Podcasts about wakefield valley bible church

Possibly the worst lie ever told is the lie that says you need to do a lot of good things to go to heaven. That's a lie. In this episode you find out what the truth is.  This message was preached at Wakefield Valley Bible Church on February 19 2023. Visit the church at www.wakefieldbible.org. 

Everyone was born dead - spiritually dead. But God, because of His mercy and love has made alive those who believe. This lesson was taught on February 12, 2023 at Wakefield Valley Bible Church. Please visit www.wakefieldbible.org for more information.

Change your church in this way and people will notice. This message was preached at Wakefield Valley Bible Church on January 27, 2023. For more information on the church please visit www.wakefieldbible.org.  

Praise God for His blessings! In this lesson we look at the first 14 verses of Ephesians One. And in these verses, we find out how much God has blessed us. This message was preached January 22, 2023 at Wakefield Valley Bible Church. Please visit www.wakefieldbible.org for more information.

Here are two important questions. 1. Can a doctrinally sound church be loveless? The answer is "yes." 2. How then can a doctrinally sound church become lovelless? The answer is found in this episode. This message was preached at Wakefield Valley Bible Church on January 15, 2023. To learn more about the church please visit, www.wakefieldbible.org. 

New Years Day in 2023 is a time to reflect. It is a time to look back at 2022 and see where God walked with you. And it is a time to look ahead and to anticipate where God will be with you this year. This message was preached at Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, MD on January 1st 2023. Please visit www.wakefieldbible.org for more information.

Who is the answer to our every question? Who meets our every need? In this special Christmas episdoe we explore these questions. This message was preached at Wakefield Valley Bible Church on December 25, 2022. Please visit www.wakefieldbible.org for more information.

There are four kinds of peace: Inner Peace Interpersonal Peace World Peace Peace with God  One of these is essential in order to have the other three. Listen and find out which one it is. This message was preached on December 18, 2022, at Wakefield Valley Bible Church. Visit www.wakefieldbible.org for more information about the church.

Why are some Christians joyless? In this message I give you a few reasons. But more importantly, I give you three steps to restore your joy. This message was preached at Wakefield Valley Bible Church, in New Windsor, Maryland on December 11, 2022. Please visit our website, www.wakefieldbible.org for more information.

"I believe! Help me with my unbelief!" are words that all of us have said. We believe in Jesus but lack faith all the same.  How can you deal with this? How can you have faith when you seem to lack faith?  There are two simple steps. Listen to find out. This message was preached on December 4, 2022 are Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, MD 21157.  Visit www.WakefieldBible.org for more information.

We study the first theme of Advent, Hope. How can you find hope in a hopeless situation? Psalms 130 and 13 help us find hope. This message was preached at Wakefield Valley Bible Church on November 27, 2022. Please visit the church website, www.wakefieldbible.org for more informaiton.

Does God expect us to attend church? What is church - is it a flock, a building, or a family? And if you designed a worship service, what would you include? This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on November 6, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

What did Jesus mean when He told the woman, "You must worship God in spirit and in truth"? This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on October 30, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is our first lesson on the Spiritual Discipline of Worship. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on October 23, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

There are five prayers that God will always answer. Here they are. This is our third lesson on the spiritual discipline of prayer. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on October 14, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

How should you pray? Jesus teaches a very simple method. This is our second lesson on the spiritual discipline of prayer. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This is our fourth message looking at the Spiritual Disciplines. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on October 9, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

When Jesus stands before the throne and prays for you, He secures your salvation. This is our first lesson on the spiritual discipline of prayer. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This is our third message looking at the Spiritual Disciplines. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on October 2, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This is our third message looking at the Spiritual Disciplines. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on September 25, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This is our second message looking at the Spiritual Disciplines. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on September 18, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This is our first message looking at the spiritual disciplines. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on September 11, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the 3rd and final teaching on how to be a good neighbor. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on August 21, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

Why do we need a go-between? Who stands between us and God? What did Jesus mean when He commanded you to love your neighbor. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on August 14, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

Why do we need a go-between? Who stands between us and God? In this episode you will learn how to relate to your weird neighbors. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on August 7, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

Why do we need a go-between? Who stands between us and God? In this episode you will learn that Jesus is your mediator. He is your go-between. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on July 31, 2022. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

What is our relationship with the Law? In this episode we will discover the improtance of God's commands in our salvation. This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on July 24, 2022. Today we learn where suffering comes from and how we can deal with it. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

Why do we face trials? What can we do about them? This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on July 17, 2022. Today we learn where suffering comes from and how we can deal with it. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on June 26, 2022 Today we learn how the blood of the Lamb defeats the power of Satan. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

This is the preaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on June 19, 2022 Today we learn how God defines manhood. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on June 12, 2022 Today we learn the main idol in our life and how to confront it. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on June 5, 2022. Today we learn that when God calls you there is a wrong question and a right question to ask God. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on May 28, 2022. We learn that God takes all the things of our life and works them together four our ultimate good. It teaches us that wherever you may go, God is there with you. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on May 22, 2022. We learn that God takes all the things of our life and works them together four our ultimate good. It teaches us that wherever you may go, God is there with you. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. This sermon, preached at Wakefield on May 15, 2022 looks at the story of Joseph.  It teaches us that wherever you may go, God is there with you. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This is the teaching ministry of Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland, USA. If you want to know more about the church, visit WakefieldBible.org. Please subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.

This message was preached at Wakefield Valley Bible Church of New Windsor, Maryland on March 27, 2022.

