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It's Friday, February 27th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Islamic State's ‘new phase' in Syria as U.S. military withdraws Within the last week, the Islamic State terror group has launched an unusual series of attacks in Syria, part of what it calls a “new phase of operations” against the 11-month-old Syrian government, reports International Christian Concern. Simultaneously, the United States is actively withdrawing from bases in the area. Fighting between Syrian government forces and U.S.-allied Kurdish forces has weakened the resistance faced by the Islamic State. The terrorist group has been relatively inactive in and around Syria since its territorial defeat in 2019, instead shifting its focus to Africa. Syrian President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa was previously a member of the Islamic State and is an avowed jihadist. While he's made bold public statements about his interest in peace and tolerance, forces associated with his government have repeatedly committed or allowed mass tragedies to take place. CNN: No clear Democratic presidential frontrunner CNN data analyst Harry Enten revealed that two years away from the 2028 Democratic presidential primary season, the party's prospects look dim, reports The Western Journal. Listen. ENTEN: “This is just a downright clown car at this point on the Democratic side. I mean, just take a look here: Top choices for the 2028 Dem. pres. nominee. You have a leader, but it's not really a clear leader. It's within the margin of error. You have [Gavin] Newsom at 19%, then you have former Vice President Kamala Harris at 18% -- quite a weak number for her, given that, of course, she was the nominee the last time around. Pete Buttigieg, who, of course, has run before: 13%. [Rep.] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [of New York] at 12%. “This is just a total clown car. It is a total mess. There is no clear front runner at this particular point on the Democratic side. This is very unusual for the Democratic side to not have a clear front runner. “At this point in 2020, when there was no incumbent, it was Joe Biden who was there, Hillary Clinton in both ‘08 and ‘16 and Al Gore in both 2000 and 2004 at this point were at least at 25%.” Picture leaked of Hillary Clinton in Epstein file inquiry Chaos erupted inside Hillary Clinton's Jeffrey Epstein deposition on Thursday after a Republican lawmaker took a photograph of her during the private session, reports the Daily Mail. Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert of Colorado snapped a picture of Hillary at the deposition, then leaked it to conservative influencer Benny Johnson who offered his thoughts. JOHNSON: “Lauren Bobert sent me this photo and told me I could publish it just to show everyone that Hillary Clinton is testifying. It's not a big deal. This is what Hillary Clinton looks like. But her entire team lost their minds over this and started screeching about this. There's nothing wrong with posting this photo. The Clintons themselves are the ones who demanded that there be media inside of the room. They wanted this all be live streamed on TV. So, what's wrong with this? They're just looking for an excuse to get out of this testimony. That's what's actually going on.” Hillary's lawyers asked that the proceedings be halted after the photograph began circulating on social media. Johnson spoke to Hillary's motive and claimed she had already lied in a press statement she released ahead of her testimony. JOHNSON: “She's already lied, by the way. She said that she didn't know Jeffrey Epstein, but that's not true. Not only did her husband, of course, have Jeffrey Epstein at the White House a million times, fly on his plane a million times, but Jeffrey Epstein's own emails show that he knew her multiple times. “In Jeffrey Epstein's emails, he talks about what Hillary Clinton looks like up close. He talks about meetings with Hillary Clinton. All these people are emailing Jeffrey Epstein saying, ‘Hey, man, we know that you know Hillary Clinton. Can you get me a meeting with her?' So, this seems like an obvious lie. And this is what they're trying to distract from because I posted a photo?” The former secretary of state was deposed at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center near the Clintons' home in Westchester County, New York, while Bill Clinton will testify today. Indiana: Christian adoptive families & agencies can affirm Biblical ethic On Wednesday, Indiana Republican Governor Mike Braun signed HB 1389, a bill that ensures families and Christian adoption and foster care groups that want to provide loving homes for kids are not pushed out because of their religious or moral beliefs, reports Alliance Defending Freedom. Greg Chafuen, Senior Counsel for the Christian legal rights group, said, “Every child deserves a loving home that can provide them stability and opportunities to grow. The sad reality is that the government in some states has discriminated against people of faith, allowing vulnerable children to suffer. Thankfully, Indiana has taken critical steps to prioritize the well-being of kids.” The anti-God forces reject the truth of Genesis 2:24 which says, “A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” How the late Jesse Jackson flip-flopped on abortion And finally, Rev. Jesse Jackson, who met his Creator on February 17th at the age of 84, was a civil rights activist and two-time presidential candidate in 1984 and 1988. Before he sold out to the abortion lobby in his aspiration to be Commander-in-Chief, LifeNews columnist Raimundo Rojas explained that Jackson “spoke with rare moral clarity about the child in the womb.” In a March 22,1973 interview, just two months after Roe v. Wade, Jackson told Jet magazine, “Abortion is genocide. Anything growing is living. … If you got the thrill to set the baby in motion, and you don't have the will to protect it, you're dishonest.” That same year Jackson said, "Abortion is too nice a word for something cold, like murder," according to the New York Times. In a column he wrote for National Right to Life News in January 1977, Jackson compared abortion to the old defenses of slavery. He warned that “the name has changed, but the game remains the same” when society strips the baby of protection. He spoke of new life with reverence, insisting, “It takes three to make a baby: a man, a woman, and the Holy Spirit.” Then ambition met party power. As Jesse Jackson moved toward a presidential run inside a Democratic Party that increasingly demanded loyalty to abortion, his public stance began to soften. By 1984, he described himself as “for freedom of choice, not pro-abortion,” and said that while he held a pro-life view, he did not want to “force” it on others through law. By 1988, he argued that “it is not right to impose private, religious and moral positions on public policy,” according to the Washington Post. Raimundo Rojas of LifeNews concluded, “The man who once called abortion genocide now treated his convictions as a private matter. Nothing in science or reason justified that turn. What changed was the political cost of speaking on behalf of the child. “His life holds a lesson for every believer and every political leader. You cannot keep your deepest convictions in one box and your public positions in another. Do not trade moral clarity for political convenience. Do not let party loyalty silence your conscience.” Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, February 27th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
In this episode, Preston Morrison dives into one of the most intense moments in the Gospels: Matthew 23. When Jesus looks at the religious people of His day and shouts "Woe!", He isn't just venting—He's performing a heart transplant. Preston breaks down why the harvest only goes to those who are actually ready to receive it, and how we might be sabotaging the very thing we're praying for. In this conversation, we're pulling back the curtain on: The Gatekeeper Problem: Are you using foolish arguments to shut the door of the Kingdom on people? Comfortable Hypocrisy: Why loving God is impossible if you're harboring hatred. The "Show Pony" Trap: Why cleaning up your outside for others to see is a waste of time if there's decay on the inside. Majoring on the Minors: Are you straining out gnats while swallowing camels? We discuss shifting our focus back to what God actually cares about. The Danger of Pride: Why the pride of a believer is actually a bigger spiritual threat than the attacks of the enemy. If you've ever felt like your spiritual life was becoming beautiful on the outside but dry on the inside—this episode is your wake-up call. It's time to stop dabbling in double standards and start living a life that invites people in.
These days we can see in numerous ways that there is great division across America. This was evident during last evening's State of the Union address by President Donald Trump. In fact, when asked if American citizens should be prioritized over illegal aliens, Democrats refused to stand in agreement. What the secular media won't tell you is that underlying this division is a great spiritual division. As Isaiah 5:20 puts it: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" We see this in America today where moral corruption has become rampant due to the inversion of what were once cherished values. The only way out is to turn back to God and righteousness on his terms because it's such righteousness that exalts a nation. Sin, however, is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). So join Jim as he reviews the President's speech, highlighting numerous points from policy decisions to national awards, as you'll hear via various audio clips.
11:37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? 11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 11:43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. 11:44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. 11:45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. 11:47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. 11:53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 12:3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
These days we can see in numerous ways that there is great division across America. This was evident during last evening's State of the Union address by President Donald Trump. In fact, when asked if American citizens should be prioritized over illegal aliens, Democrats refused to stand in agreement. What the secular media won't tell you is that underlying this division is a great spiritual division. As Isaiah 5:20 puts it: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" We see this in America today where moral corruption has become rampant due to the inversion of what were once cherished values. The only way out is to turn back to God and righteousness on his terms because it's such righteousness that exalts a nation. Sin, however, is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). So join Jim as he reviews the President's speech, highlighting numerous points from policy decisions to national awards, as you'll hear via various audio clips.
Episode 454 of the Everybody ESL podcast is a mini episode that teaches you the interesting phrase “Woe is me.” Send your questions about English and your comments and suggestions to EverybodyESL@gmail.com. (And let me know if you'd like to record the introduction to a future episode.)
One of the characters in the novel 1984 argues, “War is peace; freedom is slavery; ignorance is strength.” In a similar vein, Isaiah says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness”. Sounds a lot like our times, doesn't it! Today, Pastor Richard tells us how Israel and Judah forgot and disobeyed God, and yet He continued to call them back to Himself. Know that He will do the same for you.
Woe to the Hypocrites: Matthew 22:23-23:39 | Part 35 by Tim Hatch
The sacred geese have attempted to save Rome, but the siege of the Gauls is still not over! What could possibly happen next? We continue our deep dive into the events purported to all take place In 390 BCE.Despite the Romans apparently being surprised by the Gauls turning up on their doorstep, the Gauls have been in northern Italy for some time as far as we can trace archaeological evidence. The rumours that the Gauls came to central Italy in the search for cooler weather, but instead what they find is a city of Romans, and as the siege drags on, hygiene starts to emerge as a problem.Maybe we can come to an arrangement?The siege is getting tedious for both sides, so amidst the military encounters, conversations start about maybe bringing the siege to a close through mutual agreement. The details of the siege consequences include lack of food, issues with cadavers, and spread of disease. And it seems neither the Romans or the Gauls want to keep going with this situation.“Woe to the Conquered!”Those Gauls are pretty cheeky in the moment of coming to a monetary agreement to ensure they'll pack up their siege and leave Roman territory. Not only to they ask for 1000 pounds of gold, but they have the nerve to add some extra items to the scales to encourage the Romans to pay even more than this sum. Perhaps even worse, are our sources really telling us a story of Rome resisting the Gauls, or could it be the case that ALL the city was taken and the Romans were legitimately and completely defeated? We explore the possibilities. Where in the world is Camillus?Is he in Ardea pumping out a training montage with the locals in preparation to swoop in and rescue Rome? Or is waiting in the wings but misses his cue to come on stage leaving Rome to deal with the Gauls all by themselves? Our sources have some disagreements which we'll delve into.Things to listen out for:An origin story for Jupiter Pistor (Jupiter ‘the baker')The centrality or not of Camillus to the siege narrativeImportant references to “Eye of the Tiger” What are the Gauls interested in?What might colour the Romans' perceptions of the Gauls?Where did the Romans find 1000 POUNDS of gold????The role of the Roman matrons in saving the CityThe tricky legacy of who paid the ransom to the Gauls and what happens afterwards…For our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In episode #164 Veronica and Laurie share writing and self-publishing tips, ISBNs, industry news, literary grants, quotes, new segment stings and more. Laurie catches up with thriller author Naomi Shippen about her latest book Before She Killed Him. Plus seven spectacular book spotlights. Book spotlights:1. All we need by Magdalena McGuire – contemporary2. Songs of Shadow, Words of Woe by Matthew R. Davis – horror3. Stormy Normy Goes Reining by Leisa Fail - middle grade4. The Sky's Edge by Clare Anne McGrory – thriller5. A Child Called Faye by Jess Senff – fantasy6. Billion Dollar Blindspot: What is Your Workplace Culture Costing You? By Hacia Atherton – non-fiction7. Bird Deity by John Morrissey – science fictionIntro - 00:57Publishing tips - 4:20Industry news - 17:35Book spotlights - 22:43Author interview - 41:40Post interview chat - 1:24:26Quotes - 1:26:27Support the showThanks for listening.Visit australianbooklovers.com to learn more.
