NPPBC's Media Ministry

By NPPBC.com

Weekly services from New Providence Primitive Baptist Church in Maryville, TN. For more information about NPPBC, go to our site at: www.nppbc.com.... more

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July 27, 2025Going to the Source
Personal Reflections and Spiritual Drought
Feeling of spiritual drought and unmet expectations.
Experiencing a period where things are not going as desired.
Feeling “down and out” about recent events.
Scriptural Reading: John 4:1-26
Jesus’ Journey to Samaria
Jesus left Judea after the Pharisees heard He was baptizing more disciples than John.
Jesus went to Galilee, passing through Samaria.
He arrived at Sychar, near Jacob’s well, around the sixth hour and rested.
Encounter with the Samaritan Woman
A woman came to draw water, and Jesus asked her for a drink.
The woman questioned Jesus because Jews typically do not associate with Samaritans.
Jesus told her that if she knew who He was, she would ask Him for living water.
Discussion about Living Water
The woman questioned how Jesus could provide water since He had nothing to draw with and the well was deep.
Jesus explained that whoever drinks the water He gives will never thirst again; it will become a spring of everlasting life.
The woman asked for this water so she wouldn’t have to keep coming to the well.
Revelation of the Woman’s Past
Jesus told her to call her husband, and she admitted she had no husband.
Jesus revealed that she had five husbands, and the man she was currently with was not her husband.
The woman recognized Jesus as a prophet.
Debate on Worship
The woman mentioned that her ancestors worshiped on a mountain, while Jews worshiped in Jerusalem.
Jesus said that the time was coming when people would worship the Father neither on the mountain nor in Jerusalem.
True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such worshipers.
Identification as the Messiah
The woman stated that she knew the Messiah was coming and would explain everything.
Jesus declared, “I that speak unto thee am He.”
Impact on the Disciples and the City
The disciples were surprised to see Jesus talking with a woman.
The woman left her water pot and went into the city, telling the men to come and see a man who knew everything she had ever done, suggesting He might be the Christ.
The people left the city to see Jesus.
Going to the Source
The woman at the well encountered more than she expected.
She found Jesus resting at the well.
Jesus asked her for a drink, despite the social norms.
God’s Awareness and Intervention
Just as God saw Brother Briley as a “lost boy” in church, He saw the woman’s need.
Brother Briley felt destined for hell despite not having committed significant sins.
God saved Brother Briley in a church in Campbell, North Carolina.
The woman was not looking for Jesus, but He found her at the well.
Jesus offered her living water, highlighting the gift of God.
Understanding the Samaritans
The Samaritans were idolaters who did not serve the living Father.
The woman did not initially recognize Jesus as anything more than an ordinary man.
If she had known who He was, she would have asked for living water.
Personal Struggles and Divine Purpose
Feeling like giving up and questioning God’s purpose.
The “fountain of living water” springing up from within.
Saved and transformed, with a desire to thank God eternally.
Actions and expressions are driven by God’s presence within.
The Gift of Living Water
Experiencing a taste of living water at a young age.
Coming to the source (Jesus) is all that is needed.
A burden for lost people, whether nearby or elsewhere.
The Sprinkling of Living Water
The living water within should be shared with others.
Like a sprinkler, the water should be planted around others.
Others may notice and ask about the source of happiness.
Inner Happiness Despite Circumstances
Not always outwardly happy, but possessing an inner joy.
Something inside that motivates to press on and continue traditions.
The Next Generation
Younger generations must carry on the testimonies of older believers.
Information and guidance should come from the source (the Lord).
The Promise of Never-Ending Thirst Quenched
Physical water only quenches thirst temporarily.
The water Jesus gives becomes a spring of everlasting life.
Personal Calling and Resistance
Feeling called to preach since the age of 15.
Encouraged by preachers but initially resisted the calling.
At 16, obtaining a driver’s license and feeling invincible, leading to worldly pursuits.
Eventually, acknowledging the calling but feeling inadequate.
Running from God
Preachers advise running from the calling as long as possible.
Engaging in worldly activities to avoid the calling.
Attending parties, drinking, and trying to escape God’s purpose.
Divine Intervention and Surrender
God intervened at a party, leading to a moment of realization.
Dropping a beer bottle and crying out to God on a front porch.
Promising to attend a youth camp in Camden, North Carolina, if allowed to return.
Youth Camp Experience
Attending a youth group meeting in a barn.
A message about obeying God resonated deeply.
Walking in “torn up, wretched,” and sitting in the back.
Breaking loose and running to the altar, surrendering to God.
Declaring willingness and availability to serve.
God’s Knowledge and Plan
God had His eyes on Brother Briley, just as He did on the woman at the well.
God knew Brother Briley would surrender and attend the youth camp.
God had a specific message prepared, just as He knew what to tell the woman at the well.
All that was needed was to go to the source.
Worship in Spirit and Truth
God has never failed since getting a hold of Brother Briley.
Even when feeling lost, God is always on the way.
When feeling like giving up, God shows up with the right words.
God’s Constant Presence
Experiencing moments of divine connection, such as hearing a meaningful song on the radio.
Feeling like shouting and praising God while driving.
God’s presence is felt even when alone.
Realizing God has been present all along.
Believing God watched every step of the woman’s journey to the well.
God’s Understanding and Provision
God knows what individuals are going through and where they are.
God is the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley.
In valleys, one can climb the highest hill because God knows every step.
Gratitude for Salvation
Thankful that Jesus became sin so that others might be free.
Grateful for the sacrifice on the cross.
Acknowledging personal responsibility for Jesus’ suffering.
Jesus’ forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The ground quaked, and the sky darkened, signifying “It is finished.”
The Woman’s Transformation
Belief that the woman came to life after drinking the living water.
Jesus’ declaration: “I that speak unto thee am He.”
Jesus is always present, even when one is driving down the road.
Jesus is the one who died on Calvary, found Brother Briley in church, and sees everyone on the street.
Jesus is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
The Woman’s Testimony
The woman left her water pot and went into the city to share her experience.
She told the men about a man who knew everything she had ever done, suggesting He might be the Christ.
Having received the living water, she no longer needed the water pot.
She went straight to the source and got what she needed.
The Lord’s Knowledge and Provision
The Lord knew what the woman was looking for and what she needed.
The one she was with was not her husband.
She drowned in the living water and no longer needed the old water.
Analogy of Thirst and Relief
Like being extremely thirsty and finding relief in cold water.
The woman found relief at the well.
Just as Brother Briley no longer needs the world, the woman no longer needed the water pot.
Critique of Misguided Preachers
Some preachers are misguiding people.
Desire for a preacher who preaches “heaven, sin, and hell hot.”
A God-called preacher preaches on hell.
Criticism of preachers who charge high fees to enter their churches.
The living water is free; all one has to do is accept it.
Call to Action
Encouragement to come to the source and get things fixed up.
Stop relying on oneself and put God first.
Go to the source and see where it leads.
...more
28min
July 20, 2025The Power and Profitability of God’s Word
2 Timothy 3:16
A passage from 2 Timothy 3:16 will be shared.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Gratitude for the Word of God is expressed.
The Bible is a companion in dark and good times.
A treasure for the soul.
