NOTICE - as of Aug 2019 all audio sermons are now found on our You Tube channel PASTOR DAVID PUFFER. Prior to Aug 2019 are below .
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The Battle Is The Lord's July 28, 2019
The details recorded in this historical event teach us that when we are surrounded by troubles or dangers so that we don't know what to do, we should keep our eyes are on the Lord. The battle is not ours, but His; if we let Him.
Distractions July 21, 2019
The world is full of distractions but in this sermon I want to talk about a type of distraction in the Church that is captivating many sincere and caring believers. I am speaking of a spirit of division in the church that poses as righteous but it is not from God. Its purpose is to confuse and distract and divide.
Do Unto Others July 14, 2019
Human beings are created by God to be vessels of righteousness – that is, we are each designed by our creator to contain His Holy Spirit. This means that as followers of the Lord Jesus we are privileged to be, as it says in 2Peter 1:4, “… partakers of the divine nature …”
A Declaration Of Dependence July 7, 2019
Each year at this time we celebrate this nation’s separation from the arrogant and exploitive control of 18th century England – and it is only proper that we do so. However, while we remember our independence from England, we seem to forget that the courageous men responsible for that determination were, themselves, dependent on the grace of a just and merciful God to secure that freedom.
The Cross June 30, 2019
In the ancient world the cross was an instrument of agony and shame. But the Cross of Christ is unlike any other – it is God’s instrument of restitution, of atonement, of union, of sanctification, of regeneration, and of Salvation. It is the death that brings forth LIFE.
Fatherhood June 16, 2019
Since God made man in His image, and since 1Tim 2:13 tells us that Adam was first formed, then Eve, it follows that man should precede woman in Divine protocol.
Pentecost June 9, 2019
The promise of forgiveness was fulfilled at the Cross but its consummation occurred at Pentecost fifty days later as a Jubilee. Take the example of marriage – as soon as the minister proclaims the couple as husband and wife they are married in the sight of God and man. But then the marriage must be consummated (completed) in the couples’ privacy. The marriage (like the reconciliation) is public. But its consummation is personal.
Christ and ... What's Your Thing? June 2, 2019
So where does Jesus fit into your life? There are basically three answers to that question. He is either present, prominent, or preeminent.
Jesus My Adonai May 5, 2019
Without Jesus, God is just a three-letter word that troubles the mind with thoughts of mystery, uncertainty, and fear. God is a five-letter Word - JESUS.
Awaiting The Promise April 28, 2019
Now, it has been taught by many that the disciples were waiting for 10 days in the upper room for the Holy Spirit to empower them. But if we do the arithmetic we might arrive at a different conclusion.
Resurrection-First fruits April 21,2019
When a seed is placed in the ground, a change begins to take place and it ceases to be a seed and begins to become something else - something completely different but still related - something that was locked up in it that was just waiting to be released.
Passover April 14, 2019
According to the Jewish Talmud (Rabbinical Commentary) the day of purchase fell on a Saturday that year and because business was prohibited on the Sabbath the rulers moved the day to Sunday. But the real Lamb was purchased on that Saturday which made the day of His crucifixion Thursday, not Friday.
Triumphal Entry April 7, 2019
Jesus entered Jerusalem three times on that Passover week - on Saturday as King; on Sunday as Priest; and on Monday as Prophet when He taught and when He cursed the fig tree.
Armor Of The Lord March 31, 2019
In the natural world armor is a strong metal barrier between the wearer and an arrow or sword or some other instrument that is designed to pierce flesh. But in the spiritual such armor is useless.
Seek Ye First March 14, 2019
Jesus is the path to joy unspeakable – to seek any other path is the same as leaving the road and trying to find my own way through the wilderness of life.
Seek And You Will Find March 17, 2019
Man has limited creative ability; but like intellect, which is God given, it is best used to divine purpose. But so often both are squandered on carnal and worldly pursuits.
Jewels In The Heart Of A Loving God March 10, 2019
On the 8th of July, 1741, Jonathan Edwards, a famous 18th century preacher, terrified a congregation in Enfield, Connecticut. You might say that he scared them straight. The message he delivered was called, “Sinners in the hands of an angry God”. And it is that sermon that is credited with a major revival that followed soon after.
The Fig Tree March 3, 2019
From the very beginning of His ministry tradition and ritual, human wisdom and human good, had opposed the grace of God that is manifest in Jesus. But the old perversions were about to come to an end in spite of the efforts of the Jews to preserve them - The letter of the Law had enslaved Israel for over a thousand years, and now it was over.
Redemption February 24, 2019
It was, as the Scriptures tell us, 30 pieces of silver (the price of a slave) that placed Jesus on His Cross and bought the “Potters’ Field” which is also called the “Field of Blood.” Do you know the significance of the Potters’ field?
Crowns Of Glory February 17, 2019
There are five crowns that are promised the faithful at the appearing of the Lord Jesus. The fact that there are five is a testimony that they are a manifestation of Divine Grace. They are symbols of achievement and position that are attained only because He has provided the very means to receive them.
Clean and Unclean February 3, 2019
When Jesus said in Mark 7:14-20, “Hear and understand”, He knew that the traditions had taught the people the dietary customs but they hadn’t seen the reason behind those customs.
