Appleton Gospel Church

When you anticipate something in the future, it can have a huge impact on your present. John's vision of the eternal future, including both salvation and judgment, has very real implications for today. Live your life today in the truth that eternity is real. Read More...

The Great Red Dragon leverages his destructive power during our current age through the twin beasts of earthly power and false worship. This part of John's vision reveals the truth that the world is not neutral—spiritual forces compete for our worship and our allegiance. Read More...

What’s the source of the conflict in the world today? John's vision of the woman and the great red dragon reveals a spiritual adversary (Satan) who is like an angry, cornered snake. The devil is defeated but still dangerous—at least for a time. However, in the dark wilderness of our current age, we're completely safe in Christ. Read More...

While we wait for Christ's return, what should the church be doing in the meantime? Hiding? Fighting? Building a bunker?? John's vision of the seven trumpets reveals the need for the church to be a faithful witness to a world that is lost without Christ. The church must carry on her prophetic work of sharing the gospel and making disciples of all nations. Read more...

Why is the world how it is today? If Jesus is the Lord of heaven and earth, then why is his world still such a mess? It can't be that he is uncaring or unaware. So why does God delay his judgment? To save a great multitude of people from every nation, tribe, people, and language. Read more...

What happens when you fail to see or believe the truth? Your life will always, to some degree, be out of alignment with reality. And this leads to all sorts of problems! When the Apostle John had a vision of heaven's throne room, he realized that the fundamental truth of reality is this: God deserves all our worship as both Creator and Savior. Read more...

What if Jesus wrote our church a letter? Revelation 3 records the last three messages from Jesus to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. Jesus provided encouragement and warnings, but assured them that if they opened the door to him, it would be the defining moment of their lives. Read more...

What if Jesus wrote our church a letter? Revelation 2 records the first four messages from Jesus to seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. Jesus provided encouragement, especially regarding persecution, but also warned against the dangers of complacency and compromise. Read more...

Why is the world the way that it is? And where is all this headed? While in exile, the Apostle John received a prophetic vision revealing both a cosmic spiritual battle and the truth about how the story ends. The book of Revelation can be difficult to understand, but it's worth it! Watch for an introduction to the whole book. Read more...

Jonah's story ends with the wayward prophet hurling angry accusations against God. God responds with a patient explanation and appeal, revealing the stunning heart of God and the beautiful truth that our God is sovereign to save. Read more...

When he finally arrived in Nineveh, the people (led by the king) responded unexpectedly with humble repentance to Jonah's message. In fact, the pagan Assyrian king is one of the best examples of repentance in the Bible! But this was God's plan all along. Why? The Lord doesn’t want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Read more...

After being thrown overboard, Jonah was at his rock bottom. Lost in the deep, he cried out to God for help. God provided a huge fish to give Jonah a second chance. Salvation still comes from the Lord, and his name is Jesus. Read more...

In the famous Old Testament story, after being sent by God to preach to his enemies, the people of Nineveh, the prophet Jonah chose to run the other way. But try as he might, Jonah couldn't outrun God. The Lord showed himself to be sovereign over the seas and the dry land—over all. The only proper response to the sovereignty of God is the fear of the Lord. Read more...

On the first Easter Sunday, several female disciples of Jesus were the first to discover the empty tomb. Later, Jesus appeared to two disciples who, in their disappointment and confusion, decided to give up and go home to Emmaus. But when they recognized Jesus, he turned their sadness into burning joy and purpose. Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Decide for yourself. Read more...

Hear the story of the arrest, condemnation, suffering, death, and burial of Jesus Christ, with little extra commentary. Good Friday was only good because of Easter Sunday. Can’t wait for Sunday. Read more...

The night before his death on the cross, Jesus shared a Passover meal with his disciples. A new personal relationship with God was now possible. Jesus established the Lord’s Supper for us to remember and proclaim the cross until his return. Read more...

The journey was almost done. But when Jesus finally rode into Jerusalem, it forced a confrontation. Some loudly hailed Jesus as the promised Messiah-King they had waited for. Others resisted or rejected his authority, trying to silence his disciples. How have you received Jesus into your life? Read more...

No one fully understood Jesus' identity or mission before the cross and the empty tomb. But what should disciples of Jesus expect after these history-shaping events? Would the kingdom of God be immediately established? Not exactly. But until King Jesus returns, we must be faithful stewards of whatever he has given to us. Read more...

What was Jesus' main mission in life? To be a great teacher, healer, prophet, priest, or king? Many people were confused about that in his day; many are still today. Despite the opinions and expectations of others, Jesus actually came to seek and to save the lost. Read more...

At the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem as he made his journey to the cross. Jesus knew exactly who he was and what he had come to do. But others, even his disciples, were far from clear on that. However, there was one man who proved that faith sees what eyes cannot. Read more...

After all is said and done, just what was King Solomon's legacy? The truth is...it's complicated. There was good and bad, faithfulness and idolatry, rise and fall. One takeaway is that by staying rooted in obedience, we can prevent our hearts from drifting. What will our legacy be?? Read more...

What is the meaning of life? Seriously? Does anything bring lasting satisfaction? Good question! Many people feel there must be more to life. After many years as the king, Solomon wrote his most philosophical work reflecting on his experiences of pursuing wisdom, wealth, career accomplishments, and pleasure, and the seeming meaninglessness (hebel) of life. His conclusion is both helpful and hopefu...

Have you ever felt like your life was falling apart, and you knew that it was at least partially your fault? Who among us hasn’t gotten into a mess of our own making? But is there anything we can do? When God raised up three adversaries, it was all Solomon's fault. But would the king finally turn from his ways? Read more...

What was Solomon's downfall? In his old age, he ignored God's word on marriage, took hundreds of foreign wives and concubines, and started worshipping the idols of his many wives. But there were devastating consequences for his unfaithfulness. If Solomon, with all his advantages in life, couldn’t stay faithful to God, is there any hope for us? Read more...

There's no denying the fact that King Solomon was fantastically wealthy. Never before had so much gold, silver, horses, spices, and other riches flowed into Jerusalem. But how are we to think about his vast accumulation? Was God ok with it, or was this a sign of trouble to come? We'll see. One thing is sure: when wealth becomes our security, it replaces God. Read more...