Podcasts about i john

Today we wrap us Paul's letter to the Philippians.  One thing that stands out in Paul's mind is that God offers what we need most in life.  In fact, with Christmas that is exactly what God gives to us.  God truly come to us in order that our needs would be met!  It was because of this that Paul was able to display a thankful spirit in the most difficult times of his life!  When you know that God's promise is there to meet your greatest needs, you also will discover a most thankful spirit in you!  Read  Philippians 4:14-20; I Timothy 6:18-19; Matthew 6:25-33; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; I John 5:14-15

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, Nehemiah 8:10, Genesis 16:13, Psalm 121:8, I John 5:14-15, Jeremiah 33:3The Pulse ExperienceA Network That Beats To The Heart Of GodPodcast: The Names That God Calls Me: Podcast-Days 14-16 RecapSpeaker: John FowlerMonday, December 1, 2025 https://linktr.ee/thepulsewvOrder Your Copy Of "The Names God Calls Me" On My Website.Website: johnfowler.org

I John

I John

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, Nehemiah 8:10, Genesis 16:13, Psalm 121:8, I John 5:14-15, Jeremiah 33:3The Pulse ExperienceA Network That Beats To The Heart Of GodSermon: The Names That God Calls Me: Sermon-Days 14-16 RecapSpeaker: John FowlerSunday, November 30, 2025https://linktr.ee/thepulsewvOrder Your Copy Of "The Names God Calls Me" On My Website.Website: johnfowler.org

(This podcast was previously published on January 12, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   One of the works of the flesh of man is "emulations" (Galatians 5:20).   It is the nature of man to exalt himself above other people.  People do this in different ways.  By physical appearance, by achievements, by the clothes worn ... It is natural for us to do this one way or another.   The apostle Paul says:  They that do these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  (I Corinthians 6:9-10 and  Galatians 5:19-21)   We once did these things but now we are born again, given by God HIS Spirit, so we learn to go another way.   Galatians 5:22-25   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.   In 1960, I moved to Dallas, Texas, to be orchestra director at Kimball High School.  One of the high school teachers invited me to go to a college football game.  I was shocked that anyone actually chose to do this.  In college, I played in the band and we were forced to go to football until after the halftime performance and then they let us leave.  My friends and I left!   The teacher at Kimball said, "It only costs $6."   I replied, "You mean you pay to go?"   For the next 60 years I hated the opposing team and was a fan.   Then God began to wean me away and modify my life in this activity.   We learn the way of this world.  Then the Spirit of God pulls us away from that way and takes us another way.  And in the end we come to see all that matters is God's way.   And we then feel sorry for those who are trapped in the ways of this world.  But we are very grateful to God that HE showed us the truth.   *****   Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:   Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made Himself of no reputation,   I once played duplicate bridge.  At the bridge center, as my partner and I were trying to beat the other people, I often thought of Jesus and Paul.  I couldn't imagine them doing what I was doing.  I asked God to get me loose from this.  God did.   God answers our prayers when they are according to the will of God.  (I John 5:13-15)   ***   The apostle Paul was very highly skilled in the Jew's religious, even above many other men:   I Corinthians 3:3-10   For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.   4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:   5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;   6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.   7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.   8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,   9 And be found in HIM, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:   10 That I may know HIM, and the power of HIS resurrection, and the fellowship of HIS sufferings, being made conformable unto HIS death;   (I used to pray verse 10 over myself frequently.  God was pleased to answer that prayer also!)   ***   Like Paul, God changes us day by day into the image of Jesus as we are given the Word and as we make adjustments which are appropriate to the Word.   I Corinthians 15:30-31   And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.   (We die "to self" as God calls to our attention an adjustment which we need to make to that which we have been doing on this earth.)   On January 4, 2021, I realized it would be better for me to make a change in our Podbean heading and instead of identifying myself as Jesus Ministries, Dr. Joan Boney, I now identify myself by the following:    Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney, called to be an apostle and prophet of Jesus Christ according to Ephesians 4:11-12.    Although I do have an earned doctorate, the important thing for anyone to know about me is that I am called by God for the work of apostle and prophet.   (No doubt this identification will bring me some shame and even persecution from church goers.)  

(This podcast was previously published on December 20, 2020)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   The apostle Paul called the elders of the church at Ephesus to come meet with him because Paul knew they would never see him again and Paul had a "charge" to give them concerning the church.   Acts 20:25-30   And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.   Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which HE hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.   The early church was already to feel division by those persons who were "antichrist".   The apostle John explains:  I John 2:18-19  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.   They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.   And the apostle Paul explains the way some were trying to worship the preachers, which divides the body of Christ.   I Corinthians 3:1-4  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?   (One says, "I'm Baptist." and another says, "I'm Methodist.")   Ephesians 4:4-6   There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.   (To try to keep from dividing the church, we can just say, "I'm a Christian," if we feel we must identify ourselves.)   But often the person who hears this will ask, "What church?" for that person is carnal, failing to know there is only one church and that church has nothing to do with all these denominations set up by man to divide the body of Christ.   The division in the church comes because some people put themselves into the church without having the spirit of God.   Jude  17-19   But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;   How that they told you there should be mockers (copiers/imitators) in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.   Such in the church groups are just waiting to have opportunity to say what they think.  And without the Spirit, they speak their ideas to the church, what they think, and these are "perverse" things as Paul knew they would speak after his departure from the church at Ephesus.   And Paul knew they were just waiting for an opportunity to draw away disciples after themselves.   And by these the various denominations began where the church was divided one from another through their churches.  

(This podcast was previously published on January 10, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   When we are born of God, the Spirit of Truth lives in us.   Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth.  (I Corinthians 3:16 & I Corinthians 6:19)   Hebrews 8:10   For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put MY laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to ME a people:   We know the truth.   After I was born again, I went to a non-denominational church.  I would shudder at some of the things the pastor and members of the congregation said.  I knew the truth.  But I didn't know then that I knew the truth.  What they were speaking was not the truth and I was grieved, though I didn't even understand that I was grieved.   Later God would show me truth about a scripture and often God reminded me of the bad feeling I had when these pastors taught opposite to that which God was showing me.   We learn to recognize and to trust the Spirit of Truth when HE speaks to us.   Many of those things taught today in our churches are not truth.   And we know this because we are of truth.   Jesus even says the voice of strangers we will not follow.  (John 10)   That is the reason we are troubled by many things spoken today at our churches by both pastors and by people in the congregations.   In this Podcast I share some of those things.   *****   I John 2   26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.   27 But the anointing which ye have received of HIM abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in HIM.   28 And now, little children, abide in HIM; that, when HE shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before HIM at HIS coming.   29 If ye know that HE is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of HIM.  

