Draw Me Close: Podcast - A Ministry of Whitestone Christian Fellowship, with Pastor Bob Lawrenz

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "Who Is Worthy?" It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 4, verses 8-11. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through t...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "The Book." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 5, verses 1-12. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bi...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "The Lamb." is from a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 5, verses 8-14. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through the Bible, teachi...

You are listening to the audio version of the Bobservations Column, written by Pastor Bob Lawrenz of Whitestone Christian Fellowship.  Today's Bobservation is titled, "Jesus Prevails." It is the title of a message taught from the book of Revelation chapter 6, verses 1-8. Whitestone Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational congregation.  Every Sunday, Pastor Bob walks us through t...

We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation.  This morning we are beginning in chapter 6. Revelation 4 and Revelation 5 set the stage for the opening of the scroll with its sequence of seals, trumpets, and bowls here in Revelation 6. It holds the dramatic portrayal of God’s righteous judgment. Here is the Lamb of God, the Worthy Lamb, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is none other tha...

We are continuing our study in the book of Revelation.  This morning we are continuing our study in chapter five of Revelation. One of the most breathtaking passages on the second coming is found in Revelation chapter 5. Who is worthy to open the book and loose the seals?  The Lamb is worthy!  The Lamb has conquered.  The Lamb has been slain as a sacrifice for our sin.  The Lamb is Alive! The Lamb...

Chapter 5 begins by describing a scroll in the right hand of God. This scroll is sealed seven times over, and written on both sides. This scroll seems to symbolize the judgment of God on sin and wickedness (Revelation 5:1–2). An angel "proclaims" a question, making it more of a challenge: "who is worthy" to take this scroll and open the seals? At first, it seems that there is n...

In this week's study, we see the effect of the worship to the One who is worthy, the Lord, God Almighty, Creator of all that exists. The twenty-four elders representing the glorified church, fall down and cast their crowns before Him, knowing that He alone is worthy to receive all the glory and honor and power.   He is the Creator of all things and the object of creation.  All things were crea...

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul explains that in our physical state, we see through a glass darkly. We see shadows, images that are not clear. The physical properties of earth do not exist in heaven. God dwells in a reality that is not ours on this earth. In 2 Corinthians 12:2, Paul speaks of a third heaven, where Paul was caught up. This is the home of God, or where He dwells. While scripture is cle...

As we continue our study in the book of Revelation, this morning we will look at the second great vision given to John by the Lord, Jesus Christ, it is a vision of heaven. Chapter 4 begins with the door of Heaven opening and John being raptured from the Isle of Patmos to the throne of God in Heaven.  It's important to note that The Church is not mentioned thereafter until  Revelation 19:7-9  w...

Laodicea is the final church of the seven, it is the last church addressed, and it is the worst! It is the worst of all possible representations of a church. A church full of people who have a wrong view of Christ. Laodicea was an immensly wealthy city. Not only did the church find its identity in material wealth, but also spiritual wealth. They had money, riches and spiritual pride to go along wi...

This morning we are continuing our study in the Book of Revelation from chapter 3, verses 7-13. In this morning’s text, we will look now at the sixth letter of the seven letters to the churches, the church at Philadelphia. Letter number six is given to the church at Philadelphia, a faithful church. God sees them, knows them, and looking at them closely through His holy eyes, through the eyes of Hi...

We come to the letter addressed to the church at Sardis. This letter reveals the sad and tragic state of the church - the church is dead. Clearly, we see this at the end of verse 1 where our Lord says, “You are dead.” This is the ultimate shame. After all, a church by definition is a place where God lives, a place where Christ lives, a place where the Holy Spirit lives, a place where Christians ar...

 In this morning’s text, we will read the letters to the church in Pergamum, the church that needed to repent (2:12-17), and also the church in Thyatira, the church that had a false prophetess (2:18-29). The Pergamene believers lived in a difficult place, surrounded by pagan influences, yet held fast to the name of Christ and did not deny Him in their difficulties. However, they had people among t...

In the first chapter of Revelation, John introduced his reason for writing: a direct command from Jesus Christ. He was instructed to record Jesus' words, aimed at each of seven churches in Asia Minor, and to faithfully record them. Each church is given a unique description of Jesus, a command, and a promise. Six of the churches are given specific praise—one is not. Five are given direct critic...

In the first chapter of Revelation we read that Jesus appears to the apostle John, who was banished by Rome to the Island of Patmos because of his faith. Jesus tells John to write about what he saw, about the present, and about what will take place in the future. John describes his personal circumstance when Jesus appeared to him and commissioned him to write seven letters to seven churches. He al...

The apostle John is the author of "Revelation" (Greek - apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling of something hidden").   The translation of this word is the same in  1 Corinthians 1:7 ,  "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,"   1 Peter 1:7 ,  "the appearing of Jesus Christ,"  and  2 Thessalonians 1:7 ,  "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven."   Rev...

God wants His beloved children to enjoy the assurance of their salvation. In fact, Peter writes this marvelous section in order that believers may experience the assurance that God desires for them. Given the fact that the enemy, the devil, is the accuser of the brethren, and always wants to hit us with blows of doubt to make us doubt our salvation, God, on the other hand, wants to affirm our spir...

God wants His beloved children to enjoy the assurance of their salvation. In fact, Peter writes this marvelous section in order that believers may experience the assurance that God desires for them. Given the fact that the enemy, the devil, is the accuser of the brethren, and always wants to hit us with blows of doubt to make us doubt our salvation, God, on the other hand, wants to affirm our spir...

In 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1-9, Paul describes the last days apostasy.  The word "apostasy" comes from the Greek " apostasia" , which is translated "falling away" in  2 Thessalonians 2:3 . The word is closely related to the Greek word for "divorce." Apostates are those who fall away from the true faith, abandoning what they formerly professed to believe....

From 1 Peter 5:8-9 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." Be aware, be alert, because Satan, who is the devil is your adversary. "Devil" means "slanderer" and &...

Peter closes out his letter to the scattered Christians in the churches of Asia Minor with some final instructions. He counsels the elders about how to lead, includes how and why to live in humility with each other, and gives a final warning to be clear-minded and alert. Peter then addresses all Christians with this: Put on humility toward each other out of submission to God. God is God, and we ar...

In our study in First Peter chapter 4 this week, Peter urges Christians to be fiercely committed to fulfilling the purpose of our lives in Christ. Prior chapters made the case that we are a "holy people." We have been rescued from sin and meaningless lives and set apart from the world, in order to be used for God's purpose. Since believers have these new, eternal lives in Christ, we...

Matthew 2 ended with Jesus' family settling down in Nazareth, shortly after the death of Herod the Great (Matthew 2:19–23). Chapter 3 leaps forward several decades. This passage opens on John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness in the region of Judea. His simple message: Repent, the kingdom of heaven is coming! Luke's gospel gives more details about John the Baptist. He was born to agi...

Having established Jesus' legal right to be Israel's king, Matthew transitions to telling the story of His birth. Luke, in his Gospel, tells that story mostly from Mary's point of view. Matthew looks at it through the eyes of Joseph, Mary's husband. A group of wise men from the east arrives in Jerusalem, some time after Jesus is born. These men are labeled using the Greek term mago...