Allen Daniels
Brother Allen spoke about the importance of reading the Bible in context, giving several examples of salvation in the Bible and explaining why we cannot assume that every mention of salvation is referring to an eternal salvation.
Text: 2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.“
Podcast: Download (Duration: 48:54 — 13.1MB)
Allen Daniels
Scriptural Reference: John 18:28-40
Podcast: Download (Duration: 47:09 — 13.9MB)
Randy McCarthy introduced services by reading from Matthew 18:1-6 and introducing the topic of how should we deal with others in the present culture who question whether the bible has relevance. He said that as the current culture becomes more of a post-Christian pagan culture, there are great opportunities for the church to engage and bring the gospel to God’s little ones who are struggling with the emptiness of modern life.
Mark Wattenbarger preached about the experiences of the prophet Elijah with regard to standing for our faith and dealing with opposition and doubt. He related how that, while it was prudent for Elijah to withdraw from the threats of Jezebel Queen of Israel, it was not appropriate for him to subsequently feel sorry for himself and give up. God told Elijah to get back to work, and encouraged him in his self-pity and discouragement. 1Kings 19. We should be bold and encouraged, since the truth is true, and is always true, and we can trust in Him who is Truth. We can’t heal the world by going to church; we can only help the world by being the church.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 53:38 — 16.3MB)
Elder David Wattenbarger
Text: 2Timothy 2:15
John 1:1; Eccl 1:2-4; Eccl 1:9; 2Timothy 3:13; Romans 11:33-36; Isaiah 55:8; Daniel 4:31-35; Isaiah 46:10; Isaiah 59:1; 1 Peter 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:53-54; Ephesians 1:14; Luke 15:11-24
First Primitive Baptist Association of Oklahoma
July 11, 2015 – Saturday Afternoon
Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:01 — 7.8MB)
Bill McCarthy
Bill discusses how the elite in this world always challenge God, but God in His wisdom always prevails. No problem is too difficult for God.
Text: Matthew 22; Romans 5:12.
Randy McCarthy
The world hates it when you tell the truth. In Matthew 23, the Lord Jesus condemns the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy, and states that judgment for all the righteous blood that had been shed from Abel to Zechariah (Zecharias) would come upon that generation. Randy recounts the story of Zechariah, the brave prophet who was killed for speaking the truth, and who in his death prefigured the rejection and death of Christ.
Text: 2Chronicles 24.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 51:37 — 14.7MB)
By: Elder Mark WattenbargerThis week, we read Jeremiah 7-20. This portion of scripture contains a chronicle of Judah’s idolatry and the punishment of Babylonian exile which God would send upon Israel (7:1-10:25), Judah would be condemned for breaking God’s covenant (11:1-13:27), Jeremiah’s prayers would be unable to avert judgment (14:1-17:27), and God’s complete control over events would be told in the parable of the potter (18:1-20:18).
This book contains a lot of Jeremiah’s personal history, private impressions and the outpouring of his heart in prayer to God. As we focus on this perhaps you will find encouragement to contend for the truth and hold on to your professions of faith. Let’s zero in on Jeremiah’s cry to God and God’s response and behold again the mercy and grace of God.
First, we look at Jeremiah’s mournful cry in verses 15-18 of chapter 15. Listen to the man’s anguish! We learn that Jeremiah has been rebuked and mocked for doing as God commanded. Crying out to the only source of refuge in this trying time, he reminds God that for Him he has suffered these things (v 15). Have you faced something similar? Few of us have been beaten or threatened with death as Jeremiah, but perhaps you have been mocked for trying to do the right thing. Has anyone ever laughed at you for desiring to tell the truth? Have you been mocked for telling the truth about salvation by grace? How about someone looking at you in disbelief as you describe God’s mercy and grace, that it is free and God needs nothing from us (Eph 2:8-9)?
When we do right, what God has defined as objectively “Right”, it sometimes causes others to scorn us and seek other counsel. Hasn’t this been true in your life? Jeremiah describes just this in his own life. He never took part with the mockers and scorners, never rejoiced as they did and turn away from God’s counsel. He was alone and was isolated for his stand (v 17). He describes this life as an “incurable wound” and the pain is ongoing, unceasing. Jeremiah suffers for what is right, over and over again, and why, says he, must it be thus with me (v 18)? How difficult and troubling can it be to do what is right? To go against all your peers, your friends, even your family, or perhaps your closest adviser, perhaps even your spouse, to do right and speak the truth can be one of the most difficult things we face (Luke 14:28).
But oh the depths of the mercies and wisdom of God! What grace he displays in providing for those who do what is right!
Look at God’s response to Jeremiah, the words our Heavenly Father says to the man who stands against the tide and does what is right. God tells Jeremiah he will provide for him and bring him again before Himself (v 19). What grace for God Almighty to say to us, ‘You keep telling the truth, I’m standing right here with you’. Wow! What better comfort or greater encouragement could we possibly ask for?
Further, God says to Jeremiah “let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them”. Let the mockers return acknowledging the truth and do not go unto them, where they are sitting, in derision of the truth (see Jeremiah’s lament earlier in verse 18 to get the prophet’s perspective).
Finally, God teaches Jeremiah, and us, that when we stand on the foundation of truth He will be our strength. He describes how He will make Jeremiah a brass wall and no one can defeat him (v 20a). But notice the ever present reminder (v 20b). God is our strength, He is our Rock. Our Father in Heaven is our deliverer and redeemer in the times of strife when we struggle to do what is right and tell the truth. The wicked and the terrible are no match for God and thus cannot stand up to Jeremiah when he stands with God.
Let us be encouraged by these words, brethren! Let us go boldly forward and proclaim the truth of God, asking God for help along the way. It may be difficult and we may suffer for doing right. However, God has said he stands with those who stand with Him. Always remember our greatest advocate and greatest friend will never forsake us when we do what is right. He will strengthen us and give us help when we stand for the truth (Phil 4:13).
Published: 2010-10-02 by MW