Walking In Truth

Have you ever heard the saying, “you are what you eat”? Well similarly, what you do can start to become who you are. If you slowly drift into drunkenness, you become a drunkard. If you contribute to the gossip around you, you've become a gossiper... And in today's message, Pastor Johnny will remind you that what you start with is what you'll end up with. If you start with repentance, faith, and love, you'll likely live into those things... But if you start with lying, cheating, or pride... These things will likely become a part of you.

For many people, straying away from the church and from the Lord isn't usually a clean-cut event. There isn't usually one major thing that happens to cause someone to stray... It's repeated small acts of unrepentant sin that carry a person further and further away... But in today's message, Pastor Johnny will remind you that no matter how far you might stray, Jesus will always welcome you back into His loving arms. Like the story of the prodigal son, there is rejoicing when the lost child comes home again.

In today's message, Pastor Johnny will remind men of the many important lessons that can be learned from the life of Samson. Samson was a man of God, he had taken a Nazarite vow and God gave him incredible strength... But like so many men before him and after him, Samson fell to a deadly sin... Lust. The Bible says that Christians should flee from sexual immorality and lust is no exception. Many people might think that they have enough self-control to resist the temptations around them... But sin always wins without Christ.

In today's message, Pastor Johnny will remind you that sin is not something to mess around with, even a little bit! The Bible says that people should run away from sin, quickly! But for some, some think that they have the self-restraint to dip their toes in the waters of sin... They might not dive in head first but they aren't dry either... So when you become tempted to engage in sin, even if it seems small, remember the power that sin can have, no matter how minor it might feel. Christ can give you the strength to resist sin!

Many people have often put on a good face to mask what's really going on in life... Because sometimes life can be really difficult and maybe you just aren't ready to talk about it... And in today's message, Pastor Johnny will remind you that sometimes a mask has more behind it... Like sin. For some, they can become fantastic at hiding the sin that permeates their life... But eventually, it all comes out, one way or another. So take the time today to unburden yourself, give the Lord your struggles and accept forgiveness.

The Israelites were enslaved by the Babylonians for 70 whole years. Eventually, the children of Israel became complacent and gave in to the reality of their Babylonian captivity... And in today's message, Pastor Johnny will remind you that sometimes you can give in to the reality of the hold that your sin has on your life... But it doesn't have to be that way. The Lord promises that if you call out to Him, confess and repent of your sins, you will be forgiven! No ifs, and, or buts about it! Just forgiveness!

We live in a world ripe with injustice. And so often, we become angry with the gap between how things are and how they ought to be. As Christians, we’re called to seek justice; and yet, as Pastor Johnny points out today, the Bible makes clear that justice will not come to fullness until God’s judgment of all mankind. Because of this truth, we can have peace and rest in the reality that one day all things will be made right – no one who does evil will get away with it in the end, and no good deed will go unrecognized.

As people living in a world broken by the effects of sin, we all find ourselves turning away from God from time to time. But Pastor Johnny encourages us to admit our sin in those moments, and turn back to God. Pastor Johnny’s message today is about events that took place thousands of years ago, yet he shows how we can glean wisdom that still applies to our modern lives. We see in these texts the sinful nature of mankind, contrasted with the grace of a loving God who never changes.

As Pastor Johnny teaches through the book of Judges today, we see a portion of Israel’s history reminiscent of all human history – up to this day. Despite God’s goodness and promises, people always turn away from Him and to worthless things. God is a fountain of living water that nourishes and satisfies us, but over and over again we neglect Him and attempt to gather water from empty wells. But in God’s grace, He stands ready to forgive us if we’ll just turn back to Him, and we can once more experience His blessings.

Today, as Pastor Johnny teaches the story of Abimelech – son of Gideon – we see the universal truths that these texts expose about leaders. Leaders who only desire their own power and selfish ambitions continue to rise up, just like Abimelech. And when people turn away from God and toward these leaders, it never ends well. As followers of Jesus, we are not to put our faith in humans, but in God himself. And instead of fighting the way the world fights, we pray for our enemies and seek justice always.

