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A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Unbelievers Despise the Glory and Excellency of Christ Subtitle: God Exalted Man Humbled Speaker: Jonathan Edwards Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 10/15/2025 Bible: Acts 4:11 Length: 25 min.
An unbeliever is not sensible that Christ is worthy of any glory, and therefore does not at all seek the glory of Christ in anything that he does. He does nothing in religion out of respect to Christ's glory, but wholly for other ends; which shows that he sees not Christ to be worthy of any glory. — Christ is set last and lowest in the heart of an unbeliever. — He has high thoughts of other things. He has high thoughts of created objects and earthly enjoyments, but mean and low thoughts of Christ. The unbeliever shows the mean and contemptible thoughts that he has of Christ, in refusing to accept of him, and in shutting the door of his heart against him.
In today's devotional, Pastor Kerrick shares about the doors God is opening for you in this outstanding October! God will open unusual doors for you. Don't despise the door; walk through the door!----Order your copy of the Rhythm of Rest today:https://www2.fccga.com/storeSubscribe to the Faith in the Morning Newsletter:https://www.kerrickbutler.com/subscribe
October 9, 2025Today's Reading: Catechism: Table of Duties - Of Civil GovernmentDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 8:1-20; Matthew 10:24-42“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrong-doer.” (Small Catechism- Of Civil Government) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.In all likelihood, if you're listening to this, you're probably not a criminal. But you're still a sinner. And you still struggle with this, just like everyone else. Because you, like everyone else, are hardwired to absolutely. Despise. Authority. In all its forms. You can see this if you pop way back to Genesis. Our first parents were given a law: do not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the Garden. One rule. One law. Directly from the one authority, the Almighty LORD, who was in their midst. Broken, promptly. Ever since then, we have been hardwired to buck and kick against authority. All of creation has as well. Ever tried to ride a wild horse? Or get a donkey to go where he really doesn't want to? You learn very quickly that authority does not come naturally to us. We hate it. We resist it. Because we have the same illness that Adam and Eve had. We want to be like God. Hence, Dr. Luther's admonishment here in this table is for our good. Because, like he says, rulers are not a terror to good conduct, to the “good guys,” but to bad conduct. It is through the arm of civil government that God grants us peace in our days. Will there be bad government? Absolutely. History is rife with examples of not just bad, but downright evil governments. And we are citizens of this Kingdom here on this earth, good or bad, and we have to keep the Fourth Commandment, good or bad. So yes, there will be bad kingdoms. But God will sort them out. He always does. But as for you, dear saints in Christ, revel in the fact that you are ultimately a subject of the kingdom of heaven, and that supersedes anything on Earth.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O merciful Father in heaven, because You hold in Your hand all the might of man and because You have ordained, for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well, all the powers that exist in all the nations of the world, we humbly pray You graciously to regard Your servants, our President; the Congress of the United States; our Governor; and all those who make, administer, and judge our laws; that all who receive the sword as Your ministers may bear it according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Bidding Prayer)Rev. Jonathan Lackey, Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.
A direct charge to bridge the generational gap and build a pipeline of disciples. From David and Eliab to Moses and Joshua to Stephen's bold witness, this message calls both seasoned saints and emerging leaders to transfer mantle, responsibility, and Spirit-empowered faith.https://TakingTheLandPodcast.comSUBSCRIBE TO PREMIUM FOR MORE:• Subscribe for only $3/month on Supercast: https://taking-the-land.supercast.com/• Subscribe for only $3.99/month on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/taking-the-land/subscribe• Subscribe for only $4.99/month on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3vy1s5bScriptures: Acts 6:3; 1 Samuel 17:26–29; Exodus 17:9–14; Exodus 33:7–11; Acts 7:54–60; Daniel 3; Judges 2:10.Highlights:• Leaders must actively “seek out” those with good reputation, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit.• Give real responsibility early; let them fight real battles.• Move beyond inherited blessing to owned conviction and lived testimony.• Youth: hunger for God's presence, stand when your generation bows.Chapters13:35 Theme: Raising Up Another Generation (Acts 6:3)15:10 The Generational Divide and Labels18:40 David vs. Eliab: Don't Despise the Next Generation (1 Sam 17)22:10 Leaders: Seek and Elevate Emerging Workers25:00 Moses & Joshua: Shared Battles and Real Responsibility (Ex 17)29:00 God's Transfer: “Recount it in Joshua's Hearing” (Ex 17:14; 33)32:30 Hunger for Presence: Linger at the Tent34:30 Stephen: Full of Faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6–7)37:20 Stand When Others Bow: The Furnace Test (Dan 3)39:10 Salvation Call40:30 Call to the Young (≤36): Public Commitment42:20 Closing MomentsShow NotesALL PROCEEDS GO TO WORLD EVANGELISMLocate a CFM Church near you: https://cfmmap.orgWe need five-star reviews! Tell the world what you think about this podcast at: • Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3vy1s5b • Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/taking-the-land-cfm-sermon-pod-43369
Sunday Evening Service
Jaylen Brown Refuses to Sell His Soul to Nike Unlike LeBron James, Charles Barkley Calls Out ESPN Over Communication Issues, Adam Silver Tells NBA Fans to Just Watch Highlights, Former NBA Player Reveals Why Some Players Secretly Despise LeBron James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This message was given for a chapel service at Providence Christian College in Pasadena, CA, where Pastor Grant's daughter is a junior and RA at the time. When God's people and their situation seem insignificant and insecure during times of reformation, they need to see themselves as God does and rejoice in what He has begun, is doing, and will finish in and through them. Don't Despise the Day of Small Things!
