A look at the spiritual growth of one man, the Apostle Peter, and what we can learn from his example. 

Do we want righteousness as much as a starving man wants food?  That's the idea behind the wording of this beatitude. The sermon explores that idea and looks at several examples from the Bible of what that looked like in the lives of individuals.

If a member takes the Passover unworthily, it could make them weak, sick or even cause their death. The context of 1 Corinthians 11 plus related scriptures shows what unworthy means.

John 3:16 tells us Christ died for sinners so they would not perish. The  penalty of ceasing to exist for all eternity is the same for the so-called “white” lie and for the worst unrepentant sinner who will have ever lived. The key words to understand concerning the Passover are “blood,” “new covenant” and “remission.” When understood, we can comprehend the pervasive nature of sin and the new covenant blood sacrifice that liberates mankind from the captivity to sin.

What must you do every day to be a successful Christian? To be healthy in this physical life, we know we must breath air, drink water and eat nourishing food. Living as a Christian is no different. If we are to be a successful Christian, there are several spiritual items we should perform every day.

God gives us many blessings that are conditional based on our obedience. Find out more about the promises of God that are unique.

God has been incredibly merciful to mankind and yet man has continued to doubt His fairness.

The meek will inherit the earth; those who are not meek will not. The word “meek” is only found three times in the New Testament yet it deserves top priority. Can you define it accurately? This sermon defines it for us plus gives us the story of the most meek man in the Old Testament.

Why has Hamas attacked Israel? This message explores the prophecy and follows the history of this conflict over the past four thousand years. 

The apostle Peter tells us that we have been “begotten to a lively hope.” The Bible speaks about the hope we have through Jesus Christ. We can be encouraged in our daily trials to know the Holy Spirit we received after baptism is the guarantee that of the hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God.

We find the word “mystery” over 20 times in the New Testament. Many of these mysteries are linked together. A closer look reveals the Mystery of Righteousness and the Mystery of Iniquity. Those two mysteries clash at the end time as revealed by a letter to the Thessalonians and God’s Revelation of the end time.

Describe instability in one of the ranches and stability in the other—Briscoe Ranch problems in lawsuit among heirs and King Ranch stably run by family over six generations.  Need to apply lessons spiritually.

The Church of Ephesus in Revelation 2 had excellent spiritual traits—except one—they had lost their first love. That loss was so serious that if they didn’t repent, Christ was going to remove the lampstand from them. Do you know what that love was? Have you and I lost our first love?

What is the most important call you have ever received?

God’s call to become a son or daughter in the Kingdom is our most important call. This sermon gives us seven benefits of our Christian calling for which we need to be thankful.

The world cannot understand why God allows so many seemingly innocent civilians to die—whether it be the 38 million in WWII or recent bystanders in more recent conflicts. Among other reasons, we know the whole world is under the sway of Satan the devil plus God’s first two commandments tell us God punishes idolaters but has mercy on those who are obedience.

The Bible compares our spiritual battle physical sports—the more difficult sports. From those biblical examples we learn lessons on resisting Satan so that we do not practice sin.

Science does not know exactly how or why the human memory system works but understands the various components of it and how it is interlinked.  We can use that knowledge to enhance our spiritual growth. This sermon takes a very basic look at these components and considers the role they play in our spiritual understanding and why it's important to remember the things God tells us to remember.

We can take for granted that we sleep when we die. Have we definitely proven that fact by studying the many scriptures about the subject of death and the resurrection?

Jesus Christ taught the disciples to pray which means to ask. However, his instructions on praying didn’t begin with asking. Jesus told them to hallow God’s name. What does “hallow” mean? Why should we always hallow God’s name?

The world today does all it can make observing the Sabbath a burden.  However, the Sabbath is a blessing and gift from God, and we must always remember this and make efforts to make the Sabbath a delight for ourselves and our families.

The righteousness by Christ in us that Satan strives to destroy is our key to holding fast God’s Word. Study God’s Word, prove what we are taught, hold fast to the truth. But…never forget that disobedience to God’s law will take away our understanding.

The trial of our faith (1 Peter 1:7): which is more precious than gold that perishes—the trial or our faith? It’s faith in God’s promises in this life and the next that takes us through the trials of this life. Forgetting  and lacking faith in God’s benefits will cause us to quit.

