Pastor Eugene Smith

Hebrews 9:24-28 mention three times that Christ appears: his sacrifice upon the cross, in the very presence of God in heaven and his return. Christ now appears before the face of God for us, insuring that all we need for victory is supplied. His future is intertwined with us as he prepares us to receive his inheritance with him! What a privilege is ours. Let us come to the throne of grace boldly!

Faith must be expressed by love. God has given us the basic building block: faith. Now the believer must give the appropriate diligent response. What must the believer 'add' to that faith so that it is expressed in love to all people?

What is the role of the church in its mission to the world? What job description has given it? Often the church attempts to do what only the Holy Spirit can do, and even attempts to take on the role of angels battling in the heavenlies! Yet the church is not called to do either. It is called to love unconditionally. Listen to this powerful testimony of how love transformed a most unlikely group of people in a mental institution. Be ready to be challenged to be a candidate through whom the love of God may flow.

The Feast of Dedication is the background to the famous allegory of Jesus concerning the Good Shepherd In John 10. What is this feast, and how does Jesus use it to explain his mission? And who are the thieves and robbers who come to kill, steal and destroy? There is much to learn from the lips of Jesus!

Faith comes by hearing. After God has done his part, what is the believer responsible for? While the believer cannot create faith, he must give the proper response after he has heard God speak. God has supplied faith as the basic building block. Now man must 'add' to that faith.

How does a believer go from true faith to getting sidetracked? The goal is true biblical faith is always godly living. Whenever the believer has a different end focus, a straying is already set in motion. Paul's first letter to Timothy deals much with this concern.

Faith that does not give north to love is an imitation. True biblical faith always gives birth to love and produces hope. Our response should always be trust and obedience. Therefore we need to foster fellowship with the living and talking God!

When is faith real, and when is it faked? Faith cannot be manufactured by man. It can only be received and then released. Man's part is to hear the voice of the living God. When God speaks, faith is imparted. Let us learn to listen!

Do we view challenges and setbacks in life from our earthly point of view, or do we see them from God's point of view? Are they setbacks, or is God setting up our future? In this message, we are invited to view our pilgrimage here on earth from the perspective of sitting with Christ in heavenly places. We don't see the whole picture, but God does!

Stephen was the most promising upcoming leader the church had. Yet his life was snuffed out. Because of his death, the most fierce persecution was unleashed against the early church. The mighty pentecostal revival that had swept thousands and thousands into the kingdom was bright to an abrupt halt. Did the devil win? Was this a tragedy or a triumph? How can God make this work for good?