It's Monday, February 16th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims killed 300: How you can help! The Muslims continue to kill Catholics and Protestants in Nigeria, Africa. On February 10th, suspected Fulani Muslim militants killed more than 100 people in the Southern Taraba State, and injured thousands more, reports International Christian Concern. Armed attackers arrived in the early morning hours, when residents were asleep, unleashing gunfire and setting homes, churches, and harvested crops ablaze. And on February 3rd, Muslims killed over two hundred people in remote villages in Kwara, Katsina and Benue States, reports Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Many of the victims were found with their hands bound behind their backs and their throats cut. The dead included women and children. Judd Saul, Founder of Equipping the Persecuted, wrote, “Entire villages in the Middle Belt have been attacked. Pastors targeted. Families burned out of their homes. Survivors are now fleeing with nothing — grieving, wounded, and traumatized.” He added, “While the killing continues, something significant is finally happening in Washington, DC. After six years of relentless advocacy, briefings, intelligence reports, and meetings, legislation has now been introduced to protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria.” Republican Congressmen Riley Moore of West Virginia and Chris Smith of New Jersey introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026. Rep. Smith said, “Now that President Trump has rightly redesignated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,' the United States has a responsibility to do its due diligence in ensuring that the Nigerian government is taking the proper steps to address and punish the systemic violence against Christians and non-radical Muslims by Islamist extremists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists.” Call your Representative today at 202-225-3121. Ask him or her to co-sponsor the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get a live operator who will connect you to the Rep.'s office. If it's after hours, just leave a voicemail with your name, phone number and the name of the bill. That number again is 202-225-3121. And prayerfully consider sending a much-need donation to Equipping the Persecuted that works with Nigerian Christians on the ground. The website is www.EquippingThePersecuted.org Assemblies of God pastor accused of sexual abuse for 20 years Pastor Rod Loy, who leads First Assembly of God in Little Rock, Arkansas has stepped aside from his role. He will face an investigation following a recent lawsuit from a former member who claims he sexually abused her for 20 years, beginning when she was 16, reports The Christian Post. Loy's church was ranked as the third-largest Assemblies of God congregation in the United States, with more than 16,500 members in 2017. It also helped to plant more than 1,350 churches in 63 nations. The claims of abuse are detailed in a civil lawsuit filed by 45-year-old Suzanne Lander in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas, on January 26. The lawsuit claims, “Defendant Loy exploited his position as a trusted spiritual leader to systematically groom, manipulate, and sexually abuse a vulnerable sixteen-year-old girl who had survived years of parental sexual abuse and trafficking, [He] used religious teachings and scripture to convince Plaintiff that God wanted her to submit to his sexual demands, telling her repeatedly that performing sexual acts pleased God and made her better in God's eyes.” Lander alleges that “only months” after she began attending the church as a teenager in 1996, Loy, who was then serving as executive pastor, “initiated sexual abuse.” Lander alleged that Loy told her that God wanted her to please him sexually and shockingly used Scriptures like Hebrews 13:17 to get her to comply. It says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” The lawsuit alleges that Loy's abuse of Lander spanned from 1996 to 2016, including while she was married. Matthew 18:6 says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Pastor Loy, age 59, denies all the allegations, reports HelpingSurvivors.org. And the church reported that the investigation found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. Church leaders further emphasized that both Pastor Loy and the board “vehemently deny these claims” and are preparing to defend themselves in court. Father not allowed to opt 5-year-old son out of LGBT propaganda A Massachusetts judge has ruled that a father cannot pull his 5-year-old son out of kindergarten lessons that promote homosexual propaganda, reports Fox News. Last Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor issued a memorandum ruling in favor of Lexington Public Schools regarding two books in the kindergarten curriculum. Judge Saylor said the two disputed books, Pink Is for Boys and Except When They Don't, do not fall under the opt-out provision because they focus on gender stereotypes rather than explicit themes. Isaiah 5:20 declares, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” Gloria Gaither offers a sobering warning to Christian music industry And finally, Christian songwriter Gloria Gaither addressed a roomful of young people in the Christian music industry, reports GodTube.com. Listen. GAITHER: “I don't know what's next. I'm scared about AI [Artificial Intelligence]. You are here as a guardian of the real. That's what we're trusting you to do. And we're going to die and leave that to you. And I want you all to know that we understand the value of you, and especially because we have no idea how to do what you are doing to make 10 billion hits on whatever streams those are. “It doesn't matter. That technology is going to change. You're going to be antiquated too, but your heart is not going to be antiquated.” Together with her husband Bill, they've written 700 songs. Mrs. Gaither addressed the Christian song writers in the room and offered a sober warning. GLORIA GAITHER: “I am 83.” BILL GAITHER: “A good looking 83.” (laughter) GLORIA GAITHER: “I still believe that if I write a song and I shoot it into the air, I have no idea where it's going to land and what life it's going to change. But we've been doing this long enough to get the letters back from Australia and South Africa, and all over the planet, that said, ‘That arrow landed in my heart.' “I believe in art. When everybody is arguing, and all the debates are done and the news is turned off, art will still speak. And it will bring together people that think they hate each other. Movies do it, but nothing does it like a song. Nothing. It is distilled into three minutes of total power. Trust me. And, if you have a gift for making that, be a good steward of it because that power is dangerous in the wrong hands.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, February 16th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
It is necessary for the orderly functioning of life for there to be those in authority to approve and oversee what is to be done. This is essential for the proper functioning of life, but is it so in every case? In particular, is it so with Christianity? Jesus was the authority until he ascended to heaven. Then the Apostles were given special Holy Spirit powers to exercise authority. An outstanding example was the drama with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5 v.1-11) who told lies to the Apostles, but Peter said, “You have not lied to men but to God.” [v.4]Our thoughts on this question arose from today's reading in Mark 11 where we read, “as he (Jesus) was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and elders came to him and they said to him, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” [v.27-28] These men were the bosses, no one was supposed to teach unless they gave them authority, this is one reason why John the Baptist went into the wilderness to preach. It was this exercise of authority that saw the disciples thrown into prison when they taught in the temple (Acts 4 v.1-3) although later, such was the prestige of the Apostles, created by their miracles, that dramatic scenes unfolded. (Acts 5 v.12,13,17-20), but “none of the rest dared join them.” History shows that as the early believers evolved into large established churches these churches too began to exercise an attitude of authority climaxing in the power of the Pope and the cardinal system. In the Middle Ages, if you were not appointment by church authorities to minister in a church, you had no authority to preach. Some, such as John Bunyan, were put in prison for doing so.But as we will read at the end of Mark's Gospel, Jesus said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved …” [16 v.15,16]. That authority is given to everyone, so we all have the responsibility to share our faith. Paul challenges us when he expresses this responsibility in the bluntest terms, “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” [1 Cor.9 v.16]
#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-1dba0921dabb2b4f9960c5ca4ff8e679{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-1dba0921dabb2b4f9960c5ca4ff8e679 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-1dba0921dabb2b4f9960c5ca4ff8e679 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – February 15Luke 6:12-36 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – February 15 Luke 6:12-36 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0215db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Luke 6 Jesus Sends Out the Twelve 12 It happened in those days that Jesus went up on the mountain to pray, and he spent all night in prayer to God. 13 When it was day, he summoned his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also called apostles: 14 Simon, whom he also named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, also Simon, who was called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. Jesus Heals Many 17 He went down with them and stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples and a large number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, as well as from the coastal area of Tyre and Sidon. These people came to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. 18 Those who were troubled by unclean spirits were also cured. 19 The whole crowd kept trying to touch him, because power was going out from him and healing them all. Blessings and Woes 20 He lifted up his eyes to his disciples and said: Blessed are you who are poor, because yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, because you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, because you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you whenever people hate you, and whenever they exclude and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy because of this: Your reward is great in heaven! The fact is, their fathers constantly did the same things to the prophets.” 24 But woe to you who are rich, because you are receiving your comfort now. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, because you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, because you will be mourning and weeping. 26 Woe to you when all people speak well of you, because that is how their fathers constantly treated the false prophets. Love Your Enemies 27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other too. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes away your things, do not demand them back. 31 “Treat others just as you would want them to treat you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? To be sure, even the sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners do the same thing. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even the sinners lend to sinners in order to be paid back in full. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the unthankful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo
Water into Wine - Jesus' First Miracle (Sermon Series on John) - Sunday, 15th February 2026[Episode 9 - John Chapter 2 KJV]Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”Isaiah 5:11: “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”Isaiah 28:7 “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way.”Proverbs 31:4-5: “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”Isaiah 5:22: “Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”Leviticus 10:9 (a command to priests): “Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die.”Habakkuk 2:15: “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.”If we stood at a table with biblical wine, modern wine, and modern spirits, we'd see a progression of strength. Biblical wine—often diluted—was gentle, maybe 5 to 10 percent( strong drink, diluted 3%). Today's wine, undiluted, stands around 12 to 15 percent, a bit bolder. And then, modern spirits—like vodka at 40 percent—tower over them both. In essence, what began as a mild companion to daily life has evolved into something that demands respect, moderation, and a designated driver1. They have no wine! John 2:1-3 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.2. What have I to do with you mother?John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.3. My hour is not yet come.John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.4. Do what ever He says.John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.5. The miracleJohn 2:6-8 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.6. His disciples believed on Him.John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Woe to us! (8:13)The pain caused by demonic beings on planet earth ( 9:1-12)The death caused by demonic beings on planet earth (9:13-19)The hard hearted rejection by beings on planet earth (9:20-21)
Woe to us! (8:13)The pain caused by demonic beings on planet earth ( 9:1-12)The death caused by demonic beings on planet earth (9:13-19)The hard hearted rejection by beings on planet earth (9:20-21)
Matthew 11:20-24: 20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”
Audio Transcript All right, well, beautiful singing. So I’ve not met you. My name is Aaron and I’m the preaching pastor here. And we’re glad you’re with us. I know sickness is kind of spreading around right now, and so I’m glad that you’re well enough to be with us this morning. So if you have a Bible with you, could open up to the Gospel of Luke. Our texture study today is going to be Luke 6, 2020. If you don’t have a Bible with you, there are pew Bibles kind of scattered throughout if you want to find your way there to Luke 6. Also, the word should be on the screen on either end of the stage if you want to follow along there. And if you’re visiting, if you open up your Bible, please do keep them open. So we do a style of preaching here. Actually, we talk about this in a sermon called Expository Preaching. So I’m going to read the passage, we’re going to pray, and then I’m going to walk us right back through the text. And so please do keep your Bibles open in this time. So Luke 6 starting verse 20. So please hear the words of our God. So Luke wrote, and he lifted up his eyes on disciples and said, blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil on account of the Son of man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. For behold, your reward is great in heaven. For so their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. So that’s God’s word for us this morning. Would you please pray with me? Lord, thank you for your word. And Lord, please help me to be a good communicator of your word today. Please give the congregation ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. I pray this all in Jesus name. Amen. Okay, so if you’ve been around here, you know every story starts out, at least for mine. So there we were. So there you were, myself and a man from our home church in Greenway, Wisconsin, and we’re getting together for breakfast. And this is Shortly before my wife, Tia and I were about to move to Louisville, Kentucky for seminary. Now, the man I got breakfast with that morning from our home church is actually a very influential, strong leader in his field. Before he retired, actually, he was the CEO of one of the largest and most profitable companies in the state. Over 7 billion in annual sales. And we got together that morning for breakfast. My friend had a bit of a surprise for me that was very much tied to sobering encouragement that he wanted me to have. Surprise he had for me was an autographed baseball. A baseball that I actually received through some personal connections to a legendary player who signed it for me, a former player, an all time great player named Hank Aaron, who played a good portion of his career for the Milwaukee Braves before that team relocated to Atlanta and then finished up his career for my beloved Milwaukee Brewers. And Hank Aaron not only is one of the greatest players of all time, but he also was my dad’s favorite player when he was growing up. A player that he just adored when Aaron played for both the Braves and the Brewers. In fact, my dad loved Hank Aaron so much that I was born. He named me Aaron after him. And this is something actually my friend knew, and this is one of the reasons why he got this autographed baseball for me, because he knew that it meant a lot to me to have that ball. It’s a pretty sweet gift, pretty thoughtful. But what made that ball even more sweet, even more thoughtful was the sobering encouragement tied to the ball that my friend also wanted to pass on to me. And that sobering encouragement from my friend was reminded me of a different man named Aaron. Not his last name, but his first name, Aaron. Aaron from the Old Testament, who was the brother of Moses. You may remember that now if you remember Moses. So he’s a great leader and prophet, but he also had a stuttering problem. So much so that Moses actually pleaded with the Lord to provide someone who could speak on his behalf, which ended up being his brother Aaron. As Moses spoke on behalf of, or as Aaron spoke on behalf of Moses the prophet who was speaking on behalf of God himself. And for my friend, his sobering encouragement to me through this ball, as I was about to head off to seminary to hopefully get trained to be a preacher, was that every time I look at this baseball, which is currently sitting amidst all my sports treasures in my basement ball, that I see often, by the way, college students, if you’re planning to come to my house next week for pass the pass pastor’s house, I’ll show it to You. But as I look at this baseball with the name Aaron on it, my friend hoped I had the sober encouragement that as I preach like Aaron for Moses, as I preach, I’m speaking on behalf of God from His perfect holy word. Now, obviously, I’m not a prophet like Aaron was as a preacher, but preaching still is speaking God’s word to his people, which, my friend, he wanted this to be a sobering truth for me, sobering as I went to seminary to study there, to study hard, to put forth my best effort in that seminary experience. You also want to be sobering for me one day as I write sermons, as I prep for sermons the way I should, to never cut corners, to give my best effort each sermon I write. You want to be sobering for me as I deliver sermons every time I stand behind the pulpit, that there should be a real, sober sense of what I’m doing, because the weighty responsibility and privilege it is to communicate God’s word. Now, I tell you all this this morning, so sobering this should be for me every time I do this, but maybe even more sobering for me this week, because this week and actually the next couple weeks, my assignment is to preach you from God’s perfect holy word on a passage that is often viewed as the greatest sermon of all time. Meaning my attempt is to give you a sermon from the greatest of all sermons, a sermon that was given by the Lord Jesus Christ, one that he actually gave on more than one occasion. If you’re with us, last week Wes actually mentioned this. I’m going to mention it again today. The sermon we’re about to go through is often referred to as a sermon on the plain, as we learned in our text last week. Verse 17. If you want to take your eyes there, that Jesus gave this sermon, he was standing on a level place. And this sermon on the plain that Luke records is very similar in content to perhaps the most famous of all sermons, that Jesus gave, the Sermon on the Mount, which is recorded in Matthew 5, where Jesus gave that the side of a mountain. Now, I will mention that for some, the Sermon on the Plain here in Luke 6, as well as the Sermon on the mount in Matthew 5. Some believe this actually is like the same event of the exact same sermon. So perhaps there was maybe like a little bit of a plateau on the mountain that gave a level ground for Jesus to preach. And while it is possible that Matthew 5 and Luke 6 record the same event, the exact same sermon, there’s enough little details between the Sermon on the Mount and the sermon on the plain that led many, myself included, to believe these are actually two different events where Jesus preached to two different people, but basically gave the same sermon two different times. You know, as mentioned, to two different people groups, which, by the way, this is actually not a problem. Jesus gave the same sermon at least two times, so. So in this time frame, rabbis are annoying, giving like the same teachings on multiple occasions throughout history, church history, many pastors, myself included, have preached the same passage more than once, where the sermons are very similar. In fact, maybe the most famous sermon, at least in our culture here, that God used to help ignite the Great Awakening first Great Awakening, the sermon titled Sinners in the Hands of Angry God. Maybe you heard that one by Jonathan Edwards. He actually preached that on multiple occasions. So it’s not an issue that Jesus preached the same basic sermon more than once. In fact, knowing that Jesus preached this same basic sermon more than once probably just highlights how important of a message this was from our Lord, which for me further underscores why this is often viewed as the greatest sermon of all time. Okay, now before we get to the text, the sermon that Luke records, just a few things, just a reminder where we’ve been the last few weeks. So. So the ministry of Jesus is now very much in public view. He’s become like the trending topic all over the region, leading more and more to come to him as great crowds were forming around our Lord. And from these crowds included some who Jesus uniquely called to himself to be his disciples, which included some fishermen who we met in chapter five, a despised tax collector who we met in the beginning of chapter six, as well as those listed in our text. Last week, in the middle of chapter six, where none of the disciples seem to be like popular people or influential people, rather they just seem to be like normal, everyday common people like you and me. Yet in his grace, in his wisdom, that is who the Lord Jesus called uniquely to himself, where he’d use these men to become his apostles that in time would like, he would use to completely set the world on his head. Furthermore, as mentioned in previous sermons, but I wanted to mention this again here, as the public ministry of Jesus is in full swing, as the crowds of people are coming to Him. No doubt a large part were coming because of the signs and wonders that Jesus was performing through various healings as well as like exorcism of demons. But the primary reason why the crowds were forming around Jesus because of the primary ministry he had, was actually preaching and teaching, which by the way, would also be the primary ministry that his disciples would have as disciples would be used by God, as mentioned, to turn the world on his head through preaching. So all the different things happening around Jesus, all the things signs he was performing, yet preaching, teaching, giving sermons like the one that we’re about to look at in the text, this is at the center, this is at the focal point of Jesus’s ministry. Which actually leads to the second thing I want to mention here this morning as it relates to sermons and the sermon on the greatest of all sermons of Jesus. The main focus I have to you this morning is to communicate to you from the text, what does the text say? However, as we work through this sermon, the sermon on the plane, I also want to just give you something that I did for myself personally this week was to try to pull insights from the sermon when it comes to preaching. So this is actually a good exercise for me this week as one who preaches often and I thought it would be a good exercise for us as a church as a whole today just to kind of help us think about preaching. What does it look like? What does that mean? Why is it so important mentioned? This is at the heart of the ministry of Jesus and hopefully it means it’s at the heart of our ministry here at Red Village Church as well. We desire preaching and teaching to be the focal point of our church. Not that other things in church life are important, but the pulpit is to me remains central. Many others throughout church history have said as the pulpit goes, so does the rest of the church. So as members, yes, pray for sermons, keep the pulpit accountable. And for some, you at some point you maybe are moving out of Madison. You have to look for another church. Unite to. There are many factors for you to consider discern as you’re trying to find a church. But