John
Jesus made His followers a wonderful promise - that He would go to prepare a place for them to dwell for eternity with Him! Heaven is the hope of every disciple of Jesus - as it is still to come!
During the "Last Supper" Jesus told His disciples that He would soon be leaving. During the last three and a half years, Jesus had been their leader. He had traveled with them, ate with them, defended them and taught them but now he would be gone! Nevertheless, this would be to their advantage because Jesus would send "another comforter" which is The Holy Spirit! God speaks through the Holy Spirit!
In John 14, Jesus speaks of a peace that His followers would enjoy in spite of the opposition from enemies. Paul speaks of a peace that passeth all understanding in Philippians 4:7, which means beyond human understanding (a peace that does not make sense). The Lord offers this peace to those who no longer play religious games and humbly set their heart to serve Him.
"The First Look" asks the question, what will we see when we get that first look of heaven? To look upon Christ and all the wonders of heaven. This is an amazing message from our founding pastor, the late Pastor Pearl and in fact was his last message before going to be with the Lord. This will without doubt be a favorite in your collection... So feel free to download and give away to others that they may also be blessed with this awesome message.
In John 14:15, Jesus says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." These words of Jesus speak directly to the heart of what it means to be a disciple. The simple command is the key to our lives "bearing much fruit!"
In John 15, verse one, Jesus declares himself to be the true vine. This means He alone is the source of strength, grace, and divine nourishment that believers need in order for our lives to produce spiritual fruit. The question is, "Are you being fruitful?"
John chapter 15, verse 2, tells us that God is the husbandman which means vine dresser or gardener. As a loving, vine dresser, he will come and either “take away” the dead branches or prune the fruitful ones. Which will you be?
A clear pattern exists throughout scripture that is linked to effectively bearing fruit. It is seen in the widow woman casting into the treasury her two mites, in Hannah, who offers her son Samuel unto the Lord, and in the little lad who offers his five barley loaves and two fish. This pattern tells us to offer what you have wholeheartedly and God will bring the increase.
Pastor Tim Dilena joins us from Brooklyn Tabernacle. Everyone would all like their prayers to be answered quickly. In John 16:24, Jesus said to "ask, and ye shall receive." The hardest part that can set us off in a downward spiral is in between "ask" and "receive." God will never give us something we're not ready for. His curriculum and way of teaching us is a lot different than we think. We need to learn about what is going on in our life and the character of God. What happens when we ask a simple prayer...
We are currently witnessing an attack on truth! Society would like to create an environment where no absolutes exist. However, Jesus said that He came to "bear witness of the truth." In fact, He is truth, His Word is truth and has the power to set us free! No audio will be available for the service today.
