ANGELS on SermonAudio

Peter gives us three great truths in 1 Peter 1:10-12 that are never mentioned by Paul, regarding (1) the Bible's "Concealed Inspiration"; (2) the Operation of the Holy Spirit in Old Testament times; and (3) the Desire of Angels to comprehend this great and awesome salvation we have in Jesus . . .

Adult Sunday School Berean Class. A verse-by-verse study through the book of Revelation.

Pierre Viret (1509-1571) Ask anyone who has even the scantiest knowledge of the sixteenth century Reformation, "Who was the most significant figure in Geneva's magisterial Reformation?" and they would of course reply, "John Calvin." But Calvin himself would undoubtedly reply, "Oh, no, no, no. To be sure, it was Pierre Viret." It was Viret, along with his mentor and friend William Farel, who brought the Reformation to the city of Geneva beginning in 1534. Viret pastored a thriving church. He helped to evangelize the neighboring districts. He engaged in several public disputations with Catholic hierarchs. He wrote voluminously. He survived two brutal assassination attempts. And, he established the first academy for Reformed theological training. Viret set about his work tirelessly, discipling some of the brightest minds in the fledgling Reformation movement. Viret would train a whole new generation of pastors, evangelists, apologists, educators, and missionaries. Whenever there was an intractable conflict in any of the churches, it was Viret who was called in to restore their purity and peace. He would write more than 50 books that would shape the Reformation throughout Europe. Carrying on a voluminous correspondence with frequent visits back to Geneva, he was Calvin's best friend and most trusted advisor. No wonder Viret was deeply beloved. To some he was known as the "Smile of the Reformation." To others, he was the "Angel of the Reformation."

Rev. Jimmy Apodaca preaches the sermon "Fruits of Faithfulness" from Galatians 5:22-23 on August 30th, 2026 at Living Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). Meeting at Valley Christian High School in Cerritos, CA. To find out more about Living Hope, visit https://www.livinghopeopc.com

The sermon examines the women's journey to Jesus' tomb in Mark 16, highlighting their fervent devotion and fearlessness despite physical obstacles like the sealed stone. It contrasts their eager service with the hypocrisy of religious leaders who observed Passover rituals while having orchestrated the crucifixion. The preacher emphasizes that God miraculously removed these barriers before the women arrived, demonstrating His sovereignty over human problems. Central to the message is the angel's declaration that Jesus has risen, confirming that believers serve a living Savior rather than a dead deity. The transcript concludes with an exhortation for Christians to exhibit similar zeal and courage in sharing the good news of the resurrection.

The devotional centers on the miraculous deliverance of Peter from prison in Acts 12, illustrating God's sovereign power to intervene in seemingly impossible situations. Through the unexpected intervention of an angel, God answers the church's fervent prayers in a way that defies human expectation, emphasizing that divine action often transcends our limited understanding. The passage underscores the importance of surrendering our circumstances to God without prescribing how He should act, trusting in His wisdom and timing even when answers are not immediate or conventional. It calls believers to cultivate a posture of faith, peace, and joyful surrender, recognizing that God's answers—whether affirmative, delayed, or transformative—are always aligned with His greater glory. Ultimately, the message affirms that God is actively at work through spiritual forces, including angels, even when unseen, and invites believers to trust His sovereignty in prayer.

~~~~~~~ No 29 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 2 Peter 2:4-9** For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; .... The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: *1/ A lesson in Judgment without mercy. 2/ Lessons in judgment and mercy at the last day. 3/ A lesson in the Lord's care of his people in this world.* **Sermon Summary:** This sermon explores the dual themes of divine judgment and mercy through the biblical examples of the fallen angels, Noah, and Lot. It emphasizes God's sovereignty in executing justice on the ungodly while providing a way of escape for the righteous through faith. The preacher uses the flood and the destruction of Sodom as solemn warnings about the suddenness of the end times and the necessity of spiritual readiness. Central to the message is the assurance that the Lord knows how to deliver the godly from temptation and reserve the unjust for final punishment. Ultimately, Christ is presented as the true Ark of safety, giving salvation to those who trust in His finished work.

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."

Closing out the first chapter of John, the preacher takes up the promise of angels ascending and descending upon the Son of man and traces it back to Jacob's dream of the ladder in Genesis 28. He argues that the ladder is a picture of Christ Himself, the only one who is both fully God and fully man, and therefore the only one who can join earth to heaven and bring sinners to the Father. The message contrasts man's attempts to climb to God by works, law-keeping and religion with the finished work God set up on His own, where the sinner is called simply to behold and trust. A warning runs alongside it: Jacob slept through the setting up of the ladder, and men can sleep through the very revelation of the Messiah placed right in front of them. It closes with a call to wake up, stay in the word, and make Christ known while the time is short.

The sermon argues for choosing the reality of Christ over the shadows of Old Testament rituals and human-made religious rules. It warns against false teachers who promote forced humility, angel worship, and strict dietary laws as necessary for salvation. The speaker emphasizes that believers are dead to these worldly rudiments and must rely solely on the finished work of Jesus. Rejecting any addition to grace ensures that Christ remains the head of the church and the sole source of spiritual nourishment. Ultimately, faith rests in the all-sufficiency of Christ rather than in external observances or self-imposed piety.