The Open Word (Audio)

We do not serve a namby pamby God. He is mighty and strong. Our Lord Jesus reigns over all and has authority over all things. In today’s message from Luke 7, Pastor David teaches us about a Roman Centurion whose beloved servant was ill. Because the Roman understood that Jesus had authority over all things, including illness and disease, the Centurion had total trust that Jesus could heal his ailing friend with only a word. Christ was so moved by the Roman’s faith that the servant was made well.

In Luke chapter 6, Jesus describes two different men, one wise and one foolish. The wise man builds a house upon a rock. This house can withstand the elements. The foolish man builds his house upon the sand. When hardship comes, the foolish man’s house falls. Pastor David teaches us that the wise follower of Jesus Christ is willing to pay the full price of following after the Lord. While it may take more time to build a firm foundation, the wise man can endure trial and testing because he has Jesus as his foundation.

As our society drifts further and further away from its Judeo-Christian roots, Believers in Jesus will be persecuted more and more in the United States. However, we should never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In today’s message from the Luke chapter 6, Pastor David admonishes us to never water down our faith for temporary acceptance. We must continue to stand firm and never waiver from the truth. While suffering may endure for a little while, we will receive a crown of reward for never faltering the day we meet our King.

How much impact does your life have? That’s the central question Pastor David poses today as we hear how God uses ordinary people for His glory. The truth is, you may not ever know how far the ripples of your godly example have extended during your lifetime. Even if you’ve lived more of your life as a broken sinner, you can be used greatly…and the proof is in the examples we’ll hear today. Let this teaching from Pastor David encourage and strengthen your spirit to make a positive impact to those around you.

Imagine that your prayers could create a ministry like Billy Graham’s or D. L. Moody’s? It doesn’t seem possible right? But as Pastor David tells us today, it is! We’ll hear how average people in the Bible set events in motion that resulted in countless people becoming followers of the True God. That power is still available to us today. God hasn’t changed. It’s the obedience and faithfulness of believer’s that will impact the world. Be encouraged and energized today, as we hear how God uses people in magnificent ways.

When it feels like things are going horribly wrong in life…like, you don’t get a position or promotion you’ve worked for, or the person you love doesn’t love you back…these can seem like situations that are impossible to get over while they are happening. But today, Pastor David asks you to consider the greatness of God in those moments. He’s promised to make all things come together for good for those who love Him. As we consider Christ’s birth, let’s remember God’s love exists even in the hard times.

Imagine you are a woman who is about to give birth. What would you be hoping for? Probably a comfortable place to rest, competent help for the delivery and everything ready for the baby at home. For one couple, not one of those things happened. As we’ll hear today in Pastor David’s teaching, Joseph and Mary did not experience as easy path in bringing Jesus into the world. In fact it was probably tiring, scary and uncomfortable. We’ll consider today, how God uses difficult circumstances to accomplish amazing things.

If you’re a believer in Christ, then the second coming of Jesus should be a joyous occasion. But, if your heart is unprepared for Him, it’s an eternal death sentence. Pastor David will challenge our hearts in this teaching, as we hear about the reality of what happens when judgment comes. The gift of the Savior began when He was sent by the Father…but it continues to bless all those who come to Him. We’ll consider the urgency of making the choice to accept salvation through Jesus, before it’s too late.

During the Christmas Season, the focus is mostly on the birth of Jesus, it’s a special time remembering how Jesus came into the world. But today, Pastor David will focus on the second coming of Christ. Whether it’s tomorrow or years from now, You’ll be challenged to consider the preparation of your heart. From the deep valleys in life to mountains in your path the way needs to be straight in order for god to work in you. The Word tells us to prepare the way for Him, but it’s up to us to make that move.

The path taken by Jesus, from His entrance into the world until His death and resurrection...it was a difficult road. Our path towards Jesus tends to be a rocky one as well. People didn’t recognize who Jesus was, and we don’t always recognize who we are outside of Jesus. But, as Pastor David will teach us today, that realization can only come when we submit to the Savior. God with us. We’ll come to understand what that means, why God would become man for a world that rebels against Him.