A prayer is offered for those who don’t value the Bible.
That they may see it as a friend, companion, rescuer, and savior.
That they recognize the personal power within it.
The Word of God is described as:
Quick and powerful.
Not confined to ink and print.
God’s voice is real and clear.
The Value of the Bible
The Bible should be valued and taken everywhere.
Pastor Tommy takes it to work.
The Word of God flows from the Bible like power from heaven.
It convicts, restores, and revives.
The Bible provides steadfast truth in a world of lies.
It is forever settled in heaven.
It will stand when the world is on fire.
The Word of God hasn’t changed and is not in error.
There is enough treasure in the Bible to keep one digging deeper.
Even after reading a page many times, new insights can be found.
It can lift you up and save you.
Studying the Word
Students of Christ should open and study His Word.
It will correct, fix, and help you.
It will be your companion.
It will stand when the world’s on fire.
The Importance of Preaching and Teaching the Word
The Word of God needs to be preached, taught, and sung.
The Word of God saves.
You are begotten by the Word.
The Bible rescues and helps the soul.
Pastor Tommy appreciates when the Word of God:
Reveals their faults.
Offers hope.
Reminds them of the promise of being with the Lord after death.
The Truth of the Bible
Everything in the Bible is true.
The Bible was written by prophets and apostles inspired by God.
The Word of God will never fail.
It will be our refuge and food.
The Lord came in the volume of the book.
The Word of God can help in times of need.
It is a present help, not just for yesterday or tomorrow.
A text with a verse from Brother Victor in Italy spoke to the soul.
Personal Connection to the Bible
Pastor Tommy has a cherished Bible that they had rebound.
They were worried while it was gone for repair.
It has been a close friend.
Chinese Christians cherish even a small piece of a page from the Bible.
Pastor Tommy never tires of hearing the stories in the Bible.
The virgin birth.
The crucifixion.
The resurrection.
The Bible is not just a book, it has power and gives life.
It is the life-giving breath of God.
It is infallible, inheritable, and incomparable.
The Bible’s Profitability
All Scripture is profitable.
Timothy was taught the Scriptures since he was a boy.
The Old Testament is also valuable.
The book is about the one who can save your soul.
The church revolves around the Bible.
The Holy Ghost speaks from the book.
Stick to what’s profitable.
Doctrine
The Bible is profitable for doctrine, which teaches what is right.
The doctrine in the Bible is always right.
The doctrine produces righteousness unto salvation.
Reproof
The Bible is profitable for reproof, which tells you what is not right.
God is not shy about what’s right and wrong.
The Bible has no respect for a person and will reprove you.
Correction
The Bible is profitable for correction, which tells you how to get it right.
The Lord loves to correct His children.
The Bible provides passages that guide us to:
Repent.
Be humble.
Love our neighbor.
Love God.
Instruction in Righteousness
The Bible is profitable for instruction in righteousness, which tells us how to keep it right.
There is no excuse for sin because the Word of God provides instruction.
Pastor Tommy’s Bible is marked with tear stains, highlights, and notes.
These markings represent personal experiences and guidance from the Holy Ghost.
Joel Song: “You can have all this world, give me Jesus.”
Conclusion
Everything known about God comes from the Bible.
The Bible opens doors to the kingdom of God.
Pastor Tommy worships the God of the book.
We need the doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction of the Bible.
If there is no joy in the book, there is probably a heart condition.
If you love Jesus, you’ll love His book.
...more
35min
July 20, 2025Disobedience, Chastening, and Mercy
Jonah’s Disobedience and God’s Mercy
The Book of Jonah is about the chastening and mercies of God, highlighting the terrifying and comforting truth of Him.
Jonah resisted God’s command to preach to Nineveh because he wanted God to destroy them, as they were against Jerusalem.
Jonah knew that God was merciful and might spare Nineveh if they repented, so he decided to do his own thing.
“The first mistake we make is when we disobey God. When God’s Word has been clear in our lives. And when we begin to look another direction and see a different picture. We begin to do our own thing.”
God’s Chastening and Restoration
God’s chastening of Jonah was also a restoration, as Jonah was rejecting God’s sovereignty, will, and purpose, just like the people of Nineveh.
Even in a horrible, miraculous place like the belly of the fish, Jonah recognized that God was keeping him alive and that God wasn’t finished with him.
“When they throwed him overboard. What he found waiting on him was an ark of salvation. And when that fish swallowed him down. Brother Jonah realized. God ain’t done with me.”
Pastor Tommy expresses gratitude for God’s chastening hand, which proves God’s love.
“Thank God for the chastening hand. For the times when He’s taken us when we should have. Lord, God had every right to cast us away…which is merciful and gracious and kind.”
The Book of Jonah is a warning to obey and serve God.
“If you think for one minute you’re going to get away with anything you’re wrong.”
God deals with people differently, some with a snap of the fingers, others with a stern word, and some, like Jonah, who are more hard-headed.
God’s Sovereignty and Love
God is sovereign and in control, and He will get what He wants out of you.
“He don’t need your advice nor your opinion. He knows exactly what he wants out of you. And let me give you some news. He’ll get it.”
God could have given up on Jonah, but He loved him and made a way for him to escape from the impossible situation.
God will chase and strip away the blinders of sin to bring His children back to Him.
“He’ll chase you. He’ll chase in you. He’ll strip from your eyes the blinders of your sin. And He’ll get you to the place that you’re ready and willing to serve Him again.”
The Book of Jonah is an encouragement that God will deliver His people and not be resisted.
“People throughout all the history of mankind have read about this man who resisted the will of God only to find out that God will not be resisted amen.”
Once you are God’s, you are not your own anymore, and He will continue to work on His children.
God’s Love for Backsliding Children
God’s multiple miracles and mercy toward Jonah remind us that there is no limit to God’s love toward His backsliding children.
“You see, God loves us. He don’t just love them that are good. But He loves them that are trying to be bad.”
Even when Jonah despised God’s word and was willing to die rather than obey, God was already working on his behalf.
“Jonah may be in a place where he has despondent, where he has become the enemy of God, but the very minute they throwed him over that ship, what Jonah didn’t know was that God was already working.”
God had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah and take him to the bottom of the ocean until He was done doing business with him.
God loves His children and will help them if they obey Him.
“And He’ll help you if you’ll obey Him.”
Everyone has their own “fish” experience where God takes them down to accomplish His will.
“Likely everybody in here that’s been saved for any amount of time, you’ve got your own fish somewhere. You’ve got your own experience that you can speak of where God took you down.”
The Pearl of Wisdom in Jonah 2:8
Verse 8 of Jonah chapter 2 contains a pearl of wisdom and the summary of the entire book: “Those that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.”
This verse sums up what Jonah learned through his experience with God.
Even when we make up our minds not to do God’s will, He will move into our lives and open our eyes.
“And brother if it ain’t today it will be…but may I say to you today brother that in the end we’ve got a God that loves us he has never stepped away from us and friend even when we make up our minds that we’re not going to do the will of God, I’m glad that friend he didn’t take no for an answer.”
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God, who will bring us home by whatever means necessary.
“And it’s a fearful thing to fall in the hands of a living God. You may scoff today and you may say there ain’t nothing to it. But brother, there’s plenty to testify here this morning that God don’t play games and He’ll bring us home with whatever means He needs to bring us.”
Regardless of what it takes to come to ourselves, there is one trying to make us come to ourselves.
“Regardless of what it takes for you to come to yourself, ain’t you glad that there’s one. Trying to make you come to yourself.”
Lying Vanities and Forsaking Mercy
Jonah penned the verse about lying vanities, summarizing what he learned about God and himself.
When we turn our view from the world and God’s commands to ourselves, it becomes vanity and self-will, separating us from God.
“Every time that we begin to turn those things. The perspective of life inward. You’re going to find out that it’s nothing but vanity. It is nothing but self-will. And these are things that will separate you from the fellowship of God.”
Vanity is the futility and emptiness of earthly pursuits and worldly desires when separated from God.
“The definition itself is the futility and emptiness of earthly pursuits and worldly desires when they are separated from God.”
Vanity is basically what you want to do, focusing on yourself and your desires.
“When you look in the mirror, you’re looking at you. Your focus is on you. Your intentions are upon you. Your desires are upon you.”
Jonah realized that his troubles began when he started serving himself instead of doing what God said.
Lying vanities whisper in our ears, telling us we don’t need to mind God or do what He says.
“Those vanities that whispered in his ear and said, Jonah, you don’t have to do that. Jonah, you don’t need to mind God. Jonah, you don’t need to do what God said.”
If you are not right with God, a lying vanity is keeping you from Him.
“If you ain’t right of God, God knows that today. And it’s a lying vanity keeping you from Him.”
Lying vanities will tell you falsehoods, but God’s word tells the truth.
“They’ll tell you a falsehood just like they speak it to me. But you understand today, they can lie all they want to. I’ve got something that tells the truth.”
When life is all about self and not God, it’s impossible to enjoy Matthew 6:33 (seek ye first the kingdom of God).
When you follow self and listen to the lies of vanity, you lose the mercy that ought to come from your heart for those who are dying without God.
“When you serve yourself, you’ll miss the purpose of Jesus Christ. Who the Bible said clearly was to seek and to save that which was lost.”
When we observe lying vanities, our focus leaves those in need and centers on ourselves, causing us to run from God.
“When we observe the lying vanities as Jonah did, our focus leaves those that are in need and begins to center upon ourselves. And we’ll run from God.”
Examples of Lying Vanities
Pastor Tommy questions if the problem with the church worldwide is that they have no mercy for sinners anymore.
“I wonder today that if the problem with the church worldwide. I wonder today if the problem with the heart of God’s people around this globe this morning is that they have no mercy for a sinner anymore.”
Lying vanities make us apprehensive to share the truth of Jesus Christ because we worry about what others will think.
“It’s those things that say, oh, but they’re going to think something of you. They’re not going to like you anymore. They’re not going to befriend you anymore.”
David’s lying vanity told him that nobody would know about his sin with Bathsheba, leading to the murder of Uriah.
David’s decision to number the people was driven by lying vanity, resulting in the death of thousands.
The prodigal son’s lying vanities told him that his father didn’t care and that he should take what was coming to him and leave.
Achan’s lying vanity led him to steal from Jericho, resulting in the death of his entire family.
Samson’s lying vanities led to his downfall.
The Remedy: Repentance
The remedy for observing lying vanities is repentance, found four times in Jonah chapter 2.
Jonah cried to the Lord in his affliction, and He heard him (verse 2).
Jonah looked again toward God’s holy temple (verse 4).
Jonah remembered the Lord when his soul fainted (verse 7).
Jonah vowed to sacrifice and give thanks to the Lord (verse 9).
Jonah got right with God, and God heard him.
God spoke to the fish to vomit Jonah out, testing his repentance through action.
“James said it like this way. He said faith without works is dead. It’s one thing to be in the belly of a fish and you crying out and saying I will do what you said. But you know what the test is? If you do it.”
Jonah ran to Nineveh and preached the word, showing that he had learned his lesson about lying vanities.
Conclusion
There are many earthly pursuits and worldly desires that are simply vanity, snares of the adversary to drag us down into self-pursuit.
“There are a lot of earthly pursuits that are simply vanity. That’s the truth, people. There are a lot of worldly desires that our flesh has and they are all just lying vanities.”
If you think you are better than Jonah, David, Samson, or Achan, you are wrong, as there is nothing but vanity in mortal flesh.
“Because if you think for one minute you’re better than Jonah, you are not. You are not better than David. You’re not better than Samson. You’re not better than Achan.”
If you believe the lies of your flawed flesh and follow your own pursuits, there is a “fish” out there with your name on it.
“If you don’t turn from self-absorption, self-love, self-following, and get our heart on others’ mercy, we’re going to miss out. We’re surely going to receive chastening of God.”
Pastor Tommy encourages listeners to be honest and acknowledge if they have been following themselves and serving God half-heartedly.
The chastening of the Lord is not joyous, but afterward, it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness.
“Now the chastening of the Lord for the present is not joyous…He said but afterward, after He’s done, He said it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby.”
It would be easier to forsake yourself and follow God, as He said, than to endure chastening.
“He said, if any man ain’t willing to forsake himself, take up my cross, follow me. He can’t be my disciple.”
...more
53min
July 16, 2025Touched by Our Infirmities
Introduction
The message focuses on the compassion and empathy of Jesus, highlighting specific instances from the Bible where Jesus was moved by human suffering, faith, and the spiritual state of people.
Pastor Tommy emphasizes that Jesus is touched by our infirmities and cares about our lives, encouraging listeners to approach Him with boldness and faith.
Jesus’ Compassion and Empathy
Jesus is touched by our infirmities:
Quoting Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.”
He understands what we go through and is able to help in times of need.
A cry for mercy moves Jesus:
The story of blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10 is used as an example.
Bartimaeus cried out, “Thou son of David, have mercy on me,” and Jesus stopped for him.
Emphasizes that earnest cries to God still move Him to respond and help.
Acts of faith touch Jesus:
The story of the woman with the issue of blood is referenced.
She believed that touching the hem of Jesus’ garment would heal her.
“If I could just touch the hem of His garment, I know that I’ll be made whole.”
Jesus felt power leave Him and turned to find out who touched Him.
Faith intersects with God’s faithfulness to create miracles.
The Centurion’s faith:
The Centurion’s faith in Luke 7 is highlighted.
The Centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant from a distance by just saying the word.
“I am not worthy that you come under my roof. But…if you’ll just say the word…my servant will be healed.”
Jesus marveled at the Centurion’s great faith, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”
Pastor Tommy expresses a desire for people to believe God in such a way that He marvels at their faith.
Unbelief makes Jesus marvel:
In Mark 6:6, Jesus marveled because of the unbelief of the people in his hometown.
He was limited in what he could do because people didn’t believe.
Pastor Tommy expresses a desire to not have Jesus marvel at their unbelief after all the blessings and help He has provided.
Hardness of hearts angers Jesus:
Reference to Mark 3:5, where Jesus was angry and grieved by the hardness of hearts of the Pharisees.
They were more concerned about the Sabbath than the man with the withered hand.
“He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts.”
Pastor Tommy urges listeners to ask God to search their hearts and remove any wickedness that leads to hardness of heart.