A House Divided January 13,2019
The deception today is state of the art and the only defense is a strong knowledge of Divine Viewpoint by rightly dividing the Word of God.
Suffering January 6, 2019
Unfortunately religion has painted a rather perverse picture of God not only as the author of suffering but even uses suffering to promote His agenda. And where did this idea that there is virtue in suffering come from?
Expectations December 30, 2018
I'm sure that many of you have heard an evangelist open his message with the question, "Have you come today expecting a miracle?" That question carries with it the suggestion of failure if you do not expect a miracle.
The Star Of Destiny December 23, 2018
It has been the practice of man, from the beginning of civilization, to precede the name of those he deifies with a representation of a star. But there is only One person who truly has a right to that title – Jesus is the Star of Bethlehem!!!
The Christmas Tree December 16, 2018
Certainly the Christmas tree is a thing of beauty and wonder even as the birth of Jesus is a thing of beauty and wonder. But I would like to suggest that locked up within the tradition of the Christmas tree is a glorious mystery of death and rebirth and a return to Eden.
Manifest Destiny December 9, 2018
In the eleventh century Anselm, the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, wrote a profound statement concerning the importance of belief. He wrote, “I do not seek to understand so that I might believe; but I believe so that I might understand. For this I know; that if I do not believe, I will never understand.”
The Awesome Power Of Peace December 2, 2018
It would seems that the same Bible that presents an angry and destructive God in the Old Testament presents a loving and forgiving one in the New Testament. For this reason many assume that in the Old Testament God was in the process of growing into the more mature being that is portrayed in the New Testament.
Giving Thanks November 25, 2018
Thanksgiving toward God is an acknowledgement of who He is and what He has done for us. It says, “I believe You are God.” “I believe You are my source for all that I enjoy – that even my own efforts find their strength in You.”
The Divine Romance November 11, 2018
From the very beginning God has initiated a love relationship with man. This characteristic is unique to the God of the Bible - it is not found in any of the invented deities of the many religions of the world.
Renewal November 3, 2018
The Word of God reveals many things to us; it is our window to reality and exposes all the illusions of earthly life. And one of the greatest illusions in life is that we are compelled to be shaped by our experiences.
JonahAnd The Worm November 4, 2018
Traditional teachings present Jonah as the “Reluctant Prophet”. But if you will permit it, I will show another side to him that speaks of the humanity of Christ and the taking on of the sin debt on our behalf.
Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit October 28,2018
Spiritual poverty or destitution consists in a keen sense of our spiritual needs, and the utter hopelessness of our own ability to supply them.
October 21, 2018 God And Mammon
We are taught that mammon is money - but I believe that although money is included in it, mammon is more than money. I believe that mammon is worldliness.
The Lord Of Times October 14, 2018
To the secular mind history is only the story of a humanity striving to master its own destiny and subdue all forces and conditions that oppose it. But all who are willing to awake from the pipe-dream of human supremacy can see history for what it really is.
Work Out Your Own Salvation October 7, 2018
It is not our accomplishments that are important in the final analysis. It is His accomplishments through us that glorify Him – that is what He gives us the means to do.
The Bride Of Christ September 30, 2018
Because He loves us, God made a bride for Adam from a piece of Adam so that she would be a match - absolutely suitable. In doing this God shows Himself to be a God of relationship. And I hope to show that just as He made a bride for Adam from Adam, so He will fashion a bride for Himself from Himself.
If God Before Us September 23, 2018
For those who acknowledge God and are led by His Spirit, the enemy is decloaked and he is made visible. But this doesn’t cause him to give up. He merely changes his tactics – he appears as an angel of light.
Salt Of The Earth September 16, 2018
Salt symbolizes a great deal when applied to born-again believers. It speaks of our value to God and to each other. And also to the world - it is the presence of the body of believers in the world that promotes divine blessing and protection from the adversary.
A Fast That Honors God September 9, 2018
There seems to be a great deal of mysterious and hidden knowledge surrounding the ancient practice of fasting; but a sincere and honest study of this subject reveals a simplicity and sensibleness that the serious student of theology comes to expect of God.
Surrender August 26, 2018
The last words of the Savior are a testament, and I believe that they carry a profound meaning. I submit that these three Words sum up His whole purpose and at the same time convey a powerful message to all those who would accept Him as Lord.
Guilty But Not Condemned August 19, 2018
The truth convicts (convinces of error) – which can produce the response of feeling guilt – but the Spirit’s purpose isn’t harm – He seeks to prompt confession – so His purpose is restoration.
The Meta-Narrative July 29, 2018
The meta-narrative of the Bible is simply the promise that what was lost in Adam would be restored in Christ Jesus. God has skillfully hidden His meta-narrative in many historical events of the OT – these I refer to as living parables.
Essentials July 22, 2018
Non-essentials are a distraction to understanding the truth and will invariably impede the Lord’s work in bringing the believer to spiritual maturity.
To Glorify The Lord July 15, 2018
We are taught that the whole purpose of Jesus’ death was to our salvation. But I tell you that our salvation, as wonderful as it is, stands in second place to the Glorification of God the Father.
Breath Of God July 7,2018
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So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. Zech 4:6 Jesus showed that chaos begets chaos. But that by the Spirit of God, grace will transform chaos into peace.
The Gatekeepers July 1, 2018
When we consider the function of the Doorkeepers as guards to protect the Holiness of the Temple, we can see a spiritual principle at work in the lives of Born-Again believers today. As temples of the Living God, we are sanctified or set apart by a Gate Keeper who stands in the place of judgment between the temple and the outer world.
Shekinah Glory June 24, 2018
God alone is Glorious; and He desires to share His Glory. But even as the moon is a reflector of the light of the sun, God’s adopted can only reflect the radiance or Glory of God. It is His alone. So it comes from Him alone.
Fatherhood June 17, 2018
It is by emulating our Father God that we men, as husbands and fathers fulfill our responsibility to our wives and our children. God has not only given us instruction but has revealed to us His own character as a husband to Israel and as our Heavenly Father.
Theodicy - The Problem Of Evil June 10, 2018
It is inevitable that at some point in your Christian walk, somebody will ask you about the integrity of God. That is, how do you deal with the tension between the goodness and omnipotence of God, and the existence of evil?
Esteem - 3 Cows May 27, 2018
Insecurity has reached epidemic proportions and the search for self-esteem seems to dominate our culture. The human solution to the esteem problem is phyco-babble and sensitivity training. But it is in Christ alone that man will find true self-worth.
Truth - What Is Real? May 20, 2018
In the dictionary definitions of Truth we can see the humanist influence on the concept of TRUTH. But TRUTH, as a philosophical absolute, is of God.
A Pearl Of Great Price May 13, 2018
It’s hard to believe that it took over 4000 years for man to wake up to just how precious a woman is and how incomplete he is without her. It was in Christ that woman took her rightful place in society.
Forgiveness May 6, 2018
Forgiveness should manifest in the life of every believer. It is God’s method of defusing a volatile situation – it goes along with turning the other cheek – it brings peace to conflict and order to confusion
Sovereignty And Choice April 29, 2018
Does God’s sovereignty cancel out man’s free will? Is man predestined by God - some to salvation and others to damnation? Is man just a puppet on a string, suffering the illusion of self-determination?
A Measure Of Faith April 15, 2018
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to move mountains around? But is God’s intention that man receive power to exercise human will on earth (to do anything he desires to do)?
Firstfruit April 1, 2018
Jesus entered the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea as a wounded and bruised corpse, but, sometime after midnight on Saturday, He emerged from it completely restored to His eternal state.
Stirring The Healing Waters March 25,2018
When we are indwelt by the Spirit, in our bellies (our innermost being) are pools of living water just waiting to become raging rivers of living water. And when we praise or glorify God, the Spirit is joyful, ecstatic.
Cycles March 18, 2018
Living things are constantly dying and their place is taken by those that are newly born. All this coming and going of living things is known today as the “Circle of Life”.
That Good Part March 11, 2018
The Greek word for worship is proskuneo and it means to fawn or crouch; to prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore.) It comes from a root that means to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand.
Drawing Near February 25, 2018
It is in the nature of God to love what He has created – and it is in the nature of redeemed man to return that love.
Holiness February 18, 2018
Thanks to the mysterious and glorious work of the God/man Jesus, the creature can bear resemblance with the Creator through relationship. The True Vine has sprouted branches.
The Devil's Trap February 11, 2018
Have you ever heard somebody say, “The Devil made me do it”? Well the Devil cannot make us do anything because God guarantees our free will. But he can and does tempt us to thought or behavior that is contrary to God’s will – what we know to be right.
Christian Growth February 4, 2018
The Body of Christ is a cooperative effort. Each Living Stone is to contribute to the building up of the whole Body.This is why the Lord desires that we seek Him first, above all other things.
To Glorify The Lord January 21, 2018
According to legend Peter was crucified upside down. This interpretation of physical martyrdom has crossed over from the Catholic faith into the Protestant faith and continues to be taught as being the way to glorify God.
Crowns Of Glory January 14, 2018
There are five crowns that are promised the faithful at the appearing of the Lord Jesus. The fact that there are five is a testimony that they are a manifestation of Divine Grace. They are symbols of achievement and position that are attained only because He has provided the very means to receive them.
All Things Become New December 31, 2017
The Word of God reveals many things to us. It is the believer’s window to reality and exposes all the illusions of earthly life. And one of the greatest illusions in life is that we are compelled to be shaped by our experiences.
Bearing Gifts December 24,2017
Giving is in the very nature of God; it is His invention and it is the custom in His Kingdom. Therefore it is no surprise that the celebration of His entry into the world as a man should stimulate His people to the exchanging of gifts.
Reason To Believe II December 17,2017
When the Scriptures are analyzed numerically and statistically it can be shown that the Word of God is both deliberate in design and precognitive in its character.
One Thing by Shawn Holman December 10, 2017
One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may
dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty
of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4
Reason To Believe 1 December 3, 2017
Anybody who thinks it is difficult to prove the existence of God has never really attempted to prove His non-existence. As important as it is to prove God’s existence, it is even more important to prove His non-existence.
An Acceptable Sacrifice November 26, 2017
The Scriptures assure us, from Genesis to Revelation, that God provided for Himself a perfect and acceptable sacrifice. He provided Himself as a perfect sacrifice!And, if you can receive it, in that same sacrifice, He also provided a perfect sacrifice that should be acceptable to every member of the human race.
