Serving Jesus Christ

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is

"Working Out One's Salvation!"

You may have heard the adage . . .

There is no such thing as standing still in one’s Christian life. One is either moving forward or one is regressing - that is, moving backwards!

I once read that too many Christians operate like parked cars. The only way they move is if they are pushed. Others might keep their car washed and polished, but they fail to give proper attention to the engine that supplies the power.

What is my point?

My point is this:

A saved person is not to be sitting around doing nothing and letting the chips fall where they may. A saved person is to get up and go to work.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "Fairest Lord Jesus" arranged and played by Greg Howlett. Used by Permission. The music "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Blow" and "O Worship The King" were arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used By Permission.

As Christians, we sometimes feel like we must ask the following questions.

• "Am I worthy of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave his life so that I might live?" "Have I lived a life worthy of ‘earning’ this sacrifice?"

Pastor Byran Chapell said the following in response to this:

Is your life "worthy" enough to "earn" the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in your behalf? The answer is, No, and the reason is that God never intended for you to have to "earn" the sacrifice because you could not. On the cross the debt for your sin and mine was paid in full. We are not made worthy of Christ's sacrifice by our merits but by his mercy.

Jesus paid the debt for those who would never be good enough for a holy God.

What are we then to do in response?

We are to live in a manner that reflects our love for him; to live in a way that shows the worth of his gift.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "Jesus Is All The World To Me" and "My Jesus, I Love Thee" arranged and played by Greg Howlett. Used by Permission. The music "He Is Lord" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used By Permission.

What part do you have in promoting and advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

You already know the answer to this question. One place the answer is found is in:

Acts 1:8 NAS95 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

In Acts 1:8 Luke records Jesus assigning the believer’s greatest task - the great commission.

Our participation in the process of spreading the gospel around the world is not an option.

Though eternity is coming, now is the time for witnessing to the lost - sharing the great salvation that is found in Christ.

Also keep in mind that God’s Holy Spirit equips the believer - providing him/her with the power to carry out this task.

The answer to our earlier question is also found in:

1 Peter 3:15 NAS95 But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

Because Christ is the only hope of salvation the believer is to answer back and to give a defense of their hope. The believer is to miss no opportunity to witness for Christ. We are not to neglect nor are we to ignore anyone. At all times we are to be ready to give an answer for and defend the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" arranged and played by Greg Howlett. Used by Permission. The music "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" and "Blessed Assurance" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used By Permission.

How many of you. . .when wanting to measure something must to search all over the house for a tape measure or a ruler?

Now, I should be able to find a tape measure by the saws in the garage. However, often when looking, I then realize I used it somewhere else and obviously did not put it back.

I usually spend more time looking for the tape measure than it takes to measure whatever I was going to measure!

Does that sound familiar to any of you?

We measure many things in life. We use a ruler or tape measure to measure physical things, and use various tests to measure the content and healthiness of our lives.

Though Paul addresses some issues in the church at Philippi, the epistle to the Philippians is Paul’s most joyful letter, and references his joy in the faith and the people of Philippi.

It is recognized as the most personal of his epistles.

He encourages the Philippian believers to. . .

• • rejoice despite suffering and anxiety, • rejoice in serving Jesus Christ, and • continue to look to Christ as the object of their faith and hope.

Join with me over the upcoming weeks in investigating, enjoying and applying the letter to the Philippians to our own lives.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "He is Lord" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission. The music "My Faith Looks Up To Thee" and "Jesus Is All The World To Me" arranged and played by Greg Howlett. Used By Permission.

Are you an ingrate?

An ingrate is an ungrateful person. The term ingrate sounds terrible. Has anyone ever called you an ingrate? How about this accusation? You are such an ingrate!

Let’s continue with the question . . .

Does God know you are grateful for the blessings He gives you? If not, why not? If so, how?

Before you answer, let me ask a second question . . .

Do you show those around you that you are grateful for what they do for you and provide you with? If not, why not? If so, how?

Most people in our society and culture are ungrateful for what they receive—both from God and from each other. The more our current attitude of you owe me develops, the less inclined most people are to give thanks.

This is not a secret, nor an unfounded indictment! Even secular and cultural polls reveal this fact. Not being thankful for much of anything has become a cultural and societal norm.

Various health professionals also note that ungratefulness—for both believers and unbelievers—is detrimental to our health.

However, here’s the thing - you and I are not most people.

You believe that, don’t you? Do you understand this? Why are we not like most people—how are we different as Christians—how are we to be different?

What should the answer be here?

Listen carefully:

Thanksgiving - the giving of thanks - to God for all His blessings should be one of the most distinctive marks of the believer in Jesus Christ.

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Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "O Worship The King", "Revive Us Again" and "Have Thine Own Way" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

In this episode of Serving Jesus Christ, Pastor Swanson shares an inspirational Sunday Message titled,

A Christian's Expectation

Do you remember in your youth how excited you were about an upcoming birthday or Christmas morning? You looked forward to each with great expectation. You didn’t know exactly what each day would bring, but you knew it would be good.

Much of life is about expectation.

Expectation is a firm belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.

However, sometimes our expectations and reality clash.

We might exclaim, “I never expected that to happen! In fact, it is the total opposite of what I expected!”

When this happens, differing levels of disappointment enter our lives. We conclude our expectations were unrealistic, over-stated or ill-conceived.