Protect Your Retirement with a PHYSICAL Gold and/or Silver IRA https://www.sgtreportgold.com/ CALL( 877) 646-5347 - You Can Trust Noble Gold As the BIG 3 TV networks burn to the ground bleeding out their remaining viewers, leave it to Apple TV and the other big tech streaming services to pick up the anti-American, anti-white propaganda torch with 'The SAVANT' starring Hollywood A-Lister Jessica Chastain. Todd Callender & Dr. Lee Vliet are back to cover that story as well as RFK Jr's war against the big pharma cartels. Thanks for tuning in. Visit Lee's Truth For Health Foundation: https://www.truthforhealth.org/ https://rumble.com/embed/v6wdc3s/?pub=2peuz
What does your flag mean to you? The very existence of our country is being threatened - raise the colours! To help support this Podcast & get exclusive videos every week sign up to Neil Oliver on Patreon.comhttps://www.patreon.com/neiloliver To Donate go to Neil's Website:https://www.neiloliver.com Sponsors: Gold Bullion Partners,for more info about buying gold & silver go to this affiliate link,https://goldbullionpartners.co.uk/download-our-complimentary-guide-neil-oliver/ To Shop:https://neil-oliver.creator-spring.com YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@Neil-Oliver Rumble site – Neil Oliver Official:https://rumble.com/c/c-6293844 Instagram - NeilOliverLoveLetter:https://www.instagram.com/neiloliverloveletter Podcasts:Season 1: Neil Oliver's Love Letter To The British IslesSeason 2: Neil Oliver's Love Letter To The WorldAvailable on all the usual providershttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neil-olivers-love-letter-to-the-british-isles #NeilOliver #Flags #Patriotism #raisethecolours #union #starsandstripes #saltire #thereddragon #KingCharles #Starmer #WEF #history #neiloliverGBNews #travel #culture #ancient #historyfact #explore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Let no one despise your youth. Many thousands of young people around the world are discovering Jesus and making a decision to live for Him. The Word of God is clear that there should be no distinction regarding age. Pastor Larry Huch shares a message called "Youthquake. - Let No One Despise Your Youth." To learn more about Larry Huch Ministries, our broadcast, podcast, outreaches, current TV offers, other resources, how to give, and so much more visit https://larryhuchministries.com.
Sunday Evening Service
#10MinuteswithJesus ** Put yourself in the presence of God. Try talking to Him. ** 10 minutes are 10 minutes. Even if you can get distracted, reach the end. ** Be constant. The Holy Spirit acts "on low heat" and requires perseverance. 10-Minute audio to help you pray. Daily sparks to ignite prayer: a passage from the gospel, an idea, an anecdote and a priest who speaks with you and the Lord, inviting you to share your intimacy with God. Find your moment, consider you are in His presence and click play.