The Longsuffering Of God November 19, 2017
For our gracious God has suffered long the rebellion and disrespect of His creatures in the hope that some will receive His love and be saved. To that end He has given us hope and shown us through living parables and word pictures that He will never leave us or forsake us; even unto the end of the age.
The Divine Romance November 12, 2017
Christianity, in its purest form is not just a code of morality.It is a supernatural relationship (knowledge) with the Creator through the intervention of the only human being ever to prove that He is one with God - Jesus of Nazareth
HOPE October 29, 2017
Until the reality of God’s promises become our experience, it is hope that motivates us and gives us the strength to carry on even in the face of tragedy and hardship - hope sustains us as we endue.
Seek And You Shall Find October 22, 2017
God has placed within man the ability to achieve or accomplish his personal objectives.But if those objectives are contrary to God’s will He will not participate in them.
Seek Ye First October 15, 2017
So often what we want and what we need are two entirely different things. It is in the nature of man to reach out to what he wants; but God knows what he truly needs.
Accountability October 8, 2017
As Christians we are encouraged to seek the aid of the community of believers in our quest for spiritual maturity. But nowhere does the Word of God obligate us to hold anybody accountable for anything. Before jumping to any conclusions, pleasehear what I have to say in this message.
Recovering What Was Lost September 24, 2017
The Bible contains a recurring theme. Layer upon layer it records events that proclaim the same message. That message is simply that God gave the gift of life to man, man lost it, and God recovered it. Just one of the many events illustrating this point is the telling of an obscure little incident found in 2 Kings 6:1-7
How Do I Doubt Thee? Let Me Count The Ways. Camellia Puffer Sept 17, 2017
Doubt unchecked leads to unbelief. Unbelief cancels God's promises.
Son of Man September 10, 2017
Hyperstatic Union is the theological term for the mystery of the God-Man Jesus. A term that seeks to describe the human vessel who is the fullness of the Godhead bodily – human flesh perfectly submitted to God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord My Strength August 27,2017
Paul's statement in 2 Cor 12:10, “When I am weak I am strong,” has been interpreted to mean that God will help me when I cannot help myself. But I believe what Paul really meant was, when I look to God rather than my own ability he can work in my life to my betterment.
Integrity August 20, 2017
Integrity was lost and entropy was born when Adam turned his back on his Creator and chose human experience over Divine wisdom.
Virtue August 13, 2017
Just as Jesus turned water into the finest wine at the wedding in Canaan, the Holy Spirit places within the believer the qualities and character that are found completed in Christ.
The Traditions Of Men August 6, 2017
These are perilous and evil times – situation ethics have replaced divine viewpoint and we have returned to the days of the Judges when everybody does what is right in their own eyes. The so-called great thinkers of our day have played a large part in the collapse of social mores by presenting world views that exclude God.
The Agony And The Leprosy Part 2
The death of Jesus on His Cross freed the whole world from the Law – this is the reconciliation and is analogous to the lepers being freed of the suspicion of disease. But it is only the new mind given by God, and the life of Jesus taking up residence in the soul of the believer that brings healing from the effects of Adam’s Fall.
The Agony And The Leprosy Part 1 July 9, 2017
Some have said that it is a mistake to associate sin with leprosy, but it should be pointed out that God Himself associated the disease with mans’ fallen state when He gave Moses the signs that would identify him as the emissary from God.
Sovereignty And Choice June 25, 2017
Is man just a puppet on a string, suffering the illusion of self-determination? Certainly this seems to be the view of many who consider themselves to be orthodox in their theology. But are they missing something in their preoccupation with divine sovereignty?
The Man With The Inkhorn June 25, 2017
Ezekiel Chapter 9 is a glorious picture of the provision of God for the remnant. But it is also a picture of spiritual surgery as God refines His adopted ones to prepare them for an eternity with Him.
God Our Father June 18, 2017
WHO IS GOD? Is He justan abstract three-letter word that invokes a response of fear and respect mixed with a dash of resentment?
God's Will June 11, 2017
Prayer is not the way to discover God’s Will. Smith Wigglesworth says that prayer doesn’t change God’s will; rather it is to change the heart (the will) of the prayer.
Dominion June 4, 2017
Adam was plugged into the power of God, so to speak; but in rebellion, Adam no longer agreed with God. In so doing, Adam effectively unplugged himself from the power and lost the right or ability to rule his world.
If God BeFore Us May 28, 2017
It is the spirits of this dark age that oppose us. A victorious walk cannot be in our own strength, it must be in God’s strength. It is His armor we must wear – not our own.
The Holiness Of God May 21, 2017
Holiness is the one attribute that God can share with His people – it is given by God to those who desire to enter into fellowship with Him. It is a robe of righteousness that Christ Jesus has placed on us so that we can enter confidently into His presence. Heb 4:16
A Mothers' Day Parable May 14, 2017
The Creator, who refers to Himself by the plural Hebrew word Elohiym, emulated or copied much of Himself into His creation. From the very beginning we find the principle of “two of a kind” in God’s creative method.
Jesus, My Adonai April 30, 2017
There are two words for Master in the Hebrew – one is Baal and the other is Adonai. One presented himself as a demanding ruler to enslave. The other came as a loving Lord to set the captives free. Just who is this Jesus?
