Podcasts about god ex

Making the Most of SONdays - Matthew 12:1-14When the child of GodLooks into the word of GodAnd sees the Son of GodThey are transformed by the Spirit of GodInto the image of GodFor the glory of God-Warren WiersbeMatthew 12:1-14Jesus gets hassled on the way to worship - V. 1-2If you go into your neighbor's standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor's standing grain. - Deut. 23:25You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; but it is they that bear witness about Me. - John 5:39The Old Testament said the Sabbath was to be a day of solemn rest. No work or gathering was to be done on that day. (Ex. 16:25-26). It was to be kept holy, or set apart for worship of God (Ex. 20:8-11).Jesus answers their criticism from Scripture - V. 3-5For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. - Romans 15:4There was no common bread available for David and his men to eat, but there was the holy showbread that only the priests could consume. The priest recognized this was a time for an exception to the rule based on necessity, and let David and his men eat the holy bread, as long as they were not currently sexually impure (1 Samuel 21).Jesus states that the priests on duty work every Sabbath they serve. They labor by removing the showbread, preparing fire for the sacrifices, and performing all their Temple service. The point Jesus is making here is that the Law ordains labor for some on the Sabbath as a duty.Jesus makes 3 key statements about worship day - V. 6-81. From verse 6 we see that God is greater than the buildings He is worshipped in during our SONday gatherings!For I desire steadfast love (HESED) and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. - Hosea 6:62. From verse 7 we see that loving God and others must be prioritized in our SONday gatherings!And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” - Mark 2:273. From verse 8 we learn that Jesus is also the Lord over the realm of time – He is Lord over the rhythm in our lives involving cycles of work and rest. The misuse of the Sabbath by the Pharisees should not keep us from honoring God's seventh day rest principle.Note that God commemorated a day of rest and worship to bless mankind BEFORE He gave Israel the Law. The Sabbath was the way Israel was commanded to observe the 7th day principle; Most Christians observe it on Sundays, the day Jesus rose from the dead!Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. - Matt. 28:1On the first day of the week, when we were gathered to break bread, Paul talked with them… - Acts 20:7aNow concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you are also to do. On the first day of EVERY week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I arrive. - 1 Cor. 16:1-2Jesus makes the most of His SONday - V. 9-14I love Jesus' statement in verse 12 – Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So then it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” People then and far too many people now treat their animals and their possessions as more important than people God calls them to minister to. But Jesus places the highest value on seeing people get ministered to. “When it came to his own glory, Liddell would surrender it all rather than run on Sunday. But when it came to the good of children in a prison camp, he would referee on Sunday. Liddell would sacrifice a gold medal for himself in the name of truth but would bend over backward for others in the name of grace.” - Randy Alcorn, page 79, The Grace and Truth Paradox

Color: Green Old Testament: Exodus 33:12–23 Old Testament: Amos 9:11–15 Psalm: Psalm 111; antiphon: v. 9 Psalm: Psalm 67; antiphon: v. 1 Epistle: Romans 12:6–16 Epistle: Ephesians 5:22–33 Gospel: John 2:1–11 Introit: Psalm 66:1–5, 20; antiphon: v. 4; 92:1 Gradual: Psalm 107:20–21 Verse: Psalm 148:2 Jesus' First Miracle Reveals God's Glory   The coming of the Messianic kingdom means the restoration of creation. The sign of this restoration is that “the mountains shall drip sweet wine” (Amos 9:11–15). When the elements of a fallen creation fail and run short at a wedding feast, our Lord Jesus steps in to restore creation and miraculously changes water into an abundance of the very best wine (John 2:1–11). With this sign, Christ manifests His glory. The “back” of God (Ex. 33:12–23) is revealed to those who believe. The hour will come when Jesus will again manifest His glory by taking creation's curse into His own body to release us from its power. The Bridegroom will give His life for the Bride (Eph. 5:22–32), and from His side will flow water and blood, the holy sacraments by which she is cleansed and made one with Him. Through this sacrificial love of Christ we are enabled to “love one another with brotherly affection . . .” and to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:6–16). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

In Joshua 24, Joshua is about to die, and he is challenging the people to make a decision to serve the LORD and Him only. He proclaims that no matter what everyone else does, he and his house will serve the LORD (v. 15). The people responded by also saying, “We will serve the LORD; for He is our God” (v. 18). But Joshua knew it is easy for the people to say something and yet not really have the love, the devotion, and the heart to follow through on their commitment.   That is why he replies with this strange verse: “But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve the LORD, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins” (v. 19).  Joshua probably remembered when the former generation had met the Lord at Mount Sinai, they had said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do" (Ex. 19:8). But a few weeks later, they were worshiping a golden calf! Joshua knew that it was easy for the people to promise obedience to the Lord, but it was quite something else for them to actually do it. His stern words in Joshua 24:19 were meant to curb their overconfidence and make them look honestly into their own hearts   In the Old Testament, Israel is pictured as being "married" to Jehovah, and He would not tolerate any rivals in their hearts. He is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5) and a holy God, and He could never permit them to be divided in their loyalty. Just as a husband and wife are faithful to their marriage vows and jealously guard their mate's affection, so Israel and the Lord had to be faithful to each other.   Joshua warned them what would happen if they didn't get rid of their idols: They would eventually forsake the Lord, and then He would have to chasten them. They would lose all the blessings He had so graciously given them in the Promised Land. Their great need was to cleanse their hearts of allegiance to other gods and to incline their hearts only to the Lord (Josh. 24:23). If they persisted in their hidden disloyalty, God would not forgive them (Ex. 23:21) but would punish them for their sins.   At least three times in this passage the people affirmed their desire to serve only the Lord (Josh. 24:16-18, 21, 24), and Joshua took them at their word. So that they wouldn't forget this solemn covenant with Jehovah, Joshua wrote it in the Book of the Law and then set up a large stone as a perpetual witness to their agreement.   This is the ninth and last memorial mentioned in the Book of Joshua. There's certainly nothing unbiblical about God's people memorializing a wonderful event or a sacred decision, so long as the memorial doesn't become the focus of idolatrous worship. It's good to remember what the Lord did and how we responded, but we must never live in the past. Religious traditions can be helpful or hurtful, depending on how we use them.   In the Epistle of 1 John, the Apostle John gives three tests for sonship and fellowship with the LORD. The tests of truth, obedience and love. But then he finishes the book with a warning: “My little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). An idol is anything that comes between us and our love and devotion to the LORD!   Has anything come between you and your love for Jesus? True service comes from a heart of love and devotion!   God bless!

In this Bible study, we are covering Exodus 31 in which we see God appoint the workers to build the Tabernacle and all its elements.  God appoints Bezalel as the lead and Oholiab as his assistant.  We talk about these two men and what we know about them from the scriptures.  Additionally, God ends Exodus 31 with a call to keep the Sabbath; we unpack why this is here and what it means. Outline: 00:05 - introduction and prayer 02:01 - Exodus 31.1-11 - Bezalel & Oholiab - God's calling 04:43 - Who is Bezalele & Oholiab in the Bible? 04:21 - Bezalele (bᵊṣal'ēl) - בְּצַלְאֵל His name means: “In the shadow of God” or “in the hand of God” Ex 31.2, 35.30, 36.1-2, 37.1, 38.22, and 2 Chr 1.5 08:00 - Oholiab ('āhŏlî'āḇ) - אָהֳלִיאָב His name means: “father's tent” Ex 31.6, 17, 35.34, 36.1-2, 38.23 10:09 - Why did God choose these two guys to build the Tabernacle?  Why did he call them out by name for the work? 12:23 Application: Answering God's call in your life. Phil 1.6, Heb 13.21, Jos 1.9, Ex 3.7-12, Isa 6.8, Gal 2.16, Rom 3.28, Jas 2.24, 26 27:56 - Exodus 31.7-10 Tent of Meeting (Ex 26) Ark (Ex 25) Table of Showbread(Ex 25) Lampstand (Ex 25) Altar of Incense (Ex 30) Bronze Altar (Ex 27) Bronze Basin (Ex 30) Woven Garments (Ex 28-29) Anointing oil & incense (Ex 30) 29:01 - Exodus 31.12-18 - The Sabbath 30.22 - Exodus 31.18 - God gives Moses the 10 commandments on stone tablets.  He has been up on Mount Saiani for a long time (Since Exodus 19, the last 12 chapters).  He has been receiving instructions from God (the 10 commandments - as well as the Book of the Covenant and the instruction for the Tabernacle and all its elements). 31:22 - The Sabbath Ex 16 - 4x  Ex 20 - 3x  Ex 31 - 3x Ex 35 - 2x  34:59 - Ex 31.14 “Desecrate, Defileth, Profane”  ḥālal  חָלַל To pollute, desecrate, profane, or defile.  To violate the honor of or to treat as common. Mark 2.27 - Jesus says, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” 39:57 - Why was the Sabbath so important?  Why does God make such a big deal about it in Exodus 31? It was a sign that Israel was following his call, and admitting that He is God and that He brought them out of bondage in Egypt.  It is showing God respect and following his call.  43:27 - conclusions Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donate Listen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheep Contact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.org Be notified of each new teaching, join the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD Past videos referenced:  The Sabbath: Exodus 20.8-11 - the 4th commandment  https://youtu.be/PrHBMQTZjDY Establishment of the Sabbath - Exodus 16 Short video: https://youtu.be/BGwbdS6Jlx8 Full video: https://youtu.be/5myeehRVf5o Books/resources used or referenced: Dave reads from an NIV (New International Version) of the Bible. Books used for the creation of this study: Bonhoeffer, Dietrich.  The Cost of Discipleship.  New York, NY: Touchstone, 1995 https://www.christianbook.com/the-cost-of-discipleship/dietrich-bonhoeffer/9780684815008/pd/83850?product_redirect=1&search_term=bonhoeffer%20cost%20of%20discipleship&Ntt=83850 Enns, Peter. The NIV Application Commentary, Exodus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. https://www.christianbook.com/exodus-niv-application-commentary/peter-enns/9780310206071/pd/0206073?event=ESRCG Tenney, Merrill.  New International Bible Dictionary.  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987. Purchase: https://www.christianbook.com/niv-dictionary-of-the-bible/j-d-douglas/9780310534891/pd/0534891?event=ESRCG --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ironsheep/support

