🎯 What if the worst day the enemy planned became your greatest celebration? Discover how God turned Haman's death decree into Israel's greatest victory celebration in this powerful exposition of Esther 9. Pastor Fortunato reveals why writing down your testimony isn't just important—it's essential for the next generation's faith. In this verse-by-verse study of the establishment of the Feast of Purim, you'll learn why Mordecai's first action after victory was to write it down, creating a memorial that Jewish people still celebrate thousands of years later. This isn't just ancient history—it's a blueprint for how believers today should preserve and pass down testimonies of God's deliverance. From Exodus 17's command to "write this for a memorial" through the fulfillment in Esther's day, see how God completes His promises across generations. Pastor Fortunato connects the dots between Old Testament feasts and New Testament ordinances like the Lord's Supper and baptism, showing how Christians memorialize spiritual deliverance just as the Jews memorialized physical deliverance. What you'll discover in this sermon: ✝️ Why written testimonies outlast oral traditions and prevent future generations from forgetting God's faithfulness 📖 How God flips the enemy's weapon into the name of your victory—from the bronze serpent to the cross of Christ 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Practical strategies for passing down faith to your children through personal testimony and family devotions 🔄 The biblical pattern of God reversing curses into blessings, addictions into ministries, and victimhood into victory ⚖️ Romans 14 principles on unity without uniformity in how believers celebrate God's goodness

🔥 Why Did Christ Have to Die? Understanding God's Judgment of Sin What if you were standing in a prairie fire with flames of judgment racing toward you—where would you run? This powerful sermon from 1 Peter 3:18 reveals the life-saving answer every person needs to hear. Pastor Fortunato delivers an expository message explaining why Christ's substitutionary death was absolutely necessary for our salvation. Discover the biblical truth that Christ became sin for us, bore our sins in His body on the cross, and was made a curse so we could receive the blessing of eternal life. This isn't just theological theory—it's the difference between eternal life and eternal judgment. In this message, you'll learn: ✓ Why God's wrath must be satisfied and how Christ satisfied it (1 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:21) ✓ The biblical doctrine of justification and what it means for your standing before God (Romans 3:23-26) ✓ Why the Catholic sacrifice of the mass contradicts Scripture's teaching of one sacrifice for all (Hebrews 10:10-12) ✓ How to share the gospel using John 3:36 and John 5:24 as witnessing tools ✓ The eternal security believers have in Christ—no accusations can stand against God's elect (Romans 8:33-34) ✓ A powerful prairie fire illustration that makes the atonement crystal clear for all ages This expository sermon cuts through religious tradition and theological gymnastics to present the pure gospel truth: there is only one way to escape God's judgment, and that's through the cross of Jesus Christ where judgment already fell. If you've trusted Christ, your sin has been judged once and for all—you're standing where the fire already burned.

🚨 SHOCKING TRUTH: What the Bible REALLY Says About Christmas & the Nativity Scene 🚨 Did you know the nativity scene you've seen your entire life is biblically inaccurate? Pastor Fortunato delivers a powerful message exposing the false idols and traditions that have replaced biblical truth during the Christmas season. What You'll Discover in This Message: Were there really three wise men at the manger? ❌ The Bible reveals a completely different story. Pastor Fortunato walks through Matthew 2 and Luke 2 to expose common Christmas myths that have shaped our understanding for generations—from the "three oriental kings" to the little drummer boy that never existed. Learn the biblical truth about when Jesus was actually born (hint: it wasn't December 25th), why angels don't have wings, and where the wise men really showed up. This sermon tackles tough questions about Christmas traditions, Santa Claus idolatry, and how modern Christianity has mixed pagan elements with biblical worship. Key Topics Covered: ✓ The wise men myth—how many were there really and when did they arrive? ✓ Biblical timeline proving Jesus wasn't born in winter ✓ Why angels in nativity scenes are portrayed incorrectly ✓ The little drummer boy deception and other unbiblical characters ✓ Santa Claus: America's greatest idol exposed ✓ How to worship God in spirit and truth without adding to Scripture ✓ Breaking free from traditions that make God's Word of no effect This isn't about being a "Grinch"—it's about putting Christ back in Christians.

