Repentance | Minister Sheree Finley | 6.28.26

Before Revival Comes, Repentance Comes

II Chronicles 7:14-15

14 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 

Isaiah 59:2

² But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 

Psalm 66:18

¹⁸ If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 

Psalm 24:3,4

³Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. ⁴He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

Luke 13:1-5

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? ³ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 

Two Kinds of Repentance

Jesus makes two statements that seem almost identical, but the wording reveals two different aspects of repentance.

Once-and-for-All Repentance

Luke 13:5 says,

"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

While the wording appears similar, this usage points toward the decisive act of repentance that occurs when a person turns and gets saved.

There must be a moment when we acknowledge our sin, turn from our old life, and surrender ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

No one can enter the Kingdom without repentance.

This is the once-for-all turning that begins a new life in Christ.

Continuing Repentance

Luke 13:3 says,

"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

The phrase "unless you repent" in this passage points to a continuing repentance.

This is not merely a one-time experience. It describes a lifestyle of repentance. It is the ongoing work of allowing God to search our hearts, reveal our faults, correct our attitudes, and change our behavior.

Even after salvation, we have to maintain a repentant heart.

Repentance is not simply for sinners coming to Christ. It is also for saints walking with Christ.

A repentant person remains teachable, humble, and sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

What Repentance Really Means

2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

Repentance is more than feeling sorry. Not sorry for being caught. Not sorry for the negative consequences. Not sorry for the embarrassment it caused. Repentance is more than regret and more than emotion.

Repentance is a change of mind that produces a change of direction. 

It’s hating the sin.

For example, okra.

Repentance Leads to Revival

The Welsh Revival was a historic spiritual awakening driven by radical repentance, public confession of sin, and prayer. 

Azusa Street Revival was characterized by intense, ongoing repentance. 

The Asbury Revival of 2023 was a spontaneous, 16-day outpouring of continuous worship, prayer, and confession 

Repentance for Those Who Want Revival

Revelation 3:19 KJV

 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Revelation 2:5 KJV

 “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

Notice the progression Jesus gives:

• Remember where you have fallen from.
• Repent.
• Return to the works you did at first.

The church at Ephesus was still active. They were still working. They were still serving. But they had left their first love.

Jesus did not tell them to become more busy or more zealous. He told them to repent.

What Do We Need to Repent For

The Works of the Flesh

Galatians 5:19–21 KJV

¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

17 behaviors into four distinct categories:

• Sexual Sins: 

• • Adultery (immoral sexual behavior for a married person)
  • Fornication (immoral sexual behavior for an unmarried person)
  • Uncleanness (impure thoughts or behaviors) 
  • Lasciviousness (shameless, uncontrolled lust)
• False Worship:
• • Idolatry (putting things before God)
  • Witchcraft (sorcery [manipulative and harmful influence]; use or the administering of drugs, and occult practises [in connection with idolatry])
• Relational Sins: 
• • Hatred (deep hostility toward people)
  • Variance (constant arguing)
  • Emulations (jealousy [covetous desire])
  • Wrath (fits of anger)
  • Strife (debating, contention)
  • Seditions (stirring up divisions)
  • Heresies (damnable factions)
• Sins of No Self-control: 
• • Envyings (desire mixed with resentment; selfish ambition)
  • Murders
  • Drunkenness
  • Revellings (wild partying)

Our Response

Psalm 139:22

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

1 John 1:9 (KJV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Conclusion

May we never become so comfortable in our walk with God that we no longer respond when He calls us to repent.

Psalm 68:1-6 | Pastor Chris Searcy | 6.21.26

¹ May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
    may his foes flee before him.
² May you blow them away like smoke—
    as wax melts before the fire,
    may the wicked perish before God.
³ But may the righteous be glad
    and rejoice before God;
    may they be happy and joyful.

