Hello Everyone,
In April of the year 2000, there was a car crash in Japan. A man died in the accident. When the police came to examine the body, witnesses at the scene said they recognized the car and though the injuries disfigured the body, they also recognized the dead man. He was a 60-year-old local shipbuilder. This man’s family was called and a brother-in-law was able to come to the scene. "Yes," he said, "That’s him. That’s my brother-in-law." He took the news back to the family. Calls were made. The family quickly gathered that afternoon at the home of the widow.
There they mourned: crying, hugging, sharing memories, and making funeral plans.Then the door opened and in walked the 60-year-old shipbuilder, home from a hard day’s work and wondering why all the relatives had come over to his house.No, it was not a resurrection. It was a misidentification. The man at the car crash was not the man they thought he was, so the family called the police and told them to start their identification process over, because the "dead man" had just walked into their living room.It would have been interesting to have been in that living room to see the change that came over the family when they realized their loved one was not dead after all: from tears to smiles, from devastation to elation, from mourning to dancing.
They must have felt like death had been defeated in their home.
But, death had not been defeated; it had just been misplaced.
Their joy meant some other family’s sorrow, and the shipbuilder will someday fall to the power of death.Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God was dead.
Hope went to the grave with Him. In the Bible the Resurrection is the greatest event.
It is the turning point of the lives of those first followers and the event that catapulted faith in Jesus beyond a small circle to the entire world. The shipbuilder’s family must have been overjoyed when he walked in the door. But when the disciples realized that Jesus was alive, they were infused with a joy that, as Jesus said, no one would ever take away.
That man had a greater length of life than his family thought, but the meaning of life and its final outcome were the same as the day before.
When Jesus walked out of that tomb, everything changed! Jesus said in
John 14:19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ means to us today.
Tune in tomorrow and that is just what we will see.
All for JesusPastor Phil
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Unlimited Forgiveness
Hello Everyone,
Let’s look at DEVELOPING A FORGIVING SPIRIT.
First thing that we should always do is FOCUS ON GOD’S FORGIVENESS OF YOU... This is where the unmerciful servant went wrong. This is how Paul suggested we develop a forgiving spirit.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
We should also ALLOW THE LORD TO HELP US TO "FORGIVE AND FORGET"... Some may say "It is impossible to forget!" But let’s first define "forget" To be unable to remember (something). To treat with thoughtless inattention; To leave behind unintentionally; To fail to mention -- The American Heritage Dictionary When I think of forgiving and forgetting, it is the last threedefinitions I have in mind.
Technically, we may be able to recall the offense to our minds but for all practical purposes, we so disregard the offense that it is "out of mind". Is this possible? By the grace of God, yes!
Think about the example of Joseph - Gen 41:51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household. [Manasseh means ‘forget’]
Look at the attitude of Paul - Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, --
Both of these men had plenty of things done to them that could have made them resentful, but God helped them to "forget" those things Can a person who says "I will forgive but not forget" truly forgive? Or do they want to remember and hold it against them? "If I say, ’Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget,’ as though God, who twice a day washes all the sands on all shores of all the world, could not wash such memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love." (Amy Carmichael, a missionary to India.) I believe that when we truly contemplate the love, mercy, and forgiveness that God has shown us in Christ Jesus...
It is definitely possible to forgive and forget… At least in the sense of removing it from the attention of our minds.And from "The Parable of The Unmerciful Servant"...
We should learn that it is crucial that we do forgive. For we as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are to be characterized by the attitudes of mercy and forgiveness towards othersHave we allowed the mercy of God to melt our hearts?
Have we even accepted the mercy of God into our lives by obeying Jesus Christ and being saved?
If so then we have taken step 1 on our way to “Unlimited Forgiveness.
Sunday is COMING “Get Pumped UP!”
Pastor Phil
Let’s look at DEVELOPING A FORGIVING SPIRIT.
First thing that we should always do is FOCUS ON GOD’S FORGIVENESS OF YOU... This is where the unmerciful servant went wrong. This is how Paul suggested we develop a forgiving spirit.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
We should also ALLOW THE LORD TO HELP US TO "FORGIVE AND FORGET"... Some may say "It is impossible to forget!" But let’s first define "forget" To be unable to remember (something). To treat with thoughtless inattention; To leave behind unintentionally; To fail to mention -- The American Heritage Dictionary When I think of forgiving and forgetting, it is the last threedefinitions I have in mind.
