and down looking at the waves and watching out for sharks, well I turned back to shore and realize that without feeling it or being aware of it, in the moment that the current had actually carried me far beyond where my parents had set up our lawn chair and umbrella. It didn't take long, usually about 10 to 15 minutes of inattention, before I would drift far beyond whereas a child, I felt safe or comfortable. I think there's an analogy in that to what spiritual drift looks like as well. Now someone in my studies this week mentioned that our spiritual faculties are very often like leaky sieves in the sense that all it takes is some prolonged inactivity away from God's word, or just a season of prayerlessness or maybe some lingering unconfessed sin and repentance in our lives, before we slowly have chipped away any progress that was made in this area or that area. It chips away progress, while simultaneously inviting other persuasions to minister to our soul. Brothers and sisters the human heart is a fragile and a fickle vessel on this side of glory. I think we know that even the smallest persuasions can pull us well off course, sometimes without us even realizing it in the moment. So in light of all of that we are exhorted in Hebrews chapter 2 verse 1, in view of the spoil of riches that belong to us as children of God through Jesus Christ, truth that we are at an incredible advantage in a whole host of ways to have at our disposal, to press deeper into everything we've been privileged to hear and receive and for God's glory and for our good to stay the course. To paraphrase Paul from Ephesians chapter 4, don't be children who are tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness, and deceitful schemes. Rather grow up into maturity by paying much closer attention to what we have heard in the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's our exhortation that the author of Hebrews opens with that frames this passage. We are called to heed what we have already been privileged to hear and receive in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now maybe for you this prospect of drifting itself doesn't sound all that foreboding. Now maybe the metaphor of drifting instead makes you think of one of those lazy rivers at a water park that kind of sounds pretty refreshing, doesn't it? If you felt that this drift was refreshing in any way or really wasn't a big deal, that there isn't really much at stake, well when we turn to the next two verses, 2:2-3, well the author of Hebrews presses in this command to pay much closer attention by underlining precisely what is at stake if we drift away. A Warning to Fear So, our second point a warning to fear. Now again we read this in verses two through three, 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:2-3, ESV Now if you recall back in the introduction, I mentioned that throughout Hebrews we encounter a number of these warning passages. This is one of them. Now these various warning passages we encounter here and also Hebrews 6 and Hebrews 10 are intended to impress upon us the importance of persevering in the Christian life, by bluntly stating the consequences for turning aside and outright rejecting Jesus Christ and his gospel. Now let me clarify that what these warning passages do not teach, and some interpretations I think get these warning passages just terribly wrong, is that someone who's been renewed and regenerated by the work of the Holy Spirit and who walks with Christ could lose that salvation. That's not at all what this passage teaches. Warning passages like the one we find here in verse 2 and elsewhere in Hebrews, they aren't intended to fill Christians with doubt and suspicion at every turn about our walk with Christ, but they are meant to impress upon us the need to persevere. In that way there are divine means for our perseverance in the Christian life. When we on the one hand slowly invite temptations, whatever they may be, to minister to us. Or on the other hand we begin to water down and ignore the riches of the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed to us in the word of God, well these warnings boldly remind us precisely what is at stake so that we would adjust course and correct our drift. That's what we find in this passage too. Look at me again with the passage. First, we read about what happened in the Old Testament when the law of God was brushed aside or violated. Now bear in mind that when we read in our text about the message declared by angels or delivered by angels, well that's not a reference to some esoteric knowledge that's out there in the ether. No, rather that's a reference to the law that was given to Moses, and by extension to Israel on Mount Sinai in the book of Exodus. When the law is given in the book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 20, there's no explicit reference to angels in that passage. If we would look back to it, you wouldn't see anything about angels. Yet elsewhere in the scriptures, as later authors reflect back upon that event of the giving of the law, they tell us that that giving of the law was accompanied by angelic activity. It clearly had its origins from God, that being the law, but it was also delivered by angels. Paul tells us that in the book of Galatians and Stephen tells us that in his speech just before he's martyred in Acts chapter seven. So, all that being said, when the author of Hebrews talks about this message delivered by angels, well he's talking about the old covenant, that is the law of Moses, that we read about in the book of Exodus. We see it further unpacked in books like Leviticus and in Deuteronomy. Furthermore, we read in our text that this law the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and that every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution. Now this word translated in your text, in the ESV, “reliable” is a little bit tricky. It seems that nearly every English translation adopts a slightly different understanding of it. I'm persuaded by what the NIV actually gets at when it translates the word “reliable” here as “binding”. That seems to get at the idea that the author of Hebrews intends. In that the idea is that in the law, the law was binding. It was when something