Suffering saints move Jesus:
The story of Stephen in Acts 7 is used as an example.
Stephen, while being stoned, looked up to heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
The suffering of those who are martyred or suffer for the cause of Christ still moves God today.
Pastor Tommy believes Jesus has stood up for them in times of suffering.
Jesus weeps:
Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:33, 35).
He was moved by the weeping of Mary and the other Jews.
“When Jesus therefore saw her weeping…He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And…Jesus wept.”
He wept not for Lazarus, but for those still alive and grieving.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
He was moved by the lost souls in the city.
“When He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.”
Pastor Tommy believes Jesus is still touched by the lost people in the world and the lack of people willing to share the gospel.
Conclusion and Invitation
Come boldly to the throne of grace:
Based on Hebrews 4:16, knowing that Jesus is touched by our infirmities, we can come boldly to the throne of grace.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
We can take our cares and troubles to Him, knowing He cares and is touched by what we are going through.
Invitation:
An invitation is extended to those who need help to come forward, believing that Jesus cares for them and their condition.
Pastor Tommy hopes that the message has conveyed that Jesus loves and cares for everyone.
A verse of “Amazing Grace” is sung.
...more
28min
July 13, 2025Overcoming the Wiles of the Devil
Ephesians 6:10-13 – Being Strong in the Lord
Focus on Ephesians 6:10-13, particularly the “wiles of the devil,” defined as schemes, tricks, and lies.
The devil attacks to prevent people from standing firm.
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood.”
Personal experience of being tempted to stay silent before speaking.
The devil tries to discourage and bring down.
Weightlifting Analogy
Relating scripture to weightlifting, using the example of his son’s weightlifting journey.
Son initially struggled in football but persevered.
Improved through hard work, nutrition, and weightlifting.
Became a top performer in the weight room.
The central nervous system’s role in lifting heavy weights.
Body resists heavy weight, causing shaking, pain, and mental discouragement.
Many quit at this point.
Overcoming the “wiles of the devil” is like pushing through the pain and mental barriers in weightlifting.
The devil uses lies and tricks to make challenges seem impossible.
Example: “This person has hurt you too much.”
Advice given to his son and nephew:
Hold the weight to understand the feeling.
Prayer and support from others are essential.
Reference to Aaron needing help holding up his arms.
Gradual progress is key.
His son incrementally increased weight over time.
Importance of standing firm after doing all one can.
Relating weightlifting to spiritual battles and the attacks of the devil.
“Arrows and darts are coming at them.”
Emphasizing the need to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.
“We cannot do this alone.”
Anticipating attacks from the devil, either now or in the future.
Remembering that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.”
Wile E. Coyote Analogy
Comparing the devil’s schemes to Wile E. Coyote’s tricks.
The Roadrunner’s confidence and focus on his goal.
Confidence in the Lord allows us to overcome the “things of darkness.”
Personal testimony of being saved at a young age.
Acknowledging ongoing struggles and reliance on faith.
Recalling a time when his daughter was in the hospital with a heart condition.
Despite the scary situation, faith remained strong.
“Her little heart may be half a heart in there, but that little God is full.”
David and Goliath
Drawing a parallel between the Roadrunner’s confidence and David facing Goliath.
David’s confidence in the Lord despite Goliath’s size and experience.
The army was scared and tricked by the devil’s wiles.
David’s declaration: “I come to Thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.”
Emphasizing reliance on God’s power, not personal strength.
David’s past experiences with the lion and the bear gave him confidence.
“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?”
Encouragement to face seemingly impossible giants with faith.
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities.”
Invitation to Accept Jesus
The only way to stand is through the power of God’s might.
Without Jesus, one can only rely on oneself.
Offering an opportunity to:
Accept Jesus as Savior.
Seek help to stand in His might.
Find confidence.
Get rid of things.
If lost, there is no hope without Jesus.
Personal testimony of the blessings of following the Lord.
When faced with the devil’s tricks, prayer brings help and strength.
“I’m still standing in the power of His blood.”
...more
21min
July 13, 2025God’s Love and Mercy
The Potter and the Clay
Pastor Tommy expresses gratitude and surprise at God’s role as the potter, molding individuals.
“Sometimes when the potter gets a hold of the clay, he’s got to mold it a little bit.”
Relates this to a Bible school lesson about God breathing on clay to make man, and on man to make him clay, emphasizing the need to be moldable by the Spirit of God.
Psalms 116
Pastor Tommy references Psalms 116, highlighting the psalmist’s love for the Lord because He hears his voice and supplications.
“I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice and my supplications, because He hath inclined His ear unto me.”
Pastor Tommy notes the psalmist’s declaration to call upon the Lord as long as he lives.
“Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.”
Pastor Tommy references the psalmist’s experience with sorrows of death and pains of hell, emphasizing finding trouble and sorrow, and calling upon the Lord for deliverance.
“The sorrows of death come past me. The pains of hell get hold upon me. I found trouble and sorrow and called now upon the name of the Lord.”
Pastor Tommy highlights the psalmist’s recognition of God’s graciousness, righteousness, and mercy.
“Gracious is the Lord and righteous. Yea, our God is merciful.”
Pastor Tommy notes the psalmist’s acknowledgement of being brought low and helped by the Lord.
“The Lord preserveth the simple. I was brought low and he helped me.”
Pastor Tommy references the psalmist’s call to return to rest, recognizing the Lord’s bountiful dealings.
“Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.”
Pastor Tommy highlights the psalmist’s gratitude for deliverance from death, tears, and falling.
“For thou hast delivered my soul from death mine eyes from tears and my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.”
Pastor Tommy notes the psalmist’s declaration to walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
“I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”
Pastor Tommy references the psalmist’s belief and subsequent speaking, despite great affliction.
“I believed, therefore have I spoken. I was greatly afflicted.”
Pastor Tommy highlights the psalmist’s realization that all men are liars in haste.
“I said in my haste, all men are liars.”
Pastor Tommy notes the psalmist’s question of what to render unto the Lord for all His benefits.
“What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?”
Pastor Tommy references the psalmist’s intention to take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.
“I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.”
Pastor Tommy highlights the psalmist’s commitment to pay vows unto the Lord in the presence of all His people.
“I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.”
Pastor Tommy notes the preciousness of the death of His saints in the sight of the Lord.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
Pastor Tommy references the psalmist’s declaration of being the Lord’s servant and the son of His handmaid, acknowledging that the Lord has loosed his bonds.
“O Lord, truly I am Thy servant. I am Thy servant and the son of Thine handmaid. Thou hast loosed my bonds.”
Pastor Tommy highlights the psalmist’s intention to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord.
“I will offer to Thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving. And will call upon the name of the Lord.”
Pastor Tommy notes the psalmist’s commitment to pay vows unto the Lord in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of Jerusalem.
“I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people in the courts of the Lord’s house in the midst of the old Jerusalem.”
Pastor Tommy concludes with “Praise ye the Lord.”
Prayer
Trust in God’s Word and thankfulness for the balm it provides.
Recognition of God as the God of all comfort.
Prayer for every soul in need to receive comfort.
Request for clear vision and hearing, and to be moved by God’s presence.
