Podcasts about messiah christ

Far from being Jesus' last name, "Christ" is a title that carries immense meaning. Today, Barry Cooper tells of the glory that Jesus bears as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/simply-put/messiah-christ/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In Matthew 16:13-16, Jesus asks Simon Peter "But who do you say that I am?" This question has major implications for everyone on earth. If we answer that Jesus is the Christ like Simon Peter, then our eternity is secure with God in heaven and our life is spent following after Jesus. Learning to obey his commands. But if one answers that Jesus is not the Christ then they remain in bondage to sin. This message will look at how we can answer this question with confidence that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ in the Greek).

In Matthew 16:13-16, Jesus asks Simon Peter "But who do you say that I am?" This question has major implications for everyone on earth. If we answer that Jesus is the Christ like Simon Peter, then our eternity is secure with God in heaven and our life is spent following after Jesus. Learning to obey his commands. But if one answers that Jesus is not the Christ then they remain in bondage to sin. This message will look at how we can answer this question with confidence that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ in the Greek).

This study examines Genesis 23; 1Kings 1 and Acts 7, emphasizing God's eternal promises over human pursuits of longevity and control. Abraham's purchase of Machpelah, David's succession planning, and Stephen's sermon highlight faith in God's unfolding plan. While biohacking seeks to extend life, Scripture reminds us that true immortality is only found in Messiah (Christ). Rather than fearing death, believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty and focus on eternal purpose in Him.

Some religions reject the notion of Jesus being the Messiah (Christ). This episode will help the listener learn more about the Biblical evidence for Christ's messiahship. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Glen Kay tells his faith journey, describing how he came to understand and believe that the God of the Bible is not a triune being, but is one, the Father, and that Jesus is a human Son of God, the Messiah/Christ. Resources for people and websites mentioned in this episode. Gary Steven Simons (Brother-in-law to Joel Osteen) How A Sunday Mega-Church Pastor Came To Torah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Tu7wh9QMio Who is Yah? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbcadAKHrZE Biblical Unitarian Webpage: https://www.biblicalunitarian.com/ Revised English Version https://www.revisedenglishversion.com/Gen/1/1 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onegodreport-podcast/support

The Pharisees and the disciples help the belief that Messiah/Christ would bring the kingdom of God back to Israel through military force. Thus, as Jesus neared the end of His public ministry, the Pharisees asked, with distain and derision, when He was going to act and set up the kingdom. Jesus replied to them that His kingdom was not visible but spiritual. This encounter, then, provided Him with the opportunity to address the disciples as to the nature of the kingdom. In this, He warned them that the days coming after His ascension would be difficult. Nevertheless, they were to persist in His will until the day He would return to judge the world.

One of the main and underlying themes of the Book of Malachi is: ‘The Messenger'. Indeed, the very name of Book means “My Messenger” in English. While the book refers to the author as the Lord's Messenger, Malachi also refers to the priests as the Lord's messenger as well. Then, in one of the climaxes of the Book, there is the prophecy of the coming John the Baptist as the Lord's messenger (note Malachi 4:5) who will prepare the way for the Messiah-Christ - who will be Ultimate messenger, the LORD Himself: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the Messenger of the Covenant in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3:1) Malachi has thus revealed his hand. He is a messenger of the Lord chastising those who were called to be the messenger/s of the LORD but rebuking them for their apostasy, and announcing that the end of the Old Covenant will come with a special messenger who will be like Elijah, the 'father' of the prophets (note Matt. 17) who we know to be John the Baptist. It will be John the Baptist, the last of the Old Covenant prophets, who will pave the way for the Ultimate Messenger: Jesus the Christ. God has sent His Messenger into our world, which is actually His world, with a message for you. Are you listening?

The promised Messiah/Christ has come. The Kingdom of God is at hand. We are called, invited, even commanded, to turn from sin and entrust our lives to God through faith in Christ alone. Watch: https://youtube.com/live/vwzjGZ-rJrs

Series:  Enduring the Dragon Title:  The Better to Eat You With, My Dear Text:  Revelation 12:1-6 Three truths from this text: 1. God had a marvelous plan to bring forth the Messiah Christ 2. The devil tried everything in his power to disrupt and devour the Messiah Christ 3. God completely triumphed over the devil,…

Henry Ogbuchi July 14th 2024 - The Samaritans Question 1: In John 4, Jesus Ministered to a Variety of people, name them? Answers:  The sinful Samaritan woman.  The many Samaritans who trusted in Him  His Own Disciples.  A nobleman and his household. Question 2: What did they have in common? Answer:  Faith in Jesus Christ. The Word – John 4:1-42 Mixed race – partly Jew and partly Gentile.  That grew out of the Assyrians captivity of the ten northern tribes in 727 BC.  Rejected by the Jews because they could not prove their genealogy.  Established their Alternate center for worship on Mount Gerizim (parallel to Jerusalem temple).  Believed the Jews were demonically possessed – Even accused Jesus to be a Samaritan (John 8:48).  Orthodox Jews avoided Samaria because there was a longstanding, deep seated hatred between them and the Samaritans. John 8:48 John 8:48 — King James Version (KJV 1900)m John 8:48 — New Living Translation (NLT) Four Stages of Experience Stage 1: He is “a Jew” (vs 7-10).  It's unusual for a Jewish man to even be in Samaria.  It was out of the ordinary that a man would be talking to an unknown woman in a public place.  This woman was a Samaritan, a member of a hated mixed race with track record of living in sin. No respectable Jewish would talk to a woman under these circumstances. But JESUS did Gospel is for everyone- irrespective of race, tribe, or social position. Jesus's LOVE towards the woman(us) rose above all the petty distractions of men. (John 4:16) Stage 2 “Greater than Jacob” (vs 11-15)  If he had something better, why asking for water gotten from Jacob's well. Salvation  The woman was ignorant of 3 important facts (Who He was, what He had to offer and how she could receive it) -Messiah/Christ  Jesus, fruitful vine by the spring (Jacob's well) that ran over the wall (of separation between the Jews and the Samaritans). Gen 49:22 Of course, Jesus is greater than Jacob – greater than the well itself. He provides the “breath” (spirit) of God (John 3:8; 20:22). He is the bread of life (John 6:48). He is the light of life (John 1:4-5). He gives us the water of life (John 7:37-39) Stage 3 “A Prophet” (vs 16-24)  Jesus pointed out the woman's sin in a loving manner: He praised her for telling the truth and revealed that He knew her sin.  Jesus progressively guided her with His words into a full revelation of who He is.  Jesus fruitful vine by the spring (Jacob's well) that ran over the wall (of separation between the Jews and the Samaritans). Gen49:22 Salvation is from the Jews because Jesus is born a Jew, as a descendant of David. (Jesus' Hebrew name, Yeshua, literally means “salvation”). Today our worship to/of God is not confined to a physical location. We can worship God anywhere, at any time because through faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is inside us, and we have a true revelation of who God is.  Stage 4 “The Christ” (vs 25-30)  Knowing who “Messiah/Christ” is and that HE will come - IN SPITE OF HER IGNORANCE.  “When he does- and will reveal the secrets of the hearts (will teach ALL things.) -WHAT A GREAT CONFIDIENCE!  She was (Just as us) least likely prospect for salvation, Yet Christ used her to win almost an entire village. EFFECTIVE EVENGALISM The Samaritans - Lessons Learnt Never underestimate what can happen when you sincerely impact one person. Jerusalem -John 2:23 to Judea -John 3:22 then to Samaria -John 4:4 AND Samaritans declared Jesus as the “SAVIOR” of the world. ‘vs42 (Perfect Parallel to Act 1:8) The unnamed Samaritan woman was a fruitful believer: bore fruit (“many believed”), more fruit (“many more believed”), and much fruit today. (John 15:1-5) Our Lord, “Jesus Christ, the Messiah” has set the example. If we follow, He will give us the harvest. Amen.

 In this episode, Jesus has been teaching in the temple, impressing those listening.  Many of them think either that Jesus is “the prophet” or even the Messiah/Christ.  This hubbub leads the Pharisees to send officers to arrest Jesus.  But no one bothers him.  When the officers explain why they did not arrest Jesus, Nicodemus enters the fray.  He wants to know why Jesus is not being given a fair hearing.  But Nicodemus is simply criticized by being asked whether he came from Galilee.  The story is then interrupted by a story seemingly out of context: the incident with the woman caught in the act of adultery.  

Mark Booker | Acts 2:22-32 | Peter's sermon stays focused on the crucified and raised Jesus and drives to the declaration that this Jesus is both Lord and Messiah (Christ). This has implications for his original hearers, for us, and for Christian witness.

People are often repulsed by the Torah descriptions of "leprosy" and skin diseases in Torah readings Tazria (Leviticus 12–13) and Metzorah (Leviticus 14–15) because they focus only on the physical aspects and miss the weightier spiritual lessons. This study explores how "leprosy" here represented a condition of spiritual rot from separation from God. While unpleasant to consider physically, examining it spiritually reveals how humanity is born in a state of separation since Eden — also taught via the sin offering for childbirth in Tazria — and God's gracious provision to redeem and purify people through faith in him. Messiah (Christ) takes this spiritual rot and separation upon Himself to cleanse all who trust in Him as Heaven's lifeline to the world.

PreludeWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipChoral IntroitEaster Hymn - (#289) "Christ the Lord is Risen Today"Witness to the ResurrectionCongregational REsponse - "Let It Rise"Confession, Assurance, and Gloria PatriPraise SongsPrayers of the PeopleChoral Anthem - "Do You Know He's Arisen" by Dianne & Terry Randolph"Very Early in the Morning" (Luke 24:1–12)Offertory Anthem - "Jesus Is Risen from the Dead" by Lloyd LarsonPrayer of ThanksgivingEaster Hymn - (#298) "Christ Arose"BenedictionMusical Benediction - "Hallelujah Chorus" from G. F. Handel's "Messiah"Christ the Lord is Risen TodayChrist the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say: Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply: Alleluia! Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Dying once, He all doth save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia! Praise Him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Amen. Christ AroseLow in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Savior! Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord! CHORUS:Up from the grave He arose (He arose), With a mighty triumph o'er His foes (He arose); He arose a victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign; He arose! (He arose!) He arose! (He arose!) Hallelujah! Christ arose! Vainly they watched His bed, Jesus, my Savior! Vainly they sealed the dead, Jesus, my Lord! [CHORUS]Death could not keep his prey, Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord! [CHORUS] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John: Jesus is Son of God, believe and find lifeA Survey of the Bible For bulletin in PDF form. click here. Message SlidesJohn Chart - WilsonInterpreting John - Darrell BockOccasion and Purpose of John - Dan WallaceJohn and the Synoptics - Hall HarrisTruth and Significance in John's Gospel - Hall HarrisEverything in the Bible Isn't about Jesus - HeiserContext: Who, Where, When, and Why?• Who composed John?• Who was John's original audience?• When was John written? • Where were John and his readers?• Why was he writing? Content: How and What?• How is John organized? • The Book of Signs (1:1-12:50) - Prologue: The Word Became Flesh (1:1-18) - Signs, Seekers & Salvation (1:19-12:50) • The Book of Glory (13:1-21:25) - Preparations, Promises & Provision (13:1-17:26) • At the Last Supper (13:1-14:31) • On the Way to Gethsemane (15:1-16:33) • Through His High Priestly Prayer (17:1-26) - The Passion of Christ: From Gall to Glory (18:1-20:31) • The Suffering & Death of Jesus (18:1-19:42) • The Resurrection & Glory of Jesus (20:1-29) • The Purpose of the Gospel (20:30-31) - Epilogue: Reunion, Reassurances, Recommission • The Miraculous catch of Fish (21:1-14) • Reinstatement of Peter (21:15-25)• What is the message of John? Conviction: So What?• Where does this fit? - John's Gospel approaches the life of Jesus totally different than the Synoptics. 92% of the material in John is unique to John. - John starts his gospel with a clear declaration of the deity of Christ which parallels the opening chapter of Genesis. - John clearly states his purpose to demonstrate Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that people will believe and find life. - John likes to present Jesus in dialogue with others.• What should we believe? - Jesus is the Messiah/Christ-the long-awaited Savior promised in the Old Testament. - Only by having faith in Jesus, receiving his provision of salvation, can a person find eternal life.• How should we behave? - Accept the provision of salvation through Jesus. - Abide in Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit despite opposition. - Share the message of eternal life through Jesus the Messiah with others.Next Steps • Believe that Jesus is the anointed provision of God for salvation. As the Son of God only He can provide eternal life.• Abide in Jesus, staying closely connected to Him as the source of your very life.• Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you and sustain you through tough times.This Week's Growth GuideGod's Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.•. Monday - John 1:1-18•. Tuesday - John 3:1-21•. Wednesday - John 10:1-42•. Thursday - John 13:1-20•. Friday - John 15:1-17•. Saturday - John 20:1-18•. Sunday - John 21:1-14Home ChurchOur Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another. Home Church helps our body seek God's best for one another. Home Church Questions • What about Ken's presentation of John was most helpful and challenging?• Likely the most well-known verse in Scripture is John 3:16. Have someone in the group quote the verse. Then take the opportunity to let everyone share their conversion and the influences that led up to their belief. (2 minute limit)• John's gospel starts and ends with Jesus's invitation (or mandate) to “follow me” (1:43; 21:19,22). What has been your greatest joy in your journey of following Christ? What is your greatest obstacle?• Read Jesus's illustration of the vine and the branches (15:1-17). There are many truths contained in these powerful words. Which particular truth stands out to you, and why? • Jesus prayed for us as his church in 17:20-26. Read his prayer recorded there. In your experience, how has the unity of the church attracted those outside the church? How has lack of unity repelled outsiders? What can and should you do to preserve the unity Jesus prayed for? • What is your personal take-away from the book of John? What steps can you take in response? FinancesWeekly Budget 32,692Giving For 02/11 97,031Giving For 02/18 18,542YTD Budget 1,111,538Giving 1,218,635 OVER/(UNDER) 107,097 Grill Out and Silent AuctionMark your calendars for Sunday, March 10, 4-6 p.m. for our annual Grill Out + Silent Auction! Bring your whole family for a fun-filled evening with free dinner, games for kids, and an exciting silent auction. All proceeds will support our student mission trips to Mission Arlington and Czech. Child care for 6 and under, please text Shanna at 501-336-0332. The Silent Auction will kick off at 4 PM, followed by a delicious free dinner served at 5:15 PM.New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Father Daughter DanceGuys, enjoy eating dinner with your daughter(s) grades 5-12th, March 2. Then join us at Renewal Ranch from 7-9:30 p.m. for dancing and a night of fun! Downline PreviewAre you interested in deepening your understanding of God's Word and learning how to guide others through it? Join us for the Preview Night on Thursday, February 29th at 6:30 pm at Fellowship Conway, where you'll get a chance to experience the Downline class session led by Tim Lundy, as he teaches from the book of Romans. You'll also have the opportunity to ask Downline staff and alumni questions. To RSVP for the Preview Night, visit downlineconway.com/preview or see us in the Atrium this morning. Crucifixion DinnerJoin us on Good Friday for our annual Crucifixion Dinner, where we remember the high price Jesus paid on our behalf. We invite you to fast during the day as you meditate on the life and death of Jesus leading up to a time of worship and remembrance, breaking the fast with a bowl of chicken broth and bread. Join us March 29 at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium. Child care for 6 years and younger, please text Shanna at 501-336-0332. Men's MusterMen, mark your calendar for our retreat on April 19-21 at Shepherd of the Ozarks. $170 for adults, $85 for ages 14-17. $40 deposit due when registration opens. F101We invite you to join us on Sunday, April 7, at 9:00 a.m. to learn more about Fellowship. This is a great opportunity to hear about our mission, values, and our ministries. If you're new to Fellowship, join us in the conference room (first floor) to hear what God is doing and where He is taking us. During this time, you will meet some of our ministry leaders and get to ask questions. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register.

Luke developed three main themes that are intertwined- -1- His introducing the Kingdom of God, -2- His revealing Himself as he Messiah-Christ, the King of the Kingdom, and -3- His means for instructing and informing His followers of His will and purpose--hearing the Word of God. The verses of the text trace the Lord's testing both the crowds and His followers about their understanding of the Kingdom and its present expression. Sadly, all were looking for the Kingdom to appear as it will in the -world to come. This is clear by the fact that they could not comprehend the fact that Jesus was about to be rejected and crucified at the hands of the Jews.

Luke developed three main themes that are intertwined- -1- His introducing the Kingdom of God, -2- His revealing Himself as he Messiah-Christ, the King of the Kingdom, and -3- His means for instructing and informing His followers of His will and purpose--hearing the Word of God. The verses of the text trace the Lord's testing both the crowds and His followers about their understanding of the Kingdom and its present expression. Sadly, all were looking for the Kingdom to appear as it will in the -world to come. This is clear by the fact that they could not comprehend the fact that Jesus was about to be rejected and crucified at the hands of the Jews.

Message NotesKen Wilson - February 18, 2024 For the Bulletin in PDF form, click here. Luke: Jesus is the Perfect human bringing Salvation to All A Survey of the BibleMessage SlidesLuke Chart - WilsonInterpreting Luke - Darrell BockDestination, Occassion, and Purpose of Luke - Dan WallaceOccasion and Narrative Purpose of Luke - Mark StraussThe Resurrection of Jesus - Darrell BockWomen Followers of Jesus - Bobby KellyThe Herodian Dynasty - Baker Illustrated Bible DictionaryContext: Who, Where, When and Why?• Who composed Luke?• Who was Luke's original audience?• When was Luke written? • Where were Luke and his readers?• Why was he writing? Content: How and What?• How is Luke organized? • Prologue and Purpose of the Gospel (1:1-4) • Infancy Narratives Demonstrating God's Work from the Start (1:5-2:52) • Preparation for Ministry: Jesus Anointed as Messianic Son (3:1-4:13) • Galilean Ministry: The Revelation and Teaching of Jesus (4:14-9:50) • The Journey to Jerusalem: Jewish Rejection & Training for a New Way (9:51-19:44) • Jerusalem Ministry: The Innocent Slain & Raised (19:45-24:53)• What is the message of Luke? Conviction: So What?• Where does this fit? - The Gospel is the first volume of Luke's two-volume work, Luke-Acts, which function together to justify and support the missionary work of his companion, the Apostle Paul. - Luke ties the work of Paul's Gentile Mission back to Jesus' inclusive offer of Salvation to all people and connects that to Old Testament promises. - Luke also looks forward to the ministry of Jesus' disciples in taking the message of Jesus saving work to everyone everywhere. Jesus trained his followers for this mission.• What should we believe? - Jesus is the Messiah/Christ—the long-awaited Savior promised in the Old Testament. - Jesus opens the door for all people, especially those who are outcasts in the world and looked down upon by influential and religious hypocrites. - Jesus' followers have been trained and charged with taking the message of Salvation by grace accomplished by the finished work of Jesus to a world that needs this message. How should we behave? - Accept the provision of Salvation through Jesus. - Love those around you, especially the outcast and irreligious. - Share the message of the gospel of grace despite opposition.Next Steps • Repent of your sinful self-centered, self-sufficiency and humbly turn to Christ.• Learn to imitate the lifestyle of Jesus and embrace the call of discipleship and disciple making.This Week's Growth GuideGod's Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.•. Monday - Luke 4:1-13• Tuesday - Luke 4:14-44•. Wednesday - Luke 6:17-49•. Thursday - Luke 9:18-50•. Friday - Luke 10:25-11:13•. Saturday - Luke 24:1-12•. Sunday - Luke 24:13-35Home ChurchOur Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another. Home Church Questions • What about Ken's presentation of Luke was most helpful and challenging?• Among the gospels, Luke alone records the song of Mary (1:46-56). What part of Mary's beautiful song of praise and appreciation captures where you are in your walk right now? Why? • In verse 53 of Mary's song, the “hungry” are contrasted with the “rich,” referring to spiritual hunger. Would you characterize your spiritual hunger right now as “on the increase,” “flat,” or “waning a bit?” In either case, what is happening in your life that is causing your response? • Read 10:38-42, where Luke tells us of Jesus's visit to the home of Mary and Martha. When have you been “anxious and troubled about many things,” and what would be the “good portion” that would stand in contrast? • Read the parables in 11:5-8 and 18:1-8 in which Jesus taught persistence in prayer. How is this instructive to you in your prayer life? What are you praying for that you are tempted to give up?• Luke emphasizes that the gospel is for all, with an emphasis on Gentiles and societal outcasts, i.e., the “outsiders” of Judaism. Who are the outsiders in our society and across the world, and how can you be a part of reaching them for Christ? • What is your personal takeaway from the book of Luke? What steps can you take in response? FinancesWeekly Budget 32,692Giving For 02/04 31,338Giving For 02/11 97,031YTD Budget 1,078,846Giving 1,200,093 OVER/(UNDER) 121,247 Grill Out and Silent AuctionMark your calendars for Sunday, March 10, 4-6 p.m. for our annual Grill Out + Silent Auction! Bring your whole family for a fun-filled evening with free dinner, games for kids, and an exciting silent auction. All proceeds will support our student mission trips to Mission Arlington and Czech. The Silent Auction will kick off at 4 PM, followed by a delicious free dinner served at 5:15 PM.New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Father Daughter DanceGuys, enjoy eating dinner with your daughter(s) grades 5-12th, March 2. Then join us at Renewal Ranch from 7-9:30 p.m. for dancing and a night of fun! Downline PreviewAre you interested in deepening your understanding of God's Word and learning how to guide others through it? Join us for the Preview Night on Thursday, February 29th at 6:30 pm at Fellowship Conway, where you'll get a chance to experience the Downline class session led by Tim Lundy, as he teaches from the book of Romans. You'll also have the opportunity to ask Downline staff and alumni questions. To RSVP for the Preview Night, visit downlineconway.com/preview or send an email to tara@downlineconway.com for more information.Crucifixion DinnerJoin us on Good Friday for our annual Crucifixion Dinner, where we remember the high price Jesus paid on our behalf. We invite you to fast during the day as you meditate on the life and death of Jesus leading up to a time of worship and remembrance, breaking the fast with a bowl of chicken broth and bread. Join us March 29 at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium. Child care for 6 years and younger. Men's MusterMen, mark your calendar for our retreat on April 19-21. More details to come!Bethlehem HouseThank you to everyone who made this year's “Souper Sunday” a huge success by bringing canned goods to stock the pantry for Bethlehem House. The generosity of this body and your dedication to serve those who are in need is a blessing. The Bethlehem House extends their appreciation for your efforts!Chris Moore updateWe are excited for Chris Moore to join the Fellowship family in the role of teaching pastor. Chris and Ken will be a dynamic teaching team leading the charge to equip the body for service. The current plan is for Chris and his family to be with us mid May. Please be praying for their transition.