(This podcast was previously published on November 29, 2020)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   No one knows the circumstances of your problems like you know them.   James 5:16  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.To be "effectual" that prayer must be according to the will of God "for you."   You are the one who must go to God to find out the will of God for you before you pray.   To be "fervent" that prayer must be "red hot".   Most of us cannot be "red hot" concerning a stranger.  We usually just do not experience the torment a stranger is going through.  In your need you are "red hot" over your suffering.  And your faith must be in God, and not in us.   You should pray!   Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.   (You pray directly to God.)   7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   I John 5:14-15  And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us:  And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.   You pray directly to God!   *****   When a minister prints on his written materials, "Send me your prayer requests"  usually, that minister is hoping you will put some money in the envelope with the prayer request.  In such cases, requests for your prayer requests are fund raising gimmicks.   ABC Primetime Live investigated Robert Tilton at Word of Faith Family Church in Farmers Branch, Texas on November 21, 1991.  (see Robert Tilton, ABC PRIMETIME LIVE, Wikipedia)   Tilton printed, "Send me your prayer requests," on his published materials and told people to send him their prayer requests on his radio and TV shows.  80-million dollars per year was received according to the ABC News report.  After the expose aired on ABC, offerings fell to 2-million dollars per year, still a lot of money.  Some in his church began trying to sue Tilton for his hundredfold return doctrine. He divorced and ended up marrying 3 times.  His church property was sold to the city of Farmers Branch and was torn down.   I had the same advertising agent as Tilton.  When I refused to ask people to send prayer request, the representative from the Michael Ellison Advertising Agency told me, "Well, you're missing a good bet by not doing this, for when they send prayer requests, they will usually put money into the envelope along with the prayer request."  This was a fund raising scheme.   When the envelopes arrived at Tilton's church, they were forwarded "unopened" to a bank in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where bank employees opened the prayer requests envelopes and removed the money, depositing that money into Tilton's bank account, and they threw the prayer requests into the garbage where ABC investigators found them in dumpsters.   In my opinion, it would be impossible for ministers to adequately pray over individual problems when they received hundreds of prayer requests this way.   This is all very evil.   You, who send prayer requests, are somehow thinking that minister has more power with God than you have.  So your faith is in the prayer of the minister rather than being in faith in God.  And a minister who uses prayer this way does an evil deceptive work.   I do not want you to send prayer requests to me.  I tell you in writing on our blog that you should pray. I have never solicited prayer requests during the past 40+ years that I have done ministry work as an apostle/prophet of Jesus Christ according to Ephesians 4:11-12.   You should pray directly to God.   ***   A woman in our church group once asked me to help her pick out a lighting fixture for her dinning room.  I agreed to meet her at the lighting store.  Enroute to the store, I prayed:  "God, please help us to find a light fixture immediately so we will not have to go all over town looking for one."   (Philippians 4:6   "Let your requests be made known unto God.")   When we entered the store, I saw a fixture that would work, but I wanted this woman to find her own fixture so I just sat at the desk area and waited as she looked at the fixtures.   When she returned to the area where I was sitting, I asked, "Well ... did you find a fixture?"   She replied, "No."   I pointed to the fixture I had noticed as we entered the store and I said, "That would work."   She examined the fixture and bought it.   When we left the store, I asked, "Did you pray before we went to that store to look for a light fixture?"   In a very coy way she said, "No ... because I knew you would."   Her faith was in me instead of being in God.   Depending on others to pray could end up costing you your faith in God and destroy you spiritually.   

November 9, 2025 Hos. 2:2-3:5; Ps. 123:3-4; Prov. 27:11; I John 5:13-21

November 9, 2025 Hos. 2:2-3:5; Ps. 123:3-4; Prov. 27:11; I John 5:13-21

Balanced approach I Timothy 3:2 – “an overseer, then, must be …” I John 1:8 – “If we say that we have no sin …” It's possible to be too…

