Podcasts about god his son

October 6, 2024 Preparation for Worship Time for Gathering Opening Hymn “For All the Saints” For all the saints who from their labours rest Who Thee by faith before the world confessed Thy name O Jesus be forever blest Alleluia Alleluia Thou wast their Rock their Fortress and their Might Thou Lord their Captain in the well fought fight Thou in the darkness drear their one true Light Alleluia Alleluia O may Thy soldiers faithful true and bold Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old And win with them the victor's crown of gold Alleluia Alleluia O blest communion fellowship divine We feebly struggle they in glory shine Yet all are one in Thee for all are Thine Alleluia Alleluia From earth's wide bounds from ocean's farthest coast Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host Singing to Father Son and Holy Ghost Alleluia Alleluia Amen! Prayer of Praise Song of Worship Prayers of the Church Offering and Doxology Scripture Lesson John 5:1-18 Sermon Walk! The Lords Supper (The bread is gluten-free and the cup is alcohol free) Prayers of Thanksgiving and the Lord's Prayer Affirmation of Faith “The Apostle's Creed” I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church*, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen Closing Hymn “How Great Thou Art” O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder Thy pow'r thru'out the universe displayed Refrain Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee how great Thou art how great Thou art Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee how great Thou art how great Thou art When through the woods and forest glades I wander and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze [Refrain] And when I think that God His Son not sparing sent Him to die I scarce can take it in That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin [Refrain] When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim my God how great Thou art [Refrain] Benediction Fellowship • Sunday Morning Study: Forgiveness | 9 AM in the Sunshine Room • Sunday Prayer | 9:30 AM in the Sunshine Room • Monday Bible Study | 12 & 6 PM in the Sanctuary and via Zoom • Wednesday Issues Hour | 11 AM in the Fellowship Area and via Zoom • F3 Dinner Celebrating 3 Years: Thursday, October 17 | 5-7pm at Bellini's Restaurant. More details on flyer. Tickets $50/person to Nancy Thomas or Kathy LeTarte. • Thank you to Gloria Dominick for providing the cookies today.

Our position as God's children is established in Jesus by trusting what He has said is true. His power of love frees us from spiritual darkness and opens our eyes to the reality of belonging to God, of being His children and of entering His kingdom now. It is the same power by which He raised Jesus from the dead. That power has raised us up also. Listen to what is God saying in this meditation about who He is to you, what He has done for you, and who you are to Him. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this time of meditation, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

Our story begins with God. He has always been. There has never been a time when He didn't exist. Everything was made by Him and finds its purpose in Him, especially us. Before we were born, God has designs for us, a destiny that displays His kindness and grace, the power of life in love. Let these truths sink into your heart and mind as you listen today. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this time of meditation, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

Colossians 1:21-22 — Why is God's love amazing? It is not only because it is redemptive and transforming, but according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, God's love is amazing because of what it cost Him. God only forgives through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was by Jesus dying upon the cross of Calvary that God brought about redemption and forgiveness for His people. Salvation comes to all freely, but it cost God His Son upon the cross. Now all who believe in Jesus are freed from sin's power, wrath, and the condemnation of God. It is only the gospel of a crucified King that can overcome a sinful person's natural hatred of God. It is only Jesus's death on the cross that brings true peace and reconciliation with God. In this sermon on Colossians 1:21-22 titled “Love So Amazing,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that by sending Jesus to the cross, God not only saves individuals but brings about the redemption of the whole world. Jesus's death reverses all the effects of the fall and transforms this current evil world to the new heavens and the new earth.

Colossians 1:21-22 — Why is God's love amazing? It is not only because it is redemptive and transforming, but according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, God's love is amazing because of what it cost Him. God only forgives through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was by Jesus dying upon the cross of Calvary that God brought about redemption and forgiveness for His people. Salvation comes to all freely, but it cost God His Son upon the cross. Now all who believe in Jesus are freed from sin's power, wrath, and the condemnation of God. It is only the gospel of a crucified King that can overcome a sinful person's natural hatred of God. It is only Jesus's death on the cross that brings true peace and reconciliation with God. In this sermon on Colossians 1:21-22 titled “Love So Amazing,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that by sending Jesus to the cross, God not only saves individuals but brings about the redemption of the whole world. Jesus's death reverses all the effects of the fall and transforms this current evil world to the new heavens and the new earth. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29

