The Open Word (Audio)

If you remove the truth of the Bible, then what are you left with to believe? Today Pastor David will challenge you to believe what God says in the Bible. He wants you to believe that God created the world as He wrote it was created! He made the animals according to their kind. He created man and woman in His image. These are core truths that begin the journey through Genesis, through the Bible, and through the faith that you have! If you can believe that God was truthful then, you can believe He's truthful now!

As you join us today for Pastor David's message, you may come from a background of faith and intense Bible study. You may also have never picked up a Bible in your life and are new to faith in general! No matter where you're coming from today, Pastor David wants to invite you to journey with him through all of Scripture, learning the key truths of each book and revealing the purpose behind it all. Today you'll learn how the Bible came to be, who wrote it, and some other fascinating facts about God's Word!

No one person wrote the entire Bible. This incredible book, while inspired by God, was written over multiple years by multiple people who lived in many different places. Each part was perfectly orchestrated by God, though, to to reveal an ultimate purpose – redemption. The grace Jesus offers through His death on the cross can be read in each book of Scripture, and is waiting for you to discover even today! Join Pastor David as he shares an overview of the importance of the Bible, and leads you into a deeper study of how Scripture can change your life!

Today's message begins a new series from Pastor David where he'll be taking a much broader approach to God's Word. Instead of the verse-by-verse studies he's done in the past, Pastor David will be opening your eyes up to the basic stories, principles, and lessons of ALL of Scripture! Today will be an overview of what the Bible is and why this study is so important, as well as laying out the plans God has. Here's a hint – it's not about you. It's all about God, about His glory, and about what He's doing in your life!

Peter and the disciples prayed for boldness in sharing the gospel during times of persecution. Because of their boldness, many came to Christ even when the consequences were dire. In today’s message, Pastor David discusses the importance of being educated at the foot of the Master. Peter was uneducated by the worlds standards, yet became one of Jesus’ most trusted and vocal disciples. Time with Jesus is never wasted. Do you spend time at the foot of your Master the way Peter did?

If we think we won’t fail, we are setting ourselves up for great failure. In today’s message, Pastor David recalls the story of Peter denying Jesus three times. Peter said he would never deny Jesus, but as we know from the Bible, He denied Him three times in one day. We cannot do anything within our own power. Pastor David reminds us to keep our focus on the Lord. Do you look to the Lord to guide and direct you? You cannot do anything on your own, but with the Lord all things are possible.

As Christians, we try hard to follow God’s leading in our lives. In today’s message, Pastor David encourages us to make decisions within God’s Will rather than based solely on our own fleshly desires. We can do good things, but apart from God, they will not succeed or bear any fruit. God even works outside of logic, so we can’t trust our own instincts to make good decisions. Are you allowing the Lord to lead you? Check your motives before moving forward.

You and I should have a standard of Christ. Everything you do should be based on your understanding that there is a righteous and gracious savior. In today’s message, Pastor David encourages you to remember how desperately people need what you already have. They need a savior who can bestow upon them real and true righteousness. Otherwise, they blow in the breeze from one thing to the next and do not have a solid foundation. Your standard is Christ. Can people see Him through you?

Sometimes you can get caught up in feeling common. You think, can God really use me? What can I do for His kingdom? In today’s message, Pastor David talks about Amos. Everything about Amos was common except that he had an uncommon relationship with God. He did not have any kind of theological training or degrees. Still, he was used mightily by God. If you feel common or useless, remember who your God is. He can use anyone, at any time, just as they are. You are no exception.

If you're going through a challenging situation, you know the temptation to walk in fear, not in faith. Pastor David will teach the story of Abraham, when he went to the place of sacrifice with his son, Isaac. He had faith that God would provide, and spare his son. You'll be challenged to step forward, even if the future is full of unknowns. God has a plan! He knows what you don't, and He's in control! Although inconvenient, your challenges are necessary, and most certainly, they're only temporary!