Podcasts about Fear God

This week's scripture:Genesis 22v1-19This week Adam starts a series on fear. What does it mean to "Fear God?" Is it important to God that we cower before him? What does a healthy fear of God accomplish? 

It's Mailbag Friday! You've got questions, we've got answers. Segment 1 • What do you mean when you say that God desires tear-filled converts instead of fear-filled converts? • Why don't you use illustrations or personal stories in your preaching? Segment 2 • Should Christians leave bad business reviews if a company wronged them? • Are women as deacons biblically supported? Segment 3 • What should a church member do if they discover their pastor is using AI to write or heavily edit sermons? • Is anointing your home with oil a biblical practice or superstition? Segment 4 • What counts as “secondary issues” in theology? • Why would you attend a Catholic funeral but not a Catholic wedding—what's the difference? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

TWL - Ecclesiastes S6E4: Approaching God with Caution In this episode of Truth Worth Living, we delve into Ecclesiastes 5, where the teacher, in his relentless quest for meaning "under the sun," turns his attention to God. This chapter marks a pivotal point in Ecclesiastes as it explores the dynamics of approaching God, listening to Him, and making commitments. Here are the key takeaways: The Teacher's Quest The teacher in Ecclesiastes embarks on a journey to find peace and purpose without God. However, in Ecclesiastes 5, he turns to spirituality as "another stone to look under." His exploration is not driven by a desire for divine intervention but rather a negotiation for limited involvement—a "foxhole faith" approach. Approaching God Cautiously The teacher advises that when approaching God, one must do so with caution: "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God" (Ecclesiastes 5:1). This means: - Tread Lightly: Be mindful of how you approach God and what you seek from Him. - Fear God's Righteousness: Understand that God is a consuming fire, zealous for commitment. Approaching Him requires a healthy fear and respect. The Israelites recognized that God could be "unmanageable" and might demand a complete shift in their lives, calling them to abandon personal agendas for His will. Listening Closely When turning to God, listening is paramount. The teacher warns against being "quick with your mouth" and advises to "let your words be few" (Ecclesiastes 5:2). This is important because: - God Knows All: He sees and understands everything, so our words are less significant than His wisdom. - Avoid Foolish Sacrifices: Offering "the sacrifice of fools" is meaningless when we fail to listen to God's guidance. Committing Carefully The teacher emphasizes the importance of fulfilling vows made to God: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it" (Ecclesiastes 5:4). Key points include: - Keep Promises: God values promise-keeping, and failing to fulfill vows can lead to divine displeasure. - Avoid Desperate Bargains: In times of desperation, we may make hasty promises to God, but it's crucial to honor these commitments. An example shared about a man praying for a parking space illustrates the danger of making vows lightly. Once his problem was solved, he reneged on his promise to God, emphasizing the teacher's warning against such behavior. Conclusion The teacher in Ecclesiastes 5 offers profound insights into our relationship with God. Approaching God on our own terms can be “dangerous business” because “we don't manage the Almighty God.” Instead, we should: - Approach cautiously, listen closely, and commit carefully. By following these principles, we align ourselves with God's will, acknowledge His sovereignty, and embrace the true essence of faith. As the teacher wisely notes, "This is truth worth noting, and this is truth worth living."

Welcome to Immanuel Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia!Today's Message: Fear God or Man? (Nehemiah 5) with Pastor Jordan FanaraIf you're new to Immanuel, please take a moment to tell us about yourself through our online connect card.We would love to connect with you this week!» https://immanuelbaptist.org/connect-cardYou can also download our Free app — which makes learning more or watching services even easier.» https://subsplash.com/immanuelbaptist/appIf you would like to join a Community Group, meeting twice a month in homes throughout metro Richmond, visit:» https://immanuelbaptist.org/community-groupsYou can learn more about us anytime at: http://immanuelbaptist.org/Giving remains available online. Thank you for your faithfulness, church family!» https://immanuelbaptist.org/give

Exodus 1:1-22Rev. Matt Rice

Ben King - Malachi 1:6-2:9 - Sep 28, 2025

Solomon: Builder     ⁃    Temple construction - 1 Kings 6 (took 7 years to build)     ⁃    Temple dedication - 1 Kings 8     ⁃    God appears to Solomon - 1 Kings 9     ⁃    Solomon's palace - 1 Kings 7 (took 13 years to build) Pastor shares archeological discoveries around Solomon in recent years including a massive stone wall and gate and more. Solomon: Reputation     ⁃    Fleet at Ezion Geber - 1 Kings (for the first time Israel had its own navy - 1 Kings 9:26-28 - we read that they brought gold from Ophir. Pastor shares ideas of where Ophir may have been.)      ⁃    Solomon's wealth - 1 King 10 (1 Kings 10:14-15 we read he received 25 tons of gold yearly. Solomon brought financial wealth to the nation.)     ⁃    Queen of Sheba - 1 Kings 10 (Pastor shared the ideas of where this queen came from to visit Solomon. She's overwhelmed by Solomon's wisdom and by the wealth that she sees in her visit. Yet we know there is a wisdom and wealth greater than gold and that is our Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 12:42 tells us  … Jesus says, “for the Queen at the South ….came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.” That something is a Someone and that Someone is Jesus, Himself.  It is easy to fall into the trap of wanting stuff and being financially secure. And we can have everything the world has to offer and still be bankrupt if we don't have a relationship with the living God through faith in Jesus.)     ⁃    Solomon's Wisdom - 1 Kings 10 (1 Kings 10:23-24 we read he was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. He wrote Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon and also some Psalms as well.)     ⁃    Labor Policies - 1 King 5 (Soloon had labor practices that caused difficulties with his people - 1 Kings 5:13-14 we read that 30,000 men were under forced labor.) Solomon: Decline & Fall     ⁃    Solomon's Wives - 1 Kings 11 (One man and one wife for life, that has always been God's plan. But in 1 Kings 11:3-4 we read that Solomon had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines and his wives led him astray.  As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God as the heart of David his father had been. This incredibly gifted king who started so well descended into idolatry in his last days. Solomon even built a high place for Chemosh and Molek for his foreign wives who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. He was led away from God.)     ⁃    Solomon's enemies - 1 Kings 11 (As Solomon wandered further from God, God raised up enemies against Solomon.)         Three main adversaries:     ⁃    Haded the Edomite     ⁃    Rezon in Damascus     ⁃    Jeroboam son of Nebat was an Israelite (a prophetic word come to Jeroboam - God would give him 10 tribes. And Solomon's successor, his son Reheboam, would have 2 of the tribes. God told Jeroboam that he was to obey Him and follow Him.) Conclusion Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter; Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Psalm 112 reminds us that we write our obituaries and eulogies by how we live our lives. The righteous fear the Lord and order their lives accordingly to bless others. They remain steadfast forever. Devotionables #843 - Fear God and Nothing Else Psalm 112 The Psalms Devotionables is a ministry of The Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.  naobc.org

