Sunday, September 28, 2025

Trusting God in Troubling Times

Turn to Matthew 24 & Revelation 1

*Who here today believes we are living in the midst of troubling times?


- John 16:33 - Jesus promised us troubling times - “…in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good

cheer, I have overcome the world.”


Matthew 24:1-14


*Who here believes troubling times are going to get worse before it gets better?


*Todays BIG IDEA… Trouble is not Optional… Being Troubled is!


- vs.6b - “See that you are not troubled” - “See” - “to stare at to the point of discernment”


- Tell somebody - Trouble is not optional! Being troubled is! Don’t let trouble trouble you!


- Now go back to John 16 - “Be of good cheer!” Cheer up my friend, He has overcome the world!


Revelation 1:1-17 - John was having a bad day… He was in trouble…He didn’t let trouble trouble him!


When you think of the book of Revelation, what immediately comes to mind?


- The Great Tribulation! - The last days!

 *let me push the pause button

- The Antichrist - Judgments!

- Some people think this has all already happened… Preterists…

To all my preterist friends, You’ll REALLY be surprised when we all get raptured before the 7 year trib!


When you read through Matthew 24 & Revelation, it can be OVERWHELMING!


“See that you are not troubled???? Are you kidding me????


Beverly & I grew up in the Jesus Revolution - Fun but kinda fearful! - reel to reel movies about TROUBLE!

- we’re not having kids!!!


*Jesus was about to reveal to John stuff that undoubtedly was OVERWHELMING!


- How in the world would he be able to hear, comprehend and record this end times book?

- How could he keep from letting trouble trouble him?

*Important Note - Revelation is not primarily a revealing of last days tribulation and trouble…


It’s the REVELATION OF JESUS!


vs. 1 - “The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants…”


The Revelation of Jesus to John was OVERWHELMING!


- vs. 17,18 - “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feat as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last…”


*The secret to not being overwhelmed by the End of Days is to be overwhelmed by the Ancient of Days!


John was OVERWHELMED by Jesus! - vs. 17 Of course His glorified Presence… but also by His Person!


He was overwhelmed by His…

1. FOREVER FAITHFULNESS - vs. 5 - “the faithful witness”

2. OMNIPOTENT AUTHORITY-vs. 5 -“firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.”

3. SACRIFICIAL LOVE - vs. 5 - “To Him who loved us”

4. PURIFYING POWER - vs. 5 - “washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

5. TRANSFORMING POWER - vs. 6 - “made us kings and priests to His God and Father”

6. PROMISED RETURN - vs. 7. - “Behold He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him…”

7. ETERNAL NATURE - vs. 8,17 -“Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end who was and is and is to

come.”

Trouble is not Optional… Being Troubled is - You can trust Him in troubling times!

Complete in Christ: The Book of Colossians Part 1 – Rooted in Christ

  (Colossians 1:1–14)

Intro Idea:  If a trees strength isn’t in strong roots, storms topple it. The Christian life is the same. 


SERIES INTRODUCTION            

Background:
  • • Colossae was a small town in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Not a big, famous city—more like a side stop compared to nearby Laodicea or Hierapolis.
  • • Paul actually never visited this church. It was started by a man named Epaphras, who had heard Paul preach in Ephesus (during his third missionary journey) and carried the gospel back home (1:7). 
  • • Paul is writing this letter from prison (most likely in Rome around AD 60–62). 
Purpose:
  • • The Colossian believers were growing, but they were under pressure. False teachers were trying to add extra requirements to the gospel—things like Jewish traditions, mystical experiences, or man-made rules. 
  • • Paul writes to remind them: You dont need anything more. You already have everything in Christ. 
Main Theme:
You can sum up the book of Colossians in two words: 
  • • Supreme—Hes Lord over creation, redemption, and the church (ch. 1). 
  • • Sufficient—He is enough for salvation, growth, and life (ch. 2). 
Relevance for Us: 
We may not be in Colossae, but we face the same pull. The world tells us: You need more—more success, more knowledge, more rules, more experiences.” Pauls message still rings true: Christ is all you need. Stay rooted in Him.

PART 1:  ROOTED IN CHRIST            

As we jump into the text for today, we are going to be in chapter 1. Today’s message is entitled Rooted in Christ. That is how the first part of chapter one can be summarized, that The roots of our faith as believers are only strong when they are founded in Christ.

Think about it: Trees are abundant around us. It is amazing how large they grow! However, as good as a tree looks on the outside, it is the roots of a tree that make it healthy and strong. It is through it’s roots that a tree finds its stability, nourishment, and life source. However, it has to be rooted and grounded in the right soil/foundation. 