Luke developed three main themes that are intertwined: (1) His introducing the Kingdom of God, (2) His revealing Himself as he Messiah/Christ, the King of the Kingdom, and (3) His means for instructing and informing His followers of His will and purpose--hearing the Word of God. The verses of the text trace the Lord's testing both the crowds and His followers about their understanding of the Kingdom and its present expression. Sadly, all were looking for the Kingdom to appear as it will in the "world to come. This is clear by the fact that they could not comprehend the fact that Jesus was about to be rejected and crucified at the hands of the Jews.

Seth Warner What's In A Name?

Mark: Jesus is an Obedient Servant—Follow Him A Survey of the BibleFor bulletin in PDF form, click here. Message SlidesMark Chart - WilsonInterpreting Mark - Darrell BockOccasion and Purpose of Mark - Dan WallaceThe Miracles of Jesus - WilsonContext: Who, Where, When and Why?• Who composed Mark?• Who was Mark's original audience?• When was Mark written? • Where were Mark and his readers?• Why was he writing? Content: How and What?• How is Mark organized? Introduction to Jesus Christ, “The Son of God” (1:1-15) • The Public Ministry of Jesus, “The Son of Man” (1:16-8:26) - Calling Disciples & Conflict with Religious Leaders (1:16-3:12) - Mysteries of the Kingdom & Miracles of Power (3:13-6:6) - Sending Disciples & Misunderstandings about Jesus (6:7-8:26) • Blind Man Story #1 - Vision Restored Progressively (8:22-26) - Peter's Confession: “You are the Christ.” (8:27-29) • The Private Teaching of Jesus to His Followers (8:27-10:52) - Jesus' Prediction of His own Death (8:27-9:1) - The Transfiguration Reveals Jesus' Glory (9:2-13) - Jesus' Teaching on Discipleship & the Disciple's Struggle (9:14-10:45) • Blind Man Story #2 - Vision Restored Immediately (10:46-52) • The Redemptive Ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem (11:1-15:47) - Conflict in Jerusalem & Prediction of Judgment (11:1-13:37) - Jesus Suffering & Death in Jerusalem (14:1-15:47)Epilogue: The Resurrection of Jesus (16:1-8)• What is the message of Mark? Conviction: So What?• Where does this fit? - Mark is the shortest gospel and is full of action focusing more on Jesus' ministry than His teaching. - Mark, cousin of Peter, got eyewitness reports from him, a follower of Jesus Himself, he be the “young man” in the Garden of Gethsemane. - This is the most “story like” of all the gospels with character development, plot, tension, and even a cliffhanger ending.• What should we believe? - Jesus is the Messiah/Christ—the long awaited Savior promised in the Old Testament. - Following Jesus is often a confusing struggle but worth it. - Jesus obediently suffered to fulfill His calling. We should expect nothing less for ourselves.• How should we behave? - Follow Jesus in spite of confusion. - Follow Jesus in spite of fear.Next Steps • Embrace a life of following Jesus in spite of confusion, fear, and struggling. • Be thankful that Jesus is patient with us and understands the struggle we have following Him. This Week's Growth GuideGod's Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.•. Monday - Mark 1:16-45•. Tuesday - Mark 2:1-3:12•. Wednesday - Mark 8:22-26;10:46-52•. Thursday - Mark 9:2-13•. Friday - Mark 16:1-8Home ChurchOur Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another. Home Church Questions • What about Ken's presentation of Mark was most helpful and challenging?• Read 1:17. Jesus's invitation to Simon and Andrew was to follow him as he transformed them from “fishermen” to “fishers of men.” Share with the group how he has transformed your life. What area of your life is he working on transforming right now?• Over 40 times, Mark described Jesus as a man of action, marked out by the description “immediately.” Is there any action in your life that you know you need to take, but have put it off? • Read 4:35-41. Among the gospels, Mark is unique in recording Jesus's words, “Peace, be still.” What turmoil or tension are you now experiencing for which Jesus is saying to you “Peace, be still,” “Why are you so afraid?” and “Have you still no faith?”• One theme that stands out in Mark's gospel is Jesus's rebukes directed at his disciples. From what sources may God's rebuke come into our lives to correct and direct us? • What is your personal take-away from the book of Mark? FinancesWeekly Budget 32,692Giving For 01/21 43,966Giving For 01/28 21,352YTD Budget 1,013,462Giving 1,071,724 OVER/(UNDER) 58,262 Souper Bowl SundayFellowship, this is a great opportunity for you to minister here in Conway. We're encouraging Fellowship families to bring hearty soups, canned chili, spaghetti sauce, tuna helper, canned meats, and Knorr brand pastas to restock the Bethlehem House shelves. Bring your food items here to Fellowship on Sunday, February 11. In 2023, we were able to raise 1200 lbs. of food. Let's see what we can do this year!New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Fellowship Women's Galentine'sLadies, bring your friends, neighbors, and daughters for a night of cookie decorating on February 12, 6:30 p.m., here at Fellowship. Cost is $10 per person. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register. Child care by texting Shanna at 501-336-0332. Father Daughter DanceGuys, enjoy dinner with your daughter(s) grades 5-12th, March 2. Then join us at Renewal Ranch from 7-9:30 p.m. for dancing and a night of fun!Fellowship Kids Baptism ClassJoin us for our baptism class, where we will discuss the character of God, sin, salvation, baptism, and what comes next. We will meet all four Sundays in February during the second service in Room 2101. Contact Heather at hmckinney@fellowshipconway.org. Register at Fellowshipconway.org/register.Fellowship Women's DirectoryWe have over 100 ladies listed in our Women's Directory and would love for you to be added! Please send your name, address, email, phone number, and picture (if you have one) to Tracy Williams at tracylee3313@att.net. Also, grab the instructional flyers in the Atrium for more details. You must be in the directory to view it. Men's MusterMen, mark your calendar for our retreat on April 19-21. More details to come!Stoby's Czech fundraiser updateFellowship, thank you for rallying around the team heading to the Czech Republic this summer by coming to the Stoby's Pancake Fundraiser last Sunday. The team raised just under $3,800. Thank you for supporting the youth and college students.Crucifixion DinnerJoin us on Good Friday for our annual Crucifixion Dinner, where we remember the high price Jesus paid on our behalf. We invite you to fast during the day as you meditate on the life and death of Jesus leading up to a time of worship and remembrance, breaking the fast with a bowl of chicken broth and bread. Join us March 29 at 6:30 PM in the Auditorium. Child care for 6 years and younger.

Pastor David Gagne reminds the listener about the importance of the virgin birth of the Messiah Christ, Jesus. Give listen to this Christmas Eve message that will stir your faith to believe that Jesus is Lord and Saviour of all!