Psalm 130 is the eleventh of the fifteen “Ascent Songs” or “Pilgrim Psalms”. It is also the sixth of the seven Penitential Psalms. The other six are Psalms 6; 32:1-11, 38:1-22, 51:1-19, 102:1-7, 143:1-12. These are psalms where the psalmist is crying out in repentance asking for mercy for his sins and iniquities. Psalm 130 emphasizes what God does for helpless people who cry out to Him for mercy. Perhaps the Jewish pilgrims used this psalm to confess their sins and seek God's forgiveness and blessing as they made their way to the sanctuary. No matter what our need, when we call upon the Lord in faith, He hears us and makes the changes needed in our lives. In verses 1-2, the picture is that of a person drowning and unable to stand on the bottom or swim to safety. The tense of the verb "cry" indicates that the writer had been crying in the past and continued to cry out as he wrote the psalm, because without God's merciful intervention, he would die. We can cry out to God from the depths of disappointment and defeat and from the depths of fear and perplexity. Like a heavy weight, sin drags its victims to the depths, but God made us for the heights (Isa. 40:31; Col. 3:1). In verses 3-4, the psalmist moved from the sea to the courtroom, but there the sinner could not stand because of guilt. The only way we can get rid of the sin record is to come to God for His gracious forgiveness, and this forgiveness is made possible because of the work of Christ on the cross (32:1-2; Rom. 4:1-8). Sinners cannot stand before the holy Judge and argue their own case (Ps. 1:5; 143:2; Ezra 9:15; Nah. 1:6; Mal. 3:2). But God is ready to forgive (Ps. 86:5; Neh. 9:17), and faith in the Savior brings forgiveness to the soul. God casts our sins behind His back and blots them out of His book (Isa. 38:17; 43:25; 44:22). He carries them away as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:11-12), casts them into the sea (Micah 7:19), and holds them against us no more (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 10:17). But forgiveness is not a blessing to be taken lightly, for it cost God His Son; therefore, we ought to love and fear God (Ps. 76:7). If you take seriously the guilt of sin, you will take seriously the grace of forgiveness. In verses 5-6, we move from the courtroom to the city walls where the watchmen are alert as they peer through the darkness to detect the approach of any danger. Nothing they do can make the sun come up any sooner, but when the day dawns, the guards rejoice that the city has been safe another night. When the Lord forgives sinners, it is for them the dawning of a new day as they move out of darkness into God's marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). The forgiven sinner is content to wait on the Lord for whatever He has planned for that day. This is not the waiting of hopeless resignation but of hopeful anticipation, for each new day brings new blessings from His hand (Ps. 119:74, 81, 82; Lam. 3:22-26). If you find yourself forgiven but still in the darkness, wait on the Lord and trust His Word, but do not try to manufacture your own light (Isa. 50:10-11). In verses 6-7, our final visit is to the slave market and the theme is redemption, which means "setting someone free by paying a price." Israel knew a great deal about God's redemption, for at the Exodus, God's power had set them free from Egyptian tyranny (Ex. 12-15). They had no hope and could not free themselves, but the Lord did it for them. He gave His people "abundant redemption" that included freedom from slavery, victory over their enemies, and a Promised Land for their home. The slave has no hope, but the child in the family looks forward to receiving an inheritance. All who trust Jesus Christ are children in God's family and not slaves, and their future is secure (Gal. 3:26-4:7). Today, as we watch and wait for His coming, despite what might be happening around us, we can also rejoice and say, “I am forgiven!!!! And in His Word I Do Hope!” God bless!

October 1, 2023 Preparation for Worship Time for Gathering Opening Hymn “Ancient Words” Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world They resound with God's own heart oh, let the ancient words impart Words of Life, words of Hope give us strength, help us cope In this world, where e'er we roam ancient words will guide us home Chorus: Ancient words ever true changing me and changing you We have come with open hearts oh, let the ancient words impart Holy words of our Faith handed down to this age Came to us through sacrifice oh heed the faithful words of Christ Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world They resound with God's own heart oh let the ancient words impart [Chorus] Prayer of Praise Song of Worship Prayers of the Church Offering and Doxology Scripture Lesson Mark 6:30-45 Sermon Time to Reset The Lords Supper (The bread is gluten-free and the cup is alcohol free) Prayers of Thanksgiving and the Lord's Prayer Closing Hymn “How Great Thou Art” O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder Thy pow'r thru'out the universe displayed Chorus: Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art how great Thou art Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art how great Thou art When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze [Chorus] And when I think that God His Son not sparing Sent Him to die I scarce can take it in That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin [Chorus] When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow in humble adoration And there proclaim my God how great Thou art [Chorus] Benediction: • New Study: How we Got the Bible – An 8 Week Study led by Pastor Dan: Sundays| 9 AM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom • Sunday Prayer: Sundays | 9:30 AM in the Church Office and via Zoom • Bible Study: Mondays | 12 & 6 PM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom • Fellowship Coffee Hour: Wednesdays | 10 AM in the Sanctuary, join us before Issues Hour for coffee and donuts • Issues Hour: Wednesdays | 11 AM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom • Men's Lunch: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 12:30PM at Blueberry's Café • Thank you to Kathy LeTarte for providing the cookies today. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/naplescommunitychurch/message

Our position as God's children is established in Jesus by trusting what He has said is true. His power of love frees us from spiritual darkness and opens our eyes to the reality of belonging to God, of being His children and of entering His kingdom now. It is the same power by which He raised Jesus from the dead. That power has raised us up also. Listen to what is God saying in this meditation about who He is to you, what He has done for you, and who you are to Him. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

Our story begins with God. He has always been. There has never been a time when He didn't exist. Everything was made by Him and finds its purpose in Him, especially us. Before we were born, God has designs for us, a destiny that displays His kindness and grace, the power of life in love. Let these truths sink into your heart and mind as you listen today. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

John Farley Pastor Teacher Sunday, February 26, 2023 "Father, glorify Your name" Joh 12:27-33 Joh 12:20-23 The hour had come for Jesus to be crucified, die, be raised from the dead, and return to the glory of His Father. Joh 12:27-28 We saw this when Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus. It shows His humanity. Now, He faces His own impending death. He will endure all this for the sake of His Father's name, that He may be glorified. In the Old Testament, He glorified His name in ways too numerous to mention. The glory of God is the revelation of His character and nature to His intelligent creations. Isa 40:4-5 The gospel of John shows the greatest manifestation of the glory of God: His Son. Joh 1:14 The Son glorifies the Father by... for full notes: http://www.lbible.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=1596

