Category: God

Invitation delivered by: Ben Schmidt

The Star Wars movies talk about “The Force.” The Bible reveals God to be the omnipotent and merciful creator and sustainer of all things. We are redeemed by His grace.

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Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox

Matthew 7:7-11 shows clearly that God keeps His promises to us.

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Daniel 3 is an arresting example of God’s capabilities to protect and reward those who are His. He has the power, and the mercy to be faithful in His promises to us.

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Sermon by: Jeremiah Cox

In Genesis 16, Hagar called the well where she talked with God, “Beer Lahai Roi”, asking “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”

From this story we learn: 1) God sees our affliction; and, 2) God also makes Himself seen/known.

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Much is written about God’s attributes. We rejoice in His omnipotence and omniscience. It is because God is all powerful and all knowing that we have this wonderful universe in which to live. The complexity and wonder of the cosmos is beyond man’s comprehension, and we acknowledge that God is “higher” than us. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Another attribute of God that is worthy of our consideration is His immutability. James wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). God does not change.

Change can be a good thing. We rejoice in the development of a child as they grow physically and socially. We consider maturation a good thing. Also, consider the need for man to change from a sinful life to one of righteousness. He must repent. Jesus said, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

However, God is perfect. He is mature, wise, righteous and good. He has established a relationship with man that allows us to depend upon that mercy, goodness and justness. The fact that God never changes allows us to rest in the assurance of His promises to the faithful. Because it is “impossible for God to lie” we have “strong consolation” (Hebrews 6:18). For this we are thankful.

Another mass shooting took place on Wednesday morning, in San Bernardino, CA. Two shooters killed 14 and injured 17 others. At this writing, authorities are looking into the motivation and circumstances behind the killing.

We are living in fractious times. Each scary situation foments partisan rhetoric, and America is deeply divided as to how to deal with mass shootings and terrorist activity in our nation. It seems that ideologues are breathlessly waiting for that moment when they can triumphantly proclaim each incident as “domestic” or “Islamic” terrorism. It is as if the motivations of violent and often deranged criminals serve to validate their narrative. This is sad.

Continue reading ““God Isn’t Fixing This” ???” →

It is comforting to read the many assurances found in God’s word concerning His power, and beneficence toward those who belong to Him. One example of this is found in Isaiah 35:2-3:

“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, you God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.'”

In the midst of uncertain and disturbing times, we cast our confidence in the Almighty God. Jesus has come as a Savior, and will come again to judge the ungodly, and “to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7).

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In 1 Corinthians 1, the apostle Paul realistically predicted the reaction of most people to the message of the cross. He wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (18). Many times when I have preached a simple lesson on some aspect of truth, I will be asked by a brother or sister in Christ, “How can anyone in their right mind reject such an obvious truth?” The answer is given by Paul, it is foolishness to them. They reject the message and proofs supplied by God, preferring instead their own ideals and opinions. As Paul continued, “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” (22-23).

In contrast, to those “who are being saved”, the message of the cross is “the power of God” (18). In verse 24, the preaching of “Christ crucified” is said to be to “those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (24).

Continue reading “The Power of God’s Foolishness” →

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 11:2-3:

“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever.”

God’s works are indeed great, honorable, glorious and enduring. This is seen in His creation (cf. Genesis 1; Ecclesiastes 1:4-7), and especially in His redemptive work. He determined to redeem men before His creative work was even begun (cf. Ephesians 1:3-6). Later in his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul indicated that God’s eternal purpose to redeem men was accomplished in the sending of His son. “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (3:11-12).

The question is, do you have pleasure in God’s work? The Psalmist notes that if you do, you will study them! As always, our true view of things is found in our priorities. Too often claims of devotion and interest are made, when the actions reveal apathy and disinterest.

The Psalmist wrote, “The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name” (11:7-9)

It is worth our time and effort to examine His works. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments” (111:10).

In order to fight the good fight of faith (cf. 1 Timothy 6:6), we must first identify the enemy, and second utilize all of the help and weapons at our disposal.

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Sermon by Brantley Gallman.

Brantley examines a number of different lessons to be learned from the Old Testament narrative regarding King Jehu. (2 Kings 9 & 10)

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Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox

In the first two Psalms there is found a contrast between the godly and the ungodly. It is encouraging in our time to know that God will ultimately bless the godly.

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Last month, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) held its annual Robotics challenge. The main competition was a testing of android like robots in skills such as walking across uneven surfaces, opening doors, turning knobs, and flipping switches.
There is a youtube video that is making the rounds, showing the robots failing miserably at the assigned tasks. Type in this URL: http://tinyurl.com/p563vz6 to see the video.

Now, to be fair, some of the robots probably did a good job, but it is interesting to note just how difficult it is to get these kinds of robots to perform successfully the simplest of tasks. This, despite amazing technological advances that have been made.

Continue reading “In the News: Drunken Robots” →

In the previous verse, the apostle John affirmed that Jesus, the Word, came to earth and lived among us. He now states that John the Baptist testified that Jesus is indeed the Son of God (cf. vs. 34).

John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus, prophesied about in Isaiah 40:3, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” (vs. 23). His ministry heralded the coming of the Christ.

The apostle now affirms that we have received the unmerited favor of God in the sending of that Christ, Jesus (16). Just as Moses was the means through which God gave Israel His law, Jesus is the means through which God grants salvation by Grace (17). It is through Jesus that God is manifested to man. Without Jesus, we can not know God. With Him, all things are made clear, including His plans for our redemption.

In Ezekiel 15, the prophet uses the metaphor of wood cut from a vine to describe the unfaithfulness of Judah, which would be met by God’s judgment. The lesson has direct applications for us today.

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