Amwell Church of the Brethren

🙏 Standing in the Need of Prayer | Luke 18:1

How is your prayer life? Statistics show that while many Americans pray occasionally, few maintain a daily, vibrant connection with the Lord. This message, "Standing in the Need of Prayer," moves past the religious ritual to explore prayer as your vital stronghold and connection to the peace of Jesus. Whether you are feeling disconnected, disrupted by life's circumstances, or simply disappointed by unanswered requests, discover how to build your "faith muscle" and develop an unwavering intimacy with God. Learn why we must pray about everything—for ourselves and for others—trusting that God is always bigger than our current situation.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 & 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:  • The "Faith Muscle": Prayer is an experiential process where we apply faith, even as small as a mustard seed, and actively listen for God's response.  • Intimacy Over Distance: If God feels distant, it is often because our prayer connection has faded; drawing near to Him through prayer is the remedy.  • The Connection Check: Identifying common "prayer blockers," such as unconfessed sin or improper motives, that can act as a wall between us and the Lord.  • Praying Without Ceasing: Transforming a daily commute or a difficult "forced march" into a time of commune with God.  • Lessons from George Mueller: A powerful historical example of radical faith and God’s miraculous provision for those who trust Him.  • Intercessory Power: The importance of going outside ourselves to pray for the needs of our brothers, sisters, and even our enemies.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵?
You feel like your prayer life has become mechanical or you are "getting a D" in your communication with God.You are facing a "thorny problem" and need to know how to use the Bible and the Holy Spirit as your guidance rail.You are struggling to distinguish between your own emotional desires and God's sovereign will.You need the encouragement that no matter the heartbreak, God is standing by to pick you up and dust you off.
🔔 Luke 18:1: The Command to PrayAnd he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint
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👑 The Names of Jesus | Philippians 2:5–11

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:In a world of "shifting patterns" and constant change, where rules and absolute truths seem to be disappearing, where do we find a solid foundation?  This sermon explores the profound power found in the names of Jesus. From being the Rock that provides security in insecure times to the Good Shepherd who humbles Himself to guide and protect us, each name reveals a different facet of His character and His commitment to us. Discover why Jesus is not just a historical figure or a prophet, but the cornerstone of life who promises never to leave or forsake you, especially in your darkest valleys. 
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 & 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:  • The Meaning of "Christ": Understanding that Christ is not a last name, but a title meaning "The Anointed One" or "Messiah."   • The Rock of Salvation: Why Jesus is the only unchanging foundation in a world that will be unrecognizable in 20 years.    • The Rose of Sharon & Lily of the Valley: Exploring Jesus as the "flower of earth"—available to all, free of charge, and present in the lowest points (valleys) of our lives.    • The Lamb of God: Tracing the history of sacrifice from Genesis to the cross, where God provided Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.    • The Good Shepherd: How the Creator of the universe humbled Himself to the lowest social status to protect, provide for, and lead His sheep.     • The King of Kings: Recognizing Jesus as the eternal Monarch who will one day intervene in history to rule and reign forever.    • Lord and Savior: The most vital name to call upon for personal forgiveness, transformation, and a personal relationship with the King of the universe. 
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵?  • You feel "tethered to nothing" in a world without rules and are seeking a solid foundation.   • You are going through a "valley" experience and need to know that God meets you in the gutter, not just on the mountaintop.    • You want to understand the prophetic link between Old Testament sacrifices and Jesus as the Lamb of God.   • You need the assurance that no matter how far you've fallen, God's forgiveness is available to you right now. 
🔔 Philippians 2:9–10: The Name Above All NamesWherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth
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In Their Own Words: Understanding Islam | A Comparison with Christ

