Denver Calvary AUDIO Podcast

Jesus is giving instructions to his disciples who he is sending out to preach and teach the Gospel. When he's finished, he also went out to teach the people. As he teaches, the disciples of John the Baptist approach and ask him if he is the Messiah. Jesus tells them that to tell John that they have witnessed his miracles. "God blesses those who do not turn away because of me," he says.

King Herod has been capturing and killing many of the early Christian leaders. James, the brother of John, killed. He arrested Peter and put him in prison. But the night before he was to be put on trial, an angel of the Lord visited him in prison and woke him up. He took off Peter's chains and led him out of the prison while everyone else slept. Peter went to visit the church before he fled Jerusalem. God gives Herod worms and sickness and he dies. Meanwhile the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.

In part two of this sermon, we find Absolom has plotted to murder his brother, Amnon, to avenge his sister, Tamar. Absolom invites his whole family including Amnon to a celebration. At his word, Absolom's servants kill Amnon in front of the whole family. The rest of the family flees in panic and David receives word that all of his sons are dead. While he is in mourning, the truth that only Amnon is dead is given to him. Absolom flees to the country of his mother's birth and lives there for three years.

After Stephen was martyred, the Jewish Christians were forced to flee. As they fled, they shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone they met. As a result, Christian congregations popped up all over the known world. The Jerusalem church heard about this and sent Barnabas to see what was happening. He found healthy and loving communities of Christians and encouraged them to continue in their discipleship. Then he took Saul and went to Antioch where they spent time encouraging the Christian church there. While they were there Agabus predicted a severe famine in the whole Roman empire. The church gave as they were able so that many Christians were cared for.

In this passage, the Scriptures relate the story of Amnon and Tamar. Amnon is David's eldest son. Amnon is lovesick for his half-sister, Tamar. Under the influence of a wicked friend, Amnon tricks Tamar into caring for him while he is feigning illness. When they're alone together, Amnon forces himself on her. Tamar is devastated and runs to her brother, Absalom's house. Absalom begins to plot Amnon's murder because David won't punish his son for the crime.

Peter has received a vision from God explaining that Gentiles are welcome in the Kingdom of God and he has converted the roman centurion, Cornelius, and his whole household. When he returns to Jerusalem, the Jews are angry! "You've eaten with the Gentiles!" So Peter describes his vision and explains his visit with Cornelius. When the Jews in Jerusalem heard what Peter said they stopped objecting and began praising God.

David has just committed his most famous sin - his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband, Uriah. Nathan, a prophet of God, rebukes David reminding him that he has everything he could ever want, but Uriah only had one wife and worked hard for a living. But David decided to murder him for his wife. David is humbled and confesses his sins. As punishment, God takes the baby at birth and David mourns. It is a fitting ending to this story that David, who has neglected his royal duties, finally takes up the sword and leads his army into battle. They have victory with God on their side.

Earlier in chapter ten, God gave Peter a vision concerning the admittance of Gentiles into God's kingdom. Now God has sent Peter to visit Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and his family. Peter preaches the Gospel to them and they believe. Immediately, they all received the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues and praising God. This is the great mystery of the new covenant - that Christ lives in believers, both Jews and Gentiles.

For a second time, Pastor Charles teaches on how the Lord leads His believers. Abraham sends his servant to find Isaac a wife in the land of his forefathers. The servant is lead by the Lord to seek out Rebekkah in the city of Nahor.

Pastor Charles derives several principles that we can use as we seek out God's will. 1) Inquire of the Lord - determine his character and seek out his will. 2) Step out in faith and the Lord will guide. 3) Pray as you go - so that you are in communication with the Lord. 4) Be patient for the answer to your prayers.

Mr. Jim Paris teaches this bible study on staying the course in the midst of trials. Joseph in the last half of the book of Genesis is a prime example of reminaing steadfast in faith despite many trials. He is kidnapped and sold into slavery by his brothers, he endures many years of slavery, he resists sexual temptation, he endures prison, and finally is given tremendous responsibility for the land of Egypt. Yet through it all, Joseph remains steadfast in his faith in God. He relies on God through his trials and uses His strength to make it through the trials set before him.