🔥 In John 6:52-59, is Jesus Really Asking Us to EAT His Flesh? The SHOCKING Truth About John 6 That Religious People Don't Want You to Know What did Jesus REALLY mean when He told the crowds to "eat my flesh and drink my blood"? This verse in John 6 has confused believers and sparked heated debates for centuries—but the answer is clearer than you think when you understand the context. In this powerful expository sermon, Pastor Fortunato tackles one of the most controversial passages in Scripture: John 6:52-59, where Jesus declares Himself the "bread of life" and commands His followers to consume His flesh and blood. 📖 What You'll Discover: Many religious traditions teach that Jesus was speaking literally about the communion elements—but does that interpretation hold up against Scripture? This verse-by-verse Bible study reveals why John 6 CANNOT be about physical bread and wine, examining the Old Testament context that the Jewish audience would have immediately recognized. We'll explore the figure of speech Jesus was using, why the Jews were so offended, how Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 17 prove this is spiritual truth, and what it truly means to "dwell in Christ" and have Christ dwell in you. This is NOT about religious rituals or weekly ceremonies—it's about an eternal, spiritual union with Jesus Christ. If you've ever wondered about transubstantiation, the Catholic Mass, or what Jesus meant by eating His flesh and drinking His blood, this sermon provides biblical answers from Genesis to Revelation. Understanding the spiritual meaning of John 6 is essential to grasping how we receive eternal life through faith in Christ's sacrificial death.

In Esther 9:11-19, Queen Esther asks King Ahasuerus for one more day to defeat the remaining enemies in Shushan—and there's a powerful lesson here for every Christian who's tired of fighting but hasn't finished their course. Sometimes when you think the battle's over, God whispers: "We're not quite done yet." Pastor Fortunato delivers a compelling exposition showing why God sometimes asks us to go one more round, how to know when the fight is truly finished, and what it means to stand up and fight before you can sit down and rest. This isn't about fighting forever—it's about finishing what God started. 📖 KEY TRUTHS FROM ESTHER 9:11-19: - Why "one more day" matters when you're close to victory - The difference between standing to fight vs. sitting in false peace - Biblical self-defense vs. Christian passivism (what Scripture really teaches) - How to ask God for what you need to complete your course - When it's finally time to celebrate and rest from your enemies 🎯 CORE MESSAGE: "If you and I want rest from our enemies, we don't sit down and hope. We stand up and fight." God isn't asking us to fight forever—He's asking us to fight until we've finished our course. Don't quit prematurely just because you're tired. When victory finally comes, celebrate it together with your church family. 💬 POWERFUL QUOTES FROM THIS MESSAGE: "Sometimes when we think that the battle's over, God's going to whisper. He's going to send a little note to you and he's going to say, 'We're not quite done yet.'" This sermon addresses the false teaching of Christian passivism—the idea that believers should never engage in spiritual warfare or biblical self-defense.

🎯 Are You Making Decisions WITHOUT God's GPS? | Proverbs 3:5-6 Sermon We live in a GPS generation where we won't drive across town without plugging in directions, yet Christians often make life-altering decisions without consulting God's Word. In this powerful sermon on Proverbs 3:5-6, Pastor Fortunato challenges believers to stop leaning on their own understanding and start trusting in the Lord with ALL their heart. Why This Message Matters: If you're struggling with decision-making, battling past pain that's clouding your judgment, or wondering how to truly acknowledge God in every area of your life, this biblical teaching will transform your perspective. Pastor Fortunato breaks down the difference between trusting God's direction and relying on our limited, biased understanding—and why that distinction changes everything. What You'll Learn: ✝️ The true meaning of trusting in the Lord with your WHOLE heart—not just 99% ✝️ Why leaning on your own understanding leads to spiritual blockages ✝️ How past trauma and pain distort our decision-making ✝️ The promise of God directing your paths when you acknowledge Him ✝️ Practical application for business, relationships, parenting, and daily choices ✝️ How to stop second-guessing and start first-trusting This isn't just another Bible study on Proverbs—it's a roadmap for 24/7 Christianity. Whether you're choosing a career path, navigating relationships, making financial decisions, or just trying to follow God's will, this message on trusting God's perfect system over your own GPS will give you the biblical foundation you need.

🍞 Can You Have Eternal Life Right Now? Jesus Makes an Unmistakable Promise in John 6:45-51 🗡️ This expository sermon was delivered at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Cookeville, TN on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 11:00 am. 🗡️ Discover one of the most powerful salvation promises in the entire Bible as Pastor Fortunato unpacks Jesus's declaration: "He that believeth on me HATH everlasting life." Not might have. Not hopes to have. But HAS eternal life - right now, presently, and forever. In this compelling expository sermon on John 6:45-51, you'll explore the profound truth of Jesus as the Bread of Life and why believing on Him is the only way to spiritual satisfaction. Pastor Fortunato connects Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah 54 and Micah to Christ's millennial kingdom promises, revealing how God's teaching ministry leads sinners to salvation through faith alone in Jesus Christ. What You'll Learn in This Message: This verse-by-verse Bible study examines the distinction between physical bread that perishes and the Living Bread who gives eternal life. Drawing from dispensational theology and careful Greek word studies, Pastor Fortunato explains why salvation is not by works, achievements, or personal merit - but by believing on Jesus Christ alone. Explore the deeper meaning of Jesus's "I AM" statements in the Gospel of John, understand the triunity of God versus false modalism doctrine, and discover why eternal life begins the moment you trust Christ - not when you die. This King James Bible preaching will challenge you to move beyond past failures and feast on the Living Bread today. Is This Message For You? Whether you're searching for assurance of salvation, strugg

