John wrote 1 John so that the people that believed in Christ could be sure or that they could know of their salvation. He gave a list of tests that believers could compare against their own life in order to be sure of their salvation. John stressed the need for true fellowship and it’s importance in the church.

Taking a stand about and for something has challenges, especially regarding topics involving the Bible and Christian living. In today’s sermon, we learn the spiritual implications of what the Apostle Paul says about a call to be strong, stand firm, struggle, and/or battle.

In 1863, President Abrahman Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation technically freed slaves in America but the realities of the proclamation took years to impliment because many chose not to accept it. In a similar way, Paul addresses Christ’s spiritual Emancipation Proclamation for all sinners even though many choose not to accept it.

In a world involving pain, hurt, and sorrow, people will try any and everything to achieve peace of mind except look to Christ. We must continually remember that we can only find true gift, gain, and guarantee of rest in Christ.

James challenges believers to be mature doers who live the principles of the Bible, not hearers who are satisfied with just knowing the Word. There are three principles we consider: living one of two labels, listening to truth but not acting on it, and listening and putting into practice truths.

Although this passage is often read during funerals, it’s relative to our current experiences as believers. This sermon addresses three aspects: comfort in the provider not the problem, comfort in the prepared place for a prepared people, comfort in a paid for promise.

The peace of God passes our understanding and provides us strength to endure trials and circumstances.

When thinking about the world’s crisis regarding COVVID and other situations, we must remember God’s viewpoint expressed through the Bible rather than other people’s views.

Fear is a real and understandable emotion but it should not overwhelm us to the point that we lose sight that God is able to strengthen and support us in our time of need.

We encounter circumstances where we pray for God’s immediate answer. The problem is not God but in our impatience and rebellion.