Podcasts about faith in jesus

If you placed your faith in Jesus, we are celebrating with you!Subscribe to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHNDPb5XMkf1LyqoTU30vg Help Support and Grow our Ministry to reach people around our community and spread the love of Jesus: https://transformchurch.com/giving/ Stay connected with us through our:Transform Church Website: https://transformchurch.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformchurchnj/Plan your next in-person visit. We are located at:Rutherford Location- The Williams Center8:30AM, 10:15AM, 12PM, 1:45PM15 Sylvan St, Rutherford NJLyndhurst Location- 10AM, 12PM525 Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst NJ

If you placed your faith in Jesus, we are celebrating with you!Subscribe to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHNDPb5XMkf1LyqoTU30vg Help Support and Grow our Ministry to reach people around our community and spread the love of Jesus: https://transformchurch.com/giving/ Stay connected with us through our:Transform Church Website: https://transformchurch.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformchurchnj/Plan your next in-person visit. We are located at:Rutherford Location- The Williams Center8:30AM, 10:15AM, 12PM, 1:45PM15 Sylvan St, Rutherford NJLyndhurst Location- 10AM, 12PM525 Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst NJ

SummaryBenjamin Lee explores the origins and beliefs surrounding the Catholic Church's doctrine of the Eucharist, contrasting it with biblical teachings. This episode clarifies misconceptions about the Lord's Supper and emphasizes the importance of adhering to Scripture.Chapters00:00 Introduction: Questions about Catholic practices00:26 Benjamin's motivation for discussing the Catholic Church01:22 The foundation of the church according to Matthew 1602:02 Distinguishing truth from error in religious doctrines02:51 What is the Eucharist and its biblical meaning04:15 Catholic beliefs about the literal transformation of bread and wine05:23 Problems with the doctrine of transubstantiation06:48 The seven sacraments of the Catholic Church08:09 Misinterpretations of John 6 and their impact10:32 The institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus11:54 The focus of the Lord's Supper on Christ13:16 Frequency and proper observance of the Lord's Supper14:40 The significance of examining oneself before partaking15:35 The elements of the Lord's Supper: bread and fruit of the vine17:03 Discrepancies in Catholic practice versus biblical pattern20:02 The biblical understanding of Jesus' body and blood21:08 Misinterpretation of John 6 as literal consumption23:26 Faith in Jesus as the true meaning of John 627:04 The importance of biblical authority and apostolic tradition32:13 Conclusion: The importance of adhering to ScriptureResourcesBible Gateway - https://www.biblegateway.com/Acts 2:42 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A42&version=ESVJohn 6:53-58 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A53-58&version=ESVFirst Corinthians 11:23-26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+11%3A23-26&version=ESVCouncil of Trent (1551) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_TrentWest Main Church of Christ Sermons - https://westmaincoc.com/sermons/You can find all of my podcasts at https://icandopodcast.com

0:00 Intro2:00 New US Executive Order Accelerates Drug Therapies (White House / FDA)28:00 End/Final ThoughtsDale Johnson's Podcast about Psychedelics and Presidential OrdersTruth in Love Episode 569:https://biblicalcounseling.com/resource-library/podcast-episodes/psychedelics-and-presidential-orders/Stream the video library for the addiction counselor.COUNSEL — https://theaddictionconnection.thinkific.com/

In this sermon, Pastor Kyle teaches that the greatest legacy we can leave is not success, possessions, or opportunities, but a genuine faith in Jesus that is passed to the next generation. He challenges parents, grandparents, and the church to stop outsourcing spiritual responsibility and instead model a real relationship with God in everyday life. As faith is pressed into our own hearts first, we can intentionally invest in the next generation so they know God's faithfulness, walk in His ways, and carry His kingdom further than we ever could.

James 2:14-26 - This message unpacks James 2:14–26, where James challenges the idea of faith without action by asking whether such faith can truly save. It explains that faith without works is dead. The message also clarifies that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus, but genuine saving faith is always demonstrated through a transformed life and obedient action.

The Apostle Paul wrote 1st Thessalonians to help the 1st century church keep their faith in Jesus, hold on to their hope for the future, and live in light of God's love in the present, even as they faced factors fiercely opposed to them doing so. Join us at Faith Covenant Church as we discover how what Paul wrote to the church then, is just as relevant and helpful to us as the church now.

Use code "aliyah" to get 20% off your first order with our sponsor Jesus in Silver: https://jesusinsilver.com/aliyahIn today's video, we're talking about accountability, spiritual growth, and what it really means to let God transform you. A lot of us want change, but we resist conviction, correction, and the process God uses to shape us.This is a conversation about checking your fruit, wrestling with God honestly, and allowing Him to work on the parts of us we try to hide. Real transformation is deeper than appearance — it shows up in the fruit your life produces.If you've been feeling spiritually stuck, distant from God, or convicted lately, this video is for you.Scripture reminds us that a tree is known by its fruit. The question is: what is your life producing?

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to miss God when life feels ordinary? We pray for miracles, yet overlook the countless ways Heaven is already moving around us. We beg God for provision while standing in the middle of prayers he's already answering. We ask him to open doors, never realizing the door in front of us was opened by his hand all along. Girl, God is working in your life right now. Not someday. Not when things finally change. Not only in dramatic, jaw-dropping moments. Right now. In the ordinary conversation. In the unexpected timing. In the strength you somehow found to keep going. In the opportunity that “just happened” to appear. In the little things you almost brushed past without noticing. Because our God specializes in taking ordinary things and adding his extra. And when God adds his extra to your ordinary … it becomes extraordinary. Our God is not limited to meet needs in ordinary ways, practical ways, or expected ways. Although often times his power meets us in disguise, so we are unaware of how miraculous it truly is. We experience split second perfect timing that was orchestrated in heaven just for us, but it seems ordinary so we don’t recognize it as miraculous. We walk into divinely opened doors which only God could open for us, but because it was open when we got there and required no extra effort on our part, we failed to notice God did that. But all around you, God has been working. Every day of your life, God’s power has been on miraculous display in everything that seems ordinary. You likely never even notice … until God shows up and does something extraordinary. God is our extra. He can take our ordinary lives that seem unimpressive and normal, and he can make them radically extraordinary. You bring your ordinary, and he brings his extra. Let that be your prayer today. God, take my ordinary and make it extraordinary. I need the extra only you can offer! One of Jesus’ extraordinary miracles on earth is recorded by Matthew in a single verse. None of the other gospels mention the miracle, so it seems to be less impressive than his other miracles. But I believe this miracle is precisely what you and I need today. We need to see Jesus’ extra meeting the ordinary. Peter has just confessed that Jesus is the son of God. He has placed his faith in Jesus, committed his life to him. Then Peter is approached by tax collectors asking about Jesus’ payment of taxes. Funny, even Jesus was pestered by tax collectors. And this is what Jesus tells Peter to do in Matthew 17:27, “Go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.” This is what you call extraordinary. This miracle hidden in a single verse in our bible shows us so much about our Jesus! 1. God works through the ordinary. 2. Obedience unlocks provision 3. God partners with what's already in your hand. My friends, not everything miraculous looks dramatic. God works through ordinary things like a fish to do radically extraordinary things. Jesus could have avoided paying the taxes. Afterall, this was the temple tax, money collected to build the temple. Jesus was greater than the temple. He could have flexed just a bit, shown who he really was and proven he was exempt from this tax. But, he didn’t. Jesus is humble, there’s no need to flex. So, money was needed to pay the tax. A half-shekel, which was about 2 days wages. Jesus could have manifested the money in the pocket of his robe, and Peter would have never known the difference. But Jesus decided to be extra so Peter could be in on the miraculous. Gosh, I love that about our Jesus … He actually lets us be part of his extraordinary works. We're not needed … but we're wanted! All Peter had to be was obedient. Jesus didn't say, “Hey Peter, your tax bill is just going to be magically erased.” No, Jesus said, “Go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch.” Peter was being called to obedience. Action was required, and actually quite ordinary action. Isn't that what we often miss – when we need an extraordinary act of God, we overlook the very ordinary acts of obedience on our part. We want God to show up and do miraculous things without us getting our hands dirty. Girl, you still gotta put the bait on your own hook. Obedience unlocks provision. Peter still had to bait the hook and put it in the water! Sometimes the greatest miracles happen in the middle of ordinary obedience. I have to be honest with you – it's the absolute only reason I was willing to get up at 3:30 this morning to work on this devotional while at retreat on a very busy filled day. I want to see God's miracles, so I will be obedient in the ordinary things like waking up as early as needed to give God his time. Jesus didn't ask Peter to do anything insanely courageous. Nothing flashy. Not even anything exciting. No Peter, just fish. Do what you already know how to do. He uses precisely what Peter is good at … fishing. Jesus simply tells Peter to go fishing, do what he’s always done, and the money will be provided. God partners with what's already in your hand. Peter was a fisherman. He had fished nearly every day of his life. He knew how to tie a hook on. He knew how to cast that hook out. And he knew how to bring that fish in. And Jesus told him to do what was so ordinary for him, but this time it would be EXTRA. Jesus' extra on your ordinary is … extraordinary! What feels routine to you may be the very place God wants to reveal his glory. Do you want to be part of Jesus' miraculous works? Jesus will do his thing with or without you. His power will not be stopped. But you've received an invitation to be part of that work and it will be the most fulfilling and beautiful part of your entire life. Oh how I pray you won't miss it. Peter was invited into partnership to be part of this miracle, not because he was needed but because he was wanted. When Jesus invites you into a partnership with him, what is it you imagine you will need to do? Do you imagine you will need to do something big? Something really special? Something flashy? Something everyone will see? Honey, what if it will be as simple as doing what you’ve always done, but this time you just do it with Jesus working in and through you? Peter fishing wasn’t anything big and special. If anyone would have seen Peter fishing that day, they would have thought absolutely nothing of it. But, Peter was fishing in partnership with Jesus and the catch would be radically different. The difference wasn't the fishing. The difference was Jesus. JESUS IS YOUR DIFFERENCE MAKER! What if Jesus is inviting you into this miraculous partnership with him, but it’s not nearly as flashy as you imagined. It’s really quite ordinary. It’s what you’ve already been doing. It’s what you’ve been doing every day. It’s what you already know how to do. Would you do it? Really, would you show up and do what you’ve always done, but this time do it with Jesus? Peter didn't need a new calling. He needed Jesus in his current calling. Now, REALLY think about the power of God that is displayed in this single verse tucked away in a miracle no one else talked about. Of all the fish in the sea, Jesus knew precisely which fish had a coin in its mouth. He also knew exactly where that fish would need to be in order to bite Peter’s hook. God orchestrated all of that! Before Peter ever cast the hook, God had already prepared the fish. And what … you think God doesn’t care about the little details of your life? He cares where your hook lands. He directs which fish bites your hook. He orchestrates it all in such ordinary ways you may have missed it before. You miss it until he adds a little extra to it. Do you need God to add a little extra today so you know it’s really him? Do you need to see his fingerprints so you know he’s really working in the details of your life? Girl, ask him! Ask him for a glimpse of his extraordinary power today. I bet he’s done it for you before. I bet you’ve been in the right place at the right time. I bet you were enabled to speak words you didn’t know you had. I bet you had supernatural strength just when it was needed. I bet you’ve reached into your pocket and found forgotten money. How absolutely extraordinary!!!! It’s already happening for you!!!!! I wonder what else God will do for you and through you if you will keep showing up, doing the ordinary things you do, but do it as a committed partnership with him? What will he divinely align for your catch? What will he miraculously provide when you try again? God already knows what you need. Before Peter ever reached the shore, the fish was already swimming with provision in its mouth. Before you ever prayed, God was already preparing an answer. Before you knew the need was coming, Heaven was already in motion. But putting the hook in the water is still your call. Yes, get up early. Yes, show up again. Yes, you make that phone call. Yes, you do the ordinary work again. Do the ordinary thing God has placed in front of you and trust him to add his extra. Because remember this – one ordinary act of obedience with Jesus can become absolutely extraordinary. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Episode Summary: Have you ever felt like life knocked you down so hard you weren’t sure you’d ever get back up again? Today’s guest, Greg J. Horn, knows that kind of pain firsthand. After losing three close friends to suicide and experiencing the devastating collapse of his own business, marriage, and home—all within 24 hours—Greg was left at rock bottom. But God met him there. From that place of brokenness, a new ministry was born: Hope is Here. Today on Your Hope-Filled Perspective, Greg shares how to move from fear to hope, how gratitude can transform our outlook, and how we can live each day with a renewed sense of purpose. Quotables from the episode: I lost my business, my home, and my marriage in about a 24-hour period and I’ll say it, I was hopeless. Honestly, my faith in Jesus is what really kept me alive during that season.” Fear, we see it, but so many times it’s not real. Even though I did feel fearful, I could stay hopeful as I read God’s Word and didn’t give in to my feelings of fear. Biblical hope is when you say, ‘God, even though I don’t see You working, and I don’t feel You working, I’m going to trust You because You are my source of hope.’ I can tell you now on the other side of it, 20 years later, that all things do work together.” No matter how hopeless it may look, no matter how hopeless it may feel, God truly will use all of it for His glory. As I leaned into Jesus, He slowly but surely started healing the broken pieces of my heart and my mind. You have to choose to be resilient, but with Jesus’ help you can do that. Instead of asking why so much, say, ‘God, what do You want me to learn from this, and how can I be a blessing to other people through it?’ God, through this process, gave me an acronym when I started Hope Is Here, the word HOPE: H-Hold On --everything can change in 24 hours. I mean, something can change for the better. Yes, it can change for the worse, just like my situation did, but just to simply hold on. know God may show up in a way that'll just blow your mind and give you hope, even though things seem hopeless at the time. O-Open up to at least one person--So many times the enemy lies to it and just says, you know, this is hopeless, you're never going to climb out of this situation. And I'm thankful that I was able to open up the others and tell them when I was hopeless and having suicidal thoughts. And that was just amazing the difference that made. Once again, Jesus modeled that when he asked Peter, James, and John, hey man, I've got this overwhelming situation. P-shift your perspective and do something different/put yourself in a new environment E-Expect to see change Scripture References: Romans 15:13 (NIV) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 27:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in you, Lord, and I am helped." Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge God and he will make your path straight.” Psalm 118:24 “"This is the day the Lord has made. I shall be glad and rejoice in it.” Galatians 6:9 “"Do not grow weary and doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up." Proverbs 11:25 “Those who refresh others will be refreshed.” Lamentations 3:21–23 (NIV) “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Recommended Resources: Recommended Resources: Hope is Here Today Radio Show and Podcast, WJMM 99.1FM 8:15am and 12:45pm daily Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Greg Horn: Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / X Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Greg Horn is best known as an encourager, coach, motivator, and speaker. He speaks regularly to organizations, civic groups and churches on the topics of fear, gratitude, and hope. He also hosts the radio show and podcast, Hope is Here, that broadcasts daily, Monday through Friday on multiple radio stations in Central Kentucky. His ministry, Hope is Here, began in December 2017 from a holy discontent that was growing within in him after losing three friends to suicide. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Good intentions aren't enough. Wanting to please God and live a clean life isn't enough. The incessant pressure we face is simply too much to withstand. It's like swimming against the tide. I may be able to hold on for a while, but sooner or later I'll grow weary and be carried along against my will. Unless we understand this and humbly accept our own weakness, we'll never live victorious Christian lives. This is what Paul is trying to show us. He wants us to see it's impossible to live godly lives without constantly receiving real, active help from God. So we'll understand why, he analyzes what happened to the human race when Adam sinned, and then he shows us what changes when we put our faith in Jesus... and what doesn't, that is, not yet. Knowing what does change and what doesn't change yet makes all the difference in the world. It explains why I fail and teaches me what I must do to succeed. Any Christian who has struggled with an addiction or been overwhelmed by compulsive emotions; any pastor or caregiver who has tried to help someone be released from bondage; anyone who's wondered why so many Christians fail to live the Christian life successfully will find the answer in these chapters (Ro 5-8). We and the entire church in the 21st century desperately need to understand them. Frankly, it's life and death. People are trapped and miserable, waiting for someone to teach them how to do what Paul says here. To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's book Understanding Romans, email us at info@lifelessonspublishing.com and ask for your copy at no charge. The book has all the notes from each sermon in this series.  Also check out our website at lifelessonspublishing.com for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge.  And if you would like to receive a copy of Pastor Steve's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Revelation at no charge, we are still giving this book out as well!     

