Sermons by Archbishop Foley Beach

Without Jesus In Our Lives and the Life of Our Country There Is No Person or Institution to “Face Our Difficult Circumstances” With Us

Without Jesus In Our Lives and the Life of Our Country There Is No Person or Institution to “Face Our Difficult Circumstances” With Us

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

Introduction From: “God Wants Us to Live In His “Hope” and His Word, through Bible Scripture, which Gives us so Much “Hope”: In Psalms 42:5-6a, 43:5, we are told that, in all circumstances, God is our “Hope”: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God .". Today, followers of Jesus live in a time of both turmoil and uncertainty with issues like Covid-19, cultural dissonance, and civil discourse providing an overarching context that can lead us to fear, doubt in our faith, and feelings of “hopelessness”.

These issues of today, that drive our uncertainties and fears, have impacted America profoundly, including Followers of Jesus. However, as Followers of Jesus, we know that none of these issues are taking God by surprise. Yet so many of us are discouraged, downcast, depressed, and fearful. Too many of us have lost “Hope”. Proverbs 13:12 tells us: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick,".  Without “Hope”, we are like ships sailing without a harbor. God wants us to have “Hope” in our everchanging world! “Hope” is the anticipation of a good future; “Hope” is having faith and believing that God is working out His purposes in the World and in my life. Here are some of the things we can say about “God’s Hope” for us through His: 1) promise of Eternal Life; 2) abiding presence with us; 3) answering of our prayers; and 4) His unchanging promises in His Word.

God’s Word is powerful when we put it into action in our lives, as we are told in Romans 8:24-25: “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.". In the times in which we live today, God wants the Followers of Jesus to Have all the “Hope” that He provides. Also, God provides His Peace and Love that solidify our “Hope” in Him:  “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me”? Hope in God”!

Today’s Message: “Facing Difficult Circumstances – Hope for the Suffering and Persecuted Christians in First Century Rome Christians Today”: In our times, today, of Pandemic, civil disobedience, and cultural dissonance, we can both learn a great deal and gain “Hope” in our current situation from the Bible’s book of Hebrews. The book of Hebrew’s writer wanted to give “Hope” to the persecuted Christians in Rome by pointing out the superiority of Jesus the Christ over all the problems they were facing from their persecution by the Emperor Nero. The writer did not want Christians to deviate and leave their Faith in Jesus because the times were bleak and the difficult circumstances they were facing appeared hopeless. `

In Hebrew’s, the writer wanted Roman Christians to understand that if they turned away from Jesus there was no one else with whom they could face their difficult circumstances. The message to us, in these times, is that without Jesus in our lives and in the life of our country there is no one or no institution, to whom we can turn, for help in “facing our difficult circumstances”. To this end, the first two chapters of Hebrews provide a clear picture of who Jesus is in terms of His humanity and Divinity – Jesus is eternal when nothing else is eternal. In Hebrews 1:10-11, we find the culmination of Jesus Divinity along with His humanity that positions His superiority for us: “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”.

Also, the writer of Hebrews, in Hebrews 1:2-4, speaks of “in these last days”, to reference the times after Jesus’ birth, death and Resurrection in which God has “acted and spoken” on Earth. God’s actions on Earth were in fulfilment, through Jesus, of those promises He made through the Old Testament Prophets. Now, “in these last days”, is the time, in the First Century and today, in which Jesus and God’s power and superiority on Earth and in the Universe, are unassailable by any person, institution, force, government entity, or nation: “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”. This text from Hebrews 1:2-4 points to Jesus as Lord over all creation and humanity. Additionally, Hebrews 1:2-3 points to Jesus as the Son of God the Father and the exact representation of God’s Being. Jesus is, also, the Savior of sinners who brought Salvation to Earth and humanity. We see that Jesus is worshiped by the Angels. Hebrews tells us that Jesus speaks with the authority of God. Also, beginning in Hebrews 1:10, the writer points out that that Jesus is superior in eternal attributes.