Title: “Why We Give Thanks” Part 1 Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 FCF: We often struggle gaining assurance of our faith. Prop: Because Disciple Makers praise God for genuine disciples, we must display the fruit of genuine disciples. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. In a moment we'll read from the English Standard Version starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible, with the page number on the screen, or in the version you prefer. It is a joy and privilege to begin another book series with you. In the nine years I have pastored here I have preached through 14 New Testament books. Perhaps the Lord will give me grace to live long enough to preach through the entire bible before I die. We'll see. Paul begins this letter with a quick greeting and then verses 2-5 are 1 sentence in the Greek. Grammar police may accuse Paul of writing a run on sentence – but such grammar rules didn't exist yet. The entire first chapter, while only being 10 verses long, represents a summary of every theme that will be teased out in the remaining 4 chapters of the letter. So, as you can imagine, chapter 1 is quite dense in its meaning. Covering 5 verses this morning will be quite a herculean challenge. May God sustain us. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Sovereign King, you have purchased us from darkness and redeemed us to light. We are slaves to righteousness now and children of Your holy Kingdom. We praise you for this and thank you that You have given such wonderful gifts to us through Your Son and have indwelled us with Your Spirit. Allow Your Spirit to bear witness to us as we look to Your word and send Him also to give soft hearts to those who have come this morning with hearts of stone. May they be raised to new life in Your Son and baptized into Him with His Spirit. We pray this in Jesus' name and for His sake – Amen. Transition: Long sermon today. I've cut what I could. It is time for you to strive with your flesh and pay attention to what God has revealed. Let's begin, of course, in verse 1. I.) Disciple Makers praise God for genuine disciples, so we must display the cardinal graces of Christ . (1-3) a. [Slide 2] 1 - Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. i. This is only Paul's second letter he has ever sent to a church congregation. ii. His first letter was to the Galatians. iii. The tone of this letter is significantly more positive than the letter of Galatians. It isn't difficult to determine why. iv. Although both letters were written to fledgling churches who were experiencing opposition, the churches of Southern Galatia had abandoned the clear teaching that Paul and Barnabas had taught them in order to believe what the Judaizers were teaching. v. The Thessalonians were enduring. vi. As we noted last week, Paul writes this letter with the assistance of Silas and Timothy. vii. Timothy is relaying information from the Thessalonian church, having recently visited with them. And Silas, here called by his Latin name Silvanus, is the one who writes the letter itself. viii. [Slide 3] Thessalonica is positioned here on the Aegean Sea. It is likely that well over 100,000 people lived in the city with thousands more traveling to and through it on a daily basis. ix. [Slide 4] Thessalonica had a significant Jewish population but of course was predominantly gentile. The religion was certainly paganism but with unique flavors of Egyptian gods being worshipped along with the Emperor cult. x. [Slide 5] The prepositional phrase “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” is difficult to understand where it fits in. xi. Are they writing to them in God and the Lord Jesus or is the church in God and the Lord Jesus? xii. It is most certainly the latter given the context of the book. xiii. The three companions are writing to this church and Paul takes the opportunity to remind them that they rest safely in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. xiv. This is significant in that Paul, a Jew, is using Old Covenant language of belonging to the community of Yahwehism, but he is doing so in reference to a predominantly gentile assembly. xv. This communicates very clearly that although we should maintain a distinction between the church and Covenant Israel- in the New Covenant that distinction is largely erased. God is creating a new people for Himself out of Israel and the nations. xvi. [Slide 6] Finally, Paul finishes his greeting with what will become his standard greeting to churches to which he writes. xvii. Grace to you and peace. xviii. At this point, if you've been attending our church for any amount of time, you should have a decent definition of God's grace. 1. Certainly, unmerited favor is an… OK… definition. But we can add a little more color to that. 2. [Slide 7] Grace is God's power which He grants to people according to His free will, to enable them to receive or do something which they are unable to get or do for themselves. 3. In the Scriptures we see God's common grace in providing a world full of pleasures and relative happiness even to those who are wicked. 4. We also, and especially see God's saving grace or special grace, which is necessary for any to come to salvation, since all men are children of wrath by nature and dead in their trespasses and sins. 5. But we also see God's sanctifying grace which enables His children to desire and have the power to do as He has commanded them. 6. Understanding this aspect of God's grace is the only way that Paul's comments make any sense. If God's grace is only good to regenerate, convert, and justify a believer – we really have no need to wish it to anyone who is already a believer. 7. But since God's power in His grace continues to mold us and conform us to Christ – we are in constant need of its steady supply. 8. Thus, to wish for, pray for, or desire God's grace to be given to another believer – is to desire their greatest good. 9. We should stop saying – Have a great day, or God bless! 10. Instead, we should say – God's grace to you. xix. [Slide 8] And of course – peace. xx. Peace in what sense? xxi. [Slide 9] Well peace actually works on a few levels especially in the context of 1 Thessalonians. 1. First, there is peace with God. a. Unlike grace, peace with God is not something that we need in steady supply. b. True, we can strain the relationship with our Heavenly Father, but He remains our Father. There is, as Paul says in Romans, no condemnation in Christ. c. Peace with God is secured for us in the death and resurrection of Christ. d. But in another sense, the safety from the wrath of God is not fully applied until the Lord Jesus returns for His church and destroys all His enemies. e. And so, Paul is reminding them of the peace they have with God through Christ's death resurrection and future coming in glory. 2. Second, we could also see a wish for peace or harmony with one another. a. This also works on two levels. b. First is the peace with other believers. i. Paul emphasizes in this book the love that we must have for one another and how it must be abounding and growing. ii. This has ramifications on how we treat one another within the body of Christ and how we hold each other accountable. c. But Paul also speaks to the opposition the Thessalonian church is facing. i. Therefore, Paul wishes peace with outsiders as well. ii. Hoping for a quiet life where they can worship the Lord and live godly lives in peace. iii. Knowing full well that some of the church's family members, friends, colleagues, and co-workers are no doubt aggressively against their conversion to Christ. This is probably the opposition they are facing. 