Because Of His Mercy

Titus 3:5 
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit

1 Peter 1:3 
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

2 Thessalonians 2:16 
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

1 Peter 1:21 
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Ephesians 2:4
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

Rejoice in The Lord, again I say rejoice. No matter your circumstance, you are blessed! Christ has saved you! He intercedes for you before God! You will have trials, your faith will be tested. It is the devil's delight, to torment. Our salvation is our hope through the grace imparted by Christ on the cross. His shed blood has sealed us for eternity. If you do not know Christ as savior, you are a slave to sin. It rules you. It drives you. But you may say, I don't do bad things, I am a good person. Many good people will go to Hell because they think it is about them. It's not about you, it's about Christ. It is about Him being able to satisfy God's wrath toward man because of sin and man's fall from grace in the garden. God will judge our wickedness. 

Lord, help us to show the urgency of salvation. We need to know that our next day may not come. We need to know that Christ alone is our hope. Amen

There Is A Man Facing Death

Heb.9:27 

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment

God is patient with man and his rebellion. He withholds judgement while we ignore the gift of salvation. He places loving people within man's path who believe that Christ is able to save their souls from eternal damnation, so they can hear the gospel. Man responds by glorifying God for His gift of Jesus or he ignores the gift. There is no in between, no other choice by which man is redeemed! Your soul was designed by God as an eternal spirit. God meant it to return to Him for all eternity. The beginning sin of man in the garden of Eden and the sin that remains today changed that! God gives man freedom of choice! With choices come consequences, this we are taught from childhood. Ignoring salvation comes with an eternal consequence, eternal suffering in Hell. We can present the gospel, which is our mission here on Earth, but only God calls you to repentance and only He, in mercy, can change your heart and your sinful life! There is a man, a brother of family member, who lays in his bed dying of cancer. He does not believe in the saving power of Christ! He will die lost, eternally sentenced to Hell. Why? How can this be? God is loving! It is because God hates sin! He sent Christ to atone for sinful man! Christ is the only way for God's forgiveness. For sinful man is eternally lost without the blood sacrifice of One who is worthy to satisfy God's wrath against sin! Christ alone, by faith alone! What is your choice? Are you the one who is devoted to destruction because of the lack of faith, that Christ indeed, can atone for your sin or will you humbly ask God's Son for hope and mercy that comes only from the blood of His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection? I will be praying that God will awaken your soul to the truth that is found in His Word.

Lord, I humbly ask for souls to be shaken awake. Time is short, there will be judgement, Christ is our hope! Amen

God's patience toward sinful man...

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
1 Timothy 2:4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 1:4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Man's soul...

Ecc.12:7

and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

John 5:28-29

28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 

29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

1 Corinthians 15:53

For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

Christ sufficiency...

Heb.10:12

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God

Hebrews 10:10 

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 9:14 

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Hebrews 7:27 

Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself

1 Tim.2:5

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

Acts 4:12 

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

1 Corinthians 8:6 

yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Hebrews 9:15 

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant

Sinning Deliberately

Heb.10:26-27
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

Everyone sins! But to the person who repeatedly sins, enjoys it and shows no remorse, there will be judgement! You must repent! Christ, on the cross, is our sacrifice. He, in obedience to His Father, went to His death for all who trust Him for salvation. His blood cleanses us from our sin which will condemn us to Hell. How can you ignore such gift? You must have faith in Christ alone!

Heb.11:1-3
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Where does faith come from?
 Romans 10:17 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Galatians 3:2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Hebrews 4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.

There is one Father to all men, God!
Eph.4:6
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all
Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Lord, open Your word to us so that we may know the depths of You. Teach us to follow Your commands and to teach the world of Your glorious mercy. Amen

The Sacrifice of God's Son

Heb.10:4
4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Heb.10:9-14

9 then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 

10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 

13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Heb.10:16-18

16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," 

17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Heb.10:19-23

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 

20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Jesus said, 'Behold, I have come to do Your will". Knowing He was headed to the cross, knowing the separation He was to suffer from the Father as He was covered with our sin, but still, He came! Blameless He came to take our place, what a Savior! How can you ignore such a salvation?
Father, open hearts to this salvation! Amen

To Remain Faithful

Thanks to pastor Jim for this teaching.

Luke 18:1-8

1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 

2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 

3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' 

4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 

5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'" 

6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 

7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 

8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" 

The reason for the teaching... 

(Luke 18:1, 8; cf. Genesis 6:2, 5; 19:4-5; Matthew 24:13; 

Luke 17:20-37; 18:8; James 1:27; Revelation 21:7-8)

 

God has ordained persistent prayer as the primary means by which we remain faithful 

as we wait for Christ's return. 

Jesus' return will be evident to everyone because... 

It will be dramatic.

It will be discriminating. 

It will be devastating.