John Farley Pastor Teacher Sunday, February 26, 2023 "Father, glorify Your name" Joh 12:27-33 Joh 12:20-23 The hour had come for Jesus to be crucified, die, be raised from the dead, and return to the glory of His Father. Joh 12:27-28 We saw this when Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus. It shows His humanity. Now, He faces His own impending death. He will endure all this for the sake of His Father's name, that He may be glorified. In the Old Testament, He glorified His name in ways too numerous to mention. The glory of God is the revelation of His character and nature to His intelligent creations. Isa 40:4-5 The gospel of John shows the greatest manifestation of the glory of God: His Son. Joh 1:14 The Son glorifies the Father by... for full notes: http://www.lbible.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=1596

As we reflect upon our lives and determine what is important to us, it is critical that we realize that Jesus must be the center of our lives.  He must be the beginning of all things and the end of all things.  He can't be second place for us, and He can't be an afterthought.  He must be the foundation and center from which all other things flow from our lives.  Join us in this podcast as Kim Miller takes us through the scriptures and shows us God's will - to have Him first and foremost in our lives. Listen Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | Podbean Quotable Kim-isms “The things we love are easily seen.” “Salvation wasn't easy, it cost Jesus His life, and God His Son.” “Those who believe in God, have a responsibility to know who He is!” “Jesus is where you go for your help!” “When you come God thirsty, He will fill you.” “We have a power in us to resist anything the world may throw at us.” “Choose Jesus every day.” Mentioned in this Episode Revelation 21:5-6 Exodus 20:3 Luke 4:8 Matthew 6:33 Matthew 22:37 Social | Facebook | Instagram This podcast is brought to you by Woman at the Well Ministries and is supported by our faithful listeners. For more information and to engage with Woman at the Well Ministries, visit us at http://www.watwm.org or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/watwm. 

Our position as God's children is established in Jesus by trusting what He has said is true. His power of love frees us from spiritual darkness and opens our eyes to the reality of belonging to God, of being His children and of entering His kingdom now. It is the same power by which He raised Jesus from the dead. That power has raised us up also. Listen to what is God saying in this meditation about who He is to you, what He has done for you, and who you are to Him. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

Our story begins with God. He has always been. There has never been a time when He didn't exist. Everything was made by Him and finds its purpose in Him, especially us. Before we were born, God has designs for us, a destiny that displays His kindness and grace, the power of life in love. Let these truths sink into your heart and mind as you listen today. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