3. Third, we could also see this wish for peace with trials. a. Facing all the issues and problems they are, Paul may also be wishing them spiritual peace. b. Hope. c. That God is not blind to what they are enduring. d. They should trust Him in the midst of all this and continue to live holy lives before Him. xxii. Grace to them and peace is a perfect greeting. xxiii. Paul continues… b. [Slide 10] 2 - We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, i. The first word from Paul, after months of not seeing him and enduring opposition, are words of encouragement. ii. These three companions, who loved them and cared for them, are always giving thanks to God for them. iii. One constant theme throughout this book is that to every disciple-maker's greatest joy… is to see those whom they have discipled grow to be spiritually mature Christ followers. iv. Paul, Silas, and Timothy are overjoyed, they are tickled pink, that the Thessalonians are enduring in their faith. v. So much so, that in their prayers to God, they are always giving thanks for them and constantly mentioning them. vi. But what is the content of their prayers for the Thessalonians? What are they constantly praying to God about them? c. [Slide 11] 3 - remembering before our God and Father your work of faith i. Their prayers consist of recalling or bringing to mind again and again, certain aspects of the Thessalonian's godly character. ii. Grammatically the possessive pronoun “your” connects these three consecutive attributes together as graces God has given them. iii. So, what does Paul mean by their work of faith? iv. Given the context of 1 Thessalonians, it seems like Paul means a faith that produces works, specifically works of obedience and allegiance to the object of their faith. v. At the end of this triad of graces, Paul says “In the Lord Jesus Christ”. vi. Many commentators apply this only to the third grace mentioned. But some scholars see it as applied to all three of these graces. I tend to agree with the minority. vii. In that sense then, their faith, which is rooted in and allied with the Lord Jesus Christ, is the source for their works of obedience. d. [Slide 12] and labor of love i. The second characteristic of the Thessalonian church remembered in thankful prayer is their labor of love. ii. Most likely this expression follows a similar pattern as the first. iii. The labor is produced from or perhaps we could say it is motivated by their love which they have because they are in the Lord Jesus Christ. iv. We love, because He first loved us. v. And so, the Thessalonians, being united to Christ, have a supernaturally gifted love for God, and one another which motivates them to labor for one another in specific acts of love. e. [Slide 13] and steadfastness of hope i. Finally, he is thankfully remembering in prayer the Thessalonians' steadfastness in hope. ii. Again, we should see that hope is the source or the producer of endurance or steadfastness. iii. They can patiently wait and endure because they have a hope that is rooted, not only in the Lord Jesus generally, but in the finished work of Christ on the cross and the promise of His future coming and eternal salvation. f. [Slide 14] in our Lord Jesus Christ. i. In the Lord Jesus Christ, they have been given hope, love, and faith that continues to produce endurance, labor and work. ii. All of these virtues… all of these cardinal Christian graces… are rooted fully in the Lord Jesus Christ. iii. Without Christ there is no work of faith. There is no labor of love. There is no steadfastness of hope. iv. And notice these are rooted in our LORD Jesus Christ. v. We need a King, a sovereign over all things to guarantee that the faith, love and hope that He has given us will produce work, labor, and endurance. g. [Slide 15] Summary of the Point: Paul opens his letter with the encouragement that he, Silas, and Timothy are often thanking the Lord for the Thessalonian church. In this he reveals a repeated theme of this book, that disciple makers of all kinds are overjoyed and thankful to God when those they have ministered to reveal themselves to be genuine disciples by their growth in grace. Specifically, Paul calls out three cardinal graces that every genuine believer has in Christ. Every believer, since they are clothed with Christ, has a faith that produces works of obedience toward God, a love that motivates their labor for God and others, and a hope that builds endurance to weather every storm life has knowing that Christ will return and with Him justice will reign. We could choose from several applications here. None are overtly mentioned in this text. But I think the best application we could take from this text is simply asking the question… would Paul, Silas, and Timothy be thanking God continually… for our church? Are we a church who displays the work of faith, the labor of love, and the steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ? That, I think… hits the hardest. Are we as commendable as the Thessalonians? Transition: [Slide 16 (blank)] This is only one aspect of why the evangelists give thanks for the Thessalonian church. Paul continues in verse 4 to develop this theme. II.) Disciple Makers praise God for genuine disciples, so we must evaluate how the gospel came to us. (4-5) a. [Slide 17] 4 - For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, i. What is the word “for” taking us back to? ii. For implies… because or some connection to something previously mentioned. iii. It goes all the way back to verse 2. iv. Paul and his companions always give thanks to God for them and are constantly mentioning them to God in their prayers. v. Specifically, about their character produced by their relationship to their Lord Jesus Christ. vi. But Paul hasn't actually told the Thessalonians why they are thankful. He has told them how… but not why. So, why are they thankful? vii. Primarily, they are thankful to God and mentioning them often because they know… that God has chosen them. God has elected them. God has predestined them. viii. They are brothers which are loved by God. ix. Even though they are being rejected by their family and their friends, they have been chosen before the foundation of the world to join a new family with a new Father who loved them, not because they were special, but because He is special. x. Well, how do the evangelists know that God has chosen these Thessalonians? xi. We might expect Paul to go back to the previous character traits of grace that the Lord has given them… their works, labor, and endurance from faith, love and hope. xii. Indeed, we cannot divorce this from the reason they believe this… because Paul will bring this up later in chapter 1 which we'll see in part 2 of this sermon next week. xiii. But what is the thing Paul points to first as grounds for he and his companions to conclude that they are elect of God? b. [Slide 18] 5 - because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power i. There is some debate over the exact nature of the word because. ii. If you desire to hear the entire debate you can join us on Teams on Thursday night for bible study and prayer group. We will dive deeper into the three basic views. iii. But the view I took is by far the majority among scholars and translations. iv. Paul is saying that they know they are chosen because something occurred. v. Another thing that scholars insist upon here is that Paul is pointing to he and Silas and Timothy's preaching among them. However, Paul does not say “because we preached the gospel to you in power…” he says “because our gospel came to you in power.” vi. Now eventually, Paul will get to their example in the second part of verse 5. But he'll do that for a completely different reason, as we'll see in a moment. vii. But for now, it seems like Paul goes out of his way to DEEMPHASIZE he, Silas and Timothy's role in their reception of the gospel. Which only feeds back into this being the REASON that he knows they are truly elect of God. It wasn't the excellence of their preaching… it was the gospel coming to them in a specific way. viii. How did it come to them? ix. In short – the same way it comes to all who are truly believers. x. We've spoken about this recently, but as a reminder, the general call of the gospel is the preached Word of God. xi. It is when we give a defense for the hope that we have in us before those who are asking questions. It is when we preach the good news of Jesus Christ to unbelievers. xii. This, though, is merely the gospel going out in word. xiii. All our efforts are little more than words preached to a brick wall. There is no inherent power in our preaching of the Word of God. Nor is there any inherent power in our proclaiming of the gospel. xiv. As Paul says in Romans, the gospel is the power… of GOD. God chooses to empower His Word when He wishes to empower it. xv. Did Paul ever see the gospel go out in word only? You betcha. All the time in his missionary journey Luke records for us that “some believed” “as many as were appointed, believed” xvi. Many people heard the gospel but there was no power in the words they preached. xvii. But for the Thessalonian church – the gospel was not preached in word only – but in power. xviii. Listen, in every single person who genuinely receives the gospel of Jesus Christ – they do so because the gospel comes in power. xix. What power you may wonder? xx. My friends, all men are dead in sin, they are children of wrath by nature, they are not righteous, and they do not seek God. xxi. If you have a problem with anything I've just said – I have been quoting the bible. Take it up with God. xxii. The problem with natural man is that we are all born EVIL and WICKED people. Not as wicked as we could be – but with the potential to be as wicked as we could be and without any potential to be righteous. xxiii. No man seeks after God. Why? Because we are spiritually dead. We don't even know we are wicked. If you did an interview in downtown Port Huron and asked the question, “how are we all born, inherently good, neutral, or inherently evil?” 99% would tell you that we are born either good or neutral. xxiv. This is why the gospel must come in power and not merely in word. xxv. If man is only sick with sin, then a good word preached to him may yet convince him of the truth of the word of God. xxvi. But if men are dead in their sin – every proclamation of the gospel requires a supernatural and powerful act of God to convince men that they are evil and deserving of God's wrath. xxvii. My friends… how do we know we are elect of God? xxviii. Because we have been convinced that we are wicked sinners deserving the wrath of God. That is NOT a natural thought. xxix. No man or woman pops out of their mother convinced they are wicked. xxx. Instead, we are ALWAYS either the victims or the heroes. And we are NEVER the villain. xxxi. God's power in the gospel starts with convincing us that we are the villain and only He is the hero. xxxii. But Paul says, not only that the power of God was in the coming of the gospel to them, but also the third person of God was in the coming of the gospel to them… c. [Slide 19] and in the Holy Spirit i. What is the activity of the Spirit? What is the Spirit said to do in the New Testament? 