These messages are from Ocean City Baptist Church in Ocean City, NJ. Visit oceancitybaptist.org for more information.

Welcome to our first sermon diving deep into the text of Exodus! Today, we're in chapter one, asking the right questions to unlock its meaning. We'll explore why Israel is in Egypt, why the mighty Pharaoh is unnamed, and how two overlooked midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, become the unlikely heroes of the story.Scripture ReferencesExodus 1: The enslavement of Israel in Egypt.Genesis 12:1-3: God's promise to make a great nation from Abraham.Genesis 46:3-4: God's command for Jacob (Israel) to go to Egypt, promising to be with him.Genesis 1:28: The creation mandate to "be fruitful and multiply."Genesis 3:1, 15: The "shrewd" serpent and the promise that the woman's offspring would crush its head.Key Points1. Israel in Egypt: An Act of ObedienceThe book of Exodus starts like a sequel, connecting directly to Genesis. The Israelites are in Egypt not by mistake, but because God led them there during a famine, promising to be with them. This is a crucial reminder: following God often leads us into hard places, not just easy ones.2. The Unnamed Pharaoh: A Symbol of EvilPharaoh is left unnamed for three reasons:It's an insult: "May his name be forgotten," while the Hebrew midwives are named forever.He's a symbol: He represents the oppressive evil of every empire built on exploitation.He's the serpent: He acts "shrewdly" (the same word used for the serpent in Genesis 3) against God's people, who are fulfilling the Genesis 1 mandate to be "fruitful and multiply." This is a cosmic battle, not just a political one.3. The Midwives: A Blueprint for GreatnessShiphrah and Puah are the heroes because they show us what true greatness looks like in God's kingdom. They were servants to the servants, yet their actions changed history.ConclusionTrue greatness isn't found in power, status, or worldly authority like Pharaoh's. It's found in the quiet, courageous faith of the overlooked. The midwives feared God more than the most powerful man on earth, and that reverence produced a fearlessness that allowed them to defy evil, serve others, and suffer well. Their legacy is a testament that God esteems the humble and uses the seemingly weak to overthrow the proud.Calls to ActionServe the Servants: Look for opportunities to serve those who are overlooked. Greatness starts with humility.Fear God, Not Man: Let a holy reverence for God be the driving force that frees you from the fear of human opinion or authority.Practice Righteous Resistance: When instructed to do evil, practice civil disobedience for the sake of others, not for personal gain.Abandon "If/Then" Thinking: Don't wait for perfect circumstances to be obedient. Serve, give, and act now, right where you are.Suffer Well: When God feels distant, don't let your reverence for Him fade. Trust Him even when deliverance seems far away. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bible Readings Psalm 27, Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19, Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Revelation 13:9-14:7 9 Anyone who hears these things should listen to this: 10 Whoever is to be a prisoner, will be a prisoner. Whoever is to be killed with a sword, will be killed with a sword. This means that God's holy people must have patience and faith. The Beast From the Earth 11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he talked like a dragon. 12 This beast stood before the first beast and used the same power the first beast had. He used this power to make everyone living on the earth worship the first beast. The first beast was the one that had the death wound that was healed. 13 The second beast did great miracles. He even made fire come down from heaven to earth while people were watching. 14 This second beast fooled the people living on earth by using the miracles that he had been given the power to do for the first beast. He ordered people to make an idol to honor the first beast, the one that was wounded by the sword but did not die. 15 The second beast was given power to give life to the idol of the first beast. Then the idol could speak and order all those who did not worship it to be killed. 16 The second beast also forced all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to have a mark put on their right hand or on their forehead. 17 No one could buy or sell without this mark. (This mark is the name of the beast or the number of its name.) 18 Anyone who has understanding can find the meaning of the beast's number. This requires wisdom. This number is the number of a man. It is 666. God's People Sing a New Song 14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, who was standing on Mount Zion. There were 144,000 people with him. They all had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven as loud as the crashing of floodwaters or claps of thunder. But it sounded like harpists playing their harps. 3 The people sang a new song before the throne and before the four living beings and the elders. The only ones who could learn the new song were the 144,000 who had been bought from the earth. No one else could learn it. 4 These are the ones who did not do sinful things with women. They kept themselves pure. Now they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were bought from among the people of the earth as the first to be offered to God and the Lamb. 5 They are not guilty of telling lies; they are without fault. The Three Angels 6 Then I saw another angel flying high in the air. The angel had the eternal Good News to announce to the people living on earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and race of people. 7 The angel said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him praise. The time has come for God to judge all people. Worship God. He made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water.” Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International Take a Moment to recall something from today's message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Todd and David dig into Matthew 10:26-33 and unpack what it means to live out of a heathy fear of God that drives a Kingdom boldness to live SENT and spread the good news of the Gospel.

