In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus read from the Isaiah scroll, applying the text to Himself, by concluding with the statement, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Pastor Hollandsworth discusses the glorious nature of Christ’s ministry, as described in Luke 4:18-19, and explains why the people marveled at Him in the synagogue, yet moments later were eager to throw him off the rocky cliff at the edge of town.
The nobleman’s son will surely die unless Jesus goes to heal him. But Jesus refuses to go, rebuking the man (and all Israel) for requiring signs before they will believe. Jesus causes a quandary of faith by assuring the man his son has been healed. Will he accept this by faith? Pastor Hollandsworth delineates why God often allows quandaries of faith in our lives, and he points out why Jesus heals this boy “after two days … on the third day.”
Why does Jesus travel to culturally-forbidden Samaria to meet a woman at a well? Why does He offer her “a fountain of water, springing up to everlasting life,” and what does that mean? What do the disciples learn from the encounter? Pastor Hollandsworth answers these questions, discloses the new revelation that Jesus shares with the woman, and clarifies the meaning of worshiping God in spirit and truth.
As baptisms of Christ’s followers began to outpace those of John the Baptist, the religious leaders attempted to drive a wedge between the cousins by making John’s disciples envious. But John was overjoyed with Christ’s success and delighted in being a “friend of the groom.” Pastor Hollandsworth explains what John means and examines five humble statements made by John that should be the conviction of all believers.
“You must be born again.” Christ’s admonition to Nicodemus in John 3 is traditionally assumed to be a salvation text. But was Jesus telling this ruler of Israel how to be regenerated or how to prepare for kingdom inheritance? Pastor Hollandsworth defines the terms “born again” and “eternal life” and describes what Nicodemus would have been thinking as a first century Israelite.
Watching Jesus cast the money changers out of the temple must have been an astonishing sight, and it surely infuriated the religious leaders. Pastor Hollandsworth explains why Jesus takes this bold action immediately following His miracle of turning water to wine, describes the right response to anger, and makes application to disciples in the twenty-first century.
Why would Jesus turn water to wine, and what kind of wine did He make? Besides affirming His deity, what message did this unusual phenomenon send to Israel? Pastor Hollandsworth elaborates on the deeper meaning of this sign miracle with respect to Israel’s future restoration and kingdom inheritance, making connections to Noah, Melchizedek, the OT prophets, and the Last Supper.
John the Baptist pointed others to the Lamb of God, claiming that He would take away the sin (singular) of the world. Pastor Hollandsworth describes the important distinction between sin (singular) and sins (plural). He also explains why Jesus told Nathanael that he would see the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man and how that relates to millennial inheritance.
John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Pastor Hollandsworth details what the Jews of Jesus’ day were thinking when they heard this metaphor, and why it posed a problem in their psyche. He also explains why John is the quintessential example of what it means to confess Christ and how we can learn from His humble testimony.
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. What was the purpose of this? Pastor Hollandsworth shares six truths conveyed by Christ’s temptation, explains the nature of each temptation, and emphasizes the believer’s escape from temptation by following Christ’s example.
Why did Jesus submit to John’s baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, seeing that He never sinned? Pastor Hollandsworth answers this challenging question, explains why the Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism, and defines the three levels of Holy Spirit power.
John the Baptist preached a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Pastor Hollandsworth dissects this message and explains why it is not to be equated with the gospel of grace by faith alone for salvation (i.e., regeneration). He also explains the terms “kingdom of heaven” and the “baptism in fire” (which is not hell) that will befall those who reject this message.
The apostle Paul, undoubtedly one of the greatest Christians of the church age, nevertheless, saw a personal need to “press toward the goal for the prize" (reward), desiring to “attain to the out-resurrection.” Pastor Hollandsworth uncovers the meaning of this often-ignored term and reveals the apostle’s driving passion to “gain Christ and be found in Him,” counting everything else as loss. This same passion should consume every child of God.
In this second of a two-part episode, Pastor Hollandsworth continues to explain the spectacular rewards for overcomers in Rev. 2-3, some of which are quite mysterious. He gives a possible meaning for the reward that overcomers will NOT be blotted out of the Book of Life and tackles the puzzling question of how non-overcomers WILL be blotted out of the Book of Life.