In a world of increasing religious diversity, it is vital to understand what different faiths truly believe. This message, "In Their Own Words," provides a biographical and theological overview of Muhammad and the foundations of Islam, including the Quran and the Hadith. Rather than offering a critique, this study simply presents the words and actions of Muhammad and compares them directly with the teachings and life of Jesus Christ. Weigh the facts of these two distinct worldviews—one built on submission to law and the other on the grace found through the personal relationship with a Savior.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 & 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:
  • Biography of Muhammad: Key life events from his birth in Mecca (570 A.D.) to the beginning of his visions at age 40, which formed the Quran.   • The Origin of the Quran: Understanding the Muslim belief that the angel Gabriel delivered these messages to Muhammad.   • Submission vs. Salvation: The meaning of "Muslim" (those who submit) and the contrast between salvation through rule-keeping versus the shed blood of Jesus.   • The Sunni and Shia Divide: The historical roots of the centuries-long conflict within Islam regarding the succession of leadership (the Caliph).   • Meccan vs. Medina Verses: How the tone of Muhammad’s teachings shifted from respectful to ruthless after he and his followers were rejected by Jews and Christians.   • Teachings on War and Lying: An exploration of the concept of Jihad (struggle/warfare) and the specific conditions under which lying is permitted in Islam.   • Direct Comparison: Side-by-side teachings of Jesus (loving enemies, turning the other cheek) and Muhammad (fighting unbelievers, harsh treatment of infidels).   • God as Father: The distinct Christian beauty of calling God "Father," a concept considered blasphemy in Islamic teaching.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵?  • You want a fact-based understanding of Islamic history and doctrine without a "mean-spirited" approach.   • You are curious about the drastic differences between the biographies and mindsets of Jesus and Muhammad.   • You need to be equipped with the "Word of Truth" to sift through fables and false gospels.   • You want to be a faithful and effective witness to your Muslim neighbors by knowing what they believe.
 Galatians 1:8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
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🙏 Faith: The Substance and Struggle | Hebrews 11:1

What do you do when your faith feels "thin," or your answers run out? This encouraging message explores the biblical definition of faith not as a lack of questions, but as a deliberate trust in the God who holds all the answers. Drawing from Hebrews 11, we discuss how faith is built, tested, and matured through God's design. Whether you feel your faith is rock-solid or you are currently in the middle of a difficult test, discover why struggling with your faith is not a sin, but a natural part of growing closer to the Lord.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 & 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:
  • The Definition of Faith: Understanding faith as the "substance of things hoped for" and the "evidence of things not seen".
  • Universal Faith: Why everyone—including atheists and evolutionists—is a person of faith, differing only in the foundation of that faith.
  • Faith vs. Sight: How our current "dark" view through a glass will one day graduate into a face-to-face reality in heaven.
  • The Mustard Seed Principle: Why God doesn't require "perfect" or massive faith, but only a tiny seed that He can transform.
  • The Role of the Word: Why faith cannot grow in isolation but requires consistent, personal time in God's Word.
  • Jesus as the Architect: How Christ acts as both the author and the finisher, partnering with you to mature your faith.
  • Prioritizing the Kingdom: Why reconfiguring your life to put God at the top makes all other areas of life sweeter.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵?
  • You are currently in a season of testing and need to hear that your struggle is according to God's plan.
  • You have unanswered questions and want to know why God encourages us to "reason together" with Him.
  • You feel spiritually stagnant and are looking for practical steps to move to the "next level" in your walk.
  • You need to be reminded that even the apostles struggled and had to ask the Lord to "increase our faith".
🔔 Hebrews 11:1:Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
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🔥 Hell: A Biblical Deep Dive | Origin, Location, and Remedy

Is hell a real place or just a spiritual concept? This sobering yet vital message explores the biblical reality of hell—a topic Jesus Himself preached on frequently. Using historical memoirs like those of WWII commander Charles B. MacDonald and theological insights from Clarence Larkin, we examine the origin, geography, and experience of hell. More importantly, this sermon highlights the "Remedy"—the Good News of how to avoid this eternal destination through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Discover why God never intended for humanity to spend eternity in hell and how you can be certain of your future in heaven.
What You'll Learn & Key Takeaways:
  • The Origin of Hell: Why hell was specifically "prepared" for the devil and his angels, not for human beings.  • A Geographic Reality: Biblical evidence placing hell in the "heart of the earth," predating scientific understanding of the earth's fiery core.  • The "Underworld" Structure: A breakdown of the different areas mentioned in Scripture, including Paradise, Tartarus, the Bottomless Pit, and the final Lake of Fire.  • The Experience of Hell: Moving beyond metaphors to the biblical descriptions of unquenchable fire, torment, and the "second death".  • The Doorway to Hell: Understanding that God does not send people to hell; rather, individuals send themselves by rejecting Jesus Christ with their final breath.  • The Four-Step Remedy: How to avoid hell through agreement with God about sin, confession, repentance, and receiving Jesus as Savior.  • The Vanity Fair Trap: A reflection on John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and how the world’s distractions lead many to prefer "the glitter of vanity" over the road to the Celestial City.
Why Watch?  • You want a clear, scriptural understanding of what the Bible actually says about the afterlife.  • You have been taught that hell is an allegory and want to see the historical and biblical pushback to that idea.  • You are seeking assurance of salvation and want to know how to be "100% guaranteed" a place in heaven.  • You need a reminder of why the gospel is so urgent and why Christians must be motivated to share the truth with others.
Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels
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Love is a Choice | A Study in 1 John 4:7–12

Is love just a "frilly" emotion, or is it something much deeper? This sermon explores the biblical truth that love is a choice —a deliberate decision to act in the best interest of others, regardless of how we feel. Drawing from 1 John 4, we examine how God's unconditional love serves as the ultimate template for our own relationships. Discover why your love for those in your proximity is your greatest testimony and how choosing love can transform a cold, lonely world into a place of beauty and purpose.
What You'll Learn & Key Takeaways:  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹: How God handcrafted humanity with the freedom to choose between love and hate, good and evil.  • 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆: Why the way you love God and others is the primary sign that you truly know Him.  • 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿: Understanding that God loved you first and best, sending His Son as the "propitiation" for our sins.  • 𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲: The reality that Jesus loves you even in your darkest messes and is ready to lift you out of the "muck and mire".  • 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗹: How God’s love acts as a lubricant for friction and a light for dark paths.  • 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝘀. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝗱: Why God must be a personal, living Being involved in your daily crisis, rather than just a philosophical idea.  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗱: Recognizing the Cross as the bridge that spans the distance created by our poor choices.
Why Watch?  • You want to move beyond "frilly" emotional love to a dynamic love in action.  • You are feeling hopeless and need to hear about the hope that exists beyond your current situation.  • You have struggled with the idea that you have "done it to yourself" and need to know that God won't throw you away.  • You need a reminder that you are precious in God's eyes and that He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
🔔 1 John 4:8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love
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The Spirit of the Age | Understanding Your Worldview | 1 Corinthians 1:17–25

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲? 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐙𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐠𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭"—𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬: 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝. 𝐀𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 & 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:• 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐙𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐠𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞" 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝.
• 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 "𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭" 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐝.
• 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐯𝐬. 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬" 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝.
• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦: 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬"—𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬—𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬.
• 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲: 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐲, 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩.
• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞.
• 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡?  • 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡.
  • 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 "𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫" 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.
  • 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 "𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞-𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧" 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐫 "𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐬" 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡.
  • 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭.
🔔 𝟏 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏:𝟐𝟓: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐧; 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐧.👉 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.

