Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. - Rev 5:1 As we begin chapter 5, we see the one on the throne, God, holding a scroll. To open the chapter with this vision, it must be …
Revelation 4|The Throne in Heaven
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. Rev 4:1 Image by lmaresz from Pixabay When I read this chapter, I am just in awe of this description of heaven. Jesus invites John, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." Rev …
Pentecost Sunday|We’re Back In Church!
It was so good to be back in our building this morning. Of course, we were following the protocols set down by the governor, but it was so good to see many of our congregation. But in another way, it was a tough Sunday. Not everyone was there. We each have to make that call …
Jesus’ Letters to the Churches|Revelation 2&3|Pt 5
The Church in Philadelphia|The Loving Church The letter to the Church in Philadelphia is a church is refreshing! It begins the same as others with praise for what the church has done correctly. In Chapter 3:8, Jesus begins, "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can …
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Joy Is A State Of Mind
Joy is directly connected to your state of mind. - Jon Porter, Sermon 5/24/2020 You know sometimes when you hear a sermon, it's like the pastor wrote it just for you? He must have been reading your mind. But you know that's not possible. That's how today's sermon hit me. I know these are unprecedented …
Changes: What Are You Going Back To?
He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some [fish]." John 21:6 What are you going back to? Why do you want to go back? Was that really working for you? All questions we need to ask ourselves as we prepare for the return to work, social …
Fill Your Soul With Music!
As I sat down to work at the computer this morning, I turned on the radio to my favorite Comtemporary Christian station. Holy Water by We The Kingdom came on. I've heard this song before. It has a really catchy beat and all, but today, it just hit me as I listened to the words: …
Doubts
Examining the nail scarred hands and side of Jesus Christ. The sermon and worship for April 26, 2020 can be found here. You may want to listen to the sermon before you read my take. John 20:24-29 is the basis for today's sermon. When Thomas first hears that Jesus is alive, he says, "Unless I …
Fear In The Shadow Of An Empty Tomb
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." - John 20:19 ESV It's easy to understand why the disciples were so fearful after the …
Making The Gospel Real
How do we make sense of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins? That's not something we can just take lightly. There's more to it than most of us realize. I think we take it for granted. How would you feel if you gave up your only child to save all the other people …