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We had a few weeks of special messages around the holidays that I wanted to share with you. First is a short message from friend of Colona Community Church, Jim Juhl (the audio quality isn’t great, but it’s a lovely message). Also included is Terry’s message, entitled “The Great I Am,” from the Gospel of John.

Here’s Jim’s message:

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And Terry’s message:

The Great I Am

• Intro: We were created for relationship with God, but sin has gotten in between. There must be a second birth (John 3:3) to be saved from our sin. Jesus came to reconcile us to God.
• God calls Himself, “I Am” (Exodus 3:13-14); Jesus has seven “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John.
• “I Am the bread of life” (John 6:35)
  • Jesus had physically fed the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)
  • Now He is feeding them spiritually (v. 33-35)
• “I Am the light of the world” (John 8:12)
  • We can’t exist without light
  • Spiritually, we can’t thrive without His light chasing away the darkness
  • the Word is life & light (Psalm 119:105)
  • Light coming into the darkness makes people accountable for their sin.
    • John 3:19
    • 1 John 2:16
  • God is drawing people out of the darkness & into the light
  • the dwelling place of the believer is the Word of God
  • Matthew 6:33
• “I Am the gate/door” (John 10:9)
  • the door to eternal life
  • John 10:10 – the thief vs Jesus
• “I Am the good shepherd” (John 10:11; 12-15)
  • gives His life for the sheep
  • He is making intercession for us (Romans 8:34)
  • sheep have one obligation – keep your eye on the Shepherd
  • the Shepherd fends of the enemies of the sheep
    • sheep are easy marks
    • peace & joy come from knowing He’s looking out for us when we follow Him
  • the Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep
    • reversal of the Passover
• “I Am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25; 24-26)
  • v. 24: Martha knew the Scriptures
  • v. 25-26: Jesus gave new revelation to Martha
    • John 5:28-29 – everyone that dies will be resurrected
      • to eternal life or
      • to eternal damnation
• “I Am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; 1-7)
  • v. 1-3: He is preparing a place for us in the Father’s house
  • v. 4-5: the disciples didn’t know what He was talking about – they couldn’t truly understand until they had the Holy Spirit
  • v. 6-7: Jesus is all we need
• “I Am the true vine” (John 15:1; 2-6)
  • If He’s the true vine, there must be a false vine.
  • Isaiah 5: Israel was the vineyard, but the fruit rotted
  • v. 2: we will be pruned for our own good
  • v. 4-5: live & dwell in the Vine & God will take care of us
    • no other way to please God than to trust & obey
  • He wants Christlikeness in our lives – can’t do that apart from Him
    • if we abide in Him, the Spirit will produce fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-23)
  • v. 6: branches not bearing fruit will be taken away and burned
• He is all we need!

In his continuing series on the book of 2 Timothy, Alan led us through the first eight verses of the final chapter. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. Enjoy!

2 Timothy 4:1-8

The Big Picture: God gives a charge to all of us. To not act on the charge, or call, could mean an opportunity missed, never to be regained. So, act upon whatever the charge is to you. Don’t wait for a convenient time because there seldom is one. Also, following God’s calling is never promised to be comfortable.

1. Paul’s Charge to Timothy (v. 2, 5)
   • Preach the Word
   • Be ready all the time, not just when it’s convenient
   • Correct those in error
   • Rebuke those who are sinning
   • Encourage those who are doing good
   • Be level headed
   • Expect and endure hardship
   • Give the good news
   • Do your duty
2. The Motivations for the Charge (v. 1, 3)
   • God is a watching presence
   • Christ will judge
   • Christ will come again
   • Christ is King
   • The times are getting worse where the truth will not be tolerated
3. The Cost of Carrying Out the Charge (v. 6-7)
   • For some it meant, and still means, martyrdom
     • but death is not final
   • It means a fight
     • the soldier
   • It means running the race to its finish
     • the athlete
   • It means patiently keeping the faith
     • the farmer
4. The Reward for Paying the Cost (v. 8)
   • A crown of righteousness

Conclusion: Ask God if there is something He is specifically charging you to do. If it is clear to you, then do it. Don’t put it off waiting for a more convenient time.

