I'll Be Honest

Brethren, this isn’t about whether works save us—that’s not the point here. James is not contradicting Paul. The issue is this: true faith, the kind that actually saves, is never alone. It’s completed by works. That’s what James is saying. Look at Abraham—he believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. But it was when he acted, when he offered Isaac, that his faith was shown to be real. Faith without works? It’s dead. It’s like a body without the spirit—there’s nothing there. The question James is asking is this: can a faith that has no works really save you? The answer is no, because real faith is always proven by what it does.

In this discussion, Michael Durham and Lee Dodd explore the question: How can the church nurture and encourage spiritual gifts? They share practical ways churches can identify, develop, and support the spiritual gifts of their members, focusing on building up the body of Christ.

Tim Conway | James Series | The believer lives by faith, facing situations like Israel entering the Promised Land. Do we have a faith that trusts God in the face of great opposition, or one that crumbles when things get tough?

Michael Durham | 2024 Fellowship Conference New York | #7 | Intimacy with God is not based upon your pursuit of God; it’s based upon God’s pursuit of you. - Michael Durham

“You’ll never pursue God unless He creates a hunger in your heart for Him. He is always the great initiator, the great pursuer.”

"The desire for God that sets you to seek Him... is the very proof that God is in your soul. That doesn’t originate with you—it’s God-given."

In this video, Pastor Tim tackles a challenging question many Christians face: Can we, as believers, support brands and products that may promote values or causes we don’t personally uphold?

Ask Pastor Tim | Should Christians rely on medical treatment first, or turn to God in times of illness? Drawing on the story of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16, this discussion unpacks the delicate balance between faith and medicine, exploring how to honor God while also understanding His provision through doctors and treatments.

Question: Are there things we should be aware of as we set the sail for the wind of revival to come? Our humility, our attitude, our piety, our faithfulness. Are there things we are responsible for? Obviously, it is of the LORD, and revival is all of the Lord. Answer: I don't think this generation has truly understood prayer.

Have you ever considered Luke 13:24? In response to someone asking if only a few are saved, Jesus says, "Strive to enter through the narrow door." What does that mean? And why does Jesus say only a few will do so? What does Hebrews also say? "Let us." How do you get in? By what? Striving. Now look at Hebrews 4:3: "We who have believed." Anybody feel better now? Here's the thing—apparently, the author of Hebrews believes that making every effort to labor to enter God's rest and believing to enter God's rest are not incompatible. Striving and believing go hand in hand.

How many times have we heard, "I had to sacrifice so much for my family to do God's will"? If you've ever said that, you really need to go before the Lord and repent because He's going to call you on the carpet. What you've done is accused Him. - Paul Washer

This sermon from James 2 invites us to reflect on the significance of partiality in our lives and its deeper implications. Tim focuses on how favoritism violates the royal law, "Love your neighbor as yourself," and stresses that partiality is not just a small flaw but a serious matter of love, law, mercy, and judgment. James connects partiality to judgment, reminding us that mercy triumphs over judgment, and that God will look for this mercy in His people on the final day. The message explains how true Christianity is a phenomenon—a transformation from selfishness to genuine compassion.

Paul Washer | 22:43 | Q&A | 2024 Fellowship Conference New York | In this video, we dive into the misconceptions surrounding short-term mission trips and the biblical definition of a true missionary. Using real-life examples, we address the danger of sending untrained youth to the mission field and why missions should be focused on elder-qualified men who are proclaimers of the gospel. We also discuss the importance of understanding that the Great Commission is a theological endeavor and explore the vital roles of evangelists, pastors, and teachers in missions.

My friends, have you ever watched a free climber hanging on the side of a cliff, hundreds of feet in the air, with nothing but his fingertips and toes keeping him from falling to his death? It's a terrifying sight, but it's also a powerful picture of what it means to hold fast to our hope in Christ.

In this sermon, we'll be looking at Hebrews 10:23, where the writer exhorts us to "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering." We'll explore what it means to have a confession of hope, how to maintain an unwavering grip on it, and why the faithfulness of God is our ultimate foundation.

We'll also be looking at the many ways in which our hope can be challenged, both from within and from without. But we'll see that, by the grace of God, we can stand firm in the faith and hold fast to the confession of our hope, even in the midst of the storms of life.

How do you approach areas of life or certain situations that arise that might not be sinful in and of themselves and might even be necessary, but can easily become entanglements in your heart or easily become idols? For example, in the past, I talked to sisters about fasting and how it might start out well, but then the motive of losing weight creeps in.

(0:00) The Question

(7:04) Part 1 - Avoid Legalism

(30:55) Part 2 - Bring Your Conscience Before God

(42:50) Part 3 - God Promises to Cleanse Us of Our Idols

(1:11:41) Part 4 - So What Do I Do?

Stuart Olyott | 2024 Fellowship Conference United Kingdom | This sermon explores the Christian life through the lens of God’s "unbreakable chain" as outlined in Romans 8:28-30. It vividly describes the five links in God's plan of salvation—foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification—showing how they secure the believer’s eternal destination.

Emotional affairs often begin subtly, forming deep, inappropriate attachments that can devastate marriages and dishonor God. These connections, though initially hidden and seemingly harmless, can lead to destructive consequences, both emotionally and spiritually, for all involved. As Christians, we must guard our hearts with diligence, seeking fulfillment in Christ and maintaining purity in our relationships.

0:00 - Introduction

3:56 - Example of how subtle this is...

9:03 - What does the Bible say?

13:00 - Is there a root cause?

15:38 - Vulnerable circumstances

16:23 - Workplace evangelism

17:02 - Women discipling men?

17:59 - What about an age gap?

20:07 - Don't overreact!

21:18 - Is your conscience clear?

22:49 - Where does this all end up?

25:08 - Conclusion

I want it to be so clear what the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is, so that you can conclude, I hope, that you have not committed it, and so that you can rest assured that every other sin will be forgiven. - Ryan Fullerton

The fight to stay unstained from the world is mainly a matter of not being double-headed. It’s a battle of the mind, a fight to stay singular in our devotion to Christ. - Tim Conway

I love theology, but how’s that theology getting down to the children? You boast about having all the children in the service—wonderful. But what are they doing? My whole question is, what is the fruit of it? There’s a lot of pride now about not having youth groups or children's church. If you want to boast about that, fine, but I know places—like John MacArthur's church—where they have children talking about truths I don’t even hear adults talking about, and they learned it in that children's group. We need to rethink things. - Paul Washer

Lee Dodd | 2024 Fellowship Conference | Session #5 | My sermon has two simple parts, first an informed look at the Cross, and secondly, a felt look at the Cross.