1. He convicts unbelievers of sin – hmmm that sounds familiar… 2. He regenerates those who are spiritually dead – this is so they can respond to the call of the gospel. 3. He seals believers 4. He baptizes them into the body of Christ 5. He assures them of their salvation – hmmm hang on to that one for a moment. 6. He gives spiritual gifts 7. He teaches truth 8. He illuminates the scriptures ii. In short, you don't get the power of God in salvation without the Spirit of God in Salvation. iii. The Spirit of God prepares the soil of the heart to receive the gospel message and cultivates growth in such a person in order that they produce fruit. iv. We don't need sign gifts to confirm upon us the surety of our election. v. Our calling and election is sure when we bear the marks of the Holy Sprit's hostile takeover of our hearts. vi. And finally, Paul says… d. [Slide 20] and with full conviction. i. Again, many commentators insist that this is the preaching of Paul and his companions which was done in full conviction. But Paul isn't talking about how they preached. He is talking about how the gospel came. ii. This speaks to the gospel's convincing power. iii. Not only did it come in power to convict and regenerate… but also in the reception of faith in Christ is without wavering and without compromise. iv. This is the work of the Spirit to confirm the truth upon our hearts. v. When the gospel comes – it comes in certainty and without doubt. vi. That is not to say that there may never be times of doubt and assurance after this… vii. Certainly, this may be the case. viii. But when the gospel comes in power and in the Spirit, it will also come in a certainty and even an eagerness of the person who believes to grab ahold of Christ and Christ alone. ix. In this we may know that our election is true. We cling to Christ alone bearing the scars of the Holy Spirit's regeneration and indwelling. x. And this is how the evangelists knew the Thessalonians were elect of God. Because the gospel came upon the Thessalonians… and affected the Thessalonians… exactly the same way it had affected Paul, Silas, and Timothy. e. [Slide 21] You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. i. The ESV here creates a new sentence. ii. But in the Greek, this clause is still connected in this long sentence with a word that means “just as.” iii. So, Paul is saying, “Just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” iv. Because he uses the word “to know” again, this indicates to us that there is the mutual ability to know each other by outward signs. v. In other words, The Evangelists know the Thessalonians are chosen of God by how the gospel came to them… just like the Thessalonians knew what kind of men the evangelists were by how they gave of themselves to the Thessalonians. vi. Paul advocates for mutual knowledge of the genuineness of each other's spiritual identities based on God's work in them to share Christlike characteristics. vii. God's power in the gospel affects everyone who receives it… EXACTLY THE SAME. And therefore, it is relatively easy to spot a genuine Christian given enough time… viii. There is no such thing as a Christian who fails to display the cardinal grace of Christ and there is no such Christian who fails to experience the coming of the gospel in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in full conviction. ix. Therefore, they give thanks to God for them, because the evangelists and the Thessalonian church are truly and eternally… family. f. [Slide 22] Summary of the Point: So, Paul's primary point in these opening words remains the same. As disciple makers they have great joy and significant reason for thankfulness because the Thessalonians are living like genuine disciples of Christ. Paul explains that they are thankful because they know that the Thessalonians are brothers and sisters in Christ, loved by God, and chosen before the foundation of the world, because when the gospel came to them, it came empowered by the Spirit and produced a resolute loyalty to Jesus Christ. Paul even compares how the Thessalonians know them as good and godly men as a valid reason that these evangelists can know their spiritual identity. As we move to apply this text, we must ask ourselves the question, would Paul, Silas and Timothy be thanking God because they know we are elect of God? Did the gospel come to us in power? Did the gospel come to us in the Holy Spirit? Did the gospel come to us with full assurance? We should, each one of us, evaluate how the gospel came to us. Conclusion: So, CBC, what have we learned today that informs or corrects our beliefs and shapes and guides our lifestyles? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 23] The intent of this opening chapter is most certainly to encourage the Thessalonian church, who although new to their walk, are living faithfully unto Christ. Paul, Silas, and Timothy are overjoyed and continually grateful in their prayers to God for the news of the genuineness of these believer's faith. If we were the Thessalonians, we would gain great encouragement from the words of Paul to us. But we must first ask the question – are we like the Thessalonian church? Are we displaying the cardinal Christian graces of faith, love and hope? Did the gospel come to us in power and in the Holy Spirit and in full conviction? What if the answer to both of these questions is no? What if it is yes? Let me try to apply this text in a more practical and specific way to us this morning. 1.) [Slide 24] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that part of making disciples is praying continually for the spiritual growth and preservation of God's people. a. It seems odd to start with this application since it was not central to anything we've discussed as yet. b. But it must be mentioned how the apostle Paul, Silas and Timothy regularly, constantly prayed to God for those whom they had ministered to. c. God has given all of us the job of making disciples. And my friends, all of us as disciple makers have the responsibility of praying for the spiritual growth and preservation of God's people. d. Our Thursday Night prayer group is attended by almost no one in this room, despite it requiring the least amount of effort to join. e. That is not to say that in order to pray for God's people you must attend. Nor is it to assume that you do not pray any other time for the people of this church. f. But long as it been true that though the church bursts at the seams on Sunday… it is so quiet on prayer group night that you could hear the church mice nibbling on a piece of cheese. g. Why do we forsake prayer? h. Why do we forsake praying together? i. It is a means that God uses to grow us… and it is an activity demonstrated by all disciple makers in the scriptures… chief among them our Lord Jesus Christ who prayed for His own disciples since the devil wished to sift them like wheat. j. How odd it would be that we spend all that time at the beginning of each service taking prayer requests… yet no one prays for them? k. I hope this isn't true. l. Take a lesson from Paul – and pray for God's people. Not their physical ailments only… but for their souls. 