Emphasis on putting all trust in God and believing in Him regardless of circumstances.
Acknowledgement that God is the only God and our only hope.
Gratitude for God’s presence.
Praise the Lord
Importance of praising the Lord, which is sometimes neglected.
God is always worthy of praise.
Personal experience of opening the Bible and seeing “You’re blessed of the Lord” in the 15th verse.
Recognition that people of God are blessed.
Love for the Lord stems from His love for us first.
“I love the Lord because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Goes right along with what John said. He said we don’t love him first. No, we love him because he loved us.”
God’s love is the standard, perfect and beyond human comprehension.
God’s love extends to those who have sinned, offering forgiveness and salvation.
“God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for our sins.”
Inability to earn God’s love, as it is a gift of grace.
God has already proven His love, and we are blessed as a people.
Even in poverty, a child of God should love the Lord for His goodness.
God rescues souls from horrible pits and miry plains.
Love God with all your heart.
God’s Unconditional Love
It is impossible to earn God’s love.
“Brother, you can’t earn the love of God.”
God loves us in spite of ourselves, and this is due to His grace.
The psalmist recognizes God’s faithfulness and love in all deeds.
God proved His love by giving His only begotten son.
“Well, God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. We know the verse. We know what God done to prove his love to the world.”
Trying to earn God’s love is futile because He already loves us completely.
God loved us before we were born, demonstrated by sending His Son to die for our sins.
God made a way for us before the foundation of the world, knowing sin would come.
We cannot do enough to be worthy of God’s love.
“oh what a noose about our necks when we try to produce something worthy of the love of God listen you can’t do enough to be worthy of how we’ve been loved by God.”
God loved us in spite of ourselves and paid the price when no one else could.
David calls upon the Lord because there is no one else who can rescue him.
“Because he had inclined his ears unto me. David said, I love you. Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. Who else am I going to call upon? Who else is there that can rescue me?”
God is good to us, and we have reason to love Him.
Sorrows and Rescue
The psalmist acknowledges experiencing sorrows of death and pains of hell.
“the sorrows of death come past me and the pains of hell get upon me. I found trouble and sorrow.”
David recognizes that God was always faithful and loved him, even in difficult times.
“But here’s one where he backs off, and he simply recognizes that in all of his deeds, God was always faithful and loved him.”
David’s praise is not about worldly treasures but about God’s rescue.
“He said, no. He said, I’ll tell you, I love the Lord really because when I thought I was a goner, He rescued me.”
David will love and call upon God as long as he lives because God rescued him when death came near.
The pains of hell were a vivid and painful memory for David.
David called upon the name of the Lord in those difficult times.
“Then called I upon the name of the Lord.”
God rescues us from places where we see no answer or solution.
God is true, even when all men are liars.
“I thought to myself all men are liars. When it comes right down to it God is still true today and we need to love Him.”
Peter’s plea for salvation when sinking in the water is similar to David’s plea.
“Oh Lord, I beseech Thee, deliver my soul. He said the same thing that Peter said when he was sinking in the water Peter said Lord save me I’m going down”
God saves us even when we lose our vision and seek worldly solutions.
God is the answer to our problems, not the world.
“If you think the answer is in this world, that’s not where it’s at. It’s done been done to us. God is the answer.”
God’s Grace and Mercy
David acknowledges God’s graciousness, righteousness, and mercy.
“Gracious is the Lord and righteous. Yea, our God is merciful.”
God helps us when we need Him, when we cry out to Him.
“God help me. God helped me. When I needed Him, when I cried out to Him, when my supplication went up unto God.”
The Lord preserves the simple.
“The Lord preseth the simple.”
David was brought low, and God helped him.
“I was brought low and He helped me.”
The Lord has dealt bountifully with us.
“Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.”
God is worthy of our praise, and it’s not because He has failed or is unable to help.
God can help us regardless of our condition or need.
“Whatever condition that you have, whatever need that you have of God today, He can help you.”
David acknowledges that God has always been there for him.
Love the Lord because He hears our prayers.
God will help us if we let Him.
Invitation to lay down on the altar and let God have it.
God loves us and has made a way for us.
God has not failed and is still perfect.
Call on Him for the sinner to come.
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22min
July 09, 2025VBS Wednesday
Prayer and Introduction
Opening prayer expressing gratitude and seeking wisdom, discernment, and a joyful pursuit of God.
Focus on the universal presence of God (omnipresence).
God is everywhere, filling everything.
Encouragement to seek God with one’s whole heart.
Experiencing spiritual joys by moving in and out of the spiritual world, which exists parallel to the physical world.
Constant pursuit of God, trying to apprehend Him.
Hearing Him
The Speaking Voice
John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The voice of God is a crucial reality.
God’s voice is more than just the Bible; it’s the expression of His will spoken into all things.
God’s word is the breath of God, filling the world with living potential.
The voice of God is the most powerful force in nature.
Example: God spoke, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
The Bible is the inerrant word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
The voice of God is not limited to the printed word.
The greatest joy is hearing God’s voice.
Adam heard God’s voice even after running from Him.
Elijah heard God in a still, small voice after wind, fire, and earthquake.
The importance of hearing God’s voice for believers.
The Bible is confined to ink, paper, and leather, but God’s voice is not limited.
Experiencing times of clearly hearing God and times when it’s difficult.
The soul is moved by the truth that God speaks to individuals.
Some wake up hearing God speak.
If one has never heard God’s voice, they may not be saved.
The drawing power of the Holy Spirit opens ears to hear God’s voice.
“You will know Him when He speaks.”
Sometimes God’s voice booms, sometimes it’s still and small.
Preaching is near to hearing God speak.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
John 6:63 – “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
The unique power of God’s voice.
“My sheep hear My voice.”
God is not silent today; He has always spoken.
Encouragement to trust that you will recognize God’s voice when He speaks.
The present voice of God makes the written word powerful.
God speaks a book and lives in His spoken words.
Even those who haven’t heard of the Bible have been preached to sufficiently.
Hearing Him is a necessity in the pursuit of God.
The joy in the journey is hearing Him speak.
Battles fought and the difficulty of overcoming the veil over hearts.
Seeing Him: The Gaze of the Soul
Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Seeing God is not with physical eyes but spiritually.
To see God, one must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
One must be born again to have the spirit of Christ and see Him.
Faith is essential for seeing God.
Without faith, it’s impossible to please God, approach God, or have forgiveness, deliverance, salvation, communion, or spiritual life.
Faith is a gift from God and comes by hearing the Word of God.
Numbers 21:8 – “Everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live.”
John 3:14-15 – “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Looking and believing are synonymous.
Faith is the gaze of the soul upon God.
The danger of creating graven images of Jesus.
Example: Being spooked by seeing the actor who played Jesus in “The Chosen” when closing eyes to sleep.
The commandment against making graven images.
When gazing upon God, no image comes back, but a bit of glory is seen.
Faith causes us to take our eyes off the world and look into the spiritual realm.
Believing is directing the heart’s attention to Jesus.
Faith is lifting the mind to behold the Lamb of God.
At first, gazing upon God may be difficult, but it becomes easier with practice.
Distractions may hinder, but the heart will return to Him.
Constant pursuit of God trains souls to gaze upon His person.
