The Open Word (Audio)

It's rather amazing how The Lord redeems the abilities we once used against Him as non believers to bring glory to His name. However, many of us tend to shy away from anything and everything of our past, even if The Lord is calling us to use them. In today's message, Pastor David reflects on the fervor and zeal of the Apostle Paul, who once used it against God. In our study, we learn how The Lord redeems not only our souls, but even the abilities and passions that we had before coming to Christ.

Many of us have a tendency to pat on ourselves on the back so to speak for “having a form of godliness.” However, as Paul would say to Timothy, “there are those who have a form of godliness, yet they deny it's power.” But what does Paul mean? In today's message, Pastor David teaches us the importance of living out our lives as disciples more than once a week. In our study, we learn that while it's important to attend Church, it's even more important that our Church lives pour out to our daily lives.

Due to the busy nature of our every day lives we can easily treat our daily devotions as more of a checklist item on our schedule. As many of us have experienced, it doesn't always feel like we're getting the growth and benefits that the Word has to offer. In today's message, Pastor David reflects on the importance of taking in God's Word at a pace that offers growth and learning. In our study, we learn how God's Word is much more beneficial when we approach it methodically and thoughtfully.

Perhaps one of the most dangerous idealogical developments of our generation is the idea of moral relativism. This is the idea that moral standards are subject to the current cultural norms and can shift at any given moment. However, we as believers know that this ideology is simply impossible to live out. In today's message, Pastor David warns us about the rampant rise of moral relativism in our culture today. In our study, we learn the importance of holding fast to God's Word as our standard no matter how controversial we might become.

While many of us might think that false doctrines aren't spread very often, Paul's letter to Timothy would say otherwise. Ever since the beginning of the Church in the first century, our enemy seeks to deceive and lead as many astray as possible. In today's message, Pastor David reflects on the stern warnings that Paul gave to young Timothy regarding false doctrines in the Church. In our study we learn the importance of studiously taking in God's Word so as to defend ourselves from being deceived.

While many of us have never been in the ministry of pastoring, we'd probably all agree that it's not for the faint of heart. For most of us, even the idea of teaching a group of people leaves us feeling uncomfortable or anxious. Combine that with the warning in James about teachers of the Word being held to a higher accountability, we'd probably pass on it altogether. In today's message, Pastor David teaches us about the high demands of teaching and pastoring. In our study, we learn the importance of being constantly filled with The Spirit when leading God's flock.

Many of us are probably all too familiar with what we often refer to as the “Pauline Epistles” in the New Testament of the Bible. However, more often than not, we tend to familiarize ourselves with his letters to the churches, rather than his pastoral ones. In today's message, Pastor David introduces us to Paul's letter to a young individual we might be familiar with, Timothy. In our study, we'll reflect on the passion and zeal that the Apostle Paul, who no doubt expected nothing less of from young Timothy.

As the study of 2 Corinthians comes to a close, Pastor David teaches about what mattered most to the apostle Paul. Although Paul was the founder of the Corinthian church and spent over a year teaching and training them, divisions arose and Paul was being criticized. While Paul wanted to clear up the disputes among them, he pushed most of all for their unity and maturity of faith in Jesus Christ. This should also be the goal of our faith today lest we be distracted from what matters most.

Today Pastor David teaches about the meaning of the words Paul used to describe his desire for the Corinthian church. Even though Paul faced criticism from the church, he sought above all to drive the believers toward a mature relationship with God. In fact, Paul encouraged them to surpass himself in the strength of their faith if it meant that were truly following God. Through Paul, God brought a message that could unify the believers for the greatest battle of their lives – a spiritual battle for their souls!

Any examination can be unpleasant. Whether it be academic or medical, we may prefer to avoid a test because of it’s difficulty. In today’s message, Pastor David challenges us to willingly accept God’s examination of our lives to reveal the state of our faith. Even if you ignore an area of your life that God wants to change, the problem will persist and may even get worse. God alone has the medicine and healing for our souls. Will you follow the prescription of God’s truth for your life?