⁴ Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
    extol him who rides on the clouds;
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
⁵ A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
    is God in his holy dwelling.
⁶ God sets the lonely in families,
    he leads out the prisoners with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Master/Teacher/Rabbi | Pastor Jannai Washington | 6.14.26

From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of Righteousness

Romans 6:15-23.

What then? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Absolutely not! ¹⁶ Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over, ¹⁸ and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. ¹⁹ I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification. ²⁰ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness. ²¹ So what fruit was produced^[e] then from the things you are now ashamed of? The outcome of those things is death. ²² But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the outcome is eternal life! ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We’re going to talk about, “If salvation is by grace, can believers continue living in sin?”

Salvation By Grace

Through Christ's death and resurrection, believers have experienced a transfer of ownership. We were once slaves to sin, but now we belong to God. Freedom from sin does not mean freedom to do whatever we want. Rather, it means freedom to serve God in righteousness.

Jesus taught that everyone serves a master.

Matthew 6:24 (CSB)

"No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

In this portion of scripture, Paul is presenting to us two masters (Kingdoms, Reign, Dominion)

• Righteousness that leads to life eternal
• Sin that leads to death

I. Sin Is a Master That Leads to Death

Romans 6:15-16 (CSB)

"What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! Don't you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey, either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?"

Explanation

Grace is not permission to sin.

Everyone serves something. Whatever controls our choices becomes our master.

Before salvation, sin ruled our thoughts, desires, and actions.Jesus described this bondage:

John 8:34 (CSB)

"Jesus responded, 'Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.'"

Sin promises freedom but produces slavery.

Proverbs 5:22 (CSB)

"A wicked man's iniquities will trap him; he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin."

James 1:14-15 (CSB)

"But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death."

Application

• Sin is not harmless.
• Sin always seeks mastery.
• Repeated obedience to sin strengthens its control.
• Every sinful habit eventually produces spiritual death and destruction.

II. Christ Has Set Believers Free From Sin's Dominion

Romans 6:17-18 (CSB)

"But thank God that, although you used to be slaves of sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over, and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness."

Explanation

Notice the past tense:

• You used to be slaves of sin.
• You have been set free.
• You have become servants of righteousness.

This freedom comes through Christ's work on the cross.

John 8:36 (CSB)

"So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free."

Colossians 1:13-14 (CSB)

"He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Paul emphasizes that salvation is not merely a change of destination but a change of ownership.

We have been transferred from Satan's kingdom to Christ's kingdom.

III. Believers Must Present Their Lives to God

Romans 6:19 (CSB)

"I am using a human analogy because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification."

Explanation

Before Christ, we willingly gave ourselves to sin.

Now Paul says we should deliberately present every part of our lives to God.

• Our minds
• Our speech
• Our eyes
• Our hands
• Our time
• Our resources

The result is sanctification, becoming more like Christ.

Romans 12:1 (CSB)

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship."

Psalm 119:9 (CSB)

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word."

Application

Righteousness is not passive.

Every day, believers choose to surrender themselves to Christ.

IV. Remember What Sin Produced

Romans 6:20-21 (CSB)

"For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with regard to righteousness. So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? The outcome of those things is death."

Explanation

Paul asks believers to look back honestly.

What did sin produce?

• Guilt
• Shame
• Broken relationships
• Bondage
• Spiritual death

The enemy often tries to make believers romanticize their old life.

Paul reminds them that sin's harvest is death.

Galatians 6:7-8 (CSB)

"Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit."

Isaiah 57:20-21 (CSB)

"But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its water churns up mire and muck. There is no peace for the wicked, says my God."

V. Righteousness Produces Holiness and Eternal Life

Romans 6:22 (CSB)

"But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification, and the outcome is eternal life."

Explanation

A new master produces a new life.

Sin produces death.

God produces holiness.

The fruit of serving God includes:

• Peace
• Joy
• Spiritual growth
• Christlike character
• Eternal life

John 15:5 (CSB)

"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me."

