INTRODUCTION: We often look at the odds of something happening and decide by that if God will do something or not. But God is bigger than the odds. He can go against all the odds and go far beyond our own abilities. We simply need to trust in Him. 

INTRODUCTION: We come here to church today, but do we know why we are here? We tend to lose the focus of what church is about. It is not the creation of man to be used as man pleases. It is the only institution established on earth for the sole purpose of accomplishing God's work on earth in this age of grace. As Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:15, it is the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Ephesians 4:11-16

INTRODUCTION: The peace offering points to Jesus Christ who is our peace. Leviticus 3:1-5

INTRODUCTION: Many calls: to salvation; to a decision; to a ministry. Joshua 1:1-9

INTRODUCTION: Isaiah -- "I am a man of unclean lips." (Isaiah 6:5). James 3:1-18

INTRODUCTION: God's people are to be a people of the word (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 2:16) Scriptures ' the writings of God (Romans 15:4). 2 Timothy 3:15-17

INTRODUCTION: God tells us to fear Him, yet He also tells us to fear not (Exodus 20:2). In this passage, God reaches to the downtrodden and lifts them up. Isaiah 54:1-10

INTRODUCTION: Define salvation, assurance of salvation, eternal security. 1 John 5:10-13

The endurance of a soldier (v. 3-5); The endurance of the Apostle Paul (v. 8-10); It's time for a faithful saying. 2 Timothy 2:11-13

INTRODUCTION: Every Christian will have to fight their own Midianites at some point in their life. Consider the Midianites: A Totally Intimidating Foe -- 135,000 soldiers (Judges 8:10); An Entrenched Foe -- Having ruled for 7 years (Judges 6:1); An Unsettling Foe -- Chasing them to dens, etc. (Judges 6:2); A Consuming Foe -- Leaving no sustenance (Judges 6:3-5); A Prayer-inducing Foe -- Israel cried to the Lord (Judges 6:5-6). Judges 7:15-23

INTRODUCTION: It is not what you know, it is not who you know, it is who your father is. The Bible is a book of genealogy (Matthew 1:1; Genesis 5:1). Throughout, your family line makes all the difference. Matthew 1:1

INTRODUCTION: The importance of the suffering Savior. J. Frank Norris concerning Isaiah 53: the greatest chapter, the highest mountain peak of the whole Bible. This chapter should be memorized by all. Isaiah 53:1-12

INTRODUCTION: When we look at this story, we usually focus on the sins and restoration of the younger brother and the love of his father. But what about the elder brother? He has a prominent part in this story. There are many who avoid the sins of the younger brother but are destroyed by the sins of the elder brother. Luke 15:11-13, 25-32

For God so loved the world. . . . . John 3:16

INTRODUCTION: We live in an international world and may know people from many backgrounds. Usually, these people are good people, yet they do not believe in our Jesus. Further, what about those who have never even heard of Christ? What does the Bible say?. Psalm 98:2

INTRODUCTION: The toddler confidently marches a few feet into the crowd. But then, he looks around. Everything is strange and every face is unfamiliar. He freezes in place, his face contorts, and he cries for the mother he left behind. But mother has been watching. She has kept close and has never taken her eyes off of her precious one. She steps over, picks up the frightened boy, and assures him, Mommy is right here. To each of you today, God wants to assure you, He is near and has never left you alone. Psalm 75:1

INTRODUCTION: One of our most difficult tasks -- getting along with people. Sometimes more difficult with Christians -- You expect more. Galatians 6:1-5

INTRODUCTION: Every day brings news of conflict and tragedy in the land of the Bible. We can easily become discouraged. But God promises a solution to the problems in the Middle East. Here, in Zechariah 14, is God's final solution. Zechariah 14:1-21

Context:  In this chapter, God assures Israel that He will redeem them from oppression. He challenges them to awake (v. 1), put on their garments (v. 1), shake themselves from the dust (v. 2), sing together (v. 9), and depart from evil (v. 11). The Lord will soon make them know His name (v. 6). He will make bare His holy arm (v. 10). He will go before Israel and be their rereward (v. 12).

Definition:  Rereward: is another spelling for rearward and is related to rear guard. Ward is congruent to guard (Acts 12:10). Found six times in scripture: Numbers 10:25; Joshua 6:9, 13; 1 Samuel 29:2; Isaiah 52:12, 58:8. Acts both as a rear guard and as reserve forces.

Application:  The promise that the Lord will fight for us does not mean that we do not fight (Deuteronomy 3:21-22; 20:1-4). We are in a warfare (1 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Timothy 1:18). However, we rest assured that the Lord is our rereward. Isaiah 52:12

A Battle for the Doctrine of Preservation: Is it a Biblical doctrine?. Psalm 12:6-7

Treating others rightly is much more than a nice thing Christians should do. Loving one another is faith in practice. It proceeds from the putting on of the new man (v. 10) and our position in Christ (v. 11, 12). Without a love for others, we cannot know God as we ought (v. 15-17; 1 John 4:20-21). Colossians 3:10-14

INTRODUCTION:  We have wrongfully pictured the life of the wicked as one of misery and the life of the believer as one of constant joy and happiness. In doing so, we have lost sight of the precious purpose of pain in our lives. 2 Corinthians 11:23-30

INTRODUCTION: The devil wants to keep us so busy with nonessentials that we have no time for God or others. We often see people with problems and just want to send them away. But Jesus gives us a command with a pleading heart: "Give ye them to eat.". Mark 6:34-44

Introduction: just as in this ship voyage, many are heading for shipwreck and many need to be rescued. This story tells us how to avoid the wreck. But, if it has already happened, it provides a means of rescue. Acts 27:1, 6-13