Technically, we may be able to recall the offense to our minds but for all practical purposes, we so disregard the offense that it is "out of mind". Is this possible? By the grace of God, yes!
Think about the example of Joseph - Gen 41:51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household. [Manasseh means ‘forget’]
Look at the attitude of Paul - Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, --
Both of these men had plenty of things done to them that could have made them resentful, but God helped them to "forget" those things Can a person who says "I will forgive but not forget" truly forgive? Or do they want to remember and hold it against them? "If I say, ’Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget,’ as though God, who twice a day washes all the sands on all shores of all the world, could not wash such memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love." (Amy Carmichael, a missionary to India.) I believe that when we truly contemplate the love, mercy, and forgiveness that God has shown us in Christ Jesus...
It is definitely possible to forgive and forget… At least in the sense of removing it from the attention of our minds.And from "The Parable of The Unmerciful Servant"...
We should learn that it is crucial that we do forgive. For we as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are to be characterized by the attitudes of mercy and forgiveness towards othersHave we allowed the mercy of God to melt our hearts?
Have we even accepted the mercy of God into our lives by obeying Jesus Christ and being saved?
If so then we have taken step 1 on our way to “Unlimited Forgiveness.
Sunday is COMING “Get Pumped UP!”
Pastor Phil
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Lessons of the parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Hello Everyone,
THE LESSON OF THE PARABLE about the unforgiving servant is stated by Jesus Himself in Mt 18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Failure to forgive a brother will bring severe punishment!Prompted by gratitude the forgiven sinner must always yearn to forgive whoever has trespassed against him.
Charles Spurgeon once said: “To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it. But yet there is one thing sweeter still, and that is to forgive.”
We can also draw several other lessons: The biggest lesson that we learn is that we are all in debt to God– Rom. 3:23 –“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”- (“fall short”)
There is know one who can pay what is owed but thank God that by Christ’s atoning sacrifice, the debt is paid - Mt 18:27; “The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.”Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Only those who are willing to forgive others can be sure that they are truly forgiven –
Mt 18:35; “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Mt 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
It should be easy to forgive others, for what we owe God is infinitely more than what others owe us - Mt 18:32, 33
The unforgiving person is destined for punishment!- Mt 18:34, 35;
[Maybe the most important point we learn from this parable is that the kingdom of heaven is to consist of people who are both forgiven and forgiving, who have both received mercy and are merciful].
James 2:13 “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”Understanding the importance of forgiving others now, how can we develop a forgiving spirit?
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
THE LESSON OF THE PARABLE about the unforgiving servant is stated by Jesus Himself in Mt 18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Failure to forgive a brother will bring severe punishment!Prompted by gratitude the forgiven sinner must always yearn to forgive whoever has trespassed against him.
Charles Spurgeon once said: “To be forgiven is such sweetness that honey is tasteless in comparison with it. But yet there is one thing sweeter still, and that is to forgive.”
We can also draw several other lessons: The biggest lesson that we learn is that we are all in debt to God– Rom. 3:23 –“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”- (“fall short”)
There is know one who can pay what is owed but thank God that by Christ’s atoning sacrifice, the debt is paid - Mt 18:27; “The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.”Matthew 20:28 “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Only those who are willing to forgive others can be sure that they are truly forgiven –
Mt 18:35; “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Mt 6:14-15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
It should be easy to forgive others, for what we owe God is infinitely more than what others owe us - Mt 18:32, 33
The unforgiving person is destined for punishment!- Mt 18:34, 35;
[Maybe the most important point we learn from this parable is that the kingdom of heaven is to consist of people who are both forgiven and forgiving, who have both received mercy and are merciful].
James 2:13 “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”Understanding the importance of forgiving others now, how can we develop a forgiving spirit?
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Unforgiving Servant
Hello Everyone,
This week we are looking at the Parable of the “Unforgiving Servant” as we discuss “Unlimited Forgiveness”. Today let’s look at the PARABLE ITSELF...First of all a king shows mercy to his servant by canceling his huge debt read with me:-
Mt 18:23-27
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
How large amount was 10,000 talents?Most say, about 6,000 denarii’s were involved in just one talent.Remembering that denarii’s were a day’s normal wage, the fellow owed something like 60,000,000 denarii’s."Using the rate of $50 as one day’s wage, the amount would be $3,000,000,000 (3 billion dollars!)The mercy of the king goes beyond the actual request.The request was for patience to pay the debt.But the king was willing to forgive the debt completely!
After the servant was forgiven he in turn then refuses to cancel a fellow servant’s small debt read with me Mt 18:28-30:
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
Now we need to ask the question how much was a hundred denarii?Remember, a "denarii" was equivalent to a day’s wage so if we use the same rate ($50 a day); the amount would be $5000.The unmerciful servant refuses to hear the same plea made earlier by himself.What was the final result: As for the cruel servant the king imposes the former sentence, even adding to it! -
Mt 18:31-34:
31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
Before, he, his family, and his possessions were only going to be soldbut now, he is too be handed over to the "torturers".
Aren’t you glad we don’t have those today?
Because of his unwillingness to forgive the unmerciful servants end, was worse than it was originally.
Tomorrow we will be looking at “The Lesson of the Parable”.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
This week we are looking at the Parable of the “Unforgiving Servant” as we discuss “Unlimited Forgiveness”. Today let’s look at the PARABLE ITSELF...First of all a king shows mercy to his servant by canceling his huge debt read with me:-
Mt 18:23-27
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
How large amount was 10,000 talents?Most say, about 6,000 denarii’s were involved in just one talent.Remembering that denarii’s were a day’s normal wage, the fellow owed something like 60,000,000 denarii’s."Using the rate of $50 as one day’s wage, the amount would be $3,000,000,000 (3 billion dollars!)The mercy of the king goes beyond the actual request.The request was for patience to pay the debt.But the king was willing to forgive the debt completely!
After the servant was forgiven he in turn then refuses to cancel a fellow servant’s small debt read with me Mt 18:28-30:
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
Now we need to ask the question how much was a hundred denarii?Remember, a "denarii" was equivalent to a day’s wage so if we use the same rate ($50 a day); the amount would be $5000.The unmerciful servant refuses to hear the same plea made earlier by himself.What was the final result: As for the cruel servant the king imposes the former sentence, even adding to it! -
Mt 18:31-34:
31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
Before, he, his family, and his possessions were only going to be soldbut now, he is too be handed over to the "torturers".
Aren’t you glad we don’t have those today?
Because of his unwillingness to forgive the unmerciful servants end, was worse than it was originally.
Tomorrow we will be looking at “The Lesson of the Parable”.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Monday, March 23, 2009
How Many Times Do I Forgive?
Hello Everyone,
Forgiveness is the gift everyone wants to receive but finds hard to give. It is not easy to forgive. But forgiveness is one of the most important elements of personal revival.
Definition of forgiveness: “to cease to feel resentment against; pardon; to give up claim to requital; to grant relief from payment.
Forgiveness is not something that we can do own our own, but we must understand that Christ can forgive through us.
In this life we cannot avoid being hurt or wronged by others. So in this life we cannot avoid the need to forgive others.
As forgiven people, we must be willing to forgive others.
Mark Twain said: “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it.”
In Matthew chapter 18 Peter ask a question this was a question about forgiving a brother. Read with me:
Mt 18:21 "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
He probably thought he was being very generous many Jewish rabbis taught that three (3) times was enough.Then with have Jesus’ initial response in Mt 18:22 "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
His answer is not to be taken literally 490 times. But, Jesus confronts Peter with the truth that the spirit of forgiveness really knows no boundaries. It is “Unlimited”.
To reinforce His point, Jesus tells a parable and that is what we will be looking at this week. Until then:
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Forgiveness is the gift everyone wants to receive but finds hard to give. It is not easy to forgive. But forgiveness is one of the most important elements of personal revival.
Definition of forgiveness: “to cease to feel resentment against; pardon; to give up claim to requital; to grant relief from payment.
Forgiveness is not something that we can do own our own, but we must understand that Christ can forgive through us.
In this life we cannot avoid being hurt or wronged by others. So in this life we cannot avoid the need to forgive others.
As forgiven people, we must be willing to forgive others.
Mark Twain said: “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heal that has crushed it.”