Read OnlineAs Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Mark 10:46–48Though the Torah commanded kindness and justice toward the blind, they were often treated poorly by the wider community. Unable to work or provide for themselves, the blind were typically reduced to begging. They also bore the stigma of being seen as suffering God's judgment, whether for their own sins or the sins of their parents. While today's story about Bartimaeus vividly illustrates the pitiful social and economic position of the blind at that time, it even more powerfully presents him as an ideal model to imitate.First, we should humbly see ourselves in Bartimaeus. On a spiritual level, we are all blind and in need of God's mercy. Like Bartimaeus, we must identify as people who are poor, ostracized, and incapable of seeing all that God wants to reveal to us. Pride gives us a false sense of who we are and blinds us to the truth of our spiritual poverty. Humility, on the other hand, opens the eyes of faith, enabling us to recognize our need for God's mercy and His healing grace so that we may see and understand life as He wishes to reveal it.Bartimaeus is not only a model of the humility we need; he is also a model of faith and prayer. In his humility, as soon as he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he cried out in a twofold way. First, he called Jesus the “Son of David.” This was a profession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah. “Son of David” was a messianic title rooted in Nathan's prophecy, in which God promised King David that his descendant would establish an everlasting kingdom (cf. 2 Samuel 7:12–16). By calling Jesus the “Son of David,” Bartimaeus professed his belief that Jesus was the fulfillment of that prophecy.With his profession of faith, Bartimaeus also prayed the ideal prayer: “Have pity on me.” The word “pity” is a translation of the Greek eleison, which is also rendered as “have mercy.” For example, at Mass, we pray in Greek, “Kyrie eleison,” or “Lord, have mercy.” This prayer is ideal because every gift from God is an act of mercy. We do not earn or deserve His grace; it is a freely bestowed gift, and our prayer should reflect this profound truth.As Bartimaeus prayed, many people told him to be silent. Despite their rebukes, Bartimaeus intensified his prayer, “calling out all the more.” This persistence serves as another model for the ideals of prayer. The “many” who rebuked him and tried to silence him symbolize the numerous obstacles we face in our pursuit of God's mercy.Though the greatest obstacles we face are our own sins, which discourage us from approaching God in prayer, we also encounter challenges in the form of temptations. These temptations, like the “many” who sought to silence Bartimaeus, try to lead us away from prayer. They urge us to give up, doubt God's care for us, or remain complacent in our spiritual lives. Bartimaeus' response—to pray even louder and more fervently—teaches us the importance of perseverance in prayer, even in the face of discouragement or opposition.Reflect today on this poor blind man, Bartimaeus, sitting on the roadside. With him, profess your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and cry out for mercy. When sin hinders you, have the courage to admit it, confess it, and plead for forgiveness. When temptations try to silence you, resist them and cry out all the louder. In the end, Jesus called Bartimaeus to Himself and healed him. Jesus desires to do the same for us. He will, if we humbly identify with Bartimaeus, see ourselves in his condition, and imitate his unwavering faith and persistent prayer.Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! With Bartimaeus, I profess my belief in You as the Messiah, the Savior of the world. With him, I also plead for Your mercy in my life and in the world around me. You alone are the source of all grace and mercy, and though I am unworthy, You freely bestow it upon the humble. Lord, I want to see. Open the eyes of my heart and grant me the reward of Your mercy. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler sit down with Aaron Abramson, CEO of Jews for Jesus, to explore the organization's mission of reaching Jewish people with the gospel while honoring their cultural and historical identity. Abramson explains how Jews for Jesus operates globally by prioritizing local, indigenous believers rather than relying on traditional sending models, creating long-term, culturally rooted ministry.  There is a perceived tension between Jewish identity and faith in Jesus, which often requires thoughtful, contextual conversations that connect the message of the gospel to Jewish history, tradition, and Scripture. Jews for Jesus has had some significant strategic shifts recently, particularly moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to an “audience-first” model shaped by listening, empathy, and cultural understanding. Abramson shares how this shift has led to greater innovation and effectiveness in ministry, as well as deeper engagement with Jewish communities worldwide. Drawing from personal experience, including his time in the Israeli military, he emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel in fostering reconciliation, even in deeply divided contexts. Amid rising global anti-Semitism and instability, Abramson points to a growing spiritual openness and underscores that true hope and lasting change come through the message of Jesus, which has the power to heal identity struggles and restore broken relationships.The Mission Matters Podcast is a place to talk about the importance of our Mission as Christians. The Mission Matters is a partnership of Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen, who have a shared passion to mobilize God's people to be a part of His mission.Aaron's book Mission Design https://a.co/d/08Gcsf0xJews for Jesus https://jewsforjesus.org/

If you placed your faith in Jesus, we are celebrating with you!Subscribe to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHNDPb5XMkf1LyqoTU30vg Help Support and Grow our Ministry to reach people around our community and spread the love of Jesus: https://transformchurch.com/giving/ Stay connected with us through our:Transform Church Website: https://transformchurch.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformchurchnj/Plan your next in-person visit. We are located at:Rutherford Location- The Williams Center8:30AM, 10:15AM, 12PM, 1:45PM15 Sylvan St, Rutherford NJLyndhurst Location- 10AM, 12PM525 Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst NJ

You're preaching convincing sermons and you have great programs: so why aren't you seeing more people in your community come to faith in Jesus? Well, maybe it's because we're making assumptions about where they are in their journey. Today we welcome Doug Schaupp to the podcast to talk about a model of evangelism that actually connects to where people really are – 5 thresholds of evangelism

What's humanity's greatest problem? How are people saved? What are people saved for? Ephesians chapter 2 teaches that people are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Derrick Rodriguez continues our series, “Ephesians: One in Christ,” preaching from Ephesians 2:1-10. Notes in this sermon: We are ruined by sin. We are rescued by grace. We are renewed for a purpose Visit www.bluevalleychurch.org for more information about Blue Valley Church in Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas.

What's humanity's greatest problem? How are people saved? What are people saved for? Ephesians chapter 2 teaches that people are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Pastor Micah Hayes continues our series, “Ephesians: One in Christ,” preaching from Ephesians 2:1-10. Notes in this sermon: We are ruined by sin. We are rescued by grace. We are renewed for a purpose Visit www.bluevalleychurch.org for more information about Blue Valley Church in Overland Park and Olathe, Kansas.

My friend Shana Reif suffered from Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and other organs. It causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the airways, leading to repeated infections, inflammation, and progressive lung damage. In many cases, the disease can advance until the lungs can no longer do what God created them to dobring oxygen into the body and sustain life. Cystic Fibrosis is a horrible and incurable disease, and it was the disease Shana endured all her life. When she was born, her parents were told she would not live much past her twentieth birthday. But Shana lived to be thirty-two. I came to know Shana in high school, not long after I became a follower of Jesus. After high school, we became very close friends. She edited my Bible college papers, and I visited her often during her many hospital stays. I also visited her at home as she recovered from the latest infection. By 2003, her lungs had been so damaged by chronic infections that she was placed on the waiting list for new lungs. She received a double lung transplant in 2004, but even then, her suffering did not fully end. Her body remained fragile. Her fight continued. But Shana loved Jesus. Though she struggled deeply with her disease, she held onto the hope of the gospel. One of the last emails I received from her was signed with words from her favorite hymn: Great is Thy faithfulness. In 2007, Shana died from complications after a procedure to reopen a constricted airway. When someone you love suffers like that, the question How long? is not theoretical. How long will disease ravage bodies? How long will death take those we love? How long will Gods people suffer in a world still broken by sin? How long before Christ makes all things new? Revelation 6:911 brings us to that question. But here, the cry comes specifically from those who have been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained. The Martyrs: The Cost of Their Witness (v. 9) There are three cycles of judgment in Revelation: the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls. These cycles do not unfold in strict linear successionseals, then trumpets, then bowlsbut recapitulate the same period of history with increasing intensity, like birth pains. For our purposes, I simply want you to notice one pattern that helps us understand what is happening in this passage. In each cyclethe seals, trumpets, and bowlsthe first four judgments affect the world in broad, visible ways, but the fifth shifts the focus. The fifth seal shows the saints crying out for justice (Rev. 6:911). The fifth trumpet shows judgment beginning to fall on the enemies of Godthose who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (Rev. 9:112; especially 9:4). The fifth bowl shows judgment reaching the very throne of the beast, whose kingdom wages war against all who refuse to worship him (Rev. 16:1011; cf. Rev. 13:78, 15). This is why the first four seals show us the horsemen riding across the earth. But when the fifth seal is opened, the focus shifts from what is happening on earth to what heaven sees when Gods people suffer because of the word of God and the testimony they maintain. These martyrs are not beneath the altar because they were victims of history. They are there because they belonged to the Lamb and remained faithful to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Their witness cost them their lives. John is showing us what Jesus had already told His disciples: If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me (Matt. 16:24; NASB). The fifth seal reminds us that following Jesus is not merely a call to believe certain truths about Him; it is a call to bear faithful witness to those truths, even when obedience is costly. Polycarp is said to have been a disciple of the apostle John and later became the bishop of Smyrna. Smyrna, you may remember, was one of the seven churches Jesus addressed in Revelation. Jesus told that suffering church, Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). Years later, Polycarp was arrested and ordered to deny Christ. When pressed to renounce Jesus, he replied, Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour? Polycarps witness cost him his life, but heaven did not see his death as Rome did. Rome saw a criminal to be silenced. Heaven saw a faithful witness beneath the altar. And we do not have to go back to Polycarp to see this kind of witness. You may remember the twenty-one Coptic Christians who were taken by ISIS in Libya and led onto a beach in orange jumpsuits. They were ordinary men who refused to renounce their faith in Jesus. Their blood was shed on earth, but Revelation 6 reminds us that heaven did not miss a drop. The world saw men being led to execution. Heaven saw faithful witnesses beneath the altar. Since 2015, conservative estimates suggest that more than 50,000 Christians have been killed for faith-related reasons around the world. According to Open Doors 2026 World Watch List, North Korea remains the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian, while Nigeria is the deadliest, accounting for 3,490 of the 4,849 Christians killed for their faith during the latest reporting period. The seals describe the birth pains that mark this present age. The first four seals show us a world marked by conquest, war, famine, and death. But when the fifth seal is opened, we are shown what heaven sees when Gods people suffer because of the word of God and the testimony they maintain. The Altar: The Cry Before God (v. 10) Notice that John not only tells us that these faithful Christ-followers suffered and died for their faith, but also tells us where he saw these Christians. They are under the altar. This is a crucial detail that you can only understand if you know something about the Old Testament tabernacle that God told Moses to build. Scripture tells us that the earthly tabernacle was a copy and shadow of the one in heaven (Heb. 8:4-5; Exod. 25-31; 35-40). So when John sees an altar in heaven, he is not seeing something new, but the heavenly reality to which Israels worship had always pointed. Within the tabernacle, there were two primary altars. The bronze altar stood in the courtyard, where sacrifices were offered. The altar of incense stood near the Most Holy Place, close to the ark of the covenant, which represented the throne of God. Both altars help us understand what John sees. The blood of the sacrifice was poured at the altars base, and the incense rising before the Lord symbolized the prayers of Gods people ascending into His presence. So when John sees the souls of the martyrs beneath the altar, he sees their lives as precious before God and their prayers as heard before His throne. In the earthly tabernacle, a veil stood between the priests and God's immediate presence. But in heaven, no curtain hides His throne from His redeemed people. The martyrs are not far from God. They are beneath the altar, before the throne, and in the presence of the Lord God Almighty. Now, picture what is happening before Johns eyes. Those who suffered the ultimate cost for following Jesus are not behind the altar, nor are they on top of the altar. These saints are under the altar, which tells us that they are closest to the throne. Also, the martyrs are not passive, but are actively pleading for vindication in Gods heavenly court. There is no magical language here, for their cries are raw and honest. There is no anger hurled before God, but cries of vindication in light of their understanding of who God is! Notice what these dear saints include in their prayer: O Sovereign Lord, holy and true... Now lets stop there for a moment. The ESV translates the word well asSovereign Lord.The Greek word used here is not the most common term for Lord,kyrios, butdespotēs, and this is the only time it appears in the entire book of Revelation. The word these martyred saints use conveys absolute ownership, supreme authority, and sovereign mastery. We get our English worddespotfrom this word, but whiledespotusually carries a negative meaning in English, that is not the case whendespotēs is used of God in the New Testament. When used of God, it emphasizes His complete authority over creation, His servants, history, judgment, and justice. This matters because these Christians are not merely crying out to God as sufferers, asking whether He cares. They are crying out to the One they know to be the Sovereign Master over all things. They are appealing to the One who has the authority to judge, avenge, vindicate, and bring history to its appointed end. They are not crying out in doubt. They are crying out in faith. They know He is able. They know He is holy. They know He is true. And they know that the Sovereign Lord will do what is right. Notice what the saints attribute to God next. Not only is He the Sovereign Master, but He is holy. These saints who have suffered much understand that their God is utterly set apart from all evil, corruption, compromise, and injustice. He is not like the kingdoms and the kings of this world. He is not indifferent to injustice and the bloodshed at the hands of the wicked. He is not morally conflicted. He is pure in all His judgments, righteous in all His ways, and completely opposed to everything wicked. He is holy and these saints know it! God is not only holy; He is also true. When these saints plead their case before the throne of God, they do so knowing that He is faithful to all He has promised. He does not forget. He does not make empty threats or hollow promises. What He has spoken, He will do (Num. 23:19; Josh. 21:45; Isa. 55:1011; Titus 1:2; Heb. 10:23). So when these martyrs cry, How long? they are not questioning Gods goodness, nor are they doubting that He will keep His word. They are asking when the God who is holy and true will act in perfect faithfulness to His word and to those He has promised never to forsake (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5; Rev). The breaking of the fifth seal and the prayer of these suffering saints teach us an important truth about how we can and should pray. They pray from their understanding of who God truly is. This is the kind of thing we read about in Daniel 11:32: ...the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. These saints know their God, and so they cry out, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? This prayer is not a contradiction of Jesus command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44). It is a plea to the holy and true God to judge evil, vindicate His people, and set the world right. Their cry is rooted in the justice of God, knowing that His Word teaches that vengeance belongs to Him and not to His people (Deut. 32:35; Rom. 12:19). The martyrs beneath the altar are asking God to do what only God has the right and authority to do. The Throne: The Completion of Gods Purpose (v. 11) Now, notice what happens next. God responds, meaning He heard their prayer. But He does not respond as we might initially expect. The God who is sovereign, holy, and true responds by giving these Christians white robes as a sign of honor, purity, and vindication. These robes signify the righteousness that is theirs because of Jesus. When we see this great multitude again in Revelation 7, we are told, They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14). These martyred saints represent every faithful witness who has been slain for the word of God and the testimony they upheldfrom the earliest martyrs of the church to our brothers and sisters suffering for Christ today. They are not treated as victims of random violence but as saints who belong to Christ and whose witness is precious before God. God responds by giving them white robes and telling them to do the thing we all hate: wait. Verse 11 says they were told to rest a little longer. That word, rest, matters. God is not dismissing their cry. He is not ignoring their suffering. He is calling them to rest in His presence, assured that perfect justice will come in His appointed time and in His sovereign way. Why must they wait? Because other Christians will suffer as they did, and they must wait until their number is complete. This means Gods justice is not delayed because He is indifferent. It is delayed because His purpose is not yet complete. There are still more witnesses to be gathered, more saints to be strengthened, and more glory to be given to Christ through the faithful endurance of His people. Gods answer to their prayer was to wait a little while longer. Conclusion My friend Shana frequently asked the same question you may have asked more than you can count: How long O Sovereign Lord, holy and true... It is the plea of the suffering. Shana was not a martyr, she was not killed by persecutors because of the word of God. She died on the operating table due to complications at the hands of surgeons who were trying to ease her suffering. Let me tell you what Shana did know. She knew what it meant to suffer in a world that is still waiting for Christ to make all things new. She knew what it meant to groan. She knew what it meant to wait. She knew what it meant to hope. I know that God used her life to encourage and strengthen the faith of others. Revelation 6:9-11 teaches us that we need not pretend the pain we experience is small. We need not pretend injustice does not matter. We need not pretend that death is natural. We can cry How long and do so in faith, not despair. We can cry it to the Sovereign Lord, who is holy and true. The Lamb who opens the fifth seal, is the Lamb who sees the suffering of His people. He honors the witness of His redeemed. He gives those who follow Him rest. The Lamb who died for you, is the Lord who will bring His purpose to completion for His glory and for your good! So, my dear brothers and sisters, we wait. But we do not wait as people forgotten by the One who sits upon the throne. We wait as those who belong to the Lamb. We wait as those whose lives are precious before the One on the throne. And we wait with confidence that the One who is sovereign, holy, and true will do exactly what He has promised. We can trust Him to do what is good and right because that is who He is.

