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!