Standing against the doctrine of cheap grace, which dismisses the pursuit of holiness, is crucial. At the same time, we must be vigilant against the spirit of legalism. This discussion will delve into the formalism of self-righteousness and explore how to maintain a genuine faith while upholding a commitment to holiness.

And He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby so that I may preach there also, for that is what I came for.” Now, it switches from the ministry of healing and demonstrations of power and signs and wonders to what we all know is the priority: proclamation. And how well is that going to go for any of us without prayer? I want to be very careful with what I say. You can teach a parrot to speak sound theology, but it doesn’t mean that any of it has impacted him.

Let me say something else, and this is hyperbole—it’s a bit exaggerated, but I want you to see the main point. I have two young men in front of me. Both of them have the same sound theology; both of them speak the same. One of them got it from reading all the best systematics, and the other got it from reading the Word of God and then comparing what he learned to other books. I can tell the difference.

Look, it’s not just about knowledge, even the good knowledge that I found in many of the systematics. It’s about the Bible. The Bible is the living Word of God—it is alive, supernatural, and transformative. And yes, I love the Puritans and the Reformers, and John Gill, and so many others, but their writings are not the same. They’re just not. And so, you must spend time with Him.

Now, before I go on, I want to say this: someone who hasn’t worked out for 20 years comes to my garage and says, “Brother Paul, I want to work out with you, and I want to do everything you do.” The next day—well, the next month—they can’t walk. They’re like a spider that’s been stepped on. They’re so sore that they’re never coming back again. Now, why did I give you that illustration? If you’re sitting here tonight and you’re thinking, “I neglect the Word all the time. I neglect prayer all the time. If I even read a chapter a week, it’s amazing. And I’m always on the run,” I don’t want you, first of all, running out of here thinking that God has scolded you terribly and is waiting to judge you. I want you to know that what I’m speaking are words of love.

Secondly, I don’t want you going home or getting up tomorrow morning and reading 35 chapters and trying to pray for two hours, because it won’t last. It never lasts. What I want you to do is start where you are. I want you to go back to your pastors or go back to other men or women and say, “Hold me accountable. I have seen that this is absolutely essential, and I need help until I get moving in this.” If, next week, you are reading one chapter a day every day and praying for 10 minutes, it’s still better than the zero of this week. Grow. Talk to your pastors. Talk to other men. Make commitments with each other to get in the Word of God and study it. Make commitments to pray. Make commitments to simply walk with Him in communion, and everything in your life will gradually begin to change, and He’ll become real. He’ll become real.

Do you wrestle with your own soul in order to embrace by faith the benefits of the LORD? Do you say to yourself, "O my soul, do not forget all of His benefits!"

Despite their flaws and brokenness, God used a remarkable list of people to accomplish His purposes. If God can use these broken, flawed individuals, he can use you too believer.

Taken from: The Growth of The Kingdom & Those In It - Craig Mussulman

- Noah - Drunkenness

- Abraham - Dishonesty

- Jacob - Lying

- Leah - Unattractiveness

- Joseph - Abused

- Moses - Stuttering

- Gideon - Fear

- Samson - Womanizer

- Rahab - Prostitution

- Jeremiah - Youth

- Timothy - Youth

- David - Adultery

- Elijah - Suicidal

- Isaiah - Nakedness

- Jonah - Disobedience

- Naomi - Widowhood

- Job - Bankruptcy

- John the Baptist - Doubt

- Peter - Denial

- Disciples - Sleepiness

- Thomas - Doubt

- Martha - Worry

- Mary Magdalene - Prostitution

- Samaritan Woman - Divorce

- Zacchaeus - Smallness

- Paul - Murder

- Lazarus - Death

Michael shares a powerful testimony of how he unknowingly shifted from relying on God to building his church on his own strength. During this season, the church grew in numbers, but something was missing. It wasn’t until Paul Washer preached a convicting message that the Lord opened Michael’s eyes, revealing that his congregation feared him more than they feared God. This realization led to a deep spiritual awakening and a humbling experience, where God stripped away what Michael had built to restore the church on a foundation of true faith and reliance on Christ.

There is something to live for! Eternal glory—and that’s what this prayer is all about. What you need to understand is that preaching, witnessing, preaching on the streets, and going into mission areas are all part of the cleanup—it's all cleanup. The real battle is fought on your knees. The battle is fought on your knees. - Paul Washer

About the sermon: This sermon explores the deep significance of Jesus' life as our ultimate example, focusing on His humility and total dependence on the Father. Even though Jesus was fully God, He chose to live as the "Second Adam," perfectly obedient and reliant on God to undo the damage caused by the first Adam's fall. The message emphasizes the vital importance of communion with God, showing that true strength and wisdom come from a life of prayer and intimacy with Him. It's a call to believers to recognize their own weaknesses, lean on God for strength, and live each day seeking His glory and advancing His kingdom. Through this, we are reminded that our spiritual life thrives only when rooted in a deep, ongoing relationship with our Heavenly Father.

"The joy of my salvation just doesn’t come. There are times when I don’t feel it, even though I repent and walk in purity. It seems that the joy of salvation in the Christian life remains elusive. I see Psalm 51 addressing this. What should I do when I have repented biblically, but the joy still doesn’t return? Is there some sin I’m unaware of that’s holding it back?"

Why do we sometimes witness healings, conversions, and other manifestations of power in ministries that present questionable teachings? I am not referring to the larger, more public word of faith or New Apostolic Reformation ministries that are widely known today. Specifically, I've observed in my city in Canada that some churches with leadership leaning towards word of faith teachings seem to experience what appear to be genuine miracles. Why might this be?

Tim Conway | James Series Part 10 | James 1:27 - Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Often in the family integrated movement, it is taught to have no form of children's Sunday school. Should the whole family be together the entire time? Is it unbiblical to have a children's Sunday school? What about the topic of "ragged schools" and outreaches to lost children? As a church, are you willing to reach out to the lost kids in rundown neighborhoods and even bring them into the church, where it might be "clean," risking your kids getting lice from them in order to share the Gospel with them?

"The gospel, however, must be simple if it is to be made available to all. Aren't you thankful that you don't have to have a Ph.D. in philosophy to be saved? We have a simple, basic gospel, easily understood and made available to all. And if even children can be saved, then it must be simple. The gospel must be simple because it's not something you have to accomplish, but rather receive. Someone else did it all. You just have to receive it." - Chad Thompson

The Dawn of Heaven is a touching narrative recounting the final days of a devout woman, the sister of the late Mary Ann, who faces the end of her life with unwavering faith and joy. Sixteen years after Mary Ann's death, the narrator is summoned to the bedside of this ailing sister, now residing in a destitute garret in New York City. Despite her dire circumstances, including extreme poverty and a debilitating illness, she remains filled with a serene and joyful spirit, deeply anchored in her faith in Jesus Christ.