I told the church last week that Mayberry is gone and it’s not coming back. The little town and its lifestyle featured in the Andy Griffith Show is gone forever. In fact, The America of Mayberry has been gone for a long time. America didn’t change last November when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the election. American has been in a state of change for generations. This change has brought to the US the decline of Christianity and the reality of persecution. For that reason, I want to take 2021 and prepare our church for this coming persecution. So for the next several months, we will study: Our Responsibility to One Another and our Responsibility to our community Our Responsibility to Our Government How to Test the Spirits How to Endure Hardship, Suffering, and Persecution How to Evangelize and Disciple When We are Not Permitted The Things We Must Die For In today’s lesson, we will set an important foundation for this series. We will establish a base upon which all the other messages must be built. And I will share with you four ways that we can avoid the coming persecution. Let’s Pray The Foundation Everything every church does must be based on some key Scripture. Obviously, all Scripture comes from God. All Scripture is equal in importance. But when it comes to the mission and purpose of the church there are five passages that must come first. Let’s first turn to Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. What is the popular name for this passage? (The Great Commission.) A Commission is an instruction or a command given to a group of people or possibly to an individual. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissioned His apostles, His disciples, and all local churches to do something. That means whether you are Wakefield Valley Bible Church or Westminster Baptist, you have the same marching orders. Whether you are Church of the Open Door or St. Paul’s in downtown London, God has the same expectation. A secret house church in China is under this commission. A small group of worshippers meeting under a tree in Kenya are commissioned the same. The Great Commission is the Mission Statement for every church ever planted. Every small group. Every Sunday School class. Every Christian ministry. What did Jesus commission us to do? Make Disciples of Every Nation Baptize them Teach them to obey everything Jesus taught What is the promise of this commission – Jesus will always be with us. Why do you think this promise is important? One reason is that when we go about accomplishing the Great Commission, it will seem like no one is with us. We will suffer attacks from Satan and the world. We must always know that Jesus stands with us as we go about completing His commission. Every Creature I did promise to share with you how we can avoid this coming persecution. But first, let’s look at: Turn to Mark 16:14-18 Years ago I learned that the passage in Matthew 28 is not the only Great Commission. There are actually four more. In Mark 16:14-18, we find one of these four. I want to share this and the other commissions with you. When I do I want to point out what I have identified as the key teaching in each. Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” It sounds like Matthew’s but I will point out the preaching of the gospel is not to be exclusive. We are to share the gospel with every creature. People naturally like to be with people who are like them. What’s the expression? “Birds of the feather flock together.” For that reason, you end up with places like Little Italy and China Town. This desire to group culturally is not necessarily sinful, but it can lead to prejudice and segregation.  The Jews at the time of Jesus, possibly even the Apostles, were very nationalistic and inward-focused. They did not easily relate to other cultures. But here, Jesus commands them to leave this mindset behind and to reach everyone with the gospel. A quote attributed to Martin Luther King Jr. is that “Sunday is the most segregated day of the week.” Consider your church. Look around at the congregation where you worship. How representative of the surrounding culture is it? I like what Ed Stetzer says about this. Mr. Stetzer says “People like the idea of diversity. They just don’t like being around different people,” “Maybe their sense is that church is the space where they don’t have to worry about issues like this,”   He goes on to say, “If you don’t like diversity, you’re really not going to like heaven.” But Jesus has called us to not segregate but to share Christ with everyone, regardless of race, gender, or even sexuality. He is calling us to share the gospel with people who make us uncomfortable. But don’t let my illustration make you think only black and white, only race. What about sharing Christ with someone who hates you? That applies here as well. Look at John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. On the one hand, Jesus tells us to share with everyone. On the other, he tells us that since we are His we will be hated. Jesus is telling us to share with those who hate us. God has called us to share Christ with every creature America is changing. Christianity is in decline. These changes will soon be felt here. As we go forth and share the gospel with every creature, most of those we meet will hate us. With that hate will come persecution. The Full Gospel Persecution is coming, but there is a way we can avoid it. I want to share that with you. But first lest look at Luke 24:44-49 Turn to Luke 24:44-49 We looked at this passage a few weeks back. But we need to return to it with the Great Commission in mind. 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Many churches teach many things other than the gospel. Sometimes they teach good works. Sometimes they teach morality. Often the sermons address current events. But Jesus called upon us to teach the gospel. What is the gospel? It is the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again on the third day for our eternal life. It is a command for repentance – a turning from sin and a turning to Christ. This needs to be the heart and soul of preaching. I first heard this illustration from J. Vernon McGee. And I have told it over the years. Here it is again. In England, there is a chapel built over 200 years ago bearing these words over the door: "We Preach Christ Crucified." The chapel's early pastors did preach Christ crucified. People came with testimonies of how lives were changed, and there was vitality in the church. But time passed. Vines grew over the motto "We Preach Christ Crucified," until it read-only, "We Preach Christ." The men who stood in the pulpit named the name of Jesus Christ but preached a social gospel of good works and morality. The vines continued to grow until the motto read "We Preach." And they did. They preached philosophy, ethics, politics, and literature. But not Jesus Christ. Not long after that, the little chapel was emptied. I grew up in a church that would be classified a “We preach” church. Jesus on the cross and the empty tomb was displayed in the stained glass windows. A crucifix hung over the altar to remind us of His death. The prayers we recited recognized that Jesus died for sin. But when the priest entered the pulpit to preach, he never once told me why Jesus died and what I needed to believe for salvation. Never in all my years did I hear the gospel taught. We must preach the fact that Jesus died and rose again. And we must tell people why this is essential. Persecution is coming. Our country is changing. But we must share the gospel with everyone. Even if it costs us, We must preach Christ crucified and risen. Sin and Salvation Soon we will get to what I promised, how Wakefield can avoid the coming persecution. But first, turn to John 20:19-23 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” At first glance, this commission is like the others. But I believe there is something very important in it that the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John wants you to know. Jesus sent these disciples and sends us. That is the same. Jesus empowers us with the Holy Spirit. That’s new. I’ll address that later. The thing that really stands out to me is the ministry of the church in regards to sin. Look at verse 23. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” We know that Christ has commissioned the church to share the gospel with all nationalities, all peoples, even those who hate us. We know that we are to make disciples of them and to teach them to obey everything that Jesus has spoken. And now we know that God has commissioned the church to proclaim the hope of forgiveness found in the gospel and the curse of unforgiveness retained by those who reject the gospel. Let me ask you a few questions: What motivates God to forgive sin? Why would God not forgive someone? Why is that important? What ultimately happens to the person who accepts the gospel? What ultimately happens to the person who rejects the gospel? God has commissioned the church to proclaim this truth – there is sin and death, but then there is salvation in Jesus Christ. Today, not every church calls sin a sin. There are many reasons for this; here is one reason. Cultures change what sin is and is not  I’m not good with math. How many years back is 2015? (5-ish) What is significant about the date of June 26, 2015? (the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage, legalized it in all fifty states, and required states to honor out-of-state same-sex marriage licenses in the case Obergefell v. Hodges.) As a country, our laws changed. What was once wrong in society, is now allowed. Countries change. Laws change. People change. But here’s a question - does God change? (Numbers 23:19,Hebrews 13:8,James 1:17) I live in a community and interact with all types of people in the community. I believe that I should be gracious to all who I interact with. I believe we should treat each other with kindness and respect. But as a pastor of this church, it is essential that I proclaim both the curse of sin, the destination of the sinner, but also the salvation that can only be found in Jesus. America has changed and will change even more. Persecution is on the horizon. But we as a church must continue to proclaim that Jesus forgives sin and saves the sinner from eternal hell. Empowerment and Company One last section and then I will share how to avoid the coming persecution. That will be good to know. But first turn to our last commission Turn to Acts 1:4-8 This is the last commission we will examine. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” There are two important teachings in this commission. When we do the work Jesus has called us to do, we are not alone nor are we without power. God has given us the Holy Spirit to do this work. That means many things. Here are two. It means that anyone can make disciples, not just professional clergy. Why? Because every believer has been filled by the Holy Spirit. It means that when we are in a hard place, a place where we are not accepted, a place where we are suffering or under persecution, then we know we are not alone, God is with us. There is a second thing that stands out in this passage. God has called us to reach our surrounding community as well as the world. In fact, I personally think that our heart for local, personal, evangelism, is the true measuring stick for a heart of missions. Not foreign missions. Come back to me. Stop thinking about your upcoming lunch. I want you to hear from me. I greatly value the fact that we support foreign missions. It means a great deal to me that we send about 25 percent of our budget to people doing God’s work in the Philippines, Turkey, the continent of Africa, Argentina, Japan, and even Brazil. That number equals about $41,000 dollars per year. But how much money in our budget is allocated to local outreach? And how much did we spend? More importantly, do we only write a check and ask the people on that bulletin board to witness on our behalf or do we share Christ as well? Let me dive even deeper with this last question. And this question will be directed to both you and to me. When is the last time you witnessed to someone? We can no longer hide behind our missionaries and hope they will witness on our behalf. God commissioned us to make disciples, not just write checks. Conclusion Mayberry is long gone. It left long ago. America changed long ago. And it will continue to change. With this change will come even greater persecution. I believe persecution will come upon us. But I have promised all along a way or ways we can avoid this persecution. Here are four ways we can avoid the coming persecution: Stop preaching to every person Christ crucified and risen. If we stop that, persecution will pass us by. Stop telling people that sin is sin and salvation is found only in Jesus. If we stop doing that, then persecution will pass us by. Stop witnessing to our neighbor and to the world. If we just turn inward and leave everyone alone, then persecution will pass us by. Stop making disciples and teaching the words of Jesus to those who attend this church. If we stop doing that then persecution will not come. The way to avoid the coming persecution is to disobey the Great Commission. Is that what you want to do? (NO) So since we have decided to Share the gospel with everyone, even those who hate us Tell people about sin and salvation Witness to our neighbors To make disciples and teach all to obey Christ Since we have decided to obey the Great Commission, then persecution will come. So now let’s prepare. Let’s Pray:  “Please God forgive us, forgive me, for not obeying the Great Commission.”

Mark Jones is a 16 year veteran of the US air force, for 13 years he’s been the pastor of Wakefield Valley Bible Church, and he is also the owner of Coaching Christian Leaders. He spends his coaching time working with missionaries and pastors of small churches. Additionally, his wife Debbie and he have two children and 3 grandchildren.In today’s episode, we learn about the significance of understanding the differences in communication styles between people and how his experience as a linguist in the military has helped him in his career. Additionally, Mark shares the powerful lesson that the US Air Force taught him about being on mission and knowing your mission.Finally, we learn the significance of faith and a fascinating story of Mark’s experience of transitioning from the military into going to school to become a pastor.You can connect with Mark athttps://www.coachingchristianleaders.com