     According to Scripture, all mankind is fallen, corrupted by sin, and our natural proclivity is to think and act in conformity with Satan's world-system, which is everywhere and always at odds with God and His plan.      The book of Genesis reveals that God created Adam perfect and assigned him to serve as His theocratic administrator over His creation. This meant Adam was to exercise responsible dominion over the creation (Gen 1:26-30; 2:7-8, 15-17), and Eve was created to help him, to stand with him to do God's will (Gen 2:18-25). But Satan, possessing a serpent—a subordinate creature that would have posed little threat to Adam and Eve—tempted them to act contrary to God and His commands. Henry Morris says, “Demonic spirits evidently have the ability, under certain conditions, to indwell or ‘possess' either human bodies or animal bodies (Luke 8:33); and Satan on this occasion chose the serpent as the one most suitable for his purposes.”[1] The serpent here is identified as “the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (Rev 12:9; cf. Rev 20:2).      Satan was shrewd and intentional in his attack as he approached the woman and questioned her understanding of God's command, asking, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden?'” (Gen 3:1). And Eve answered, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'” (Gen 3:2-3). According to Allen Ross, “Eve disparaged the privileges, added to the prohibition, and weakened the penalty—all seen by contrasting her words (Gen. 3:3) with God's original commands (2:16-17).”[2]      When Satan heard Eve misrepresent God's instructions (Gen 2:16-17), he boldly advanced his argument, saying, “You surely will not die!” (Gen 3:4), calling God a liar, stating, “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:4-5). Satan's argument was that God was withholding divinity from Adam and Eve, and if they were willing to eat the fruit, they could be like God, which was the same mental attitude sin committed by Lucifer at his fall (Isa 14:12-14). Here, Eve was confronted with an antithetical claim to what the Lord had told her, but rather than seek the Lord about the matter, she let Satan convince her to abandon faith in God and operate independently of Him. The influence of Satan brought an epistemological shift in Eve's thinking, and rather than seeing the tree from the divine perspective as harmful, she saw it as attractive, that is “was good for food…a delight to the eyes…[and] desirable to make one wise” (Gen 3:6a). Being deceived by Satan's argument, “she took from its fruit and ate” (Gen 3:6b; 1 Tim 2:14). Eve then “gave also to her husband with her, and he ate” (Gen 3:6c), and Satan's strategy to advance his kingdom of darkness and take possession of the world and humanity was complete.      Adam and Eve became aware of their failure, as “the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings” (Gen 3:7). Remembering they were to “multiply and fill the earth” (Gen 1:28), According to Morris, Adam and Eve “realized that the very fountainhead of human life had now become corrupted by their disobedience and they became acutely aware of their nakedness. Their children would all be contaminated with the seed of rebellion, so that their feeling of guilt centered especially on their own procreative organs.”[3]      Spiritual death (i.e., separation from God) brought an irrational shift in their theology as well as their behavior as they sought to hide from the Lord (Gen 3:8-9), saying, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself” (Gen 3:10; cf. Jer 23:24).      When confronted about their sin (Gen 3:11), Adam blamed his wife as well as God, saying, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate” (Gen 3:12), and Eve blamed the creature, saying, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Gen 3:13). Hiding from God and shifting blame for sin are common characteristics of mankind's fallenness.      The serpent was judged by God and physically changed to crawl on its belly as a perpetual reminder to mankind about the fall (Gen 3:14). Here, the curse was actually against Satan, who possessed the serpent, as the Lord declared, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel” (Gen 3:15). Having brought Adam and Eve under his control, it is possible Satan thought he would gain total control over all their children, but the Lord had other plans and made it known to Satan there would be “enmity” between him and the woman, as well as his “seed and her seed; [and] he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” This verse is commonly referred to as the protoevangelium—the first gospel—because God promised there would come a “seed” from the woman's line who would defeat Satan and disrupt his kingdom.[4]      God pronounced judgment upon Adam, Eve and the creation. Eve's judgment was that she would have increased “pain in childbirth” and that her husband would “rule over her” (Gen 3:16), and the ground that Adam was to cultivate would be cursed, and “in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life” (Gen 3:17-19).      Though atheists and liberal theologians treat the first eleven chapters of Genesis as myth, the NT writers treat Adam and Eve as historical persons and the fall as literal. Luke traces Jesus' genealogy back to Adam (Luke 3:38), and Jesus based His argument on marriage on the first human couple (Matt 19:4-6). Paul also states, “I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). And Paul wrote, “it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression” (1 Tim 2:14). Paul argued that through Adam “sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Rom 5:12; cf. 1 Cor 15:21). And all humanity is said either to be in Adam or in Christ, and this determines whether we are spiritually alive or dead, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Cor 15:22). Adam's sin brought corruption and decay into the whole universe, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now” (Rom 8:20-22). We now live in a very flawed world with sinful people and all sorts of problems. Henry Morris comments: "Things are not 'very good' in the world now! In the physical realm, everything tends to run down and wear out. In the living world, each animal is engaged in a perpetual struggle against other animals and against disease, as well as the universal process of aging and death. Culturally, one civilization after another seems to rise for a time, then decline and die. In the spiritual and moral realm, each individual invariably finds it easier to do wrong than right, easier to drift downward than to struggle upward. The world is full of hatred, crime, war, pollution, selfishness, corruption—evil of all kinds. Something has gone wrong with God's perfect creation."[5] The Effects of the Fall      The historic fall of Adam and Eve fundamentally changed the human race and the world, resulting in disease, decay and death among all living things, and that the tendency of humanity is to behave in a spiritually and morally corrupt manner, suppressing God's truth and rejecting His solutions to life's problems. Understanding this helps us make sense of the world in which we live and why people behave the way they do.      Sin is a dominant theme from Genesis chapter three to the end of the Bible, at which time God will do away with sin and its effects, creating a “new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13; cf. Rev 21:1). The word sin is found throughout Scripture, and both the Hebrew and Greek share the same basic meaning. The Hebrew word חָטָא chata means “to miss the target, or to lose the way,”[6] and the Greek ἁμαρτάνω hamartano is defined as “miss the mark, err, or do wrong.”[7] Sin is when we transgress God's law and depart from His intended path.