Weekly Bible teaching from Pastor Jim Thomas at Holly Springs Bible Fellowship in Hornick, Iowa.
1 Peter 02:1-3—Peter reminds his readers that a horizontal relationship with God is essential to a vertical relationship with God. Christian growth is assumed, and it involves a steady diet of reading and applying God’s Word to our lives. Christ's followers must get rid of the things that hurt our relationships with other people so that we can be the people God desires us to become.
1 Peter 01:22-25 – Our Salvation is the basis for our ability to love others. We need to love people sincerely and fervently. Our Christian growth is linked to our obedience and application of God's Word into our lives. Peter challenges us to love people and God's Word deeply.
1 Peter 01:17-21 = I pray that we are ready to stand before God as our impartial judge. I ask that no one leave here rejecting the message of God's love and grace. Use this message in our hearts so we may leave here loving you more and serving you with our lives.
Message Summary – 1 Peter 1:10-15 – Your salvation is a big deal. Learn to live and act like it is a big deal.
1 Peter 1:3-9 – Christians possess a living hope sourced in the person of Jesus. We have an incredible inheritance that waits for us. While on this earth, our faith will be tested and refined. Times of testing allow us the opportunity to experience God's presence before the time that we live permanently in His presence. Rejoice because a great future awaits us.
1 Peter 1:1, 2 – Peter does not allow his past failures to define him. He focuses on what God has done and is doing in His life. He reminds God's people that God has selected them and has a plan for their lives. God's people need to trust and obey God because we are strangers in this world.
Matthew 5 – The Beatitudes starts with the characteristics of people who need God and desire righteousness (They mourn, hunger, are meek, and are poor in Spirit. It ends with people who possess righteousness (people of mercy, peace, and purity). These people will often face persecution for their lifestyle. It should not come as a surprise but rather as an expectation that we will face persecution as followers of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5 – Being a peacemaker starts with ensuring you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You then have a responsibility to help others make peace with God as an Ambassador for your Savior. As peace workers, we strive to bring about peace whenever we can.
Matthew 5 – A pure heart is a heart whose motives are pure and unmixed. It requires honesty as we evaluate our focus and our heart. The person who does that sees God at work around them and through them.
Matthew 5 – A person of mercy is more forgiving, understanding, and compassionate. Jesus demands that His followers become people of mercy because they have received mercy. He condemns an attitude that desires and longs for judgment. I pray that we act more like Christ and less like the Pharisees this week. Blessed are the merciful for they WILL be shown mercy.
Jimmy Cockburn
Matthew 5 – A meek person chooses humility over ambition & authority. Meek people are not always passive but respond with appropriate anger when needed. Meek people have confidence and trust in their God. They allow God to work out His plan in His time, in His way. The world does not squeeze them into its mold; their God molds them.
Matthew 5 – A genuinely blessed understands mourning is part of life. Blessing starts with mourning for your sin and the need for a savior. Mourning is required as a part of the Christian journey. If we are going to be like Christ genuinely, then we realize sorrow and grief are necessary for growth. Ultimately, our goal on this earth is to see others grieving and come alongside them to help them know the comfort that can only be found in God.
Matthew 5 – A truly blessed man recognizes He needs God and begs God to be a part of His life. He places his complete trust in God and depends on God completely. He desperately needs God every day. How much of your day acknowledges that you are totally dependent of God? That is test of being poor in spirit.
Matthew 5 – Jesus invites the crowd to join Him in a new way of living. The principles he teaches are contrary to the way of the world. He encourages all of us to join Him in living life as He designed it to be experienced. Be blessed and happy in your approach to life this week.
Isaiah 43 – Tomorrow, we will change the calendar to 2024. But every day is a new opportunity. Each day represents an opportunity for a “do-over”. It is an opportunity to take ownership and change our focus from our circumstances to our God. Walk in faith this coming year and allow God to help you live life as God intended.
Luke 2 – The Christmas story is a story of hope. It provided salvation for everyone willing to accept God's great gift. It cost Jesus everything and me nothing. I pray that you have the assurance and hope that comes with accepting the gift of salvation. May each of us share the story of Christmas with a world that desperately needs Christ.
Genesis 3:15 – Biblical hope is centered on certainty, not possibility. It does change the reality of your present world. Biblical hope changes the focus of your current world to the certainty of the future. Hope patiently waits for the day that what you believe by faith you now experience in real-time.
Hope of Christmas – Psalm 130:7,8 - When you cry out to Christ for mercy, he will hear and answer. He has never turned anyone away. You may call him from out of the depths, but God is full of love and mercy. He will hear your voice and be attentive to your prayer. No matter how bad your situation is or how deep the pit, God's love is still more profound, and he will rescue you from out of the depths. Those who wait on the Lord wait in hope. That is the foundation of the Christmas story....
Bible – Illumination – 1 Corinthians 2:10 – Bibliogy teaches us that God has gone to great lengths to communicate with us. He wants us to know His thinking and plans for our lives. Allow God's Spirit to guide and direct your life by reading and applying God's Word to your life.
Bible – Interpretation – John 16:13 – God wants to communicate clearly to you. Do not make things more complicated than they need to be. Read God's Word, study it, and apply it to your life. It is God's literal instruction manual for life.
Bible – Preservation – Matthew 24:35 – God has allowed this book to survive for almost 2,000 years. It has proven reliable and consistent across numerous language barriers and cultures. We are privileged to possess it in our hands, phones, and multiple media forms. Read it, study it, but more importantly, apply it to your life. God preserved it so we can obey it.
Bible – Canon & Inerrancy – Matthew 24:35 – Throughout history, people have used the writings of this book to learn about God. It has proven itself unique and accurate throughout history. It has an eternal nature to it, so treasure it, read it, apply it. Allow the things written in this book to direct everything in your life.
Bible – Inspiration – 2 Tim 3:16 - God has communicated His word to us. Clear communication involves us listening to God as he speaks through His word, circumstances, and the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to work in your life this week as you listen to His voice.
Bibliology - Revelation – God reveals himself in creation, our conscience, the life of Jesus, and His word. He desires to connect with us, and we must take time to see Him. Allow God to reveal Himself to you this week.
Genesis 25 - I hope and pray that we can learn to model the healthy things we have seen in the life of Abraham this week. Walk with God and be considered a "friend of God." Experience a full life of following God through the valleys and on the mountaintops. I hope you can look back and see how God has worked within your life.
Genesis 24 gives us some insight into parenting, marriage, and Love. As parents, we must teach and live out Biblical principles in front of our kids. Remember that being married requires your spiritual walk to be centered on Christ, not self. If you choose to love someone, put their needs before yours. Follow the example that Jesus set.
Genesis 23 – Make sure you are ready for the day when your life ends. Be assured of your eternal destiny, and do not take or treat the matter lightly.If you have buried loved ones, I pray that you experience the peace of God and find the skills necessary to live in a world that has been changed forever. The reason that it hurts so much is because you risked loving them. They brought joy into your life, and your life is richer because God placed them in your life. Remember that we only have this ...
