Truth Over Traditions

Handel’s Messiah is a beautiful oratorio about the birth, life, and death of Christ, based entirely on Scripture, that is often performed during the Christmas season. Pastor Hollandsworth reviews the first eighteen movements, with a view to helping listeners understand this musical masterpiece more fully and thereby glory in the birth of Christ.

Many Christians have no interest in Christ’s coming kingdom. They rarely think or talk about it, for it is not their focus, and they certainly are not preparing to give an account to Jesus for their life. Pastor Hollandsworth explains that only those believers who hold onto a confident expectation of reward, living accordingly, will be rewarded by Jesus and included in His “house.”

One day Jesus will ascend to the throne as King over Earth. Just as the first Adam needed a bride and completer for ruling, so the second Adam is seeking a bride -- otherwise known as the sons to glory -- to complete Himself. They are the mature, firstborn inheritors, who will be glorified to reign with Jesus as co-regents. Only those believers who are enduring suffering in a spirit of Christliken...

The first of five warnings is given, urging believers not to neglect “so great a salvation,” lest they experience negative reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Pastor Hollandsworth distinguishes between past, present, and future salvation, and emphasizes the critical importance of preparing for the “great salvation” yet to come.

Like David, who was anointed king but waited for many years to be crowned while Saul continued on the throne, so Jesus has been anointed by God but presently awaits coronation day until Satan is defeated and removed from ruling. Pastor Hollandsworth demonstrates that Jesus is not presently ruling, not even in a spiritual sense and explains why understanding this is critical. 

Jesus has been appointed heir of all things. What does that mean? And why does the Bible say that Jesus was “begotten?” Pastor Hollandsworth answers these interesting questions and gives the interpretive key to unlocking Hebrews, sharing two errors that must be avoided. 

Satan’s fall introduced sin into the world, followed by his agenda of hardship, suffering, chaos and death—anything he can do to thwart the coming of Messiah. In this final message Pastor Hollandsworth discusses God’s breaking of Leviathan’s six remaining heads, with the final one yet future. 

The sea serpent Leviathan is a metaphor for Satan, who wreaks havoc on Earth and upon mankind, causing hardship and suffering. The Bible refers to this beast as having seven heads. In this first of two messages, Pastor Hollandsworth discusses Satan’s fall, the destruction of the first world, and the breaking of Leviathan’s first head.

Church-age believers are not subject to the Mosaic law or any other self-imposed or church-imposed legal system. As children of God, we are subject to the law of Christ. Pastor Hollandsworth describes this law and explains why it is truly liberating, avoiding the extremes of license and legalism.

Whom does God love? How does He show His love? What promises does God make to those who love Him? Pastor Hollandsworth answers these questions biblically, and also talks about the four dimensions of God’s love – especially the fourth dimension, which is intimately pervasive and overpowering.

Apart from God’s mercy, mankind would be doomed. Mercy stays His hand of judgment, giving those who are sinning opportunities to repent. Pastor Hollandsworth discusses the three recipients of God’s mercy and the special, millennial reward that He promises those who fear Him.

Our great God is always just, bringing judgment upon sinners, including sinning believers. Pastor Hollandsworth demonstrates that God’s anger and wrath are balanced by His love and goodness and shows how that wonderful truth should motivate us to live uprightly, for we will soon give an account to Him for our lives. 

Isaiah said of Judah that truth had fallen in the streets. Are conditions any different today? Pastor Hollandsworth gives the philosophical history of the death of truth in modern times, claiming that Christians are largely to blame. Nevertheless, in spite of what is happening in the culture, God is truth, and His Word is truth. 

Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up on His throne. The holiness of God gazed into his innermost core and caused him to fall apart. Then Isaiah admitted his sinfulness, and God cleansed him. Pastor Hollandsworth points out the urgency of seeing God’s holiness if we are to be used by Him to the fullest extent. 

What is to be the Christian’s response to God’s glorious attributes? We are to glorify Him in every aspect of our lives. Pastor Hollandsworth points out that those believers who live in this manner will be glorified when they meet Jesus. All other believers will be naked and ashamed. 

God’s glory and majesty are manifestations of His attributes, evidenced in the form of intense brightness and shining. Pastor Hollandsworth talks about where we can see God’s glory today and emphasizes the importance of glorifying God in all we do. 

World rulers come and go, but one King remains sovereign above them all: Almighty God. Pastor Hollandsworth provides the three elements that assure God’s sovereignty and shares five benefits when believers submit fully to Him as their sovereign.

When we consider the vastness of the universe, God seems so far away. Yet when we ponder the intricacies of the microscopic realm, He seems near. Pastor Hollandsworth explores the paradox of God being far, yet near, from a dimensional standpoint, and he explains how mere humans can have fellowship with a God who transcends our dimensions.

God is omniscient and all-wise, planning the redemption and future glorification of mankind before the foundation of the world. Pastor Hollandsworth explains five things God does in wisdom and encourages believers to seek His wisdom by believing Him for it.

God is omnipotent, and His might is seen in this world and in the Word of God. Pastor Hollandsworth shares five testimonies of the mighty power of Jehovah God and explains what a difference this makes for everyday Christian living.

In this final, triumphant chapter of Romans, Paul shares admonitions and words of encouragement, and even a promise: “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” Pastor Hollandsworth shares three paradoxes from this promise and demonstrates from the epistle of Ephesians how believers are to claim and apply the promise, thereby experiencing victory over the supernatural realm of Sat...

When Jewish and Gentile believers accept each other in Christ, they glorify the Lord in this present age, which is a beautiful picture of the unity of Jews and Gentiles under the Messianic reign of Jesus in the next age, when all will glorify the Lord. Pastor Hollandsworth makes application to twenty-first century believers and churches and revels in this glorious theme. 

The Jewish believers in the church at Rome were finding it difficult to let go of their Jewish identifiers – dietary restrictions and observance of sabbaths and feast days. Paul refers to them as “weaker” brethren. The Gentile believers, on the other hand, were not bound in this manner, but were free in Christ, so Paul refers to them as “stronger” brethren. Pastor Hollandsworth explains that they...

Christians are biblically obligated to obey the dictates of governing authorities, unless those dictates cause us to violate God’s laws. In those situations, we must obey God rather than men. Pastor Hollandsworth points out, however, that many American Christians misapply Rom. 13, because our form of government opens the door to challenge government. Paul calls for believers to truly obey all leve...

What would happen if Christian homes and churches were suddenly filled with love, joy, and peace? Pastor Hollandsworth shares fourteen God-given rules from Rom. 12 that, if obeyed by God’s grace, would revolutionize homes and churches.