Basilica of Santa Margherita — the big church perched high above Cortona. From down in the valley, it almost seems to float above the town. This church is dedicated to Margaret of Cortona. Margaret is unlike any other saint you will likely ever hear about. Her story is fascinating and dramatic. If you were choosing the story of a woman to become a saint known for her faith in Jesus, this would not be the chosen one. But, thankfully God doesn't choose as we would choose. He never dismisses us because of our past. Our shame or guilt is never beyond his touch of redemption. His good plans for us still stand even when we have done our best to mess them up. Margaret of Cortona's body rests in a sealed tomb behind glass within the church high on the hill above the Tuscan town of Cortona. Yes, a corpse now 729 years old on display. I've never seen anything like it. But it wasn't her preserved body that has left me in awe – it's her story. Margaret was born in 1247 in rural Tuscany, in a tiny village near Cortona. Her mother died when she was young, and much like a Cinderella story she was then under the rule of a mean stepmother. As a teenager, she ran away with a wealthy nobleman named Arsenio. They lived together for years and had a son, but they were never married — quite scandalous by the standards of the time. They never married and Margaret had decided she would be okay with that since being Arsenio's mistress afforded her a life of luxury and wealth. She was attached to her new lifestyle and she build her identity around a relationship with a man that wasn't honorable. Hmmmm … not so saintly, huh? Then came the event that changed everything. One day Arsenio never returned home. Margaret followed his dog into the woods, which led her to his murdered body. The shock shattered her old life. Yes, her old life of luxury. Her old life of wealth. And her old life of being the mistress that had settled for a life that fell so short of God's standards. After the death of Arsenio, Margaret left everything behind and went back to Cortona in deep grief and repentance. She knew the life she had been living was wrong and she wanted to make it right. At first she was rejected — even by family — but eventually the Franciscans took her in as someone who wanted to repent and do better. She became deeply spiritual, seeking God's way instead of her own. But what made her beloved wasn't just repentance; it was what she did afterward. Margaret devoted herself to the poor, the sick, and the outcast. She founded a hospital in Cortona and became known for fierce compassion and being in the presence miraculous acts of God. Margaret's story reminds us you can have grief, you can carry shame, and God can still use you in powerful ways. In the hands of God, that's a life that can reach other lost souls who feel distant. Her troubled past is still being used today, 729 years after her death to reach others with a troubled past. She was often compared to Mary Magdalene of the Bible. Remember Mary Magdalene – the woman no one else would have chosen, but Jesus chose her as one of his closest followers. Luke 8:2, “Jesus took his 12 disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them was Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out 7 demons.” It's often thought Mary Magdalene is the sinful woman seen anointing the feet of Jesus in Luke 7. A woman believed to have been a prostitue. A woman who simply needed healing from all the enemy had used to destroy her in the past. Mary Magdalene was deeply afflicted and Jesus freed her. And afterwards, she devoted her entire life to him. She was at the cross when Jesus was crucified. She was the first one Jesus appeared to after his resurrection. She was the woman with an imperfect past that was chosen personally by Jesus. AND THE SAME IS TRUE FOR YOU AND I. CHOSEN. REDEEMED. HEALED. SET APART TO NOW DO SOMETHING GOOD WITH OUR LIVES. You may think certain things disqualified you, but God says surrendered things become powerful things. Your past does not cancel your purpose. Your story still belongs in the hands of a redeeming God. God wants to use ALL of your story — not just the polished parts. The healed parts. The overcoming parts. The still-growing parts. Stop believing you have to be perfect to be used by God. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260525dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Utterly amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?” Acts 2:7 Adventure Awaits Wapakoneta, Ohio, is a solid, stable small town. It has a population of about ten thousand. It has a high school and a public library. It has a movie theater and a bowling alley. To grab a bite to eat, you can stop by Lulu’s Diner, RJ’s Coffey Cup, or The Alpha Cafe. And every August, you can attend the county fair located just outside the city limits. Wapakoneta is a great place to raise a family. At the same time, its citizens admit that it’s not the kind of place that automatically comes to mind when you think of famous figures or high adventure. But thanks to a 10-minute plane ride at a local air show, a 6-year-old farm kid by the name of Neil Armstrong got the flying bug. Three decades later, Neil Armstrong was the face of one of the world’s great adventures. He was the first man to set foot on the moon. In the first century A.D., the region of Galilee was not known for much of anything. In fact, many in Jerusalem looked down on Galileans as being just a bit unsophisticated, a bit rough around the edges. Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, it came as a shock for people in Jerusalem to see and hear several men from Galilee stand up and do something extraordinary. By a miracle, God the Holy Spirit empowered these Galileans to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a variety of different languages. And the adventure did not stop there. In the years to come, these same men would travel far and wide proclaiming what Jesus had done to take away the sins of the world. By the power of the gospel, that same Holy Spirit brings people today to faith in Jesus as their Savior. And through this miracle of faith, they receive full forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and eternal life in heaven. And adventure awaits them in their future. The Lord will use them to pierce the darkness of this world, to proclaim the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am now yours through faith in you. Let my adventure begin. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

We've all done something that scares us. Something that gives us pause. Maybe that was even the moment we decided to place our faith in Jesus. Jesus reveals to the Woman at the Well who he is and why he has come. Inspired and in shock, she leaves to tell everyone she knows - even those who had scorned her. This episode is being bold and sharing hope despite your shame. Today's Bible verse is John 4:36 from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you placed your faith in Jesus, we are celebrating with you!Subscribe to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHNDPb5XMkf1LyqoTU30vg Help Support and Grow our Ministry to reach people around our community and spread the love of Jesus: https://transformchurch.com/giving/ Stay connected with us through our:Transform Church Website: https://transformchurch.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformchurchnj/Plan your next in-person visit. We are located at:Rutherford Location- The Williams Center8:30AM, 10:15AM, 12PM, 1:45PM15 Sylvan St, Rutherford NJLyndhurst Location- 10AM, 12PM525 Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst NJ

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260525dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Utterly amazed, they asked, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?” Acts 2:7 Adventure Awaits Wapakoneta, Ohio, is a solid, stable small town. It has a population of about ten thousand. It has a high school and a public library. It has a movie theater and a bowling alley. To grab a bite to eat, you can stop by Lulu’s Diner, RJ’s Coffey Cup, or The Alpha Cafe. And every August, you can attend the county fair located just outside the city limits. Wapakoneta is a great place to raise a family. At the same time, its citizens admit that it’s not the kind of place that automatically comes to mind when you think of famous figures or high adventure. But thanks to a 10-minute plane ride at a local air show, a 6-year-old farm kid by the name of Neil Armstrong got the flying bug. Three decades later, Neil Armstrong was the face of one of the world’s great adventures. He was the first man to set foot on the moon. In the first century A.D., the region of Galilee was not known for much of anything. In fact, many in Jerusalem looked down on Galileans as being just a bit unsophisticated, a bit rough around the edges. Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost, it came as a shock for people in Jerusalem to see and hear several men from Galilee stand up and do something extraordinary. By a miracle, God the Holy Spirit empowered these Galileans to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in a variety of different languages. And the adventure did not stop there. In the years to come, these same men would travel far and wide proclaiming what Jesus had done to take away the sins of the world. By the power of the gospel, that same Holy Spirit brings people today to faith in Jesus as their Savior. And through this miracle of faith, they receive full forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and eternal life in heaven. And adventure awaits them in their future. The Lord will use them to pierce the darkness of this world, to proclaim the praises of him who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am now yours through faith in you. Let my adventure begin. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your acceptance with God is not earned by your works but rests entirely on Christ's finished work on the cross. In this sermon on Galatians 3:1-14, Pastor Phil Hopper discusses how true acceptance by God comes through grace, not works. He unpacks the difference between justification and sanctification and reminds us that our faith is the only way we receive God's grace.  Christ died for us to bring us justification. He lives in us to sanctify us. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. If you struggle to find your worth in your performance, this sermon will teach you to rest in God's grace instead of striving for His approval.  Connect with us on Social Media↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels   Connect with Pastor Phil↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc Books & Resources: https://abundant-life.com/resources/books/   Listen to The Well Podcast⤵ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wadnywAMEK7c0E1qatMoY?si=SjH6Ko7VR3OoHrRy1yYLlQ&nd=1&dlsi=395ae55d95ac4b11 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-well/id1233267223 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR50sV854C2hogfBmv7YogvCjiNYLz9a2   Find Your Next Step:https://alife.livingproof.co/ Watch More Sermons:https://abundant-life.com/sermons/   Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://abundant-life.com/ Listen to The Well Podcast ⤵Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5wadnywAMEK7c0E1qatMoY?si=SjH6Ko7VR3OoHrRy1yYLlQ&nd=1&dlsi=395ae55d95ac4b11Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-well/id1233267223YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR50sV854C2hogfBmv7YogvCjiNYLz9a2Find Your Next Step: http://alife.livingproof.co/ Watch more sermons: https://abundant-life.com/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://abundant-life.com/ Connect with us on Social Media ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKCInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/Web: https://abundant-life.com/resources/books/Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/ More information on our sermons: https://abundant-life.com/sermons/Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://abundant-life.com/

What does real faith actually look like?In Romans 4, we see that faith is more than belief—it leads to obedience. Using Abraham as an example, Paul teaches that we are not made right with God through religious performance, good works, or checking spiritual boxes. We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone.Just like Abraham trusted God's promises and obeyed even when it didn't make sense, we are called to put our faith into action. True faith moves. True faith obeys. True faith trusts God even when the outcome is uncertain.In this message, we explore:• What it means to be justified by faith• Why the atonement of Jesus is necessary• How religion can never replace relationship with God• Why obedience is the evidence of genuine faith• Abraham's example of trusting God completely• How God calls every believer to live on mission with HimKey Scriptures:Romans 3–4Genesis 12James 2:17-22John 8:56-58No amount of good works can save us. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus—and that faith transforms the way we live.If this message encouraged you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today.

