The Portable Pastor Podcast

Wisdom at a Cost Eccl. 7  Trade-off #1 – Wise people will mourn more.  Trade-off #2 – Wrong decisions will drive wise people crazy. Trade-off #3 – Wise people will have to yield to wisdom.  About the work of God: God is sovereign. God's ways are paradoxical. God allows man to have free will. God will preserve those who love Him.  Returning to the theme of wisdom, Solomon says: Wisdom will hel...

More Observations  Eccl 4 and 5 Four more observations  Oppression is a certainty. (4:1-3) Both work and laziness can ruin us. (4:4-6) Relationships are beneficial. (4:7-12) Positions of authority are temporary. (4:13-16)   Three more areas vanity can show up. Routine worship (5:1-7) Disconnected position (5:8-9) Unused wealth (5:10-20)  Application: Let's chase things that actually benefit o...

Stick to the Plan Eccl 3.  The blessings of living for God God gives us purpose. (10) What God gives us to do is perfect when done at the right time. (11a) God knows what will last. (11b)  Four Perceptions There is nothing better than finding joy in good works. (12) God wants us to enjoy life. (13) Everything God purposes will come about. (14) God will ensure this. (15)  Two Realities Some godly a...

The Search for Purpose Eccl. 1:12-2:26   You can find happiness in that new jet ski this summer. But it won't last. You can find happiness in that beach trip, too, but I promise you that joy will evaporate when you're coming home and stuck in traffic. Any new toy, new date, new hobby, or new knowledge will only bring your happiness for so long. The joy of the Lord, however, can last fore...

4 Reactions to the Resurrection Matthew 28:1-15; John 20:24-29, ESV  Reactions:   Reaction 1: Some accepted and shared the truth. (Matthew 28:8-11) Reaction 2: Some were offered the truth and covered it up. (Matthew 28:11-15) Reaction 3: Thomas doubted the truth but was open to it. (John 20:25) Reaction 4: Deny and ignore the truth. 

Did you know that according to the ADAA, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 1/5 adults and 1/3 teenagers in our country have an anxiety disorder? I read this on their website. "…the repercussions of depression and anxiety extend beyond individuals, significantly impacting businesses and the global economy, with over $1 trillion per year in lost productivity due to depression a...

He showed up! John 12:12-19   He showed up! Jesus shows up even when we have the wrong expectations. (12-13) Jesus shows up to do what the scriptures say. (14-15) Jesus shows up even before we get it. (16) Jesus shows up when we tell the truth about Him. (17-18) Jesus shows up even when people talk junk about Him. (19)

35 Giving Principles - Part 4 2 Cor. 9:6-15, ESV. Principles 28-35.  Our giving amounts are important. (6, 8)  Our giving amounts are a personal choice. (7)  Our giving is eternally rewarded. (9)  Our giving is regenerative. (10-11a)  Our giving increases thankfulness. (11b-12)  Our giving increases God's glory. (13)  Our giving builds relationships. (14)  Our giving points to salvation. (15)...

35 Giving Principles - Part 3 2 Cor. 8:8-15, ESV.   9 more Giving Principles: 19. Our giving proves God's love is in us. (8)  20. Our giving mirrors Jesus. (9)  21. Our giving benefits us. (10)  22. Our giving requires follow-through. (11) 23. Our giving affects our reputations. (11-12) 24. Our giving-willingness is measured by God . (12)  25. Our giving promotes fairness. (13-14) 26. Our giv...

35 Giving Principles – Part 2 2 Cor. 8:1-7  Giving Principles 9-18: 9.      Our giving is cooperative. (1) 10.  Our giving is generous. (2)       11.  Our giving can counter our pain. (2) 12.  Our giving gives us joy. (2) 13.  Our giving is an accountable act. (3) 14.  Our giving is contagious. (4)  15.  Our giving is two-fold. (5) 16.  Our giving is obedience. (5) 17.  Our giving is gracious. (6)...

35 Giving Principles Taught by Paul to the Corinthians   Giving Principles 1-8: Our giving is expected. (1) Our giving is learned. (1) Our giving is routine. (2) Our giving is pre-planned. (2) Our giving is personalized. (2) Our giving is voluntary. (2)  Our giving is to be done responsibly. (3) Our giving involves trust. (3-4) Application: Take Paul's advice. Accept giving as a spiritual dis...

The End of the Book Rev. 22   The Maintenance of Eternity God will ensure eternal life. (1-2a) God will restore eternal, diverse nutrition. (2b) God will regulate health. (2c) God will permanently seal the original relationship. (3-4) God will eliminate time. (5)   Two Statements and the Proper Response Angel - "This is really going to happen." (6) Jesus - "I am coming soon." (...

