Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded October 29, 2017
The angels rejoiced on the night of Jesus’s birth. The wise men rejoiced to find the infant Jesus. Why? Many awaited the coming Christ – the King and Son of God. The Scriptures reveal that Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. When Christians know the victory of Christ over death, they find a deep joy. They see that Jesus’s resurrection is the beginning and hope of the future resurrection and glorification of all true believers. On the last night of Jesus’s life, Jesus encouraged His disciples that they will sorrow when He leaves and yet rejoice when He returns. Even in the midst of sorrow, Christians have joy. Have you found joy in the life of Christ?
Scripture Reading: John 16:20-24 (read by Barry Rutkowski)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded October 29, 2017
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The apostle Paul instructs us that the spirit of God is not a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love and self-control (II Timothy 1:7). We will explore what fear is, how it effects us, and how to overcome it. Fear is not something unique to one person, but something we have all dealt with at least once. Even the bravest among us have felt fear, they simply have not allowed it to alter their actions. Paul shares the blueprint with Timothy to ensure he does not allow fear to deter him from sharing the Gospel.
Scripture Reading: II Timothy 1:5-14 (read by Barry Rutkowski)
Lesson by Undre Griggs, Jr. Reocrded October 22, 2017
Those who were not Jews glorified and rejoiced for hearing the Word of God, because Christ would came as a light to the nations. Where is the joy in the Christian faith? Do Christians struggle to maintain this joy? Do believers lose focus upon the Gospel that gives joy? Peter noted a number of things that give an inexpressible joy to Christians. This message will point out these revelations. Those who heard the Gospel were baptized immediately and went away rejoicing. The Good News of Christ causes great joy in believers.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9 (read by David Johnson)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded October 15, 2017
Blessed are those who know the power of the Gospel for they can destroy everything exalted against the knowledge of God (2 Cor 10:3–6). This message encourages Christians to approach boldly the world with the Gospel. Christians must understood the world through the cross of Christ. Paul revealed that he came proclaiming nothing except Christ crucified. The Gospel message undermines all other ideologies and supposed wisdom of men. The Bible reveals that God’s wisdom destroys the wisdom and power of men. For this reason, Christians must contemplate the implications of the Gospel and proclaim boldly the truth. Only with the Gospel on the heart can people reason truthfully. With Christ, science makes sense. The cause of the universe makes sense. The ultimate meaning of life makes sense. Moral absolutes make sense. The existence of laws of logic make sense. Think from the cross of Christ and the implications of God coming in the flesh. The Scriptures reveal that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (read by Don Kovar)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded October 8, 2017
Can I truly love my neighbor before I learn to love and fear God? In response to a scribe’s request for the most important command, Christ quoted Moses’s words to love God first and then to love one’s neighbor second. Evidently, the love for God must come first. How does someone love God? The Scriptures reveal that one’s love for God is manifest in obeying God’s commands. What happens when people love their neighbors before they love God? This message will explore Christ’s words concerning the greatest commands and how the first is essential to the second.
Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28-34 (read by Gerrit Dekker)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded October 1, 2017
Almost every ideology began because someone told the world one’s own idea, epiphany, or dream. However, people heard Jesus’s teaching and saw him serve. Various people saw Jesus executed, knew his tomb, and experienced his bodily resurrection. Then, they told the world. The Christian faith is unique and unlike any other. The faith focuses on a historical figure whose life, death, and more changed the world. Jesus preached about why people should believe that he is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus revealed that people can hear his teaching and know that his teaching is not his own but from God the Father (John 7:17). Jesus also pointed to his coming crucifixion for demonstrating that he is the Christ (John 8:28). This message will further examine Jesus's evidences that he is the Christ. This message will also consider some minimal facts for the reality of Jesus’s miracles today. May God bless those who hear.
Scripture Reading: John 5:36-38 (read by Gerrit Dekker)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded September 24, 2017
Christians are to forgive as God forgives in Christ (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13). How does God forgive sins? Does God forgive sins for any reason? Can Christians forgive sins for any reason? God forgives those who repent or commit unintentional sins (Luke 23:34; 24:46–47). Jesus teaches the same forgiveness for repentance (Luke 17:3–4). Jesus revealed that no one would receive forgiveness sins unless they forgive the debt of trespasses from others. Much of the misunderstanding of forgiveness is the difference between the biblical definition and the secular definition of forgiveness. Secular forgiveness is moving past people who have offended or hurt oneself, family, or friends. However, biblical forgiveness is the release of sins. This message addresses the necessity and condition of forgiving the sins of others as God forgives Christians.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:14-15 (read by David Johnson)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded September 3, 2017
While at a great feast in Levi’s house, Jesus revealed, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Jesus’s mission included calling sinners to repentance. Biblical repentance is the change of one’s mind against sinning. Christ came proclaiming the Gospel, “repent and believe in the gospel.” The Gospel contains the plea to repent for the forgiveness of sins. Many people do not come to Christ because they do not want to repent. This message examines what is behind the refusal to repent. However, the call to repent is an act of love according to Jesus. The world hears judgment from the call to repent and rightly so. How can Christians encourage friends, family, and ourselves to repent? What can Christians gain from understanding how the lack of faith hinders repentance and how rejecting repentance hinders faith?
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:38-41 (read by Gene Bryant)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded September 10, 2017
A person’s prayer life reveals a lot about their relationship with God. “I prayed for my marriage and my spouse, yet my spouse left me.” “I asked God to heal my best friend, but my friend died.” This message is a plea not to lose faith over “unanswered prayers.” God works all things together for good for those who love Him. God certainly answers the prayers of the righteous who pray according to His will. Some have thought, “A good God should fulfill my requests for good things.” However, the believer must think deeper and recognize that God is able to do and think far beyond what each person is able. God is not a man that anyone may judge Him or think that His actions are arbitrary or matters of opinion. Many lose their faith because God did not grant their request as that expected. This message explores the Bible concerning God’s condition for giving “whatever” a faithful Christian requests.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:7-11 (read by David Johnson)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded August 27, 2017
At what age are Christians done with Christ’s commission? When Jesus finished when he declared, “It is finished.” Christ accomplished his suffering on the cross when he said, “It is finished.” However, Luke reported that his Gospel was of what Jesus began to teach and do. Christ did more. He added to his church. Jesus revealed that he would build his church. Paul professed that all hat he did was Christ working through him. This message examines these passages that compel Christians to continue the mission of making disciples. Jesus revealed himself to his apostles with many proofs. Do Christians have the same or similar blessings that the apostles had to spread the Gospel? This message presents Christ’s proofs that remain evidence today.
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-3 (read by David Johnson)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd Recorded August 20, 2017 |
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