📖 Calvinism Explained: Church History & the Protestant Reformation | Sunday School Series 🗡️ This Sunday School Lesson was delivered at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Cookeville, TN on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 10:00 am. 🗡️ Ever wondered about the roots of Calvinism and why the five points of TULIP remain so controversial today? This eye-opening Sunday school lesson takes you on a journey through the Protestant Reformation to understand where reformed theology came from and what the Bible really teaches about salvation. Discover the untold stories of reformers like Peter Waldo, John Wycliffe, and Martin Luther—men who risked everything to translate the Bible into common languages so ordinary people could read God's Word. Learn how John Calvin's teachings shaped modern Christianity and why understanding church history matters for your faith today. In this compelling lesson, we explore: ✅ The historical context of the Protestant Reformation and why it was necessary ✅ How reformers challenged the Roman Catholic Church's teachings on salvation by works ✅ The five points of Calvinism (TULIP acronym explained): Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints ✅ What Scripture actually teaches about predestination and free will ✅ Why studying church history prevents us from repeating the mistakes of previous generations Whether you're a five-point Calvinist, non-Calvinist, or simply curious about reformed theology and biblical doctrine, this sermon series will equip you to rightly divide the Word of truth and engage in meaningful conversations about salvation, grace, and God's sovereignty.

🔥 When God Flips the Script: The Hidden Power in Esther Chapter 9 🔥 What happens when your enemies have a date marked on their calendar for your destruction—but God has other plans? In this powerful exposition of Esther chapter 9, discover the most overlooked verse in the entire book of Esther that reveals God's supernatural ability to turn your worst situations into your greatest victories. Why This Sermon Will Transform Your Perspective: Pastor Fortunato unpacks the longest chapter in the book of Esther, revealing how God's hidden hand worked behind the scenes to completely reverse the fate of His people. You'll discover the profound truth in one parenthetical statement that changes everything: "Though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them." This isn't just ancient history—it's a blueprint for spiritual warfare today. Learn how God can take your crucifixion and turn it into a resurrection. See how He transforms Red Seas into highways, fiery furnaces into fellowship with Christ, and dens of lions into bedrooms of peace. What You'll Learn in This Biblical Teaching: ✓ The significance of two immutable decrees and why one prevailed over the other ✓ How Mordecai's authority and the fear of God fell upon entire provinces ✓ Why the Jews refused to take the spoil THREE times—and what that teaches us about character in victory ✓ The connection between King Saul's failure and Mordecai's triumph over Haman's bloodline ✓ How 10 sons of Haman represent individual accountability before God ✓ Practical application for your spiritual battles and enemies you face today

🎯 Are You Passing Down Biblical Wisdom or Just Rules? The Powerful Truth Every Parent and Young Person Needs to Hear What's the difference between a child who simply obeys and one whose heart is transformed by God's Word? In this powerful sermon on Proverbs 3:1-4, Pastor Fortunato reveals why the enemy wants this generation to forget what their parents taught them—and how to build an unshakeable spiritual inheritance that lasts. Why This Message Matters: This isn't just another Bible study on Proverbs 3. Discover the critical difference between head knowledge and heart custody when it comes to Scripture. Learn why combining mercy and truth transforms your witness, how to avoid raising Pharisees instead of passionate followers of Christ, and the stunning promise of length of days, long life, and peace that comes from keeping God's commandments. You'll Learn: ✓ The battle between remembering and forgetting biblical truth in the next generation ✓ Why generational faith is your family's greatest wealth (and it's not in the bank) ✓ How to have both quality AND quantity of life—not just surviving but thriving ✓ The shocking connection between honoring parents and living long on the earth ✓ Why seeking God's favor must come before man's approval ✓ How Jesus perfectly fulfilled everything Proverbs 3 calls us to do Whether you're a parent laying a spiritual foundation, a young person navigating peer pressure, or a believer wanting to grow deeper in biblical wisdom, this sermon on Christian parenting and spiritual inheritance will challenge and encourage your walk with God.