MESSAGE: “The Glory of Heaven”

Scripture Text:  1 John 3:2 

Introduction:

     Wednesday was the start of Passover Week, if you are Jewish …..  This was the most important day in the History of Israel.   On this day, the Israelites were set free from the Egyptian bondage, and began their journey to the promised land.  Passover was designed to remind the nation of Israel that they were set free from the bondage of Egyptian, and set them free to enjoy the glory of the promised land.  While the nation, had to make a stop at Sinai, to understand the plan and purpose of God, and how He desired them to live, God planned on them being salt and light to the nations around them.  Throughout the Old Testament the Israelites were given further information on what it means for them to be a follower of Yahweh.  And they are to be a testimony to the world of the goodness and grace of God.

     Then one day, in the dark of night, the Messiah came to a small town in Bethlehem.  The Announcement came to the Shepherds, the Messiah was born, the world would never be the same!  Jesus grew … READ MORE

MESSAGE: ” Why is the atonement enough? “

Scripture Text:  Hebrews 1:2-3 

Introduction: 

Allow me to begin with a parable of 4 candles:

The first candle represents peace, but the world was not willing to keep that peace so it has been extinguished. 

The second candle represents Faith: But the world does not want Faith, It wants to figure life out on its own, so It has been extinguished. 

The third candle represents Love: But because of the selfishness of the world, People push away others, and are focused only on themselves, and therefore it is also extinguished.  

The fourth candle represents hope: without love, Faith, and Peace there is no hope, and as a result that candle also is also extinguished. 

The problem is that without hope there is not  a reason to go forward.  Without hope, we lose perspective. 

It leaves us with a haunting question Where does our hope come from. 

Jeremiah 17:13 says,   O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and

they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Jeremiah 18:12 continues,  And they said, There … READ MORE

Scripture Text: I Samuel 17

Introduction: The last time we were together we explored the issue of fear, and how God uses that fear as a test to help us understand how important it is for us to trust Him. God longs for us to simply accept the gifts from His hand. He has a more wonderful and fulfilling life for us, but fear cuts us off from accepting the things He has for us. I often counsel those who are feeling God’s tug at their hearts. He has something special for them to do, and they can look forward to blessings in abundance if they will only be obedient and trusting. People want to accept the call of God in their lives, but fear holds them back, always some new fear, “What if I am making the wrong decision?” “What if this is not the right partner for me?” “What if my business venture fails?” “What if I get homesick on the mission field?” What if. . . what if . . . What if? Somehow they can’t hold to a simple assurance of God’s trustworthy and loving nature. It doesn’t seem to register that He never calls His … READ MORE