Similarly, our health and strength as believers is not found in how we look on the outside, but how deep our roots run on the inside. Our roots are what we use to feed our faith as believers. Therefore, what we are “rooted in” truly matters. So let’s look at what Paul the Apostle says that our faith should be rooted in… 
  • 1. Rooted in the Gospel  
    3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you 
    4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints 
    5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel 
    6 Which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth 
    • The faith and love they had become known for came from one place, from hearing and believing the gospel. 
  • • What is the gospel? It is the good news that Jesus Christ the son of God came to this earth born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died a sinner’s death, was buried, but then rose from the grave alive. And today, He is in heaven seated at the right hand of God. 
  • • Anyone who hears this message, believes it, receives it, turns from their old way of life and chooses to follow Jesus, the Bible says that they will be saved. 
  • • It is important that we know the gospel! It is important that we know it so that we are not led astray by a trend or practices. 
  • • We are rooted in the Gospel of Christ! 

  • 2. Rooted in Gods Word
    9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 
    10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…
    • • Paul’s prayer is that they would know God’s will for their life, which is revealed through “spiritual understanding,” that is through the revelation of the Holy Spirit (God revealing it to you).  
    • • God reveals His wisdom and understanding to us through HIs Word. 
    • • We are rooted in God’s Word! 
    • • It is important that we read God’s Word, meditate on His Word, discuss God’s Word, but also that we come to church to fellowship with other believers and to hear the preaching of the Word.  
    • • It is through the preaching of the Word that we re-align ourselves to ensure we are walking in the truth. And that is what Paul says in verse 10: That you might walk worthy of the Lord. 
    • • We must ensure that our Christian roots are running deep into God’s Word. Not popular trends, not simple good sayings, not what you heard from a friend or family member, but in God’s holy Word. 

  • 3. Rooted in Your Relationship with God
    11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all 
  • patience and longsuffering with joy 
    12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 
    13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [c]conveyed usinto the kingdom of the Son of His love 
    of sins. 
    • • Paul continued his prayer that they would be strengthened with all power. 
    • • Power and strength are available for you as a believer! You have power to overcome and power to be a witness! You have the strength to endure and never give up! 
    • • However, that power does not come from you. It does not come from trying harder. It does not come from your pastor. That strength does not come by you manifesting” it. Instead, that power comes from His glorious might,” it comes from God! 
    • • From God flows strength, endurance, patience, joy, thankfulness, and so much more! It does not come from you and your flesh. It comes from you spending time and getting closer to God. We must be careful not to rely on ourselves, and instead we must rely on God. Why? 
    • • Because God is the one who saved you. He is the one who transferred you from the domain of darkness. He is the one who set you free. He transferred you from darkness to light. You have hope, peace, joy, patience, goodness, forgiveness, etc, because of Him.  
    • • Therefore, do not root your Christian walk in your will-power, do not root your walk with the Lord through someone else in your life. Instead, root your walk with God through your relationship with God. Go to Him in prayer, glorify Him in worship, and listen to Him through your time of devotion. 
    • • Your faith must be rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus; not with your pastor, your friends and family that know God’s Word, but in a personal relationship with Jesus Himself. 
You are rooted in: 
  • 1. The Gospel 
  • 2. God’s Word  
  • 3. Relationship with Jesus Christ 
Takeaways: 

  • I. The gospel is not just how we start the Christian life, it is the soil in which we grow.
    • - Paul says the gospel is bearing fruit and growing” in the Colossians and around the world (Col. 1:6). 
    • - The same gospel that saves us is the gospel that sustains us — we never move past it, we only grow deeper in it. 
    • - Faith, love, and hope are the fruit of being rooted in the gospel. 

  • II. God’s Word is the anchor for your ship. 
    • - Paul prayed they would be filled with the knowledge of His will” so they could walk worthy of the Lord” (Col. 1:9–10). 
    • - Rooting ourselves in God’s Word keeps us from being swayed by trends of culture or the opinions of society. 
    • - His Word keeps us from drifting away and getting lost in the sea of deception. It anchors us in truth and guides in the right direction. 

  • III. Your roots determine your fruit.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Upholding Biblical Truth In A Broken World Part 8 – The Broken Yoke

Gtcotr/ss092125 

Production Note: - Show an approximate 1 minute video clip from (https://youtu.be/s8rTKTkThKc) – 10:22 to 11:16 – Followed by a short video clip from (https://youtu.be/wiKxH2M0I7o) – 146.54 to 147.21. 

With great respect for the circumstances surrounding the video clips we just watched, I was greatly moved to hear two of our national leaders, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, both publicly affirm their personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They confirmed their belief that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to the problems the world faces today.  

I believe there is a current wave of revival across America and indeed around the world. I full well expect other world figures, even Former President Joe Biden, to turn their hearts and openly embrace a newfound and renewed faith in Jesus Christ. 