was commanded and when God's people went the other way, well then punishments were stipulated for breaking this law or that law, they had to be enacted because the law was binding. There was no way to skirt the law, no way to get around the commandments and the sanctions because the law was binding. Justice demanded that every time the law was violated, regardless of who was doing the violation of it, well they had to be punished, they were subject to the demands of the law and the repercussions for breaking the law. Throughout the Old Testament, this is exactly what we find when someone disbelieves or disobeys or transgresses the law of God, we find throughout the Old Testament that they're punished accordingly. When in the book of Leviticus, a young man curses the name of God, well he's stoned to death because that was what was required in the law of God. When in the book of Numbers, a man was found picking up sticks on the sabbath, well he too was stoned to death because that was what was required in the Mosaic Law. Now bear in mind that that these specific sanctions in place under the old covenant are no longer applicable for us to apply in the new covenant, in the church today. Both of these examples, nevertheless, underscore what the what the author of Hebrews is teaching us in this passage, that the covenant that God entered into with his people on Mount Sinai was binding. It was binding in its promises, it was binding in its stipulations, and it was binding in its sanctions. That's why our author comments in verse two every transgression or disobedience of the law of God received its just retribution. If you break a binding law. well you're required to pay the price. Yet as true as that was under the old covenant, the certainty of sanctions that would be enacted given a binding law, well that's not even the main point of our author. In fact, everyone that our author writes to in the first century AD would have agreed on that point. Instead he's establishing what was absolutely certain, without a doubt, to have transpired under the Mosaic Law, something everyone would have agreed with, to make the case that in the new covenant while the stakes are raised. Remember we have far greater advantages and benefits in the new covenant. So, if retribution for the neglect and disobedience of God's word was certain to befall transgressors and the shadowy administration of the old covenant, well how much more certain is judgment for those who neglect and disbelieve the word made flesh the only Savior of sinners, Jesus Christ? We might say it's doubly certain now. If you recall, I titled the second point a warning to fear. Now the idea that fear would function as a proper motivation to direct this course of action or that course of action is often perceived today, I think, as an undesirable motive. After all, to accuse someone of being motivated by fear isn't to give that person a compliment. I'm sure all of us could identify things that we fear as Christians that we have no need to fear. There is a certain sense in which the author of Hebrews wants to impress upon his readers and upon you and me the fearful prospect of apostatizing, that is of saying either through words or actions I'm done with Jesus Christ, I'm done with the church, I don't want to have anything to do with either any longer. If this is the road you're walking down, if this is where your drift is slowly leading you to, well then you need to know our author is saying that no escape is possible. Escape was not possible under the administration of the old covenant, how much more impossible is it in the new covenant if you stand outside of union with Christ? So, to do just that to apostatize, to reject Jesus Christ, is indeed a fearful thing. A Word to Embrace Yet while this ominous note of judgment is quite stirring, we're also provided as Christians with another motivation for staying the course. This leads to our final point where we see third that there is also a word to embrace. Look with me at the final part of our passage where we read this, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:4, ESV Whereas the law that our author just talked about was delivered by angels, friends the gospel of our salvation that we read about so richly in chapter 1 of the epistle of Hebrews was declared through the Son of God himself. When the eternal Son of God took on human flesh and he came to earth to save us for our sins, well we find that he declared as our great prophet the fullness of the gospel message that we have come to believe and receive. We see this throughout the gospels in the teaching ministry of Jesus in action. We see it when in Matthew 5, for instance, when Jesus ascends a mountain and he begins to deliver the famous Sermon on the Mount. He teaches with authority, as the new Moses. It's no wonder why at the end of the Sermon on the Mount the crowds respond in astonishment that this is one who's teaching them with authority, not as their scribes have done. Then in Luke 4 Jesus he stands up in the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, and with that same prophetic authority declare something bolder than any of the prophets who came before him would have done. Namely that in him, and in him alone, the day of salvation has gone. Unlike the false prophets of the Old Testament who announced comfort comfort when there was no comfort, Jesus announces an everlasting comfort in his ministry, in the greater salvation that we accomplish on our behalf, as our mediator, as the perfect prophet, priest, and king. Throughout Jesus's teaching ministry we see the greater prophet in action who, in the words of the Heidelberg Catechism, “was ordained by God the Father and anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption.” All of this is in view when the author of Hebrews tells us that the gospel message that we have come to receive and believe was the message that was first delivered by the Lord God himself in the person of Jesus Christ, the one who came to earth to atone for our sins and to vanquish sin, death, and the devil. He also declared that in him the kingdom of God had come and then on the cross declared that the work of redemption that he had accomplished was finished. Now it's true