What keeps people from truly trusting Jesus? In Stumbling Blocks and Building Blocks, Guest Speaker Regis Johnson explores the barriers that can keep us from real faith. Jesus is not just someone who gives us what we need but is the source and sustainer of all life. If you have ever wrestled with doubt, spiritual confusion, shallow faith, or wondered what it really means to trust Jesus, this message points back to the truth that Jesus alone gives eternal life. He’s not just helpful. He’s essential. Watch this message to learn how to move from stumbling blocks to building blocks of faith in Jesus. #StumblingBlocksAndBuildingBlocks #John6 #BreadOfLife #JesusIsTheSource #ChristianSermon #FaithInJesus #TrustJesus #ConnectionPointeChurch #RegisJohnson NEXT STEPSHave you made a decision to follow Jesus and now wondering what your next step is? We want to help! https://www.connectionpointe.org/nextsteps/ ABOUT CONNECTION POINTEAt Connection Pointe, our mission is to connect people to Jesus and each other. Whether you've been around church your whole life or this is a brand new journey, we have a place for you and we hope your journey will include joining us at a Connection Pointe location or online at https://connectionpointe.org/live Find locations, videos, and more info about us at https://www.connectionpointe.org/ FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectionpointeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/connect_cp Find out more about our lead pastor, John S. Dickerson: https://www.connectionpointe.org/leadpastor

Our Current Situation Jonathan Parnell Download Acts 1:1-11,In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But 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.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”Acts 2:1-4,When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.Today, on Pentecost Sunday, it has seemed good to the elders to have a sermon that addresses our current moment. Now, if you've been around for the past few months, you know that we've not ignored our situation — we have tried to ‘keep our eyes on the base' ahead of us, and every now and then we've said things behind this pulpit, and I've written things, to try to guide us through these days. But what makes today different is that I want to address everything a little more ‘on the nose,' as it were. My hope is to be as clear as possible. I want to tell you three realities about our current moment: Where we areWhat we're facingHow we respond And if you're a guest with us this morning, I need to explain that we normally do what's called expositional preaching. It's the central part of our worship, which is the heartbeat of our church. Every Sunday, we open the Bible and preach through a passage of Scripture. My goal as a preacher is to simply tell you what God says. We do that by conviction, because we believe what we most need, and the power to change our lives, is the word of God. And we're in the word today, here in Acts 2, but we're just gonna spend most of our time, not on exposition, but on application. You'll see what I mean. Let's get started.The first reality of our current moment … I want to tell you …1. Where we areRight away, it's this: we are currently in the promised age of the Spirit.We are in the part of redemptive history when the Holy Spirit has been poured out on the people of God. The gospel is advancing. Jesus is building his church — And that's what I tell my grandfather every summer when I seem him on our family trip to North Carolina.Twenty-three years ago, when I believed God was calling me to be a pastor, my grandfather was one of the first persons I told. He is a godly man who has had a deep influence on me, and I try to see him at least once a year. And every summer that I've seen him for the last decade, he always asks me, “Son, how's the church?” And for several years now, the first thing I say is: “Grandaddy, the gospel is advancing. Jesus is building his church.” And he just smiles.Well, this morning, from Acts 2, I wanna tell you the short story of why that's true.The Story of PentecostThis is where the Day of Pentecost comes in. Pentecost is the foundational event in the Book of Acts, and Luke wants us to see the connection between Pentecost and the ministry of Jesus. Look at Acts 1, verse 4. Luke writes, And while staying with them he [Jesus] ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me…”Notice that when Jesus gives his disciples instructions for receiving the Spirit, he starts it by saying “you've heard me talk about this.” Jesus has taught on the Holy Spirit before, and we've heard this teaching! The Holy Spirit is the big topic in the Farewell Discourse, in the Gospel of John. We've heard Jesus say:John 14:16, “… I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth …”John 15:25, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”So as we come into the Book of Acts, we already have an expectation: the Spirit proceeds from the Father — he is the promise of the Father and Jesus will ask and receive from the Father to give the Spirit to us. And so we are ready for this. Now jump over to Acts Chapter 2.Acts 2, verse 1 — it is the Day of Pentecost — 50 days after Jesus's resurrection, about a week and a half after Jesus's ascension. And the disciples have done what Jesus instructed; they had been waiting in Jerusalem; they were altogether, and then verse 2: … suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.The promised Spirit has come!And it leaves the onlookers amazed and perplexed, so Peter ‘stands up' among the disciples to explain what's going on. This is significant: Because Peter had fallen — which we saw last week: in his worst moment he denied Jesus — but he is now restored and standing among his brothers. And, filled with the Holy Spirit, he preaches the best sermon ever. He says that Jesus, who had been crucified, is now raised up, and, verse 33:Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.Notice how this ties it altogether. We know the behind-the-scenes here, because Jesus told us: Jesus has asked the Father for the Spirit, to give him to us. Jesus has received the Spirit from the Father, and now, on this Day of Pentecost, Jesus has poured out the Spirit on his people. This is so significant that it marks the official transition from the old covenant to the new. This moment commences what the apostle Paul calls the “day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). That's another way to talk about the ‘promised age of the Spirit' or the ‘messianic age of salvation.'Witness and OpportunityThis age means at least two things:First, it means that we are Jesus's witnesses.The Spirit who bears witness to Jesus, bears witness to Jesus through us. We've talked about this recently: the work of Jesus in this world has not ended, but it's continued now by his Spirit through his people. We are not of the world, but Jesus has sent us into the world, and he tells us in Acts 1:8, “you will be my witnesses.”We are here to be life and light to a dead and dark world by pointing to Jesus.And secondly, this age of the Spirit means what Peter says in Chapter 2, verse 21 … that right now, because the Spirit is poured out, “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from; your background, your mistakes, your name — none of it matters. If you call on the name of Jesus Christ — if you ask Jesus to save you, he will save you. This is more amazing than we can begin to comprehend! It is the real headline today — just like it was the real headline yesterday. In fact, this has been the real headline everyday for the past two thousand years! Ever since Acts Chapter 2, the real daily headline is: TRUST CHRIST AND BE SAVED!That is where we are. That is the truest situation we're in. The grace of God is abounding all over this world! And so get in on the grace while you still can. That's where we are. Now, #2 … what we're facing …2. What we're facingIn a word, what we're facing is opposition — which is not strange.First, it's not strange because opposition is a kind of trial — and trials of various kinds are a means that God uses to produces in us steadfastness (James 1:2–4). This is part of the way that God shapes our character and deepens our hope (Romans 5:2–5). This is how he brings to completion the good work he began in us (Philippians 1:6).Another reason opposition is not strange is that, in light of churches throughout history and churches all around the world, countless local churches face opposition. It's just how it is! From the moment the Spirit is poured out in Acts 2, the church advances through both power and resistance.If anything, the opposition and challenges we're facing make us more at home with world Christianity — and more at home with the Book of Acts — than we ever were before.And so, ultimately, church, we're gonna be okay. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and we will see his face one day, and until then our Heavenly Father watches over us in such a way that not a hair can fall from our heads apart from his will, and in fact, all things must work together for our salvation. Hey, we're blessed! And we need to remind ourselves of this everyday, over and over again. And the Holy Spirit helps us to do that! He ministers hope to us through this Book!And at the same time, as we live in this hope, we should not downplay the opposition set against us, especially not the parts that are unlawful, harmful to our families and children, and that put other churches at risk.I think about a good friend in college … he spent a whole summer in West Africa, in the bush, doing a missions project, and one of the individuals on his team was so eager to suffer for Jesus that they decided not to the bring a toothbrush for the entire four months. And this person experienced all the things you might imagine you would if you don't brush your teeth for a long time. And one of the lessons my friend learned is that “Jesus is most likely okay with a toothbrush.”The lesson is that although suffering for Jesus is normal — and the Bible teaches us to expect it — that doesn't mean that we seek it out or accept it without any concern.For example: God has instituted earthly authorities, known as government, as a means to create and guard ordered societies. According to Romans 13, we should expect our government to punish wrongdoing.What happened to us on January 18 was wrong, period.And much of what continues to go on out here on Sunday mornings is also wrong.And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, then great. Keep it like that. There are ways to get into this space without having to walk past these people who hate us. I'd encourage you: avail yourselves to those ways.But to be clear: out front, over the past few months we have experienced, and have evidence of, chargeable offenses. People have said things and behaved toward our church members with the intent to cause harm and induce reasonable fear. They want to make our coming to worship as uncomfortable as possible so that we would stop coming. (Their goal is to shut us down, just like the people who desecrated our worship service on January 18.) But, the more serious issue is that, so far, our city and state officials are doing nothing about it. And that's the bigger problem. The world hating us is expected — Jesus told us they would. But our local government should enforce the law equally, for all people, including for Baptists … including for Evangelical Christians … but they're not doing that.So that's what we're facing, here in our little slice of the world, in the Twin Cities, in this promised age of the Spirit poured out.Now #3, I want to tell you …3. How we respondNow before I say anything here about our response, I first want to commend you and thank you for your response so far.And I want to give a special thanks to our security team. These men have done so much over the past several months to protect us from physical harm and to promote safety, and I thank God for them. I encourage you, when you get a chance, express your gratitude to these men. And for our entire church, corporately, look, your response has been remarkable. Over and over again the fruit of the Spirit has been manifested in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.I've seen it in you! So thanks be to God, and may this fruit abound more and more!Now, as we look forward to a new season, and the opposition drags on, I want to tell you about a three-part strategy that's trying to taking everything into account. With God's help, these are three actions that we can take in these days.1. We will pursue wise and lawful means to hold our opponents accountable for wrongdoing. We are continuing to document everything, and we're doing our best to work with the St. Paul Police and city officials to get the law enforced. This means that we, as your pastors, gotta be a little persistent. We have to kindly bother them, and that's what I plan to do.I hope to have an audience with Mayor Her, and I want to appeal to her. And I would say:Mayor Her, on April 20th this year, in your address on the state of St. Paul, you said that you are committed to listening and to acting and to lifting St. Paul higher to its full potential, but I wonder: Do you include Evangelical Christians in that commitment? Or, do you only care about people you agree with? You have left us to wonder this. These are serious questions that we need to ask. That's one part of our response.Here's the second:2. We will increase our fervent prayer.I know many of us have been praying, and many other churches have been praying for us, and I want to encourage us to keep on, and even pray more. Look, we know, Ephesians 6:12, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Our opposition is fundamentally spiritual, and therefore our response must be fundamentally spiritual. We put on the armor of the Lord, which includes praying at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).And so the plan is to equip our greeters and security with some guided prayer points to carry with them as they're serving, and I would like to build a small team of prayer warriors to pray as our people are coming to worship. I will send more communications about this, but just know it's coming. We're gonna pray more. I'm reminded of the quote, goes back to Oswald Chamber. He says:“Prayer does not equip us for greater works — prayer is the greater work.”3. We will remember the real headline. Now I've already told you the real headline, but it's probably not one that you're gonna find in your feeds. The real headline today — and everyday until Jesus comes back — is that THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS BEEN POURED OUT!TRUST CHRIST AND BE SAVED!Church, Jesus is real. Jesus is alive — and he is not anxious about anything. He's not worried about our future. Right now he's reigning from the Father's right hand. He has all authority in heaven and on earth, and he has many in these cities who are his people. We are in the promised age of the Spirit, the age of salvation. And that means that anybody from anywhere — it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from or what you're past is — if you call on the name of the Lord you will be saved!And because this is true, church, be filled with the Holy Spirit and take the next step on mission — Have that gospel conversation with your neighbor or coworker. Invite people to church! — hey, if you think people are not gonna wanna come because of the opposition, just test that out. Invite people to come see for themselves who we truly are.In these days when our opponents want to shut us down, I pray that God doubles our size. I pray that he multiplies us! I pray that he sends us out! We don't want less mission — we want more. More prayer. More courage. More witness. More disciples made.More of the glory of Jesus overcoming us and overflowing through us! The promised Spirit is here! And he is at work. In a couple of months, God willing, I'm going to see my grandfather in North Carolina. And he's been following what's going on. He keeps up on us. But when I see him, he's gonna ask me, “Son, how's the church?” And I'm gonna say, “Granddaddy, the gospel is advancing! Jesus is building his church!”And he's gonna smile because he knows it's true. This is the time in which we live. May God be glorified through us!And that's what brings us to the Table. The TableAt this table each week, we enter into a ritual that Jesus gave to his church. It's for Christians.So if you're here and you're not a Christian, if you have not put your faith in Jesus, this is an opportunity to do that. On this day, in this moment, I invite you: call on the name of Jesus, put your faith in him, and be saved. Now, for Cities Church and all who trust in Christ, let us remember him — let's remember his death and resurrection for us, and let's remember the hope we have in him.

