Most of Christianity believes that our soul departs this earth and travels one way or another immediately at death. But is that what the Bible teaches about resurrection? Is there a reward for the righteous or a punishment for the wicked before Christ returns? Is death the gate to glory? Is death an enemy or a friend? Do we simply wait until we die, or are we waiting for Christ to come? How can we know the truth? Find out the answers from God's Word in today's study. Psa. 146:3,4; 17:15; Luke 14...
Aug 15, 2012•23 min
The second coming of Christ is the very fabric of our faith. His coming motivates us to know God, understand Him, and live for Him. It has a purifying effect. If we really believe Jesus is coming again, we will change the way we think and act. We will be motivated to tell others about this good news, and we won't be alarmed as we see prophetic fulfillment in the nations happening around us. We will be alert. We will be encouraged. We will see God's hand in history as He prepares the world for th...
Aug 15, 2012•30 min
Have you been on vacation lately? Have you missed out on what's happening in Israel, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Russia, and all around the Middle East? Well, don't worry. God has already foretold the specific details of end-time events. And in today's message, we examine the visions of Ezekiel and how they apply to current events in today's news. Ezekiel 39:1-8,12,13,221-29; 38:1,2,4-6,18-23; Isa. 19:1-4; John 14:26,27; 8:32 Pastor Michael Hoffman Oregon Church of God Oregon, Illinois
Aug 05, 2012•28 min
Sometimes we're like Gideon. We hear God say He's with us, but all we see are all of the bad things happening around us. And then we give up. But that's not God's plan for us. He is with us even through the hard times, and He tells us to "Go." Rather than focus on why bad things are happening, He wants us to do something about it. Will you? Will you "go?" There's work to do. Will you get to work for Him? Judges 6:11-16; Luke 5; Matthew 14 Pastor Dale Swartz Litchfield Church of God, Litchfield, ...
Aug 05, 2012•20 min
God has planned great things for His people. He has planned new things. He's given us a new message of good news. He's given us a new life in His son. He's made us a new creation following our new birth. And He's given us a new hope in a new world under a new order. It's all new. It's all for us. And it's exactly as He planned it. Isa. 42:9; 48:3-7; Matt. 4:23-25; 9:14; Acts 8:4,12; Heb. 10:19; Ezek. 36:26; John 1; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Rom. 6:1-4; Eph. 4:22; 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 17:18,32; Rev. 21...
May 22, 2012•34 min
Sometimes doctrines in church tradition go unexamined, but when we scrutinize the concepts against what the Scriptures have to say, we discover the truth. It's that way in today's study of the "soul." Many teach that man is created with an innate immortality, but is that what the Bible really indicates? Does man have an immortal soul that lives on after he is gone? What really happens after a person dies? And from where did the concept of the immortal soul come? Find out the answers from history...
May 21, 2012•33 min
What is true faith? How can we know? What does the Bible tell us? How do others know we have a living faith? In this message from a revival service in 1972, Pastor Duncan challenges us to live out our faith. We have to put our confidence in the evidence. Our hope is in the promises of God. If we claim to be of the Abrahamic faith, let's act like it! Let's live like it! Let's show the world the faith we have in our God! Gal. 3:24-29; Heb. 11:1,39; 13:5; Rom. 8:24; 14:23; 4:19; Acts 3:6; James 2:1...
Aug 26, 2011•59 min
What made the early church grow? Why were they so dynamic? Could the growth they experienced happen in our churches today? How would we handle it? Can God do it again? Pastor Kent knows it can happen, and in today's message, he reminds us of the conditions it takes to make it happen again. Acts 2:36-47 Pastor Kent Ross North Hills Church of God Springfield, Ohio
Aug 26, 2011•36 min
It's possible to spend thousands of dollars on insurance without ever filing a claim. But life insurance makes perfect sense because we're all guaranteed to die. In today's parable, Jesus talks about insuring our lives against another certainty. We are all going to face him one day. The wedding invitations have already been sent. Will you be ready for the bridegroom? Matt. 25:1-13; Heb. 9:27,28; 2 Pet. 3:9 Pastor Wally Winner Joy Fellowship Church of God Piedmont, SC...