Brethren, do you realize that Jesus Christ saved us to beautify us? Yes. That's the picture of how Christ loved the church and the washing with this water. And he's taking out all the wrinkles and all the defects. He's beautifying us. That's what this is meant... That's what his word is for.

(Excerpt taken from: 26 Ways We Talk Ourselves Out of Obeying God’s Word)

James 1:26 – If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

0:00 – Has Anyone Not Spoken a Word Today?

1:04 – What Kind of Conversations Have You Had?

15:43 – The Only Religion That Is Not Worthless

24:03 – This Gives Us a Firm Warning

31:51 – Who Are the Most Problematic People in the Church?

34:06 – What Bad Speech Must We Put Off?

39:58 – What Good Can We Do with Our Speech?

57:06 – Conclusion

James 1:22-25 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

0:00 Introduction and Overview

3:20 What Is the "Perfect Law of Liberty"?

11:06 We Don't Glance but We Look at God's Word

18:51 Blessed Are Those Who Hear and Obey

21:33 Let Us Look in God's Word at the Weighty Matters

35:41 What Pleases God?

37:01 What Is Justice According to God's Perfect Law?

39:58 Christianity Is Not Primarily About What You Do Not Do

46:26 How Do We Implement This Into Our Lives?

50:04 You Are Called to Do What You Can Do

55:18 Where Is Grace in All of This?

1:02:00 Closing Prayer

In this sermon, Tim Conway exposes 26 mental gymnastics we perform, 26 excuses we make after the sermon, and 26 ways we talk ourselves out of obeying God's Word, even when convicted by its truth. Drawing from James 1:21-22, he'll reveal the gap between hearing and doing, challenging us to move beyond mere conviction and into active obedience.

0:00 Introduction and Reading Text

2:30 Where We Will Go Next Time: What is the Perfect Law of Liberty?

3:38 Have an Anger Problem or a Problem with Rampant Wickedness?

12:35 Be Hearers of the Word, Not Hearers Only

14:54 How Many Did Not Look in a Mirror Today?

24:49 The Mindset Behind Why People Hear and Don't Do

26:11 1 - The Casual Listener

27:39 2 - Listening on Behalf of Someone Else

29:23 3 - Create a Category Where the Text Does Not Apply to Us

33:16 4 - We Wait for God to Do Something

34:12 5 - We Imagine Someone Else Is Going to Do It

36:06 6 - I Am Praying About It

37:16 7 - The Wretched Man Complex

38:17 8 - Always Looking for the Next Mentor or Counselor

39:52 9 - The Person Easily Offended and They Reason Themselves Out of Obeying

42:00 10 - Living on Past Obedience

43:41 11 - Living on Future Obedience

45:18 12 - Living on Someone Else's Obedience

46:14 13 - The Imputed Righteousness Excuse

48:09 14 - It Is Just the Preacher Saying It, He Didn't Prove It from the Bible

49:11 15 - Because of Exceptions to the Rule You Dismiss the Entire Obligation

51:23 16 - I Can't Understand It, So I Don't Need to Worry About It

52:21 17 - You Lie to Yourself About You Doing What You Are Not Truly Doing

53:28 18 - Others Do Not Obey So I Don't Need To

53:58 19 - I Am Partially Obeying So It Is OK...

55:10 22 - Doctrine Instead of Obedience

55:39 23 - Discouraged by Past Failures

57:07 24 - Disobeying God by Obeying Man-Made Legalistic Commandments

57:36 25 - Or the Scriptures Are So Broad in an Area That You Miss Applying It

58:48 26 - I Am in a Trial So God Cannot Expect Me to Obey in That Area

1:00:20 Where Can I Run Faster for Christ?

1:03:08 27 - Our Mindset of American Christianity Makes Us Not Think Like the Bible Does

1:07:29 Closing Prayer

In this sermon on Mark 3, we explore the context of Jesus' teachings on blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, distinguishing it from other sins that can be forgiven. The discussion includes the meaning of blasphemy, Jesus' warnings, and the relevance of these teachings today, offering hope and clarity to those with sensitive consciences.

00:00 - When You Exposit a Book, You Cannot Overlook Any Text.

03:24 - Opening Prayer.

04:26 - The Context in Which Jesus Says What He Says.

11:38 - Beelzebulb?

16:10 - The Strong Man Is Now Like a Dog on a Leash.

18:59 - What Is Jesus NOT Claiming?

20:39 - Who Is Jesus Primarily Warning?

25:42 - What Constitutes Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit?

29:36 - What Does Blasphemy Mean?

32:44 - What Distinction Is Jesus Making?

34:27 - Who Here Has Never Had a Blasphemous Thought?

41:31 - Was This Text Just Reserved for Jesus' Day and Does Not Apply Now?

43:41 - Hebrews 6:4

51:03 - 1 John - A Sin Unto Death.

54:44 - A Word to Those With a Sensitive Conscience.

56:08 - Do You See What Jesus Is Saying? All Sin Will Be Forgiven!

1:00:41 - How Does This Fit in the Context of Mark 3?

1:02:16 - Closing Prayer.

What does it mean for God to bring us forth "by the word of truth"?

Why is it essential to be "quick to hear" and "slow to speak" according to James?

How does anger hinder the righteousness of God, as James describes?

How can we effectively receive God's Word with meekness?

James 1:18 - Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

0:00 James 1.19-20

5:37 Let Us Consider the Context

9:35 Quick to Hear What?

11:40 History of the Ministry of the Word at GCC

16:02 Scripture in the Life of the Christian

30:44 What Does He Mean by "Know This"?

36:38 Receiving the Word Is Not Automatic

43:04 Do You Read Your Bible Every Day?

45:00 What Does James Mean by "Be Slow to Speak"?

50:19 Controlling Proud Thoughts and Opinions

53:00 What Does "Slow to Anger" Mean?

57:26 A Closing Thought - God Is Speaking

59:22 Do You Leave Prayer Meeting Early?

1:03:16 Closing Prayer

This sermon delves into what the Bible teaches about demonic oppression and possession, providing scriptural insights and practical observations to help understand this matter.

0:00 Sermon Opening

5:22 Is It Demonic Oppression or Possession?

11:30 Demonic Possession Is Obviously Dark, It Is Not Subtle

13:15 Demonic Oppression Is Rare

14:04 Jesus' Compassion and Power Are Drawn to Help These People

15:54 How Can You Tell That Someone Is Demonically Oppressed?

18:51 Sign of Demonic Oppression: Self-Destructive Behavior

20:37 The Devil "Made Me Do It"?

21:40 Mark 5: They Can Possess Supernatural Powers

24:05 Prayer for Help in the Sermon

24:37 Mark 6: They Respond Strongly to the Presence of Christ

29:00 How Should We Apply This Teaching?

29:17 Keep a Broad View of Spiritual Warfare in Your Mind

35:47 How Do We Get Ready to Help the Demonically Oppressed?

36:51 Be Full of Faith!

39:15 Be a People of Prayer and Fasting

41:01 Have an Appreciation for Specific Spiritual Gifts

47:21 Closing Prayer

The reason most cultures have categories for "the supernatural and spirit possession" is not because they are backwards or pre-modern, but because they are more in touch with Biblical reality than we are. We often talk about not letting our culture trump the Bible. We don't want to be "woke" like the culture; we want to be biblical. Yet this issue runs so deep that we don't even notice it. Any focus on one thing for a prolonged amount of time is viewed as a dangerous potential for imbalance, rather than recognizing that the boat may indeed need rocking.

0:00 Preview

0:46 Introduction and Text

2:39 Opening Prayer

3:57 A Kentucky Man Who Deeply Cared for People

5:57 Cultural Baggage Can Hinder Us from Walking Out the Faith

7:03 As a Westerner, What Is Your Perspective on Demons?

13:23 Does Your Culture Have a Category for the Supernatural?

21:27 Demons Are Fallen Angels

23:57 Satan Leads Legions of Demons

25:45 What Do Demons Do?

26:56 First, the Devil Works Through Lies

29:36 Second, the Devil Works Through Destroying

31:36 Third, the Devil Works Through Temptation

33:28 Fourth, the Devil Accuses You

37:08 Fifth, the Devil Is a Cosmic Warrior

40:13 In Closing

41:20 One of My Favorite Verses

45:54 Closing Prayer

This topic is really sensitive, and what I'm about to say might make some of you uncomfortable. Someone wrote in, "I want to talk about a significant struggle—a place of battle, struggle, falls, and failures. About 3 to 4 years ago, God saved me, and since then, I've changed in many ways. However, one particular sin has barely changed: the sin of masturbation. I've been heavily addicted since I was 12, and now, at 23, I've had some small victories but keep falling back. Honestly, I still feel like a slave to that sin. Does this mean that the Son has not set me free yet? Or even worse, that I'm not saved?"

"The very point of her anguish consisted in this,—namely, that she believed Christ to be a full and free Savior, and yet could find no evidence in her heart that she trusted in Him. The promises were precious things in her heart’s estimation, but they seemed to her to be precious things which she did not embrace. She distrusted herself, but not God. She was afraid to believe that she was a believer. She was so tremblingly afraid of getting wrong, that she dared not think she could possibly be right."

"She was in darkness, not because she had no faith, but because she did not believe she had any. She had a title to heaven, without having eyes to read it."

James urges us not to blame God for our temptations, reminding us that God is the source of all good gifts. He contrasts the idea of God as a taker with the reality of God as a giver, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and perspective in our relationship with Him. Is it not glorious that God sent His only Son to save us sinners!

(00:00) How does the logic of James 1 fit together?

(03:49) Stop blaming God and start thanking God

(05:41) Do you realize all that God has given you?

(09:34) No shadow of turning with the LORD?

(12:38) Verse 18: He brought us forth?

(18:16) If I am saved, who gets the credit?

(48:32) This is Christianity!

(51:17) Closing prayer

I’m going to pray. And then after I pray, we’re going to have our sister Ginaphr share her testimony. Hopefully, the babies will be okay. After that, we’re going to go out and baptize our sister Ginaphr. I realize some of you might wonder why, since Ginaphr is already a member of our church and has been baptized. She’s going to share her story about what God has done in her life before we step outside to baptize her again. So, brethren, let me pray, and then we’ll give our sister that opportunity.

----

Good morning, church. As he said, I’m here to share my testimony with you. I know that might be shocking to some of you; it was to me as well. I’ll just start from the beginning. I grew up going to church before I could even walk, with my grandparents. There wasn’t ever really a time when I didn’t at least know, in my head, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. However, looking back, there wasn’t any real understanding or teaching about sin, about how great God really is, and how He sees our sin.....

One of the reasons I’m standing here tonight, beyond Craig being ill, is because today is May 29th. Twenty-two years ago at 7:18 Eastern Daylight Time, we were sitting in Trinity Missionary Church in Petoskey, Michigan, having just gotten the call. About 12 hours before that, our son had died. Craig wanted me to talk a little bit about that, this being the anniversary. I want to talk about three things related to this: prayer, providence, and comfort.

I know a lot of you have never seen a picture of him. We don’t have many pictures of John, but we do have one that has been enhanced a little for us and made clear. You can see it on the TVs. That was not too long before he died. He was 19 when he died. I won’t go into the story about how all the things led up to the prayer that I prayed, where I prayed, “God, if you need to break me to use me, break me.” Well, a month later, John died.

There is a difference between the despondency of a believer, and the despondency of an unbeliever. A desponding believer still has faith. It only needs to be brought into lively exercise, and his despondency will melt away. He becomes desponding, because he has lost sight of the objects of faith, and has fixed his thoughts upon himself and his sins. Let the matters of faith be brought up before his mind, and they are realities to him,—unquestionable realities. He only needs to keep his eye upon them.

This parable is generally known as the parable of the prodigal son, but it may also be called the parable of the running father, or again it could be referred to as the parable of the two lost brothers. There were, you remember, two groups listening to Jesus’ preaching. There was a crowd of immoral men, careless about the law of God, men like the traitorous tax collectors. The first son symbolically represented those men, morally loose and marginalized, the under-class of Galilee, the sexually promiscuous, the scandalous and the drunkards. Then there was the other group, who were righteous both in their own eyes and in the eyes of their neighbours. These were the religious leaders of the land, men such as the Pharisees, the leaders of the network of synagogues and legal experts concerning the meaning of rabbinic traditions, self-appointed guardians of public decency. I am saying that this second class of men is represented to us symbolically by the older brother. He is introduced to us at this juncture by our Lord. The only other reference even to his existence we find in the opening words of the parable, “There was a man who had two sons” (v.11), but subsequently there’s been no mention of this older boy until now in verse 26.

The audio of this sermon is from Geoff sermon preached on May 19, 2024 at Grace Reformed Baptist Church. The transcript is from when he preached in 2011.

In James 1:12-16, the passage highlights the blessedness of those who endure trials, emphasizing the eventual reward of eternal life promised to those who remain steadfast in their faith. It warns against attributing temptation to God, affirming that temptation arises from one's own desires rather than divine influence. The progression from desire to sin to death underscores the seriousness of succumbing to temptation, urging believers not to be deceived but to remain vigilant in their faith.