The book of Job is wisdom literature, like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What can we add to what has already been written on the Book of Job? Is it the oldest book in the canon as its historical milieu would place it, or was it written (down) much later? Is it merely a literary story meant to illuminate the relation between God and man-in-the-created-order, or is it historical? We are not so foolish as to claim that we know any of these answers, or how God has in fact put His word together, but we have learned not to put the plausible stories of man in the place of what He says in His word. We will never go far wrong if we simply trust what God says, being careful readers of scripture. What we do know is that Job is a masterpiece of literature by any metric, and one of (if not) THE greatest works of wisdom literature ever crafted. I cannot help but end with a quote from another such brilliant work: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness.... Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 12:10–13 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

Health, wealth, happiness, success, stuff, standing, comfort. What we prioritize shapes our lives. The Preacher ends with a simple truth: Fear God and keep his commandments; this is the chief end of Humanity, but how can we do this? And what does it look like to find meaning in the midst of life?

This has been a tough week for our nation.  As we reflect upon recent tragedies and the anniversary of September 11, 2001, we look to the words of Jesus for instruction. We must beware of hypocrisy.  We must be afraid of no man (yet fear God!).  We must be bold in our confession of faith.  The Holy Spirit stands as the only One between eternal life and death. He must never be blasphemed, and we have the assurance He will aid believers in the time of testing! 

Teaching on what it means to fear GOD, serve GOD, obey GOD, and not to rebel agains the command of GOD for others to follow.  Scriptural referenceL 1 Sanuel 12:14

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” You've probably heard that verse before—but what does it really mean? Is it about being scared of God, or is it something much deeper?In this powerful episode of The Impossible Life Podcast, Nick and Josh Craft dive into one of the most misunderstood biblical concepts: the fear of God. From Philippians' call to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” to Solomon's conclusion in Ecclesiastes, we unpack why reverence and awe for God are essential for every Christian man who wants to live with wisdom, strength, and integrity. You'll discover:Why “fear of the Lord” is not about being afraid, but about living in reverence, awe, and submission.How history shows what happens when people lose their awe of God.The connection between fearing God and building true wisdom, strength, and leadership in your life.Practical ways to live with reverence every day—in your home, your work, your marriage, and your walk with God.This conversation will challenge complacency, sharpen your perspective, and call you to a higher way of living. If you want wisdom that endures, this episode will show you where it begins.Level up your life with IDLife nutrition by clicking here.Apply to join Giant Killers here if you're a man that wants real accountability and training to become a leader.Level up your greatest asset with us in Mindset Mastery. How you think will change everything in your life. Click here to learn more.GET IN TOUCHAdvertise on the podcast by clicking here.Growth focused content - https://www.theimpossible.life/blog.Sign up for our Mission Ready Mindset Once-A-Week Motivational EmailInstagram - @theimpossiblelife 

The book of Job is wisdom literature, like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What can we add to what has already been written on the Book of Job? Is it the oldest book in the canon as its historical milieu would place it, or was it written (down) much later? Is it merely a literary story meant to illuminate the relation between God and man-in-the-created-order, or is it historical? We are not so foolish as to claim that we know any of these answers, or how God has in fact put His word together, but we have learned not to put the plausible stories of man in the place of what He says in His word. We will never go far wrong if we simply trust what God says, being careful readers of scripture. What we do know is that Job is a masterpiece of literature by any metric, and one of (if not) THE greatest works of wisdom literature ever crafted. I cannot help but end with a quote from another such brilliant work: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness.... Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 12:10–13 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

# Truth Worth Living: Embracing Ecclesiastes In today's session of Truth Worth Living, we delve into the profound and often misunderstood book of **Ecclesiastes**, a text that challenges our conventional pursuit of meaning and success. This session is part of our ongoing journey to understand God's word so we can live in His will. ## The Demotivational Parallel Pastor Chris begins by drawing a parallel between the satirical company Despair Inc. and the book of **Ecclesiastes**. Despair Inc. is known for its "demotivational" posters that cynically critique the motivational industry. These posters, with slogans like "None of us are as dumb as all of us" and "The purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others," humorously highlight the futility in certain pursuits. Similarly, **Ecclesiastes** is often seen as the "demotivational poster" of the Bible. It opens with stark declarations like **Ecclesiastes 1:2**: "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Such statements seem to contradict the uplifting messages we typically expect from scripture. ## The Search for Meaning The core message of **Ecclesiastes** is a profound critique of our attempts to find fulfillment through worldly achievements. The Teacher, traditionally believed to be Solomon, explores various avenues such as intellectual pursuits, wealth, luxury, and politics, only to conclude that all are ultimately futile in the face of death. In **Ecclesiastes 2**, the Teacher reflects on the toil and anxiety of human labor: "What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless." The book challenges the notion that success and accomplishments can provide lasting satisfaction. ## A Call to Fear God Despite its seemingly bleak outlook, **Ecclesiastes** offers a crucial lesson: the pursuit of worldly success is empty without a foundation in faith. The Teacher concludes his reflections in **Ecclesiastes 12:13-14**: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." This conclusion shifts the focus from human endeavors to a divine perspective, emphasizing the importance of living a life centered on God's commandments. ## An Invitation to Reflect Pastor Chris encourages us to read **Ecclesiastes** before the next session. This book, though challenging, is essential for today's culture as it exposes the fallacy of finding meaning in success alone. Instead, it invites us to ground our lives in the eternal truths of God's word. By embracing the lessons of **Ecclesiastes**, we can navigate the complexities of life with a deeper understanding of what truly matters. Join us next time as we continue to explore these timeless truths and their relevance to our daily lives. --- **Join the Conversation:** Share your thoughts and reflections on **Ecclesiastes** in the comments or with your small group. Let's journey together in discovering truth worth living.

What kind of fear frees us from hypocrisy? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Luke 12:1–12 to show how fearing God keeps us faithful under pressure.

