Sermons

What is God doing now? Does He work, and is there really a work of God at the present time?  The Bible reveals that God is engaged in a great endeavor that He watches over, guides and blesses.  This most important activity also involves those who have become a part of the Church of God, and the clear meaning is that we have a job to do!

One of the greatest problems that people in general have, is that of balance which is not being extreme in any way. There are three ditches that we can fall into – that of being a Pharisee or nitpicker, that of being a liberal, and that of being a critic. None of these three areas will do us any good at all in our Christian lives. God has given human beings various abilities and powers but all too often we can, and do, neglect or abuse these attributes. But with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, we can use the abilities that we have been given, in a right way ensuring that we don’t fall into these various ditches.

Gentleness is one characteristic of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which was so evident in the life of our senior pastor, Edwin Pope. Gentleness is a character trait, which all of us must emulate.

Steadfast is defined by one dictionary as: firmly fixed in place; immovable; not subject to change; firm in belief, determination or adherence.   These are the qualities that are a must for all true Christians.   There are many things that can threaten our steadfastness.  We have tests and trials – something that we are promised – and some may give up or compromise; a spouse dies and the one left can be so upset that they can drift away; the local group dissolves as members die, move away or stop attending so that the group is longer viable; there is no group or church locally; members can move from one part of the country to another due to their job or family – and to an area that has no Sabbath services.   Excuses can be made about attendance where there is a group.   These are just some of the dangers that can threaten our steadfastness.   And being steadfast to the truth is an essential requirement in making it into God’s Kingdom.   It is just that serious.

The Church of God is a mystery to most people. Very few
understand the purpose for its existence, and what–if anything–the Church is
supposed to do today. Many don’t even know what the Church is. They
may think it is a building or a legal entity. Others believe that
they don’t need the Church to be saved. Most don’t even understand who leads the
Church of God, and how they can become members of the Church.

To believe is to accept as true or real. That isn’t always so easy, and it has proven difficult for mankind to believe God. Christians are called upon to believe the gospel in order to attain salvation. Additionally, we need to test ourselves and examine what we believe in light of God’s Word.

When the time comes, will we be prepared for an evacuation? God gave specific commands to certain individuals in the Bible to prepare for an evacuation. They had to obey and do exactly what God instructed, in order to be saved. Will we be ready in that day when Christ comes back and will we be strong enough spiritually to handle what is prophecied in the Bible?

During a marriage ceremony, bride and bridegroom promise to love each other until death. But far too many married couples don’t really believe that their marriage will last until the remainder of their natural lives, anticipating or even expecting that it will end in divorce. However, marriages are meant to endure, and to be happy and successful. It takes continued effort on both parts, but it can be done!
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What relationship do Christians have with other people–including those who are strangers. Jesus Christ instructed us that we should love even our enemies, and in the timeless example of the Samaritan becoming neighbor to one in need, we are taught how to treat others.

Next to Psalm 23, this Psalm 15 is the second most popular Psalm.  7-Points:  1)Read the 5-verses of Psalm 15,   2)Look at 12-titles+descriptions of Psalm 15,   3)Look at Psalm 15’s 10-qualifications,   4)Look at Parallel#1–Psalm24,   5)Parallel#2–Isaiah33,   6)Parallel#3–Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ,   +7)Expound each of the 14-phrases, within the 5-verses.

Idolatry is a deadly enemy which we must overcome. Idolatry presents itself in many different forms and disguises. Don’t assume that you are not guilty of idolatry in God’s eyes, only because you might not be violating the most obvious prohibitions.
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Since the time of man’s creation, we have failed to be righteous in God’s eyes. However, God has given us a set of tools to overcome this fallible nature by giving us his Holy Spirit and the sacrifice of his only son, Jesus Christ, so that we may achieve the goal of being part of his family. Job gives us an example of overcoming failure by persevering through his trials and repenting from his sin of self-righteousness. David too failed by committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband Uriah the Hittite. Yet David overcame these  sins by acknowledging his sins, and turning back to God. In Christ’s time, Peter failed on a number of occasions — seeking his own will above God’s, misunderstanding the meaning of Christ washing his feet, and by denying Christ at the end of his life. Peter took each of these failures as an opportunity to learn from his mistakes and move forward with greater character than he had before. The Bible reminds us that God will not forsake us. It is our responsibility to not get discouraged by our failures, but rather, to use them as an opportunity to grow closer to God and His way of life.

What do we love-less in our lives?  Do we put our own desires before God’s Word, our own salvation before His Church, and ourselves before God? In order to truely draw closer to God we must Hate the things He hates.  We must love everything less then we love our God.  If we do, then like King David, we will be a friend to God.

After 15 years of inactivity, the Jews that had returned to Jerusalem, began to resume the work of building the Temple. And even though they completed the Temple within four years, restoration of the city of Jerusalem would not commence for almost 100 years. Filled with enthusiasm at one time, they had begun to become complacent toward the Work of God and their own personal lives. God chose the scribe and priest Ezra, as well as the governor Nehemiah and the prophet Malachi, to help the Jews to repent of their personal sins and to begin repairing the city wall and the city. The way God did it should give us today great encouragement and hope in the face of discouragement, persecution and trials.
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Why study the Old Testament book of Ezra? Is it in any way relevant to us? The surprising answer is: This book contains valuable lessons for us today–more than we may perhaps realize at first sight. The book of Ezra and related books show us what God can do for us, and how He may do it. We can also learn how man may react–in the right or the wrong way–to God’s challenges and opportunities.
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The Bible records episodes of dramatic change for both individuals and for nations. We are taught in God’s Word what to do when change comes–about times of transition. We face changes in our lives and within the Church of God, and we need to understand how to handle them according to God’s will.

It is an indisputable fact that our culture is seeping – or has seeped into the church.    This includes a general breakdown in respect for authority, and the embracing of individualism, the attitude that says nobody can tell me what to do.   The true ministry are there for the express requirement of helping in every way possible the spiritual growth and development of church members – and when that is achieved with the right approach of members and ministry, the effect will be growth within the body of Christ.

All men suffer. This does not exclude Christians. Sometimes, when we see that a true Christian suffers, we might ask ourselves, Why does God let it happen? It is important, then, to realize why God allows Christians to suffer. The reason is quite simple: We need to suffer to become perfect. Or to say it differently: We are made perfect through suffering.
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The Book of Jonah has been viewed as mere Hebrew folklore and a fairy tale. Especially the story of Jonah in the belly of the great fish has been labeled as a myth. But even science confirms that it might have happened exactly as written. If that story was untrue, then the bible would be worthless. Jesus Christ confirmed the veracity of the contents of the Book of Jonah. And the book contains many valuable lessons for us today–if we are willing to listen.
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