Paul: the gospel is "the power of God for salvation... to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16 Simeon: Jesus is "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:32 

Priority in an unchanged narrative because of an unbroken covenant. -Joshua Hawkins

For many generations skeptics have thought they would see the end of the Christian faith.

They died. Jesus lives.

-Mike Winger

Forgiveness should be granted before it is felt, not felt before it's granted. It is an act of the will and heart, based on our forgiveness in Christ (Matthew 18:21-35) and not conditioned by the repentance of the perpetrator (Mark 11:25) -Timothy Keller

As believers, we are called to OVERFLOW WITH HOPE (Romans 15:13). We ought to be leading the way in speaking hope and not despair, regardless of how our natural circumstances appear. It’s time to tune out the news and tune in to the truth of His Word!

True biblical HOPE isn’t based on an impractical possibility, it’s based on definitive assurance that God’s promises are true! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 -Scott Volk

 

Christ fills all in all. All things are to grow up into Him. Jesus isn’t to merely to be number one in our lives but He is to be our everything, this means that He is to be number 1, 2, 3, 4 etc etc Matthew 22:38-39; Ephesians 1:23, 4:15; Colossians 1:17-18

-Stuart Greaves

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap." (Luke 21:34) 

Such sobering words from Jesus. Especially the "cares of this life" part. -Joshua Hawkins

The New Testament builds upon the storyline of the Old Testament, but it does not reinterpret, transcend, or redefine it. With His two comings, Jesus causes everything predicted to be literally fulfilled, including messianic prophecies about himself (see Matthew. 5:17-18). -Matthew Vlach

Reminded repeatedly today that the vast majority of the best pastors in the world are people whose names we don't know. They are not writing books or speaking at conferences, but they are faithfully living Jesus and his Kingdom. Thank God for the ministry of obscurity. -Steve Bezner

The Lord has great kindness. Our repentance will never be met by Him with rejection. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we can receive the gift of righteousness and His favor (2 Corinthians 5:17–21). -Mike Bickle

“[A king of bold face] shall be great, and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy the people who are the saints.” Daniel 8:24

The widespread destruction of God’s saints is part of his plan. Then they reign (7:27). -John Piper

God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob... the creator of all things, who remembers the good deeds of the patriarchs and in love will bring a redeemer to their children’s children for his name’s sake. Blessed are you, oh Lord, shield of Abraham.

- Joshua Hawkins

“The beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess it forever and ever.” Daniel. 7:17–18 

But the pathway to eternal reign and pleasure in the presence of the Ancient of Days will be bloody. (vv. 21, 25) -John Piper

Burnout: fighting the wrong battles, with the wrong weapons, against the wrong enemy. -Isaac Bennett

Prevailing prayer takes on hell like a lion and surrenders to God like a lamb. - Bob Sorge

“So long as Jesus was misunderstood He was followed by the crowd. When they came to really understand Him, they crucified Him.” -Dan Harman

 Either you'll have to "kill" Jesus or you'll have to crown him but the one thing you can't do is just say "What an interesting guy." His claims won't allow that type of answer. -Timothy Keller

This child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:34-35 

Destined to be a revivalist within Israel, not a revolutionist of it. -John Harrigan

2020 Summer

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed

Colossians 3:4-5 Eschatology is the true driver of discipleship.

-John Harrigan

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 

It is the hope of the coming glory that enables us to "rejoice in our sufferings" (Romans 5:3) in this age. Eschatology drives discipleship. -John Harrigan

“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” John 12:15 

He is sovereign. (King) 

He will suffer. (Colt) 

Thus, he takes our double fear. The strength of the enemy. The burden of guilt. -John Piper

The 17th ch. of John is the most profound prayer ever recorded. But it’s not the most profound prayer. The most profound prayer was never recorded. It was Gethsemane. It was too holy. It would have shattered us. I’d love to have heard Jesus; but I’m sure I couldn’t have taken it. -Leonard Ravenhill

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise... but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) 

May we not lose heart in the delay. The day of the Lord is coming. He's proven himself trustworthy and reliable. -Joshua Hawkins

 My teaching on the Joy of the Return of Jesus from the Psalms: Audio. Notes. 