The book of Acts has so much to say not only about our past but also about today and how followers of Jesus are called to live.  This book also speaks to those who don't yet know Jesus as Savior, those on the fence, seekers, doubters and those questioning or interested.   Chapter 2 Acts 2:1-2 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a soundalike the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." This chapter starts out with the Jewish Festival of Shavuot or Pentecost. And the disciples and others gathered in a house. There would have been 10's of thousands of people gathered in the streets of Jerusalem and at the Temple for this festival.    Acts 2:3-4 "They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them."  Rushing wind! Tongues of fire!    Acts 2:5ff The group has moved into the streets and Jews from every nation who had come to Jerusalem for the festival, heard the sound of the wind and gathered in bewilderment because each one heard their own language being spoken by those with the tongues of fire. The crowds were amazed to hear the disciples with the tongues of fire declaring the wonders of God in their own languages.    In verse 13 we hear the disciples being made fun of as they speak in tongues. Some people saying they are drunk. But in the following verses Peter speaks to the crowd.    Then   and   Now   Holy Spirit is Predicted by Joel (Acts 16-21) Then: Peter speaks the prophetic words from God given to Joel "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." Peter ends with "and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." They were witnessing what was predicted/prophesied hundreds of years earlier. This book (often referred to as The Acts of the Holy Spirit) shows us the remarkable ways God was moving. Now: Pentecost ushered in a new era in human history. In our day God's spirit is still moving. The gospel of Jesus is spreading around the world like never before. It is everywhere. God continues to move and pour out His spirit and change people's lives. The Risen Christ is Proven by God (Acts 2:22-24) Then: Jesus' miracles and teachings were seen and witnessed. Jesus was crucified on a cross but God raised Him from the dead.  They had living proof. Now: No human life has ever made so powerful an impact than did the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It has changed the world. And we have the recorded history of those who did witness Jesus works, death and resurrection. Messiah was Predicted by David (Acts 2:25-31) Then: Peter quotes David who believed that there was One who would come and not see decay and would be One who would save.  Peter continues by saying this One David talked about was none other than Jesus Christ. Now: God continues to be at work today and the things that Jesus spoke of that would come and those things He predicted are being fulfilled today. Jesus Ascended and was Exalted by God (Acts 2:32-35) Then: Peter tells them how God raised Jesus from the grave and has poured out the Holy Spirit and that they were witnesses to that. Peter tells them that Jesus is Lord! He is worthy of worship! Now: this is true for us today. Jesus is risen! He continues to pour out His Holy Spirit! Jesus is Lord! He is worthy of worship! Accountability because You crucified Him (Acts 2:36-37) Then: Peter gets personal, telling them that "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." And "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" The message of Jesus demands a response.  We are collectively guilty of crucifying Jesus. We all have sinned. Now: The message of Jesus still demands a response. It is our sin that put Jesus on the cross. And still today, when people hear and internalize the message of Jesus Christ it changes them. Forgiveness brings New Life in Christ (Acts 2:38-41) Then: Peter called them to repentance and baptism Now: have you heeded the call to come to faith in Jesus. This is still the desire of God, that we come to Him through faith in Jesus, that we repent, are baptized and give our lives to Him.   Pastor closes with a look at the recently discovered Pool of Siloam and its archeological impact on what the Bible says.   This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:   Acts chapter 2 (if you want to read ahead, read chapter 3 as well)     Join the conversation around this teaching. Download our Awake Us Now APP, then join the conversation.   Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com 

The Apostle Paul wrote 1st Thessalonians to help the 1st century church keep their faith in Jesus, hold on to their hope for the future, and live in light of God's love in the present, even as they faced factors fiercely opposed to them doing so. Join us at Faith Covenant Church as we discover how what Paul wrote to the church then, is just as relevant and helpful to us as the church now.

