The Open Word (Audio)

God is mysterious. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. In today’s message, Pastor David points out that if we think we understand the Lord and how He works, then we have essentially created a god in our own image. Furthermore, if we think we know better than God, or worse still, if we stand in judgment against the Lord, we are deceived. The truth is we cannot comprehend the wonder and majesty of Jesus, and His ways are perfect. So, when we don’t understand, we can trust in the Lord’s goodness.

God is mysterious. His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. In today’s message, Pastor David points out that if we think we understand the Lord and how He works, then we have essentially created a god in our own image. Furthermore, if we think we know better than God, or worse still, if we stand in judgment against the Lord, we are deceived. The truth is we cannot comprehend the wonder and majesty of Jesus, and His ways are perfect. So, when we don’t understand, we can trust in the Lord’s goodness.

Satan, our enemy, quietly tries to slip into the fellowship of believers to steal, kill, and destroy. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that from the first century church onward, Satan has infiltrated the church like a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing bringing with him false doctrine and discord. For this reason, we have to be on the alert for the devil and his schemes lest our faith become shipwrecked. The way to guard ourselves from Satan’s attacks is to daily fellowship with Jesus and be filled with His power.

Satan, our enemy, quietly tries to slip into the fellowship of believers to steal, kill, and destroy. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that from the first century church onward, Satan has infiltrated the church like a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing bringing with him false doctrine and discord. For this reason, we have to be on the alert for the devil and his schemes lest our faith become shipwrecked. The way to guard ourselves from Satan’s attacks is to daily fellowship with Jesus and be filled with His power.

The Bible says that anyone who loves the world is at enmity with God. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that when we focus on the things of this world, things like houses, cars, careers, power, and prestige, we are diametrically opposed to the Lord. Further, worldly focus is always self focused. If we are to be like Jesus, we need to put God first. As we surrender our lives to the Lord’s leadership and focus on loving Him and others as we are commanded, the things of this world grow strangely dim.

The Bible says that anyone who loves the world is at enmity with God. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that when we focus on the things of this world, things like houses, cars, careers, power, and prestige, we are diametrically opposed to the Lord. Further, worldly focus is always self focused. If we are to be like Jesus, we need to put God first. As we surrender our lives to the Lord’s leadership and focus on loving Him and others as we are commanded, the things of this world grow strangely dim.

A fruit tree that does not produce fruit is useless to a farmer. In the same way, Christians who do not produce fruit are not living up to the high calling they received in Christ Jesus. In today’s message, Pastor David encourages us to be “fruity Christians”. In order to do this, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to empower us to add to the characteristics of Jesus in our hearts and minds. As we become more like Christ and reflect more of His character, we will naturally be fruit bearers.

A fruit tree that does not produce fruit is useless to a farmer. In the same way, Christians who do not produce fruit are not living up to the high calling they received in Christ Jesus. In today’s message, Pastor David encourages us to be “fruity Christians”. In order to do this, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to empower us to add to the characteristics of Jesus in our hearts and minds. As we become more like Christ and reflect more of His character, we will naturally be fruit bearers.

Human love is usually self seeking. In other words, we love because we expect something in return. However, God’s love, or agape love, is selfless. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that agape love is found only in the Person of Jesus Christ. Agape love is never rude. It always hopes. It is never selfish or prideful. Agape love hates evil but rejoices in the truth even when the truth can be difficult to hear. Pastor David points out that we can only agape love others through the indwelling and power of the Holy Spirit.

Human love is usually self seeking. In other words, we love because we expect something in return. However, God’s love, or agape love, is selfless. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that agape love is found only in the Person of Jesus Christ. Agape love is never rude. It always hopes. It is never selfish or prideful. Agape love hates evil but rejoices in the truth even when the truth can be difficult to hear. Pastor David points out that we can only agape love others through the indwelling and power of the Holy Spirit.