7 Key Responsibilities in Church Life - Nathan Rages

This message explores 7 of the main responsibilities that each church member has: 

1. Conversion (Acts 2:47,38-41).

2. Baptism (Acts 2:38, Matt. 28:19).

3. Attending meetings (Heb. 10:25, Acts 2:42,46).

4. Submitting to leadership (Heb. 13:17).

5. Preserving unity (Eph. 4:1-3, Ps. 133:1).

6. Pursuing holiness (1Pet. 2:9, 1Cor. 3:17, Eph. 5:25-27).

7. Giving, Serving, Encouraging, Praying (Acts 20:35, Prov. 11:25).

10 Great Blessings of Church Life - Nathan Rages

This message explores 10 of the greatest benefits Christians receive as  members of a local church body:

1. Biblical teaching (Eph. 4:11-15, 1Tim 5:17).

2. Wise counsel (Prov. 11:14, Rom. 15:14, Titus 2:3-5).

3. Godly examples (Phil. 3:17, 1Pet. 5:3).

4. Encouragement (Heb. 3:12, 10:24-25, 1Sam. 23:16, Acts 4:36).

5. Accountability (Matt. 18:15-17, Jas. 5:19-20).

6. Service (John 13:14-15, Gal. 5:13, 6:10).  

7. Giving (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32). 

8. Prayer (1Thess. 5:23-25, Phil. 1:19, 2Cor. 1:11). 

9. Fellowship (1John 1:7, 3:14, 1Thess. 4:9-10, 1Tim. 5:1-2). 

10. God’s glorious presence (Matt. 18:20, 1Cor. 3:16, Eph. 2:21-22, 3:21).

Anticipating the Last Things - Nathan Rages

In this concluding message in our series from the OT prophet books, we consider the eschatological prophecies in those books.  These are prophecies regarding events that will occur at the end of the age, including Jesus' return, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgement, the glorification of the saints, and the destruction of the wicked. 

We examine a sampling of 8 eschatological prophecies and trace their parallels to New Testament passages:

1. Great banquet, veil removed, death defeated, and tears wiped away.

Isa. 25:6-9.  NT parallels: Rev. 19:9, 1Cor. 13:12, 1Cor. 15:26,53-55,  Rev. 21:4, Matt. 5:11-12. 

2. Resurrection of the dead.  Isa. 26:19 and 1Cor. 15:52.

3. God as light source for a righteous people who possess the land. Isa. 60:20-21 and Rev 21:23,27, Matt. 5:5. 

4. Christ executing His wrath. Isa. 63:1-4 and Rev. 19:11-15.

5. Eternal duration of punishment.  Isa. 66:24 and Mark 9:47-48.

6. New heavens and new earth.  Isa. 65:17 and 2Pet. 3:11-13.

7. Son of Man coming in the clouds to receive an everlasting kingdom. Dan. 7:13-14 and Rev. 1:7, 5:9-10.

8. Great distress, book of life, resurrection of righteous + wicked, and the saints’ permanent glory.  Dan. 12:1-4 and Matt. 24:21, Rev. 20:15, John 5:28-29, Matt. 13:43.

The Glories of the New Covenant - Nathan Rages

Jeremiah 31:31-34, which is quoted in its entirety in Hebrews chapter 8, is the most important prophecy about the New Covenant in the Bible.  From these two passages we learn the following about the covenants:    

1. Failure of the Old Covenant.

2. Replacement of the Old Covenant with the New. 

3. Superiority of the New Covenant: 

   a. Law written on hearts.

   b. Personal knowledge of the Lord.

   c. Forgiveness of sin.

7 Spiritual Lessons from the ICU - Nathan Rages

As a result of spending considerable time visiting in a local hospital's intensive care unit (ICU), certain Bible truths became more obviously clear and practical:  

1. The human body is an amazing creation (Ps. 139:13-14).

2. Sickness and death are inescapable (2Cor. 4:16,5:2-4).

3. God is sovereign over our lives (James 4:13-15).

4. Relationships grow through sacrifice (John 15:12-13).

5. God’s Word provides genuine comfort (2Cor. 1:3-4).

6. God powerfully answers prayer (James 5:13-15).  

7. Make the most of our remaining time (Eph. 5:14-16).

Prophecies of the Suffering Messiah - Nathan Rages

In today's study from the prophetic books of the Old Testament, we review a sample of the Messianic prophecies about Christ's suffering for our redemption.  Below is the prophecy, the OT Scripture where it was predicted and the NT Scripture where it was fulfilled:  

1 Many “stumbled” over Him. Isa. 8:14-15, 1Pet. 2:6-8.

2 Rode a donkey into Jerusalem. Zech. 9:9, Matt. 21:4-9.

3 Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Zech. 11:12-13, Matt. 26:14-15;27:5-10.

4 Disciples scattered. Zech. 13:7, Matt. 26:31.

5 Stay silent before His accusers. Isa. 53:7, Matt. 27:12-14.

6 Rejected by His own people. Isa. 53:3, Matt. 27:22-25.

7 Numbered with transgressors. Isa. 53:12, Matt. 27:38.

8 Beaten, scourged, and spit upon. Isa. 50:6-8; 53:5, Matt. 26:67;27:26.

9 Pierced. Zech. 12:10, John 19:34.

10 Prayed for His persecutors. Isa. 53:12, Luke 23:34.

11 Darkened sun. Amos 8:9, Matt. 27:45.

12 Buried in rich man’s tomb. Isa. 53:9, Matt. 27:57-60.

13 Suffered under God’s hand. Isa. 53:4,10,11, Matt. 27:46.

14 Suffered as a substitute for others. Isa. 53:5,6,8,10,11, 1Pet. 3:18.

Wielding the Sword of the Spirit - James Voon

Eph. 6:17 "take up ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

1. Understanding the armor of God.

2. Identifying our enemies.

3. Learning to wield the sword.  The great value of Bible memorization in the process.