  Hi, this is Mark Jones and today I want to share a story about how I completely overhauled the most important ministry of the church and did not lose one member. But before we get into that, I want to thank you for listening to Coaching Christian Leaders.  I truly appreciate your support. Since episode 22 we have been studying how to lead change in your organization. We learned that all changes go through three distinct phases. First, something must end. Then the second phase is what Dr. William Bridges in his book Managing Transitions the neutral zone. And finally, the third phase is the starting of something new. Today we are going to talk about starting that new ministry. And I will have several coaching questions for you that will help with the startup In the last episode, we focused on the work going on while you are between the old and the new – the neutral zone phase. I recommended that create and manage a transition management team. This team is preparing future leaders, creating the necessary materials – curriculum, policies, things like that. It is a highly creative time, that should never be skipped. One thing the transition management team must create is a 30-, 60-, 90-Day Plan. This 30, 60, 90 Plan will get your start-up off on good footing, and most importantly it will enable you to get some early wins. John Kotter, in his book Leading Change, really stresses the importance of these early wins. I am really keen on Dr. Kotters’ book, Leading Change. I want to recommend you pick up a copy. It is an excellent book and I will be referring to some of his ideas today. And in future episodes, we will dive even deeper to try and take Dr. Kotter’s ideas and apply them to the church. Like William Bridges book, Managing Transitions, Dr. Kotter did not write his book with a church in mind. Rather, the focus is on businesses. But I do believe we can learn from these books and put into action many of the things they present. Let me quickly share with you Dr. Kotter’s 8 Step Change Model. A few of his ideas will shape this episode. And I will come back to John Kotter’s work in future episodes. Create an Urgency – I there is no urgency for this change you are attempting then it will fail. You, the leader, need to communicate this urgency. One more thing, if your congregation or your leaders do not catch this urgency, the change will not happen. Form Powerful Guiding Coalitions Develop a Vision and a Strategy – I will say bit more about this is a few minutes. Communicate the Vision – In past episodes, I touched on communication. Remove Obstacles Create Short-Term Wins Consolidate Gains Anchor Change in the Corporate Culture – Make this change stick or become an essential part of the ministry. I will feature a few of these in today’s episode. But to get the full understanding, you need to pick up Leading Change by John Kotter. Now let’s consider your 30, 60, 90 Plan. Your Transition Management team needs to create this plan – 30, 60, 90 Plan – which will map out the first 30, 60, and 90 days of the start-up. Over the last several episodes we have used the example of changing from a Sunday School model to a small group model of discipleship. The 30, 60, 90 plan will map out what the first, second, and third month of this transition will look like and what it will accomplish. I will not go into the finer details of this plan using this example. That would not be productive. But I will cover some questions that will guide you as you develop the 30, 60, 90 plan. One question the team must answer is, What is the vision for this start-up? Two things to consider when you develop this vision. For a new ministry, I would not create a vision with a longer look than one year. In this day and age, you should not create a vision that looks out beyond three years. But for something new let’s keep that original vision to one year. In fact, what I am asking you to do is to break that first year down into 90 blocks. ..... At the end of one year, bring the team back together and create a 3-year vision. More importantly, this ministry and its vision must support the mission of the organization. Let me give you an example. Where I am the pastor, we believe strongly that God has already given the mission to the church. I teach that every local church has the same mission – and it’s the Great Commission. So our mission statement is based on the Great Commission. Every ministry we start has to support the idea of sharing Christ and building believers. If it doesn’t, we won’t start it. So my advice to you, if your new ministry does not support the vision of the church, don’t do it. Another question your team must answer as you create the 30, 60, 90 Plan is, What are the objectives or goals of this start-up? These need to be concrete, not abstract. They must be measurable. You can create objectives for each 30-day period, or set objectives for the end of the 90 days. Going back to our example – a 90-day objective for small groups might be to get 75 percent of all church service attendees in a life group. At the end of the first 90 days, we can easily measure that. This example, 75 percent of all church service attendees in a small group is what we call a Lag Measure. A Lag Measure is a key measurement for the goal. Here’s a personal example, when I step on the scale and read my bodyweight, that is a lag measure. It is a reported number that I can do nothing about, but it does tell me whether or not I reached the goal. The next question to ask as you create your 30, 60, 90 plan is, What are the milestones this startup must accomplish over the next 3 months? These milestones are your Lead Measures. A Lead Measure is what you must do the reach your objective. These are best stated as actions. You want to create the least amount necessary to reach the objective. I promised you a story about how I completely overhauled the most important ministry in the church and did not suffer for it. Here’s that story. Years back, I had to lead the church through a complete overhaul of how we financially supported missionaries. We had some key objectives to accomplish. One objective was to reduce the number of missionaries from 72 to approximately 12. Another was to support the remaining 12 at no less than $150 per month. Another objective was to put missions giving in the church budget so that the entire congregation supported our missionaries. A related objective was to fix the mission giving to approximately 25% of the overall church budget. Finally, we wanted all of the supported missionaries to be serving in such a way that it supported our goal for missions – which was church planting and evangelism. The existing method of mission support was a faith promise that individual church members made to individual missionaries and then funneled that money through the church. When I became the pastor, 100 men women and children were giving 100,000 dollars a year to missions. That was approximately 80% of the church budget. The intent was noble but it was not sustainable. Here are the milestones or lead measures we had to accomplish along the way. We needed to create a firm mission statement for the mission program – church planting and evangelism. We developed an extensive survey that was sent to all 72 missionaries. It asked many questions about their ministry – where they served, what they were doing, their mission statement, their support levels – and many other questions. The mission committee reviewed all of the surveys The mission committee then selected 12 missionaries that we would support going forward. At key points along the way, we informed the church leadership and the congregation of the progress. We informed the 12 that they would now be supported by the church budget. And we informed the other 60 that their support would no longer come from the church. We encouraged the members of the congregation who had supported these missionaries in the past to continue to do so but not through the church. Wakefield Valley Bible Church is a church with a long culture of supporting missions. I knew that this change was essential but I did not know how it would all turn out. In the end, we did select 12 missionaries, their support now came directly out of the church budget. That amount was approximately 25 % of the budget. So, in the end, it was a successful change and it still holds to this day. In you 30, 60, 90-day plan you need to anticipate the major obstacles to the success of this startup. You cannot foresee every obstacle, but you can anticipate most. So ask your team, What are the major obstacles to the success of this change? And then develop a response to the obstacles. One final thing. When you launch this change, this startup, before you begin you must identify the wins the victories. And you need to plan how you will celebrate these wins. Do not hope you have wins. Do not anticipate wins. Rather, identify your wins before you even launch. You should have at least one major win for each 30-day period. Going back to our original example – Sunday School to Small Groups – The objective was 75 percent of all church attendees involved in a small group. A win would be when you achieve 40 %. And another is when you achieve 50%. Maybe you have geographic objectives with small groups – a small group on this side of town and another on the other side of town. A win would be a new group started in a new part of town. These are just examples. The important thing is you identify them before you start and you celebrate them publicly when they are accomplished. So quickly, here are the coaching questions you can use to aid in developing your 30, 60, 90-day plan. What is the 1-year vision for this start-up/change? How does this vision support the mission of the church? What are the goals or objectives for this change? What are the milestones or lead measures that will help you accomplish the objectives What are your anticipated obstacles to success? What are your wins? How will you celebrate these wins? I really want to help pastors and missionaries develop your ability to lead change. I would love to help you build a thriving, healthy church. So if you feel like you or your church is stuck, let’s meet, look at the situation, and find the solutions that will move you and your church forward. I will have a link in the show notes. You can use that link to set up a 15-minute discovery call and from there we can schedule your two free coaching sessions. If you can’t get to the show notes to use the link, just email me at Mark@coachingchristianleaders.com. Mention you heard about this offer on the podcast. We have more to learn concerning change. We still need to learn how to make the change permanent. And we have some great interviews coming up. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or anywhere you listen. Also, don’t forget to email me at Mark@coachingChristianLeaders.com if you are interested in coaching. Thanks, this is Mark Jones, and I look forward to helping you build a healthy church.

In every church, there are only two worshippers. Whether it is a large church or a small, you will find only two worshippers in attendance. What am I talking about? Turn to Genesis 4 and I will explain. There are only two worshippers in any church. There is either an Abel or a Cain. As we study this idea you need to ask yourself and God which am I? Today, as we continue with our series, Getting to Know God we need to learn just one thing. Your Takeaway Today’s Takeaway is this: Worship only out of faith not out of obligation. Genesis 4:1-8 Let’s read Genesis 4:1-8 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Cain and Abel, that story is familiar to us. Cain is the first murderer. He killed his brother Abel. It appears that Cain was jealous. He was jealous because God favored Abel’s offering but did not favor his. But what does this have to do with worship? How does this story link to the idea that there are only two worshippers? Let’s look first at the text of Genesis 4 and try to answer the question why did God respect the worship of one and not the other. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. We can immediately see a difference in the two offerings. Cain’s was produce and Abel’s was sheep. Now, this could be because Cain was a farmer and Abel a shepherd. But for this moment I want to focus not on what was offered but the value of the offering. Cain’s brought available produce. There was nothing to distinguish it. But Abel’s was the firstborn and the fat. It seems to me that Cain just chose what was available but Abel picked his best. When you worship, when you attend your local church do you bring your best? Or do you just get it done? I have been there. Maybe you are there now. When we worship on Sunday are we just getting it done, are we not bringing our best? Note what God says to Cain. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” On any given day, even Sunday, sin desires us. It is there crouching, waiting to attack. As believers, God has given us the ability to not fall prey to sin. We can rule over it. See Romans 6. God says to Cain that he did not do well. God is asking Cain to reevaluate his worship. God wants Cain to understand where he came up short. He is extending mercy to Cain. He wants Cain to be aware of sin and to defeat it. Some people struggle with correction. Some take the feedback, learn the lesson, and adjust. Some, though, react poorly to correction. They become defensive, they speak out or act out. Cain reacted poorly and acted out. 4:8  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9  And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10  And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. There is not much I can add to the murder of Abel. The Scripture says it all. But I will ask you this. How do you react when you are corrected? Do you listen and learn or do you bristle and burn? Which are you? God gives us a caution. Sin is crouching, waiting to attack. Do not let your thin-skinned, defensive nature lead you to sin even further. Because when you do, there is the possibility of even worse behavior. Hebrews 11:4 Remember, there are only two worshippers in this church – Cain and Abel. So we need to dig deeper to understand what happened. We need to understand this so that we can see who we may be.  Turn to Hebrews 11:4 Heb 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Note first that Abel’s sacrifice was “more excellent.” Why was it “more excellent?” Abel picked from his best. He gave his best. We have already touched on that. Abel’s sacrifice had life and Cain’s did not. I know that the Law permitted grain offerings. So to offer produce was permissible. But this offering is long before the Law. I believe that God expected an offering to reflect the coming sacrifice of Jesus. Look at Hebrews 12:24.  "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Abel’s sacrifice was by faith, not Cain’s. That means that Cain’s sacrifice was out of obligation. But Abel’s heard God’s Word and worshipped accordingly. “Faith -cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17. Abel heard God’s Word on worship and Abel responded correctly. So Abel gave his best. Abel’s sacrifice reflected the coming sacrifice of Jesus. And Abel’s sacrifice was by faith. Cain did not give his best. He did not reflect Jesus in his worship. And he worshipped out of obligation, not faith. In every church, there are only two worshippers. An Abel and a Cain. Which are you? God only respects our worship when we worship in faith, when we acknowledge the Savior in our worship, and when we give our best. When we do NOT worship correctly, we know that God is forgiving. He is merciful. Like He was with Cain. God only wants us to evaluate and correct. So He warns us of the sin that is lurking. He tells us to control this sin or it will get the better of us. Sadly Cain did not. It is my hope that as the Word convicts you of your wrong reasons to worship, you will not get defensive or act out. But you will listen to the Holy Spirit and respond to the hand of mercy extended to you. The Holy Spirit and the Bible will point out our sin. If the Holy Spirit is pointing out your sin, you need to listen and learn. You need to ask God for forgiveness. Christ died for your sins. He paid the price for not only your sins but the sins of the whole world. If you know that you are a sinner, believe on Jesus, on His death, on His resurrection. Trust in Him. When you believe like that, God will forgive you of your sins – sins you have committed, sins that you will someday commit. All forgiven by God. Imagine that! You can have forgiveness if you would only believe. This is Mark Jones the pastor of Wakefield Valley Bible Church. Let me take a moment and invite you to join us in worship. We meet Sunday mornings at 10:45 for worship. And you are invited. We are a simple church that worships God with a simple faith. We believe what you have heard preached on this podcast – That Jesus is God the Son. That He died for our sins. And that He rose again three days later. And we believe that God will forgive and save anyone who believes the same. So if you live near us and are looking for a church family, then please visit. Don’t forget to visit our website, Wakefieldbible.org. There you find out more about the church and at the website, you can also sign and receive a bible study on the gospel of John. Just sign up at the website and we will email to you a wonderful resource to help you better understand John’s gospel. Sign Up & Subscribe Remember to review, like and share the podcast. This helps spread the good news of Jesus around the world. Sign up for our show notes. When you sign up, you receive an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever a new episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! The best way to listen is to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, or just about any podcast app. If you live in a country that tries to block Christian podcasts, here is a link to our RSS feed. You may be able to use our RSS to get the podcast. Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. I would especially love to hear from you if you have believed on Jesus.  