Aug 26, 2011•24 min
God has made an oath. He has promised us of the sure hope that lies ahead. We are heirs of the same covenant He made to Abraham through faith. It's the anchor of our lives. In the present evil that surrounds, let's not forget it. Pastor Terry Ferrell Greenville Church of God - 217 White Oak Rd, Greenville, SC
Aug 26, 2011•28 min
Many around the world have been persecuted for their faith. They have endured the suffering because of their hope. They know that the end of their life is not the end of the story. When Jesus returns, things will be made right. And because he rose from the dead, someday all the righteous will too. Matt. 6:11,19,21,25-34; 4; Isa. 33:15; Prov. 30:8; Mark 8:13-17 Pastor Alan Cain Lawrenceville Church of God Springfield, Ohio
Aug 26, 2011•31 min
No, today's message isn't really Pastor Steve's last sermon - or at least we hope not. Today's message title was taken from a 1936 message written by J.H. Anderson to an audience he knew he would never see again. Have you ever thought about what message you would share if you only had one chance to share it? Listen in as Pastor Taylor shares the timeless truth of God's timeless offer. Acts 20:25; 2:37,38; Gen. 2:16,17; 17:8; 22:18; Deut. 30:15; Jer. 21:8; Rom. 6:23; 5:12; Matt. 7:13,14; Ecc. 9:5...
Aug 26, 2011•27 min
Did you ever notice how Israel always seems to make the news? Why does this little nation get such big publicity? In the end, who will help her? Has God forgotten His promises? Has God forsaken His people? In today's message, we examine the end-time prophecies regarding the restoration of Israel and how they are connected with the return of Christ. Zech. 8:1-8; 14:2-5; Isa. 11:1,2; 60:21; 2:3; Luke 21:24; Jer. 16:15; Ezekiel 26:24-28; Amos 9:14,15; Romans 11 Kenneth Milne
May 29, 2011•30 min
Israel is God's covenant people in God's covenant land. The nation is the "apple of God's eye." Understanding Israel's place in the program, plan, and purpose of God also has great significance in the plan and purpose for each believer. In today's message, we examine Israel's place in history and its relationship to the nations today and what it has to do with the second coming of the Lord. Hos. 2; Ezek. 38:12; Judges 9:37; Eph. 2:12; John 4:22; Jer. 31:35-37; Rom. 15; 1 Cor. 10:10; Exo. 33:14; ...
May 29, 2011•39 min
As we watch world events and crises unfolding all around us, we begin to wonder whether we're living in the last days. We hear about the end of the world, but how do we know what to expect? Does the Bible tell us? Did Jesus reveal some of the circumstances and trends that would occur in the end-times? In today's message from the reply that Jesus gave his disciples on the Mount of Olives, we are encouraged to be alert, be aware, be prepared, and be ready as we see the signs of the times. Matt. 24...
May 26, 2011•31 min
Once again, Israel and the peace in the Middle East are back in the headlines - much the same as it was in 1978 when this message was recorded. What's going to happen? Has God done away with Israel? Will God ever again have anything to do with this nation? Has God revoked his promises? What about the Arab and Jewish conflict? Can Israel survive? Pastor Landry reminds us what God has spoken through his prophets about this little country in this relevant message. Rom. 10:20-11:15; Matt. 27:22-25; ...
May 26, 2011•43 min
Often, in the Lord's prayer, we miss the meaning in the words as we recite over it. When Jesus prayed, "your kingdom come," what exactly did he mean? Why was the kingdom so important? What exactly is the Kingdom of God? Where is it? Is the Kingdom some mystical, ethereal place where we float on a cloud and play a harp? As we examine the words of the prayer and look closer in the scripture, we find out this Kingdom of God was the main topic of the messages of Jesus Christ during his ministry. It ...
May 24, 2011•25 min
What is the meaning of "paradise" in the Bible? Is it synonymous with "heaven?" Is that where believers go when they die? Did Jesus enter "paradise" the day he died? When man sinned and was driven out of the Garden of Eden, was paradise lost forever? And what exactly is the "third heaven?" Find out the truth from God's word today. Luke 23:39-43; Genesis 2:8; Acts 3:19-21; 2 Corinthians 12:2; Isaiah 66:1; 2 Peter 3:3-13; Revelation 2:7 Kenneth Milne
May 24, 2011•28 min
Death is a reality, but the world of religion offers man a variety of explanations of what happens when a man dies and ways to obtain immortality. Is there hope beyond death? Does the Bible clearly tell us what happens? From what are we made? From where do we come? What is our destiny? When? Where will we be? Find out the truth and the hope we share as believers in Christ in today's Bible study. Gen. 2:7,15,16; 3:4-6; 1 Tim. 6:16; 1:17; 2 Tim. 1:10; 2:11,12; Rom. 2:7; Rev. 20; 22:17; 1 Cor. 15; ...
