20230305 2nd Sunday of Lent – Transfiguration Sunday

Posted on March 7, 2023 by Deacon Zell

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Pastor Matt McFarland

Matthew 17:1 – 13 (CEB)

Jesus’ transformation

17 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain. 2 He was transformed in front of them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.

3 Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here. If you want, I’ll make three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, look, a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!” 6 Hearing this, the disciples fell on their faces, filled with awe.

7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anybody about the vision until the Human One[a] is raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked, “Then why do the legal experts say that Elijah must first come?”

11 Jesus responded, “Elijah does come first and will restore all things. 12 In fact, I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they didn’t know him. But they did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way the Human One[b] is also going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples realized he was telling them about John the Baptist.

Matthew 16:13 – 16 (CEB)

Peter’s declaration about Jesus

13 Now when Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Human One[a] is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

15 He said, “And what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Romans 12:2 (KJ21) 2 And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2(NLT) 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Ephesian 4:22 -24 (KJ21)

22 that ye put off, concerning your former manner of living, the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

24 and that ye put on that new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Proverbs 4:23 (GNT) 23 Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

20230205 How Prepared Are You?

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Deacon Zell

Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023

Video to come

Pastor Matt McFarland 

Joshua 1:16 (KJ21).  And they answered Joshua, saying, “All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go.

1 Peter 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Luke 21:14 – 15  14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand what ye shall answer. 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

2 Timothy 4:2. preach the Word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Proverbs 22:20 – 21.20 Have I not written to thee excellent things of counsel and knowledge, 21 that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

Romans 12:13.  distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality.

Isaiah 32:8   But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped for all good works.

Ephesians 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath beforehand ordained, that we should walk in them.

Isaiah 6:8.   Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then said I, “Here am I. Send me!”

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Leave a comment

20220731 Sunday School for Adults Series – Tower of Babel

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Deacon Zell

Pastor Matt McFarland

Genesis 11:1 -9 (MSG)

“God Turned Their Language into ‘Babble’”

11 1-2 At one time, the whole Earth spoke the same language. It so happened that as they moved out of the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled down.

3 They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks and fire them well.” They used brick for stone and tar for mortar.

4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower that reaches Heaven. Let’s make ourselves famous so we won’t be scattered here and there across the Earth.”

5 God came down to look over the city and the tower those people had built.

Psalm 127:1 1-2 If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap.
It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late,  and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

Genesis 11:7-8 6-9 God took one look and said, “One people, one language; why, this is only a first step. No telling what they’ll come up with next—they’ll stop at nothing! Come, we’ll go down and garble their speech so they won’t understand each other.” Then God scattered them from there all over the world. And they had to quit building the city. That’s how it came to be called Babel, because there God turned their language into “babble.” From there God scattered them all over the world.

Philippians 2:5-8. 5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

2 Corinthians 5:21. 21 How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

John 15:5.  5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

Genesis 11:6. 6-9 God took one look and said, “One people, one language; why, this is only a first step. No telling what they’ll come up with next—they’ll stop at nothing! Come, we’ll go down and garble their speech so they won’t understand each other.” Then God scattered them from there all over the world. And they had to quit building the city. That’s how it came to be called Babel, because there God turned their language into “babble.” From there God scattered them all over the world.

1 Corinthians 1:10. 

The Cross: The Irony of God’s Wisdom

10 I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.

 

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

20230129 Keys To Getting Your Prayers Answered

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Deacon Zell

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Video To Follow

Pastor Matt McFarland 

1 ) You have to ASK (pray:-)

2) You need to know what’s available
3 John 2 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,                              even as thy soul prospereth.
Philippians 4:19 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in                                                   glory by Christ Jesus.

3) Your wants and needs have to be in balance
Matthew 18:19 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as                                                    touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of                                              my Father which is in heaven.
James 4:2-3 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye                                       fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and                                                   receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your                                         lusts.

4) You have to Pray in the name of Jesus He is our Messenger, sitting at the right            hand of God, to relay our requests.
John 15:16 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that                                      ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:                                        that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it                                        you.
       Romans 8:34 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is                                           risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh                                             intercession for us.