* On Mormons: Bob Enyart and Doug McBurney interview Lynn Wilder who taught young people preparing to be Mormon missionaries. Hear Dr. Wilder's encouraging testimony of the power of God to save even someone even from the depths of a cult. (See also kgov.com/cults.) * The Pro-Abortion Mormon "Church": See also all the excuses the LDS church offers for the intentional dismemberment of unborn boys and girls, at ProlifeProfiles.com/Mormonism. Also, consider that the false teaching of the Book of Mormon regarding one of its central claims, that pre-Columbian American Indians were primarily of Jewish ancestry, has been falsified. See also: - Part 2 of Bob's Interview with Lynn Wilder - Secret Recording of Bob Enyart talking to Mormons - Bob's interview with Mark Cares, Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons - Bob's interview with Mark Cares (Part 2) - Bob's interview with Matt Wilder of Adam's Road - Screenshots from the official Mormon "church" website listing the kids they say you can kill - Bob's interview with Brannon Howse on David Barton and Mitt Romney - Bob debates an ex-Mormon polygamist - Brigham (liked-'em) Young and so did Smith (just below) - Coins and monetary units, every coin in the Bible has been excavated whereas the fake monetary units in the Book of Mormon of course have never been confirmed - The BEL program, What Mitt Romney's Mormon Relative Says Bonus: Here are some notes from that BEL program, What Romney's Mormon Relative Says: * Bill Keller, Gregg Jackson & Bob Enyart: These three Christian activists present some of the uglier aspects of Mitt Romney's Mormonism including the cult's longtime claim, as reiterated by Marion Romney at the LDS General Conference, that Mormonism uniquely teaches that God the Father was once a man who grew up on a planet similar to Earth. Weird and heretical. * God the Father was Once a Man said Brigham Young: Not speaking of the incarnation of the Son but speaking of the Father, LDS president, prophet, and successor to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, said, "The idea that the Lord our God is not a personage of tabernacle [body] is entirely a mistaken notion. He was once a man. Brother Kimball quoted a saying of Joseph [Smith] the Prophet, that he would not worship a God who had not a Father... He [God] once possessed a body, as we now do..." -President & Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9 see exmormon.org * More Brigham Young: "...the Father of Heights... Yes, he was once a man like you and I are and was once on an earth like this, passed through the ordeal you and I pass through. He had his father and his mother and he has been exalted through his faithfulness, and he is become Lord of all. He is the God pertaining to this earth. He is our Father." -President & Prophet Brigham Young, 14 July 1861 see exmormon.org * Mormon Prophet and President Lorenzo Snow: Again, not speaking of the incarnation but of the Father, Snow said, "I had a direct revelation of this. ... If there ever was a thing revealed to man perfectly, clearly, so that there could be no doubt or dubiety, this was revealed to me, and it came in these words: "As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be." - President & Prophet Lorenzo R. Snow, Unchangeable Love of God see exmormon.org * Mormon "Church" President Equivocates: LDS president Gordon Hinkley in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle lied and then equivocated... Q: There are some significant differences in your beliefs. For instance, don't Mormons believe that God [the Father] was once a man? A: [Lying] I wouldn't say that. There was a little couplet coined, "As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become." Now that's more of a couplet than anything else. [And equivocating] That gets into some pretty deep theology that we don't know very much about. Q: So you're saying the church is still struggling to understand this? A: Well, as God is, man may become. We believe in eternal progression. Very strongly. * Brigham (liked-'em) Young and so did Smith: Some early Mormons denied that their earliest leaders were polygamists and it was claimed that Brigham (liked-'em) Young introduced the practice. Young had 55 wives. He married ten teenagers while in his 40s including 15-year-old Clarissa Decker when he was 42 and 16-year-old Lucy Bigelow when he was 45. Also, from age 41 to age 66, Young married 23 women in their 20s. Finally in 2014 the Mormon "church" acknowledged that their founder Joseph Smith had up to 40 wives (some historians put it at 49), taking single and even married women. The church claims that some of these marriages were without physical relations, which they would seeing that Smith's youngest bride, Helen Kimball, was only 14, the marriage listed by Smith's own clerk as one of the women the founder married in early May 1843. Helen would later write: [My father] asked me if I would be sealed to Joseph … [Smith] said to me, 'If you will take this step, it will ensure your eternal salvation & exaltation and that of your father's household & all of your kindred.['] This promise was so great that I willingly gave myself to purchase so glorious a reward. Lorenzo Snow, mentioned above, the fifth president, 1989 - 1901, only had nine wives, though a number of them were teenagers half (and much less than half) his age. Recall that the Koran includes Mohammad's warning to his first wife that she faced eternal punishment for objecting to him lying with the young Coptic servant girl whom, allegedly, "Allah" had "made lawful" to him, so too, Joseph Smith dictated a similar warning to his first wife Emma in the founder's "inspired" Doctrine and Covenants. And we see above that though 14-year-old Kimball wasn't threatened she was similarly manipulated nonetheless. * Mitt Romney's Second Cousin Once Removed: "...like begets like [i.e., reproduction after its kind; an organism begets similar organisms] and that for the offspring to grow to the stature of his parent is a process infinitely repeated in nature. We can therefore understand that for a son of God to grow to the likeness of his Father in heaven is in harmony with natural law... This is the way it will be with spirit sons of God. They will grow up to be like their Father in heaven. Joseph [Smith] taught this obvious truth. As a matter of fact, he taught that through this process God himself attained perfection. From President Snow's understanding of the teachings of the Prophet on this doctrinal point, he coined the familiar couplet: "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become." This teaching is peculiar to the [LDS] restored gospel of Jesus Christ." -Elder Marion G. Romney, General Conference, October 1964 see exmormon.org * No Cities, No Money: Archaeologists and historians have confirmed the existence of scores of biblical cities. However, the No true Scotsman informal fallacy notwithstanding, not a single one of the 38 cities mentioned by Joseph Smith in the Book of Mormon have been recognized by any notable secular historian or archaeologist. And while every coin in the Bible has been found and documented, none of the monetary units described in the Book of Mormon have ever been found. * Mormonism Falsely Claims that Indians are Jews: One of the central historical claims of the Book of Mormon, as stated in its introduction as late as 1981, is that Jews were "the principal ancestors of the American Indians" and that would include the Aztecs, Incas, Mayans, Navajos, etc., are Jews. This false teaching states that some Jews left Jerusalem by ship in about 600 B.C. and built a great civilization in the Americas. Also wrongly about the Americas, "The whole face of the land had become covered with buildings" (Mormon 1:7) including with “fine workmanship… in machinery, and also in iron and copper, and brass and steel, making all manner of tools” (Jarom 1:8; 2 Nephi 5:15) with “silks… oxen… cows… sheep… horses… donkeys… elephants…” (Ether 9:17-19) and "shipping and their building of ships, and of synagogues" and “swords… shields… head-plates… armor…” (Alma 43:18-19; Ether 15:15). None of this is true. * The Lembas: An African tribe, the Lembas, have long been believed to be descendants of the Jews, for they circumcise, keep the Sabbath and the dietary law, and in their DNA they possess the Jewish genetic marker, being perhaps the descendants of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. DNA research shows that American Indians are not related to the Jews, nor closely related to any Semitic peoples or the descendants of Shem, but rather, that they are primarily of Hamitic stock, from Asian people, having migrated to the Americas not by sailing the Atlantic but by crossing the Bering Straight. * Genetics Confirms Actual Biblical Relationships: In contrast to genetic predictions based on the Bible, those based on the Book of Mormon fail. Regarding the origin 4,000 years ago of people groups descended from Abraham, Dr. Jonathan Sarfati quotes the director of the Human Genetics Program at New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Harry Ostrer, who in 2000 said: Jews and Arabs are all really children of Abraham … And all have preserved their Middle Eastern genetic roots over 4,000 years. This familiar pattern, of the latest science corroborating biblical history, continues in Dr. Sarfati's article, Genesis correctly predicts Y-Chromosome pattern: Jews and Arabs shown to be descendants of one man. * Likewise, Jewish Priests Share Genetic Marker: The journal Nature in its scientific correspondence published, Y Chromosomes of Jewish Priests, by scientists from the University of Arizona, Haifa (Israel's) Technical Institute, and University College of London, who wrote: These Y-chromosome haplotype differences confirm a distinct paternal genealogy for Jewish priests. As expected, genetic science does not reinforce but rather contradicts Mormon claims. The obvious falsehood extends beyond genetics to culture, religion, and history. Contrariwise, because the Judeo-Christian Scriptures are true, mountains of evidence corroborate their historic claims. Regarding Jewish priests, Dr. Sarfati adds to the above that, "These Jews have the name Cohen, the Hebrew for priest, or variants like Cohn, Kohn, Cowen, Kogan, Kagan, etc." and that, "Even today, it is possible to identify the Levites, because they have names such as Levy, Levine, Levinson, Levental..."   * If You Fear Obama, You'll Vote for Romney; If You Fear God, You Won't: Don't fear Obama. Fear God, for that is the beginning of wisdom! Besides, Obama is Romney-lite. And because Romney has already implemented policies that are so destructive that Obama only dreams of accomplishing such things, therefore, a vote for Romney is a vote for Obama. Today's Resource: Meet the Apostle John. He was the youngest of the Twelve. And at the time of this writing, he's now one of the last remaining. If you were an eyewitness to Christ's earthly ministry, what would concern you decades after the resurrection? From the battles that John fought we can learn lessons that will help us as we ourselves fight for the truth and battle false teaching within the church. By looking at "the things that differ," we can know what details in John's three epistles applied to the circumcision believers of his day and which of his teachings apply directly to us. Available on this 4-DVD Video Set and also in audio on MP3-CD or MP3 Download. * THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER: Make sure you don't miss Part 2 of Bob Enyart's great interview with former BYU professor Lynn Wilder.  