 My message on Psalm 16: Audio. Notes. Audio 2. 

“Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.’” John 11:14–15 

The school of faith has some very hard courses in it. -John Piper

When it came to killing God, the social conservatives and social liberals finally found something they could agree on. -Bob Sorge

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Hebrews 11:13 

Confident hope in the future (ie eschatology) is the backbone of apostolic faith. -John Harrigan

Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Hebrews 13:13-14 

We build no city. And like our Lord, we lay down our lives in this age. Why? Eschatology. - John Harrigan

The concern of the devil is to keep Christians from prayer. He fears nothing from prayer less studies, prayerless work, and prayer less religion. He laughs at our toil and mocks our wisdom, but trembles when we prayer. - Leonard Ravenhill

Without a robust, future vision of the Day of the Lord, it is categorically false to claim that the "gospel" is the answer to every contemporary problem and injustice.

The apostles made no such claim in their generation. Why should we? -Isaac Bennett

 Your blood flowed red but it made me white. -Natalie Grant

When you try to earn your salvation, you insult the One who already earned it for you. - Bob Sorge

Next Friday 12/4 I will be teaching at the Greater Peoria House of Prayer - GPHOP on the joy of the return of Jesus from the book of Psalms.

David Sauder

will be leading worship and we will have extended time of worship after the message while displaying some of the artwork from David's upcoming book: #whenJesusisKing. http://kck.st/2I43e5k

7 - 7:15 worship

7:15 - 8 message

8 - 8:30 worship

It will also be streamed on Facebook if you can't make it in person.

Ps 47.1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. 2 For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. 3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. 4 He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. 5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.

 "When God became man, God made humanity more alive in Jesus." - Allen Hood

The only thing worse than being reduced to abject poverty is having much gold but it being useless, in that day, to satisfy your soul and fill your stomach. Ezekiel 7:19 -Bob Sorge

Throughout the Bible, there are two parallel prophetic tracks. One track promises that a human, the Messiah, the seed of Eve, Abraham, and David, will save Israel.

Another prophetic tradition promises that YHVH God Himself will come from heaven on the clouds to save them.

It is not until Daniel 7, that both prophetic traditions become inseparably intertwined. There, we see One like a son of man, coming on the clouds of heaven. Only YHVH rides on the clouds. So on one hand, this figure is YHVH God Almighty, but on the other hand, He is a human. The Incarnation of God in Christ, as taught by Jesus, the New Testament, and Christians throughout history, is the embodiment of YHVH's self-revelation in the Old Testament. Nothing more, nothing less.

As Christians, let us walk confidently as we proclaim, the "true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2–3).

-Joel Richardson

When we cast blame on others, we forfeit the power to change the situation, but place that power in their hand. -Bob Sorge

... motivation derived from eternal realities tends to foster holy ambition, whereas motivation derived from temporal realities tends to create vain ambition. -John Harrigan

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Good (apocalyptic) eschatology encourages cross bearing (v 24). Wonder why the western church is so self-absorbed? -John Harrigan

Wisdom = temporary pain and long term joy
Foolishness = temporary joy and long term pain 

-Corey Russell

“All who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28–29

One word from the Son of Man and every soul will have a body for judgment. -John Piper

He bowed the heavens and came down; 
thick darkness was under his feet. 
He rode on a cherub and flew; 
he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. 
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him... 
Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire... 

-Psalm 18

 "Deception has its opportunity when men are unwilling to consider hard things." - Arthur Katz

“We tend to think of judgment as the opposite of salvation, but without judgment, there is no salvation. If evil is never punished, good never triumphs. If the instruments and systems of evil are never removed, true salvation never comes.” - S. Whitefield

Two errors constantly seek to corrupt the message and steal away from us the power of the gospel. Moralism says that we have to live a holy, good life in order to be saved. Relativism/Fake Christianity says that because we are saved we don’t have to live a holy, good life. -Timothy Keller

Eschatology (theology of the end times) matters.