Psalm 51
Recorded live at Revival Today Church Fort Worth What No Eye Hath Seen 2025 - footage courtesy of and used with permission by Revival Today.God often begins sacred works in small ways. You may currently feel like you are in a small place, but don't let anyone disrespect you who are. You may not be exactly where some of you Christian friends, family and church family seem to be, but if you have turned from sin and turned to Christ, you are a child of God and He knows WHO you are and WHERE you are - don't disrespect where that may be!However, this doesn't mean we are called to stay still!1. The work often begins small2. The work must not stay small3. The work requires purity4. The work requires persistence——————————Key Scripture for today's teaching: Zechariah 4:6-10Other Scriptures in this teaching: Genesis 1:11-12; Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 16:10-12; Luke 19:10; John 10:9-10; John 15:16Unless otherwise noted, most Scripture will be from the NLT, the New Living TranslationIf you prayed with Tiff, click here https://lostlamb.org/ and let him know! Be sure to watch the curated playlist “New Beginnings” - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsX8E19Azl58_FjxELPxjnsL8CAtmama4&si=Pj84Hm2dGX57OH4Z Thank you for watching, and subscribe for new content each week.Connect with Tiff Shuttlesworth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LostLambAssociation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TIFFSHUTTLESWORTH/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/tiffshuttlesworLearn more about my ministry: https://lostlamb.org/ Learn more about my ministry in Canada: https://www.lostlamb.ca
In today's HMS fellowship luncheon, recording artist and worship leader Mack Brock leads the fellowship luncheon in worship and MRO Chaplain Donnie Floyd speaks a message entitled "Don't Despise your Youth." Take a listen and share this with a co worker!
In today's HMS fellowship luncheon, recording artist and worship leader Mack Brock leads the fellowship luncheon in worship and Chaplain Donnie Floyd speaks a message entitled "Don't Despise your Youth." Take a listen and share this with a co worker!
“Don't Despise the Small Things” - Habits and the Heart
“Don't Despise the Small Things” - Habits and the Heart by Saylorville Church
Followers of Jesus should be the BEST LEADERS on the planet.Jesus is the GREATEST LEADERSHIP MODEL of all time.Leadership is INFLUENCEIf leadership is influence, then no one has influenced our world more thanJESUS.The HEART of a LEADER.Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows fromit.WHATHOWWHY1. RESPONSIBILITY Based leadership-you feel responsible to SERVEand CARE for the people you lead.2. REWARDS based leadership-you want to be rewarded by the PERKSand POWER of leading.When you BEND down to SERVE, God will LIFT you up to LEAD.Matthew 20:20-27 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sonsand, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” he asked. Shesaid, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the otherat your left in your kingdom.” “You don't know what you are asking,” Jesus saidto them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right orleft is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have beenprepared by my Father.” When the ten heard about this, they were indignant withthe two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers ofthe Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority overthem. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you mustbe your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—SERVANT-focused on doing things for others rather than for oneself.SLAVE-someone bound to obey their master's commands and teaching.If you lead for ANY reason other than to SERVE OTHERS, you will never bea GREAT LEADER.It is impossible to LEAD like Jesus if you won't SERVE like Jesus.Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, andto give his life as a ransom for many.”Servant Leader vs Reward Centered Leader1. Servant leaders are always trying to make OTHER PEOPLE look good.Reward centered leaders don't want OTHERS to look good, onlyTHEMSELVES.2. Servant Leaders find their approval in one place: GOD.Reward centered leaders believe:My PERFORMANCE + the APPROVAL of others = SELF-WORTH3. Servant leaders LOVE hard or negative feedback because it allows them toIMPROVE for the benefit of others.Reward centered leaders DESPISE hard or negative feedback because it is allABOUT THEM.So what keeps us from being a servant leader?- PRIDE- FEARProverbs 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts inthe Lord is kept safe.When you BEND DOWN to serve, God can LIFT YOU UP to LEAD.