[8] The apostle John states, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Merrill Unger writes, “The underlying idea of sin is that of law and of a lawgiver. The lawgiver is God. Hence sin is everything in the disposition and purpose and conduct of God's moral creatures that is contrary to the expressed will of God (Rom 3:20; 4:15; 7:7; Jam 4:12, 17).”[9]      Sin impacts all things including family life, nature, economics, society, law, politics, science, education, etc. All sin and evil exist in connection with the willful creatures who manufacture it, and its effects can be short or long-lasting. Even the creation is cursed because of Adam's sin, as the Lord told him, “Cursed is the ground because of you” (Gen 3:17), to which Paul added, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now” (Rom 8:20-22). Sin negatively impacts everyone and everything, and no one was impacted or hurt more by sin than God. On several occasions we read, “The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (Gen 6:6), and though God loved Israel, their ongoing sin “grieved His Holy Spirit” (Isa 63:10). As Christians, we are commanded, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30). Sin ultimately cost God His Son, who came into the world and died on a cross in order to atone for it (Mark 10:45; John 3:16; 10:14-18; Rom 8:32; 1 John 4:10), and to set us free from spiritual slavery (Rom 6:6; Gal 5:1; Heb 2:14-15).      The Bible reveals we are sinners in Adam, sinners by nature, and sinners by choice. To be a sinner in Adam means we sinned when he sinned, that his fallen position is our fallen position, and his guilt is our guilt (Gen 2:16-17; 3:1-24; Rom 5:12; 1 Cor 15:21-22). This is commonly referred to as original sin. Since the fall of Adam, every person is born with a sin nature (except Jesus),[10] and it is this nature that internally motivates people to rebel against all legitimate forms of authority, both human and divine. More so, the sin nature is not eradicated from the believer during his time on earth, nor is it ever reformed, as though it can be made to love God. To be a sinner by nature means it's our innate tendency to sin (Jer 17:9; Matt 7:11; Rom 7:18-21; Eph 2:1-3). To be a sinner by choice means we personally choose to act contrary to God and His revealed will (1 Ki 8:46; Prov 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Isa 53:6; Rom 3:10-12; 1 John 1:10). Cumulatively these reveal that we are totally depraved, which means sin permeates and corrupts every aspect of our being, including our mind, will, sensibilities and flesh. Though we may be moral to the best of our ability and others may applaud us for our good deeds, our best efforts are tainted by sin and have no saving merit before God (Isa 64:6; Rom 4:1-5; 5:6-10; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5).      One of the major areas where sin impacts us is in the mind, which theologians refer to as the noetic effects of sin. This means sin impacts our ability to think rationally, especially about God, who has made Himself known through general revelation (Psa 19:1-2; Rom 1:18-20) and special revelation (1 Cor 14:37; 1 Tim 5:18; 1 Th 2:13; 2 Tim 3:16-17). The majority of people throughout history think evil thoughts and are consumed with themselves and their own agendas rather than God's will. Of Noah's generation it is said, “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5). Later, Solomon declared, “the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives” (Eccl 9:3). And Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer 17:9). And Jesus Himself spoke of the human condition, saying, “for out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, [and] slanders” (Matt 15:19). One would think that when Jesus came into the world that mankind would rejoice in His light; however, Scripture provides a different picture, telling us, “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19; cf. 1:4-5). When talking to religious Pharisees, Jesus declared, “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word” (John 8:43). This is true of all unbelievers, for “the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor 2:14). Even something as simple as the Gospel message is “foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Cor 1:18), in whose case “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor 4:3-4). The tendency of fallen people who operate on negative volition is to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18), and to operate by a worldly wisdom that is not “from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic” (Jam 3:15).      At the moment of salvation, God the Holy Spirit indwells us and gives us a new nature that, for the first time in our lives, has the desire and capacity to obey God; however, the sin nature is not removed, and so we experience ongoing internal conflict between these opposing natures (Gal 5:17; Rom 7:14-23). As Christians, we are directed to “lay aside the old self…and put on the new self which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph 4:22, 24). Since we have been “born again” and given new life (1 Pet 1:3, 23), the sin nature no longer has domineering power over us, and we can choose a life of righteousness (Rom 6:5-13). As we grow spiritually, we will be transformed from the inside out and gradually become more and more righteous as we walk with God. Sinless perfection will not be attained until we leave this world, by death or by Rapture, and are “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom 8:29), who will “transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Phi 3:21). Until then, we are commanded to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Rom 13:14). We do this by choosing to live according to the Spirit's guiding, and starving the monster that is our sin nature. To “make no provision for the flesh” means we stop exposing ourselves to the things of the world that excite the flesh and lead to sinful behavior. The positive action is to grow spiritually with biblical teaching (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), Christian fellowship (Heb 10:23-25), selfless living (Phil 2:3-4), prayer (1 Th 5:17), worship (Heb 13:15), and doing good (Gal 6:10; Heb 13:16). It is only by spiritual growth and drawing closer to God that we learn to glorify the Lord and live in righteousness.   [1] Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1976), 108. [2] Allen P. Ross, “Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 32. [3] Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record, 115. [4] Of course, we know this to be Jesus, the Messiah (Luke 1:26-33), and His victory occurred at the cross, where “the ruler of this world has been judged” and defeated (John 16:11; cf. Col 2:15; Heb 2:14; 1 John 3:8). Satan and his angels will eventually be cast into the Lake of Fire (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10). [5] Henry M. Morris, The Genesis Record, 105. [6] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 305. [7] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 49. [8] In Judges 20:16 the Hebrew word is used of skilled soldiers who do not miss their target, and in Proverbs 19:2 of a man who hurries and misses his way. [9] Merrill F. Unger and E. McChesney, “Sin,” ed. R.K. Harrison, The New Unger's Bible Dictionary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988), 1198. [10] According to Scripture, Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21), was “without sin” (Heb 4:15), and “in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). His sinless life qualified Him as a perfect sacrifice to go to the cross and die as a substitute for others (Rom 5:6-10; Heb 10:1-14; 1 Pet 3:18).