Some may be skeptical, and others might refuse to believe, but I know the power of my Lord and Savior and His commitment to seek and to save the lost. One day it will be judgment day, but that’s not today.
Today is the day of salvation; today is a day of healing; today is the day of mercy; the day of forgiveness and a day of grace. Jesus calls out to the weary soul: 

Matthew 11 
28  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. 
29  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
30  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 

There is an anointing available for the weary this morning, and it will break the yoke of bondage you have been shouldering and replace it with a kind, gentle, and humble burden for the lost. The offer Jesus is making to you this morning is an offer of rest … rest for your weary soul. Are you tired of being weary and restless, without answers and not knowing what to do? 

The very first blessing God offered Adam in the Garden of Eden was rest. Adam was created on the sixth day, after God had completed all of His work on the earth. God took care of everything Adam needed. He caused the sun to shine and rule the day while the moon ruled the night. He created the atmosphere; separated the water from the land; planted trees and green grass; brought about the creation of cattle and birds and fish; then He made man. Man’s first day was God’s seventh day … the day of rest. Adam even rested while God created Eve … you see: 

God created man to rest in His finished work while caring for all creation.  

Hebrews 4 NKJV 
1 ¶  Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 
2  For indeed the Gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 
3  For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 

God swore those who will not believe the Gospel shall not enter His rest, even though it has been available since the foundation of the world.  

The Apostle Paul lived his life in political turmoil working with those who crucified Jesus and against the Church until he finally believed and wrote: 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

I believe, as does our Vice President, that all truth stems from our faith in the finished work of Calvary. And just as the National Director of Intelligence said: (I paraphrase) - If you don’t know God you will end up being an angry person.  

Isaiah prophesied God would break the yoke of Satan from our shoulders. 
God wants you to feel safe and secure. This comes from trusting God with your now and with your future. There is no rest without Jesus …

As we read earlier – He said: “I will give you rest if you will come to Me.”  

Will you come to Jesus this morning? Will you make your public profession of faith? Jesus is willing to end the turmoil raging in our hearts and minds.  

Perhaps you’ve never openly declared your trust in the Gospel. We are in a season of revival. Maybe your example is all someone else needs to encourage them to commit their life to Christ. 

(Singers and musicians prepare for invitation) 

It all begins with a step. I’m not going to ask you to come forward this morning, I don’t believe our altars can accommodate the number of people who would come. But I am going to ask you to identify yourself in a public way and acknowledge your trust in Jesus.  

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, would you lift your hand and hold it high for Jesus and others to see. Those of you at home or watching elsewhere online, lift your hand and hold it high as well. According to the Bible, heaven is watching and perhaps so are your children, or maybe that person passing you on the highway.  

Praise God! Thank Jesus! Ok, you can put your hands down. Keep praying. 

Some of you either did not or could not identify yourself as being sure of your salvation this morning. If you are not sure about what you believe or what to do about what you believe, I want to open the altars for you this morning and offer my time along with our prayer partners to answer your questions and pray with you if you would like. You’ll find kindness here…
There is a rest Jesus offers when we come to Him. This morning you can have that rest and find peace of mind if you so choose. This is your day, your opportunity … won’t you come now – prayer partners, let’s get ready to receive them

The Goodness of God

 The Goodness of God 

God is good…all the time; 
And all the time…God is good. 

We have all heard this phrase before in some way, form, or fashion. But I would say that this phrase is more than just a “saying.” Instead, it is the very foundation of our faith. Gods goodness is the reason we woke up this morning, it is the reason we made it to church today, it is the reason we have hope for tomorrow, and it is the reason we can face every season of life with confidence. 

The Bible tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good.” That means Godgoodness isnt just an idea—its something we can experience, enjoy, and rely on every single day. 

Today, I want to remind you that Gods goodness is constant. It doesnt rise and fall with the stock market, it doesnt shift with the seasons of our life, and it doesnt depend on how we feel. God is good because its who He is. And when we build our lives on His goodness, we find peace, strength, and joy that nothing else can give. 

We are going to take a look at 1 Peter 2:1-3 

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all 
slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 

Peter was saying to: 
  • - Put away the old way of life 
  • - Like a new child, hunger for the things of God 
  • - There is a caveat, “IF you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 


  • 1. God is completely good 
    • • He is not 1/2 good 
    • • He is not mostly good 
    • • He is not sometimes good 
    • • God is always good because he is COMPLETELY GOOD 
    • • That means that whatever happens in life, God is still good 

      James 1:17 - “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

    • • This text tells us a little but about God 

      God is Infinite - He has no bounds or limits = You cannot measure or limit God’s goodness in your life 

      God is Immutable - He does not change = God’s goodness does not change or diminish 

    • • God is infinite, unchanging, and always good. That is who He is! 
    • • God is good all by Himself 
    • • He is so good that He cannot be bad 
    • • He cannot be any more good 
    • • Everything God does is good! 