In Matthew chapter 18 Peter ask a question this was a question about forgiving a brother. Read with me:
Mt 18:21 "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
He probably thought he was being very generous many Jewish rabbis taught that three (3) times was enough.Then with have Jesus’ initial response in Mt 18:22 "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
His answer is not to be taken literally 490 times. But, Jesus confronts Peter with the truth that the spirit of forgiveness really knows no boundaries. It is “Unlimited”.
To reinforce His point, Jesus tells a parable and that is what we will be looking at this week. Until then:
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Physical Destruction
Hello Everyone,
The last sign of the End Time that we will be looking at this week is Physical Destruction.
Matthew 24:7b-8 There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Famines: The World Health Organization says today that 1/3rd of the world is well fed, 1/3rd is underfed, and 1/3rd is starving!
400 people die of starvation every minute!
The UN cannot keep up, charities cannot gain access to many affected areas, no matter how much they want it, and beauty pageant contestants never quite seem to end world hunger...it grows worse and worse by the day!
(KJV) Pestilences: This is an incurable disease. In the 1960s medical science was optimistic, saying that “we have solved forever the problem of infectious disease.”
But because of the misuse and overuse of antibiotics there are now a record number of strains resistant to them.
We hear of ‘bird flu’ and ‘mad cow’ disease and think it’s about animals but humans are dying in increasing numbers.
The SARS scare a while back showed how despite medical technology and advancement, man is in God’s hands, not the doctor’s hands, but it is the Great Physician we should be looking to!
Earthquakes: These stats will knock you off your feet! You might think that the increase is the result of better detection? But I would say NOT! Let’s just talk about killer earthquakes – 6.0 or greater
[most stats from US Geological Survey website.]
1890-1899 1 worldwide
1900-1910 3
1910-1920 2
1920-1930 2
1930-1940 5
1940-1950 4
1950-1960 9
1960-1970 13
Then in 1967 the Jews regained control of Jerusalem and watch this...
1970-1979 51 killer quakes.
1980-1989 86
1990-1999 152
2000-2005 960
2006 153
2007 188
2008 over 250
Now consider devastating earthquakes like the 2004 one that triggered the Asian Tsunami, killing more as a result of earthquake than any in human history:
These are quakes measuring more than 8.0 on the scale...
1990-2000 each year saw either 0 of these or 1
2001-2005 averaged exactly 1 per year
2006 had 2
2007 had 4
The point is that the birth pains are growing closer and closer together, and greater and greater in intensity!
The whole earth is crying out, “Jesus is coming!”
Spiritual deception, national disruption, physical destruction...
How should we respond to all of this?
One writer said: “Jesus didn’t give these prophecies to excite the curious, but to exhort the consecrated”.
When Jesus comes there won’t be time to get saved or to get right!
And He could return at any moment. “What will be the signs of your coming?”
The signs of the times are all around us.
The labor pains are a minute apart, the world is dilated to 10, but many Christians want a spiritual epidural!
We must wake up and MOVE while there is time!
The time is NOW, and Jesus is calling YOUR name!
Christians, He’s calling our names today to live differently while there is time.
If you are not saved, He’s calling your name while there is hope!
If you are cold and indifferent He is calling your name!
If you are not concerned for the lost He is calling your name!
Everything has been set into motion!
Jesus is coming back!! Are you ready!
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
The last sign of the End Time that we will be looking at this week is Physical Destruction.
Matthew 24:7b-8 There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Famines: The World Health Organization says today that 1/3rd of the world is well fed, 1/3rd is underfed, and 1/3rd is starving!
400 people die of starvation every minute!
The UN cannot keep up, charities cannot gain access to many affected areas, no matter how much they want it, and beauty pageant contestants never quite seem to end world hunger...it grows worse and worse by the day!
(KJV) Pestilences: This is an incurable disease. In the 1960s medical science was optimistic, saying that “we have solved forever the problem of infectious disease.”
But because of the misuse and overuse of antibiotics there are now a record number of strains resistant to them.
We hear of ‘bird flu’ and ‘mad cow’ disease and think it’s about animals but humans are dying in increasing numbers.
The SARS scare a while back showed how despite medical technology and advancement, man is in God’s hands, not the doctor’s hands, but it is the Great Physician we should be looking to!
