Bible Text: Proverbs 31:10-31 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

In Genesis 1-2, God spoke all creation into existence, but when it came to the first man, God personally formed him out of dirt and breathed life into him [Hebrew Adam = man, to be red; Adamah = ground, earth; and so, man is dirt].

At the end of each day of creation, it says, “God saw that it was good,” but, because there was no counterpart for Adam, on day six God said (2:18), “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God put Adam to sleep (2:21-22), took some of his flesh and bone, made a woman, and brought her to Adam.
God’s purpose for humans (1:28), was to procreate, and to rule over all that God had made, as caretakers who were made in the image of God (1:26-27).

In Genesis 3:20 Adam names her “Eve” [lit. living, or life] as she would be the mother of all the living, the first child would come from her, bringing future generations.

In Genesis 4:1, with the birth of her son Cain, Eve the first mother, acknowledges God as the sovereign giver of all life. But notice in 5:1-3, the image bearing likeness of God was passed on to all generations.

Motherhood was God’s original intent for women. Not that being single without children (1Corinthians 7:8-9), makes a person any less important to God, for there are times when both married men and married women are unable to conceive; about 10% of all women, and 6% of all men are physically incapable of having children.

It was clearly God’s plan from the beginning that most women would be mothers at home, raising children to know and bring honor to God; and that older women were to train younger women to do the same.

1Timothy 5:9-10, “No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.”

Titus 2:3-5, “teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

In my life, I have witnessed some good examples of Christian womanhood [my mother, my wife, my mother-in-law, my daughter, my sister, my cousin, my niece]; I have also witnessed many bad examples [unnamed].

The Bible records stories of many women, some good wives and mothers, some not so good, some very bad.
See Proverbs 31:10-27…

Verses 10-12… Excellent wives exist, but they are not the norm. They are loyal to and trusted by their husband.

Verses 13-16… These women are diligent workers, gathering raw materials in order to make what is needed for the family; they are thrifty, seeking the best deals.
The excellent wife gets up while it is still dark in order to prepare food and provide for the family, and even for the workers who help her. Such a woman is enterprising, clever, and capable, she invests what she is entrusted with, making the most of her resources for the sake of caring for her family.

Verses 17-19… She is sweet in spirit, strong in body, and she does not avoid hard work or difficult tasks. She is not only up before sunlight, but also working late into the night. The distaff and spindle are tools used to turn wool into thread, so that clothing can be made from it.
Verse 20… She also cares for the poor and needy.

Verses 21-22… In the highlands of Palestine it gets cold, she makes warm garments for her family, coverings for her furniture and adornments for her home.

Verse 23… Her excellence commends her husband before the community, where he serves in leadership.

Verse 24… She not only makes clothing for her family, her wares are sold in the stores, bringing home income.

Verses 25-27… She loves God, serving Him honorably and diligently, speaking wisdom to her children, so they will learn reverence for
and instruction from the Lord. She is a faithful steward of all that the Lord gives her, using it to bring praise to God and blessings to her family.

Verses 28-29… As a result of her service to God, she sets the very best example for all women, all wives, and especially for all mothers: “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

If you have not already done so, please take the time today, to thank all the women in your life who are faithful to God’s Word and selfless in their service to those around them, setting an example in this present generation that will overflow to future generations, for Christ.

We celebrate Mother’s Day today, and rightly so, but special praise must go to all Proverbs 31 Mothers this day, that they might be properly recognized and honored by all the family members they have served through the years; the Family of God, the Church, must also honor these women who bless us each and everyday; they are like a beautiful bouquet of fresh, colorful, and fragrant flowers.

And so, I would like to broaden the celebration Mother’s Day to include all women who earnestly seek to bring praise and glory to God, women who serve others with all that the Lord has given to them, like the example of the excellent wife in Proverbs 31.

And so, I want to say, “Thank You, to all you Ladies,” I do hope that your family recognizes and praises you; and I pray that God will bless each one of you richly, today, and forever, in Christ!

Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Read Revelation 5:1-14.
Before Jacob (Israel) died, he blessed each one of his sons. Let’s take a look at what he said to his fourth son, Judah (Genesis 49:9-10).