Everything that matters is hard. Everything that matters is costly. Anything worth something will cost you. So there is a disconnect when we hear that Salvation is free because after all, Salvation costs us nothing! It's free to us, but it cost the giver something. It cost Jesus His life - It cost God His Son. So while Salvation is the free gift of God, there was a price paid. And since there was such a great price paid, it is our responsibility, our obligation, and our privilege to hold that gift close to our heart. To commit our life to it.

Merry Christmas!!

Salvation is free, but it's not cheap. It cost God His Son. It cost Jesus His dignity. In our further study of the layout of the Tabernacle, Dr. McGee points out the symbolism of the gate of the outer court. The three entrances represented Jesus as being the Way, Truth, and Life to the children of Israel as a nation, as individuals, and to us today.

Salvation is free, but it's not cheap. It cost God His Son. It cost Jesus His dignity. In our further study of the layout of the Tabernacle, Dr. McGee points out the symbolism of the gate of the outer court. The three entrances represented Jesus as being the Way, Truth, and Life to the children of Israel as a nation, as individuals, and to us today.

Our position as God's children is established in Jesus by trusting what He has said is true. His power of love frees us from spiritual darkness and opens our eyes to the reality of belonging to God, of being His children and of entering His kingdom now. It is the same power by which He raised Jesus from the dead. That power has raised us up also. Listen to what is God saying in this meditation about who He is to you, what He has done for you, and who you are to Him. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VF2A36M8RWHY6&source=url Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

Our story begins with God. He has always been. There has never been a time when He didn't exist. Everything was made by Him and finds its purpose in Him, especially us. Before we were born, God has designs for us, a destiny that displays His kindness and grace, the power of life in love. Let these truths sink into your heart and mind as you listen today. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. If you are encouraged by this podcast, please consider supporting us: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VF2A36M8RWHY6&source=url Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Phil Reaser

July 25, 2021 Preparation for Worship Time for Gathering Opening Hymn “To God Be The Glory” 1 To God be the glory great things He has done So loved He the world that He gave us His Son Who yielded His life an atonement for sin And opened the life gate that all may go in Refrain: Praise the Lord praise the Lord let the earth hear His voice Praise the Lord praise the Lord let the people rejoice O come to the Father through Jesus the Son And give Him the glory great things He has done 2 O perfect redemption the purchase of blood To every believer the promise of God The vilest offender who truly believes That moment from Jesus a pardon receives [Refrain] 3 Great things He has taught us Great things He has done And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son But purer and higher and greater will be Our wonder our transport when Jesus we see [Refrain] Prayer of Praise Song of Worship Prayers of the Church and the Prayer of our Lord Offering and Doxology Scripture Lesson Romans 1:16-23 Page 857 Sermon Shameless Faith Closing Hymn “How Great Thou Art” 1 O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made I see the stars I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art how great Thou art 2 And when I think of God His Son not sparing Sent Him to die I scarce can take it in That on the Cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art how great Thou art 3 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And lead me home what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow with humble adoration And then proclaim my God how great Thou art Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art how great Thou art Benediction: Sunday Prayer: Sundays @ 9:30 AM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom. Mtg. ID: 937-7770-4424 Passcode: 962669 Issues Hour: Wednesdays @ 11:00 AM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom Mtg. ID: 964-4262-3653 Passcode: 790381 Church brunch: Sunday, August 15th @ the Boathouse on Naples Bay, 990 Broad Ave. Birthdays! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/naplescommunitychurch/message

Are you struggling to increase your faith? The sin of unbelief is commonly overlooked by most of us and will hinder our growth as faithful Christians. One reason for this is that unbelief is subtle; it's not a surface issue, but part and parcel to the normal veil covering our minds.Unbelief has far-reaching consequences. One of them is an inevitable outcome: Jesus thrown off a cliff of rejection and indifference.And though unbelief is subtle at first, it's a crucial issue to address and one we all need to consider carefully. That is if we want Jesus in our lives with the same intensity as He when he was on earth. For full show notes go to hopesharbor.netHope's HarborGritty Bible DevotionsEpisode #5Title: Heart and Mind of Jesus – Do I Believe? Lesson 4The Inevitable OutcomeDate: 5/3/2021Contact: info@hopesharbor.netKey verse(s): And all bore Him witness and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? Intro: The sin of unbelief is commonly overlooked by most of us. ·         One reason for this is unbelief is subtle. ·         It's not a surface issue and it's part and parcel of the normal veil covering the minds of men.·         But listen, unbelief is a heinous sin. ·         Its inevitable outcome is to throw Jesus off a cliff of rejection and indifference.Devotion focus: The Outcome and Cost of Unbelief – what you will do and how you pay.·         You know how it's said nothing's free? It's true. ·         Even when something is offered free, like salvation, what is offered costs someone something and then they choose to give it away.·         Like God did with the offer to forgive us. To become God's child through a new spiritual birth costs us nothing. ·         But it cost God His Son. It cost Jesus His life.·         And the way He paid was through horrific suffering on our behalf.·         Considering all God paid, all Jesus paid, all the Holy Spirit paid, yes, He was at the cross, too. And considering the cost for our freedom reveals why unbelief is so hateful to God.·         As far as I can tell from studying unbelief it has as its core the statement to God that after all He did for us, ever did, is not enough.·         How this relates to the lesson is found in Luke 4:18-22.·         From this passage, we'll see first the doubt of those involved and then the outcome of their unbelief:Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,·         Let's stop and consider something: What did Jesus say so farLuke 4:19 - To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:20 - And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. Luke 4:21 - And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:22 - And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of h

Colossians 1:21-22 — Why is God’s love amazing? It is not only because it is redemptive and transforming, but according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, God’s love is amazing because of what it cost Him. For God only forgives through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was by Jesus dying upon the cross of Calvary that God brought about redemption and forgiveness for His people. Salvation comes to us freely, but it cost God His Son upon the cross. Now, all who believe in Jesus are freed from sin's power, wrath, and the condemnation of God. It is only the Gospel of a crucified King that can overcome sinful man’s natural hatred of God. It is only Jesus’ death on the cross that brings true peace and reconciliation with God. In this sermon on Colossians 1:21-22, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that God, by sending Jesus to the cross, not only saves individuals but brings about the redemption of the whole world. Jesus’ death reverses all the effects of the Fall and transforms this current evil world to the new heavens and the new earth. Do you know God’s love? Listen and learn how you can today.

Let’s face it, the world is on fire these days. The Good News of the Bible is, it always has been! Repentance is the only way to put out the fire in our own hearts. That’s what Christ is saving us for, and people who embrace Christ’s cross is the bucket of water we need to get started. Like and share with a thirsty word today! Christ is saving us even now, are we prepared for that? Am I?! Glory to God His Son is!