the pulpit, the sermons really ought to be at the top of your priority list where there’s a steady diet of expositional Christ centered preaching. I hope I do feel for us in this time. So if that is a little bit longer intro, look back with me in the text on the sermon on the plain, they would be looking at just the start of the sermon, verses 20 through 26. So verse 20 we see in the passage that as Jesus stood on the level place, the plain, we see in the text that he began the sermon by lifting up his eyes on his disciples. Okay, not ready. Just a couple things. So first the lifting up of eyes. So commentary is read this week signified from Jesus that there’s like resolve in him, like he has resolve as he’s about to speak mean this is going to be some type of like casual conversation from his pulpit on the plane. Rather, Jesus is about to speak in ways that carried weight significance. Let’s go back to the story I began the sermon with. That’s what my friend was trying to impress upon me. When it comes to preaching, there ought to be a real weight significance that preachers are to understand as they communicate God’s word. By the way, as a church, this is why we pray for those who fill the pulpit, myself included, the preachers will preach with like resolve, resolve to you, the congregation that you have resolve. Actually you take in sermons, right? This should not be something that’s like casual lackadaisical for any of us. A lot of different points. The sermons can have some light hearted elements tied to them, but overall the tone, the tenor should have like sober minded resolve. That’s what Jesus has as he looks up as the disciples. Second, the sermon that Jesus was about to give was primarily meant for his disciples, those he named, verses 14 through 16 that Wes gave us last week. Now I assume other people are there who are listening in. In fact we get the sense when we get to verse 24 does seem like Jesus changes the primary audience that he’s talking to for just a bit there. But the first primary audience of this sermon was to disciples, those who were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the risk of trying to push this too far, but unless the sermon is clearly intended for those who are not Christian, with some type of evangelistic thrust to it, which Scripture tells us is a thing, sermons, particularly in church life, the primary audience is meant for disciples to teach disciples of Jesus, those who are trusting in him, what it looks like to joyfully follow and obey him, which is certainly the case in this sermon that Jesus gave on the plane, right? This is not a sermon on how one becomes a follower of Jesus, which comes through repentance and faith. Rather, this is a sermon for those who are disciples, those who have repented, who have trusted in Jesus, as Jesus is going to help them to know how to live out their faith in ways that honor him. As Jesus looks at his disciples, we see him begin the sermon, which in our time today this will be in two parts. So the first part will revolve around the blessings that comes by faithfully following after him. Which by the way, this is why this sermon started. It as well as the Sermon on the Mount is often referred to as like the Beatitudes of Jesus with the beatitude word for like blessing. So the first part of the sermon are blessings from Christ. But then the second part, this is a series of woes, strong rebukes for actually not following after him. And we get to the woes. This is the section where I think there’s a little bit of a change in who Jesus is communicating to, as the woes have actually a bit of evangelistic thrust to them, to those who are on the plane who are not yet disciples of Christ, as Jesus is warning them that if they do not repent and believe in him, what would happen? Let’s go back to the blessings, and I want to say I’m going to read them as a whole again with the hopes of like kind of rereading these as a whole. Just capture some of the weight, momentum that I think is there in the sermon of Jesus. And after rereading it again, let me just point out a few things. So look back with me again. John, verse 20. He, Jesus told them, blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry, for you should be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you should be satisfied. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, and when they revile you and spur your name as evil on account of the Son of man. Verse 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for your reward is great in heaven. For so their fathers did so, for the fathers did so to the prophets. Okay, now just to break this up, a few things I want to point out. So first, just this term, blessing or blessed. So this is a term or phrase that’s actually scattered throughout Scripture, particularly in the Old Testament, where the word blessing is often correlated with wisdom, particularly wisdom in this life. Now, this week I thought about Psalm 1, and I did kind of wonder if Jesus maybe had this passage in mind as he gave this sermon. So in Psalm 1, so blessed or happy is the man who walks in this life in the wisdom of God, where this blessed happy one in this life does not associate with evil. Rather, the blessed happy man is the one who delights in God’s word and obeying God’s word, what plants him like a tree by streams of water. And while the sermon on the plain, this teaching of Jesus on wisdom certainly is tying to some stuff in this life. But it’s a little different in that Jesus connects the ultimate blessing, the ultimate happiness, not in this life, which so much of the Old Testament is, but rather in the life that is to come, the eternal life that Jesus would usher in. So look back with Me again just to see the forward pointing blessedness that Jesus preached on that was to come for his people. So verse 20. Yes, you’re poor now, but for yours is the kingdom of God, which is the kingdom of God that is, yes, here, now. But a kingdom, the fullness of, of it is still yet to come. And when the fullness of kingdom comes, that’s where the fullness of blessedness, happiness will be found, in the life that is to come. Verse 21. Sure, you are hungry in the here and now, but look ahead, you will be satisfied. The future will come and you will be satisfied. Yes, in the here and now, in this life you weep, but in the future, there is a time that is going to come that you will laugh. Yes, in the here and now, in this life there might be people who hate you and exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil because of your faith in Christ. But look ahead to the future, you will rejoice, you will leap for joy, because in heaven there awaits a reward for you. And for us, this is actually really important for us as we think about being disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, in this life we live with wisdom, but we do so even more with our eyes towards that which is to come. That is where wisdom is set to faithfully live out this life with an eye towards that which will last forever. And this is actually so much of the teaching and preaching of Jesus on, on the better country that is to come, the heavenly one, as Jesus reminds us, the scripture reminds us that we’re simply sojourners, pilgrims headed to the promised land. And that’s where the blessedness will fully be experienced, this eternal reality that waits God’s people. Which by the way, this is why we strive to seek up, to store up treasures in heaven. This is why we poured our lives as offering, as an offering to service to God and others. This is why we’re even willing to suffer in this life for the cause of Jesus. Because we know that our suffering is not in vain. To know that one day our eyes will be our tears and our eyes will be dried. That this will all be temporary. And as that day comes, we’ll be replaced with blessedness, with joy, with rejoicing. Second, in this sermon, Jesus is helping his disciples understand the reality that as we live out our faith like in this life, it might bring some painful, unpleasant realities that we’ll have to endure. In the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus talked about the reality of potentially being poor. In the Sermon on the Mount speaks Of being poor in spirit, which is tied to humility and as maybe this is what Jesus is referring to here, the sermon on the plain. But to me this actually feels like Jesus is speaking towards like financial poverty of being poor. Where many throughout church history, including the 12 disciples falling after Jesus in his life, would bring like financial hardships for a host of different reasons which because of financial hardships at times in this present life, in this sermon, God’s people had to battle real physical hunger. Although we mentioned here, the hunger here could also be a hungering for righteousness with the sermon the Mount speaks to. However, I do think that Jesus is actually speaking towards like physical hunger here where plenty throughout church history, including his disciples. They didn’t always know where their next meal might come from, which adds meanings to like the Lord’s Prayer and give us our daily bread. Furthermore, in this life many Christians have faced hardships for being disciples of Jesus. Hardships that even the prophets had to endure. Hardships in the text has caused many to weep. Weeping that has come because of others have hated them or excluded them from certain things. Weeping because of how their name has been reviled and spurned as evil simply because of their faith in Jesus, the Son of Man. Yes, as a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, we live with the joy of eternal life that is to come, which is a joy that we can even experience in different measures in this life. However, that being said in this sermon, for disciples of Jesus, if we faithfully live out our faith, pain, difficulty, hardships, they can be a reality. A reality is part of the cost of following after Christ. A cost that we must count. A cost that many throughout history, including many today face. For us, this is like a hard truth that Jesus is giving to his disciples in this sermon on the plain. This is not like an easy thing for them to hear or for us to hear, which by the way also should be part of what preaching should have. Where at times, as the text calls for it, hard things need to be said, hard things need to be heard. Scripture warns us that sermons just can’t be there just like to tickle our ears, to just maybe tell us what we want to hear. Rather to tell us the hard truth like this, the sermon that we need to hear. As you keep going. As hard as it would have been for disciples to hear this, how being a disciple could bring a lot of hardships towards them in this life, hard things could come their way, but it actually would have been a harder truth for those who are like listening in, who are not yet his disciples, which, by the way, I do recognize might be somewhat true for some of us here this morning. That you’re here, we’re grateful you’re here, but you’re here, you’re not yet a follower of Christ. So in this sermon, after the four blessings, blessings that come for those who by faith follow him, we see in verses 24 through 26, we now see Jesus pronounced four woes, woes that come for not following him. Woes. If you’re not a Christian, I actually want to plead with you to hear hears. It’s almost like ice water, like running down your back, back that causes you to like to wake up and to by faith run to Jesus and the blessedness that he is. So let’s read through the woes again. I want to read them the same way I read through the blessings and ways that hopefully create some momentum and weight that the sermon Jesus had. And then I want to circle back to give some details, details on the Wo. So verse 24 says, but woe to you who are rich, for you received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did, the false prophets. Okay, now a few things here. So first, the four woes, these obviously stand in sharp contrast to the four blessings that Jesus started his sermon with. And this woe here, this is actually used by Jesus in very forceful ways where he’s still having like, resolve in his eyes as he communicates these woes, where through these woes, Jesus communicated like a declaration of like, judgment and misery from God on those who reject him. So I mentioned this in the past, but I want to mention this again. So in Scripture, there’s. There’s really only two ways that one can live. There’s a blessed way that comes from following Jesus, that will result in eternal life with him. But then there’s the woeful way of judgment and misery that will come with eternity apart from Jesus. Since Scripture does not give us some type of middle ground option, yes, this is a hard but important truth for us to hear to understand. This life is headed to two different, very different realities. The blessed way, the woeful way. Second, this word woe is actually something we also see throughout the Old Testament, much like we see the word blessing throughout the Old Testament, where throughout the Old Testament there’s actually woes given to God’s people for entertaining false prophets. What the sermon speaks upon and for us, I think maybe a little bit more subtle ways. So Jesus was giving his sermon here on the plain. This is like a sermon based on scripture, as Jesus is expounding, expositing scripture in light of himself. And this is actually one of the main reasons why we believe expository preaching is so important. If Jesus preached God’s word, should not every preacher and every sermon preach God’s word? Third, do you notice how the four woes, like the four blessings also are grounded in what? That. That which lies ahead. We’re in the kingdom of God as it fully comes. Like everything’s like turned around. We’re in this life. For the Christians who are suffering through hardship, in the end they’re going to be rewarded with blessing upon blessing, the fullness of joy and happiness for all eternity as you get to be with Jesus. But for those who reject God, who might be like receiving some benefits here and now, but in the end, not only will those benefits be removed, but with misery that will never wane. So back to the text. So sure, in this present life one can get rich without God in their life and enjoy some of the temporary benefits that wealth can offer. Where yes, those riches you can use to fill up your stomach. Where yes, in this life one can laugh it up and receive some type of like worldly praise. But if that’s all you have in this life, that’s all you have without God. In the end, not only will those things all vanish, but as mentioned, they’ll be replaced with misery. A couple things just on this back to winter earlier. So poor and hungry. This is why I think real physical poverty. Hungry is what Jesus is speaking to here. Not speaking about some type of poor in spirit or hunger and righteousness. This is how the rich and the full are used. So I think it’s meant to be. In contrast, second, having wealth, a full belly, laughter, reputation, others admire. So none of those things are wrong in themselves in this life. Okay, so don’t be mistaken there. In fact, in this life, those things actually be like blessings from, from God. In this life, the problem lies if we have those things apart from Christ, where these things almost become like idols to us that we’re putting like our hope and our trust in like wealth or reputation. That’s the problem, A problem that we actually must be warned of because those idols in the end will be idols that proved to be vain, where in the end they will not satisfy you, they will not in the end make you happy, they will not deliver to you what you need, which is forgiveness of sin and eternal blessedness of heaven. Only Jesus can offer those things through his death, through his resurrection from the dead, right? Those things in himself are not wrong. In the end, if you do not have Jesus, they’re in vain. They will not satisfy. They will lead you to misery. Which, by the way, kind of on that note, this is why every sermon should point us to Jesus Christ as the only one who will satisfy, as the one that we do desperately need, the One who loves us in such a way that he would die for us to take on all of the woes of God on the cross, where Jesus bore all of the misery, eternal misery upon himself to bear the punishment of our sin, so that through him we could find forgiveness and eternal life and joy forever and ever. Which leads to the conclusion of our sermon today. So let me just get a couple just summary thoughts on this greatest of all sermons of Jesus. So the first two will just be from the text and the last one is just from sermons. So first let God’s Word teach us that which is true. This is why the preaching and teaching was at the center of Jesus’s ministry, right? Jesus is the the way, the truth and the life. And he came to teach us the truth so that by the truth, the truth of God’s Word, that’s how we can be set free. So that by the truth we could have life, abundant life, both now and in eternity. While a sermon might be hard for us to digest, maybe some of the truths here in this passage might be hard for us to digest. These are truths that we need to hear, truths that we need to know, truths we need to believe in, truths we must obey, right? These hard truths are connected to the blessings of God. These harder truths are also connected to the woes of God. So we must hear that which is true. Second thing to where these truths of this text are pointing us to is we’re to live our life in light of eternal life that is to come and the kingdom of God that Jesus promises one day to usher in. So if this is it, just like just this life, nothing more, then sure, eat, drink, be merry, live for self, enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. But Scripture is so clear, including the sermon here from Jesus. The truth is, there’s so much more than just the here and now. There is an eternal life that is to come that for those who have faith in Christ will be the blessed life. Living with Christ in the heavenly places, experiencing the fullness of his joy in the new heavens and new earth. Let’s say it again. For those who reject him, there’s a life of eternal misery and judgment of sin for us. We must live our life in light of this eternal reality that is to come. Even though there could be a great cost in this life for doing so. Cost like suffering and pain. However, we must trust what our suffering that we might suffer for our faith in Christ and eternal life. Not only will Jesus fully comfort us in the text, he will even reward us when the sermon says even a great reward which reward whenever suffering we have in this life. As we get that rewards we’re with Jesus. Any suffering will feel slight and momentary in comparison to the weight of glory that awaits. And by the way, if you’re looking for some help on maybe how to think ahead, like how to live your life with an eternal like view. So there’s great ministry that is called Eternal Perspectives and I find it pretty helpful. So established by a former pastor named Randy Elkhorn who wrote one of my favorite books. I haven’t mentioned this in a little while, so I’ll mention it again. Book called Heaven. And so if you’d want some help to try to think through, you know, how do you live your life in ways that’s looking ahead, you know, I would look to eternal perspective ministry. Read the book on heaven. Especially now if you’re looking to try to read a book for the stretch run of winter that we have left, that’s one I’d recommend. Okay, last one. So be sober minded about preaching. Which brings us back to the start, what my friend wanted me to have as a preacher. But it’s actually not just preachers who are to be sober minded when it comes to preaching. The congregation should as well. Now, when it comes to preaching, obviously none of us can preach a sermon like Jesus. In fact, even the Apostle Paul referred to his preaching as folly, which is true for all preachers. Even more so, right? None of us are apostles like Paul was. It’s folly. Folly where every sermon is like soon forgotten. Almost like a meal that we consume. Soon forgotten. However, scripture tells us that it’s through preaching. That’s how God chooses to manifest His Word in ways that through His Holy Spirit he speaks to his people in ways that we can see. The Lord Jesus Christ that God is using preaching to bring people to faith, to grow us in our faith, to sustain us in our faith, to persevere us in our faith all the way to the life that is to come. So be sober minded when it comes to preaching. If a preacher should have resolve in his eyes, a congregation should have resolve in your ears. So say it again. Please pray for the preaching here at Red Village that God would use it to communicate truth, even hard truth. Please keep the pulpit here at Red Village like lovingly accountable that the word is preached in season and out of season. As a congregation, we never settle for anything less than God’s words exposited in ways that point us to Christ, who he is, what he’s done for us. Have a longing in your heart to hear the word preached. We’re actually seeking to prepare your own heart to receive sermons. By the way, this is also one of the reasons, maybe a primary reason, why we hope you’re actually here every Sunday to take in a steady diet of the word preached. I say it not to guilt you or shame you. Things can happen. But just imagine if you went weeks without feeding your physical body or if you just happen to feed your physical body just like every so often as is kind of convenient, just imagine how weak, how malnourished your body would be. As important it is to feed your physical body to the steady diet, how much more important to feed your souls week in, week out with God’s Word. Yes, most sermons are like meals. You consume them and you forget them. But yes, say it again. That is how God is revealing himself to us, to grow us, to sustain us, to persevere us in the faith. So church, whether you’re preaching God’s word or taking it in, may we all be sober minded when it comes to the word that is preached. Knowing that in the grace of God, the preached word is a pretty sweet gift, a pretty thoughtful gift from a kind and generous God. Let’s pray. Lord, I do pray that you’d help us to not only hear your word but heed to it. Lord, please help us to live rightly in ways that you defined are true for blessedness. God, help us to live in light of that which is to come. I pray for those who might be here this morning, who are not yet disciples of Christ, that today you would open up their eyes to see the beauty of Jesus, that they would turn into him. And Lord, I do pray just for just this pulpit, the sermons that come from it, whether it be me or others. Lord, please help us to rightly divide the word of truth. And Lord, please bless the preaching of your Word for our good and your glory in Jesus name, Amen. The post The Greatest Sermon of All Time – Luke 6: 20-26 appeared first on Red Village Church.
Are you exhausted from trying to make things happen in your own strength? Discover why your self-confidence might be the very thing holding you back from God's best and how to find true power in surrender. In this transformative message, Elliott Warren dives deep into the subtle danger of self-reliance. Using the biblical examples of Peter's denial and King Uzziah's rise and fall, he explains why our natural talents, willpower, and resources often become stumbling blocks to our faith. If you feel like you keep hitting a wall despite your best efforts, this sermon is for you. Learn practical steps to move from "striving" in the flesh to truly "trusting" in the Spirit. Discover how to pause, seek God's will, and let go of control so that God can build something in your life that man never could. 00:00 - Prophetic Dream: God is Destroying What Man Built 08:03 - The "Woe is Me" Moment: Why We Need Brokenness 15:20 - Peter's Denial: The Failure of Human Willpower 29:07 - The Trap of Self-Confidence (It's Not What You Think) 37:49 - The Warning of King Uzziah: When Strength Leads to Pride 48:23 - Stop Planning Without God: The Lesson of James 4 54:30 - 3 Practical Steps to Move from Striving to Trusting 01:00:42 - Closing Prayer for Surrender If this message ministered to you, please SUBSCRIBE to our channel and share this video with someone who needs encouragement today. #trustingGod #faithoverfear #sermon #Christianmotivation #surrender #brokenness #Jesus #BibleStudy #ElliottWarren #CrossCultureChurch #spiritualgrowth #overcomingpride #Godsplan Welcome to the official channel of Cross Culture Global, the digital-first media ministry of Cross Culture Church, led by Pastor Elliott Warren. We believe following Jesus isn't a Sunday tradition—it's a radical way of living in today's world. Our mission is to move beyond motivation to deliver profound biblical teaching with raw, real-life application. We dive deep into the complex and often "off-limits" topics that matter most. What you'll find here: Raw Truth: Deep biblical insights for a today's culture. Global Community: A virtual-first community reaching every corner of the earth. crossculturechurch.com crossculturechurch.com/give Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5TKYUWdiK0N204bF6b4U4w TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crosscultureglobal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossCultureGlobal/
Prayer Breakfast? Woe unto ye Pharisees!