All Things New Rev. 21  All things will be new. (1-4, 6b) Heaven and earth will be new. (1) There will be a new capital city. (2) We will have a new life with God. (3) We will live a new kind of life. (4, 6b)   II. God once again showed a distinction among people. (7-8) Saved people will live with God in this new place. (7) Sinners will live in the lake of fire. (8)   III. The angel showed John th...

The Millennial Reign and the Judgments Revelation 20  The 3 millennial views Postmillennialism. Amillennialism Premillennialism  Millennial Truths: The Devil will be bound and locked up. The Saints will reign with Jesus.  God will allow Satan to influence man one more time. There will be an end-times civil war.   The Three Judgments  The Bema Seat Judgment of Christ. The Judgment of the sheep and...

The Marriage Supper and The Return of the King Revelation 19   The Five Events of Rev. 19 Another Great Worship Scene The Marriage Supper of the Lamb A Proof of the system's effect Jesus, ready for battle The Takeover   If you're not right with the Lord, what in the world are you waiting for?

When we read about Babylon the Great, we might picture an actual city. There will probably be a literal centralized place for the world's government in the end times. It may even be called Babylon and sit on the ancient site of Babylon. However, Babylon the Great is better understood as a worldwide system of organized religion and government, agreed upon by many nations, unified in common reb...

The Seven Bowls Rev. 15-16  The bowls of wrath: (part 1) Painful sores will appear on the enemies of God. (2) Oceans will turn blood, and everything living in them will die. (3) Non-oceanic water will turn to blood, too. (4)  Affirmation of God's actions being just: in verses 5-7. The punishment will match the sin. (5-6) The martyred will attest to the just judgment. (7)  The bowls of wrath:...

God is Serious About You Choosing Rev. 14   Points: God is serious about allegiance. Only two choices are available today. A no-choice before death is still a choice. God will hold you accountable for your choice. God will give you what you want. 

The Most Beneficial Resolution  Phil. 3:12-21 Paul: Acknowledged that he was not alone in this attempt.  Admitted he had not attained perfection. Kept a short memory of the past. Focused on what came next. Worked towards a goal. Recognized the primary goal.   Those not working toward the upward call of God: Work against God's redemptive plan. Have a different destiny. Live for physical gratif...

We need to stick to the mission of Christ because people in this Christmas season face the same challenges as people in the first. Personally, have you been brought into a right relationship with God? As a part of a local church, have you been faithful to the mission of Jesus? Jesus came for gospel illumination, for the salvation of mankind. That’s the reason for the season. Let’s keep Christmas t...

Christmas in Isaiah - Part Two Isaiah 9:6-7   Points:  Jesus would be given. (v. 6)  Jesus would rule a kingdom. (v. 6) Jesus would have the best names. (v. 6) Jesus would have a unique earthly kingdom. (v. 7) Jesus would establish and rule His Kingdom. (v. 7) Jesus would never relinquish control of His Kingdom. (v. 7) God will ensure Jesus succeeds. (v. 7)  Live like Jesus. We should give ourselv...

Christmas in Isaiah: Part One Isaiah 11:1-3   Points: Jesus will come from the line of David (v. 1) Jesus will have access to the complete Holy Spirit. (v. 2) Jesus will be able to perceive when others honor His Father.  (v. 3)   To live like Jesus, you must:  Join the family of Christ. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Be honest about honoring God.

The False Prophet and the Mark Rev. 13:11-18  The False Prophet: The False Prophet rises from the Earth. (11a) The False Prophet will look like a lamb, at first. (11b) The False Prophet will use the authority of the Antichrist. (12a) The False Prophet will institute mandatory worship of the Antichrist. (12b) The False Prophet will do miraculous things. (13-14a) The False Prophet will force the wor...

The First Beast: The Antichrist Rev. 13:1-10   The Antichrist will be put into place by Satan. (1) The Antichrist will be animal-like. (2a) The Antichrist will work by the power of Satan. (2b) The Antichrist will captivate the world with a miracle. (3) The Antichrist and his God will be worshipped. (4) The Antichrist will be mouthy. (5a, 6) The Antichrist will be in charge for three and ½ years. (...

Two End Times Battles in Satan’s War Revelation 12  I. A context for the end-times battles (Vs 1-6) A woman was identified in heaven. (Vs 1-2) A great red dragon is identified in heaven. (Vs. 3-4a) Satan’s past efforts were identified. (Vs 4b-6)  II. The Battle in Heaven (Vs 7-12) III. The Battle on Earth (Vs 13-17)