Living Word Family Church Sermon Podcast

Last week, we examined the role of the prophet as it touches on the hopes, needs, and dreams of God's people. Now we look at another prayer that God answered, when Israel said "Give us a king!" We will see that God was using all these desires and requests to prepare His people for the advent of the Messiah.

Recognizing God's blessings and favor is essential for living abundantly. Pastor Mike shares personal experiences that illustrate God's faithfulness in various aspects of life, including work. Righteousness through Jesus brings blessings, and sharing God's goodness is vital. Seeking God's guidance and living with expectancy and gratitude are key to receiving His blessings.

As we move through the advent season, we will see that at various times in Israel's history, they looked for, and longed for God to meet their needs in very specific ways. God's answers to those longings tells us the story of His patience, His love, and His wisdom, as He worked through the centuries to bring His will to pass, not just for Israel, but for the world. 

Tonight Pastor Mike emphasizes the importance of recognizing divine favor and blessings beyond material wealth. He encourages us to identify as righteous in Christ and highlights the necessity of faith for receiving blessings. Feelings of insecurity are addressed, promoting a mindset of abundance. Pastor Mike also outlines steps to increase God's favor, including obedience and seeking truth.

When we think of the Bible's heroes of faith, Jephthah is not the first guy that leaps to our minds, is he? If you only remember one thing about Jephthah, it is almost certainly a bad thing (and we'll talk about that); but he is listed in the "hall of faith" for a reason, so let's talk about that, too! Jephthah was an unlikely hero, and a flawed one, but a hero nonetheless, and his life can speak to us today.

Probably the most common word in the prayers of people around the world is “please”. Most of us were raised to say “please” and “thank you". If we were as focused on what we have to be thankful to God for, our faith for the things we are asking for would increase!

Following up on last Sunday's message about personal evangelism, we take a look at some sobering words from the New Testament about perhaps the most important thing we can do in terms of helping someone else come to faith in Jesus Christ. The right words are important; correct doctrine is important. But this one ingredient, or lack thereof, can make all the difference.

Mixed emotions arise after the election, but maintaining a Christian worldview and witness is crucial. Political outcomes do not dictate salvation; personal faith and evangelism are key. Christians are encouraged to love and unite despite differing views, guided by biblical teachings. The Bible is affirmed as the ultimate truth, and prayer for political leaders is essential. A call for revival and awakening urges Christians to support those who are lost.