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Scripture: John 1:1–3; John 1:14, 18 "Without exaggeration it can be said that every church and every Christian ought to know the Nicene Creed." – Kevin DeYoung, The Nicene Creed.   + Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.   And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.   Who, for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.   And we believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.   And we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. + Jude 3 + John 1:1-3 + John 1:14 + John 1:18 + Hebrews 1:1-3 "Though it is normal for humans to beget in time, due to the imperfection of their nature, God's offspring is eternal, because His nature is perfect." – Athanasius + Homoousia vs Homoiousia   "Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Jesus Christ, the Person, never had a beginning. He is absolute Reality. He has the unparalleled honor and unique glory of being there first and always. He never came into being." – John Piper, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ. + It is necessary to believe to be saved. + 1 Corinthians 12:3 + John 17:5 + John 17:24–26 + It is how we grow to love Jesus + It is how we overcome temptation "On Christ's glory I would fix all my thoughts and desires, and the more I see of the glory of Christ, the more the painted beauties of this world will wither in my eyes, and I will be more and more crucified to this world. It will become to me like something dead and putrid, impossible for me to enjoy." – John Owen, The Glory of Christ 

On Christ the King Sunday, the Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Colossians 1, in which Paul describes Jesus as a glorious king, and Luke 23, in which Jesus is crucified below a sarcastic placard proclaiming him King of the Jews. Jesus is a king who deserves our obedience...and he is the king who gives up his own life to save us.

On Christ the King Sunday Pastor Dan reads Luke 23:33–43 and reflects on Jesus's paradoxical kingship—reigning not with worldly power but through sacrificial love on the cross. He contrasts the mocking thief who sought earthly rescue with the penitent thief who trusted Jesus and received the promise of paradise. Drawing from Colossians and Revelation, the sermon encourages gratitude for temporary blessings while keeping hope in the eternal kingdom, urging listeners to live under Christ's sovereign reign.

On Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Varinia reminds us that Jesus reveals a kingship unlike anything the world expects. Instead of domination or force, Christ reigns through mercy, truth, and self-giving love. We often see ourselves through fun-house mirrors, but there is, as Pastor says, only one true mirror, only one gaze that shows us who we really are.From the cross, Jesus speaks forgiveness, reassurance, and promise. He is the King who guides us daily our divine gps, faithfully recalculating, directing and leading us to our lives of purpose and service. His authority restores, redirects, and redefines us.This message invites us to see ourselves clearly, receive Christs mercy fully, and follow the authority of love that transforms the world. https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46163/note-244778.html

On Christ the King Sunday, Jonathan leads us through a thoughtful reflection on the meaning and relevance of the kingdom of God in today's world.Radically distinct from worldly power and political structures - we looked at what Jesus said about the kingdom, and its implications for politics and the signs of the times in Aotearoa in 2025.References:Dr Lamma Mansour's interview with Archbishop Justin DuckworthGospel reading:Luke 1:68-79Key texts:Colossians 1:9-20Revelations 11:15-18Philippians 2:9-11

On Christ the King Sunday, learn how Jesus' kingship exposes every false power—and invites us into real, lasting hope.Morning Offering, November 23, 2025Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Many young people today are not just asking whether God is real. They are asking whether God is good. On Christ the King Sunday, this sermon turns to the cross to answer that question with clarity and hope.Jesus reveals a kingdom unlike any earthly power. He does not rule through force or domination. He takes on the weight of sin, suffering, and death itself to bring healing and new life to the world. At the place of the skull, when everything seems lost, God shows his true heart.This message invites us to look at Jesus and see the God who created all things, who holds all things together, and who draws near to our pain with redeeming love. Christ is our Savior. Christ is our King.

On Christ the King Sunday, Rev. Dr. Larry Hayward preaches the final sermon in his "Qoheleth" series. The Scripture lesson is Ecclesiastes 12:9-14.

On Christ the King Sunday, we remember how Christ redeemed us. In His weakness, we are made strong, and through His death, the gates of heaven are opened.

There's a danger for us when we overestimate our own abilities and underestimate the power of Christ. On Christ the King Sunday, we seek to recognize the signs in our life of God's power.

On Christ the King Sunday, Emily reflects on how God speaks through the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah of the hope that is coming, of a king who will be unlike any other. We are encouraged to speak and live God's truth, to draw strength and hope through living in him to enable us to navigate the challenges of world around us.  (Jeremiah 23: 1-6)

On Christ the King Sunday, the Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Colossians 1, in which Paul describes Jesus as a glorious king, and Luke 23, in which Jesus is crucified below a sarcastic placard proclaiming him King of the Jews. Jesus is a king who deserves our obedience...and he is the king who gives up his own life to save us.

Message by Pastor Doug Bunnell, recorded live November 16, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Sarah Lewis.On Christ the Solid Rock Jesus is the High Priest working in God's Temple mediating the new covenant.What does the “true tabernacle” mean, and how does it differ from the earthly tabernacle?What is the role of a priest, and how does Jesus fulfill that role uniquely?In what ways is Jesus' priesthood and covenant superior to the old one?How does the concept of a “better covenant” with “better promises” encourage us today?Verses 8–12 quote Jeremiah 31:31–34. What are the key promises of the New Covenant in these verses? How does this reveal God's grace in the New Covenant?Are there areas of your life where you're still living under an "old covenant" mindset? How can we live more fully in the reality of the New Covenant today?Hebrews 8:1-131 Now the main point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and not any mortal, has set up. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; hence it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are already those who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow of the heavenly one, just as Moses was warned when he was about to erect the tent. For, God said, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on the basis of better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need to look for a second one. 8 God finds fault with them when he says:“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,9 not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt,for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I had no concern for them, says the Lord.10 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord:I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts,and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.11 And they shall not teach one another or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,'for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”13 In speaking of a new covenant, he has made the first one obsolete, and what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear.