Sunday message by Pastor Mat - December 18, 2022 - Our ministries website -

The entire mission of Jesus follows this pattern: nothing visibly spectacular at first but growing to a level of majesty we can scarcely imagine. - SERMON TRANSCRIPT - Turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 49. Christmas probably is the biggest event of the calendar. Every year, I would say it's the biggest holiday there is. A Gallup poll in 2019 says that 93% of Americans, in some way, recognize or celebrate Christmas, and it's not just here in America, it's something that is a worldwide phenomenon. Over 2 billion people observe Christmas in some way worldwide, if not more. Christy and I were very surprised when we were missionaries in Japan to see Christmas decorations going up in the malls there in Tokushima. There's the green and red, and there's all the Christmas, jolly old St. Nicholas, and all that. Santa was everywhere. There it was, Christmas in Japan, where about 1% are evangelical, but there they were celebrating Christmas. I have a friend who lives in the Persian Gulf. We communicate via Zoom from time to time, and he told me that there are Christmas trees all over that Muslim nation. 99% of the people there are Muslim and they still have Christmas trees. If you look a little closer though, we realize Christmas isn't as big as it should be. 71% of Americans say they don't look on Christmas as a religious holiday at all. That's a huge percentage of people that see it in a secular sort of way, and we think that must be true of the billions around the world that stop working, gather to eat and to drink, and to celebrate in some way. We're aware of the fact that Christmas, however big it is, needs to be a lot bigger. That brings me to the text that we're studying today, Isaiah 49, in which it is said by God to Christ, "It is too small a thing..." I want to zero in on that concept and link it to Christmas. Christmas is too small, it's smaller than it should be, however big it is, it still too small. In the text, it is said, "It is too small a thing for you to save the Jews alone." Too small a thing. Now what an amazing achievement that would be, the salvation of the Jewish nation. When Jesus Christ finally achieves it, what a great achievement that would be at the end of human history, as I believe the mystery that Paul talks about in Romans 11, where he says, "All Israel will be saved." I believe that that will come, that will be a climax to the long, and torturous, and painful journey that Almighty God has been on with his chosen people, the Jewish nation, the descendants of Abraham. But however great that will be, God says in this text, "It is too small a thing." God intended a glory far greater than that, a multitude from every tribe, and language, and people in nation standing around the throne celebrating the salvation of God. The idea of my sermon today is captured in another place in Scripture. "O magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together." To magnify means to make great or make greater. We cannot make an infinite God any greater than he is, but He does need to be greater in our own estimation. That's where He is too small. That's why Christmas is too small, in our own minds, in our own estimation, and the Word of God is the remedy. Look at the text again. Isaiah 49: 1-6, “Listen to me, you islands. Hear this, you distant nations. Before I was born, the Lord called me from my birth, He has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of His hand, He hid me. He made me into a polished arrow, and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I'll display my splendor.’ But I said, ‘I have labored to no purpose. I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing, yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God.’ And now the Lord says, ‘He who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, where I'm honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength.’” He says, "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob, and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the Earth." I believe that it is Christ speaking in this passage. He's summoning all nations to listen, look at verse 1, "Listen to me, you islands. Hear this, you distant nations." I've already made the assertion, but we need to ask, "Who is speaking in these words?" This person is speaking of himself and for himself, but He relates something He says that God says to him, the Lord says to him, "The Lord spoke to me." So who is the speaker in this ancient oracle? There are three possibilities. It is Isaiah the prophet himself speaking, or it is the nation of Israel collectively having a certain role to play, and that's home base of verse 3, where the speaker says the Lord calls him, "My servant Israel.” Or it could be the Messiah, the Christ, speaking through the spirit of God, the spirit of Christ, through the prophet Isaiah in the first person. If we look at verse 6, this is a key. He says, "It is too small or too light a thing for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I'll also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the Earth." The servant who's speaking here is someone who both restores the tribes of Israel and is also the light for the Gentiles. There's no way that can be the sinful nation of Israel. Israel can't bring Israel back, so that's eliminated. It's certainly not Isaiah the prophet, the man of unclean lips, he would never have arrogated to himself the statements made here. The New Testament solves this question for us directly by quoting this passage and ascribing it directly to Jesus. Shortly after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to be circumcised in fulfillment of the law of Moses. A prophet named Simeon was waiting for him. Moved by the Holy Spirit, he took the baby Jesus into his arms and said these amazing words in Luke 2, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and for glory for your people Israel." So he calls him the light for the Gentiles or for the nations. So also Paul and Barnabas, when they're preaching in a synagogue in Pisidian, Antioch, quoted this and directly connected it to Jesus in Acts 13:47, "This is what the Lord has commanded us, I have made you," [singular,] "a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the Earth." Paul and Barnabas, didn't think that they were the light to the Gentiles, but they were there at Pisidian, Antioch on his behalf. The statement that had been made to Jesus, "I will make you a light for the Gentiles," they took as their marching orders, but it was Jesus that was the light for the Gentiles. Therefore, the speaker in Isaiah 49 is none other than Jesus speaking, long before He was incarnate by the Virgin Mary, speaking prophetically by the power of the Holy Spirit in the first person. This shouldn't surprise us because He does the same thing in His most famous quotation of Isaiah. At the beginning of His public ministry in Nazareth, He went to his hometown, Nazareth. He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, and He took the scroll of Isaiah, and He unrolled it to Isaiah 61. He read these words, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me," [first person] "because He has anointed me," [Messiah Christ means anointed one] "to preach good news to the poor." He went on and quoted more of Isaiah 61, then He rolled up the scroll and sat down, and He said, "Today in your hearing, this scripture is fulfilled." So “I am the Messiah, I am the anointed one, the spirit of the Lord is upon me.” But if you just read Isaiah 61, it's the same thing. It's an ancient oracle written in the first person. It's Jesus speaking prophetically long before He was born by the spirit of God. We have that same kind of pattern here, and this is one of a series of what's known as “servant songs,” the servant of the Lord. There are four of them, the four servant songs. Sometimes the text speaks about the servant of the Lord, and sometimes in the servant song, the servant speaks himself directly. These four servant songs give us a sense of the purpose of God in sending Jesus. This is the thing that's so amazing, Isaiah was written more than seven centuries before Jesus was born. Uzziah died in the year 733BC, a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah. This is a long time before Jesus was born and it gives us great confidence, doesn't it? To know that the whole plan had been written out in detail in prophecy long before Jesus was born. We have these four servant songs. The first is in Isaiah 42, which depicts Jesus as a gentle Savior. Isaiah 42: 1-4, "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight." The speaker there is God, He's speaking about the servant of the Lord, Jesus. "I will put my spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout, or cry out, or raise His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness, He will bring forth justice. He will not falter or be discouraged till He establishes justice on the Earth, and in His law, the islands will put their hope." That's the first of the four servant songs, directly ascribed to Jesus in Matthew chapter 12. When it says, "The bruised reed He will not break, and the smoldering wick He will not snuff out,” it is speaking of Jesus's wonderful tenderness and skill in binding together broken-hearted sinners and saving them. He's a gentle and a loving Savior, and that's the first servant song. This servant song, Isaiah 49, is the second of the four, and we're going to walk through it this morning. The third is in Isaiah 50, again, it speaks in the first person. It speaks of the sufferings of the servant. And then the fourth, Isaiah 52 and 53, is the most famous of the four servant songs. Both of those last two, Isaiah 50 and Isaiah 52/53 speak of the suffering servant of the Lord, the intense sufferings of the servant of the Lord, culminating in the substitutionary, atoning death of Jesus. I. Christ Summons All Nations to Listen This servant song, Isaiah 49, will depict Jesus as a messenger for the glory of the Lord to the ends of the Earth. To take the greatness of God from small beginnings to a worldwide eternal kingdom, the glory of the Lord shining to the Gentiles, but it begins so powerfully as Jesus speaks in the text to the distant islands and nations to listen to His voice calling on all peoples, all over the world, across all time to listen to Him. Look at verse 1, "Listen to me, you islands. Hear this, you distant nations.” This verse shows the scope of God saving plans. Christ is calling to the ends of the Earth. Christ is the King of Kings. He is the Lord of Lords. All nations on Earth are His, for the Father has given them to Him. And He summons the islands, He summons the distant nations, the farthest places, the remotest locations. For example, the Inuit people of the Canadian Arctic, the semi-nomadic tribes, the cave dwellers of Papua New Guinea belong to Him. The blonde haired Norsemen, descendants of the Vikings, who now live in civilized and technologically advanced cities in Norway. The tall Dinka in South Sudan, perhaps the tallest tribe on Earth. All of these distant lands and all the others are summoned by Jesus Christ, the king of all the Earth, to listen to His voice, "Listen to me." II. God Called Jesus Before and After Birth He wants them to know the origin of His saving mission, it was by the call of the Father before He was born. God called Jesus before and after His birth. Look again in verse 1, "Before I was born, the Lord called me.” Jesus is unique in all of human history. He existed before He took on a human body. He's the only human being that chose to enter the world. He was called by His father, and Christ's mission was determined in the mind of God before the foundation of the worlds. Before God said, "Let there be light,” before God created the heavens and the Earth, this plan was established and determined in the mind of God. 1 Peter 1: 19-20 says, "We were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake." This is no new plan thrown together hastily at the end, but it was planned in the mind of God before the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 also speaks of the lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. "Jesus is unique in all of human history. He existed before He took on a human body. He's the only human being that chose to enter the world. He was called by His father, and Christ's mission was determined in the mind of God before the foundation of the world." III. God Formed, Sharpened, Polished and Concealed Jesus It says in the text that God formed, sharpened, polished, and concealed Jesus. Look at verse 2, "He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me. He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver." God prepared His son, the Lord Jesus, and He prepared the world for the coming of Christ. He orchestrated all of these things. Before the foundation of the world, God the Father, shaped his plan for the world through the Son. Everything in the universe, visible and invisible, was created through the Son. John 1:3, "Through him all things were made. And without him, nothing was made that has been made." Colossians uses the same concept, the Word through Colossians 1:16, "For through him or by him, all things were created. Things in heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or powers, or rulers, or authorities, all things were created by Him and for Him.” So through Him, by Him, for Him. If that's true of the physical universe, how much more are the plans for the salvation of sinners, from every tribe, language, people and nation made through the Son, by the Father through the Son. God, the Father, agreed to save the Elect through the blood of his incarnate Son before God made anything at all. Ephesians 1 says, "For he chose us in him," that is in Christ, "before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace." His people were chosen in Christ, before the world began, to end up holy and blameless in heaven. That's all this preparation that was made before there even was a world, before Jesus was conceived and born, the preparation language was ascribed to the unfolding plan of God, and then history unfolded. The calling of Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, the birth of Isaac by a miracle, by the miracle power of God, and then of Jacob, and then of the 12 tribes, and then the bondage, the slavery in Egypt, all of that. The exodus through Moses, then all that subsequent history of the Jewish nation, and also the detailed history of the Gentile nations as well. God orchestrated all of these things according to His plan and His purpose. You look at the history of Israel recorded for us in the Old Testament, the history of Israel under the laws of Moses, and their tragic, consistent rebellion against God, and their consistent idolatry, and their consistent resistance of the Holy Spirit, and the messengers, the prophets, that came and they would not listen. Their subsequent exiles by the Assyrians and the Babylonians, and God's graciousness and allowing a small remnant of them to return to the Promised Land under Gentile domination and rebuild their lives, rebuild the temple and the city. Then the subsequent history of that small dominated nation in the times of the Gentiles, dominated by Gentile powers, until the time of Christ. Then in the fullness of time we're told, Galatians 3, "At the right time, God sent his son Jesus Christ." At just the right time, everything had been prepared, everything had been shaped and prepared for that moment in time for Jesus to come, and so we see that preparation language. Then God prepared a body for Jesus. He prepared a body for him in the womb of the Virgin Mary, Jesus was a holy embryo. This is an infinite mystery, something we will never fully comprehend, but His body was prepared step by step. It was miraculously conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, when the Holy Spirit came over the body of Mary. But then it unfolded, it seems, in the natural way like any other baby is knit together in his or her mother's womb. The Virgin Mary was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit, as the angel said, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you, and so the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." Mary said, "I'm a virgin, how can it be that I would have a baby?" That's how it happened, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the ordinary 23 chromosomes that would've come from a father, came from the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. Other than that, it seems his body was formed step-by-step as the child develops in the mother's womb. The text in Isaiah says that God made his mouth like a sharpened sword. Before his mouth could be a sharpened sword, He had to have a mouth at all. His physical mouth, and then the lungs that gave him breath so He could speak. Indeed, every bodily system needed for physical life, God willed to give him. By the power of the Holy Spirit, knitting his body together, but in the ordinary way it seems of human gestation. Psalm 139, "You created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the Earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." That's David the psalmist talking about his own physical creation by God inside his mother's womb. But how much more is that true of Jesus? Again, Job spoke the same way of his own body being knit together. Job said to God, "Your hand shaped me and made me. Remember that you molded me like clay. Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? Did you not clothe me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and showed me kindness." How amazing is that process anyway for every baby, but how much more significant is it for the incarnate son of God? All the days ordained for Jesus were written in God's book before one of them came to be. He was concealed, but this concealed son of God was revealed at the right time. "Hidden in the womb of the Virgin Mary like a polished arrow," it says, "concealed in the quiver, just as God's plan for the salvation of the world was hidden in the mind of God but then suddenly revealed when Jesus broke on the scene." Romans 16 speaks of the proclamation of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages pass but now revealed and made known. Ephesians 3:9 also, this mystery which for ages past was kept hidden in God who created all things. Colossians 1:26, "The mystery that had been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the saints." This mystery is Christ, the incarnate son of God, the Savior of the world, our hope for glory. Isaiah tells us that God concealed him in the shadow of his hand until the right time. The language here in Isaiah 49 is military. Jesus' mouth is likened to a sharpened sword, He is likened to a polished arrow. Jesus was unleashed by God the Father as a weapon to destroy Satan's dark kingdom, to smash it to bits, to destroy it, to bind the strong man, and to plunder his house, and to destroy him eternally in the lake of fire. By his own death, by Jesus' own death, to destroy him who held the power of death. In order to do this, God had to give Him a human soul, infinite mystery, and house it in a human body for that is what death is, the separation of the soul from the body. God gave Him blood, blood cells to course through His body, blood vessels to carry that blood, so that at the right time, He could shed His blood as an atonement for our sins. God gave Him bones as the frame of His body, but He ordained that not one of them would be broken when He died on the cross. God gave Him eyes to see the suffering of His afflicted sheep, He gave Him ears to hear their cries of pain, and all of this God prepared for His Son in the nine months that He was knitting Him together in His mother's womb. Then He hid Him once He was born, He hid Him from Herod's satanic attacks. Herod sent soldiers to hunt Him down and slaughter Him in Bethlehem, but God concealed Him and protected Him so that He would not die. The demons would've killed Him in the 30 years while He was growing up. He was getting ready to be revealed publicly to Israel, but they were held at bay. They would not be permitted to come after Him. They knew who He was, but He was protected and concealed, and He was concealed from public view until the right time came for Him to be manifested publicly to Israel. John the Baptist came as the forerunner, and he saw in the days of his baptism and the days of his preaching, John saw Jesus come. The only perfect man that has ever lived and he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John said, "I have seen and I testify that he is the son of God." John the Baptist said his central mission was the unveiling of the hidden son of God. In John 1:31, "The reason I came baptizing with water is that he might be unveiled or revealed Israel." The time of concealing was over, it was time for Him to be revealed. Think about the sharpened sword that was Jesus' mouth. How was Jesus' mouth like a sharpened sword with the awesome power of the words that He spoke? By His words, demons were driven out instantly. They were terrified of His word, they fled from Him, and no human weapon could ever bring terror to demons or to Satan. Satan has no fear of any weapon that we form, no weapon system. Remember when we were going through the book of Job and we talked about Leviathan, and I thought that he pictured Satan? For Leviathan in Job 41, it says, "The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart of the javelin. Iron he treats like straw, bronze like rotten wood. Arrows do not make him flee, slingstones are like chaff to him. A club seems to him but a piece of straw, he laughs at the rattling of the lance." There's no weapon that human beings could make, no sword that we could fashion that Satan would tremble at. But the demons were terrified of Jesus and they fled at His word. When the demoniac from the Gadarenes with 5,000 demons inside was confronted with Jesus, they ran to Him and fell on the ground before Him, begged Him that He would send them into the herd of pigs and not send them into the pit before they appointed time. He said one word in the Gospel of Matthew's account, "Go," and they fled. It was the power of the word of Jesus over the demonic forces. Jesus' sword is terrible, and swift, and unbreakable against all his enemies. At His second coming, He is depicted as having a sharp, double-edged sword coming out of his mouth. Revelation 19, "Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter, He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. And with His breath, He will slay the Antichrist, the most powerful and most wicked human being that will have ever lived in all of history." It says in 2 Thessalonians 2, "The lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and the splendor of His coming." All He'll have to do with the Antichrist is say, "Be dead, go to hell,” and it'll be done. That's the power of the sword coming out of the mouth of Jesus. How much more terrifying when He speaks to His enemies on judgment day, when all the nations are gathered before Him and He sits on a glorious throne, and He separates the people, all of them, one from another, into two categories, and only two, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He's going to say to the goats, to the lost, "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." That "depart from me" is His sharp sword cutting them off from Himself, and from life, and from everything good that there has ever been or ever will be. That's the terror of the sharp sword coming from the mouth of Jesus. Yet in an amazing way, his polished sharp sword heals us from our sins. Much like a surgeon's scalpel is able to cut out the tumor, it's able to take out the heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh. For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any double-edged sword. It's able to penetrate, even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marriage, judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. At the day of Pentecost, the people heard the gospel and they were cut to the heart, they were pierced by it and saved, because of that sharp sword coming out of Jesus' mouth. IV. The Apparent Failure of Jesus’ Mission Now we come to a mystery and that is the apparent failure of Jesus's mission. If Isaiah 49:1-6 is indeed the pre-incarnate Christ speaking of his mission in the world, if it is, what do we make of this one statement in verse 4? "I said, 'I have labored to no purpose, I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.’" That sounds really discouraged, doesn't it? I put in all this time, I did all this labor, and nothing has come of it. If this is still Jesus speaking, and it must be because the text continues in the same pattern, how could it be? At what point would Jesus say something like this? The mystery of the incarnation, the entire mission of Jesus follows the same pattern. Nothing visibly spectacular at first, small, insignificant, not very glorious, and just getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger. Growing to a level we can scarcely imagine. Isaiah 53 speaks of this very thing in verse 2, "He grew up before him like a tender shoot and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.” He's not impressive. When the King of Kings and Lord of Lords entered the world, it was in abject poverty and humility, born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a manger. When the shepherds went and saw them, they saw a baby wrapped up in cloths, that was it. When the Magi came, having been led by the star, they just saw a normal human baby. He had no majesty, no glory. He was just simple, and so throughout His ministry. He had no outward majesty, no radiant glory shining around Him. He looked like an ordinary man, and a very poor one at that. He had no place to lay His head. He had to be supported by a group of women who supported Him out of their means. This culminated in His arrest, in weakness. He didn't fight, He just went like a sheep to the slaughter. His disciples all deserted Him and fled the moment that He was arrested. Jesus said they would do it, "This very night you will all fall away in account of me, for it is written. I'll strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." They're all gone. His closest, most trusted allies, disciples that he had poured into for three years, they're gone. And the time of His death, as He was dying on the cross and his blood was flowing out of His body, all He had to show at that moment, for a worldwide awesome movement in the kingdom that would last for all eternity, was His mother, some other women who were friends of the family, and one of the 12 apostles, John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who was an eyewitness to His death. That was it. The only perfect ministry there's ever been, the only perfect teaching and perfect miracles, all of that perfect example, and that's it. But I said, "I have labored to no purpose. I've spent my strength in vain and for nothing." The seemingly gloomy statement shows how small the kingdom of Christ would've appeared at that moment. If any of us who are followers of Christ could be there at that moment, we would see what it looked like, and it didn't look like much. It certainly didn't look glorious, it certainly didn't look like it would conquer the world and last for all eternity. It started small, like Jesus' own body in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Microscopically small, so also the kingdom, which would one day conquer the whole Earth and last for all the eternity. But at that moment, all of those beautiful outcomes were in the hands of God. As He died, He said, "Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit." I think we could go beyond and say, "Into Your hands, I commend my kingdom. Do something with this.” That's why in Isaiah 49:4, it doesn't last long, this seemingly gloomy statement. "But I said, ‘I have labored to no purpose. I've spent my strength and a vain for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God.’" And God says, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. Ask of me, and I'm going to give you the nations as your inheritance.” You cannot measure the zeal that God the Father had to make much of what Christ did by dying on the cross, but at the moment of death it seemed like a failure. Therefore, like Jesus' body itself grew, Jesus' kingdom starts small also and moves out to its appropriate scope, and then we see the eternal glory of Jesus' kingdom. The text speaks of a glory too small for Christ. Look at verses 5-6, "Now the Lord says, ‘He who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I'm honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength.’ He says, ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I'll also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the Earth.’" This is Jesus speaking by the Spirit through the words of Isaiah that Isaiah wrote down. He talks of his formation in the womb, the incarnation, Jesus would say, "The same God who formed me, formed my body in the womb of the virgin has glorious plans for Me." Yes, the original mission was to the nation of Israel. Paul says plainly to the Jew first and also to the Gentile, Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, "Salvation is from the Jews." He said to the Syrophoenician woman, "I was sent only to the lost tribes of Israel." Now this text says Jesus' first mission was to bring Jacob back to God and gather Israel to himself, to restore Jacob and bring back the remnant, those of Israel that I have kept, that remnant. But that mission is too small. The Hebrew literally says it's too light, it's too trifling a thing. "I've got bigger plans than that for you, Jesus." Bigger plans than that, however great that is. That Jesus, the eternal son of God, would be the tribal savior of only one ethnic group on Earth, that is too small a thing. Why? Romans 3: 29-30 says, "Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too?" Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God who will justify the circumcised through faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. One God for the entire world, one savior. So therefore it is too light a thing for Jesus to only be a Jewish savior. He has a worldwide plan, God does. "I will also make you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the Earth." A light for the Gentiles, and that light directly equated with salvation. As Isaiah said earlier, in Isaiah 9:2, “The people walking in darkness have seen what a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” It says in the next verse, Isaiah 9:3, "You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy." So we're going to have a bigger nation. He says in Isaiah 54, "Lengthen the tent ropes and the stakes, and get a bigger tent, you're going to need a bigger tent, O Zion." So it's too small a thing for just the Jews, there are going to be some honorary members of the family of Abraham. By repentance and faith in Christ, they're going to be grafted into this incredible work. "One God for the entire world, one savior. So therefore it is too light a thing for Jesus to only be a Jewish savior. He has a worldwide plan, God does." It is too small a thing for it just to stay Jews only. They rejoice before you as those who rejoice at the harvest, as those who rejoice when dividing the plunder. It's a time of joy. Jesus is the light for the Gentiles, giving the light of truth, shining the light on yourself, the light of the truth about yourself, that you're a sinner who has violated the laws of God as I am, that you deserve hell. Death is coming. You see the light of yourself, and you come into the light because you're not afraid, because you know what you're going to find there is a savior who is gentle and humble, and you're going to find rest for your souls, and salvation for your souls. That light is shining on you, and you can see yourself clearly for the first time, but you can also see the light of the glory of God in Christ, and He's beautiful and attractive, and you want him. That's the light, as it says in “Amazing Grace.” "Amazing grace, how sweet this sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found was blind, but now I see." Jesus is the light for the Gentiles who would bring God's salvation to the ends of the Earth. And what is that but missions, friends. You may be wondering, "Why did you do Isaiah?" It's like, I want to get to missions. I want to talk about missions. "Well, Pastor, you did that last week." That's true, I want to do it this week too. It is important that we understand God's worldwide plan for the greatness of Jesus. Jesus is still too small, and His kingdom is still too small. It's bigger than it was yesterday, praise God, but it's still too small and it's going to get bigger and bigger. More and more people, and more and more conception of the greatness of Christ, and that process is going to go on for all eternity. Romans 15, "I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews, on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy, as it is written. ‘Therefore, I'll praise you among the Gentiles, I'll sing hymns to your name.’" Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." And again, "Praise the Lord all you Gentiles, and sing praises to Him all you peoples." And again, Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations, and the Gentiles will hope in Him." V. Application This time of year, we collect money for missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. We have a greater focus on missions, our minds drift away throughout the year. We should be thinking about it daily throughout the year, but this is a good time for us to recommit and reconnect. Think about sacrificial financial giving. It is by offerings like this that missionaries are cared for, paid for, and able to stay on the field. Let's be sacrificial in our giving. We do this so that we may finally realize, God the Father's, determination in Isaiah 49:6, that Jesus would have the full glory of the salvation of the elect from every nation. As Revelation 7 says, "After this, I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne, and in front of the lamb. And they were wearing white robes, and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the lamb.’" Isaiah 9 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he'll be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his kingdom and of peace, there will be no end." This kingdom is going to get bigger for all eternity, not more people, procreation will be done. But in your estimation of the greatness of Jesus, you're going to spend eternity learning just how infinitely glorious and great Jesus is. I'm looking forward to that, aren't you? Close with me in prayer. Father, we thank You for the time we've had to study. Lord, we thank You for the gospel and pray, oh Lord, that You would just be speaking very plainly. Like even now, oh Lord, be speaking. Speaking to people who have yet to cross over from death of life. Let them hear the truth, and let them know... They've heard the gospel multiple times this morning. Let them know that it is for them, that they would see in the light of the truth of the Word of God, that they need a savior, and that Jesus is that savior. And repenting and trusting in Him, find life in His name. And for all of us, oh Lord, help us to be committed to shining that light in many dark places in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

