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'I Will Pour Out My Spirit!'
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe outpouring of God's Holy Spirit in AD 31 represented a pivotal event in biblical prophecy and church history, marking the initial fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-32) where God's Spirit (at one time reserved only for a select few) was now poured out on all believers, regardless of age, gender, or social class. This event which began the church age merely set the stage for greater future spiritual empowerment. The function of the Holy Spirit equips individuals for service, not by overriding their free will, but instead enabling them to perform with wisdom, courage, and humility. Both Saul and David illustrate not only the gift but the sobering responsibility of Spirit-led leadership. Saul's fall and David's rise reveal how obedience and humility must be coupled to enable Spirit-led leadership. Within God's church, leadership is not determined by hierarchy or dominance, but by servanthood, emulating Christ's example of a servant and a shepherd. Individuals like Diotrephes, who desired pre-eminence, clashed with the apostle Paul's qualifications for church leaders (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-13)—integrity, self-control, and faithful leadership, traits representing the aspiration standards for all God's chosen saints, members of God's royal priesthood, empowered to bring light to a hopelessly darkened world.
The Book of Joel (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf the victims of the devastating plague would return to the covenant, the land would be refreshed, prosperity would return, and the years lost would be restored.
Esther (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn post-exilic times in Persia, God used concealed Jews (exampled by Mordecai and Esther) to ascend to levels of prominence on behalf of their people.
Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHabakkuk was frustrated that God would use an evil people to punish Israel, yet he resolved to cease fretting and to become a responsible watcher.
The Origin of the Christian Cross
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsThe symbol of the cross flourished centuries before Christ came on the scene, serving as an initial for Tammuz. God's true church has never used the cross.
Misconceptions and Malarkey About the Holy Spirit (Part One)
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasMost of Christianity believes in the Trinity, but a slim minority holds to a much older belief, one that hearkens back to the earliest Christians.
What Are the Origins of the Names of Our Days and Months?
Bible Questions & AnswersThe days are named for the sun, moon, and five visible planets, all of which were associated with pagan deities. The month names come from Roman worship.