Marriage, Divorce and Fornication (1) (audio) David Eells, 5/24/26   Scriptural Marriage and Divorce David Eells I know this can be a real can of worms and such a touchy subject when dealing with people who love each other, but we owe it to the brethren to speak the truth concerning their eternal life. We must consider scripture rather than human reasoning, which has gotten a lot of people in trouble and they don't know why they are there. Here are some basic things the Lord has shown from scripture on divorce and remarriage: Jesus' commands superseded the Jews' permission for divorce by His statements, so we cannot go to the law to justify divorce. (Mat.19:8) He said to them, Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. Once again religion is wrong. Hardened hearts cannot be turned easily but in respecting scripture there is safety. There is only one reason for divorce. (9) And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for fornication (Numeric) and marries another woman commits adultery.” If a spouse commits fornication, whether outside of the first marriage or by illegal remarriage, the other is free to remarry because the first spouse broke the marriage bond. Being legally able to remarry does not mean this is God's will for you. God loves to restore. If your mate repents and asks your forgiveness, then forgive as Christ forgave you. Also, spiritual fornication of the heart is not an excuse, for the scripture speaks of physical fornication of the body. You may be concerned, thinking, “What can I do if I got married before I came to the Lord?” Don't worry about that, because everything we did before we came to the Lord was sin, and we can't go back and do anything about it. After you're saved, you are now a new creation in the Lord, and your sins are washed clean by the blood of Christ. The disciples admitted this was a hard statement, and many think so today, but it is better to obey than to bring yourselves under a curse that many endure. (Mat.19:10) The disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.” Even in the Old Testament, it was fornication for a believer to be married to an unbeliever but hear me out... (Ezr.9:2) For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the peoples of the lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. ... (Ezr.10:10) And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have trespassed, and have married foreign women, to increase the guilt of Israel. (11) Now therefore make confession unto Jehovah, the God of your fathers, and do his pleasure; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the foreign women. Don't act here without reading on. And so it is in the New Covenant: (1Co.7:39) A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. Notice we are to marry “only in the Lord”. (1Co.9:5) Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer. Notice the condition, the wife must be a believer.. (2Co.6:14) Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? (If one becomes one with an unbeliever to some extent they are leavening themselves.)(16) And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you. Better not even to date an unbeliever, saints. You don't want to go there because it will bring you a lot of heartache and curses in the future. However, God makes a concession in the New Testament when a person comes to the Lord with an unbelieving spouse because the unbelieving spouse might eventually be saved through their faith. (1Co.7:12) But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. (13) And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband. (14) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. If that spouse, as an unbeliever, departs, you can remarry. (15) Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such [cases]... Even if you are remarried illegally many times before coming to the Lord, the commands are to Christians and are not retroactive to the old life, for we are a new creation, cleansed of all past sins. Also, Christians can do things in ignorance that are under the blood, for knowledge precedes sin in the New Testament, as before the Law. (Rom.5:13) for until the law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (Rom.7:8)... for apart from the law sin [is] dead. (Jas.4:17) To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (Joh.15:22) If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. This is not an excuse for someone to falsely claim ignorance because God looks on the heart and knows all; He knows what you understand and what you do not. Judgment is sure for fornicators and adulterers. (1Co.6:9) Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators (Basically illegal sexual actions), nor idolaters, nor adulterers (Sometimes this is marrying someone who is already married and not scripturally divorced), nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (Rev.21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. Marriage and divorce can be a very convoluted problem. If, after diligently searching into all that the New Covenant teaches on this subject and asking elders with no satisfaction, remember what Moses did. (Exo.18:25) And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. (26) And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. God told Moses that he would be as God to Israel. For some things, we need to get a word from our Lord. But be careful that you don't receive a flesh pleasing answer from your own mind. Samson kept choosing women for looks rather than staying with scripture and it got him killed. Let's look at what Paul wrote to the Corinthians about marriage. (1Co.7:1) Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. (2) But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. (3) Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. (4) The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife. (5) Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency. (6) But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. (7) Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that. (If you're not married, then you won't be distracted, but not everybody has this gift to be celibate, and we're told, (Pro.18:22) Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of the Lord.) (8) But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. (9) But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. (10) But unto the married I give charge, [yea] not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband (11) (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife.  (I know there are circumstances where a believing or unbelieving husband can be very obnoxious, very overbearing, very sinful, and that's very crucifying to the wife, but that's not an excuse to leave. In most cases, unless he is asking the wife to willfully sin, there can be submission on her part. However, no one should stay in a situation where their life or the lives of their children are in physical danger. We have permission in such a case to flee (Matthew 24:16; Luke 21:21; etc.). (12) But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. (13) And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband. (14) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Sanctified here means that the influence of you Christian life can save them and also your faith can stand in for them. (15) Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us in peace. (Just know that in the New Testament, being married to an unbeliever is not grounds to leave them; again, only if they leave you, are you free. In the Old Testament, however, if a believer married a non-believer, they demanded a divorce over that because for Jews to be married to non-Jews was fornication (Nehemiah 13:23-30; Ezra chapters 9 and 10). (Neh.13:26) Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin. (27) Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women? Back to (1Cor.7:16) For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife? …(25) Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy. (26) I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, [namely,] that it is good for a man to be as he is. (27) Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. (28) But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. (29) But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none; (In other words don't let this distract from your service to God.) (30) and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; (31) and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away. (32) But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; (In other words, they're not divided in their attention. However, people don't have to be divided in their attention; they can be celibate or they can always put the Lord first.) (33) but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, (Well, if a man is married, it's necessary for him to please his wife, but not to the extent that he lets her be the head of the house; that's bad, very bad. That's like Jezebel and Ahab  and I'll share more on that later.) (34) and is divided. [So] also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. (Is this a bad thing? No, it's commanded, as a matter of fact. It's not a bad thing; it's just that your ability to have your total attention on the Lord without being distracted by family situations is going to be limited. God created the family, so He's not against families. He's against families where they're not married, obviously. What Paul is saying is that if a woman is married, she has to please her husband.) (35) And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. (36) But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin [daughter], if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry. (You have to understand that a woman was under the authority of her father until she married.)(37) But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin [daughter], shall do well. (38) So then both he that giveth his own virgin [daughter] in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better. (39) A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. (40) But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.   Polygamy in the Church? Question from a sister: Someone told me that polygamy is allowed by God! I don't believe this, but I had no way to refute this claim. I tried finding some scriptures, but to no avail. When I looked this subject up on the internet, I actually found a “Christian” website promoting polygamy. What will they think of next? Can you share some scriptures that refute this claim? My answer: Under the Law, they were permitted to have more than one wife and divorce their wives because of their “hardness of heart” but under grace, there is no such permission. Jesus said a man could have one wife and “the two shall become one flesh.” (Mat.19:5-8) and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put [her] away? He saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so. From the beginning, God gave Adam, the Son of God, one wife. It appears his righteous seed through Seth were monogamous also. Cain's evil descendant, Lamech, was the first to take two wives. (Gen.4:19) And Lamech took unto him two wives. In order that a line of Israel not be extinct, the next of kin was permitted to raise up seed to a dead man's wife. But the seed of New Testament spiritual Israel is passed on through the Word (seed or sperma) of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Although they disobeyed God, the Kings of Israel were forbidden to multiply wives. (Deu.17:17-19) Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear Jehovah his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them. The Apostles had one wife. (1Co.9:5) Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? All of God's people must be upright, but Paul required elders to be “without reproach” and “blameless” in that they were to be the “husband of one wife.” This is definitely one wife at a time because fornication is a legal ground for divorce and remarriage (1 Corinthians 7), and the death of a spouse is a legal ground to remarry. (1Ti.3:2) The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach. (12) Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well. (Tit.1:6,7) if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe, who are not accused of riot or unruly. For the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward... If the elders or the mature in the Lord need to be upright in having one wife, all need to be this way to be mature. The husband is the head of one wife as Christ is the head of one church. (Eph.5:23-33) For the husband is the head of the wife (not wives), as Christ also is the head of the church, [being] himself the saviour of the body. (24) But as the church is subject to Christ, so [let] the wives also [be] to their husbands in everything. (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; (26) that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, (27) that he might present the church to himself a glorious [church], not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (28) Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself: (29) for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church; (30) because we are members of his body. (31) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife (not wives); and the two shall become one flesh. (32) This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church. (33) Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and [let] the wife [see] that she fear her husband. Now, I want to share this, too. Men, do not appease a Jezebel spirit; it's going to seduce you and lead you astray. This is our command from God. (Eph.5:22) Wives, [be in subjection] unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (The Lord, not I, said this, but those who have a Jezebel spirit will still get angry, although this is the truth. We have to obey God's Word, or we can't call ourselves “disciples.”) (23) For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, (Just as much as Jesus is Head of the Church, the husband is the head of the wife.), [being] himself the saviour of the body. (If a wife does not obey her husband, she is not going to get saved.) (24) But as the church is subject to Christ, so [let] the wives also [be] to their husbands in everything. (To make this possible for the wife, we are then told,) (25) Husbands, love your wives (Feeling unloved isn't an excuse for a wife to disobey her husband, but love makes it easier for the wife to obey her husband.), even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it. Men, loving your wife does not include giving in to a Jezebel spirit. Giving in means you are putting yourself under a demon spirit and taking yourself and your family out from under God. If you do that, you will pay the price. On the other hand, do not judge the lost wife. God insists on Christ the Word being your Head. Don't judge her, but don't allow her to be your Head. If Jesus is not your Head, then you are following a false god. It's very plain. (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me… If, because of your stand for Christ, your wife leaves you, then suffer for Christ's sake. We all have to suffer in one way or another, but do not follow a false god. The Bible says, (1Co.7:15) Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such [cases:] but God hath called us in peace If your spouse leaves because you follow Jesus, then so be it. You are not bound in such a case; God never really wants you to be married to an unbeliever anyway. He says to stay married to them only if they are content to dwell with you, because they can be saved through your witness. Amen! The wife who has an unbelieving husband should obey him up to, but not including, moral sin. (1Pe.3:1) In like manner, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives. (Read our book on our site, Word Woman and Authority.) If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, you have to follow the Word. If you want to be a “Christian” and not be a disciple of Jesus, you are not going to be saved. It's that simple. The word “Christian” is a very loose term in our day, meaning almost nothing. In the early days, people were called “Christians” because they followed Christ Jesus and did His works. Today, the word “Christian” should mean more, but, sadly, it doesn't mean much to people. Jesus told us, (Mat.10:34) Think not that I came to send peace on the earth (You might think, “Peace between me and my wife is the most important. I have to do whatever I have to do.” No, you don't. Jesus did not come to send peace on the earth.): I came not to send peace, but a sword. (And that “sword” is to divide those who are loyal to God's Word from those who are not.) (35) For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law (Now, there are many more relationships. He's just making a point.): (36) and a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household. When you come to God, and they have not, you have no communion there. The Bible says, (2Co.6:14) Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? If you follow the Lord, they can be converted by your witness. If you don't follow the Lord, you have no favor from God, and in that event, don't expect your family to be saved. For your family to be saved, the most important thing for you to do is follow the Lord as a disciple of Jesus Christ and have favor from God. He will save your family if you believe Him for it. (Mat.10:37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. You can love people more than you love the Word. The Lord and Word are the same. If you love someone or something more than the Word, you are going to be deceived. It's possible to pity demon-possessed people and then, through demons manipulating that pity, to be deceived and fall right into their situation. Don't believe that all those who call themselves “Christian” are going to be saved, because (Mat.10:38) And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. (We are to die on our “cross” in order to gain our higher life, the life of the born-again man.) (39) He that findeth his life (This is the old psuche life.) shall lose it; (39) and he that loseth his life (Again, this is the old psuche life, the carnal self.) for my sake shall find it. Let me share with you a testimony we have on our site called:   Marriage Lost and Found William and Jamie Leek - 02/09/2010 My wife and I have been separated and near divorce twice since the year 2000 because we loved “our sin”, plain and simple. The first separation was in 2002 and 2003. This separation wasn't as bad as the second, but there were a lot of lies and deceit practiced by both parties during the first separation. We got back together in 2003, where our “Mother in the Lord” renewed our vows. The only problem with this is that we were still mocking God in our walks with Him and still “playing church.” We had made a “confession” of Jesus Christ, but we were not being taught the “whole counsel of God,” so we thought the Lord forgave our sin at the cross, and we were “Covered in the Blood.” According to Matthew 12:43-45, when we confessed Christ and His blood cleansed us from our sin and the curse, we allowed that sin to remain in our lives. The demons, which plagued us, brought seven more back with them, stronger than the first. Thus, we were worse off than ever before. We thank the Lord for His mercy, grace, and long-suffering with us. In 2004 came the second separation. This time, the Lord had given us both over to the desires of our very own wicked hearts and allowed us to sink to levels of darkness that we never knew we had in us. During our second separation, the Lord allowed us to see just how sick the human heart, will, and emotions really are (Jeremiah 17:9). During this time of separation, we both fled at top speed back into the world, and we returned to our old ways. I began to smoke pot again (all day EVERYDAY), and she began to drink more than she ever did. We both began to sleep around with other people outside of our marriage. We were separated for nine months, and the combined number of people the two of us slept with was 16. The Lord really allowed us to fall to the bottom of the depths of the sea of sin, which our lives had become. We were going to a little Pentecostal church at the time when these separations took place. It was here we met a woman I considered to be like a mother in the Lord. She loved my wife and family with all her heart. She took time to come to our home and share the scriptures with us once a week for an extended period of time. She believed with her whole heart that we were “called” to the ministry. She would call me in the middle of the night and say, “I woke up in tears, praying in tongues because I just had such a burden for your family.” The Lord would end up using this mighty woman of God and her fervent prayer life to reconcile our marriage and heal our family. She also told me during the 2004 separation that the Lord gave her a dream where He showed her my family living together in a home happier than we had ever been. This, of course, did not matter to me at the time because my heart was full of rage and hatred. I don't believe in accidents; I believe in the sovereign God written about in the scriptures. In January of 2005, I took a trip to Florida with a woman with whom I had been committing adultery. We drove down together, but for some reason at the end of the trip I made her get on a plane, and I drove home alone. On the trip home, my wife and I started to talk again. The Lord also began to really convict me of my sin. Even though, at the time, I did not understand the meaning of “conviction of sin.” All I knew was that I had an overwhelming feeling of guilt for what I was doing. I knew that a change had to come. In April of 2005, my wife and I really started to talk again on a regular basis. At the beginning of May, we had been together for the entire weekend when we received a phone call from a lady with whom we had gone to church. This lady had news that would shake my wife and me to the very core of our being. She told me that my Mother in the Lord, Shirley Summers, was dying of cancer. Well, this is where we know the Lord began to heal our marriage. When the woman shared this news with me on the phone, I began to weep. With tears streaming down my face, I shared the news with my wife, and we shared tears together. She looked at me and said, “I am going to my parents' house, and I'm getting my things, and I am coming home.” That was on May 4, 2005. The next day, my mom called me on the phone and told me that Shirley had gone on to glory. The reason this stands out as one of the most important events in our marriage is that this woman prayed for us fervently (James 5:16). She never stopped believing in our call to the ministry, and she stood in faith for our marriage when we couldn't. Also, the number “5” in the scriptures signifies “GRACE,” and we didn't realize that until a year later, that our Mother in the Lord had died on 5/05/05, a number and day of GRACE. The Lord was very long-suffering with my wife and me. It was not until after we reconciled that we ran across a website where we began to hear the “full Gospel” being preached. We had never heard all the important doctrines taught throughout the scriptures. We had not been taught about repentance, obedience, holiness, or real Bible faith. We also realized that neither one of us was truly saved, as spoken of in the Bible. The scariest thing of all is that we realized that if the Lord would have called our numbers, we would have gone to HELL! It has been a long journey for both of us, as we got rid of the leaven in our lives after leaving the organized church. Over the years, we have had to learn what it means to repent and to truly come to the Lord, believing who He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. We thank the Lord for UBM for standing for the “TRUE GOSPEL”! Deuteronomy 4:30 When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice. Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Now, what about common law marriage? Is that biblical? Most states in America have abolished common law marriage, and only a few states recognize it as a legal marriage between two people who have not purchased a marriage license or had their marriage solemnized by a ceremony. The few states that do recognize it have conditional statutes. Scripture is clear that marriage is a binding commitment before witnesses and God; a public, covenantal relationship. It is a commitment agreement until death. When Christians marry, they commit to loving each other just as Christ loved the church. If you are not married, you are living in fornication.   Heterosexual and Homosexual Fornication Letter from a friend:  Hi! I have a neighbor friend with whom I've been having sort of an ongoing “discussion/argument” about whether sex outside of marriage is OK, according to the Bible. I know in my heart it is not, but he wants me to prove it to him with scripture. I haven't studied it extensively, but what I've read doesn't say it precisely enough to prove my point. There is one passage about two unwed people being found in the act and having to marry. Since the Ten Commandments do not say, thou shalt not have sex outside of marriage, he thinks it is ok. (LOL) Of course, the real issue is that he's not a born-again believer. But he asked me to prove it to him, so I'm going to try to do it. I don't know much about the Hebrew meanings of the words, etc. Can you help when you have time? :-) Thanks! My reply:  Fornication is the broad term that covers all sex outside of heterosexual marriage. Adultery, homosexuality, whoremonger, bestiality, and masturbation all fall under this category. The Greek word for fornication is “porneia”, from which we get pornography. Many commit fornication with pornography in print or on any visual screen, TV, social media sites, movies, etc. (Mat.5:28) but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. The same is true for any other illicit sexual desire. Repentance and faith deliver from these sins.   Heterosexual Fornication Everyone who has sex out of marriage is a fornicator. (1Co.7:1) Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. (7:2) But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. All fornicators must repent or face eternal damnation. (1Co.6:9) Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (11) And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. (15) Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid. (16) Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? for, The twain, saith he, shall become one flesh. (17) But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (18) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (1Co.10:8) Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. (Gal.5:19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (License to “go beyond the things that are written”), (21) envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Rev.21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. (Rev.22:14) Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right [to come] to the tree of life, and my enter in by the gates into the city (the bride). (15) Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie. (1Co.7:9) But if they have not continency (self-control of sexual appetites), let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. (1Ti.5:14) I desire therefore that the younger [widows] marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling: (15) for already some are turned aside after Satan. (Job.31:1) I made a covenant with mine eyes; How then should I look upon a virgin? (9) If my heart hath been enticed unto a woman, And I have laid wait at my neighbor's door; (10) Then let my wife grind unto another, And let others bow down upon her. (11) For that were a heinous crime; Yea, it were an iniquity to be punished by the judges: (12) For it is a fire that consumeth unto Destruction, And would root out all mine increase. (Pro.2:16) To deliver thee from the strange woman, Even from the foreigner that flattereth with her words; (17) That forsaketh the friend of her youth, And forgetteth the covenant of her God: (18) For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead; (19) None that go unto her return again, Neither do they attain unto the paths of life: (Exo.22:16) And if a man entice a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife. (17) If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. (Deu.22:28) If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, that is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; (29) then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty [shekels] of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he hath humbled her; he may not put her away all his days. Do you believe that because you are “saved” that you can get away with this willful disobedience? (Jer.7:9) Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods that ye have not known, (10) and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered; that ye may do all these abominations? (11) Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it, saith Jehovah. (12) But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I caused my name to dwell at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. (13) And now, because ye have done all these works, saith Jehovah, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not: (14) therefore will I do unto the house which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. (15) And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. That is just the Old Testament, you say? In any place that we are willfully disobedient, we need the fear of God. Sins of ignorance (Rom.5:13; 7:8,9) and sins of failure (Rom.7:19-25) are under the blood when we repent. However, we cannot claim the sacrificial benefits if we willfully walk in premeditated sin. (Heb.10:26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment... Jesus bore all sin; He also bore the penalty for all sin, except willful disobedience. Notice that there is “no more a sacrifice” for that sin. We would have “a certain fearful expectation of judgment.” Many of us have been lied to about the cleansing of the blood. (1Jn.1:7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. The blood cleanses the one who walks in the light of the Word, not in the darkness of willful disobedience. For willful disobedience, we are promised certain judgment. We pay the penalty for this sin here and now, as in the following verses: (Mat.18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors (demons), till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. God will use the demons to make us pay for a sin of the will. (Mat.5:25) Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge (God), and the judge deliver thee to the officer (demon), and thou be cast into prison. (26) Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing. The prison here is spiritual bondage to sin and the curse, administered by the demons. Jesus came “...to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to them that are bound” (Isa.61:1). Willful disobedience throws us back into the prison that Jesus delivered us from. David sinned willfully with Bathsheba. When he repented, Nathan the prophet said, “The Lord also hath put away thy sin”, but he also said, “The sword shall never depart from thy house.” In other words, I forgive you, but you will have to pay the penalty. This proved true, for David lost three sons and many people. His own son Absalom won the sympathy of the people and usurped the kingdom. David had to flee for his life. As parents we do not spank our children for failure or mistakes, but for willful disobedience. Paul said, “For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not (willed not), that I practice. But if what I would not (willed not), that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me” (Rom.7:19,20). Paul was failing God in a sin that his will was against. Notice that he hated the sin and was not accounted guilty; the old sin nature was guilty. When we are against the sin, God takes our side against the sin. He takes the side of the spiritual man against the old man. In this state, Paul cried out to the Lord. (24) Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? Then he accepted God's promise of deliverance by faith. (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus bore the curse of the sin for a person who, like Paul, is repentant. The curse of death is upon the one who will not save themselves for marriage. (Deu.22:13) If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,(14) and lay shameful things to her charge, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came nigh to her, I found not in her the tokens of virginity; …(20) But if this thing be true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the damsel; (21) then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the harlot in her father's house: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee. Only repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus removes this curse. (22) If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband,(Adultery) then they shall both of them die, the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away the evil from Israel. (23) If there be a damsel that is a virgin betrothed unto a husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; (24) then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them to death with stones; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor's wife: so thou shalt put away the evil from the midst of thee. (25) But if the man find the damsel that is betrothed in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her; then the man only that lay with her shall die: (26) but unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbor, and slayeth him, even so is this matter; (27) for he found her in the field, the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.   Homosexual Fornication (Jude 1:7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh (Men with men/women with women), are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. (2Pe.2:6) and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly; (7) and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked (8) (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] lawless deeds): (9) the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment; (10) but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. We have seen many people who fell into faction and ultimately into fornication of many kinds, and God reprobated them. Let me share a portion of a dream from Reynaldo Portela: In this dream, an angel put me in a room where a group of men was practicing homosexuality, and the angel told me, “The man who has sex with another man is going to regret it. God hates the practice of that sin.” (David: In the spiritual, we are reborn with Christ's spirit. Therefore, we should only sow Christ's spirit in our soul, which is our mind, will, and emotions. If we receive the spiritual seed of “men”, we often lose our first love and become reprobate.) (Rom.1:24) Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: (25) for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due. (28) And even as they refused to have God in [their] knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting (32) who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them. In an open vision, I, David, saw a factious group, and one of them that I knew left them and went behind a wall. The Lord said, “Follow him,” so I did. What I saw behind the wall was this man committing sodomy on 3 of his friends. Over the next day or two, I went to this man and told him my vision, and his eyes widened, and Michael and I both saw he was guilty. He didn't deny it, but later he threatened me. The factious leader told me about three times that he spoke with them during a certain time period, when he was supposed to be with us, and then he fell away three times. I told him he could not associate with them according to the Word. Eve Brast had a dream where they had captured her, and they were bisexual. Other factious leaders had the same problem and were also bisexual. They all have sexual perversion. Satan demands perversion from his servants. The DS are satanists also and are bisexual. They have the same spirits. God is always willing to deliver anyone like this if there is repentance. (Gal.5:19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (21) ...they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (1Co.6:9) Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, (10) ... shall inherit the kingdom of God. (11) And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. (Deu.23:17) There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel. (18) Thou shalt not bring the hire of a harlot, or the wages of a dog, into the house of Jehovah thy God for any vow: for even both these are an abomination unto Jehovah thy God. (Rev.21:7) He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (8) But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part [shall be] in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. (Rev.22:14) Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right [to come] to the tree of life, and my enter in by the gates into the city. (15) Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie. Sodomite Crossdressers -(1Ki.14:24) and there were also sodomites in the land: they did according to all the abominations of the nations which Jehovah drove out before the children of Israel. (1Ki.15:11) And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, as did David his father. (12) And he put away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. (Deu.22:5) A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto Jehovah thy God. (Lev.18:22) Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. (Lev.20:13) And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.   Bestiality (Exo.22:19) Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. (Lev.18:23) And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto: it is confusion. (Lev.20:15) And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast. (16) And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (Deu.27:21) Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.   Masturbation (Gen.38:8) And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her, and raise up seed to thy brother. (9) And Onan knew that the seed would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother. (10) And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of Jehovah: and he slew him also. Remember I said that through repentance and faith in Jesus and His sacrifice for us, there is deliverance from these sins and its curses. Now God knows that you did not necessarily choose this life, and some of you think you had this from birth, which is not true. A lot of you already know that you were molested at some point in your life, and you became a sinner. Well, these demons entered in then. Now the Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ bore this sin upon Himself for you, and He is offering you grace to repent and be delivered from it so you will never have these wrong desires and emotions again. He took away the sin nature of homosexuality and any sin of fornication. He wants you to repent and surrender your life to Him. Confess your sins as the Bible says in 1Jo.1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God will give you a new, clean spirit and a new nature, this free gift of His salvation! Let's pray. Father, we thank You, and we ask You, Lord, to reach out and touch the people out there who are in bondage to sin, homosexual, heterosexual, or any kind of sin, and we ask You, Lord, to reach out and touch them with Your convicting power. Father, we ask You to show them that Your word is true. We ask You to reveal Yourself to them, and to show them the Real True Good News that Jesus has already delivered them from this; He's already borne their sin on the cross, and they don't have to bear it any longer. Father, we ask it in the name of Jesus that You go forth right now and deliver those who are listening to us who believe what's been shared here. Please, Lord, go forth and deliver them now in the name of Jesus. We rebuke these demons from your life in the name of Jesus Christ! O Lord, we thank You for Your mighty power going forth to restore those that You have loved from the foundation of the world. Thank you, Father.  Now, friends, if you agreed and prayed this with us, you need to go and start reading your New Testament and believe what it says and know that the Lord is working in you both to will and do of His good pleasure. It's not by your works, it's His working in you! Now, I want to share a published article on a study done that proves there is freedom from homosexuality.   'Groundbreaking' study shows 'gays' can change  Posted: September 15, 2007 1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2007 WorldNetDaily.com In the first longitudinal, peer-reviewed, scientific study of its kind, researchers have concluded that some homosexuals can change their “orientation” through religiously mediated guidance. Researchers Stanton L. Jones and Mark A. Yarhouse released the results of a three-year study on Thursday during an address at the American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference. Their conclusions contradict the claims of the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association, which contend that such a change in sexual orientation is impossible and attempting to pursue it likely will cause depression, anxiety, or self-destructive behavior. The new study concluded such changes do not cause psychological harm to the patient. Nicholas A. Cummings, former American Psychological Association president, praised the research. “This study has broken new ground in its adherence to objectivity and a scientific precision that can be replicated and expanded, and it opens new horizons for investigation”, he said. Exodus International, the world's largest Christian ministry to homosexuals, said it funded the research because of the absence of any scientific, peer-reviewed research on the topic. The major findings are reported in a book to be released by the evangelical Christian publisher InterVarsity Press, “Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation.” A homosexual-activist group called Truth Wins Out warned news organizations “to be highly skeptical of a biased 'ex-gay' sham study.” The homosexual group said, “Caution should be taken in prematurely critiquing the study until the full methodology is available. However, based on unconfirmed reports, there is great concern that these notorious anti-gay researchers did little more than professional ex-gay lobbyists and ministers from Exodus International, and ask them if they had 'changed.'” Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International and a former homosexual, said, “Finally, there is now scientific evidence to prove what we as former homosexuals have known all along - that those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction can experience freedom from it.” “For years, opponents of choice have said otherwise, and this body of research is critical in advancing the national dialogue on this issue”, he said. Chambers said, “the life-changing process of leaving homosexuality behind” is not easy, but “for thousands of us, the journey has been well worth it, and we are grateful that these study findings give credence to our existence as men and women whose lives have been transformed by Jesus Christ.” Jones, a provost and professor at Wheaton College, an evangelical school in Wheaton, Ill., told CitizenLink magazine in an interview he was prompted to do the study because of the “ever-increasing pessimism expressed in the professional world that sexual orientation could ever be changed.” “This was in contrast to the fact that I occasionally met individuals in Christian circles who claim to have experienced precisely such change”, he said. “When the mental-health field actually began to say that change is impossible - that sexual orientation cannot be changed - it formed the perfect scientific hypothesis to be able to conduct a study.” Jones noted there have been dozens of studies conducted suggesting change is possible for some people, but “the research is not of the highest quality and has been deeply and highly criticized.” After studying the criticisms of those studies, Jones and Yarhouse concluded the proper methodology would need to be both “prospective and longitudinal.” “Prospective means that you catch people before they begin the change process and follow them through the process, while longitudinal means that you're actually following people over time to see if the change is stable”, Jones explained to CitizenLink. “The scientific characteristics of the study are unique, in that no one has ever started early and then followed people over a long period of time like we did.” Jones said they found that, by following the subjects over time, “not everyone is successful, not even a majority is successful, but a very substantial group of people report fairly dramatic change.” “We found that 15 percent of our sample of about 100 claimed to actually have changed from homosexuality to heterosexuality”, he said. “These people experienced significant enough change that they really felt like they had left one sexual orientation to shift into another.” He acknowledged “life is still complicated for these people, and some still have some residuals of their homosexual attractions.” “However, they are people who report being able to function as heterosexuals, they're happy with their marriages, and they feel that their lives have changed dramatically”, he said. The other type of success he found - in almost a quarter of the subjects - was “people who left the homosexual lifestyle and experienced very substantial reductions in homosexual attraction by embracing the Christian discipline of chastity, not acting on their sexual impulses.” “These were people who felt like they were free now to orient their lives not on their sexual, erotic desires and needs, but on their relationship with God and on healthy, nonsexual intimacy with other people”, Jones said. The two groups together, those who converted and those who experienced chastity, made up about 38 percent of the sample. “We feel these changes observed over this substantial period of time provide a clear indication that the opinions of the secular mental-health field that change is impossible are simply wrong”, Jones said. The second area of the research focused on the secular mental-health community's claims that the attempt to change is harmful. Jones and Yarhouse administered a standard psychological inventory that measures psychological distress to subjects at every point along the way. “We found that there was essentially no change in their psychological distress over time”, Jones said. “On that basis, we feel that there is no evidence that the change attempt is harmful, and we found evidence that change is possible for some people.” He added, however, the research does not prove that anybody can change or that no one has ever been harmed from the attempt to change. “It just suggests that the forceful way in which the secular mental-health community is saying change is impossible and harmful is just not well-advised”, he said. Jones pointed out that the American Psychological Association has a blue-ribbon panel right now examining the question of how it should formulate its policies on the subject of attempts to change sexual orientation. Certain members, Jones noted, have already said publicly that change is impossible and harmful. Jones said he hopes “there will be enough of an open mind on the part of the secular mental-health community that they will not continue the movement towards banning these kinds of attempts to change sexual orientation, harassing them out of existence and labeling as unethical any professional person who cooperates with them.” “There is a need to respect the autonomy of individuals who are distressed about what they have experienced sexually and for religious or moral reasons want to try the attempt to change”, Jones told CitizenLink. “Those people first need to be fully informed about just how complex and difficult that process is, and then they should have the right as individuals, as an exercise of personal and religious freedom, to seek support in their attempt to change sexual orientation.”   Printer-friendly version