The volitional act of gazing upon God becomes a spiritual reflex.
Some are not spiritually exercised in gazing upon God.
When gazing upon God, He mutes distractions.
Like the eye that sees everything but itself, faith is occupied with God and pays no attention to itself.
The man who has struggled to purify himself will find relief in looking to Christ.
While looking at Christ, the things one has been trying to do will get done within him.
Faith is a redirecting of our sight, getting out of focus on ourselves and focusing on God.
Sin has twisted our vision inward.
Focusing on God solves problems because the Holy Spirit does what needs to be done.
It is grievous to see Christians bound and unable to gaze upon Him and hear Him.
The joy of the journey is chasing after Him and seeking Him every day.
Even in unconsciousness, the mind tries to gaze on Him.
Knowing Him
Psalms 57:5 – “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let thy glory be above all the earth.”
Order in nature depends on right relationships.
Human miseries stem from a moral dislocation in our relation to God.
Salvation is the restoration of a right relation between man and his creator.
A satisfactory spiritual life begins with a complete change in relation between God and the sinner.
The pursuit of God involves bringing our total personality into conformity to Him.
Voluntary exalting of God.
Begin prayers with praise, exalting God until He’s on the throne.
When the relationship is aligned, prayer happens.
It is necessary to exalt Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
We often bring God down and try to make Him like us.
Determining to exalt God over all means stepping out of the world’s parade.
Prayer is loved because it allows one to leave the world for a while.
Every prayer should start with praise to put God back on the throne.
The problem is not that God’s not on His throne, but that He’s not on His throne in your heart.
Engaging in the act of exalting God creates a connection with the spiritual.
The pursuit of God is where the glory and joy of the soul are experienced.
The right relationship is where it begins.
A break with the world results from a changed relation to God.
The world of fallen men does not honor God.
A simple test shows how little God is honored: choices between God and money, men, ambition, self, or human love.
Those who seek God will find Him because they will get Him on the throne.
The proof is in the choices made day after day.
Meekness and Rest
Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
The burden is an interior one, attacking the heart and mind.
The burden of pride is a heavy load.
Much sorrow arises from others speaking slightingly of you.
The heart’s effort to protect itself from every slight never lets the mind have rest.
The sons of earth carry this burden continually, challenging every word, cringing under criticism.
The meek man is not a human mouse with a sense of inferiority.
The meek man has stopped being fooled about himself.
He knows he is weak and helpless as God has declared him to be.
He knows he is of more importance than angels in the sight of God.
He knows the world will never see him as God sees him, and he has stopped caring.
The Sacrament of Living
1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
A major hindrance to internal peace is dividing life into sacred and secular areas.
Do not compartmentalize the simple, normal, secular things.
Make a sacrament out of your life.
Turn all hours into opportunities to glorify God.
Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.
Don’t compartmentalize and leave God out of parts of your life.
He wants to be a part of folding your drawers.
Do all to the glory of God.
Inhabit two worlds: the spiritual and the natural.
The sacred-secular mentality has no foundation in the New Testament.
Jesus knew no divided life; He always did the things that pleased the Father.
Paul’s exhortation opens the possibility of making every act contribute to God’s glory.
Even menial tasks like eating and drinking can honor God.
There is nothing in your life that you cannot include God in.
A real pursuit of Christ will not involve a compartmentalized life.
Learn to pursue Him always.
Do everything as to the glory of God.
Practice living to the glory of God.
Meditate upon this truth and talk it over with God in prayers.
Recall it to mind frequently.
The old duality will give way to a restful unity of life.
The knowledge that we are all God’s will unify our inner lives and make everything sacred.
Offer all acts to God and believe that He accepts them.
Remind God in private prayer that we need every act for His glory.
Supplement those times with a thousand thought prayers.
If we could get this right, our neighbor would see Jesus more.
It’s not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, but why he does it.
The motive is everything.
Sanctify the Lord God in your heart, and you can do no common act.
Living itself will be sacramental.
The whole world becomes a sanctuary.
The entire life will be a priestly ministration.
As simple tasks are performed, one will hear the voice of the seraphim saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory.”
Make every part of life an offering to God.
Pursue God constantly and follow hard after Him.
Wake out of sleep and go deeper.
Seek to know Him and the power of His resurrection.
See His glory and apprehend the One who has apprehended us.
Do everything unto Him and pursue God with all your heart.
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1h 29min
July 08, 2025VBS Tuesday
Introduction
The focus is on pursuing God and addressing hindrances to that pursuit.
Philippians 3:7-14 is referenced as an example of Paul’s pursuit of God, despite his accomplishments.
Paul counted his former gains as loss for Christ.
He suffered the loss of all things to win Christ.
Paul pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.
The primary issue hindering the pursuit of God is self.
Self ministers to the flesh instead of the spirit.
The goal is to identify areas where we need to “strip away” self and allow God to own us.
Being Made in His Image
Humans have the capacity to know God, unlike other creatures.
Sin separates us from God, causing us to run from Him.
Born-again believers have a willingness to go toward God.
Matthew 7:8 promises that those who ask, seek, and knock will receive, find, and have doors opened to them.
Hebrews 10:19 discusses having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus opened the way into the holiest of holies, but many remain content in the outer court.
Sin separates us from God and hinders our pursuit of Him.
John 4 discusses worshipping God in spirit and in truth, as the Father seeks such worshippers.
The Blessedness of Nothingness
Before creating man, God prepared the world with useful and pleasant things for man’s use.
These “things” were meant to be subservient to man, with God holding the central place in the heart.
Problems began when “things” were allowed to enter the human heart, displacing God.
Luke 9:23 states that to follow Christ, one must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him daily.
Denying self involves removing self (or “things”) from the throne and replacing it with God.
The sin nature within us has a fierce passion to possess and control things.
Children are naturally selfish and want to possess things.
God must be Lord of all or not at all.
Abraham’s example: He wasn’t allowed to love Isaac more than God.
God tested Abraham to see if Isaac had taken His place in Abraham’s heart.
Abraham had to prove he possessed nothing but the Lord.
Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, demonstrating that God was his ultimate priority.
The test revealed that Abraham possessed nothing greater in his heart than God.
If we are set upon the pursuit of God, He will bring us to this test.
The pursuit of God is abandoned when anything other than Christ takes the top spot.
Removing the Veil
There often remains a “veil” between us and God, leading to a superficial Christian life.
Hebrews 10:19 discusses boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus.
The “instant cure” for religious ills is to become aware that we are in God and God is in us.
This awareness would lift us out of narrowness and burn away impurities.
With the veil removed by Jesus’ flesh, we have every right to enter the holiest place.
The reason we don’t pursue God is because of sin.
The question is posed: What keeps us from going into the holiest place?
The answer is often given that we are cold, but there is something more serious: the veil of flesh.
This veil is our fallen nature living on, unjudged, uncrucified, and unrepudiated.
There must be a work of God in destruction before we are free.
We must invite the cross to do its deadly work within us.
A person cannot crucify themselves; it requires God’s help.
The crucifixion is a spiritual activity where we open our hearts to God and ask the Holy Spirit to do what only He can do.
Many try to do it themselves and end up just “acting it out” without truly being in His presence.