2.) [Slide 25] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that we can know the spiritual identity of others by observing their lifestyles. a. This shouldn't be a shocking revelation to us. b. After studying so many New Testament books, including James and I John, it becomes apparent very quickly that Jesus does not save us from the penalty of our sin only. c. Instead, He frees us also from the power of sin over us. d. Meaning that God's people are not only able to crucify the sins they didn't want to destroy before, but also they desire to obey the commands of God and love others and preach His Kingdom. e. And not only CAN God's people do this… They will to a progressing degree. f. Faith without works is dead. Love without obedience is fake. Hope that doesn't include Christ as King, evaporates. g. God has no interest in saving us from hell without also saving us TO righteousness. Christ became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. h. We have been made into a Kingdom of priests and God's will for our lives is holiness. i. In fact, without holiness NO ONE WILL SEE GOD. j. Again – if you have any problem with what I've just said… I have basically been quoting scripture. So, take it up with God. k. Which leads us to another point…. 3.) [Slide 26] De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must not assume that because we prayed a prayer or have gone to church all our lives that we are a child of God. a. Praying a prayer, being baptized, writing a date in your bible, walking an aisle, saying the right things, going to church, none of this proves anything. b. The vast majority of the church today is non-Jewish. Yet the Old Testament calls the Jewish people God's chosen people. c. Being affiliated with a group that is called God's people doesn't make you one of them. d. Just as there were Jews who thought they were doing everything God wanted them to, only to reject and kill their own Messiah – so also there are those who have checked all the external boxes of what it means to be a Christian and they do not have a new heart. They have not been born again. e. How can you say that? f. Because they do not have the outward signs that proves that their faith is genuine. g. What are those signs? h. Although the list provided in this text is not exhaustive, it is a great place to start. 4.) [Slide 27] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” First, we must evaluate whether the gospel came to us in power, the Holy Spirit, and full conviction. a. One thing that every genuine Christian has in common, is a story of the gospel coming to them in power. b. Now that is not to say that every story is the same. Because it isn't. c. Some respond to sermons. Others to reading the Word of God. d. Others respond to an audible voice beckoning them to come. e. Others respond to a dream or vision. f. Still others a tract. And others a song. g. The means of someone receiving the gospel is not what I am talking about. The means is variable. h. The effect. That is of which I speak. And that is ALWAYS THE SAME. i. The Holy Spirit regenerates and indwells a true Christian when the gospel comes to them. The Holy Spirit baptizes them into Christ. j. They become acutely aware of the wickedness and evil of their hearts. They become acutely aware of how destitute they are and how there is no hope for them to change. k. They become acutely aware of how empty and meaningless their life is. l. And then the good news of Jesus Christ a substitute for sinners comes like a blanket to a freezing man. It fills them like a feast to a starving child. It lifts them like a rope tied around their waist out of a pit of vipers. It scoops them up like a basket on a helicopter out of shark infested waters. m. And they cling to that basket, they hold fast to that rope. They eat long and drink deep of that feast. And they cling so tightly to that blanket. n. As if their very life depended on it… BECAUSE IT DOES! o. THAT is what I mean when I say the gospel comes in power, in the holy Spirit, and in full conviction to all who are truly God's elect. p. It is the same story. The details are different. But the effect… the foundation is the same. q. Did the gospel come to you this way? r. If not… Are you sure you have received it? s. If not… You'll have another chance to today. You need only keep hearing. t. But you say – ah yes, the gospel did come to me in this way. I am surely saved. But wait… there is more to say on how to know you are God's true child. 5.) [Slide 28] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We also must have and continue to grow in the cardinal Christian graces. a. The disciple makers rejoiced greatly that the young church grew because it grew in the three cardinal graces. b. Maybe you have received the gospel powerfully. Perhaps you felt the sting of sin and knew to some degree the freedom of Christ. c. But you do not obey God's commands with the faith you possess. d. You do not love God above everything else, and/or you do not love others as you love yourself. You do not love other believers the way Christ loved you. e. You do not have an enduring hope because you think little if ever of the return of the King to earth. You are just living day to day and not pursuing His Kingdom first. f. Oh, my friends. We may not be perfect in these – indeed as we study this book we'll see that Paul thinks the Thessalonians could improve in these too. g. But if you are empty of these graces. h. Then you cannot be God's child. These graces, these are gifts of Christ, they are precious stones on the engagement ring which Christ gave to His church. i. If you have no gemstones – how can you say you are engaged to Him? 6.) [Slide 29] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” Only when the gospel came to us this way and we are growing in the cardinal Christian graces, can we be encouraged by the assurance this gives. a. You say, but I have these graces and have received this gospel in power and the Spirit is in me, and I am clinging to Christ alone. b. Then I have only one application for you. c. Take comfort and be assured and encouraged in the Lord. d. Your Spiritual leaders are praying for you and thanking God for you. e. Christ has saved you and He will keep you. f. He is coming again to bind you up and bring you home. g. Worry not about the stains in your garments of past sins that continue to nip at your heels, for He has white robes that He will clothe you in before the wedding feast. h. Look to that day with eagerness and endure to it. 7.) [Slide 30] The Gospel: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” If the gospel did not come to us this way and/or we are not growing in these graces, we must repent of our sin and seek the Lord to save us by His power and to these ends. a. But you say – that isn't me. I did not receive the gospel this way and/or I do not have these graces. b. Oh dear friend. What are you to do? c. You have heard the gospel yet again. One more coal of judgment has been placed on your head. d. Will you even now resist the call of the Lord? e. Will you even now flee from His Kingdom's dominion? f. Are your loyalties so in line with yourself and your father the devil that you would run to him to rescue you from the goodness and grace of Almighty God? g. Friend, the devil's end is sure. He will be cast in the lake which burns with fire and sulfur. But you don't have to join him. h. Maybe this is the day that you will finally turn from your wickedness and flee to the safety of Christ's embrace? i. I hope it is. Find me or an Elder after the service. We'd love to rejoice that you are chosen of God since the gospel has come to you in power. [Slide 31 (end)] Let me close in a prayer by the Church Father Eusebius of Caesarea who is known as the Father of Church History. No other power can be found to remedy the evil or the spirit of injustice that once dominated our race. But your compassion has reached us where we were and restored our lives, lives that had been ruined by violence and immoral living born from human passions. You displayed your restoration power openly, knowing that some would recognize and understand. Others would not. Their brutish natures would lead them to rely only on the testimony of their own senses. In the light of day, then, no one would find room for doubt. You demonstrated your blessed and wonderful healing power, restored the dead to life, and renewed the crippled with only a word. Can we then suppose that rendering the sea as firm as solid ground, calming the raging storm, and finally ascending into heaven-all while turning unbelief to faith by performing these wonders- demanded anything less than almighty power? Can we believe it was anything less than the work of God? O Christ, Savior of humanity, direct the words that celebrate who you are, and teach us to sound your praises. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Benediction: May the God whose robe is light, Whose canopy is space, Whose mercies are tender and firm to the end. Show you such love so that you will say with the psalmist, You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. Until we meet again, go in peace.

