PV Bible Alive

In these days where the government is mandating wearing masks, social distancing, and restricting large gatherings, how far should a Christian go in obedience to that authority?  Is government following its mandate from God when it won't stop violence, rioting, and looting?  Christians need to understand the role of government according to the Scripture in order to properly react to their gov...

The last of the principles of living the Christian life is to boast in nothing but the Cross of Christ.  When we come to Christ we realize that we can't buy our salvation with personal righteousness.  We can only be saved by the grace of God.  So we have nothing to boast about.  Except that the Cross of Christ separated us from the world, made us a new creation, and guaranteed our forever hom...

This is the story of the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  These infamous cities stand through history as examples of God's judgment.  

In Paul's letter to the Galatians, he says "Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh."  I really want to live that way.  I want to live a life that is entirely guided by God's Holy Spirit.  I don't want to live a life guided by the lusts of my flesh.  So how do I "Walk in the Spirit" as the Bible tells me to?  This passage of Scripture...

How do I know how to live as a Christian?  Paul gives us five principles in Galatians 5-6.  And in this passage, he describes the principle, "Do good whenever you can."  It seems like such a simple concept.  But a Christian will live life with an eye open for opportunities to do good to people.

Our Triumph is in Christ!  My father, Art Hays, delivered this message from 2 Corinthians a number of years ago.  And the sense of the message is that God's people will triumph, God's message will prevail.  Despite the circumstances around us, despite any opposition, or seeming lack of results, God's Word does not return void, and it accomplishes exactly what He desires.  We can tak...

How do Christians decide what's right and wrong?  We don't have a long list of do's and don'ts, we live by the law of love.  In the 5th and 6th chapters of Galatians Paul explains that we are free from the legalism of the Mosaic law, but we live by 5 principles; Don't give in to legalism, Live by the Law of love, Follow the Holy Spirit, Do good to each other, and Don'...

How do we live as Christians?  How do we decide what's right and wrong?  In Galatians 5 and 6, Paul lays out five principles for Christian living; Don't Submit to Legalism, Live by the Law of Love, Following the Holy Spirit's Leading, Do Good to others, and Don't boast in anything but the Cross of Christ.   In this message, we'll consider the first of those five principles...

How do you know if your denomination or church is teaching the truth?  Paul concludes chapter 4 of Galatians with an illustration.  And the illustration tells us that there are certain characteristics that are common in denominations that teach falsehoods.

How can you tell if a religious teacher comes from God?  There are so many people who say that they represent Spiritual truth, and God, but how can you know?  In this passage, the Apostle Paul talks about himself in comparison to the teachers who came to the Galatian churches to teach religious legalism.  And he talks about his qualities versus theirs.   Well these same qualities can be used as a...

Faith in a world gone crazy Have you ever had those times when life seemed to being going along great, then the whole world just seemed to go crazy?  In Genesis 17 and 18, God tells a 99 year old man to change he and his wife's names, circumcise yourself and 300 other people, your 89 year old wife is going to have a son, and I am going to destroy a group of cities, where your nephew and his f...

People today seem to prefer a religion with a list of rules to follow, over one where you are saved by trusting in the work of Christ on the cross. The Bible book of Galatians describes believers as "Heirs of God," those who "Know God" and are "Known by God."  God brings every believer, by grace, out of the rags of their sinfulness, to the riches of being a "son...

1 Corinthians 15:33 says: Bad company corrupts good character.  In other words, if you choose people of questionable character as your closest friends and confidants, you will become like them in your character.   In this chapter in Genesis, we find Abram setting an example for us concerning who he chooses as his friends.

When is it okay to doubt?  The Bible characterizes those who doubt as being tossed about by the waves of the sea.  Jesus chastens Peter because of his doubt.  But in chapters 15 and 16 of Genesis, Abram seems to be doubting the promises of God.  But instead of chastening Abram, God encourages him.  Why? How was Abram's doubt "okay" in these chapters?  And when is it not "okay?&...

As far as the Bible is concerned there is only one race; the human race.  But because of sin, mankind has separated himself, and been hostile to people who look different, or who speak a different language.  And the beginnings of those racial and language differences is described in Genesis 10 and 11.   How do we fix the racial and cultural divide?  Here's a hint; It's not going to be ac...

Abraham was the father of faith in Scripture.  He is the archetype for all those who will come to faith through Jesus Christ.  But he is also an example in another way; he was flawed.  God didn't choose him because he was righteous, but because he believed God.  And we are not chosen because we are righteous, but because of faith.

What is the point behind all those Old Testament Jewish laws; dietary laws, Sabbath day rules, special dress rules, rules regarding cleanness and uncleanness?   Paul explains to the Galatians that the law was given in order to guide us to Christ.   

There are hundreds of so-called "Christian" denominations across the world today.  And there are major branches off of the original followers of Jesus Christ.  We have Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Charismatic "Christianity."  So how can a person know where to find the truth?  Well, as I said to someone just recently, "There are two huge heresies that should cause yo...

"And God remembered Noah"  That's how chapter 8 of Genesis begins.  It is the point of light peeking through the clouds of a year-long flood.  We may think that God forgot us, but He always extends grace to those who call on Him.

The world was corrupt and full of violence.  No, this is not from today's headlines.  This is a description of the world before God decided to destroy it with a universal flood.   And we need to be aware that God has warned of another judgment coming.  And we better be sure that we have a ticket to the Ark.

Is it harder to stand for your faith in front of a crowd, or in front of a close friend?  Today's sermon is about the Apostle Paul being faithful to his Lord, not only in front of large gatherings, before hostile crowds, but also before his peers.   And we need an example like Paul today.  Our temptation is to slip away from the faith and the Church, and to follow the world.

The World before Noah was self-absorbed, obsessed with beauty, and violent.  They had no regard for God or godliness.  Does that sound familiar?  It should because our world is the same.  Noah's world was headed for the judgment of the worldwide flood.  And if our world is the same as Noah's, can we expect anything less than worldwide judgment?

When did man first respond with violence against his fellow man?  It was at the very start of history.  The first sons of the first man and woman, are known as the first murderer and victim.  And that is exactly what happens when men and women choose disobedience to God; not only will they lose their love of God, but their love of each other as well.

During the ups and downs of life, it's easy to cast aside some things that you once considered important; like your faith.  But the apostle Paul gives us great example of remaining faithful regardless of hardship and dissension.  

We have been bombarded with bad news for two months; Death statistics.  Dumb people. Government overreach.  Shutdowns.  Unemployment. Business bankruptcy. Who has symptoms of the Coronavirus, and what do they look like.   I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some Good News.