Scripture Text: Hebrews 10:32-37 (NRSV)

In Hebrews 10, verses 32 and 33, you have the story of God’s people that were enduring affliction. These people were suffering – they were suffering emotionally, physically, and economically. Although America’s economy is among the strongest in the world; yet many Americans are suffering. Some of the early Christians were thinking about throwing in the towel – just quitting. In times like these, it will take a mature Christian to keep on holding on. A mature Christian is one who is marked by the ability to endure the attacks of a hostile culture and still give God the praise anyhow. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace will teach us the marks of a mature faith. First, a mature faith realizes the power of God. Second, a mature faith recognizes the purpose of God. Third, a mature faith remembers the promises of God. Thus, because God remains faithful to His promises (2 Timothy 2:13), the righteous, in response to God’s faithfulness, will remain faithful, as well. In other words, you can hang on as long as you hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Build your hope on things eternal. Amen.

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Scripture Text: Hebrews 10: 32-36 (KJV)

In today’s message, Pastor Wallace continues to teach about the writer of Hebrews encouraging us to keep up, not to give up our faith in hard times. Therefore, he reminds us that we have need of patience. Having said that, there are three things Pastor Wallace wants to write upon your heart as we look at this Scripture telling us how to hold on to a promise. First, there is something to remember: we are to remember yesterday’s provisions (vs. 32-34). Second, not only do you remember yesterday’s provision, but you, therefore, declare today’s patience (vs. 35-36). Third, you rest in tomorrow's promise (v.37). In these dark days, God is going to give us a song. And, I hope that you have a song, and I hope that when you get a promise from the Word of God, you will remember yesterday’s provision, you will resolve (declare) today’s patience, and you will rest in tomorrow’s promise, and you will not let go, you will not throw in the towel and you will not cast away your confidence. Amen

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Scripture Text: Hebrews 4:12-13 (NRSV)

In today’s message, we will discover why the Bible is so important for our church. In Part II of our sermon series on the Book of Hebrews, we will learn another way God helps us to keep our faith to the end: we are reminded about the Word of God. Pastor Wallace takes this opportunity to reflect upon what is said in this passage with a desire to renew and increase our appreciation of the power of God’s Word. He begins by noticing four things the text asserts about the power of the Word: 1) The Word of God is “Living – it imparts new life to dead sinners and imparts renewed life to His Saints,” 2) The Word of God is “Active and Powerful,” 3) The Word of God is Sharp and Piercing, and 4) The Word of God Judges the Heart. We don’t have to try to hide our sins from God. God’s children can boldly confess even the sins that God’s razor-sharp Word has laid bare because we know that God forgives us, for Jesus’ sake. God’s Word reveals so that we can be healed. Praise God! Amen.

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Scripture Text: Hebrews 3:1-6 (NRSV)

Today, we are launching a new sermon series on the Book of Hebrews. The preacher of the Book of Hebrews is writing to encourage the Christians to not give up or lose their faith during the difficulties they are facing for serving the Lord. The writer reminds them and us that we share in a heavenly calling. Jesus has made you holy and is bringing you to glory partaking in the heavenly calling. This is your destiny. And more importantly, the author wants you to know that you are the house of the Lord. You are heirs of the promise. You are children who do not serve in God’s house but belong to God’s house. We are God’s house, made sacred because what happens in and among us. As such, Pastor Wallace teaches us what is the house of God. First, the House of God is a place where our vision is enlarged. Second, the House of God is a place where the promises of God are repeated. Third, the House of God is a place where God’s presence is felt. Therefore, we should agree with Psalmist David when he said: “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1. Can you shout with him! Amen.

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Christians often think of Jesus as the guy with all the answers. However, when you read the biographies of His life in the New Testament you will find that Jesus preferred to ask people questions. Maybe it’s because the right question can open the door to radical transformation. Jesus asks questions that invite pondering, that encourage contemplation, that don’t lend themselves to easy answers. Over the next few weeks Pastor Wallace will challenge you to examine these life changing questions in the hope that you will grow deeper in your faith and closer to God. In today’s passage, the Lord Jesus turns His attention to our heart attitudes in a variety of relationships. This passage is one of the best known in all the Gospels and the most misunderstood: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.” Things to know from this sermon: 1) caution about being a judge; and caution about being a hypocrite. We must be humble, sympathetic, conscious of our own sins, and without condemnation. Amen

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The verses towards the end of 2 Timothy underscore the reality of life as a disciple of Jesus. Sometimes you can do everything right and still be mistreated – even by those who claim to be Christians. This was the case with Paul as he expresses in today’s passage, 2 Timothy 4:14-18. No one stood in his defense. This deeply wounded Paul. Humanly speaking, he stood alone. There is an epidemic of loneliness in the United States today and we all experience loneliness one time or another. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace teaches on the three distinct causes of loneliness and examines what Paul did to combat his loneliness. First, minimize your pain; second, recognize God’s presence; and third, empathize with other people. In following these steps, Paul could express confidence about the future.

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Part 5 in our sermon series: “Endure” is “Finish Well,” and the Apostle Paul was the foremost example of one who finished well. The lessons we learn from this aging apostle will enable us to run well today, while encouraging us to finish well tomorrow. First, Paul sees himself as a “drink offering” about to be poured out. The drink offering was a symbolic way of saying, “I gladly give all that I have to the Lord.” In so doing, he is giving Timothy the encouragement to do likewise: give it your all, pour out your best. Second, Paul likens his life and ministry to that of a long-distance runner who has competed honorably in the ancient Olympic games. First, he lives a disciplines life: “I have fought a good fight;” second, he lived a directional life: “I have finished the race:” and third, he lived a doctrinal life: “I have kept the faith.” Paul did all of this because he knew he would receive a reward directly from Jesus Christ. As believers, our calling is to fight the good fight of faith. Finish well because there is a finish line out there somewhere and it may be closer than any of us realize. Amen

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In continuing Part IV of our sermon series: “Endure”, we see that Paul encouraged Timothy, his “son in the ministry,” to keep going. To Continue. In verses 1-7, Pastor Wallace shares with us the things that are needed for Timothy and you to continue on. They are: 1) The Pattern of a Godly Life (vv. 10-11); 2) The Price of a Godly Life (vv. 12-13); 3) The Perseverance of a Godly Life (vv. 14-15); and 4) The Provisions of a Godly Life (vv. 16-17). Simply stated, Timothy had to LIVE IN the Scriptures – live, move, and have his being in the Scripture. And more importantly, he had to LIVE OUT the Scripture – continue to walk and live in the truths of the Scripture. Why: Because the Word of God is profitable. A Christian who ignores the Word is like a fish that ignores the water. We will never continue and finish well without prioritizing God’s Word. Before we can ever continue, we have to make sure we have actually started! AMEN

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