Resurrection, The Firstfruit April 23, 2017
When a seed is placed in the ground, a change begins to take place and it ceases to be a seed and begins to become something else - something completely different but still related - something that was locked up in it that was just waiting to be released.
Christ's Triumphal Exit April 16, 2017
Jesus suffered terribly at the hands of the authorities, but the message is not about His suffering – it is about His victory.
Triumphal Entry April 9, 2017
Most Christians are familiar with the account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on what is celebrated as “Palm Sunday;" but there are implications to this event that go far deeper than the traditional interpretations.
Heaven April 2, 2017
Perhaps Heaven is merely a conept that is shared by most religions of the world under different names such as Paradise, or Nirvana - A place in the sky where the dearly departed will live forever in bliss. Or is Heaven something else?
Saved By Grace March 26,2017
The Scriptures make it clear that salvation, although it is a gift from God and cannot be earned, it does require a doing of some sort. The simple fact is that the doing is the surrendering of the human will to the overseeing of the Spirit of God.
Are You Born Again? by Jim Dunn March 19, 2017
When Jesus told Nicodemus that only the reborn could see the Kingdom of God Nicodemus wondered about the sanity of this man he had just recognized as a teacher sent from God. He responded in disbelief - “How can one reenter his mother’s womb and be born again?”
Ec-Humanism March 12, 2017
Humanism seeks to address mans’ problems through human wisdom and philosophy. Humanists desire peace and prosperity for all - a noble ideal. But they are willing to achieve their goal independent of Holy Viewpoint - a mistake of cosmic proportions
To Die With Christ March 5, 2017
Jesus has left for us a precious legacy – to receive it only requires that we relax our grip on the world and take hold of what He has placed so much value in – pleasing His heavenly Father and ours.
Breath Of God February 26, 2017
It is the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart of a yielded vessel that brings stability in the midst of disaster. It is His presence that imparts the strength to withstand the onslaught and carry us through to victory over impossible circumstances and conditions.
Shepherd’s Lighthouse Membership Declaration
The moment that you realized your need to have Jesus in your life and confessed Him as your Lord, you became a member of His Body and He began the process of transforming you into a citizen of the Kingdom of God. An important part of that transformation is membership in a local Church.
CHRIST and .... February 19, 2017
Colosians 1:18 declares that Jesus is supreme in all things. That He is preeminent. But how many times do we put Him second or even third when it comes to the choices we make in our lives? How many times do we reject Him in favor of self – the self that we are called to die to?
DIVISIONS February 12, 2017
How can Jesus be advocating unity if He came to bring division?The answer to this apparent contradiction is found in the fact that there are two different types of division mentioned in the Scriptures – dividing from, and dividing unto.
Christ My Healer February 5, 2017
Not that every disease will be cast out of every sick or dying person; although many times that does happen. But we are assured that we can find peace and security in the midst of terrible circumstances. And we can know that we will be raised to eternal life in heaven with our Lord Jesus.
Ebenezer January 29, 2017
A stone is laid in Zion. A Stone. Scripture teaches us that Christ is that Stone – but have you ever wondered why? Where did this idea to refer to Jesus as a stone come from?
God's Promises January 22, 2017 Pastor Steve Disque
2 Peter 1:3 "... His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 2 Peter 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
Blessing January 15, 2017
Blessing is a large part of the Christian vernacular. It is a spiritual word that belongs to the “light” just as cursing is a part of the “darkness”. The word “bless” comes from an old English word that means “blood”. It refers to the sprinkling of blood as an act of consecration (to be set apart as sacred).
Crossing Over January 8, 2017
The concept of a river dividing the living from the dead or life from the afterlife may well have begun with the Hebrews. The word Hebrew, itself, means to cross over.
The Lord Of Times January 1, 2017
To the secular mind history is only the story of a humanity striving to master its own destiny and subdue all forces and conditions that oppose it. But all who are willing to awake from the pipe-dream of human supremacy can see history for what it really is.
Star Of Destiny December 25,2016
The Star of Bethlehem to this day remains something of a mystery. For the past three centuries, Rationalists have exhausted their imaginations looking for a natural phenomenon to explain it. But the Scriptures hold the key to the puzzle.
In Christ Jesus December 18, 2016
There are at least 38 references in the NT to being “in Christ Jesus” - we’ll look at many of these as we move through this study. All born-again believers are familiar with this term. But how many really understand what it means? This is an important concept because of what it holds for the people of God ....
Crowns Of Glory December 11, 2016
There are five crowns that are promised the faithful at the appearing of the Lord Jesus. The fact that there are five is a testimony that they are a manifestation of Divine Grace. They are symbols of achievement and position that are attained only because He has provided the very means to receive them; that is, no man or woman has, in themselves, the strength to win even one of the crowns that are offered.
Be Transformed December 4, 2016
There is a belief in the visible church that if we have enough religion - performance of rituals or other religious duties - that we have fulfilled all that God requires of us. The Pharisees had this same idea. But God has made it clear in so many ways that it is not what we do that is important;It is what we become that is important.
Giving Thanks November 27, 2016
Thanksgiving toward God is an acknowledgement of who He is and what He has done for us. It says, “I believe You are God.” “I believe You are my source for all that I enjoy – that even my own efforts find their strength in You.” It is the Hebrew word “towdah” and it means: To extend the hand in adoration.