I want to be brief with this lesson. I want to do it quickly. Why the rush? Because today we will study Lucifer and I have no desire to give Lucifer any significant time. Here is today’s takeaway. Lucifer wants to fill you full of lies and he wants to steal God’s glory. Ezekiel 28:12-15 Open your Bible to Ezekiel 28 and find your way to verse 11. Here we find a lament for the king of Tyre. But it is understood by most Bible scholars that this lament is for Lucifer, the fallen Cherub. “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. 14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you."  Facts About Lucifer God created Lucifer with perfect wisdom and beauty. Lucifer moved between the throne room of God and the Garden of Eden. He was a covering Cherub, meaning he protected God’s holiness. Lucifer was created holy. But Lucifer gave all of that up. Lucifer turned away from God and rebelled. Look again at Ezekiel 28:15 "You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you." Isaiah 14:12-14 Now turn to Isaiah 14:12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’" This passage describes the fall of Lucifer. In verse 13 we see that Lucifer desired to be above God and that he desired to be worshipped as God. But in verse 14 we see that Lucifer wanted even more than that. Lucifer wanted to be God. Look again at verse 14, here are the words of Lucifer, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High." Imagine that. A created being, an angel, desired to be God. But that is exactly what Lucifer desired. And God cast him out to earth. Application What can we apply from a study of Lucifer? Let’s use John 8 to help us apply what we have learned. Read John 8:44. In John 8, Jesus is debating the Jewish leadership. It is a heated debate. Read Jesus’ words. "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." So here is your application. When you reject the truth of the gospel, when we reject the salvation Jesus is offering, then you are a child of Satan. God is not your father and you are condemned forever. But when you trust on Jesus Christ, when you accept the truth of the gospel, then God is your Father and you are saved forever. So which are you? In whom do you trust? It is my hope and prayer that you have put your trust on Jesus Christ. You are a sinner – Jesus died for those sins. You are far from God because of your sin – but if you believe on Jesus you will be a child of God. Now if you have never done this. If you have never believed on Jesus, then do it now. Believe today. Tell God about your sins. Believe that Jesus died for these sins. And, ask Him to save you. This is Pastor Mark Jones. You have been listening to episode 37 of Faith in the Valley. If you have enjoyed this podcast, please review it wherever you listen. Your reviews help the podcast go father. Also, if you live near New Windsor Maryland, please visit. Wakefield Valley Bible Church is a non-denominational Bible church focused on Jesus Christ. I know you and your family would be welcomed. Thanks, and I will speak with you soon. Sign Up & Subscribe Remember to review, like and share the podcast. This helps spread the good news of Jesus around the world. Sign up for our show notes. When you sign up, you receive an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever a new episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! The best way to listen is to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, or just about any podcast app. If you live in a country that tries to block Christian podcasts, here is a link to our RSS feed. You may be able to use our RSS to get the podcast. Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. I would especially love to hear from you if you have believed on Jesus.

In Colossians 1, starting at verse 9, Paul begins to pray. He is praying for the church in Colossae and he is praying for us. What does he pray? Paul has some specific requests. Among them is his desire for us to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. And later, Paul prays that we would increase in the knowledge of God. This request of knowing God should come as no surprise. God created all humans to have a relationship with Him. Any relationship is based on knowing something about the other. God knows all about us. He wants us to know about Him We begin a series today titled Getting to Know God. This study will start at the beginning and pursue a knowledge of God from creation to Christ. We will follow what preachers of old called the Scarlet thread or road through the Bible. But before we step on that scarlet road, we need to learn a thing or two about God. Today we will learn that God is holy and He makes His children holy too. Turn to Isaiah 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved,     all the ends of the earth!     For I am God, and there is no other. This is a great verse because it shares three important things about God. It gives us insight into His heart or His passion. It is God’s heart that people repent or turn from their sins. “Turn to me and be saved” God said. When we use the word repent or repentance, it means just that – to turn from our sins and to turn to God for salvation. First, you were walking that way, the wrong way, toward judgment. Then you turn this way, toward God and toward salvation. That is the heart of God. It reveals another thing about the heart of God. It is God’s desire that All People repent and be saved. “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!” There is no race, nationality, or people group which is kept from God. God desires that all turn to Him. Finally, the verse reveals an attribute of God. Some of you may be asking what is an attribute? Fair enough. An attribute is a quality or characteristic of God. It is who God is. Notice what God declares at the end of Isaiah 45:22?  “For I am God, and there is no other.” Several times throughout Isaiah 45 God has made the same statement, “I am God, and there is no other.” See if you can find them. What does it mean? It is a way of saying “God is holy.” God stands alone. God has no peer. God is holy. I know that some of you think that holiness is about being morally good. And it can mean that. But here, in Isaiah 45, the meaning of holiness is to be set apart. To be unique. So from Isaiah 45:22 we learn that God wants all people to turn from their sin and turn to Him and be saved. And we learned that God is holy. I think too much about things. Sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes it is not so good. Here it is good. I am thinking about God’s holiness. And I realize that God created me to have a relationship with Him. But I’m not holy. And I know enough Bible to know that Hebrews 12:14 says, “without holiness no one will see the Lord.”........ Uh Oh. God wants us to turn to Him. He wants us to be saved. But He is holy. And He demands holiness from us. Here is a truth. If we gathered all the humans that are living or have ever lived and asked them to put all of their holiness on a scale. It wouldn’t add up to one milligram of holiness. In fact, we would all bend down and look at that scale and there would be nothing on it. We have no holiness to offer God. So what is a person to do? Look at 1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption..” When a person believes on Jesus, that person is placed in Christ. When we are placed in Christ we receive wisdom from God. We have righteousness. That would be Christ’s righteousness given to us. We have sanctification and we have redemption. Redemption simply means salvation. Because we are in Christ we have salvation. But what about that word “Sanctification”? What does it mean? Sanctification means to be set apart, to be holy. When we believe we are placed in Christ and in Christ we have wisdom, righteousness, salvation, and holiness. And that is what God wants you to know about Him – That He is holy and that He has made His children holy too. If you are not a believer, then you have no holiness. The solution is easy. Turn away from your sin and turn to God. Ask God to forgive you and save you. Believe that Jesus died for your sin. And your sin will be removed, and you in Christ will be holy.  This is Mark Jones, the pastor of Wakefield Valley Bible Church. I will see you next week with another lesson from Faith in the Valley. Don’t forget to visit our website Wakefieldbible.org for more information about the church. Also, if you are free this Sunday and live in the area, drop by and worship with us. We would love to meet you. Thanks and God bless.   Sign Up & Subscribe Remember to review, like and share the podcast. This helps spread the good news of Jesus around the world. Sign up for our show notes. When you sign up, you receive an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever a new episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! The best way to listen is to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, or just about any podcast app. If you live in a country that tries to block Christian podcasts, here is a link to our RSS feed. You may be able to use our RSS to get the podcast. Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. I would especially love to hear from you if you have believed on Jesus.      

We are on a journey of discovery. Our goal is to understand the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In the first leg of our journey, we are visiting the seven signs performed by Christ that are recorded in the Gospel of John. These signs reveal the Glory of Jesus. Our first was when Jesus turned the water into wine. This sign revealed Jesus’ love and mercy toward people. It demonstrated a truth about God – that God blesses both the righteous and the unrighteous. And it also revealed His power over the physical universe. The second sign we studied was the healing of the nobleman’s son. Again Jesus demonstrated His love and mercy for mankind. It also revealed that God the Son is not hindered by distance, nor is he hindered by a lack of faith. Purpose Today, in this episode, we go the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus heals a paralyzed man. Open your Bible to John chapter 5. In a minute we will read verses 1-6. But before we do that I want you to look at verses 16-23. In verses 16-23 we discover the primary reason Jesus heals this man. Of course, Jesus heals the man because he is merciful and because He loves people and because He has pity on this man. But the ultimate reason Jesus heals this man is to declare His deity. Please read John 5:16-18 We need to understand this fact. Jesus healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda for this moment. He healed the man to force this debate. This debate gave Jesus the opportunity to declare His deity. Healing Now read John 5:1-6 Jesus goes to Jerusalem because of the Feast Holiday, probably Passover. He makes His way over to the Sheep Gate Pool, called Bethesda. This pool had become a place of healing. John writes that there was a great multitude of sick at the pool hoping to get healed. The end of verse 3 and all of verse 4 tell a story of the waters and how an angel brought healing. The Scripture relays this story but does not comment on it. In other words, is this the reality or does it represent the myth of the pool? Regardless, if you look at verse 7 you will see that the man expected to be healed if he could only get there first. So the man believed this story. Now back to verses 5 and 6. Jesus looks across the multitude and picks one man. How did Jesus choose? Here are some choices. You can pick only one. The man had been there the longest. The man was nicer than everyone else. Jesus loved this man more than the others. We do not know how Jesus chose. The fourth answer is the correct answer. We do not know how Jesus chose. There are two distinct forms of God’s will. God’s moral will – Which is recorded in full in God’s Bible. God’s sovereign will – Which in large part is unknown to us. How He chose we can only guess. But we know this, Jesus was exercising His sovereign will. God has a plan and He does not often share His plan with us. We only understand His will after the fact. From a human point of view, the choice Jesus makes might seem random or worse yet, unfair. But remember, Jesus is God. And He is Lord and God over all of the creation. As God, He will make choices that seem to go against our idea of fairness. When I say, “God is Sovereign”, what does that mean? Christianity.com has an answer. The answer contains 6 bullet statements. I suggest you click the link listed below and read the entire article. Here is the one bullet statement from that article.  “God can do all things and accomplish all things. Nothing is too difficult for Him, and He orchestrates and determines everything that is going to happen in your life, in my life, in America, and throughout the world. Whatever He wants to do in the universe, He does, for nothing is impossible with Him (Jeremiah 32:17).” God the Son looks at the hundreds, maybe thousands at the pool. All needed healing. And Jesus picks just one man. God Speaks And that man is healed. Jesus heals this man with His word. Jesus says in verse 8, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." Take a moment and read Psalm 33:6-9. As you read, note how God speaks and things happen. Jesus spoke and the man was healed. You see when God speaks stuff happens. And when God speaks to men, men need to obey. In Psalm 33:9 it says, “He commanded, and it stood fast.” When God speaks we need to obey. The man in our story does just that. He picks up his bed and walks. All miracles are unexplainable events. And this healing is just that – without explanation. If you were paralyzed for 38 years and I gave you a shot that cured the paralysis, it would take weeks and weeks of therapy before you could walk. Why? Because your unused legs would be weak and because you would’ve forgotten the basics of walking. But not this man. This man is up and walking instantly. What a miracle! What a sign that reveals the Glory of Christ! Jesus is God Take a minute and read John 5:9-13. As you read, notice that the healed man did not know who Jesus was. Remember this - God is not hindered by your lack of faith or your unbelief. God is all powerful, He is sovereign. God will do what God is going to do. In verse 15 the man pointed out Jesus as the healer. This got Jesus in trouble with the Jews because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. And now we come to the primary reason Jesus healed this man. Jesus loves the man. Jesus had pity and mercy on the man. But the primary reason Jesus healed the man was to declare His deity. Jesus healed this man to declare that He is God. Read again John 5:15-18 In verse 17, when Jesus stated, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” He declared His deity. He does it in two ways. 1. Jesus says, like the Father, He, Jesus is Lord over the Sabbath. God in Genesis sets the pattern. God works for six days and then rests from His work. But God does not truly stop working – ever! The sun rises and sets on the Sabbath. The planets orbit on the Sabbath. Wildlife is fed, the weather is directed, people are saved, and sadly people are condemned; all on the Sabbath. God the Father does not stop working, nor does God the Son. 2. Jesus calls the heavenly Father “My Father.” To declare God the Father as His Father, Jesus has made himself equal to God. And of course as we read in verse 18, this declaration enraged the Jews and they sought all the more to kill Jesus. We will stop here. Next week we will pick up with John 5:19. Verses 19 through the end of the chapter is a long important monolog. So we want to give it its own lesson. Today, we saw Jesus make a decisive sovereign act. Jesus looked across the multitude and selected one man to heal. He healed this man to declare His deity. Think about this. Although there seem to be times when God is asleep or disengaged, the truth is God never stops working. God is always at work. And to personalize this idea, God never stops caring for you. In your darkest moments, God is there at work. In your greatest triumphs, God is there at work. When you sense His presence, God is there and when you can’t sense His presence, God is there. God is never absent; God is never asleep; God is always there. Closing Thoughts For the believer, God is there because He has a personal relationship with you. He is answering your prayers, He is receiving your worship, He is enjoying you. But for the unbeliever, I think God is there as well. But God is not there because He has a personal relationship with you. God is there because He wants a personal relationship with you. God is not necessarily answering your prayers, He is not receiving your worship, and I do not think that God is enjoying you because much of your life is centered around your sin. You can change this. You can have that personal relationship with God. Turn from your sinful ways and turn to Jesus Christ. Admit that you are a sinner. Believe the Jesus died for your sin. And call on Him to save you. Thank you for listening to Faith in the Valley. If you live in or near Carroll County Maryland, come by this Sunday and worship with us. If you already have a church home, then we want you to faithfully worship and serve there. But if you do not, then please consider making Wakefield your church family. You can find out more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church at wakefieldbible.org. Thanks again for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and rate and review wherever you listen. Sign Up & Subscribe Remember to review, like and share the podcast. This helps spread the good news of Jesus around the world. Sign up for our show notes. When you sign up, you receive an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever a new episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! The best way to listen is to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, or just about any podcast app. If you live in a country that tries to block Christian podcasts, here is a link to our RSS feed. You may be able to use our RSS to get the podcast. Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. I would especially love to hear from you if you have believed on Jesus. Resources What Does the Phrase "God is Sovereign" Really Mean?  

When I pray, in addition to the prayers for people, I pray for five goals. These goals are for Wakefield Valley Bible Church, the church where I am the pastor. One goal is: To develop men and women of godly character who fully represent biblical masculinity and femininity. This goal has motivated this series. I believe the best way for men and women to realize such is for them to learn what God intends. If you desire to be a man or woman who represents biblical masculinity or femininity - If you desire to have the marriage that God has planned for you - Then turn to Genesis 1 and follow along. Image and Purpose Genesis 1:26-28 God created both man and woman. God created both man and woman in His own image. God created both man and woman to fulfill His purposes. Created Order and Roles Genesis 2:7, 15-17; 1 Corinthians 11:8-12 God created man first. God created the woman for man. God entrusted the man with the moral commands and the responsibility to teach and lead the woman in these commands. Marriage Genesis 2:18, 21-25 God is the creator of marriage. God designed marriage to be monogamous. God designed marriage to be heterosexual. A marriage creates a new family. Marriage is meant for life. The Fall Genesis 3; Romans 5; 1 Timothy 2:12-15 Eve ignores Adam's earlier teaching. She ignores his leaders. And she disobeys God's commands. Eve does not consult her protector and partner. Adam is passive and does not lead or enforce God's commands. God holds Adam responsible for the sin. Consequences Marriage will no longer be a harmonious relationship. Women will seek to control men. Men will lead by force and domination. Closing Thoughts It is possible that you are struggling with some of these ideas, especially the teaching on marriage. I hope you will take the time to explore the Scripture for yourself. God through His Bible will challenge you and change you if you allow Him. A correct understanding of what Gods says about marriage is important. But more important is how you understand sin, salvation, and Jesus.  The Bible is clear. Jesus is the only way to be saved from your sin. Your sin separates you from God. But Jesus has died so that if you believe on Him you will be saved. Believe on Jesus today. Believe that He is God the Son. Believe that He died for your sin. Believe that He is alive even today. Believe and be saved. Sign Up & Subscribe Remember to review, like and share the podcast. This helps spread the good news of Jesus around the world. Sign up for our show notes. When you sign up, you receive an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever a new episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! The best way to listen is to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, or just about any podcast app. If you live in a country that tries to block Christian podcasts, here is a link to our RSS feed. You may be able to use our RSS to get the podcast. Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. I would especially love to hear from you if you have believed on Jesus. Resources What Does it Mean That Humanity is Made in the Image of God?