March 22 Jesus Teaches About Himself 2   Welcome back to our Easter 2013 series, AGOG – A Glimpse of God. We are on Day 22 of our adventure, looking together at the life of the most amazing person in human history - Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Matthew 17:1-13 After six days Jesus took only Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone.Jesus' appearance changed in front of them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared to them and were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it's good that we're here. Let's put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Peter didn't know how to respond. He and the others were terrified.) Then a cloud overshadowed them. A voice came out of the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, as they looked around, they saw no one with them but Jesus. On their way down the mountain, Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen. They were to wait until the Son of Man had come back to life. They kept in mind what he said but argued among themselves what he meant by “come back to life.” So they asked him, “Don't the experts in Moses' Teachings say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus said to them, “Elijah is coming first and will put everything in order again. But in what sense was it written that the Son of Man must suffer a lot and be treated shamefully? Indeed, I can guarantee that Elijah has come. Yet, people treated him as they pleased, as Scripture says about him.” Jesus has now taken Peter, James and John with him on a trip up a high mountain. When they arrived there, as if to confirm their confession of Jesus as the Christ Messiah, Jesus transfigures into the glorified Son of God! Moses, the first great law-giver of Israel and Elijah the first great prophet of Israel also appear with Jesus! WOW that must have been an amazing moment! According to Luke's account, they talk with Jesus about his coming death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. The yeast talked about by Jesus was their hypocrisy and evil. This was seen in evidence in our last study where they asked Jesus for a sign. Yeast in the New Testament is often used to illustrate evil. A little evil can spread a long way, much like yeast can in bread. Just as false teaching can decimate a church. Jesus was also warning his disciples to be convinced of the signs they had already seen, without coveting yet more signs! On the way back down the mountain to join the remaining disciples, conversation ensues. Again they were not to tell anybody else about what happened on the mountain top. If knowledge had become widespread, chaos would have ensued around Jesus. He would be surrounded by excitable crowds of people wanting to make Him their political King. All this happening, when He wanted to concentrate on his final preparation of his disciples. Jesus tells them again about his resurrection –his coming back to life after his death. Still Peter, James and John have difficulty grasping it and squabble amongst themselves. They go on to raise some of the teachings of the scribes about how Elijah would return before the Messiah Christ would come anoint the Messiah as King and then everything would be restored back to perfection. Jesus affirms what they are saying, but not that he agrees with it. Still the disciples don't understand the correlation between suffering and glory. Jesus also affirms that the Elijah prophesied about was indeed John the Baptist! The religious teachers had missed this as had the disciples. Just as John the Baptist was rejected and killed by the religious authorities, so would the Christ. Jesus explains that the road to glory for the Messiah was through his death and suffering. Come back tomorrow for Day 23 of our series AGOG, as we continue to look together at that extraordinary man, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel accounts! We shall see together Jesus preparing His disciples for when He leaves them! See you soon at Partakers! Right Mouse click or tap here to save this as an audio mp3 file  