It's Christ the King Sunday and you're about to hear how Jesus is dying the death of a criminal. On Christ the King Sunday we are declaring that Jesus has authority and power over all, yet we are talking about his crucifixion, not his resurrection. If Christ is a king, where is his kingdom? You'll hear that in the words Jesus speaks on the cross: “Father, forgive them.” CHALLENGE GRANTA Luther House of Study donor is sponsoring a challenge grant. If you sponsor one podcast episode by the end of the year, another podcast episode will be sponsored on your behalf. If you'd like to have your donation doubled, email Sarah Stenson at sarah@lhos.org or go to lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTIONLutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those struggling with life's challenging situations: addiction, death, family disharmony, and more. Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the broken places of addiction not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about fixing people—it's about preaching the Gospel.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls - Addiction SING TO THE LORD Martin Luther said, "Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and Mason Van Essen sit down with Zachary Brockhoff to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. 

Adam interviews Dr. Joel Beeke on biblical headship and his new book How to Lead Your Family, unpacking a father's roles as prophet, priest, and king in the home. They discuss daily family worship, prayerful intercession, sacrificial leadership (Eph. 5; Deut. 6), and gentle, protective guidance that models Christ.Resources Mentioned:How to Lead Your Family — Joel R. BeekeFamily Worship — Joel R. BeekeParenting by God's Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace — Joel R. BeekeThe Family at Church — Joel R. BeekeHow Should Teens Read the Bible? — Joel R. BeekeFamily Worship Bible Guide — Joel R. Beeke et al.Heidelberg Catechism (Q. 32 – On Christ's Threefold Office) Follow Us:Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteEditing and support by The Good Podcast Co. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

A ship’s captain approaching a foggy seaport will navigate based on the light from the lighthouse, not from the light of other boats. Boats drift, lighthouses stand secure. Do we navigate the life of faith based on the conduct of other believers, or based on the One we believe in? What’s the hymn say, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie help us put that objective into practice. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A ship’s captain approaching a foggy seaport will navigate based on the light from the lighthouse, not from the light of other boats. Boats drift, lighthouses stand secure. Do we navigate the life of faith based on the conduct of other believers, or based on the One we believe in? What’s the hymn say, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie help us put that objective into practice. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this sermon from our series The Rock, we explore what it means that Jesus is our solid foundation and our faithful provider. Drawing from Matthew 7:25, Exodus 20:17, and Genesis 22, we look at the danger of covetousness and the hope we find in God's provision.Abraham's test with Isaac shows us a powerful truth: the Lord will provide. Just as God supplied a ram in place of Isaac, He has provided Jesus as the ultimate substitute for our sins. Where we broke God's law, Jesus paid the price. He is our Rock, our Provider, and our Savior.If you've ever struggled with envy, discontentment, or the temptation to trust in prosperity rather than God, this message will encourage you to rest in Christ alone. On Christ the solid Rock we stand—all other ground is sinking sand.Topics Covered:God as our Rock and foundation (Matthew 7:25)The sin of covetousness (Exodus 20:17)False prosperity gospel vs. true provisionAbraham and Isaac: “The Lord will Provide” (Genesis 22)Jesus as our substitute and Savior#GodsProvisionSermon, #JehovahJirehSermon, #YahwehYireh, #JesusOurRockSermon, #CovetousnessInTheBible, #AbrahamAndIsaacSermon, #Genesis22Sermon, #ProvisionOfGod, #ChristianSermonOnProvision, #TrustingGodSermonWelcome to Living Hope Church! These podcasts are our weekly Sunday sermons. We hope you enjoy them.

A Fixed Heart #RTTBROS #Nightlight A Fixed Heart Psalm 57:7 - "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise."You know, I was reading about those guided missiles the other day, and it got me thinking about something David said in Psalm 57. These modern missiles have what they call a "guidance system" that locks onto a target and stays fixed on it no matter what tries to throw it off course. Wind, weather, even enemy countermeasures can't shake it loose once it's locked on.Now, David was hiding in a cave when he wrote these words. King Saul was hunting him like a wild animal, his own people had turned against him, and everything in his world seemed to be coming apart at the seams. But right there in verse 7, David makes this remarkable declaration: "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed."I love that he said it twice, don't you? It wasn't just a casual comment, it was a determined declaration. His heart was locked onto God like one of those guided missiles locked onto its target.You see, David understood something that took me way too long to learn in my own life. When everything around us is shaking and shifting, when circumstances are changing faster than we can keep up with them, we need something fixed, something steady to anchor our hearts to. And that something isn't a plan, it's a Person.David wasn't saying his circumstances were fixed, he was saying his heart was fixed. His situation was still a mess, Saul was still after him, but his heart had found its target and locked on.The word "fixed" here means established, steady, prepared. It's the same word used when builders talk about a foundation being fixed in place. When a foundation is truly fixed, the house can weather any storm.Here's what I've learned: when our hearts are truly fixed on God, we stop being spiritual weather vanes, spinning with every wind that blows our way. Instead, we become like those old oak trees that bend in the storm but never break because their roots go deep.David's heart was fixed on God's character, fixed on God's promises, fixed on God's plan even when he couldn't see how it would all work out. And because his heart was anchored, he could sing and give praise right there in that dark cave.Friend, whatever cave you might find yourself in today, whatever Saul might be chasing you, remember this: you can fix your heart on the One who never changes, never fails, and never gives up on His children. When your heart is truly fixed on Him, you'll find that you can sing praise songs even in the darkest places.As that great old hymn says, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." Fix your heart there, and watch how steady life becomes, even when the storms are raging all around you.Let's pray: "Lord, help us fix our hearts on You today. In a world that's constantly shifting and changing, anchor our souls to Your unchanging love and faithfulness. Help us to sing Your praises even in the caves of life. In Jesus' name, Amen." Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Third Sunday after Pentecost June 29, 2025 On Christ's Call for Commitment Sermon based on 1 Kings 19:19-21 https://stpeterchurchmodesto.org