The last division of the Old Testament is the Writings which is divided into 3 sections, one of which is the Feast books (Megiloth). Song of Solomon equals Passover; Ruth is Pentecost; Lamentations is what? Esther is Atonement and Ecclesiastes is Trumpets/FOT/LGD. Lamentations is a lament, weeping over the sins of Israel for not obeying God’s law. Are we using God’s Spirit to overcome before Christ comes?

There are spiritual lessons for us in this intriguing book.  For example we are to love our enemies even if we think they may do us harm.  Also God loves mankind and is very merciful.

How much time do we spend on social media? Is what we watch or read really newsworthy? There is always interesting and entertaining media that is socially redeeming. But are we spending most of our time with trivia or with worthwhile information?

What do human beings strive about? Answer! Anything and everything. What is the cause of strife? Examples in God’s Word gives us the answers. Proverbs focuses on the subject of strife. The end result we must have is wisdom with understanding. And that answer is in James 3.

The list is long. Three important areas stand out concerning what God’s Spirit does. Christ’s Spirit in us is a blessing because we are turned away from sin. Through the Spirit of Christ, Christ lives in us and we know the way, the truth and life. Only with the fruit of the Spirit of love can we have joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness, faith and self-control

Taken from Heb 10:36 we take a look at the meaning of the Greek word translated as endurance (it means more than just endurance as we think of it). We look at how to build up endurance and consider several factors that could inhibit it.
 

God created Eve to be a help to Adam. The world doesn’t have a right view of women’s place in the home, in the world or in the future. What can we learn from God’s Word about why He created women and how He views mothers, wives and women in general.

Five lessons on dealing with life’s struggles and pursuits.  Lessons are extracted from book by Chuck Yeager entitled “Press On.”  He was first pilot to break the sound barrier.

What must we do to inherit eternal life?  That was the question asked of Christ in Matthew 19. Biblical accounts reveal that Publicans and Pharisees surely thought their actions and attitudes would insure their inheritance. However they were criticized by Christ. There is just one guarantee for salvation and a test we can give ourselves to prove whether we have it.

Christ taught His disciples those things pertaining to the Kingdom of God for 40 days before ascending to heaven. Then what? Christ was given all authority in heaven and earth, became the Head of the Church and inspired the mystery of the ages to be revealed. What was that mystery?

I used volcanic activity, specifically Mt. Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii as a comparison to Malachi 4:3 and the result of sin that is not repented of.  Passed around a small bottle of ashes from Mt. St. Helens and its eruption in 1980.

The Kingdom of God will be totally unleavened ruling over a leavened world.  The world we live in today is fully leavened world. To be totally leavened we must be like God and be kind, compassionate and easily forgive the sinner while hating the sin.

We are called to change. But changing our thinking is hard! What does the Bible say about how to change our thoughts and actions?

After the Passover we read that we can refrain from the leavened attitude of malice and wickedness because of Christ’s sacrifice. Still, there are lessons to remember--#1 living in sin results in bondage, #2 Satan refuses to let us go easily and #3 God is always near to fight for us.

The church in Corinth was corrected for not keeping the Passover correctly. Second Corinthians 13:5 tells us to test ourselves whether Christ is in us. We examine scriptures on the mind of Christ but also the meaning of the bread symbolizing Christ’s body beaten for us. The mind-set of suffering to avoid sinning heals our minds.

John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the One who would take away the sins of the world. After Christ was resurrected, we are told God sent Him to bless us in turning us away from our iniquities. After the Passover, we become a new unleavened lump of sincerity and truth. Did Christ ratify a New Covenant that accomplished this?

The resurrection of Christ is so important it seems it should be a holy day and special feast rather than the Passover. At the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine decreed Easter must be kept rather than the Passover. What is so important about the Passover that Satan replaced it with a pagan holiday on Sunday?

The Feast of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are unique feasts with different lessons. Preparations for each feast is different. There is a reason Israel kept the Passover in the environment of sin; a different reason why leaven is not to be in our homes until the beginning of the first day of unleavened bread. What are they?

Wash your clothes, fix your meals, raise your kids—what’s missing. Without touch mankind wastes away; the covid pandemic testified to that fact. God’s love is one of touch, touch begins at home, the family of God is a close body that cares personally for one another, the Passover proves we are to share and fellowship, if we do not have the love of proper social behavior, we are nothing.