0:00 - Introduction

1:50 - Teaching on James is tougher than it would appear on the forefront.

3:34 - God can't be tempted with evil?

6:37 - Temptation, tested, peirasmos?

9:33 - Why am I doing this word study?

11:13 - Trial versus being tempted to sin?

14:54 - What does peirasmos lead to in both cases?

15:30 - First—the positive view of peirasmos.

21:46 - Second—the negative sense of the word.

22:42 - Is the desire for sex a bad desire?

29:53 - Notice "fully grown" in verse 15.

31:35 - Let us combine together the positive and the negative views of this word being used.

37:18 - A list of the ways we blame God for our sin.

46:31 - We must be steadfast!

47:22 - Are you unmerciful?

59:24 - Not purposely sinning in a day?

1:01:40 - Closing prayer.

I especially want to speak to those of you who are currently using God's sovereignty against yourself. And I say against yourself, because that's exactly what you're doing. If your reasoning is like this: "Well, God's sovereign, and you know he chooses whom he will, so I can't do anything. He's going to have to do it. It's all I've got to wait for him to do it, you see. I mean, I can't save myself. If I'm going to be saved, he must save me. I mean, he has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will. He'll show compassion. He elects some, and some he doesn't. And so God's got to do this thing."

Tim Conway | Series: James, Part 3 | Believer, though you may be lowly in this world, do you rejoice in the great riches that await you in paradise with Christ? While the world may pursue what they believe brings true honor in this life, we must remain steadfast, enduring trials and suffering, honoring the Lord.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:59) Notice the emphasis on having joy in the book of James.

(6:28) First—consider the lowly brother.

(14:32) Charles Spurgeon on who is truly honored before God.

(28:32) Ephesians 2 tells us of the great height to which those who are lowly will be exalted.

(37:19) God’s Word shows us that we possess the greatest riches in the universe.

(39:35) Second—consider the rich…

(46:51) How do we define wealth?

(52:19) Third—consider the man who remains steadfast under trial.

(57:52) Closing prayer

Jimmy Downing | 8:12 | Excerpt (from The Substitutionary Sacrifice: Jesus Paid It All) | Jesus Christ crushed the head of the serpent, yet Isaiah 53 states that God the Father crushed Christ—Christ was bruised so that the serpent's head would be bruised. Through the Savior bearing this condemnation for us and then rising again, we have received life and escaped the wrath to come. Glory to God!

Believer, do you consistently seek wisdom from the LORD? Wisdom encompasses more than just knowledge; it entails the righteous application of knowledge in one's life. You don't have any wisdom if you know the right way and you don't go down it. Believer, we need to diligently pursue wisdom, as it forms the foundation for making righteous decisions and leading a life that pleases God.

0:00 Introduction

3:29 Who Should Be the Wisest People on Earth?

7:26 What Is Wisdom?

15:14 Tim's Definition of Wisdom After Considering the Context of Scripture

32:40 Wisdom or Weightlifting?

34:45 The First Motive for Asking for Wisdom Is Need

42:17 God Does Not Reprove You for Coming to Him for Wisdom

49:58 James Now Warns Us Against Doubt

Stuart shared the following exhortation prior to a morning prayer meeting at the 2024 Fellowship Conference. The thoughts shared really helped put prayer in perspective: in view of our Father's vast universe, He yet looks down and hears us!

In the midst of our affliction, let's heed Paul's words. Despite the challenges, he speaks of overflowing joy. He reminds us to rejoice in our sufferings and to be sorrowful yet always rejoicing. Though tears, sorrows, and groans are real, in the darkness of suffering, God calls us to sing. - Tim Conway

0:00 - Opening Prayer

0:39 - A Series on the Book of James

2:20 - Which James Is This Who Wrote the Letter?

9:25 - What Should We Emphasize About the Book of James?

12:59 - Considering the Text

14:53 - Are You Joyful in the Trials You Are Facing Right Now?

22:32 - Nightingales Sing in the Dark

25:02 - Let Us Do Some Counting, Some Thinking...

37:49 - What Happens When You Face Your Trials With Joy?

39:34 - How Should We Think When in a Trial?

43:00 - Testing of Faith Produces Steadfastness

52:44 - If We Are Going to Sing in Our Trials We Must Realize That the Affliction Is Light

58:48 - People Are Watching You as You Are Suffering, What Are They Witnessing?

"So, how do you deal with your worries then? Well, Paul's counsel: 'But in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.' So what do you do? Well, firstly, let Him know. Are you weak and heavy-laden? Take it to the Lord in prayer. Bail it out. Don't keep it to yourself. Don't bottle it up in a 2 o'clock-in-the-morning tossing and turning. Have you trials and temptations? Take it to Him! What a privilege to carry everything to the Creator of the universe in prayer." - Geoff Thomas

Is there anything in your life that you haven't talked to the Lord about? The Apostle Paul teaches us to take every concern and anxiety to the Lord—with thanksgiving.

(0:00) A Warm Greeting

(0:35) Philippians 4

(1:54) Who Is Paul Writing To?

(5:06) Why Is Paul Writing This Letter?

(9:02) One of the Saddest Verses in the New Testament

(11:53) One of the Greatest Verses—No Reason to Lose My Peace

(14:41) Question 1 - What Sort of Peace Is Given?

(21:37) The Peace From Christ

(27:40) Question 2 - How Do I Get This Peace?

(36:15) Question 3 - What Does This Peace Do to You?

(42:45) In Closing

(43:42) Closing Prayer

(45:19) QA - In Practice, How Do You Pursue This Peace?

(47:14) QA - Where Have You Gone Wrong in This Area?

(48:37) QA - Can You Lack Assurance and Have True Faith?

Consider the stark contrast between living free from sin through Christ and remaining enslaved to sin, as depicted in Romans 6.

"Transformed Lives: The Impact of Revival" explores how spiritual renewal deeply influences individuals' lives, leading to profound personal and communal changes.

Tim Conway | Session #6 of the 2024 Fellowship Conference | The question often arises: If the supernatural described in Mark 16:14-18 is relevant today, where is it? Why aren't we seeing it? However, folks, this often stems from a kind of defensive exegesis of scripture. It involves looking at ourselves in the mirror and seeing nothing, yet when we look in the scriptures, we see something. Then, we define what's real based on what we observe in ourselves rather than what we find in the scriptures.

0:00 - Mark 16

3:34 - Opening Prayer

3:54 - Do You Take Mark 16 to Be Scripture?

7:12 - Trying to Cast a Demon Out in Nepal

13:08 - How Do These Experiences Compare to Mark 16?

23:25 - I Challenge All of Us...