Psalm 1:1-3 (CSB)

"Instead, his delight is in the LORD's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season."

VI. Two Masters, Two Wages, Two Destinies

Romans 6:23 (CSB)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Explanation

Paul concludes with a powerful contrast.

Sin Pays Wages

A wage is earned.

The payment for sin is death:

• Spiritual death
• Separation from God
• Eternal judgment

God Gives a Gift

Eternal life cannot be earned.

It is received through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB)

"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift, not from works, so that no one can boast."

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (CSB)

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances."

This Old Testament promise is fulfilled in Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Jesus Is Our New Master

The word "Lord" means Master.

Jesus did not merely save us from sin; He became our Lord.

Luke 6:46 (CSB)

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things I say?"

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (CSB)

"You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body."

Believers now belong to Christ.

He is our Rabbi, Teacher, Master, King, and Lord.

Key Truths:

• God is not looking for perfection; He is looking for surrender
• God is calling His people back to surrender before a greater shaking comes to the earth.
• Holiness becomes evidence of a transformed heart.
• Genuine salvation produces visible fruit.
• Holiness is the fruit of obedience to God.
• Eternal life is God's gift through Jesus Christ.
• Christ is now our Lord, Master, and Rabbi.

Christ the Head | Pastor Chris Searcy | 6.7.26

Christ the Head / Head of the Church / Head of the Body

• Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18

Ephesians 5:23

23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.

Colossians 1:18

18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

Head = Christ

Body/Bride = global church

Regional body = Churches in a city/region

A Church (Ekklēsia) = assembly/gathering of believers (ephesians)

Assembly/Gathering = Made up of Families

Families = Husband, Wife, Children

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
One Body with Many Members

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Ephesians 1:9-10
9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.

22And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 4:25-32

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. 

26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, 

27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. 

32Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5:1-6, 11

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.

3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not be partakers with them.

11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Ephesians 5
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her

Ephesians 6:1-4

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then…..

Why Fresh Anointing exists: What we are here to do:

Ephesians 4:11-16

11And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

The True Light | Pastor Trey Townsley | 5.31.26

John 1:1-9 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. ⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹ That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

• Comprehend: to take eagerly, to seize, possess
• Light and darkness do not exist in a peaceful harmony

John 9:4-5 ^{4 “}I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

• This is an amazing exclusivity claim! 

John 8:12 ¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

• Darkness can induce fear. Naturally speaking, no one is afraid of the light.
• Darkness causes blindness which brings uncertainty Darkness can cause hallucinations. In the absence of visual cues, the brain strains to find meaning, which can cause it to “see” what is not there. The eyes do the same thing!
• True darkness doesn’t naturally exist anywhere on earth. 

Exodus 10:21-23 ²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.” ²² So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. ²³ They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-7 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, ² not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. ³ Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 

John 12:44-46 ⁴⁴ Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. ⁴⁵ And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. ⁴⁶ I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 

John 3:19 ¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

• Jesus is not speaking of a physical darkness, but a spiritual one

Luke 22:52-53 ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? ⁵³ When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

John 8:12 ¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 

• Deny our own worldly desires 
• Luke 9:23 ²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 
• Love God sacrificially
• Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
• Love one another sacrificially 
• Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
• Be filled with Holy Spirit 
• John 14:26 ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Graduation Sunday | Pastor Chris Searcy | 5.24.26

Pentecost Sunday: is the day Christians remember when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples after Jesus ascended into heaven.

It happened in Acts 2, when the disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit came like a mighty rushing wind, tongues like fire rested on them, and they began speaking in other languages. Peter then preached, and about 3,000 people were added that day.

Pentecost Sunday is the birthday of the New Testament church.

It is called “Pentecost” because it happened during the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, also called the Feast of Weeks, which came 50 days after Passover.

Prophetic dual fulfillment:
 is a hermeneutical - (study of interpretation) concept in biblical studies where a single prophetic statement has both an immediate, short-term historical fulfillment and a secondary, long-term spiritual or literal fulfillment.