“I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell.” -William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army, 1829-1912)

In Alan’s series on 2 Timothy, Paul’s Final Words, he took us into the second chapter of the book. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

2 Timothy 2:1-7

1. Stand Strong in Grace (v. 1)
   • Grace = that which is given is neither earned nor merited
     • works are NOT required to be saved or to stay saved
     • Ephesians 2:8-10
       • grace + faith = salvation
       • not of yourself: grace generates faith
     • works follow salvation
     • if we have to work for salvation, it negates all Christ did on the cross
       • Galatians 2:21
     • grace is God working in our lives to bring us closer to Him
   • How do you stand in the sphere of grace?
     1. You reject the idea that you are strong enough to stand on your own.
        • If you don’t stand in grace, you’ll fall in your works.
     2. You resist the temptation to boast about your seeming indispensability.
     3. You receive what God has given and appropriate it.
        • It’s all IN Christ Jesus who was full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
     4. You access grace by faith.
        • Romans 5:1-4
        • You are justified by faith, which gives you access to grace.
2. Teach & Equip (v. 2)
   • Teach what? The gospel.
   • Prerequisites: those who will be taught to share the gospel must be:
     • faithful
     • able to teach others
     • Hebrews 5:11-14
     • One should never coast on their giftedness:
       • gifted is not an excuse for lack of preparation & competence
       • must rely on God & give Him credit
     • Part of ministry is to entrust the gospel to faithful & competent people
3. The Cost of Carrying Out the Charge (v. 3-6)
   • Three Metaphors
     1. A Soldier
        • 1 Timothy 1:18-19 KJV – war a good warfare
          • engage the enemy
          • prayer is warfare
        • dedicated
          • not entangled by distractions
          • focused on the mission
          • carry out orders
            • we are subordinate to Christ who recruited us
        • 600 Legions of Roman soldiers (360,000 men)
          • most feared warriors of their time
          • carried a short sword with two sharp edges
            • for stabbing, not slashing
            • the Word is a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) able to pierce in spiritual warfare
     2. An Athlete
        • Olympics: had to sign up for 10 months of dedicated/disciplined training
          • no breaking protocol
          • no commitment to anything else – period (even family)
          • must follow the rules or become disqualified
            • 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
          • Crown of Victory for the winner
     3. A Farmer
        • lonely, hard-working, patient
        • endure hardships season after season
        • leadership involves loneliness & disappointment, but perseverance allows for a share of the crop/harvest
4. The Point of Reflecting (v. 7)
   • Think on these things
   • Colossians 1:9-14

Alan continued his teaching through the book of 2 Timothy by taking us further into chapter one. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

2 Timothy 1:3-8

1. Paul’s Thanksgiving – v. 3-5
   • Paul is thankful upon remembering. (v. 3)
   • Paul served with a clear conscience.
     • A major theme of Paul is not violating one’s conscience.
     • 1 Timothy 1:5, 1:19, 3:9
     • Romans 2:15, 9:1, 13:5
   • Paul’s reference to his ancestors who served God.
     • Acts 24:12-14
   • Paul’s deep connection with Timothy. (v. 4)
   • Paul’s second remembering. (v. 5)
     • He tells Timothy about his spiritual lineage.
     • The name Eunice means “good victory.”
     • The importance of teaching in the family.
2. Paul’s Gift to Timothy through God (v. 6)
   • Likely the gift was the office of pastor/teacher.
     • Ephesians 4:11
   • The charge is to keep the gift burning.
     • Gift is always associated with grace.
3. God’s Gift to All (v. 7)
   • The negative
     • a spirit of cowardice
   • The three-fold positive
     • power = dynamis
     • love = agape
     • self-control (sound or sober mind) = sophronismos
   • Titus 2
   • God has given us all we need in Christ.
     • We just need to appropriate it. (2 Peter 1:3)
     • Will we allow the Spirit to work in our spirit?
4. Paul’s Plea to Timothy (v. 8)
   • Two things not to be ashamed of:
     • testify to Christ
     • suffer for Christ
5. Closing
   • We have all been gifted by God in various ways.
   • We are to appropriate those gifts in power, love, and self-control.

