The Implanted Word Podcast

When a child is born, the first thing the parents do is show how much they love them by caring for them. Even when they grow up, a good parent will always love their child no matter what they do! In this example, you probably don’t need to check if the intentions of your parents are false when they care for you. Today, Pastor Bill challenges you to love your community, but be cautious that you don’t get taken advantage of. Be alert; some people use the church as a place to take advantage of others!

When we’re kids, we always want to be accepted by the people around us. It could be the ones who make us feel the most welcome, or maybe it’s the coolest crowd. Everyone longs to be accepted! Today, Pastor Bill points out that Paul isn’t thanking the Church of Philippi because they’re the biggest church, but because of the fellowship they have with him! It’s so important for you to find a community that doesn’t hold your past against you, takes the Gospel seriously, and accepts you for who you are.

Isn’t it funny that when we start sharing the gospel, things seem to start to spread rapidly? In today’s message, Pastor Bill shows us that in this story in Philippians, whole households were changing because of the power in Jesus’ name! You can be bold while sharing the Gospel because Jesus’s name is powerful. Be confident because it’s not you speaking but God speaking through you when you share the Gospel, and who knows? You may change the trajectory of an entire family through your faith.

When a child is young, the first words the parents try to get him or her to say are either "mama" or "dada". Once the child says that, the father and mother know that the child has acknowledged them as their provider and guardian! It really is a heartfelt moment for anyone to be a part of! Today, Pastor Bill reminds us that when we choose to follow Jesus, we can call God our Father. It’s a first-name basis because God loves you! You can acknowledge Him as your Father because He provides for you.

Has your favorite sports team ever won the championship? If they haven’t, you wouldn’t know there’s an immense joy that happens after victory. There’s a celebration in the cities in which the team wins, followed by parades and press conferences. It really is the peak of joy for any sports fan! But what if I told you there’s someone who can bring you more joy? His name is Jesus! Today, Pastor Bill says the reason for joy in Jesus is that He died for you! Not because He had to, but because He loves you.

When you accept Jesus into your heart, everything changes! It is no longer you who lives; Jesus is living and breathing inside you. And when your old self passes away, it makes room for the Kingdom of God to be established within your heart! Pastor Bill reminds you today that every time someone comes to Christ, their entire being becomes a new creation. That’s how the Kingdom of God is built on this Earth! It grows just a tiny bit every time someone encounters the risen Savior.

The book of Acts is a perfect example in how God can accomplish great things from small beginnings, so long as His servants are obedient to His commandments. There were only a few dozen believers when Jesus commanded His disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations! That must have felt like an impossible task. But Pastor Bill shows you today how God multiplied the number of believers because of the Church’s faithfulness. There is no task too big for our God!

When you think about it, you really owe your life to Jesus! And not just that, you owe your eternal soul to Him as well! After all, the Bible teaches that Jesus has pulled us out of the pit of death and into His eternal presence. It’s because of Him that we have a chance at life after death, and therefore, we should be willing to serve Him with everything we have. Pastor Bill teaches us that the commandments that Jesus gave His disciples at the beginning of the book of Acts still apply to us today.

God doesn’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. Every single step you take in your walk with Him is one that you take of your own free will. Pastor Bill teaches you today that if you reject Jesus, He will allow your heart to become hardened to the truth of the Gospel. It may grant you peace in the short term, as you don’t grasp the weight of your sin and your desperate need for a Savior, but it will harm you in the long run! If Jesus isn’t part of your life now, He won’t be part of your life to come! 

It has been nearly two thousand years since Jesus’ ministry on this Earth, but there are still some people waiting for the Messiah to show up! In today’s message, Pastor Bill teaches you about how there are devout Jewish people praying for the coming of the Messiah day in and day out. But the Bible teaches us that the Messiah has already come to the world, and His name is Jesus! He didn’t come to fulfill just a few prophecies. He came to fulfill the entirety of Old Testament prophecy and bring hope to Israel.