Episodes
Saturday Nov 27, 2021
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 1: The Coming Judge and the Mountain of the Lord
Saturday Nov 27, 2021
Saturday Nov 27, 2021
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 1: The Coming Judge and the Mountain of the Lord
MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus, in Matthew 24:38-44 tells us: “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”. This Sermon begins the series: “Advent Sermons from Isaiah”.
Most of what we know about Jesus in the New Testament is from prophecies in the Old Testament; and these prophecies were fulfilled by the Advent of Jesus in the New Testament. However, some of these Old Testament prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. So, from Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, when are “the last days”? In one sense, since we are in the age of the Messiah, we are now in the “last days”; but in another sense, we are waiting for the return of Jesus, and we don’t know when He will return to begin the “last days”. In Isaiah 2:1-5, Isaiah records his second prophecy regarding “the last days”. Isaiah posits the “mountain of the house of the Lord”, which is the place in Jerusalem where the Jewish temples have been. On this “mountain” now is the Muslim’s “Dome of the Rock”. From this passage, we learn that the Messiah would not only teach the law of God when He returns; but, also, He would come to judge. This scripture from Isaiah is the theme for the season of Advent – the Messiah will come back again to judge “the living and the dead”.
The Bible speaks about five judgments: 1) judgment of the believers’ sins; 2) the judgment of the believers’ self-life; 3) the judgment of the believers’ deeds; 4) the judgment of the nations; and 5) the judgment of the wicked (i.e. unbelievers). In Isaiah 2, Isaiah is speaking about “the judgment of the nations”. Isaiah 2:5 provides an exhortation that is appropriate for our Christmas: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.”. Even though Jesus is coming again, on a date unknown to us to judge, for now let us “walk in the light of the Lord”!
TODAY’S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus’ name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 24:38-44; Isaiah 2:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “Jesus Followers’ Righteousness Will Flow, with the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, from Their Heart Through Their Personal Relationship with Jesus”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
In this Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Focus Is More on the First Coming of Jesus: “and shall call his name Immanuel {God with Us}
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 4: The King of Assyria – A Sign from the Lord
Introduction to Series: Why is important now, in this season of Advent, to look to Isaiah from so long ago? It is intellectually encouraging to see how God acted, within a strategy, to connect the human race, over time, through the coming of Jesus the Messiah.
Today’s Message: In this fourth Advent sermon referencing the prophecies from Isaiah, the focus is more on the first coming of Jesus. In Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah prophesied: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel {God with us}.”. All these Old Testament prophecies, regarding the coming of the Messiah, provide a compelling context for the Advent of Jesus and His birth. Who among us chose what family we were born into? Who among us chose the city of our birth? Who among us chose the time period in which we would be born?
As we prepare for Christmas, let us remember “why Christmas” and whose birth we are celebrating. Let us praise God because of the one God has given us whose name is above all names – Immanuel, God with us.
Also, remember, Advent is the period in which we wait, anticipate, and prepare for Jesus’ return.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isaiah 7:2-14; Matthew 1:21-24; Genesis 3:15; Micah 5:2-8.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “We All Need “Hope” in Today’s World of Fear, Doubt in Our Faith, and Feelings of “Hopelessness”; and God Is this “Hope””: www.AWFTL.org/watch
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Dec 13, 2020
Sunday Dec 13, 2020
In this Third Sunday of Advent, It Is Revealing, in Isaiah’s Prophecy, to See God’s Strategy and Actions for Connecting Humanity Through the Coming of Jesus the Messiah
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 3: The Glory of God; the Way of Holiness
Why is important now, in this season of Advent, to look to Isaiah from so long ago? Isaiah is promising that, in the coming of the Messiah, the World would see, through Jesus, the “Glory of the Lord” and the “Way to Holiness”. In Isiah 35:1f, Isaiah tells us, in this prophecy, that: “They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.”. The phrase “glory of the Lord” speaks to God’s physical presence, In his essence. Isaiah is promising that, in the future, we would see the glory of the Lord.
When we become followers of Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Paul writes: “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away . . .’. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this transformation comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”. As followers of Jesus, we reflect the glory of the Lord; and we are to reflect God’s essence in a world that needs Him so desperately.
In Isiah 35:8, Isaiah speaks to “. . . a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness.”. There is a way set for the followers of Jesus that is made Holy; only the saved are on this Highway (Isiah 35:9). As followers of Jesus, we are referred to by Paul as saints -- because we are traveling, in our lives, on this Highway, the Way of Holiness.
God desires for us to walk this Way of Holiness and to reflect His Glory and essence to others and the world.
