Messages by Dolph Painter

The church has been described with adjectives such as visible, invisible, universal, denominational, ... The intent of this series is to formulate a working definition of the local church. Part 1 - a local church is like a platoon of soldiers, where men and women are committed and tightly connected one to another (Eph 4:16).

Consider Barabbas' release from the perspectives of the priests, Pilate, Barabbas, and the multitudes. Mob rule affected and influenced many individuals that morning. Does it ever influence you?

A debt on our eternal ledger with God simply cannot be erased; the debt must be paid in full. Jesus removed our liabilities with a payment, not with an eraser. God demands perfect justice.

Scripture parallels debt, default, and creditors with the forgiveness of sin. Bottom line: since God so thoroughly forgave us of our sins, ought not we show the same compassion to others (spouses, children, parents, in-laws, co-workers, teachers, classmates, other drivers, ... )? Yeah, boy!

This message considered three men who responded to suicide differently: Judas, Jesus, and the jailor. We compared and contrasted the behaviors the three. Part 3 of 3 in the Suicide Series.

This message looked at five men who committed suicide: Samson, Saul, Abimelech, Ahithophel, and Zimri. We attempted to summarize the behaviors and circumstances common to the five. Part 2 of 3 in this Suicide Series.

Suicide Part 2 was entitled "Resist the Devil." Fasting is an important tool in resisting the devil. This Wednesday night service was a 20 minute addendum to the second suicide sermon. Part 2b of 3 in this Suicide Series.

The OT recorded five men with death wishes: Moses, Elijah, Job, Jeremiah, and Jonah. We considered the behaviors and circumstances common in such a mind state. Part 1 of 3 in this Suicide Series.

The Jews taught a religion which attempted to stop sin from progressing from a person's mind and heart to a person's hand, eyes, and lips. Jesus taught a system which promoted quenching sin before it could take root in one's heart or mind. How do we do so without creating another set of rules? (part 2 of 2)

The Jews taught a religion which attempted to stop sin from progressing from a person's mind and heart to a person's hand, eyes, and lips. Jesus taught a system which promoted quenching sin before it could take root in one's heart or mind. (part 1 of 2)

This series attempts to investigate - why Jesus did what He did, when He did it? Surprisingly, Jesus' initial response to people was consistent, even when He knew what people were thinking and feeling.

This sermon was first preached by our pastor nearly eleven years ago, when he first took the oversight of the church. The message reminded members of long term perspectives as they ready themselves for building renovations.

This introductory message will describe a rubric for how we view the manner Jesus interacted with people. Sometimes Jesus was compassionate, other times He was terse. In the coming weeks we will try to answer the question: Why did Jesus do what He did, when He did it?

Paul repeats two themes throughout his epistles to Timothy: 1) obey God's word, and 2) do not be distracted from God's word.

Mary Magdalene went to Peter and told him Jesus' body had been stolen. Peter ran to the tomb, looked inside, and left ... believing a lie. After speaking with Jesus and the angels, she told Peter her first report was wrong, and that Jesus had risen from the dead. Peter ran to the tomb a second time, looked inside, and left ... doubting the truth. Sometimes, we need a little Holy Spirit. Sometimes,...

The past two weeks we considered federal heads who brought curses and blessings to those they represented. This week's message considered individuals with more than one federal head. (part 3 of 3)

Last week's message looked at federal heads who brought curses to those they represented. This week's message considered federal heads who secured blessings to those they represented. (part 2 of 3)

Solomon taught his son that prudent men forseeth evil and simple men ignore the evil. Jesus preached, take no thought for the tomorrow, trust God. Both are right! Reconciliation can be found in Psalm 127:1-2. (part 5 of 5)

The principle of Federal Headship is found throughout scripture, although this concept runs contrary to our modern culture. This lesson focuses on federal heads which imparted negative consequences to those they represented (#1 in a 3 part series).

Debt, although not a sin, is something to be avoided. This short lesson addresses borrowing, usury, and minimizing debt from the perspective of personal finance. (the Q&A session was not recorded)

Acceptable worship requires three "rights" 1) we must worship the right one, 2) we must worship in the right manner, and 3) we must worship with the right attitude.

Isaac made a decision to pray "his blessing" when only 3 of 6 senses affirmed his decision to go forward. Smell, taste, and touch said yes; whereas, hearing was no, sight was off the table, and common sense waffled. If 3-1-1-1 led to Isaac being fooled, what can a person do to improve his/her numbers? ... Genesis 27 was employed as a metaphor for harmonizing truth.

Paul presented Philemon with 14 reasons why he should forgive Onesimus; but curiously, Paul omitted his most powerful argument ... "forgive as Christ forgave you." Paul may have pulled that punch in the personal letter to Philemon, but he threw it multiple times in the letter he wrote to Colossians, the church Philemon ministered.

More important than hard work and disciplined budgeting, is obedience ... not to be confused with a prosperity gospel. This is the second installment in the personal finance series. Also note that we conduct our Wednesday night gatherings with low formality.

The application of nearly everyone of God's spiritual principles can be seen in the physical realm (regeneration, substitution, redemption, ...). The same is true for God's deliverance of a people from destruction, as in the ends of both the Jewish Word and THE World .. which led us to a very unique interpretation of Daniel 12.