Remaining faithful is difficult because of... 

The delay in Christ's return. 

The disregard for Christ's gospel. 

The deception of godless living

. 

The one who endures to the end will be saved. - Matthew 24: 13

The help that is promised... 

(Luke 18:2-8;cf, Matthew 7:7-11; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 

1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 4:16; 10:32-39; 

James 1:27; 5:1-11; 1 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 2:5-9; 3:1-15; 

Revelation 5:8; 6:9-10; 8:3-4)

 

God-at just the right time-will give both grace

 and justice to His children who pray persistently. 

The glory of God's gracious help... 

God graciously set us on alert regarding the danger 

of false faith that doesn't last. 

God graciously determined to include us in the process

of persevering faith. 

God graciously ordained a relationship between our prayers 

and Christ's coming.

 

The question on the table... 

(Luke 18:8; cf, Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:13; 1 Corinthians 16:22; 

Philippians 4:6-7; Revelation 22: 17, 20)

 

When Jesus gets back will He find us-individually and corporately - praying persistently and living faithfully? 

Praying persistently for persevering faith... 

Long for Jesus to come back. 

Let the rejection of the gospel bother you. 

Look at the routines of everyday life through the lens of the coming 

kingdom. 

Pray "as you go" as well as "in the secret place." 

Pray for God's reign in your life and in the world, 

now and forever. 

Pray for both God's help today and our hope tomorrow. 

The End of the Beginning

Thanks to pastor David and the preaching of the truth of God's holy word!!!

Rev.22:6-21

6 And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place." 

7 "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 

9 but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." 

10 And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 

11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." 

12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. 

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." 

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 

15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 

16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." 

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 

19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 

20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

The book of Revelation is not to promote hopeless speculation about the future but is intended to fuel hopeful obedience in the present!

See the world in all it's deception...
The beast...
Do not put your hope in government!
The false prophet...
Do not put your hope in religion!
The prostitute...
Do not put your hope in material affluence and social acceptance!

See Christ in all His glory...
He is fully human and fully divine!
He is the fulfillment of prophecy and the final high priest!
He is infinitely old and infinitely wise!
He sees all, knows all and reigns over all!
His purity has no error and His power knows no equal!
His voice resounds with authority and His face radiates with light!
He has the first word in creation and He will the last word in creation!
He was dead for a time but He is alive for all time!
He is the conquering Lion and the slaughtered Lamb!
His worth is undisputed, and His work is unforgettable, and His worship is universal!

His birth declared the death of the ancient serpent, His death de-fanged the adversary, and His resurrection demolished every accusation against the church!
He is faithful and true!
He is the righteous Judge and Messianic warrior!
Many crowns adorn His head, and much mystery surrounds His name!
He conquers God's enemies, and He reveals God's Word!
He rules the nations of this world, and He brings God's wrath upon
this world!
His grace is free, and His joy is full!
He is the Savior who came once, and He is the Sovereign who is
coming back soon!
He is King of kings and Lord of lords!
No one and nothing compares to Him!

See the church in all her beauty....
We are His body!
We are His bride!

See your life in proper perspective...
Fight against sin!
Resist compromise!
Refuse complacency!
God promises blessing for the faithful!
God promises judgment for those who fall away!

Endure amidst suffering...
Do not be surprised by it!
Do not be overcome in it!
Jesus is present with you!
Jesus possesses and protects you!
Jesus has a purpose for you!

Proclaim the gospel of Christ...
To everyone you know!
To the ends of the earth!

Hasten the coming of Christ...

God, give us unwavering holiness in this world ...
With unshakable hope in the world to come.

Amen and Amen!!!!

Cowards, The Truth and Sinners

If you see someone in a burning building, what do you do? We all know the answer, we help them! Then why by all that is holy do we keep silent when we see people headed for destruction in Hell? Why do we not point out their sin and love the person by telling them the hope that is found in Christ? We who follow Christ know Hell is real and from there you can not escape! We have become afraid to speak in truth to those who are perishing. Our, if it feels good do it, attitude is one sure way to let people stay in their sin. You can point out, in a loving, non judgmental way, that we all fall short and need a Savior. But to say nothing is being a coward! It is up to the person to turn from their sin just as we have, our only duty is to prayerfully, humbly and lovingly tell our story of a sinful life changed by the mercy of the Cross! You must see this, the devil is cunning, he will find your weakness and he will pick at it until it festers into sin! If he can get us to accept that all manner of sin as okay, then he can cause great confusion. When we ignore what God is teaching in His holy word and exchange the truth for a lie, then we are on the road to destruction.

Jude 1:17-23

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

18 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions."

19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

22 And have mercy on those who doubt;

23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Jude 1:4-11

4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day-

7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."

10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.

2Tim.4:1-5

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Lord God in heaven, Forgive us for not being bold in Your name. Amen