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.)

Temptations, even though a bad thing, can really be a good thing. When you are tempted, it exposes the weaknesses still within you. And, boy, are there a lot of areas of temptations – hatred, anger, disappointment, unkind acts, jealousy, selfishness, etc., as well as the old stand-by, sensual lust. News flash though – the temptation is not the sin, giving in to the temptation is the sin.

In our sermon, we will discuss the reasons why God uses temptations:

• Reveal what is in your heart
• Replay significant life issues
• Remind others of His grace and goodness
• Reinforce your will
  

To further our understanding of temptations, we will also discuss the stages of temptation:

• Deceit
• Delight
• Desire
• Deliberation
• Defeat
• Despair
  

(Hmm—those look mighty familiar, don’t they?)

But God never reveals something that He does not show a way of escape. There are steps out of temptation:

• Fight the devil (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8-9)
• Follow Jesus (1 Peter 2:21, James 4:7-8)
• Flee from sin (1 Corinthians 10:14, 2 Timothy 2:22, Romans 13:14, Genesis 39:12)
• Feed your soul (Matthew 4:1-11, Psalm 119:11)
  

Thank You, Lord, for saving our souls. Jesus is truly the only way out of this mess…take it!

(Listen to entire sermon below.)

Sometimes you do doubt, even when you love God with all your heart. The prophet Jeremiah certainly loved God, but when the Babylonians overran Jerusalem in 586 BC, he surely had a “bout of doubt”. In Lamentations 5:20 he cried, "Why do You forget us forever; why do You forsake us for so long?"

Doubt is definitely a problem—a big problem. God calls it sin. Fight it with all your might. Know the occasions of doubt; know the sources of doubt and above all, know the cure for doubt, all of which we will discuss in our sermon today.

Remember, even though we sometimes hate to admit it, all doubt can be traced to unbelief in God’s word. Confess that sin to God and move on from there to be immersed in God’s word, then examine yourself and pray like never before!

References: Ephesians 4:18-19; James 1:8; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Kings 18:21; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6; II Corinthians 13:5; Hebrews 6:1-9; I Timothy 4:13; II Timothy 3:16; Matthew 26:41; I Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12; Luke 24:38,49

(Listen to entire sermon below.)