The Holy Spirit can crucify the flesh and deal with the veil in our heart.
If you are tired of self and need help, the Holy Spirit can do what you can’t.
It’s time to deal with the uncrucified self-life and get the veil removed from our heart.
After Hitting God
Psalms 34:8 encourages us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.”
The Bible assumes we can know God with the same immediacy as we know physical things.
The Bible assumes a relationship is possible between man and God.
The reason many know so little of habitual communion with God is our chronic unbelief.
Faith enables our spiritual sense to function.
If we want to pursue Christ, we must do it with faith.
Where faith is defective, there will be inward insensibility and numbness towards spiritual things.
We have established bad thought habits, thinking of the visible world as real and doubting the reality of the spiritual world.
At the root of the Christian life lies belief in the invisible.
The great unseen reality is God.
We must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
We must avoid pushing the spiritual world into the future; it is present.
The spiritual world parallels our familiar physical world, and the doors between the two are open.
A person seeking God is going in and out of these two worlds all day long.
The soul has eyes and ears with which to see and hear in the spiritual realm.
The reality of God is a present reality.
The Universal Presence
The pursuit of God requires recognizing that God is everywhere and that He is here.
Psalms 139:7 asks, “Whither shall I flee from thy presence?”
God dwells in His creation and is everywhere indivisibly present in all His works.
While God dwells in His world, He is separated from it by a gulf forever impassable.
You cannot physically “get to God” by traveling; He is already here.
Because of our spiritual connection with God, we are always able to pursue Him.
Adam tried to hide from God after sinning, but could not.
David also had thoughts of trying to escape from God’s presence, but realized it was impossible.
Paul assured the Athenians that God is not far from any one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being.
If God is present at every point in space, why has that presence not become the one universally celebrated fact of the world?
Jacob, in the wilderness, realized, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.”
The presence and the manifestation of the presence are not the same.
There can be one without the other.
On our part, there must be surrender to the Spirit of God, for His work is to show us the Father and the Son.
If we cooperate with the Spirit of God in loving obedience, God will manifest Himself to us.
The difference between a nominal Christian life and a radiant life is the manifestation of God’s face.
Our pursuit of God is successful because He is forever seeking to manifest Himself to us.
All He has ever done for any of His children, He will do for all of His children.
The difference lies not with God, but with us.
Tozer believed it to be spiritual receptivity or spiritual awareness.
Some are simply open to heaven and respond to the Holy Spirit’s urges.
The tragic results of lacking this are shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, and a glorification of men.
It will require a determined heart to wrench ourselves loose from the grip of our times and return to biblical ways.
If you want God, He will come to you.
Let any man turn to God in earnest and exercise himself unto godliness.
The universal presence is a fact.
God is here, and He is always trying to get our attention, to reveal Himself to us, to communicate with us.
We have within us the ability to know Him if we will but respond to His bidding.
This is the Pursuit of God.
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1h 28min
July 07, 2025VBS Monday
Bible School 2025: The Pursuit of God
Introduction
The goal for the week is to dive deep into spiritual topics as adults while the children receive special instruction.
The church has been praying for the Holy Spirit to saturate and fill every room, heart, and teacher throughout the week.
“It takes the Holy Spirit to do anything that is spiritually important.”
The focus will be on the pursuit of God, revisiting a topic from the previous year with expanded lessons.
Notes will be available for those who want them.
Pastor Tommy emphasizes the importance of God’s people “getting into that normal, expectant, pushing toward apprehending God every day.”
The devil uses many “thieves” to steal the relationship with God.
Pastor Tommy credits A.W. Tozer’s book, The Pursuit of God, as a significant influence.
Tozer was a pastor who gave away all royalties from his books and lived a simple life dedicated to serving God.
“Here was a man that gave everything he had to serve God…he gave it away and he wrote never owned a car him and his wife would road a bus everywhere they went.”
Revelation 2 and 3: Churches of Ephesus and Laodicea
The Revelator, through the Holy Spirit, provides a chronological picture of the church age, from the New Testament church to the church of Laodicea.
Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7):
A powerful, growing church filled with the transforming power of God.
Known for its works, labor, patience, and intolerance of evil.
Criticized for having “left thy first love.”
The church is urged to repent and return to their initial devotion.
Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22):
Represents the modern church, characterized by talk of religion but lacking substance.
Materially rich but spiritually “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, leading to the threat of being “spewed…out of my mouth.”
The church is warned to repent and return to God.
Pastor Tommy suggests that elements of both churches may be present in contemporary congregations.
Some may have lost their first love, worn down by the world.
Others may be living in sin and indifferent toward God.
Both conditions require change and repentance.
The Pursuit of God: An Urge Within Us
The pursuit of God is spurred by an urge that God places within us.
The Holy Spirit wants to help individuals move from where they are to where they need to be.
John 6:44 states, “No man can come unto Me except the Father draw him.”
It was the Holy Spirit that led individuals to conviction and opened their hearts to faith.
Pastor Tommy emphasizes that salvation is not the end but the beginning of a journey.
“When a person is born again, that is but the inception.”
The Holy Spirit’s work is essential to prevent individuals from taking credit for their spiritual achievements.
“If it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit of God I wouldn’t be saved.”
The impulse to pursue God originates with God, and the outworking is our following hard after Him.
Even in pursuit, individuals are already in God’s hand.
Apathy and indifference toward God are prevalent among Christians.
People come to church and leave unchanged, without engaging in personal prayer or Bible study.
Examples of Pursuing God
David (Psalm 63:1, 8; 42:1-2):
Sought God early and thirsted for Him.
His soul followed hard after God.
“O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for Thee.”
A man after God’s own heart, always wanting more of Him.
Moses:
Spoke with God face to face but desired to see His glory.
God honored his request by allowing him to see a glimpse of His glory from the cleft of the rock.
Moses’ face shone brightly after the encounter.
“Moses got to see it because he asked him for more.”
Apostle Paul (Philippians 3:12-14, 8-10):
Acknowledged that he had not yet attained perfection but continued to follow after God.
Pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Counted all things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.
Desired to “win Christ” and “know Him.”
“I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”
The Current State of the Church
Many Christians are satisfied with a salvation experience and have a meager opinion of God.
There is a commission and purpose that should burn in the soul, causing a desire for God.
Pastor Tommy contrasts spectators with participators in churches.
Some are indifferent to the presence of God, even when the Holy Ghost is moving.
“In churches today, there’s as many spectators as there are participators, if not more.”
Pastor Tommy emphasizes that individuals should come to church to get excited about God, not just to watch the preacher.
“If you come on Sunday morning expecting to see the preacher get excited and hoping you’ll get blessed somehow from that interaction, you have missed the whole point.”
The joy is in the journey, the pursuit of God.
Pastor Tommy encourages listeners to pursue God for a greater experience and to come boldly into His presence.
“Come in boldly.”
Symptoms of a Lack of Pursuit
No Appetite (Matthew 5:6):
Lack of hunger and thirst for righteousness.
People go for weeks, months, or years with no spiritual appetite.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
This is often because they are “snacking off the devil’s pantry,” filling their lives with junk.
Lying Tongue (Matthew 15:8-9):
Drawing near to God with the mouth but the heart is far from Him.