The Passover is about Christ’s  blood of the New Covenant that results in writing the law of God in our hearts and minds. The carnal mind of mankind has always been hostile to God’s law and totally unable to be subject to His law. This sermon focuses on Galatians 2:19—how carnal theologians unlawfully twist the meaning and how God’s law of faith establishes the law.

This can refer to procrastination or improper prioritizing.  But can lead to violation of ten commandments—instead of working hard to provide for self and family a growing problem is to steal the results of the hard work of others.  Stealing, murder can be involved.  Example of Esau.

2022 proved to be more tumultuous that ever in Israel. Germany is no longer a reluctant hegemon.  The Beastly king of the North combined with 10 kings who destroy Babylon will surround and capture Jerusalem. The church will not be surprised when those events take place. What major prophesied deception could be our spiritual undoing?

God tells us, “If need be, we are grieved by various trials.” We all know by experience that trials have been needed in our lives. Just as important, God comforts us exceedingly every time. Because He does comfort us, we are in turn told to comfort others in their trials.

Inspired by a series of sermons given by Arnold Hampton a few years ago, this sermon takes a look at one facet of just one dimension of the love of God and how it is illustrated by a few verses from Phil 2.

The Passover reminds us why God needed to send Jesus to this earth. We understand fully when we contemplate the covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Horeb, the fact God stated they did not have the heart to keep the commandments, Moses’ declaration on the lawlessness of the 1st and 2nd generation Isaelites, the transgressions of the Kings of Judah and the prophesy of Christ in Malachi of being the messenger of the new covenant. So God sent Christ to…well, have a listen and find out!

This sermon looks at why God has called us to be spiritual lighthouses and what we need to do to be God’s lighthouses.

New Years in the world is their time to make resolutions. Our goal every day is to be in the Kingdom for which we pray to come soon. More so, our goal must be to be righteous, the most difficult endeavor any human being could have plus a goal of detailed requirements.

A deeper look at the name Jesus Christ and a few other names emphasizing His greatness.  Example: “Despotes”—One with unlimited power and authority.  Related to English word “despot.”  There are bad despots but a few are good, namely Christ.  We are to voluntarily submit to His authority.

This sermon answers 10 questions about anointing. For example, when should I ask to be anointed; what does God expect of us before He answers our prayer; what are the three reasons for disease; are we lacking faith if we are not healed in this life? And more!

God tells us to joy in our trials!  We are also told that Christ was able to set aside the weight, even to the point of suffering an extremely painful death on the stake, for the joy of inheriting God’s kingdom. Is everlasting life and pleasures forever along with the glory that shall be revealed in us,  a comparable reward for the trials, temptations and sufferings we experience in this Christian life?

Thanksgiving Day comes once a year but for most Americans the truth that pure thanks to God must be combined with humility. The key that results in thanks, praise and honor to man and God is humility. Pure humility is tested when we praise God but curse men who are made in God’s image.

The mid-term elections have passed reminding us of how much God controls world events. Careful studies of U.S. elections plus the rise and fall of empires reveal God is very much involved in the rise and fall of kings and other influential leaders. God declares in advance the beginning and the end of events, not only with governments but also religion. Do we fret about who will be the beast and false prophet as much as we concern ourselves with U.S. elections?

Meditation from a biblical perspective is as different from the world's view of meditation as night and day. This sermon goes through five questions (what, why, when, where, and on what) to expound on this vital aspect of our relationship with God.

Children born to members in the church are special—sanctified by God and holy in His eyes. Our example goes a long way in helping to prove God’s way is the right way. Being a poor example is offensive and could delay their accepting God’s calling. Do we display the fruit of God’s Spirit?

God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. When we think, we need a filter to separate the good from the bad. We are to capture every thought in order to judge right from wrong. Therefore, Christ told the apostles to feed His flock; with God’s word in our minds we have the filter needed to live by every Word of God.

The vocation we have in this life may have very little to do with ruling in God's Kingdom. Whether we feel capable or not, God will give us the gifts and the power to rule. Our responsibility in preparing to rule is to overcome and develop the agape love and self-control to be qualified to rule.