Examples:

1. Isaiah 7:14 / Matthew 1:22–23
Near fulfillment: a child/sign in Isaiah’s own historical setting.
Fuller fulfillment: Christ born of the virgin Mary.

2. Hosea 11:1 / Matthew 2:15
Near fulfillment: Israel called out of Egypt in the Exodus.
Fuller fulfillment: Jesus coming out of Egypt after Herod’s death.

Acts 2

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 

Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;

18 even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Joel 2 was written centuries (800 years) before Pentecost. 

Joel 2 is a national call to repentance during a crisis in Judah.

The crops are ruined, the temple offerings are interrupted, and the nation is being humbled before God.

Joel is saying: do not just mourn the disaster; return to the Lord.

Joel 2
Return to the Lord

12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
    “return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
    and he relents over disaster.

14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
    and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
    for the Lord your God?

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
    consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;

16 gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
    assemble the elders;
gather the children,
    even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
    and the bride her chamber.

17 Between the vestibule and the altar
    let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep
and say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
    and make not your heritage a reproach,
    a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
    ‘Where is their God?’”

Joel 2:28-29
The Lord Will Pour Out His Spirit

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward,
    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your old men shall dream dreams,
    and your young men shall see visions.

29 Even on the male and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit.

30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Matthew 24:29-30 ESV

The Coming of the Son of Man

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Acts and Joel shows what can happen when God’s people gather, pray, repent,

The True Light | Pastor Tre Townsley | 5.17.26

John 1:1-9 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. ⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹ That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

• Comprehend: to take eagerly, to seize, possess
• Light and darkness do not exist in a peaceful harmony

John 9:4-5 ^4 “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

• This is an amazing exclusive claim! 

John 8:12 ¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

• Darkness can induce fear. Naturally speaking, no one is afraid of the light.
• Darkness causes blindness which brings uncertainty Darkness can cause hallucinations. In the absence of visual cues, the brain strains to find meaning, which can cause it to “see” what is not there. The eyes do the same thing!
• True darkness doesn’t naturally exist anywhere on earth. 

Exodus 10:21-23 ²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.” ²² So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. ²³ They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

John 12:44-46 ⁴⁴ Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. ⁴⁵ And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. ⁴⁶ I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 

John 3:19 ¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

• Jesus is not speaking of a physical darkness, but a spiritual one

Son of Mary | Pastor Chris Searcy | 5.10.26

Mark 6:3 (ESV)

1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.
2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

1. Mary presented him at the temple for consecration 

Simeon consecrates Jesus and says

Luke 2:34-35

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”

“and a sword will pierce your soul as well”
—Luke 2:35

2. Jesus at Twelve Years Old in the Temple

Luke 2:41–52 (BSB)

41 Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Feast.

43 When those days were over and they were returning home, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but His parents were unaware of it.
44 Assuming He was in their company, they traveled on for a day before they began to look for Him among their relatives and friends.
45 When they could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.

46 Finally, after three days they found Him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers.

48 When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Son,” His mother said to Him, “why have You done this to us? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”

49 “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

50 But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.

51 Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

3. The Wedding at Cana

John 2:1–11 (BSB)

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
2 and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman, why does this concern us?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”

6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.

7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.

8 “Now draw some out,” He said, “and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so,
9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not know where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
10 and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and after the guests are drunk, the cheaper wine. But you have saved the fine wine until now!”

11 Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

Mark 3:21 (BSB)

21 When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.”

John 7:5 (BSB)

5 For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.

4. Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Seek Him

Mark 3:31–35 (BSB)

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. They sent someone in to summon Him,
32 and a crowd was sitting around Him. “Look,” they said, “Your mother and brothers are outside asking for You.”

33 But Jesus replied, “Who are My mother and My brothers?”

34 Looking at those seated in a circle around Him, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!
35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother.”

