Faithful to the End

On a very special Sunday for our church, we conducted our first ever baby and child dedication service. This is a service where we acknowledge the desire of parents to raise their children to be mature, followers of Jesus. This is the longing of every true believer for their children. Paul addresses this issue very pointedly as he speaks about Christian homes to the church at Ephesus. Paul charges...

John continues in Revelation 19 with the affects of the judgment on Babylon in chapters 17-18. Here, John again records the praise in heaven for all that God and the Lamb are and all they accomplish. A hallelujah is offered four times in the first 10 verses. Hallelujah is a statement of praise to Yahweh, it commemorates his acts of deliverance. Here God and the Lamb are praised for salvation, for...

As Paul continues to challenge believers to live as transformed followers of Jesus, he now addresses their responses to governing authorities. Paul exhorts believers to submit to governing authorities, understanding that God ordains governing authorities. These authorities are owed taxes, respect and honor, and faithful believers give it to them. Transformed believers must submit to governing auth...

As the visions of Revelation of John continue, the great city of Babylon, a representation of the excesses and material wealth of humanity and the human system. Certainly, this could be a literal city, but it seems to speak of the world system and all that is represented by the world and its system. The certain destruction of all who oppose the Lamb must give believers comfort and strength to endu...

As Paul continues to develop the idea of a transformed life, he addresses the way believers engage one another. He begins by calling believers to love one another. He then addresses 12 more specific responses that ought to characterize believers, that ought to be visible traits in our lives. These characteristics include: hating evil, clinging to good, devoted to one another, counting one another...

In Revelation 14, John tells us more of the Lamb, the Redeemed of the Lamb and the Coming Wrath for all who refuse to accept the good news of the Lamb. The Lamb will preserve and bless his faithful people, but he will faithful judge all who reject him. We must endure, we must be faithful to our Savior, Jesus! The Revelation of Jesus Christ is written to further our understanding about Jesus. It de...

Dr. Rock LaGioia spoke for us from Isaiah 6. In Isaiah 6, Isaiah is called by God, the Holy One, to prophecy to his people, Israel. Here Isaiah is overwhelmed by the magnficent scene in heaven, where the angels declare the holiness of God, as they declare, Holy, Holy Holy. The call of the Holy One is a called to be holy, a call to holiness. God can give us grace to live in a manner that exalts our...

As Paul continues to explain the way believers are to be transformed, he addresses the importance again of our thinking. Right thinking about ourselves must be the foundation of the way we use our gifts to serve one another. Individual members are the components of the body as a whole. The Spirit supplies gifts to serve individual members. The gifts are not for making the church program function;...

In this passage, John continues the accounts of Revelation, here focused on two beasts empowered by the dragon. The passage begins with the dragon standing overlooking the sea in  Revelation 12:18 . The first beast rises from the sea and likely represents the antichrist, opposing God and the Lamb at every opportunity. A second beast is introduced and likely represents the false prophet. The false...

As Paul continues his letter to the Romans, he now shifts to the practical aspects of living the gospel tangibly.  Romans 12:1-2  is the foundation for the rest of this section that focuses on daily living. The gospel is intended to change us, that change comes as our minds are renewed through the word of God. This renewed thinking then impacts every relationship we have in life; including our fam...

As Paul concludes Romans 9-11, he brings to a climax the response of God to his people, Israel - there will come a response to Jesus among Israel as a whole. Paul calls believers to understand the plan of God - as it specifically relates to Israel (v. 25-27). Paul then calls us to trust God's gracious purpose to have mercy on all (v. 28-32). Following these assurances about God's purpose a...

In Revelation 12, John gives us a fascinating look at the cosmic conflict between God and the devil, satan, that ancient serpant; and his passion to oppose God by deceiving and fighting against the people of God. This entire passage is an interesting allegory of metaphor for this cosmic conflict. Three characters are introduced at the beginning of the passage; the woman, the Child and the dragon....

As Paul continues his climactic address to the believers in Rome, he now moves to challenge Gentile believers to avoid pride and arrogance in their response to unbelieving Jews. This challenge has tremendous implications for us in the church today. So many of our issues in the church come from our own pride and arrogance, often over issues we perceive to be good; yet Paul challenges believers, the...

As John continues to communicate what he sees a large angel and a small scroll. The significance of the small scroll is again the communication of the word of God and several aspects of the words of God are addressed throughout. Chapter 11 moves to the two witnesses of the tribulation period. The chapter concludes with the final trumpet judgment. Collectively, this section addresses the power of t...

As Paul continues his explanation of the first-century Jews' response to gospel of Jesus, he asks, has God abandoned his people? The answer is and must be - absolutely not. Paul explains that there is a remnant of believers, ones who have faithfully believed in Jesus, just as there was a remnant of 7000 in Elijah's day. Those who have rejected Jesus, and the good news of the gospel, are ha...

In Revelation 8-9, John conveys the coming Trumpets judgments. These judgments collectively focus on 1/3 of the earth being destroyed, including land, oceans, fresh water and the light. In Ch. 9, we learn 1/3 of the earth's population will be killed during the 6th Trumpet Judgment. As jarring as these prophecies are, the message is in part the contrast between believers and unbelievers. Believ...

Fellowship is a vital element of the church. Fellowship is an important key to the health of the church. Biblical fellowship flows from relationships. As a believer, you must take part in biblical fellowship in the context of a local community of believers. We need the community of believers around us to help us engage with one another and truly have fellowship with one another. Fellowship is esse...

As Paul continues his argument, he addresses the potential excuse that maybe his Israelite brethren have not heard or have not understood the truth about Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah from God. Paul calls both unbelievers to hear and believe, and calls believers to live out the truths of the gospel personally, each day. You must willingly, humbly hear the word of Christ and believe. Throughout Ro...

The visions of Revelation 7 recount the conversions of 140,000 and the innumerable Gentile host in heaven. Both constitute the people of God, and God provides and protects his people throughout these visions. Both visions demonstrate the provision of salvation for God's people. As the case has been, is now and will be in the future - God provides and protects his people. You can confidently re...

As Paul continues to address the response of the Jews to Jesus, he now turns to address genuine saving faith. Paul again contrasts the perception that heritage or covenant connection through the law is enough to save. As Paul makes clear, salvation is about faith in Jesus alone, believing that God raised Jesus from the dead and then confessing this truth with out mouths. The truth Paul is striving...

As the scene in heaven concludes in chapter 5, the scene moves back to earth as the seals are open by the Lamb. Six of the seven seals are revealed here in chapter 6. The judgment of the Lamb on the earth is real and it is coming, none can withstand it, but you can be ready. The Revelation of Jesus Christ is written to further our understanding about Jesus. It demonstrates throughout his majesty,...

Paul continues his argument here in Romans 9 to prove that the word of God has not failed toward his people, Israel. Paul demonstrates this truth by referring to the faithfulness of God and the mercy of God to Israel. Due to their rejection of Jesus as Messiah, God now is going to judge Israel with the goal of bringing them back to himself. God has clearly revealed his glorious mercy through Jesus...

Still seeing the throne room of heaven, John continues by giving us a vision of the scroll in the right hand of the one seated on the throne. This vision and lack of anyone worthy brings John to tears, but then the hero of Revelation is recognized - the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, the one who has conquered - the slaughtered Lamb. John then describes Jesus, explaining the one he sees and the...

As Paul begins this letter to the Corinthians, he offers comfort from God, the God of God, the Father of compassion. This comfort is available to believers from God and it also comes from one another as we use our suffering to comfort one another. As believers, we can serve one another by comforting one another in our suffering. May God give us grace to love one another by comforting one another. ...

The Word of God offers hope for those struggling with trials, suffering and loss. Hope in God alone, grace is available for your struggle. You can rest in all that God is, you can rest in his presence, you can hope in his steadfast love for you. The Psalms offer an incredible look at our great God: his faithfulness, his covenant love, his wisdom and power.  The Psalms offer amazing insights into t...