While the story of Gideon is promising for a while, it eventually takes a turn. As Pastor Johnny points out today, Gideon made the right decision by refusing the people’s request to make him king – instead of reminding them that God is their king. But we soon question his heart in the matter, as Gideon goes on to make a monument to himself and becomes an idol to the people. Pastor Johnny uses this passage to show the dangers of seeking recognition from people, and doing good things for bad reasons.

As Pastor Johnny teaches about the story of Gideon today, he brings attention to a shift we see in Gideon’s character. While Gideon entered the scene as a cowardly farmer hiding from the enemy, he has developed into a confident man who is mature enough to put his own pride in check to resolve disputes. Pastor Johnny shows how we likewise ought to put our pride in check and remember Jesus’ call on our lives to be humble servants. And just like we see from Gideon, this attitude can diffuse quarrels.

No matter what's in your way when you hear God's voice and guidance, you need to follow Him and what He says. Pastor Johnny is going to show you today how blessed it is to live a life keeping God first and living for Him. When God's on your side, you don't have to fear any roadblock Satan throws at you, because you already have all you need to get through it. Nothing is too big for God to handle for you, and He'll provide you with everything you'll possibly need to get through anything in the way.

If the opposition comes your way in the middle of your pursuing ministry, you should find comfort even in those trials, knowing that you're doing something right. The devil won't mess with those that aren't a threat to him. Today, Pastor Johnny's going to encourage you to always make sure you're making an impact on God's kingdom. You don't have to fear any of the Devil's attacks, because God will equip you with all the strength, courage, and resources you need to win the battle and continue on in His Word.

Gideon didn't think he was anyone special. God called him, and he didn't believe it at first. He was the least in his family, which was the least in their clan. He really seemed like nobody. But, he followed God in faith, and the rest is history. As Pastor Johnny encourages you today with Gideon's story, take some time to think, “do I have at least that much faith – that when God calls me, I follow, no matter how unlikely it seems or how unprepared I feel?” God will always equip you to do what He calls you to do.

Do you know what God's will is for your life? Do you know what everyone is called to when they come to know Christ personally? He wants you to go out and TELL others about Him! And, as you'll see mentioned today by Pastor Johnny, you should do it in joy, so people will WANT to know about the hope that you have. Others may be afraid to step out in faith, and some may not yet know that to which they're called, but you have the Good News of the Gospels inside you, and God's waiting for you to let it out!

There are two roles you can fill as a follower of Christ. You can be the leader that points others to Christ and moves people closer to Him, or you can be submitted to someone in leadership to serve God through helping others lead. Pastor Johnny's going to show you today how you need one or the other because to sit back and do nothing wastes the resources God's given you to serve Him with and makes you miss out on opportunities to help others in ways they need more than you might be able to see.

Men should be the spiritual leaders of their home and should be bold in doing so. It's a noble calling from God that requires responsibility, that every man needs to step up to. As you'll get to see today with Pastor Johnny, sometimes men might be afraid to step up, and women take the role. And as you'll also see from the example today, men, just like Barak in the book of Judges, sometimes might be afraid and not step up, which only leads to them missing out on the blessing God would have had for them.

There's nothing you have to fear when God's on your side. Not people, not circumstances, not the future. His provision will get you through anything you can't do on your own, and more. Today, Pastor Johnny has encouragement for the men to step up and be bold in leading their families spiritually in growing closer to God every day. It's a role that's becoming less and less important to people, but to God, it's critical. He wants you to be a leader for Him to everyone around you to point them to Him.

When you look at what the Bible says about the roles of men, you'll see roles of courage and leadership. As you look at the life of Barak today with Pastor Johnny and the poor example he set, you'll see the importance of being a godly leader in your family and community. It's the men that are supposed to lead the family closer to God. When women have to step up and be the spiritual leader of their home, it's usually because the man isn't where he should be in His relationship with God to be that spiritual leader.