Today we are continuing with the parables of Jesus. It is just awesome how Jesus uses these powerful illustrations to communicate His truths.

Pastor Fred’s last two messages regarding the parable of the talents is going to tie in perfectly with the parable we are going to cover. Today we are going to examine the laborer’s and the great harvest. Pastor Fred taught us from God’s word that if we do not use our talents to further the kingdom of God then we are in some serious trouble.

What is a talent? I think this is important to understand before we move on. A Talent in Jesus’ day would represent a large sum of money. Something that is very valuable. The talents God gives to believers does not necessarily refer to some natural talent, skills or abilities in this parable. Both believers and non believers poses these types of resources. But the talents Jesus is speaking of refers to two main types of Spiritual Gifts. These gifts are speaking and serving. They are given by the Holy Spirit to all believers.
Read More...

The Unworthy Slave - Luke 17:7-10

Last week we were taught about the Unforgiving Slave in Matthew 18. Jesus taught His disciples about forgiveness, redemption, and a warning of consequences if we do not forgive those who ask us for forgiveness. Jesus’ parable showed how ridiculous it is for us to not to forgive when He has forgiven us for sinning against Him. We have sinned so much more against God than anyone one person has sinned against us. The imagery described in this parable was so good on what God does for us as the Master did to the slave in the parable. If we come to God and fall at the foot of the cross and beg for mercy, repent of our sins, and put our trust in Him to release our debt than what does He do for us? Instead of getting what we deserve He gives us mercy, grace and forgiveness of our crimes against Him. Our God is so good.
Read More...

The Hidden Treasure - Matthew 13:44

I want to share something with you today something that most of you don’t know about me. First, I was diagnosed with diabetes about 4 years ago. Since being diagnosed I have developed a few medical needs. Second, most of you don’t know that I am extremely wealthy. Not like Tiger Woods wealthy but more like Bill Gates wealthy. I know I know I you may be shocked but it is true. I am loaded.

Today is a once in a life time opportunity for you. Today you could walk out of this room a millionaire. Of course there is going to be a cost associated with getting this money but I am sure a few of you will walk out today with a nice chunk of change. Read More...

Introduction: My sermon was heavely influenced by John MacArthurs book The Tale of Two Sons. This book is just fabulous and I would highly suggest it for anyone wanting to know every detail of this parable by Jesus.

Here is a link to Amazon for ordering purposes.


The Prodigal Son - Part 2

A few weeks have past since we first studied the parable of the prodigal son. As we studied last time the story is really about so much more than the one son as we discussed. It is really a story of a gracious, merciful, loving father. And two sons who represent us all. It describes two kinds of sinners. One who is outwardly rebellious, wicked, immoral and doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him. The other is inwardly wicked and immoral but on the surface looks moral and very religious. However neither of these sons have any type of loving relationship with their father. They are both rebellious and Jesus is asking very important question through this parable.
Read More...

Today we are going to take a look at one of the most well known parables Jesus told. We all know the story of the prodigal son and how a very lost sinner was saved. It is a story of a very shameful son who was completely reconciled back to his father after his complete repentance.

However, as much as we have all heard this story there really are two other characters in this story who we read over and kind of just ignore since we focus so much on the prodigal son. Today instead of looking at the prodigal son I want to focus primarily on the Father in the story and in a few weeks we are going to focus on the second son. The son who stayed home with the father but was just as lost as the prodigal. People will think the second son represents Christians and is saved but he is lost. We have missed represented this parable by calling it the Prodigal Son and it should really be called the Story of the two sons and their gracious, loving and merciful Father. As we study this passage I hope the richness of what God has done for us as believers encourages your heart. I hope it gives a little glimpse into His love for us.
Read More...

Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man and Lazarus

Today’s message is seriously one of the most important places of scripture that we can study. It is a place in scripture where we see what happens to people after they die. We have two different accounts but primarily we will be taking a hard look at a man who ended up in hell. This parable on the surface looks to be addressing money which it is, but really it is addressing how do I get to heaven or how do I end up in hell.

I believe we could spend weeks on this particular parable and barely scratch the surface of its depth. But I hope that God’s word speaks to your hearts today about His Truth. What we are going to look at today should make a serious impact on how we deal and look at scripture.

Please open your Bibles to Luke 16:19-31. We are going to be taking a look at the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. One interesting note on this parable is that it is the only parable Jesus uses a real persons name. I believe there is a reason God uses the name of Lazarus but we could speculate many things about that simple fact. But instead of exploring that particular question we are going to dig into what God is trying to tell us through this parable.
Read More...