Even though Judah was not the oldest son—Jacob blessed Judah with the promise that the Messiah would come from his family, his line, his tribe.

Jacob called Judah “a lion’s cub,” “a lion,” and “a lioness,” basically promising Judah and his descendants would be like lions—powerful and proud, and they would rule—no one would remain standing against Judah.

About 2000 years after this prophecy was made — 60+ years after Jesus, the Lamb of God, was put to death on a cross for our sins, buried, and on the third day rose from the grave — John was given a great vision of heaven, looking into the very throne room of God.

John saw a scroll in the Lord’s right hand. It had writing on it and it was sealed with seven wax seals that must be broken before it could be read. At this point, an angel shouted (Revelation 5:2), “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” No one stepped forward, and John was heartbroken. But then, one of the elders said (Revelation 5:5), “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.
God showed John the fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy, i.e., the Lamb is also the Lion – ferocious as the king of the beasts, yet gentle as a lamb.

Lions are magnificent animals, powerful and deadly predators, up to 10 feet in length (without tail), weighing over 500 lbs., standing 4 ft. at the shoulders, with 4“ canines, and a roar that can be heard five miles away!

Revelation 5:6, “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.”

Jesus humbly, willfully, and sovereignly fulfilled God’s plan, purpose, and provision. He was silent before His accusers, then flogged and turned over to be crucified, just as Isaiah predicted (53:7), “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth.”

John the Baptizer said (John 1:29), “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

2Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

1Peter 2:22-24, “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

The Lamb of God was put to death for our sins, He then rose from the dead to demonstrate resurrected life.

1Peter 3:18-20a, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.”

Jesus’ body died, yet He was alive in spirit, and He went to the demons who are imprisoned in the deepest part of hell, the abyss, to proclaim God’s victory.

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has declared victory, for He has defeated and conquered sin, death, and the punishment of hell, for anyone who would confess their sins and trust in Him as Savior.

1Corinthians 15:54-57, “‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Not even death can harm those who belong to God! There is a fantastic story in John 11:11-27 about Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus, who had died.

Jesus came to grieve with the family; He would do much more than that. Jesus said, (v. 11), “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” The disciples don’t get it (v. 12), they say “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” But Jesus makes it very clear (v. 14), “Lazarus is dead,” and then Jesus says He is glad He wasn’t there when it happened, (v. 15), “so that [His disciples] might [see and] believe.”

Jesus arrives (v. 17) with His disciples, Lazarus has been “four days in the tomb.”

Martha says (v. 21), “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Then she says (v. 22), “But I know even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus says (v. 23), “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha responds (v. 24), “Yes, I know he will rise at the resurrection” [of believers]. Jesus says (vv. 25-26), “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Martha answers (v. 27), “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Jesus walks to Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:39-44). What amazing authority and power Jesus displayed – raising the dead to life – (Romans 1:3-4), “regarding [God’s] Son, who… through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John 10:17-18, “The reason my Father loves Me is that I lay down My life–only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Jesus, the Lamb of God, humbly and willfully laid down His own life for us, by His own authority, fulfilling God’s plan, purpose, and provision, while His people, the Jews, rejected Him as Messiah and reviled Him as a blasphemer.

Prior to His arrest and crucifixion, Jesus stated that He would be arrested, put to death, buried, and on the third day He would rise from the grave. Nothing could deter God’s Son from His sovereign mission as the Lamb and the Lion of God, and neither death nor the grave could hold Him (Rev. 5:5-7; 6:1).

History, the Bible, and the testimony of the Church validate that Jesus was put to death on a Friday and His body was placed in a tomb, but Sunday morning His body was missing; and over the next 40 days, before ascending back into heaven, Jesus appeared to hundreds of those who genuinely believed in and followed Him.

When Jesus comes back, it won’t be as God’s humble & gentle Lamb, but as God’s ferocious & fearsome Lion; and His roar will be heard throughout the universe. To those who love and worship Him, He is God’s Lamb of sacrifice and payment for our sins; He is also God’s Lion of protection and provision forever! To those who oppose and reject Him, He is their Righteous and Eternal Judge, and Sovereign Executioner.