In this Bible Study, we look at Exodus 29 and the consecration process of the Hebrew High Priest, Aaron (and his sons). We look at the different elements of the ordination process. The study includes a look at what a sin offering is, as well as a burnt offering and a wave offering. Ultimately we see the point of not only the high priest, the Tabernacle, the book of Exodus, and the entire Bible is God's clear desire, (and provision) to dwell with His people. Outline: 06:00 - introduction 01:26 - Elements of the consecration process found in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8 The priests were washed (Ex 29.4 & Lev 8.6) The priests were clothed (Ex 29.5-6,8-9. 29-30 & Lev 8.7-9, 13) The priests were anointed (Ex 29.7, 21 & Lev 8.10-12, 30) The priests were forgiven (Ex 29.10-14) The priests were completely dedicated to God (Ex 29.15-18 & Lev 8.18-21) The priests were marked by the blood (Ex 29.19-22 & Lev 8.22-24) The priests were fed (Ex 29.22-28, 31-34 & Lev 8.25-29) The priests charged to minister daily (Ex 29.38-46) 02:58 - Consecration: Blue letter Bible: Millu מִלֻּא. Exo 13.2,12,15; Num 3.12; Lev 27.28,29; 1 Pet 2.9 04:35 - Sanctification: to be set apart. Continual process of regeneration which started when you were saved and will continue until the day you meet the Lord. Phil 1.6; 2 Cor 4.6; Col 3.10; 1 Cor 6.11, 19; 2 Thes 2.13 07:34 - Exodus 29.1-9 08:56 - 3 types of sacrifices are outlined. A bull for a sin offering, a ram for a burnt offering, and a ram for a wave offering. 09:58 - Exodus 29.1 - “without defect.” Matthew 21.12-13; 1 Pet 1.18-19 13:57 - Exodus 29.2 - yeast - a picture of sin. Matthew 16.5-12 15:33 - Exodus 29.4 - tent of meeting - Tabernacle - meeting place w/ God 16:03 - Exodus 29.10-14. “sin offering” aka “purification” offering. This offering was designed to clean the worshiper from their sins. Heb 13.11-12, Jesus is our sin offering! 17:37 - Exodus 29.15-18. “Burnt offering” or a “food offering to the Lord.” This is the oldest form of offering recorded in the Bible. Abel's offering in Gen 4.4 may have been a burnt offering. Noah's in Gen 8.20 was a burnt offering. Gen 22 (where Abraham was called to sacrifice his son Isaac, which was a burnt offering). “Burnt Offering” ʿōlâ עֹלָה “to ascend, stairway, steps” Lev 1.9; Exo 29.38-42; Num 28.2,9-10, 11, 19, 27; 29.1, 6 21:19 - Exodus 29.19-26. “wave offering.” Exo 29.24-26; 35.22, 38.24; Lev 7.28-34; 8.27, 29; 14.12, 24; 23.9-15; Num 8.11-21 25:59 - Exodus 29.27-42 - Lasting Ordinance 28:24 - Exodus 29.35-37 - 7 days - a picture of creation & perfection 28:54 - Exodus 29.40 - 1 Ephah - about 3.5 lbs. 1 hin - about 1 quart or 1 liter 29:17 - Exodus 29.29-30, 38, 42 - dependents are to carry this on. Num 28.3-8, Heb 9.1-15. 34:12 - Exodus 29.42-46 35:53 - Exodus 29.45 - “I will dwell among them.” Exo 25.8; Lev 26.12; Zech 2.10; John 14.17; 2 Cor 6.16; Rev 21.3; Exo 6.6-7; Rev 3:20 Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donate Listen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheep Contact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.org Be notified of each new teaching, join the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD Books/resources used or referenced: Dave reads from an NIV (New International Version) of the Bible. Enns, Peter. The NIV Application Commentary, Exodus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. https://www.christianbook.com/exodus-niv-application-commentary/peter-enns/9780310206071/pd/0206073?event=ESRCG Wiersbe, Warren W.. The Bible Exposition Commentary, Old Testament, The Pentateuch. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2001. https://www.christianbook.com/the-bible-exposition-commentary-6-volumes/warren-wiersbe/9786125030474/pd/030474?event=ESRCG --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ironsheep/support

Big Idea: Working for the Glory of God starts with a new identity as he equips and commissions us for the work he's given us to do. 1. We work from our identity (v1-2) 2. We work as those who are equipped (v3-5) 3. We work with unity in community (v6-11) 4. We work by being commissioned (v6-11)

by Craig Coady

by Craig Coady

by Scott Berkey

Joshua 1:1-2 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 2 "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them--the children of Israel.   Today we are going to begin looking at Joshua's background and history that brought him to the place where God would appoint him as the next leader of Israel who would take the place of Moses and lead them into the Promise Land. God always has a plan and purpose for our lives. That plan and purpose begins even before we are conceived in the womb. I believe as we study the early life of Joshua, we will get a picture of how the Lord works in our lives on our spiritual journey.   When the LORD commissioned Jeremiah to prophesy to the nation of Israel centuries later, He told him, “Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:4-5). Later Jeremiah was told to tell Israel, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Even if we get off track on God's purpose and plan, He will restore us if we pray and seek Him with sincerely hearts.   God spent many years preparing Joshua for his calling. We first meet Joshua as a slave in Egypt. This is a picture of every person born into the human race. Interestingly, in the Book of Exodus, Egypt is a picture of the world and Pharoah is a type of Satan. We are born into world that is under the dominion of Satan and we are enslaved in sin. We desperately need a deliverer! God sent Moses to deliver the people of Israel. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to deliver us from our sins.   Joshua belonged to the tribe of Ephraim and was the firstborn son of Nun (1 Chron. 7:20-27). Joshua must have been in his early twenties when Moses came to deliver Israel. This meant that his life was in danger the night of Passover, when the firstborn of every family would perish if the blood of the Lamb was sprinkled on the lintel and doorpost of their house. Obviously, Joshua's dad, Nun and his family, including Joshua, had faith in the Lord and was protected and redeemed by the blood of the lamb (Ex. 11-12).   While in Egypt, Joshua saw all the signs and wonders that God performed (Ex. 7-12); and he knew that Jehovah was a God of power who would care for His people. The Lord had humiliated the gods of Egypt and demonstrated that He alone was the true God (Ex. 12:12; Num. 33:4). Joshua saw the Lord open the Red Sea and then close the waters and drown the pursuing Egyptian army (Ex. 14-15). Joshua was a man of faith who knew the Lord and trusted Him to do wonders for His people.   This is how our spiritual journey begins! We realize we are sinners under the dominion of Satan, bound by our sin, separated from God, without understanding, and with no hope. But when we repent of our sin, and we believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior a miracle takes place, and we are released from our bondage and slavery to sin and Satan, and we are set free. We experience the Truth, and “the Truth sets us free” and if “the Son sets us free we are free indeed” (John 8:32-36).   We can never fulfill God's desire, plan and purpose for our lives without first experiencing His great salvation through Jesus Christ alone! It is my prayer that you have begun this awesome spiritual journey, and you are now on mission with God to lead others to hope and victory in their lives too!   God bless!

