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The 7 day Festival of Unleavened Bread was given to Israel so they would remember their deliverance from the clutches of Egypt. That same festival is now given to the Church of God under Jesus Christ so that we will remember our own deliverance from the clutches of sin and futility.Just as Israel was commanded by God to come out of Egypt.. you were told [and today are being reminded] to come out of a way of thinking and acting that has no positive future… because sin separates you from God and cuts you off from eating of the tree of life.Lets take a few minutes to review some scriptures on coming out of Egypt:Hebrews 11:24-28 leaving behind temporary pleasures for a reward… a reward with a positive future.Revelation 11:8 the idea of a humanly devised society, built up as an alternative to God’s society, endures and persists until the day of Christ’s return. The scriptures here speak of the God hating society of the end which is of the same spirit as Egypt… and Sodom. His command to come out of a sinful society is as real in our time as it was in the past. And so we can draw lessons, and warnings from the biblical record we have… given those commanded to come out of Egypt and Sodom.Request a free copy of: The Road To Eternal Life https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/the-road-to-eternal-lifeKeep Reading »

The Hardening of The HeartThe hardening of the heart is a biblical way of indicating a spirit that is stubborn, obstinate, resistant, self righteous, unmerciful, and [the most dangerous of all] oblivious to their own spiritual condition... Hard hardheartedness is offered up in scripture as an explanation for the unbelief of humanity at large, but also as a warning to the household of God. Hardness of heart is a spiritual condition that can creep up on you and cause you to miss out on the glory and inheritance of the first-fruits.1. Romans 9 is where hardheartedness among unbelievers is addressed. The example of hard hardheartedness given is the Pharaoh of Egypt.2. Hebrews 3 is where the Church of God is warned about their own hardness of heart. The example given is indifference and disregard for the weekly Sabbath.Today we will walk through both sections of scripture. In the process learning how hard hardheartedness happens, and how it can affect us.Request a free copy of "What Does the Bible Teach About Grace" https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/what-does-the-bible-teach-about-graceKeep Reading »

Ephesus: Home Economics in the Household of GodA well-run household has rules of conduct and procedures. Knowing the house rules helps day-to-day living run smoothly and avoids strife. Knowing in advance who's job it is to wash and put away the dishes prevents every night turning into a battle. And so it is with the household of God, which is the Church. Today we will finish off our review of Paul's instructions for Timothy regarding the congregation in Ephesus. Chapters 4,5, and 6 of Paul's letter to Timothy provide additional guidance for congregational matters that are as relevant today as they were in 60 A.D.Request a free copy of The Church that Jesus Builthttps://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/the-church-jesus-builtKeep Reading »

Ephesus: A Congregation in TroubleEphesus was a local assembly of God people on the coast of what is now Turkey. At that time it was a huge metropolitan city especially noted for it magnificent temple dedicated to Artemis. The goddess protector of young girls, also of childbirth/midwifery... You can read about Paul establishing the congregation in Acts 19:1-40 and dynamically drawing them out of a culture dedicated to the occult and sorcery. In Acts 20:17-38 you can read Paul's farewell warning to the elders there about false teachers who would soon attack them like ravenous wolves, and in Revelation 2:1-7 you can read Christ's assessment of Ephesus; they beat back the false teachings, persevered in the truth, but they appear to have lost much of their zeal and enthusiasm for the precious truth revealed to them. After Paul left Ephesus he travelled to Jerusalem where he was arrested, imprisoned, and sent to Rome for a trial. While under house arrest in Rome Paul wrote quite a bit concerning the Ephesian church: the book of Ephesians itself [a very high enthusiastic doctrinal message], plus 1st and 2nd Timothy which are written to Timothy concerning problems in the Ephesus church. Timothy was specifically sent there and commissioned to correct the situation [many aspects of this instruction are applicable to any congregation if necessary].Our purpose to day is to review Paul's instructions to Timothy.Request a free copy of THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT Keep Reading »

Set Apart For Obedience & CleansingThe feast of tabernacles is a joy filled time. During the feast we focus our thoughts on the rule of Christ on earth, our eternal inheritance, and teaching the ways of peace and reconciliation to all of humanity. We spend a week plus a day surrounded by Godly people of the same mind and we are able to shut out the madness of the world around us [to a greater or lesser degree depending on the effort you make].The temporary dwellings of the feast are a reminder that we live as strangers in a strange land, sojourners, pilgrims. We live here among the rest of humanity but we have our eyes and hearts set upon that city and society built on the solid foundation whose builder and maker is God. This year, like every past year, the feast ends and we return home to the lives we temporarily left behind. We are once again immersed in the ravings of a world that is twisted, perverted, and hostile to the truth of God. The feast pictures good things to come… but…  we are not there yet.We are still sojourners in a strange land. Called to live by a different standard, and headed toward a different goal than the society surrounding us. 1 Peter 1:1-2 your time of sojourning is by God’s design. It serves to prepare you to fulfill a mission to prepare you for the time we are all looking forward to:1) As a sojourner you learn obedience to His will in a matrix of testing & temptation 2) As a sojourner your mind, thoughts, attitudes and actions may be cleansed, purified and made holyAs a sojourner you stand apart from the sin-filled world around you. Defilement, uncleanness, lust, and evil are all round you. Your job is to resist sin, overcome sin, and be purified in mind and heart, clean and acceptable for entry into the family of God. Your renewed contact and interaction with the sin sick world is going to [in one way or another] infect you contaminate you, defile you. You will get through your days of sojourning seeking through the cleansing power of Christ's blood. Request your free copy of this essential bible study guide - Jesus Christ, Saved By His LifeKeep Reading »