What you believe about who Jesus is, what He will do, and what life is about is all wrapped into what you believe about the end times. We cannot afford to be disconnected from the necessary truths that surround the return of Jesus. -Mike Bickle

 

"Every man is as close to God as he wants to be." A.W. Tozer

Every sunrise is a reminder of who He is - and who we're not. -Bob Goff

Imagine what our cities would look like if: 

• rather than CHURCHES COMPETING with each other, our CHURCHES COMPLIMENTED each other 

• rather than people BACKBITING against each other, we BROKE BREAD with one another. 

May the Lord be glorified in our cities! -Scott Volk

James and Jude c. AD 30: "Our brother is crazy and needs our advice about how to run his ministry." 

c AD 60: "Servants of the Lord, Jesus the Messiah." 

-Gabe Cali

If your intimacy with God doesn’t lead to intercession, then I question your intimacy. The 1st commandment always flows into the 2nd. -Corey Russell

The thing about the wedding feast between this age and the next is you’re gonna share it with anybody you’ve got beef with who also clings to the same cross you do. You can’t take your swords. Lay ‘em down now because you can’t carry bitterness into the banquet hall. -Stephanie Quick

Put to death now the things that Jesus will put to death in the age to come so that you are not put to death when he comes. (Romans 8:13, Romans 13:12-14, Romans 2:6-8) - Josh Hawkins

In our world, life is constantly being swallowed up by death. We’re holding funerals for everyone. But God is staging a great reversal. A time is coming when death will be “swallowed up by life.”

2 Corinthans 5:4

-Bob Sorge

The days are coming when the Lord will so intensely shake everything until our hope is set FULLY on that which is coming on this earth in the age to and not in the age. -Stuart Greaves

I’m not better. I’m not smarter. I’m not more spiritual nor more mature. I renounce the supermarket tabloid culture of my nation that revels in a self-righteous superiority over those we deem as lesser than (morally, intellectually, etc.). I want to go the way of the Cross. -David Sliker

“When we study prophecy, we should be on a search for the revelation of the beauty of Jesus.” - Samuel Whitefield

Historical events, while sometimes unexpected, don’t need to feel chaotic. History is not moving forward aimlessly. Israel’s God is driving history. And he is doing it according to His covenant with Abraham’s descendants. -Bill Scofield

One great dangers of the PreTribulation rapture teaching is that people are wholeheartedly believing in a false hope that Jesus will come back for them to spare them from any suffering, persecution, end time trials, etc., all the while the Bible teaches contrary to that. -Fernando Chacon

Of all the arguments for a Pre-Trib rapture, the one that is the most misleading and dangerous is that which claims the rapture isn't a "blessed hope" if the saints must endure the Great Tribulation first, as if the escape of earthly suffering should be our hope.

"The groom won't drag his Bride through the mud before the Wedding Day" is the trite quip often used. This is not only an ignorant scoff, it spits in the face of the entire New Testament witness about sanctified suffering for the people of God. The entire Bible is full of myriad teachings and examples of saints who suffered unjustly under wicked men, and we are repeatedly taught to not only accept it as coming from God for our good, but that it serves a crucial, necessary role in conforming us to the image of Jesus. "looking to Jesus...who for the JOY SET BEFORE him ENDURED the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." "I want to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection, and the FELLOWSHIP OF SHARING IN HIS SUFFERING.. This is in alignment with what it means to be "in Christ." Baptized into his death Raised with him to life We follow him on his path of earthly suffering And like him, we "attain the resurrection from the dead." And we rule with him in the Kingdom Our lives align with his. Just as Jesus was given over to the "hour when darkness reigns," (Luke 22:53) then came resurrection, so too will the Beast empire be given reign over His Body for "one hour," and then comes resurrection. (Rev 17:12)

He was "made perfect through suffering" (Heb 2:10), and so we endure the hour of suffering that will make us "perfect and complete" (Jas 1:2-4) "so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing...holy and without blemish."