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Carl Jackson breaks down the good and the bad of Trump's spending bill. Will there be more changes made to the bill? Plus, CNN's most influential conservative voice, Scott Jennings, joins Mike to discuss the media landscape and President Trump's successes in office. Plus, Scott has a big announcement! Keep up with the Trump Administration when you subscribe to The Trump Report. This email brings you daily highlights from the Oval Office, right to your inbox, 5 days a week. Subscribe today at http://salempodcastnetwork.com/trump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ready to hear how faith births funding and favor miracles? In part 2 of my conversation with Maryann Ehmann, you're in for a whirlwind of stories that mix divine downloads with everyday boldness. From co-creating with God to breaking through fear of judgment, Maryann shares how spiritual favor isn't just a feel-good concept—it's a power tool for life, business, and even destination weddings in New Zealand.Whether you're building a business, battling internal resistance, or just here for the glory stories (and maybe a few holy mic drops), this episode is packed with golden takeaways and spiritual inspiration that'll leave you smiling and maybe even jotting down some declarations of your own.Enjoy!BIO RECAP:For over 40 years, Maryann Ehmann, Abundance Master, Dream Activator, Income Strategist and founder of Magnificent Love Coaching, has successfully worked with teens to seniors, the humble poor to the fabulously wealthy, as well as the frustrated unemployed to the exhausted high achieving professional, teaching and coaching them all to achieve that which they never had before.Her diverse experiences as a lawyer, financial adviser, and ministry leader give her a unique background to help solve a wide variety of issues. Even so, Maryann's sweet spot is supporting the spiritually inclined entrepreneur who may be stuck or plateaued but will stop at nothing in furthering their deepest desires and wildest dreams.HIGHLIGHTS:Favor does the heavy lifting. Maryann starts off reminding us that we don't have to grind our way into God's blessings—favor is already working on our behalf.Feel the love and the favor. Not just know it intellectually—actually experience it. That's how we co-create with God.Fear of judgment can block blessings. Maryann got real about hesitating to launch a GoFundMe campaign because of what others might think.Putting up the shield of favor. Inspired by Psalm 5:12, she envisions God's favor like a force field that neutralizes arrows of judgment. Pretty epic.The GoFundMe campaign wasn't just about money. It was about inviting others into a love story and letting her son feel deeply valued by her community.God provides new money for new missions. She heard the phrase “New money for New Zealand” and ran with it. Spoiler: it worked.Despise not small beginnings. Her first contribution was just $197, but she didn't let it kill the vibe. That verse kept her anchored.Miracles snowballed. A random client showed up. An old domain sold for $2,500. The funds added up fast—and all within a week.Faith takes action. Buying the plane ticket was her “stake in the ground” moment—and yes, it came with a minor panic attack. Still worth it.“Love the lie, kiss it goodbye.” Maryann's process for dealing with negative beliefs is as brilliant as it is poetic.Overflow blessing. Her $10k target turned into $20k, and none of it came from savings. Just pure co-creation with the Lord.God likes making money with us. Her free manifesting miracles course led people to hire her—bringing in around $50k to $60k without even pitching."Too freeing for me." One person found her teaching too liberating. That's one way to know you're walking in bold truth.Co-creation starts with joy, not obligation. Maryann only produces when it feels aligned and joyful—not out of “shoulds.” It shows.The real goal? Transformation. Whether someone takes one step or a giant leap, it's all about moving toward God and stepping into favor.LINK for MARYANN:– Check out her coaching and other resources: https://www.maryannehmann.com/LINK for BRALYNN: – Coaching for Business and Breakthrough Encounters: http://SpiritCenteredBusiness.comCopyright 2025 - Bralynn Newby Int'l, LLC. All rights reserved.
A – About: This passage highlights God's indictment of Jerusalem's people and leaders for their rampant sin, false worship, and rejection of truth. Despite widespread corruption, God promises not to make a complete end, revealing both His justice and mercy. B – Best Verse: Jeremiah 5:18 – "Nevertheless in those days," says the Lord, "I will not make a complete end of you." C – Call to Action: We are called to humbly receive God's discipline, repent of sin, and follow His ways, trusting in His righteous judgment and steadfast love.
Shelach L'chaNumbers 13:1-15:41Do Not Despise the Word of the LordStay ConnectedLinktree: https://linktr.ee/jacobstentWebsite: https://jacobstent.org/Facebook: @jacobstentfellowship Instagram: @jacobstent Download Our App: https://jacobstent.org/appGiving: https://jacobstent.org/giveEmail Signup: http://eepurl.com/g-YpcDJoin us for our Shabbat service with Bill Cloud and the Jacob's Tent Family!If you are enjoying this live stream, PLEASE consider sending in an offering, tithe, or donation to help us continue spread the gospel free from Jacob's Tent. We work hard to make sure this is an enjoyable experience to our online community, but it doesn't come without a price.Give online via the Jacobs Tent app, our website, or text any amount to (844) 405-8872 to support this ministry. Yahweh bless you and keep you! Shalom.
