Messages

Messages are topics dedicated to our evangelistic efforts and sharing the truth of Jesus with the world. The ultimate purpose and goal is to magnify the name of Jesus and to preach Him crucified so that men, women, and children may come to know the grace and mercy of God in Christ alone.

Firm Foundation

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV)

Over the past decades a move has been accelerating both in secular society and in the Church where more and more people are ruled by their emotions than trained and equipped by God’s Word (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Often I have heard more than one self-confessed believer say something like this: I know what the Bible says, but…Typically I have discovered it is whatever is on the other side of that but that leads people astray.

The Scripture clearly reveals to us we have a real problem that impacts every part of the way we think, act, and believe: Sin. Sadly many reject the clear, unashamed, often counter cultural teaching of the Scripture based on how they feel, what they think is right, or what society has decided should be tolerated, accepted, embraced, and celebrated. The Bible warns us of this type of circular thinking: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12 ESV) I could craft a list of foundational Biblical truths that have been first ignored, then redefined or rejected, all to the peril of our societies, our families, and even our churches. We have drifted back to Eden and the Serpent’s temptation that it would be us, not God, who defines right and wrong.

Increasingly, many have begun to reject clear orthodox Christian teaching about a variety of issues. They cling to some Scriptures out of context while neglecting others. They accept some as authoritative and God breathed while rejecting others. They try to, in the words of one popular speaker, “unchain the New Testament from the Old.” What they are left with is no longer God’s Word but man’s. This period of history didn’t catch God unaware and it shouldn’t catch us unprepared. Paul talks about it like this: For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV)

Frustratingly, many are more concerned about regurgitating tired political tripe or false teaching than turning to the Scripture. What are we to do in a culture, both in society and even in some Christian churches, that increasingly abandons the Scripture for human philosophy or popular opinion? Build our lives and place our hope in the unchanging, unfading, unfailing Word of God. Seek God’s wisdom and grace (see James 1:5) and abide in Christ! (See John 15:4-5) What the church and every individual believer needs now more than ever is to be grounded in the Word of God and led by the Spirit of God.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)

By Daniel Higginbotham, ago

Because He Lives

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

In the Gospels, Jesus gives us a prophetic Word concerning the condition of the world prior to His return: “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12 ESV) One look at the news, social media, or the endless stream of videos, podcasts, and alternative media, and you will begin to understand part of what Jesus was surely talking about. Research seems to indicate that things like fear, anxiety, despair, depression, hopelessness, and loneliness are reaching epidemic levels. This world desperately needs the hope, freedom, joy, and life that only Jesus Christ can bring.

As polarization in the west seems to increase at a fever pitch, politics continues to fracture friendships and families. People seem angry and less and less concerned with who or how they express that anger. From main stream news to social media, organizations seem to endlessly feed the polarization and rage because an angry society becomes glued to the endless stream of reasons to be mad and frustrated.

Paul once wrote about a future time that I think is becoming front page news: But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV) I would like to point out that the presence of the Holy Spirit should lead to fruit radically different than the things we see in Paul’s warning. In contrast, true believers have lives marked by His fruit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

As we consider the Scripture, I think there are several truths we must consider. First, these moments have not caught God unaware, unprepared, or unable to give us grace, strength, and hope as society seems to run of the rails. Next, God’s call for us as Christ followers has not changed: We are to love one another as He has loved us (see John 13:34-35). As our communities become colder and darker, there has never been a greater need for the true Church of Jesus Christ to live for and love like Jesus. Lastly, never let us buy the lie that anyone is too far gone for God to save! Let us proclaim the hope of the Gospel urgently, compassionately, and boldly. The God we serve is the God of exceedingly, abundantly more than all we could ask or imagine (see Ephesians 3:19-20).

The prophetic word spoken by Jesus and the God breathed Scriptures and history clearly reveal that our God is all knowing and proves He is all powerful. Today I want to challenge you to pray that God would guard your heart and keep it from becoming cold, callous, and indifferent because of the rise of lawlessness and godlessness. In a world that seems so hopeless and dark, let us hold onto our resurrected King and trust that the Lord will take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it to good.