by Craig Coady

     In the OT, the word repent translates the Hebrew verb nacham (נָחַם) which commonly means “to comfort…to find consolation, regret…to be sorry, come to regret something…to console oneself.”[1] This speaks of one's mental attitude, and was used of people (Gen 24:67; 27:42) and God (Gen 6:6; Deut 32:36). However, nacham also means to “change one's mind,”[2] and was used of the Lord who changed His mind about some action He was going to take. For example, Moses wrote, “So the LORD changed His mind [nacham] about the harm which He said He would do to His people” (Ex 32:14). In this way, nacham corresponds to the Greek word metanoeō (μετανοέω), which means to “change one's mind.”[3]      The word repent also translates the Hebrew verb shub (שׁוּב), which means to “turn; return, go back…revert; turn back.”[4] The word is used of an Israelite who restores a lost oxen or sheep to a fellow countryman (Deut 22:1-2), or returns a cloak to a poor man (Deut 24:12-13). The word is also used of God's people responding positively to His discipline and returning to Him in obedience (Deut 30:2-3, 9-10). Sometimes shub and nacham are used together, such as when God told Jeremiah, “if that nation against which I have spoken turns [shub] from its evil, I will relent [nacham] concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it” (Jer 18:8). Jonah recorded something similar concerning the Ninevites, saying, “When God saw their deeds, that they turned [shub] from their wicked way, then God relented [nacham] concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10). In these passages, repentance is national and refers to a collective change of mind by the leadership and citizenry that leads to a cooperative change in behavior, a turning from evil that spares them God's wrath. The salvation given to the Ninevites (i.e., Assyrians) was national and temporary. The Assyrians eventually returned to their evil practices and destroyed Israel nearly 37 years later in 722 B.C. This shows that the repentance of one generation is merely the repentance of one generation, and that believing and humble parents does not guarantee believing and humble children. Eventually, God would destroy the Assyrians in 612 B.C. Repentance for the Unsaved      For the unsaved who are destined for the lake of fire, repentance is necessary concerning salvation if one understands it to mean having a change of mind that salvation is obtained solely in Christ. Unbelievers cannot stop sinning, which means they cannot save themselves, and their good works have no saving merit (Isa 64:6; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). The lost need to understand that salvation is 100% in Christ alone. Peter said, “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). And when the Philippian Jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30), the simple reply was given, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). The gospel is simple. It means believing in the One who died for our sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day, as Scripture teaches (1 Cor 15:3-4). And salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (John 3:16), and not by any human effort (Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5), for “the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Rom 4:5). For Christians, turning from a life of sin and producing good works should follow salvation (Eph 2:10; Gal 6:10), but they are never a condition of it. Arnold Fruchtenbaum states, “When the term ‘repentance' is used as a synonym for faith…it is a condition for salvation. For example, one has to change one's mind about who the Messiah is in order to be saved. So if repentance is meant as a synonym for belief, then yes, repentance is necessary for salvation.”[5] Robert B. Thieme Jr., states, “Salvation repentance occurs when the unbeliever hears the Gospel, understands it, and makes a decision to accept Christ's saving work (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30; 2 Pet 3:9). Believing in the Gospel message and repenting inherently operate together (Acts 20:21; Mark 1:14–15).”[6] According to Charles Ryrie: "Is repentance a condition for receiving eternal life? Yes, if it is repentance or changing one's mind about Jesus Christ. No, if it means to be sorry for sin or even to resolve to turn from sin, for these things will not save. Is repentance of sin a precondition to faith? No, though a sense of sin and the desire to turn from it may be used by the Spirit to direct someone to the Savior and His salvation. Repentance may prepare the way for faith, but it is faith that saves, not repentance (unless repentance is understood as a synonym for faith or changing one's mind about Christ)."[7]      When people hear God's Word accurately taught, it challenges them to change their mind about God and themselves. Paul, when speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus spoke of “testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Concerning this verse, J. Dwight Pentecost notes, “A change of attitude toward the revealed truth of God that produced a faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ was the substance of Paul's teaching there before the Ephesian elders.”[8] Should Fruit Follow in a New Believer?      Should we expect to see a change in one's values and behavior after being born again? Yes. We should expect to see a change in behavior. John the Baptist told his hearers, “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt 3:8). And Paul's message to the Gentiles was “that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20). Ryrie notes, “Certainly when one changes his mind about Christ and receives Him as Savior, changes will follow in his life. All believers will bear fruit, so changes will follow.”[9] Zane Hodges states: "Of course, there is every reason to believe that there will be good works in the life of each believer in Christ. The idea that one may believe in Him and live for years totally unaffected by the amazing miracle of regeneration, or by the instruction and/or discipline of God his heavenly Father, is a fantastic notion—even bizarre. I reject it categorically."[10]      Such fruit in the life of believers assumes positive volition and takes time. Sometimes the fruit of the new life is invisible to others, as God works in the hearts of His children to lead them into right thinking and values that conform to His character and directives. Sometimes fruit is invisible, being merely a mental activity (Rom 12:1-2), in which believers know certain things to be true based on God's revelation, such as God being the One who created the universe (Gen 1:1), or claiming promises that stabilize the soul in the midst of adversity (Isa 26:3; Phil 4:6-9). Other times fruit is visible, such as when believers act in conformity with God's directives, speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15), learning God's Word (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17), walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), and advancing to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1). When believers operate in carnality, this will produce sin and make them indistinguishable from unbelievers (Col 3:1-3), as they produce the fruit of the flesh (Gal 5:16-21). If such believers fail to confess their sin (1 John 1:9) and resume their walk with the Lord (Gal 5:16), they will fall into divine discipline (Heb 12:6), suffer loss of reward (1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 John 1:8), and may even die the sin unto death (1 Cor 11:30; 1 John 5:16). Repentance for God's Children      God commands His people to walk in His righteous ways, obeying Him and doing His will. A command implies intelligence to understand and volition to obey. It also implies that one has the capacity to refuse the command and turn away from God's will. It is possible for a righteous person to turn to a life of iniquity. Ezekiel warned about this on several occasions, saying, “When the righteous turns [shub] from his righteousness and commits iniquity, then he shall die in it” (Ezek 33:18; cf., Ezek 3:20, 18:24, 26). The Hebrew verb shub (שׁוּב), translated turn, here refers to the believer who “turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity” (Ezek 33:18a). That is, the believer changes his mind about living righteously and decides to pursue sin. The prophet warns that the righteous who turn to a lifestyle of iniquity will face God's punishment, perhaps even to the point of death, saying, “he shall die in it” (Ezek 33:18b).      Repentance is also used of Christians who are operating in a state of carnality and walking according to Satan's world system. For example, the Christians living in Ephesus were commanded by the Lord Jesus, “remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Rev 2:5). Failure for Christians to repent of their carnality means they are subject to divine discipline. The Lord Jesus told Christians in Laodicea, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent” (Rev 3:19). In these cases, repentance means prioritizing God and His Word and submitting to His authority and pursuing a life of righteousness as God expects. The believer who does this will be devoted to learning Scripture (2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 2:2), walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), and will manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), secure rewards for eternity (1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 John 1:8), be a blessing to others (Matt 5:16; Gal 6:10), and glorify the Lord (1 Cor 10:31; 2 Cor 9:13). This is how believers should live. Does Sorrow Accompany Repentance?      Is there sorrow that leads to repentance? Yes, there can be true sorrow that leads to repentance. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul said, “the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Cor 7:10). Though sorrow may lead to repentance, it does not always do so, as “the sorrow of the world produces death” and not salvation (2 Cor 7:10b). That is, one may be sorrowful, and yet never turn to Christ. Judas, when he betrayed Christ, “felt remorse” for his actions (Matt 27:3), and then “went away and hanged himself” (Matt 27:5). Fruchtenbaum notes, “Sorrow may accompany repentance, but the word itself does not mean ‘sorrow.' It simply means ‘to change one's mind' (Acts 8:22; 11:18; 20:21; 26:20; Heb 6:1, 6; 12:17; Rev 9:20).”[11] He further states, “If repentance is used merely as a synonym for believing in the Messiah—the way the Bible uses it—only in that sense is it truly a condition for salvation. But if—as some groups use it—repentance means ‘to feel sorry for one's sins,' then it indeed becomes a false addition to salvation.”[12] Concerning 2 Corinthians 7:10, Lewis Chafer states: "The common practice of reading into this word the thought of sorrow and heart-anguish is responsible for much confusion in the field of Soteriology. There is no reason why sorrow should not accompany repentance or lead on to repentance, but the sorrow, whatever it may be, is not repentance. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, it is said that “godly sorrow worketh repentance,” that is, it leads on to repentance; but the sorrow is not to be mistaken for the change of mind which it may serve to produce."[13] Dwight Pentecost adds: "You will observe from that verse that sorrow and repentance are not the same at all. Sorrow does its work, and when sorrow has done its work the product of sorrow is repentance and the product of the change of mind is salvation. The Apostle, then, has set up a progression: sorrow, repentance, and salvation. But the sorrow is not repentance, and the repentance is not salvation…Such a sorrow is not repentance, and we will miss the important teaching of the Word of God unless we are clear on the Scriptural concept that, in the Word of God, repentance is a change of mind."[14]      Repentance (a change of mind) and faith are like two sides of the same coin where one assumes the other. Lewis Chafer states, “It is asserted that repentance, which is a change of mind, enters of necessity into the very act of believing on Christ, since one cannot turn to Christ from other objects of confidence without that change of mind.”[15]Charles Ryrie adds: "What kind of repentance saves? Not a sorrow for sins or even a sorrow that results in a cleaning up of one's life. People who reform have repented; that is, they have changed their minds about their past lives, but that kind of repentance, albeit genuine, does not of itself save them. The only kind of repentance that saves is a change of mind about Jesus Christ. People can weep; people can resolve to turn from their past sins; but those things in themselves cannot save. The only kind of repentance that saves anyone, anywhere, anytime is a change of mind about Jesus Christ."[16] Joseph Dillow notes: "Is repentance necessary for personal salvation? It depends upon what one means by “repentance.” If it means turn from sin and submit to the Lordship of Christ, it is not necessary. But…if repentance means to admit that one is guilty and needs a Savior from sin, of course repentance is necessary. This is clearly taught in the Gospel of John (John 16:8-9) where we are told that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. That means He brings them to a sense that they are wrong, they are guilty, and they need a Savior. That is repentance. No one comes to the Lamb of God who takes away sin (John 1:29), if he is not convinced that he is guilty and needs a Savior to take away his sin."[17]      In summary, the term “repent” is derived from the Hebrew word “nacham” and the Greek word “metanoeō,” both meaning “to change one's mind.” The term is employed both of people (Ex 13:17) and God (Ex 32:14; Jonah 3:10). Repentance, in the context of salvation, signifies a shift in mindset that recognizes Christ as the sole means of salvation. This understanding aligns with the gospel message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and not by works (Rom 4:4-5; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9). Repentance in salvation entails a recognition that God is holy, we are sinful, we cannot save ourselves, and we need a Savior. When one repents, they will believe the gospel message that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and resurrected on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4), and will  trust in Christ alone as their Savior (Acts 4:12; 16:31). Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, 688–689. [2] William D. Mounce, Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words, 993. [3] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 640. [4] Willem VanGemeren, ed., New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), 55. [5] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Faith Alone: The Condition of Our Salvation: An Exposition of the Book of Galatians and Other Relevant Topics, ed. Christiane Jurik, Second Edition. (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2016), 91. [6] Robert B. Thieme, Jr. “Repentance”, Thieme's Bible Doctrine Dictionary, 218. [7] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ (Chicago: Moody Press, 1997), 89–90. [8] J. Dwight Pentecost, Things Which Become Sound Doctrine, 64. [9] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ, 89. [10] Zane C. Hodges, A Free Grace Primer: The Hungry Inherit, The Gospel Under Siege, Grace in Eclipse, ed. Robert N. Wilkin (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2011), 274. [11] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Faith Alone: The Condition of Our Salvation: An Exposition of the Book of Galatians and Other Relevant Topics, 92. [12] Ibid., 92. [13] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, 372. [14] J. Dwight Pentecost, Things Which Become Sound Doctrine, 63. [15] Ibid., 378. [16] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, So Great Salvation, 85. [17] Joseph C. Dillow, Final Destiny: The Future Reign of the Servant Kings.

by Scott Berkey

This study we tackle Exodus 18 in which Moses' father in law, Jethro (the Priest of Midian), comes to visit Moses (and the Israelites) on their way to Mount Sinai. Jethro sees Moses sit as judge over all of Israel from morning until evening and says, "what you are doing is not good" (Ex 18.15-16). Jethro advises Moses to delegate to God fearing leaders and not take all the responsibility on himself. 01:24 - Overview of Exodus 18 02:50 - Exodus 18.1-7 - Jethro arrives w/ Moses Family 04:17 - Ex 18.1 - Who is Jethro - recap (Ex 2.16, 18, 20 & 3.1) 05:45 - Ex 18.1 - Who are the Midianites? (Gen 25.1-2, Gen 37.28, 36, Num 25.17, Judges 6-7) 09:24 - Ex 18.1 - Word had spread (Ex 15.14-16) 12:05 - Ex 18.2 - When did Moses send his family away?(Ex 4.20-26) 16:40 - Ex 18.3-4 - Gershom & Eliezer 20:37 - Ex 18.5 - near the mountain of God - Ex 3.1 21:49 - Exodus 18.8-12 22:50 - Ex 18.11 - The Lord is greater (Ex 7.5, 8.10, 9.29, 6.7, 9.15-16) 26:54 - Word study: “proclaimed” sāp̄ar סָפַר (declared, made known, honored, spread) 29:10 - Exodus 18.13-27 31:19 - Initial reactions and context of that day. Delegation! 31:58 - What is the problem? Ex 18.15-16 “what you are doing is not good.” 33:15 - What is the Solution? Ex 18.19-23 1. Bring before God v19 2. Teach the people v20 3. Show the people v20 4. Delegate v21 5. Men of God v21 6. Hard cases to you v22 40:00 - Ex 18.23 - “If God so commands” 43:00 - Similar story (Num 11.10-17 & Deut 1.9-18). 44:32 - Application: Delegate 49:02 - Application: Know God's word Joshua 1.8, Deut 6.6-9, Jeremiah 31.31-34 Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donate Listen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheep Contact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.org Be notified of each new teaching, join the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD Books used or referenced: Dave reads from an NIV (New International Version) of the Bible. Barker, Kenneth L.. Kohlenberger, John R. III. The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Abridged, Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994. Purchase: https://www.christianbook.com/expositors-bible-commentary-abridged-edition-volumes/kenneth-barker/9780310255192/pd/54975?event=ESRCG Enns, Peter. The NIV Application Commentary, Exodus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. Purchase: https://www.christianbook.com/exodus-niv-application-commentary/peter-enns/9780310206071/pd/0206073?event=ESRCG Wiersbe, Warren W.. The Bible Exposition Commentary, Old Testament, The Pentateuch. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2001. https://www.christianbook.com/the-bible-exposition-commentary-6-volumes/warren-wiersbe/9786125030474/pd/030474?event=ESRCG --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ironsheep/support

by Shannon Caughey

by Craig Coady

The LORD calls all people to worship Him, and we gladly do so--1. The LORD's call for worshippers is timeless, limitless. -v.1-4--2. The LORD looks down from above the heavens. -v.5-6--3. The LORD lifts up those in need. -v.7-9--What are the parameters of the praise of God-- Is. 45-6-What is significant about the name of God-- Ex. 3-14 and 34-5-7-Who are worshippers, and when-where did they live-- Rev. 15-4-Who receives The LORD's care-- 1 Sam. 2-8 Is. 57-15 Mt. 5-45