In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains why we must desire Eretz Yisrael and the consequences of despising it. Contempt is the greatest predictor of divorce. If we despise Eretz Yisrael there is no hope for our relationship with Hashem.
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) Paul places the responsibility on Timothy. The youth are to live in such a way that provides no occasion for their youthfulness to be despised.
In this powerful morning prayer session, Pastor Sean Pinder shares an encouraging word titled “Don't Despise Small Beginnings.” Drawing inspiration from Zechariah 4:10, Pastor Sean reminds us that God often starts with the small and insignificant to do something mighty. Whether you're in the early stages of a dream, ministry, or breakthrough, this message will build your faith and help you trust God's perfect timing and process.Through heartfelt prayer and the Word of God, you'll be reminded that your humble beginnings are not a sign of failure—they are the foundation for something great. When God is in it, even the smallest seed can grow into a powerful testimony of His glory.Join Pastor Sean and let the Holy Spirit strengthen your heart and stir up a fresh sense of hope and expectation. Your small beginning is just the start of something extraordinary!
Christian ; Follower of GOD Servant of CHRIST Decorated Combat VeteranCorporate; U.S. Marine Corps Urban Warfare Instrictor; S.R.T. Commander Active Shooter Response Team Law Enforcement Los Angeles Police (L.A.P.D.) Police Officer / Fugitive Recovery F.B.I. Instructor N.R.A Instructor Competition Shooter; Multi Time State Rifle Pistol Champion Hunting; Life Long Hunter Proffessional Hunter and Guide Private Security Contractor; Several Agencies, Current. GOD Provides / JESUS Saves Patreon https://bit.ly/3jcLDuZBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gunfighter-life-survival-guns-tactical-hunting--4187306/support.
Jesus Saves the most horrible of sinners. Be careful who you hate.
When you faithfully behold the glory of Christ and relish in the way he lived, his Spirit will transform you so that you resemble your Savior, gradually becoming more beautiful – more like Psalm 15.-------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
(Hebrews 10:25) You can worship God in many places, but there are some things you can only do as you meet with God's people. Today we discover seven simple, plain Bible reasons to regularly assemble in a local church. (0964250313) ----more---- Why Go To Church? Why go to church? I mean, honestly, what's the point? Why did the Lord intend that his people would meet together? You know, we've learned already that the word church means “a called out assembly.” Now, while the purpose of the church doesn't stop with the assembly, it does start there. Some people have so emphasized the fact that the church works outside the walls (which I believe) that we've forgotten, that we're still supposed to meet with God's people. The assembly part is important because, in the meeting of the New Testament church, the ministry is set in motion. It is as we fellowship, as we come together, as we are edified, as we grow, that then we can function in this world. Hebrews 10:25 says this, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” There's a lot of truth wrapped up in Hebrews 10:25. We Are Not To Forsake The Assembling Of Ourselves Together. Do you remember the Lord Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (18:20). There's something precious to Christ about His followers assembling. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He very often took His disciples aside, by themselves, so He could teach them. May I submit to you? He still wants to do that. And then the Bible says in this verse, as the manner of some is, boy, that describes the world we're living in. Here we are, the end of the age when the assembling of God's people ought to mean more and more, and instead, it seems it means less and less to many Christians. On the average Lord's Day morning, you can drive through the community and see people doing almost everything except going to meet with God's people. May I tell you that's not the Lord's way? We Are To Exhort One Another. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhort one another.” This is one of the great keys that unlocks the purpose of why we should assemble together. In fact, the previous verse, verse 24 says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” We've come to the place in our world today where people even look at church selfishly. What can I get out of it? Are my children going to have a good time? How is this going to benefit us? We ought to turn the thing around. It should not be about “what I can get out of the church meeting?” but “what can I contribute?” “How can I be a blessing?” 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that all of the members are connected to the body. All of the members are under the head of the body, which is the Lord Jesus, but they all contribute to one another. We Are To Remember The Founder Is Coming Back. All are participants. None are dispensable. And so we ought to start looking at the local assembly and thinking, what can I do to make my church all God wants it to be? How can I be the kind of member of this called-out assembly that will help us move forward to the glory of God, and then listen to the powerful end of Hebrews 10:25, “and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.” What day is he talking about? He's referring here to the day of the Lord's return. Friend, Jesus is coming back. The Founder is about to return. The Head of the church is going to show up. And I don't know about you. I'd be terribly ashamed