 Jesus' concern for the poor and needy gives us the example to follow when addressing poverty. What does the bible say about the poor and our responsibility to help them?Jesus helped the poor and multiple bible verses tell us to help the poor and needy. The bible also reminds us that poverty will always be with us. So what is our goal? We can assume God's goal is not to eradicate poverty... otherwise, He would make it happen. But why does God allow poverty to persist? The answer is found in an understanding God's purpose in creating human life and His goals and plans for human beings. Request a free copy of Why Does God Allow Suffering? Request a free copy of Christ's Reign on Earth, What Will It Be Like?

The return of Jesus Christ as king of kings and lord of lords is announced by a trumpet blast. It is that amazing turning point in human history that we are here to remind ourselves of today. The feast of Trumpets is the 4th of the appointed times to be proclaimed by the servants of God. Subscribe to this channel on Youtube Many exciting things happen when Christ makes His dramatic appearance: the people God has called and chosen receive the gift of eternal life, they also receive their reward, they are from that point forward at His right hand working together with Him as the bride of Christ in the family of God. For those who are not Christ's at His return "exciting" is not the word to use... for them it will be a time of terrible distress, fear, pain, plagues, and environmental disasters. A time when God’s condemnation of humanity’s unjust governments, perverse religions and misguided cultural institutions will come to pass. These will be destroyed permanently and swept into the garbage can of the universe.But humanity will not give up all they have created and bought into without a fight. So, there will also be a terrible and final battle in the valley of decision.Learn more about the prophecies found in the book of Revelation using our free study guide The Book of Revelation Unveiled Keep Reading »

Subscribe to this channel on Youtube⤵ The Feast of Tabernacles is the 6th of the 7 annual  biblical festivals. It pictures the 6th stage in God's plan of redemption and bringing spirit born children into a family relationship with Him.After the 4th stage of Christ's dramatic return, and the 5th stage removing the source of deception and atoning for sins of ignorance... stage 6 is a 1,000 year demonstration of what God's rule looks like. Humanity will live in peace, with one another, and with God. There will be unimpeded access to knowledge and spiritual truth Isaiah 11:9. Stage 6 is not the final stage. Afterwards must come a day of decision for both God and all flesh.Leviticus 23:34 we are commanded to keep/observe the feast. Our Creator wants us to live and experience this important step in His plan. There are many benefits and lessons we can learn through God's Feast of Tabernacles. But we will not learn them if we do not attend.Learn more about the biblical festivals and their significance for followers of Jesus Christ. Use this free bible study guide to walk you through the biblical festivals - https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-study-course/bible-study-course-lesson-12-gods-festivals-keys-to-humanitys-futureKeep Reading »

Restoring the Temple of GodUnder the new covenant established after Christ's death and resurrection there remains a temple in which God will be present through the power of His holy spirit. That temple is not built of stones, timbers, and metals... it is made up of the people of God. 1 Peter 2:4-5 tells us the keystone/capstone/cornerstone of the building is Christ... and the members of the church are like living stones used to build a spiritual house and temple (refer to 1 Cor 6:19 etc).Therefore teaching and scriptures related to the temple of God in Jerusalem have the potential to provide insight and instruction for those of us He considers part of His new covenant temple.Today we are going to review the preaching and exhortations of Haggai... a man God sent to stir up the people who had returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem... and consider how the word of God meant to stir up the people (and get them back on track) might be helpful to us.Living stones are still being added to God’s new covenant temple. God still calls, chooses, and transforms people. We still have work to do in preparing a people for the day Christ returns.Request a Free copy of The Church Jesus Built Keep Reading »

Jesus says He is a king but where is His kingdom? Is Jesus king only of the hearts and minds of believers or is there more? Learn what it means that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus rule as king is more that merely a spiritual presence in the hearts and minds of his followers. Jesus second coming will usher in a new age in the history of the earth. The rule of Christ will extend over all the earth and all its people. He will rule in justice, righteousness, mercy and love. All human governments will be subject to His rule. This period of Jesus Christ's rule is spoken of as lasting for 1,000 years [commonly called the millenial rule of Christ]. Those who are Christ's at His return will rule together with Him and assist the the king of kings. You can access the free bible study book The Gospel of the Kingdom at this link - https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/the-gospel-of-the-kingdomHere is a link to a free kindle version of The Gospel of the Kingdom - https://www.ucg.org/system/storage/serve/1651/the-gospel-of-the-kingdom.mobiHere is a link to a PDF version of The Gospel of the Kingdom - https://www.ucg.org/system/storage/serve/4606/the-gospel-of-the-kingdom.pdfKeep Reading »