Order of Service: - Prelude - Prayer - Hymn 392 - On Christ's Ascension I Now Build - Acts 1:6-12: Therefore, when they had come together, they asked (Jesus), saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witness-es to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. - Ascension Responsory: P: Behold, I am coming soon! C: Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the City. P: Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come! C: Our Father in heaven, deliver us from every evil of body and soul, property and honor; and at last, when the hour of death shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Yourself in Heaven, through Jesus Christ, our risen and ascended Lord. Amen. - Hymn 98 - Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending: vv. 1, 2, 4 - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Chaplain Don Moldstad (Preacher), John Baumann (Organist)

Sadly, many in the Church body have abandoned hope for physical change.  Resolutions and diets have ended in disappointment.  Turn your focus to the true path to permanent transformation. By the end of this session you'll be singin', “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” Focus verses:  Titus 2:11-14, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 8:26-30, Psalm 51, Romans 15:13Support the show

In what do you place your hope?  The stock market? Your paycheck?  People? By the end of this session you'll be singin',  "On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand."Focus verses:  Romans 15:13, Romans 8:24-25, Ephesians 1:18-20, Ephesians 2:4-7, Psalm 103, Psalm 43:5, Hebrews 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19Support the show

“The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved; your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.” – Psalm 93:1-2 Today is Christ the King Sunday where we focus our worship on the cosmic character of Christ's reign over the world. It is a proclamation to all that everything in creation and culture must submit to Christ. It is an invitation to actively and joyfully submit to His rule. Christ the King is the last Sunday of the season of Pentecost and of the church year. This day completes the Christian journey through the life of Jesus Christ on earth and in heaven which began with the preparation for the birth of Jesus in Advent. King Jesus is victorious over sin, death, and the power of the Devil. By His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus won the war against evil. On Christ the King Sunday, Christians recognize and worship Christ as King of heaven and earth for all time without challenge and without end. Come let us worship Christ the King! Scripture Reference: Mark 10:32-45 11/24/2024

On Christ the King Sunday, the Rev. Nick Lannon preaches a sermon on Daniel 7 and John 18, which portray Jesus as the two kinds of kings he is: an almighty king, worthy of honor and respect, and a redeemer king, who comes to save sinners.

On Christ the King Sunday, Rachael and the gathered community wrestle together with the implications of the image of God as King, how Jesus' life and death invite us to question and reimagine it, and what all of this means for the way we approach our own life and use of power. The post What kind of king? (And so what?) appeared first on St. Croix Church.

On Christ the solid rock I stand --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jimmy-barrett/support

2 THESSALONIANS The last seven years of human history that will be marked by intense persecution, afflictions, and martyrdom of Christians. Although many Christians believe they will escape the Tribulation, the biblical evidence, particularly from the epistles to the Thessalonians, indicates that believers will be kept in the Tribulation rather than taken out of it. Steve also shares his personal motivations for focusing on biblical prophecy, concerned that many may not make it through the difficult times to come. He references historical and theological perspectives on the severity of the Tribulation period. Referenced in today's episode: 2 Thessalonians 1:4, and 3:1-3 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7, and 3:-3-4 Matthew 24:9-13 John 17:15 Augustine, Sermon 94 2 Timothy 3:12 Hippolytus, On Christ and Antichrist   CCC 675 We appreciate your interest in learning about biblical prophecy! Video format of the Luke21 podcast is available on YouTube @luke21prophecy. If you're a YouTube user, we invite you to subscribe to our channel @luke21prophecy and share with your friends & family. This podcast remains possible due to the support of our listeners and their word of mouth. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luke21prophecy/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Luke21Radio/ For exclusive content and additional resources on biblical prophecy, visit https://luke21.com/  Bible translations Steve recommends: RSV-CE – Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition ESV – English Standard Version, if you don't want to use a Catholic bible

Do you remember the lyrics of the song ‘On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand'? The chorus goes like this: “On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand”   It's based on the Truth in Matthew 7:24-27 where Jesus says that if we will listen to His teaching and obey it, then we will be like people who build their house on solid rock (instead of sinking sand).   Now that just sounds like good sense to me!   But let's face it - there are places that feel wobbly in all of our lives. Places where we still have fear, anxiety and worry. Places where we're struggling to find hope. Places where breakthrough seems like a far off dream. This is the nature of everyday life.   But as you watch or listen to today's episode you will find new hope and courage as you ask Jesus for help you stand on the stability that ONLY He can offer in your life.   It's a game changer for sure.   So, as always,

The invitations are still out. It is not too late. When the king enters the hall, how will he find us? The classic hymn “On Christ the Solid Rock,” contains the lines, “O may I then be found, dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” Christ Jesus has a graceful robe of rightness and wholeness and peace to give us. He wants us at the feast. So for heaven's sake, put your clothes on!

The invitations are still out. It is not too late. When the king enters the hall, how will he find us? The classic hymn “On Christ the Solid Rock,” contains the lines, “O may I then be found, dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” Christ Jesus has a graceful robe of rightness and wholeness and peace to give us. He wants us at the feast. So heaven's sake, put your clothes on!

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 392 - On Christ's Ascension I Now Build - Colossians 3:1-4: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 394 - We Thank Thee, Jesus, Dearest Friend - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Chaplain Don Moldstad (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Dennis Marzolf (Pianist)

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 392 - On Christ's Ascension I Now Build - Colossians 3:1-4: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 394 - We Thank Thee, Jesus, Dearest Friend - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Chaplain Don Moldstad (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Dennis Marzolf (Pianist)

Order of Service: - Prelude - Hymn 392 - On Christ's Ascension I Now Build - Colossians 3:1-4: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. - Devotion - Prayer - Hymn 394 - We Thank Thee, Jesus, Dearest Friend - Blessing - Postlude Service Participants: Chaplain Don Moldstad (Preacher), Rev. Prof. Dennis Marzolf (Pianist)

Christ will remind us of The Rock of Assurance we all need. Christ will teach us the only way to survive the storms of life and the final storm of judgement is to build our lives upon the solid ROCK of Christ as our only foundation. May we all be able to sing and proclaim together: "On Christ, the solid rock, I stand!"

March 31, 2024 EASTER SUNDAY Preparation for Worship Time for Gathering Opening Hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” Christ 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 Once he died our souls to save alleluia where's thy victory boasting grave alleluia Love's redeeming work is done alleluia fought the fight the battle won alleluia Death in vain forbids Him rise alleluia Christ hath opened paradise alleluia Soar we now where Christ has led alleluia following our exalted Head alleluia Made like Him like Him we rise alleluia ours the cross the grave the skies alleluia Prayer of Praise Song of Worship Prayers of the Church and the Lord's Prayer Offering and Doxology Scripture Lesson Luke 24:1-12 Sermon My Hope is Found Closing Hymn “In Christ Alone the Solid Rock” In Christ alone, my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This cornerstone, this solid ground firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease My comforter, my all in all here in the love of Christ, I stand In Christ alone, who took on flesh fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness scorned by the ones He came to save Till on that cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid here in the death of Christ, I live There in the ground, His body lay light of the world, by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious day up from the grave, He rose again And as He stands in victory sins curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine bought with the precious blood of Christ! On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand! on Christ the Solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand all other ground is sinking sand! No guilt in life, no fear in death this is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home here in the power of Christ, I'll stand! Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand! here in the power of Christ, I'll stand! Benediction • Sunday Morning Study – Is It the End? | 9 AM in the Sunshine Room • Sunday Prayer | 9:30 AM in the Sunshine Room • Monday Bible Study | 12 & 6 PM in the Sanctuary and via Zoom • Wednesday Fellowship Coffee Hour | 10:30 AM in the Sunshine Room, join us for coffee and snacks. • Wednesday Issues Hour | 11 AM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom • Friday Men's Study – How to be a Kingdom Man | 8:30-9:30 AM in the Sunshine Room • Grace Place Tour: Tuesday, April 2nd | 1PM at Grace Place, please sign up. • F3 Ladies Luncheon: Friday, April 12th | 12 PM at Bistro La Baguette. Individual checks, please sign up. • Men's Steak Cookout: Thursday, April 25th | 5 PM at Falconer Jones' home. Please sign up. • Next Sunday we will be collecting canned goods once again for our “Cans for Communion” drive. • Thank you to John and Karen Boatright for providing the cookies today. • The chancel flowers are given today by Ellie and Bill Buchanan. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/naplescommunitychurch/message

I love the old Hymn, “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand!”  So many of the old hymns and songs teach powerful Scriptural truths and this one speaks the truth when the lyrics speak, “My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus' blood and righteousness.”  This morning we will delve into the meaning of Hebrews 10:19-23.  We… Read more

The Biblical understanding of Justification centers on Christ's cross and empty tomb. For Christ's sake, God declares the dead in sin to be alive, the unrighteous now righteous, the condemned are now not guilty, and the sinful are forgiven. Melancthon proves this Truth by pointing to the many passages in Scripture that clearly confess our hope in Christ. “My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; No merit of my own I claim But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” LSB #575, st. 1 Rev. John Pless, Assistant Professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of Justification. Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org. Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations.