that the first century Christians immediately addressed in the letter to the Hebrews, including perhaps the author of Hebrews himself we don't know a whole lot about this author, but it would seem that both were not actually firsthand witnesses to this incarnate ministry of Jesus Christ. Rather they, it seems, heard the gospel message through other teachers and preachers including the apostles. So, our author continues by assuring his readers that this message that was declared by Jesus Christ was also declared by his apostles by those who you yourselves have heard. These eyewitnesses and apostles were in turn validated by the resurrected Lord himself. The same mighty works, and wonders, and signs that God did through Jesus Christ were in turn poured out by the Holy Spirit to validate the apostolic messengers who followed on Christ's coattails, who would bring that same gospel message to the far reaches of the known world. Then who would write down what they declared for generations long after they were gone, including for you and for me. Just as signs and wonders attested to God's endorsement of the messenger and the message in Jesus ministry, so too in the days of his apostles' signs and wonders accompanied their ministry. Not of the means to themselves, but rather to validate and authenticate the gospel message that they carried as a God-given endorsement. Brothers and sisters the same signs and wonders that authenticated the apostolic spokesmen in the first century are no longer be present with us today. Most certainly the Lord Jesus Christ, the one who spoke this gospel message at first, is no longer present incarnate with us on earth he's in the heavenly places and though he will come again he's not here with us on earth right now. That doesn't mean that we're at a disadvantage. Though we lack the physical presence of Christ with us on earth, and though we lack an interaction with Christ's apostolic spokesmen, though we lack the same signs and wonders that validated the ministries of both, well we do still have the same word that they spoke and the same Spirit who attests to that words in our hearts. every time we open up the scriptures and we hear the gospel message of our salvation declared. So what is our motivation for staying the course when we find ourselves drifting? Well it's the fullness of the gospel message that was spoken first by the prophets, proclaimed and accomplished by the Son, and attested to by the apostles. All of which has been preserved in the word of God that we have at our disposal. Also, in the ministry of the Holy Spirit who powerfully speaks into our hearts and drift tendencies, every time we sit under the ministry of the word. Friends this is how we heed what we have heard. Not by our own power, but rather through the power of the Holy Spirit who's been richly poured out among us, who ministers to all of our spiritual faculties, the word of the Lord. Yes, there is a warning to fear, and we must heed that warning as such, but brothers and sisters there is a great encouragement to cling to as well. Namely that we have words of life that have been preserved for us, which attest to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Applications So, with that said what are a few applications or takeaways from this passage. Well I have three questions to ask. Three questions, not that I'm expecting you to respond right now to but rather to think a little bit about in your own lives. 1. Are you currently drifting? At present are you drifting now? If you recall we saw in our first point, and others have made this point too, that drift may not be all that perceptible. You may not appreciate it that you're drifting when you're in it in the moment, until you look back to shore and you recognize just how far you strayed from the place to which you were once so securely moored to and anchored in. Now understand that the objective reality is that in Christ we are infallibly and inaudibly secure. We never ever slip into justification and out of justification and back into it again, not in the slightest. Yet there are times in our lives where our drift tendencies may lead us into sin. Unbiblical doctrinal persuasions might grip our mind, social persuasions may lead us to embrace something that just cuts against the grain of scripture, and moral persuasions can derail our pursuit of holiness. There are a number of ways in which drift takes place in our lives, but often when it does one of the telltale signs that that's happening is that our assurance of salvation is diminished. Our confession, The Westminster Confession of Faith, actually talks about how things like the negligence of the means of grace. That means things like the word and prayer or falling into some special sin, whereas the confession words the, “vehement temptations”. All of these things can collaborate together in our lives and plunge us into doubt about our standing with Christ or about even the gospel promises themselves. Now understand again, and this is important, that a lack of subjective assurance doesn't mean that our objective standing is ever in doubt in Christ. As long as you're receiving and resting upon the promises of God found in Christ, nothing can snatch us out of the Father's hand. When doubt begins to mount on account of drift that's taking place in our lives, well in those moments it's fitting that we would turn again to the word of God, that we would correct the drift through partaking of the ordinary means of grace like the word and prayer. Through that we would be washed and renewed by the promises of the gospel once again. In Christ we have every reason to be assured of our salvation. So, our invitation is to heed the promises of the gospel, to hear the word of the Lord over and over again. In the words of Peter, “to be all the more diligent to confirm you're calling and election. 