Sermons

Today, let us examine Biblical principles showing us HOW to keep God’s weekly and annual Holy Days. They are Feast days, to be kept holy. Our inward and outward appearance, especially while we are attending services, should reflect the holiness of those feast days. We should realize that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the holy angels are watching us, and that we are appearing before the God and Creator of the universe — a great King of splendor, beauty and quality. We are to dress up and we are to pay attention to what is being taught. We also need to prepare for the commanded eight-day-attendance of the Feast of Tabernacles, by carefully setting aside our Second Tithe for this purpose.

A cycling super star who confronted, and beat cancer in the 1990’s made a simple but very profound and incisive statement that “Pain is Temporary but Quitting Lasts Forever”. This truly sums up the way of life that we’ve been called to. We can, and we all do get temporarily discouraged at times but we are not alone in this and the Christian way of life is a calling and a full time career – and if we permanently forsake it then we have, in effect, quit forever.

This subject deals with why the ministry exist. It is to fulfill seven points of scripture from preaching the Gospel to the world to performing marriages and funerals to baptism to anointing both in baptism and raising one in the ministry.

Our God is a merciful God. We must all come to understand just how merciful our God is and realize that this point of Character which is typical of His Mind is a quality He would have His people develop in their lives. Christ tells us in Luke 6:36 to “… be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” And in Matthew 5:4 He taught that if we are merciful, God will be merciful with us.

Love covers all sin!

Throughout the pages of the Bible, we read that Jesus committed no sin; that no deceit was found in His mouth; that He did do no violence; that He came into sinful flesh, becoming sin for us; and that He was numbered with the transgressors for our sakes. It is clear that He did not transgress God’s law — He never sinned even once. But what about man’s law? Was He properly sentenced to death according to the Jewish and Roman law that was in effect at His time?

Some have erroneously concluded that He was, neither knowing the law of man nor the Scriptures. Others have rightly pointed out that Jesus’ execution was nothing more than premeditated murder. The Bible, as well as the relevant provisions of the applicable human law, make this fact very obvious.

In the face of the prevailing attitude of division that is so much a part of society whether in nations or families or even the Church of God, the people of God must be careful to not allow this approach in their own lives. As a test of Christian unity, we must examine and test where we stand. Do we possess and are we growing in the spirit of unity that God has established in His Church

All of us suffer of trials, tribulations, and persecutions. In fact, the Bible tells us that everyone who is a true Christian and who wants to live godly in Christ Jesus WILL have trials. Sometimes, it may appear that our difficulties are more than we can possibly endure — and we might be tempted to throw in the towel. Tragically, many have done so in times past. But, when we go through trials, we should understand why there are trials. That will help us to look at them, and especially the ultimate outcome, in a much more positive light. When God allows trials to come upon us, it is for a reason. And, it is for our ultimate good.

The Bible has much to say about the tribe of Judah – both their history and their future. It is important for Christians to understand Judah’s role in the plan of God. It is into the line of Judah that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was born, and prophecy shows that Jerusalem will be the seat of government upon His return to this earth. The Old Testament reveals the emergence of Judah as a nation, and the selection of David as an enduring king over the house of Israel. Although chosen to rule, the house of Judah has been the target of violent persecution because of enemies, and the Bible shows that the Jews have failed to obey God and have rather allowed their religious practices to become polluted with human traditions. The Bible also shows a bright and enduring future for the tribe of Judah once the Kingdom of God is established.

What Does God Require?

God requires repentance of those who seek His Way of life. Sin is always against God, whether we sin against a neighbor or whether we break one of the first four commandments, which are direct obligations to Him. Sin is the transgression of God’s Law.

And, if a brother sins against us and repents for that sin, we are obligated to God and to our brother to forgive him.

This sermon examines the principles involved.

The question who was Jesus has been terribly misunderstood by orthodox Christianity. Even some Sabbath-keeping Church of God organizations don’t have a correct understanding of this topic. However, we must understand correctly, as otherwise, we might be in danger of rejecting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Some teach that Christ was truly God and truly man. Others say that He was fully God and fully man. Some teach that He was fully God, but not man. Some teach that He was fully man, but not God. Some say that He did not exist before He came to this earth. Some say that He existed as an angel. Others teach that He has always existed as God.