5) You must ask according to the will of God God is light and in Him is no darkness        at all.
1 John 5:14  14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us:

6) You must Believe to Receive Believe in God’s ABILITY to answer your prayer, not          His action in doing so.
Romans 4:20-21 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but                                                      was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully                                                              persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to                                                            perform.
        Numbers 23:19 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was
strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded                                                  that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.                        Hebrews 11:11 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed,                                              and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she                                                  judged him faithful who had promised.
John 6:28-29 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the                                            works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the                                                work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Leave a comment

20230118 God Gave The Best Gift !

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Deacon Zell

Sunday, January 18, 2023

Video to Follow

Pastor Matt McFarland

Luke 2:8 (NIV) 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Luke 2:13 – 14 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

Ephesians 2:4 – 5. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

 

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Leave a comment

20230101 Suggested Resolutions

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Deacon Zell

Sunday, January 01, 2023

Video to follow

Pastor Matt McFarland

Acts 2:1 (KJ21). And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

John 15:5 5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me ye can do nothing.

1) Find some time for GOD

2) Stay or Become active in local worship service

3) Tithe

Malachi 3:10 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and put Me to the proof now herewith,” saith the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open to you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

4) Turn your troubles over to GOD & ask for is help.

Jeremiah 29:11. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Genesis 8:11. 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening, and lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf plucked off; so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.

Luke 6:38. 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete, therewith it shall be measured to you again.”

 

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Leave a comment

20230108 Be The Salt, Be The Light

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Deacon Zell

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Video coming soon.

Pastor Matt McFarland

Matthew 5:13 – 16  13 “Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

Love

Give

Forgive

Be Kind, Be Compassionate

Mark 2:16 – 17  16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with publicans and sinners, they said unto His disciples, “How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?”

17 When Jesus heard it, He said unto them, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Matthew 13:3 – 8  3 And He spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, “Behold, a sower went forth to sow.

4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside; and the fowls came and devoured them up.

5 Some fell upon stony places where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth.

6 And when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up and choked them.

8 But others fell into good ground and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

2 Corinthian 5:17  17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Philippians 1:6 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:2 2 And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Ephesians 4:22, 24 22 that ye put off, concerning your former manner of living, the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

 

 

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Leave a comment

20221023 Are You A Follower?

Posted on October 23, 2022 by Deacon Zell

Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022

Video Coming soon

Pastor Matt McFarland

Acts 2:41 (CED) 41 Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized. God brought about three thousand people into the community on that day.

Matthew 28:19 – 20 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

John 13:35. 35 This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

Luke 14:26 26 “Whoever comes to me and doesn’t hate father and mother, spouse and children, and brothers and sisters—yes, even one’s own life—cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 10:24 – 25. 24 “Disciples aren’t greater than their teacher, and slaves aren’t greater than their master. 25 It’s enough for disciples to be like their teacher and slaves like their master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, it’s certain that they will call the members of his household by even worse names.

Luke 14:27. 27 Whoever doesn’t carry their own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

2 Corinthians 5:17. 17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!

 

 

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Leave a comment

20220918 Sunday School for Adults: The Real Story of Job

Posted on September 18, 2022 by Deacon Zell

September 18, 2022

Pastor Matt McFarland

Job 1:1-5 (KJ21)  There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one who feared God and eschewed evil. 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred sheasses, and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the East. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day, and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, that when the days of their feasting were ended, Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus did Job continually.

Job 42:1-6 Then Job answered the Lord and said:  2 “I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from Thee. 3 ‘Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore have I uttered what I understood not, things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4 ‘Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak; I will question thee, and declare thou unto Me.’ 5 I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee. 6 Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

The Real Story of Job isn’t about what happened “to” Job, but what happened “in” Job.

Job’s Miserable Comforters

1st friend: Hippyish – Blames Job Sin.

2nd friend: More Religious – Blames Job Sin, calls him evil, says Job’s kids sin killed them.

3rd friend: Every this is either Black/white, All or nothing thinking.

4th friend who arrives later: Elihu, younger guy who speaks to Job.

Job 33:14-18 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.  15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed, 16 then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Posted in Pastor Matt's Teachings | Tagged , | Leave a comment

20220911 What GOD Has Revealed

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Deacon Zell

September 11, 2022

Bishop Bill McFarland

Deuteronomy 29:29 (KJV) The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Proverbs 22:17-21 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? Ephesians 1:3

Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 1:13-14  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:18-19 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Ephesians 2:6-10 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Luke 13:10-16  10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Psalms 138 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth. 5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord. 6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. 8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Acts 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Posted in Bishop Bill's Teachings | Tagged | Leave a comment