In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner are joined by Dave Bruskas to finish out our two-part series on union with Christ, including discussions on applying it to our everyday lives, putting off sin, and signs we're getting it wrong.  Chapter I: 00:00-07:37How does the concept of being united with Christ apply to our everyday lives?  Scripture Mentioned:  Colossians 1:15-23, Colossians 2:6-7, Colossians 3:1-17  Chapter II: 07:38-13:00Is it common to think less of putting ON CHRIST than we do of putting OFF SIN?  Scripture Mentioned: Colossians 3:3, Romans 8, Colossians 3:15-16  Chapter III: 13:00-20:27What are some signs we are getting this wrong?  What is re:generation?  Scripture Mentioned: Romans 6, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32   Chapter IV: 20:27-27:28How can we grow in the concept of being united with Christ?  Jerry Bridges, Who Am I?: Identity in Christ  Sinclair Ferguson, Union with Christ: Life-Transforming Implications  J. Todd Billings, Union with Christ: Reframing Theology and Ministry for the Church  Robert Letham, Union with Christ: In Scripture, History, and Theology  Rankin Wilbourne, Union with Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God  Paul E. Miller, J–Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life   Scripture Mentioned:  Galatians 3:24-25, Matthew 5:17, Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 10:45   Chapter V: 27:28-33:12How has the concept of being united with Christ played out in your own stories? Scripture Mentioned: Philippians 2:3-8 __ Learn more about Watermark Community Church at watermark.org Follow along with WatermarkInstagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter

On Christ the Solid Rock the Tabernacle of David finds foundation in the Holy Spirit. Never forsaken nor abandoned; God's LOVE has secured us all along. Contact Us; Covenants.LLC1@yahoo.com; CovenantsOnLine.com; on FB and YouTube @Covenants; or call 304.528.9220.

On Christ the King Sunday, Fr. Tim discusses Jesus as the King who flips expectations by asking us to care for the "least of these."

On Christ the King Sunday, Fr. Tim discusses Jesus as the King who flips expectations by asking us to care for the "least of these."

How might we re-imagine God's justice in a restorative framework rather than a primarily punitive one? On Christ the King Sunday, Christopher Mack reexamines scriptures on God's justice and judgment through a lens of nonviolent theology and restorative justice. [Matthew 25:31-40] Reflection Where are you struggling to see God at work in our divisive, violent, over-consumptive, and destructive world? When you long for God to be at work in the world, what values or actions do you hope for? How might our hunger for justice reshape our baggage of images of God's judgment? Resources Book: Raising Abel: The Recovery of the Eschatological Imagination by James Alison

Jesus spoke about two builders in a parable where he contrasts two lives: One built on rock and one built on sand. The life built on the solid rock, representing a foundation in Christ, stands firm in the face of life's storms. This life is all about grace and it is built on faith, wisdom, and a loving relationship with the Father. In contrast, the life built on the sinking sand of self-righteousness quickly crumbles when trials come. As the old hymn goes, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand," so goes our life when we build on the unwavering Rock named Jesus. This Saturday night, Jason Clark is reorienting our attention to Jesus as perfect theology… The cornerstone of our lives!

October 8, 2023 Preparation for Worship Time for Gathering Opening Hymn “Jesus Calls Us, O'er the Tumult” Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea; Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, "Christian, follow me." Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store, From each idol that would keep us, saying, "Christian, love me more." In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, Still He calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these." Jesus calls us- by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear Thy call; Give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love Thee best of all. Prayer of Praise Song of Worship Prayers of the Church and Prayer of our Lord Offering and Doxology Scripture Lesson Mark 6:45-56 Sermon Through the Winds and Waves and Storms Closing Hymn “In Christ Alone” In Christ alone, my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This cornerstone, this solid ground firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease My comforter, my all in all here in the love of Christ, I stand In Christ alone, who took on flesh fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness scorned by the ones He came to save Till on that cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid here in the death of Christ, I live There in the ground, His body lay light of the world, by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious day up from the grave, He rose again And as He stands in victory sins curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine bought with the precious blood of Christ! On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand! on Christ the Solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand all other ground is sinking sand! No guilt in life, no fear in death this is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home here in the power of Christ, I'll stand! Here in the power of Christ, I'll stand! here in the power of Christ, I'll stand! Benediction: • New Study: How we Got the Bible: Sundays| 9 AM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom • Sunday Prayer: Sundays | 9:30 AM in the Church Office and via Zoom • Bible Study: Mondays | 12 & 6 PM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom • Fellowship Coffee Hour: Wednesdays | 10 AM in the Sanctuary, join us before Issues Hour for coffee and donuts. • Issues Hour: Wednesdays | 11 AM in the Sunshine Room and via Zoom • Men's Lunch: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 12:30PM at Blueberry's Café • F3 Ladies Luncheon: Wednesday, October 18 | 12PM at Seasons 52. Individual checks, please sign up. • Member Spotlight: Sunday, October 29 after service. Join us as we learn more about John & Karen Boatright. • Thank you to Norma & Dawn Bartsch for providing the cookies today. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/naplescommunitychurch/message

