Many great names have spotlighted world history, but the name “Jesus Christ” outshines all others. Earth, the stage of world history, was created and is sustained by this same Jesus. It is written of Him in Colossians 1:17 “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law” (Galatians 4:4) The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was the first event of His earthly career as the incarnate (means literally “in the flesh”) Son of God, even though He had existed before that event. Christ, like the Father and the Holy Spirit, had no beginning. He has always existed (preincarnate). John 1:1 says (referring to Jesus) that the Word was “in the beginning.” This means that when creation’s time began its course (Genesis 1:1), the Word (Jesus) already existed. The greatest event in world history—the birth of Jesus—took place without the world noticing. However, announcements of His birth were given to certain individuals before it happened. Knowing the truth is knowing what is said in the Bible to be true. The knowledge of the scriptures affects our attitude toward the present and the future. The more we know about what God has done in years past, the greater the confidence we have about what He will do in the days ahead. We should read our Bible diligently to increase our trust that God's will is best for us. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." (Romans 15:4 NIV) The Bible is the living book of God's words that reveals to us not only the past but the truth of all that is happening around us now and what is to come in the future. Through the Holy Spirit, we are able to discern who the adversary is and his agenda. God's truth is the light that shows us the enemy's devious works, and by that Light they are destroyed. (Listen to entire sermon below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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Knowing the truth is knowing what is said in the Bible to be true. The knowledge of the scriptures affects our attitude toward the present and the future. The more we know about what God has done in years past, the greater the confidence we have about what He will do in the days ahead. We should read our Bible diligently to increase our trust that God's will is best for us. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." (Romans 15:4 NIV) The Bible is the living book of God's words that reveals to us not only the past but the truth of all that is happening around us now and what is to come in the future. Through the Holy Spirit, we are able to discern who the adversary is and his agenda. God's truth is the light that shows us the enemy's devious works, and by that Light they are destroyed. (Listen to entire sermon below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. “Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain.” Isaiah 56:10-11 (NIV) We can see how Isaiah 56:10-11 relates in today’s world with crystal clarity. The “Watchmen” were the nation’s leaders. As it was then, it is now. The leaders were, and are now, blind to every danger and, thus, did not warn when danger was coming. They were full of self-adulation and self-richness as they sat at the top of the nations, and they grew vastly apathetic to the needs of the people they governed. They were then, and are now, more concerned with satisfying their own greed. Leadership’s special privileges can cause them to either sacrifice for the good of their people or to sacrifice their people for their own greed. Without God in a leader’s heart, the people’s future is doomed. “Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.” Psalm 12:1-2 It seems that sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence. We have one hope – the Word of God. God’s Word is pure, and it is the truth. Read His Word in the Bible and listen carefully when He speaks to you through it. (References: Isaiah 56:10-11; Psalm 12:1-2; Isaiah 57) (Listen to entire sermon below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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The prophet Habakkuk was greatly troubled as he addressed the wickedness and disobedience of Judah. “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and you will not hear? I cry out to thee 'violence!' Yet thou dost not save.” Although he was disturbed, he remained faithful to God and in his distress he said, “I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and will keep watch to see what he will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved.” God responded and instructed Habakkuk to write and record the heavenly vision on tablets so that all who pass by could read it in order to compare the vision with the actual future events of Judah’s and Babylon’s punishment. God told the prophet, “Though it tarries, wait for it. For it will certainly come, it will not fail.” Similarly, God’s people today are to be diligently watching to see and hear what God will reveal to them through Jesus Christ. They are also reminded to write His commandments and truths on their hearts, and wait faithfully upon God knowing that His word and His plans will all be fulfilled at the appointed time—for the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 1-3; Proverbs 3:1-6; 2 Peter 3; Hebrews 10:35-39; Luke 12:35-40; Galatians 3:11 If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. Abraham faithfully arose early in the morning to obey God’s command to sacrifice Isaac. (Gen 22) His every step, heartbeat, and thought along the way was yielded to the living God when he was committed