Revelation 1:17-18, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father accept through Me.” In Acts 4:12, Peter proclaims that there is only one way to be saved – through Jesus Christ. (cf. Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 8:1; 10:9-10, 13)

The empty tomb proclaims the victory of God’s Lamb, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; and all heaven will one day proclaim (Revelation 11:15), “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.” He has Risen!

Bible Text: Isaiah 53 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

We are all sinners, and sin has reigned since the time of Adam. The only hope for mankind is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God (Romans 5:12, 18-19).

Verse 6… We each have turned away from God (Romans 3:10-12), “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

We are all guilty of sin (Romans 3:23), “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and (Romans 6:23a) the punishment for sin is death, but (6:23b) God’s free gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ, Who (5:8), while we were still sinners, laid down His life as God’s righteous payment for our sins.

Verse 7… Jesus took upon Himself our sins, and like a lamb being led to the slaughter, He was silent (1Peter 2:23-25), “When they hurled insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats… He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

Verse 8… He was taken away, “cut off” from the land of the living, meaning He was put to death for the sins of the people, who themselves should have received God’s just punishment.
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Where did this Son of God being the “Lamb of God” thing begin? Exodus 12:3-6 gives instructions on how to acquire, care for, sacrifice, and prepare the lamb. Must be an unblemished year old sheep or goat.

Must be procured the 10th day of Nissan (Mar/April), sacrificed and cooked on the 14th day of Nissan.

The word for lamb is arnion [ar-nee’-on] a little lamb, or pet lamb. Jewish families were to keep the lamb as a pet four days before sacrificing it. Every lamb sacrificed in the Hebrew Scriptures pictures Yeshua, Who is identified as a Lamb (John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32 and 1Peter 1:19). However, in the book of Revelation He appears as the Lamb twenty-eight times.

Matthew 1:20-23… Joseph is told his wife is carrying the Son of God in her womb; she will give birth to a boy and He is to be named Jesus, which means Savior.

Luke 2:4-6, 10-11, 16-19… Just as God said, Mary gave birth to a son. Angels told some shepherds of the Savior, Christ the Lord, who was to be born in Bethlehem.

Luke 2:25-35… An elderly servant of God named Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Savior. The Holy Spirit led Simeon to the temple where he saw and held Jesus, proclaiming what would be fulfilled through Him, as the Messiah: He would be oppressed and rejected by many, and Mary would suffer enormous grief, as if (v. 35a) “a sword was to pierce her soul” [or sprit, these are interchangeable in the Scriptures; just as mind and heart, for the most part, are interchangeable (v. 35b).

Mary held this beautiful little baby boy, she loved Him, and she knew He would grow up to do God’s will; it was for this reason He had come into the world, put on flesh, paid the penally for our sins, as the very Lamb of God.

Philippians 2:8, “And being found in the appearance of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!”

Hebrews 10:5, “When Christ came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice ad offering You did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me,’” 9-10, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” By that will, we’ve been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.”

At Passover, every family would get an unblemished year old lamb or goat to care for for four days at home. This lamb would be kept in a separate pen next to the house, away from other animals, or perhaps brought into the house and treated as we treat our cats and dogs.

God ordained it be done this way (Exodus 12), so the people would identify with the lamb in a very personal way, even getting attached to the lamb, only then having to sacrifice the lamb on behalf of their own sins.

John 1:1-4… Life here is (Greek, zōè) spiritual not (Greek, bíōs) physical.
John 1:10-13… Jesus is giver of both physical life (bíōs) and spiritual life (zōè).
John 1:14-18… Jesus put on flesh to show us the Father, through Whom all grace and truth have come.

John 1:19-26… John is not the Christ, or Elijah, or the Prophet; he is the one who declares the coming of the Lord, the Messiah. God’s One and Only Son. John 1:29-31… The purpose of God putting on flesh, is to be the Lamb of God, to take our punishment for sin.

John baptized with water those who confessed their sins to God. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, placing God’s seal of ownership on us and in us, making us God’s children for eternity when we confess our sins, believing in Jesus Christ’s death as payment for our sins, making us holy and righteous in God’s sight (1Peter 1:17-21).

We are saved by the shed blood of God’s Son, God’s Lamb, making us children of God for eternity.

Revelation 5:6-13; 19:6-9… Hebrew marriages/weddings had several stages:
• Betrothal of the bride and groom (Ephesians 1:4)
• Presenting the bride to the groom (1Thessalonians 4:13-18)
• Wedding Ceremony, ending with a Feast (Revelation 19:7)

Christ is the Groom and the Church is His Bride, who are the invited guests (Revelation 19:9)? The Bride isn’t invited to her own wedding, she invites guests to her wedding.

So, I believe the wedding guests are all the Old Testament saints, all those saved during the Great Tribulation Period, and those believers still alive at the Return of Christ. To the best of my understanding, it seems this Marriage of the Lamb and the Church Feast takes place on the earth, lasting for about 1000 years. Now that’s a party, and it is all in honor of the Lamb of God, God’s Only, One of a Kind, Unique, Beloved Son.

At the first passover, God had the Israelites identify with an innocent pet Lamb, in their own home, that would die for their sinfulness. Imagine a child when they first realized their pet lamb had to be killed.

In Acts 2:36-38, God pierced the hearts of the people; they realized God’s Son, God’s Lamb, had been put to death for them, and they cried out for forgiveness. You and I must do the same, if we are to be saved.

The Lamb of God, God’s Son, put on flesh and walked among us; He loved us, yet we rejected Him, yet He died for us, allowing His own blood to be shed for our sins, so that we might receive forgiveness and be granted eternal life, to live in heaven with Him forever.

Worthy is the Lamb, Who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!
Amen!

Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

God desires unity among His people.

Ephesians 4:4-6 says there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father over all, in all, through all.

Acts 2:42-47, says our unity is expressed and maintained by knowing and obeying God’s Word, as we participate in close fellowship with one another, commemorating the Lord’s death and resurrection, and continually coming before God in prayer.
Our main purpose, as servants of Christ, is to bring honor and glory and praise to God.

Luke 12 records the story of a farmer who makes plans to build bigger and better storehouses to hold his surplus crops (v. 20), “But God said to him,`You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’”

That farmer had lived only for himself, and in God’s evaluation, his life would come to nothing!

Paul, during his last years in prison, wrote (2Timothy 4:7), “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” What a great epitaph. Does your life reflect the presence, pleasure, and power of God’s Spirit living in
you (Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:10; 5:1-2; 2Corinthians 5:17-21)?

God has provided all we need to know Him and to enjoy life on earth, while serving Him (2Peter 1:3-4); God promised to bring us to be with Him in heaven forever (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:3-4).

2Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God (all who confess Christ as Lord) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

•The Bible is alive and active.
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active. …it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

•The Bible is life giving.
John 6:63, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”

•The Bible nurtures our spiritual growth.
Hebrews 5:14, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

•The Bible transforms and directs our lives.
Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is –his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

•We Must Believe the Bible!
Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

•We Must Study the Bible!
Acts 17:11, “Now the Bereans received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

•We Must Honor the Bible!
Psalms 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

•We Must Obey the Bible!
1John 2:3-4, “We know that we have come to know Him [Jesus Christ] if we obey His commands. The man who says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

2Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

We are living in the “last days,” and people have turned away from the truth of God’s Word and continue to reject the revelation of God’s Son. We must get serious about studying, applying, and proclaiming God’s Word.

Let me share an illustration from the life and purpose of of a bee. When a bee leaves the hive each day, it goes out empty; when it returns, it is heavily laden with pollen and full of nectar.

As a bee moves from flower to flower consuming nectar and gathering pollen (which is actually the plant’s male reproductive cells) the bee, by God’s design, deposits some of this pollen into the seed-bearing female organ of the flowers, and this enables the plants to propagate.

Nectar is consumed by the gathering bee, and is shared with the other bees in the hive; it is a vital source of energy, and of course, it is used to make honey.

Pollen provides protein for the bees and is used to feed the bee larvae; thus, the bees work in unity, playing an important role in the life of one another, in the care for the larvae (future bees) and in aiding the plants to reproduce, to create more nectar and pollen.

If Christians would approach God’s Word with the same diligence and purpose that bees approach flowers; the Church would be much more unified and productive, for its members would be full of Godly nectar and pollen.

We ought to daily seek God’s Word, to believe it, study it, honor it, and obey it, allowing it to fill us, to nurture, strengthen, grow, and transform us, so that we can encourage and equip one another, while at the same time, spreading the Gospel of Christ among those we come into contact with; like the bees sharing the nectar and pollen that they consumed, collected, and distributed.

Psalm 19:9-11, “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

Psalm 119:102-104, “I have not departed from your laws, for You yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”
We need to humbly come to God in prayer each day, emptying ourselves, purposing to feed upon His Word until we are full (like the bees gathering nectar and pollen); then, with anticipation and expectancy, we can we share God’s Word with those around us, so that they too might be blessed and nurtured by it.

God’s Word is honey from heaven, it never spoils or decays or looses its flavor, it eternally provides what we need so that we might be encouraged, equipped, exhorted and empowered, to do what pleases God.
Feed on it daily, share it with others often!

Bible Text: Acts 2:42-47 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Quick Read of verses 36-41…

v. 42… Genuine repentance and belief in Christ places us in the family of God where we are to devote ourselves to know and obey God’s Word, participate in Fellowship, celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and Pray continually.

There were 120 believers at sunrise, before sunset the church grew to 3,120 (v. 41). Why the increase?

1. Apostles’ teaching – God’s Word is to be proclaimed and explained so people will hear and believe the gospel, be born into God’s family, equipped (discipled) in order to grow and mature in Christ (1Peter 2:2; Romans 12:2).

The pastoral epistles were written to the men who would shepherd God’s sheep (1Timothy 4:13, 16; 2Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 1:9). Teaching and feeding are synonymous.
God’s word is spiritual food provided to nourish, grow, and strengthen us, while providing wisdom.

It has been said, that it is a wasted day when we do not learn something new from, or we are not more deeply affected by, God’s Word.
Much of the church today is malnourished and in very poor spiritual health, for the church is deceived and has become dysfunctional, and therefore impotent, because it fails to acknowledge, apply, and hold those in the church accountable to, the authority of God’s Word.

2. Fellowship – Christian fellowship is a spiritual discipline engaged in by God’s children [believers and followers of Christ], through Christ-centered fellowship we are to stimulate one another to be faithful servants of God.

There are at least 25 “one-another” passages in the New Testament, these emphasize the fellowship we, as Christians, have in Christ [Gr, koinonia = having in common, intimate sharing, participating in community].

When believers isolate themselves from other Christians or fail to participate in the ministry of the local church, they are in direct disobedience to clearly stated will of God concerning this (see Hebrews 10:23-31). John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The Bible clearly teaches that Christians are not to be independent agents who attempt to live apart from other Christians, i.e., all the members of God’s body, the church are to be actively involved in worship, fellowship, and service, in a local congregation.

3. Breaking of Bread – The Lord’s Supper (Communion) (1Corinthians 11:23-26) is to be honored by all believers. We are all sinners saved by grace, redeemed by God to be one, just as God is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Galatians 3:28; 1Corinthians 12:12-14, 18-20, 27).

Sharing in, commemorating the Lord’s Supper, is essential to the unity God desires among us, for Communion calls us to exam our own heart attitudes toward God, God’s Word, and God’s People. 

God became man, putting on flesh that He might die for our sins (the Bread is symbolic of His body); His blood was shed on the Cross for us (the Cup is symbolic of His blood).

Jesus is Savior & Lord, as we confess our sins to Him, He forgives us and purifies us for service to God (1John 1:9).

Having been placed in God’s family, for the purpose of serving Him together, we are commanded to reconcile any offenses we have with our brothers and sisters in Christ (Matthew 5:23-24; 18:15-17).

4. Prayer – (Matthew 6:9-13) When we come before God, acknowledging Who He is, confessing our sins and thanking Him for all that He has done, it is much more likely that we will ask for that which brings honor to God, and benefits to God’s people (Philippians 4:6, bring our needs to God; Colossians 4:2, be devoted to prayer; 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, pray continually, always giving thanks; James 1:5, pray for wisdom). Our first brothers and sisters in Christ understood the priority of prayer (Acts 1:14, 24).