Jesus, the Messiah: Have you ever wondered what Jesus was doing in your life? Messiah (Christ in Greek) is a title meaning anointed/chosen one. But if Jesus is the Messiah, what was he anointed/chosen to do? We must be careful not to shrink the purpose of Jesus. Instead, let us hear the invitation of the Messiah, who offers nothing less than his Spirit and real, everlasting life in his kingdom. Recorded on Oct 29, 2023, on John 7:25-52 by Pastor David Parks. Finding Life in Jesus' Name is a sermon series on the gospel according to John in the Bible. Have you ever felt unsatisfied with your life? Or, even when things were going well, something was still missing? Many people sense there must be something more. But what?? John, one of the closest friends of Jesus, believed that Jesus came into the world so that we may have life and have it to the full. Jesus turned John's life upside down, and John claims this new life — marked by God's power, presence, and purpose — is available for all who believe. Sermon Transcript So all year, we're going through the gospel according to John in a series called Finding Life in Jesus' Name. And today, we'll finish John chapter 7, considering what it means for Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah. I think a lot of people think that Christ is Jesus' last name, like Mary and Joseph Christ and Jesus Christ. But I wonder how old I was when I learned that Christ is a title, not his last name. It's a title that means anointed one or the chosen, Christ in Greek and Messiah in Hebrew. But anointed/chosen to do what, exactly? Well, that is very much John's point in this passage. Just who was Jesus, and what was his mission? Why was he sent from heaven? What did he come to accomplish? Have you ever thought about that in your life today? What is he trying to accomplish in your life? What is Jesus trying to do? I've definitely had times of anger/pain/fear when I've cried out to the Lord to get some answers as to what was happening. “Jesus who are you and what are you doing here?” Have you ever felt that way? It was no different in Jesus' day. People were divided over who he was and what he was supposed to accomplish as the Messiah. And yet Jesus knew who he was; he knew what he came to do as the Messiah, and he extends an open invitation to all, even today. If you have a Bible/app, please take it and open it to John 7:25. John 7:25–27 (NIV), “25 At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, “Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? 26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.” Ok, let's pause here for a little context. So last week, we saw Jesus, the great Teacher, who came to the Festival of Tabernacles in Jerusalem and was teaching in the Temple courts. His teaching was amazing because of its authority and power. It was helpful and encouraging, but it also offered a correction and sometimes even a rebuke. It was like nothing they'd ever heard. And they were baffled because Jesus hadn't been formally trained. They just didn't understand. So here, we're still in the Temple courts with this mix of the crowd there for the Festival and the religious leadership who were plotting against Jesus. The crowd knows the leaders aren't a fan of Jesus, it appears from this that they even knew they were trying to kill him. So they're confused as to why the leaders seemed to be allowing him to teach publicly here. Had they changed their minds about Jesus? Did they now think he really was the Messiah? But they're not sure because John says that they thought that when the Messiah came, no one would know where he was from. Why did they think this? Probably because of OT passages like Daniel 7:13–14 (NIV), “13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,

Christ is the environment in which we all live and breathe and have our being.  It connects us, comforts us, inspires us, heals us, moves us, woos us. Christ is that aspect of God that is always on the move everywhere, in everything, the Source of ongoing creative energy, novelty, ingenuity. Much larger than the focus of God's presence on one leader (the classic rendering of Messiah-Christ), and even bigger than the individualistic anointing, Christ represents that other element, the this-ness of life. When we wake up to that, we enter reality differently. We see the world differently. We see ourselves differently – more graceful – and do the same for others. Ego takes a back seat in favor of something much deeper and greater. Our vision for life expands from self-centeredness alone to a deep respect for the wisdom of loving our neighbors as ourselves – we realize we must pursue both. Realizing we are all – everything – swimming in the same sea, we lend and direct the flow of Christ beyond ourselves toward everyone and everything.  In this we join Christ, adding to the creative, healing work, unkinking our hose, and allowing the love to flow. We become joyful conduits of love, light, grace – Christ.

We continue in our Summer Re-Run Series with Episode 1 of our popular Bible Words series from last Fall. The goal of our Bible Words series was to help our listeners understand and apply familiar Bible words that we hear often in our church gatherings and Bible studies. In this episode that first aired on August 15, 2022, Dr. Eddy Sanders (DCC Practical Ministries Chair) looks at the person of Jesus, specifically His titles of "Messiah" and "Christ." 

Paper Doll Jesus Today, Pastor Michael is saying that some folks have a “Paper Doll” mentality toward Jesus.  The Jesus that is in line with the beliefs that you have; the Jesus that is two-dimensional.  His own disciples had a very flat, two-dimensional view of Jesus.  Their understanding of Him didn't match the truth of His person or purpose.  We see this disconnection in Mark of what his followers thought of him. The story takes place in Caesarea Philippi.  During this trip, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?”  And his disciples answered everything from John the Baptist to Elijah.  Then He asked them directly, “But, you, who do you say I am?”  Peter answered, “The Messiah,” and Jesus told them to tell no one.  Jesus knew the more they told people, the more His enemies would chase him down and try to kill him.  He knew it was not time for His ministry to end yet.  Jesus was and is not just a great prophet, a miracle worker, or a teacher: He is the Son of God.  But people of His day and His own followers had a “Paper Doll” image of Jesus, a certain image that is not in line with what Jesus was and is.  (CSB Study Bible Notes) Peter responded you are the Messiah. This is the first time in Mark's Gospel that a person made this identification. To this point, only God (1:11) and demons (1:24,34; 3:11; 5:7) had testified to Jesus's true identity. The word “Messiah” (Christ) means “anointed one” and refers to God's appointed deliverer and King. Verses can be found in Mark 8: 27-33. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

A simplified preaching guide on the Gospel of Mark with the late Phil Crowter. No one can find anything wrong with Jesus. Jesus goes to his death because he says that he is the Christ (Messiah). #Preaching #preachgospel #Mark14v52-65 #Jesus #Jews #Romansrulers #Pilate #innocent #Messiah #Christ #suffer #suffering #sanhedrin #SonofMan #highpriest #blasphemy #guilty #perfect #judge #God 

PreludeChoral IntroitWelcome & News of the ChurchCall to WorshipOpening Hymn - (#289) "Christ the Lord is Risen Today"Message for Children & YouthCongregational Response - (#234) "He Is Lord"Witness to the ResurrectionCongregational Response - "Let It Rise"Confession, Assurance, and Gloria PatriPraises to the Risen LordPastoral PrayerChoral Anthem - "Do You Know He's Arisen" by Dianne & Terr RandolphSermon - "Brighter Than The Sun" (Matthew 28:1–10) - by Rev. Jason GrifficeOffertory Anthem - "They Could Not" by Harris & Cloninger/HallquistPrayer of ThanksgivingHymn - (#291) "Thine Is The Glory"BenedictionMusical Benediction - "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah"Christ the Lord is Risen TodayChrist the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say: Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply: Alleluia! Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Dying once, He all doth save, Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia! Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia! Praise Him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Amen. He Is LordHe is Lord, He is Lord! He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confessThat Jesus Christ is Lord. Thine Is The GloryThine be the glory, risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victoryThou o'er death hast won. Angels in bright raimentRolled the stone away, Kept the folded grave clothesWhere Thy Body lay. CHORUS:Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victoryThou o'er death hast won. Lo! Jesus meets thee, Risen from the tomb; Lovingly He greets thee, Scatters fear and gloom. Let the church with gladness Hymns of gladness sing, For our Lord now liveth; Death hast lost its sting. [CHORUS]No more we doubt Thee, Glorious Price of Life! Life is naught without Thee; Aid us in our strife. Make us more than conquerors, Through Thy deathless love; Bring us safe through Jordan Through Thy home above. [CHORUS] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

IntroductionHello, welcome to the Will Preach for Food podcast. I'm Doug, a pastor here at Faith Lutheran Church, based out of Shelton, Washington, a congregation of the ELCA. You can learn more about Faith at our website, www.faithshelton.org. This podcast is being recorded for the 1st Sunday in Lent, February 26, 2023. Over these next few weeks, I think I'm going to try my best to preach from the book of Romans. “By Grace Through Faith” is my series title, and today is Part One, looking at Romans 1-2. So we're going to spend some time getting to know a man named Saul of Tarsus, whom we know as the Apostle Paul. Paul was a Jewish teacher and tentmaker turned Christian missionary, theologian, reformer. Paul introduces himself to the Romans as simply “a servant of Christ Jesus.”Romans 1:1-4Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. After twenty years of missionary work around the Mediterranean, Paul has on his heart to bring the gospel all the way to Spain. To get there, he's going to need support from a cluster of little churches in Rome. He needs donors, backers, companions, prayer. He writes a letter to a group he's never met. It is an ambitious attempt to summarize and demonstrate his message, his vision, and his mission strategy. He is coming to visit them in person, and he wants to be ready and receptive to his vision. Romans 1:7-10To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.History tells us that Paul makes it to Rome, although as a prisoner, not a missionary. And he never makes it to Spain.But we have his letter to the Romans, arguably the most important of Paul's writings if not the entire Bible. Paul wants to let them know about what he calls “the gospel,” the euangelion, the good news that was promised in the Hebrew Scriptures and finally revealed and realized in the person of Jesus, the Messiah Christ sent from God. This letter gives us ways to talk about human depravity and God's righteousness. He gives us language for a doctrine of justification: Saved by grace through faith, apart from works of the law. And for sanctification: daily dying and being made new through the Holy Spirit, symbolized and set into motion through Baptism. Support the show

Sunday message by Pastor Mat - December 18, 2022 - Our website - https://christiancoffeetime.ca/ How you can be Born Again Saved! - https://youtu.be/48EVpzPNfI0 How to deal with one's doubts of salvation - https://youtu.be/_H7iTidWsqI Our playlist on proving Eternal Security (Once Saved Always Saved) according to the Word of God - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3pJdCnnwrEeCQOCTTmDW1GjUYxpd44DG Isaiah 7:14) The Messiah Christ will be born of a virgin - Micah 5:2) the Messiah Christ will be born in Bethlehem - Isaiah 9:6) the Messiah Christ is called the Mighty God Everlasting Father - Isaiah 53) The Messiah Christ will be put to death for our sins and His days will be prolonged (resurrected). The only living God which is the Saviour of all men (1 Timothy 4:10). Jesus Christ is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20). God was manifest in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16). in Jesus dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). (Acts 20:28) God purchased the church with His own blood. the Word which is God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1&14). - Jesus is the Christ the Mighty God in the flesh Jesus Christ in the Gospels said in His name to cast out Devils. In the temptation in the wilderness Jesus rebuked Satan, and again when Satan tried to rebuke Christ through Peter Jesus said "Get thee behind me Satan" and then in the temptation in the wilderness He said in Matthew 4 “is it not written, tempt not the Lord your God”, thus claiming to be Lord God. Furthermore, we also see Jesus forgiving sins of people (the cripple man and the woman caught in adultery, and Mary who washed His feet), Jesus accepting worship of individuals He healed (the wise men at His birth, the blind man, lepers, the disciples, and Thomas). John 14:6) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" John 3:16-18) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" 1 John 5:20) "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life" John 3:3) "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Titus 3:5) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Romans 10:9) "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" Ephesians 2:8-9) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Acts 10:43) "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."