38:21 - The World Needs the Church, Do You Believe That?

44:21 - I Long for Us to Have This Same Effective Energy for the Lord

46:11 - Closing Prayer

Stuart Olyott, author of "Preaching Pure and Simple," discusses how to deliver sermons in a manner that is captivating and impactful. He outlines five characteristics of preaching that effectively communicate the message of Jesus from the Bible in a memorable way.

0:00 - Preview

0:37 - Introduction to 5 Great Characteristics of Good Preaching

5:42 - Characteristic 1: Use Your Imagination

24:45 - Characteristic 2: Dramatic Power

42:13 - Ordinary Voice

49:39 - Characteristic 4: Bombs - Assaulting the Conscience

55:42 - Characteristic 5: The Spirit of God

1:05:48 - QA1 - Can Unction Be Expected Every Sunday?

1:08:44 - QA2 - If Unction Is All That Is Needed, Why the Other 4 Points?

1:09:29 - QA3 - Give Specific Applications or Let the Spirit Do So?

1:11:28 - QA4 - Exegesis

1:13:02 - QA5 - People Taking Notes?

1:16:27 - QA6 - How Do You Decide What to Preach On?

1:18:02 - QA7 - How Did You Do Family Devotions?

1:20:49 - QA8 - What Advice Do You Have for Growing in Prayer?

1:22:40 - Closing Prayer

Stuart Olyott, author of "Something Must Be Known and Felt," discusses the nature of spiritual experiences in his sermon based on Luke 24. May our hearts indeed burn as we read the Scriptures and walk with Christ.

0:00 Intro

1:24 Luke 24, Burning Hearts

6:07 Who Were the Two People Walking on the Road?

7:43 1 - Analyzing the Passage: Two Disciples' Experience

11:54 The Nature of Spiritual Experience: Understanding the Three Legs

14:20 2 - Shared Spiritual Experience Between Two Disciples

18:55 3 - The Author of That Experience

21:48 4 - The Means of That Experience

27:35 What Are Emotions? Understanding Strong Movements of the Will

32:32 Manipulating Emotions

33:59 Reciting Sequence for Emotional Manipulation: 1 2 2 3

36:01 5 - The Result of That Experience

46:06 My Heart Burns When I See Christ in the Scriptures

48:56 Closing Prayer

Geoff Thomas | 2024 Fellowship Conference Session #4.

Michael Durham challenges the congregation to reevaluate their perception of grace, contrasting it with the righteous judgment of God. Through an exploration of Isaiah's vision and personal reflections, the sermon calls for a renewed sense of wonder at God's grace and a deeper fear of His holiness.

A woman approached a pastor, troubled by a recurring dream. She described living in a protective bubble, impervious to illness, spite, accidents, and disasters until an authoritative voice granted these misfortunes passage, allowing them to affect her. Seeking an explanation, she learned from the pastor that this was not merely a dream, but it reflected a Biblical reality where nothing could harm her without God's permission.

Stuart Olyott | 2024 Fellowship Conference | Session 2 | Acts 17:27 - So that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

0:00 - Introduction and a Comment on America and Texas

1:42 - Text - Acts 17:27

2:53 - Is God Far Away?

4:51 - Point 1 - How Does the Bible Teach the Nearness of God?

16:48 - Point 2 - A Message to Those Who Don't Know God

28:17 - Point 3 - To Those Who Do Know the Lord

34:51 - Do You Want to Win Souls to Christ?

36:13 - Lastly, Let Us Think About Your Death

Lee Dodd | Session 1 | 2024 Fellowship Conference | Here in Joshua 5 we have a theophany. God appears to Joshua in the form of a man. Does God join us or we join Him? Are we in our place? Is it about how God fits into our plans or how we fit into His plans? Who's Captain and King? Do we exalt God enough as a Man of War?

0:00 Joshua Chapter 5

1:52 Opening Prayer

3:03 Introduction to Sermon

5:16 What Is a Theophany?

7:38 What Led Up to These Three Verses?

10:51 Point 1 - The Commander's Identity

25:13 Point 2 - The Commander's Worship

29:51 Point 3 - The Commander's Orders

40:02 Closing Prayer

Stuart Olyott delves into the profound miracles at Calvary, exploring the mysterious darkness, the tearing of the temple veil, a mighty earthquake, and the resurrection of saints, as recounted in Matthew 27.

0:00 Introduction and Scripture Reading

2:44 Overview: The Four Miracles at Calvary

3:19 Miracle 1: The Mysterious Darkness

5:43 Miracle 2: The Veil of the Temple Torn

8:43 Miracle 3: The Earthquake and Splitting Rocks

11:01 Miracle 4: Resurrection of the Saints

14:04 Reflecting on Our Response to Christ's Sacrifice

Jimmy Downing | 2024 Men's Retreat | Session 4 | This Christian life involves actively receiving, believing, and applying the word to our lives. Being like the Bereans, who critically engaged with the scriptures, is crucial. Our faith must translate into action, embodying the teachings of Christ in every aspect of our lives. This commitment to doing the word should not be burdensome but a joyous expression of our love for Christ, mirroring Jacob's labor for Rachel, where his service was fueled by love, making the years seem fleeting.

In this video, Jimmy shares about his and his wife's conversion through someone in the Air Force who was providentially placed next to him and boldly gave them the gospel. Then, decades later, his son, who was angry and would say, "You raised me in a cult," came to know Christ.

Tim Conway | 1:09:18 | A Theology of Sin Part 2 | "The eye of the conscience is now redirected. It doesn't focus on my sins and on my guilt and on my inward pollution. Where does it go, when I'm under the blood and my conscience is free and it's all liberated? Then where's my heart going? Well, it's going to the glories in Revelation four and five. And I'm thinking of Christ high and lifted up. And I'm thinking of all of his perfections and his blood and his glories, and the unsearchable riches of Christ and all of it. The deliverance by that blood, and the wonders of his righteousness of Christ sitting on that throne. And there he is, and he's the one who is worthy, worthy, worthy. And he can open the scroll. And I'm thinking of all those things, and I'm lifted up and I'm carried away. And yes, my conscience is well aware that I still sin, but my conscience is well aware that there's a courtroom of God. And because of the blood, none of these things can be laid to my account anymore. They're not accusing me anymore. And so I'm free." - Tim Conway

0:00 Hebrews 9 and 10: A Theology of Sin, Part 2.

2:16 "Put yourselves in this verse... 'It is appointed for ME...'."

8:47 Why Are We There on Judgment Day?

13:38 Believe in Christ and You Won't Come into Judgment.

20:11 Beware of Your Calvinism.

21:16 My Main Question: How Do I Know My Sin Has Truly Been Dealt With?