"How to Have a Relationship with God (Ex 24:1-18)" | 6/11/23 by WestHillsChurch

Our mouths expose our hearts. Sooner or later our real beliefs and attitudes pour out of our lips. As hard as we may try to hide them it's impossible to filter everything, and in those moments when we drop our guard our hearts speak what we really believe. That's why in these lessons on how to love God (Ex 20:3–11) He draws our attention to how we use His name. His purpose isn't simply to get us to patrol our speech more carefully, His concern lies much deeper than that. He wants us to love and respect Him and knows that if we do our mouths will speak accordingly. Jesus said, “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Mt 12:34), and again on another occasion He said, “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart” (Mt 15:18). So an honest evaluation of how we use God's name will tell us a lot about our spiritual health.   Today we'll listen to the warning God gives about using His name in vain, but we'll also look at the positive side of using His name. After all, as Christians we are people deeply associated with that name: we believe in His name, we pray in His name, we gather in His name, we serve in His name and we have been baptized in His name. Amazingly, we have been given the privilege to use “the name which is above every name…” (Php 2:9).

January 28, 2023 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/stjohnrandomlake/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stjohnrandomlake/support

Introit: Ps. 66:1-5, 20; antiphon: Ps. 66:4, 92:1 Gradual: Ps. 107:20-21 Old Testament: Ex. 33:12-23       or Amos 9:11-15 Psalm 67 (antiphon: v. 1)       or Psalm 111 (antiphon: v. 9) Epistle: Eph. 5:22-33       or Rom. 12:6-16 ProperVerse: Ps. 148:2 Gospel: John 2:1-11 Jesus' First Miracle Reveals God's Glory The coming of the Messianic kingdom means the restoration of creation. The sign of this restoration is that "the mountains shall drip sweet wine" (Amos 9:11-15). When the elements of a fallen creation fail and run short at a wedding feast, our Lord Jesus steps in to restore creation and miraculously changes water into an abundance of the very best wine (John 2:1-11). With this sign, Christ manifests His glory. The "back" of God (Ex. 33:12-23) is revealed to those who believe. The hour will come when Jesus will again manifest His glory by taking creation's curse into His own body to release us from its power. The Bridegroom will give His life for the Bride (Eph. 5:22-32), and from His side will flow water and blood, the holy sacraments by which she is cleansed and made one with Him. Through this sacrificial love of Christ we are enabled to "love one another with brotherly affection . . ." and to "outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom. 12:6-16).

Please consider a tax-deductible end-of-year donation at watchman.org/Give.Daniel Grissom was one of Jehovah's Witnesses when he first connected with James Walker and the Watchman Fellowship ministry team. By God's grace, Daniel left the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for the grace of Jesus Christ and now serves on our Board of Directors. In this episode (Part Two), we conclude our discussion. Daniel talks about the importance of discipleship and how to talk with the Jehovah's Witnesses when they knock on your door: Is the average Christian church equipped to help former Jehovah's Witnesses transition to the true gospel of the grace of Christ? What is one of the best questions we can ask a Jehovah's Witness? How can a "SEE" (significant emotional event) be a catalyst for spiritual transition? Besides the Bible, what one book helped Daniel clearly see the Jehovah's Witnesses errors? Why did Daniel join the leadership team as a board member at Watchman Fellowship? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Watchtower Watchman Fellowship articles on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: watchman.org/JW Video: Jesus Is Not Your Mediator by Daniel Grissom (YouTube): https://youtu.be/upJtFKKw2vA Watchtower documentation for Jesus Is Not Your Mediator: www.watchman.org/mediator.pdf Book - Crisis of Conscious by Raymond Franz, former Governing Body member of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (594-pages): www.watchman.org/Crisis Video: Ministry update from the Board of Directors by Daniel Grissom (video 2-min.): www.watchman.org/video FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Please consider a tax-deductible end-of-year donation at watchman.org/Give.Daniel Grissom was one of Jehovah's Witnesses when he first connected with James Walker and the Watchman Fellowship ministry team. Daniel left the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for the grace of Jesus Christ and now serves on our Board of Directors. Daniel's testimony is a rebroadcast first published in 2020. In part one of this discussion, Daniel shares his journey from the Kingdom Hall to the Kingdom of God: When he first got the knock at his front door, what attracted Daniel to listen to the Jehovah's Witnesses and initially embrace their teachings? What caused Daniel to mistake the Jehovah's Witnesses sincerity for their accuracy? Why is it difficult for former Jehovah's Witnesses to believe in Jesus even after they learn their religion was wrong? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Watchtower Watchman Fellowship articles on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: watchman.org/JW Video: Jesus Is Not Your Mediator by Daniel Grissom (YouTube): https://youtu.be/upJtFKKw2vA Watchtower documentation for Jesus Is Not Your Mediator: www.watchman.org/mediator.pdf Book - Crisis of Conscious by Raymond Franz, former Governing Body member of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (594-pages): www.watchman.org/Crisis Video: Ministry update from the Board of Directors by Daniel Grissom (video 2-min.): www.watchman.org/video FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

His Presence is My Pursuit (3 of 3) | Pastor Shane Idleman His Presence Must be Our Pursuit Sermon Notes Although God is everywhere, or what theologians call omnipresent, there is a marked difference between a believer who is dry spiritually and dead inside compared to one who is full of passion, desire, and fire. The corridors of church history are filled with stories of Christians being spiritually dead but then coming alive. What changed? What happened? In short, they began to pursue God like never before. They abandoned their idols, repented of their lukewarmness, and sought God His presence was their pursuit. When you seek God, you will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Are You Thirsty? The pursuit of God is what holds everything together from finding peace and joy to overcoming the enemy and finishing strong. Sadly, many believers do not finish well because their pursuit of God gets pushed to the side. Seeking the presence of God must be your all-consuming passion. Moses cried, Show me Your glory! Joshua lingered in the tent with the presence of God (Ex. 33:11), Isaiah said that he saw the King (Isa. 6:5), and the Disciples waited in the upper room for His presence (Acts 1:13). These were life-changing moments, and you can have one as well. Are you thirsty? It all begins here: Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink (Jn. 7:37). The Cost of Intimacy Mark 14:3 tells us that Jesus was at Bethany reclining at a table when a woman with an alabaster flask of very costly ointment broke the flask and poured it over his head. It is here, and in many other places in Scripture, that we realize that intimacy has a cost. God must be a priority even when we don't feel like pursuing Him. Pursuing His presence doesn't always mean that we feel His presence. That's why Hebrews 11:6 is so important: He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Perseverance will eventually be rewarded. No Accident We also read in Mark 14:4-5 that there were some present in Bethany who scolded her with these words, Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. The woman realized, as should we, that there is no such thing as wasted worship. It's not by accident that Jesus was at Bethany, which means a place of poverty. Unless we humble ourselves and become poor in spirit, we will never experience a deep, meaningful, and impactful relationship with God. His presence must be our primary pursuit. Pride Prevents Intimacy Sadly, many mock deep experiences with God because they've never experienced God. And I believe that this is at the heart of the current worship wars. Granted, there are legitimate concerns with some things that are going on, but many who say that worship is too emotional, or is brainwashing, say it out of fear, callousness, and pride. Pride prevents intimacy. In the same way that a kink in a water hose prevents water from gushing out, pride prevents a downpour of God's Spirit into your heart. A proud person can't be corrected and is unteachable. Pride elevates instead of lowers; it boasts instead of breaks. Pride is the greatest hindrance to a spiritual breakthrough. This is no doubt why 2 Chron. 7:14 begins with If My people humble themselves. It's been said that God has to break a man and cleanse a man before He can fill a man! If it's Important, it's Urgent In Mark 14:7, we discover the urgency of intimacy when Jesus said, For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. When it comes to pursuing God, it's not about perfection but affection. Worship is not an experience, it's a Person. Where do your affections lie? Do you value the time that is spent in worship, or would you prefer to hurry through it? Are your church services designed to wait on God and pursue Him, or to get congregants out before the line at the buffet forms? Unlike Martha in Luke 10, the woman previously mentioned chose worship over work. She chose waiting on God versus rushing through the experience. This also serves as a stark warning to workers: Don't let work replace worship. Many Workers Struggle with Worship After being in the ministry for over two decades, I have noticed that many workers, especially volunteers, tend to hide from worship with more work. They'll serve and serve but rarely do they have intimate moments with God. Instead of being in prayer meetings, they serve in other areas. Instead of being engaged in worship services, they find a project or task to be involved in. Worship is difficult because it exposes hypocrisy, challenges mediocrity, and lays us bare before God. It's not easy, but it is essential. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1055/29