The Right Table #RTTBROS #Nightlight"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." — Matthew 23:27You know, I saw something on social media the other day that really stopped me in my tracks: "Don't beg for a seat at a table Jesus would flip over." Now that'll preach, won't it?It got me thinking about all the times we exhaust ourselves trying to earn approval from systems and people that Jesus Himself would challenge. We bend ourselves into pretzels, compromise our convictions, water down our witness, all to get a seat at some table that looks impressive from the outside but is spiritually bankrupt on the inside.Jesus had zero patience for religious performance. When He walked into the temple and saw the money changers turning His Father's house into a marketplace, He didn't politely ask for a seat at their table. He flipped the whole thing over. "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves" (Matthew 21:13).Here's what I've learned, and I'm too soon old and too late smart on this: the tables that demand the most from us often offer the least in return. They want our conformity, our silence, our willingness to play the game. But Jesus came to flip those tables, not franchise them.Think about the religious leaders of Jesus' day. They had the best seats, the longest robes, the public recognition. People were literally begging for their approval. But Jesus looked past all that religious window dressing and called it exactly what it was: dead men's bones dressed up to look alive.The truth is, we spend so much energy trying to impress people who are impressed by all the wrong things. We're hustling for validation from systems that value appearance over authenticity, position over character, performance over transformation.But here's the beautiful part of the story: while the religious elite were guarding their exclusive tables, Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners. He was pulling up chairs for the outcasts, the broken, the ones who knew they needed a Savior. "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (Matthew 9:12).Jesus isn't asking you to beg for a seat anywhere. He's already prepared a place for you at His table. And let me tell you, that table is set with grace, mercy, and unconditional love. No performance required. No games to play. Just come as you are.So maybe it's time to stop exhausting yourself trying to earn approval from tables Jesus would flip over. Maybe it's time to walk away from systems that demand you shrink yourself to fit in. Maybe it's time to remember that you already have a seat at the only table that truly matters.History is just His story, and in His story, there's always room at the table for broken people who know they need a Savior.Let's pray: Father, give us the courage to walk away from tables that require us to compromise our convictions. Help us find our worth not in the approval of man, but in Your unconditional love. Remind us that we already have a seat at Your table. In Jesus' name, Amen.#Faith #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #TrustGod #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Authenticity #GraceBe sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros
Some late night delving into the Word in Isaiah and Jeremiah plus Romans here in Naples Florida!God's reality is not a holographic hallucination of beast system dreaming up images.“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”9 He said, “Go and tell this people:“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'10 Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes.[a]Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts,and turn and be healed.”11 Then I said, “For how long, Lord?”And he answered:“Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant,until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged,12 until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste.But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”BUY MY SUPERNATURAL NOVEL!https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Romance-Episode-1-ebook/dp/B07ZRJV6SHDOWNLOAD THE APP!fringeradionetwork.com DON BASHAM MINISTRIES 1,000,000,000 GIVE SEND GO:https://www.givesendgo.com/bashamPAYPAL:spiritforce01@gmail.comBITCOIN:3H4Z2X22DuVUjWPsXKPEsWZmT9c4hDmYvyVENMO:@faithbucksCASHAPP:$spiritforcebucksZelle:faithbucks@proton.mePATREON:Michael BashamHOME BASE SITE:faithbucks.com
The Democrats won a TX state senate race in a district Trump won by 17 points. The lame stream said this is a bellwether for the midterms! In reality, there has never been a less consequential election. But don't forget the Democrat's US Senate candidate and how he justified abortion using the Bible. Woe to him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Democrats won a TX state senate race in a district Trump won by 17 points. The lame stream said this is a bellwether for the midterms! In reality, there has never been a less consequential election. But don't forget the Democrat's US Senate candidate and how he justified abortion using the Bible. Woe to him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Johnny Joy is the owner of The Local Motive, the most recognizable party bus service in Colorado Springs. But there is a catch: he is 12 years sober.In this episode, Johnny opens up about the "paradox" of running a business built on alcohol while living a life built on sobriety. We discuss the terrifying morning in 2014 that changed his life forever, why he believes entrepreneurs suffer in silence, and how he turned a spray-painted bus into a community revolution.If you are an entrepreneur feeling stuck or looking for a sign to keep going, this conversation is for you.
THE IMMIGRATION LIE — QUICK BREAKDOWNFor over 500 years, European nations invaded, conquered, and colonized over 85% of the planet.They stole land, enslaved millions, wiped out Indigenous populations, and redrew borders by force.Now — the descendants of those invasions call everyone else “illegal.”That's the lie.America, Canada, Brazil, Australia, the Caribbean, and much of Africa exist on stolen land.Over 90 million Indigenous people died, and 15–20 million Africans were enslaved to build the modern Western world.The Bible already warned us:
Permit me to share a story from my own experience that helps explain why it took me so long to preach a sermon series on the book of Revelation. When I was twenty-eight, I had been ordained as a minister of the gospel only a short time earlier and was serving as an interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, a congregation of roughly three hundred people. The church was struggling. Years of poor leadership decisions and the dismissal of one of its senior pastors had left it in a fragile state. I was young, inexperienced, and keenly aware that I had far more to learn than to offer. When Calvary eventually called its next senior pastorwhom I will refer to as Bobhe inherited both me and another assistant pastor. Less than a year into his tenure, Bob called me into his office to discuss my future. He asked what I hoped for in ministry, and I told him I planned to finish seminary and learn as much as I could from him, given his decades of pastoral experience. Then, without warning, he asked me what I believed about the rapture. Caught off guard, I answered honestly: I believed Christ would return for His people, but I was not yet certain whether that would be before, during, or after the tribulation. Bob paused, looked at me, and said simply, Well, thats a problem. It was a problem because Calvarys doctrinal statement treated a pre-tribulation rapture not as a point of discussion, but as a nonnegotiable. One passage often cited in support of that view is 1 Thessalonians 5:9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet the wrath Paul describes there is not the suffering believers endure in this world, but the final judgment reserved for the condemned. That conversation marked me deeply. It revealed how quickly the book of Revelationand the questions surrounding itcan become a test of loyalty rather than a call to faithfulness. And it helps explain why I approached Revelation for so many years with caution, hesitation, and no small measure of pastoral concern. Suffering (Tribulation) is a Part of the Christian Life (v. 9) What troubled me about Pastor Bob and the doctrinal statement Calvary Baptist Church has since removed is that this view is difficult to reconcile with Jesus own teaching on what Christians should expect as His followers. Jesus said plainly, You will be hated by all for my names sake (Matt. 10:22). And again, In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). The apostles echoed the same expectation. Paul warned new believers, Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God just after he was stoned and left for dead outside of the city of Lystra (Acts 14:22). Peter likewise urged Christians not to be shocked by suffering, but to see it as participation in Christs own path: Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you rejoice insofar as you share Christs sufferings (1 Pet. 4:1213). The word tribulation simply means affliction. In Revelation, tribulation is never portrayed as some vague or theoretical idea, but as a real and immediate experience for faithful believers.1It is the context of Johns exile, the churches suffering, and the cry of the martyrs. Tribulation is the setting in which the church endures, bears witness, and waits for Christs victory. Let me press this one step further. In Matthew 24, Jesus warned His disciples, And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains (vv. 68). Then He said, They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my names sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (vv. 914). Jesus then went on to prophesy about events we know with certainty occurred in AD 70: So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be (vv. 1521). History records that everything Jesus warned would happen did, in fact, occur. Roman soldiers under Titus breached Jerusalem, entered the temple, slaughtered priests while sacrifices were being offered, piled bodies in the sanctuary, erected pagan images, and offered sacrifices to Roman gods, including sacrifices to the emperor himself. The temple was dismantled stone by stone, fulfilling Jesus words: Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down (Matt. 24:2). John lived through those events. More than twenty years later, he wrote to seven churches not as a distant observer but as a participant: I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. The question to consider until we reach Revelation 6 is: What tribulation is John participating in? The persecution of Christians didnt end in AD 70. What began as local opposition has become global. Some regions where the gospel once flourishedsuch as North Korea and Nigeriaare now among the most dangerous for Christians. A challenging reality of the Christian life is that faithfulness to Jesus often leads to suffering. John introduces himself not as an exception, but as a fellow participant in this tribulation. Whatever view of the tribulation you currently hold, know that John and the first-century church were convinced they were living in itnot as a fixed or future timetable, but as a present season of suffering that began with Christs ascension and will end only with His return. Jesus Will Not Abandon the Christian in Life (vv. 9-16) When John received his visions, it was on the Lords Day. Before anything was revealed about Gods plan for the world, it was a day set apart for worship. Many believe this is the earliest technical use of the Lords Day to refer to Sundaythe day of Christs resurrection and the dawn of the new creation. What is most significant is that John hears from the Lord while worshiping the Lord. While in a state of worship, John hears a loud voice behind him like a trumpet. This recalls Sinai, where we are told, there were thunders and lightnings and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled (Exod. 19:16). The trumpet-like voice commands John: Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches (v. 11). When John turns, he does not see a trumpet, but seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man (v. 12). Do not miss the significance: the lampstands represent the churches (v. 20), and Jesus stands in their midst. The Greek word mesos means among and in the middle. In other words, in the midst of tribulation and suffering, Jesus has not abandoned His people. This is the fulfillment of His promise: Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20). The long golden sash Jesus wears is that of a priest (cf. Exod. 28:4; 29:5). His golden sash is not a fashion statement but a firm reminder that He is our great High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf as the One who advocates for all those He has redeemed through the shedding of His blood once and for all. As Hebrews 7 tells us, He holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (vv. 2425). The hairs on Jesus head are white like the whitest wool, as Daniel describes the Ancient of Days: His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire (Dan. 7:9). Here Jesus is identified with eternal wisdom and divine purityequal with the Father, yet uniquely the Son. He is the Everlasting One, and His wisdom is infinite. Jesus eyes are like a flame of fire. This does not mean He has literal beams shooting from His eyes any more than the sharp two-edged sword from His mouth is a literal sword (v. 16). His eyes blaze like fire, revealing that nothing escapes His sightno motive hidden, no deed overlooked, and no wound His people suffer that will go unnoticed. His knowledge knows no bounds. Our Saviors feet are like burnished bronze. There is no tiptoeing with Him. Our great High Priest and awesome King embodies unshakable strength as the One who will judge the nations with perfect justice and holy resolve. He is omnipotentsolid, sure, and infinitely strong. The voice of our Savior matches His divine wisdom, all-encompassing knowledge, and unequalled strength as Yahweh. When He speaks, He does so with pervasive power: For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through him and for him (Col. 1:16). His wordevery wordcarries divine weight. Why does this matter in light of what John and the churches suffered? Why does this matter for your brothers and sisters in North Korea or Nigeria? Why does this matter for us today? It matters because in the right hand of the Divine Sonwho is infinitely wise, who sees His bride perfectly and completely, and who stands with omnipotent strengththe seven angels of the seven churches are held. Whether these refer to messengers who shepherd the churches or to angels with a particular charge, the point is unmistakable: His servants belong to Him. They are His, and they serve under His protection. We are told that Jesus not only holds the seven stars and stands among His churches, but that from His mouth comes a sharp, two-edged sword (see Heb. 4:12). There are no dull edges on this sword, because it is the Word of Godliving and powerful, with the authority to judge, cut, cure, wound, and heal. And if that were not enough, His face shines like the sun in full strength. What John sees is Jesus in His gloryholy, majestic, and awesome, worthy of all our worship. This Jesus is not the one often presented as safe, domesticated, or passive. This is the glorified Lord, whose word creates, sustains, and brings all things to account. Richard Phillips wrote of these verses: This vision does not show us what Jesus looks like but rather what Jesus is like,symbolically depicting his person and work. Biblically trained Christians organize the work of Christ in his three offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.2 With Jesus, there is No Need to Fear in Life or in Death (vv. 17-20) It is no wonder, then, that when John sees this Jesus, he falls at His feet as though dead (v. 17). The beloved disciple, who once leaned against Jesus chest during His earthly ministry, is now an old manweathered, worn, and wiser. Confronted with the risen and exalted Christ, John collapses in reverent awe. Yet it is this Jesus, standing in the midst of His church, who places the same right hand that holds His servants upon John. Johns response is both right and appropriate. It echoes Isaiahs encounter with the Holy One, in which he saw the Lord seated on the throne and heard the seraphim cry, Holy, holy, holy (Isa. 6:3). Isaiah responded in terror, Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts! (Isa. 6:5). Johns response also mirrors Habakkuks reaction before a holy God: I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble (Hab. 3:16). Throughout Scripture, when sinful people encounter Gods holiness, fear is the natural response. But notice Jesus response to Johns terror: Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (vv. 1718). Fear not. Why? Because unlike Caesar, the Roman Empire, or any power that seeks to silence Christs church, Johnand all who belong to the true churchbelong to Jesus. He is the One who died to save John from his sins, the One who rose again to secure his salvation and resurrection, and the One who now holds the keys of Death and Hades. This is why Jesus can promise all who belong to Him: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand I and the Father are one (John 10:2730). With Jesus, there is no need to fearnot in life, and not in death. Conclusion Let me leave you with three points of application in light of all that we have seen in these verses: First: Dont be surprised by sufferingfaithful Christians have always faced tribulation. If tribulation is the normal setting of the Christian life, then suffering is not a sign that something has gone wrong; it is often a sign that something has gone right. John does not present himself as an exception but as a partner in tribulation, reminding us that faithfulness to Jesus does not remove us from affliction but places us squarely within it. So when hardship comespressure tocompromise, opposition at work, isolation for following Christ, or quiet endurance no one else seeswe are not abandoned; we are walking the same path marked out by the apostles, the early church, and believers around the world today. Second: Find your security in Christ, not in your circumstances. Revelation does not calm our fears by minimizing danger but by revealing Christ. John is not comforted by explanations or timelines but by the presence and power of Jesusthe eternal Son, our great High Priest, the all-seeing Judge, the omnipotent King, and the living Lord who has conquered death itself. Fear loosens its grip not when life becomes safe but when Jesus becomes central, because the size of our fear is always tied to how clearly we see Christ. Third: Do not fear deaththe One who died and rose again holds the keys of life and death. Because this Jesus holds the keys of Death and Hades, nothingnot persecution, loss, or even deathhas the final word over those who belong to Him. The same hand that holds the stars touches His servants, and the same voice that thunders like many waters speaks reassurance to fearful saints. So we need not fear what tomorrow brings or what awaits us at the end. With Jesus, there is no need to fearnot in life, nor in death. 1 Revelation consistently presents tribulation not as a distant, isolated future event, but as the lived experience of faithful believersexpressed through imprisonment, martyrdom, deception, and violent oppositionbeginning in the first century and continuing until the final vindication of Gods people (Rev. 1:9; 2:910; 6:911; 12:17; 13:7; 17:6; 20:4). 2 Richard D. Phillips, Revelation, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2017), 64.