"I would like to buy about three dollars' worth of gospel, please. Not too much – just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust. I certainly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like about three dollars' worth of gospel, please." – D.A. Carson.If we want true fulfillment, we must desire more than "three dollars' worth" of gospel. We must go all in on godliness.Take-Home Message: My fulfillment is determined by my choice of worldliness or godliness.The Vanity of Worldly Wisdom (1:12-18) Worldly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom Worldly wisdom – I can play the role of God. Godly wisdom – Fear God and turn away from evil.The Vanity of Worldly Pleasure (2:1-3) Worldly Pleasure vs. Godly Pleasure Worldly pleasure – God doesn't want me to have fun. Godly pleasure – God gives me true pleasure.The Vanity of Worldly Materialism (2:4-11) Worldly Materialism vs. Godly Management Worldly materialism – I'm an owner. Godly management – I'm a manager.

This week we continue our study of Revelation, emphasizing spiritual warfare. Read Revelation 14:6-20. Why do you think the angel proclaims the Gospel when he does? What effect might this have been intended to have on the believers and the unbelievers? How would hearing the Gospel lead people to "Fear God and give Him glory"? What is the call to endurance in v. 12-13?

The book of Job is wisdom literature, like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What can we add to what has already been written on the Book of Job? Is it the oldest book in the canon as its historical milieu would place it, or was it written (down) much later? Is it merely a literary story meant to illuminate the relation between God and man-in-the-created-order, or is it historical? We are not so foolish as to claim that we know any of these answers, or how God has in fact put His word together, but we have learned not to put the plausible stories of man in the place of what He says in His word. We will never go far wrong if we simply trust what God says, being careful readers of scripture. What we do know is that Job is a masterpiece of literature by any metric, and one of (if not) THE greatest works of wisdom literature ever crafted. I cannot help but end with a quote from another such brilliant work: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness.... Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 12:10–13 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

Sermon: Fear God So that You May Not SinSeries: ExodusSpeaker: Pastor Tom WilsonText: Exodus 20:18-21Date: August 31, 2025...