for Him to find me totally disconnected from all the other members when He arrives I want Him to find me in my place, doing exactly what God wants me to do. So it brings us back to the question. Why go to church? Why did the Lord establish that we should meet? Let's see what says. Let's study the example of the early church, in the New Testament. Here Are Seven Bible Reasons We Go To Church 1. We Assemble To Pray. This is very important. And we begin here. Maybe, perhaps not where you thought I would begin. Everybody wants to run to the preaching, and I love preaching, let me tell you, I love to do it. And I love to hear it. But why don't we begin with prayer? Because that's where God began. What did Jesus command his disciples to do? Go to the upper room and pray. Acts 1:13-14. We read these words: “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” The first meeting in the New Testament church after the Ascension was not an evangelistic crusade, not a revival meeting, not a Bible study. It was a prayer meeting. Why? Because prayer sets everything else in motion. When we meet together, we should come together to pray with and for one another and notice it's something everybody can do. Not just the men were doing it. The women were praying. So we meet together to pray. 2. We Assemble To Hear The Word Of God 1 Thessalonians 5:20 says, “Despise not prophesying.” What's your attitude towards the preaching and teaching of the Word of God? You see, the New Testament church didn't have their own copies of the Scriptures when they came together. There was an expectation to hear the Bible read. They hear these inspired writings expounded. I wonder if there's still that same hunger and thirst in us. When we come together, we ought to come together excited to hear the Word of God. 3. We Assemble To Sing Colossians 3:16 instructs us to speak to and encourage one another “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” The Bible says, “speaking to one another.” We speak to ourselves when we sing. We speak to God when we sing. However, we also speak to one another as we sing. We should sing from our hearts. 4. We Assemble To Give Number four, the assembly met together to give. Oh yes, you knew that was going to be mentioned because it's given in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” It's powerful. On the Lord's Day, bring your tithe and bring your offerings. Be a giver. 5. We Assemble To Exhort One Another. It was all about edifying, building up each other. It's not about me; it's about us. It's not about what I can gain, but what I can give. And here's the beautiful secret. As you give and minister and exhort. Guess what the Lord does in you? He does the same building up in your heart in life. 6. We Assemble To Observe The Ordinances. God left us with two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. You must have a visible local church to be able to physically baptize. You also must to have a local assembly to administer the Lord's Table. These are church ordinances. They don't belong to me as an individual. They belong to the local assembly. 7. We Assemble For Fellowship. Come full circle back to the first principles in at the end of Acts 2 we have this beautiful little snapshot of the early New Testament church. Observe Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” That passage goes on to report on the ministry of the Word. Those assemblies of believers set in motion a chain reaction outside the assembly of the church. We carry our faith outside the church walls. But it all must begin by meeting together. From this, we minister to those who are outside our assembly. Could it be that we're getting so little done in this world? Because the meeting of the New Testament church has gotten skewed by so many things. Perhaps we started thinking so selfishly about it. I remember asking a man one time to come to our church and he said, “Oh, I worship God in the woods.” And I said to him, “Wonderful, I worship God in the woods.” And he looked at me a little surprised, and I said, “I don't go to church simply to worship. I want to worship when I go. I believe in corporate worship, but worship is not a group sport, worship is the individual heart attitude.” You can worship anywhere and everywhere. Yes, you can worship God in your living room, but no, you cannot exhort one another in your living room. Be Faithful You can't be a blessing and help to the whole local church by never being there. I challenge you today. Belong and don't just belong. Be there. When the church meets together. Let it mean something to you to be with God's people. If the church was so important that Christ died for it, don't you think our lives ought to be connected to it? Make up your mind this Lord's Day, at the very next appointed meeting of your local assembly, by the grace of God, you're going to be there. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” You can worship God in many places, but there are some things you can only do as you meet with God's people. Today we discover seven simple, plain Bible reasons to regularly assemble in a local church.
Daily Study: I teach a lot about being focused in your calling. However, there are seasons that require you to divide your focus between a day job and your calling. In those seasons, it is not a lack of faith to do both—if it is directed by God. When God leads you to stay on the day job, it is because your day job is part of His strategic plan to get you to where you need to be. In today's study, see how the Apostle Paul used his tent-making business (a.k.a Day Job) to support and succeed in his calling. Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com
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