Beholding His Glory ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

Romans 8:28-30 ~ Those Who Are Called according to God's Purpose ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

How do you know you are called according to God's purpose (Romans 8:28)?

How do you know that you are one of God's elect (Romans 8:30)?

How do you know that you were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)?

The answer is so simple that it might very well surprise you!

 

 

Romans 8:28-30 ~ The Recipients of God's Greatest Promise ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

Romans 5:5 reads, “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

When you receive Jesus Christ and trust in Him for the forgiveness of your sins, the Holy Spirit comes to live on the inside of you. Romans 5:5 says that when the Holy Spirit indwelt you, the love of God was poured out within your heart. You enter into a spiritual love relationship with God that lasts throughout all eternity.

The phrase “poured out” refers to the lavish outpouring to the point of overflowing. Someone has said that, “Our heavenly Father does on proffer His love in measured drops, but in immeasurable torrents.”

All the love of God is lavishly poured out within your heart when you receive Christ.

Luke 1:39-56 ~ The Magnificat: Mary's Hymn of Praise ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

"The Magnificat:" Mary’s Hymn of Praise

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord,

 ⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

⁴⁸ "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;

For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.

⁴⁹ "For the Mighty One has done great things for me;

And holy is His name.

⁵⁰ "AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION

             TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM.

⁵¹ "He has done mighty deeds with His arm;

He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.

⁵² "He has brought down rulers from their thrones,

And has exalted those who were humble.

⁵³ "HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;

And sent away the rich empty-handed.

⁵⁴ "He has given help to Israel His servant,

In remembrance of His mercy,

⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and his descendants forever."

Luke 1:39-45 ~ The Joy of Blessed Confirmation ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

A young virgin by the name of Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that by the Holy Spirit she would conceive in her womb and bear the Son of the Most High. Mary’s responded to the angel, “Behold, I am the bondslave of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.”

 Think about what Mary’s obedience could potentially cost her. She was betrothed to a carpenter by the name of Joseph. Her reputation in the community would be damaged beyond repair. What would her parents think and how would they treat her? What would Joseph think and how would he treat her? What would Mary’s relationship with Joseph and her family be from here on out?

 This was going to be hard for Mary, but God with whom nothing is impossible, is going to confirm it. Along the way, He is going to give confirmation and assurance in Mary’s humble obedience. Along with the greatest task that takes the most determined obedience comes the greatest joy and the greatest assurance and confirmation that this is of God and that He will perform it.

Luke 1:26-38 ~ The Greatest News Ever Proclaimed ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

Luke 1:26-38

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 "For nothing will be impossible with God." 38 And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Psalm 78:1-8 ~ The Power of Your Own Stories of Faith ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

This message contains practical ways to tell your own stories of faith. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are commanded in Scripture to tell the stories of how God has worked in our lives in a way that we declare His mighty works (See Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 78:1-8). We are to tell stories of who He is and what He has done so that faith might be passed on to the next generation.

The Pilgrims: A People of the Book ~ The Story of Thanksgiving ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

Did you know that during that first winter in America, half of the Pilgrims died and half of those who died were children? Also, fourteen out the eighteen wives who came to these shores died as well.

The story of the first Thanksgiving is the story of a people of the Book. Listen to the message to hear how their commitment to the Word of God affected their faith and their lives in the worst conditions possible.

Psalm 78:1-11; Romans 15:4 ~ Pass It On: The Purpose of History ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

Why do we study and teach history?  Why do we tell the stories of the Bible and stories of faith from history?

Romans 15:4 gives us the biblical purpose of history, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

This is the first message Pastor Bill’s expository preaching series: “The Power of Stories of Faith.”

 

Luke 10:25-37 ~ Developing a Love for Jesus with the Head and Hands ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

Many polls show that the vast majority of young adults who are reared in Christian homes are now turning their backs on Christianity. Recent surveys indicate that seven out of every ten Christian kids are leaving their faith after high school.

According to the research from the PEW Research Center, each successive generations of American includes fewer Christians. Older generations of Americans are not passing along the Christian faith as effectively as their forebears. It’s not as if young people today are being reared in a way completely different from Christianity, but as adults they are simply dropping that part of their identity.

This message from Luke chapter 10 shows how to keep our children from being a statistic by helping them to develop a love for Jesus with their heads and their hands.

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ~ It's Not Rocket Science ~ Pastor Bill Slabaugh

Rearing our children is not rocket science, because rearing our children is much more complex than rocket science. With rocket science the drawings and calculations are done by dozens of scientists for each component of the rocket. Then over a period of months or years, each component is tested separately over and over again and necessary changes are made to the design.

The child come pre-assembled at birth with God-given bents, personality, and gifts already built in. Plus, the baby is already in motion. With children, there is no set science. Each child is different with millions of different variables. So how do we target the development of our children as they growing? This message focuses on helping our children learn to love Jesus with all their heart. If they learn to love Jesus with all their heart and soul, they will pretty much stay on track.