2. This leads to the second and a closely related application question to ask yourself. Are you listening to this message of salvation? Now as we work through our passage, you may have noticed that speaking and hearing language is found throughout. The message of salvation was first spoken by the Lord and then by his apostles. We have the responsibility to hear the message and to heed the message. It's not that we just hear this message as good pious advice that we filter through our own sensibilities, taking a little of what we like and leaving aside the rest. Or as if we hear this message and then place it on par with other philosophies or truth claims as something with an equal authority claim. No, not at all. Instead we're called to hear this message not as the words of men, but what it really is, the word of God. It is a word that demands that we treat it as the only rule of faith and obedience. So, are you listening to this message of salvation for what it is, but more than that are you listening to the whole council of God? Now our confession makes this point in one of the paragraphs in which it elaborates on our doctrine of scripture or our theology of the Bible. That although everything necessary to know and believe for our salvation is clearly propounded in the scriptures, such that whether you have a Ph.D., or you're a little kid, you can open up the Bible and you can know what God requires us to believe to be saved. The scriptures are abundantly clear. With that said, the confession also notes, “that all things in scripture are not alike plain in themselves nor alike clear unto all.” In other words, there are also some complex and difficult things to understand in the scriptures. Interpretations of what good Christians have and do disagree on. Just because there are difficult things that we find in the scriptures, doesn't mean we ignore them. You know one of the prevailing philosophies of the day in America, actually one of the philosophies so I'm told that that America is responsible for exporting to the world, is a philosophy known as pragmatism. Pragmatism, in short, is the belief that what is true is what works. While probably most of us would outright reject that philosophy, sometimes the way we read the scriptures false prey to a certain kind of pragmatism. You see sometimes when we read the scriptures, we only pay attention to things that are abundantly clear, those things that the scriptures tell us we have to believe for salvation and those are good things and necessary things to pay attention to. Those things that speak most immediately to what we're called in the Christian life we should pay attention to those things. Then when we encounter some of the more difficult things in scripture, some of the more debatable things in scripture, rather than engaging those matters with prudence and charity, well sometimes we end up ignoring them all together because we don't see on the front end how those things really immediately apply to our lives. Now make no mistake about it, all doctrine is practical and all of it is applicable. Sometimes we prejudge that question before we really spend the time to engage with and carefully listen to the whole counsel of God. Remember we encountered some deep and weedy theology on the person and work of Jesus Christ in chapter one. To plunge into the depths of Christology, that is our doctrine of Christ, or our doctrine of the trinity may make our heads hurt a little bit. The payoff when we do so is so enriching and worth it. So, as you listen to the scriptures, as you listen to the message of salvation that we find in the scriptures, listen to all of it for the sake of growing up into maturity, as our passage would have us do. 3. The third question is this; do you have this salvation? Now admittedly most of this sermon has focused on the topic of our sanctification, our growth as Christians in the Christian life or our perseverance, how we maintain the course in the Christian life. Perhaps you read this text, you heard it read, and now you heard the sermon, and now you aren't quite sure whether you've come to believe this message of salvation in the first place. If that's you, recognize two things. First, the warning of this passage is real. There is no escape outside of Christ, period. Second, the invitation stands to hear this gospel message anew. To know that salvation really is available in Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ has indeed fully satisfied the justice of the Father and purchased not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all those whom the Father has given to him. If you're not sure you have this salvation, friends don't neglect it but instead turn to Christ and him alone as he's freely offered in the gospel. Let me pray. Heavenly Father, Lord we thank you for these words of life that we encounter in the scriptures. We pray Lord that you would continue to sharpen us, to mold us by your Holy Spirit. Convict us so that we would pay much closer attention to the words of life of your scriptures. Lord convict us of our sin. Help us to correct drift tendencies by encountering your word over and over again, by sitting under the ministry of your word, by attending to ordinary means of grace like word, sacrament, and prayer. Lord shape us as people who love you more and more and who love our neighbors as ourselves. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

Jeremiah 1:5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”Joshua 1:9Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.Luke 12:7Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.Isaiah 41:10Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Zephaniah 3:17The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.Galatians 2:20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Philippians 3:20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,Ephesians 2:22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.1 Corinthians 12:27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.Psalm 27:10For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in1 Peter 5:6-7Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.Ephesians 2:19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,Ephesians 1:3-6Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,Romans 5:8But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Philippians 4:13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.Ephesians 2:8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,Romans 8:31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.Isaiah 43:4Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.Acts 