Have you ever questioned your faith? Have you ever had doubts that the Bible is God’s Holy Word? Is God really there? Have you ever doubted your salvation?

Have you ever cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” as the father of a demon possessed boy did in Mark 9.

Doubt is one of those things that can cause us to abandon the faith or we can use our doubts to trust and grow in our relationship with Christ by digging deep into His word. I always like what Pastor Ken “Hutch” likes to say, “I should always doubt my own doubts and just trust the promises of God.” Read More...

Guilt is defined as “the fact of having committed a specified offense or crime(sin); a feeling of having done wrong or failed in an obligation”

I want to take a look at how we guard against the bad feelings we have when we do something wrong. Is it possible to restore joy and happiness to our lives when we have done wrong? What does God have to say about our guilty feelings of sinning against Him? God tells us very specifically what we are to do!

But before we take a look at what God has to say I want to take a look at what the world tells us today about guilt. I even want to take a look at supposedly Christian leaders and what they say about sin and guilt. Guilt is on the attack in our culture. The very idea that someone feels guilty is considered unproductive and obsolete.
Read More...

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 contains one of those classic passages in scripture that addresses God’s election of the saints. God has provided this particular passage to give us hope and let us know that He is in complete control of all situations. We are to stand firm in His promises. Everything that we put our faith into is the knowledge that He keeps His word to us. Our hope is in Him and nothing else. It allows us to stand firm. Read More...

The fact is clear we are going to be persecuted and afflicted as Christians. It is inevitable, the word of God speaks so clearly about this. I would be concerned if you have never been persecuted for your faith and obedience to Christ. We know Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:12

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Read More...

There are lots of concepts of what it means to “know” God, but there is only one way to truly know God and that is through His Son Jesus Christ. Since I have been studying in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and I have come across two passages that talk about not knowing God, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at what it means to know or not to know God. Why is this important to examine? It is because there are serious consequences with our knowledge of God. Without truly knowing God through His Son Jesus Christ you will spend an eternity in suffering and separated from God in hell. This is why it is so important to have a TRUE knowledge of God.

I want to take a look at four ways I can know God. They are:

I know nothing about Him
I can have knowledge of Him
I can know things about Him
I can truly know Him Read More...

Sorry for the late updated but things have been pretty crazy for the Porter's.

This week we are going to be covering pages 136-139 and answering questions 8-14. Since I am late and short on time I have grabbed MacArthur, J. Vernon Mcgee and Jon Courson commentaries and once again put them under each of the questions we are covering. Read More...

We are going to learn something special in todays message, what is the will of God? There is absolutely no ambiguity about what God expects from us in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. I hear people talking about what is God’s will in my life? This answers one of the clear expectations He has for us.

What we are going to look at today affects every single male sitting in this room without exception. We are going to see what God has to say about moral purity and how do I abstain from sexual immorality. Read More...

Gentlemen,
I hope everyone had a great week. We will be covering questions 4-7 on pages 135 and 136. I have provided commentaries for each of the 4 questions with scripture pertaining to that particular question. Please feel free to add anything to this study that you have found valuable. Thanks! Read More...

This week we will be studying through Genesis 20:1-18 and answering questions 1-3 on pages 133-135.

Here are a few commentaries from Matthew Henry.

Genesis 20:1-2

Here is, 1. Abraham's removal from Mamre, where he had lived nearly twenty years, into the country of the Philistines: He sojourned in Gerar, Gen_20:1. We are not told upon what occasion he removed, whether terrified by the destruction of Sodom, or because the country round was for the present prejudiced by it, or, as some of the Jewish writers say, because he was grieved at Lot's incest with his daughters, and the reproach which the Canaanites cast upon him and his religion, Read More...

Galatians 2:20 is a verse I have committed to memory. My desire is to be done with the "I" but how hard is it to live it 24x7 365 days a year being completely dead to myself and alive in Christ. How many times does the "I" try to rear its ugly head and steal my joy in Christ. So why do we even bother to die to ourselves? Why try to be a godly man or women? Why try to do what is right? Because He loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.

He gave Himself for me, a sinner, who hated Him and rebelled against Him. I owe Him everything because He laid down His life so I could live. I can't even comprehend it at times. It is just too much for me to understand His love, mercy and grace but I am so thankful for what He has done.

Below is one of the devotions from Oswald Chambers in his book "My Utmost for His Highest". I have found it a blessing today and wanted to share it. He convicts me of my attitude and my lack of utter gratefulness to my Lord and Savior at times. To many times the "I" comes out with what Wes wants. Read More...