In Hebrews 2:1-3, Followers of Jesus are warned not to let their faith in Jesus drift away: “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,".

Today, we “live in difficult circumstances”; and we should draw both strength and caution from Hebrews in that we live “in the last days” like the persecuted Roman Christians. Therefore, we should live our lives pointing to Jesus and not letting the ”difficult circumstances” cause our faith in Jesus drift away – Jesus’ eternal superiority, as the Son of God, makes Him the only real way that we can “live in difficult circumstances”. God is our Sovereign Lord, and Jesus is God’s final answer. Therefore, we can draw confidence from Hebrews 13:5b-6: “for he {Jesus} has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”. Remember, Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness as we “live in difficult circumstances”.

As we live, today, “in these last days”, we should not look to any other person, institution, force, government entity, or nation, other than Jesus. Jesus is our only source of protection and the way out of our “difficult circumstances” which are manifested by the Pandemic, civil disobedience, and cultural dissonance. Once again, Jesus is the only “way, and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, 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): Hebrews 1:10-14; Hebrews 1:2-7; John 14:6;Psalms 2:8; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-16; Colossians 2:9; John 10:30; John 14:9; Psalms 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalms 104:4; Psalms 45:6-7; Psalms 8:1-9; Isiah 34:1-17; Psalms 110:1; Hebrews 2:1-3; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 13:6.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Jesus the Christ Is Our Hope In Life and Death and He Is “Hope” for the Wave of Loneliness and Uncertainty Sweeping Our World Today”:  www.AWFTL.org/watch

A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

What Is God’s Will for You in the New Year, 2021?

What Is God’s Will for You in the New Year, 2021?

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

1/3/2021 Introduction By Archbishop Foley Beach: This Sermon, “What Is God’s Will for You in the New Year?”, is just as relevant for you in January 2021 as it was in January 2018.

Message: In 2017 {2020}, have you accomplished God’s will for your life? The will of God to us humans is both “active” and “passive” at the same time. God’s will to us is “passive” because God is going to accomplish His will on earth – God’s Sovereignty is universal. However, God’s will to us can be very “active”. We can know God’s will for us, but knowing His will requires our willingness and participation. The will of God is a choice for us. In John 7:17, the Apostille John quotes Jesus regarding God’s will: “If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.". Therefore, we can choose whether we will do God’s will. Too many of us make and execute our own plans from our own will and then we ask God to bless our actions.

What is God’s will for your life in 2018 {2021}? God has several things that “He wills” for our lives, but we must cooperate: 1) to have a growing personal relationship with Him; 2) to be a disciple of Jesus the Christ; 3) to be an ambassador and vessel of God’s love; 4) to have minds that are constantly renewed so that we are transformed – we renew our minds by the Word of God, “we are what we think”; 5) not to be controlled by anything other than the Spirit of God; and 6) to become Sanctified – becoming God-centered in our lives.

Why “specific things in our lives” constitute God’s will for us? To answer this question regarding the specifics of God’s will in our lives, we: 1) should ask if we even should know the answer to this question regarding our knowing the specifics of God’s will in our lives – based on Romans 13, the answer is “yes” 2) we can discern God’s will for us through praying, meditating, and fasting on the Word of God; 3) the Lord will speak His will through dreams, visions, and words of knowledge and wisdom; 4) God speaks His will to us by putting “desires” in our hearts; and 5) God makes His will known to us by our personal reflection.

Questions we should ask and reflect upon in discerning God’s will for our lives include: 1) what have been my prevailing feelings in the past and what are these feelings now -- have my feelings been mostly of sadness or of joy; 2) what have been the blessings of God in my life – can I express praise and appreciation for these blessings; 3) have things happened for which I need to accept responsibility and why did they happen; 4) is here a possibility that I am living in denial of certain realities; 5) is there ill will or resentments that remain unaddressed or unforgiven; 6) in the company of others, am I a pleasant person; 7) what is God trying to say into my life today; 8) what can I do or say in my life that will make others feel more loved and appreciated; 9) am I mindful of the socially awkward, poor, and suffering – how do I respond to current events through a Biblical world view; 10) how am I spending my time and money – do I see them as God’s time and money that has been loaned to me; 11) how is my prayer life; 12) am I growing and maturing as a follower of Jesus; and 13) am I prepared to meet Jesus face-to-face today?