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”Psalm 139:1-24To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. ...1 John 4:10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.1 John 3:1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.1 Peter 5:6-76 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.2 Thessalonians 3:3But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.Philippians 4:19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.1 Corinthians 15:57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Romans 8:38-39For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.2 Timothy 1:7For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.2 Corinthians 5:21For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.1 Corinthians 6:19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,Romans 8:37-39No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 5:1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.Matthew 5:14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.Isaiah 53:5But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.Psalm 86:15But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,Revelation 3:20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.1 John 4:16So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.John 1:12But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,Luke 1:37For nothing will be impossible with God.”Isaiah 26:3You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.Psalm 138:3On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.Psalm 136:26Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.Exodus 15:2The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.1 John 3:1-3See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.2 Peter 1:3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,Colossians 3:12Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,Ephesians 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.Ephesians 5:8For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of lightEphesians 4:24And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness John 15:15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.Isaiah 12:2“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Psalm 118:6The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake youRevelation 21:3-4And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”The Lord bless you(A)‘and keep you;(B)25 the Lord make his face shine on you(C)and be gracious to you;(D)26 the Lord turn his face(E) toward youand give you peace.asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.6 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.I pray that you would be surrounded by and filled with and located in and anchored to our Savior Jesus Christ Christ above you that you may walk in wisdom and rest in his love. Christ below you that you may never stumble or fall Christ on your right in your strength Christ on your left and your weakness Christ going before you to prepare the way for you And Christ walking behind you to clean up all your messes. Christ within you filling you to overflowing today, tomorrow and forever AMEN.

Philippians 3:17–4:117 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 

God is faithful and keeps his promises. Not in our time frame, but he always keeps his Promise. It’s who he is. It’s his character. And it’s God’s desire for ALL to know him and for ALL to experience life in him. We look at his promises and how we can depend on them. Series: UNCERTAIN: Discovering Who We are Through Difficult Times, Speaker: Pastor Don Dodge, Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9, Genesis 12:1-3, Exodus 19:5-6, 2 Samuel 7:16, Isaiah 49:6, Matthew 5:14, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 1:8, Hebrews 11:39-40, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 12:2, Video: https://www.facebook.com/avalonchurch/videos/265447084489729/, Sermon page: https://www.avalonchurch.org/sermons/uncertain-people-of-a-great-promise-part-5/, Sermon Notes: 2020-04-26_uncertain-part-5-people-of-a-great-promise_sermon-transcript.pdf, Discussion Questions: 2020-04-26_uncertain-part-5-people-of-a-great-promise_discussion-questions.pdf, Notes: There’s a song written by Matt Langsten Of the alternative rock group eleventyseven.It’s called All the Doubt in Town.It’s inspired by his grandpa, …his Papa. In the 1940’s, …his grandpa and grandma were two young teenagers Who got pregnant. As a result, they got married way too young. So they bought an old house in a low-income area of town, And the wife was just so upset. She told her new husband,   Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe we should end it. The husband’s response is the chorus of the song. eleventyseven – All the Doubt in Town All the doubt in town Ain’t enough to shake the ground That my feet have been walking on. Cause girl, I love you now, And ‘til I hear that trumpet sound, Wherever you are, I belong. The story continues with the husband losing his job And them struggling just to make ends meet. The wife was scared. They had a new baby, now. She talked about leaving and moving back home with her parents. And the husband with resolve said All the doubt in town Ain’t enough to shake the ground That my feet have been walking on. Cause girl, I love you now, And til I hear that trumpet sound, Wherever you are, I belong. Then the story jumps to the their 60th anniversary.   Papa is in the hospital surrounded by the kids and grandkids. Mama is reflecting on how fast the years went by, Praying her faithful man would not die. Asking him how he knew they would make it this far. And he responds, Girl I love you now But I hear that trumpet sound And I gotta be moving on Though I leave you now I’ll be up there looking down Keeping Heaven's porch light on. And then the chorus repeats No matter how much doubt, No matter what the struggle. I made a promise to you And I’m going to keep that promise. My daughter Ali and I share a love for this song. There’s something moving about the willingness to sacrifice to keep a promise. It’s inspiring. And did you know that Scripture records God making over 7,000 promises to people. 7,000 promises. Some were very specific, And not all of them relate to us. But God is a God who keeps his word.   