This week we will be wrapping up lesson 11 in Genesis 19. Please answer questions 14-16 on pages 130-131 for this weeks study. I know we didn't finish everything last week so we will be catching up a bit.

One thing I want to note about this study and that is if anyone thinks that the Bible is a bunch of made up stories I would contest that with the story of Lot. It shows a real ugly side of a righteous man. I mean if this was all made up would we put this kind of horrible sin as a representative of someone being a righteous man? The bible is definitely not condoning what Lot did but is recording history as accurately as possible. Who's kind of righteousness should we be following after? Lot or Abraham? Look at their lives and how each turned out. I will opt for the life of Abraham and follow God in obedience instead of trying to flirt with the world like Lot did.

If anyone has more to add please do! Thanks! Read More...

This weeks lesson will cover chapter 19 of Genesis. We will be answering questions 10-13 on pages 127-130.

This chapter is one ugly chapter for man and really reveals how messed up things can get. What keeps going through my mind is why God spared Lot. Lot is one interesting biblical character. I don't see a lot of holiness and righteousness in his behavior. But what does Peter say about Lot? Peter writes in 2 Peter Chapter 2:6-8

if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard) Read More...

This week please answer questions 4-9 on pages 125-127. We will be focusing on Genesis 18:16-33.

I have included three resources for this study, the first is on the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, the second is Matthew Henry's commentary and last is a sermon from Scott Lindsey

SODOM AND GOMORRAH

Sodom and Gomorrah are two cities in the Bible associated with evil. They were cities of the plain or valley (Genesis 13:12). There were five cities located in the valley of Siddim (i.e., the Salt Sea). Of these, Sodom is mentioned most frequently in Genesis-thirty-six times in all. Sodom became known in as the supreme example of a wicked city. Its destruction (19:24) was used as a warning of God’s judgment in other biblical writings (Deuteronomy 29:23; Isaiah 1:9-10; Jeremiah 23:14; Jeremiah 49:18; Lamentations 4:6; Amos 4:11; Zephaniah 2:9). The story of Sodom’s destruction found its place also in the New Testament (Matthew 10:15; Luke 10:12; 17:29; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 1:7; Revelation 11:8). Read More...

It is almost the end of October and I don't know how many times I have read 1 John this month but it has been a lot. John tells us about sin and how we are to deal with it and what is our response to it before and after we become believers. John is not messing around about sin and he expresses that we should have no sin in our lives. To have no sin in our lives is only accomplished one way, through the sacrifice of Christ.

In the first few verses of this book John tells us that he is an eyewitness to the things he is going to tell us. He proclaims to us what he has seen and heard concerning the Word of life (Jesus, 1 John 1:1) He then immediately addresses the sin of the unbeliever. He gives us some stern warnings; If you claim to walk with Him but you walk in the darkness you deceive yourself. If we claim to be without sin, we are deceived and the truth is not in us and we are liars. What is the answer for the unbeliever who is lost. It is answered in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Once I confess my sins, admit that I am a sinner and believe Christ died and rose again for my debt, only then I am made righteous and can walk in the light with God for eternity. How many times do I have to do that? Read More...

We are moving to Lesson 11 in Genesis and will be covering this portion of scripture for the next 4 weeks. This week we are going to be looking at Sarah's response to God about having a baby at 90 years old. We will be contrasting how she responds verses how Abraham responded in the previous chapter.

This week please answer questions 1-3 on pages 123-125. We will be focusing on Genesis 18:1-15.

Here are two Great Resources for this study. The first is a John Piper sermon on Genesis 18:10-15 and the second is Calvin's Commentary on the key verses of Sarah's response: Read More...

In the last week I have been doing a serious study on 1 John. I was listening to a John MacArthur Podcast and he talked about taking each of the New Testament books and reading one book for 30 days everyday. I have read through the entire Bible lots of times and I think for the next 2 years I am going to try this and still read through the entire Bible in a year. We will see how it goes but it has already been a blessing for me in so many ways. Read More...

We are wrapping up lesson 10 in Genesis this week. We are going to be covering pages 119 through 122 and answering questions 10-14.

In chapter 17 there are two really important verses for us to understand. Verse 17:11 says, and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. Read More...

Here is a great article on Noah's Ark. I have had people challenge me that I am completely silly for believing in the factual account of the ark. This is an excellent article that gives some insightful facts about the ark and a great study into Genesis. Here is an excerpt from the article and a link to the full article at www.AnswersInGenesis.org
Read More...