If you're one of the rare people who thinks that a marathon isn't challenging enough, I'd like to introduce you to the “arctic-ice ultra-marathon.” It's a race, about 5.5 marathons long in the arctic circle. Their description says, “Experiencing day time temperatures as low as -40 degrees, you will battle across snowfields, Arctic tundra and frozen lakes. This Arctic ultra marathon is both challenging and exposed, putting physical and mental endurance to a painful test. Be ready to take on the conditions that the Arctic Circle can throw at you. As darkness descends, you will feel like the only person on the planet.” Does that sound appealing to anyone?Ok, so what does an ultra-marathon have to do with Hebrews 10? Well, our text, Hebrews 10:32-39 is about endurance. And specifically, an encouragement for Christian endurance. And it has endurance-athlete like undertones, that, once we look at who these Christians are and what they had endured, make a lot of sense. The picture that comes to mind is of being about 4 marathons into something like an ultra-marathon, looking at the cost, and getting discouraged… starting to wonder: is following Jesus worth it?This encouragement also comes on the heels of a dreadful warning against abandoning Jesus. This week Pastor David Mathis has written to our church, reflecting on the sober warning in the verses before our passage on the result of apostasy. No matter who you are, you need to hear the warning: Walking away from Jesus (abandoning the Christian faith) will result in you facing the full judgment and wrath of God. “It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” You do not want to end up there. It's a dreadful warning we all need to hear. But here, in verses 32-39 the author follows up his warning with an encouragement to these particular Christians for their endurance. And as we look at his encouragement today, my prayer is that we too would be encouraged in our faith, and would grow in encouraging one another through his example.Let's pray. Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for revealing yourself to us through it. And this morning, wherever we're coming from, I pray that you would prepare our hearts to receive your word and that by your Spirit you would deepen our faith, and our joy, and that we would run with endurance; looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. We ask this in Christ's precious name, Amen.The sermon outline this morning is a three-part encouragement that fuels enduring faith: a past confidence, a better possession, and a promised return.Verses 32-34, “But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach & affliction and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison And you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property.” The author's encouragement to these christians begins with 1) Reminding them of their past confidence. If you remember, in the parable of the sower… A farmer sowed a bunch of seeds, some fell on the road and were immediately snatched away, some fell on rocky soil and didn't have the roots to survive the heat of persecution, and some fell in thorns and were choked out by the worries of life and deceitfulness of riches. Well the author of Hebrews, in recalling the background of these Christians, reminds them that none of those describe them. He says, when I look back on your early days of walking with Jesus, and what you endured for the sake of Christ, I see real, enduring faith. And here, we get our best glimpse at the background of these Christians; and it's pretty incredible: These were not baby Christians. They were veterans, who had lived faithfully through severe persecutions, and the author makes a point of that for their encouragement. He reminds them that when they were first “enlightened” (when they first saw the light of the Gospel and trusted in Jesus) their faith was evident through their transformed life. And that transformation was especially clear in their suffering. For one, becoming a Christian made them unpopular – and that's an understatement. The text says they were “publicly exposed to reproach.” They were openly ridiculed. Whether it was their friends or family or coworkers, the people around them were not happy about their new faith, but mocked them for being Christians. Later we see that things escalated, and pretty severely, because some of these Christians were even arrested and sent to prison for their faith. And because prisons back then were not like our prisons, where you get food and blankets, these prisoners were now dependent on their loved ones to bring them food just to survive… which must have led to a challenge for their community group: who's signing up for that meal train? If you go and bring aid to your fellow Christians in prison, you've now got a target on your back. And that means you risk getting thrown in prison yourself, or as we see later, in verse 34, you risk losing your possessions. It's not clear if this was official confiscation or angry mobs, but either way, the outcome is the same, imagine your stuff, gone. Your house, your car, your savings, wiped out. And here the author teases out a distinction. There was direct suffering that individual Christians experienced as a result of their faith, and, there was the voluntary stepping into the suffering of other Christians, by the rest of the Christian community. The church acted: with compassion and by taking risks (often at great cost to themselves) fueled by love towards their fellow Christians. These Christians suffered together. Think less Gladiator, and more like “Band of Brothers” - a community of Christians enduring together, with love and compassion.And how did these Christians fare? Well it says they endured. And endured here means they persisted in faith, as evidenced by their life of faith despite their suffering. And they didn't just survive, they flourished! When it came to their own suffering and loss: it says they joyfully accepted the plundering of their property. They counted the cost and gladly said Jesus is worth it. And when it came to indirect suffering, the whole Christian community stood boldly and publicly united. The church did not splinter or fall apart. Their unity was evident through their practical and tangible support. It's important not to dismiss these Christians as just being of a different, unrelatable sort. They weren't superheroes that could tap into something unavailable to us, and they weren't stoics, unaffected by suffering. These are real people, like you and I. They had families to support, children to look out for, bills to pay, and they worked just as hard to earn their living as you and I. They felt the sting of rejection and ridicule like you and I do. Yet, they didn't waver. They did not back out or hide. They also didn't become bitter, cynical or angry at God.A note on testimonies The author, in writing to this particular group of Christians, encourages them through positive examples from their own past, testimonies from their own church – to draw strength and encouragement for their present endurance. And if we just stop and reflect on what we have in this room, right now, it's incredible! You are surrounded by hundreds of Christians who have experienced the same transforming power of the gospel that's described here. I would encourage us all to make opportunities to hear and share one another's stories of the power of the gospel in our lives. Our testimonies, of God's faithfulness and our endurance, especially through suffering. Maybe it's a conversation over dinner with friends and family, life groups, or community groups. We need to hear of the transforming power of the gospel and of the legacies of past faithfulness not just in biographies, but especially from one another. The church needs to be reminded of past faithfulness to draw strength and encouragement for our present endurance. And I'd love to share a glimpse... a day from my own story back in college. I had grown up in a Christian home, I had heard the gospel often, and made early professions of faith, but in college I remember just feeling stuck. A cloud of doubt and skepticism surrounded me that I could not break out of, for years. I doubted everything about God, including his very existence, and then one day, sitting in the college hallway, I was reading Foxe's Book of Martyrs, a collection of true stories from the early church. And I got to the story of Denisa, who the author says was “a young woman of only 16 years old.” Denisa was standing in a crowd, and witnessed a man renouncing his faith under torture. And instead of hiding or blending in, she spoke up and publicly rebuked the man saying: “O unhappy wretch, why would you buy a moment's ease at the expense of a miserable eternity!" And 16 year old Denisa, avowing herself to be a Christian, was beheaded soon after. Both her rebuke and the realness of her faith stirred my heart deeply; and I remember pleading with God, saying “God, I want that kind of faith. Why can't I have what she has? Why is my heart so hard? Would you please remove this doubt and give me faith like hers? And he did. In that moment, Jesus was more real to me than any of the students walking past me in the hallway. I will never forget the peace, the joy and love that filled my heart and transformed my life going forward. And looking back on my past confidence has been a deep source of encouragement in my faith. You are surrounded by hundreds of unique stories of the transforming power of the gospel, and examples of enduring