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The Promises of God
Sermon by John O. ReidIn there, let's dive into the incredible promises of God that give us hope and strength, especially in these challenging end times. These promises are tied to the covenants God made with His people, offering us solid reassurance when we feel down or confused. Under the Old Covenant, God promised wonderful physical blessings to Israel if they obeyed His laws and statutes, as seen in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. He assured them they would be special, with abundant rewards for their faithfulness. Now, with the New Covenant, the promises are even greater, extending beyond physical blessings to eternal ones that Israel never conceived of. This covenant is individual, not national, and God personally selects those to whom it is given, as noted in John 6:44. We are chosen to receive these promises, which include becoming part of God's Family, a truth revealed in Genesis 1 where Elohim indicates a Family creating man in Their image with a future purpose. God's promises also cover forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as detailed in Romans 3 and Colossians 2. Our debts, or IOUs, are paid in full by His sacrifice, making us alive in Him. We have the assurance from I John 1:9 that even when we slip up and repent, God forgives our mistakes. Furthermore, we are promised eternal life and a transformation to be like Jesus Christ, as described in I Corinthians 15 and I Thessalonians 4:16, where at the last trump, the dead will be raised, and death itself will be done away with. We are also promised roles of responsibility in God's Kingdom, with offices prepared specifically for us, as Jesus Christ states in John 14:1-3. Our talents and abilities will be utilized, and we will rule over cities based on how well we have stewarded what we've been given, as seen in Matthew 25:14-23. Additionally, the promise of the Last Great Day offers the hope of working with loved ones and even enemies who never knew the truth, bringing fulfillment through service. God promises healing, both now and ultimately in the future, beyond our wildest dreams, as affirmed in I Corinthians 15 and Hebrews 13:8, which declares He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In these scattered times, we can be confident that God is with us, faithful as He has been through all ages, as reinforced in John 10 and Hebrews 13. Jesus Christ is in complete charge, and no one can take us from Him. These promises encouraged those who went before us, like Job and Abraham, who held fast by faith in what God assured, as seen in Hebrews 11. We too are assured all the help we need to become sanctified and enter His Kingdom, with Jesus Christ interceding for us, as stated in Romans 8. Despite trying times and attempts by satan to discourage us, we must hold fast to these promises, knowing that a wonderful future awaits, filled with unimaginable blessings for those who love Him. Be faithful, for God is on our side, all the way.
Facing Times of Stress: Always in God's Presence
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe can maintain spiritual contact using David's tactic of continually maintaining the Lord before him in his thoughts, prayers, and meditations.
Remembering Your Vows
Sermon by John O. ReidLike the marriage covenant, counting the cost is the most serious part of the baptismal agreement, not something to be taken lightly.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Thirteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughAs we participate in the New Covenant, we go through the stages of justification, sanctification, and ultimately glorification as part of Christ's body.