Episodes
Sunday Dec 20, 2020
Sunday Dec 20, 2020
In this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Focus Is More on the First Coming of Jesus: “and shall call his name Immanuel {God with Us}
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 4: The King of Assyria – A Sign from the Lord
Introduction to Series: Why is important now, in this season of Advent, to look to Isaiah from so long ago? It is intellectually encouraging to see how God acted, within a strategy, to connect the human race, over time, through the coming of Jesus the Messiah.
Today’s Message: In this fourth Advent sermon referencing the prophecies from Isaiah, the focus is more on the first coming of Jesus. In Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah prophesied: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel {God with us}.”. All these Old Testament prophecies, regarding the coming of the Messiah, provide a compelling context for the Advent of Jesus and His birth. Who among us chose what family we were born into? Who among us chose the city of our birth? Who among us chose the time period in which we would be born?
As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember “why Christmas” and whose birth we are celebrating. Let us praise God because of the one God has given us whose name is above all names – Immanuel, God with us.
Also, remember, Advent is the period in which we wait, anticipate, and prepare for Jesus’ return.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isaiah 7:2-14; Matthew 1:21-24; Genesis 3:15; Micah 5:2-8.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “We All Need “Hope” in Today’s World of Fear, Doubt in Our Faith, and Feelings of “Hopelessness”; and God Is this “Hope””: www.AWFTL.org/watch
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 13, 2020
Sunday Dec 13, 2020
In this Third Sunday of Advent, It Is Revealing, in Isaiah’s Prophecy, to See God’s Strategy and Actions for Connecting Humanity Through the Coming of Jesus the Messiah
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 3: The Glory of God; the Way of Holiness
Why is important now, in this season of Advent, to look to Isaiah from so long ago? Isaiah is promising that, in the coming of the Messiah, the World would see, through Jesus, the “Glory of the Lord” and the “Way to Holiness”. In Isiah 35:1f, Isaiah tells us, in this prophecy, that: “They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.”. The phrase “glory of the Lord” speaks to God’s physical presence, In his essence. Isaiah is promising that, in the future, we would see the glory of the Lord.
When we become followers of Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Paul writes: “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away . . .’. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this transformation comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”. As followers of Jesus, we reflect the glory of the Lord; and we are to reflect God’s essence in a world that needs Him so desperately.
In Isiah 35:8, Isaiah speaks to “. . . a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness.”. There is a way set for the followers of Jesus that is made Holy; only the saved are on this Highway (Isiah 35:9). As followers of Jesus, we are referred to by Paul as saints -- because we are traveling, in our lives, on this Highway, the Way of Holiness.
God desires for us to walk this Way of Holiness and to reflect His Glory and essence to others and the world.
Remember, Advent is the period in which we wait, anticipate, and prepare for Jesus’ return.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; Isiah 35:1-9; Exodus 33:12-23; Exodus 40:34-37; Luke 2:9-10; John 1:14.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “We All Need “Hope” in Today’s World of Fear, Doubt in Our Faith, and Feelings of “Hopelessness”; and God Is this “Hope””: www.AWFTL.org/watch
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 06, 2020
Sunday Dec 06, 2020
This Second Sunday of Advent, We See God’s Disappointment with His People of Israel Not Taking His Word to the Nations; Therefore, God Sent Jesus “from the lineage of David”
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 2: The Stump of Jesse and the Root of the Lord
Today’s Message: The central theme, that begins today’s teaching, is God’s call of Isaiah, in Isaiah 6, in a context in which God is very disappointed in the people of Israel. The teachings today will focus on the prophecies of Isaiah that point to the coming of Jesus.
In Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah prophesied that “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.”. The “stump of Jesse” refers to Jesse’s son, King David. Therefore, Isaiah’s prophecy indicates that the Savior will come from the lineage of David. However, by the time of Isaiah, most of David’s assembly of the tribes of Israel had been cut down – hence, a “stump”, a remnant; but the prophecy says that “a shoot from the stump of Jesse” will “come forth”. Jesus is the “shoot”.
In Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah prophesied: “And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”. When David was first anointed, by Samuel, to be King, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David; therefore, Isaiah is prophesying that the Messiah will be enveloped with God’s Spirit in His life on earth and in His ministry. In Luke, Jesus, as the Messiah, claims this “Spirit of the Lord”; but, as His followers, the “Spirit of the Lord” has been passed to us on the Day of Pentecost.
Remember, Advent is the period in which we wait, anticipate, and prepare for Jesus’ return.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12f).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isaiah 6:1-13; Isaiah 11:1-2; Isaiah 4:2-5; Isaiah 11:10-12; Matthew 3:1-12; Isaiah 61:1-10; Luke 4:16-30.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “We All Need “Hope” in Today’s World of Fear, Doubt in Our Faith, and Feelings of “Hopelessness”; and God Is this “Hope””: www.AWFTL.org/watch
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 22, 2019
Advent, Part 4: Prelude to Jesus’ Birth
Sunday Dec 22, 2019
Sunday Dec 22, 2019
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
From the Gospel of Matthew (1:18-25): “Advent, Part 4: Prelude to Jesus’ Birth”
In Matthew 1:1-17, the Apostle Matthew presents Jesus’ genealogy from the lineage of Joseph even though Joseph was not Jesus’ natural father. Whereas, Luke’s Gospel presents Jesus’ genealogy from Mary’s lineage. As was prophesied by Isaiah more than five hundred years before the birth of Jesus, both Joseph and Mary were of the lineage of King David.
This fourth Sunday in Advent points us to the first coming of Jesus and His birth as a human child. Jesus birth was His Incarnation as both God and human. The coming of Jesus was a real event in the history of mankind. Often, things and events. in our lives, take unanticipated courses; and God intervenes in our lives just as God intervened in Joseph’s life, through the Angel, when Joseph found out about Mary’s Devine pregnancy: “Do not be afraid because this {pregnancy} is of the Holy Spirit.”
The message, in Matthew 1:21-23, from God’s intervening Angel, in Joseph’s dream, was simple; however, it changed the world for eternity: “’She {Mary}will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet {Isaiah 7:14}: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).".
In Matthew 1:24-25, Joseph responds without question and with faith and obedience to God’s intervention: “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.".
Therefore, God intervened in both the lives of Joseph and Mary, to fulfill His promise of more than five hundred years previously -- to enter the world as the vulnerable baby. Jesus, who was the Incarnate God and man, would save the world from its sins. We know that we can be saved from our sins and the effect of our sins. Through God’s Grace, we are saved by coming to God in repentance of our sins and in true faith that Jesus is God and by walking with Jesus, in our lives, as our Savior. Also, God has given us the Holy Spirit to facilitate our walk and to provide a personal relationship with Him.
In this time of Advent, why do we have such a difficult time of sharing this good news that was given to Joseph and to us in God’s intervention: “and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)”? We can break out of this reluctance, to share the good news of Jesus, by bringing someone to church during Christmas and by living our lives to reflect God’s Grace when: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (John 3:16-17).
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12f).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 1:18-25; Isaiah 7:11-25; Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17; Psalms 70a:1-12.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Today, the World Needs to be Renewed With an Outpouring of the Holy Spirit - a Global Spiritual Awakening”: www.AWFTL.org/watch.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
Advent, Part 3: A Time of Expectation and Preparation
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
Sunday Dec 15, 2019
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
From the Gospel of Luke (21:25-36): “Advent, Part 3: A Time of Expectation and Preparation”
Introduction -- Generosity: An appropriate prayer for you in this season of Advent would include: “Lord, give me a spirit of generosity in this season of Advent and Christmas just as Jesus instructed us in Luke 6:38: ‘{You}give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.’. Lord, help me to live into this model of generosity that you have given us.”.
Today’s Message -- A Time of Expectation and Preparation: Advent reminds us that Jesus is coming back! The season of Advent focuses on our preparation for Jesus coming -- Jesus second coming. Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, alerts us to Jesus’ second coming and our need to prepare our hearts: “Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.".
Jesus, in Luke 21:25-26, describes His second coming into a world situation very much like our world of today: “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.". Jesus’ second coming is defined by: 1) violence all over the world; 2) climatic and weather uncertainty; 3) disruptions of food supplies; 4) periods of significant economic uncertainty; and 5) end-of-times rumors and speculations.
Given Jesus’ second coming, we are told of some signs of Jesus’ second coming. However, the Bible’s focus is on having us to always be ready for Jesus’ return. Jesus, in Luke 21:34-36, gives us instructions for being prepared for His return: “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”. To this end, watch your hearts, pay attention and pray in your preparation and always be ready. Also, keep on working and doing those things God has asked you to do. God confirms that we are to prepare for Jesus’ second coming while continuing to work to fulfill his will for us in our lives. Prior to Jesus’ second coming, God will walk with us and support us – don’t stop and give up in the face of an uncertain world and issues in our lives.
Advent is here!
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12f).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 6:38; John 16:33; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; Luke 21:25-36; Matthew 25:1-30; John16:33; Psalms 70a:1-12.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Today, the World Needs to be Renewed With an Outpouring of the Holy Spirit - a Global Spiritual Awakening”: www.AWFTL.org/watch.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 08, 2019
Sunday Dec 08, 2019
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
From the Gospel of Matthew (3:1-17): “Advent, Part 2: Remembering and Preparing for the First Coming of Jesus the Christ”
Advent, Part 2: Remembering and preparing for the first coming of Jesus the Christ through understanding "in those days from the Holey Spirit’s notice of the impending birth of John the Baptist to the miraculous birth of Jesus the Christ."
Continuing the study of what Advent is all about. "In those days" – Mathew (Mathew 3:1) is transitioning between the miraculous birth of Jesus the Christ; His escape from King Herod; His return to Nazareth; and the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. John the Baptist preached: "make ready people prepared for the Lord" and "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near". Repentance is the changing of one's mind to reflect God's Grace in the first coming of Jesus. Everything is transformed when we repent -- we view and understand things with a new mind: "Make ready a people prepared for the Lord"; "Give people the knowledge of Salvation through the forgiveness of sins"; and "And bear good fruit in the spirit of repentance."
The primary message of Advent is to keep serving and watching. We must keep doing what the Lord has given us to do while we are serving Him, watching, and keeping ready.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12f).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 3:1-17; Psalms 70a:1-12.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Today, the World Needs to be Renewed With an Outpouring of the Holy Spirit - a Global Spiritual Awakening”: www.AWFTL.org/watch.
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB