Anthony Sato will be preaching today while the Pastor is at Synod. Beginning on June 21 we return to our series preaching through the books of the Bible. Next will be Ecclesiastes followed by Song of Solomon, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. This is a great time to read ahead and gobble up those books! -------- June 14, 2026 MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE Mark 12:41-44 – "But she, out of her poverty, put in everything" Theme: Only God is the "Master-Appraiser" of your worship, so trust Him. 1. When worship appears great, only God is the Master-Appraiser 2. When worship appears insignificant, only God is the Master-Appraiser

In "The Grace of Giving" (2 Corinthians 8:1-7), Mark O'Neill teaches New Covenant Church that the heart of Christian generosity is grace, not the gift itself, a point he says most treatments of this passage miss. Working from the bookends of verses 1 and 6-7, he argues that Paul motivates the Corinthians not primarily by the need of the Jerusalem saints but by the benefit of being caught up in God's grace. Tracing Ephesians 2, he shows that all giving begins with God: we were dead in sin, made alive by grace as a gift, and created for good works God prepared beforehand, so that even our generosity is God working in us. The Macedonians model this, giving out of severe affliction and extreme poverty, begging to share in the favor (charis) of relief for the saints, and giving themselves first to the Lord and then, by God's will, to Paul. He carefully qualifies that the passage does not prescribe overextending yourself financially (vv. 8-12), but calls believers to want to participate in God's grace, trusting Him to provide and to guide. Closing in Philippians 4, he echoes Paul's stance that the aim is not the gift but the fruit that increases to the giver's credit, since all giving flows from God and returns glory to Him.

Trials and hardship affect everybody, the rich and the poor. Wisdom and faith are required whether we have wealth or face poverty. When we use the wisdom that only God can give, God will complete His work in us. He must first work in us, before He will work through us.

God's providential care for His people, especially those who are poor, sick, or suffering, shines through so many of the elements chosen for this morning's service. In the Call to Worship, we read that God "upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down" (Psalm 145:14). The hymn O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing declares that when the Lord speaks, He brings life, health, and peace to the "the humble poor," while O Lord Most High—Psalm 9 calls Him the "hope of the poor" and a "refuge strong for all oppressed." The Scripture reading from 2 Corinthians mentions the trials of the Macedonians' poverty (which nonetheless overflowed into generosity) and points out that Jesus, "though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). We echo these words later in the service in the Christmas hymn, Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor, singing that Christ "all for love's sake, becamest poor." Psalm 41, this morning's sermon text and closing hymn, opens with a commendation for the man who "considers the poor," and promises that the Lord will sustain David on his sickbed and "in his illness … restore him to full health" (Psalm 41:3). In light of this gracious care, how should we respond? Hymns like Comfort, Comfort Ye My People, To Our Redeemer's Glorious Name, and How Great Thou Art gives us an answer: since God has graciously lifted us out of our poverty, illness, and trouble, we should train our hearts to be "true and humble," to pay our "humble thanks" to Him, and to bow in "humble adoration" before His greatness. —Henry C. Haffner

In this message from James 1:9–11, Pastor Kelby Johnson continues the study of James by addressing one of the most universal and ongoing trials believers face: how we view wealth, poverty, and personal circumstances. Drawing from James' instruction to early Christians scattered by persecution, the sermon emphasizes that life's trials—whether lack or abundance—are not indicators of a person's true worth. Instead, they are opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper dependence on God.

(1) Israel At War 6/7/26: The Trump administration continues what we believe to be FUTILE attempts to negotiate peace with the Islamic Terror Regime Death Cult in Iran. We feature a Mark Levin post and Tommy Robinson video clip. The also discuss the reports of Pentagon elevation of Israel espionage to "critical". (2) In response to the mass shooting in Toledo (6/6/26) and St. Catherine Festival chaos in Bexley, we remind viewers that the answer isn't "Gun Control". Back to the Bible or Back to the Jungle. (3) The Satanic Liars Who Attacked BBF EXPOSED: The Southern Poverty Law Center is under indictment for FUNDING real hate groups after labelling Bible Believers Fellowship as a hate group. (4) 20 Years of Ministry: June 7, 2026 marks the 20th Anniversary of our first meeting as Bible Believers Fellowship. We provide a summary history of locations and internet ministry outreach, with the reminder the the saved SAINTS are the Church! https://bbfohio.com

The sermon centers on the profound contrast between human pride and divine humility, using Pride Month as a cultural backdrop to confront the spiritual reality of sin and the necessity of repentance. It emphasizes that all sin—especially sexual rebellion—is an abomination before God, yet underscores the infinite mercy and grace of Christ, who, though rich in divine glory, became poor to redeem sinners. Through Scripture, particularly 2 Corinthians 8–9 and Ephesians 1, the message unfolds: believers are utterly impoverished apart from Christ, yet through His sacrificial death, they are forgiven, adopted as children of God, and endowed with eternal riches. The Lord's Supper becomes the focal point of this truth, calling the congregation to reflect on Christ's immeasurable worth, their own spiritual bankruptcy, and the transformative power of grace that renews them into His image. Ultimately, the sermon calls for worship rooted in awe, humility, and a growing comprehension of God's unsearchable glory.

Biblical Life - Money Management, Pt. 2 "Giving" 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Expected (v. 1) Regular (v. 2a-b) 2 Cor. 8:2-5 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor[b] of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 1 Jo. 3:17,19 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?.. 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; Matt. 6:1-2a-d 1 "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Jer. 17:10 "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." Matt. 6:24;21 24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Planned (v. 2 b-d) Lu. 6:38 Give, and it will be given

The sermon, drawn from Luke 4:14–30, centers on the sobering reality that religious pride can blind even devoted people to the truth of Christ's identity and mission. Through Jesus' rejection in His hometown of Nazareth—where He claimed fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy—the preacher illustrates how religious people, despite their familiarity with Scripture and worship practices, can reject the Messiah out of self-righteousness and resistance to personal conviction. The core message is that true faith is not found in religious rituals or heritage, but in humble surrender to Christ as Savior, recognizing one's spiritual poverty and need for grace. The passage underscores that God's salvation, though first offered to Israel, extends to all nations, as seen in the examples of Elijah and Elisha, whose ministries reached Gentiles while Israel remained unresponsive. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to examine their hearts, ensuring their faith is rooted in personal relationship with Christ, not religious performance, and to respond to God's grace with humility, gratitude, and a desire to honor Him in all aspects of life.

The sermon centers on the urgent call to spiritual revival, grounded in Jesus' message to the lukewarm church in Laodicea, which the speaker presents as a prophetic diagnosis of the modern evangelical church's spiritual complacency. Through a deep exegesis of Revelation 3:14–22, the message reveals that genuine revival begins with divine confrontation—recognizing one's spiritual poverty, blindness, and nakedness—followed by a transformative response of repentance, prayer, and reliance on Christ. The Lord's invitation to 'come in' and 'knock' is portrayed not merely as a personal salvation call, but as a corporate, corporate awakening where believers, through persistent prayer, listening to Scripture, meditating on Christ, and repenting for cultural sin, begin to experience His nearness and power. The promise of revival is not only personal renewal but a future hope of divine restoration, where the redeemed will share in Christ's throne, while the final call remains a solemn invitation: to hear and respond before it is too late.