Ecclesiastes 12:11-14Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd. 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

The book of Job is wisdom literature, like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What can we add to what has already been written on the Book of Job? Is it the oldest book in the canon as its historical milieu would place it, or was it written (down) much later? Is it merely a literary story meant to illuminate the relation between God and man-in-the-created-order, or is it historical? We are not so foolish as to claim that we know any of these answers, or how God has in fact put His word together, but we have learned not to put the plausible stories of man in the place of what He says in His word. We will never go far wrong if we simply trust what God says, being careful readers of scripture. What we do know is that Job is a masterpiece of literature by any metric, and one of (if not) THE greatest works of wisdom literature ever crafted. I cannot help but end with a quote from another such brilliant work: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness.... Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 12:10–13 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

Who Is a Jew? Zionism, Ethnicity, and the Gospel | The Patriarchy Podcast In this episode of The Patriarchy Podcast, Pastor Joseph Spurgeon is joined by Joseph Wiseman—a publisher and faithful Christian—to tackle one of the most heated and misunderstood questions of our day: Who is a Jew? Modern evangelicalism often idolizes the state of Israel, while internet voices swing to the opposite ditch, denying Jewish identity altogether or blaming the Jews for every problem under the sun. But what does Scripture actually teach? How do we understand Jewish ethnicity, Zionism, dispensationalism, and the promises of God in Christ? Wiseman brings a rare perspective as a man raised in Jewish culture who now boldly confesses Christ. Together, we cut through the lies from both sides and ground the conversation in the Word of God and the Westminster Confession. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Why both blind support for modern Israel and conspiratorial hatred of Jews miss the mark The biblical and historical meaning of “Jew”—ethnic, religious, and spiritual dimensions How God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Christ, not in political Zionism The future of ethnic Jews in God’s plan of salvation The dangers of dispensationalism and racial theories A clear, Reformed perspective rooted in Scripture Guest Bio Joseph Wiseman is an ethnic Jew and faithful Christian. He runs Beareth Press and writes on theology, church life, and Christian cultural engagement. Raised in a Jewish family, he came to Christ and now speaks candidly about Jewish identity, history, and the gospel. Episode Chapters 00:00 – Cold Open: Zionist hype & conspiratorial nonsense mocked01:14 – Setting the stage: Who is a Jew? Why the confusion?03:26 – Introduction & Psalm-singing: Fear God, not man04:27 – Romans 11 read & explained05:00 – The modern idolization of Israel vs conspiratorial hatred06:53 – Guest introduction: Joseph Wiseman’s story08:35 – Does Jewish ethnicity = bias? Wiseman responds10:48 – Wiseman’s background: Jewish roots, conversion, and coming to Christ15:14 – From Messianic movement to true repentance19:29 – Defining “Jew”: religious, ethnic, national dimensions23:44 – Judaism vs Christianity: Who are God’s people?28:19 – God’s promises and future salvation of Jews32:53 – What is dispensationalism—and why reject it?37:20 – One people of God, one way of salvation39:34 – Should Christians support modern Israel politically?41:53 – Jesus’ parables, the rejection of ethnic privilege, and grafting in Gentiles44:01 – Are there ethnic Jews today? Historical and biblical evidence50:00 – Final thoughts, exhortations, and call to action Takeaway There is one people of God, saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Ethnic heritage cannot save, nor does loyalty to a modern nation. God’s promises find their Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ. Find Us on Social Media:

The book of Job is wisdom literature, like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What can we add to what has already been written on the Book of Job? Is it the oldest book in the canon as its historical milieu would place it, or was it written (down) much later? Is it merely a literary story meant to illuminate the relation between God and man-in-the-created-order, or is it historical? We are not so foolish as to claim that we know any of these answers, or how God has in fact put His word together, but we have learned not to put the plausible stories of man in the place of what He says in His word. We will never go far wrong if we simply trust what God says, being careful readers of scripture. What we do know is that Job is a masterpiece of literature by any metric, and one of (if not) THE greatest works of wisdom literature ever crafted. I cannot help but end with a quote from another such brilliant work: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness.... Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 12:10–13 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

Why are Christian's called to fear God? In this excerpt, taken from a full Bible study through Genesis 31, Bible Teacher Dave Bigler answers this hard question.Watch the full study: https://youtu.be/FhyzW_b89wYSupport Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donateListen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheepContact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.orgJoin the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD

Series - Select Psalms Text - Psalm 128 - A Psalm of Ascent by Nick Neves, pastor | Lord's Day Afternoon | 8.17.25  

On today's episode of Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we're taking a hard look at Taylor Swift's new pornographic-themed album cover, The Life of a Showgirl. From the drinking and partying she parades as normal to her descent into porn culture, Swift has become a dangerous influence on young girls—and really, on everyone. We'll also address the cult-like following surrounding her, and why parents have a biblical responsibility to guard their children from this idolatry and from being exposed to Taylor Swift's sinful pornographic example. Darkness must be exposed, and the Word of God gives us the standard by which to measure it. We will also discuss how disgusting it is to excuse sin by simply labeling it “adult entertainment.” Unfriendly reminder: Civilization is currently collapsing. Let's actually do something about it?--https://www.thebrandsunday.com/

The book of Job is wisdom literature, like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What can we add to what has already been written on the Book of Job? Is it the oldest book in the canon as its historical milieu would place it, or was it written (down) much later? Is it merely a literary story meant to illuminate the relation between God and man-in-the-created-order, or is it historical? We are not so foolish as to claim that we know any of these answers, or how God has in fact put His word together, but we have learned not to put the plausible stories of man in the place of what He says in His word. We will never go far wrong if we simply trust what God says, being careful readers of scripture. What we do know is that Job is a masterpiece of literature by any metric, and one of (if not) THE greatest works of wisdom literature ever crafted. I cannot help but end with a quote from another such brilliant work: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness.... Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 12:10–13 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

