The Open Word (Audio)

Whenever there is a work of God, there is a work of the devil, but then there is always an even greater work of God. Today, Pastor David will be challenging you to not give up following after and serving the Lord. If you're experiencing spiritual warfare, it's because God is using you to help further His Kingdom. The real danger is if you're not experiencing any spiritual warfare, because it reveals your not a threat. The early church experienced great persecution, but they pressed on anyway!

Have you noticed how the more you read the Word of God, the more aware you become of your sinful condition? This is because the Word of God acts as a mirror, that shows you all your imperfections, and points you to your need for a Savior. Today, Pastor David will be challenging you to run to Jesus when you sin, and allow Him to cleanse you and forgive you. It's only by the sacrifice of Jesus that you can be forgiven. No observance of the law and religious ceremony can really cleanse your sin.

Everyone experiences discouragement and failure at some point in their life. Even as a Christian, you'll hit certain bumps in the road, and you'll be tempted to run away from God rather then run towards God. Today, Pastor David will be reminding you that it's the devil who influences you to feel condemned and to hide from God. It's the Holy Spirit who convicts you and causes you to go to the Lord in prayer. Even the Apostle's and the early church experienced set backs and discouragement, and God lifted them up.

The gospel is simple. Jesus Christ came to earth to die for the sins of mankind, so that after death, we could be reunited with God. When we add anything to this message, we actually detract from it. Jesus is the only thing we need. Apart from Him, we can’t work for our salvation, we can’t live a life pleasing to God, we can’t give or serve enough. In today’s message, Pastor David encourages you to read the Bible and hear the simple, honest Word of God which will open your eyes to the truth of Jesus Christ.

People often look at outward things to judge a person’s worth and character. But God also sees what’s in the heart. Today, Pastor David reminds you that intellect and religion will only get you so far with God. Instead, what God wants is a personal relationship with you. He desires your whole heart, mind, and soul. The truth of the gospel is simple. Jesus came to earth, died for you, and when you acknowledge this, you are saved. There is nothing difficult about it. Have you made a choice for Jesus?

As Pastor David continues his teaching series through the book of Acts, he'll be encouraging you to pray for God to give you a fresh vision for your life. The Bible say's that where there is a lack of vision, the people perish. God has specific good works He has predestined you to complete, you're still on this Earth for a very specific reason. The question is, are you obeying what God has commanded you to do? Purpose to pray for direction, and use the spiritual gifts He has given to you to help further His Kingdom.

How many people have you preached the Gospel to this past week? What about the past few months? Today, Pastor David will be challenging you to obey the Great Commission that Jesus expects of all His followers. You're called to go throughout your life, preaching the Gospel and making disciples. You may not necessarily be called to go to another country as a missionary, but you're absolutely called to be preach the Gospel to those God has placed within your sphere of influence.

As Pastor David continues his teaching series through the book of Acts, he'll be encouraging you to fall more and more in love with the Lord each day. Studying the Bible in seminary, and increasing your knowledge is a great thing, but make sure you don't allow yourself to get proud and puffed up. The Bible say's knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. It's been said that nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. You need to couple your knowledge of God's Word with God's love.

Have you ever noticed that when you start taking more steps of faith, and begin to draw closer to Jesus, there's more opposition in your life? Today, Pastor David will be reminding you that there is a very real enemy that is waging war against the children of God, and the only way you can stand firm is by allowing God to fight the battle for you. The enemy wants to render you ineffective in furthering the Kingdom of God here on Earth. The Bible say's if you submit to God, and resist the devil, he will flee.

The Church needs more people that build up others, rather then tear them down. As Pastor David continues his teaching series through the book of Acts, he'll be challenging you to be a Barnabas in the lives of others. Barnabas was called the son of encouragement, he wasn't known for tearing people down and harshly rebuking them. There's a time for rebuke and exhortation, but there's also a time for encouragement, and sadly people tend to want to rebuke more then build people up.