His Presence is My Pursuit (3 of 3) | Pastor Shane Idleman His Presence Must be Our Pursuit Sermon Notes Although God is everywhere, or what theologians call omnipresent, there is a marked difference between a believer who is dry spiritually and dead inside compared to one who is full of passion, desire, and fire. The corridors of church history are filled with stories of Christians being spiritually dead but then coming alive. What changed? What happened? In short, they began to pursue God like never before. They abandoned their idols, repented of their lukewarmness, and sought God His presence was their pursuit. When you seek God, you will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Are You Thirsty? The pursuit of God is what holds everything together from finding peace and joy to overcoming the enemy and finishing strong. Sadly, many believers do not finish well because their pursuit of God gets pushed to the side. Seeking the presence of God must be your all-consuming passion. Moses cried, Show me Your glory! Joshua lingered in the tent with the presence of God (Ex. 33:11), Isaiah said that he saw the King (Isa. 6:5), and the Disciples waited in the upper room for His presence (Acts 1:13). These were life-changing moments, and you can have one as well. Are you thirsty? It all begins here: Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink (Jn. 7:37). The Cost of Intimacy Mark 14:3 tells us that Jesus was at Bethany reclining at a table when a woman with an alabaster flask of very costly ointment broke the flask and poured it over his head. It is here, and in many other places in Scripture, that we realize that intimacy has a cost. God must be a priority even when we don't feel like pursuing Him. Pursuing His presence doesn't always mean that we feel His presence. That's why Hebrews 11:6 is so important: He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Perseverance will eventually be rewarded. No Accident We also read in Mark 14:4-5 that there were some present in Bethany who scolded her with these words, Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. The woman realized, as should we, that there is no such thing as wasted worship. It's not by accident that Jesus was at Bethany, which means a place of poverty. Unless we humble ourselves and become poor in spirit, we will never experience a deep, meaningful, and impactful relationship with God. His presence must be our primary pursuit. Pride Prevents Intimacy Sadly, many mock deep experiences with God because they've never experienced God. And I believe that this is at the heart of the current worship wars. Granted, there are legitimate concerns with some things that are going on, but many who say that worship is too emotional, or is brainwashing, say it out of fear, callousness, and pride. Pride prevents intimacy. In the same way that a kink in a water hose prevents water from gushing out, pride prevents a downpour of God's Spirit into your heart. A proud person can't be corrected and is unteachable. Pride elevates instead of lowers; it boasts instead of breaks. Pride is the greatest hindrance to a spiritual breakthrough. This is no doubt why 2 Chron. 7:14 begins with If My people humble themselves. It's been said that God has to break a man and cleanse a man before He can fill a man! If it's Important, it's Urgent In Mark 14:7, we discover the urgency of intimacy when Jesus said, For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. When it comes to pursuing God, it's not about perfection but affection. Worship is not an experience, it's a Person. Where do your affections lie? Do you value the time that is spent in worship, or would you prefer to hurry through it? Are your church services designed to wait on God and pursue Him, or to get congregants out before the line at the buffet forms? Unlike Martha in Luke 10, the woman previously mentioned chose worship over work. She chose waiting on God versus rushing through the experience. This also serves as a stark warning to workers: Don't let work replace worship. Many Workers Struggle with Worship After being in the ministry for over two decades, I have noticed that many workers, especially volunteers, tend to hide from worship with more work. They'll serve and serve but rarely do they have intimate moments with God. Instead of being in prayer meetings, they serve in other areas. Instead of being engaged in worship services, they find a project or task to be involved in. Worship is difficult because it exposes hypocrisy, challenges mediocrity, and lays us bare before God. It's not easy, but it is essential. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1055/29

His Presence is My Pursuit (2 of 3) | Pastor Shane Idleman His Presence Must be Our Pursuit Sermon Notes Although God is everywhere, or what theologians call omnipresent, there is a marked difference between a believer who is dry spiritually and dead inside compared to one who is full of passion, desire, and fire. The corridors of church history are filled with stories of Christians being spiritually dead but then coming alive. What changed? What happened? In short, they began to pursue God like never before. They abandoned their idols, repented of their lukewarmness, and sought God His presence was their pursuit. When you seek God, you will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Are You Thirsty? The pursuit of God is what holds everything together from finding peace and joy to overcoming the enemy and finishing strong. Sadly, many believers do not finish well because their pursuit of God gets pushed to the side. Seeking the presence of God must be your all-consuming passion. Moses cried, Show me Your glory! Joshua lingered in the tent with the presence of God (Ex. 33:11), Isaiah said that he saw the King (Isa. 6:5), and the Disciples waited in the upper room for His presence (Acts 1:13). These were life-changing moments, and you can have one as well. Are you thirsty? It all begins here: Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink (Jn. 7:37). The Cost of Intimacy Mark 14:3 tells us that Jesus was at Bethany reclining at a table when a woman with an alabaster flask of very costly ointment broke the flask and poured it over his head. It is here, and in many other places in Scripture, that we realize that intimacy has a cost. God must be a priority even when we don't feel like pursuing Him. Pursuing His presence doesn't always mean that we feel His presence. That's why Hebrews 11:6 is so important: He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Perseverance will eventually be rewarded. No Accident We also read in Mark 14:4-5 that there were some present in Bethany who scolded her with these words, Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. The woman realized, as should we, that there is no such thing as wasted worship. It's not by accident that Jesus was at Bethany, which means a place of poverty. Unless we humble ourselves and become poor in spirit, we will never experience a deep, meaningful, and impactful relationship with God. His presence must be our primary pursuit. Pride Prevents Intimacy Sadly, many mock deep experiences with God because they've never experienced God. And I believe that this is at the heart of the current worship wars. Granted, there are legitimate concerns with some things that are going on, but many who say that worship is too emotional, or is brainwashing, say it out of fear, callousness, and pride. Pride prevents intimacy. In the same way that a kink in a water hose prevents water from gushing out, pride prevents a downpour of God's Spirit into your heart. A proud person can't be corrected and is unteachable. Pride elevates instead of lowers; it boasts instead of breaks. Pride is the greatest hindrance to a spiritual breakthrough. This is no doubt why 2 Chron. 7:14 begins with If My people humble themselves. It's been said that God has to break a man and cleanse a man before He can fill a man! If it's Important, it's Urgent In Mark 14:7, we discover the urgency of intimacy when Jesus said, For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. When it comes to pursuing God, it's not about perfection but affection. Worship is not an experience, it's a Person. Where do your affections lie? Do you value the time that is spent in worship, or would you prefer to hurry through it? Are your church services designed to wait on God and pursue Him, or to get congregants out before the line at the buffet forms? Unlike Martha in Luke 10, the woman previously mentioned chose worship over work. She chose waiting on God versus rushing through the experience. This also serves as a stark warning to workers: Don't let work replace worship. Many Workers Struggle with Worship After being in the ministry for over two decades, I have noticed that many workers, especially volunteers, tend to hide from worship with more work. They'll serve and serve but rarely do they have intimate moments with God. Instead of being in prayer meetings, they serve in other areas. Instead of being engaged in worship services, they find a project or task to be involved in. Worship is difficult because it exposes hypocrisy, challenges mediocrity, and lays us bare before God. It's not easy, but it is essential. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1055/29

His Presence is My Pursuit (2 of 3) | Pastor Shane Idleman His Presence Must be Our Pursuit Sermon Notes Although God is everywhere, or what theologians call omnipresent, there is a marked difference between a believer who is dry spiritually and dead inside compared to one who is full of passion, desire, and fire. The corridors of church history are filled with stories of Christians being spiritually dead but then coming alive. What changed? What happened? In short, they began to pursue God like never before. They abandoned their idols, repented of their lukewarmness, and sought God His presence was their pursuit. When you seek God, you will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Are You Thirsty? The pursuit of God is what holds everything together from finding peace and joy to overcoming the enemy and finishing strong. Sadly, many believers do not finish well because their pursuit of God gets pushed to the side. Seeking the presence of God must be your all-consuming passion. Moses cried, Show me Your glory! Joshua lingered in the tent with the presence of God (Ex. 33:11), Isaiah said that he saw the King (Isa. 6:5), and the Disciples waited in the upper room for His presence (Acts 1:13). These were life-changing moments, and you can have one as well. Are you thirsty? It all begins here: Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink (Jn. 7:37). The Cost of Intimacy Mark 14:3 tells us that Jesus was at Bethany reclining at a table when a woman with an alabaster flask of very costly ointment broke the flask and poured it over his head. It is here, and in many other places in Scripture, that we realize that intimacy has a cost. God must be a priority even when we don't feel like pursuing Him. Pursuing His presence doesn't always mean that we feel His presence. That's why Hebrews 11:6 is so important: He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Perseverance will eventually be rewarded. No Accident We also read in Mark 14:4-5 that there were some present in Bethany who scolded her with these words, Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. The woman realized, as should we, that there is no such thing as wasted worship. It's not by accident that Jesus was at Bethany, which means a place of poverty. Unless we humble ourselves and become poor in spirit, we will never experience a deep, meaningful, and impactful relationship with God. His presence must be our primary pursuit. Pride Prevents Intimacy Sadly, many mock deep experiences with God because they've never experienced God. And I believe that this is at the heart of the current worship wars. Granted, there are legitimate concerns with some things that are going on, but many who say that worship is too emotional, or is brainwashing, say it out of fear, callousness, and pride. Pride prevents intimacy. In the same way that a kink in a water hose prevents water from gushing out, pride prevents a downpour of God's Spirit into your heart. A proud person can't be corrected and is unteachable. Pride elevates instead of lowers; it boasts instead of breaks. Pride is the greatest hindrance to a spiritual breakthrough. This is no doubt why 2 Chron. 7:14 begins with If My people humble themselves. It's been said that God has to break a man and cleanse a man before He can fill a man! If it's Important, it's Urgent In Mark 14:7, we discover the urgency of intimacy when Jesus said, For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. When it comes to pursuing God, it's not about perfection but affection. Worship is not an experience, it's a Person. Where do your affections lie? Do you value the time that is spent in worship, or would you prefer to hurry through it? Are your church services designed to wait on God and pursue Him, or to get congregants out before the line at the buffet forms? Unlike Martha in Luke 10, the woman previously mentioned chose worship over work. She chose waiting on God versus rushing through the experience. This also serves as a stark warning to workers: Don't let work replace worship. Many Workers Struggle with Worship After being in the ministry for over two decades, I have noticed that many workers, especially volunteers, tend to hide from worship with more work. They'll serve and serve but rarely do they have intimate moments with God. Instead of being in prayer meetings, they serve in other areas. Instead of being engaged in worship services, they find a project or task to be involved in. Worship is difficult because it exposes hypocrisy, challenges mediocrity, and lays us bare before God. It's not easy, but it is essential. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1055/29