In the previous episode, Watch, Work, and Wait Part 1, we learned what believers should be doing as they wait on Jesus to return. In this episode, the idea continues but with two changes. The first change is that the words are focused on the Nation of Israel alive during the tribulation period. In the previous lesson, the material was general. It applied to both gentiles and Jews. But this material is for Jews alive when Christ returns. The second change is that the words deal with judgment - how will unbelieving Jews be judged when Jesus returns. At the end of this lesson, I will share with you the two forms of judgment humans will face. Everyone, Jew or gentile, is given the option of choosing their judgment. And you can make this choice knowing your options. You can pick how you want to be judged. Your Takeaway Judgment is certain. Which one will you attend? Wise & Foolish Matthew 25:1-13 I believe the 10 virgins represent the Nation of Israel. Jesus is using Jewish wedding traditions to teach this lesson. The difference between the wise and the foolish virgins is that the wise had oil and the foolish did not. In the Bible oil is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. See 1 john 2:20; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. You are unsaved if you do not have the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9; Matthew 25:11-12 The judgment - Jews who reject Jesus, Jesus will reject. Faithful & Unfaithful Matthew 25:14-30 A talent is a weight of gold or silver. Jews need to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. The judgment - God will condemn Jews who reject Jesus. Matthew 25:30 Two Judgments The Great White Throne of Judgment - Revelation 20:11-15 The Judgment Seat of Christ/Bema Seat - Romans 14:10-12 Closing Thoughts God has given every human one life to live then the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) Judgment is guaranteed.  But here is the amazing thing. Although God will judge every person, every person gets to pick which judgment to go to. There are two to choose from. Choice number one is the Great White Throne of Judgment. You make that choice by rejecting Jesus. Choice number two is the Judgment Seat of Christ. You select the Judgment Seat of Christ by believing on Jesus. Don't dismiss this truth. Understand it. Ask God to help you with it. Then, and most importantly, choose Jesus. Jesus will save you from the Great White Throne of Judgment. At the Great White Throne, everyone is cast into the lake of fire. Everyone is condemned. But at the Judgment Seat of Christ, everyone is saved. Trust in Christ. He died for your sin, the sin that separates you from God. He died and rose again for your salvation. Trust that and nothing else. If you do, then you are forgiven and your salvation is secure. Please Visit I would love it if you visited Wakefield Valley Bible Church. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45 AM. Before you come, go to WakefieldBible.org to learn moe. We have programs for the entire family so bring the kids. Sign Up & Subscribe Sign up for our show notes. When you sign up, you receive an email notification and a copy of the show notes when a new episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! Subscribe to Faith in the Valley. You can subscribe at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, and many other podcast apps. Subscribing on one of these apps is the best way to listen. If you live in a country that tries to block Christian podcasts, here is a link to our RSS feed. You may be able to use our RSS to get the podcast. Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. Resources The Jewish Wedding Analogy What Does it Mean to Wait on the Lord? If you would like to hear more about the Nation of Israel check out Episode 6 - God Loves Israel.

What should we be doing until Jesus comes back? Here are a few options. Devote every waking hour to prayer and Bible study. Sell all our property and go sit on a mountaintop to wait for His return. Sacrifice all the pleasures of life - relationships, things, knowledge - to prove our worth to God. What should we do until Jesus returns? Jesus tells us to watch, work, and wait. Key Takeaway Stay busy until Jesus returns. Jesus has told us to watch, work, and wait. Watch & Pray Mark 13:33-37 Jesus uses the word "watch" four times. The first time, verse 33, He says, "watch and pray." Jesus uses this expression in Matthew 26:41. In this verse, He teaches that watching and praying will overcome temptation. Watching is being aware of what is going on around you. But watching is not enough. You must also pray. Satan, the world, and your own desires can cause you to fall away. These things can destroy your witness.  Now, in these last days, we cannot afford to lose our witness. We cannot fall asleep on the job. Work & Look Matthew 24:45-51 In this passage, Jesus teaches that until He returns we are to work and look. The faithful and wise servants are believers. The evil servants are unbelievers. Jesus will find believers working for Him and unbelievers not working for Him. Ephesians 2:10 teaches that we were "created in Christ for good works." What are these good works? Could they be prayer, Bible study, or going to church? Mr. Mark D. Roberts, at the Theology of Work website, says, "The good works encompass the whole of the Christian, all that we do by God's grace for God's purposes." If you are a bricklayer, doctor, or lawyer, the good works you do are bricklaying, doctoring, and lawyering if you do these things for God. Mr. Roberts in his post pointed the reader to Colossians 3:17. This reads, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Until Jesus returns we are to be working and looking for Him. It should be our hope that God when He returns, finds us serving Him. Final Thoughts Some of you think that you must work your way to heaven, that you must earn God's salvation. That is a wrong understanding. God does not save you based on your good deeds. Rather, God's salvation is a free gift of grace. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. You are saved by grace. It is a free gift from God. There are no conditions. All you need to do is accept this gift by faith. Believe that Jesus died and rose again for your sin. If you have not done this, then God wants you to trust in Him right now. Do not delay. Take the salvation that God offers through His Son. Please Visit I would love it if you visited Wakefield Valley Bible Church. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45 AM. Before you come, go to WakefieldBible.org to get our address. We have programs for the entire family so bring the kids. Sign Up Many people have subscribed to our show notes. When you subscribe, you will get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! Look for us on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, and many other podcast apps.  Subscribing on one of these apps is the best way to listen. If you live in a country that tries to block Christian podcasts, here is a link to our RSS feed. You may be able to use our RSS to get the podcast. Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. Resources What are the Good Works God has Prepared for Us? by Mark D. Roberts 

In today's lesson, we look at the difference between the second coming and the rapture.   The second coming of Jesus is preceded by signs. These signs are so certain that when they happen, you can easily predict the return of Jesus. The rapture is not that way. There are no signs. The rapture will come and catch people by surprise. Your Takeaway You need to live life expectantly. Live in continual readiness, continual watchfulness - Live your life expecting Jesus to return today. The 2nd Coming Matthew 24:32-35 When the fig tree blooms summer is just around the corner.  Jesus is teaching that the signs for His second coming are certain. Once you see the Antichrist enter the Temple you will know that there are exactly three and one-half years until Jesus returns. In Matthew 24:34 the word "generation" is referring to the Nation of Israel not to the generation alive when Jesus spoke the words.  An example of this use of "generation" can be found in Matthew 23:33-36. It was the Nation of Israel that rejected the prophets. This rejection spanned the entire history of the Jews, not just the ones alive when Jesus spoke. See verse 36. Jesus closes this section stating His words are more secure and more lasting than the creation. The Rapture Matthew 24:36-44 Many great Bible teachers do not consider Matthew 24:36-44 as being rapture passage. But I do. Jesus is showing the contrast between His second coming and the rapture. This contrast can be seen in His use of "But" to start off verse 36.  In a sense, Jesus is saying that the 2nd coming can be predicted but the rapture cannot be so. No one knows when the rapture will happen. There are no signs. People will be going about their lives - eating, drinking, getting married - and all of a sudden the rapture will occur.  In Matthew 24:42-44 Jesus gives the key thought. Live life expecting Him to return. Always be waiting for Jesus. Closing Thoughts Many people are afraid of the rapture. It scares them.  If you are a believer, you should not fear the rapture. If you are an unbeliever, I can understand why you may be afraid. Don't fear the rapture; rather fear missing the rapture. How can you know for certain that when the rapture happens you will be with Jesus?  That's easy. Put your faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus, God the Son, died for your sins. He took on Himself the wrath of God so that all who believe would not receive God's wrath. If you believe on Jesus, then you are saved from God's wrath. Salvation has nothing to do with you trying to be good. Salvation has everything to do with Jesus dying for you and you believing on Him. Believe on Jesus and you will be taken to be with Him when the rapture happens. One moment you will be in your tired, sick body, and the next moment you will be in your eternal body, standing before Jesus. Believe today, because the rapture could happen any minute. Please Visit I would love it if you visited Wakefield Valley Bible Church. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45 AM. Before you come, go to WakefieldBible.org to get our address. We have programs for the entire family so bring the kids. Sign Up Many people have subscribed to our show notes. If you subscribe, you will get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! Look for us on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, and many other podcast apps. iTunes and the like are the best way to listen. If you live in a country that tries to block Christian podcasts, here is a link to our RSS feed. You may be able to use the RSS to get the podcast. Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. Resources What is the Rapture of the Church? What on Earth is Happening? What Jesus Said About the End of the Age by Ray Stedman

What will be a sign before Jesus returns?  What are the signs of His second coming? The 2nd coming will be preceded by total darkness and then God's glory, His Shekinah glory. These are the signs. Your Takeaway Make sure you are numbered among the elect, make sure you are a believer in Christ. The 2nd Coming Jesus return will be like lightening - sudden, visible, and awe-inspiring. Matthew 24:27 Judgment will be sudden and severe. Matthew 24:28 When the tribulation ends the earth will be swallowed up in total darkness. The sun, the moon, and the stars will be darkened. Matthew 24:29 Then the glory of God will appear so that the entire earth will witness it.  Matthew 24:30 And all those that rejected Jesus will mourn. They will realize that judgment has arrived. Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7 Family Reunion Jesus will send His angels throughout the world and throughout heaven to gather all the saints. Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27 Will you be at this reunion? Are you numbered among the elect? You can know for certain that you will be there - just believe on Jesus Christ. Jesus is God the Son - believe that! Jesus died for your sins - believe that! Jesus rose again for your eternal life - believe that! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!" Acts 16:31 Please Visit If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non-denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45 AM.  We have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/. Resources What is the Shekinah glory?

The world population today is about 7 billion people. The sad thing is, most of the 7 billion believe they will go to heaven when they die. But this is not true. Most will go to hell because they have rejected Jesus. In today's lesson, I will encourage you to share Christ one more time with your unsaved loved ones. Write them a letter, send them an email, take them out for coffee and share the gospel with them while there is still time. Your Takeaway While there is still time, tell your unsaved loved one about Jesus. Second Half of the Tribulation The 2nd half begins when the Antichrist demands that all the inhabitants of the world worship him as God. Matthew 24:15; Daniel 9:27 It is Satan's desire to become like God. Isaiah 14:12-14 Satan creates a false trinity. The Antichrist takes on the role of Jesus. The False Prophet assumes the role of Holy Spirit. Satan pretends to be the Heavenly Father. And the world worships this unholy trinity. Revelation 13:12 Jesus tells people to flee when this happens and says that this will be the worst tribulation of all time. Matthew 24:16-22 Detailed Timeline of the Seven Years of Tribulation The Events of the Tribulation Period Closing Thoughts Judgment is coming and there is nothing we can do to stop it. But we can tell those we love about Jesus, and the cross, and the empty tomb, and the salvation He offers. Tell the one you love while there's still time. Please Visit If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non-denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45 AM.  We have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE and sign up today! Finally, feel free to contact us with any question. You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/.