Earthquakes: These stats will knock you off your feet! You might think that the increase is the result of better detection? But I would say NOT! Let’s just talk about killer earthquakes – 6.0 or greater
[most stats from US Geological Survey website.]
1890-1899 1 worldwide
1900-1910 3
1910-1920 2
1920-1930 2
1930-1940 5
1940-1950 4
1950-1960 9
1960-1970 13
Then in 1967 the Jews regained control of Jerusalem and watch this...
1970-1979 51 killer quakes.
1980-1989 86
1990-1999 152
2000-2005 960
2006 153
2007 188
2008 over 250
Now consider devastating earthquakes like the 2004 one that triggered the Asian Tsunami, killing more as a result of earthquake than any in human history:
These are quakes measuring more than 8.0 on the scale...
1990-2000 each year saw either 0 of these or 1
2001-2005 averaged exactly 1 per year
2006 had 2
2007 had 4
The point is that the birth pains are growing closer and closer together, and greater and greater in intensity!
The whole earth is crying out, “Jesus is coming!”
Spiritual deception, national disruption, physical destruction...
How should we respond to all of this?
One writer said: “Jesus didn’t give these prophecies to excite the curious, but to exhort the consecrated”.
When Jesus comes there won’t be time to get saved or to get right!
And He could return at any moment. “What will be the signs of your coming?”
The signs of the times are all around us.
The labor pains are a minute apart, the world is dilated to 10, but many Christians want a spiritual epidural!
We must wake up and MOVE while there is time!
The time is NOW, and Jesus is calling YOUR name!
Christians, He’s calling our names today to live differently while there is time.
If you are not saved, He’s calling your name while there is hope!
If you are cold and indifferent He is calling your name!
If you are not concerned for the lost He is calling your name!
Everything has been set into motion!
Jesus is coming back!! Are you ready!
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
National Disruptions
Hello Everyone,
We need to also understand that near the end there will be National Disruption.
Matthew 24:6-7a You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
War has always existed in this world. There will be no peace until the Prince of Peace returns and establishes it.
The International Red Cross estimates over 100 million have been killed in wars since the beginning of the 20th century.
But notice the phrase “rumors of wars”. What could this be? I believe it to be terrorism, which wears no uniform, has no flag, and strikes out at innocent civilians to bring terror and fear.
Imagine what it is like in many parts of the world when you cannot get on a bus or a subway without thinking about it possibly being blown up.
Imagine checking out everyone around you in an overcoat, wondering if they are about to blow themselves up along with all of you standing near them!
In my opinion that is “rumors of war”, where you cannot see it, but you know it’s out there...and don’t be surprised if it’s coming to a country you love or a city you now live in!
I can’t be dogmatic about this, but it is at the very least troubling to not be able to find America in end time prophecy, when we are currently the most dominant nation in the world.
America needs a major wake up call...something bigger than 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, or the Asian Tsunami.
Apocalyptic fever is all around us, and a growing sense that doomsday may not be far off.
Spiritual deception, national disruptions are two of the signs of the End Time.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
We need to also understand that near the end there will be National Disruption.
Matthew 24:6-7a You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
War has always existed in this world. There will be no peace until the Prince of Peace returns and establishes it.
The International Red Cross estimates over 100 million have been killed in wars since the beginning of the 20th century.
But notice the phrase “rumors of wars”. What could this be? I believe it to be terrorism, which wears no uniform, has no flag, and strikes out at innocent civilians to bring terror and fear.
Imagine what it is like in many parts of the world when you cannot get on a bus or a subway without thinking about it possibly being blown up.
Imagine checking out everyone around you in an overcoat, wondering if they are about to blow themselves up along with all of you standing near them!
In my opinion that is “rumors of war”, where you cannot see it, but you know it’s out there...and don’t be surprised if it’s coming to a country you love or a city you now live in!
I can’t be dogmatic about this, but it is at the very least troubling to not be able to find America in end time prophecy, when we are currently the most dominant nation in the world.
America needs a major wake up call...something bigger than 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, or the Asian Tsunami.
Apocalyptic fever is all around us, and a growing sense that doomsday may not be far off.
Spiritual deception, national disruptions are two of the signs of the End Time.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
End Time Signs
Hello Everyone,
We need to understand that in the END there will be:
Spiritual Deception:
(Matt. 24:4-5) A word of caution from the Lord that before the antichrist, the great deceiver, there will be others who will do the same.