His Presence is My Pursuit (1 of 3) | Pastor Shane Idleman His Presence Must be Our Pursuit Sermon Notes Although God is everywhere, or what theologians call omnipresent, there is a marked difference between a believer who is dry spiritually and dead inside compared to one who is full of passion, desire, and fire. The corridors of church history are filled with stories of Christians being spiritually dead but then coming alive. What changed? What happened? In short, they began to pursue God like never before. They abandoned their idols, repented of their lukewarmness, and sought God His presence was their pursuit. When you seek God, you will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Are You Thirsty? The pursuit of God is what holds everything together from finding peace and joy to overcoming the enemy and finishing strong. Sadly, many believers do not finish well because their pursuit of God gets pushed to the side. Seeking the presence of God must be your all-consuming passion. Moses cried, Show me Your glory! Joshua lingered in the tent with the presence of God (Ex. 33:11), Isaiah said that he saw the King (Isa. 6:5), and the Disciples waited in the upper room for His presence (Acts 1:13). These were life-changing moments, and you can have one as well. Are you thirsty? It all begins here: Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink (Jn. 7:37). The Cost of Intimacy Mark 14:3 tells us that Jesus was at Bethany reclining at a table when a woman with an alabaster flask of very costly ointment broke the flask and poured it over his head. It is here, and in many other places in Scripture, that we realize that intimacy has a cost. God must be a priority even when we don't feel like pursuing Him. Pursuing His presence doesn't always mean that we feel His presence. That's why Hebrews 11:6 is so important: He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Perseverance will eventually be rewarded. No Accident We also read in Mark 14:4-5 that there were some present in Bethany who scolded her with these words, Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. The woman realized, as should we, that there is no such thing as wasted worship. It's not by accident that Jesus was at Bethany, which means a place of poverty. Unless we humble ourselves and become poor in spirit, we will never experience a deep, meaningful, and impactful relationship with God. His presence must be our primary pursuit. Pride Prevents Intimacy Sadly, many mock deep experiences with God because they've never experienced God. And I believe that this is at the heart of the current worship wars. Granted, there are legitimate concerns with some things that are going on, but many who say that worship is too emotional, or is brainwashing, say it out of fear, callousness, and pride. Pride prevents intimacy. In the same way that a kink in a water hose prevents water from gushing out, pride prevents a downpour of God's Spirit into your heart. A proud person can't be corrected and is unteachable. Pride elevates instead of lowers; it boasts instead of breaks. Pride is the greatest hindrance to a spiritual breakthrough. This is no doubt why 2 Chron. 7:14 begins with If My people humble themselves. It's been said that God has to break a man and cleanse a man before He can fill a man! If it's Important, it's Urgent In Mark 14:7, we discover the urgency of intimacy when Jesus said, For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. When it comes to pursuing God, it's not about perfection but affection. Worship is not an experience, it's a Person. Where do your affections lie? Do you value the time that is spent in worship, or would you prefer to hurry through it? Are your church services designed to wait on God and pursue Him, or to get congregants out before the line at the buffet forms? Unlike Martha in Luke 10, the woman previously mentioned chose worship over work. She chose waiting on God versus rushing through the experience. This also serves as a stark warning to workers: Don't let work replace worship. Many Workers Struggle with Worship After being in the ministry for over two decades, I have noticed that many workers, especially volunteers, tend to hide from worship with more work. They'll serve and serve but rarely do they have intimate moments with God. Instead of being in prayer meetings, they serve in other areas. Instead of being engaged in worship services, they find a project or task to be involved in. Worship is difficult because it exposes hypocrisy, challenges mediocrity, and lays us bare before God. It's not easy, but it is essential. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1055/29

His Presence is My Pursuit (1 of 3) | Pastor Shane Idleman His Presence Must be Our Pursuit Sermon Notes Although God is everywhere, or what theologians call omnipresent, there is a marked difference between a believer who is dry spiritually and dead inside compared to one who is full of passion, desire, and fire. The corridors of church history are filled with stories of Christians being spiritually dead but then coming alive. What changed? What happened? In short, they began to pursue God like never before. They abandoned their idols, repented of their lukewarmness, and sought God His presence was their pursuit. When you seek God, you will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Are You Thirsty? The pursuit of God is what holds everything together from finding peace and joy to overcoming the enemy and finishing strong. Sadly, many believers do not finish well because their pursuit of God gets pushed to the side. Seeking the presence of God must be your all-consuming passion. Moses cried, Show me Your glory! Joshua lingered in the tent with the presence of God (Ex. 33:11), Isaiah said that he saw the King (Isa. 6:5), and the Disciples waited in the upper room for His presence (Acts 1:13). These were life-changing moments, and you can have one as well. Are you thirsty? It all begins here: Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink (Jn. 7:37). The Cost of Intimacy Mark 14:3 tells us that Jesus was at Bethany reclining at a table when a woman with an alabaster flask of very costly ointment broke the flask and poured it over his head. It is here, and in many other places in Scripture, that we realize that intimacy has a cost. God must be a priority even when we don't feel like pursuing Him. Pursuing His presence doesn't always mean that we feel His presence. That's why Hebrews 11:6 is so important: He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Perseverance will eventually be rewarded. No Accident We also read in Mark 14:4-5 that there were some present in Bethany who scolded her with these words, Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. The woman realized, as should we, that there is no such thing as wasted worship. It's not by accident that Jesus was at Bethany, which means a place of poverty. Unless we humble ourselves and become poor in spirit, we will never experience a deep, meaningful, and impactful relationship with God. His presence must be our primary pursuit. Pride Prevents Intimacy Sadly, many mock deep experiences with God because they've never experienced God. And I believe that this is at the heart of the current worship wars. Granted, there are legitimate concerns with some things that are going on, but many who say that worship is too emotional, or is brainwashing, say it out of fear, callousness, and pride. Pride prevents intimacy. In the same way that a kink in a water hose prevents water from gushing out, pride prevents a downpour of God's Spirit into your heart. A proud person can't be corrected and is unteachable. Pride elevates instead of lowers; it boasts instead of breaks. Pride is the greatest hindrance to a spiritual breakthrough. This is no doubt why 2 Chron. 7:14 begins with If My people humble themselves. It's been said that God has to break a man and cleanse a man before He can fill a man! If it's Important, it's Urgent In Mark 14:7, we discover the urgency of intimacy when Jesus said, For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. When it comes to pursuing God, it's not about perfection but affection. Worship is not an experience, it's a Person. Where do your affections lie? Do you value the time that is spent in worship, or would you prefer to hurry through it? Are your church services designed to wait on God and pursue Him, or to get congregants out before the line at the buffet forms? Unlike Martha in Luke 10, the woman previously mentioned chose worship over work. She chose waiting on God versus rushing through the experience. This also serves as a stark warning to workers: Don't let work replace worship. Many Workers Struggle with Worship After being in the ministry for over two decades, I have noticed that many workers, especially volunteers, tend to hide from worship with more work. They'll serve and serve but rarely do they have intimate moments with God. Instead of being in prayer meetings, they serve in other areas. Instead of being engaged in worship services, they find a project or task to be involved in. Worship is difficult because it exposes hypocrisy, challenges mediocrity, and lays us bare before God. It's not easy, but it is essential. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1055/29

A. The Severity of God (Ex. 12:29-33)B. The Steadfastness of God (Ex. 12:34-42)The Precision of God (Ex. 12:40,41), “…at the end of 430 years, on that very day…” (41)The Purposes of God (Gen. 12:2; 12:38), “…a mixed multitude also went up with them” (38)The Provision of God (Ex. 12:35,36; Gen. 15:14), “…thus they plundered the Egyptians” (36)

A. The Severity of God (Ex. 12:29-33) B. The Steadfastness of God (Ex. 12:34-42) The Precision of God (Ex. 12:40,41), “…at the end of 430 years, on that very day…” (41) The Purposes of God (Gen. 12:2; 12:38), “…a mixed multitude also went up with them” (38) The Provision of God (Ex. 12:35,36; Gen. 15:14), “…thus they plundered the Egyptians” (36)