faithfulness. Let's hear and share evidence of God's work in our lives for one another's encouragement and endurance. That's what the author is doing here by reminding them of their past confidence. A note on ConfidenceFaith and Confidence are often used synonymously, as they are here, and it's important to recognize that the foundation of our faith is not how confident we are. Christian faith is always personal, but it's not subjective. It's like running across a frozen lake. You don't step onto a frozen lake because you feel confident in yourself. You step onto the lake because the ice is solid enough to hold you. If it can't hold you, then you will fall through regardless of how confident you are. That's why Paul says, if Christ isn't raised from the dead, our faith is useless and we're still in our sins. Our faith stands or falls on the object it rests on: the perfect person and work of Jesus on our behalf. That's why we sing: On Christ the solid rock I stand. He is our confidence. At the same time, that objective confidence has to become your own. Faith is personal. You've got to believe! That's why the author speaks of “your” confidence. Real Christian faith is taken to heart and lived. It's not standing on the shore thinking about how solid the ice is. It's putting your weight on it and running.The secret to their enduring faith was not how confident they were, but the substance, the foundation, that their confidence rested on. And that's what the author focuses in on in the second part of his encouragement:2) He reminds them that their confidence was rooted in a better possession.Verses 34-36, “For you had compassion on those in prison. And you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” After reminding them of their past faith, he then reflects on the substance of that faith. The way he does this is by intentionally lingering on the theme of possessions. He reminds them that the reason they joyfully accepted the plundering of their possessions is because they had a better possession. What they had in Christ was infinitely more valuable than what they were giving up. And the revealing word here is joyfully. Their own joy testified to the reality that Jesus was more valuable than their stuff, their possessions, or their money.And our money matters. Jesus talked about money a lot, because our money habits both reveal and shape what we value most. Matthew 6:19, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, … 21 For where your treasure is [where your money is], there your heart will be also.” There's a reinforcing cycle: The more we value something, the more we invest our money in it. And the more invested we get, the more valuable it becomes to us. Jesus says: store up for yourself treasures in heaven, and your heart will follow. Invest your money where you want your heart to go.For example: Do you want your heart to be more excited about God's work in global missions? Invest in global missions. Do you want your heart to more fully embrace God's work through the mission of your local church? Invest in your local church. There's a book that I've found really helpful on this called The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, I'd highly recommend reading it. Don't wait until your possessions are threatened to discover what your heart values most. For these Christians, what their hearts valued most was Jesus. He was their better possession. These Christians remind me of the parable of the man who found a treasure in a field, who then, in order to get that field, gladly sold everything he had. No one reads that parable and thinks, man, what a poor guy having to give up all his stuff… No, he discovered a better treasure! He found a deeper joy! And the whole book of Hebrews has been arguing that Jesus is better. Piling up the arguments: Better than angels, better than Moses, better than the old covenant sacrifices, and here, definitely the most relatable comparison for modern readers: He's better than all of our possessions. People often ask: What would you do if you won the lottery? We talk about it like it's the best thing that could happen to someone. Would you quit your job? Buy a nice house on the beach? Travel the world with your family? No more worries about paying your bills? Whatever your answer is to that question, Jesus is better than that. God made you to be satisfied in Him, for eternity. Nothing else will satisfy. Everything else either disappoints, or it doesn't last. Jesus is the deepest and most lasting treasure in the universe, and when we trust in Him he becomes our greatest possession. When we believe in Jesus, we receive… Him! Not only the complete forgiveness of your sins, but an eternity of life with him: living face to face in the presence and enjoyment of Jesus. In your presence there is fullness of Joy! At your right hand are pleasures forevermore! There is no greater joy than the joy promised to those who trust in Jesus. And there's a link here, between present and future. There is a better possession, that they already possess, linked to the promise of a future reward. A fulfillment. And that future fulfillment takes the author into the third and final part of his encouragement:3) He invites them to look to the Returning Jesus. And he does this by quoting Habakkuk chapter 2, 37 For,“Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” For some context, Habakkuk was an old testament prophet who, looking around at the injustice and the suffering in Israel, brings a complaint to God: Why is there so much wickedness that seems to go unchallenged? Does God see? Does God care? How long will God let this go on? And God answers him by saying, I do see, and I am doing something about it: For one, I'm preparing the Chaldeans to invade, as a judgment on Israel for their wickedness.And Habakkuk is not satisfied with that answer: How is that any better? What kind of resolution is that? They're more wicked than we are! What's the big picture? What's God's game plan? Where's the definitive judgment and the resolution? God I'm watching and I'm waiting.And God says, the things I promised will come to pass. Write them down. Their fulfillment is coming. It won't be according to our timeline, but in God's perfect timing. But as for you, Habakkuk, (and this is the famous line) the righteous shall live by faith.Paul, quotes that line in Romans 1 to show us the foundational link between our justification and faith. We are justified, (counted righteous) not by our works, not by anything we do or deserve, but only by trusting in Jesus: The substance of our confidence is the perfect and complete work of Jesus on the cross, in our place. “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.” And the author of Hebrews has been clear on that foundation throughout the whole book. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in Jesus: our perfect high priest, and his perfect sacrifice for the complete forgiveness of all our sins and unrestricted access to God for eternity. We are saved by faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. But here, looking at Habakkuk 2, the author highlights an application for those who, like Habakkuk, are living between God's promise and it's final fulfillment. As we look to the returning Jesus:It's by highlighting the link between faith and live. How do the righteous endure as they wait for the final fulfillment of God's promises? They Live by Faith. Faith is not only a moment in the past of trusting in Jesus, it's a life of leaning in and drawing near. We don't shrink back. We continue to look to him by faith, until he returns. The application here, drawn out from Habbakuk 2 is “Let us live, by faith! With our eyes fixed on Jesus as we wait for the final fulfillment of God's promises at Christ's return.Jesus is coming back, God gave us his word. And with Christ's return, will come the eternal reward, the final fulfillment of all God's Promises. Our text says “the coming one, is coming, and will not delay. That's about as emphatic as he can be. Jesus is coming. God's plan was in action in the days of Habakkuk, and its fulfillment is that much closer today. Jesus was coming when you first became a Christian, and He's that much closer today. So don't give up! Jesus is so close! So don't walk away! This is the main exhortation here: Do not throw away your confidence! The author concludes confidently in Verse 39: “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” As another translation says: we're of those who have faith, for the safekeeping of the soul. Our endurance, our safekeeping, is tied to the reality that our faith rests on Jesus. It's who we are; our very identity. There are no alternatives to go back to. The TableWalking away from Jesus is a dead end road that leads to destruction. That's not us. And I love that the author speaks in the present tense, and includes himself here. We are those who have faith. Right now. The most important question for everyone in this room is: are you believing in Jesus? Right now. If you are, keep believing. Do not look away. Keep your eyes fixed on him, as you live by faith, waiting for His return.And this brings us to the table. Every Sunday, at the table we look to Jesus together. 1 Corinthians 11 says that when we eat the bread and drink the cup we “proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” Every Sunday when we reach out to take the bread and the wine we remind ourselves and one another – He is sufficient (He is our greatest possession) and he is coming back, like he promised.

We were formed by God. We may look like our parents but we have The Fathers heart and calling in us. Some of us have been told that we were an accident. But God doesn't make mistakes. Before God formed us in the womb. He molded us and carved out who we were. He designed us way before we were even a thought in our parents mind.God designed us and designed our destiny at the same time. If we don't fit in, it's because God designed us to be set apart. He made us different so we can seek for something greater than us. By not fitting in God reminds us of who we aren't, so we can discover who we are. The more we compare ourselves to others, the more we'll fail to be who we're called. God put a call and destiny in our life not to fit in, so we can become leaders and pioneers.When you're walking in the kingdom mindset you should know… Christ FOR you. He loves you at ALL times. His love is not bases on us, it's based on Him. Christ IN you. We invite Him into every part of our life, good and bad. Christ ON you. Instead of putting on our old and dirty clothes. It's time to wear and put on Christ. When we're in Christ we become everything He is. When we're in Christ, He doesn't see our failures because He turns them into our testimony. We need to put on the armor of Christ everyday. The armor is not some religious stuff, the armor of is Jesus, so we can't forget to put ON Christ.Application: Do you currently feel like you don't fit in? What are some things that come to mind about who God has designed you to be? Are you currently walking in all 3 of the kingdom mindsets? If not, how can you begin to do that today?Prayer: Father, Today I receive and believe that you're FOR me, IN me, and ON me. I ask that you remove all the dead things and become the center of my life. Thank you for not only loving me but also liking who I am. I'm ready to discover all that you designed me to be. In Jesus name, Amen.

Rather than a deep dive, how about a meandering boat tour along the waters of these two beloved hymns: On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand and The Love of God.

Psalms 1:5-6 — In this sermon of Psalm 1:5–6 titled “The Way of the Ungodly,” Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones diagnoses the way of the ungodly and then presents the prescription given by God for the ungodly to be remedied. Listen as he lays out the five aspects of God's future judgment: the fact, the nature, the terms, the thoroughness, and the consequences. It is a dismal future for the ungodly person. They will not stand amidst the congregation of the righteous. Since God's law sets the standard for humanity, how can anyone meet that standard? There is only one way and only one secret to happiness and blessedness. Only Christ can remove the fear of death and judgment. As the hymn states, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus's blood and righteousness… On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.” A person can stand on nothing else in this world or on the Day of Judgment but on the rock of Jesus Christ.