One of the promises for overcomers is that they will not be hurt of the second death. What does that mean? Pastor Hollandsworth – in the first of a two-part episode – describes the rewards for overcomers in Rev. 2-3, pointing out from the Scriptures that NOT all saints are overcomers. He offers a possible explanation as to how unfaithful believers could be hurt of the second death at the Bema.
Once believers understand the importance of giving a good account at the Judgment Seat, they must learn HOW to prepare to meet Jesus. Pastor Hollandsworth explains the process of spiritual growth found in Romans 5 and emphasizes the agents of growth and how to apply them so believers can mature and get prepared for their coming appointment.
Some believers are troubled by a system of rewards to be selectively dispensed at the Bema, particularly the idea of negative reward. They think all believers are overcomers, by nature of their position in Christ. Pastor Hollandsworth explores the various motivations for serving Jesus, given in Scripture, and points out the abundant biblical basis for rewards, while debunking the “entitlement mentality,” which is so common in traditional Christianity.
The term “outer darkness” is widely understood as a description of Hell for unbelievers. Pastor Hollandsworth looks at the three places the term is used in the New Testament, gives a biblical definition, and shows that it is NOT referring to Hell but, rather, to the realm of the kingdom where unfaithful believers will be consigned during the Millennium. He also distinguishes outer darkness from the erroneous doctrine of purgatory.
Traditionalists claim that all believers will receive white robes of righteousness and will comprise the bride of Christ. Pastor Hollandsworth shows from Rev. 19 and the parable of the virgins (Matt. 25) that white robes and bridal status are reserved for faithful saints only. The ramifications are profound.
What is New Jerusalem that comes down from Heaven to Earth in the Millennium? What role does it play in the kingdom – and what do the terms “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” mean? Pastor Hollandsworth answers these questions from the Scriptures and gives five evidences that New Jerusalem is the city of reward for faithful saints.
At salvation our sins are forgiven and covered by the blood of Jesus. Does that mean God never judges believers who persist in sinfulness going forward? Surprisingly, many Christians assume that is the case. Pastor Hollandsworth gives eight ways that God judges our continued sinfulness now , and demonstrates that He will certainly do so at the Judgment Seat.
One day you will receive a verdict from the Judge of the Universe. Will it be positive or negative? How you are living now is determining your future verdict. Pastor Hollandsworth exposes the error of the traditional view that expects crowns to be given to all believers. He further demonstrates from the Scriptures the prospect of punishment for those who are unfaithful and explains the nature of the punishment.
Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples? Most say it was to illustrate humility and service. While that is partially correct, it stops far short of the full answer. Pastor Hollandsworth explains Christ’s indispensable requirement of keeping our “feet” clean as believers, so we can have a “part” with Him in future reward and rulership.
Most Christians believe we automatically become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ at salvation. But is that what the Bible teaches? Pastor Hollandsworth explains Rom. 8:16-17 and distinguishes between the unconditional inheritance and the conditional inheritance, emphasizing the importance of qualifying for the conditional.
Jesus said, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” What is the meaning of these paradoxes, and what do they have to do with the Judgment Seat? Pastor Hollandsworth explains this text, as well as the meaning of Christ’s call for believers to: “deny self, take up your cross, and follow Me.”
Did you know that salvation has three tenses: past, present, and future? What does this have to do with the spirit, soul, and body of man? Pastor Hollandsworth defines "soul salvation" and discusses the critical importance of this New Testament truth that is often misunderstood.
At the Judgment Seat, "fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is." Many will "suffer loss." Another passage says, "he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done." What does this mean? And what is the stuff that burns? Why do so many teach that there is nothing to worry about? Pastor Hollandsworth discusses three inferior works that will be consumed at the Bema.
Is some of our Christian teaching and preaching based on erroneous interpretations of Scripture that have been perpetually taught, generation after generation? Learn about your podcast host, Pastor James Hollandsworth, and how he came to realize that what he had been taught about the Judgment Seat of Christ was all wrong. The account we must all give to God is serious, not a mere awards ceremony, and multitudes of believers are unprepared because they have been incorrectly taught.