Six Things God Wants You to Remember | 1 John 5

In a world filled with confusion and shifting truths, the Apostle John wrote a letter to the early church that remains strikingly relevant today. His purpose was to warn believers against false teachers who were trying to distort the gospel and cause confusion over the divinity of Christ. Drawing from 1 John 5, this message explores six foundational truths that God wants every believer to hold onto firmly. Whether you are facing intellectual arguments or spiritual doubts, these "know-so" certainties provide a solid foundation for a personal, unshakable relationship with Jesus Christ.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 & 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:
  • The Only Way to Salvation: Understanding that Jesus is not just one of many paths, but the exclusive way to the Father.
  • The Proof of Salvation: How our love for God and others serves as the primary evidence of a transformed life.
  • The Witness of the Trinity: Why the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit are the three heavenly witnesses that confirm Christ’s deity.  • The Security of the Believer: The comforting reality that you cannot lose your salvation because you are held in the Father's hand.
  • Confidence in Eternal Life: Moving from a "hope-so" faith to a "know-so" conviction that God has begun a good work in you and will complete it.
  • A Knowable God: Why God is not a distant, unreachable force, but an infinite Creator who deeply desires for you to know Him personally
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵?
  • You are feeling overwhelmed by the moral confusion of today's culture and need absolute truth to stand on.
  • You have struggled with the unpardonable sin and need to know the biblical definition of God's forgiveness.
  • You want to understand the plurality of God (the Trinity) as revealed from Genesis to the Epistles.
  • You need encouragement that a personal relationship with Jesus is more powerful than any intellectual argument.
🔔 1 John 5:12: He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
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⏱ 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗦:0:00 – Children’s letters to God 1:02 – Purpose: Warning against false teachers 1:51 – Modern confusion over Christ’s divinity 2:37 – Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:1–21 5:34 – Defining the unpardonable sin 6:55 – 1: Jesus is the only way to salvation 8:34 – Inclusive scope vs. exclusive source 10:09 – 2: Proving salvation through love 11:50 – 3: The Trinity bears witness 13:03 – Hebrew titles and plurality in Genesis 14:04 – Knowing the Father, Son, and Spirit 15:21 – 4: Assurance that you cannot lose salvation 16:53 – The remedy for sin: Confession 18:35 – 5: Knowing you are saved 19:50 – 6: Knowing God personally 21:55 – Helen Keller: Knowing God’s name 23:18 – Morality and the existence of God 24:58 – Story: The Marxist and the Christian 26:33 – Final Prayer

What Child Is This? | Why the Virgin Birth is Essential | Matthew 1:18–25

The title of this message is borrowed from the classic Christmas carol, but the question it asks is the most important one you will ever answer: Who is Jesus? This sermon explores the unique birth and genealogy of Christ, challenging us to recognize that the Virgin Birth is an absolute necessity for faith—it is not optional. Join us as we explore the biblical evidence, the historical genealogies of both Mary and Joseph, and why believing in the miracle of His birth is fundamentally linked to the hope of salvation and heaven.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 & 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:
  • The Necessity of the Virgin Birth: Why understanding Jesus requires accepting that He was born of a virgin, a fact that defines history for the believer.  • A Legacy of Miraculous Births: How Jesus’s birth compares to other extraordinary biblical accounts like Isaac, Samson, and John the Baptist.  • Creation Power in the Womb: The same God who ordered the universe into existence used the power of His Spirit to breathe life into Mary’s womb.  • Joseph’s Journey to Faith: The human struggle of Joseph, who initially sought to end the engagement privately until an angel confirmed the supernatural pregnancy.  • Dual Genealogies: Why Matthew records the lineage through Joseph (the legal line) while Luke records it through Mary (the biological line) , both confirming Him as the Son of God.  • The Fully Human Savior: How Jesus experienced every human condition—temptation, persecution, and distress—so He can truly help us when we cry out to Him.  • The "Jesus of Faith": Moving beyond intellectual facts to a personal conviction that Jesus is God's miracle gift to humanity
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵?  • You want to understand why the Virgin Birth is a "concrete foundation" for Christian theology.  • You are looking for encouragement that God can do the "impossible" in your own life.  • You want to see how Old Testament prophecies from 750 years prior were perfectly fulfilled.  • You need a reminder that Jesus is your "stronghold" who has experienced everything you are going through.
🔔 Matthew 1:23: The Prophecy FulfilledBehold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
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⏱ 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗦:0:00 – Introduction: Borrowing a Question from a Carol 0:37 – The Virgin Birth: A Non-Negotiable of the Faith 1:06 – Comparison: Extraordinary Births Throughout the Bible 1:53 – Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18–25 3:25 – Breaking Down the Facts: Mary’s Supernatural Pregnancy 4:24 – Joseph’s Response: Skepticism and the Choice of Privacy 4:51 – Larry King’s Question: Does the Virgin Birth Define History? 5:48 – Modern Skepticism: Addressing Doubts in Scholars and Professors 6:48 – The Importance of Genealogies: Tracing Joseph and Mary’s Lines 7:32 – Consistent Ancestry: From Abraham to Adam 8:32 – The Fully Human Christ: Jesus Understands Your Pain 9:22 – The Royal Line: The Promised King of Peace 10:36 – The Jesus of History vs. The Jesus of Faith 11:37 – The Leap of Faith: Believing Beyond Intellectual Pursuit 12:53 – The Thomas Jefferson Bible: Why We Can’t Edit Miracles 13:44 – The Chain of Doctrine: Linking the Birth to the Resurrection 14:48 – Augustine on Faith: Believing What We Do Not See 15:14 – Final Invitation: Knowing the True Christ of Christmas

🤱 Mary, Did You Know? | A Portrait of Faith and Motherhood

In the grand cast of characters in the Christmas story—from the lowly shepherds to the intellectual wise men—one figure often stands at the center of both the miracle and the mystery: Mary, the mother of Jesus. This message explores the life of a humble teenager from Nazareth who found favor with God and faced a journey of unspeakable joy and deep heartbreak. Discover the inner strength Mary developed through her daily walk with God, a strength that allowed her to stand firm from the cradle in Bethlehem to the cross at Calvary. Learn why her story is a testament to the fact that with God, nothing is impossible.
 
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 & 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀:
  • The Sacred Role of Motherhood: How mothers, following the example of Mary, serve as a child's first "schoolroom" and greatest teacher.
  • A Royal but Humble Lineage: Why it was significant that Mary and Joseph were descendants of King David, yet lived as a normal, working-class family, to identify with everyone.
  • Elevating Women: How God’s greeting to Mary through the angel Gabriel was meant to express value and dignity in a culture where women were often undervalued.
  • Facing Impossible Consequences: The very real fears Mary faced—including abandonment, poverty, and religious judgment—and the promise that gave her courage.
  • Developing Christian Character: Why Mary’s strength was not built on a "Sunday-only" faith, but on a daily, intimate connection with the Lord.
  • The Strength of Family: The importance of a stable, godly partnership, as seen in how Joseph stood by Mary to face life's challenges together.
  • Invaluable Life Lessons: Six key truths gleaned from Mary’s life, including your worth in God's eyes and the sacredness of life in the womb.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵?
  • You want to move beyond the surface-level holiday story to understand the depth of Mary’s faith.
  • You are facing a situation that feels impossible and need a reminder that God can help you get through it.
  • You want to learn how to develop a stronger Christian character that can withstand life’s "mock trials" and heartbreaks.
  • You need encouragement to trust in God’s goodness, even when life's circumstances are not fair.
🔔 Luke 1:37: The Life-Changing Promise
"For with God nothing shall be impossible."
 
👉 Subscribe for weekly messages that explore the lives of biblical characters and strengthen your daily walk with Christ.⏱ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Introduction: The Cast of Characters in the Christmas Account
1:10 – From Shepherds to Scholars: Socioeconomic Diversity at the Manger
2:04 – Focusing on Mary: The Role of Mothers Throughout History
3:48 – The Angel Gabriel's Visit to Nazareth
5:06 – Mary’s Question: How Can This Be?
5:55 – Royalty in Poverty: The Family Tree of Mary and Joseph
7:42 – God’s Favor: Elevating the Value and Dignity of Women
8:38 – The Life-Changing Message: You Will Name Him Jesus
10:19 – The Promise: With God, Nothing Shall Be Impossible
11:42 – Challenges Ahead: Facing Consequences and the Fear of Abandonment
14:32 – Courage Born of Conviction: Mary’s Daily Walk with God
15:53 – Developing Christian Character: The School of Continuing Studies
16:53 – A Faithful Partner: Joseph’s Role in God’s Plan
17:41 – The Blessing of a Stable, Healthy Family
18:44 – Joys and Heartbreaks: From Bethlehem to Fleeing to Egypt
19:45 – Disappointment and Rejection: When Family and Hometown Turn Away
20:17 – Heartbreak at the Cross: Watching the Crucifixion
21:10 – Inner Strength: Pondering the Truths of the First Christmas
22:10 – Lesson 1: Your Great Value and Worth in God’s Eyes
23:29 – Lesson 2: The Sacredness of Life in the Womb
23:52 – Lesson 3: Believing that Miracles Still Happen
24:17 – Lesson 4: The Safety of Being in God’s Will
24:48 – Lesson 5: God Honors and Blesses the Family
25:45 – Lesson 6: Circumstances May Not Be Fair, but God is Good