Recently a friend suggested that President Trump may be the Antichrist. This is not the first time I have heard such a statement. In the years I have been a Christian, people have told me that the Pope, Henry Kissinger, and Presidents Reagan and Obama were the Antichrist. So who is the Antichrist and is he alive today? Let's dive into the Bible and see if we can answer this question. Your Takeaway Use biblical wisdom, not common opinion, to discern the person of the Antichrist. Spirit of the Antichrist The Antichrist is alive today as the Spirit of the Antichrist. What is the spirit of the Antichrist? Any person who denies that God the Son, Jesus, has come in the flesh to the world. - 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7 This deception, the denial of deity and manhood of God the Son and His saving mission to the earth has overtaken the western world. So, yes, the spirit of the Antichrist is alive and well today. The Antichrist Human Origin There is an actual person who will be the Antichrist.   The Bible gives different names to the Antichrist. They are: The Seed of Satan - Genesis 3:15 The Little Horn - Daniel 7:8 The King of Fierce Countenance - Daniel 8:23 The Prince that Shall Come - Daniel 9:26 The Desolator - Daniel 9:27 The Willful King - Daniel 11:36 The Man of Sin - 2 Thessalonians 2:3 The Son of Perdition - 2 Thessalonians 2:3 The Lawless One - 2 Thessalonians 2:8 The Antichrist - 1 John 2:22 The Beast - Revelation 11:7; 13:1-10 From some of these passages, we can deduce the origin of the Antichrist. Revelation 13:1-10 - The Beast comes out of the sea. The sea stands for the gentile nations. Daniel 7:8, 19-26 - The Little Horn of Daniel is a blasphemous human ruler that rises out of the revived fourth empire to rule over Israel.  The four are: The Babylonian Empire The Medo-Persian Empire The Greek Empire The Roman Empire Daniel 9:27 - We learned in an earlier episode that the seven-year tribulation period will start with Israel signing a seven-year covenant with the Antichrist. This predicted Antichrist is the "prince who is to come" in Daniel 9:26.  This verse identifies his nationality as the same who destroyed the Jerusalem and the Temple. Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in A.D. 70. The human origin of the Antichrist will be Roman. Supernatural Origin Genesis 3:15 - This passage teaches that the Messiah, the offspring of the woman, will be in conflict with the offspring of Satan. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 - The Antichrist will come forth by the "workings of Satan." The Antichrist will come to be by Satanic power or means. Three options: Satan will impregnate a woman. (Fruchtenbaum, 212-213) Two humans will conceive a child, but at the moment of conception, Satan will enter a woman's womb and be a part of the creation and gestation of this child. (Adso of Montier-En-Der) Totally human but possessed and controlled by Satan. Regardless, he will have supernatural power that will deceive many and keep them from salvation. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 So the Antichrist will be of Roman origin and have supernatural powers. That rules out President Trump. Please Visit If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non-denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45.  We have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift – a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today! Finally, please let us know if you believed on Jesus for salvation.  You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/.  Resources The Rise and Fall of the Antichrist by Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events by Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum Letter on the Origin and Time of the Antichrist by Adso of Montier-En-Der  

What is God doing at this time in the earth? Great question! I like how Colin Marshall and Tony Payne answer it in their book The Trellis and the Vine.  They write, "..the work God is doing in the world now, in these last days between the first and second comings of Christ, is to gather people into His kingdom through the prayerful proclamation of the gospel." Your Key Takeaway Use these last days to share Jesus with those you love. The First Half of the Tribulation World war, famine, and earthquakes - Matthew 24:7-8 The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - Revelation 6:1-8 White Horse - The Anti-Christ The Red Horse - War The Black Horse - Famine The Pale Horse - Death Persecution - Matthew 24:9-10; Revelation 6:9-11 False Prophets - Matthew 24:11 Gross Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:7 The gospel preached worldwide and a multitude saved. - Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7:1-10 Closing Thoughts We only get one life to live and then the judgment.  Make sure that you go into the judgment with Jesus as your savior. Trust in Jesus. Hebrews 9:27 How do you trust in Jesus? Romans 10:9-11 Believe that Jesus is God. Believe He died for your sins. Believe that He rose again for your eternal life. And you will be saved. When you are saved, you are made righteous, as if you never sinned. And God will never send you to hell. You will be a child of God. Please Visit If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non-denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45.  We have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift – a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today! Finally, please let us know if you believed on Jesus for salvation.  You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/.  Resources Mentioned The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-shift That Changes Everything, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne The Revelation of Jesus Christ by John F. Walvoord

Wars everywhere - People claiming to be Jesus - Christians being murdered. Jesus told His disciples to expect this. And we should expect it as well. Why? Because this is the world in which we live. In today's lesson Jesus answers the first question about the coming destruction of the Temple. Along with the destruction, Jesus tells the disciples that they will be surrounded by trouble. But in the middle of all this trouble, there is hope. God will save and secure all those who believe on Him. Your Key Takeaway Jesus will save and secure those who believe on Him. The Truth False Messiahs - Luke 21:8 Wars and Rumors of Wars - Luke 21:9 Persecution - Luke 21:12-17 False Messiahs and wars are not signs of the end. Luke 21:9b Persecution becomes an opportunity to share the gospel.  Jesus will give the persecuted the words to say. Jesus will save and secure the persecuted. The Answer The answer to the disciples' first question is "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the desolation is near." Luke 21:20-24 Timeline A.D. 66 - Jews revolt against Rome. A.D. 69 - Rome attacks Judea and surrounds Jerusalem.  This was led by Vespasian A.D. 70 - Titus attacks Jerusalem and the Temple is destroyed.  Josephus claims that 1.1 million were killed. A.D. 72 - Roman Colosseum started by Vespasian. It was finished in A.D. 80. 100,000 Jewish slaves were used in the construction. A.D. 81 - The Arch of Titus was constructed.   Time of the Gentiles The time of the Gentiles started in B.C. 588 with the Babylonian captivity of Jerusalem. It will end with the second coming of Jesus. Luke 21:24 As the time of the Gentiles comes to an end, God will save Israel. Romans 11:25-27  Closing Thoughts The promise to save and secure Israel and the persecuted is because they believed on Jesus. Do you believe Jesus died for your sins and rose again? If so you are saved and eternally secure.  Those that believe will find that all their questions about life are answered.  Christ, the cross, and the empty tomb is an answer to all our questions. Trust in Jesus for your salvation and your security. Please Visit If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non-denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45.  We have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift – a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today! Finally, please let us know if you believed on Jesus for salvation.  You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/.  Resources List of Messiah Claimants What Every Person Should Know About War, by Chris Hedges Whatever Happened to the Twelve Apostles? Article by Dr. Ken Curtis. 90,000 Christians Martyred in 2016 Information on the Roman Colosseum Information on the Arch of Titus Carving inside the Arch of Titus Detailed study on the Times of the Gentiles can be found in Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum's book Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events.

God loves Israel.  He loves the Jewish people. God loves them even though they reject His Son, Jesus.  In spite of this rejection, God is moving now to save Israel from its sin and to establish the Jewish people as a nation that loves Jesus Christ. Three Questions When will these things be? What will be the sign of your coming? And of the end of the age? Seven Events The seven key events that will precede the seven years of tribulation. 1. Restoration of Israel Ezekiel 20:33-38 Israel is gathered out of wrath and into judgment. Israel will come out of judgment believing on Jesus. See also Ezekiel 22:17-22; 36:22-24; Isaiah 11:11-12; Zephaniah 2:1-2. 2. Invasion of Israel Ezekiel 38:1-39:16 3. One-world government Daniel 7:23-24 4. World split into 10 kingdoms. Daniel 7:24 5. The rise of the Anti-Christ Daniel 7:24; II Thessalonians 2:1-3 6. A period of peace and security for Israel I Thessalonians 5:1-3 7. Israel signs a 7-year covenant with the Anti-Christ. Daniel 9:27 Resources Article on the Rapture The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, by Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum Chosen People Ministries Info: Chosen People Website I Found Shalom video series and free booklet Please Visit If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non-denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45.  We do have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift – a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today! Finally, please let us know if you believed on Jesus for salvation.  You can contact us by clicking HERE or going to www.wakefieldbible.org/contact-us/.

A time coming when all of this will end.  Some think it will be because of global warming. Others point to nuclear war.  Or maybe an asteroid strike.  But the real reason is God. God is going to put an end to all of this.  How do I know? Because God told us in His Bible. The important thing is not that the end is coming, nor even how it will all end. More importantly, have you accepted or rejected the person and work of Jesus Christ. I am a reluctant end-times preacher.  I know that many people love messages on the end-times. I also know that some of the great preachers expound on this subject. I’m not one of them. But here we are about to begin a study on Matthew 24 and 25, on what is called the Olivet Discourse.  Why, if I am reluctant, am I preaching on this topic?  Because Jesus said these words and I think it is important to study the words of Christ. And every day we get another day closer to the end. Let’s look at Matthew 24:1. In verse one we read that Jesus departed from the Temple and that the disciples pointed out to Him the temple buildings.  This seems insignificant.  So what if He left the Temple.  The point of this verse is that Jesus walked out of the Temple and He is not going back until He comes again.  How do I know this? Look at Matthew 23:39. So Jesus is saying that He is leaving the Temple and will not return until they welcome Him back.  What led to this departure? That is our subject today as we study the Rejection of Jesus Christ. Turn back to Matthew chapter 21. Go to verse 12. Matthew 21:12. Jesus has entered Jerusalem on the back of a colt, surrounded by people praising Him and waving Palms. This is the event from which we get Palm Sunday. He then goes to the Temple and drives out the money changers. Movies on the life of Jesus always include this scene. It usually portrays a wild-eyed Jesus, sometimes with a whip, flipping tables, and opening animal cages. The gospel of Mark records the same scene. But Mark adds something that I want to include. Put your finger in Matthew and flip over to Mark 11:15. Look at verse 16, Jesus stops people who were carrying, the NIV translates as “merchandise” the KJV says “vessels.” I’ve heard it taught that people, going about their business would cut across the Temple, using the Temple as a shortcut, to get from one side of town to another. But Ray Stedman, in his book What on Earth is Happening? gives a different point of view. He writes, "The word 'vessel' refers to a utensil of worship. Mark is telling us that Jesus not only shut down the commerce of the temple but He also shut down the religious rituals of the temple." (Stedman 22) I’m going to turn back to Matthew 21 and make this point. The Temple and its worship practices were offensive to God. Why? The Temple had become a place of merchandise instead of a place to worship God. And its worship, that too was hollow, empty. Why? Because they rejected the one they should be worshiping. Look at Matthew 21:14-15.The Temple leaders reject Christ not necessarily because He purged the Temple but because the people worshiped Him. The people were doing what those who ran the Temple did not do, they focused their worship on Jesus Christ, the Messiah – The Son of David. Let me pause and ask you to tell me about the place you worship. Where is its focus?  Does your place of worship declare Jesus Christ to be God? If not, then you are rejecting Jesus like these Temple leaders.  The people selling doves and the money changers were actually providing a valuable service to the Temple. The people needed these doves to participate in the worship and they needed Temple currency in order to give an offering. The service these people provided was not wrong. Rather it had overtaken the Temple. The buying and was the priority. Tell me about where you worship. Maybe your place of worship is about music, or caring for the poor, or educating children. These are good causes. But when these things become the focus, when a church is all about its music or its services, then the church is no longer about Jesus. Thus the church is no different than the Temple in Matthew 21.  And then you are rejecting God the Son. Now let’s turn to Matthew 21:33, to what is often called the Parable of the Tenants. The parable of the tenants is a story about a landowner who plants a vineyard then rents that vineyard to some farmers. These farmers are to work the vineyard while the owner is away. Now when the harvest comes the owner sends his servants to collect and the tenant farmers “beat one of the servants, kill another one, and stone the third.  Take a moment and read Matthew 21:37-45. My takeaway is this. The tenant farmers are the Chief Priests and the religious leaders of the day. The owner is God the Father. The son is Jesus.  The story tells me that the tenant farmers knew who the son was. They knew full and well who the son was yet they still killed him because they wanted to hold on to what they had. Likewise, the priests and the Pharisees knew who Jesus was, but still they wanted to put an end to Him. They wanted to kill Him so they could hold on to what they possessed. Some of you reading this know who Jesus is - God the Son - and you know what Jesus did – died on the cross for your sin – yet you still reject Him. Why do you not put your faith in Jesus? Why do you not make Jesus Lord of your life? Because you would rather hold on to the life you have. You know that Jesus is God and you understand that He died for your sins, yet you still reject Him. In the parable, the owner of the vineyard brought these wicked tenants to judgment. Don’t let this life, which you are trying to hold on to, cause you to be judged by God. Trust in Jesus. Admit that you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus, God the Son, died for your sin. Call upon God to save you. Do not continue to reject what you know is true. Believe on Jesus Christ. So and the end of Matthew 23:37-39 Jesus says his peace and walks out of the Temple. He will not return to the Temple until He comes again.  And every day the time for His return gets another day closer. Are you attending a place of worship that does not acknowledge Jesus as God – that focuses on things other than Jesus? You can try and change it, but you may have to leave and find a church that is Jesus-focused. Because until that happens you are in a place that rejects Jesus. And are you sitting here now, aware of who Jesus is and what He did for you, yet still you reject Him. Today is the day of salvation my friend. Stop what you are doing and ask Jesus to save you. Resources What on Earth is Happening?: What Jesus Said about the End of the Age by Ray C. Stedman Please Visit If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non-denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland. Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45.  We do have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids. And please let us know if you believed on Jesus for salvation. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift – a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today!

These days it seems that everyone is pursuing happiness.  We try just about anything to make ourselves happy.  But God has promised something greater to those that believe on Jesus Christ.  God promised joy. The Difference Happiness is external.  Happiness is based on our circumstances.  If you have a good meal, your happy.  If your loved one gives you a kiss, your happy. A good night's sleep and you're happy.  Happiness is external. Happiness is based on your circumstances. Joy is internal. And joy is not based on your circumstances.  True joy comes from God. Let's learn three simple truths about joy. Joy & Salvation Luke 10:17-20 teaches that joy should not be based on what we have done, but joy is to be based on our salvation. We respond in joy to God when we think about the great gift of salvation that God has given. We deserve death and hell.  God, though is merciful. God does not give you what you deserve. Instead He gives you eternal life with Him.  That makes us rejoice. Joy & The Spirit There is a dynamic element to joy.  Joy is eternal, but day to day, joy can change. Look at Galatians 5:16.  Believers are commanded to walk in the Spirit. Life is a journey, and as we walk God tells us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. What is the result of walking in this way? Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that joy is a fruit, or a result of walking in the Spirit.  Walk as you should and joy will flow out of you. Joy & Suffering When we suffer, joy is the correct response.  James 1:2 Why? Joy makes us stronger.  James 1:2-5 and 1 Peter 1:6-9 Suffering cannot remove your salvation, so joy is eternal.  Romans 8:38-39 Suffering allows us to experience the life of Christ.  Hebrews 12:2 How to Get Joy Joy comes when you put your trust in Jesus Christ, God the Son. All are removed from God.  Why? Because of sin.  So sin or sinful people can never be with God.  That means everyone is separated from God, because everyone has this sin problem. Romans 3:23 But God has provided a way.  He gave His Son Jesus that if you believe on Him you will have everlasting life.  John 3:16 Please turn away from your sinful ways and believe on Jesus. Believe that He died on the cross for YOUR SIN.  If you do this, then you will receive eternal life and you will receive eternal joy. Please Visit Faith in the Valley is recorded at Wakefield Valley Bible Church in New Windsor, Maryland.  We are less than 10 minutes from Westminster, Maryland.  Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45. Please bring the entire family.  You can learn more about the church at WakefieldBible.org. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift - a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today!    

I was recently reminded of my least favorite Bible verse. This verse is 1 Peter 1:16. Peter is quoting from Leviticus 11:44.   "Be holy, for I am holy." The reason it is my least favorite is because of the standard.  God has made himself the standard of holiness. It is this standard that we must all meet. We must measure our holiness next to God's. I cannot meet this standard and neither can you.  Everyone falls short of God's holiness.  Hebrews 12:14 makes it worse.  It says, without holiness, "no one will see the Lord." Before you get discourage let me share the good news. Although we can never meet God's standard, God has taken care of it.  In Jesus we are able to be holy. 1 Corinthians 1:30 teaches this fact. The word "sanctification" means holiness.  In Christ we have wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and salvation.  God took care of it. Why does God do this? Why does He give you Christ's wisdom, Christ's righteousness, and Christ's holiness?  He does it for His glory.  Look at 1 Corinthians 1:31. If God does something for His glory, then God will do it to the fullest. So the best place you can be is in Jesus Christ, because in Christ you are holy. How? How do you get to be "in Christ"?  Believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son and believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins. Everyone sins.  Because of this, everyone is separated from God. Remember, no one can meet God's standard for holiness.  This separation leads to hell. Romans 3:23 But if you believe on Jesus Christ you will be saved.  Acts 16:31 Your sins will be forgiven and you will receive the gift of God - eternal life in heaven with Him.  Romans 6:23 Please Visit If you want to know more about Wakefield Valley Bible Church please visit WakefieldBible.org.  We are a non denominational Bible church located in New Windsor, Maryland, just minutes from Westminster, Maryland.  Our Sunday morning service begins at 10:45.  We do have programs for the entire family, so bring the kids. And please let us know if you believed on Jesus for salvation. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift - a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today!    

Adoption stories are amazing!  Paperwork, travel, money, and then a child!  This child gets a new family and sometimes even a new name. When you believe on Jesus, God adopts you and makes you a member of His family. When God adopts you, He does three things: He gives you a new nature. He gives you a new name.  He gives you a new relationship. New Nature Romans 8:12-15 When you trusted in Christ, God gave you a new nature.  This new nature gives you power over sin. 2 Peter 1:3-4 God gave you everything you need to live this life in a godly way.  Believers are a partaker of the divine nature.  The believer now has power over sin. New Name God has given all believers a new name.  That new name is "a child of God." Romans 8:16-17 All humans are NOT children of God.  Only those that believe on Jesus receive this new name. New Relationship God also gave you a new relationship.  Believers have an intimate relationship with The Heavenly Father - God is now your daddy.  You can now approach God in boldness. Finally, God will never leave you nor forsake you.  This relationship is eternal. Closing Info Faith in the Valley is recorded at Wakefield Valley Bible Church.  Our morning service is at 10:45am.  You can find out more information at our website at www.WakefieldBible.org. Sign Up Get an email notification and a copy of the show notes whenever an episode is released. Just CLICK HERE to sign up and we will email you with a copy of the show notes and let you know when a new episode has been released.  At this time, all who sign up will receive a Special Gift - a Study Guide for the Gospel of John.  Sign up today!