The Feast of Trumpets is about the 7th Seal of Revelation. The meaning of this Holy Day involves the church but also the world concerning the end time events leading to the return of Christ. Blowing the Ram’s horn signifies an alarm of war. The trumpets symbolize rejoicing because Christ triumphs over evil and the first fruits inherit the kingdom.

There are events involving 3 individuals in the bible that serve as examples of helping us understand and have a firm belief in the resurrection and the frame of mind needed to be prepared for it.

Example of George Washington and the revolutionary army.  We must persevere until the 7th trump, not one year, month, week, or day earlier.

The book of Revelation gives us 18 chapters of details about end-time events not previously revealed. God makes it clear from the beginning of this book that unless we overcome specific attitudes and spiritual problems, knowledge of the end-time is useless. Some of these problems cause major trials in our life; others will remove us from the book of life.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II brings to mind the fact that she sat on the throne of David. God promised David and other kings after him that there would always be a descendant of David sitting on David’s throne. When Christ returns He will sit on David’s throne.

A final warning to God’s people in the book of Revelation is to “Come out of this world lest we be a partaker of their sins!” Evil company or evil communication will definitely corrupt the good morals Christians already have. Therefore if we entangle ourselves with worldly people and worldly media, we will be corrupted with all that is in the world—the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eyes and the pride of life.

What was the journey through the dark valleys like for the shepherd and the sheep? Why put themselves and the sheep in areas that could be so dangerous? This sermon examines the analogy, putting the trials of life in perspective.

Christ likened buds on a tree to events preceding His return. The context of His analogy was Jerusalem being surrounded by the armies of the 10 kings who have joined with the Beast. The European Union, especially Germany, is quickly militarizing. The author of The Europeans declared a United Europe can coalesce quickly. Are we seeing buds?

We pray to our Father in heaven and attribute love, mercy and forgiveness to Him. But God doesn't directly respond to us -- He has given his Son all authority over the church and answers us through Christ.

There are many lessons that can be gleaned from the story of Esau selling his birthright plus missing out on his blessing. We can easily overlook the “determined purpose and foreknowledge of God” in our personal lives. Before Esau and Jacob were born, God had a plan that would not change, despite heredity or character. Do we consider God’s forethought and active participation in order to fulfill His plan for you and me?

Jesus Christ and the first apostles warned ministers and members against false doctrine. Within decades doctrinal distortion infected God’s church and will only end when Christ destroys the false prophet at His return. Have you proven all things without assuming others know better than you?

Is every sin we commit worthy of eternal death? Are we under the law of sin and death? Or are we under the spirit of life in Christ that negates the law of death? What is the sin not leading to death? Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit the only sin that God does not pardon?

Although our physical fathers are not perfect, we honor them, if for nothing else, because they gave us life. Our heavenly Father created us to give us eternal life. He doesn’t tell us we don’t deserve His good gifts, He owes us love plus when we fulfill His standards, we deserve His promised blessings.

“As in the days of Noah, so will it be before the coming of the Son of Man.” Genesis 6 tells us that when Noah lived, everyone’s motive for every thought was only evil continually. The recent slaughter of innocent children in Uvalde, Texas is just one more proof this era is like Noah’s. Why doesn’t God intervene sooner? Is God placing a mark on your forehead because you are sighing and crying over these atrocities?

Adam needed help! The Bible tells women in general and wives specifically how they can fulfill the role God gave Eve. Men should honor the women God created to be such great helpers.

“Faith” is one of the most used words in the book of Galatians. A key verse reveals that God knew when preaching the gospel to Abraham that only by “faith” would all nations be made righteous. Did you know that most translators don’t realize the difference between “faith in” and “faith of?” Not understanding the difference could result in losing out on salvation.

Analysis of the parable of the workers in the vineyard, where all are paid the same wage even though they don't all put in the same number of hours.

A review of the people God calls into the church and what he expects from them.
 

Jesus was resurrected at the end of the third day of Unleavened Bread. His resurrection is essential to ours. Rom. 5:10—We are saved by His life.

During the days of unleavened bread, leaven symbolizes hypocrisy, malice and wickedness. Those ungodly traits must be replaced with godly traits. Have we replaced the ungodly with joy, peace, kindness, goodness, humility, meekness, and other fruits of God's Spirit?