Why Cain Was Not Able/Nothing But The Blood November 20, 2016
Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sin. If the life is in the blood then it is a life that is in opposition to God that must be shed.
All Things November 13, 2016
Many people today refer to nature as “Mother” and credit a mindless, purposeless, randomness as the creator of all things – like the “Force” of Star Wars, or Gaia, P D Ouspensky’s or George Gurdjieff’s idea that the Earth and all the planets are living beings that give birth to all life and devour it at the end of its span. But the Bible declares that it is God who created everything that exists.
Jesus My Adonai November 6, 2016
The human imagination invents an endless variety of identities for Jesus – identities such as revolutionary, reactionary, visionary, illusionist, delusionist, confusionist, etc. But He has identified Himself in both word and deed as bodily manifestation of the Creator of all things
In My Father's House 10/30/2016
What God wanted from the beginning was His place in the human heart. Instead, He got a national headquarters for a central government. That is mans’ idea and it goes back to Nimrod and his ambition to make a name for himself by consolidating his effort and building an edifice unto the heavens.
Wisdom And Its Utterance October 22, 2016
You can have knowledge without wisdom; however you cannot have wisdom without knowledge. Now there are two types of wisdom – human wisdom and the wisdom of God. Guess which one is reliable.
God And Mammon October 16,2016
God says "I place before you life and death, choose life!" We are taught that mammon is money - but I believe that although money is included in it, mammon is more than money. I believe that mammon is, in fact, worldliness. Life ins found in godliness while worldliness leads to death.
TRUTH October 9, 2016
In this age and culture of situation ethics truth is considered to be up for grabs. For many today truth is established by the majority or those with the greatest influence. But paradoxically it is generally believed that TRUTH is an absolute – that it is the end of a search for knowledge of what is real or genuine.
God Is Real Oct 2, 2016
Psalm 14:1 declares that, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'." Psalm 53:1 repeats, "The fool has said in his heart ' There is no God'." Proverbs 15:7 says, "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so.'" Proverbs 18:2 says, "A fool has no delight in understanding but in expressing his own heart'."
The Gift Of Tongues September 25, 2016
Tongues – has there ever been a subject that caused more division in the Church? Those who speak in tongues often believe that it is the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives – they believe that every believer is supposed to have it. Then there are those who believe that tongues is illegitimate.
You Must Be Born Again Sept. 18, 2016
To be born again the living Word, Jesus, must enter you and rebuild you. Jesus brings with Him the Holy Spirit, the new mind that God offers to all who seek Him with all their strength. Learn a lesson from the profession of Jesus – He was a Carpenter. It is Jesus who brings His craftsmen’s tools into a willing vessel and begins the work of reshaping and rebuilding.
The God Who Answers With Fire Sept 11, 2016
If You Believe September 4, 2016
Each party in the relationship has a responsibility - God's responsibility is to call things that are not as if they are (Rom 4:17, “… God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;”) Our responsibility is to agree with God in all things and not oppose Him with our own judgements.
The Bride Of Christ August 21, 201
The Bride that God is preparing for Himself is the “Bride of Christ”.We see a picture of this bride in the OT account of Isaac and Rebeccah in Gen 24:4 where Abraham tells his servant, Eleazar (see Gen 15:2), “… you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac."
Suffering August 14, 2016
Unfortunately religion has painted a rather perverse picture of God not only as the author of suffering but even uses suffering to promote His agenda. And where did this idea that there is virtue in suffering come from? I believe that it is a human construct based on fear of God and ignorance of His divine nature.
The Beatitudes August 7, 2016
It could be said that Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount with the statement, "Blessed are the meek," because it embodies His entire teaching that day. Here Jesus speaks of humility - putting Divine viewpoint above human opinion and human experience.
Sanctuary July 31, 2016
In the Book of Numbers there is a reference to Cities of Refuge. These were sanctuaries from an avenger for anybody who killed somebody accidentally. In this we see a prefiguring of the redemption of the Lost by Christ who is our Great High Priest.
Evangelism and Witnessing July 24, 2016
In the church today there is a practice of confusing the office of evangelism with the activity of witnessing. It is this confusion that I want to address today.
Not Of This World by Bishop Dale Adams 7/17/16
God did not create us to live in this fallen world. He created us to live with Him in His Kingdom. When we accept His offer of adoption, tho we are in this world we are no longer of this world.
Drawing Near July 10, 2016
The Scriptures tell us that it is with thanksgiving we that enter His Gates. And it is with praise we enter the courts of God. And what are the courts of God? A place of nearness. According to the Hebrew it is that private area isolated from its surroundings and reserved for the beloved.
Abide In Christ by Joe Marinelli 6/26/16
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will* ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." John 15:7-9
The Graciousness Of God June 19, 2016
All the religions of the world worship gods that man must work to build a bridge to. But the One True God, the Father, came into the world that man might know Him and be saved. He relentlessly seeks out the lost even when they have been snatched out of His hand by circumstances or forces that are hostile to him.
Pentecost June 12, 2016
At Sinai the justice of God gave the Law. But 1500 years later, at Pentecost the mercy of God gave the Holy Spirit. What is hidden in this number fifty is the glorious hope of justice covered by mercy – the promise of the forgiveness of a debt and adoption into the family of God.
