The Open Word (Audio)

The Bible says that we are Christ’s ambassadors. In today’s message, Pastor David teaches us that this means that we are literally God’s representatives on earth. Therefore, we are to shine the light of Jesus and live such holy lives as to reflect the Lord’s love, goodness, and justice on earth. Practically this means that church leadership should never underestimate their responsibility to the people in their care. Pastor David also points out that all of us should be accountable to each other so that Christ might be glorified.

Now, here's Pastor David with part 2 of today's message 1 Peter Intro: Pilgrims in Progress: Our Sanctification from the book of 1 Peter.

In today’s message, Pastor David begins a new and dynamic series in the book of 1 Peter. From the very first words in this powerful epistle, we learn that Christians live as pilgrims in a strange, foreign, and oftentimes hostile land. For the Believer in Jesus Christ, heaven is our home. We sojourn here on earth for a short time to make an impact for the Kingdom of God and do the work that has been prepared for us to do. Even more exciting, God’s Spirit empowers us and makes us into the likeness of the Son.

Now, here's Pastor David with part 1 of today's message 1 Peter Intro: Pilgrims in Progress: Our Sanctification from the book of 1 Peter.

In today’s message, Pastor David begins a new and dynamic series in the book of 1 Peter. From the very first words in this powerful epistle, we learn that Christians live as pilgrims in a strange, foreign, and oftentimes hostile land. For the Believer in Jesus Christ, heaven is our home. We sojourn here on earth for a short time to make an impact for the Kingdom of God and do the work that has been prepared for us to do. Even more exciting, God’s Spirit empowers us and makes us into the likeness of the Son.

Now, here's Pastor David with part 1 of today's message 1 Peter Intro: Pilgrims in Progress: Our Sanctification from the book of 1 Peter.

People wonder how God can be three people at once. Or even, how He can be the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Think of a man. He is someone's father, brother, co worker, nephew, maybe even someone's husband. He's also someone's son. Yet, he's still one man. Pastor David reminds us that God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He has many roles in our lives, yet He's still ONE. We also need to consider that we don't have to understand everything in the Bible to make it true!

People wonder how God can be three people at once. Or even, how He can be the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Think of a man. He is someone's father, brother, co worker, nephew, maybe even someone's husband. He's also someone's son. Yet, he's still one man. Pastor David reminds us that God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He has many roles in our lives, yet He's still ONE. We also need to consider that we don't have to understand everything in the Bible to make it true!

Do you ever feel like everything is against you? Like, maybe everyone is out to get you? Pastor David urges us to have a paradigm shift immediately. We live a very blessed life here in the states. We not only have more than anyone else in the world, but we also have not experienced any sort of persecution relative to other countries. Dwelling on the bad things that happen to us will breed bad things. Happiness is a choice, and joy is the out flow and showing of it. After all, we're saved!

Do you ever feel like everything is against you? Like, maybe everyone is out to get you? Pastor David urges us to have a paradigm shift immediately. We live a very blessed life here in the states. We not only have more than anyone else in the world, but we also have not experienced any sort of persecution relative to other countries. Dwelling on the bad things that happen to us will breed bad things. Happiness is a choice, and joy is the out flow and showing of it. After all, we're saved!

We're reading today about things that John saw and wrote about in Revelation that also line up with things we read in Ezekiel. God's Word is confirmed by God's word! Pastor David is also revealing to us that there will be a time of healing and vitality. If you've ever gone to a spa and tried to get refreshed and renewed, that's nothing compared to what's coming. We're going to be in awe of what we see and feel. How great is our God that we have such amazing things to look forward to?

We're reading today about things that John saw and wrote about in Revelation that also line up with things we read in Ezekiel. God's Word is confirmed by God's word! Pastor David is also revealing to us that there will be a time of healing and vitality. If you've ever gone to a spa and tried to get refreshed and renewed, that's nothing compared to what's coming. We're going to be in awe of what we see and feel. How great is our God that we have such amazing things to look forward to?

John had visions of brilliant, precious stones that we read about in Revelation. Pastor David is relating that to a bride. Think of the most beautiful bride that you've ever seen. Now consider the fact that we are the bride of Christ. He makes us more beautiful than any bride before us. We become someone so breathtaking. That is really hard to wrap our minds around, but we need to. The Lord loves us so much, and we need to let that sink in. We live our lives like we're alone, yet we are betrothed to God!