Moses was used by God to deliver Israel from the captivity of Egypt but also prophesied of Christ coming to do the same. Because of  Christ’s sacrifice we are not under condemnation; we are unleavened! Satan continues to prosecute; Christ continues to defend us.

Jesus Christ was falsely accused, mocked, beaten, reviled, scourged and crucified. The pain and suffering He experienced tested His godly character more than any test God will give us. Yet He never sinned! When we suffer, will the mind of Christ be in us so that we react the same righteous way?

On Passover evening, Christians partake of two symbols—unleavened bread symbolizing the broken body of Christ and wine symbolizing the sacrificial blood of the New Covenant. This sermon explains the Plan of God, the Problem of mankind, the Cause of the Problem and the Solution through the blood of the New Covenant to deliver mankind from the law of sin and death.

An introduction to the final words, actions, and thoughts of Jesus Christ as He observed the Passover with His disciples before His arrest.  Including an in-depth look at the symbolism of the foot-washing ceremony.

Example of the disciples during 40 days with Christ after resurrection and how they learned humility.

In the last days, Abraham’s seed would beget a great nation and a multitude of nations. The Bible story of Jacob reveals how God fulfilled His prophesy through Jacob’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. The blessings would come but also because of iniquity, the time of Jacob’s trouble.

God's Church has been warning the world about the end- time European Union, the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar's image in Daniel 2. Events in Europe in the last 2 weeks are changing the political/military landscape of Germany and the Union fulfilling prophecies of Jesus Christ's soon-coming return.

"God, please remember to help... please don't forget ...." God always remembers, He never forgets. Are we doing anything ourselves?

What is the Purpose of Prophecy? How should we approach learning about the coming events and Christ's return? How should the knowledge we have help us grow and prepare?

The Bible is replete with scores of verses and stories about our Father in heaven being so encouraging.  We are helped by those scriptures of comfort and peace and need to meditate on them often whenever trials come.

There are several verses in the Bible that speak of God’s pleasure. There are also several scriptures that speak to the lusts that pleases men. When we meditate on those scriptures, can we conclude that we are pleasing God?

How does what the world see as "genius" compare to how we should act as Christians? How should we use knowledge and wisdom?

What is a soul? Can it die or is it immortal? What has a soul? We'll analyze these questions through the Bible and look into the meaning of the Hebrew word "Nephesh"

Scripture tells us that man is only vapor. Science proves scripture. Nevertheless the Spirit of God in us is the hope of immortality.

When the children of Israel were delivered by God from Egypt, they left…but the influence of their culture remained with them. Many stories in the Bible warn us about being corrupted by the influence of evil company. Are you and I being deceived by the influence of people and things, even lawful, that we allow to have power over us?

You wouldn't think it was really that bad. But a contentious spirit is equal to sorcery, idolatry and murder. Are you contentious? We won't inherit the kingdom of God if we are

In an age where, research shows, people are becoming increasingly isolated, the directive in Hebrews 10:25 to not forsake “the assembling of ourselves together” becomes more important than ever. This message examines in depth why this verse, and those surrounding, carries such weighty meaning.

God is working out His plan of salvation through His Son. By examining the titles and names of Jesus, we will have a better understanding of God’s plan. In this sermon we will explain the following: Jesus as our deliverer from sin; Messenger of the New Covenant; Messiah, Christ and Son of God; Mediator of the New Covenant; Lord, Master and Head of the Church; Only Heir of God’s Kingdom.

During my travels on many rugged paths over the decades, there have been times that I have seen a different path from the established trail.  This path is called the path of least resistance, and I have taken this physical path because of fatigue or a loss of focus several times.  But spiritually, it is imperative we don't allow ourselves to take the "Path of Least Resistance" because it is a pitfall that can slowly take us away from God's path of LIFE.

Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant. What covenant did God make with Israel?  What is “new” about the New Covenant? What was the fault of the “old” (Mt. Sinai) Covenant? What did God do through Christ to solve the fault of the Mt. Sinai Covenant?

God tells us to meditate day and night. When we meditate properly, God tells us we will be successful and prosper. The Bible gives us three main subjects to think/meditate on as we filter our thoughts through God’s Word—God’s works, God’s law and “these things.”

Light is an extremely important concept in the Bible.  We are to be children of light, following the example of Jesus Christ and stirring up the Holy Spirit.  As lights we are to be spiritually active.