Summons Radio

How can a person be saved? This question will be posed in our lesson today. Pastor Terry will remind us that there is no possible way for us to earn our salvation. We cannot save ourselves. There's no amount of good we can do. You see, the ONLY way a person can be saved, is through the shed blood of the Messiah.

Do you believe what God has said? Do you understand that His word is the only absolute source of truth? Are you taking the time to listen for His voice? Do you allow His Spirit to lead you in this life? You see, as believers we need to trust the wisdom and guidance of our Heavenly Father. We need to be those who hear AND do what He says.

Believer, who do you surround yourself with? Are they people that will build you up, that will encourage you and hold you accountable? Are they people who stand for the truth? You see, these are the kind of people that we should find TRUE fellowship with. Ones that are committed to the Word of God above all else. People who love the Father.

We are all human. We are all born with a sin nature...and therefore...we slip and fall. And as we function as a body...holding one another into account...we must remember to do all things in love. We're called to give exhortation, encouragement, and Biblical support to our brothers and sisters.

In today's message, Pastor Terry will warn us not to confuse OBEDIENCE with LEGALISM. You see, God has given us His Word for a reason. He's given us His commands for a reason. They are for our good! Listen, living a life of obedience to God's Word doesn't SAVE you. But as a saved PERSON, shouldn't you desire to OBEY the God that you claim to follow?

The Scriptures are clear. We're are NOT supposed to add to or take away from what God has said. His Word is perfect...just as it is. And so is the gospel message. Simply put: We are saved by grace through faith, not of our works. Works will NEVER make us righteous. However, as saved individuals, we've been called to DO the works that our Father has prepared for us.

The Scriptures teach us that when we take a stand for the name of our Messiah, we will be persecuted. Now our definition of persecution might be harassment at our place of employment, or the loss of a friendship. But around the world, persecution is often MUCH worse. So ask yourself this: Are you willing to step out in faith and share the truth?

As believers, we've been called to serve in the ministry of our Heavenly Father. And part of that ministry...is to share the truth of His Word AND expose the lies of the enemy. We'll see in today's message, that that is exactly what Paul is doing. It's His goal to proclaim the name of our Messiah, regardless of the outcome.

There are MANY people today who say that they pray, but who are they praying to? You see, as believers, we pray to the God of the Bible. And that's because we believe in HIM, His WORD, and have FAITH that He'll answer our prayers. But for the many people out there who DO NOT have faith in Him...who aren't born-again...who are THEY praying to?

In today's message, Pastor Terry will remind us that Paul was a leader. You see, Paul was committed to the truth. Regardless of the consequences, he taught the message of salvation through Jesus...verses salvation according to Judaism. And his message still rings true today. There's NO other way a man can be saved, but thru Jesus...the Word made flesh.

There are churches today who try to entice people into attending their services. They use entertainment as a way of drawing people in. But as we'll learn today, God doesn't need these enticing tactics. Being entertaining will not make people believe in the God of the Bible. The Scriptures teach us that faith comes by HEARING and HEARING...by the WORD of God.

Our Heavenly Father is powerful and mighty. There's nothing HE cannot do. And yet He still chooses to allow US...His children...to be a part of HIS ministry. He has given us the opportunity...the HONOR...to serve HIM...to bring others to the truth of His Word! How amazing is it...that even though God doesn't NEED us...He still chooses to USE us.

When times get hard...where do you turn? Do you look to man to solve your problems? OR...do you look to your Creator? You see, God desires to be there for us. He WANTS to lead us through this life...through all of our ups and downs. But He'll only do so...if we'll allow Him to work in and through our lives.

Believer, did you know that we're to be GIVERS? You see, the Scriptures teach us that just as we have RECEIVED freely...we should also freely GIVE. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with much. And there's ALWAYS someone who has less. So why not take what WE have been blessed with...and use it to bless others?

As humans, we all experience the ups and downs of life. And being a believer doesn't make us exempt from that. But what DOES make the difference...is who and what we turn to during those times. You see, our Heavenly Father wants to be there during the downs...as WELL as the ups in life! He wants to be our provider and comforter.

Pastor Terry will make a statement today. He'll say that it's hard for us to part with traditions. And that's true. Traditions are often attached to emotions. And emotions can influence our behavior. But we have to examine each and every tradition that we take part in. Look at them in the light of God's Word. Are they pleasing to our Father?

We are all human. And humans are not perfect. And that's why it's important to hold everything we believe up to the Scriptures. We should examine our practices and doctrines. If they do not line up with what the Bible says...then it's NOT of God. And it IS possible believer...for a person's beliefs and doctrines to be wrong. And that's why we must be willing to change.

Throughout the Scriptures...and even still today...God is a god of miracles. He is our great Physician. He can and DOES work to heal us...both physically AND spiritually. Pastor Terry will remind us today that when God heals us on a physical level...it's an outward reminder of the change that He wants to make spiritually...in all of us.

We serve a powerful and mighty god. One who created the heavens and the earth. The one who gives us the air we breathe. He is a god of miracles. There's nothing that he isn't capable of. Just look at His Scriptures! They are FULL of miracles! And they're not only for OUR benefit, but they're also meant to bring Him glory.

As we'll learn today, a person can be zealous and have good intentions, but it doesn't mean they are RIGHT. Paul used to be a persecutor. One who would go AGAINST those who believe in Jesus. And he did so...with zeal. But it wasn't until he came to the knowledge of the TRUTH of Jesus...that his zeal could be put to GOOD use.

In the book of Second Corinthians we read: ' If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. So you see, when we accept Jesus as our Messiah...we are CHANGED. And just as we'll discuss today, we will go through a radical conversion...just like Paul.

If you were to poll people today, many of them would claim to be Christians. They might base their answer on the religion they were born into...or a supposed belief in God. But do they really believe? You see, you cannot be a part of the body of Messiah UNLESS you have been cleansed by His blood. You MUST be born-again!

As believers, our lives should proclaim God's goodness. What we say and what we do... should be an outward sign of the change that is taking place in our hearts. We must be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. You see, we are to be living, breathing testimonies... of the life-changing grace of our Father.

In the book of Isaiah we read: 'We are the clay and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand. You see, there are many people today who believe they need to clean up their own act before coming to the Father. But that's not the case. We're to come to Him with a pliable heart...ready for HIM to mold us and make us into the disciples HE wants us to be.

Why do you serve? What's your motivation for being involved in ministry? You see, as believers in the God of the Bible, we should serve others out of love. Our motivation cannot come from selfish gain. We're called to put aside our fleshly desires and follow our Savior...and not just for OUR benefit, but for the benefit of others.