26:23 Sin and Conscience...

28:10 What Does "Cannot Perfect the Conscience" Mean in Hebrews?

37:28 "God Cleanses the Conscience from Three Things."

45:05 Secondly, A Conscience Cleansed from a Consciousness of Sin.

49:08 Thirdly, A Conscience Cleansed from Dead Works.

56:39 Find That Your Life Is in Christ!

1:01:41 One Word from the Lord Speaking Peace to Your Conscience.

1:04:23 Don't Settle for a Christianity That Leaves Us at a Distance from God.

1:06:22 What Does Your Conscience Indicate?

1:08:48 Closing Prayer.

Jimmy Downing | Session #3 | All right. James, chapter one. James is one of my favorite books in all of the scriptures. I love how practical it is. I told our folks back home, I said, "If James was from the United States, he'd be from the state of Missouri." James doesn't want to just hear about your faith. He wants to see it. "Show me your faith by your works." We'll start reading from verse 17, and we'll go to 25, but we'll really be focusing on verse 21 and the verses that follow.

Verse 17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth." I'm so glad that it was by His will because if it was by mine, it would have never happened. But He made me willing in the day of His power, as He did with you, my beloved brethren, born again by the incorruptible seed of the Word of God. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." So, of His own will, He brought us forth by the word of truth that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures, new creations in Christ. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, if any woman be in Christ, if any boy or girl be in Christ, they are a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. They are new. They have a new nature. They have a new heart. They have new wants. They have a new love. And it's the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jimmy Downing | Session #2 from the 2024 Men's Retreat in Hondo, Texas. Beloved, God has not forgotten to be gracious; He remains so, as I can attest from my recent experiences and from our focus on Psalm 77 today. In many Psalms, the psalmist starts by crying out to God in distress, possibly filled with doubts and in a dark place regarding God. But then, as in this Psalm, there's a shift, and the psalmist starts to recall how God had been gracious to the people of Israel and to him personally.

Think you're not involved in assassination? Consider this form: damaging someone's reputation through false or malicious statements. Discover the peril of character assassination in 'Slander's Silent Poison'.

0:00 - Character assassination?

1:50 - What motivated them to poison through slander?

3:23 - Do you and I take our words seriously enough?

5:16 - How should we react to harmful slander directed at us?

9:14 - Christians should take proactive steps to avoid false accusations and slander.

12:54 - Consider Absalom's campaign of slander and stealing the hearts of the people from his father.

14:24 - In closing, let us have some self-reflection.

Jimmy Downing | 41:18 | 2024 Men's Retreat | Session #1 | The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer, specifically the power and necessity of secret prayer in a Christian's life. The speaker encourages the congregation to seek a personal, intimate relationship with God through prayer, highlighting how Jesus taught about praying in secret rather than for show.

Hi there, my name is Jake, and I want to share with you my testimony, and how Jesus Christ has had mercy on me, and given me new life in Himself.

The psalmist says in chapter 71, ‘My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.’ Jesus told the demoniac in Luke 8, ‘to return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And that is what I want to do right now, here in the home of the I’ll Be Honest studio, in sharing my story....

As I address the issue of sin today, there is nothing more crucial than that we confront it with honesty. This is particularly significant because some of you here may still find yourselves in that state, and regardless of what I say, you understand where this internal struggle occurs—right here, within ourselves. In discussing sin, my purpose today isn't to offer my personal opinions. God has already communicated to us about sin, providing us with the truth."

0:00 – Introduction and opening prayer.

1:16 – A thought from Romans 1.

4:14 – Consider Matthew 7.

9:38 – The Bible covers the age of sin.

11:58 – One of the most resounding facts about man and his sin is found right here…

15:33 – Why did you come here today? Is there some emptiness in your soul?

17:33 – This is not a popular truth, and my aim is not to discourage any of you!

27:19 – Better off as a harlot and to see your sin, than be religious and be deceived.

34:00 – The first commandment ever given to man.

43:40 – All of humanity is under sin.

53:58 – God has given us a way of escape from death row.

1:03:03 – Jesus tells us what your Father is like…

"Understanding Divine Mercy Amid Wrath" focuses on Christ's sacrifice as the bridge between God's justice and mercy.

View the full sermon: https://youtu.be/kzl6IBUg-3E

Tim Conway | Excerpt | Has the church you are a part of ever disciplined someone? Are there professing believers in the church who are living in ongoing sin, and it is not addressed? Why is this? Why are churches not practicing church discipline and excommunicating someone?

View the full sermon: https://illbehonest.com/difficult-path-to-church-purity

Kyle White | 17:24 | Excerpt | And if you will permit and I have really sought the Lord on this, but I'm going to share with you some quotes from one who was in the midst of this darkness of night, who kept a journal and now is able to go back and look at that journal and remember through that journal the experience of that dark night of the soul in 2009. - Kyle White

We apologize if the audio quality is less than ideal. Despite our efforts to enhance it, the combination of Scottish and British accents with the original low recording quality presented significant challenges. 

00:00 - Question: Should I feel guilty when I fail to evangelize?

00:18 - Jeremy Walker's response.

03:09 - Follow-up question and reference to D.L. Moody.

04:00 - Jeremy's response to the follow-up question and a reference to Archibald Alexander's method of evangelism.

05:31 - Tim Conway shares some thoughts on evangelism.

06:57 - Ryan Clarke adds some thoughts.

08:15 - Geoff Thomas adds to the discussion.

09:34 - Mack Tomlinson: Do you pray for divine appointments?

14:49 - Tim: Not everyone is designed for every situation; use the opportunity you have.

17:08 - Mack Tomlinson: How do you build bridges in your relationships?

18:31 - Jeremy Walker gets practical.

19:56 - Geoff Thomas speaks about evangelizing on a plane.

Jonathan shares his personal account of experiencing the saving grace of the LORD. While initially involved in superficial churches, he found himself forced by his mother to embark on a 'mission' journey to Argentina. It was during this trip that he became acutely aware of his own wickedness and encountered the magnificent message of Christ's Gospel, leading to his salvation.

We need to understand that we as a church do not discern truth from falsehood by how smooth a person is able to be; but how they can back everything they say by chapter and verse and also reconcile it with the substitutionary death of Christ on the Cross for sinners. If it does not line up with that, no amount of smoothness and flattery makes it true. - Ryan Fullerton

Here's this proverb in 1 Timothy 6:7: 'We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.' You know what? Sometimes we just need a good dose of common sense. Don't you love the proverbs? Common sense? Here's a basic truth we know in theory, but the real question is, practically, where the rubber meets the road, do we show by the decisions we make, the actions we take, that we actually believe it? The problem is we know things like this. How many of you know that babies are born naked? Does anybody not know that? Did any of your children pop out with full clothing and toys already?

