August 24, 2023 · 9:00 pm

Sanctify

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace .8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment ,10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:6-11

Christians are also called to grow in sanctification. God began a good work in every Christian when He saved them and reconciled them through Christ Jesus. This fact led Paul to grow in love for the people of the Philippian church as He saw their spiritual growth and maturity.

God is working in us and through us to make us more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is using our churches, the Bible, our circumstances, and many things unseen to grow us and mature us.  Our love for Christ and our love for others advances as we grow up into the fullness of Spiritual adulthood.

Ultimately, Paul instructs believers to be Spirit-filled. The Spirit of God lives in us and we belong to Him. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Therefore, God’s people should be pursuing growth in love, in wisdom, and in Christlikeness each and every day.

We Christians can have joy no matter our circumstances. Christ is with us and will never leave us. We have the precious promises of God. If Paul can learn contentment in prison, we can apprehend contentment in our lives as well!

Tony French

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August 21, 2023 · 9:00 am

Adoption

Adoption is a beautiful theological concept in Christianity. It is said that those who are saved are adopted into the family of God. All the rights and privileges of becoming a child of God are bestowed upon those who believe in Christ.

Let us take a moment and see what we those privileges are as they are revealed in Scripture. Our status changes when we are placed in God’s family. And the change is wonderful and marvelous.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”   Romans 8:15

Believers are released from the hopelessness of sin in adoption. This release allows us closeness with God as we now relate to Him as our heavenly father. We can grow and mature into full son-ship and daughter-ship as result of our adoption.

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.   Galatians 4:4-5

Adoption allows us to be freed from the bondage of the law. We now have liberty to seek to please God as a result of our salvation and not to try to earn our salvation. We are placed in His family and all the encumbrances of past life are washed away.

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  Galatians 4:6

Closeness with God is a wonderful and powerful result of adoption. Where once we were far from Him, we now have closeness with God through Christ Jesus. We have the ability to address Him as Father in the same way an earthly child calls out for his/her Daddy! What wonderful thought—we are no longer an outcast, we have closeness with God.

We should give thanks for our adoption. We didn’t deserve it. But we ought to be thankful that our heavenly Father has placed us into His family forevermore.

Tony French

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August 17, 2023 · 9:00 pm

Thankful

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

Philippians 1:1-5

The book of Philippians was written by Paul the Apostle around 61-63 AD. Paul seemed to have a very close and cordial relationship with the church at Philippi. We believe this letter was written while the Apostle was in prison. In light of that fact, the epistle encourages Christians to be thankful, sanctified, and Holy Spirit-filled no matter the circumstances one may face. Paul showed these characteristics even while in prison. God’s people can do the same as they live in hostile environments.

Paul first instructs Christians to be thankful. He does this by citing His example of thanksgiving for them. Paul prays for them with joy and gives thanks for their fellowship in the gospel work.

Let God’s people be thankful for all that God has done for us. Let us be thankful for those whom the Lord has placed in our lives. And may we show gratitude for the church where we worship and serve.

Tony French

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August 14, 2023 · 9:00 am

Praise

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The Lord supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground.  Psalm 146:1-6

As Christians, we are commanded to praise the Lord. We should delight in worship and praise for all that God has done and all that He is. He is worthy.

We should praise God for building us up. When we are down, He is there. He strengthens us and helps us to persevere in ways that are seen and unseen. He carries us through and enables us to keep going when we would rather cease.

We should praise God for His healing power. He heals us and binds up our wounds through Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provides the healing power we need that forgives us, cleanses us, and justifies us for all of eternity. We will still suffer in this life and we may not receive physical healing at all times. However, we acquire ultimate healing when we see Jesus in heaven.

We should praise God for His strength, His sovereignty, and His abundance. He is in control of all things even when it doesn’t seem to be the case. Our goal should be to praise Him, serve Him, and enjoy Him forever. He is worthy. He is worthy!