A House Divided June 5, 2016
Satan divides by stimulating the saints to self-involvement. He uses exaggerated self interest to tempt us to his own advantage. He will use whatever means he can to make us paranoid. He doesn’t care whether it is to grandeur or persecution. Satan’s first strategy is to infect all the sons of Adam with his own unhealthy self-interest.
Mouth To Mouth by Jim Dunn May 29, 2016
In the Old Testament God dealt with nations. In the New Testament He deals with the individual. He wants a relationship; a partnership with the believer. One of the few men in the first covenant who had such a relationship with God was Moses. But even Moses did not see the face of God. That would have to wait until after the Cross of Christ.
Shekinah Glory May 22, 2016
It is only in the Lord Jesus that we see the face of God. You cannot behold the beauty and majesty of Jesus and continue to live to self. Jesus alone is the Fullness of the Godhead bodily; but all born again believers are heirs with Him to that Glory which God imparts to every member of the Divine family.
The Unjust Steward May 15, 2016
Many times the Christian (who should see the dangers of life in this world with greater clarity than the unregenerate) seems rather cavalier or carefree - treating with disrespect the Grace of God. In other words, unredeemed man is truer to his generation (his world view) than many Christians are to the Kingdom of God.
A Pearl Of Great Price May 8, 2016
When God created us He put something of Himself in the design. And when the Scriptures address God with masculine pronouns (He is never referred to as She), it has to do with characteristics rather than appearance. It is God who places His Spirit in human beings. And both man and woman get their finer characteristics and traits from God.
Dark Sayings Of Old May 1, 2016
Prayer is about changing us - it is not about influencing our circumstances. It concerns what is in us rather than what is in the world. You see, prayer is not just about connecting to God to make our requests known; it is about God getting access to us to make His will known.
The Power Of The Parable April 24, 2016
The parables of Jesus are brilliant presentations of Godly principles and contain many layers of meaning. They are truly works of art that embody the very character of God. But without the presence of the Holy Spirit to give them meaning, they are a puzzle.
Redemption April 17. 2016
Six centuries before Jesus came to this fallen world Zechariah and Jeremiah saw a picture of God's redemptive work in Christ Jesus. Here we have another example of God's promise to fix Adam's blunder in OT prophesies being fulfilled in the most amazing way.....
Why The Cross? April 10, 2016
There is no doubt that the cross inflicted enormous pain and suffering and that the agony of Christ was beyond human comprehension. But my purpose in this sermon is to draw our attention to something that is of much greater importance than the passion of the Savior.
Called To Pray March 3, 2016 Joe Marinelli
Prayer is communion with our Father God and it is so much more than wish fulfillment. Prayer is a two way communication. Prayer doesn't only give the believer access to God; it gives God access to the believer. Therefore prayer is an important part of the spiritual maturing of the saint.
Passover March 27, 2016
Now I know that tradition has it that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a Friday; but according to the Jewish Talmud (Rabbinical Commentary) the day of purchase fell on a Saturday that year and because business was prohibited on the Sabbath the rulers moved the day to Sunday. So the real Lamb, Jesus, was purchased on that Saturday – His day.
Perfecting Holiness In Your Life by Jim Dunn March 20, 2016
Romans 8:29 makes it clear that God's purpose for every human life is that we become conformed to the image of His Son. This is referring to spiritual maturity and is facilitated by the intake and application of the Word of God in the life of every believer. To that end our Creator God has provided His very own nature to all who would seek Him with all their heart and mind.
Crowns Of Glory March 13, 2016
There are five crowns that are promised the faithful at the appearing of the Lord Jesus. The fact that there are five is a testimony that they are a manifestation of Divine Grace – They are symbols of achievement and position that are attained only because He has provided the very means to receive them.
Sanctification March 6, 2016
When Paul tells the Philippian believers to “work out” their salvation, he is telling them to lay hold of what God has provided for them so that there will be a visible difference in their lives that will demonstrate that they have been changed; that they are not the same people just behaving differently.
Breath Of God February 28, 2016
Genesis 2:7 that tells us that, "... the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." In Adam we became jars of clay but Jesus has breathed life into all who believe - in Him we again become nephesh, living souls bound to Him for eternity.
Holy Affection February 14, 2016
The command to “Love the Lord” appears at least fifteen times throughout the Word of God. And Jesus calls it the first and greatest commandment. And He says that the law and the prophets all hang on it. I believe that a love which excludes God cannot be genuine. Because I believe that even the capacity to love comes from God. Love is much more than a feeling – it is an outpouring of the character of God into the life of the believer.
Manifest Destiny February 7, 2016
I am aware that the term Manifest Destiny was a term that was used to inspire the people of this country to settle from the East to the West – that it was believed that this nation was destined to become the light of the world. But the true light of the world is Jesus – and it is His destiny that is revealed in the pages of the Bible.
Sacrifice January 31, 2016
The idea of bargaining for divine favor extended beyond the pagan world into the Hebrew community. And the ceremonial complexities given by God in the books of Exodus and Leviticus degenerated from symbols that taught spiritual principles into elaborate rituals to impress and manipulate God. They thought that the right ritual or gift would turn aside God’s anger and gain His divine forgiveness of any sin.
