Brother Richard Ledgister encourages us all to be careful not to stoke the fires of anger. This powerful emotion can be a strong barrier to our ability to express love to those around us. Luke Harriman offered a few brief comments to close the message.
Brother Jim Auld presented this message, referring quite a bit to A.E. Booth's helpful chart, "From Eternity to Eternity." Click to view a zoomable copy of that chart as you listen to this encouraging call to heed the prophetic words of Scripture.
Luke Harriman wrapped up his series on the fifteen Psalms of Ascents by reviewing the previous messages and focusing on Psalms 132, 133, and 134. See attached PDF for slides from a Keynote presentation that accompanied the message.
Brother Winston Bent spoke on the Lord's Day from Ephesians 5, encouraging us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, bringing out the various results when we give ourselves fully over to Him for use.
During a visit to South Florida, Brother Kempton Smalling from Jamaica shared this message, reminding us of the purpose of the Lord Jesus's coming into this world. While the incarnation accomplished much, Brother Kempton used Paul's words to Timothy to reveal one of the most fundamental aspects for us to remember this Christmas season: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." After his message, Brother Richard followed up with a discussion of why we can trust this blessed Savior of sinners.
Kazi Chhetri followed up with this brief discussion of the three gifts brought by the Magi in Matthew 2.
Luke Harriman used the parallel stories of the Magi from the east and the oracles of Balaam in Numbers to point us toward God's tendency to surprise us with His truth. Both of these accounts show us that revelation can come from surprising places, often with surprising purposes. Brother Luke encourages us all to be on the lookout for the Lord to surprise us this holiday season.
Brother Richard Ledgister shared this message, reflecting on some of our discussion during Thursday night Bible study on 1 Corinthians 3. He reminded us that it is often the small things we do, done in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that will remain for eternity. Much that appears weighty and important in this life will be consumed in the presence of God.
Brother Ken Huebner brought a challenging word on this past Lord's Day about the necessity and beauty of obedience to the Lord. By considering several examples of people in Scripture who obeyed the Lord, Brother Ken urged us to bring our lives more into line with the will of God by obeying His leadership.
Brother Viv John encouraged us from the Word this past Lord's Day with a message on the victory we have in Jesus Christ. Focusing on 1 Corinthians 15:56–57, Brother Viv painted a beautiful picture of the way believers can experience small and large victories over the sins in their lives.
We were pleased to receive an encouraging word this past Lord's Day from Brother Matheus Iwanski, who is visiting South Florida from his home in Poland. Brother Matheus took us through the first chapter of 1 John, highlighting the glorious truths of the Lord Jesus as the One truly worthy of our full devotion and attention.
Luke Harriman continues the series on the 15 Psalms of Ascents by considering the pattern of moving from distress, through dependence, to delight in Psalms 129, 130, and 131. Here, the source of distress in the faithful is the persecution that is always a part of the life of faith. As always, the secret to finding delight in God is depending solely on Him for help and strength.
Brother Colbert Martin share encouraging message from the book of 1 John about the amazing height, depth, and breadth of God's love for us.
Brother Richard Ledgister brought us this message about always being prepared after he experienced first-hand on of the often unexpected opportunities that come our way to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Speaking from 2Timothy 4, Brother Richard encouraged us to make the most of those open doors when the Lord presents them.
Brother Norris Clarke delivered an encouraging message from John 14, where the Lord Jesus promised, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3). Just as we can be assured that the preparation has already been made, we can be confident that He will soon come again to take us to Himself. And now, we "comfort one another with these words" (1Thess. 4:18).
Brother Collin Beckford shared a two-part message on the Lord's Day, first reminding us not to fear and then encouraging us to love others as God has loved us. Luke Harriman went on to connect the two themes by reading 1 John 4:18–21: "There is no fear in love."
Before leaving for an extended sojourn in Jamaica, Brother Jasper Barnett shared this message, encouraging us to develop a deeper and firmer attachment to the Lord Jesus, visiting several examples in Scripture of close attachment, from Ruth and Naomi to Elisha and Elijah and more.
Brother Ken Huebner brought before us the temptation of the Lord Jesus by Satan in the wilderness. As we see Him tested in body, soul, and spirit, we can be assured that He can sympathize with us as we go through similar trials. And this was no one-time thing either; these same temptations recur throughout the Lord's life here on earth. Thus, we can be assured that we may struggle with certain things for a long time. But God is always with us in the midst of these trials, and we have a great High Priest who is interceding for us!
Luke Harriman continues the series on the 15 Psalms of Ascents by considering the pattern of moving from distress, through dependence, to delight in Psalms 126, 127, and 128. Here, the source of distress in the faithful is a lack of fruit in one's life. As always, the secret to finding delight in God is depending solely on Him for help and strength: "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127:1).
In his message on Sunday, Brother Ashton Bristol brought out how the Lord felt the weight of sin. As he put it, "God desires to bring us closer into His mind and thoughts and to feel a little of what He feels."