In the words of the Psalmist in Psalms 143:10: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”.     

 

Today’s Affirmation: Today, 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 7:21; Matthew 6:7-15; John 7:17; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; Matthew 28:19; John 13:31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Matthew 2:13-15; 1 Corinthians 12:7-8; Psalms 37:4; Psalms 139:23-24; Psalms 143:10-11.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Jesus the Christ Is Our Hope In Life and Death and He Is “Hope” for the Wave of Loneliness and Uncertainty Sweeping Our World Today”:  www.AWFTL.org/watch

 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Jesus the Christ Is Our Hope In Life and Death and He Is “Hope” for the Wave of Loneliness and Uncertainty Sweeping Our World Today

Jesus the Christ Is Our Hope In Life and Death and He Is “Hope” for the Wave of Loneliness and Uncertainty Sweeping Our World Today

MESSAGE SUMMARY: In Covid-19, we are isolated, both physically and emotionally. The human interaction, which we crave in our worship, business, school, and families is limited or nonexistent. This interaction has given way to fear and a wave of loneliness, uncertainty, and darkness that are sweeping across our world today. Online communications have been helpful, but they are not a replacement for interaction and “hope”. Today, we feel all alone. And we feel that there is no way out – “hopeless”. For “hope’ we must turn to Jesus whose birthday we celebrate again this Christmas. “Christmas” reminds us that God is still in the World, and we are reminded that we are not alone!

As the Apostle John tells us in John 1:4-5: In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”. In Luke 2:11, the Angels further solidify Jesus as a source of our “hope”, by telling us of God’s promise and Grace: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”. As Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 1:15-16: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.".

But God did not stop with providing “Christ Our Hope In Life and Death”; Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a 24/7 “helper” and a “counselor”, in John 16:13,15:26, to all Followers of Jesus: “When the {Holy}Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come . . . But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the {Holy} Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”.

With God’s great gift of the Holy Spirit, you are never alone, and we have a never-ending source of “hope” – if you just call out to Him, “Jesus! Jesus!”, in your darkness and loneliness and you have “hope” because “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”. In the great song of “hope”, Christ Our Hope In Life and Death (performed by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa), which brings us into the great “hope” that we are given as Followers of Jesus. As a Follower of Jesus, God’s great gift of the Holy Spirit provides a reinforcement and “hope” because Christ is here to walk with you through all your loneliness and uncertainties – you are never alone or without “hope”.

 

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): John 1:1-18; Luke 2:1-21; John 16:13; John 15;26; Romans 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; John 3:16-17.

WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “Jesus the Christ Is Our Hope In Life and Death and He Is “Hope” for the Wave of Loneliness and Uncertainty Sweeping Our World Today”:  www.AWFTL.org/watch

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

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}

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

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

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

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”

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

In Advent, Pray for “amendment of life” in which God Gives Us Time in Our Lives and America’s Life to Return to Him Before He Comes Again in Judgment

In Advent, Pray for “amendment of life” in which God Gives Us Time in Our Lives and America’s Life to Return to Him Before He Comes Again in Judgment

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 1: The Coming Judge and the Mountain of the Lord

Advent is not just the period in which we celebrate Jesus’ first Earthly arrival at Christmas, it is the period in which we wait, anticipate, prepare for Jesus’ second Earthly arrival which is yet to come.

Jesus, in Matthew 24:38-44 tells us: “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”. This Sermon begins the series: “Advent Sermons from Isaiah”.