Our missiology (theology of missions), martyrology (theology of suffering and martyrdom) eschatology (theology of the last things) form a 3-fold cord. If you weaken/cut one of those strands, the other 2 will strain and snap. -TJSwoeb

 My teaching on Psalm 8. MP3 Notes Audio 2

"The Lord's raising up singing theologians who have depth in the Word of God and who have trembled and rejoiced before the majesty of Jesus. . . . These singers will lead the end-time church into singing the new song that will release a trembling among the nations." —Stuart Greaves

History begins in a garden with a bride and a bridegroom. Natural history ends at a wedding feast in a garden city, the New Jerusalem, with a prepared Bride presented to a worthy Son—an event like no other in terms of the multitudes of humans and angels in full celebration (Rev 19).

-Mike Bickle

"But since we belong to the day, let us be sober..." (1 Thess. 5:8) 

For a disciple of Jesus, the increase of unrighteousness in the world should not cause worry or alarm, but rather stir us to sobriety - to be levelheaded and confident about the soon return of Jesus. -Josh Hawkins

It's not the quality of my faith but the object of my faith that holds me up. - Timothy Keller

 

The Lord appeared to Abraham...while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

Genesis 18:1-2 -from TJBSewob

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 

Paul's confidence derives from the terminus of his faith, "the day of our Lord Jesus" (v.14). -John Harrigan

“I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me.” —D. Bonhoeffer

 For they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. - Mark 6:52

Symbolism: 12 baskets (with the 5k) = restoration of 12 tribes 7 baskets (with the 4k) = chiliastic new creation Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah who walks on water (v48) and will restore all things.

-John Harrigan

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

1 Corinthians 10:11 Implying sexual immorality and critical grumbling (vv 8-10) are the primary factors in apostasy at the end of the age. God help us. -John Harrigan

Revival seasons are the contractions of the full birth: His Return -Corey Russell

We grow in intimacy with God by encountering Him; we experience grace to love, obey, and partner with Him, fascinated by the Father and Jesus as Bridegroom, King, and Judge. - Mike Bickle

The flesh is like a fish tank. The water appears very clear when undisturbed, and we get the impression that we're pretty clean. And then something shakes the tank, and the bottom-dwelling sediment of fear, anxiety, pride, anger, greed, lust and covetousness suddenly appears. - Gabe Cali

You can endure any pain of mistreatment, betrayal and disappointment if your pain over growing in the revelation of Jesus is greater. - Corey Russell

The real government of the universe, the final reality which in the end confronts every human being, is the crucified and risen Jesus. -Lesslie Newbigin.

The Church used to be a lifeboat rescuing the perishing. Now she is a cruise ship recruiting the promising. -Leonard Ravenhill

“The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” — F. B. Meyer

They lash Paul 195 times, but they can’t beat the grace of God out of him. They starve him, but they can’t starve it out of him. They threaten, but they can’t threaten it out of him. If we could get a baptism of that love in the Church, we’d shake the world in less than a year. -Leonard Ravenhill

The Resurrection is not a part of my theology; the Resurrection is a Personality. Jesus says, “I am the Resurrection.” -Leonard Ravenhill

Only if someone’s imagination is captured will most people give a fair hearing to the strong arguments for the truth of Christianity. -Timothy Keller

William Booth said that the reason he sought the Baptism of the Holy Ghost was because he lacked power, he lacked energy, he lacked strength, he lacked zeal. And God got hold of that man and filled him with the Holy Ghost and the Salvation Army went into 70 countries in 90 years! - Leonard Ravenhill

You should have a prayer meeting in your church every morning, and the pastor should be there to lead it! It’s his business! To be an example, not a talker. If you don’t have a praying pastor, forget it! -Leonard Ravenhill

A man who is intimate with God never needs to be intimidated by men. -Leonard Ravenhill

One way you can test your spirituality is how much you rejoice when you’re ignored; when they leave you out — and you’re eligible and you should be in it, but they leave you out. -Leonard Ravenhill

God wants us to have a strong, large view of sin. May it be dark, ominous, dreadful in our eyes, Romans 7:13. And may the grace of the cross be infinitely larger in our eyes. -Bob Sorge

"For God so loved the world" includes His enemies.

He loved His enemies by sending them His Son, not to condemn them but to save and give His life for them.

He loves His enemies today by also sending them His Bride, to compel them to come to the wedding. -David Sliker

We tend to demonize the opposite group of people or thing of what we idolize. -Timothy Keller

There’s two great reasons why we don’t have Revival.

1) We’re content to live without it.

2) It’s too costly. We don’t want God to disrupt our status quo.

-Leonard Ravenhil

The chief dangers that confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell. - William Booth

 My teaching on Acts 1 and 2. Audio. Notes. Audio 2.

Throughout history, it was primarily power structures—governments, organizations, churches, etc—that abused others. With the sudden advent of social media, the playing field has been leveled. Now everyone has the power to abuse. - Joel Richardson

I fully expect at the Judgment, most of our preachers will be charged with criminal negligence. It’s not what they’re saying they’re going have to account for, it’s what they withhold. -Leonard Ravenhill

I learned how to pray by hearing my parents pray growing up. Make sure your children overhear your prayers. It helps. I’m a witness. -Lisa Victoria

 

The glory of the gospel 
Is that when the church 
Is completely different 
From the world 
She invariably attracts it 

- Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"I used to think that God was mostly mad, mostly sad. I had no idea of the great joy in His heart for His children who say yes to Him. Your love may be weak, but it's real. And that real love moves Him."

—Allen Hood

Repentance is not just the way into salvation, it is the way of salvation. - Tim Keller

Repentance is our humble, penitent reach towards God to ask Him, by grace, to transform our interior hatred and rejection of His ways to genuine delight in loving obedience. 

Happy holiness is the result of His gentle love leading us to a change of heart. -David Sliker

The church that boasts and struts will never experience God's power.

The church that is humble and hungry will experience visitation.

Isaiah 57:15 -Dr. Micheal Brown

 

Awaiting Jesus' return motivates our pursuit of holiness.

We're children of God; it hasn't yet appeared what we'll be. We know that when He appears, we'll become like Him, seeing Him just as He is. All who has this hope purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:2–3)

- Joel Richardson

“I was wishing I came of a more honorable lineage,” said Caspian.

“You come of the Lord Adam and the Last Eve,” said Aslan. “And that is both honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content.” - CS Lewis

“If you can show me a trumpet after the last [1 Corinthians 15:52] and a resurrection before the first [Revelation 20:4-5], then I can believe this new doctrine.”

- George Müller - regarding the pre-tribulation rapture teaching

To be lonely is not a sin—Jesus was lonely on the cross. If you’re lonely it’s because you’ve been created in the image of God, created to be in fellowship. - Bob Sorge

I heard somebody say, “Find a church where you’re comfortable.” That’ll kill you! Go to a church where you’re uncomfortable, where they preach about Hell, where they stir your conscience, where you have to go back and do some repairs. Don’t be lulled to sleep by some fancy choir! - Leonard Ravenhill

God making His home *with us* begins with making His home *in us*. What a stunning plan, and what an incomparably merciful and tender Father He is. - Bob Sorge

 My teaching on Psalm 2.  MP3  PDF Audio 2

We want the resurrection life, but we don’t want to die. We want to be filled but we don’t want to be emptied. We want to be clothed but we don’t want to be stripped. Jesus was severe. He said, “Leave all," not leave somethings. "Leave ALL and follow me.” - Leonard Ravenhill

Theology 101: I'm increasingly suffering "situational depression." The light at the end of the tunnel is not the diminution of the coronavirus or street violence or political conflict, but Jesus, descending from the sky like the pillar of cloud and fire and glory before Israel. - Joel Richardson

“John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace and peace to you...” 

The Book of Revelation is unlike other 'apocalyptic' works. It is not merely a book of mysterious symbols and prophecies. It is a pastoral epistle, thoroughly practical to all followers of Jesus. -Joel Richardson

The world is not waiting for a new definition of Christianity, it's waiting for a new demonstration of Christianity. -Leonard Ravenhill

The early Church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecution. Now we’re trying to marry the Church to prosperity, personality, and popularity. - Leonard Ravenhill

“It’s the height of injustice to receive God’s free mercy for our sin without extending it to others.” - Mike Bickle

Do not make even small concessions with sin. Small sins are just greater ones in disguise.Sin is an imperialistic, colonizing force that aims to completely dominate you and steal the joy freely given to you by King Jesus.

