Podcasts about gospel christ

This Sunday, Fr. Michael preaches on the radical heart of the Gospel: Christ's commandment to love as He has loved us. With the story of Michelle Duppong—a young woman now on the path to sainthood—he shows how ordinary people become holy by extraordinary love. This homily is a call to all the baptised to embrace the universal vocation to holiness, through a love that gives all, even in suffering. #Catholic #Homily #Easter #UniversalCallToHoliness #LoveAsChristLoved #SaintsAmongUs #FrMichaelPodcast #FifthSundayOfEaster #Gospel

Jesus celebrates Passover with His Apostles. Baptism and Communion are the bookends of Jesus earthly ministry. Both of these ordinances reflect the good news of the Gospel: Christ's life, death, burial, and resurrection. Passover was the ordinance for the Jews to celebrate the freedom from Egyptian slavery. Jesus said to His Apostles at the Passover dinner that He “earnestly desired to eat… The post Jesus Orders the Supper, Part 1 | The lord's Love of Fellowship appeared first on Pillar of Truth Radio.

Long and sore have we been tossed in the sea of trouble; in our youth we were plunged into it, we are come out of it in old age; our case has been the same with what happened at the siege of Tyre, Ezek. 29:18. Every head is made bald, and every shoulder is peeled; but yet all these things seem troublesome rather than wonderful, to any one who seriously considers the thing prophesied by the great apostle, 2 Tim. 3:1. In the last days perilous times shall come.

A new MP3 sermon from The Narrated Puritan is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Letter To Ministers of the Gospel- Christ Knocking at the Door Subtitle: Christ Knocking at the Door Speaker: John Flavel Broadcaster: The Narrated Puritan Event: Audiobook Date: 4/7/2025 Bible: Revelation 3:20 Length: 27 min.

Episode Synopsis:If someone walked up to you and asked, “What is the gospel?, what would you say?  If you cannot come up with the answer immediately, then please carefully consider what follows.  The definition is given us in a concise form by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3–5.  The gospel is called “good news” because it is the proclamation of a set of particular historical facts—Jesus suffered on a Roman cross, died as a payment for our sins, was buried, and then was raised from the dead by God after three days as proof that his death turned aside God's wrath toward sinners.  And all this, Paul says, is in accordance with the Scriptures (the Old Testament).  The gospel is a nonnegotiable and fundamental article of the Christian faith.  To deny it is to reject the Christian faith.When Easter rolls around, I often look at the flyers and social media from neighborhood churches to examine the sermon topics for Easter Sunday.  I am amazed and saddened by how many local churches virtually ignore the biblical emphasis on the empty tomb and the bodily resurrection of Jesus, which is both a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith and an objective fact of history.  Instead, many churches focus on the so-called “Easter experience” of the apostles.  If the meaning of Easter is the experience and change of heart felt by Jesus's apostles—who at first did not believe, but then later did so—then Easter is yet another experience that we can share with the early followers of Jesus.  For these folks, Easter is a time of new beginnings, a time to change our life's course.  Sadly, it is not the account of a crucified savior raised from the dead who came to save us from our sins. But to remove the resurrection from ordinary history and proclaim it as an example to follow, or to downplay or ignore the fact that Jesus was crucified, dead, buried, and was then raised bodily to life for the forgiveness of our sins, robs the resurrection of any redemptive-historical and biblical significance.  The first Easter is not about an experience the apostles had in which we can share; rather, it is the apostles's account of Jesus being raised bodily from the dead.  The empty tomb tells us that Jesus's death was the payment for our sins, the new creation has dawned, and God has conquered our greatest enemy, death, by overturning the curse.  Easter is not an experience in which we share; the bodily resurrection of Jesus is both a fact of history and a biblical doctrine that we must believe.For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

Unity isn't about being the same or conforming to one culture. People can have different political views, dress differently, and eat different foods, yet still be unified. A strong mission, vision, and purpose can bring people together. True unity centers on the Gospel/Christ, True unity has love at its core. True unity recognizes and honors differences.

Sunday 17th November, 9:30 service, Asa Humphreys. Romans 8:33-36. Not only is God with us and for us, but Paul reminds us that Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father, praying for us. It is the love of Christ, demonstrated through his sacrifice and his ongoing prays for all his followers, that keeps us going when we face opposition and challenge in our lives (vs35).

Every year on the 31st of October, an Eastern European country named Slovenia celebrates Reformation Day - the day Martin Luther posted his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. It's a national holiday when people stay home from work and school. Particularly interesting is that less than 1% of Slovenians are Protestant! So why these celebrations? Tune in to Kids Talk Church History as Emma, Christian, and Ruth discuss this with Slovenian historian Todd Hunnicut and delve into the adventurous life of Primoz Trubar, the father of the Slovenian language. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are excited to offer a bundle of Simonetta Carr's books to two listeners! The winner will be selected just in time for Christmas. Register here to win this special giveaway! Show Notes: Episode 46 about Cyril and Methodius: https://kidstalkchurchhistory.podbean.com/e/cyril-lucaris-a-controversial-reformer/ Trubar Forum: https://trubarforum.si/ (Be sure to click on the English setting, unless you read Slovenian!) YouTube videos created by Todd Hunnicut and his teammates about Primoz Trubar: https://youtu.be/aQnARBpsK7k?si=jSUKwt6oXk4wgaM7 https://youtu.be/_MJw39g3834?si=p6nynZojtFN8OclT  Article by Simonetta Carr about Primoz Trubar: https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/primo%C5%BE-trubar-%E2%80%93-protestant-reformer-who-fashioned-language Other Resources from Todd Hunnicutt:  A small booklet with three chapters summarizing the message of the first Slovene book, the Katekizem. It is designed as an evangelistic tool, but it also shows key ideas from the Katekizem.  An English translation of the first printed Slovene song. Here is a link of my wife, myself and a friend singing it in Slovene. The tune is a German church song, but a completely different text. It's a great summary of the Gospel message, mixing the biblical narrative of Genesis 3 and 4 with extra Gospel/Christ comments. Imagine this being the first ever printed song in the language, and the solid, simple Gospel message in it. https://youtu.be/zZ8LgodEFRk?si=IxFDPv1bJVdqKYxi A section introduction and three chapters I wrote for the Slovene version of the missionary/Christian hero biographies book, Hero Tales. A family devotional with stories from Trubar's life that might be the most appealing of these to kids. The final section of the Katekizem, the “Sermon on Faith.” This is key because the phrase “Stand and Withstand” which is well-known, which is on the Slovene €1 coin, is here in its proper context. It's on page 5 in the fourth paragraph. The part before that, where he defines true faith, I find to be very, very profound; I quote this in sermons in English and in Slovene often because it's a gritty, realistic, biblical view of what faith is – basically holding on to God's truth on the Word no matter what.

January 28, 2024 • 9:30am

In this powerful sermon titled "Gravity of the Gospel," Paolino Curto, Communications Specialist, delves into the profound significance of Christianity, drawing inspiration from the timeless words of C.S. Lewis. Lewis, one of the most well-known Christian thinkers of the 20th century, famously stated, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” This thought-provoking quote serves as the foundation for exploring why the Christian faith is not just a set of good morals or a comforting belief system but something of utmost, eternal importance. Paolino acknowledges the immense impact Lewis has had on the world and on Christianity. Lewis's insight about the all-or-nothing nature of Christianity resonates deeply with the Apostle Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul emphasizes the centrality of the Gospel: Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. As Paolino wrestles with the question, "What makes Christianity so important?", he concludes that the Gospel is the only answer that adequately addresses the deepest questions of life. In a world filled with division, war, and anxiety, the need for the Gospel is as crucial as ever. Curto breaks down three aspects of the Gospel that underscore its infinite importance, not only for salvation but for living the life God intends for us. The first aspect is that we are saved by a person—Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 declares, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Curto emphasizes that salvation is not something we can earn through our actions; it is a gift offered by Jesus, who lived a sinless life and gave Himself for us. Drawing from Charles Spurgeon's analogy, he explains that trying to earn salvation is like dressing a corpse—it's futile because only God can give life. The second aspect highlights that we are saved powerfully. Many Christians struggle with the idea that their standing with God depends on their daily actions, but Curto reassures that our salvation is secure because it was earned by Jesus, not by us. Ephesians 1:13-14 speaks to the assurance of our salvation: “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.” This powerful truth should fill us with confidence and wonder, knowing that no one can snatch us out of God's hand. Finally, Curto explores how we are saved for a purpose. Christianity is not just about living a quiet, comfortable life; it's about knowing God intimately and making Him known. Drawing from John 17:3, Curto explains that eternal life is not merely about going to heaven but about having a deep, intimate relationship with God. He challenges listeners to examine their lives and ask if they are truly living out this purpose or if they are merely scratching the surface of what God intends for them. Throughout the sermon, Curto weaves in personal anecdotes and relatable analogies to make complex theological concepts more accessible. He also addresses common struggles Christians face, such as the temptation to punish themselves for sin or the challenge of living out their faith in a world that often sees Christianity as only moderately important. In conclusion, "Gravity of the Gospel" is a compelling call to recognize the infinite importance of Christianity. It challenges believers to move beyond a superficial understanding of their faith and to fully embrace the life-changing power of the Gospel. Whether you've been a Christian for decades or are still exploring what you believe, this sermon invites you to consider the true gravity of the Gospel and its impact on your life. Join us in this deep dive into the heart of the Christian faith and discover why the Gospel is not just good news—it's the best news, infinitely important for every person in every moment of life.

