Category: New Sermons

God Is Gracious

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There are many ways in which God’s grace is revealed and demonstrated throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Unfortunately, the idea of “grace” has often been perverted and misrepresented by false teachings, implying that there is a conflict between the concept of God’s grace and that of obedience to his commandments.

One reason that some turn aside from God is that they don’t really believe that God is gracious. Some believe in God just enough to have a morbid fear of what might happen to them, but they don’t have enough faith to really believe that God can or will forgive their sins and save them from death. The Old Covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai was predicated on grace, as shown in Exodus 34:5-7. But God in his love and mercy also is a just God, and in his mercy and love for mankind he requires obedience to his laws which are given to us for our benefit. In God mercy, grace, longsuffering, and truth are united with holiness and justice. Like the Old Covenant, the New Covenant is also predicated upon grace, and it is through grace that we are ultimately saved (Acts 15:11; Romans 6:23; II Timothy 1:9).

God knows our frame, our weaknesses and our inherent sinfulness, but he is always ready to pardon us upon repentance, and his plan is not a plan of destruction for mankind but one of salvation. In this message, I point out some ways in which God’s grace towards all mankind, including you and me, is demonstrated. And also, specific things you can do to enjoy the fullness of God’s grace.

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Did Jesus Break the Sabbath?

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It’s been asserted that Jesus broke the Sabbath, and hence we are free to disregard it as well. But did Jesus break the Sabbath?

The basis for the idea that Jesus broke the Sabbath is the accusations made by Jesus’ enemies among the Pharisees and scribes. Because Jesus performed miracles of healing on the Sabbath, and did not honor their man made rules regarding Sabbath observance, the Pharisees accused him of breaking the Sabbath. But did he in fact, break the Sabbath?

Rod Reynolds discusses this question and its implications in this message. Continue reading →

Jesus and James

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While most people who have an interest in the subject, even if they are not nor claim to be converts to Christianity, believe that Jesus Christ actually existed as a human being in the early first century (A.D.), some few claim otherwise. Yet, there’s much evidence, even from various extra-biblical sources attesting to his existence and certain facts relating to what is recorded in Scripture about him.

Our faith in Christ rests primarily on the Bible, which we believe to be the word of God. But it is of interest what we can learn from other historical records, not only about Jesus, but others associated with him, particularly his half-brother, James.

This message, “Jesus and James,” relates information about what some historical records outside of the Bible tell us about Jesus, his disciples, and how they were viewed and treated by the world in the early years of the Christian era. Also, closely related is information concerning especially James, who became a prominent leader in the early Church, and who was eventually martyred.

Interestingly, among the available evidence regarding Jesus and James is an ossuary box recently discovered believed to have been used to entomb the bones of James. It’s hoped you will find the facts presented in this message interesting and edifying.

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Why Keep the Sabbath?

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Most professing Christian Churches keep Sunday as their day of worship. Have you ever stopped to ask why? Where in the Bible is Sunday commanded to be kept as a weekly day of rest and worship?

If you keep the Sabbath on the day commanded by God for it to be kept, the seventh day of the week, according to the sacred calendar, the way God counts days as recorded in Scripture, has anyone ever asked you why you keep it as noted? Would you be able to give a clear explanation?

Why should Christians keep  the Sabbath, the real Sabbath, the Biblical Sabbath?  Indeed,the Sabbath was made at the time God refashioned the earth as a habitation for life, and made the first human beings, as recounted in the first two chapters of Genesis, and it was made not only for the Jews, none of whom existed at the time, but for man (mankind; Mark 2:27). So from that standpoint, everyone should be keeping it. Investigate with us what the Bible itself reveals about  this question.

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Become Part of the True Church

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There are many Churches that claim to be Christian. The claim to be a Christian Church implies that its teachings are consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ, and that Christ’s example is followed by the Church making the claim.

It ought to be obvious to anyone who seriously considers the matter that not all Churches that claim to be Christian really are following teachings consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ found in the Bible. If one comes to that conclusion, perhaps he may wonder, “How can I be a part of the true Church of God?”

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