Introduction to Grace      Grace is unmerited favor. It is the kindness one person grants to another who does not deserve it. Grace (χάρις charis) refers to “a beneficent disposition toward someone, favor, grace, gracious care/help, [or] goodwill.”[1] This definition speaks of the attitude of one who is characterized by grace. A gracious act is “that which one grants to another, the action of one who volunteers to do something not otherwise obligatory.”[2] Others may not understand or accept what is offered by grace, but this is not for want of attitude and action on the part of the giver, where the benefactor freely confers a blessing upon another and the kindness shown finds its source in the bounty and free-heartedness of the giver. Once grace is received, it can, in turn, lead to gracious acts to others (Matt 5:43-45; Luke 6:32-36). In this way, grace leads to grace. The Need for Grace      Everyone needs God's grace, because we are all born in sin. We are sinners in three ways: 1) we are sinners by imputation of Adam's original sin (Rom 5:12-21), 2) we are sinners by nature (Psa 51:5; Rom 7:19-21; Eph 2:3), and 3) we are sinners by choice (1 Ki 8:46; Rom 3:9-18). Adam's sin the Garden of Eden is the first and greatest of them all. Because of Adam's rebellion against God, sin and death entered the human race and spread throughout the universe (Rom 8:20-22). Paul wrote, “Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned [when Adam sinned]” (Rom 5:12), for “through one transgression [of Adam] there resulted condemnation to all men” (Rom 5:19a), and “by a man [Adam] came death, by a man [Jesus] also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all [who believe in Him] will be made alive” (1 Cor 15:21-22). All of Adam's descendants are born into this world spiritually dead in “trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1), and are by nature “children of wrath” (Eph 2:3), “separate from Christ…having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12), “alienated” from God (Col 1:21), helpless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies (Rom 5:6-10). From a biblical perspective, we are all born totally depraved. According to Lewis Chafer, “Theologians employ also the phrase total depravity, which does not mean that there is nothing good in any unregenerate person as seen by himself or by other people; it means that there is nothing in fallen man which God can find pleasure in or accept.”[3]Total depravity means we are helpless to save ourselves. Grace & Judgment      God's grace does not ignore righteousness or judgment. God is righteous and He must condemn sin. He can either condemn sin in the sinner, or in a substitute. According to Merrill F. Unger, “since God is holy and righteous, and sin is a complete offense to Him, His love or His mercy cannot operate in grace until there is provided a sufficient satisfaction for sin. This satisfaction makes possible the exercise of God's grace.”[4] Christ is our substitute. He bore the penalty of all our sins and satisfied every righteous demand of the Father, for “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” (1 John 2:2; cf. Rom 3:24-25; 1 John 4:10). God's grace follows from His judgment. According to Lewis Chafer, “grace is what God may be free to do and indeed what He does accordingly for the lost after Christ has died on behalf of them.”[5] God's love for sinners moved Him to provide a solution to the problem of sin, and that solution is Christ who died in our place. Once we have trusted in Christ for salvation—and trusted in Him alone—God is then free to bestow on us forgiveness and eternal life, as well as numerous other blessings that are beyond our imagination to grasp. For those who reject God's salvation by grace, they are left to trust in themselves and their own good works to gain entrance into heaven, and this will fail miserably for those who choose this course. In the end, these will be judged by their works, and because those works never measure up to God's perfect righteousness, they will be cast in the Lake of Fire forever (Rev 20:11-15). Common Grace & Special Grace      There is a common grace God extends to everyone, whether they are good or evil, and this does not depend on their understanding or attitude toward God or others. God simply extends grace to all, and all receive it. Jesus said of the Father, “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:45). Paul said, “In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways [in rebellion]; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:16-17). In these passages, God's grace is freely given to all, and this because He is gracious by nature.      However, there is special grace given to those who will welcome it. Special grace refers to those blessings that God freely confers upon those who, in humility, turn to Him a time of need. First, there is saving grace that God provides for the lost sinner who turns to Christ in faith alone (Eph 2:8-9). Second, there is a growing grace for the humble believer who studies and lives God's Word (2 Pet 3:18). Third, there is a grace God gives—a divine enablement—to help a believer cope with some life stress (2 Cor 12:7-10). Humility and positive volition are necessary requisites for those who would receive God's special grace, For “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet 5:5; cf. Jam 4:6). Saving Grace      God's grace is never cheap. Our salvation is very costly. Jesus went to the cross and died in our place and bore the punishment that rightfully belongs to us. He is righteous. I am a sinner. He paid my sin debt in full. There's nothing for me to add to what He accomplished. The sole condition of salvation is to believe in Christ as my Savior. He died for me, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4), and we know “that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again” (Rom 6:9). Salvation is not Jesus plus me. It's Jesus alone. He saves. My contribution to the cross was sin and death, as Jesus took my sin upon Himself and died in my place. Peter wrote, “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18). We are brought to God solely by the death of Christ. Salvation is never what I do for God; rather, it's what He's done for us through the cross of Christ. All of this consistent with the character of God, for He is gracious by nature. Scripture reveals, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex 34:6), and, “You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth” (Psa 86:15). God the Father is described as “the God of all grace” (1 Pet 5:10), who sits upon a “throne of grace” (Heb 4:16), who “gives grace to the afflicted” (Prov 3:34), and provides salvation “by grace” through faith in Jesus (Eph 2:8-9; cf. Acts 15:11; Rom 3:24). Jesus is said to be “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), and the Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of grace” (Heb 10:29). Grace is undeserved favor. It is the love, mercy, or kindness that one person freely confers upon another who deserves the opposite (Matt 5:44-45; Rom 11:6; Eph 1:6; 2:1-9; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 3:5-7). The kindness shown is rooted in the goodness and open-handedness of the giver. Jesus is an example of grace, in that He cared for others, healing and feeding many (Matt 4:24; 14:15-21), even to those who refused to show gratitude (Luke 17:12-19). He acted out of His own goodness, for the benefit of others, with a full knowledge the majority would reject Him and abuse His kindness (John 3:19; 12:37).      Good works have no saving merit before God (Isa 64:6; Rom 3:28; 4:1-5; Gal 2:16, 21; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5; cf. Phil 3:4-9). We cannot save ourselves any more than we can jump across the Grand Canyon or throw rocks and hit the moon. But God, because of His mercy and love toward us (John 3:16; Eph 2:3-7), did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He provided a solution to the problem of sin, and that solution is the cross of Christ (1 Cor 1:18). God the Son—the second Person of the Trinity—came into the world by human birth (Luke 1:26-35; John 1:1, 14), lived a perfectly righteous life (Matt 5:17), was always pleasing to the Father (John 8:29), and willingly died in our place and bore the punishment for our sins. Jesus lived the righteous life that God demands and committed no sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 John 3:5), and He died for us on the cross and paid the penalty for all our sins (Isa 53:1-12; Mark 10:45; Rom 5:6-10; 1 Pet 3:18; 1 John 2:2).      Jesus died once for all sin. And His sacrifice on the cross was a substitutionary death in which He paid the penalty for all our sins. Unlike the Old Testament animal sacrifices “which can never take away sins” (Heb 10:11), Jesus “offered one sacrifice for sins for all time” (Heb 10:12). This means there is nothing more to be offered for our salvation, for “by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (Heb 10:14). Jesus' atoning death on the cross was a one and done event. After Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, He said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). The phrase it is finished translates the Greek word τετέλεσται tetelestai, which is a perfect passive indicative of the Greek verb τελέω teleo, which means “to complete an activity or process, bring to an end, finish, complete.”[6] According to Edwin Blum, “Papyri receipts for taxes have been recovered with the word tetelestai written across them, meaning ‘paid in full.'”[7] It means whatever debt we owed to God has been paid in full, and there's no further payment required. This is why salvation is never by our good works (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16, 21; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5). Good works in the life of the Christian should follow salvation (Eph 2:10; Gal 6:9-10), but they are never the condition of it! When we trust in Christ as our Savior, we accept His payment for our sin-debt. He gets all the glory and we get all the benefit. And “having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1).      In order for us to be reconciled to God, we must simply trust in Jesus as our Savior (John 3:16; 20:30-31; Acts 4:12; 16:30-31). When we trust in Christ as our Savior, we are forgiven all our sins (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14), given eternal life (John 3:16; 10:27-28), and receive the righteousness of God as a free gift (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9). The cross is God's righteous solution to the problem of sin, as well as His greatest display of love toward sinners. At the cross, God judged our sin as His righteousness required, and pardons the sinner as His love desires. To understand the cross of Christ is to understand the heart of God toward a fallen world He wants to save. Christians are to Model Grace      As Christians, we display common grace to everyone and special grace to believers. Concerning unbelievers, Jesus told His disciples, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44). This is done by grace, for the enemy does not deserve the love extended to them. When believers show this kind of gracious love, we are acting like our Father in heaven, for He is unconditionally good to everyone (Matt 5:45). Paul communicated both common and special in his letter to the Galatians where he wrote, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people [common grace], and especially to those who are of the household of the faith [special grace]” (Gal 6:10). And, as Christians, our speech should be characterized by grace. Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col 4:6). This means our speech should be biblically attractive to others, especially those who are positive to God. Why Believers Show No Grace      One would think that grace would flow from grace. That is, those who are shown grace by God would show grace and mercy to others. Paradoxically, this is not always the case. I am amazed at Christians who welcome God's grace, but show no grace to others. Many are mean-spirited, condescending, harsh, unforgiving, and speak with a critical spirit. This is contrary to the character of God and the teaching of Scripture. When it comes to our sin and unworthiness, the truth of Scripture is, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities” (Psa 103:10). God has not treated us as we deserve. In fact, He treats us much better than we deserve; but again, that's grace. The Lord is a God who loves, forgives, and shows great compassion toward the undeserving and has done so toward us. Yet some believers refuse to give grace to others, who are themselves undeserving. Jonah, for example, was a prophet of God who became angry when the Lord showed grace to Israel's enemy, the Ninevites, and withheld judgment when they humbled themselves and repented of their sin (Jonah 3:1-10). Jonah became angry at God's display of grace, saying, “I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity” (Jonah 4:2). The contradiction is that Jonah personally enjoyed God's grace, but then selfishly wanted God to withhold it from others. I also think of the story Jesus told about a servant who owed a great debt, and when the man could not pay, he pleaded with his master, who felt compassion and graciously forgave his debt (Matt. 18:23-27). However, the man who had received forgiveness from his superior, later refused to forgive another man who owed him a very small amount (Matt. 18:28-30). The man who was shown grace refused to show grace to others, and the Lord called him “wicked” (Matt 18:32). I've often pondered why some, who rejoice in God's grace, refuse to show grace to others. I think there are several reasons. Ignorance of God and His Word. Some believers fail to understand grace as a characteristic of God (Ex 34:6; Psa 86:15; Prov 3:34; John 1:14; Eph 1:6; Heb 4:16; 10:29; 1 Pet 5:10), and that He directs His people to be gracious and loving to others (Matt 5:44-45; Luke 6:27-28; Col 4:6). Grace is not automatic in the Christian life. It must be learned and actively applied. As believers learn about God's grace, they can then actively share it with others. A legalistic mindset. Legalism is the belief that one can earn God's favor through religious practices and good works. This mindset prevents people from experiencing God's grace because they don't think they need it. Why would they? Their religious lives and good works lead them to think they've earned God's favor. But this has consequences in relationships with other people. If we earn God's favor, then naturally we'll only show favor to those we feel have earned it too. A judgmental spirit. It seems as though some people come out of the womb with a judge's gavel in their hand. These stand in the place of God rendering judgment on others according to their own arbitrary standards and expectations. Often this judgmental spirit takes the form of gossip, maligning, and badmouthing others. Such a critical spirit lacks the capacity to show grace because everyone is guilty, and some more than others. In some ways, running others down is a subtle form of self-praise. Arrogance. Arrogant people don't show grace. In fact, they lack the capacity because they're so self-absorbed, consumed with thinking about themselves and their own life, they have no room in their thinking and speech to show grace to others. I've heard it said that “arrogant people never see their own faults, only the faults of others,” and I think there's merit to the statement. Refusing to forgive. An unforgiving spirit makes it difficult to show grace. Forgiveness means we release someone from an offense or debt they owe us (or a debt we think they owe us). Forgiveness releases them from paying the penalty for their crime (real or imagined). Forgiveness does not mean continuing to tolerate abuse (physical, mental, sexual, etc.), but it means we continue to seek God's best in their life by prayer and biblical discussion. By refusing to forgive, we end up harboring hatred, and there's no room for grace in a hate-filled heart.      How do we overcome these obstacles to grace? First, it starts with knowing what the Bible teaches about the gracious character of God. We cannot live what we do not know, and knowledge of God's character and Word necessarily precedes living His will. We show grace only as we learn and experience it ourselves. Second, we must learn to see everyone from the biblical perspective, as undeserving of God's grace and love. Then, with eyes open, we choose to love the unlovely and show them grace. We treat them better than they deserve. We seek God's best in their lives. Third, learn to discipline the mind and will daily to think and act in grace. As we encounter unpleasant people, or those who have hurt us (i.e., family, friends, co-workers, etc.), we can consciously extend grace to them by showing love, kindness and mercy. Fourth, be ready to be hurt. Showing grace can be very difficult because it places us in a vulnerable spot where we may be hurt, sometimes on an ongoing basis. By faith we're okay with absorbing the pain others inflict, much like our Lord (1 Pet 2:21-24). We know God is with us, to shield and sustain us as we do His will (Psa 18:30; 55:22; Isa 41:10; Phil 4:6-7; Heb 4:16). Since we've tasted of the grace of God, let us also be gracious to others.   [1] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 1079. [2] Ibid., 1079. [3] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1993), 118–119. [4] Merrill F. Unger et al., “Grace” in The New Unger's Bible Dictionary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988), 504. [5] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, vol 7, 178. [6] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 997. [7] Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 340.