  • 2. God Demonstrated His Goodness 
    • • Not only is God good, but He showed His goodness on the cross 

      Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

    • • He demonstrated His goodness when He sent His own son to die on the cross for us 
    • • Salvation is a picture of God’s goodness: 
      • - Justice - Giving what is deserved 
      • - Mercy - Not giving what is deserved 
      • - Grace - Giving what is not deserved 

  • 3. Respond to God’s Goodness 
    • • Any and everything good in your life is because God has given it to you 
    • • But Gods goodness is not meant to just be admired—its meant to be experienced and responded to. When we realize that every good thing in our lives comes from Him, it calls for action on our part. 

    • i) Gratitude 
      • • Our first response should be thanksgiving. 
      • • Psalm 107:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 
      • • Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already done. 
      • • When you stop and look around, the breath in your lungs, the family you love, the church youre part of—its all evidence of Gods goodness. 

    • ii) Trust 

    • iii) Obedience 
Takeaways 

  • I. God has been good to you 

  • II. His goodness will never cease in your life 

  • III. You have a chance to respond

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Upholding Biblical Truth In A Broken World Part 7 – The Broken Life

Gtcotr/ss091425 

1 John 3:12  We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother …  

Cain had a broken life. Some of us may need a little backstory on Cain and why he murdered his brother. Before we turn to Genesis for the original account, let’s listen to the Apostle John just a little more on the subject for today. Back up to verse 7. I’m reading from the NLT.  

(John was the last living Apostle and he had seen it all: The arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus; and His resurrection; the murder of his own brother James; the stoning of Steven; plus the Christian martyrs under the evil Emperor Nero, including Peter and Paul … John is the foremost authority on this subject, as well, John is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God!) 

1 John 3 NLT 
7  Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 
8  But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 
9  Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 
10  So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 

John wrote more about brotherly love and broken lives than any other writer in the Bible. But did you know that there is still twice as much evil in the Bible as there is love? What do I mean?  

A survey of the Authorized Version of the Bible (KJV) reveals that the word love is found 281 times while the word evil is found 569 times – more than twice as much. We can see evil beginning to take root in lives from the very beginning of the book of Genesis. Hurting people often hurt people …  
Genesis 4  
1 ¶  Now Adam knew his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the LORD’s help, I have produced a man!” 
2  Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 
3 ¶  When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. 
4  Abel also brought a gift — the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, 
5  but He did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. 
6 ¶  “Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 
7  You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” 
8 ¶  One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him. 

We are all sons and daughters of Eve and are subject to the same evil intentions of the devil. When we are doing right and pleasing God, we cannot expect to be treated any better than Jesus was. He was falsely accused, horribly misunderstood, spit upon, cursed, beaten, judged, arrested, condemned and killed by those He was trying to help see the light. All of this from broken lives. Jesus only ever spoke the truth, and all He ever did, He did from a heart of love and compassion. When you can’t love others, you’re broken.

God told Cain (v.7) “If you refuse to do what is right, then watch out!” Evil is lurking at your door, and the devil wants to take control of your life. In other words … if you refuse to do what is right, the devil will master you. 

1 John 3 NLT 
11  This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 
12  We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. 
13  So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

When we continue doing what is wrong despite the offerings and opportunities God gives us, we can be mastered by evil and begin to hate those who are doing right. Misdirected anger can cause us to hurt or even murder a brother or sister, or a minister God has sent our way.  

People who don’t like the message often hate, accuse, curse, or even kill the messenger. Jesus said we should not be surprised if the world hates us … it hated Him first.  

Let me encourage you this morning to not fear the world or those who punish or abuse you for loving them enough to be honest with them. Speak the truth in love anyway. Jesus didn’t say speak the truth in anger, hate, frustration, condemnation, or with a haughty or vengeful spirit … but speak the truth in love. God heals broken lives every day … give Him a chance to do it through you.  

If you refuse to do right, watch out! The devil is walking about, seeking those whom he may devour, resist him and don’t allow him to master you. 

Is there anything you need to repent for this morning?  
  • · Someone you hate? 
  • · Someone you want to see get hurt or lose something valuable to them? 
  • · Do you love others? Even those you consider your enemies? If not, why not? 
  • · Are you a broken life?  
  • · Where is safe for you? 
  • · Remember John said: Anyone who does not love others, does not belong to God.  
  • · Turn your life over to Jesus right now, and let Him take it from here. 
Pray with me now …