Remember, Advent is the period in which we wait, anticipate, and prepare for Jesus’ return.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; Isiah 35:1-9; Exodus 33:12-23; Exodus 40:34-37; Luke 2:9-10; John 1:14.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “We All Need “Hope” in Today’s World of Fear, Doubt in Our Faith, and Feelings of “Hopelessness”; and God Is this “Hope””: www.AWFTL.org/watch
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Saturday Dec 05, 2020
Saturday Dec 05, 2020
This Second Sunday of Advent, We See God’s Disappointment with His People of Israel Not Taking His Word to the Nations; Therefore, God Sent Jesus “from the lineage of David”
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 2: The Stump of Jesse and the Root of the Lord
Today’s Message: The central theme, that begins today’s teaching, is God’s call of Isaiah, in Isaiah 6, in a context in which God is very disappointed in the people of Israel. The teachings today will focus on the prophecies of Isaiah that point to the coming of Jesus.
In Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah prophesied that “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.”. The “stump of Jesse” refers to Jesse’s son, King David. Therefore, Isaiah’s prophecy indicates that the Savior will come from the lineage of David. However, by the time of Isaiah, most of David’s assembly of the tribes of Israel had been cut down – hence, a “stump”, a remnant; but the prophecy says that “a shoot from the stump of Jesse” will “come forth”. Jesus is the “shoot”.
In Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah prophesied: “And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”. When David was first anointed, by Samuel, to be King, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David; therefore, Isaiah is prophesying that the Messiah will be enveloped with God’s Spirit in His life on earth and in His ministry. In Luke, Jesus, as the Messiah, claims this “Spirit of the Lord”; but, as His followers, the “Spirit of the Lord” has been passed to us on the Day of Pentecost.
Remember, Advent is the period in which we wait, anticipate, and prepare for Jesus’ return.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. (John 1:12f).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Isaiah 6:1-13; Isaiah 11:1-2; Isaiah 4:2-5; Isaiah 11:10-12; Matthew 3:1-12; Isaiah 61:1-10; Luke 4:16-30.
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “We All Need “Hope” in Today’s World of Fear, Doubt in Our Faith, and Feelings of “Hopelessness”; and God Is this “Hope””: www.AWFTL.org/watch
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
Sunday Nov 29, 2020
Sunday Nov 29, 2020
In Advent, Pray for “amendment of life” in which God Gives Us Time in Our Lives and America’s Life to Return to Him Before He Comes Again in Judgment
MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Advent Sermons from Isaiah – Part 1: The Coming Judge and the Mountain of the Lord
Advent is not just the period in which we celebrate Jesus’ first Earthly arrival at Christmas, it is the period in which we wait, anticipate, prepare for Jesus’ second Earthly arrival which is yet to come.
Jesus, in Matthew 24:38-44 tells us: “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”. This Sermon begins the series: “Advent Sermons from Isaiah”.
Jesus is coming again, on a date unknown to us, to judge us. Therefore, let us pray for an “amendment of life”, for ourselves and our country, so God gives us the time, in our remaining Earthly Lives and our country’s life to, as Isaiah says in Isaiah2:5 -- “walk in the light of the Lord”. Also, in this period of Advent, let us pray that God gives us time return to return to Him so that He can return to us before it is our time to face the “five judgments”!
Most of what we know about Jesus in the New Testament is from prophecies in the Old Testament; and these prophecies were fulfilled by the Advent of Jesus in the New Testament. However, some of these Old Testament prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. So, from Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, when are “the last days”? In one sense, since we are in the age of the Messiah, we are now in the “last days”; but in another sense, we are waiting for the return of Jesus, and we don’t know when He will return to begin the “last days”. In Isaiah 2:1-5, Isaiah records his second prophecy regarding “the last days”. Isaiah posits the “mountain of the house of the Lord”, which is the place in Jerusalem where the Jewish temples have been. On this “mountain” now is the Muslim’s “Dome of the Rock”. From this passage, we learn that the Messiah would not only teach the law of God when He returns; but, also, He would come to judge. This scripture from Isaiah is the theme for the season of Advent – the Messiah will come back again to judge “the living and the dead”.
The Bible speaks about five judgments: 1) judgment of the believers’ sins; 2) the judgment of the believers’ self-life; 3) the judgment of the believers’ deeds; 4) the judgment of the nations; and 5) the judgment of the wicked (i.e. unbelievers). In Isaiah 2, Isaiah is speaking about “the judgment of the nations”. Isaiah 2:5 provides an exhortation that is appropriate for our Christmas: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.”.
Remember, Advent is the period in which we wait, anticipate, and prepare for Jesus’ return.
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV):Matthew 24:38-44; Isaiah 2:1-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH’S SERMON VIDEO – “We All Need “Hope” in Today’s World of Fear, Doubt in Our Faith, and Feelings of “Hopelessness”; and God Is this “Hope””: www.AWFTL.org/watch
A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org.
DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB