The Biblical Pattern for Trusting God

j-harvey-newJohn Harvey opened services by reading from the first chapter of the letter of Philippians and encouraging us to seek and walk in the fellowship of Christ, both with one another and with God.

Text: Phil 1:3-5
Scriptural References: Eph 3:8-7; Matt 11:3-5:  1 Cor 1:9; Rev 5:9; Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor 8:2-3


 

randyMc_1_cropRandy McCarthy followed up by discussing what he termed, “the biblical pattern for trusting God.”  Randy read from Exodus 14 regarding the deliverance of the nation of Israel by allowing them to pass through the Red Sea on the dry sea bed.  While this is a notable miracle, it is attested by several archeological and historical sources.  As the nation camped on the beach next to the sea, they discovered themselves hemmed in by the pursing army of Pharoah.  They naturally cried out in fear, wondering why God had led them to this place where they would be destroyed.  God told Moses to tell the people, “Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”  Exod 14:13.  From this Randy pointed out a sequence that often takes place in the lives of people blessed by God in the Bible (e.g., Abraham, Job, Joshua, David, Paul, etc.), as well as a sequence that we often experience ourselves.  Initially, God gives us a promise that, after perhaps us being unwilling to believe, we come to the place where we do believe God.  We feel great relief and go forward confidently, trusting that God will bless us.  It is often at this point when very serious troubles begin; we may be faced with a terrible, fearful situation, such as here with Pharoah’s army behind the nation and the impassable Red Sea in front.  What usually happens to us in our lives is exactly what happened to the nation of Israel – we cry out in fear and unbelief.  God nevertheless calls on us to not be afraid, stand up, stand still, and watch as He delivers us in a spectacular and wondrous way.  We should therefore not faint when our faith is tested, but instead understand that as we travel in this world as followers of Christ, we should expect both what appear to be impossible problems and amazing, miraculous deliverances from God.

Text: Exodus 14: 13-14 (Reading beginning at verse 1)
Scriptural Reference: 1 Thes 5: 14-23

Trusting In & Having Courage In God

randyMc_1_cropRandy McCarthy opened services by reading from Ephesians 1:3-11 and Romans 8:28-29 and spoke briefly about predestination.  God predestined, or determined beforehand, the destiny of His people before the creation of the world.  This destiny includes the facts that we would be adopted as God’s children, that we would have an eternal inheritance, and that we would be conformed to the image and glory of His Son Jesus Christ.

 


kwest-newKeith West

Trusting in God

Keith preached on how the Scriptures teach us to trust God.  He noted that our national motto (“In God We Trust”) is present on the currency of the United States.  To trust God means that we need to believe that He is able and willing to do what He has promised.  He observed that since God created everything (Gen 1:1), it is not difficult for Him to do other things within His creation.  Keith brought to mind three important characters who were presented with challenges of faith and who reacted in different ways (Zechariah, Luke 1:11-20; Mary, Luke 1:26-38; and Joseph, Matt 1:18-25).  Keith encouraged us to be faithful to God’s promises even when we don’t understand how He will fulfill them.


mark w-new_hc

Mark Wattenbarger

Having Courage in God

Mark followed up with the same theme by examining the life of Joshua.  Joshua had been present during all the great works that God did through Moses in redeeming the nation of Israel from Egypt, giving them the Law and Tabernacle service, and providing for them in the wilderness.  Nevertheless, it was something else when it became apparent that Joshua, not Moses, would be the one leading the people into the promised land.  Both Moses and God told Joshua to “be strong and of a good courage.” Deut 31:7; Josh 1:6; Josh 1:9).  Most importantly, Mark pointed out that God further said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded thee?”  Mark encouraged us that, just like Joshua, if God commands us to do something, He will most certainly give us the grace and power to carry out His tasks.

Faith

Bill McCarthy5-altBill McCarthy introduced services.

 

 

 


markwMark Wattenbarger

Brother Mark takes us through the initial verses of Hebrews Chapter 12 to discuss the life of faith.  Though it may be difficult to define, Scripture teaches us the life of faith is best defined by the actions we take. Abel, Abraham, Sara, Moses, Gideon, and others mentioned in Scripture are our evidence of what faithful lives look like.  But, as the Spirit inspired Paul to write, our highest and best example of living faithful to the will of the Father is Jesus.

Old Testament Prophecy of Jesus

randyMc_1_cropRandy McCarthy

Introduction:  1Cor 15:1-8

On the day that Jesus was raised from the dead, He began opening the understanding of his disciples to the OT scriptures which foretold the suffering, death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Luke 24:13-47).

Randy examined several prophecies in the writings of Moses (first five books of the OT) that demonstrate a suffering and triumphant Messiah, including the seed of the woman in Genesis 3, the offering of Isaac in Genesis 22 and the eight day festival of Passover (Exodus 12, Leviticus 23).   With regard to the Passover, Jesus’s death was represented by the paschal lamb offered on the first day of the Passover feast and his glorified resurrection represented by the first fruits offering on the third day of the Passover feast (1 Cor 15:20).

Liberty

Randy McCarthy continued speaking on his last week’s subject of Liberty.

Liberty is Freedom from Sin, not a License to Sin /
Where the Spirit of the Lord is; There is Liberty (2Cor 3:17)

Texts: 2-Corinthinans Chapter 3 (all),  Exodus 34:27-35

 


Bill McCarthyBill McCarthy

Subject:  What Do You Believe & Why Do You Believe It?

Texts:  Heb 11:1,27   2nd Cor 4:18,  1Cor 1:18-20, Gal 5:22