May 21, 2011•41 min
Is the end of the world upon us? Are we really living in the end times? How can we know? Why does it matter? What if this really is the last week of your life? What will you do? 1 Thess. 4:16,17; 1 Cor. 15; Rev. 11:15; 5:9,10; 2 Thess. 2; 2 Peter 3 Pastor Alan Cain Lawrenceville Church of God, Springfield, Ohio
May 21, 2011•37 min
Watch or read the world news today, and all you'll hear about is doom and gloom. The times are tough, and sometimes when we're going through struggles, our faith can be tested. In today's message, we're reminded of the importance of applying our faith in our everyday lives to grow and strengthen our walk with God. Hebrews 11:1-6,39,40; Romans 1:17; 8:37,5-8; Joshua 6:1-5; Luke 5:4-6; Proverbs 3:5-7; James 2:14-17,20;Mark 11:24; Malachi 3:10; Psalm 118:24; 2 Timothy 4:7,8 Pastor Bruce Reye Chapel...
Dec 13, 2010•28 min
The enemies of every gardener are the weeds. If you don't watch closely, weeds will steal the nutrients and the water from the seeds and eventually destroy your crop. Often though, it's hard to control the weeds without harming your plants. In the lesson we examine in today's parable, Jesus describes the ultimate weed killer that is coming when he returns to gather his harvest. So how is your garden growing? Matthew 13:24-30,36-43; 14:16 Pastor Jim Ritch www.resurrectionhope.org...
Dec 13, 2010•35 min
As we continue our study on the early church, today we pause to look again at the Jewish heritage of the first followers of Christ. How did the first-century Christians relate to laws of Moses? What about the feasts and fasts of Israel? Did Jesus change the law? If not, when did the strict keeping of the law change for the church? Acts 15:1-11,22-29; Acts 10; Matthew 19:16; 5:17-20; Mark 1:40-44; Galatians 3:19; 2:11-14; 5:1-4;Ephesians 2:1-9; Colossians 2:16,17 Pastor Terry Ferrell Greenville C...
Dec 12, 2010•31 min
Do you really think that you can make a difference in the future Kingdom of God? Sometimes we just look at the long road ahead and forget that our destination is getting closer every day. God has given each and everyone of us a talent to use in His service. Will you choose to use what God gave you? What would the church be like if we all used our talents and gifts for the worship of our God? Pastor Dave Hixon www.brushcreekchurch.org
Oct 31, 2010•37 min
How did the early church worship? What was included in their worship service? As we look in today's text, we find four simple and essential focus points of the early church: the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. They continued daily in these things with one accord and with a great love toward one another and a great desire to worship their God. As we study, what can learn for our church today? Acts 2:37-47 Pastor Terry Ferrell Greenville Church of God, Greenville...
Oct 31, 2010•23 min
Sunburns are a way of life when you're raised in Arizona, but you would need extra-strength sunscreen for a day that was twice as long as normal. In today's message, we examine an amazing story involving Joshua and the Israelites. In the middle of their military campaign through Canaan, God made "the sun stand still" to ensure their victory. And if God did that for them, just imagine the victory He has in store for us. Joshua 10 Pastor Michael Hoffman Oregon Church of God, Oregon, Illinois...
Oct 31, 2010•20 min
Generation after generation has wondered if this would be the generation in which Jesus would return. Every generation of Christians has wished it. There have been many who have speculated on the time of his return. But how do we know we're getting close? What are the events leading up to the end of the age? How will it happen? When? In today's message, Jesus answers the questions. Pastor Steve Taylor www.lakeshorebible.net
Oct 31, 2010•31 min
This world gets more challenging and more confused each day. More than ever, we need to be studying God's word, praying regularly, and learning from fellow believers as we focus on the hope we have when Jesus returns. We must be obedient, and avoid slipping back into our old ways, or else we might become "spiritually constipated." 1 Peter 1:13-16 Pastor John Guthrie East Oregon Chapel, Oregon, Illinois
Oct 31, 2010•23 min
The message of the Bible is a message of triumph. The one and only God sent his one and only Son to rescue us from our sins. But our faith is a faith that calls on others to join with us as we join with God. We're not in this alone. We're in this together. We share in the victories now and in the age that's coming. So let us work together as we look ahead. Let's triumph together! Dr. Joe Martin www.abc-coggc.org
Oct 31, 2010•36 min
Sometimes when we observe the fashion or appearance of other people we observe, we might say they look very unique. But what does it really mean to be unique? Jesus was created as the Son of Man and the Son of God. He was a completely unique human being. He is our Savior. He is the Christ. But what do his titles mean? What does it mean to be "the only begotten Son of God?" In today's message, Pastor Michael helps explain the unique nature of Christ and what it means for us. Pastor Michael Hoffma...
Oct 31, 2010•21 min