Alan began a study of the book of 2 Timothy, the last letter Paul wrote before his death that we have in the Bible. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

Main Ideas in 2 Timothy

• Paul’s final words: Second Timothy was written from prison while Paul was waiting to be executed. These are his final words to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy.
• The necessity to hold fast to one’s faith in the face of cultural persecution
  • 2 Timothy 2:11-13 may have been an early hymn
  • endure (Greek: hypomeno): to stay under a load
• The description of a disciplined Christian life
• The problem of false teachers and dealing with them
  • how not to cave in to culture
  • Paul had no problem calling people out by name if they preached a different gospel
• The vivid description of the last days
• The nature of Scripture as God-breathed
• The importance of bringing up children in the faith
  • Timothy’s mother and grandmother brought him up in the faith
• The surety of Christ’s presence if and when others fail you

Paul’s Greeting (2 Timothy 1:1-2)

1. Two Things Paul Makes Clear of Himself
   • He is an apostle of God by the will of God to do the will of God
   • He preaches and lives the Gospel of Life in Christ
2. Paul’s Relation to Timothy
   • The necessity of producing spiritual children
   • What are we doing to encourage faith in other believers?
3. Three Blessings to Bless Others With
   • grace vs dogmatism
   • mercy vs vengeance
   • peace vs division
   • What are we spreading?

Outline of 2 Timothy

1. Chapter 1
   • Paul’s greeting (v. 1-2)
   • Paul’s Thanksgiving (v. 3-5)
   • Paul’s Gift to Timothy (v. 6)
   • God’s Gift to All (v. 7-10)
   • Paul’s Self-Assessment (v. 11-12)
   • Paul’s Charge to Timothy (v. 13-14)
   • Paul’s Words About Others (v. 15-18)
2. Chapter 2
   • Paul’s Charge to Timothy (v. 1-7)
   • Paul’s Call to Remember (v. 8-9)
   • Paul’s Hymn of Endurance (v. 10-13)
   • Paul’s Words on Avoidance (v. 14-19)
   • Paul’s Words on Purity of Living (v. 20-26)
3. Chapter 3
   • Paul’s Description of the Last Days (v. 1-5)
   • Paul’s Suffering (v. 10-14)
   • Paul’s Words About the Nature of Scripture (v. 15-17)
4. Chapter 4
   • Paul’s Charge to Timothy (v. 1-5)
   • Paul’s Testimony and Surety (v. 6-8)
   • Paul’s Assessment of Others, Requests, and Final Outcome (v. 9-17)
   • Paul’s Final Farewell (v. 19-22)

Hello all! I know it’s been a while, and I apologize, but I will do my best to get caught up on posting messages over the next few days. This message is the last in Terry’s short series on the Millennial Reign of Christ (the second message did not get recorded…sorry!) To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below.

Millennial Reign

New Heaven & New Earth will come after the Millennium. The Millennium is to fulfill covenant promises to Israel, including the building of Ezekiel’s temple.

Israel has not had a king since the exile – the throne of David has been empty, waiting for Jesus, where He will reign from during the Millennium.

1/3 of the Jews will survive the Tribulation & will enter the Millennial Kingdom.

The White Throne Judgment happens at the end of the Millennium, followed by the Eternal State in the New Heavens & the New Earth.

Amos 9:13-15 – the bounty of the harvest in the Millennium & the Eternal State.

There will be no evil, no rebellion going into the Millennium. He will order everything according to His righteousness. The saints will help administer His kingdom of everlasting righteousness on earth.

Longevity of life will return (Isaiah 65). The earth will be repopulated. Most important change: God will reign with man, just the way He originally intended it. No faith will be required, because Jesus will be on earth, in charge of everything.

The knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth like the water fill the oceans (Isaiah 11:9).

The presence of God will make fear unnecessary. There will be total peace & joy.

Isaiah 60:1-22 fully describes the relationship between Israel & the nations during the Millennium.

Isaiah 2:1-4

• v. 1: Written to Judah & Jerusalem
• v. 2: Millennial Kingdom
  • last days
  • house of the Lord will be elevated on the highest mountain around
  • all nations will go out to the house of the Lord
• v. 3: God Will Judge
  • those born during the Millennium will want to rebel & God will have to judge them
  • Peace among the nations
    • no more war
    • weapons will be useless for war
  • the threat of war is eliminated
    • all conflicts will be handled by Jesus & His administrators

Isaiah 9:6-7

• v. 6a: Christ’s First Coming
• v. 6b-7: Christ’s Second Coming
  • government on His shoulders alone
    • no corrupt politicians, etc.
  • Wonderful
  • Counselor
  • Mighty God
  • Prince of Peace
  • no end to His rule & His peace
  • rule from David’s throne
  • perfect justice & righteousness
  • FOREVER
  • God will do this

Isaiah 11:1-9

• v. 1: From the Line of David
• v. 2-3: Attributes of Christ
  • Spirit of the Lord is on Him
    • wisdom
    • understanding
    • counsel
    • might
    • knowledge of the Lord
    • fear of the Lord
    • will delight in the fear of the Lord
  • will not judge unjustly
• v. 4: Will Judge with Righteousness
  • protect the weak & poor
  • zero tolerance for any rebellion
    • Psalm 2
• v. 5: Righteousness
  • will surround Him
• v. 6-8: Changes to the Animal Kingdom
  • may be what it was like in the Garden of Eden
  • no more violence even amongst the animals
  • even humans will be at peace with all the other animals
  • this is how God intended things to be
    • this is right relationship with God
• v. 9: The Hope of the Believer – The Heart of God
  • it will be even better in the eternal state than the Millennial Kingdom
  • God has so much in store for His people

Our blessed hope is the coming of the Lord!

Hello again! Last Sunday, Terry started a new series of lessons on the Thousand-Year Reign of Christ, which was spoken of in Revelation 20. He began by taking us through Zechariah 14. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes with links to Bible Gateway for the verses referenced.

The Millennial Reign of Christ

Intro: Revelation 20 began with Satan being bound for 1000 years; the martyrs reigning with Christ for 1000 years; the “1000 years” is referenced six times in the first few verses of the chapter. If something is repeated, it is important!

The Millennial Reign of Christ (the 1000 years) is set to be between the Tribulation and the eternal state. The Israelites believed this reign would be the 1st coming of the Messiah (to put down the enemies of Israel/God), but mankind had a bigger problem that Christ dealt with at His 1st coming (we needed to be saved from our sin/death).

