"When the Bible makes a claim, you can put it to the test." In this tribute message, Pastor Jim Scudder tells the remarkable story of his father—Dr. James Allen Scudder Sr., the founder of this ministry—who would have turned 80 this summer. From a University of Kentucky fraternity house, where a lost but religious young man was "living like the devil" while somehow pastoring a church, to a lonely creek in the Kentucky hills where God forever changed the direction of his life, it is the story of a man who put the promises of God to the test and finished strong. Featuring clips from the video series "Finish Strong" and the two simple verses that transformed everything. The question it leaves with each of us: are you on course to finish strong? Scripture referenced: Isaiah 53:6; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23.

From morning till evening Paul preached the kingdom of God and persuaded them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets. Some believed, and some believed not — and to those who would not hear he gave the old word of Isaiah: hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand. The salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it.

It is essential to understand Jesus Christ exactly as He presented Himself, rather than through cultural or religious distortions. Mark 9:30-32, where Jesus again predicts His betrayal, death, and resurrection, shows that His disciples initially failed to grasp this core truth. The Gospel is a narrow path defined by grace alone, fulfilled through specific Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's suffering and vindication. By examining passages such as Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, and Psalm 16, the message demonstrates that Jesus' life and death were divinely orchestrated to provide salvation for all who believe. The central call is to remain firmly grounded in this simple yet profound truth and to share it without compromise.

This sermon is numerically significant on several levels. It is the two thousandth sermon, the last sermon of Volume XXXIII in the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, and a sermon prepared to be read on the first day of the year of 1888. As so often with these 'major marker' sermons (ones that break through particular numerical boundaries), and all the more so when those markers are loaded up like this, Spurgeon deliberately returns to the very core of his ministry and the delight of his own soul—the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. The sermon is itself is of the utmost simplicity, as Spurgeon seeks to come to the text, and to come at the congregation. He shows how, in the verse in question, God treats sin as a disease and provides a cure for that disease in the stripes of the Lord Christ, a disease which is immediately and completely effective wherever it is applied. In truth, Spurgeon never strays very far from this theme, but an occasion like this makes it all the more imperative for him to state once more the touchstone of his ministry.

Key verse - Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 1. The creating of the wells 2. The contents of the wells 3. The coming to the wells

Verse by verse exposition through the book of Hebrews. (Sermon also includes the reading and exhortation from the Lord's Table liturgy) Heb 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Key verse 13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. 1. The call to praise 2. The cause to praise 3. The comfort as we praise

Isaiah 53:1 confronts us with two powerful questions: Who has believed God's report, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? This prophetic verse points us directly to Jesus Christ—the suffering Messiah whose death and resurrection reveal God's saving power. In this study, we will examine unbelief, faith, prophecy, the Gospel, and the mighty arm of the LORD revealed through Christ. Some Practical Applications • #1 God's gospel message, His report, must be proclaimed before it can be believed. • Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. • #2 Most of humanity is in spiritual blindness and has no ability to see truth apart from God • 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not • #3 We must all be good reporters of the truth: Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Some Closing Thoughts • Isaiah's two questions are always answered whenever a sinner believes the Gospel report. • Those who place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, God, and Savior experience the saving power of God and become living testimonies that the arm of the LORD has been revealed. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." • Isaiah 53:1 • Who Hath Believed Our Report • The Arm of the LORD • Jesus Christ the Messiah • The Suffering Servant • The Gospel of Salvation • Faith in the Risen Christ

Key verse 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 1. It will be spent in the new heaven and in the new earth - an anticipated place - a regenerated place - an inhabited place 2. It will be spent in our glorified bodies - a suitable existence - a similar existence

📖 Revelation 20:11-15 — No chair. No floor. No ground beneath your feet. This is what every unsaved person will face at the great white throne judgment. This expository preaching message walks through Revelation 20:11-15, the final judgment of the unsaved dead before eternity begins. Every person from Adam to the end of the millennial kingdom who never trusted Christ will stand before God at the great white throne judgment — with nothing to stand on, nothing to hide behind, and nothing left to argue. If you've ever heard someone say they can't accept the idea of eternal judgment, or that God is unfair to send anyone to hell, this message is for you. The great white throne judgment is the moment every argument against God collapses — the tables sinners tried to turn on God will be turned on themselves. This is not a popular topic, but it is one every person needs to understand before it's too late. This verse-by-verse exposition connects Revelation 20 with 1 Corinthians 6 (believers will not be judged here, but will participate in this judgment), Isaiah 64:6 (our righteousness is filthy rags), and Psalm 32:5 (the depth of God's forgiveness for those who confess). The sermon explains the books that are opened, the Book of Life, and why the basis of this judgment — works — is exactly why every person needs the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ instead. This sermon walks through Revelation 20:11-15, explaining: - The great white throne judgment is the final judgment before eternity - This judgment is for the unsaved dead only — believers will not be judged here - "Books" of works are opened alongside the Book of Life