On this episode of Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we're addressing the troubling reality of the Epstein list and Donald Trump's failure to bring it to light, holding it up to the standard of biblical justice. God's Word commands that evil be exposed, not hidden in the darkness. I also take time to answer a variety of questions from you, my beloved audience.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

A walk through of the book of Psalms - chapter 66:1 -20 Message by Pastor Mat - August 7, 2025 Apologetics, Debate, Bible Discussions, Evangelism, and much more Discerning the fruits of the Spirit vs the fruits of self - Mark 7:5-23 "The mystic fruit bowl" - https://youtu.be/kw7QiLQMQ_M?si=356Fx_r9ohUeTLwjThe Deity of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Salvation - https://www.youtube.com/live/gquqBQIL_0U?si=7zmPLi1X0CcW-v7f(Discussing discipleship) Bible study on Luke 9:60-62 "Let the dead bury the dead" - https://www.youtube.com/live/BkWtkOrEs-Q?si=y-zyqNGfWi3kzVu2To know more on how to be saved, what are the requirements and such, please see our playlist on the Gospel and Eternal Security (assurance of salvation) - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3pJdCnnwrEeCQOCTTmDW1GjUYxpd44DG&si=_rT-lThl0klHt5Cd Our Ministries Website - https://christiancoffeetime.ca/ 1John 5:20) "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." - Intro Music: A Flourish by Niya is licensed under a Creative Commons License.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM -

Sylvester Stallone's been in the ring for a lot of rounds. Even though he, a few years ago, hit the big 6-0 birthday, he was still doing Rocky - Rocky 6. It was called, "Rocky's final round." Sylvester Stallone is one of the millions of Baby Boomers who have hit a challenge for which some have not been prepared - aging. I was intrigued with what Stallone had to say about people he knows. He said, "You see billionaires who have everything, yet inside they're still the same lonely, insecure people." You think you've got it all figured out, but when you turn 60 or, you know, whatever age seems to make you feel like you're getting older, there's this little hole inside you. You realize you're always going to be somewhat half full...or are we. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Why We Can't Find Peace." I call the cycle so many of us go through in our life journey the "As Soon As" syndrome. I'll be happy, I'll be fulfilled as soon as I graduate, as soon as I get a good job, as soon as I get a better job, as soon as I'm going with someone, as soon as I'm married, as soon as I have kids, as soon as I'm not married, as soon as I can get a home, as soon as I retire; it just never ends. And "as soon as" never comes. It's one disappointing answer after another. Until, like Rocky's creator says, we just give up and accept "this little hole inside" us as being "unfillable." The ancient Jewish king Solomon knew that feeling. He was so wealthy and so powerful he was able to own or experience every "as soon as" that his heart could conceive: every purchase, every woman, every achievement, every pleasure. Here's his conclusion, recorded in his personal diary, the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. I'm reading from chapter 1, beginning with verse 8, our word for today from the Word of God. He says: "The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Pretty sad, huh? And pretty much the human experience. But Solomon went on to diagnose why nothing and no one on earth can ever fill the hole in our heart. He said, "God has set eternity in the hearts of men. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Fear God and keep His commandments" (Ecclesiastes 3:11; 12:1, 13). What we've been looking for all our life is something that will last forever, because we've got this eternity thing in our heart. The hole in your heart can only be filled by something as big as all eternity. And that means only the God who made you can fill it. Not a religion about God, but God Himself, living in your heart. And that's impossible because of the choice we've made over and over again to do our life our way instead of God's way. God calls it sin and He says that our sins "have separated us" from our God. But He's also acted with unspeakable love to demolish this wall that keeps us from Him. And He says in His own words, "He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Translation: I did the sinning; Jesus did the dying. Then three days later, He came back from His grave to prove that He and He alone can give us life that's eternal. For millions, the search for what goes in that hole in our heart has ended at the cross of Jesus Christ. In a transforming moment when you say to Him, "Jesus, the wrong person's been running my life. I resign. I'm holding onto You as my only hope because only You can remove the wall between me and my God. So, Jesus, I'm Yours." If you've never had that liberating, load-lifting, purpose-filling, hole-in-your-heart-filling experience with Jesus, let this be the day. In fact, if you go to our website you can find there a lot of wonderful information to be sure you belong to Him. It's ANewStory.com That hole inside you is so big only God can fill it. And at your invitation, He will - today.

The book of Job is wisdom literature, like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What can we add to what has already been written on the Book of Job? Is it the oldest book in the canon as its historical milieu would place it, or was it written (down) much later? Is it merely a literary story meant to illuminate the relation between God and man-in-the-created-order, or is it historical? We are not so foolish as to claim that we know any of these answers, or how God has in fact put His word together, but we have learned not to put the plausible stories of man in the place of what He says in His word. We will never go far wrong if we simply trust what God says, being careful readers of scripture. What we do know is that Job is a masterpiece of literature by any metric, and one of (if not) THE greatest works of wisdom literature ever crafted. I cannot help but end with a quote from another such brilliant work: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness.... Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 12:10–13 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

"In this sermon, we explore the sobering message of Ecclesiastes 1:1–11, where Solomon proclaims: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Why does life feel so futile? Why do all things seem to pass without lasting significance? Solomon tells us the reason: death makes all things under the sun meaningless when considered apart from God.We consider:The deep human longing for meaning.The failure of atheism and existentialism to provide that meaning.How the fleeting nature of life and inevitable reality of death prove the vanity of all things “under the sun.”The weariness of life as a result of the fall (Genesis 3) and the curse of death.Why even the pursuit of “newness” or remembrance cannot solve the problem of meaning.Ultimately, Solomon's goal is not despair but direction: to drive us to the only source of true and lasting meaning—God Himself. The book ends not with nihilism, but with a call: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all.” (Eccl. 12:13)

