Sermons

We are commanded to rejoice at the annual Feast
of Tabernacles.   This is a
time to recharge our spiritual batteries and that must surely be helped when we
are surrounded by those of a like mind.   It’s a time to be together, to be
taught, to fellowship and to rejoice.   The Feast is a great opportunity
our great God gives us, in which many can strengthen relationships and where we
can develop family ties with our spiritual brethren.   The Feast is a foretaste of
sharing eternity together as glorified members of the very family of God.   Rejoice and make the best of this
wonderful opportunity.

God looks at us in only two different ways. We are either, in His mind, His friends or His enemies. There is no “neutral” ground. Either we are with Christ, are we are against Him. Either we serve God, or we serve mammon. Either we want the glory of God, or the glory of man. Either we love Christ more than anything else, or we love our friends, relatives or even our own life more than Him. We cannot be lukewarm. If we want to be “neutral,” we have made it clear that we really don’t want to be God’s friends–and that we therefore are His enemies.

The fact that we can now have access to the Father through His Son is the underlying message of this Day of Atonement.
We are to become like God, and the preaching of the Gospel focuses on how Jesus Christ made this possible.

It is a privilege to be part of and to have a part in God’s Church! This privilege provides an understanding of the Plan of God and of His Way of life, including the Truth of God’s Sabbath, the Holy Days, tithing, and the spirit in man. We must not take this privilege for granted!
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We are commanded to observe the Feast of Trumpets as a memorial, a commemoration, a reminder of impending events that will find their fulfillment in the return of Jesus Christ. The sound of the blowing of trumpets had unique significance for the nation of Israel and it was often accompanied by awesome events. The future fulfillment of this Feast Day will shock and terrify the world, but it will lead to salvation for those who obey God!

The Feast of Trumpets points at the time of Christ’s return, following the time of Jacob’s trouble and of the entire world. The book of Isaiah includes many prophecies, describing the terrible devastation of this earth at the time of Christ’s return. It also promises us protection, and explains the role of God’s Church today, and in the future. Finally, it makes very clear that the events, as prophesied in the book, are preordained and certain to occur.
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Jesus Christ set an example of the way those called of God are to live their lives. That way exemplified the way of give – as opposed to the way Lucifer (Satan) lives his life, which can be summed up as the way of get. We must follow Christ’s example, living our lives in the obedience of God and in ministering to others, especially those of the household of faith!

Even the most righteous have faced supreme trials–trials that took unquestioning faith, courage and perseverance. Sometimes, life itself hung in the balance! The hardest thing we will ever face is our calling to eternal life. The lesson from the Bible and from the examples of those who have preceded us is that it isn’t easy–not for them, not for us and especially not for those who witness the looming events of the close of this age.

The Bible says that a true Christian must have “virtue.” What exactly does this mean? Dictionaries, encyclopedias and commentaries give us a wide variety of definitions, but what is correct and what is in error? In the New Testament, the Greek word, commonly translated as “virtue,” is only used five times. On two occasions, it refers to God, and in three places, it addresses Christians. In the Old Testament, the corresponding Hebrew word is used in many different ways, conveying a variety of meanings. Since Christians must have “virtue,” we need to know what, exactly, it is that we must manifest in our lives.

When a person is called of God, God expects that person to learn to live a life based upon His Way. Having been given God’s Spirit, His Truth, and an understanding of His Way, a Christian is to come to live his/her life as the Father and Jesus Christ live. A Christian must truly come to understand the way of truth and must begin directing his/her life in that Way. This should become the goal to which the Christian dedicates his/her life.
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Down through the ages, the
Church of God has undergone persecution, scattering, martyrdom, wolves among the
sheep and accusations to mention but a few.  The apostolic church was called a
sect.  We are the direct descendents
of the first century church and, therefore, we may be called the same.   The real problem in today’s
society is the connotation that is put on the interpretation of that word.   We were not promised an easy life
– indeed, narrow is the way, and persecution has always been part of the true
Christian’s lot.   It has been
claimed that there are nine different marks that reveal a sect and these are all
reviewed.

In the face of disaster–such as hurricane Katrina, Christians need to consider what God has both warned and what He has promised. The Bible records examples of people who faced life and death circumstances–unable to sustain themselves–yet, God protected them! God has also promised protection in this time of the end for those who honestly and from the heart serve Him.

Are you struggling with weakness or a lack of success, not knowing why? A major problem which plagues many members in God’s Church is a lack of assertiveness. Did you know that lack of assertiveness will prevent you from becoming victorious? You will never be given the crown of righteousness, if you don’t develop the character trait of godly assertiveness. In doing this, you must also overcome its opposite–cowardliness and fear.
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During these serious times just prior to the Day of the Lord and the return of Jesus Christ to the earth to establish the Kingdom of God, we must be ever alert to all that is going on around us, and we must take extra care that we do not quench God’s Spirit in our lives!Play Video

Many times in the Bible, the words, “take heed” are used. That means to discern clearly, to be circumspect, to pay attention or to hearken. For some few, what God said served to awaken them. Today, we, as part of the Church of God, are members of the “household of God” as spoken of in God’s Word. As such, we have unique relationships with God, Jesus Christ and with fellow members. Uniquely, the Church has been given very specific warnings beforehand of prophesied events. Will we believe God and Jesus Christ, and will we really take heed?

Psalm 22 has been correctly understood as revealing in advance the thoughts of Jesus Christ at the time of His crucifixion. In addition, Psalm 22, as written by David, describes David’s personal feelings during his times of trial. Finally, Psalm 22 is relevant for all of us today, when we face difficulties, and it encourages us to never give up, even when we are tempted to do so. Psalm 22 begins with addressing suffering, but ends with describing God’s help, our victory and our great reward.
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When we accept God’s calling, repent of our sins, and are baptized with the laying on of hands of His Ministry, He commits to us His Spirit, His faith, the knowledge of His truth, and His promise to always be there for us as long as we are faithful to our commitment to Him.

But how committed are you, today, to God and to His Way of life, as you struggle in this evil world, which at this time is ruled by Satan the devil, the prince of the power of the air?

There are individuals who know better; who, nonetheless, have chosen to compromise truth in order to satisfy their own desires. In secular terms, we might call them mercenaries. For them, the bottom line is personal gain–a greedy desire for money, possessions or prestige. The Bible also contains the record of such evil people who willingly sold themselves for their own interests at the expense of the truth and obedience to God!

Luke, the Evangelist, one of Paul’s faithful and loyal companions, wrote two records to Theophilus, about Jesus Christ and the early Church. These records can be found in the gospel of Luke, and in the book of Acts. Although there are many lessons to be learned from Luke’s writings, we want to concentrate today on the subject of faith. Luke is pointing out that faith must be accompanied by action, as well as a true and sincere heart. But faith alone is not a guarantee for correct understanding, and righteous living is not a guarantee for faith. Finally, our faith is not enough to inherit the kingdom of God.

God hates pride and vanity. He refers to these life choices as sin. He tells us He will not endure these choices. He equates one who chooses them as a way of thinking and acting as fools!

These two attributes are very destructive when used and the father of these attributes is none other than Satan the devil! When elected for use in our lives they cause contention and shame and are equated with the evil way.

When we do see these creep, subtly, into our thoughts and actions, we must repent, immediately, of this error, and pray for God’s help in our being able to replace them with humility in the way we direct our lives.