LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

SIX WAYS SATAN GAINS ADVANTAGE OF THE CHURCH. Jimmy Young     Let us not kid ourselves; Satan is “good” at what he does. He knows all there is to be known in getting the advantage of the church. We can be assured that he has no plans to give-up on destroying each of us! All we have to do is to look around, and you don’t have look too far to see his destructive work. Remember, I’m not speaking of the world, he already has it. I’m speaking of the church. Paul said, “Lest Satan should get advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Peter also gives us these wise words to follow, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world”(1 Peter 5:8-9).     When Christians fail to do as God has directed, we become distracted and then we become vulnerable to Satan’s

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY Dr.  Joseph Wallis Text - 1 Corinthians 15: 35-54 One of the glorious truths in God’s Word is that concerning the resurrection of the body.  The apostle Paul has devoted a whole chapter in his Letter to the Corinthians to the unfolding of this glorious theme in 1 Corinthians 15:1-58. In our Lord’s day the Sadducees said that there was no resurrection from the dead (Matthew 22:23), but see what Jesus said in Matthew 22:29.  There are many Sadducees today – people who do not believe in the supernatural and who say, “The resurrection of the body is an utter impossibility.”  With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible – see Matthew 3:9; 19:26.  He made man out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7); raised the dead (John 11:43-44).   Can He not give us new and wonderful bodies in which to live in His presence through all eternity?  Of course He can – and that is what He has promised!  Why do we believe in the resurrection of the b

YOU WERE RUNNING A GOOD RACE. WHO CUT IN ON YOU? Dr.  Joseph Wallis. Text - Galatians 5:7 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” It is a very wonderful thing when someone is truly converted:  born again (1 Peter 1:23); saved (Romans 10:9); justified (Romans 5:1); and one who shares in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Do you recall the day of your conversion, or if you do not remember the day, are you sure that you have been converted? How sad it is when someone who has been truly converted turns back (Acts 7:39); backslides (Proverbs 14:14); becomes lukewarm (Revelation 3:16) or forsakes his first love (Revelation 2:4)! What a tragedy this is – to be out-and-out for Christ, a soul-winner and an earnest worker, and then to turn aside and right away from the Lord! There were those in the Galatian church who had this experience in AD 56, and they had been deceived by false teachers who had succeeded in getting them into bondage again to the Law - se

THE CLOSING AND FINAL APPEAL OF THE BIBLE. Dr.  Joseph Wallis. Revelation 22:17:  “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Our key verse is found in the very last chapter of the Bible and it constitutes what may be called the closing appeal of the Bible. We rightly attach much importance to the last words of men, and we should take note of the closing words of God’s inspired Word. It seems as though the Holy Spirit said to John, ‘Now, John, before the book closes and before we solemnly warn the reader about taking away from or adding to the Word, we must give one final appeal to the sinner to come to the Savior’ – and this appeal is in verse 17. If we study Revelation 22:17 carefully we shall notice that seven reasons are given as to why the sinner should come to the Savior – it is a seven-fold appeal to the sinner to be reconciled to God. Why should yo

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, ELIJAH? Dr.  Joseph Wallis. Text - 1 Kings 19: 1-18 Elijah was a man of deep devotion, unquestioning obedience and daring faith.  But then there comes a chapter describing breakdown, humiliating failure and defeat – 1 Kings 19.   A sad chapter – yet, so up-to-date and applicable to our own experiences.  “A man just like ourselves!” (James 5:17 my paraphrase). Do you ever get discouraged, depressed and despondent? Do you ever find yourself in the grip of despair? Does fear ever possess you? Do you ever have doubts? Do you ever experience loneliness and a feeling that nobody understands? Do you ever feel at the end of your tether? Do you ever go to sleep and wish you need not wake up? 1. NOTICE THE DESPERATE CONDITION IN WHICH ELIJAH FOUND HIMSELF (1) He was suddenly gripped by fear and alarm.  Is this the courageous man of 1 Kings 18:17-18 and 40, the same man of which 1 Kings 19:2-3 speaks?  Elijah – running for his life!  Fear is a dreadful thing