Acts 3:22-26 ESV 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.' 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” THE PROPHET We don't typically think of Moses in the same category as other "prophets", do we? Why? It's because he was so much more, such as, the rescuer and leader of Israel, a military commander, and the friend of God (Ex 33:11). But, He was as quoted by Peter. As a prophet, he was someone whom God tasked to tell others His words. Considering God had given Moses the Law, he may rightly be considered as Israel's greatest prophet aside from Jesus. Christians have varied views as to if there are still prophets in the world today. Since the completion of the canon of scriptures, that is when the books of the New Testament were decided upon, we can safely say that there are no more prophets like those found in the Bible. Today, God's revelation is complete to us through the Scriptures. Moses prophesied, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen."[Deut 18:15] Definitely, the ‘prophet like me' that Moses mentioned is Jesus. The Jews in Peter's audience knew to look for "the prophet," but they didn't know that this prophet was Jesus of Nazareth. Now, they're being admonished to show as true Jews by believing on Jesus. That they can't just call Jesus a good teacher or even a miracle worker. Peter told them, "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus" (Acts 3:13). Jesus said Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets will enter God's kingdom, but those who do not accept Him will be cast out (Luke 13:28). Thankfully, from this crowd, thousands of men plus women do believe (Acts 4:4). They understand that Jesus is the Messiah and following Him is the fulfillment of what Judaism had promised. Jesus affirmed that He is the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham (John 8:56). And, in Galatians 3 Paul specifies that Jesus is the One through whom the blessing of Abraham is given to all people. Salvation is by faith and made available both to Gentiles and Jews, not by law, but by the promise. Paul writes, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" (Gal 3:27–29). -------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Here, God helps Moses prepare the people to meet God Almighty.  

Focal Truth: God revealed to Moses to build the altar of sacrifice, the courtyard of the tabernacle & the continual burning of the lamp in the holy place

Around 4 years ago I had my first in-person conversation/debate with a member of the World Mission Society Church Of God. That member was Edgar. That conversation showed me how deeply deceptive this group's ideologies and doctrines were and it motivated me to seek to understand them and learn how to respond/refute their arguments, in hopes that I could help people escape. It was because of that conversation that I ultimately began making response videos to the WMSCOG on this YouTube channel, and so to now have him on the channel, doing an interview and helping me to counteract this group is very significant. Edgar was a passionate, devoted member of the World Mission Society Church Of God (WMSCOG) for 11 years. In this video he talks about why he left the WMSCOG and the many issues that he now sees with this cult group. Watch video version: https://youtu.be/Wji6ovwvN3w Find more of our content dealing with the WMSCOG: www.answeringthewmscog.com    Make a one time or recurring donation: https://bit.ly/3nN2nYD  SUPPORT GLS ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/greatlightstudios WEBSITE: http://greatlightstudios.com/ FILMS: https://greatlightstudios.com/films CONTACT US: contact@greatlightstudios.com  

Many people are believing in a half truth regarding God will never leave me nor forsake me.  Will you find these words in the bible?  Absolutely you will, BUT you will also find the rest of the story that unfortunately is being hidden by deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons propagated through man's teaching.We will examine the passages of scripture that states this truth, but also captures the rest of the promise and conditions for when God says He WILL Forsake You.  Some passages are:  Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and vs 16-18; 2 Chronicles 15:1-2 and 24:20-21.We will examine the example of Israel.  Whom God calls His firstborn (Exodus 4:22-23), My People (Ex 5:1), His Redeemed (Ex 6:6-8), brought them through the passover blood (Ex 12:13,23), brought them salvation (Ex 14:13) and Israel feared and believed in God (Ex 14:30-31).  But then after all of this God destroys them, Why?  What was the problem?  We review a summary of what God commanded them, what they did, and what God says was the problem.  Some passages reviewed are Deuteronomy 5:29; ch6, ch8, 10:12-16, 18:15-20; Acts 3:19-26; Deut 29:4, chapter 30.We examine the example God gives of how He will execute His promises and when He will change it, specifically the example God gives of Him being the potter and we being the clay in Jeremiah chapter 18.Next we look at the faith of Abraham and the conditional promises that aren't being taught.  Genesis 17:1-2, 18:17-19, 22:16-18, 26:4-5We then explore examples of other Kings and Solomon and the instruction from God.  1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 7:17-22, 1 Kings 8:23-25, 11:11-12; 2 Kings 18:11-12.  You will see that God called Solomon to be His son, that He would bless him.  The problem is Solomon ends up being rejected by God.Instruction in the Psalms and Proverbs regarding obedience to God and finding blessing.  Psalm 25:10, 37:27-31, 78:31-37; Proverbs 2:17-22.We look at the promise in Isaiah chapter 55 how to freely receive food and water from God without cost, for free!   We also examine the people in chapter 58 who are rejected by God even though they seek Him, long for His nearness, as a people of Righteousness, a people who Fast to God.  We end in the covenant promise with Christ reviewed in Jeremiah chapter 31 and 32.

Series: Dwell Guest Speaker: Pat Heston

Focal Truth: God provided for Israel as they followed Him

Do you ever feel like you're not being promoted in certain areas in your life? Have you been feeling ‘stuck' and motionless? In this message, Pastor Vlad goes into the story of Joshua as God revealed his purpose in life and the journey between them. We pray that this message will encourage you in the season you're in, no matter what it may be. May God minister to your heart and may you feel rejuvenated in your spirit. Notes: Joshua 3:7 Joshua 4:14 1. God's promotion follows God's process. 
Joshua served Moses - Ex 17:9; Ex 24:13-18 Joshua served God - Ex 33:11 Joshua spied out the land - Num 13:8 Joshua was Moses' successor - Num 27:18-23 2. God's promotion is not connected to a position but to the Presence. The process is you learning to be with God. The promotion is God's power being with you. 3. God's promotion is for God's purpose. John 15:2 Favor follows faithfulness. Favor leads to fruitfulness. Faithfulness blesses me. Fruitfulness blesses the world. Favor is not so that I can keep talking about my faithfulness but so that I can walk into my fruitfulness. Exaltation is for exploits.

Boulevard Bible Chapel

Cross TrainingStay Moldable as Christ's DiscipleRead or WatchAbraham Lincoln's biographer, Carl Sandberg, described him as "both steel and velvet ... as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog." Lincoln's steely will held the course through an awful civil war, because he believed it necessary, and based on a just cause. Yet with the victory won, as Robert E. Lee surrendered, Lincoln brought a gentler touch to his former enemies. He chose to "to bind up the nation's wounds" — rather than to rule with an iron fist. It reminds us of a biblical virtue that leaders — and all disciples — need today.We're Cross Training to develop our leadership, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Leadership comes when we follow Jesus, live with meekness, let our lights shine, and shepherd those around us. But what is meekness, and how does it shape our relationship with God, others, and our circumstances?What You Need to KnowA lot of folks seem to associate meekness with weakness. We might think of a meek person as a doormat that gets walked over. But Aristotle described prautes — the Greek word behind it — as the balance "between bad temper and spineless incompetence, between extreme anger and indifference" (TDNT). As misunderstood as meekness is, it's no wonder modern translators update it to "gentleness" (e.g. Gal. 5:23) or "humility" (Zeph. 2:3). It could describe a tamed and trained animal — even a mighty warhorse — whose fierce strength stays under the control of its rider. And so, as we surrender to God's will, we live with the quiet strength-under-control the Bible calls "meekness."Jesus the "meek and lowly" gives his meekness as a reason to follow him (Matt. 11:29-30). Which makes perfect sense, since a spirit of meekness lets a king have compassion on his people, giving mercy rather than always leading with a rod (cf. 1 Cor. 4:21). He leads his disciples into the blessedness of a meek life (Matt. 5:5) and wants our relationships defined by such a gracious, meek way with one another (Eph. 4:2).We can also learn a lot from Moses, who "was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). Moses seems hotheaded and out-of-control as a forty-year-old (Ex. 2:11-15). Then, as an eighty year old he seems so lowly he's broken down, too full of doubt to yield to God (Ex. 4:1, 10, 13). But through his continued service to God, Moses learned meekness — the humble strength to stand against Pharaoh (Ex. 5-14), and the patient gentleness to lead an obstinate people (Ex. 16).What You Need to DoKeep a meek and moldable mind when you hear God's word (James 1:19-21). Meekness epitomizes the ideal learner's attitude. Even the most mature among us can continue growing when we humbly receive instruction, yielding to its wisdom. The opposite of a meek learner is a defensive, stubborn heart — a perfect recipe for keeping you just as you are, hardening to the pain of correction, but also missing the gifts of growth.Be considerate, courteous, patient, and kind. Flying off the handle and impulsively fighting for our rights can get mistaken for strength. But that's the easy way, not the way of noble character. Meekness points to a different kind of wisdom, teaching us to empty ourselves rather than grasping at status (Phil. 2:5-7). The meek pursue harmony and prioritize people over selfish ambitions (James 3:13-18). They're "peaceable, gentle, open to reason" (James 3:17) and "look ... to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4).And finally, don't kick against God's direction. While Paul resisted the will of Christ, the Lord appeared to him and said "It is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14). A stubborn horse might fight against the stick used to prod them on. But what does the horse really gain? A lot of pain in their backside! And what do we gain from our "self-determination," when we resist the Lord's leadership? Pain and frustration where we could have God's peace and abundant grace! Our Lord desires to lead you, to bless you, and to mold you into his image, "both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 5:3-12; 11:25-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Col. 3:12-15; James 3:13-18Reflect (Tue) — Is there an area of my life where I'm fighting God rather than yielding?Request (Wed) — "Give me a heart of meekness. As I receive your implanted word, shape my life" (cf. James 1:21).Respond (Thu) — Place the words "blessed are the meek" in your pocket as a reminder today.Reach Out (Fri) — Where have you seen the beauty of meekness in others?Support the Show

Our Redeemer Reveals Himself in the Passover Lamb and Exodus SEE and TRUST Jesus, the Passover Lamb of God, God's own firstborn Son, who died in our place! 1-Needing the Lamb (Ex 11) 2-Choosing the Lamb (Ex 12:1-6) 3-Killing the Lamb and Applying the Blood to the Door (Ex 12:6-7) 4-Eating the Lamb (Ex 12:8-16,43-47) 5-Eating Unleavened Bread (Ex 12:17-20) 6-Trusting the Lamb (Ex 12:21-28) 7-Seeing the severity and the mercy of God (Ex 12:29-32) 8-Remembering God's Deliverance (Ex 12:33-42) The EXODUS 9-Celebrating with Strangers 12:43-50 10-Remembering the Strong Hand of the Lord (13:1-16) Worthy Is the Lamb….Christ, our Passover lamb

We discussed my review of the book Gay Girl Good God by Jackie Hill Perry and truth about misleading ex-gay testimonies.

Sermon Title: There Remains a Sabbath Rest for the People of God Sermon Series: The Ten Commandments Sermon Text: Exodus 20:8-11 Sermon Date: November 1, 2020 Preacher: Rev. Jonathan Foster

It was days before the cross, and the feast of Passover. Passover commemorates God's deliverance from bondage in Egypt. It is critical to know that the Jews were not simply being set free from slavery, but were being set free to worship God [Ex. 5:1]. It is not only, “Let my people go” but “Let my people go that they may worship me.” We to can be set free from slavery to sin, and set-free to worship God. What is worship? Worship is more than songs of praise, although they can be a great expression of worship. Worship involves passionate devotion, reverence and adoration. What does true worship look like? How do you become a worshiper? Today we'll find out…