Zechariah 14 – The Millennial Reign of Christ

• v. 1-2: Battle of Armageddon
  • “Day of the LORD” is not just one “day” – is a time when God directly intervenes in the course of life on earth
  • “I will gather” = direct intervention
• v. 3: The LORD will fight for Israel
• v. 4-5a: The Second Coming of Christ
  • He lands on the Mount of Olives
    • Acts 1 – He will return as He went
  • Mount of Olives will be broken in half
    • split from east to west
    • 1/2 will move to the north; 1/2 will move to the south
    • the valley created by the split will allow people to flee to safety
• v. 5b: The LORD & His Saints
  • we (all believers who’ve died) will return with Him in our resurrected, heavenly bodies
• v. 6-7: No Light as We Know It
  • the sun, moon, and stars are no longer giving light
  • the light will come from God alone
• v. 8: Living Water
  • water will flow out from Jerusalem, from the temple (Ezekiel 47), from the throne of God
  • will flow to the Dead Sea (east) & to the Mediterranean Sea (west)
  • Living Water = the Holy Spirit
    • rivers of living water will flow from those who believe (John 7)
• v. 9: God Over All
  • Praise God! Finally!
  • God will reign & be the only God, the only King over all the earth
  • Luke 1 – He will sit upon the Throne of David
• v. 10: Topographical Changes to Israel
  • Jerusalem will be raised up
• v. 11: Safety at Last
  • We are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122)
  • They will finally dwell in peace & safety forever
• v. 12-13: Strike Against the Enemies of God
  • plague of decay & rot
  • will fight against each other
• v. 14: Judah Will Fight
  • will collect all the wealth of the nations (reverse of what has happened in the past)
• v. 15: Plague on the Livestock
• v. 16: During the Millennial Reign
  • Ezekiel’s temple will fill every year as the people come for the Feast of Tabernacles (this is a mandate)
• v. 17-19: Punishment for Failure to Go to Jerusalem
  • if you don’t go for the festival
    • no rain on you
    • plague
  • God has been waiting for pure worship & He will not let anyone get away without worshipping
  • Worship is due to Him alone
• v. 20-21: The Holiness that Will Inhabit the Kingdom of God
  • even the animals (even their tack) will holy/sacred
  • even the cooking pots (common things) will be holy/dedicated to the service of the LORD
  • no more people who worship other gods
  • Now, we should strive to walk in purity of:
    • mind
    • tongue
    • everything we do/think/say dedicated to God
    • boldness of testimony
  • Then, we will be pure

Rest is found in the LORD alone (Hebrews 3-4).

The Battle Belongs to the LORD!

On Palm Sunday, Terry took us back into the 21st chapter of the Book of Revelation. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I have included some notes and links to referenced Scriptures.

God Is Coming, pt. 23

Intro: Jesus humbly rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey, but He will return in glory on a white horse. During the Passover week, Jesus told His disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for us, so that we can be with Him. That place is revealed in Revelation 21 as the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:5 says He is making all things new; this begins with the hearts of those who choose to believe in Him.

Revelation 21

• v. 1: The new heaven & new earth replace the old, defiled heaven & earth
  • God is in complete control
• v. 2: John is shown the New Jerusalem
• v. 3: God’s dwelling place is now with us.
• v. 4: The consequences of sin have been removed.
• v. 5: He will make ALL things new.
• v. 6: It is finished!
  • God’s redemptive plan (begun in Genesis 3) has culminated.
  • Freely partake of the water of life.
• v. 7: He who overcomes obstacles that keep us from God
  • will inherit all things in the new creation – joint heirs with Jesus Christ
  • we have to remain heavenly minded
• v. 8: Those who won’t be in the Kingdom of God
  • they will all be sent to the Lake of Fire
  • for rejecting Jesus Christ
• v. 9: The Bride and the Holy Jerusalem
• v. 10-21: The Holy City Described
  • brilliantly shining
  • around 1500 miles cubed (think a Rubik’s Cube)
  • walls (of precious stone) 144 cubits thick
  • The number 12 is prevalent in the dimensions
  • 12 foundations with a different precious stone in each foundation
  • Streets & the entire city are made of gold so pure it’s almost clear
  • Gates of pearl
    • things that are so costly on this earth will be used as building materials in God’s new creation
    • the vastness and the beauty and the splendor are nearly unimaginable
• v. 22: There is no temple in the New Jerusalem
  • God Almighty and the Lamb of God are the temple in eternity
• v. 23: No need for sun
  • The glory of Almighty God and the Lamb illuminate everything
• v. 24: Even outside of the New Jerusalem
  • all those who are not in the Holy City
    • people
    • kings
  • will walk in the glory of the city
  • bring glory and honor
• v. 25: No need for fear
  • the gates need never be closed
  • no more crime
  • no night/darkness
• v. 26-27: Nothing impure
  • only those who worship the Lord will be there

Revelation 22

• v. 1-2: Living Water from the Throne of God
  • In the Holy City
  • Down the middle of the street
  • The tree of life on either side of the river
    • yields new fruit every month
    • for the healing of the nations
• v. 3: No more curse
  • reversal of the curse of Genesis 3
  • the end game for the believer is to be in the presence of God in the new creation