As the church provides and applies biblical teaching, encourages Christian fellowship, commemorates the Lord’s Supper, and seeks to be God-centered in our prayers, spiritual character will be produced in God’s children. v. 43… A sense of awe and reverence for God was inspired by the many wonders and signs done through the apostles, as they pointed men toward God, for God was the authority and the author for all that was happening. vv. 44-45… Amazing! Before the days of divisions and denominations in the church, these people had a spiritual unity and love for one another, causing them to give up their own possessions, as others had need of them.

All this sharing with one another was voluntary. Wow! People opened their homes and shared their resources so that no one would be without what they needed; whether visitors to the city who didn’t have homes or jobs, or the indigenous poor who lived in or around Jerusalem. vv. 46-47a… They continued to pray at the Temple (as witnesses of the new birth); they met in private homes to hear the apostles teaching, to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and to fellowship with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

When God’s people honor and worship God, genuinely loving one another, proclaiming the wonders, mercies, plan, and provision of God through the Gospel of Christ, unbelievers will take notice, and some of them will be changed forever (v. 47b), “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Obedience to God’s Word produces godly character, which in turn impacts sinners for Christ; and after all, that is our main purpose, to serve as witnesses of God’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and eternal life.

Let us each, in unity, as members of one church, one body, one family, one people, embrace God’s Word, Christian Fellowship, the Lord’s Death & Resurrection, and Prayer (Ephesians 3:20-21), “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

As we enter a new year, it might be a real good time to re-evaluate and re-align our priorities.

As a Christian, I believe my main priority and main purpose is to love God and to love others on His behalf.

When Jesus first comes on the scene, in Mark chapter one, His purpose is clearly stated (vv. 15, 17).

God’s Son came to earth to save us, that we might believe in Him, follow Him, and tell others about Him, so they too might be saved (John 1:1-14, 18; 3:13-18; 5:39-40; 6:28-29; 8:24;10:30; 11:25-27; 14:6-7, 15-17, 25-26; 18:8-9 ).

Both Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 say, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But no one can accomplish that on their own (Ephesians 2:8-9); in fact, we must first confess our sin and believe in God’s Son for forgiveness (Acts 2:26-28; Romans 10:9-10).

We are all guilty of sin, deserving God’s judgment; but because of His great love, we are forgiven our sins and granted eternal life, through the shed blood of Jesus, God’s only acceptable payment for our sins (Romans 3:10-12, 22-24; 5:8, 12, 18-21; 6:23; 8:1-2, 8-14).

All those born of God will have a desire and propensity [inclination] to live in a manner that pleases God, i.e., to walk in love (1John 4:7-12, 19-21; 5:1-5, 11-13).
If you have repented of your sins, confessing Christ as Lord, you have been changed forever, and you will seek to obey God’s Word and to be conformed to God’s Son (2Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; 1John 2:6).

Our main purpose and priority is to love God and then to love others on His behalf, for God is love and His children (born in love) will live a life of love.

Love is a verb, and therefore, what has happened in our heart will be displayed through our life. As we grow in Christ, we will seek to do what is necessary to reconcile others to God, as we develop intimacy with God, God’s Word, and God’s people.

Christians are members of God’s family, the Church, of which Christ is the Head (Colossians 1:18), and our unity should be displayed in our fellowship, in our love for one another (John 13:34-35; 1John 4:7; Acts 2:42-47).

Hebrews 10:24-26, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.”

Christians are instructed to meet together, to share with and to encourage one another, to not do so is to sin.

1Corinthians 12:12-14, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 18-21, “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ 25-27, “There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

God made us, called us, saved us, and set us apart for His own glory. He provides for us and He commands that we be actively involved in the life of the Church, i.e., with one another, and we do that by studying the bible with other believers, by fellowshipping together (having everything in common), by praying with one another, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, and giving a portion of our income to Him, in order that His will might be done.

God’s Word says believers are connected to each other, and we are expected to encourage, edify, and care for one another. And yet there are some in the body who make no effort, whatsoever. You would think, from their example, that they believe a foot can somehow walk around without being connected to a leg, or an eye can function on its own, apart from being attached to the skull by muscles, and also connected to the brain!