As a bulwark against our love growing cold, here are a few Scriptures to meditate on and remember:

  • So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 ESV)
  • “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 ESV)
  • “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)
  • Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV)
  • Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
By Daniel Higginbotham, ago

Power in the Word of God

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)

Recently as a church we started a 365-day Bible reading plan that will take us through the entire Bible in the next year. If you would like to join us, you can sign-up for the Bible Recap reading plan for free on the Bible app or purchase a copy of the Bible Recap daily devotional on Amazon. The daily devotional tool features a blend of commentary on each section of Scripture we study as well as videos and resources to take you deeper into the text. We are on a continual journey to read the Bible and empowered by the Holy Spirit, do what it says.

Recently as we kicked off this journey, something struck me in the earliest pages of Scripture. In Genesis chapter three, we see our great grandparents face (and fail) their first big test of faith. Into the perfection of Eden and the innocent life of unbroken fellowship they enjoyed with our Creator, the enemy came slithering up in the form of a serpent. It is a fun fact that snakes likely used to have legs (sorry for sharing that nightmare image).

When Satan arrived in Eden to tempt Adam and Eve, his ploy was simple and the bait he used then is one he still uses to ensnare and enslave so many today. The Scripture gives us a historical look at how the conversation unfolded: Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1 ESV) Notice what the enemy of our souls and the accuser of the brethren does first, he immediately brought the word of God into question. “Did God really say…”

Why is a personal knowledge of the Scripture so important? It starts right here. As followers of Jesus it is essential for us to have more than a second hand knowledge of the God we serve. It isn’t your parents faith, your spouses faith, the faith of your pastor, or anyone else that will help you in times of great trial and temptation, it is a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. If you don’t know what the Scripture says, and if you don’t understand the will and Word of God, you are headed for pain and suffering. It is so precious and important to know the Word, will, character, nature, and promises of God.

As we continue reading, we see how the conversation immediately begins to take a turn towards deception: And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” (Genesis 3:2-3 ESV) First, the obvious: Eve should have never entertained or conversed with the Serpent. Even if she didn’t know that, we do. Stop inviting the enemy into your life and giving him a foothold to attack you, tempt you, and destroy your life. The more time you spend with Jesus, the more you will begin to recognize the subtle work of the enemy around you.

Next, we note several things that occur with Eve’s response. Firstly we notice we see that Eve took away and added to God’s instruction. She first diminished the liberty and abundance of God’s provision. God actually said: And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden” (Genesis 2:16 ESV). Notice the seemingly small but incredibly important omission. God’s Word had show the abundant love, gracious provision, and incredible gift that God had given our first ancestors, Eve missed that and sadly many still do today. They wrongly see God’s Word as restrictive instead of understanding that true freedom comes through Christ alone (see John 8:32 and John 8:36).

We then see that Eve took God’s clear, precise instruction and she left out a detail: “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17 ESV) Eve referred to the tree as the “tree that is in the midst of the garden,” yet God had clearly revealed its name: “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” It may seem small, perhaps you might even think its harmless, but when we ignore, leave out, change, or redefine any part of God’s Word for any reason, we are setting ourselves up for deception.

Lastly, we see that Eve added a prohibition that God had not. Eve got God’s Word wrong and said that God’s instructions wasn’t just that they shouldn’t eat it but also that they shouldn’t even touch it. Now practically that was pretty solid advice… if you don’t even touch it surely you can’t eat it! But again we see Eve adding in something extra that God never instructed. This type of legalistic thinking ignores or misses the heart of God and the purpose of His Word while adding in extra layers of tradition and instruction that aren’t in God’s Word. You don’t have to add or take away from God’s Word, read what it actually says and respond with a heart of loving, faithful obedience.

Notice lastly how the serpent, emboldened by Eve’s ignorance and her poor handling of God’s Word, responds: But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5 ESV) First, the serpent out right denies the Word of God. In this denial, he calls God a liar and calls His trustworthiness and goodness into question. Then the serpent gets right to his dastardly work as he claims that God is somehow keeping something good from Adam and Eve and that there was more to life. As they go on to rebel against God and His Word, they would lose more than they could have ever imagined. (Spoiler alert: the did “surely die”)

So, it all comes down to this. Without a personal knowledge of the Scriptures you will never experience the depth, intimacy, and security of knowing the God you serve. It is God’s will for you to read it, through His Holy Spirit He will help you understand it, and empowered by our Helper, Comforter, and Guide we will be able to live out His Word and will in our lives. As you join us on this journey through the Bible, I pray you will develop a deep love for reading the Scripture as you abide in Christ regularly, intentionally, and faithfully!

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 ESV)

By Daniel Higginbotham, ago