November 8, 2025 Hos. 1:1-2:1; Ps. 123:1-2; Prov. 27:10; I John 5:1-12

November 7, 2025 Dan. 12:1-13; Ps. 122:6-9; Prov. 27:7-9; I John 4:7-21

November 6, 2025 Dan. 11:36-45; Ps. 122:1-5; Prov. 27:4-6; I John 4:1-6

November 6, 2025 Dan. 11:36-45; Ps. 122:1-5; Prov. 27:4-6; I John 4:1-6

November 5, 2025 Dan. 11:13-35; Ps. 121:5-8; Prov. 27:3; I John 3:14-24

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”‭‭I John‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬God is ever ready to forgive you your sin, but then don't go back.

(This podcast was previously recorded and published on December 19, 2020)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   If we confess in our hearts that Jesus is Lord, then Jesus, The Word, rules over us and we obey the scriptures and see the Word as Lord.   Romans 10:9-11  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on HIM (The Word) shall not be ashamed.   Jesus said many would come saying He is the Christ and they would deceive many.   These are those who confess with their mouth but do not believe the Word in their hearts.  They believe something other than the scripture of the New Testament Bible and therefore they do something other than the instruction given by scripture.   Matthew 24:4-5  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.   They say Jesus is Lord and they say they are Christians, but they do not believe all the scriptures, such as:   * The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.  Matthew 5:32   * If a woman leaves her husband let her remain "unmarried" or be reconciled with her husband.  I Corinthians 7:10-11   * Homosexuals and lesbians have been turned over by God to do "vile affections."  Romans 1:26-27   Some will believe some scripture but not all of these scriptures because of their personal preferences.   One person might believe homosexuals are wrong but might believe it is permissible for a man to marry a divorced woman.   We who are of God are rebuilt by God to believe all the scriptures not just some scripture.   Thereby we have the Spirit of Truth in us and are led by the Spirit of Truth.   Flesh cannot understand things of God with the natural mind.  Only when the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, lives in us can we understand things of God.   I Corinthians 2:14   But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.   John said there were already many antichrist in the church in his day.  (I John 2:18)   Paul said to the elders at Ephesus that he knew there were men among them who were just waiting for him to depart so they could bring "perverse" things into the church.  (Acts 20:30)   After Jesus was taken into heaven, antichrist could set up various denominations and teach what he wanted to teach in the churches, things opposite to the doctrines of Christ in the Bible.   II Thessalonians 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.The falling away from scripture was sitting there among those elders in the church at Ephesus as the apostle Paul warned, recorded for us in Acts 20.   And the falling away from the doctrines of the scriptures has been taking place in church groups for 2000 years before the eyes of those who can see.   And today the churches have grown closer and closer to this world through the changing of doctrines from the instruction of the New Testament Bible in order to draw men to themselves just as Paul said in Acts 20.   28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which HE hath purchased with His own blood.   29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.   30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.   Thus setting up their own denominations, dividing the church of Jesus Christ.   But the falling away began from the time Jesus was resurrected and the true doctrine was given to the men of God which became the New Testament for us where all scripture is inspired by God.  (II Timothy 3:16)  

November 3, 2025 Dan. 10:1-11:1; Ps. 120:1-7; Prov. 26:28; I John 3:1-6

November 4, 2025 Dan. 11:2-12; Ps. 121:1-4; Prov. 27:1-2; I John 3:7-13

November 3, 2025 Dan. 10:1-11:1; Ps. 120:1-7; Prov. 26:28; I John 3:1-6

Daily Dose of Hope November 3, 2025   Scripture - John 14:1-14   Prayer:  Almighty Father, Thank you for a new day and thank you that your mercies are new every single morning.  How grateful we are that we can start afresh and anew each day.  Forgive us for the many times we fell short, for when we weren't loving, for when we were easily angered, for when our patience wore thin. Today, help us represent you well.  In all things, may we be reminded who and whose we are.  We are yours.  In Your Name, Amen.   This is the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin John 14.    This is a phenomenal passage.  I know I say that a lot but it truly is.  It's a text we often hear read at funerals because it provides a tremendous amount of comfort that God has truly prepared a place for us in heaven.    In this text, there is a great interaction between Jesus and Thomas.  The disciples are experiencing a lot of anxiety.  Jesus has just told them he's going away but he is trying to reassure them.  Jesus is like, I'm on my way to get your room ready.  I'll be coming back to get you, trust me.  But anyway, you already know the way.  And Thomas is like, "Umm…actually, I don't know the way, is there a map or something?"  And that's when Jesus says, "You do know the way because I am the way.  The only way to get to my Father is through me."  And he reiterated what he has been teaching them, "to know me is to know the Father.  If you have seen me, then you have seen the Father."  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  As the passage progresses, Philip is included in the conversation.  Again, there is this focus on, "If you know me, then you know the Father."  When Jesus says, "I am the way," he doesn't say "I am a way." How the Greek sentence is constructed makes it absolutely clear and irrefutable that Jesus is making an exclusive claim here.   He is basically saying, don't go looking to anyone else to point you in those directions, because I am the only one who can!"  Well, that feels pretty exclusive, doesn't it?  Yes, it is.  And exclusivity makes a lot of us feel uncomfortable.  So much so, that many people, including Christians, pastors, and scholars, try to find a loophole here.   People want to discount the validity of the Gospel of John, they want to find a problem in the Greek, you name it.  Yes, John was written later than the other Gospels but scholars believe that it is still accurate and authoritative.  John was written for the purpose of demonstrating that Jesus is the son of God and that is what he does.  Thus, he makes this very exclusive claim that Jesus is the only way to the Father.  But the Scripture I just read isn't the only one.   What other Scriptures point to the exclusivity of Jesus?   1.     John 3:16-18 (Jesus speaking to Nicodemus),  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.  2.     John 3:36 (later in the conversation)- Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. 3.     Acts 4:12 (Peter, speaking before the Jewish ruling council) –  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." 4.     Rom. 10:9 – If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 5.     I John 5:12 - Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.   And there are many others but I'm going to stop there for now.  I do believe in looking at the full narrative of Scripture – if we look at all of the Bible – it points to Jesus as the way to heaven.  I've searched to see if the Bible allows for other options, possible openings, that might allow for another way and I haven't found any.  There are some things in the Bible in which there is tension – it says this but it also says this – and we have to really dig and pray and interpret.  But there isn't tension here at all --- Scripture clearly points to Jesus as the Son of God, the fulfillment of God's promise from Genesis to Revelation, and the only way to the Father, the only way to receive salvation, the only way to heaven.    And that makes logical sense to me.  Why would Jesus have voluntarily died on a Roman cross for us if he was just one option among many to provide a way to be saved?  If there were other ways to receive salvation and get to God, then why would Jesus even need to do all that?  Why would Christians throughout the ages have needed to stand their ground and lose their lives?  Why would Christians around the world today be risking their lives to follow Christ?  Some may say they are disillusioned but I personally don't believe so.  If we believe that Jesus rose from the dead, proving his divinity, proving he is Lord of all – then that means we have to also believe everything he said.  We can't pick and choose.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

November 2, 2025 Dan. 9:1-27; Ps. 119:169-175; Prov. 26:27; I John 2:18-29

November 1, 2025 Dan. 8:15-27; Ps. 119:160-168; Prov. 26:24-26; I John 2:7-17

October 30, 2025 Dan. 7:15-28; Ps. 119:137-152; Prov. 26:21-22; I John 1:5-10

October 31, 2025 Dan. 8:1-14; Ps. 119:153-159; Prov. 26:23; I John 2:1-6

October 29, 2025 Dan. 7:1-14; Ps. 119:129-136; Prov. 26:20; I John 1:1-4

It's reeeealy hard to forgive yourself, huh? Memories of how we've hurt others are some of the greatest sufferings there is. BUT you are never without hope of restoration. God is ALWAYS willing to restore EVERYTHING back to you including the chance to begin again and your joy. I John 1:9