Where Is Heaven? Dr.  Joseph Wallis. Text: Isaiah 14:12-14; Psa. 48:2 INTRODUCTION: Where is Heaven? Does the Bible locate it for us? Yes, "In the sides of the north." The Bible speaks of three Heavens. 1. Gen. 1:20—The birds fly in the first Heaven. 2. Psa. 19:1, 2—The stars are located in the second Heaven. 3. 2 Cor. 12:2-4—The place where God dwells is the third Heaven. NOTE WHERE HEAVEN IS: I. HEAVEN IS WHERE JESUS IS. "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2, 3. II. HEAVEN IS WHERE WE WILL HAVE PERFECT UNDERSTANDING. "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Cor. 13:12. III. HEAVEN IS WHERE OUR RECORDS ARE. A. "For we must all ap

The Six Thieves of Calvary Dr.  Joseph Wallis.   Mark 14:43 - 48 Now, if I were to ask you to tell me about the thieves that were a part of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, I would dare say that most of you would tell me of the three. But did you know that there are actually six? 1.   Judas Iscariot: The Thief Who Regretted - Mark 14:43   “And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priest and the scribes and the elders.” John 12:3-6  “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a

“Your Adversary The Devil Dr.  Joseph Wallis Text - 1 Peter 5:8-9 1.  Satan’s Desire - “your Adversary” a.  Need To Realize That You Have An Enemy b.  Adversary - An enemy or foe; one who has enmity at heart. 2.  Satan’s Danger - “a roaring lion” a.  Need To Realize That He Is A Formidable Foe b.  Jude 9  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. c.  We Are No Match For Him In Ourselves 3.  His Disposition – “the devil” a.  Devil – One who slanders or falsely accuses - Revelation 12:10  And I heard a great voice in the heaven saying, Now is come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren has been cast out, who accused them before our God day and night: Job 1:9  And Satan answered Jehovah and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? b.  Satan – One who w

  Six Ways to Get Back on Track With God. Dr.  Joseph Wallis. Joshua 7:11-7:11 Introduction: While driving in a remote camping area, the father of a vacationing family came across a large sign that read, "Road Closed. Do Not Enter." The man proceeded around the sign because he was confident it would save them time on their journey. His wife was resistant to the adventure but there was no turning back for this persistent road warrior. After a few miles of successful navigation, he began to boast about his gift of discernment. His proud smile was quickly replaced with humble sweat when the road led to a washed-out bridge. He turned the car around and retraced his tracks to the main road. When they arrived at the original warning sign he was greeted by large block letters on the back side of the sign. His wife and three children all read the hand-painted message out loud, "Welcome back, stupid!" A There are no short cuts to getting back on track with God. B We c

THE SIN OF SETTLING DOWN. Dr.  Joseph Wallis TEXT - 2 Kings 2:1-14 INTRO. - We are living in difficult times. There are many temptations we all have to face. One of these temptations is for God’s people to go to sleep spiritually. It is the temptation to settle down spiritually and never go on to take and possess the will of God for our lives. I have known hundreds over the years who could have done great things for God but they never did and they never will because they settled down. They were satisfied where they were. Never become satisfied! In our text Elijah is about to be taken home to heaven -vs.1 He is accompanied by his servant and future successor Elisha. Elijah tests Elisha as to his determination to follow him and his dedication. Elijah tries to get Elisha "to tarry", to stay behind and quit following him. Elijah is testing Elisha but in life Satan is tempting us "to tarry" in doing the will of God. Notice the message in our text to u

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOOK OF HEBREWS By Joseph Wallis. TEXT - Heb.4: 1, 11 - 16 INTRO. - The writer of the Book of Hebrews is in question. Some say it is Paul, others say Barnabas or Apollos. Any could be true or all could be wrong. The answer is of little matter since the book has been included in the canon of Scripture. The book is a part of the Word of God. It is a message from God. It was written to Hebrew Christians who were in danger of going back into Judaism. They were being tempted into returning to the religion of their past, to the ritualism of the Old Testament, to a Christless faith. They were potential backsliders just as we all are if we move away from the truth as found in Jesus Christ. There are seven great warnings in the Book of Hebrews that cry out to the believer DON’T GO BACK ON GOD. There is also a message in the Book of Hebrews of encouragement to go forward for God. Look for a few minutes at the "Let us" exhortations of the book. I.