Our position as God's children is established in Jesus by trusting what He has said is true. the power of love frees us from darkness and opens our eyes to the reality of belonging to God, of being His children and of entering His kingdom now. It is the same power by which He raised Jesus from the dead. That power has raised us up also. What is God saying in this meditation about who He is to you, what He has done for you, and who you are to Him. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit www.cfonorthamerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Nancy Holland, and Adam Maddock

Our story begins with God. He has always been. There has never been a time when He didn't exist. Everything was made by Him and finds its purpose in Him, especially us. Before we were born, God has designs for us, a destiny that displays His kindness and grace, the power of life in love. Daylight Meditations is a daily podcast from CFO North America. Please visit www.cfonorthamerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and online courses. Contributors: Michelle DeChant, Nancy Holland, and Adam Maddock

     The purpose of this lesson is to show how the historic fall of Adam and Eve fundamentally changed the human race and the world, resulting in disease, decay and death among all living things, and that the tendency of humanity is to behave in a spiritually and morally corrupt manner, suppressing God’s truth and rejecting His solutions to life’s problems.      Sin is a dominant theme from Genesis chapter three to the end of the Bible, at which time God will do away with sin and its effects, creating a “new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13; cf. Rev 21:1). The word sin is found throughout Scripture, and both the Hebrew and Greek share the same basic meaning. The Hebrew word חָטָא chata means “to miss the target, or to lose the way,”[1] and the Greek ἁμαρτάνω hamartano is defined as “miss the mark, err, or do wrong.”[2] Sin is when we transgress God’s law and depart from His intended path.[3] The apostle John states, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). “The underlying idea of sin is that of law and of a lawgiver. The lawgiver is God. Hence sin is everything in the disposition and purpose and conduct of God’s moral creatures that is contrary to the expressed will of God (Rom 3:20; 4:15; 7:7; Jam 4:12, 17).”[4]      Sin impacts all things including family life, nature, economics, society, law, politics, science, education, etc. All sin and evil exist in connection with the willful creatures who manufacture it, and its effects can be short or long-lasting. Even the creation is cursed because of Adam’s sin, as the Lord told him, “Cursed is the ground because of you” (Gen 3:17), to which Paul added, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now” (Rom 8:20-22). Sin negatively impacts everyone and everything, and no one was impacted or hurt more by sin than God. On several occasions we read, “The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart” (Gen 6:6), and though God loved Israel, their ongoing sin “grieved His Holy Spirit” (Isa 63:10). As Christians, we are commanded, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30). Sin ultimately cost God His Son, who came into the world and died on a cross in order to atone for it (Mark 10:45; John 3:16; 10:14-18; Rom 8:32; 1 John 4:10), and to set us free from spiritual slavery (Rom 6:6; Gal 5:1; Heb 2:14-15).      The Bible reveals we are sinners in Adam, sinners by nature, and sinners by choice. To be a sinner in Adam means we sinned when he sinned, that his fallen position is our fallen position, and his guilt is our guilt (Gen 2:16-17; 3:1-24; Rom 5:12; 1 Cor 15:21-22). This is commonly referred to as original sin. Since the fall of Adam, every person is born with a sin nature (except Jesus),[5] and it is this nature that internally motivates people to rebel against all legitimate forms of authority, both human and divine. More so, the sin nature is not eradicated from the believer during his time on earth, nor is it ever reformed, as though it can be made to love God. To be a sinner by nature means it’s our innate tendency to sin (Jer 17:9; Matt 7:11; Rom 7:18-21; Eph 2:1-3). To be a sinner by choice means we personally choose to act contrary to God and His revealed will (1 Ki 8:46; Prov 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Isa 53:6; Rom 3:10-12; 1 John 1:10). Cumulatively these reveal that we are totally depraved, which means sin permeates and corrupts every aspect of our being, including our mind, will, sensibilities and flesh. Though we may be moral to the best of our ability and others may applaud us for our good deeds, our best efforts are tainted by sin and have no saving merit before God (Isa 64:6; Rom 4:1-5; 5:6-10; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:5).      One of the major areas sin impacts us is in the mind, which theologians refer to as the noetic effects of sin. This means sin impacts our ability to think rationally, especially about God, who has made Himself known through general revelation (Psa 19:1-2; Rom 1:18-20) and special revelation (1 Cor 14:37; 1 Tim 5:18; 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 3:16-17). The majority of people throughout history think evil thoughts and are consumed with themselves and their own agendas rather than God’s will. Of Noah’s generation it is said, “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen 6:5). Later, Solomon declared, “the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives” (Eccl 9:3). And Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer 17:9). And Jesus Himself spoke of the human condition, saying, “for out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, [and] slanders” (Matt 15:19). One would think that when Jesus came into the world that mankind would rejoice in His light; however, Scripture provides a different picture, telling us, “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19; cf. 1:4-5). When talking to religious Pharisees, Jesus declared, “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word” (John 8:43). This is true of all unbelievers, for “the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor 2:14). Even something as simple as the Gospel message is “foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Cor 1:18), in whose case “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor 4:3-4). The tendency of fallen people who operate on negative volition is to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18), and to operate by a worldly wisdom that is not “from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic” (Jam 3:15).      At the moment of salvation, God the Holy Spirit indwells us and gives us a new nature that, for the first time in our lives, has the desire and capacity to obey God; however, the sin nature is not removed, and so we experience ongoing internal conflict between these opposing natures (Gal 5:17; Rom 7:14-23). As Christians, we are directed to “lay aside the old self…and put on the new self which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph 4:22, 24). Since we have been “born again” and given new life (1 Pet 1:3, 23), the sin nature no longer has domineering power over us, and we can choose a life of righteousness (Rom 6:5-13). As we grow spiritually, we will be transformed from the inside out and gradually become more and more righteous as we walk with God. Sinless perfection will not be attained until we leave this world, by death or by Rapture, and are “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom 8:29), who will “transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Phi 3:21). Until then, we are commanded to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Rom 13:14). We do this by choosing to live according to the Spirit’s guiding, and starving the monster that is our sin nature. To “make no provision for the flesh” means we stop exposing ourselves to the things of the world that excite the flesh and lead to sinful behavior. The positive action is to grow spiritually with biblical teaching (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), Christian fellowship (Heb 10:23-25), selfless living (Phil 2:3-4), prayer (1 Thess 5:17), worship (Heb 13:15), and doing good (Gal 6:10; Heb 13:16). It is only by spiritual growth and drawing closer to God that we learn to glorify the Lord and live in righteousness.   [1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 305. [2] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 49. [3] In Judges 20:16 the Hebrew word is used of skilled soldiers who do not miss their target, and in Proverbs 19:2 of a man who hurries and misses his way. [4] Merrill F. Unger and E. McChesney, “Sin,” ed. R.K. Harrison, The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988), 1198. [5] According to Scripture, Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21), was “without sin” (Heb 4:15), and “in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). His sinless life qualified Him as a perfect sacrifice to go to the cross and die as a substitute for others (Rom 5:6-10; Heb 10:1-14; 1 Pet 3:18).

The Book of Acts shows us how God has chosen the church as His missionary to invite the world to know Him through Jesus Christ. Tells us that God is the God of love. How do I know He loves me? God tells me He lives in me. Now can any other faith tell you that? Only the Holy Trinity -the God we believe. God in heaven sent God-His Son to die on the cross, The Son rises & ascends back to heaven, sends the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Are you in love with this Triune God? I am, because I experience it everyday -He walks with me & guides me. He loves me supremely and makes His home in me. May you love this God! When you read this book, may you not just see Paul & Peter- but see God, planning to work in you.

Gift of God: His Son

When the disciples returned after Jesus had sent them out to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and the cast out devils. He asked them two significant questions. One was, “Who do men say that I the Son of man am?” The other, “Who do you say that I Am?” The first they immediately answered, that the people thought that Jesus was a prophet like Jeremiah, John the Baptist or even Elijah. This showed how folks viewed of Jesus. Their knowledge of Him was limited to that of Old Testament prophetic ministry, and of course Jesus Christ is greater than a prophet. You Are The Christ, The Son of God Then He directed the second question directly to them, “Who do you say that I the Son of man am?” They knew who He was. But when He asked them pointedly, a holy hush fell where they had gathered. No one dared to utter His true identity, except Peter. I imagine as Peter broke the silence, standing up in their midst and boldly declaring, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Why was the answer to this question so imperative to Jesus? And why is it still vital today? Your answer to Christ’s question is more than a reply because you can only know it by revelation. When Peter confessed that He was the Christ. Jesus said, “Flesh and blood didn’t reveal it to you, but My Father in heaven did.” Did you know that everything hinges on us receiving revelation from the Father of who His Son is? Your revelation of Jesus determines your level of faith and your spiritual growth. This revelation will determine how you see everything in life, through the lens of who Christ is. That is why there are spiritual religious forces trying to block, and even distort the Testimony God has of His Son. Paul said, “Had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.” But it’s too late for them, the Testimony of God is here. The Son of God is here, and all those that carry this testimony boldly declare Christ, not being fearful to lose their lives. Are you like that? Let’s preach the Testimony of God! The Father's testimony of His Son: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him." The Written Word bears the testimony of God about the Son of God, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Holy Spirit bears the testimony of the Son of God. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26). And you too should declare God’s testimony of His Son with signs and wonders following. Enjoy this podcast, The Testimony of God: His Son

When the disciples returned after Jesus had sent them out to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and the cast out devils. He asked them two significant questions. One was, “Who do men say that I the Son of man am?” The other, “Who do you say that I Am?” The first they immediately answered, that the people thought that Jesus was a prophet like Jeremiah, John the Baptist or even Elijah. This showed how folks viewed of Jesus. Their knowledge of Him was limited to that of Old Testament prophetic ministry, and of course Jesus Christ is greater than a prophet. You Are The Christ, The Son of God Then He directed the second question directly to them, “Who do you say that I the Son of man am?” They knew who He was. But when He asked them pointedly, a holy hush fell where they had gathered. No one dared to utter His true identity, except Peter. I imagine as Peter broke the silence, standing up in their midst and boldly declaring, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Why was the answer to this question so imperative to Jesus? And why is it still vital today? Your answer to Christ’s question is more than a reply because you can only know it by revelation. When Peter confessed that He was the Christ. Jesus said, “Flesh and blood didn’t reveal it to you, but My Father in heaven did.” Did you know that everything hinges on us receiving revelation from the Father of who His Son is? Your revelation of Jesus determines your level of faith and your spiritual growth. This revelation will determine how you see everything in life, through the lens of who Christ is. That is why there are spiritual religious forces trying to block, and even distort the Testimony God has of His Son. Paul said, “Had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.” But it’s too late for them, the Testimony of God is here. The Son of God is here, and all those that carry this testimony boldly declare Christ, not being fearful to lose their lives. Are you like that? Let’s preach the Testimony of God! The Father's testimony of His Son: "This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him." The Written Word bears the testimony of God about the Son of God, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Holy Spirit bears the testimony of the Son of God. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26). And you too should declare God’s testimony of His Son with signs and wonders following. Enjoy this podcast, The Testimony of God: His Son