Worship becomes a spectator sport, lacking genuine experience.
No spiritual activity or awareness away from the church.
“This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”
Proud Heart (James 4:6):
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Resistance to God due to pride, unwillingness to let go of self.
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Requires submission to God, putting self down and Him up.
Fear the Deep (Ezekiel 47):
Shallow praying and worship, lacking depth and personal connection.
Relationship with God is not deepening.
“Shallow praying, shallow worship plagues most Christian churches.”
Challenge to go deeper with God and follow hard after Him.
Blindness (Revelation 3:17):
Spiritually blind to the truth, unaware of their true condition.
Indifference to God’s presence and the moving of the Holy Ghost.
“Thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
Complacency:
A deadly foe of spiritual growth.
Acute desire must be present for Christ to manifest Himself.
“Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people.”
The Disease: Self
The root cause of these symptoms is self (S-E-L-F).
Luke 9:23 states, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.”
1 John 2:16 identifies the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life as being of the world, not of the Father.
The self-life is fueled by lust and pride, innate within our sin nature.
The best one can do is daily bring it before the Lord to be crucified.
Individuals cannot crucify themselves; they need the Holy Spirit’s help.
“You can’t crucify you.”
The Holy Spirit knows how and why to crucify self and will do it when asked.
James 4:6 reiterates that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Romans 12:1 urges believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
Different Self-Problems
Self-Righteousness:
The belief that one is right in their beliefs, attitudes, and behavior and that others are wrong.
“Self-righteousness literally means self-right.”
Self-Pity:
Self-indulgent dwelling on one’s own sorrows and misfortunes.
A snare used by the enemy.
Self-Confidence:
Confidence in one’s self and in one’s powers and ability.
Dangerous because it ignores that our strength comes from God.
Self-Sufficiency:
Able to maintain oneself without help.
Denies the need for God and the church.
Self-Admiration:
An exaggerated opinion of one’s own qualities or abilities.
Makes one an easy target for the devil because their eyes are on themselves, not on God.
Self-Love:
Love of one’s self, which is pride.
Everyone is capable and probably guilty of these due to the shared sin nature.
To pursue God, one must deal with self.
Conclusion
The remaining sessions will focus on things that help accomplish the pursuit of God.
The joy is in the journey of pursuing Him.
Pastor Tommy encourages listeners to seek God and apply the message to their lives.
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1h 8min
July 06, 2025The Witness of God
Testimony and Witness
A personal testimony: “I was once blind, but now I see,” emphasizing God’s intervention.
Illustrates being “blind without God” and God’s act of coming to humanity.
1 John 5:6-13
Focus on the witness of Jesus Christ through water and blood.
“This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.”
The Spirit as a bearer of truth.
“It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”
The Trinity as a unified witness in heaven: Father, Word, and Holy Ghost.
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
Earthly witnesses: the Spirit, the water, and the blood, agreeing in one.
“And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”
The importance of believing in the Son of God to have eternal life.
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
The Importance of Witness
The concept of witnesses pointing to God throughout life.
The idea that these witnesses will stand against individuals on judgment day.
Warning about the coming judgment and the need to prepare.
The extraordinary nature of God’s care for humanity.
In a court of law, the best witness determines the outcome.
All are guilty before God if not born again.
Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.
“Thank God through the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed that day on that cruel cross for me, he made a way that my sins could be atoned for.”
Those who believe in Christ are not condemned because condemnation is removed.
Scripture concludes that all are under sin.
“The scripture has already concluded that all are under sin.”
A better judgment awaits the people of God who are born again.
A judgment awaits the wicked, ungodly, and unbelieving.
No reason will stand when one gets before God.
“There ain’t gonna be a reason that’ll stand when you get before God.”
Losing one’s soul is the ultimate loss, regardless of worldly gain.
“What would it profit you to gain everything in this world and then stand before God one day undone?”
The Witness of Grace
The grace of God brings salvation and has appeared to all men.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”
No one can claim ignorance or lack of opportunity on judgment day.
Grace intervenes to awaken conscience to the truth of standing before the Creator.
Grace is a witness to turn people from sin to God and salvation.
The grace of God will stand as a witness, either for or against individuals.
The choice is between receiving Christ and missing salvation.
If humans were good, Jesus wouldn’t have had to suffer on the cross.
The Witness of God’s Handiwork
Romans 1:20: God’s invisible qualities are clearly seen through creation, leaving no excuse.
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
Even the handiwork of God declares His existence.
Worshipping creation instead of the Creator will be a witness against individuals.
Creation points to God as the creator.
The beauty of the world should lead to giving God the glory.
Falling down and worshipping the Creator is essential.
Creation is a witness, and there are countless unexplainable things that point to God.
God’s creation is a marvel that inspires awe and excitement.
The destruction of the earth is coming.
“He said he’s going to melt it with a fire of heat. Every bit of it is going to dissolve and be gone.”
The earth may serve as a witness on judgment day, reminding sinners of what they rejected.
The Witness of God’s Goodness
Romans 2:4: God’s goodness leads to repentance.
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
God’s goodness is a witness to the soul.
God loves everyone, including sinners.
God’s goodness is evident in everyday life, such as breathing and being able to attend church.
The goodness of God will stand against those who shut their eyes to it.
Witnesses are everywhere, even as people walk toward hell.
The Great Cloud of Witnesses
Hebrews 12:1: A great cloud of witnesses surrounds us.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Besides God’s handiwork, goodness, and grace, there are people who testify to knowing Jesus Christ.
These witnesses encourage others to understand and follow Christ.
Past and present witnesses testify to a better way and God’s deliverance.
The actions and testimonies of believers serve as a witness to others.
Those who reject these witnesses will remember every opportunity they had to turn to Christ.
God’s goodness, grace, creation, and mercy bring the light of Christ into people’s lives.
The church is a witness, and its members care for and pray for others.
Church bells and lights serve as a witness to the community.
The witnesses of God show His goodness, mercies, and love.
Even children can be witnesses.
God can use unexpected means, like bells, to bring people to Jesus.
Witnesses are a reminder of God’s nearness and desire to save.
Paul’s Testimony to Agrippa
Paul’s testimony to King Agrippa and Festus.
Festus accused Paul of madness due to much learning.
Paul asserted his sanity and the king’s awareness of the events.
The events were not done in a corner, indicating they were a public witness.
Every opportunity and encounter serves as a witness.
The Witness of the Holy Ghost and the Gospel
The Holy Ghost is a witness and the Spirit of truth.
The Holy Ghost knows everything about individuals.
The gospel will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
The Word of God is a witness, a light shining in a dark place.
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for those who believe.
Preaching saves those who believe.
The Witness of the Trinity
1 John 5:6: Jesus Christ came by water and blood.
“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.”
John 19:34: John’s eyewitness account of blood and water flowing from Jesus’ side.
“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”
John’s testimony is true and meant for belief.
The Spirit, water, and blood bear witness on earth.
These three agree that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, sent for sin.
Christ alone is the way to God.
There is ample evidence for belief.
No one will have an excuse on judgment day due to the overwhelming evidence of God.
Christ is the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.
Christ saw those who would believe from the place of suffering.
All is a witness.
Believe and accept Christ to avoid these witnesses being against you.
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42min

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