About the Guest(s): DJ McLean is an elder at Cambridge Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, England. He has a PhD in 17th-century reformed theology, focusing on Scottish theology. In addition to his role as an elder, he serves as a trustee for the Banner of Truth and Tyndale House, edits the theological journal "Foundations" for Affinity, and has a deep interest in fly fishing. McLean's work has greatly influenced theological studies around the law, gospel, assurance, and the free offer of the gospel, particularly through his engagement with the marrow controversy. Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of Renewal Cast, hosts Coalt and Jay delve into the historic marrow controversy with DJ McLean, a seasoned theologian and elder from Cambridge Presbyterian Church. McLean brings a wealth of knowledge from his studies in 17th-century reformed theology, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of pivotal theological debates that have shaped Christian doctrines, especially those surrounding the law, gospel, and assurance of faith. McLean's insightful discussion begins by tracing the origins of the marrow controversy back to its roots in 17th-century England and its resurgence in 18th-century Scotland. He unpacks how the debates from Edward Fisher's "The Marrow of Modern Divinity" challenged the prevailing legalistic views of repentance and faith, advocating for the free offer of the gospel and the essential role of assurance in Christian life. The conversation also covers key theological concepts including federal theology, the order of salvation, and the difference between legal and evangelical obedience, emphasizing how these doctrines provide profound pastoral benefits and fostering a life of joy and freedom in Christ. Key Takeaways:Understanding the Marrow Controversy: The controversy focused on how one begins and continues the Christian life, stressing that salvation comes through Christ alone without preconditions.Free Offer of the Gospel: Christ is freely offered to all sinners, aligning with reformed theology's compatibility with particular redemption.Order of Salvation: Faith must precede repentance for true evangelical conversion, highlighting that repentance flows from a heart redeemed by Christ.Evangelical Obedience: True obedience to God's commandments stems from the redemption in Christ rather than legalistic observance.Pastoral Applications: The doctrines discussed enrich pastoral work by providing a framework for a joyful and free Christian life, rooted in the assurance of faith.Notable Quotes:"We don't bring anything to earn the right to trust in Christ…you just are called to come to Christ as you are." – DJ McLean“Faith must precede repentance, as evangelical repentance can only flow from a heart that's been redeemed.” – DJ McLean"The free offer of the gospel means that Christ is held out as the savior of sinners and everyone is invited to come to him without money and without price." – DJ McLean“We live the Christian life from joy, from faith, from assurance, from that freeness of access that we have to God as our father.” – DJ McLean"Evangelical obedience flows from the redemption that is ours in Christ." – DJ McLeanResources:Cambridge Presbyterian Church: WebsiteBanner of Truth: WebsiteTyndale House: WebsiteFoundations Journal by Affinity: WebsiteThe Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson: LinkThe Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher: LinkListen to the full episode for an in-depth exploration of how these historical theological debates remain deeply relevant to modern Christian life and pastoral ministry. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on Renewal Cast!

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This sermon begins our new series on Galatians. Galatians is the book in the Bible that reminds us that believers need to continually learn and apply the Gospel. Paul emphasises that any insistence on 'Christ Plus...' goes against the Gospel. In this sermon Ross will look at this amazing message of Rescue. If you enjoyed this sermon please consider subscribing. CONNECT WITH US Instagram: www.instagram.com/humeridgechurch Facebook: www.facebook.com/humeridgechurch YouTube: www.youtube.com/humeridgechurch Have you made a decision to follow Jesus? Do you have a praise point, or want to request prayer? We would love for you to get in contact with us so we can follow up with you! Please complete the contact form on our website at https://humeridge.church/contact

     For those living in the church age, the content of faith is the good news that Jesus—the Messiah—died for our sins, was buried, and resurrected on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4). When people accept this as historically true, and then place their faith in Jesus, they experience salvation. According to Fruchtenbaum, “we must believe that Yeshua died for our sins as our substitute, that He was buried and rose again, and that He therefore has provided salvation. Thus, one trusts Yeshua for one's salvation.”[1] According to Robert B. Thieme Jr., “First Corinthians 15:3-4 defines the boundaries of the Gospel, beginning with the work of Christ and ending with His resurrection…Any Gospel message that strays from the cross or denies Jesus Christ's resurrection from physical death is inaccurate and out of bounds.”[2] Today we understand the saving gospel message as, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). Knowing the good news of what God accomplished for us through Christ at the cross, we must then “Believe in the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31), and trust exclusively in Him as our Savior, for “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). Salvation is by grace alone (Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8-9), through faith alone (Rom 3:28; 5:1; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9), in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). And when we believe in Christ as Savior, we are forgiven all our sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), given eternal life (John 10:28), become children of God (John 1:12; Gal 3:26), are “rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1:13), become citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20), and are blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3).      During the seven-year tribulation many will be saved, both Jews and Gentiles. The apostle John described 144,000 Jewish believers, taken from the twelve tribes of Israel, who are called “bond-servants of our God” (Rev 7:3), and who will be  sealed by the Lord (Rev 7:4). After describing these Jewish believers, John then saw “a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes” (Rev 7:9). When John asked, “where have they come from?” (Rev 7:13), the answer was given, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). The last clause that mentions “the blood of the Lamb” speaks of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, “the blood of Christ” (1 Pet 1:19) which purchased our salvation. But what did these Tribulational saints believe that resulted in their salvation?      In the Olivet Discourse (Matthew chapters 24-25), Jesus prophesied about the future tribulation and His second coming and said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt 24:14). The gospel of the kingdom that was offered to Israel during Messiah's first coming is similar to the gospel message preached during the time of the Tribulation. J. Dwight Pentecost notes, “Although the news at the first advent was restricted to Israel, prior to the second advent it will be announced not only to Israel but to the whole world.”[3] William MacDonald states, “the gospel of the kingdom is the good news that Christ is coming to set up His kingdom on earth, and that those who receive Him by faith during the Tribulation will enjoy the blessings of His Millennial Reign.”[4]The gospel of the kingdom offers both spiritual and national deliverance to those living during the tribulation. According to J. Dwight Pentecost. “This was the Gospel Christ proclaimed as He offered Israel the covenanted kingdom and invited them to put faith in Him. This same message will be proclaimed again during the years of the Tribulation period preceding Messiah's second advent to the earth.”[5] The first part of its message directs people to look to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). This results in spiritual and eternal salvation. The second part of the gospel of the kingdom pertains to Israel's theocratic kingdom, where God will rule over His people and the world, through Jesus, the descendant of David and rightful King of the nation. This gospel will last until the seven years are completed, and then, as Jesus said, “the end will come” (Matt 24:14b). The “end” refers to the end of the seven year tribulation, when Jesus returns and puts down all rebellion (Rev 19:11-21) and establishes His kingdom on earth for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-6). It is at that time, “when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne” (Matt 25:31), and He will reign for “a thousand years” (Rev 20:6). According to Louis A. Barbieri Jr.: "Though this will be a terrible time of persecution, the Lord will have servants who will witness and spread the good news concerning Christ and His soon-coming kingdom. This message will be similar to that preached by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the disciples at the beginning of Matthew's Gospel, but this message will clearly identify Jesus in His true character as the coming Messiah. This is not exactly the same message the church is proclaiming today. The message preached today in the Church Age and the message proclaimed in the Tribulation period calls for turning to the Savior for salvation. However, in the Tribulation the message will stress the coming kingdom, and those who then turn to the Savior for salvation will be allowed entrance into the kingdom. Apparently many will respond to that message (cf. Rev 7:9-10)."[6] J. Dwight Pentecost adds: "The Gospel of the kingdom is the message that John the Baptist proclaimed to Israel. It involved first a call to repentance, then an invitation to behold or to look by faith to the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). This is the same message that will be proclaimed in the world during that period Christ called, literally, “the tribulation, the great one” (Matt 24:21). This future period is the unfulfilled seven years of Daniel's prophecy of the seventy weeks (Dan 9:24-27). During this period the Gospel of the kingdom will be preached to Gentiles by 144,000 who will be sovereignly redeemed and commissioned to be God's servants (Rev 7:1-8). They will proclaim salvation by grace through faith based on blood so that men can have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:14). The same message will be proclaimed by the two witnesses (Rev 11:3), prophets God will raise up to bring a message to the nation Israel. Indeed, their message is no different than the one the prophets have always brought to a disobedient covenant people down through the ages."[7]      In summary, saving faith is always a response to God and a promise He has made. Today, God the Holy Spirit draws people to Christ, convicting them of one particular sin, and that is the sin of not trusting in Jesus as Savior. Jesus specified the particular sin, saying, “because they do not believe in Me” (John 16:9). When people respond positively to the work of the Holy Spirit, they will believe in Jesus as Savior, accepting the truth “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). And having accepted this good news, they will then turn to Christ as Savior, and “Believe in the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31), and be saved. Long and Short Gospel Presentations      In the New Testament, the gospel that saves is presented in both long and short form. A long presentation of the gospel is found in the Gospel of John as a whole. The apostle John states, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). The gospel that saves is clearly presented in the Gospel of John.      A short form of the gospel is found in Acts 16, where Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). The text of Acts 16 as a whole is not evangelistic in nature, but a brief account of Paul's missionary journey in the city of Philippi, of which the jailer was a part of that historical narrative. How much the Philippian jailer knew about God, sin, the personhood of Jesus, and the cross and resurrection is not revealed in the text. What is plain is that Paul told the jailer that if he believed in the Lord Jesus, he would be saved. A Warning to Any Who Would Pervert the Gospel of Grace      The gospel that saves spiritually is specific in its content, and to preach any other gospel will not only result in a failure for the lost to obtain that which is necessary for entrance into heaven, but it will bring great judgment upon the one who proclaims it. The apostle Paul wrote, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Gal 1:8-9). It is noteworthy that Paul includes himself in this warning, as the gospel that was delivered to him, once it was received, could not be changed, even by one so great as the apostle Paul himself. Concerning this verse, Arnold Fruchtenbaum comments: "In verses 8–9, Paul pronounces the anathema, which is a rebuke against false teachers. Anyone who teaches a gospel that is different from the gospel they have received is to be anathema. Another gospel is any gospel other than the gospel of the grace of God. Any addition to the simple statement that salvation is by grace through faith is another gospel. Any addition to the gospel—be it baptism, tongues, ceremonies, church membership, repentance—perverts the gospel and is anathema."[8] Lewis Chafer adds: "This anathema has never been revoked, nor could it be so long as the saving grace of God is to be proclaimed to a lost world. From the human point of view, a misrepresentation of the gospel might so misguide a soul that the way of life is missed forever. It behooves the doctor of souls to know the precise remedy he is appointed to administer. A medical doctor may, by an error, terminate what at best is only a brief life on earth. The doctor of souls is dealing with eternal destiny. Having given His Son to die for lost men, God cannot but be exacting about how that great benefit is presented, nor should He be deemed unjust if He pronounces an anathema on those who pervert the one and only way of salvation which was purchased at so great a cost. A sensitive man, when realizing these eternal issues, might shrink from so great a responsibility, but God has not called His messengers to such a failure. He enjoins them to “preach the word” and assures them of His unfailing presence and enabling power."[9]       [1] 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), 6. [2] Robert B. Thieme, Jr. “Gospel”, Thieme's Bible Doctrine Dictionary, (Houston, TX., R. B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries, 2022), 113 [3] J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1958), 472. [4] William MacDonald, Believer's Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1294. [5] J. Dwight Pentecost, Thy Kingdom Come: Tracing God's Kingdom Program and Covenant Promises throughout History (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1995), 311. [6] Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 77. [7] J. Dwight Pentecost, Thy Kingdom Come, 121–122. [8] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Faith Alone: The Condition of Our Salvation: An Exposition of the Book of Galatians and Other Relevant Topics, 12–13. [9] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, vol. 3, p. 10.