There have been far too many in our lifetime who have claimed to be God, and many are gaining bigger and bigger followings.
Here are a couple of things that are bringing deception today...
· Heresy in the church:
1Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (NIV)
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (KJV)
George Barna does Christian research using Gallup Polling methods, and every year his research shows how those who call themselves Christians move further and further from Bible truth.
-46% now say the devil is not real, just symbolic of evil.
-All believe in heaven but nearly 2/3rd’s say there is no hell.
-Many deny the virgin birth, the inspiration of the Bible, and that Jesus could have lived completely sinless in this world.
Listen all that glitters is not God!
The Holy Spirit and angels are real, but they are not the only supernatural beings around us. The devil is real and his demons right along with him.
There is a huge deception going on all around us today.
The antichrist will come with signs, wonders, and miracles, and all he needs are people who are conditioned to see that and say, “It must be of God!” We’re there already today.
· Blurring of the truth.
We need to understand that Satan has always been a deceiver and he is still today. A little error with a lot of truth is still error!
Spiritual deception is everywhere...not only in the church.
It is open season on Christians today, from the media to politics, to the culture to Hollywood!
And the general population already has bought into the lies of Secular Humanism, situational ethics, evolution, and New Age Philosophy.
Our senses are dulled and deception is already at epidemic levels.
Spiritual deception is one of the signs of End Times...
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
We need to understand that in the END there will be:
Spiritual Deception:
(Matt. 24:4-5) A word of caution from the Lord that before the antichrist, the great deceiver, there will be others who will do the same.
There have been far too many in our lifetime who have claimed to be God, and many are gaining bigger and bigger followings.
Here are a couple of things that are bringing deception today...
· Heresy in the church:
1Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (NIV)
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (KJV)
George Barna does Christian research using Gallup Polling methods, and every year his research shows how those who call themselves Christians move further and further from Bible truth.
-46% now say the devil is not real, just symbolic of evil.
-All believe in heaven but nearly 2/3rd’s say there is no hell.
-Many deny the virgin birth, the inspiration of the Bible, and that Jesus could have lived completely sinless in this world.
Listen all that glitters is not God!
The Holy Spirit and angels are real, but they are not the only supernatural beings around us. The devil is real and his demons right along with him.
There is a huge deception going on all around us today.
The antichrist will come with signs, wonders, and miracles, and all he needs are people who are conditioned to see that and say, “It must be of God!” We’re there already today.
· Blurring of the truth.
We need to understand that Satan has always been a deceiver and he is still today. A little error with a lot of truth is still error!
Spiritual deception is everywhere...not only in the church.
It is open season on Christians today, from the media to politics, to the culture to Hollywood!
And the general population already has bought into the lies of Secular Humanism, situational ethics, evolution, and New Age Philosophy.
Our senses are dulled and deception is already at epidemic levels.
Spiritual deception is one of the signs of End Times...
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Monday, March 16, 2009
Hello Everyone,
To bring a child into the world requires a delivery to take place, beginning with birth or labor pains. I’m no expert at labor, but I’ve seen it happen a few times! And Jesus says in our text that it is the same when it comes to the end times. Read with me:
Matthew 24:1-8
1Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2"Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, 'and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
v. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. (NIV)
The (KJV) “sorrows”
The (Amplified) All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish].
Birth pains/labor pains start low and they increase in intensity as they progress. They also start slow and increase in frequency.
So it is with the signs of the times, which are many!
Jesus has finally gotten it across to the disciples that He’s not in Jerusalem this time to set up His Kingdom, and that He will be going away and returning for the end of the world.
v. 1 The Temple in Jerusalem was an amazing design of buildings, made mostly of white polished marble.
It was still under construction at this time, it was not completed until A.D. 64. Some of the stones that made up the temple were up to 40’ x 20’ x 12’.
v. 2 Jesus walked out of the temple for the last time, never to return to it again. His prophecy about its destruction was beyond belief to His disciples, but it came to pass in A.D. 70 when the Roman General Titus surrounded Jerusalem and laid siege to it.
He cut it off from the rest of the world and eventually breached the wall and gained access to the city. They demolished the city completely, with not one stone left on another.
Mark tells us that Peter, James, John, and Andrew went to Jesus off to the side to ask Him these 3 questions found in v. 3...
This week we want to see the big picture of how the “shadows” of events to come are already cast across our day today, leading us to be warned that there is wrath soon to come to this world!
We need to understand that in the END there will be specific events that will take place. We will be looking at these events this week.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
To bring a child into the world requires a delivery to take place, beginning with birth or labor pains. I’m no expert at labor, but I’ve seen it happen a few times! And Jesus says in our text that it is the same when it comes to the end times. Read with me:
Matthew 24:1-8
1Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2"Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
4Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, 'and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
v. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. (NIV)
The (KJV) “sorrows”
The (Amplified) All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish].
Birth pains/labor pains start low and they increase in intensity as they progress. They also start slow and increase in frequency.
So it is with the signs of the times, which are many!
Jesus has finally gotten it across to the disciples that He’s not in Jerusalem this time to set up His Kingdom, and that He will be going away and returning for the end of the world.
v. 1 The Temple in Jerusalem was an amazing design of buildings, made mostly of white polished marble.
It was still under construction at this time, it was not completed until A.D. 64. Some of the stones that made up the temple were up to 40’ x 20’ x 12’.
v. 2 Jesus walked out of the temple for the last time, never to return to it again. His prophecy about its destruction was beyond belief to His disciples, but it came to pass in A.D. 70 when the Roman General Titus surrounded Jerusalem and laid siege to it.
He cut it off from the rest of the world and eventually breached the wall and gained access to the city. They demolished the city completely, with not one stone left on another.
Mark tells us that Peter, James, John, and Andrew went to Jesus off to the side to ask Him these 3 questions found in v. 3...
This week we want to see the big picture of how the “shadows” of events to come are already cast across our day today, leading us to be warned that there is wrath soon to come to this world!
We need to understand that in the END there will be specific events that will take place. We will be looking at these events this week.
All for Jesus
Pastor Phil
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
What's your Motivation for Obedience?
Hello Everyone,
Jesus says if we love Him we will obey Him. This week we are going to take a look at “What’s Your Motivation For Obedience?” Because Obedience is “The Acid Test of Love”.
Read with me:
John 14:15, 21-24 15“If you love me, you will obey what I command . . . 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” 22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” 23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (NIV)
Jesus links obedience to His commands as a sign or proof of the genuine love of His followers. We find Jesus saying this four times within the space of ten verses (verses 15, 21, 23 and 24); do you think Jesus was trying to make a point?
Jesus said, “if you love me, then you will obey my commandments.” In other words, love produces obedience.
It is possible to obey Jesus’ words and not love Him, but it is impossible to love Him and not obey Him.
Let me ask you a question: Why Do You Obey Jesus?· Do you obey Jesus because you are looking forward to the reward of heaven?·
Do you obey Jesus because you are afraid of being punished? ·
Do you obey Christ’s commands because you have no other choice; is it a self-imposed self-righteousness like the Pharisees?·
Do you obey Jesus simply because you LOVE Him?
This week let’s look at these four different motives of obedience and see if we can figure out what they might look like in real life.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Jesus says if we love Him we will obey Him. This week we are going to take a look at “What’s Your Motivation For Obedience?” Because Obedience is “The Acid Test of Love”.
Read with me:
John 14:15, 21-24 15“If you love me, you will obey what I command . . . 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” 22Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” 23Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (NIV)
Jesus links obedience to His commands as a sign or proof of the genuine love of His followers. We find Jesus saying this four times within the space of ten verses (verses 15, 21, 23 and 24); do you think Jesus was trying to make a point?
Jesus said, “if you love me, then you will obey my commandments.” In other words, love produces obedience.
It is possible to obey Jesus’ words and not love Him, but it is impossible to love Him and not obey Him.
Let me ask you a question: Why Do You Obey Jesus?· Do you obey Jesus because you are looking forward to the reward of heaven?·
Do you obey Jesus because you are afraid of being punished? ·
Do you obey Christ’s commands because you have no other choice; is it a self-imposed self-righteousness like the Pharisees?·
Do you obey Jesus simply because you LOVE Him?
This week let’s look at these four different motives of obedience and see if we can figure out what they might look like in real life.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
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