Send us a textThe devotion for today, Wednesday, February 04, 2026 was written by Hardy Haberman and is narrated by Johnny Engelke.Today's Words of Inspiration come from Luke 6:24-25“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.” Support the show
02/01/2026 Rev. Paul Bang Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah's Vision of the Lord 6 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah's Commission from the Lord 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
“Do Not Miss the Christ” Matthew 11:7-24 February 1, 2026 Pastor Tony Felich Sermon Application [file] ----more---- Matthew 11: 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? [8] What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. [9] What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [10] This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' [11] Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [12] From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. [13] For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, [14] and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. [15] He who has ears to hear, let him hear. [16] “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, [17] “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' [18] For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.' [19] The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” [20] Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. [21] “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [22] But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. [23] And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. [24] But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” It's possible to be near Christ, hear truth, see evidence, and still miss Him. • Jesus defends his faithful servant (7-10) • Jesus exposes the unbelief of skeptics (11-19) • Jesus warns the unrepentant (20-24)
Are you looking for joy in all the wrong places? Are you chasing a version of "the good life" that leaves you feeling empty? We've been told that money, popularity, and constant comfort are the keys to happiness—but Jesus says something completely different. In fact, He says your joy might be misplaced. We're continue our series The Way of Jesus by listening to Jesus' upside-down teaching in Luke 6:20–26. While the world tells us joy comes from money, comfort, laughter, and popularity, Jesus warns that those pursuits—when they become ultimate—lead to sorrow, regret, and emptiness. If you've felt like your joy is temporary, it's time to find the joy that is grounded in Christ—a joy that lasts even when life gets hard. In this video, you'll discover: ✅ The 4 specific "hungers" that trap us in temporary happiness. ✅ What Jesus meant by "Woe to you" (it's a lot more serious than you think). ✅ How to find spiritual wealth when you feel physically or emotionally empty. ✅ The secret to "delayed gratification" in a world of "I see it, I want it, I got it." Scripture List: Luke 6.20-26
Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour
The Aruch Ha'shulhan (Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein, 1829-1908) writes that the text of the Kaddish prayer was likely written by the Ansheh Kenesset Ha'gedola ("Men of the Great Assembly") during the first years of the Second Commonwealth. This prayer expresses the wish that G-d's Name should be glorified and become known throughout the world. The destruction of the first Bet Ha'mikdash marked a grave Hilul Hashem – desecration of G-d's Name – and so when Jews returned to their land and began rebuilding the Temple, the Rabbis composed this special prayer that the glory of G-d's Name should be restored. The Yalkut Yosef (Hebrew edition) notes that this theory might be supported by the Gemara's comment (Berachot 33a) that our prayers and blessings were written by the Ansheh Kenesset Ha'gedola. However, as noted by Rav Yisrael Bitan, the Gemara did not specifically mention Kaddish, and thus this proof is not conclusive. In any event, this is the opinion followed also by Rav Shlomo of Worms (Germany, d. 1096), in his Siddur. He explains that after seventy years in Babylonian exile, the Jews' primary language was Aramaic, instead of Hebrew, and for this reason the Kaddish text was written in Aramaic. A different view is presented by the Orhot Haim (Rav Aharon of Lunel, late 13 th -early 14 th century), who maintained that the Kaddish text was written several generations later, by the Tanna'im. The unique significance of the Kaddish prayer, and its precious value, is clearly expressed in several passages in the Gemara. In Masechet Berachot (3a), the Gemara tells that Rabbi Yossi was once traveling and stopped to pray in one of the ruins of Jerusalem. While he was there, he heard a voice weeping and lamenting, "Woe unto the children because of whose iniquities I destroyed My home, burned My sanctuary, and exiled them among the nations." Afterward, he was informed by Eliyahu the Prophet that this cry is sounded three times each day. However, Eliyahu added, when Jews assemble in synagogues and study halls and pronounce in Kaddish, "Yeheh Shemeh," the Almighty "nods His head," so-to-speak, and regrets having driven the Jewish People into exile. The Kaddish recitation thus arouses G-d's love and compassion, and brings the final redemption closer. Moreover, the Gemara teaches in Masechet Shabbat (119b) that if one answers "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" with all his might, harsh decrees that were issued against him are rescinded. And the Gemara states in Masechet Sota (49a) that since the destruction of the Bet Ha'mikdash, the world's condition has been increasingly worsening, yet the world survives in the merit of "Kiddusha De'sidra" and the Kaddish recited after Torah study. ("Kiddusha De'sidra" refers to the section known to us as "U'ba Le'sion," when we cite several verses followed by their Aramaic translation.) Rav Amram Gaon (9 th century) tells that Rabbi Yishmael was once shown by an angel the horrific tragedies that were decreed to befall the Jewish People. The angel explained that new decrees are issued against the Jews every day, but these decrees are left unfulfilled in the merit of the Jews' recitation of "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba." There was once a member of our community who suffered a stroke, and the family, who heard of the great power of Kaddish to annul harsh decrees, brought a Minyan to the rehabilitation center. They prayed there with the patient, ensuring to have special Kavana (concentration) when responding "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba." The patient quickly recovered, returned to work, and lived for many years – a clear demonstration of the special power of Kaddish.
James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” Matthew 23: 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hour 2 of the Bob Rose Show, on the continuing complaints from left-wing elites over how the systems is ‘against' them. The latest laments from former first lady Michelle Obama, complaining about being known as ‘the wife' of Barack. Woe-is-me-ism, plus all of Monday morning's biggest stories for 1-26-26
Click here to WATCH LIVE STREAM Worship Service on our Youtube Channel. Prayers for a New Year, Part 4 Nehemiah 1 Nehemiah 1:1-2 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. Nehemiah 1:3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” Nehemiah 1:4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Nehemiah 1:5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, Psalm 145:3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Nehemiah 1:6-7 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Isaiah 6:5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Psalm 32:3-4 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Nehemiah 1:8-9 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.' Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Nehemiah 1:10-11 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 11 O LORD, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king. Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? As we pray, we see our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. Matthew 9:35-36 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. As we pray, we see ourselves. Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working As we pray, we see others. Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Esther 4:14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Respond | Connect | Next Steps The post Prayers for a New Year 5 appeared first on Charleston Baptist Church.
Isaiah 6:5 New King James Version 5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”
Isaiah 6:5-8 New King James Version 5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
10:1 After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Topical Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville “And He Gave Evangelists…” (2) Introduction: What would you say are the top four greatest needs in God's kingdom today? I'm sure we could all come up with good answers to that question. I will give you my top four: The first is obvious: Christians who are passionate about knowing God, loving God, and loving lost souls. Moms and Dads who raise their children to pursue the one true God and bring all other pursuits in service to him. Elders who equip and shepherd the flock, not “exercise authority of them” (Matthew 20:25, 1 Peter 5:1-4). Evangelists who actually “do the work of an evangelist” as outlined by Paul in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Paul told us that these last two needs, along with the apostles and prophets, were gifts Christ gave to the church for the equipping of the saints, to bring them to maturity in order to cause the growth of the body (Ephesians 4:11-16). These lessons are about gaining a better understanding of the need for evangelists in God's kingdom and what we can do to encourage a desire to do this work. Recap from the First Lesson When we study Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus, we cannot miss the challenge and the extensive nature of the work. Just as God set aside the tribe of Levi to spend their lives teaching Israel, so he gave “evangelists, shepherds and teachers” to the church to equip and grow the body. The failure of the Levites to fulfill their purpose led to the failure of the whole nation to live up to God's purpose. Today, God did not appoint a whole tribe, he appointed individuals who give their lives to bring the gospel message both to equip Christians and to spearhead reaching lost souls. But the shortage of evangelists is becoming more and more apparent. Paul's Overview of the Work: 1 Timothy 4:6-16 Vs. 6: “…trained in the words of faith…” 7-8: “…train yourself for godliness” 11: “Command and teach these things.” 12: “Set the believers an example…” 13: “Devote yourself to the public reading of the Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” 14: “Do not neglect the gift…” 15: “Practice these things, immerse yourself in in them…” 16: “Keep close watch…Persist in this…” Conclusion: These are not things that can be done by men who hold a secular job. Why Not Be Content with the Men Preaching? “Preaching” is not “doing the work of an evangelist” It was not God's design (Ephesian 4:11-12) Who will go out at night to teach the lost? Who will teach the lost in the daytime? Who will train and equip the church to do their part in evangelism efforts? Who will train more men to be evangelists? The Result: whole churches are being trained to neglect the lost and be content with the “99” (Matt. 18) What Keeps Men from Preaching? First, the increasing wealthiness of our culture, which is enticing to young, college age men. The possibilities of living a comfortable and prosperous life are all around them. In conjunction with the above, relying on a church for wages feels uncomfortable and unstable to a man who plans to be married and raise a family. This is especially true when these same young men have repeatedly witnessed churches discharge a preacher every few years. (Of course that is not exclusive to preaching!) Relying on churches for support to work at a church that is not self-supporting. I have had preachers tell me they could never do what I have done and be in a church where they needed outside support. “How can I be confident that the support won't be dropped on a moment's notice?” Second, preaching is often not a draw to younger men when they consider the whole church can become their “boss and critic.” Further, they have often seen preachers mistreated. Talk to any older preacher—their greatest trial will have come from their own brethren. Therefore, there are many who have decided to work a secular career job while utilizing opportunities to “preach a sermon” as the need arises. That certainly shouldn't be considered wrong, but it does contribute to the lack of evangelists. Third, preaching is not a “job,” it is a passion. Paul said it well in 1 Corinthians 9:16-17, “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.” I trained one man who had wanted to preach from the time he was 14 years old. He went to FC and majored in Bible (not a good idea), and then asked to train with me. I had known him from childhood, and therefore accepted him. After six months I said to him, “I think you would be happier doing something else. What do you think?” He agreed, and went back to school for a secular job. The problem wasn't that he couldn't preach a sermon. It was that it wasn't his passion. Frankly, he hadn't even learned what it meant to love God with all his heart. Too many young men see preaching as a job. Another young man possibly could have become a good evangelist, but he submitted to his wife's insistence that his working hours be only 9 to 5. Which brings up another hindrance: wives must be passionate about their husband's work. Fourth, embedded in preaching are hardships and choices we would rather not make: There is a very interesting “American culture” problem that has seriously affected preachers and potential preachers. When a preacher is looking for a church, it is natural to do “background checks” on the church and how they have treated former preachers. We certainly do not want to go to a place where the elders or members are abusive. On the other hand, if you were a preacher, would you want to go to a church like Corinth? No, no! Paul sent Titus to “churches” on the island of Crete who were, “…always liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons.” Paul basically said, “Titus, I want you to go a fix that!” Oh my. Consider “the Law of the Lid” How many churches today are in the category of needing good elders and a good evangelist to “put in order the things that are wanting?” There is certainly a great need, but who wants to do that!!! The first place I preached, there was one faithful member, a lady named Bernice. I was told by elders that I would be foolish to go there. “It's a retirement community and no one is interested in the gospel. And besides, over the past seven years, 50 men have gone out there and preached sermons, to no avail.” But in the first three years we baptized 60 people, and one of the same elders then said to me, “Well, it must just be fertile ground.” For seven years, Bernice could not get a preacher to go and live there and do the hard thing (not just go preach and sermon and go home). Fifth, parents rarely prepare their sons to consider preaching or talk to them about the importance of the work in God's kingdom. I'm not suggesting that parents badger their sons to preach; that is not appropriate. Instead, I would recommend two approaches: Instill in your boys and girls our identity as disciples of Christ. Instill God's love for all people and his desire for them to be saved. And help them feel the weight of our responsibilities as Jesus' disciples — Jesus appointed us, only us, to bring the saving gospel to the world. If we don't do it, no one else will! (Parable of Lost Things & our identity as the Offspring of Abraham) Prepare them, and not just your sons, but also your daughters. How to answer commonly asked questions using the scripture (Why does worship matter? Salvation, etc. Teach them to open their mouths and explain biblical texts! That is done far better by parents than it is in our Sunday/Wednesday classes. Teach them to give a speech, not a biblical speech, just a speech. [story of Dad and the speech of Spartacus to the Gladiators] Sixth, a lack of training and mentoring. In other words, how many churches and preachers are intent on obeying 2 Timothy 2:2 or followed the pattern of training that we see Paul doing? Erik, Brent, Andy, and I have all turned down young men who desired to preach because they didn't understand the extent of the work. “I didn't know I'd have to work this hard.” “I don't like you telling me what I'm doing wrong in my preaching. I just want encouragement.” In many cases, there are those who can preach a sermon, but the work described in Ephesians 4:11-16 and the “pastoral epistles” is not being done, and therefore understandably intimidating. Why shouldn't it be? It is often not seen/practiced among evangelists, shepherds and teachers. I personally cannot count the number of young preachers who have come out of one–two year programs, moved to a church, but haven't the slightest idea what to do other than “preach.” What about reaching the lost? What about engaging the church in the effort? What about moving the church to maturity? What about equipping the saints? The need for patience on the part of the elders and the members, and humility to learn on the part of the preacher. Berry Kercheville The post Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Gave Evangelists… (2) appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ.
Send us a textIn this episode, Pastor Dom teaches us what it means to increase in the LordJames 2:2626 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.3 John 22 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.Psalm 115:13-1513 He will bless those who fear the Lord, Both small and great. 14 May the Lord give you increase more and more, You and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.Isaiah 5:2020 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;…John 3:3030 He must increase, but I must decrease.James 4:88 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…1 Corinthians 11:29-3029 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
Certain things are necessary in our lives such as clothing to wear and food to eat. Note how Paul made the point to Timothy “if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” and “there is great gain in godliness with contentment” [1 Tim. 6 v.6,8] What hinders our contentment?Now in today's 18th chapter of Matthew Jesus told his disciples, “Woe to the world for temptations to sin. For it is necessary that temptations come …” [v.7] Why is it necessary? Wouldn't it be better if believers lived protected lives without anything tempting us? No, it wouldn't! When we make things we test them to make sure they are strong enough to be used for the purpose for which we made them. It maybe that some part will break off! If that makes it useless, then we throw it away. But often, even with a part broken off there is still a good use for it – and that is the point behind Jesus' parable that “if your hand or your foot causes you to sin , cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.” [v.8] We may have a special aptitude or talent, but if it has no spiritual value – but rather, the opposite, then we should push it out of our lives. Let us use make full use of the talents and opportunities we have – and not fret about others, and our failures, and be in danger of being useless to God.. Once again our Psalms reading (33) is valuable – v.10 refers to our time and is very applicable, “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.” And so efforts to achieve peace between nations and peoples are getting nowhere – as are efforts to take action to stop or at least minimize global warming. God is not only ignored – most push out of their minds any thought as to his existence. Does that influence you? Note the great truth of v.12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” The words of Jesus we read and thought about illustrate the elements of behaviour that really count – “but it is necessary” that chosen vessels are tested as to their worthiness. Are you passing the test? May we all be among those whom he chooses – may we help each other to pass the test.
