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In this message I want us to think together about how Elijah went about to do this; how he confronted Ahab with the evil that he was doing. 1st of all – He straightforwardly showed Ahab that he and his fathers were responsible for all of the trouble in Israel. 2nd – He straightforwardly presented the case to Ahab and all the people that Baal was a false god. And 3rd – He straightforwardly proved to the people that only God is God by calling down fire from heaven. Let us see if we can learn from this marvelous demonstration of the power of God, how we might better learn how to confront evil in our society and generation as well.

The sermon explores the prophetic narrative in Hosea 2, where God pursues, betroths, and ultimately marries His unfaithful bride, Israel, as a typology for the church. It outlines three stages of this divine relationship: the initial alluring of the people through comfort and restoration, the formal betrothal based on God's righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, and mercy, and the final consummation at the Second Coming. The preacher emphasizes that this covenant is not merely historical but is currently fulfilled in the lives of believers who are being sanctified by the Word of God. The message contrasts the temporary nature of false idols with the eternal, unbreakable bond of Christ's love, urging the congregation to view their present worship as the preparation for the eternal marriage supper of the Lamb.

This sermon examines Deuteronomy 12 and 13, emphasizing the command for Israel to destroy pagan worship sites and establish centralized worship at the place chosen by the Lord. The central theme is the exclusivity of God's claim on His people, illustrated by the repeated phrase "the Lord your God," which highlights a personal and possessive relationship rather than a distant deity. The text warns against the human tendency to drift into idolatry or follow false prophets, even if they perform signs, by illustrating the severe consequences of turning away from the true God. The preacher connects these Old Testament laws to the New Testament reality of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, noting that the blood of sacrifices foreshadowed the atonement for sin. Ultimately, the message calls for a life of reverent obedience, where believers guard their hearts against sin and rejoice in the grace and holiness of the one true God.

John writes to a church under pressure from false teaching. Do not believe every spirit. Test them. Many false prophets have gone out. The test is clear: every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. Every spirit that denies this is of the Antichrist. The church is not defined by walls. It is defined by souls God has joined together. It will always face attack, but it will not be overcome — because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. We test by Scripture. We hold fast what is good. We watch over one another in love. We do not need a new revelation. We need the old, sure Word — and the Spirit who confirms it.

This sermon explores the pastoral letter Jeremiah sends to the exiles in Babylon, emphasizing that their displacement is the sovereign hand of God rather than mere historical accident. The central instruction is to settle into their circumstances by building homes, planting gardens, and seeking the welfare of the Babylonian city, thereby rejecting rebellion and embracing a life of obedience in a hostile culture. The text warns against false prophets who promise immediate return, urging believers to test spirits and rely on God's true word rather than charismatic lies. By connecting this exilic experience to the New Testament concept of Christians as sojourners, the message highlights the call to live as a new creation people who bring peace and hope to the world around them. Ultimately, the sermon encourages trust in God's appointed timeline, affirming that His promises are sure and that waiting upon Him in faithfulness leads to a future filled with divine purpose and restoration.

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. 6 Now when they had gone through [b]the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) [c]withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time."

This sermon explores the narrative of the young prophet in 1 Kings 13 to illustrate the principle that spiritual accountability is determined by the amount of divine revelation one has received. The preacher argues that the young prophet's severe judgment, despite his sin appearing less egregious than that of King Jeroboam or the older prophet, highlights that disobeying direct commands from God carries the highest weight. By connecting this account to Galatians 1:8, the message emphasizes that no messenger, however authoritative or convincing, can override the clear instruction of Scripture. The tone is convicting and instructional, urging believers to recognize their high responsibility to obey God's Word rather than relying on human counsel or personal feelings. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life of active obedience, warning that those who have heard the truth are held to a stricter standard than those who have not.