You can’t be actively involved in the life of the church by sitting in a pew on Sunday mornings, and so, we offer a variety of opportunities for involvement: Bible Classes for all ages on Sunday Mornings, Adult Bible Studies on Sunday nights, Tuesday nights, Wednesday nights, Thursday nights, Friday nights, Women’s Bible Studies on Tuesday mornings, Men’s Bible Studies on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month, Family Dinners once a month, Family Breakfasts & Family Movies four times a year.
Look, our purpose is to love, honor, and obey God’s Word, in doing so we will be conformed to the character and the nature of Christ, i.e., we will become Christ to the world by both our words and deeds, and we will share the Message of the Gospel of Salvation with all who will listen.

Jesus was the master teacher, master evangelist, and He ministered to: prostitutes and pharisees, religious leaders and the demon possessed, slaves and free men, poor men and rich men, fishermen and farmers, soldiers and Samaritans, the influential and the insignificant.

We can learn a great deal from Jesus’ interactions with some of those He came into contact with?
A Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:16-26
The Teacher of Israel in John 3:1-21
A Samaritan Woman in John 4:1-42
An Expert of the Law in Luke 10:25-37

Jesus met people where they were, then he engaged them in conversation,
bypassing the place of intellect and argument, going straight to the place of the heart and conscience, to speak to their soul.

I pray that we all will be motivated to follow Christ’s example, speaking the Truth in Love, because every man, woman, and child of age is accountable before God to acknowledge their sin, and to repent and to believe in God’s One and Only Son – Jesus, the Christ, both Savior and Lord – for He alone can forgive sin and grant eternal life. Apart from Him there is no love, no hope, no mercy, no salvation, only eternal punishment in hell awaits.

For that reason, I pray that we might see many from our families and our communities, come to Christ this year, for this is good and pleases the Lord, who wants everyone to be saved. No wonder Christ commands us to be going, making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and reminding them to do everything God commands us, as revealed in the Scriptures.

Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

About 2700 years ago, two of God’s prophets (Isaiah & Micah) wrote about the future birth of a male child to a virgin, in Bethlehem, in Judea. About 2000 years ago, a young woman named Mary, said to be a virgin, gave birth to a boy in a stable at Bethlehem, in Judea. The baby was named Jesus “Yeshua” [God’s salvation] and He was called Immanuel [God with us].

Mary’s conception by the Holy Spirit is a mystery, the virgin birth of Jesus would be a sign from the LORD Himself, in order to point men to God’s Salvation: God’s One and Only Son. Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.”

Micah 5:2, “But as for you, Bethlehem [House of Bread] Ephrathah [Fruitful Land], Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”

God told the world ahead of time about the coming of His Son, the Messiah/Christ [Holy One], so that when it happened the world would believe and trust Him for salvation.

Some Rabbis, long before the birth of Jesus, wrote, “The Messiah is to have no earthy father, for his birth will be like that of no other man.” That is exactly how Christ was conceived, apart from any human action or will; this was done by the power of God! (see Matthew 1:18-21).

Mary was pregnant before she and Joseph had a sexual relationship, her virginity protected her moral character and the legitimacy of Jesus’ birth as the divine Son of God. Joseph and Mary were pledged to be married at the time of the angel’s announcement.

Joseph, being a just man, had a problem, Mary was pregnant and he knew it was not his child. Joseph must have been a kind and loving man, for there is no evidence that he ever felt anger or distrust toward Mary; instead, the Scripture tells us (v. 19) that Joseph didn’t want to disgrace Mary by publicly exposing her “condition,” [pregnancy] so he planned to “put her away” (divorce her) quietly.

An angel came to Joseph (v. 20) declaring Mary’s pregnancy to be from God. The angel tells Joseph that the child will be a son (v. 21), and although Joseph is not the biological father, he will have the responsibility for naming the baby and being His earthly father.

Both genealogies (Matthew 1:1-16, Joseph’s ancestry; and Luke 3:23-38, Mary’s ancestry) establish Christ’s legal and blood right to the throne of David.

Jesus was a fully human descendant of David; He was also God in the flesh. The incarnation of Christ (i.e., God putting on flesh) is the central and foremost fact of Christianity: God became man, yet remained God.

This child would be the only source of salvation for mankind; He would be the fullness of God in human flesh.

Jesus is not called the son of Joseph in the Scriptures (cf. Matthew 1:16), neither is Joseph called the father of Jesus (cf. Luke 3:23); and yet Joseph was divinely chosen to raise God’s Son as a his very own.

Read Matthew 1:22-25. Sovereignly, the virgin birth of Christ was predicted in the Old Testament. “All this”(v.22), refers to the many specific facts about this birth that had been spoken of through the prophets (v. 23).

When Joseph awakened from his sleep, he did as the angel had told him. Joseph could now honorably take Mary as his wife, without questioning her virtue; he could also care for God’s Son, as his very own.

Soon after the angel’s announcement (v. 24), Joseph took Mary home as his wife, and (v. 25) he kept her a virgin until after Jesus’ birth, but Mary did not remain a virgin, as some wrongly teach, for clearly Jesus had other brothers and sisters who were conceived naturally through their father Joseph (Matthew 13:55-56).

The supernatural birth of Jesus validates His divinity; Christ the Savior of all was conceived in the womb of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit, and this was sovereignly determined by God, just as God had purposed, at just the right time (Galatians 4:4-5). Spiritually – The world was accepting of many religious philosophies at this time; and the Jews had a renewed interest in the OT Scriptures that pointed to God’s One & Only Son.

Culturally – The world’s people were much more unified and educated, and even common people spoke Koine Greek (NT).

Politically – Rome, as the world Ruler, provided roads and relative safety for travel, therefore the message of Christ could be taken to the rest of the world.

Jesus was not just a male baby born in Bethlehem to a young Jewish virgin, named Mary, whose husband, named Joseph, was as a carpenter from Nazareth.
So, what do people say about who Jesus is?

Some say He was a good teacher, but then good teachers don’t claim to be God. Some say He was a good example, but good examples don’t mingle with thieves and prostitutes. Some say He was a liar, but liars don’t speak the Truth. Some say He was a lunatic, but lunatics aren’t allowed to hold children nor do they reach out to touch lepers and heal them.

Some say He was a religious phony, but phonies don’t rise from the dead. Some say He was a phantom, but phantoms can’t bleed nor can they give up their lives as payment for the sins of others. Some say He was a myth, but myths don’t determine the calendar date for the world (B.C., before Christ; A.D., Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord), nor do they have a day of the week set apart to honor & worship them.

This child, born to a virgin through the divine plan, power, and intervention of God, is God’s One and Only Son Who came from heaven to earth to save us from our sins. 2Corinthians 5:21, “He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God.”

You have to work really hard to believe all of this is a coincidence or some fabricated story that was put together over a period of 1500 years, in three different languages, on three different continents by 40 different authors, instructing us to love God and love one another.

Mark 12:30-31,“Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 3:16-18, “God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. He who believes in Him is not condemned, he who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s One and Only Son.

Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

In Acts 2:36-38, when the people realized that Jesus, Who had been crucified, was both Lord and Savior, they cried out to Peter, pleading with him, “what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent [confess your sins] every one of you, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins [i.e., professing God’s Son as Savior and Lord], and you will receive the Holy Spirit.”

So, who do you say Jesus is? Is He a liar or a lunatic or a phony or a myth, or is He, as the Scriptures proclaim, God’s Son, who came to earth to save us?
Do you believe the Scriptures?

Have you called upon Jesus for forgiveness of your sins, that you might receive eternal life? 1John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He [Jesus] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”

Acts 2:21, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1John 5:11-13, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

If there is any doubt in your heart today, that you have not received God’s free and divine gift, forgiveness and eternal life, please, as we bow our heads to close in prayer, confess to God that you are a sinner, ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul, granting you eternal life.

Jesus is the only Savior, He is the only Way to heaven, and He turns no one away who comes to Him for forgiveness; but you must Confess your sins, Believe in Jesus as Savior, and He will Grant you eternal life; your life will be changed for eternity. Only then can you genuinely know and proclaim, “Merry Christmas!”