What is the Biblical truth?

Being called our this world is a kind of awakening from God. It is being brought from deception into a knowledge of the freedom of truth. However, Satan still seeks to deceive and to enslave any who would believe his lies. Christians need to continually be on guard understanding that these lies are masquerading as truth. Believing and acting on this kind of deception can lead to death. On the other hand, following Jesus Christ, resisting Satan, overcoming the world, avoiding false doctrine and false teachers and not deceiving ourselves are some of the ways in which we can avoid being deceived.

When we hear that someone is in prison, or that he or she had been in prison, we immediately think or assume that the person must have done something terribly wrong. At times, we may hear that somebody was sent to jail who was innocent, and that after years of having served the prison term, his or her innocence was proven. When that happens, we still pride ourselves with the illusion that the system works — and that the innocent person was just a necessary casualty of the system. We need to be careful not to loose sympathy and empathy for prisoners. The Bible has quite a bit to say about innocent righteous prisoners that ended up in the jails of this world. They were jailed because they stood up for God and His way of life. At other times, they were imprisoned because others envied them, wanting to take advantage of them, coveting what they had. God allowed that His servants be jailed. He allowed it for a reason. This is important to understand as the Bible prophesies that many of God’s servants will be imprisoned in the future — before Christ’s return.

God places tremendous value on human life. He has a great purpose in mind for mankind to the point He was willing to allow Jesus Christ to empty Himself of the very God Essence and to come to this earth in the form of a flesh and blood human being in order that God’s purpose should be fulfilled. As a part of His purpose, God has charged us, as parents, to see that our children be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The European Union’s effort to seal its first-ever constitution collapsed Saturday, December 13, 2003, after leaders could not agree on the best way to divvy power once the 15-member bloc adds 10 new members next year. The key stumbling block was a proposal from Germany and France to scrap a complicated point system that was accepted in 2000 and gave Spain and Poland almost as many votes as Germany, which has twice as many people as either. French President Jacques Chirac called for smaller pioneer groups of countries to forge ahead with closer integration in defense, economic policy and justice. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder predicted that there will emerge a Europe of two speeds. The Bible prophecies that in the end, ten nations or groups of nations will lead Europe. They will receive power for a very short time, and transfer it to the “Beast,” a political and military European leader. He is referred to as the king of the north, the beast, and King Jareb of Assyria.

We are soldiers of God and we need the armor of God in order to overcome the adversary Satan. It is very crucial that we have the whole armor not just a part if it.

It is vitally important for Christians to have the big picture perspective of how their lives relate to the master plan of God. The Bible speaks of events that are past, present and future. In order to not repeat the mistakes of history, God has given an extensive record in the Bible of individuals and events from past generations. Furthermore, the Bible also reveals the concept of eternity. It shows that God has been working out His purpose for mankind beginning even before the creation of the universe. Understanding and acting on the lessons of the past will help us assure our future in the Kingdom of God.

God has called us to bring us into His kingdom. He has called us to succeed. If God had any doubt whether or not we will succeed, He would not have called us in this day and age. God is sure and certain that we will make it into His kingdom. How certain are we about it? Only one person can prevent you from making it — and that person is you yourself. That is why we need to conquer our fears and doubts. That is why we need to overcome. But, in God’s eyes, this battle will be won.

Are we fulfilling what our Heavenly Father is requiring of us in order for us to achieve the results we desire in the calling we have received? Is the knowledge we have received helping us in the transformation of the way we think and act? As this transformation is taking place, do we see positive results in our lives as to growth and change, as we learn the Way of God? Are these results we are achieving pleasing in God’s sight? How are we doing?

Where are we and what should we be doing as it relates to God’s plan for this world? In a time when the Church of God has become broken up into remnant groups, many have withdrawn inwardly. However, the commission to the Church remains in force! On the one hand, the Church is warned to come out of and be separate from this world, while on the other hand it is sent to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world. The Church must be doing both these things and doing them in light of the plan of God

As we get back into our daily activities, having returned from eight wonderful days observing the Feast of Tabernacles, we must be ever mindful that our calling from God is a calling to live a certain way – a way which is contrary to the ways of this world. We must not allow the cares of this life to distract us to the point that we fail in this tremendous calling.