At last, Paul arrived in Rome. The journey had not been easy, but Paul was reenergized by the other Christians he meet there. Calling for the Jewish authorities, he expounded to them faith in Jesus as the realization of Israel's hope. Though his testimony was not accepted, Paul was undeterred. He knew that, regardless of his own fate, the good news of Jesus and his kingdom would never cease to be proclaimed.

The UnFragmented Bible is a video podcast. For the best experience with this episode, watch on YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d_pJPlBb5Q ) or search for the video podcast on Spotify.    The UnFragmented Bible looks at Galileo being branded a heretic by the Church for a scientific discovery that disagreed with their "video camera footage" view of the Bible.  Much of the Church still views the Bible and science in this combative, mutually exclusive fashion, even though the Bible doesn't present itself in this way.  These unbiblical distractions, manufactured by the Church, create crises of faith, add to the gospel, and keep many educated people from putting their faith in Jesus.  This episode concludes by diving into what the message of the Bible actually is when we strip away these unbiblical and unnecessary additives.    Support and interact:  https://www.patreon.com/noahfilipiak   Support Flip Side sponsor Angry Brew by using promo code FLIP at angrybrew.com or fivelakes.com to pick up some Angry Brew or Chris' Blend coffee at 10% off. 

Remember God loves you so much he sent his Son Jesus Christ to take the punishment for your sins. You are of great value. Jesus loves you and He is just a prayer away! This episode includes AI-generated content.

Episode 1029 (13:04) In this episode: Jesus' disciples are still looking for political solutions; Our faith must be first before politics; We are all tempted to think about political solutions before faith; Faith in Jesus must be the center of our lives, not mere politics Music: "Lifted High Within Our Hearts" (Lyrics & music generated by AI: Chat GPT and Suno.com) Audio Produced on Logic Pro Music: Suno.com Related Web Sites:  My Website Podcast Page All Previous Episodes

In Mark 10:15, Jesus says that anyone “who does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” This text has been misunderstood in different ways through the years since Jesus has said it. One listener who had grown up with the King James Version (which translates this verse, “whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” The word “as” can mean “like”, but in this sentence it can also mean “when”; in other words, “whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God when a child…”. Within the context of the New Testament, this clearly different meaning makes no sense, because many adults come to faith in Jesus and enter God's kingdom long after their childhood is over. But our listener remembers preachers and teachers in their church putting pressure on young children to make a declaration of faith for Christ before it was too late and they missed their childhood's chance. This sort of emotional pressure is, of course, unbiblical. But so is the misunderstanding of this verse's theology. Jesus is teaching his disciples that the only way to come to him is the way a child does - with simple faith that one can receive a gift without doing anything to earn it, and an equally simple faith that Jesus meets our almost selfish need for his love and affection. Hosts: Aaron Mueller and Chuck Rathert Subscribe to the show at https://cacg.saintjamesglencarbon.org. To comment on this episode, visit https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/cacg-ep144.

Worship with us 9 + 11 AM 390 N 400 E Bountiful, UT 84010. For more information or to get connected, please visit: www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit What is your life proclaiming? Whether we realize it or not, every life points to something. Our priorities, passions, decisions, and responses all communicate what we believe is most important. In this final message of the Why Church series, we explore 1 Peter 2:9–10 and discover one of God's greatest purposes for His church. We are called to proclaim the excellencies of Jesus Christ, the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. This powerful sermon walks through the identity of God's people and reminds believers who they truly are in Christ. Peter writes to Christians facing suffering, persecution, uncertainty, and displacement. Many had lost homes, relationships, careers, and security because of their faith in Jesus. Into that pain and instability, Peter speaks truth about their identity. They are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God. This message reminds us that our identity is not rooted in our performance, success, background, or achievements. Followers of Jesus are chosen because of God's faithfulness and grace, not because they earned His love. In a world where identity constantly shifts and people search for belonging, this sermon points us back to the unchanging truth of who we are in Christ. Throughout this teaching, we see that the church is not a building or an event. The church is a people united by Jesus. No matter our background, nationality, culture, or story, believers share a new heritage and citizenship through Christ. This sermon beautifully highlights the reality that followers of Jesus belong to a greater kingdom and a greater family than anything the world can offer. One of the central themes of this sermon is understanding what it means to proclaim the excellencies of God. Proclaiming the gospel is more than simply talking about Jesus occasionally. It is living a life transformed by Him. A life radically changed by Jesus naturally points back to the One who changed it. Through our words, our actions, our relationships, our worship, and our perseverance in suffering, we testify to the goodness and grace of God. This message also provides a vivid picture of salvation through the gospel. Just as trapped people in darkness cannot rescue themselves, humanity cannot save itself from sin. Jesus came to rescue us completely. He carried us out of darkness and brought us into His marvelous light through His death and resurrection. Salvation is not something we achieve on our own. It is entirely the work of God's grace. As this sermon unfolds, we are challenged to examine our own lives. What are we proclaiming through the way we live? Are our lives pointing to comfort, success, politics, approval, or ourselves? Or are they pointing to Jesus and the transforming power of the gospel? You will also hear a compelling encouragement to remain faithful in suffering. Peter's audience faced hostility for following Jesus, yet they continued proclaiming Him with hope and joy. This message reminds believers that even in hardship, disappointment, grief, or uncertainty, God still has purpose for His people. The church exists to proclaim who Jesus is and what He has done. This sermon also celebrates the beauty of worship and community. God's people gather together not out of obligation or performance, but because praise overflows from hearts changed by grace. As we remember the darkness Jesus rescued us from, worship becomes a joyful response to His mercy and love. If you are struggling with identity, carrying suffering, wrestling with sin, or searching for purpose, this message will encourage you to look to Jesus. He is faithful. He rescues. He restores. And He calls His people to proclaim His goodness to the world.

If you placed your faith in Jesus, we are celebrating with you!Subscribe to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHNDPb5XMkf1LyqoTU30vg Help Support and Grow our Ministry to reach people around our community and spread the love of Jesus: https://transformchurch.com/giving/ Stay connected with us through our:Transform Church Website: https://transformchurch.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformchurchnj/Plan your next in-person visit. We are located at:Rutherford Location- The Williams Center8:30AM, 10:15AM, 12PM, 1:45PM15 Sylvan St, Rutherford NJLyndhurst Location- 10AM, 12PM525 Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst NJ

Grace - A Scandalous Relief On May 17, 2026, at Skycrest Community Church, the theme of the sermon was "Grace - A Scandalous Relief," focusing on the human pursuit of status and the divine gift of grace. The Human Condition: The Pursuit of Status Pastor Chris began by addressing a universal truth: "Everybody wants to be somebody fancy." This desire for high status, he explained, is part of the human condition. People often measure their worth through various societal markers like wealth, education, and social media presence. However, this relentless pursuit can lead to "status anxiety," where one constantly questions their worth and fears not measuring up. The Biblical Perspective on Status The sermon referenced several biblical passages to contrast human efforts with divine grace. Matthew 5:20 and Matthew 5:48 were highlighted to explain that human righteousness, even that of the Pharisees, falls short of God's standard of perfection. Jesus taught that true righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and requires perfection, a standard impossible for humans to meet on their own. The Role of Grace This is where grace comes into play. Pastor Chris emphasized that through grace, God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. By grace, God not only forgives our sins but also imputes righteousness upon us. This concept of imputation means that God regards us as righteous, not because of our deeds but because of the righteousness of Jesus. Imputation Explored The concept of imputation was further explained through Romans 4:4-8. Here, Paul discusses how righteousness is credited to us by faith, not by works. The sermon explained that God imputes our sins onto Jesus, who bears them on the cross, and in return, we receive His righteousness. This divine exchange is the essence of grace, freeing us from the burden of proving our worth to God and others. Illustrations of Status and Grace To illustrate, Pastor Chris contrasted two athletes: Naomi Osaka and Scottie Scheffler. Osaka's struggle with status anxiety, despite her achievements, highlighted the insecurity that comes from relying solely on personal success. In contrast, Scheffler found peace in knowing that his "victory was secure on the cross," demonstrating how understanding and accepting divine grace can relieve the pressure of worldly status. Living in Grace The sermon concluded with a call to live in the security of our status before God, which is secured by grace. This divine assurance should transform how we view our status among others. With our identity grounded in Christ, we are free from the relentless pursuit of status and can find peace and contentment. Reflection and Invitation Pastor Chris invited the congregation to reflect on whether they have accepted the gift of imputation and are living in the security of their status before God. He encouraged those who have not yet placed their faith in Jesus to do so, assuring them of the peace and eternal life that comes with divine grace. In essence, the sermon was a powerful reminder of the transformative power of grace, urging believers to rest in the security of their God-given status rather than striving for worldly validation. It was a call to embrace the scandalous relief that grace offers, freeing us from the chains of status anxiety and opening the door to a life of peace and fulfillment.