Life in the Vine - Week 7October 19, 2025Teacher: Pastor Leanne Benton LOVE Each OtherNOTESJohn 15:12–13My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. “To love someone is to will their good, to promote their flourishing – and sometimes that means laying something down.” ~ Dallas Willard1. The model of love Jesus gives.2. The meaning of laying down our life.3. The mission of love.——————————————————————————1. The model of love Jesus gives.“Jesus didn't love in general. He loved in particular.” ~John OrtbergA new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.(John 13:34-35)——————————————————————————2. The meaning of laying down our life.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God…humbled himself, becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross.(Philippians 2:5-8)I have told you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.(John 15:11)——————————————————————————3. The mission of love.You are my friends if you do what I command.(John 15:14)This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for one another.(I John 3:16)

Pastor Ted Owens preaches from I John at Petra Baptist Church in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Isaiah 43:1-7  I John 4: 7-21

Pastor Ted Owens preaches from I John at Petra Baptist Church in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Psalm 82:1-4 Luke 6:27-36 I John 3:16-18

Continuing our new series “Kingdom Life”, today Pastor Chase teaches What the King says about our Character. In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus sits with His disciples and teaches them what Godly character looks like in Kingdom living—challenging the values of today's culture.Key Scriptures: Matthew 5:3-13,-7:27, Hebrews 12:1-3, I John 3:16, Psalms 63:1-5,42:1-2, II Corinthians 5:21, Romans 12:2, John 8:31-32

Pastor Ted Owens preaches from I John at Petra Baptist Church in Saint Augustine, Florida

As we continue our sermon series, Unafraid, we look at the story of Gideon one more week and what that means for us as believers.JUDGES 7:9-11    Judges 7:12-15THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD…1. DIRECTION2. PROTECTION3. RIGHT TIMING4. RIGHT PEOPLE5. RIGHT WORDS Charles Spurgeon The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which a child of God rests  his head at night in peace.  Judges 7:16-22OUR SPIRITUAL weapons FOR BATTLE1.  LIGHT 16 2 Corinthians 4:6 Philippians 2:152. Proclamation vV 18b, 20B I Thessalonians 1:8 Revelation 12:113. PROMISED victory vs 2, 7, 15  1 Corinthians 15:57 I John 5:4-5 JUDGES 8:22-27A faithful ending outweighs a flawed beginning.

David A. Davis preaches on I John 4:16. From September 28, 2025.

Pastor Ted Owens preaches from I John at Petra Baptist Church in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Introduction II Timothy 1:5 – We must make our faith our own. I John 4:1 – This is my responsibility. First generation Christians When he…

I John 1:1-4CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH | LITTLE ROCKA community transformed by grace sent to transform the world for the glory of God.WEBSITE: https://c3lr.orgFACEBOOK: facebook.com/C3.LittleRockINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/c3.littlerockSERMON PODCAST:  https://c3littlerock.buzzsprout.com

“Unless clearly indicated otherwise, I assume that the Hebrew Bible speaks of real people and places. Nothing in the text suggests that Job was a mythical, imaginary, or fictious figure" (Alden, 26). The fact that Elihu is given a genealogy in Job 32:2 and his daughter's names are given at the end of the book in Job 42:13-15 points to the historical nature of the book. The fact that we view the Biblical portrayals of characters as historically true seems to be how Jesus and the inspired New Testament writers looked at things. Notice how the New Testament refers to Creation (Matt. 19:3-6; Mk. 10:6-9), Adam and Eve (II Cor. 11:3; I Tim. 2:11-14; Jude 14), Cain and Abel (Matt. 23:35; Lk. 11:51; Heb. 11:4; I John 3:12-13; Jude 11), Enoch (Heb. 11:5; Jude 14), Noah and the flood (Matt. 24:37-39; Lk. 17:26-27; Heb. 11:7; I Peter 3:20-21; II Peter 2:5, 9). Abraham is mentioned 73 times in the New Testament. Abraham's genealogy is given in Matt. 1:1-17; Lk. 3:23-38. In Rom. 4:9-12 Paul makes a point on the chronological order of his life. It seems obvious that Abraham is viewed as a real character and the things he did were actual historical events (Heb. 11:8-19; James 2:21-23). Lot is mentioned in Luke 17:28, 29, 32 and II Peter 2:7 and his wife is mentioned in Luke 17:32. Isaac is mentioned 20 times and Jacob 27 times in the New Testament. Joseph and his experiences are treated as historical in Acts 7:9-16 and Heb. 11:21-22. Moses is mentioned 80 in the New Testament. Jonah is referred to by Jesus in Matt. 12:39, 40, 41, 41; 16:4; Luke 11:29, 30, 32, 32. In these passages the events of Jonah and the great fish foreshadow the yet future (when this was spoken) resurrection of Jesus, the most important historical event in human history.  Job is mentioned outside the book of Job in the Old Testament in Ezek. 14:14, 20 and in the New Testament in James 5:11. How should we view those two passages and their evidence in light of whether Job is historical? In context Ezek. 14:12-23 is stressing the four severe judgments the LORD was going to send against Judah. The four judgements are sword, famine, wild beast, and plagues (Ezek. 14:13, 15, 17, 19, 21).  Ezek. 14:14, 20 specifically mentions Noah, Daniel, and Job and states they could only deliver themselves by their righteousness if they lived in the midst of the people. In Ezek. 14:16, 18 makes allusions to these men again by saying “even though these three men were in its midst.”  The most natural explanation was that these men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were actual historical characters who were being used by the prophet to the people to stress that even they could not deliver the people from the coming judgment.  Did Jesus and the New Testament writers view Noah as an actual historical character? Jesus exhorted His audience to always be prepared for the Lord to come in judgment. He used the “days of Noah” as an illustration of those who were carrying on with life as normal and were unprepared for the judgment of God (Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-27). Jesus said, “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Jonah” (Matt. 24:37). Was Jesus using a fictional event to inspire people to prepare themselves for an actual coming judgment? The author of Hebrews used Noah's example of building an ark in reverence to God to inspire His listeners to endurance (Heb. 11:7). Peter used the example of Noah as a picture of how “baptism now save you” (I Peter 3:20-21) and to illustrated how the LORD can rescue the godly while at the same time preparing the ungodly for judgment day (II Peter 2:5, 9).  

Pastor Garvon shares from I John 4:7–11 what real love is, that love is God's initiative and it is to be shared. This message was given September 14, 2025.

Thinking You Are Right, But Wrong  Scriptures: Proverbs 16:2; Proverbs 10:22; Jeremiah 17:9; I John 4:1-3;  2 Corinthians 11:14  Check out more from Alex Young at www.dralexyoung.com Also, you can books that encourage, exhort, and inspire by Dr. Alex Young on Amazon/Barnes and Nobles -  Healing to Prosperity  Love Revealed  Faith Walk  Makeba's Faith: Seeds of Faith (Children's Picture Book for ages 0- 12) , a story  teaches children about faith