A Sure Hope

The main thing (among others) that the Pharisees and Sadducees disagreed on was the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Today, Pastor Dave is going to show you how Paul used to be a Pharisee. He used His knowledge of what they believed to bring a disagreement in His court case between them and the Sadducees.

In Jesus’ time, the religious leaders were known as either Sadducees or Pharisees. They disagreed on several key points but did manage to agree on one thing, as you’ll see today with Pastor Dave. They wanted Jesus to be put to death because of what He taught, and it’s the same thing Paul is on trial for here.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you ignored your conscience too often? Pastor Dave warns that could lead to a “seared conscience”. In other words, you do things contrary to what you know is right and don’t even think twice. Paul likens it to being branded on the forehead with a disgusting mark.

You know that small voice in the back of your head that lets you know when you might be doing something wrong, that’s your conscience. As Pastor Dave explains, a good conscience will convict you if you do wrong and encourage you when you do right, but beware your conscience can become evil!

We all have had a job where a new person starts and they come out the gate running hard and fast. They seem like they can’t be stopped, then they seem to lose motivation. New Christians can be the same way; start with a fire and passion and then fade. As Pastor Dave reminds us, the way to maintain that fire is to rest in the Lord!

Have you ever shared your faith with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus and wondered if they really listened? In today’s message, Pastor Dave reminds you that you just have to share with people and trust that the Lord will touch their hearts. You share your story and God will take care of the rest!

Have you ever taken great pride in something you’re good at or something you’ve done, then you get injured and aren’t able to do it anymore? Today Pastor Dave explains how such a humbling experience is necessary to truly experience God. You can’t really see God and still be full of pride.

Have you ever experienced something that caused you to change almost overnight? In today’s message, Pastor Dave explains how you are changed once you encounter Jesus. A real encounter with The Lord will cause you to have a change of heart almost immediately, which can confuse onlookers.

God’s love is shown to us through salvation. He promises us assurance and offers the gift to the entire world. God does not lie. He keeps his word. He gives eternal life to all who will place their trust in Him. In his message today, Pastor Dave reminds us of the many benefits God gives us through salvation.

Have you been converted? It is a turning from sin to holiness. We no longer have a resistance to the things of God, but instead, respond from a genuine love for Christ. It’s a transformation of our disposition that results in a changed life. Today, Pastor Dave describes conversion as a changed heart and life from within.

Have you ever tried so hard for perfection that you gave up? Today, Pastor Dave addresses the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and their legalism. He tells us that a relationship with Christ, not fulfilling man-made laws, brings satisfaction. The emptiness of the religious person disappears when Christ fills that void.

Can you defend what you believe? What is apologetics and why is it important? The Bible instructs us to be able to defend our faith. Are you ready to give an answer when others ask about your faith in God and your belief in Him? Today, Pastor Dave teaches us the value of having an answer for what we believe.

Has American Christianity become too comfortable? The cross compels us to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow Him. What does it cost you to follow Christ? In today’s message, Pastor Dave discusses cheap grace versus costly grace. Cheap grace is forgiveness with no repentance, or grace without discipleship.

Why do people remain silent when they see atrocities related to prejudice happen? In today’s message, Pastor Dave addresses the silence of the churches in Europe while millions of Jews were mistreated and murdered during World War 2. He reminds us to not let self-interest affect our response to other’s suffering.

The greatest peace mission of God was reconciliation. Jesus wanted to reconcile man to God, and men to other men. He first started this work, by teaching the importance of overcoming prejudice between the Jews and Gentiles. Today, Pastor Dave shares God’s desire for the two peoples to become one in Christ.

Have you ever been the victim of unfair treatment? Today, Pastor Dave discusses the cause of prejudice and what our response should be. He says the source of prejudice is pride, or thinking we are better than others. If you are angry with God about prejudice, listen to these timely words and begin to heal.

If someone you love were in a life-or-death situation, how far would you go to ensure their safety? Would you give up your safety and security to ensure theirs? That is similar to the thought Pastor Dave wrestles with in today’s message; what lengths would you go to to ensure a loved one receives salvation in Christ?

Have you ever known someone whose personality would change to match the people they were around? Today, Pastor Dave addresses the tendency of churches to adapt to worldly culture as a way to win it over. As you may have heard Christians are called to reach the world, but does that mean you should conform to it?

Have you ever agreed with someone to avoid an argument? That’s a compromise and it can be a good thing to avoid exaggerating a negative situation. But as Pastor Dave points out, when you start to alter your beliefs and values to not offend others, you are failing to take a stand in righteousness!

How’s your prayer life? Do you pray often? When you pray do you really pray or do you just recite a list of wants and/or complaints? As Pastor Dave will Illustrate, you should pray boldly and often! Pray for things you may think are impossible, that will help you to become a more powerful witness for Christ!

Sometimes you may be suffering, or struggling with something you know you have to do. There are times when you know there will be pain and struggle and that isn’t the part that bothers you. It’s how others react that does, and that, as Pastor Dave will point out, is exactly how Paul felt about his suffering for God.

Have you ever tried to learn something new on your own? Maybe you thought you could figure it out without anybody’s help. You may have figured it out, but as Pastor Dave points out, sometimes you have to learn to follow. When you follow God’s leading you get an overwhelming feeling of peace you couldn’t get on your own!

Have you ever been a part of an organization that had a lot of managers, directors, and supervisors? If everyone is a leader, who is there to follow the leaders? As Pastor Dave points out, like organizations, churches not only need Godly leaders but they also need people who will be Godly followers!

Have you ever had a leader who would only share some of the information needed to do your job? Good leaders will always share all of the knowledge they have to complete a given task or job. Today Pastor Dave explains how Christian leaders are to “take care of their flock” by giving them the whole Word of God!

Have you ever had a ministry that you held onto a little too tightly? It can be hard to give up control sometimes. In today’s message, Pastor Dave will remind you to keep in mind whose ministry it really is. Remember that everything you have really belongs to God. He has simply entrusted it to you as a steward.