Sanctification is tied to knowing and reading God’s Word (John 17:17). It’s not just about knowledge, but transformation and becoming more Christ-like. The LORD uses the Bible to change and transform people.

Hebrews 10:39 - But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

The kingdom of God, what is it like? Jesus taught that it is a rocky road to glory. It is filled with troubles, and yet we must not lose heart.

I guarantee you this… the Spirit of God has power to kill every single sexual, elicit sexual desire you have. Undoubtedly! By the power of the Spirit, you will overcome when that power is unleashed. The question of the ages is “how do you get it?, how do you tap it?” - Tim Conway

This profound thought was shared by Brother Paul Washer in his sermon “Childlike Faith (Part 4)” in 2005. Take note of what he says and what Scripture affirms. People who faithfully sow the seed of God’s word and don’t see conversions or great outward results demonstrate a greater faith than those who do witness great results. God privileges them to labor on by faith despite seeing no substantial results, and often it is the next generation that works in the same soil and sees all manner of fruit as a result of those who tirelessly toiled and saw little! So believers, be encouraged to walk by faith, not by sight, regardless of the “results” you witness—trust the LORD and obey Him.

Paul Washer | 1:06:45 (2005) | Maybe guys like me need to see fruit because we are so weak in faith that if we don’t we will fall into despair. – Paul Washer

Now Abraham went out to a place. He came out of his comfort zone. He goes out to a place where he was to receive for an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going. You know, so many young people come to me today and they go, you know, I want to find out the will of God for my life. I go, You’re asking the wrong question. That’s not even something you should be concerned about. What you should be concerned about is obeying the commands of God and being pleasing to God.

This is part 2 of Paul Washer's series on By Faith, given in 2005 at what was then Highway M. Chapel.

This sermons cassette bears the title, "By Faith, (Part 1)", and features a message delivered by Paul Washer that was given in 2005 at what was then Highway M. Chapel, where Bob Jennings pastored. This is part one of a four part series.

The following message is from a cassette tape archive that we are digitizing. We have tried to restore the audio as best as we can. May this message stir your soul.

Recently, Kristopher and I sat down for a discussion about how the LORD saved him. As a result of his drug abuse and pain medication, he was incarcerated, but the LORD saved him. However, his testimony didn’t end there. After leaving jail and joining a church, he fell back into living in sin as a believer and was disciplined out of his church. Yet the LORD was faithful to discipline him while he was excommunicated. He was later restored and has walked with Christ since. This is a reminder that our testimonies aren’t just about what happened when we first believed but also how are are pressing on today.

But what did this God who is love delight to love before he made you and I? Before he made the earth, before he made anything. And you say, “Well, he loved himself.” Yes, but it's a little bit more complex than that.... [Excerpt from the full sermon: God Is Love - Michael Durham]

Tolerance can be a vice, not just a virtue. One of the greatest mistakes make in the name of "grace" is tolerating sin in the midst of their church.

Excerpt from the full sermon: Watch Out for Those Who Cause Divisions

Ryan Fullerton preached this message on December 13, 2020. It is a balanced message that deals with a topic that is often avoided.

Romans 16:17 - I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

0:00 - Introduction and Opening Prayer

1:26 - Reading text - Romans 16.17

2:51 - A dragon stands before a woman about to give birth...

6:58 - Why consider this image that we find in Revelation? To remind us of the Devil's attack.

10:49 - Remember the context of Romans 16.

14:24 - Avoid the attitude of carelessness.

18:05 - How do you spot divisive people? What are they not?

22:03 - So what does real division look like?

22:10 - Adoring fandom is divisive.

24:46 - The division that occurs in Romans 16 is the division that comes from false doctrine.

27:58 - Avoid the attitude of tolerance.

30:16 - Why don't we obey this passage as promptly as we are called to do?

32:58 - 2 - We are too tolerant of divisive individuals because false teachers are appealing.

33:10 - No amount of smoothness and flattery makes it true!

36:59 - 3 - We don't believe the divisive are as sinister as the Bible says they are.

38:31 - 4 - We do not understand the danger the false teacher is to young believers.

39:25 - Avoid the attitude of obedience...

43:55 - A Biblical diet?

44:51 - We need to avoid hopelessness.

47:42 - Jesus out flanked the devil

50:48 - In closing.

Why did our Lord hide Himself from these Greeks? And does He yet hide Himself from some who seek to “see” Him? And what sort of people are those who vainly seek to see the Lord?

0:00 - Introduction

2:28 - John 12.23-36

3:59 - Why did Jesus hide himself?

5:09 - Who does Christ hide himself from?

8:05 - Orthodox Jesus

8:57 - Emotional Jesus

9:55 - Prosperous Jesus

10:58 - Happy Jesus

11:47 - Miraculous Jesus

12:23 - Antinomian Jesus

13:30 - Legal Jesus

14:28 - Biblical Jesus

15:53 - Who are those who see the LORD?

17:53 - What gives value to what I do?

18:57 - What do Christ's words do to you?

As Christians, there are many so-called "respectable sins" that we battle against, one of which is self-pity. In this video, we will consider what self-pity is at its root--what indicators to look for that we are having self-pity--and how to overcome through Christ and truly believing that God cares for us.

0:00 - When was the last time you hosted a pity party?

0:26 - Luke Chapter 10 and Martha's pity party.

1:27 - What is self-pity?

2:40 - What leads to and causes self-pity?

4:15 - Example of Barbara not rotting her life away in self-pity.

5:21 - Why did she not wallow in self-pity?

7:02 - How can identify self-pity in our own life?

7:11 - 1 - Complain and seek attention.

8:07 - 2 - How do you respond when you are not treated as you think you deserve?

8:56 - 3 - Are you a demanding person?

9:45 - 4 - Do you have false humility?

10:18 - 5 - Is it difficult for you to accept criticism?

11:43 - 6 - How do you respond when you have unmet expectations?

12:46 - How do you prevent a pity party from happening?

13:43 - What are your priorities? Are you putting yourself in a vulnerable spot for a pity party?

15:04 - Want to avoid self-pity? Think about Christ!

16:08 - Time in self-pity is wasted time.

16:40 - Don't know Christ? He in pity will forgive you.

Is there any connection between sexual sin and wasted time? Does the believer go from boredom to temptation? From wasting time to wrecking morally? In this video we consider 2 Samuel 11 and what led to David's fall into adultery. Maybe you say to yourself, "I struggle with lust..." but the truth be told you should be saying, "I struggle with pride and wasting my time... and that leads to falls into lust and other sins." In our fight against sin we must not be as one who boxes against the air, but have a clear target.