The Open Word (Audio)

Unless you’re quoting directly from Scripture, you should never claim that God said something to you. You may feel very strongly that God spoke to you, and He may have, but in humility you need to be careful how you present the message you have to share. And if it contradicts Scripture, you can know that it was not God that was doing the speaking. As Pastor David will warn in today’s message, we need to beware of anyone who comes claiming to be a prophet or carrying a new message from God.

Do you remember what Jesus did after He encountered the profiteers in the temple courts? He demonstrated a holy anger that we don’t see anywhere else in the Gospels. It disgusted Him to see these men taking advantage of people who were trying to seek Him. As Pastor David will warn in today’s message, there are a number of ministries in our society that are guilty of the same charge. God will not allow them to go unpunished. They may see rewards in this life, but sadly, their lot will likely be much different in eternity.

Beware of anyone who tries to offer healing or answers to prayer for a price. That’s a huge red flag. Any gospel that focuses on the need for you to invest money in order to gain earthly rewards is not the true Gospel. As Pastor David continues our study of Acts in today’s message, we’ll be reminded that following Jesus is never about personal gain. It’s about serving God and others. There are times God will bless you with resources, but they’re to be used towards His purposes, not yours.

The Holy Spirit given to believers at the moment of belief is a powerful and amazing gift of God. He fills believers with himself in order to guide, teach and grow them to be more like him. Today Pastor David will teach about the filling of the Holy Spirit in a believers life. With the spirit truly in you, God is reflected to the world in unique and amazing ways as you surrender to him. A life of true faith comes out in greater love to others and a deeper peace in this world of trouble. Stay tuned in to the spirit of God inside you!

The method of God working in individual believers lives are as different as the people themselves. And though it’s tempting to compare your gifts, calls or faith with another, Paul warns against this. Today, Pastor David explains how God guides, corrects, empowers, and calls believers in incredibly different ways. So instead of seeking to imitate others, wishing you have what they have, be guided directly and uniquely by God. He will lead you and transform you exactly how you need!

Do you believe in Jesus? Many proclaim belief in God but their lives aren’t reflective of a true deep belief and surrender to him in their lives. Pastor David reminds you today that even the demons intellectually believed in Jesus, but their belief was a far cry from faith. Paul emphasized in his teaching to the early churches that simply declaring intellectual belief isn’t the true faith. True faith is about surrendering your life, proclaiming with your mouth and seeking to live obedience to God and all he declares.

Apollos, a wise, dedicated and vibrant servant of God received John the Baptists teaching of repentance. He believed it, understood sin and the need to repent, and taught it with accuracy and fervency. Yet, as pastor David will explain today, he was not teaching a complete gospel. Repentance was important to teach, but without believing in the saving grace of the gospel, you had nothing. With the right teaching of salvation, he became an important pillar of true faith and the gospel.

Paul routinely faced rejection, persecution and pain for spreading the news of the gospel. Yet, he understood the magnitude of the power and hope of salvation for all people. He desired to preach the gospel wherever it wasn’t known. He knew the transforming power that belief in Christ will have in your life. When you love the Lord, as Pastor David reminds you today, you’ll desire to serve and obey Christ no matter the cost. God’s desire is that all come to a saving faith in Christ. God will work mightily through faithful believers.

It’s hard to leave the comforts and familiarity of home to do the work of God. And there’s no doubt you can have an impact for the gospel no matter where you are, even if you never go anywhere. Yet, that’s often not what God desires, Pastor David reminds you today. God often called Paul to go to new and difficult places. Paul understood the need to preach the good news of salvation, and was willing to be obedient to go wherever God called him. Are you willing to have the faithful persistence of Paul to go and make disciples?

It’s amazing how quickly fear can overtake you in life. There were moments that even brave, bold Paul experienced fear in his ministry. There were times God needed to comfort Paul. There were times God needed to encourage Paul to keep speaking boldly for Christ. And Pastor David will challenge you today to remember that God promises to always be with you! He will never leave or forsake you! What confidence you can have in those promises! He will be with you. He will comfort and encourage you in all he calls you to!