Often, our problem as Christians isn't that we don't have faith; it's that we don't have assurance. It's not that we don't have hope; it's that we don't have confidence. But the Apostle John delivers a message that could change all that.
Scripture tells what Jesus accomplished in the past, what He is accomplishing in the present, and what He will one day accomplish in the future. Where would we be without this incredible record?
Who is Jesus? What did He say? What did He do? Why was He crucified? Where is He now? What does He expect from His disciples? Thankfully it's all written in the record.
Our faith is measured by good works – as the Apostle James taught us – but our good works are measured by how much joy we express while doing them – as the Apostle John will teach us. Faith without works is dead, and so are works without joy.
The dust if finally settling in Job's life. The Sun is beginning to break through the clouds again. After 41 chapters of emotional, physical and spiritual suffering, Job is finally set free. The test is over. Job has passed. Will you?
Did you know that the Bible mentions the animals that we call dragons and dinosaurs? That's right . . . before archeologists found bones of these extinct creatures, Scripture recorded their existence. Job chapter 40 gives us their description.
If Job ever questioned whether God truly cared for him, his questions are about to be answered in remarkable fashion. God will take him on a tour of the zoo and allow him to peer through the glass to witness how each animal is cared for. Job will learn afresh that if God cares so much for animals, He surely must care for His own children.
If Job ever questioned whether God truly cared for him, his questions are about to be answered in remarkable fashion. God will take him on a tour of the zoo and allow him to peer through the glass to witness how each animal is cared for. Job will learn afresh that if God cares so much for animals, He surely must care for His own children.
The book of Romans has been considered by many scholars and theologians throughout the ages to be the magnum opus of all Paul's letters--as well as the pillar of Christian doctrine and practice. So in this message Stephen reveals to us why this book is not only essential for Christians . . . it is essential for Christianity.
When Paul says in Romans 1:16 that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe, did you know that the Greek word he uses for 'power' in that passage is translated 'dynamite' in English?! Paul is saying that the Gospel isn't just power . . . its explosive power! And he watched it explode in the lives of thousands of men and women throughout his ministry. So if you're feeling weak or ineffective today in your own outreach, this is a message you don't want to miss.
Have you ever witnessed a riot in the parking lot of your church or been threatened by an angry mob of civilians? For us, that would be extreme persecution. For Hudson Taylor, that was just another day at the office!
Hudson Taylor was a 19th century Protestant Christian missionary who is known for his work in China. He was born in England in 1832 and grew up in a devout Christian household. After a conversion experience at the age of 17, he felt called to serve as a missionary and spent much of his life working to spread the Gospel in China.
Taylor was the founder of the China Inland Mission, an organization that focused on sharing the Gospel with people in China. He faced numerous challenges and setbacks throughout his ministry, including persecution, illness, and financial difficulties, but he remained dedicated to his work and deeply loved by those he served.
Taylor is perhaps best known for his innovative approach to missionary work, which included living among the Chinese people, wearing traditional Chinese clothing, and learning the Chinese language and culture. He believed that by adopting these practices, he could more effectively share the Gospel with the Chinese people and demonstrate the love of Jesus to them.
Throughout his life, Taylor remained deeply committed to his faith and his calling to serve others. He is remembered as a courageous and selfless missionary who dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel and serving others. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched and the ongoing work of missionaries in China and around the world.
The relationship between faith and works has proved a confusing issue for centuries. But it didn't just begin in the protestant reformation under Martin Luther. No. It began during the time of the Apostles. So let's listen in now as Stephen takes us back to Romans 1:5 to discover not only why True Faith Works . . . but how it works.