Be killing sin or it will be killing you - John Owen

“To live, work and witness in conscious anticipation of Christ’s parousia and judgment is a wholesome stimulus to faithfulness.” - John Stott

I don’t ask people if they’re saved anymore. Who isn’t saved? — from the White House to the jail-house. I look a person in the eye and say, “Does Christ live in you?” - Leonard Ravenhill

 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Matthew 16:26 Humanity's drive for global conquest is only fuel for the fire.

One Man will be given all glory, honor, and power. -John Harrigan

 

 

“The world will let a man go to hell quietly, and never try to stop him. The world will never let a man go to heaven quietly – they will do all they can to turn them back.” — JC Ryle

 My teaching on Psalm 1. MP3    PDF Audio 2. 

“Preaching that rightly glorifies the intent that God has for every passage will indicate how the text (in context) discloses the gracious character of God that is ultimately and fully revealed in Christ.” - Bryan Chapell

History is not wandering aimlessly - a great confrontation between the holiness of God and the depravity of man is coming. But instead of a "post-apocalyptic grey zone", the Day of the Lord will result in "a new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13)  -Joshua Hawkins

Clear the way of Yahweh! Make a highway smooth in the desert! Every valley be lifted up, every mountain and hill lowered; the rough ground like a plain, and the rugged ground like a valley. The glory of Yahweh will be revealed, and all humankind together will see it.

[Isaiah 40:3-5]

Dear nations:

"If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

These are the easy days. The heavy stuff is yet ahead.    -Dalton Thomas

“...His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

- John the Baptist Matthew 3:11  

“The Gospel itself is the revelation of God that all flesh will see Him and He will vindicate Israel and Zion. And will rule (the earth) from Zion by His Mighty Arm...” -John P. Harrigan

The Resurrection is the supreme vindication of Jesus' divine identity and His inspired teaching. It's the proof of His triumph over sin and death. It's the foreshadowing of the resurrection of His followers. It's the basis of Christian hope...the miracle of all miracles. -Lee Strobel

God never gave Job an explanation. He basically just said, “I’m the Creator of the universe and I live in a different dimension than you, so trust Me.”

We think it would help us if God told us “why.” This is wrong. The only thing that can help us is a vision of His Glory. 

-Travis M. Snow

We idolize and idealize comfort, and work so hard to fabricate a version of God who promises to always procure it for us, yet I have found that comfortable believers are rarely the most joyful or fruitful - myself included. - Stephen Venable

The goal of our preaching is not to make the gospel acceptable to sinners. It is to make sinners acceptable to God. -Dr. Micheal Brown

 My teaching on Colossians 1:15 - 20. Audio 1.  Audio 2. 

The Holy Spirit is your Helper. A helper is not a surrogate—doing it for you. You’ll need to exercise yourself mightily, but He’ll help when you call on Him. -Bob Sorge

 If we look to anything other than the cross as our way forward, it’s idolatry. - Venetia Carpenter  

You found me 

I was lost

You won me on the cross

You gave it all for me

Now I belong to You

You chose me to be Yours 

That I might love You Lord

You gave it all for me

Now I belong to You. 

I am not my own.

Jesus emerged from the tribe of Judah, (of the house of David), not merely to satisfy past prophetic criteria, only then to be shed. He did so specifically in order that He could then step forward into His legitimate prophetic destiny as the King of Israel (and of the World). -Joel Richardson

People of Jesus must return to Jesus. To the simplicity of wholehearted devotion. To spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, fasting, giving. To losing our lives in Christ so we can find them. The good life still comes from living the Jesus-life. It’s love and self-giving. -Beth Moore

“Jesus promised his disciples three things: they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.” 