A Fast That Honors God January 24, 2017
There are traditions in the Church that have substituted for
spiritual truth. Some have been elevated to the level of golden calves as
natural man continues to follow Adam in seeking to be the master of his own
destiny. The tradition under discussion in this sermon is ceremonial fasting.
The only place in all of Scripture that there is a definitive discussion on
fasting is in Isaiah 58 where God points out the connection between fasting and
Sabbath Rest.
The Tithe Explained January 17, 2016
What Christian won’t agree that it is only by the grace and provision of God that we have air to breathe and food to eat and water to drink - That our very lives are gifts from our Creator? But how many really believe it? The first thing that I want you to know is that the tithe is not about money … it is about trust. Tithing, is an acknowledgement that God is our provider.
JOY IN SUBMISSION January 10, 2016
It has been well said that you cannot make an omelet without breaking a few eggs – whatever God does it is always for the greater good. How many times have we each done the same thing as King Saul regarding the Amalekites – obeyed God in part and hoped that we could patch it up with Him by an offering of human good? Submission to Divine Will always results in success.
SON OF MAN 12/27/2015
The Bible contains many examples of God’s rescue plan but none, perhaps, more mysterious than the account of Jonah. Jonah is traditionally referred to as the “Reluctant Prophet”. And in the natural and historical this is undoubtedly true. However, running parallel with the historical events of Jonah’s story the careful seeker may discover God’s promise of spiritual restoration through Hyperstatic union.
The Real Christmas Tree 12/20/2015
A decorated tree standing over a collection of gifts delivered by a large man in a red suite has become the symbol of Christmas. But it is a poor substitute for the real Christmas Tree which bore on it the greatest gift of all and delivered by His own Divine hand.
Christ in the Tabernacle by Joe Marinelli 12/13/15
There are volumes written about the Tabernacle that Moses built in the wilderness and all but a few of them only scratch the surface of what is contained in its symbols. The purpose of this message is to give a brief overview of the Tabernacle and show that ultimately it is a picture of Jesus and His saving work.
Expectations 12/06/15
To what degree does God depend on my expectations in order to produce a miracle? God has made many promises in His Word; but doesn't expectation, as encouraged in some ministries, imply obligation on the part of God? Do we need to be reminded that Divine blessings are a matter of Divine Grace rather than a matter of Divine obligation?
REASON TO BELIEVE 11/22/15
It was Anselm who said, “I do not seek to understand in order to believe. Rather, I believe in order to understand. For I know that unless I believe, I will never understand.” The truly intelligent recognize that reality doesn’t require our understanding or our approval. Therefore, they direct their energies in a more productive direction. They ask, “is there sufficient reason for me to believe?”
PROOF OR CHOICE 11/15/15
Proving God’s existence will fail, and the unbeliever instinctively knows it. Perhaps that is their common motive for demanding it. Attempting to prove or disprove the existence of God is much like trying to pick up mercury or attempting to kill a worm in an apple by polishing the apple. So rather than looking for proof for God’s existence, theologians have, over the centuries, developed what they call “arguments” for the existence of God.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF UNBELIEF 11/08/15
In listening to the Serpent, Adam and Eve thought that they could be as God and free themselves of any master. But in reality they had simply traded a kind, merciful and loving master for one that will enslave them and in the end destroy them. The Serpent is still hissing his message of rebellion to this day and many are responding to his message of self-righteousness. The great Falling Away that the Apostle Paul warned of in 2 Thess 2:3 is upon us.
Aleph and Tav 11/1/2015
An in depth analysis of the first statement of Scripture (Genesis 1:1) reveals a Creator who not only brought the universe into being, but also entered into it Himself as Son to restore the beloved into the household of God. I believe that it is telling us that the beginning and the end come together in God. It is in Jesus that we see God’s desire, His method, and His success.
Stiring The Healing Waters 10/25/15
There is a legend that tells of a certain Abba Joses (exalted Father) who went down to the pool to bathe and was informed by the spirit that lived there that an evil presence was attempting to displace him. Abba Joses was told that the only way to defeat the evil presence was to have all those townspeople who bathed in the pool to bring iron pins or nails and strike them with hammers.
The Greatness of Deception 10/18/2015
The Bible tells us that the struggle between Light and Darkness, Good
and Evil, predates human history. And man entered into that struggle
when Adam ignored God’s warning and partook of the Tree of the Knowledge
of Good and Evil. Deception is the fruit of that tree and today it is
state of the art and threatens the faith of many Christians.
Bricks For Stones 10/04/2015
When Nimrod and his followers attempted to build their tower, they embarked on an enterprise that would result in confusion and fragmentation. Confusion and fragmentation is always the reward for those who would emulate Lucifer. The Scriptures seem to say that God confused and scattered the builders. But is it not more consistent with the revealed character of God to say that He gave them over to their own desires? That the Glory departed and abandoned them to the Devil?
Creator or Created 9/20/2015
There is no denying it! Man has created his own god in his own image. And this is not a god to be followed into all righteousness; but it is a god designed to serve man in his perpetual quest for self-fulfillment and esteem – value. He is the god that Nicholas Van Hoffman calls the great “Mush God.” He is the permissive, plastic god that tries to eclipse the One Who was, and is, and Is to come - Yahveh.