A detailed explanation of the fall of the temple in AD70, how that proves Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah (Christ), and how this informs our faith in future events. I explain many a couple differences between Judaism, Christianity, and the Messianic faith which resides somewhere between the two. Please like and share this video to help spread the Gospel. Please visit https://firstcenturychristianity.net/ and sign up to receive our periodic newsletters or even come fellowship with us in person!

A verse-by-verse Bible study class. This study covers Romans 9:30-10:4. These studies focus on what the Bible says, and what it means. Topics covered: The reasons that many children of Israel have rejected their Messiah -- Christ as a “stumbling stone” -- Prophecy in Isaiah of the Messiah as a “stumbling stone” -- The attempt of the early Christian church in Jerusalem to make Christianity a sect of Judaism -- The conflict between Paul and the Jerusalem church in Acts 15 -- Paul's desire for the salvation of Israel -- Misplaced zeal -- Five ways that “Christ is the end of the law”. For more Bible studies, visit ScriptureStudies.com

Far from being Jesus' last name, "Christ" is a title that carries immense meaning. In this episode, Barry Cooper tells of the glory that Jesus bears as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/messiah-christ/

The Old Testament is confusing! What are these different books that make up the first half of the Bible? This episode will help you know how to read prophecy and Proverbs! JOIN the NEWSLETTER SUPPORT Binmin with a tax-deductible gift HERE 0:00 - INTRO 1:15 - WHAT IS THE OLD TESTAMENT? The Bible is a collection of 66 books. Old Testament: first 39 books. 2:00 - OVERVIEW OF THE OT: Written over 1000 years (c. 1400 BC-400 BC). 30 writers. In Hebrew (some Aramaic). Jesus & apostles referred to the OT as their “Scriptures.” Theme: God's dealing with his chosen people & anticipation of the coming Messiah (Christ). 3:02 - WHAT IS GENRE? “Genre” is a kind of writing with a certain form and content. “What type of thing am I reading right now?” 4:25 - 6 GENRES IN THE OT: LAW NARRATIVE WISDOM POETRY PROPHECY APOCALYPTIC 4:42 - 1. LAW: gives instructions (Pentateuch: first 5 books) 5:34 - 2. NARRATIVE: stories (Genesis-Esther): tragedy, epic, romance, heroic, satire 8:04 - 3. WISDOM: teaches the meaning of life and how to live (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes): proverbial, speculative 9:46 - 4. POETRY: ancient Near Eastern poetry (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs) 11:05 - 5. PROPHECY: points to the future & how to live (Isaiah-Malachi). Jesus fulfilled God's plan! 11:55 - 6. APOCALYPTIC: prophetic using symbols & imagery (Daniel 7) 12:51 - SO WHAT? To correctly interpret Scripture, you have to know the genre and not confuse them! 13:55 - WHAT'S YOUR NEXT STEP? READ PROVERBS 15:22 - THANK YOU & WRAP UP For more info about Binmin & more resources for your spiritual life, visit www.Binmin.org CONNECT WITH THE BINMIN TEAM Instagram: Binmin Instagram Linkedin: Binmin Linkedin Twitter: Binmin Twitter Ask Questions: info@binmin.org PODCAST RESOURCES More from Binmin: Binmin.org Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on AnchorFM Subscribe on YouTube PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING A REVIEW If this podcast is helping you make your spiritual life more important to you, help share it by leaving an Apple podcast review in the “Ratings & Reviews” section at the bottom of the podcast's page. Thank you for sharing!

Introduction What in the World is God Doing? Genesis 1-3, Revelation 19-22 September 11, 2022 I.Introduction: A. This morning starts our fall series we are calling people of promise! It will answer the question What in the word is God doing? 1. We will answer that question not out of the context of frustration because we cannot understand it, 2. But out of the context of a sure hope that we can have as an anchor for our souls during the most difficult times of our lives and world! B. I can honestly say that this series was born in my heart back in the spring of 1985, my last semester of seminary, when I was taking a class from Doctor Dwight Pentecost called the biblical covenants. 1. I went into that class having no idea what a covenant was and also after three years of bible college and four and one half years of seminary I had learned literally hundreds upon hundreds of verses and truths but had no idea of how they fit together or even more so flow together into a unit forming the big story of what God is doing in this world. 2. I left that class looking at God and the Bible totally differently C. We are calling it people of promise because 1. A covenant is the means by which God has bound himself to do the things he has promised! 2. In the covenants God's big overarching plan by means of promises are revealed 3. The better we understand the ultimate story of what God is doing, then the better we understand our own lives and times we live in! D. Many people shy away from the Old Testament because they either feel it does not apply to us today or they are so lost in it they cannot figure out what is going on. 1. By the end of this series, you will be equipped with the knowledge to go into the Old Testament with confidence regarding what is going on there and recognizing it really is the foundation to the New Testament. Thus, you will not only better understand the Old Testament but the New Testament as well. 2. Prophecy is simply what God has told us he will do in the future! When it comes to the end times people try to piece together hundreds of verses in the Old and New Testament so it can make sense to them. a. We will learn in this series that the hundreds of verses on prophecy are simply the ways God is going to fulfill his covenant promises that he made to Israel which we join into through Jesus! b. We will see that the prophecies have their roots in the covenants so when the covenants make sense to us then the prophecies will make sense to us! c. Hopefully it will be like taking a 1,000-piece puzzle and turning into about a 20-piece puzzle E. So why a series on the covenants? - listen to these men who recently went through this material as a test drive for this series tell us how it impacted them: • Let's jump right in II. The nature of a story A. Structure of a story- 1. Put up image a. Setting– introduction to the scene and characters – e.g., “once upon a time…” b. Incident – something happens that needs to be resolved c. Plot – a series of events that unfold as they try to resolve the incident d. Climax – the key event that resolves the incident e. Outcome – tension decreases, and the incident is resolved or explained f. Resolution – learn something new or a new way of carrying on from here. “And they lived happily ever after…” B. Are you following me now? Well, God's story as revealed in the Bible story works the same way 1. Structure of the Bible story image 2. Explain image • Let me try to III. Spaceship view of the story A. I believe the story is driven by three key words – seed, covenant, Jesus. 1. Next week we will learn more about the seed which speaks either of a family line of people or a certain person from that line 2. The following week and weeks to come we will learn more about the covenants – a covenant is the means by which God binds himself to do the promises he makes! B. We learn a lot about a story by looking at the start of the story and the end of a story. In the Bible 1. Start - setting – God creates a perfect heaven and earth, and mankind (male and female) where he dwells with them in paradise, and they are to reign over all his creation. There is peace/shalom between God and man, peace within man himself, peace between man and woman, and peace with mankind and the earth. Paradise has no: sin, Satan, curse or death Genesis 1-2 2. End - resolution – God creates a perfect new heaven and earth where he dwells with man who reigns forever and ever over all his new creation. There will be peace/shalom between God and man, peace within man himself, peace between man and woman, and peace with mankind and the new earth. Paradise has no: sin, Satan, curse or death Revelation 21-22 C. My statement, the PBP statement of what God is doing in this world is a story of redemption: God glorifying himself through Jesus, the seed, by restoring his original plan for mankind and the earth where God himself reigns forever as king over a people who love him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. 1. Or simply “God's redemption of man through Jesus Christ!” 2. Or as one brother (Mike) said just a few weeks to me “paradise restored!” • Let's get a little closer in an airplane view 30,000 ft above. IV. Airplane view of the story – A. Just listen and I would encourage you to download the notes as this is literally decades of study squeezed into just a few paragraphs with many bible references to support it. (thank - Joel Brassfield for his contributions to this) B. The setting (paradise) – God dwelling with man as man reigns over his creation and there is perfect shalom/peace and no sin sin, Satan, curse or death. Genesis 1-2 C. Incident or conflict (the fall & the seed promise) – Satan deceived the woman and they fell into sin (fall), as a result sin entered into the world (Romans 5:12). Man became separated from God as he died spiritually and God put a curse upon Satan, woman, man and the world. Satan became the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). There would be hostility between “thy seed,” ungodly line and “her seed,” the godly line. There would also be hostility between Jesus, the seed, and Satan until the seed/Messiah/Jesus Christ comes and crushes Satan. (Genesis 3:15) D. Plot (the whole “I will…” section with covenants) - man struggles with sin, Satan and the curse on every page of the Bible from Genesis 3 until Revelation 21 1. God develops the godly line/seed of the woman through Able, Seth, Noah and Shem to Abraham and the ungodly line through Cain, Ham & Japheth from whom come the nations that were in conflict/hostility with Israel throughout the Old Testament. 2. God made a covenant with Abraham where he promised Abraham - a land, seed (i.e., a nation), blessing and that God would be their god. The seed is now further defined. It first broadly applied to Eve's godly offspring, but now it is narrowed down to being from the line of Abraham, and that it would be both a collective people (Israel – Genesis12:2, 22:17) and a specific person (Jesus – Genesis 22:18, Galatians 3:16) through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed (Romans 4:11-17, Galatians 3:8- 9,14). 3. God gave Israel the Mosaic Covenant to regulate Israel's relationship with God until the seed comes (Galatians 3:19). Obey God and you will be blessed (lev 26:3-13), disobey him and you will be disciplined/cursed (Leviticus 26:14-33). Because of Israel's continued disobedience to the Mosaic Law the Old Testament is a story of Israel's repeatedly being disciplined and repenting and ultimately being deported from their own land (Leviticus 26:27-39, Deuteronomy 28:64-68; 29:24-28). The prophets repeatedly use the Mosaic Covenant to point out their sin and call them to repentance so they can be restored to God's promised blessings (2 Kings 17:13-15, 23)! 4. Deuteronomy/land covenant – guarantees that Israel eventually will repent, be regenerated and restored to the land in blessing. 5. God makes a covenant with David where he–promises that the seed will come from his line and will be a forever king who will rule forever over a forever kingdom. We then see a line of mostly failed kingships from David's line as the nation waits for the promised king who would be the seed of David. 6. In the Old Testament, God foretold of a new covenant with Israel – where he promises to forgive Israel, give them a new heart, place his Spirit in them to cause them to walk in obedience (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:24-27) and bless them in the land (Ezekiel 36:28-38, Deuteronomy 30:1-10) as the Davidic seed rules over them (Luke 1:33) and all the world (Zechariah 9:9-10, 14:9, Ephesians 1:20-21). E. Climax (Jesus the seed)– in Matthew 1:1, the New Testament starts by telling us that Jesus was the seed, the Christ, the Messiah, the seed who came from the line of David and Abraham and gives a genealogy to prove it. Jesus proclaims he is the seed of David, the King, the Messiah/Christ and he proves it by performing the kind of miracles that the Christ will perform in his kingdom. He lives a perfect sinless life, and dies (in our place) to pay for our sins, he is raised from the dead to give us a brand new eternal righteous life, then ascends to heaven to sit at the right hand of God until he comes back to fulfill all the promises the Old Testament prophets made about the period of restoration. (Acts 3:19- 21) F. Outcome (church through millennium) – sin, Satan, the curse and death are still present, but the back of their power is broken. 1. The church is born made up of all nations, both Jew and Gentiles who believe in Jesus (Ephesians 2:11-22). Their sins are forgiven, they receive a new heart and the Holy Spirit dwells inside of every believer. They are now God's people through whom he works his purposes out on earth (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, 2nd Corinthians 5:18-20). 2. Believers are in Christ (1st Corinthians 1:30), the seed, and now are Abraham's seed who partake in the covenants of promise made to Israel (Ephesians 2:12-19 - spiritual blessings now and material blessings later when Jesus returns) based upon a faith like Abraham's (Romans 4:11- 17) and their relationship with Jesus, the seed, to whom the promises were also spoken. (Galatians 3:16, 29) 3. Believers will be raptured out of this world as God disciplines unbelieving Israel and judges the nations for a seven-year period. (Jacob's trouble, tribulation) 4. Satan makes war with the Lamb and his saints at the end of this time as all the world is gathered together against Israel (Zechariah 14:2, 12:3-9, Revelation16:13-16; 17:12- 14) 5. Jesus returns and defeats Satan and binds him for 1,000 years (Revelation 19:19-21, 20:2-3) while he sets up a kingdom here on earth (Revelation 20:4-5) to fulfill his covenant promises with Israel and all the Old Testament prophecies about the period of restoration. (Acts 3:19-21) 6. At the end of that kingdom Satan will be loosed (Revelation 20:7) one more time to spear head one final war where he will be defeated and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Thus, the seed of woman crushed the head of Satan! 7. The present heaven and earth are destroyed by fire at the presence of the great white throne (Revelation 20:11, 2 Peter 3:7-10) 8. Great white throne judgment – anyone's name not written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15). G. Resolution (paradise restored) - then we are back to the new normal, where God creates a new heaven and earth! “Paradise restored!” God dwelling with man as man reigns over his new creation and there is perfect shalom/peace and no sin, Satan, curse or death. Revelation 21-22 V. Closing A. Josh and Joel will close us up by letting us know of some of the opportunities that we have to make this series even more beneficial for us!