(G.K. Chesterton)

“He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges nations, then leads them away. He deprives of intelligence the chiefs of the earth’s people and makes them wander in a pathless waste.” Job 12:23-24

"Jesus said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ And the dead man sat up and began to speak.” Luke 7:14-15  

The point then and now is: Follow me and death will never have the last word. We will go on together in joy forever. -John Piper

“Their inner thought is that their houses are forever and their dwelling places to all generations. They have called their lands after their own names. But man in his pomp will not endure. He is like the beasts that perish.” Psalm 49:11-12

Both Daniel and John the Apostle predicted events about a coming structural temple(s) during a time when a temple in Jerusalem did not exist. Daniel (539 BC) predicted future temple events in Daniel 9:24-27. John (AD 90s) predicted future temple events in Revelation 11:1-2. 

-Micheal Vlach

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33  

Luke 14 has always been the most challenging chapter in the Bible for me. Apocalyptic is the only way I've been able to cope with it.

Abandon this life.

-John Harrigan

“God is looking for those who are fighting lions and bears, not those reading training manuals on how to fight Goliath” -Caleb Edwards 

The Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-2

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

Habakkuk 3:4-6

His brilliance is like light;rays are flashing from his hand.
This is where his power is hidden.
Plague goes before him,and pestilence follows in his steps.
He stands and shakes the earth;he looks and startles the nations.
The age-old mountains break apart;
the ancient hills sink down.
His pathways are ancient.

The final words of the Didache:

"then shall the world behold the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven."   

He was the first man to conquer death. Jesus is the prototype, and the first member of a new order of people who triumph over death. He is the pledge, or guarantee, that His people will receive a resurrected body like His (Phillipians 3:21). -Mike Bickle

We’ve all read “God will shake everything that can be shaken” and delightfully shuddered at His sovereignty. We didn’t quite think He might be coming for us. But “woe to him on whom the rock falls.” 

-Stephanie Quick

Jesus the Carpenter made yokes for oxen, handles the devil like a piece of wood (Isaiah 10:15), makes of people oaks of righteousness, and did His greatest work ever with the wood of a cross. -Bob Sorge

What would you say to someone who said your praying for the same thing day after day was a sign of unbelief? Ask once and trust! They say. You would confront human "logic" with Bible: "We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face." 1 Thessalonians 3:10 

-John Piper

"Those who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5-6  

The harvest of joy comes from sowing without fail, not sewing without tears.

-John Piper

"I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.” Psalm 119:99

In my 20s I knew I could not out-read my liberal professors. But I took heart from this verse that I could out-meditate them.

So can you.

-John Piper

“I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored...” — John 4:38

What a humbling thought, and yet so like the nature of the God of all grace and His ways, that the fruitfulness we see in our life likely has little to do with our own labors. -DA Kistner

The Father of light and love disciplines us perfectly. He searches us perfectly. He refines us. He tries us. He prunes us, why? Because He wants us as close to Him as we can get. -Allen Hood

Anti-Semites: When Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70, that was an act of God
 ...but when the State of Israel was miraculously restored in 1948, that was Satan's doing.
-Joel Richardson

“The unity of Pentecost is not abstract and absolute, but rather concrete and pluralistic.”

“It embraces the other in their ethnic, socio-economic, and gender diversity, and affirms their human dignity as bearers of the divine image.” - Frank Macchia and Daniela Augustine

The earth and all its elements (society, culture, art, animal kingdom, etc.) are headed for restoration, but Jesus must be on the earth for this to happen. The restoration of all things occurs with the second coming and kingdom of God, not before.  - Michael Vlach

The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope. Romans 15:12  

Looking forward to the Gentiles in unity submitted to the king of the Jews worshiping the God of Israel. May the church be a sign and witness to the glory to come.

-John Harrigan

I’m convinced the devil will let us Christians do a lot of “good” things as long as we stay distracted from the “best” thing of fresh intimacy and eye contact with Jesus. - Corey Russell

Jesus doesn’t associate with you in your sin, but He does associate with you in your humanity. - Ern Baxter  

His splendor was like the sunrise;

rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. Habakkuk 3:4-6 

 

There is no knee that will not someday bow down. There is no tongue that has ever been, that will not soon confess that Yeshua is both Lord and King.