In the AM we consider the sixth sign of John's Gospel - Christ healing the sinner's blindness. We see that the greatest blindness each of us has is spiritual, the Lord's sovereignty in healing it, and how refusing to see will only increase this blindness.

In the AM we consider the sixth sign of John's Gospel - Christ healing the sinner's blindness. We see that the greatest blindness each of us has is spiritual, the Lord's sovereignty in healing it, and how refusing to see will only increase this blindness.

Rom. 6:6-14. 4/7/24.  An expositional series from the letter to the Romans.

Pastor Nick preaches about how it isn't enough to just have Jesus as your savior but you must also acknowledge him as Lord.

Pastor Nick preaches about how Jesus is not just a Passover lamb, but THE Passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

For Holy Week this year, we'll recapture our -first love- by focusing our minds and hearts on the simple gospel- Christ died, Christ buried, Christ raised. As God's love is shown to us in the cross and tomb, we'll also regain our love for the unsaved world around us. --WHO DIED---WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE DIED---FOR WHOM DID HE DIE--

For Holy Week this year, we'll recapture our -first love- by focusing our minds and hearts on the simple gospel- Christ died, Christ buried, Christ raised. As God's love is shown to us in the cross and tomb, we'll also regain our love for the unsaved world around us. --WHO DIED---WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE DIED---FOR WHOM DID HE DIE--

For Holy Week this year, we'll recapture our "first love" by focusing our minds and hearts on the simple gospel: Christ died, Christ buried, Christ raised. As God's love is shown to us in the cross and tomb, we'll also regain our love for the unsaved world around us. WHO DIED?WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT HE DIED?FOR WHOM DID HE DIE?

The Gospel of Mark SeriesMark 6:14-29

The Gospel of Mark SeriesMark 6:14-29

Paul can leave prison; all he would have to do was recant. However, he won't. Why? Paul knows the truth of the Gospel- Christ died and rose again. His message for the council and every trial he undergoes is the same- look to Jesus. Originally February 4th, 2024. Hank Atchison. Covenant Church. Tuscaloosa, AL.