Are there words in the Bible that you struggle with understanding and applying to everyday life? Do you find it difficult to put passages of Scripture into your context in the year 2022? If you answered yes, then you're not alone, and this podcast is for you! In this first episode of the "Bible Words" series, Dr. Eddy Sanders helps us understand the person of Jesus as "Messiah and Christ." Our hope is that a deeper understanding of the word of God will transform and revolutionize your life.

Readings* Psalm 85* Proverbs 30:1–33* John 20:19–31* Augsburg Confession, XVII–XIXFestivalToday we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The birth of St. John the Baptist was announced, by an angel, to his father, Zechariah. Initially unbelieving, Zechariah was struck mute until his son was born, but then proclaimed a hymn of praise, the Benedictus — which traditionally serves as the Gospel Canticle in the Church's Service of Morning Prayer. John's life is known from all four of the Gospels. Preaching and baptizing in the wilderness near the Jordan River, John prepared the way for the Messiah — Christ. Upon seeing Christ, John announced to the crowds: “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world!” Martyred by the Herodians, whose immoral lifestyle he denounced, John is remembered for his preaching which pointed to the coming Messiah, the Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world.ReaderCorey J. MahlerCopyright NoticesUnless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Unless otherwise indicated, all quotations from the Lutheran Confessions are from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, copyright © 2005, 2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of Concordia, call 800-325-3040.Support the show

INTRODUCTION As the people of God, we are partakers of Christ's sufferings. Because of this, we are partakers of one another's sufferings. And because of that, we are partakers in one another's comforts. But in order to receive the comfort that we ought to receive, the apostle's doctrine here requires some unpacking. THE TEXT “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation” (2 Cor. 1:3–7). SUMMARY OF THE TEXT This is a passage that is saturated in comfort. Paul begins by blessing God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3). By way of apposition, this God is called the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort (v. 3). As the God of all comfort, the Father comforts Paul and his company so that they might be able to pass on that comfort to those who are in any kind of trouble (v. 4). The comfort that is passed on is explicitly identified as the comfort that was received (v. 4). It is the same comfort. Paul then says that as the sufferings of Christ abound, so also his consolations abound (v. 5). Paul then presents a very interesting line of thought. If the apostolic band is afflicted, it is for the Corinthians' “consolation and salvation.” If the apostolic band is comforted, that too is for the Corinthians' “consolation and salvation” (v. 6). This can work because the afflictions and the comforts are the same for Paul and for the Corinthians (v. 6). Paul's hope concerning the Corinthians was therefore steadfast, because as they were partakers of the suffering, they would also be partakers of the consolation (v. 7). THE RABBINICAL BLESSING In the first century, the first of the nineteen synagogue blessings began this way: “Blessed art thou, O Lord our God and God of our fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob . . .” He is also called the Father of mercies. What Paul is doing is taking those words and recasting them in order to rejoice in God as the God of all comfort. This recast synagogue blessing also appears elsewhere (Eph. 1:3; 1 Pet 1:3). Remember that Paul is dealing with some Judaizing adversaries here, and so he is showing Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, not a continuation of it. Simeon and Anna both were waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25). The Messiah Christ was the promised comfort of Israel (Is. 40-66). This sets the stage for the comfort that Paul is talking about. It is an explicitly Christiancomfort. PRESENCE OF COMFORT This short passage accounts for about one third of all the New Testament references to comfort. The word is used here in both noun and verb forms, and it is a peculiar kind of gospel comfort. We are servants of the suffering servant, after all, and a servant is not greater than his master (John 13:16; 15:20). A few verses earlier (John 15:18), John says that if the world hates us, we should know that it hated Christ first. In the verses immediately following in this chapter, Paul records his gratitude at being delivered from a deadly peril in Asia (2 Cor. 1:8-11), which we will get to soon enough. But he was also greatly encouraged by the good news that Titus had brought back from Corinth (2 Cor. 7:6-7). The revolt at Corinth had been quelled, and Paul was comforted in that as well. AUTHENTIC MINISTRY The charge against Paul is that he must not be a genuine apostle. How could he be? If he had been a genuine apostle, he wouldn't be getting into so much trouble, would he? And certainly, by any reasonable measurement, the apostle Paul appeared to be genuinely snake bit. He lived on the lip of perpetual death—“For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Cor. 4:11, NKJV). This was a ministry that was constantly on hairpin turns at high speeds on two wheels. That's right. Authentic ministry careening down Rattlesnake Grade. What had Paul endured? He goes into it in depth later in this epistle (2 Cor. 11:23-30).  Flogged five times. Beaten with rods three times. Stoned. Shipwrecked. Hungry and thirsty, cold and naked. Jail time in various places. Should we put all this in the glossy prospectus that we send out to prospective donors? If you were on a pastoral search committee, what would you do with an application like this? If you were looking for a spokesman for your church, is this the man you would send out to the cameras? THAT OLD DEVIL RESPECTABILITY If we are biblical Christians, we should always want to maintain in our own ministries the same tensions that were in evidence in biblical ministries. On the one hand, we are told that an elder must have a good reputation with outsiders (1 Tim. 3:7). But then Jesus tells us that there is a kind of honor and respect that is a stumbling block. “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44). The apostle Paul told the Galatians that he wished that the false advocates of circumcision would go whole hog and cut the whole thing off (Gal. 5:12). But in the very next verse, he urges them “by love [to] serve one another” (Gal. 5:13-15). And he told the Philippians that he wanted them to have their love abound more and more in knowledge and in all judgment (Phil. 1:9). This was shortly before he called the false teachers he was dealing with evil workers and dogs (Phil. 3:3). We are servants of a crucified Messiah. This did not happen because Jesus got along so well with the established authorities. And if we accompany Him in the pathway of His sufferings, as we are called to do, we are invited to partake of all the comforts that the God of all comfort might offer.

The story of Jesus' transformation on the high mountain with Peter, James and John is a bold reminder from Mark of Jesus' true identity as the Son of God. The Gospel writer reminds us that Jesus is both a Galilean carpenter and the Messiah/Christ, the Anointed One of God who is uniquely qualified to redeem forever all who come to him in faith. Not only that but we (his followers) will also experience our own transformation into the glorious likeness of Jesus because of the divine mercy and grace of our loving God. [Sermon only]

17.4.22 Speaker: Kevin Rosolen Duration: 46:55 7 - Portraits of Messiah: Christ's Reign Key Verses: Psalm 110

17.4.22 Speaker: Phillip Gummerson Duration: 40:30 5 - Portraits of Messiah: Christ's Resurrection Key Verses: Psalm 16

15.4.22 Speaker: Phillip Gummerson Duration: 35:20 4 - Portraits of Messiah: Christ's Suffering & Death Key Verses: Psalm 22 Good Friday 2022

April 3, 2022 PM, Matthew 16:13-20.According to multiple passages in the Bible, a key point of gospel preaching is that Jesus is the Christ. The following texts use this pattern: John 20:31, Acts 9:22, 17:3, 18:5, 18:28, 1 John 2:22, 1 John 5:1. The approach that Paul used was to show what the Old Testament said about Messiah (Christ). Then he explained the identity of and events surrounding the life of Jesus. Then, he put an equals sign between the two, saying Jesus = Christ. This exact identity is critical to correctly understand the plan of God. Denying it is the same as denying the gospel, for to deny Christ's person and/or work is to deny the gospel. Jesus concludes the section with a command that the disciples tell no one about his identity. This was unfortunate in one sense: people need to know who He is. But it was right in another sense: revealing this information too early and too widely did not fit the timeline that Jesus had to follow that He would be killed at just the right time, in Jerusalem, around Passover, etc. If you have a brain-freeze when witnessing for Jesus, just do this: show that Jesus is the Christ. Remember that: Jesus is the Christ. Go to the Old Testament for a few verses, and then to the New Testament for a few, and tie the two together. That will prime the pump and get the conversation going. Examples: Connect Isaiah 53 with the events of suffering of Christ in the gospels. Show Psalm 110:1 with its New Testament quotations such as Heb. 1:13, Matt. 22:44, Acts 2:34-35, Mark 12:36, Heb. 10:12, Eph. 1:20, Heb. 1:3, 8:1, 10:13. Our Scripture reading was found in 2 Chronicles 6:1-21.

Scripture Reading: Zechariah 10:1-12 Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all the people, and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1 Many Bible texts talk about the destructive power of storms and how sometimes God uses storms to bring judgment. But many other texts describe storms as bringing blessings, ­especially in the rains that water the land. Regular rainfall was essential for ancient cultures with limited irrigation systems. When Jacob sent his sons from Canaan to buy food in Egypt (Genesis 42), it was impossible to grow food where they were. They needed rain for their crops, but instead they had a massive famine. Can we imagine that kind of need? Access to clean water is essential for survival. Zechariah reminded God's people that the Lord is the source of rain. Zechariah's prophecies were pastoral, emphasizing that God is at work in nature and is the source of the people's power. We all need to ask God for his blessing and to live lives that reflect the source of that blessing. At that time, the people were rebuilding the temple of God in Jerusalem, so Zechariah reminded them that God calls everyone to turn away from sin and to serve him in faith. The closing chapters of Zechariah begin pointing to the coming Messiah (Christ), the Savior. Not only does the Lord provide rain for everyone, but in the coming kingdom God will provide all that everyone will need. Dear Lord, thank you for providing for our daily living. Nourish us too with your Word, and fill our hearts with your love forever. Amen.

When the angels of God told the shepherds of Bethlehem how they would be able to identify the baby Messiah (Christ), they gave them a sign. That they would find the baby wrapped in cloth in an animal feeder (manger). Was it more to it than just a sign to point him out?Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/lets-talk-scripture/donations

Breanne Fueling & Maggie - Matt 1:18-25 & Daniel 9:25