5. Mary at the Crucifixion

John 19:25–27 (BSB)

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.

26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.”

27 Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.

6. Mary with the Disciples After the Resurrection

Acts 1:12–14 (BSB)

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

13 When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

14 With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Mary visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39–56(BSB)

39 In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”

Often imitated…Never duplicated! | Pastor Chris Searcy | 5.3.26

WHO IS CHRIST?

I Am

John 8:48-49, 51-53, 56, 57-59
48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 

51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”

57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Way, Truth, and Life

John 14:1-6

1 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

True God

1 John 5: 9, 11, 20
9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

“Dual fulfillment”

Meaning a prophecy has a near fulfillment and a future/greater fulfillment.

Example:
“Out of Egypt I called My Son”
Near fulfillment: Israel came out of Egypt.

Greater fulfillment: Jesus came out of Egypt after Herod died.

Hosea 11:1
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

Matthew 2:14–15
14 So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt,
15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Jesus’ warnings about the Antichrist

Matthew 24:1-8
1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

(70 AD fulfillment - Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.)

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Matthew 24:23–28

23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

Mark 13:21–23

23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

1 John 2:18

18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

What is the antichrist agenda?
1. Deny the divinity of Christ

1 John 2:22

22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3

3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

2 John 1:7

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

2. Increase Lawlessness 

2 Timothy 3:1-91 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Man of lawlessness

2 Thessalonians 2:1–12
1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers,
2 not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come.
3 Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed.
4 He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
5 Do you not remember that I told you these things while I was still with you?
6 And you know what is now restraining him, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
11 For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie,
12 in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.

Begin to look at the news headlines through this lens!
If you see an escalation of end times events know the deception will grow!!!

We must be rooted in one thing!
            

That Jesus is the Christ, The I AM!, The Way the Truth the Life!

Jesus is HIM!

The Compassionate God | Pastor Tre Townsley | 4.26.26

The Compassionate God

 Matthew 9:35-38 35  Then Jesus went about all the cities and

villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of

the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every

disease among the people.  36  But when He saw the multitudes,

He was moved with compassion for them, because they

were weary and scattered, like sheep having no

shepherd.  37  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest

truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  38  Therefore pray the

Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

 Weary: to annoy, vex, or harass

 Scattered: to fling or disperse

 John 8:2-12 2  Now early in the morning He came again into the

temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down

and taught them.  3  Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to

Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in

the midst,  4  they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught

in adultery, in the very act.  5  Now Moses, in the law, commanded

us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”  6  This they

said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to

accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground

with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7  So when they

continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to

them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at

her first.”  8  And again He stooped down and wrote on the

ground.  9  Then those who heard it, being convicted

by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the

oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman

standing in the midst.  10  When Jesus had raised Himself up and

saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are

those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11  She

said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I

condemn you; go and sin no more.” 12  Then Jesus spoke to them

again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me

shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

 3  Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman

caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,

 They brought her to the temple and placed her at the center

point of attention

 4  they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery,

in the very act

 She was in the middle of the action of adultery

 5  Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be

stoned. But what do You say?” 

 Deuteronomy 22:22 22  “If a man is found lying with a woman

married to a husband, then both of them shall die—the man that

lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall put away the

evil from Israel.

 6  This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of

which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the

ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

 They did not care about her or her outcome, she was a means to

an end

 1. “Obey the law of Moses and agree to her death”, or

 2. “Reject the law of Moses and prove that you are not a prophet,

let alone Messiah”

 7  So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and

said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him

throw a stone at her first.” 

 This response found a middle ground that no one else could

have seen

 It acknowledged the law of Moses in allowing sin to be punished;

 And it allowed mercy to be prominent

 11  She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I

condemn you; go and sin no more.”

 Jesus was without sin and was capable of carrying out the

law

 12  Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the

world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have

the light of life.”