Jesus is coming again, on a date unknown to us, to judge us. Therefore, let us pray for an “amendment of life”, for ourselves and our country, so God gives us the time, in our remaining Earthly Lives and our country’s life to, as Isaiah says  in Isaiah2:5 -- “walk in the light of the Lord”. Also, in this period of Advent, let us pray that God gives us time return to return to Him so that He can return to us before it is our time to face the “five judgments”!

Most of what we know about Jesus in the New Testament is from prophecies in the Old Testament; and these prophecies were fulfilled by the Advent of Jesus in the New Testament. However, some of these Old Testament prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. So, from Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, when are “the last days”? In one sense, since we are in the age of the Messiah, we are now in the “last days”; but in another sense, we are waiting for the return of Jesus, and we don’t know when He will return to begin the “last days”. In Isaiah 2:1-5, Isaiah records his second prophecy regarding “the last days”. Isaiah posits the “mountain of the house of the Lord”, which is the place in Jerusalem where the Jewish temples have been. On this “mountain” now is the Muslim’s “Dome of the Rock”. From this passage, we learn that the Messiah would not only teach the law of God when He returns; but, also, He would come to judge. This scripture from Isaiah is the theme for the season of Advent – the Messiah will come back again to judge “the living and the dead”.

The Bible speaks about five judgments: 1) judgment of the believers’ sins; 2) the judgment of the believers’ self-life; 3) the judgment of the believers’ deeds; 4) the judgment of the nations; and 5) the judgment of the wicked (i.e. unbelievers). In Isaiah 2, Isaiah is speaking about “the judgment of the nations”. Isaiah 2:5 provides an exhortation that is appropriate for our Christmas: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.”.

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 RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):Matthew 24:38-44; Isaiah 2:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

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

We Need to Create a Culture of Grace and Kindness in Our Country Today Which Gives Others the Benefit of the Doubt and Visibly Values Other People

We Need to Create a Culture of Grace and Kindness in Our Country Today Which Gives Others the Benefit of the Doubt and Visibly Values Other People

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

We need to create a Culture of Grace and Kindness in our families, our churches, our work, and in our country. What is a Culture of Grace and Kindness? This Culture of Grace and Kindness involves: 1) an atmosphere or environment in which there is no griping or complaining – no putting people down; 2) giving others the benefit of the doubt; 3) visibly valuing other people; and 4) being filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

A Culture of Grace and Kindness flows from: 1) keeping Jesus Lord – as Jesus instructed us in Mark 12:29-30: “Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”; 2) loving your neighbor as yourself – as Jesus instructed us in Mark 12:31: “’The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’”. 3) practicing the “Golden Rule” – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”; and 4) “having the attitude of the Canaanite Woman” – in Matthew 15:25-28, she exhibited humility without pride: “But she came and knelt before him, saying, ’Lord, help me.’ And he answered, ‘It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly."

Too often in our families, work, and church, we forget, in the way we treat others, that we to are sinners and not perfect. Therefore, we exhibit a culture without grace and kindness. Without a Culture of Grace and Kindness, we miss many blessings from God. In Matthew 15:25-28, the “Canaanite Woman” received the blessing, in her faith and humility, from Jesus when “her daughter was healed instantly”.

Additionally, some are unhappy in their current “Christian walk”.  Those who are unhappy in their Christian walk have forgotten that what Jesus wants from them is for them to “love Him”. The Lord, in Revelation 2:4, was telling the Church in Ephesus the three things that will enable us to get back to our love of Jesus: 1) remember – remember how we loved God when we first started walking with the Lord; 2) repent and return to the Lord – ask God to fill you with a sense of longing for Him; and 3) repeat the things we performed when our faith was on fire for God. Do not get away from doing those things that provided a direct link for you to have a personal relationship with God and made you, in your eyes and the eyes of others, a Follower of Jesus.

Is your life “ communicating”, through your works, actions, words, and deeds, the Culture of Grace and Kindness expected of a Follower of Jesus? If not, why not?

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): Galatians 5:22; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; Matthew 15:21-28; Ephesians 4:29-32; Colossians 3:12-17; Revelation 2: 1-7.