Many years after God in the flesh, Died a cross to keep his promise, Peter, one of the disciples, was reflecting on the journey with Jesus, …And God’s faithfulness to keep his promises, Even in the midst of the suffering That these young believers were facing. He said to them, 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) God is faithful. God keeps his promises. Not in our time frame, But he always keeps his Promise. It’s who he is. It’s his character. And it’s God’s desire …For ALL to know him. …ALL to experience life in him. Review Last week we talked about being a people of a grand story. That we’re part of this epic journey with God; …Something so much bigger than we can imagine. God is moving the story forward. With us or in spite of us. We have the freedom to join him …or reject him. But his deepest desire, Revealed through his willingness to die on that cross, Is to share the story with us. The story is huge. And we often lose sight of how we fit in it. So God, throughout history, has given us these promises …Kind of like …mile markers. The promises, they assure us that the story is true. It is good. The promises arouse faith. Those that have been fulfilled Assure us of the promises yet to be fulfilled. Like the lyrics I shared at the beginning, It’s when we look back that we see   …How big and how faithful is the God we trust. So what are these promises? At the end of the message I’m going to recommend a devotion that will lead you to discover some great ones, But I want to quickly mention …the greatest, …the most ginormous and important promises …And how they relate to our story with God, And form us into a people of a great promise. These are the pillars of our story with God. In fact, I would say Every promise we have been given Is under God’s promise to Abraham. Abraham was told to “go”, And God promised, 2 “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” –Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT) Through this one chosen family, God would bless all families. Through the nation they would become, God would bless all nations. This promise revealed God’s love for humanity, And how we would participate in his story. This promise marked the early chapter of God’s story, Where he pursued all of us ..Offering life and restoration and redemption. And God’s promise to Abraham’s Led to a more specific promise to the nation of his descendants, …Moses and the Israelites 5 “Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant… 6 you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.”–Ex.19 (NLT) Their part of the story, God’s promise to them was -- IF they would remain faithful to God, They would become the instrument through which God would bring the whole world back to himself. They would be a nation of priests. God’s tangible presence in the world. But it was too hard. They couldn’t do it. So God made another promise, …This time to King David,   Another mile marker in the story. 16 [David], your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’ ” –2 Sam 7:16 (NLT) And then the poo hit the fan, Because a civil war started and Israel split in two. Then the Northern kingdom was obliterated. And the Southern Kingdom exiled to Babylon. Honestly, it looked like God was not going to keep this promise. And right in the middle of lost hope, The prophet Isaiah makes a promise …About a special person sent from God, …A Messiah in the line of David, 6 [The Lord] says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” –Is 49:6 (NLT) Where have we heard this before? Oh yeah, Jesus. “You are the light of the world” – Matt. 5:14 “Baptized with the Holy Spirit” – Acts 1:4-5 “…witnesses to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 He told his followers, You are the light of the world. And when you are filled with God’s Spirit, You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. And as followers of Jesus, …We are a people of a great promise. …We are a people PARTICIPATING in the great promise! A letter in the NT, Hebrews, written by one of the leaders of the early church …Inspired a group of suffering Jewish Christians, With these words… 39 All these people (Abraham, Moses, David, the Prophets)  earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us. –Heb 11 (NLT) These people were given a promise from God, …And they believed God even though they never saw the fulfillment in their lifetime. Abraham never saw more than 2 descendants. Isaac and Ismael. Moses didn’t even enter the Promised Land. David’s kingdom fell apart after 2 generations. They never saw the fulfillment. But we have! You (Application. So What?) So the writer of Hebrews tells those Jewish Christians, …And he tells us… 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. –Hebrews 12 (NLT) The men and women who went before us …They trusted God to be faithful, Despite never seeing the fulfillment of his promises. If they could trust God before seeing the promise, How much more can we …Living on this side of Jesus? Here’s how…   2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. –Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) Don’t keep your eyes on COVID. Don’t keep your eyes fixed on the struggle. We are a people of a great promise. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He is the fulfillment of that promise. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” –2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT) Live your life as a disciple of the One Who is the fulfillment of God’s epic story. Get to know him.   Begin reading the NT stories and letters. Pray the Psalms, the prayer book Jesus’ used. Live as Jesus’ hands and feet to those around you. Love as Jesus loves you. Be someone who keeps their promises. Do what you say you will do, Even if it costs you something. We follow a God who keeps his promises. Keep our eyes fixed on our Lord of integrity. Be a person of integrity. There’s something powerful and moving When people are willingness to sacrifice to keep a promise. That’s what Jesus did. I want to encourage you to join me to discover more of God’s promises together. Just go to AvalonChurch.org/PromisesDevo and accept the invite. It’s a 5-day devotion where we can interact together. Let’s pray together.

Philippians - part 9 of 11 Based on the fact that Jesus is the greatest gain in the world, Philippians 3:12-4:1 calls us to set our sights on Him and running after Him like a racer pursuing the finish line.  For downloadable notes and more details visit https://www.listenerscommentary.com DONATE - The Listener's Commentary is a crowdfunded Bible teaching ministry. It is made possible by our generous supporters. Thank you! If you'd like to support this work, visit https://www.listenerscommentary.com TEXT 2 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; 16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. 4:1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

Philippians - part 5 of 11   Philippians 1:27-2:4 begins to address the Philippians directly, hinting at some undercurrents of disharmony in the church and prescribing humility as the solution. In this section, we find some of the best advice for having unity in our relationships.    For downloadable notes and more details visit https://www.listenerscommentary.com DONATE - The Listener's Commentary is a crowdfunded Bible teaching ministry. It is made possible by our generous supporters. Thank you! If you'd like to support this work, visit https://www.listenerscommentary.com  TEXT   27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me. 2:1Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

1Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way,a we never give up. 2We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 3If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Ephesians 4:1-3 + 5:1-2 1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. + 1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

First Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, June 16, 2019   Year (cycle): C   The Collect:  Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament:  Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 1 Does not wisdom call,    and does not understanding raise her voice? 2 On the heights, beside the way,    at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3 beside the gates in front of the town,    at the entrance of the portals she cries out: 4 ‘To you, O people, I call,    and my cry is to all that live. 22 The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,    the first of his acts of long ago. 23 Ages ago I was set up,    at the first, before the beginning of the earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,    when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains had been shaped,    before the hills, I was brought forth— 26 when he had not yet made earth and fields,    or the world's first bits of soil. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there,    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above,    when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,    so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30   then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight,    rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world    and delighting in the human race. Psalm:  Psalm 8 1 O Lord our Governor, *         how exalted is your Name in all the world! 2 Out of the mouths of infants and children *         your majesty is praised above the heavens. 3 You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *         to quell the enemy and the avenger. 4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *         the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, 5 What is man that you should be mindful of him? *         the son of man that you should seek him out? 6 You have made him but little lower than the angels; *         you adorn him with glory and honor; 7 You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *         you put all things under his feet: 8 All sheep and oxen, *         even the wild beasts of the field, 9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *         and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea. 10 O Lord our Governor, *         how exalted is your Name in all the world! Epistle:  Romans 5:1-5 1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Gospel:  John 16:12-15 12 ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

The Real Jesus Reacting to Jesus in Light of Suffering May 19, 2019 Romans 12:1-2 1Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I ... Speaker: Kevin Martin

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Readings for this Week:First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35Moses’ face shone with the reflected glory of God after he received the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. The sight caused the Israelites to be afraid, so Moses wore a veil to mask the radiance of God’s glory, taking it off when he spoke directly with God.29Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 31But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 32Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.Psalm: Psalm 99Proclaim the greatness of the Lord; worship upon God’s holy hill. (Ps. 99:9)1The Lord is king; let the | people tremble.The Lord is enthroned upon the cherubim; let | the earth shake.2The Lord, | great in Zion,is high a- | bove all peoples.3Let them confess God’s name, which is | great and awesome;God is the | Holy One.4O mighty king, lover of justice, you have es- | tablished equity;you have executed justice and righteous- | ness in Jacob. R5Proclaim the greatness of the Lord and fall down be- | fore God’s footstool;God is the | Holy One.6Moses and Aaron among your priests, and Samuel among those who call upon your | name, O Lord,they called upon you, and you | answered them,7you spoke to them out of the pil- | lar of cloud;they kept your testimonies and the decree | that you gave them.8O Lord our God, you answered | them indeed;you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their | evil deeds.9Proclaim the greatness of the Lord and worship upon God’s | holy hill;for the Lord our God is the | Holy One. RSecond Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12--4:2In his debates with the Corinthians, Paul contrasts the glory of Moses with the glory of Christ. The Israelites could not see Moses’ face because of the veil. But in Christ we see the unveiled glory of God and are transformed into Christ’s likeness.12Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.4:1Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.Gospel: Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a]The conversation about Jesus’ suffering and death is enclosed in a dazzling foreshadowing of the resurrection. God affirms Jesus’ identity, the disciples are stunned speechless, and Jesus resumes his mission with a demonstration of his power over evil.28Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. [37On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43aAnd all were astounded at the greatness of God.]

Hebrews 12:14-25   Verse 11      11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. [1] Verse 14      “Pursue peace with all men . . .”      Ravi Zacharias' ministry includes apologetics but with kindness. His YouTube channel      At the Mormon Tabernacle Romans 12: 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [2] Sanctification “conveys an idea of separation from the world . . . when we are markedly distant from the world around us we will see the world with spiritual eyes . . .” When Ravi Zacharias and Dennis Prager got together on YouTube Verse 15 Root of bitterness “. . . springs up and causes trouble . . . “ Verse 16-17 The example of Esau from Genesis 25: 29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. [3] Verses 18-24 Mount Sinai – “don't touch it” Mount Zion – “the city of the living God . . . and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant . . . “ What a relief it is to move from Mt. Sinai to Mt. Zion! Mt. Sinai represents the Old Covenant of Law, and Mt. Zion represents the New Covenant of grace in Jesus Christ (see Gal. 4:19–31). The heavenly city is God's Mt. Zion (see Pss. 2; 110:1–2, 4). This is the city that the patriarchs were looking for by faith (Heb. 11:10, 14–17). The earthly Jerusalem was about to be destroyed by the Romans, but the heavenly Jerusalem would endure forever.[4] Verse 25-29 (The fifth warning) The warnings 2:1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,[5] 3: 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. [6] 6:1Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [7] [Pablum: a brand of soft, bland cereal for infants.[8]] 10: 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [9] 12:2525 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. [10] The reason our author follows his picture of festive celebration (12:22–24) with a stern warning (12:25–29) has to do, once again, with the purpose of this book and the spiritual condition of the community. For some in the audience, the matter of their eternal destiny has yet to be discerned; their status has been called into question by their flirtation with apostasy. The warning, therefore, demonstrates that the preacher cannot give an unqualified message of grace to a community of people among whom are those considering abandoning the faith.[11] Closing Things that are missing . . . thank you notes . . .           [1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 12:11). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 12:17–21). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ge 25:29–34). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 325). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. [5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 2:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 3:12–14). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 6:1–2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [8] https://www.dictionary.com/browse/pablum [9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 10:26–31). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 12:25–29). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles. [11] Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (p. 426). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Find us online at: AdventNYC.orgEmail us at: Podcast@AdventNYC.orgTalk with us at: Advent Sermons & Conversations on FacebookCome to a service and hear the sermons live and in person Sunday morning 9am and 11am in English and 12:30pm in Spanish at 93rd and Broadway.Reading for this Week:1 Kings 19:4-84[Elijah] went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.”5Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” 6He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. 7The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” 8He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.Psalm 34:1-81I will bless the Lord| at all times;  the praise of God shall ever be | in my mouth. 2I will glory | in the Lord;  let the lowly hear | and rejoice. 3Proclaim with me the greatness | of the Lord;  let us exalt God’s | name together. 4I sought the Lord, who | answered me  and delivered me from | all my terrors. R 5Look upon the Lord| and be radiant,  and let not your faces | be ashamed. 6I called in my affliction, and | the Lord heard me  and saved me from | all my troubles. 7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who | fear the Lord  and de- | livers them. 8Taste and see that the | Lord is good;  happy are they who take ref- | uge in God! REphesians 4:25--5:225So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and do not make room for the devil. 28Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 5:1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.John 6:35, 41-5135Jesus said to [the crowd,] “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 41Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. 44No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. 49Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Ephesians 4:17—5:2          17Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.          25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.          1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Hebrews_2_1_6.mp3 [audio: http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Hebrews_2_1_6.mp3] 1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect … Continue reading "Hebrews 2: 1-6 Verse by Verse Bible Teaching Podcast" The post Hebrews 2: 1-6 Verse by Verse Bible Teaching Podcast first appeared on Bible Prophecy Talk Podcast.

http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Hebrews_2_1_6.mp3 [audio: http://versebyversebibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/Hebrews_2_1_6.mp3] 1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect […]

Click here to listen or download this message. 10-03-10, SAM, CLCPower of our words 2The spoken word (Rhema) is our only offensive weapon, we must use it!Ephesians 6:17-19 (New American Standard Bible) 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,Hebrews 3:1 (New American Standard Bible) 1Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;Hebrews 12:2 (New King James Version)2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher (some translations say perfecter) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Hebrews 7:25 (New American Standard Bible) 25Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.1 John 2:1 says He’s our advocateRomans 8:34 (New American Standard Bible) 34who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.He’s the advocate, the devil is the accuser, our testimony is what Jesus has to work with.Mark 5:25-34 (New American Standard Bible) 25A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, 26and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse-- 27after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. 28For she thought, "If I just touch His garments, I will get well." 29Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. 30Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My garments?" 31And His disciples said to Him, "You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" 32And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. 33But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction."Joshua 1Ps 1Numbers 13:30 (King James Version) 30And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.Click here to go the the site where you can view the whole sermon outline, listen online, or download to your computer.