Tony French

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August 10, 2023 · 9:00 pm

A Sure Foundation

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew 7:24-29

Jesus’ final illustration in this Scripture asks us this question. Upon what are we building our lives?  Those who hear and obey Jesus’ teaching will be able to stand and persevere when the storms of life come upon them. Because their lives are built upon the foundation of Christ, true believers will endure till the end.    

Those who hear the message and refuse to obey it will suffer the consequences. Since their lives are built upon the temporary foundation of this world, their lives will suffer destruction when troubles and trials overtake them. When the foundation is lacking, the structure will eventually fall.

The end of Jesus’ teaching spark two reactions from the crowd. First, they were astonished. No one had ever taught and captivated an audience like the Lord Jesus. His teaching is simple and yet powerful and life-changing.

They were also impressed by Jesus’ authority. He did not appeal to the authority of others. He grounded what He taught in the fact that He is the final judge and authority. No other authority was needed.

True saving faith will result in change. Your desires will be changed, your life focus will be changed and your salvation will result in right living. Believers will not be perfect. But, true Christians will seek faithful obedience to the Word of God.

Tony French

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August 7, 2023 · 9:00 am

Jesus Is

1) Christ is our Mediator

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

1 Timothy 2:5-6

2) Christ is our Reconciler

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.

Colossians 1:19-21

3) Christ is our Atonement

17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Tony French

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August 3, 2023 · 9:00 pm

Be Ready

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus words in this passage of Scripture are haunting. Not everyone who makes a verbal profession shall enter the kingdom. True conversion will lead to not only right words but right deeds. 

It is important to know the right things and doctrinal truths concerning Jesus. It is helpful to know about what Jesus’ taught and claimed. But that in itself is not enough.

True salvation occurs when we believe in Him. Conversion requires trusting Christ and Christ alone by faith. This type of faith will lead to doing the “will of my Father in heaven.”

Have you turned from your sin to Christ alone? Are you trusting Christ as your Savior?  Is there any evidence of your salvation? Are you desires Godly and biblical? The answers to these questions will determine where you spend eternity.

Tony French

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July 31, 2023 · 9:00 am

In Christ

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 whois the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:7-14

Dear Christian,

In Christ, we are redeemed.

In Christ, we are saved, set free from our sin, and secure.

In Christ, we have received grace—God’s unmerited favor.

In Christ, we receive power for daily living.

In Christ, we are sealed unto the day of redemption.

In Christ, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

In Christ, we are secure in our relationship with God.

In Christ, our souls are safe forevermore.

May the Lord bless you all!

Tony French

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July 27, 2023 · 9:00 am

Beware

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Matthew 7:15-20

Jesus warns of false prophets that were widespread in His day. He calls them ravenous wolves who ravage the people of God with lies and deception.

The way these false prophets would be identified would be through their works. The true prophet’s works would demonstrate that the message they proclaimed was real and genuine. Conversely, the false prophet’s works would eventually expose them as the raging wolves they truly are.

The example Jesus uses is fruit trees. As a good tree bears good fruit, a Godly prophet will bear Godly fruits of righteousness, holiness, goodness, self-control, etc. As a bad tree bears bad fruit, a false-prophet will bear the bad fruits of self-righteousness, worldliness, selfishness, and envy.

By their fruits they shall be known. We should realize that it takes time for fruit to grow and be harvested. Those attributes that set apart a false prophet from a true prophet may not be readily seen at the first. However, the truth will be revealed in time.

Tony French

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July 24, 2023 · 9:00 am

God Is………..

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

Nahum 1:7

The Lord is good and perfect in all of His ways. His goodness remains in all times and in all places. The Lord is good, great and holy forevermore.

The Lord is protects His people. Even during times of difficulty, Jesus is our refuge who never changes. He is our place of safety in a dangerous world.

The Lord cares for His children. He knows those who trust in Him. And Christ never forgets His own.

The Old Testament prophet gives us great truth here. God is good, protective, and compassionate towards those who are His. That truth is what we need to live for Him each day of our existence on this planet.

Tony French

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