Another week is in the books. Here's a sample of what was presented as Jim brought you another week of stories for you to ponder from a Christian perspective: --A 16 year old suspect killed 3 children and a teacher before being fatally shot by a witness at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon. --Last Friday, bomb threats were phoned in to two Brooklyn Jewish day schools just minutes apart according to the N.Y.P.D., however, they were later determined to be hoaxes. --Staffers for Representative Ilhan Omar reportedly assisted her in changing her birth date on official records shortly after she began her first term in the U.S. House according to a New York Post report. --Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, has confirmed that her office has opened an investigation into Omar's finances, separate from the immigration related investigation currently being carried out by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. --One of the largest fraud scandals in Minnesota may involve the family of Ilhan Omar. Omar's sister used the address of a woman who was business partners with several major convicts in the Feeding our Futures scandal, a Daily Wire investigation found. --Multiple relatives of Ilhan Omar received grand jury subpoenas, part of the ongoing criminal investigation into her family's history for evidence of possible fraud and false statements in their immigration paperwork. --President Donald Trump's administration is looking to build a case to strip Omar of her citizenship. --The FBI is investigating mail containing unknown substances sent to the Senate and state election authorities this week, ahead of the mid-terms.

This sermon emphasizes the biblical imperative for believers to exercise spiritual discernment by testing all teachings against the truth of Scripture. Drawing from 1 John 4, the message identifies the correct confession of Jesus Christ's incarnation as the primary test for distinguishing the Spirit of God from the spirit of error. The exposition addresses contemporary theological errors, including Gnosticism, liberal theology, and easy believism, urging the congregation to reject doctrines that compromise the deity of Christ or the sufficiency of His atonement. While acknowledging the prevalence of false prophets in the world, the sermon offers comfort by affirming that the indwelling Holy Spirit enables true believers to overcome deception. The tone is both cautionary and encouraging, calling the church to be alert to doctrinal purity while trusting in God's preservation of His people.

Split the program in half today, covering the continuing developments in Mormonism, and the MIEs (Mormon Intellectual Elites) in contrast with the old view of authority and spiritual guidance. Then I gave an overview of what I expect in Saturday's debate, including putting Basil's words from On the Holy Spirit 18.45 on the big screen and discussing his original meaning in contrast with today's use of his words.

Beware of false prophets; try the spirits

This sermon examines the ministries of Elijah and Elisha within the historical context of 2 Kings, highlighting how God used their miraculous powers to demonstrate His sovereignty over the false gods of Israel. The message emphasizes that these signs served to authenticate the prophets' messages during a time of national apostasy, contrasting the era of divine demonstration with the current age of faith based on the completed canon of Scripture. It explores the theme of spiritual succession, illustrated by Elisha's request for a double portion of Elijah's spirit and his subsequent faithfulness in serving without seeking personal recognition. The preacher draws typological connections between these Old Testament figures and Jesus Christ, noting how their ministries point to the greater works believers are empowered to do through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a recognition of God's remnant and an embrace of individual calling, urging believers to serve faithfully in their unique capacities rather than mimicking others.

WHEN THE OLD PATHS LED US HOME.[The Traditions of Yesterday and the Truths We Must Never Lose] Jeremiah 6:16 KJV Using the history and simple traditions of Taylorsville, Georgia, my message from Jeremiah 6:16 explores the spiritual heritage of earlier generations and the biblical truths we must preserve. From old country stores and church homecomings to the faith passed down through families, we discover that although times change, God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ remain the same. A call to remember our heritage, retain God's truth, and rekindle our faith for the next generation. "We cannot go back and live in yesterday, but we can take the God of yesterday with us into tomorrow!" The greatest treasure our forefathers left us wasn't an old building, an old store, or an old-fashioned way of life. It was the knowledge that there is a God in heaven, a Bible that can be trusted, and a Savior who can change a life. We cannot bring back yesterday, but we can bring its godly principles into tomorrow.

This sermon examines the beginning of the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas as recorded in Acts 13, highlighting their divine commissioning by the Holy Spirit. The teaching contrasts the boldness of the apostles with the opposition of Elymas the sorcerer, emphasizing the spiritual danger of false prophets and the necessity of submitting to God's authority over human tradition. It further explores the departure of John Mark, using his example to warn against quitting service to God, while noting the eventual reconciliation and restoration of Mark in Paul's later ministry. The message concludes by affirming the power of the Gospel to convert hearts, such as that of Sergius Paulus, despite the presence of spiritual opposition and human weakness.