Messages by Dolph Painter

Consider a person, who at the end of their life, is both satisfied and content. Can one enjoy this kind of peace throughout life- How does a person arrive at this state- This message attempts to answer these questions.

The angels will accompany Jesus when He returns to gather the elect. We ask ourselves three questions with each passage addressing Jesus' return- 1- Will His return be silent- 2- Will His return be visible- and 3- Will saints be gathered simultaneously, as opposed to being gathered in two phases-

Three events ordained before time -Jesus' birth, His death - resurrection, and His second coming- is addressed in this series, with particular emphasis on the angelic activity in and around the Jesus' resurrection in this message. Jesus having risen from the dead three days after His death and burial was the last thing on the mind of His closest followers, even though He preached the event often.

Three events ordained by God before time include- Jesus' birth, Jesus' crucifixion - resurrection, and Jesus' second coming. In each case, angelic activity was-will be substantial. This message focuses on the angelic activity in and around Jesus' birth, and details of His birth told by prophets hundreds of years beforehand.

Ever feel like you prayers do not go past the roof of your home- This sermon attempts to discuss the manner in which we approach God in worship. God rejected worship on three occasions -Gen 4-3-4, Is 58-3-8, and Mal 1-6-8-. Each occasion, the worshiper was surprised his or her worship was rejected. Listen to those things which might help us cultivate our soil before seed is planted. God must be worshiped in spirit and in truth -John 4-19-24-.

Saints who saw the risen Savior did not recognize Him, not until Jesus revealed Himself to them -the two on the road to Emmaus, Mary Magdalene, the twelve, then Peter and John. They saw Him as a stranger, a gardener, a spirit, and a man on the beach. How do you see the risen Lord of glory-

A blasphemer is one who speaks irreverently of God or of sacred things. Is truth sacred- justice, honor, life, or the legacy left children- If these things are sacred, then those who arrested, charged, tried, sentenced, and executed Jesus were the blasphemers.

A bible student must discern between the earthly realm and the heavenly realm for every usage of the word -save- within scripture. Is the saving in the passage addressing earthly or eternal- Is the saving forever- Is the saving conditional- ... are questions which will help determine context, and with context comes understanding.

Jesus taught the disciples several character traits which describe a Follower- self denial, humility, an eternal perspective, service oriented, minister to the needy, and more interested in conversion than punishment. ... none of which was expected by a nation waiting for a King after 400 years of bondage.

Jesus asked His disciples who people thought He was- The disciples said the Jewish people have many different answers. Jesus then asked His disciples who they thought He was- Peter answered, The Christ ... as would we. Lip service aside, who does your prayer life say Jesus is- healer or Savior. Who does your date book say Jesus is- Sunday commitment or Husband- Who does your check book say Jesus is- a good man or Redeemer.