A Transforming Word

When you gossip and speak poorly of other people it kills your witness for the Gospel. You'll hear Pastor Bill explain in today's message that the Church should be a shining light to the world. Christians should reflect Jesus. Would Jesus turn around behind His friends' backs and gossip about them? Of course not! So neither should you. If you have a problem with someone, address it face to face. Handle conflict with maturity and grace. Remember that the world is watching. Shine the light of Jesus by walking the talk.

How about your conscience? Today in his teaching, Pastor Bill asks if yours is clear before God. You'll hear about the accusations against the Apostle Paul that were made by the Corinthian Church. Paul was able to stand strong against these because his conscience was clear. He knew that their accusations were unfounded and that his intentions were pure because he was following the leading of the Holy Spirit. When you diligently follow the Lord, you can rest easy knowing you're doing the right thing.

God didn't promise that once you put your faith in Jesus all your problems will disappear. Pastor Bill explains in today's teaching that instead of taking away all of your suffering, God meets you IN it. There are many examples throughout the Bible of people who suffered greatly while being used by God. There is no better example than Jesus, God in the flesh! God is no stranger to suffering. As you encounter hard times, remember that God is with you. He understands. His promise to you is His presence.

Have you ever pictured God that way-- as someone who is waiting for you to mess up so that He can punish you? Today Pastor Bill challenges that belief by revealing what the Bible says about God's character. God is NOT waiting to get you. Repentance doesn't come from fear, it's a response to His mercy and His goodness. When you examine the Scriptures you find that God is kind. You discover that the truth is He loves you beyond your comprehension. He is good. His mercy endures forever.

Have you been guilty of putting people on a pedestal? Maybe it's your pastor, your favorite celebrity, or your spouse. In today's message, Pastor Bill warns you not to put anyone in the place of Jesus. He is the big deal. He is the person you should build your life around. No one else died for your sins. No one else will be there for you twenty-four-seven. In a world that is full of distractions, keep Jesus at the center. Fix your eyes on your Savior. No one is more worthy of your time and affection than Jesus.

There are two destinations for eternity when your life on earth is over. God's wrath is going to be poured out on all those who rejected Him during their lives when it's time for the end times to come. But, for all those who chose Jesus and put their faith in Him, their sins will be washed away as if they never happened. What happens to you, as Pastor Bill's going to make clear in today's message, is a choice entirely up to you. You can accept Jesus or reject Him. Whatever you choose has eternal repercussions.

When Jesus comes back, the sheep are going to be separated from the goats. Those who rejected Him during their earthly lives are going to spend eternity in their spiritual lives in pain in the lake of fire that's reserved for them. But, as Pastor Bill's going to show you in today's message, there's hope for those who put their trust in Jesus during their earthly lives. They'll get to spend eternity in Heaven praising God because they chose Him over the world. Everyone will get the just consequences for their choices.

Culture doesn't change the truth of God's Word. No matter what the world says about the Bible, it will always hold true in its historical accuracy and prophecies. Today, Pastor Bill is going to remind you that all the things the Bible prophesies about Jesus coming back and restoring those who put their faith in Him will eventually come to pass. If your faith is in Jesus and His sacrifice for the forgiveness of your sins, you don't have anything to fear. Those who reject Christ will suffer, but not those who choose Him.

Someday, Jesus is going to come back for His church. There's going to be more and more evil prevalent in the world. As the nations rise against Israel and the world turns against those who trust in Jesus for salvation, there's always hope you can find in Christ. In Him alone is eternal life through the forgiveness of your sins. Pastor Bill's going to encourage you today that you don't have to fear the end times if your hope is in Jesus. Everything God's Word says will come to pass will come to pass.

The Good Shepherd, Jesus, showed compassion to everyone. His flock is blessed when they follow the commandments in God's Word and face the negative consequences when they rebel against It. Today, Pastor Bill is going to warn you to look out for bad shepherds who say they follow Jesus but don't have His ways in their hearts. They might try to make money from Christians. They might lead them down paths that aren't good for them. Their hearts aren't after the things of God like Jesus' was.