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=a0Ui000000DglsqEABFacing Difficult Circumstances

Today, With All the “Clutter” in Our lives from Information Noise and the Uncertainties Surrounding Us, Listening for God’s Voice is Critical

Today, With All the “Clutter” in Our lives from Information Noise and the Uncertainties Surrounding Us, Listening for God’s Voice is Critical

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

Introduction (from a prior Sermon): The Gospel is based on both the Old and the New Testaments. The Gospel must go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit – the Gospel is a Spiritual message.

Today’s Message: In John 10, Jesus is speaking about the “shepherd”; the shepherd: 1) enters through the gate; 2) has the gate opened by a watchman; 3) sheep listen to his voice; 4) calls each sheep by name; 5) leads his sheep by going ahead of the sheep; and 6) has a voice by which he is known to his sheep and they follow him. In the first century, shepherding was an intimate profession; and the shepherd was always with his sheep. The shepherd talked to his sheep, and the sheep knew the shepherd’s voice. Also, in John 10, Jesus talked about the “false shepherd” who is a “thief and a robber”. The sheep do not follow the “false shepherd”. Jesus says that the “thief {false shepherd} comes only to steal, kill and destroy”.

In John 10:7-10, Jesus says that He is the “gate”, and He is the way (gate) by which we are saved from our sins and eternal death; and we are provisioned a full life and Eternal Life as His followers. Like the sheep that follow the good shepherd, if we follow Jesus, we will all hear His voice.

How do we know the voice of Jesus? Consider that: 1) we must enter only through the gate – Jesus; 2) we must be a sheep of the Good Shepherd and follow Jesus through an intimate relationship with Him; 3) we must learn to listen (for example, today we listen through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit – the Holy Spirit is charged with communicating the will of God to mankind and to sync our mind with the mind of God); 4) we obey as we listen – in the New Testament, the words “hear” and “obey” are the same words – God will speak directions for our lives; and 5) we don’t harden our hearts to the voice of the Lord – listen to His voice and obey.

As the Lord says: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10).

 

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): John 10:1-18; Ezekiel 34:22-34; John 5:25-29: Ezekiel 43:2;1 King’s 19:12; Isaiah 30:21; John 10:27-30; Hebrews 3:7-15.

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

Today, Many Christians are Asking: “Where Is God In All of ‘This’?”; Well, God Tells Us: “Return to me, and I will return to you”

Today, Many Christians are Asking: “Where Is God In All of ‘This’?”; Well, God Tells Us: “Return to me, and I will return to you”

MESSAGE SUMMARY:

It is better to lose all material possessions and stay in the will of God than to have riches galore and to be out of God’s will and His fellowship.

We change, but God remains faithful as we are told in Malachi 3:6: “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”. God’s people, all throughout history, have found way after way to turn away from God. Throughout history God is constantly saying to His people, despite their disobedience that He will return to us if we return to Him because, in history and today, may, but especially “God’s people, have turned away from Him. In Malachi 3:7, God says: “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?”. God’s consistent commitment over time, to “return to you”, culminates in His sending Jesus into the human race so that all who believe in God through Jesus can have Salvation, Eternal Life, and a personal relationship with Him.

The people in Malachi’s time were speaking harsh words about God, and they were wondering what good was provided by being obedient to God when evildoers were prospering. Today, we are like the people of Malachi’s time when we ask: “Where was God when the bottom dropped out of my life?”. Even in these tough times, God is always with us. God challenges us that if we give to Him, then He will return to us so much more than we gave to Him; but all that we have is God’s anyway.

If we are not sowing seeds in all aspects of our lives, we will not reap the harvest of God’s promised blessings. Do not give up on God; He does not change, and He is faithful.

 

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):  Malachi 3:6-18; Zephaniah 3:1; James 4:8; Genesis 14:18; Exodus 25:2; 2 Corinthians 9: 6-13; Matthew 5:17-20.

WEBSITE LINK:  www.AWordFromTheLord.org/

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

DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB