From the example of the congregation in Philadelphia, Turkey - we learn that the Lord can open doors of ministry for us, even in the middle of very difficult times. We learn here that having to persevere can qualify us for ministry.

Drawing lessons from Christ's letter to the messenger of a congregation - in Smyrna, Turkey - Pastor Alan declares the reality of spiritual battles and persecution. From the example of Polycarp's death we are all encouraged to trust God to give us the courage we need when we need it.

From the Jesus' Epistles in His Revelation, as penned by John, Jesus Christ praises the Ephesian Church before correcting their lack of first love for Him, i. e. their foremost devotion. In like manner, many modern believers have much to be praised for by the Lord, but if we lack passion for Him, we are in need of His correction.

While the church in Laodicea was not who they thought they were,

a serious question is then asked of us, "Are we who we say we are?"

With some personal insight, Pastor Alan calls the hearer to repent and return by putting God first everyday, to overcome becoming lukewarm.

This sermon involves the problems and solutions for overcoming the fear of what people might or might not think. Gaining victory over this malady involves our remembering that people are mortals, i. e. they are fallible and are going die, while our God is eternal and infallible. He is the only one to be feared and yet we know that He values us highly.

From the enlightening conversation Jesus had with Peter at the end of JOHN 21, the Word is declared concerning the encumbrances that come when we compare ourselves to one another, as well as how to overcome our being trapped by the "comparing game".

Fully appreciating why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is such good news involves our truly understanding the bad news, i. e. the fact that we are all natural born sinners with a death sentence hanging over our lives.

Not only did Jesus die in our place to give us divine substitution but He also arose from the dead to give us divine justification.

While drawing more insights from the Discipling of Simon Peter, Pastor Alan shares from his own story while exhorting all people to become followers of Jesus, especially those who may have begun in the past but have gotten off track for any reason. The truth is in the fact that the call of Jesus has not changed for anyone who iwilling to follow Him again.

Drawing lessons from the Gospel of Matthew, on the discipleship journey of Simon Barjonah, whom Jesus named Peter, Pastor Alan declares the truth that is both wonderful and difficult concerning the transformation process the Christ begins in us as His disciples.

With a desire to encourage our journey as disciples of Jesus Christ, Pastor Alan Latta illustrates from the story of Simon Barjonah that sometimes there may be failure on our part but the Lord never recants His call and command for us to follow Him.