The Eternal Son of God: Prophet, Preist, and King - Rev. Erik Veerman Hebrews 1:1-6 We'll be taking a break from our Proverbs study until January. In the meantime, we'll be in the book of Hebrews for a brief Advent series. Last year for advent, we spent time the book of Matthew chapter 1 - Jesus' genealogy and his birth narrative. The year before we looked at Luke 1… both Mary's song - her Magnificat as well as Zechariah's song. This year, our Advent focus will be a little bit different. We'll be considering who Jesus is as the Son of God - specifically as Prophet, Priest, and King. This morning will be an introduction from Hebrews 1, then next week, Prophet, the following week Priest, and then Sunday morning, December 24, Jesus as King. You can find Hebrews 1 on page 1187 in the provided Bibles. We'll focus on the first 6 verses. Later in this short series, we'll consider the rest of chapter 1. As I read, listen for the different aspects of Jesus' identity as prophet, priest, and king. Reading of Hebrews 1:1-6. Prayer Back when I was in grade school, I always enjoyed visiting my grandparents. They had a large farmhouse in western Pennsylvania. As a kid, there was lots to explore, both inside and outside. And one of my memories was their large formal living room. It had bookshelves and chairs and tables, and a big picture window that let the afternoon sunlight in, which light up the whole room. In front of the window, my grandmother had strategically hung a set of crystal prisms. They were oval shaped glass-like prisms with angled surfaces. When the sun hit them, it would refract the light in different colors around the room. Small little colored spots would appear on the walls and furniture - yellows, blues, greens, reds. Of course, I would stick my hand out to capture the light on my palm. It was mesmerizing because at the time, I didn't know how a prism worked. How could this sunlight turn into different colors? I didn't realize that the sunlight was actually made up of different colors… and the prisms were simply revealing that. In a similar way, Hebrews 1 is like a prism. Instead of revealing the different colors of the sun s-u-n, it is revealing different aspects of the son s-o-n. Essentially who Jesus is - His nature as God and the different redemptive roles he fulfills. I think it's a beautiful thing to consider the breadth of Jesus's identity and ministry. At least for me, it expands the awe I have of God in how he accomplished salvation for his glory and our good. And, I would add, it deepens my understanding of and relationship with Jesus – my savior, my Lord, my king, my hope, and my redeemer. The prism of Hebrews 1. This morning, we'll begin with Jesus as God's son. And then we'll briefly consider Jesus as prophet, priest, and king from these verses. It will be an introduction to his three redemptive offices. That's what we call them. Like the “office” of president or the “office” of governor. The redemptive offices of Jesus are “prophet,” “priest,” and “king.” As I mentioned, over the next 3 weeks we'll be exploring each in details from Hebrews. But before we get there, let me make some introductory comments about the book. We haven't studied Hebrews together so let me briefly touch upon the author and audience. First, we do not know who wrote Hebrews. We often refer to the author as simply… “the author of Hebrews.” Over the centuries, different possibilities have been suggested. ·       Some believe that the apostle Paul wrote this letter. The problem with that view is that the style and grammar in Hebrews is very different from the apostle Paul. John Calvin points out that the author's teaching approach is also different than Paul's. So, I think it's unlikely to be him. ·       Others have proposed Apollos or Barnabus. Those could certainly be possibilities. ·       But in the end, it's best to simply say: we don't know. God does. Second, as the title of the book indicates, it's written to a Hebrew audience – a Jewish audience. If you were to flip through chapter by chapter, you will see dozens of Old Testament quotes. And what the author is emphasizing is how Jesus has fulfilled the promises and prophecies of old. How he is greater than the angels, greater than Moses, greater than the High Priests and the priesthood. His covenant is greater than the old covenant. Those were all shadows of the one to come. But now Jesus has come and fulfilled them all as the promised Savior. When I think about the book of Hebrews, I think of ever chapter as a different sermon about Jesus. In some ways, it teaches us how to exposit the Old Testament and explain how Jesus has fulfilled God's promises. Many have said that the book of Hebrews can be summarized this way: The supremacy of Christ. I think that's a good succinct summary. So, this Advent, as we briefly study Hebrews. we'll behold Jesus for who he is as God, and as Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus: God in the Flesh Number 1. Jesus as God – God in the flesh – fully and truly God in every way. The first thing I want you to see is that Jesus is referred to as God's Son. That's right there in the middle of verse 2. And related to that, there is a clear distinction in these verses between God (including his Son) and his creation. We, you and I, are his creation. The whole world is his creation. God the Son is not identified as being created. In fact, God the Son is the one, “through whom [God] created the world.” That's right there at the end of verse 2. You may remember, just 3 weeks ago, we were studying Proverbs chapter 8. That amazing chapter is about the wisdom of God in Christ, who was there at the beginning. In God's wisdom through Christ, the full expanse of the universe was made. And if you remember, we considered a couple of New Testament texts which speak of Christ as creator. ·       One of them is the Gospel of John chapter 1. It says in John 1 verse 3, “all things were made through him.” That is, through Christ, through God the Son. ·       And also very similar is Colossians chapter 1. It says, “For by him, all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.” The prepositions are helpful here. Everything was created “through him” or “by him.” It's not that God the Father and God the Holy Spirit were uninvolved. No, creation was an act of God - the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. God the Son was and is the instrument through which creation came to being. Sometimes we say, Christ was the agent of creation. I want to make the point really clear here: God's Son was not created. No, rather he is God and is central in all of creation coming into being. This is really important. Over the last two years, we've had Jehovah's Witnesses come to our door, I think, 3-4 times. You will also see them on Main Street. In talking with some of you, I know that that you are also dialoging with them. Well, they would say that God's Son is not part of the Trinity. He is a lesser god, they believe, who has some of the powers of God. They would also say that Jesus Christ was created by God before he created the world. And also, they will say that Jesus himself is not God in the flesh. As some of you know, they will often go here to Hebrews 1 to argue their point. For example, they will go to verse 5 and say “see, Jesus was begotten, that means he was created.” Furthermore, they will point out the word ”today” there in verse 5. To them, it means there was a time when the Son did not exist. That's a lot, isn't it? And as you know, they have their script. Well, what do you say to all of that? Do you say, “can I give you the phone number to my pastor?” You're welcome to do that, but they are not going to call me. There's a lot to say about Jesus being fully and truly God – it's all through the Bible. But let's focus on Hebrews chapter 1. First, let me respond to the word “today” in verse 5. It does not mean there was a day when God's Son didn't exist. Rather, verse 5 is referring to the incarnation – when God became man. When through the Holy Spirit, Jesus was begotten by God, in his mother Mary. We know this because the apostle Paul quotes the very same verse (Psalm 2:7) in the book of Acts chapter 13. There, the apostle specifically uses it in reference to the incarnation. In other words, Hebrews 1:5 in no way suggests that the Son of God was created. In fact, quite the contrary. Let me give you 3 brief reasons from verse 3 why these verses testify to Jesus's divine nature: 1. Let's go to the beginning of verse 3. “Jesus is the radiance of the Glory of God….” “is…” “Jesus is the radiance….” It does not say Jesus reflects the radiance of the Glory of God. No, it's not like the moon reflecting the light of the sun. Rather, Jesus has all the glory of God because he is God. He radiates the glory of God as God. 2. Second, verse 3 continues, Jesus is also “the exact imprint of his nature.” In the Greek, it implies identical in form. Jesus being, in other words, is one and the same nature as God because he is God. That statement alone is pretty clear. There are dozens of New Testament passages that support this, including words from Jesus himself. 3. And third, verse 3 continues. “He upholds the universe by the word of his power.” That adds to what we already talked about - Jesus as creator God. What an amazing testimony to the power of Christ as God – as creator of all things. You see, verse 3 testifies to Jesus in all his glory as God. Now, much more can be said, of course. In fact, as we work through Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King, it will add to the testimony that Jesus is indeed God in the flesh. Well, I hope that does two things for you. I hope it helps you in your conversations to stand firm on Jesus as fully and truly God. And I hope that it draws you to an even deeper awe and reverence – that this Jesus whom we worship, the one we celebrate at advent, is not some little “g” god. But rather he is God the Son, the one through whom all things were created, the exact imprint of God's nature. And who upholds the universe… he uphold us… by the word of his power. The entire cosmos is created by and sustained by the Son. Very God of very God… Prophet Next, Jesus as prophet. Now, next week we're going to dive deep into this redemptive office, but in the meantime, there's so much here in these opening verses. Jesus as Prophet is where this chapter begins. It says: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets… but, ” it says, “ in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” A prophet, by the way, is one chosen by God to speak the word of God on behalf of God. In the Old Testament time, there were many prophets. In the Scriptures, there are 16 prophetic books, but there were dozens of other prophets mentioned in Scripture. Think of Elisha, Elijah, Nathan. Each of their prophetic messages were similar, but for different contexts. And what did they do? They called the people to repentance and back to God. They warned about coming judgment. They proclaimed God's mercy. They performed signs and miracles which demonstrated their call as prophets and demonstrted God's power. They foretold what was to come, including the Messiah. But in the end, each of their voices died out. Each prophet was limited and each prophet was a frail, fallen man. Even the repetition of prophecies and the number of prophets revealed a weakness in the prophetic role of old. But then we read Hebrews 1. There's a finality to Jesus as Prophet. His prophecy is for all… every people and nation. Jesus is not just a new prophet that has come on the scene. No rather, his words… his voice is the voice of God. God has given us his Son, through whom God now speaks. ·       Jesus is the Word of God as God himself, as the apostle John writes. ·       He is the final and ultimate pronouncement of mercy and judgment. ·       His words are eternal because he is eternal. ·       His signs and miracles culminate in the greatest sign and miracle of all… his death on the cross and his resurrection. ·       And it is his word, as we considered in verse 3, which upholds the universe. And let me point out something important in verse 2. That phrase “last days” is a special phrase. It's specifically referencing the New Testament times. It doesn't say “these days” but instead “last days.” You see, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and others prophesied that the “last days” would come. Those days would usher in a final prophet who would bring fulfillment to their prophecies. It is his voice which would go out to the world. In other words, we are in the last days. The author of Hebrews is declaring that the time has come because God's Son has come. The Word made flesh has come. He is THE prophet. Through him, the last days have come. Priest And notice, the reference to “last days” in verse 2 doesn't only apply to Jesus as the ultimate prophet. No, the description of the “last days” continues. It also includes Jesus' fulfillment as priest and king. Let's consider priest next. Jump down to the end of verse 3. There's a short phrase there… sometimes we skip right over it. It says “After making purification for sins, he [that is, Jesus] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” That sentence right there is the Gospel - Christ is the one who purifies us from our sin. In some way, that one sentence summarizes the driving emphasis of the book - Jesus as the ultimate High Priest. A priest, by the way, was the one who represented the people before God. He was their intermediary… their go-between to God. And what the priests of old did were to made sacrifices for the people. Sacrifice after sacrifice, year after year. And these sacrifices were to make purification (or cleansing) for sins. That's what verse 3 references. But the problem was, (1) the priests had to make sacrifices for themselves, for their own sin, and (2) the sacrifices were inadequate. You see, the whole Old Testament sacrificial system was pointing to something greater. A greater sacrifice and a greater priest. In fact, one in the same. As God the Son, Jesus' himself was the only sacrifice that could once-and-for-all cleanse us from our sin. And as God in the flesh, he was the perfect priest – the perfect mediator between God and man. Let me submit to you this: in order for Jesus' sacrifice to be effective as a once-and-for-all sacrifice AND in order for him to be the eternal mediator, Jesus had to be fully and truly God and fully and truly man. That goes back to the question earlier about Jesus as God. Before we move on to king… let me mention one more thing about Jesus as the Priest. He lives. Verse 3 highlights that. Jesus is now seated in heaven… it tells us. After his sacrificial death, Jesus was raised and then ascended to heaven. You can also see the present tense there in verse 3. Jesus IS the radiance of the Glory of God. He UPHOLDS the universe. He overcame death as the perfect sacrifice so that he could be the perfect priest and continually intercede for his people from heaven. Now, you may have more questions about the Old Testament sacrificial system… and maybe the role of the High Priest… and how it all relates to Jesus. Well, stay tuned for 2 weeks from today. We'll be in chapter 9. King That bring us to one last redemptive office. Jesus is King. THE King. The greater king. You see, the kings of Judah and Israel all had their weaknesses. Some were downright evil. But even the good kings like David and Solomon and Hezekiah and Josiah had their weaknesses. Their governing was limited. Their sins were apparent. They all passed from this earth. But we have a king today. Not an earthly king, but an eternal king. And one without any limitation or sin. Let me note two things here from the text. First, verse 3 identifies Jesus as the “heir of all things.” What's an heir in this context? Well, Jesus is the heir to the throne. He's the one who has the full status as heir to the eternal throne of God – Heir to God the Father. The author of Hebrews notes that Jesus is the heir of “all things.” That's language of dominion and authority. He is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” as Revelation 19 puts it. And the second thing to note is at the end of verse 3. We already considered part of this. It says, “he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Actually, this is the first of four refences in Hebrews to Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father. The phrase “right hand” is significant because it indicates power and authority. The one who sits on the right hand of a throne is the one given authority to govern and judge. He has all the majesty and glory of the one next to whom he sits. In other words, it's a testimony of Jesus as equal with the Father in authority and glory and power. He is our king. Let me summarize it this way. Jesus is the eternal King with all dominion, power, authority, and Majesty… all of that “due his name.” That's from verse 4 – Jesus is superior than the angels. Why? Because he is the Son. That's his name. That means Jesus is worthy for us to ascribe all those attributes to him because he is king of kings. Conclusion So, Jesus is Son the God – He's one with God… He's the ultimate Prophet as the eternal Son of God and Word of God. He's the perfect high Priest. He's the triumphant King with all God's radiance and power. And he's all of that together. Isn't that the incredible part? The prism of Hebrews 1 merely reveals who Jesus is in all these aspects of his nature and ministry. They are not separate. but are unified in the person and work of Christ. The dominion of his kingship, his priestly intercession, and the authority of his prophecy as the Son are who he is and what he has and will do for all eternity as the redeemer of the world. And in conclusion what is our response? Worship! Look at the response of the angels in verse 6! Worship. “Let all God's angels worship him.” When the Son of God entered the world as a baby in a manger, what did the angels do? They worshipped. Verses 5 and 6 here takes us back to Luke 2. Do you remember that? The angel appeared to the shepherds. He announced the great joy of the birth of the Savior, who IS Christ the Lord, he declared. And then verse 13 of Luke 2. “and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'” This advent, may we worship Jesus with the angels… worshipping our Lord in all the radiance and glory of God due his name as our Prophet, Priest, and King. Amen.

Galatians 5: Embracing Spiritual Freedom and Living in LoveWithin the sacred scriptures of the Bible, the book of Galatians has long stood as a beacon of spiritual guidance and enlightenment for believers.Chapter 5 of Galatians, in particular, radiates with profound teachings on freedom, love, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. This chapter encapsulates the essence of Christian living and presents a roadmap for cultivating a life rooted in faith, love, and liberty.Context and BackgroundThe Galatian churches were grappling with the influence of Judaizers, who advocated for adherence to Jewish laws and customs as a means of salvation.In response, the apostle Paul wrote this epistle to reaffirm the core tenets of Christianity: salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Christ, and believers are no longer bound by the legalistic demands of the Old Testament law.Freedom in ChristGalatians 5 opens with a resounding declaration of the freedom that believers have in Christ. Paul asserts that Christ's sacrifice on the cross has liberated believers from the burden of the law, freeing them to experience the fullness of God's grace.This liberation isn't a license for sinful behavior, but rather an opportunity to live a life guided by the Spirit and motivated by love.Walking by the SpiritCentral to Galatians 5 is the concept of walking by the Spirit. Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. The desires of the flesh, he explains, lead to sinful actions and attitudes, which are counter to the principles of Christian living. On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – are the characteristics that mark a life yielded to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.By submitting to the Holy Spirit and allowing His transformative work, believers can overcome the temptations of the flesh and cultivate virtues that reflect the nature of God.This aligns with the central message of the Gospel: Christ's work not only redeems humanity from sin but also empowers them to live righteous and holy lives.Love as the Fulfillment of the LawA key highlight of Galatians 5 is the emphasis on love as the fulfillment of the law. Paul underscores that all the commandments are summed up in the command to love one's neighbor as oneself. When believers walk by the Spirit, they naturally exhibit love in their interactions, relationships, and choices.This echoes Jesus' teachings, where He emphasized that love is the distinguishing mark of His followers.Crucifying the FleshPaul encourages believers to crucify the desires of the flesh and to live in harmony with the Spirit. This requires a conscious decision to renounce selfish desires and sinful behaviors. Through this crucifixion of the flesh, believers can fully embrace the freedom they have in Christ and allow the Spirit to guide their lives.Cultivating Freedom and LoveIn Galatians 5, Paul provides a blueprint for a life of spiritual freedom and love. By walking by the Spirit, believers can bear the fruit of godly virtues and demonstrate Christ-like character.The chapter calls for an active engagement with the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, which enables believers to rise above the trappings of the flesh and experience the abundant life Christ promised.ConclusionGalatians 5 resonates with the eternal truth that Christianity is not a set of rigid rules but a transformative relationship with Christ. It emphasizes that true freedom is found in surrender to the Spirit and that genuine Christian living is marked by love – for God, for oneself, and for others. As believers, we are invited to embrace the liberty Christ secured for us, to nurture the fruit of the Spirit, and to manifest love in all our actions. Galatians 5 stands as a radiant reminder that the life of a Christian is a life of freedom and love.SendMe Radio is now an online streaming internet radio station, packed with all the messages on the podcast. Listen to awesome Interviews, thousands of Gospel Music, and discover new businesses and their inspiring stories. Also if you would like a radio commercial for your Church, social or business event contact us via email digitalink@sendmeradio.com Google Assistant Google Action is available on Google Home:
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After a mountain-top vision from the text last week, John now gives a startlingly dark description of what awaits those who reject the living God and worship the beast. This week's passage contains probably the most explicit reference to the nature of God's wrath in all of the scriptures and so it is rightfully met with a sense of trembling. But ultimately, this is a word to encourage the saints to endure all the more.

Today's Gospel details the journey of the magi to find the Christ Child. The story of the magi is interesting and full of things that catch our attention. And if we're not careful, we can focus on all the wrong things about the story. The journey of the magi is a journey we all take in some form or another. Let's focus on what is important in today's Gospel: Christ is with us.

The faith, by which alone we can be justified, is also the only way that genuine law-keeping is ever produced.

As we continue our study on religion, the Gospel, and Christ, Pastor Ricky points us to the cross. Jesus' death and resurrection calls us to lay religion down at the foot of the cross. They free us up so we can take hold of the gospel of grace. We don't need religion to try to earn our salvation from Christ. Nothing we can do can make Him love us any more than He already does. Likewise, nothing we do can make Him love us any less either.

Pastor Ricky teaches today about the difference between religion and Jesus. Religion takes what Jesus did and adds to it with works as if we could earn our salvation, as if Jesus needed more convincing to die on the cross for us. Jesus died because He loves us. He was the creator of the universe. He was fully man and He was also fully God. Maybe today you're trying to earn what Christ did on the cross for you, no need. He already saved you from your past, present, and future sins.

Galatians 3:10-22

John 14:1-7 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Is Jesus enough? Well, enough for what? Enough to help me get right with God, or understand life, or make it through the rough seasons of my years?  Is he really enough? The Colossian Christians initially thought so, but had been recently challenged in that conviction by intellectuals and religious teachers who sounded Christian, but who had a very different picture of the person of Jesus.  He was just a guy.  And he didn't know it all.  They were more enlightened and offered a better way, a more powerful experience of salvation; they had discovered the secrets of the universe, the higher principles of the unseen world.  And if you only believed in Jesus, you would be limited in what you could understand and experience––and that simply wasn't enough. •There are two very different pictures of Jesus––the Christian one and every other one.  The non-Christian portrait of Jesus is, at best, a limited one.  He was a good guy, an insightful teacher, a self-educated Jewish rabbi who spoke with authority and compassion. He certainly had a grasp on human nature and profound truths.  For a first century Jew, he was remarkably in touch.  He was special. But he was only human. So, as much as you like him, as much as you are drawn to his life, you can't see him much more than as a wonderful example to learn from and follow. And even then, you have to take what he said––and what others said about him––with a grain of salt.  •After all, he never traveled more than a couple of hundred miles from his home. He never saw a Toyota or drove a Subaru. Never flew in an airplane. Never used a cellphone. Never took an antibiotic. He never traveled outside of a few days' walk of the Mediterranean. Never ate a hamburger or washed it down with a coke. He never held a printed book in his hand or ripped open a package of M&Ms or brewed a steaming mug of coffee. He never enjoyed a bowl of strawberry ice cream, or held in His hand an iPhone. As a citizen of Century One, he couldn't have known about bacteria, or Covid19, or atoms and quarks, or black holes and the actual size of the universe; he had to have been ignorant of electricity and certainly couldn't have foreseen  the internet or OLED 4K Smart TVs or medical MRIs.  The population of the entire earth at that time equaled the population of just our country––a little over 300 million––which is a fraction of the 7 billion people alive today; and whole movements of history, including the rise of the United States with its Constitution of freedom and responsibilities, were yet to happen. As just a Jewish rabbi, he couldn't have known. So, yes, he was wonderful. Engaging. Insightful. A great model to remember and imitate. But he was not enough––not for the Colossians then who lived in Roman society far from the Jewish world, and certainly not enough for us in our advanced, technological, complex world today. So take Jesus. But you're going to need other truth, other insights, other traditions, something more to make it through life and live successfully. That's one view of Jesus. •And then there's the Christian view of Jesus.  Yes, he wore a robe and sandals. He ate kosher. He never had breakfast of bacon and eggs, never ordered a latte, never did a lot of things we take for granted. But there's a reason that guy who lived only a little over 3 decades and never travelled far from where he was born affected his world and all of human history since:  He wasn't just a guy. Who was He?  (Buckle up, because this could shake your back teeth.) Paul reminds them just who Jesus was, and is, and why He's enough. Paul believes (and he's dead on), that [How we think about Jesus determines how we respond to Jesus.] So he gives us three disturbing snapshots. Before I show you them, let me point out a startling observation: one little word recurs: is (e.g. 15, 17, 18a, b). Paul is not saying that Jesus lived a few decades ago, and died, and all we are left with is memories.  Paul insists that because of his resurrection, Jesus is. He is alive. He's as alive as you or I am--even more, because we're dying. He's not a dead guy in ancient history, but a person alive right now. So who is He? [1. HE IS GOD AND REVEALS GOD] (vs. 15a) image is a very revealing word: it describes the imprint of a picture on a coin (e.g. Mk. 12:16––Jesus took a coin and in making his point asked, “so whose image is on this coin?” They all knew: Caesar's); it's also used as a description of a person in a legal document that identified the individual by his distinguishing marks and characteristics so you'd know you were dealing with the right person. But when Paul says that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, he is saying more than just Jesus reveals God, he's asserting Jesus is God—that He is rightly identified as God! [JB Phillips: “Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God.”] This is the clear testimony of the New Testament: [John 1:1, 14; 1:18; 14:9; Heb. 1:3]. So Paul isn't saying that Jesus is godly, or that Jesus is like God, or that God is sort of like Jesus––he is saying that Jesus is God come in the flesh. So the answer to the question, “How do you recognize the living and true God?” is: look at Jesus. (Wait. That can't be. I can buy that God is in Jesus, or Jesus clearly reveals some of God's traits, but not that Jesus is God. Because, that would mean that the guy in the robe and sandals born in Bethlehem...created the universe.) Exactly: [2. HE IS THE CREATOR] Knowing that idea might pop off all our mental circuit breakers, Paul spends some ink on the startling implications: •He owns creation (vs. 15b): In English, we assume firstborn to mean, “first one of a number of children born in a family.” If it meant that, it would mean that God created Jesus first, and then Jesus created everything else. He was the first created. (That's how Jehovah Witnesses see Jesus.) But firstborn in a family was accorded rights and privileges that the other offspring weren't given. He would be his father's representative and would manage his household and eventually inherit the family property. The title described a position of rights and responsibilities––it wasn't saying really anything about how he came into existence. The title was used of Hebrew kings, picturing God's choice to entrust His kingdom to a ruler––and eventually came to refer to the Great Coming King, the Messiah: [Ps. 89:27 “And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.”/x] So Paul says Jesus is the Father's firstborn––not saying he was created, but that he inherits everything. All of creation is entrusted to Him to manage and belongs to Him. It's no wonder: •He was the agent of creation] (vs. 16a): When did creation happen? People speculate: 10,000 years ago? 10 million? 13 billion? Whatever you surmise, Paul is saying that this Person we knew as Jesus was around prior to the universe existing; that he brought into existence not only life as we know it, but earth, our solar system, and our own Milky Way galaxy. (I want to take a moment to show you just how shocking this statement is. Suppose we were to board a rocket intending to cross our galaxy, and we could travel the speed of light (186,000 miles per second); how long would it take to cross it? Answer: 100,000 years). This is asserting that this person we know as Jesus created not only our massive galaxy, but also the over 100 billion other galaxies in our observable universe. He was the one who made everything seen and unseen––both elephants and people, microbes and subatomic quarks, the human eye in all its designed glory and the glory of the unseen angels. John: [1:3/x] All this exists because of Jesus. In fact: •The universe exists for Him] (vs. 16b) Everything exists not only because of Him, but for Him. So any purpose of life that doesn't take into account Jesus, is shortsighted and false. You exist for Him. Only in Him will you find the reason why you exist, why you are in this life. And should you miss what Paul is asserting, or try to soften what he's saying about Jesus, he presses home the point: (vs. 17a) i.e: [•He existed before anything else] NB the repetition of all creation (vs. 15b); then all things (3x vs.16a,b, 17a). There was a time when nothing else existed except God. And Jesus. This is what John the apostle echoes: [John 1:1-2/x] •His will makes the universe predictable and purposeful] (vs. 17b) The point isn't simply that everything would blow up and fly apart if Jesus took a vacation. To hold together is a term that describes something ordered; that it is intentionally composed of parts that contribute to a cohesive whole. It's designed. [Heb. 1:3/x] So knowing that, we'd expect the universe to operate under predictable laws. And it does. Whether gravity or truth, whether the Law of thermodynamics or the Law of love, Jesus is the one by whose creative power they exist, and by whose providence they continue to be in effect. •Jesus is the Creator, the God of the universe. Yet we know and love Him more for this third and increasingly personal picture: [3. HE IS THE LORD AND SAVIOR] (vs. 18a) i.e. •He is the Head of the Church]: We use head to describe someone in charge: “he's the head of the company,” or “the head of the government.” It implies authority and responsibility. But Paul is saying more than just Jesus is in charge of the church, that he's the Lord and what he says should be authoritative. The picture is striking, because we're in it. Everyone who has believed in Jesus and has received the Spirit of God is part of His Body, the church. Every person in every generation in every place. We all are connected by His Spirit, and empowered to act in line with the head. You are not part of an organization (“the church”) but a living part of an organism, His Body. We see things through His eyes. We speak his words. We take directions from His will and share His mind. As He was the visible manifestation of the invisible God on earth 2000 years ago, so we are the visible manifestation of Him (much less perfectly) in our generation. I'm not sure I'd want me, but He does. And He is the One: NB •He is Lord of Life and Defeater of Death] (vs. 18b): the beginning is the word arch–-we get architect from it, and it means source––the whole church starts with Jesus. He's the most important Person because of Him, the church exists. No Jesus, no church. He came back from the dead. And He gives life, eternal life to all who trust in Him. You know what awaits you and me because we belong to Jesus? A resurrection from the dead. And then our bodies will be glorious, eternal and with boundless energy. And we'll enjoy life with God forevermore, as we have never ever to this day. This all came about not only because of who Jesus is, but what Jesus did: •He is where God and creation is reconciled] (vss. 19-20) As God, as the just and holy one, God is offended by our disregard of Him and our disobedience to His Laws. That reconciliation was needed by all creation means that all creation was at odds with its creator. In fact, the ancient decree of death was the penalty for that rebellion against Him; yet, that same payment was made by God Himself in behalf of his creation! •It's critical to see that Jesus was not only fully God, but fully human. It's the only way he could take our penalty. Did he have fingers and toes? Did he smile or chuckle? When he walked on dusty paths, did his shoes make footprints? Did he have a pulse and did he ever burp? Did his body function as ours and did he ever feel weary, elated, frustrated or hurt? It is with this physical body, in his real self, he suffered and died. In submitting to execution by a cross, he paid the penalty, not for his sin, not even for one other's, but for every human being who ever lived or would live. •At the cross, the place of execution on that dark afternoon in 33 AD, God in human form paid for the sins of all people, and made peace with God possible. The pivotal point in all human history is the cross. Everything turns on that single event. But what God did in Israel on that day long ago became very personal to each one of us through the message of the Gospel: Christ died in your place, for your guilt, as your Savior/your rescuer. He was raised from the dead as the Lord of life. He offers you forgiveness and new life if you repent and put your trust in Him. Conclusion: I don't know if you noticed it, but these portraits of Jesus grow increasingly personal as they progress: from His identity as the eternal God, to His relationship to all creation, to the church in general throughout the ages, to each one of us as redeemed individuals right now. •In Christianity, you are not focusing on principles, nor commandments, nor a philosophy, nor even a way of life; all these are there, but unlike any other religion, Christianity (and we who embrace it) are obsessed with a person, on the Promised One, the Messiah, the Christ. And for very good reason. He alone is enough. •How we think about Jesus determines how we respond to Jesus.] Jesus draws near to you, and approaches you as your God, your Creator, your Lord, your Savior.

1 Thessalonians

Subject: The Good News of the Gospel: Christ's righteousness is given to us Speaker or Performer: Fr. Neal P. Longe Scripture Passage(s): Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 Date of Delivery: March 6, 2022 Click here for the written transcription of the sermonClick here for the written transcription of the sermon in Spanish (En Espanol)

Subject: The Good News of the Gospel: Christ's righteousness is given to us Speaker or Performer: Fr. Neal P. Longe Scripture Passage(s): Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 Date of Delivery: March 6, 2022 Click here for the written transcription of the sermonClick here for the written transcription of the sermon in Spanish (En Espanol)

This week Bryce and I walk through the idea of Christ's sacrifice as a ransom. We are indebted to God and our wages due to us is death (Rom. 6:23) but Christ has paid that ransom and won us back from the wrath of God, NOT FROM SATAN'S CLUTCHES. If you want more information on Jesus satisfying us from God's wrath listen to the very first episode of the podcast. Thanks for listening! “We need not wonder that so much importance is attached to our Lord's resurrection. It is the seal and memorial stone of the great work of redemption, which He came to do. It is the crowning proof that He has paid the debt He undertook to pay on our behalf, won the battle He fought to deliver us from hell, and is accepted as our guarantee and our substitute by our Father in heaven. Had He never come forth from the prison of the grave, how could we ever have been sure that our ransom had been fully paid? Had He never risen from His conflict with the last enemy, how could we have felt confident that He has overcome the power of death from the devil? But thanks be unto God, we are not left in doubt. The Lord Jesus really rose again for our justification.” - J.C Ryle Key Texts: Mark 10:45 (Matt. 20:28 as well) Hosea 13:14 (quoted in 1 Cor. 15:55) 1 Timothy 2:6 Psalm 110:1-4 My guest joining me this week on the Sunday series is my brother Bryce. Bryce just finished his undergraduate degree in philosophy and hopes to get his MDiv. from a seminary after he completes his undergrad. He hopes to be a pastor shepherding Gods people one day. Website: forthekingpodcast.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/For-The-King-105492691873696/ Contact: forthekingpodcast@gmail.com Donate Crypto: https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkout/f63fd7db-919e-44f6-9c58-8ec2891f3eb5 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rocky-ramsey/support

“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. I'm not sure that the picture most of us have in our minds of Jesus is really anything like the real Jesus! Most of us picture Jesus the way we saw Him in Sunday school pictures when we were children. He had a dark complexion, was tall, had long hair, had a lamb under His arm and He was knocking on a door. He appeared to be very kind and gracious and you could see the love in His eyes. He was also wearing long flowing colorful garments. Honestly we don't really know what Jesus looked like physically while He ministered here on earth. It's interesting, I'm not even sure I've ever read a physical description of Jesus given in the Gospel by His disciples. But here in Revelation, John gives us a very vivid description of Jesus as He experienced Him appearing to him in his exile on the Isle of Patmos. John calls Jesus “One like the Son of Man”. This title of Jesus was one that Jesus used to identify Himself in His ministry more than any other! (See Luke's Gospel) Christ's garments are those of a Judge-King, One with honor and authority. The white hair symbolizes His eternality. Remember Daniel the prophet saw "the Ancient of Days" in his vision in Daniel 7 and gave a similar description of Him. "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire…” (Daniel 7:9) Later Daniel again saw Jesus in another vision and called Him by the same name John did. "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.”(Daniel 7:13) His eyes are “like a flame of fire”! Probably just the opposite of what we have in our mind of the eyes of Jesus. We believe this means that the eyes of Jesus sees everything! This enables Him to judge righteously. John gives this same description of Jesus when He comes back the earth at the end of the tribulation in Revelation 19:12: “His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.” John saw the feet the “Son of Man” as if they were “like fine brass as if refined in a furnace”. This also suggest judgment, since the brazen altar was the place where the fire consumed the sin offering. The Lord had come to judge the churches, and He would also judge the evil world system. Now John hears His voice as “the sound of many waters". This makes us think of Niagara Falls! Perhaps two ideas are suggested here: First, Christ gathers together all the "streams of revelation" and He is the Father's "last Word" to man (Hebrews 1:1-3). Second, He speaks with power and authority and must be heard. The sword from His mouth certainly represents the living Word of God (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17). He fights His enemies by using His Word (Revelation 2:16; 19:19-21).

From Darkness to Light, Satan to GodIn 1839, the Gospel reached, for the first time, a chain of 80 islands in the South Pacific. We know them oday as the Republic of Vanuatu. Back then, the London missionary society sent out 2 missionaries who landed on the shores one of the islands. Their hope was to share the love of Christ with the natives. However, within minutes of their arrival, they were killed and then eaten by cannibals. In the years following, other missionary endeavors went forth. On a different island, another team of missionaries arrived, but within months they were driven off.Pastor and theologian John Piper has spoken and written about the mission to these islands. He's specifically highlighted the missionary endeavors of John G Paton. You may have never heard of Paton before, but he dedicated his life to bring the Gospel to the South Pacific. In 1866, Paton and his pregnant wife arrived on yet another one of the 80 islands – the island of Aniwa. There they found practices of infanticide, widow sacrifice, and more cannibalism. The people were full of fear as expressed through their idols, their superstition, and their ancestor worship. Paton himself wrote, “Their whole worship was one of slavish fear; …they had no idea of a God of mercy or grace.” Sadly, within one year, both Paton's wife and their newborn son died of disease. He buried them next to the home he built.When we hear of the hardships, and death, and martyrdom on the mission field, some ask the question ask, “why?” What motivates someone to risk their life for the Gospel? Many missionaries in the 19th century packed their bags for the field by putting their possessions in a coffin. You see, when they said goodbye to their loved ones, they knew they would likely die of sickness or persecution and come home in that coffin.And dare I ask another related question. A theological one. A hard one. In places where the Gospel has yet to reach, will those people end up in hell? It's a difficult but necessary question. It's related. If the answer is “no,” then why would John Paton and other missionaries put everything on the line? Why would they and why should we seek out places in the world where the Gospel has yet to penetrate?Well, the apostle Paul answers that very question for us today. When I read our text this morning, I'm guessing you didn't have that on your mind. I know it's easy to gloss over things in Scripture. After all, this is the third time we've heard Paul's testimony. But every time we've heard it, Luke, the author of Acts, or Paul himself emphasized different aspect of his conversion. One new emphasis here is on Paul's mission. What God called him to do and why. Really that is captured in verses 17 and 18. God was calling Paul to bring the Gospel to the nations, that they may “turn.” That's the word used in verse 18, “turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” In fact, Paul's own conversion is a microcosm of his mission. God turned Paul from darkness to light – literally. Verse 13 “I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun.”In fact, what Paul is doing here in this chapter is following through on his mission. Next week, when we look at the conclusion of his trial, we'll see that Paul's very audience was part of his mission field.So Paul's life and calling and words all testify to his mission – from darkness to light, from Satan to God. They all answer the question for us, “why take the Gospel to the ends of the earth?” But before we get into the specifics of why, let's take a step back. There are some great and convicting things in this chapter, besides Paul's mission. There are some questions to answer, too – like what is this “kicking against the goads” thing. We'll get into all that. But first, let me remind you what had been happening. Paul was on display. We've gone from governor Felix to governor Festus. Now King Agrippa and his sister Bernice have joined Festus to hear Paul. A few days earlier, Paul had appealed to Caesar. As a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to request a trial before the Roman emperor. He appealed to that right. Paul would be taken to Rome.However, there was one problem. Festus didn't know what to write to Caesar. What charges to indicate. That's because there were none. The Jews were desperate to have Paul executed, so they made up false charges that didn't stick. Festus saw right through their fake news. He then consulted with king Agrippa. After all, Agrippa was part of the Herod dynasty, so he had Jewish roots. Maybe he could help figure out what to write to the emperor. So, Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, asked to hear from Paul directly.What did they do? They called a hearing in the great hall. The event was full of Roman pageantry. At the end of chapter 25, King Agrippa and Bernice entered the great hall with great pomp. That word “pomp” in the Greek would literally be translated fantasy. Like fantastical. It would have been something like a British Royal ceremony. You know, with formalities, and color, and flags. King Agrippa and Bernice sat in their place of honor. Governor Festus and the city counsel and leaders gathered around them. The Roman military commanders made their presence known… all of them decked out in their garb.And then Paul was brought in with chains. He's given an audience, a grand audience, a captive audience. What an opportunity. And so Paul seized the moment. Another chance to speak of the hope of Jesus.In the first few verse, notice how deferential Paul was to the king. He acknowledged him, recognized his status. Paul gave king Agrippa the honor due him. And he pleaded that that the king would “patiently listen,” verse 3.Even though the Jews weren't there, Paul knew that Agrippa and Bernice were well versed in the Jewish Scriptures. In verses 6 and 7, Paul spoke of “our fathers” and “our twelve tribes.” And then he honed in on hope to which their Jewish scriptures pointed. This time, in Paul's defense, rather than end with the hope of the resurrection, he began with it.Verse 8 alone is a gem. I'm quite sure different pastors have preached on that verse by itself. It says, “Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?” Paul's not just speaking to Agrippa, no, now he's expanded his focus… “any of you” It's like he was saying, “If God is God, if he's the creator of all things, if he's the one who gave you life and breath, if his might and powerful are infinite, then how little is your faith to think that he can't raise the dead! Stop putting God in a little box. Open your heart and mind to the wonders and amazing hope of the resurrection.”Paul then used that resurrection question to launch into his own testimony. He had opposed Jesus and his followers. But then God changed his life.If you've been with us in our journey through Acts, then you know parts the story. How Paul persecuted Christians. How he pursued them, trapped them, had them put to death. But then, How the bright light blinded Paul, how he fell to the ground, how Jesus himself appeared to him, and how he spoke to Paul. Those are the common things we've studied in Paul's testimony.But here, in this third testimony account, we're given some new information. Besides Jesus saying to Paul, “why are you persecuting me?” verse 14. Jesus said this: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” We hadn't that before. You're probably all wondering, just what does that mean?!Well, it's a farming metaphor. When a farmer was driving his oxen, he would have a long pointed stick or steel rod. It was called a goad. And he would poke his oxen to encourage them. You know, so they would pull harder. I don't know about you, but if I was one of those oxen, I probably wouldn't like it. And so, what did the oxen often do? Well, they would try to kick the goad. Literally, they would lift a hind leg and thrust it back toward the oncoming goad. But here's the thing, what's going to happen if you try and kick a spiked metal or wooden rod? Well, your hoof or leg is going to get stabbed. It's not going to be good. It may make you even more mad, you may even try it again, which will, of course, make matters worse.When Jesus said to Paul that “It is hard for him to kick against the goad,” he was saying that Paul had been fighting God. Paul had been trying to fend off the Holy Spirit's convicting… but Paul was not going to win that battle. Are you kicking against the goads? Meaning, is the Lord prodding you? Have you been resisting him? Maybe it's an area of your life that you know needs transforming. Maybe it's resisting Jesus himself? Know that when it comes to God, you're better off submitting now than kicking even harder. Sometimes we learn that the hard way, don't we?And so Paul submitted to the Lord. This was the turning point in his life. I'm sure he carried with him all the pain that he had caused the Christians. Maybe it reminded him of God's grace or it was a constant call to humility.So Jesus blinded Paul. Told him to stop resisting. Paul's life was changed. And next, Jesus told Paul his mission - the calling that God had for him. Verses 16-23. The two other conversion accounts don't focus much on Paul's mission. To be sure, Ananias was told that Paul would testify to the Jews, and before kings, and to the gentiles. But here in Acts 26, Paul gave us more details. He told Agrippa and Festus, and the whole assembly hall, about Jesus's calling for his life.And really, when you hear about God's mission for Paul's life, you should be asking, which parts of this missions has God called me to? To be sure, Paul was a special case. God had an intended purpose for Paul as an apostle. But none of these mission emphases, here, are unique to the apostles. No, these are calls to the broader church - for you and me, both collectively and individually. So let's engage Paul's mission in light of the mission to which we are all called.If we put it in question form, God is telling Paul the “what,” the “who,” and the “why” of his mission. Let's use that for a little structure.What And let me say this, Jesus was pretty clear with Paul about all of it. He was pretty clear about the “what,” Look at verse 16. Jesus said to Paul, “rise… stand up… I have appeared to you for this purpose.” And then Jesus goes right into the “what” of Paul's mission.It's captured in two things:1.) Paul was appointed to be a “servant” and “witness.” That's in the middle of 16. In the Greek, that word servant is translated elsewhere as “minister.” In fact, in Luke chapter 1 verse 2, a very similar phrase is used, “minister” and “eyewitness”. Luke, is the same author as Acts. In Luke chapter 1, he was talking about those who served with Christ, or who experienced him. It's the same word “minister” translated “servant” in Acts 26:16. But interestingly, “eyewitness” in Luke 1 and “witness” in Acts 26 are different. In Acts 26:16 the word “witness” is the same root word for martyr – someone who believed in something so deeply, he or she was willing to give the ultimate sacrifice. In other words, Paul's whole life was now to “witness” to Jesus, whom he has now seen. Paul's mission involved being a servant minister and a life transforming witness. That's the first part of the “what” of Paul's mission.2.) And the second part of the “what” is that Paul was sent. That's the last 4 words of verse 17. “I am sending you.” That's the same word that is sometimes translated as “apostle.” It's not used in the formal sense here. Rather, it's used in the missionary sort of way. Being sent.So, to summarize the “what” of Paul's mission. His mission was to go, ministering and witnessing to Jesus. His life and words were to testify about him. That's the “what.”WhoAnd next, the “who” …or rather, “to whom” was Paul being sent.Again, Jesus was pretty clear with Paul about that! In verse 17, first Jesus says he's delivering Paul from his people, the Jews, and also delivering him from the gentiles. In other words, God will be with him and rescue him from them. Same word deliver and rescue. And then Jesus said, those are the people to whom I'm sending you. To the Jews and gentiles. Translation – the whole world. Your people, the Jews and everyone else, the non-Jews. When Jesus told Paul that he was being sent to them, Jesus was at the same time saying it wouldn't be easy. It's like this intermixing of sending and delivering. I'm sending you to them while I'm delivering you from them. We know from the other two accounts that Jesus is explicit to tell Paul that he would be persecuted.I don't think there's any missionary sent to unreached people groups, who would say the work is easy. No, it's not easy. It involves risking your life, it involves giving up the comforts, and sacrificing. Paul didn't have a home. Have you ever thought about that? No place to lay his head that he could call home. He was either on the move or like here, in chains, sleeping in a prison cell. Yet, he knew “what” Jesus had called him to (to be a witness that pointed to him), and he knew “to whom” Jesus had called him – first the Jews and then the Gentiles. Really, to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth.WhyAnd the last thing that Jesus tells Paul… the “why” of his mission. The “why” is verse 18, the whole verse. Look at it, again. “Why?” “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'” Notice, there are four parts to the “why” in verse 18• First, for those who do not know Jesus; those who have never heard of the grace of God in Christ; the tribes and peoples in the world today where the Gospel has yet to reach… they are living in darkness. That's the first part of the “why” – they are in darkness and need the light of Christ. • The second part in verse 18 is that they are under the power of Satan. The great enemy has a hold on their lives and culture. We've seen that in several cities in our journey through Acts… and we see that today. Cultures dominated by cult practices and false religions.• The third part of the “why” is that the people Paul was called to needed Jesus's forgiveness. When people come to the light of Christ, when they come to God repenting, verse 20, then they will be forgiven. • And the last part is perhaps the hardest. Jesus said “they do not have a place among those who by faith are sanctified in Christ.” In other words, they don't have a heavenly hope. They will not be in eternity with Christ. Instead, their end will be eternal separation from God. That's what verse 18 says. Plain and simple.It's the answer to the question I began with, what about the people in a remote village or remote island where the Gospel has yet to come. Can they be saved and have the hope of heaven? No, not apart from the Gospel. This “why” answer created an urgency in Paul's life, in his mission. It's the urgency that we need to have as we think about God's mission call for us today. There are people who have yet to hear about the hope of Christ.According to the Joshua Project – The Joshua Project tracks the unfinished task of Gospel missions to the world – according to them, of the 17,400 people groups in the world, 7,400 of them have little to no Gospel.Are you called? In one sense, we're all called to the same mission as Paul, but in another sense, this is a particular call to be sent. To go forth. To help reach those at the ends of the earth that still need Christ. This is not to minimize the Gospel needs all around us, our neighbors, the refugee community next door. But maybe God is calling you to go. Kids, maybe God is calling you to dedicate your life to Gospel work. To go to the remotest of villages or cultures where darkness or Satan reigns and to be part of God's kingdom work to bring light, and God, and forgiveness of sins, and the heavenly hope that only Jesus can offer.ConclusionJohn Paton wrote about those two missionaries martyred back in 1839 - John Williams and James Harris. Almost 50 years after their death, Paton wrote this: “Thus were [these islands] baptized with the blood of martyrs; and Christ thereby told the whole Christian world that he claimed these islands as His own.” And do you know what happened on island after island. The Gospel took root – the hope of Christ alone went forth. Paton, himself, persevered in the mission to which he was called on the island of Aniwa. He saw almost half the population dedicate his or her life to Christ, 3,500 lives. On another island, 79,000… yet on another, 34,000. Paton wrote they “threw away their idols, renouncing their heathen customs, avowing themselves to be worshippers of the true God” Besides proclaiming the Gospel, Paton and other missionaries translated the Bible into multiple languages, established churches, set up schools, and orphanages. Over time, these new believers would themselves send out hundreds of Bible teachers and Gospel missionaries to the other remote areas of the islands of Vanuatu.God saw fit there to fulfill an Acts 26 verse 18 Gospel transformation. God opened their eyes. He turned them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God. They received forgiveness of sins and a place, an eternal place, in heaven, among those sanctified in God. John Piper wrote a few years ago that 85% of the people of Vanuatu profess Christianity today. It all started with the ultimate witness - the martyr of two faithful believers called to go to the ends of the earth.Let me bring this to a close. The apostle Paul, after speaking of the mission that Jesus gave him, next told them of his obedience to that call. “O King Agrippa,” verse 19, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.” And over our concluding verses this morning, Paul shared of his ministry to the Jews and Gentiles, calling them to repentance… and in verse 23, Paul concluded with the Gospel - Christ's suffering to death and his resurrection, and Jesus's own Gospel mission, “he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” May we go forth with the same Gospel mission to the ends of the earth.