#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-799b7e9a1e47c354796acc02815c5e61{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-799b7e9a1e47c354796acc02815c5e61 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-799b7e9a1e47c354796acc02815c5e61 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – January 14Revelation 12:10 – 13:1 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – January 14 Revelation 12:10 – 13:1 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0114db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Revelation 12 10 I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, [1] because the accuser of our brothers [2] has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11 They conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives in the face of death. 12 For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and those who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, for the Devil has gone down to you. He is full of rage, because he knows that his time is short. The Dragon Persecutes the Woman 13 When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman, who had given birth to the male child. 14 Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman so that she might fly to her place in the wilderness, where she is to be fed for a time, and times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent. 15 And the serpent spewed water out of his mouth, like a river, after the woman, in order to carry her away in the flowing water. 16 But the earth helped the woman. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river, which the dragon had spewed out of its mouth. 17 The dragon was angry about what had happened to the woman, and he went away to make war against the rest of her children—those who keep the commandments of God and who hold on to the testimony about Jesus. 18 And he [3] stood on the shore of the sea. The Beast From the Sea Revelation 13 1 I saw a beast rising out of the sea. He had ten horns with ten crowns on his horns, and seven heads with blasphemous names [4] on his heads. Footnotes Revelation 12:10 Or Anointed One Revelation 12:10 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female. Revelation 12:18 Some witnesses to the text read I. Revelation 13:1 Some witnesses to the text read a blasphemous name. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo
Anointing in Heavenly Places (1) (audio) David Eells 1/11/2026 Shaking Out the Sinners Vision given to Ueli Surbeck I saw the Father standing above me with the world in His hand, and He began shaking it -- violently shaking the world up and down, left to the right and backward and forward, and this is what the Father says: “My church has to be shaken out of the world. I want it out, and I am shaking My church until it comes out of the world! They have become so entwined in the world, it is the only way to get them out”. He continued to shake the world violently (it very much reminds me of the process of harvesting potatoes); as I saw the church being shaken out of the world, I saw 3 things happening in the Church: Preachers were falling out of the pulpits, head first, pulpits started falling out of the Church, I saw the prophets falling, as they fell they lost their mantles, their mantles fell out of the churches and then I saw the reprobates start falling out of the Church; and then the Father said IN THE VOICE OF THE GENERAL, “THEY HAVE MISSED THE HOUR OF THEIR VISITATION”. He said it three times consecutively. “They missed the hour of My visitation.” They think they are somebody, but in fact they are blind and naked. (As it was in the days of Jesus and before every beast kingdom brought them down.) As the prophets fell out and lost their mantles, I saw the Father pick up the mantles and give them to the faithful prophets of the hour that had not missed THE HOUR OF THEIR VISITATION. (Isa.66:15-16) For behold the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many. Faith Escapes a Sinking Ship B. A. - 11/04/2011 (David's notes in red) I've been studying and talking to friends lately about faith, and I had the following dream: I was standing on the deck of a large cruise ship when all of a sudden I heard the captain say, “The ship was sinking.” The cry of peril from the captain was so sudden that none of the lustful people below deck had time to prepare at that point, and they began to panic as confusion overtook them. Some were crying out for God to save them, while others were screaming hysterically, and some were cursing God. I saw people running all over the ship, trying to find something that would float (trying to save themselves); everything was in total chaos. I didn't see any of the ship's crew anywhere. (This cruise ship represents the trap of the kingdom of this world and its pleasures. B.A. had all this under her feet represented by standing on the deck, but the rest were trapped by this.) I went up to the bow of the ship and knelt down by the railing to pray. I heard the word “come” in a soft but firm voice. I stood up and looked out over the water into the distant horizon, and I saw a bright light, and there on the water stood an angel of the Lord. I didn't hesitate; I climbed over the railing and dropped down onto the water. It was very interesting; the water felt soft but firm under my feet. My spirit told me not to take my eyes off the angel, to walk forward, and not to look back. (Faith is the only way to escape what comes so naturally to our carnal life. (Mat.14:29) And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Luk.9:62) But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Gen.19:26) But his [Lot's] wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.) I thought it strange that no one on the cruise ship seemed to notice me climbing over the railing. (They cannot see faith nor recognize it as a way of escape without a gift of faith from God. (Eph.2:8) for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of [man's] works, that no man should glory.) As I drew near the angel, the light kept getting brighter and brighter. I noticed that I had no fear, just an overwhelming sense of joy and peace about me. Finally, I reached the angel, and he took my hand, and instantly we were standing on the shore. I asked the angel why there were no lifeboats on the ship, and he told me that no one on that ship could be saved. I then asked the angel why was I on that ship, and he told me it was to test my faith. Then I awoke from the dream. (We need this world and its corruption to test who it is who will prove to be chosen by their faith and its corresponding works to leave this world beast system. (Mat.16:24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (25) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. (26) For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?) I couldn't help but think how sad it was that all those thousands of people on that cruise ship died. I thought to myself, what does a cruise ship represent? I believe the Lord was showing me that the cruise ship represented the pleasures of this world and being caught up in fleshly desires. These were all earthly people who were only interested in pleasing the flesh and not getting spiritually prepared. When times get really bad, people who have not prepared spiritually are going to cry out to God to save them, but He will not send them a lifeboat. (Luk.13:24) Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (For lack of faith… Rom 10:17 So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. Spending time in the Word fills one with faith.) (25) When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; (26) then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; (27) and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. Walking on Water Michael Hare - December 2010 (David's notes in red) I had a dream about walking on water. I was on a lake with other people, and on the lake was one of those platforms that kids get on and then jump from into the water. One man just stepped off the platform and started walking across the water. My thought (in the dream) was that if I imagined that the water was solid that I could walk on it, as well. I then imagined that the water was kind of like fiberglass (with the crisscrossing fiber), and I stepped onto the surface. I sank up to my ankles but didn't sink any further. It was like walking on a very mushy surface. I don't remember anyone else attempting to take a stroll on the lake. As I remember, the other man who stepped onto the water didn't even sink; he was right on top of the water. The natural truth here is that we must believe to do the “greater works” that Jesus said we would do. Imagining that He lives in us to do those works is biblical. We must see, by faith, Jesus living in us, and it will be so. (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. The spiritual truth is we must believe to walk above the curse of the Word, which is the water, in order to live above it. Floating on Top of the Water David Eells Briefly, I had a dream of floating on top of the water while going upstream while my eyes were on the sun/Son. Others were floating with me but when they went under a tent stretched over the water and the sun was obscured, they sank. (With our eyes on the Son of God who is the Word we can go totally against all nature. The tent represented man's religion which has obscured the promises bringing their experience down to a natural level. Many die before their time.) Taking Refuge in the Heavenlies Anonymous - 03/22/2011 (David's notes in red) Another couple, my wife and I, were getting ready to lift off in this rocket. (Now I know some minds would perceive a rapture here but the rest of the dream will deny this interpretation.) We were going to leave the earth to escape the tribulation. (To leave the earth means to overcome the world. (Rev.3:10) Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that [hour] which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. The bride escapes to the King's house, as in Esther, and the rest are threatened by the beast. What does the scripture mean by “dwell upon the earth” or “dwelling in the heavens?” These terms are not used physically, as in flying to heaven, as the last sentence of this revelation confirms. I will read the revelation below: Dwelling on Earth or in the Heavens? And you can listen to the audio: Dwelling on Earth or in Heaven? A second, more physical aspect of leaving the world has to do with separating from it, meaning the refuge we'll have here, is about to be separated from it by an earthquake cracking fault lines down both sides of what looks like a ship or a rocket ship. And the base of the rocket ship is, according to dreams, going to stay on the ground, just as the revelation below says. Both Brad's vision and Warren's dream depict this shape of a ship and connected to the ground on the south or bottom end. On top of that, the brother who had this dream is one whom we have suspected was living outside the boundaries of this ship's fault lines and would have to get on board. Putting this all together, it is clear that one must “dwell in the heavenlies” by faith in Christ in order to be on this ship that is to separate from earth. The rest of this dream seems to say that some are not yet ready to separate from the earthly and so are not yet worthy of escaping the hour of trial. We were all together at the rocket ship, looking at it and making provisions, and talking about the plans of leaving. We then split up to go home and gather what we could. (Literally, this identifies what we have been doing. We gather at our local assembly, which is geographically on the ship, and plan our provisions, and then split up to go home.) I went to a church to convince my family to come. I told them that an earthquake is going to happen in May. (Update: A spiritual earthquake did, in fact, happen on May 14, 2011, when God separated our spiritual earth in TN. We had been warned for almost two years that a spiritual attack from demonic forces was coming to try to destroy UBM and me, but in effect would only separate those who were not to be with us in the ship. It happened just as dreamed.) I said that we have been getting dreams about this, and also scientific articles that back up the dreams. (We had been getting dreams about this ship and scientific articles about it separating from the earth through earthquake faults.) At first, my family was listening to me, then my younger brother and older sister arose (although in the dream I saw her as my younger sister), who started to put doubt in their minds, and it persuaded my family. (The immature will be doubtful of the possibility of leaving the earthly for the heavenly.) Even though I was talking to my family directly, I was not being discreet, and no one in the church even stirred about the news either. I left very frustrated, especially with my dad, because he was hung up on the “once-saved-always-saved” doctrine. He could not see that if you did not leave, the judgment of God was going to be on you. (His dad here represents a spiritual father over his spiritual children above, who do not yet have spiritual eyes to see or ears to hear. Their doctrine makes them think it is not necessary to overcome to escape in tribulation, and so they will not be counted worthy to escape all these things (2 Thessalonians 1:5). (Luk.21:34) But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare: (35) for [so] shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of all the earth. (36) But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.) My wife and I started to head back to the rocket ship and called the other couple, telling them the news of my family. I also told them that it was not so bad that they were staying here as much as it was that I had a strong feeling that my dad's salvation was going to be lost. (The leaders of Christianity who teach such things as unconditional eternal security destroy the motivation for their spiritual children to be counted worthy to escape. These people, if they do not quickly repent, will be lost for this.) I then told them we had a trailer with very little in it, so if they needed, we could put some of their stuff in the trailer to bring it to the rocket ship. (They never did answer if they needed it.) (Very little baggage if any will be needed in the ship or ark as dreams have foretold.) At this point, I knew in the dream that the people who were lifting off the earth were not physically leaving it but were a part of the first-fruits of the Man-child ministry. (The Bride is the first fruits of the Man-child's ministry, as Esther was the first fruits of Mordecai's ministry. “Mordecai” means “little man” meaning, “man-child”. Solomon and the Shulamite are the same parable in the Song of Solomon. In our case, the ship of separation from the earth is the place to escape the earthquake and tribulation, so that in this wilderness, we can train up disciples to go forth with the Gospel in a wonderful revival. We are getting closer to the general call for the saints to go to the ship or ark.) So what is it to dwell on the earth or in the heavens? Let me share this revelation with you called: Dwelling on the Earth or in the Heavens? Valerie Gleaton - 08/23/2009 (David's notes in red) In a dream, my mother and I were flying in the same direction in two lanes down a highway at a very moderate speed. We were not in any type of vehicle, but felt we were covered by some invisible shield (like a spiritual ark). (Those who overcome will fly “in heavenly places in Christ” above the dangers to those who dwell in earthly realms of this world, but will not use any vehicle or help made by man. (Isa.40:31) but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles... (Rev.8:13) And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth... (Rev.12:11) And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.) We came upon what appeared to be an intersection. As we came to a stop, we noticed a cartoon-like, life-sized airplane on the ground next to us. The plane had a lot of people aboard looking straight ahead, as if they were in a daze. (Those who religiously make believe they are overcoming while dwelling upon the earth are out of touch with spiritual reality.) My mother and I looked at one another and wondered what they were doing or where they were going. We didn't say anything; we just knew what the other was thinking. I didn't notice any traffic signals, but I had the sense it was our turn to move ahead. After we had taken off, we noticed the airplane did not move ahead. Instead, it stood still with the people still looking ahead in a daze. (Those who sense the light is green by the Spirit and Word advance, but many are stopped at a green light they never see. We have been given the “GO” by all the very positive promises in the Word.) As we continued to the next intersection, we encountered the same type of airplane sitting still. We then noticed there were quite a few of these types of airplanes sitting still on the road. (Planes can't dwell in heavenly places unless they GO forward. The majority never know about the overcoming life because they are drinking the wine of their Babylonish religion and not the Word.) The road began to get so congested that we had to maneuver our way around the planes to continue. (These are the ones who believed in the false pre-trib rapture doctrine. They are waiting to fly away to escape the tribulation and are in a daze at believing a lie.) We ended up at the house of one of my long-time friends. (She is in an apostate church and is reluctant to come out because of popularity.) She invited us in and immediately told me that she wanted me to talk to one of the women from her church because they were having a revival soon, and she thought I should attend. (She has been trying to get me to visit her church for quite some time.) I ended up in this dark, dreary room, sitting in the middle of a bed, and began conversing with this woman. She spoke as if she had great authority and began to tell me how everyone should be teaching and preaching prosperity because it is what we need in this economy. (The apostates comfort themselves with their popular, false hopes of raptures, eternal security, prosperity, and their false, approving god. Tribulation will be a rude awakening from their stupor.) I responded to her by saying that we are entering a season of judgment and we should worship the Lord in spirit and truth. I told her we all need to turn to Jesus in these times. She immediately became agitated and noticed that I was not supportive of the megachurches and their prosperity preaching. She then said, “I have a Doctorate in Divinity”. (Their trust in religious academia and letters behind their name has deceived them.) I told her that her Doctorate was insignificant because Jesus chose simple, uneducated fishermen as Apostles. (Jas.4:6) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. As I moved to get out of bed and stand to face her, I noticed that she was eating something, and the crumbs were falling to the floor. She was clutching the food container close to her bosom and was packing her mouth as if she was starving and hadn't eaten in days. (They are starving because they are “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”, which is their true spiritual food.) As I stood facing her, I saw she was a black form and had no defining features. (They have a dark “form of godliness” but are not transformed by the renewing of their mind or conformed by the Scriptures.) I shared with her what I remember from the UBM bible studies when David shared the revelation the Lord had given him that the Gospels and the Book of Acts will happen again in the latter days. Soon after I had said this to her, she vanished. (We pray this means she lost her form of godliness and became spiritual.) End of dream. Taking the King's City Back R. S. - 09/28/2008 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was camped out under an old bridge, and all I had with me were my sleeping bag, chainsaw, and my three dogs. My twin brother, Reuben, was also there, and he had a sleeping bag and a long plastic gun case. (My identical twin brother Reuben has been dead several years now, since age 21, when he drowned in a lake, but in this dream, he was alive. I think he represents my spiritual man, who has already drowned the old man in baptism and is now battling spiritually. When my brother drowned in 2000, it was like losing my other half.) There was a little town a bit down the road. I told my brother that we should go check out the grocery store. He said, “OK”, but before we left, I put my chainsaw and his gun case close to our sleeping bags where the dogs were. I noticed that the chainsaw was almost out of gas. We walked to the town and went to the grocery store. When I walked into the store, it seemed like my twin brother turned into my one-year-old son, who was named after him -- Reuben. (The name “Reuben” means “Behold a son” and in the dream, he changed into my son or my “fruit”.) I picked him up and put him in a shopping cart. As I was pushing him down the aisle of the store, this guy walked up in front of me and began to yell and curse at me. I was kind of shocked at first because I didn't even know him personally, but I knew we had met once before. Almost immediately after he began to yell at me, my son turned back into my twin brother Reuben again. At this point, I just wanted to leave, but the guy just stayed in front of me, blocking the way to the door, and he seemed like he was on drugs and was full of demons. My brother just walked around me and went up to the guy and began to squeeze the guy's hand really hard. The guy tried to squeeze him back, but my brother overpowered him and pushed the guy over to the side of the aisle so we could both get by. We then made a quick exit through the door. We got out of the store and began to walk back to the bridge where we had been camped out. The guy came out of the store with a few other people following him and began to follow us. As we continued walking, people began to come out of other buildings and houses with different kinds of weapons in their hands. Some had axes, pickaxes, machetes, and all kinds of knives. The entire town seemed like they had become possessed, like the guy in the store. They all wanted to kill us. We just kept on walking until we almost made it to the bridge. I told the people following us that I would sic my dogs on them if they kept coming, but they said that my dogs wouldn't do anything because their dogs were with my dogs. I didn't know what they meant by this at first. When I turned the corner, I saw my three dogs sitting by our stuff, and there were about four or five other dogs there with them. Some were a lot bigger than my dogs. All of the dogs were just sitting there, not doing anything. (I believe the dogs represent trusting in the beastly flesh. We are not supposed to fight in the flesh, which is why they did not defend me. They just sat around with the enemy's dogs, which were even bigger; more flesh. They were all comfortable just hanging around together; they were at ease together, just like how our flesh is at ease with the enemy. As long as we are living in our flesh, others are at ease with us, but when we begin to fight our spiritual warfare, it makes the same people become uncomfortable with us and attack us.) I then thought about getting my chainsaw to see if maybe I could scare all the people away with it, even though I knew it only had a little gas left in it. So I went around the dogs, and as I began to pick up my chainsaw, one of the guys ran at me and threw a hatchet and an ice pickaxe (the kind mountain climbers use). I turned and caught the hatchet in mid-air right before it hit me, and the pickaxe landed just to the left of me. I picked it up and then looked over at my brother, and there were a few guys who had attacked him. He seemed like he had been able to take some of their weapons away from one of them, and he was fighting back. At this point, I began to fight back. I went at them with the hatchet in one hand and the pickaxe in the other, swinging and hacking at them. I took a few of them down, and then I turned and saw that my brother was surrounded. So I ran at the guys who were around my brother and began to fight with them. Once we were both together, we were able to push them back toward the town. They seemed to get afraid of us once we were fighting together. (Once the new man, who is Christ in us, fights with the natural man in submission, we are unconquerable.) Some of them began to run away back to their homes. We kept on fighting until there was only one last guy. We chased him into his house. Then I felt someone put a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see who it was. There was a man who had a crown on his head and a long robe with a sword in his hand. (Now it is Christ fighting in the midst of His people.) There were about two or three other guys with him. I then told my brother, “The King has come”. Then the King with the sword said to me, “Let's go!” I asked, “Where are we going?” He said, “It's time for Me to take back My city on the hill. (Zion the Bride) I'm going to make it shine and we are going to conquer the kingdom”. (I got a picture in my mind of a glowing city on a hill and the verses in Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.) At this time, I remember thinking that the guys we were fighting didn't really matter anymore. We had already beaten them and now we were supposed to go with the King to take back his city. So I asked the King if I could go get some stuff that I had left at the campsite. He said that if I wanted to, I could, but that he was going to take back his city. He then began to leave in the direction where I knew the city to be. I asked, “Are you going to take it back already? Don't you need to raise an army?” He said, “I'm going to take it right now. I will have all I need by the time I get there.” He was very confident that he would take his city back, regardless of how many troops he had. I then felt that if I left him to pick up the things I had left, which weren't much, I probably would not be able to catch up with him before he took his city back. I knew I had to leave with him right then and there. (The main point I felt the Lord showed me was that when the King returned, He was going to take back His city, and if I was not prepared and ready to go, I would be left behind.) We have to forsake all to follow the King. (Mat.19:27) Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have? (28) And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (29) And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life. Birth Like a Breaking Dam Daniel Paul - 06/21/2011 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was flying above Israel in the Spirit and looking down and viewing the Sea of Galilee below. The Lord then spoke to me and said, “This is a freshwater lake. The water is good to drink”. I knew that this sea represented a holding place of truth. (Jesus was the truth.) Then I began to follow the Jordan River out of the Sea of Galilee. As I followed the river, I understood that this represented truth flowing out of a holding place. It is almost like the Sea of Galilee represented all the truth that man has come to understand by revelation of the Holy Spirit and revelation from the Word of God. (Which is Jesus, the Man-child, Who is the Word made flesh. Jesus was from Nazareth in Galilee. His Word come down to us from Galilee to the Man-child reformers of our day.) The Jordan River was like all of the teachings from pastors, teachers, audio and video tapes, books, radio programs and all sources of available teaching. (More likely this represents the Man-child ministry birthing as it was in Jesus' day to us.) As I followed the Jordan River for quite a while, I came to the Dead Sea. I could smell the Dead Sea before I actually saw it! The smell was putrid and very rank. As I flew over the Dead Sea, I could see salt encrusted on rocks, tree stumps, and other objects that were sticking out of the water. It seemed so dismal and dead. I was very grieved about this sight, and I wanted to know what caused the condition. (Like Ezekiel 47 prophesied, the Dead Sea is having an infusion of fresh water, with it now having even fish swimming in it. This speaks of the beginnings of a revival of reformation truth: https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/commentary-dead-sea-comes-to-life/ (A Reformation of polluted teachings come to life from the original living waters of Jesus.) As soon as the question hit my heart, I knew the answer: this was the church (polluted with false teachings), the salt that was meant to go out into all the world was being held and contained in a confined area with no outlet. It wasn't going anywhere! (This of course results in stagnant poisoning) As sorrow and grief filled my heart, I continued to fly over the Dead Sea (church). I looked, and I could see the end of this Dead Sea. It was stopped or restrained by a large object, which appeared to be a wall. I flew around the right side of the object, and I landed about 30 yards in front of this wall on the dry side of the Dead Sea. I looked up at the wall and realized it wasn't a wall at all but rather a great dam made up of two giant floodgates that were firmly clasped together with a giant black lock. (Like the 3 Gorges Dam) As I looked at these ominous and intimidating floodgates, I was filled with indignation. These gates were massive, probably 200 feet high and approximately 500 feet across. The smell and the feel of the floodgates were very familiar to me. It was the smell and the feel of religion, control and pride. It was the smell and the feel of Jezebel. I felt as if I wanted to tear them down right then and there. The floodgates spoke to me and said, “We are here to prevent a great disaster from happening. If this water were to be let loose without being governed properly, it would create a disaster of monumental proportions”. I was filled with such indignation and frustration. I was confused and could not explain why the floodgates were even there. (The Dead Sea represents everything dead and stagnant about Christianity, which is a curse on those bound in it; on the other hand, it is a blessing in that it has been kept in check by a merciful God and not taken over the earth. It first needs that infusion of fresh water we call revival.) After a while, I realized there was very little that I could do about the floodgates or the black lock. I just turned around and found something to occupy myself. In turning around, I noticed a great dry riverbed leading from the gates. At first, I wasn't sure if it was a riverbed or a lakebed because it was so large. (Representing the masses of lost people waiting for truth to bring them to life.) Then, as I looked at my hands, I noticed that I was carrying two objects. One object was a chisel called “Truth” that actually had the word “Truth” engraved on it. The other was a large hammer called “Spirit”; it also bore the inscription of its name. I wasn't sure what to do with these objects, so I just began using them to carve out large sections in the riverbed. I thought that I would help prepare this river for the work that God would do because I was sure that there was no way that God would put up with those floodgates much longer. (He is now doing something about this. A great storehouse of truth is ready to be unleashed, which will bring healing to the waters and great revival.) After some time of futilely carving large trails across the riverbed, I was startled by a voice behind me. I knew that voice because whenever I heard it, my spirit and soul were both as excited as they had ever been. A great feeling of expectation and a reverent fear filled me. It was the voice of the Lord! I knew He was standing behind me! He asked, “Daniel, what are you doing?” I said, “Lord, I am adding depth and breadth to this dry riverbed with Spirit and Truth”. He put His hand on my shoulder and turned me toward the floodgates. He pointed at the black lock. At this moment, I was aware of what the black lock was and its dark purpose. The black lock was the lies and deception that are used by Jezebel (the religious spirit) to keep them in place. The Lord said to me, “Use Spirit and Truth on the black lock”. (Paul tells us that great delusion will be in these end times, but the good side of the story is that many who have been held in bondage to this Babylonian DS and religious captivity will be released. (2Th.2:9) [even he], whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: (12) that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (13) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:) So, I flew up to the black lock, grabbing it with my feet, and I began to labor away with Spirit and Truth. It was then that I noticed that there were several other people doing the same thing. I did not see them until I began to work on the black lock. The floodgates were screaming at us, saying, “Who authorized you to do this? You are working against God! (Representing another Spirit, another Jesus, and another gospel and the Pharisees of our day.) You are blaspheming heaven! You are unloving and cruel! You are rebellious and shall be judged!” These lies kept pouring forth, and the floodgates of religion continued to assail us, trying to stop us, but the harder I worked with the hammer of Spirit and the chisel of Truth, the less their words affected me. (This must happen at this time to separate the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats.) Part Two After it had been some time since I had seen the vision of the floodgate, not really knowing how it ended or what happened, I received the second part of the revelation in a different vision. This time, I was flying over an extremely long beach. The beach was covered with hundreds of thousands of large black dots. As I got closer to the beach, I could see that these black dots were actually large circles of men. They were dressed in business suits, but their clothing varied from circle to circle. Each group surrounded a chalkboard, a whiteboard, or a large set of blueprints. They were writing mathematical formulas, studying plans, or writing theories about surfing. That's right, surfing. The kind of surfing that is done in the ocean. Their theories and formulas were very complex, but the funny thing was that none of them appeared to be dressed to surf. In fact, I did not see even one surfboard! (Surfing represents living above the curse, just like Noah's Ark was above the curse of the flood ordained by God's Word. Abiding in Jesus and His Word is our ark. It is dwelling in heavenly places in Christ. The problem is that in many religious “circles” like these, whose formulas do not help them live above the curse. Only those who are dressed up with Christ's Word and works can live above the curse. (Rom.13:12) The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (13) Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. (14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].) Just then a large wave came onto the beach, rolling over and up the sand. The water came to about the knee height of the men who were the closest to the ocean. The ones farthest from the water were hit at about ankle-level by the water. Yet not one man seemed to even notice the water. Then I saw thousands upon thousands of surfers on the beach, dripping and soaking wet with the Spirit of God. They had just ridden the wave onto the beach. Most of them had long hair, and they were wearing love beads and peace symbols, plus many were wearing sunglasses with funky hats. I knew this to be the Jesus movement of the 1970s. It was a real revival! These surfers immediately began to approach the groups of men standing around with their chalkboards. They began telling the men about the experiences they'd just had. They were telling them all about their ride on the waves, using all kinds of surfing lingo and slang. This went on for a short time. Then suddenly the men in the groups turned to the surfers and began to condemn them, saying, “You don't know anything about surfing! We are the surfing experts! If you want to know something about surfing, learn it from us!” (These new Christians who were born of the Spirit were seduced by the harlot religions.) Many of the surfers went away. Many others conformed and became just like the men around the chalkboards. Others joined existing groups and some created their own groups. Some even created groups that were not committed to Jesus Christ at all. (Some who were saved by grace and the Spirit were brought into bondage to religion, like the denominational sects of Christianity.) Then I heard the Lord say, “The next wave that comes in will be so large and so powerful that everything on the beach will be removed! (A wave of the truth waters from Galilee with the righteous riding it.) Whoever comes riding the wave in will be the ones standing on the beach”. (The first-fruit reformers) Then the Lord explained to me that before this happens, He would direct the men on the beach to take up their surfboards, paddle out into the sea, and wait on Him for the great thing that He would do. (They are now prepared, and outpouring will come upon them). I somehow knew that only a few would respond because some of those who paddled out would feel like they had wasted their time and would return to the beach. Others would paddle out, get tired or disillusioned and stop short of the distance required to ride the wave in. (Many, when God doesn't move in their time, will take destructive steps for their life.) Still, I saw many others who would take up their surfboards, stand at the edge of the water, either peering out into the sea or calling friends to come with them, and still, they would never actually get in the water with their surfboards. (Those who stand on the earthly will be destroyed. The righteous will ride the clear water from the Galilean to wash away the corruption. They are dwelling in heavenly places, abiding in Christ. The dragon/serpent sends forth a flood of deception and corruption to take down the woman in the wilderness, but the earth swallows the deception, and the woman Church is spared. (Rev.12:14) And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle (a gift of overcoming the world through the Man-child ministry), that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (by the Man-child just as it was with the Man-child Jesus), from the face of the serpent. (15) And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. (16) And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth. We have many revelations of the dragon ruling over false religion and faction.) As I continued to consider all these things, I kept looking at the beach. Suddenly, I saw in front of me the floodgates again! It was almost as if I was looking at a split screen. On one side of the screen, I could see the beach covered with men, and on the other side of the screen, I could see the large group of people, including myself, feverishly hammering and chiseling away at the black lock. I noticed, however, something different about the people working on the black lock. There was something different about them than the last time I saw them. All of them, including myself, were clutching surfboards with our feet and somehow being suspended in the air as we continued to work at the lock. (Those who stand in heavenly places in Christ will ride the wave from the Galilean and many who have been held captive will be set free.) Then I knew within myself what was to happen. I was filled with thrilling excitement and so much hope I couldn't stand it. I knew that when the lock broke, the floodgates would fly apart and be dashed to pieces. The water would come through the floodgates with a massive force like a tidal wave. I heard the Lord speak to me again, but this time it was from inside of me instead of outside of me. He said, “All who labored in obedience to what I told them to do will ride the forefront of this wave”. I knew that this wave would go all the way to that beach that I had seen in my other vision, that we would meet up with all those who obeyed the Lord and paddled out into the ocean, and there would be a new day of the church. The church age as we have known it will end, and the True Church will rise up. (Actually, the Bride led by the Man-child reformers will raise up the Church with a true 5-fold ministry. This is just what happened when Jesus the Man-child reformer led the Bride, identified by John as the first-fruits disciples, who followed the Lord and went forth to raise up the 5-fold ministry and the Church.) Later, I heard the Lord say to me, “I, the Father, had My Twelve, the 12 Tribes, and they were cut off. From the stump came a Holy Seed, a new shoot, My beloved Son. And He had His Twelve, the 12 Apostles”. I knew that there were another 12 coming (in these end times) and it would be a work by the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God, but I do not know what 12 this will be. I do, however, know that though the new thing will come out of the old thing, it will in no way resemble, look like, or operate like the old thing. (Jesus came out of the old thing but didn't look or operate like it. History always repeats, but with larger groups of people. A modern-day 12 Man-child ministry, in whom Jesus lives, will raise up from the 12 spiritual tribes, apostolic forefathers, to go forth and raise up the real five-fold ministries and the Church. [see 12 Man-child revelations ] The greatest revival of true Christianity will cover the earth as persecution burns up the wood, hay and stubble of their lives.) There will be a new Church; through a Holy Bride without blemish, without spot, and without wrinkle. (A holy Bride will come forth from the Church as Esther, Song of Solomon and Psalm 45 teach. Song 6:8-9 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number. 9 My dove, my undefiled, is but one; She is the only one of her mother; She is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and called her blessed; Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.) It's been a while since I've shared these revelations of the 12 Man-child ministry, so let me share a few of them with you. 12 Man-children Going Forth Anonymous - 10/9/2008 (David's notes in red) I had a dream about David, and I have never dreamed about him before. In this dream, he was in a large room with the other brethren and me. We were talking together, and for some reason, my mother was with me, and I called her over to introduce her to David. About this time, some men came to take David to another place, and they went off to his right. (Many have taken our Word on the Man-child and passed it on.) Everyone started rushing in that direction. I also started running and came up to a railing with an opening in it. I had the impression that this may have been a stadium or an arena, as I believe there were steps to go down and possibly also levels above. I stood there in the opening to see what was happening. (Stadiums are places where the Word is passed on to increasingly larger circles of people.) I stood there for a bit and then moved to another area. However, there were so many people in front of me that I could not see, so I went back to where I was at first. When I got there, someone said, “It is over; it is finished! Only 12 received this gifting, anointing or equipping for the work ahead.” (I believe it could be 12 from the UBM fellowship.) Everyone was very joyful and excited about this. When I awoke, I pondered this dream for a long time and believe that this was the “Man-child anointing”. I distinctly remember that only 12 were given this anointing. I through UBM have been prophesied for years to be a spearhead for the Man-child ministry. The head of the Man-child body is born first; then the body; then the anointing. This could represent 12 people from UBM, and it could also represent a first fruits of 12 spiritual tribes, passed down through the 12 Apostolic forefathers. In all, there will be 12,000 from 12 spiritual forefathers of 12 tribes, making 144,000 that come into the Man-child ministry. Twelve at the Feast R.V. - 10/13/2009 (Deb Horton's notes in green) I had a dream about a week or two ago, and it's the first dream I've had with David and me both in it. I've sought the Lord for meaning. I know it is spiritual and it's about preparation, but that's it, besides being very short. I dreamed it more than three times. (2Co.13:1) This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word be established. Each time I would ask, “What does this mean?” and then the dream would start over: In the dream, there were 11 men, besides David, who made 12. (This is the Man-child company, represented by the 12 loaves of unleavened showbread.) The only one I saw and recognized was David, but I felt we were all very close. We were all mature and wearing white flowing robes with a belt at the waist. There was a long table (representing the Table of Showbread) covered with a white, silk tablecloth (representing the prayer shawl, or tallit) with gold tassel fringe (the tzit-tzit) all the way around. (To the best of my knowledge, the showbread was covered by a tallit.) The plates, forks, knives, spoons, goblets and napkin holders were all of gold and neatly in place. They were very ornate and regal and there was a very pleasing, sweet aroma (frankincense, representing the anointing) wafting through the space. (Lev.24:6) And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the Lord. (7) And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the Lord. (8) Every sabbath day he shall set it in order before the Lord continually; it is on the behalf of the children of Israel, an everlasting covenant. A voice with love, authority, and power told us to sit down. There was no jockeying for position or placement; we just seemed to know where we were supposed to sit, and we took our places. (2Ch.13:11) And they burn unto the Lord every morning and every evening burnt-offerings and sweet incense: the showbread also [set they] in order upon the pure table... There was a sense that food was on its way. (The Man-child company is the food, the unleavened bread.) I felt the 12 in the room were getting ready to receive something really wonderful, and a call that would be like the ministry of Jesus and even greater. There were six seats on each side of the table, with a place set at each end, but we 12 were the only ones in the space. I say space because there were no walls -- none that I could see -- nor was there a ceiling that I recall. I didn't pay attention to the flooring. I'd ask the question, “What does this mean?” and the dream would start over, but nothing changed. 