to and endeavored to serve. Fears, doubts and apprehensions must have pressed enormously on his mind and heart. But he was determined to allow God to give him strength and faith to accomplish His command; a faith that gives substance to things hoped for and evidence to things not seen. (Heb 11:1) This faith in him, and from God, was evident when he told the young men traveling with him and Isaac to stay behind and said to them, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go yonder, and we will worship and return to you.” (Gen 22:5) Worship and return! How can this be when Isaac was to be offered? Because nothing is impossible with God, and the mind cannot tread where faith can venture. In the end, God spared Isaac and provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice. Romans 4:3 says that, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” May followers of Jesus everywhere have such a renewed and fresh stirring to contend earnestly for the faith such as we see here in Abraham. (Jude 1:3) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
© http://www.123rf.com Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance (substance) of things hoped for, the conviction (evidence) of things not seen. Faith here means to be bound, to bind together as one. This chapter names multitudes who were faithful unto death without receiving the promises of God in their lifetime. They did, however, welcome them from a distance by faith and confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth (away from their heavenly home). (See Hebrews 11:13) It was from a distance that Abraham looked up and saw Moriah where he was to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. It was also at this time when we witness compelling evidence of Abraham’s binding faith in God when he told his two servants to stay behind while he and Isaac were to go and worship God and return to them. (See Genesis 22:5) Sometimes, perhaps frequently, you may feel the stress and adversities of everyday life and feel that God is far away, but be reminded that God told Abraham and Sarah, regarding the birth of Isaac, that nothing was too difficult for Him. (Genesis 18:14) Today we have access to God and are brought near to God through Jesus who shed His blood that we may be forgiven and inherit eternal life. Now, we can experience a close, personal and intimate relationship with God through Jesus--no longer from a distance. LISTEN TO AUDIOIf you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
Most assuredly, we are witnessing a cultural shift in our society today—a movement from what is morally right in the sight of God to what is morally corrupt and wrong. If you live in diminished light long enough, you begin to believe that obscurity, ambiguity, and obtuseness are rather normal, but in time this deprivation will show its ugly face. For example, if you place a blooming plant which requires full sun into a heavily-shaded environment, you will soon observe the ill effects of it yielding fewer or no blooms and declining health. In like manner, God created man to walk with Him and bear fruit in the light through Jesus Christ, the Light and Life of the world. I can just hear multitudes saying to themselves, “There must be a better way”—and there emphatically IS! His name is JESUS! In Matthew 4:16, Matthew quotes from Isaiah 9:2, “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned.” The light was JESUS. The book of Hebrews mentions the word “better” 13 times, all referring to Jesus—the better way, the better truth, and the better Life for those who walk in obedience to Him. Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of sermon and/or download file.)
Personal Testimonies: Prior to the morning's message, Pastor Mark opens the floor to life testimonies. It is great encouragement to hear how the Lord is working in each of our lives. Click the forward button below to play the personal testimonies of Pastor Mark and others and/or download file.)
David hungers and thirsts for instruction and petitions God for help as evidenced in Psalm 25:4, 5. “Make me know thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths, lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation, for thee I wait all the day.” To wait upon God is to hope in God alone, to look for Him, to be gathered to Him. Furthermore, hope is defined as having a joyful expectation of good. For those who are committed to God through Jesus Christ, there should be a daily and earnest awareness that God is intimately acquainted with our spiritual, mental and physical needs. Believers are to remain steadfastly devoted to God whether the day is long, dark, or even stormy. They are to be faithful even if they sail on turbulent seas, and not faint if God’s promises are delayed. Dependency and hope upon God must be every day, all day long. Hosea, whose name means salvation, cries out to God’s people and declares, “Therefore return to your God, observe kindness and justice and wait for your God continually.” (Hosea 12:6) Remember, God is not pleased with a part-time relationship. (See Revelation 3:15, 16) Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of sermon and/or download mp3 file.)
Personal Testimonies: Prior to the morning's message, Pastor Mark opens the floor to life testimonies. It is great encouragement to hear how the Lord is working in each of our lives. Click the forward button below to play the personal testimonies of Pastor Mark and others and/or download mp3 file.)
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