The Open Word (Audio)

Jesus said that He would return to earth someday, but nobody would be able to predict the exact timing of His Second Coming. In today’s message, Pastor David warns against date setters who claim to have special knowledge to be able to predict when Christ will come for His people. The Word is clear that date setting is impossible. Pastor David also teaches us that though we cannot know the exact day and hour, we can know the general season of Jesus’s return based on Biblical prophecy.

Before a Christian experienced the new birth, he was a slave to his flesh. He may have been a liar, a thief, rebellious, or been addicted to drugs. He may have put his career or his wants and wishes before the Lord’s. However, after submitting to Christ’s Lordship, his old way of life was nailed to the cross. In today’s message, Pastor David points out that if we continue to habitually practice lawlessness as an unbeliever does, we should very carefully examine ourselves and our hearts to determine if we really and truly do belong to Jesus.

Before a Christian experienced the new birth, he was a slave to his flesh. He may have been a liar, a thief, rebellious, or been addicted to drugs. He may have put his career or his wants and wishes before the Lord’s. However, after submitting to Christ’s Lordship, his old way of life was nailed to the cross. In today’s message, Pastor David points out that if we continue to habitually practice lawlessness as an unbeliever does, we should very carefully examine ourselves and our hearts to determine if we really and truly do belong to Jesus.

The Bible says that Jesus, our High Priest, was tempted in every way that a man can be tempted yet was without sin. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that because Jesus experienced what we experience, He has great compassion on His people. We know that He understands us because He too faced temptation and suffering. Incredibly though, when Jesus was tempted, he never faltered or failed… not even once. This made Christ an acceptable sacrifice, a spotless Lamb, when He died in our place.

The Bible says that Jesus, our High Priest, was tempted in every way that a man can be tempted yet was without sin. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that because Jesus experienced what we experience, He has great compassion on His people. We know that He understands us because He too faced temptation and suffering. Incredibly though, when Jesus was tempted, he never faltered or failed… not even once. This made Christ an acceptable sacrifice, a spotless Lamb, when He died in our place.

Just before Christ ascended into heaven to be with His Father, He commanded the disciples to go and make disciples and to baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that baptism by emersion is a Biblical command, and so as obedient followers of Christ we should be baptized. Pastor David also teaches us that dedicating a baby to the Lord by the sprinkling of water is not the same as an individual consciously and willingly submitting to Christ’s command to be baptized.

Just before Christ ascended into heaven to be with His Father, He commanded the disciples to go and make disciples and to baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that baptism by emersion is a Biblical command, and so as obedient followers of Christ we should be baptized. Pastor David also teaches us that dedicating a baby to the Lord by the sprinkling of water is not the same as an individual consciously and willingly submitting to Christ’s command to be baptized.

The ritual of baptism is a physical symbol of what happens to us when we give our lives to Christ. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that when we are submerged in the water, it represents the death of our flesh and our old way of life. Then, when we reemerge out of the water, we show that we have been washed by the blood of Christ and have received the new birth that only comes from knowing Jesus. Pastor David points out that the act of baptism does not save us but is merely a demonstration of our faith and a sign of obedience.

The ritual of baptism is a physical symbol of what happens to us when we give our lives to Christ. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that when we are submerged in the water, it represents the death of our flesh and our old way of life. Then, when we reemerge out of the water, we show that we have been washed by the blood of Christ and have received the new birth that only comes from knowing Jesus. Pastor David points out that the act of baptism does not save us but is merely a demonstration of our faith and a sign of obedience.

The Bible says that now is the day of salvation. Because tomorrow is not promised, we should surrender our hearts and lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ today. In today’s message, Pastor David admonishes us to cry out to the Lord while the window for grace and salvation is still open, for there will be a day when that window will close. Those who have rejected Jesus in this life will be cast away from the Father’s presence. Those who have accepted God’s free gift of grace will enter into everlasting rest.