-Joel Richardson

He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.” John 21:19 God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life. 

-John Harrigan

"The word of the Lord came to Elijah, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’” 1 Kings 17:8-9

A widow who, in fact, has one empty jar and one empty jug. And a son to feed, with nothing. She will feed you. That’s how I do it.

-John Piper

On the cross we see a great Warrior with a spear—not in His hand, but protruding from His side. -Bob Sorge

References throughout the Old Testament that speak of YHVH God "coming" to save His people are images of the return of Jesus. In the incarnation, God became flesh, dwelt among us, and then He very specifically and emphatically stated, “I will come again” (John 1:1,14; 14:3).  -Joel Richardson  

Missions will no longer work along the stream of expanding Western power. They have to learn to go against the stream. And in this situation we shall find that the New Testament speaks to us much more directly than does the nineteenth century.  -Leslie Newbigin

Let men see the cross openly set forth, in its naked terror and majesty, that they might know what they are, and what their sins have done. - Ern Baxter

He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42  

Peter's synopsis of the Great Commission.

-John Harrigan

Prayer is what faith sounds like. -DA Kistner

When you forgive those who rejected you, you get your eyes clear. You can’t see God’s purpose for your life when unforgiveness is blocking your view. -Bob Sorge

If the gospel is grace alone, then every conversion is a miracle. -Timothy Keller

Paul preached the Old Testament prophets at face value: "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place" (Acts 26:22) 

-Michael Vlach

The incredible detail found within Daniel 11 is very unsettling. When the Lord gives *that* much detail that aligns so precisely with historical data, it is likely because there is something *else* - something very difficult to believe - that He is trying to get us to believe...  -David Sliker

The story God tells through Hosea is so incredibly moving. The entirety of the biblical story is summarized there. God is faithful to an ungrateful, unfaithful whore. He gives her his life to redeem her and make her his faithful bride forever. That's Israel. That's you and me. -Joel Richardson

The earth and all its elements (society, culture, art, animal kingdom, etc.) are headed for restoration, but Jesus must be on the earth for this to happen. The restoration of all things occurs with the second coming and kingdom of God, not before. -Micheal Vlach

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel . . . I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

2 Timothy 2:8-10  

Paul's gospel.

-John Harrigan

Under the Old Covenant, the priests of Israel wore elaborate garments including a tunic, sash, robe, ephod, breastplate, turban and crown.  

Under the New Covenant, the church of Jesus (a holy, royal priesthood) is to wear even more elaborate garments. We are to put on Christ.

-DA Kistner

"Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” Psalm 115:2-3 “Where was God when ____________ happened? This answer should be taught and learned well before the calamity comes.  

Then it can be an unspoken comfort.

-John Piper

"Mercy is not the sanctioning of compromise but the directing of the heart into holiness." 

—Bob Sorge

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 CSB Meaning, don't be a conceited Gentile who changes the Jewish hope and narrative (cf Romans 11:11-32) 

-John Harrigan

HaYom HaAdonai (The Day of the Lord) overshadows the Book of Judges. The cycle of idolatry, gentile oppression in the Land, "crying out" to the Lord, the sending of a judge, military victory/deliverance is a repeated microcosm of Jacob's Trouble and the Lord's Return. Deliverance by a judge is celebrated by prophetic foresight into ultimate, eschatological fulfillment. The Song of Deborah and Barak after their defeat of Sisera's Canaanite army is a prime example. Language within the prose is clearly parallel to eschatological passages.

1.A.

Judges 5:4 - “Lord...when you marched from the region of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens dropped..."

1.B

Isaiah 63:1 - "Who is this who comes from Edom, is he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength?"

2.A.

Judges 5:19 - “The kings came, they fought; then fought the kings of Canaan, at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo..."

2.B.

Revelation 16:14-16 - "to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God...at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon." 

3.A

Judges 5:23 "Curse Meroz, says the angel of the Lord, because they did not come to the help of the Lord." 3.B

Matthew 25:41: "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire...For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink..." 

4.A

Judges 5:31: “So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might.”  

4.B

Matthew 13:43: "the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father." 

-Gabe Cali