FOUR OPINIONS OF JOB  (an old sermon of mine) Dr Joe Wallis TEXT - Job 1:6 - 2:10 INTRO. - We want to look this hour at the Book of Job. It is regarded as the oldest book in the Bible, written before Genesis was written by Moses. The Book of Job superbly answers in part the question, "Why do the godly suffer?". We will see a part of the answer in the text we have before us. Our text gives us four opinions of the man Job and in these four opinions is a message for us from God to each of us. I. LOOK AT THE ATTITUDE OF GOD TOWARD JOB - Ch.1: 6-8, 2:3 It is God who brings the devil’s attention to Job. I believe the reason is that God delights in finding people who so love and trust him so he can rub it under the devil’s nose. Most people are sold out to self, Satan, or the world. This includes many so called Christians. Many Christians are not fully surrendered to Jesus so when the Lord God finds a true dedicated, separated believer, he likes to brag on him to the

THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH   Marvin L. Weir. There are many glorious truths that we can know about the church of our Lord because divine revelation has revealed them to us. The church has always been a part of the eternal plan of God. The apostle Paul records,  “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him” (Eph. 3:9-12).  Not only has God always intended that the Lord’s church exist, but He knew that it would be the place where salvation is located. Salvation is IN Christ (2 Tim. 2:10), but Christ has promised to save only His body, the church (Eph. 5:23; 1:22-23). It is therefore imperativ

Strong In the Lord. Bobby K. Thompson . “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” ( Ephesians 6:10 ). This admonition is found near the conclusion of Paul’s beautiful epistle to the Ephesians. Verse 10 is followed by principles that enumerate the armor of the Christian that are necessary in his being strong in the Lord. It appears that man has a natural desire to be strong. Perhaps it goes without saying that no one desires to be weak. Though men almost universally have a desire for strength, the objective in strength often varies. With some it is a quest for physical strength ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ). With others, it may be a longing for financial strength and they sell their soul in pursuit of it. ( Mark 8:36-38 ). Still with others, there is the craving for intellectual strength and recognition. ( Ecclesiastes 12:12 ). These do not constitute the true objective of strength. The greatest strength is to be strong in the Lord. This is the very thing that

Little Wine for Your Stomach's Sake Bryan Matthew Dockens Paul advised Timothy, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities” (I Timothy 5:23). “NO LONGER DRINK ONLY WATER…” By this statement we learn that Timothy’s habit had been one of total abstinence from wine until instructed otherwise by the apostle. This is as it should be. Solomon taught, “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly” (Proverbs 23:31). Since the appearance of wine ought not to be admired, how could imbibing in the same have God’s approval? Without the exception provided in the passage under consideration, wine should be abstained from. “…BUT USE A LITTLE WINE…” In the limited circumstance in which the use of wine is permitted, its quantity must also be limited. The authorization to use wine was not to be construed as a license to become intoxicated, for drunkards will not inherit the kin

German theologian Martin Luther publicly condemned the practice of buying indulgences on October 31, 1517. His Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, popularly called the Ninety-Five Theses, consisted of 95 propositions that established a theological basis for opposing indulgences. Luther’s manifesto was widely distributed, causing a public controversy, and he was eventually excommunicated (denied the services and benefits of the Roman Catholic Church) for what the Church regarded as his heretical teachings.

First of all, it’s “Jehovah’s Witnesses The religion is actually an offshoot of a bible student movement in the 1880’s by a man called Charles Taze Russell. He and his acquaintances started a study group that shared some things in common with the Seventh Day Adventists religion. They believed that Armageddon would come in the year 1914 and usher in a paradise on the earth. Russell believed himself to be Gods appointed servant on earth. When he died there arose a schism. A man called Joseph Rutherford took some of the Bible Students beliefs and convinced some of them that he was the true successor for the religion. Many simply gave up because of the 1914 prediction that didn't come true. It was Rutherford who changed their name to Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 1930s. It’s worth noting though, that he brought about changes in doctrine too such as a prediction that 1925 would bring about the earthly resurrection of some bible characters like Abraham, Elijah, David and Isaiah etc. They

*SEVEN DANGEROUS PEOPLE IN AN ORGANISATION YOU NEED TO KNOW AND HANDLE THEM WITH WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE* As a Boss beware that at one stage or the other in your business, you will find yourself dealing with the following groups of people. If you don't have wisdom to deal with them, your business is in danger. 1. *THOMAS GROUP* -They walk with you but they don't really believe in you. Though God can use you infront of them, they are not easily moved they take time to believe in you. These people can delay your vision and they are also not aware they are also delaying themselves. It's a struggle and a burden to lead people who don't believe in you. 2. *JUDAS  GROUP*- They walk with you but they have issues with you when God begins to bless you. They are not happy when things of great value are given to you. In short they are jealous of your success. When elevation comes they will say we are poor in the work place but the Boss is driving a BMW 5 series but we have people