Living in a sinful world means such times exist . . . that such disappointments come. However, as Christians, we should embody the very concept of expectation in our lives.

What is our primary expectation?

Though this world is full of sin, sorrow, pain, and death, the Christian has an unfailing hope of a more durable . . . a more lasting world than this.

If you desire further information, it may be obtained at [email protected].

Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this podcast, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

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Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" and "Jesus Is All The World To Me"  arranged and played by Greg Howlett. Used by Permission.

In this episode of Serving Jesus Christ, Pastor Swanson shares an inspirational Sunday Message titled,

Going Deep With God

A person stays at the shallow end of a swimming pool or lake for one of three basic reasons.

1. First, they like the shallow end of the pool.
2. Second, they have never learned how to swim.
3. Third, they are not ready for or are fearful of deeper water.

A person stays at the shallow end of their faith for two distinct reasons.

1. He/she likes a shallower version of their faith commitment, or,
2. He/she is fearful or resistant of going deep into their faith and the Word of God and turning their entire lives over to the Lord.

Consider the following certainties . . .

1. When a person stands at the shallow end of a pool or a lake, very little water covers their body because most of their body is out of the water.
2. However, when they venture into the deep end of the pool or lake, water covers most of their body.
3. When we stay in the shallow end of our Christian faith commitment, most of our life is not involved.
4. When we venture into the deep end of a Christian faith commitment, our entire lives are involved.

If you desire further information, it may be obtained at [email protected].

Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this podcast, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

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Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "The Old Rugged Cross", "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" and "Amazing Grace"  arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

In this episode of Serving Jesus Christ, Pastor Swanson shares an inspirational Sunday Message titled,

Hiding In The Shadows!

The goal of many within our culture and society today is the systematic eradication of Christian morals, ethics, and virtue. They hope to strip humankind down to its most natural state of being - to a position in which they can train - and then demand that humanity follow the bidding of the state.

Their primary tool in this age is the deprecation and denigration of the Christian faith. They attack the reputation of the Christian faith, seeking to deny its importance or validity.

They tell us that Christianity caused all wars and tragedies throughout history and, therefore, needs to be set aside. They tell us that the idea and substance of Christianity is misguided and deceitful and that we should keep quiet about it . . . that we should keep it to ourselves.

Though they tolerate, at least for the time being, our personal involvement in Christianity, they are adamant that it should have no bearing on our public life or, God forbid, affect culture and society.

Since this is the case, as Christians, we have a choice to make:

1. We can set aside our Christian faith and live as the world demands, or,
2. We can keep our faith to ourselves, or,
3. Our faith can be an integral part of every aspect of our lives - with us openly living it and shouting it from the rooftops.

If you desire further information, it may be obtained at [email protected].

Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this podcast, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

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Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "Revive Us Again", "He Is Lord" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"  arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

In this episode of Serving Jesus Christ, Pastor Swanson shares an inspirational Sunday Message titled,

Finding One's Way Back!

Maybe you are asking the question this morning of. . .

Is it possible to start again and complete the journey with Jesus Christ?

1. What if we have failed Him?
2. What if we. . . have completely gone off the rails?
3. Is it possible to start again and complete the journey?
4. Are we allowed to start up the journey once again?

These thoughts might really resonate with some of you. Unbeknownst to all those around you, you might be in the process of failing miserably in your Christian walk or you have already failed. You feel guilty and the more guilty you feel the more. . . you seem to fail. Perhaps you were really saved earlier, but then over the years grew further and further away from God as a result of going against His will and ways.

Maybe you are at the end of your rope with nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to.

Now, as you look back on the course of your life you see how you have really blown it. Whether or not people see it, your life is in total spiritual shambles.

Is there hope?

I want to assure you that we have a God who welcomes back with open arms those who recognize and confess their sin before Him.

If you desire further information, it may be obtained at [email protected].

Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this podcast, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

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Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "Nothing But The Blood", "He is Lord" and "Jesus Loves Me"  arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission.

In this episode of Serving Jesus Christ, Pastor Swanson shares an inspirational Sunday Message titled,

Whatever Happened To Truth?

We live in a time when truth is viewed as relative. Many people live under the premise of. . . "You have your truth and I have my truth."

The fact of the matter. . . however. . . is that truth is not relative. Truth is truth. Personal choice is not part of the equation.

Black is not white. . . nor is white black. You cannot claim that an orange chair is purple just because you want to. . . and you cannot mandate that everyone go along with your claim.

However, that is exactly what is happening in our world. Truth is being redefined. . . and is being done so with an energy usually reserved for items of great importance.

The way words, terms, and concepts are defined matters a great deal in culture and society.

Today, one such quest is to rewrite history. . . forming it along lines of an alternate reality.

We are seeing this take place as well within Christianity. In order to create an alternate reality that corresponds to the wishes of culture and society, many words, terms, and concepts within Christianity are being redefined.

However, as we all know, God’s Word is truth. . . it is not relative nor directed by the whims and needs of a culture or society or even the church.

If you desire further information, it may be obtained at [email protected].

Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word!

If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support this podcast, please share it with others and post about it on social media.

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Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

 The music "O Worship The King" and "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow"  arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission. The music "Jesus Is All The World To Me" arranged and played by Greg Howlett. Used By Permission