Well a couple of you guys were asking about getting a copy of the video I put together for this mornings sermon. I have tried to compress it as best as I can but it is still a 28 MB download. So if you are not on a high speed connection don't bother trying to get it.


Read More...

After my morning sermon on the Church of Laodicea, I think this devotional by Charles Spurgeon is more than appropriate. I will be posting my sermon in the next few days.

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Read More...

Travis Carden (http://www.traviscarden.com) has done some fantastic work putting a list together to show we are in a constant state of depravity until God breathes spiritual life into our spiritual deadness. If we take these passages as a whole I have a really hard time thinking that any man can bring himself or should I say “choose” God. I cannot align myself to be in the right position to receive God’s grace and mercy when I am completely depraved and dead in my sins. What do you think? Read More...

We are still continuing through the book of Genesis in my men’s small group (MOB). This week we have read through were God accounted His righteousness to Abram. Many people ask how were the people in the Old Testament saved? Just like we are saved today through the blood of Christ. Our hope is in the things that have already happened, that we have faith, belief and repentance to what Christ already did. Read More...

Here is a sermon I spoke on this Wednesday. How are we to stand up like the Church of Smyrna in the days of persecution? Read More...

Ezekiel 18 is just an awesome chapter in the Bible. I have read this over and over all week and just makes me realize even more what God desires from us. Our repentance. Ezekiel writes to the rebellious Jewish nation the message of repentance. If they repent and turn to God they will be saved, otherwise they will die. Let see how these verses apply to us today. Read More...

In our weekly men’s breakfast this morning one of our pastors was going through the 2nd chapter in James teaching on faith and works. I have been thinking about my own faith and does my life show the fruits of my faith. I think in some ways yes and some areas I definitely need to improve. But as I thought more about this and the people who I know who are true Christians always demonstrate fruit/works in their lives. Then I started thinking about people who claim faith in Christ but there is NO fruit and on top of that they don’t even believe in what the Bible has to say. Read More...

1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. Read More...

A few weeks ago I was able to present how we earn the crown of righteousness. I have written out my notes and hope you find them helpful.

The Crown of Righteousness,
What does this crown of righteousness really entail and more importantly how do I even earn this crown of righteousness. Is it even possible to earn it? How does God describe this crown? These are very good question to think about and I hope to examine it with you today. Read More...

As I reflect on this past weekend I am still amazed at what Christ did for us on that cross 2000 years ago. It’s just so inconceivable that He was willing to come down to earth and take our sin who knew no sin. How humble is God to do that for people who rebel against Him daily. Read More...

We are studying over Genesis 3 and the fall of man in our men’s bible study. I have heard from many people the following quote, “You don’t really believe in the story of Adam and Eve do you”? Read More...

There is something that I think we forget about our God. He is very serious about us following after His commandments. In our Wednesday morning breakfast we have been discussing how to worship God. I believe one of the ways is by following His commandments. Read More...

In the past few days on STR.org I have been going back and forth with someone who doesn’t believe in the historicity of the Bible. Nor does he believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Here is a link if you feel so inclined to read through it. Read More...

In todays daily reading I came across Proverbs 14:6 and 9. In these two verses Solomon addresses the scoffers and mockers who think Christianity is for fools. My heart goes out to those who call us silly or fools. They have no idea how sin has blinded them to the truth of Jesus. Read More...

More from Genesis in our men’s small group study. (MOB - Men of the Bible). This week we are looking at the male-headship of Adam and the original roles of man and woman. We have read through a chapter in Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Wayne Grudem and John Piper. Read More...

Today in church we covered the start of Paul’s ministry in Acts 13. Paul teaches the complete gospel message in chapter 13 and towards the end of the chapter in verse 45 we get the reaction of the religious leaders of the day.
Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Read More...

In my daily reading I have started in the book of Job. In the first chapter Job’s characteristics are exemplified in many ways. Job 1:1 starts off with; ...Job was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. He is then described by God exactly the same way in Job 1:8 and further states there is none like him on the earth. Read More...

More of my thoughts from our men’s bible study in Genesis.

Paul states in Ephesians 5:25: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

This is also reinforced when God first established the marriage covenant and the responsibility God has given to men to be spiritual leaders in the home and how to love and take care of their wives. Read More...

Today I was studying through Genesis 2 in our Men's weekly Bible study and one of the questions in the study asked why did God give Adam a helper.

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Read More...