The Gift of Jesus

October 27, 2013 Led by Eric Gintert Matthew 12:22-37 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37 Justified = "just-as-if-I'd never sinned"; render or regard as innocent, righteous, free Idle = useless or barren, lazy, negative particle Words that are spoken with no effect, they have no real purpose. Cast not your pearls before the swine. (Matthew 7:6) "...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matthew 12:34 Most religions think God (or who they call god) looks and rewards based on their outward person (their good works and performance). But God looks at the heart and sees what is inside them (1 Samuel 16:7).  Good treasure of the heart brings forth good things and evil treasure brings forth evil things. You can tell what is on the...

Keeping the Temple This Week: Have Faith Sunday, December 2, 2012 Led by Eric Gintert Mark 11:1-33 Fruit Bearing Mark  11:12-14 Jesus cursed the tree because it didn't bear any fruit. It was useless to Him because it didn't satisfy the hunger that he had. "Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured." Proverbs 27:18 Jesus always follows up with what He says He is going to do. When He proclaimed that the tree was cursed... it was cursed and withered away. Ask & Receive Mark 11:20-24 This is not the justification for the "word of faith" movement. When we pray and ask God for things, sometimes He answers with a "yes" or "no", but then other times He says "yes, but not now".  This scripture doesn't mean that He is always going to give us what we want because we have a desire for it.  When we're in communion with...

The Whole Armor of God This Week: The Shield of Faith Click image to enlarge. Sunday, October 7, 2012 Led by Eric Gintert Ephesians 6:10-18 The Whole Armor of God is meant to protect us, that we may be able to stand against the powers and principalities that come against us. What is the Shield of Faith for? The shield is the one part of a soldier's gear that is used for defense. It allows them at times to be still and hide their whole body behind it. Then, when the arrows stop flying, they can get up and be encouraged to charge ahead toward the enemy with boldness. 1 John 5:4-5 Unless you're born of God (born again) you will not overcome the world. He who overcomes the world believes in faith that Jesus is the son of God. If you drop the shield, these things can become big questions in your mind: Am I really saved? Did I lose my salvation? Is Jesus really  the Son of God? Is Jesus the only  way? If we don't have the shield of faith, w...

Sunday, March 4, 2012 Led by Joel Fields Mark 11:13-26 vs. 13-14   -  Jesus was looking for fruit on the fig tree but all He found was fig leaves. The season was not yet come. Hosea 14:8  -  Our fruit is found only in the Father... we can only bear fruit because of Him and for His glory. John 15:8  -  The sign of a true disciple is one who bears much fruit. Herein is the Father glorified. When Adam and Eve sinned, they covered themselves in fig leaves... God didn't find any righteous fruit in them. We all go through seasons of drought and God has to bring the refreshing rain so that we will produce fruit again.   vs. 15-19 - Jesus cast out the men who had made His Father's house a den of thieves and perverted the temple of God.   When Jesus came to this temple all He saw was fig leaves... there was no fruit there so He cast them out... they were useless to Him. Everything on the outside looked good and holy, but inwardly t...