As believers, we understand that difficult times are coming. The Scriptures are full of prophetic warnings regarding the last days. So we must make sure that our hearts are ready. But what about OTHER people? What about those who are not walking in a right relationship with the Father? What about your unbelieving family, neighbors, and friends? You see, if they never come to faith in Jesus...they are lost in their sin. They will spend an eternity separated from God. So let's be diligent in sharing the truth with them! Let's tell them about the hope we have in Jesus.

In today's message, we'll be warned about back-sliding. First of all, we must understand that NOTHING can rip us out of the hand of our Heavenly Father. However, we've been given a freewill. That means that WE get to decide who it is that we'll follow. And so each and every day, we have a choice to make. Will we listen to our flesh and the advice of the world...or will we follow God? If you continually choose to lean on your own understanding...if you keep taking steps away from following HIS Word, you're in danger of drifting away.

The dictionary definition of the word HYPORCRITE, is a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. It's a person who says ONE thing, but does another. Well in today's message, we'll be warned AGAINST hypocrisy. Pastor Terry will remind us that as professing believers, people are watching. And so we need to be people of our word. We need to be genuine. We need to DO what we SAY. If we claim to be followers of the God of the Bible...then shouldn't we FOLLOW Him?

Are you REAL? Are you a genuine person? Do your ACTIONS line up with your WORDS? What motivates you? Is it your TRUE desire to walk according to the truth of God's Word? These are all very important questions to ask yourself. Pastor Terry will give a strong exhortation today to be REAL. And not just with those around us, but also with the Creator. You see, our actions should be a direct reflection of God's grace working in and through our lives. What we say and do...should reflect our relationship with HIM.

The Word of God is good for us...even TODAY! In it we find how to function in our families, in our church, and in our community. We are given principles on how to live a life PLEASING to God. The Word ALSO shows us our sin. It shows us how we have fallen short. However, we're not left with this BAD news. We're given hope! Hope in Jesus. Throughout the Bible we see many promises to those who believe and obey the Word. What an amazing tool we've been given! Our Heavenly Father has given us the Word of LIFE.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever would believe IN HIM would not perish, but have everlasting life. This is a verse we've all heard before, but do we REALLY understand what it means? God loved us so much that He sent His Son to DIE in our place. He bled and suffered so that WE might have life...and life more abundantly. That kind of love is unheard of! But that's how much He loves US. It's His desire that we would ALL come to Him with a heart of repentance. He wants a relationship with each and every one of us.

We are all sinners in need of a Savior. The Bible is clear about that. But what are we to do in our sin? You see, it's impossible for us to cleanse ourselves. So what then? Are we stuck in our sin? Are we destined for Hell? Well, thanks be to our Heavenly Father...there's hope. Hope for forgiveness and restoration. Hope for an eternity with Him. And that hope comes through the shed blood of Jesus. By HIS stripes WE are healed! Because of HIS sacrifice, we can be cleansed! We can be made NEW! We can have LIFE.

By the shed blood of Jesus, we are cleansed. We are given new life. And it's through His sacrifice that we become part of the church. Part of His BRIDE. And one day, He will be RETURNING for us. But will He find us without spot or wrinkle? Will He find YOU without blemish? That's something that we must ask ourselves each and every day. We need to seek the Father. We need to ask Him to reveal our hearts so that we can KNOW where we're failing...and where we need help. You see, we're to be in a constant state of cleansing...until our Bridegroom returns.

How can we be made righteous? Is it by our good works? Is it through our obedience? Certainly not. We are made righteous because of what our Messiah did. Because of HIS finished work on the cross. You see, there's no possible way that we can attain righteousness on our own! The ONLY part we play in it, is saying YES to Him. THEN, as the recipients of His salvation, we should DESIRE to do the good works He has prepared for us. We should WANT to walk in obedience to His Word.

The Word of God is VITAL in the life of a believer. You see, our Heavenly Father has given us HIS Scriptures so that we will know how to live a life PLEASING to Him. From Genesis to Revelation, we're given His gentle instructions for life. And it's for our GOOD. You can't claim to be a follower of Jesus and NOT have a love for His Word. You cannot separate the two! The Bible teaches us that Jesus IS the Word made flesh! Who He is and how He lived is in complete alignment with the Scriptures.