12-Pointed Star of the Man-child Lion Jena Neal - 12/17/2008 (David's notes in red) In the dream, Jena was at some public showers. Later, everyone went outside into what appeared to be something like a campground. Everyone started to look up because there was a star approaching in the sky. The star was radiating light and had several colors emanating from it like fireworks or Christmas lights. She felt so much joy in her heart and soul. Daniel, her husband, then said, “Baby, it's the first sign”. She had some papers in her hands, and she somehow knew they represented the 12 points on the star. The star was so beautiful and started to move over them, sparkling and shooting light. Everyone started singing the song that says, Praise God from whom all blessings flow, although she knew some people who sang didn't do it from the heart. Jena then fell on her knees and then on her face on the ground. She was overwhelmed with peace, joy, and love. Then something fell into her hand like a wooden dowel of some kind with knobs at the ends. (An ancient scroll representing the Word) She didn't see it, but only felt it. She wanted to praise God but was speechless and overwhelmed with joy. She then woke up, unable to move from the impression. She couldn't go back to sleep for a long time. When she fell asleep again, she had another dream. She (representing the Bride) was driving in a car with her mom (representing the Church) while it was dark. In the sky, there was the face of a lion, but her mom couldn't see it. End of dream. The star announced the coming of Jesus the Man-child and now history repeats. The 12-pointed star represents the birth of Jesus in the Man-child body today, from whom many blessings will flow. The face of the lion is what the earth and evil will see now. First the Lamb and now the Lion. 12 Man-children Alan Charles Simpson - 08/13/2015 (David's notes in red) At first, I see a vision of a man in chainmail (Covered in Armor, representing invincibility.) kneeling behind a shield “at 12:00,” and then there were 11 others. All 12 were on and around the face of a clock in the 12 hourly positions, facing forward toward those who could view the clock with their heads toward the outside edge of the clock. All had on chainmail. (Which was high tech armor that permitted better movement that the old armor.) This seems like the coming Man-child warriors in a defensive position and invincible. The 12:00 represents the beginning of a new day and new time. We are almost there! Twelve Baby Boys Sandy Shaw, Dreams given 1/28/19 and 1/29/19 (David's notes in red) The way this dream starts, I don't think it's in a hospital, but I saw twelve newborn baby boys. I was looking around to find the mothers or nurses. Each of the babies had a bottle in their bassinets. All the babies were crying at the same time, and all of them wanted milk all at the same time. (The 12 babies acting together “At the same time” represents that a corporate body of the Man-child, new reformer leadership, will be in one accord.) The first one I changed had cloth diapers with rubber pants. Then I picked him up to feed him and noticed that the milk was at the perfect temperature because I had tried it on my wrist. I burped him and put him down, then went to the next one. I did that twelve times and that's when I really realized that they were all male. (The Man-child administration will be all male as were previous types in the Bible, including Jesus' administration.) There was a recliner chair in the back of the room. So I went to sit down, went to sleep, and it only seemed like a few minutes. Then I heard crying, so I opened my eyes, and now the babies were all one year old. (This maturing happens very quickly as in previous revelations, and we can see it happens as a corporate body). As I went each time to feed them, I sang a worship song. On the other side of the room, I saw a table on which their bottles were sitting. They were crying because they couldn't reach them. They had to be fed. (For they were growing so fast) I grabbed a bottle and diaper set, and then I laid them down on a diaper pallet. It looks like a two-inch pad with a pillow and a blanket. Then they fell asleep. I had been singing to them. I did it twelve times. And then I went to the recliner again and fell asleep. I woke up and because they were “tapping” my legs. They're now two years old. One of them said, “Eat; eat.” Now on that table instead of bottles were sippy cups and a bowl of baby food. I grabbed the bowl and went to the carpet in the right corner of the room. And I sat down and fed them there. When the food was gone, we would go get the sippy cups full of milk. And I kept thinking, “There should be clothes for them now.” (The clothes represent them putting on the works of Jesus.) There was a pile of clothes sitting on the right side of the floor. (They are sheep not goats.) Then I thought, “I've got to wash them.” There was a sink in the back of the room. So I threw them in and reached for the SNOW soap. And as I washed them, I noticed that they were immediately dried. I put them on the boys and then gave them their sippy cups. Then we went back to the carpet and sat down and started singing. The three songs we were singing were “Jesus Loves Me, The B-I-B-L-E,” and then “Walking Hand In Hand.” (That's the song I love to sing in Spanish). The boys sang the words that they knew. We had just finished singing when one little boy stood up and said, “When is he coming?” and I said, “Who?” And they all said in unison, “Jesus!” Then I woke up. (I dreamt this twice on January 28 and 29). (Jesus is coming with the anointing of the Man-child administration. Hos 6:1-3 Come, and let us return unto Jehovah; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. 3 And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth. He is coming as the anointing on the Man-child body of reformers.) A verse I got at random, Mark 7:15. There is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. (Those who speak against the Word will not be in the Man-child body and will be removed from the leadership by Babylon.)
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” — Isaiah 5:20We are carrying the weight of sorrow, confusion, and moral disorientation. The death of Renee Nicole Good has shaken many of us to our core. The images and accounts surrounding her last moments are painful to witness. They stir something deep within us, not political reaction, but human compassion. Something within us whispers that this is not how we should live this lifeLet us hold this precious life in prayer.God bless,Rev Leon
Woe, God, Bible, Parkwood, Barefield
#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-2884494ac017130690907e073e8f1a54{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-2884494ac017130690907e073e8f1a54 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-2884494ac017130690907e073e8f1a54 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – January 08Revelation 8 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – January 08 Revelation 8 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0108db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible The Seventh Seal: Seven Angels With Seven Trumpets 1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 Another angel, holding a gold censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given a large amount of incense to offer together with the prayers of all the saints on the gold altar that was in front of the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense went up from the hand of the angel before God, together with the prayers of the saints. 5 The angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it on the earth. Then there came crashes of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. The First Four Trumpets 6 The seven angels, who had the seven trumpets, prepared to sound them. 7 The first sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, and [1] a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. 8 Then the second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea became blood, 9 a third of the creatures that live in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a huge star, blazing like a lamp, fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star was Wormwood, and a third of the waters became wormwood. [2] Many of the people died from these waters because they had been made bitter. 12 Then the fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, as well as a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them became dark. And there was no light for a third of the day and likewise for the night. 13 Then I looked and I heard a single eagle [3] flying in the middle of the sky, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those whose home is on the earth because of the remaining trumpet blasts of the three angels who are about to sound their trumpets.” Footnotes Revelation 8:7 A few witnesses to the text omit A third of the earth was burned up, and. Revelation 8:11 Wormwood refers to a bitter herb that was used as medicine to kill intestinal worms. Revelation 8:13 A few witnesses to the text read angel. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo
In MATTHEW 18:7 Jesus says: “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!” (Matthew 18:7). What does Jesus mean by His statement that it is “necessary for temptations to come?” According to Matthew 18:7, temptations are necessary because of the sinful state of the world, not because God causes them. Jesus states that it is "necessary that temptations come," meaning they are an inevitable part of living in a fallen world where people's actions and institutions can lead others into sin. The passage warns that while temptations are unavoidable, individuals are still accountable for their actions and are condemned if they are the cause of temptation for others.TUNE IN TO HEAR MORE! SUBSCRIBEPlease to support our effortsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/reason-for-truth--2774396/support.
Arcana Coelestia 7914… the good of innocence, which is the good of love to the Lord, is not received by the man of the spiritual church unless he compels himself; because it can with difficulty be believed by him that the Lord is the only God, and also that His Human is Divine; and therefore as he is not in faith, neither can be in love to Him, consequently not in the good of innocence, unless he compels himself. Divine Providence 150. 6. Our outer self has to be reformed by means of our inner self, and not the reverse. “The inner and outer self” means the same thing as “our inner and outer thought processes,” already discussed in a number of places [103-111, 120, 130, 139, 145]. The reason the outer has to be reformed by means of the inner is that the inner flows into the outer, and not the reverse. The scholarly world recognizes that there is a flow of spirit into matter, and not the reverse; and the church recognizes that the inner self needs to be cleansed and renewed first, and then the outer. This is recognized because the Lord and reason both say so. The Lord says it this way: Woe to you hypocrites, because you cleanse the outside of the cup and the platter while the insides are full of plunder and excess. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and the platter, and then the outside will be clean as well. (Matthew 23:25-26) [2] In Divine Love and Wisdom I have presented ample evidence that reason teaches this. In fact, whatever the Lord teaches, he enables us to perceive rationally. This happens in two ways. One is by our seeing its truth within ourselves as soon as we hear it; the second is understanding it through rational analysis. Seeing it in ourselves happens in our inner self, and seeing it rationally happens in our outer self. Can anyone fail to see within, on first hearing, that the inner self needs to be cleansed first and the outer self cleansed by means of it? However, if we have not accepted some general image of this from the inflow from heaven, we can go wildly astray when we rely on our outer thought processes. They show us simply that outward actions, deeds of charity and piety, bring us salvation apart from deeper values. In the same vein, they tell us that sight and hearing flow into our thought, that smell and taste flow into our perception — that is, that the outside flows into the inside — when the opposite is true. It is an illusion that sight and hearing are flowing into our thought, because it is our intelligence that is seeing through our eyes and hearing through our ears, not the reverse. The same holds true for the other senses. Doctrine of Sacred Scripture 40. To a considerable extent, the truths of the literal meaning of the Word are not bare truths but are semblances of truth; like similes and comparisons, they are drawn from the kinds of things that are in the physical world and are therefore adapted and fitted to the comprehension of uneducated people and children. Since they are correspondences, though, they are receptacles and dwelling places for genuine truth, like containers that gather in and hold something the way a crystal goblet holds a fine wine, or a silver plate holds gourmet food. They are like garments that serve as clothing, whether swaddling clothes for babies or attractive dresses for young women. They are also like the information in the earthly mind that comprehends within itself the perceptions of the spiritual self and its affection for truth. The actual bare truths that are gathered in, contained, clothed, and comprehended are in the Word's spiritual meaning; and the bare goodness is in its heavenly meaning. [2] However, this needs illustrations from the Word. Jesus said, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, because you cleanse the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and excess. Blind Pharisee, cleanse the inside of the cup and the plate first, so that the outside of them may be clean as well. (Matthew 23:25-26) The Lord said this using terms from the outermost level, which serve as containers. He said “the cup and the plate”- the cup meaning wine and the wine meaning the truth contained in the Word, the plate meaning food and the food meaning the goodness contained in the Word. Cleansing the inside of the cup and the plate means purifying what lies within us, matters of our will and thought and therefore of our love and faith, by means of the Word. The outside becoming clean by cleansing the inside means the consequent purification of our outer selves — our actions and speech, that is, since these have their essence from what lies within. Third Round posts are short audio clips taken from Round 3 comments in the online Logopraxis Life Group meetings. The aim is to maintain focus on understanding the Text's application to the inner life while reinforcing key LP principles highlighted in the exchanges.
Tuesday, 30 December 2025 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Matthew 15:21 “And having departed thence, Jesus, He withdrew to the allotments – Tyre and Sidon” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus finished His explanation of the things that defile a man. Eating with unwashed hands was not among those things. Next, Matthew records, “And having departed thence.” The last record of where they were was in the land of Gennesaret. That was noted in Matthew 14:34. The account doesn't say why they left, but some scholars assume it was to avoid the anger of the Pharisees whom He had shamed. Regardless of the reason, it next says, “Jesus, He withdrew to the allotments – Tyre and Sidon.” This is not the first time that these two cities are mentioned, but it is the first time that it notes Jesus having gone to them. The first time, it was in reference to His works, which evidenced His being the Messiah – “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.” Matthew 11:21, 22 As for the terminology, it says that He went to the allotments of Tyre and Sidon. Thus, He may not have gone to these cities, but to the surrounding area. However, it would be inappropriate to assume that He didn't go there based on His words to the disciples about not going in the way of the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5) or His words concerning being sent only to the House of Israel, which will be stated in verse 24 of this chapter. The reason for this is that, despite being Gentile cities, there was probably a sizeable Jewish presence there. Going to a Jewish home in a Gentile area would not violate either statement. He would remain in the “way of the Jews,” and He would be ministering to the House of Israel. Of this visit, the Pulpit Commentary says – “If, as Chrysostom suggests, Jesus, by going to these partly Gentile districts, wished to give a practical commentary on the abrogation of the distinction between clean and unclean (breaking down the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile), this lesson was given equally well by the acceptance and commendation of the Gentile woman's faith, even though Christ himself was outside of pagan territory.” This is, as noted in a previous commentary, not an appropriate sentiment. It is true that Jesus fulfilled the law and set aside all dietary laws in its fulfillment. It is also true that the wall of partition is brought down in Christ. However, it is an unacceptable leap to assume that Jesus was there to “give a practical commentary on the abrogation of the distinction between clean and unclean.” That is putting the cart before the horse. Only in the completed work of Christ is that realized. The introduction of the Gentile woman will be the same lesson to Israel as that stated by Him in Luke 4:23-27. God does not favor Jews over Gentiles, and His mercy towards Gentiles was evidenced concerning this in the past. His point is the same there as it was with the centurion already noted in Matthew 8. God is looking for faith in people. He would rather have a faith-filled Gentile than an entire nation of Jews lacking faith. True as this is, it has nothing to do with Jesus hinting that the ceremonial parts of the law had been abrogated by Him. If that was what He intended, and the people of Israel would have known this very well, they would have taken Him out and stoned Him. Even after the resurrection, the Jews still didn't get this. They insisted on maintaining the dietary laws scrupulously. Peter had to be explicitly told that this was not appropriate in Acts 10 before he was told to go to the house of Cornelius. Life application: It must be trumpeted loudly that the dispensational model is a necessary part of what God is doing in order for us to rightly divide Scripture. Until it was fully laid out and explained, commentaries throughout the centuries were wholly incorrect in explaining what Jesus did and what the effects of His work meant for the people of the world. Even to this day, churches that do not understand or properly teach dispensationalism have all kinds of aberrant doctrines they must contend with. Actual contradictions in their doctrine and theology arise because of mishandling this important precept. It affects the doctrines of salvation, end times matters, law observance, and so much more. Be sure to study and remember the principal tenets of the dispensational model. In doing so, you will avoid many pitfalls that some of even the greatest teachers of Scripture have failed to get right. Lord God, help us to rightly divide Your word, the word of truth. It is without error or contradiction. But when we misunderstand the context, we will have both creep up in our doctrine. Help us to get things right. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
Today, Paul M. Neuberger comes for the version of Christianity that's all talk, no walk. The facade. The pose. The outward show with a hollow soul.It's time to face the cost: living for the world's approval or Christ's command.We dive deep into the uncomfortable gap between Sunday worship and Monday obedience—where image outpaces integrity and where cheap grace tries to replace costly discipleship.The world may settle for branding; we answer to a higher calling.Jesus didn't die for religious actors—He died to make us new. The challenge? Will you repent, realign, and let your faith get rugged, real, and relentless?Buckle up. This one's raw, real, and rooted in truth.“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." –Matthew 23:27-28Episode Highlights:09:33 – Over time, the church can unintentionally become a safe place to hide instead of a holy place to be healed. One of the primary engines of hypocrisy is cheap grace, the idea that forgiveness cancels the call to transformation. Grace becomes a spiritual anesthetic instead of a surgical tool. We numb conviction instead of letting it cut. But Scripture is clear. Grace saves us and grace trains us... If grace never teaches you to say no, it's not biblical grace. It's self-deception wearing religious language.36:14 – The antidote to hypocrisy is not louder words or stronger branding. It's costly obedience. Real Christianity has always been less about what we say and more about how we live. When no one's watching, walking the walk means choosing obedience even when it hurts, costs, or isolates. It means aligning behavior with belief, not just on Sunday, but in the hidden places where integrity is formed. Jesus never invited people to admire him from a distance; he invited them to follow.41:42 — Hypocrisy drains spiritual authority. When the church mirrors the world in greed, sexual immorality, pride and division, it has nothing prophetic to say. Jesus called his followers the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Hypocrisy dims the light and contaminates the salt. Fourth, what's at stake is leadership, integrity. Hypocrisy doesn't stay hidden forever. Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite
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