Listen to Fr. Abraham's Sunday sermon.www.stsa.church

The book of Job is wisdom literature, like Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. What can we add to what has already been written on the Book of Job? Is it the oldest book in the canon as its historical milieu would place it, or was it written (down) much later? Is it merely a literary story meant to illuminate the relation between God and man-in-the-created-order, or is it historical? We are not so foolish as to claim that we know any of these answers, or how God has in fact put His word together, but we have learned not to put the plausible stories of man in the place of what He says in His word. We will never go far wrong if we simply trust what God says, being careful readers of scripture. What we do know is that Job is a masterpiece of literature by any metric, and one of (if not) THE greatest works of wisdom literature ever crafted. I cannot help but end with a quote from another such brilliant work: Ecclesiastes 7:23–29 All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness.... Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 12:10–13 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (ESV)

Hebrews 12:24-27 KJV - And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire. Revelation 14:6-7 KJV - And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters

Is God still judging the world today? In this episode, Kyle reveals why the cross changed everything about judgment—and why you no longer need to live in fear. Discover the truth behind natural disasters, end-times warnings and what the Bible really says about your future.

In the final message of the Three Kings series, Pastor Torry Sheppard closes with the story of Solomon, the king whose reign began with unmatched wisdom and blessing but ended in compromise and sorrow. The sermon, titled “What You Don't Steward, Sours,” explores the danger of mishandled blessings and the call to use God-given resources, influence, and opportunities for kingdom purposes.When Winning Isn't EnoughPastor Torry begins by naming a universal experience: achieving something you deeply wanted—only to discover it doesn't fulfill you. Whether it's a promotion, a major purchase, or even success itself, many of us know the strange letdown of getting what we wanted and still feeling empty. He illustrates this through golfer Scottie Scheffler's candid admission before the British Open that, despite being the world's number one, golf ultimately doesn't satisfy the deepest parts of his heart.This echoes Solomon's haunting words in Ecclesiastes 2:10–11:“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired… Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done… everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”If Solomon—the wisest, wealthiest king in history—could admit the futility of pleasure and success, we must wrestle with the same question he and Scheffler asked: “What's the point?”Solomon's Splendor: Humble BeginningsTo understand how Solomon ended up disillusioned, Pastor Torry takes us back to where it began—in humility. In 1 Kings 3, newly crowned Solomon travels to Gibeon, the most sacred worship site in Israel, to seek God's help. In a dream, God invites Solomon to ask for anything he wants. Rather than riches or power, Solomon requests wisdom to lead God's people well.This reveals a profound truth: Solomon saw himself as a steward. He recognized that the kingdom wasn't his—it was God's. And because Solomon sought God's kingdom first, God granted him not only wisdom but also wealth, honor, and peace.For a time, Solomon's priorities were clear: everything he built—especially the temple—pointed to the greatness of Yahweh. Under his leadership, Israel flourished, and even the Queen of Sheba was left breathless at the wisdom, wealth, and glory on display.But as Pastor Torry notes, Solomon's story doesn't end at Gibeon. Over time, his focus drifted. His success became self-serving. The humility that brought him to worship slowly gave way to pride.The Blessing Paradox: A Pattern Through ScriptureThis shift reflects what Pastor Torry calls “The Cycle of Blessing.” It begins with humble dependence on God, which leads to divine empowerment, then to great impact, and eventually to tangible blessing—resources, influence, and success. But often, those very blessings become dangerous when they lead to pride, self-reliance, and ultimately, spiritual drift.This isn't unique to Solomon. Pastor Torry points out that this cycle shows up repeatedly throughout Scripture. We see it in King Saul, who began in humility but ended in rebellion. We see it in David, whose heart for God drifted into sin. And we can see it in ourselves if we're not careful.And this is the paradox: blessings are meant to build God's kingdom, but when misused or hoarded, they sour. From this observation, Pastor Torry provides two guiding truths: Kingdom blessings are for kingdom purposes.What we don't steward, sours.”Crossing the Lines: Solomon's Slow FadeSolomon's decline wasn't sudden—it was a slow, subtle fade. Pastor Torry highlights how Solomon violated the very warnings God gave in Deuteronomy 17: kings must not accumulate excessive wealth, multiply wives, or rely on military power for themselves.Yet Solomon did all of these. He built a palace that cost more and took longer than God's temple. He amassed chariots and gold as symbols of power. He married hundreds of foreign wives who drew his heart toward their gods.The man who once wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” now lived as though he were the exception to God's commands. This wasn't ignorance—it was willful misalignment.How to Break the Cycle: Gratitude and SurrenderPastor Torry then shifts to Solomon's closing words in Ecclesiastes 12, where the weary king offers hard-earned wisdom:“Remember your Creator… Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”Two practices emerge:Gratitude – “Remember your Creator.” Gratitude humbles us. It reminds us that everything we have—wealth, influence, opportunity—belongs to God. It anchors us in the Giver rather than the gift.Surrender – “Fear God and keep His commandments.” Worship is more than a song; it's offering back to God what is most precious. Like Abraham in Genesis 22, true worship is openhandedness—a willingness to live generously and obediently with what God entrusts to us.Conclusion: Which Part of the Story Are You Living?Pastor Torry closes with three invitations:To the blessed: If you've been given much, remember your Creator. Use your resources for God's purposes and expand His kingdom.To the striving: If you're chasing “more,” stop. There's no finish line when “more” becomes your purpose. Fulfillment is found in living for something bigger—God's kingdom.To the disappointed: If success has let you down, find hope in surrender. Real purpose begins when you live for the King, not yourself.Wherever we find ourselves, Solomon's hard-won wisdom still rings true: “Remember your Creator. Fear God. Keep His commands.” When we live this way, blessings remain blessings—they don't sour.

Pastor Billy Calderwood and apologist Will Reusch discuss the question of "fearing a loving God" If God is all good and all loving, why does the Bible talk so much about the fear of the Lord while also instructing us to not be afraid? We cover this and more in this episode. Email cylinderradio@gmail.com to submit questions you have!