If you placed your faith in Jesus, we are celebrating with you!Subscribe to Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHNDPb5XMkf1LyqoTU30vg Help Support and Grow our Ministry to reach people around our community and spread the love of Jesus: https://transformchurch.com/giving/ Stay connected with us through our:Transform Church Website: https://transformchurch.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformchurchnj/Plan your next in-person visit. We are located at:Rutherford Location- The Williams Center8:30AM, 10:15AM, 12PM, 1:45PM15 Sylvan St, Rutherford NJLyndhurst Location- 10AM, 12PM525 Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst NJ

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthlyConnected: Where Life and Relationships Begin is a 7-week journey designed to help you experience the life God created you for—rooted in Him and lived out in authentic relationships. This series will challenge and encourage you to stay connected daily and live with purposeTo Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/This video, led by Pastor Rick Long at Grace Church, is the fourth installment of the "Connected" series. The message explores the profound impact that our social circles have on our personal lives and future, emphasizing the biblical principles of building intentional, godly friendships.Key Themes and Principles:Friendships Shape You: The core premise is that your circle of friends determines your future (17:39).The Covenant of Jonathan and David: The speaker uses the friendship between Jonathan and David as a model for a covenant-based relationship rather than a casual one (26:47 - 31:37).Six Keys to a Healthy Circle:Choose the Right People: Surround yourself with those who share your spiritual purpose and agree with your values (32:20).Invest in the Relationship: Friendships require intentional time, effort, and commitment; they do not happen by accident (38:00).Remain Loyal: True loyalty involves standing by friends even in difficult seasons or when it is personally costly (42:52).Communicate Truth in Love: Have the courage to address issues with honesty, while maintaining a foundation of love and humility (48:26).Lift Each Other Up Spiritually: Friends should challenge and encourage one another to grow closer to God (54:20).Express Sacrificial Love: Real friendship involves being willing to sacrifice time, resources, and even oneself for the well-being of the other (1:01:02).Additional Highlights:Trek Trailblazers Graduation: The service begins by celebrating the graduation of 6th-grade students as they transition to student ministry (11:45).Singalong: The congregation participates in a fun series of friendship-themed song snippets (2:07 - 11:45).Invitation to Faith: The message concludes with an invitation to personal faith in Jesus, explaining Him as the ultimate friend who offers sacrificial love (1:07:25).0:00 Introduction0:40 Connected Series Overview2:07 Friendship Song Singalong11:45 Trek Trailblazers Graduation15:48 The Importance of Friendship Circles17:48 Pastor Rick's Personal Experience25:09 Responsibility of Leadership26:47 The Story of Jonathan and David31:37 Six Keys to Building the Right Circle32:20 1. Choose the Right People38:00 2. Invest in the Relationship42:52 3. Remain Loyal to Great Friends48:26 4. Communicate Truth in Love54:20 5. Lift Each Other Up Spiritually1:01:02 6. Express Sacrificial Love1:07:25 Invitation to Faith1:09:16 Church Announcements and Updates

When You Don't Feel Victorious Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5 Episode Summary Pastor Michael opens with a hilarious "Victorious Living Hotline" skit where "Destiny" tells him he should stop struggling and just "speak in faith" instead of being honest. Through 1 John's teaching about overcomers, he dismantles toxic positivity Christianity that says real believers never feel overwhelmed, revealing that being an overcomer isn't about never feeling overcome but about the world never finally taking you from Jesus. Key Points – Overcomers aren't self-made, they're born - the starting point of victory is faith in Jesus, not willpower, mental toughness, or can-do attitude – Church culture says "if you struggle, something's wrong with your faith," but Biblical victory says "because you belong to Jesus, struggle doesn't get the final word" – Loving God, loving people, and obeying God's commands can't be separated - you don't get to pick which parts of discipleship you want – God's commandments aren't chains from a tyrant but guardrails from a Father keeping you from wrecking your life – "The world" means the fallen system opposed to God that tries to sell the lie that God is holding out on you and sin will satisfy – Faith isn't believing harder or digging deeper - it's a trembling child gripping a parent's hand, a weary traveler welcomed home, a drowning man clinging to a life preserver Main Takeaway An overcomer is not someone who never feels overcome by the world; an overcomer is someone the world cannot finally take from Jesus. You won't always feel victorious - some days you'll be one spilled coffee away from losing your marbles. Weariness doesn't mean the world has won, and struggle doesn't mean your faith is fake. The question isn't "Do I feel like a champ?" but "Do I believe in Christ?" Jesus already overcame sin, Satan, and death on your behalf. Memorable Quotes – "An overcomer is not someone who never feels overcome by the world; an overcomer is someone the world cannot finally take from Jesus." – "Church culture says 'if you struggle, something must be wrong with your faith.' Biblical victory says 'because you belong to Jesus, struggle doesn't get the final word.'" – "The world says freedom is doing whatever you want. Jesus says freedom is being rescued from the wants that were controlling you and destroying you." – "Being an overcomer isn't a feeling. It's resting in the victory that Jesus already won." – "If you struggle, my faith must not be real? No. The problem is your definition of overcoming." – "Weariness doesn't mean the world has won." Reflection Question Have you been believing the lie that if you were a "real overcomer" you'd never feel overwhelmed? Are you willing to bring your weariness, anxiety, and discouragement back to Jesus instead of pretending everything is fine? Tune in to hear the delightful Victorious Living Hotline skit where Destiny says "We don't say anxious, we say 'between praise reports,'" why bringing a store-bought pie to the church potluck and claiming it's yours is like "speaking in faith," and Pastor Michael's vulnerability about feeling like an impostor who doesn't have what it takes. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260517dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:14 Insult It hurts to be insulted. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the collective teasing and ribbing that take place among people who generally get along with each other. I’m talking about that moment when someone crosses the line, takes part of what you are, and holds it up for contempt. That hurts. When Christians are insulted because of their beliefs, they should not be surprised. Perhaps it’s the co-worker who dismisses you for being stupid and naïve. Perhaps it’s the schoolmate who goes out of her way to flaunt something sinful in front of you. Perhaps it’s the guy down at the gym who picks religious fights for fun. Perhaps it’s the family member who rolls her eyes at you and your “narrow” view of the world. Sure, you can usually ride the waves and take the cutting remarks in stride. However, there are times when it becomes overwhelming. There are moments when the insults truly hurt. When that happens, your Lord wants you to remember that such insults mark you as someone he has blessed. Oh, sure, it doesn’t feel like a blessing. But that’s okay, because the truth remains that those insults identify you as someone the Holy Spirit has brought into God’s family, someone surrounded by God’s promises, someone embraced by full forgiveness through faith in Jesus. So let the insults come. Let the eyes roll. Let the snickers and the sneers do their worst. Jesus says that they serve as a reminder that you belong to him. When we keep that in mind, then such insults are not so bad after all. Prayer: Lord Jesus, when the insults come to attack my faith, empower me by your Spirit to remember that such insults mark me as someone blessed by you. In difficult moments, give me peace of mind and heart. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

It is our prayer that today's word would encourage and challenge to walk out your faith in Jesus, shine brightly in darkness and experience Kingdom impact in all you do! Stay connected with Belmont Church on our Facebook page, website or on the Church Center App.

Preacher: Jeremiah Fyffe Romans 8:31–39 Romans 8:31–39 | What Shall We Say Then? from CrossPointe Coast on Vimeo. WHAT THEN SHALL WE SAY? WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? WHO SHALL BRING ANY CHARGE? WHO SHALL SEPARATE US? Before the Throne of God Above When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see him there, Who made an end of all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free, For God the just is satisfied To look on him and pardon me Romans 3:26 (ESV) It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Before the throne of God above Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea: A great High Priest whose name is Love, Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on his hands, My name is written on his heart. I know that while in Heav'n he stands No tongue can bid me thence depart, Colossians 3:3 (ESV) For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 2 Corinthians 4:8–11 (ESV) We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Ephesians 1:4–7 (ESV) In love he predestined us for adoption to himself 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 Matthew 5:11–12 (ESV) Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. D. A. Carson I do not think what the Bible says about the love of God can long survive at the forefront of our thinking if it is abstracted from the sovereignty of God, the holiness of God, the wrath of God, the providence of God, the personhood of God, to mention only a few non-negotiable elements of basic Christianity. The result, of course, is the love of God in our culture has been purged of anything the culture finds uncomfortable. The love of God has been sanitized, democratized, and, above all, sentimentalized.

Hannah Harper just won American Idol and nobody saw it coming. A mom from Missouri with songs about postpartum depression and an unashamed faith in Jesus beat out every polished, picture-perfect performer on that stage. Kirk breaks down why her win matters way beyond a singing competition and what it tells us about what people are actually hungry for in a world drowning in curated images and fake everything. America's Christian Credit Union: https://americaschristiancu.com/kirk To learn more about the sponsor of today's show and what our family currently uses for our healthcare check out Christian Healthcare Ministries by visiting https://hubs.ly/Q02vWQGy0  Editing and production services provided by thepodcastupload.com https://chministries.org/kirk #TheKirkCameronShow #AmericanIdol #HannahHarper #Faith #Authenticity #KirkCameron #Christian #Culture #AmericanIdol2026 #FaithAndCulture #KirkCameron #CountryMusic #ChristianWorldview #Authenticity #ChristianPodcast #Motherhood

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260515dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:31 The Past Is Paid For It seems like an all-too-common occurrence when someone in the public eye comes under fire for past indiscretions. Whether it is athletes, politicians, or entertainers, we have seen examples of someone falling from grace. Once past sins are brought into the light, very few people in our society will have mercy. Social media will vilify the person. Public opinion will turn against them quickly. They might be blackballed by Hollywood or shunned by their political party. It is likely they will never recover or return to their previous position. Deep down, we are all afraid that our past sins will come back to bite us in the end. Maybe it was something done in secret that nobody knows about. Perhaps it was a sin committed in the heat of the moment, you know that at some point it is going to come to light, and you are going to have to answer for it. It is likely that whatever happened will eventually be known by others; it is just a matter of time. The fear of waiting for that other shoe to drop is real. We fear losing our jobs, reputation, or relationships. Perhaps more than that, we fear being punished by God for all eternity. That would be our fate, except that someone already answered to God on our behalf. In giving himself to die on the cross, Jesus already took both the blame and the punishment for our sins. He has paid for our sins and removed them from us. Yes, the day is coming when many will have to answer for what they have done. But through faith in Jesus, we don’t have to fear that day. The Judge on that day will be the same one who died and rose from the dead to save us. Thanks be to God that through faith in Jesus, we will not be made to answer for our sins! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for answering for my sins and removing them from me. Lead me to not fear the day of your return. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Patrick answers questions with raw honesty, moving between callers wrestling with forgiveness, the Eucharist, and predestination, while keeping faith close to lived experience. Listeners open up about shaky relationships and spiritual setbacks, and Patrick responds with clarity that’s sometimes gentle, sometimes blunt, always anchored in Catholic teaching. Chad (email) - I was raised protestant but had no faith whatsoever in my adulthood until a year or so ago. I'm trying to get clarification on Catholic teaching on predestination. I've heard the word "the elect" meaning those chosen by God to go to heaven. I have also heard that God doesn't want anyone "not anyone" to go to hell. So, isn't the whole world "the elect?" (01:37) Andrew (email) - How would you help someone who has lost faith in Jesus due to tragic circumstances in their lives? (05:06) Barb - Do any Protestants have the authority to consecrate the Eucharist? (15:03) Nick - Can you explain more about predestination? Can you expound on working out salvation? (17:10) Vince - Protestants accuse us of worshipping Mary. How can I explain Mary and devotion to her? How can a mere human be a mother of all on the earth? (22:09) Chris (email) - Would God make a soul just to damn them to hell? (27:59) Danny - I have been interested in the priesthood. Can you give me some guidance? (32:58) Troy - What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? (43:54)

Mark sits down with Mitchell Johnson, a church planter being sent out from Cornerstone to launch The Way Church in Austin, Texas. Mitchell shares his remarkable story of growing up in New Orleans, surviving Hurricane Katrina, a crisis of suicidal despair in high school, and ultimately finding faith in Jesus at Texas Tech University. The conversation traces how God used brokenness, mentors, and years of ministry experience to equip Mitchell to plant a church in one of America's most spiritually searching cities.Episode Highlights00:27 — Introducing Mitchell Johnson and his connection to Cornerstone Church00:58 — The Way Church: launching in Austin, Texas on September 13th01:22 — Getting to know Mitchell: a peek behind the scenes before the ministry talk01:50 — Growing up in New Orleans: family background, divorce, and the Lower Ninth Ward02:51 — Mitchell's mom goes to prison — and he finds out on his own at age eight03:42 — Life in one of New Orleans's most dangerous neighborhoods04:12 — Hurricane Katrina hits: staying in the Lower Ninth Ward without evacuating05:40 — Trapped for four days, rescued by boat and helicopter, and arriving in Houston at age 1206:25 — Mitchell's grandmother: a model of faith in the middle of the storm07:44 — Depression, anxiety, and a suicidal crisis in high school08:55 — A gold cross on a rearview mirror and the moment everything changed09:28 — Coming to faith at Texas Tech University and beginning to run after Jesus12:18 — Mark reflects on Mitchell's infectious joy in the Lord13:40 — Ministry at Redeemer Church in Lubbock and the mentors who shaped him15:35 — Being handed the college pastor role at 23 and stepping into leadership17:33 — Wrestling with the call to full-time ministry and what shifted18:11 — Moving to Austin Stone and six years of ministry at UT Austin19:51 — The Way Church: mission, vision, and the launch plan for fall 202620:35 — Austin as a city: culture, spiritual climate, and why a new church is needed22:54 — Reaching the high rises, the alleyways, and the dorm rooms of Austin24:34 — John 13:35 and the heart of what The Way Church wants to be25:06 — Celebrating what God has done and what He's about to do25:49 — How to find, follow, and support The Way Church onlineResourcesCornerstone Sermons: Listen OnlineThe Way Church Austin: thewaychurchaustin.orgAsk Mark a Question!Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!