This message continues the “High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus. The first two elements of the Lord’s prayer focused on His ability to carry out the mission that the Father had given to Him. It also included the strength for the disciples to carry out the mission that God had given to them as well. This message covers the last part of Jesus’ prayer where He prays for us to be able to live for Him and carry out His mission for us also. Have you ever wondered what Jesus really wants for you as one of His children? This message points out the three things that were more important on the Lord’s heart for us.
What Would God Pray For? (John 17:1-19)
Have you ever wondered what God would pray for? If you could stop for a moment and listen to God as He pours His heart out, what would He say or pray for? This message lets us peak in to the Lord as He pours His heart out to God the Father just before His crucifixion. We have the opportunity to hear His heart and passion for the world that He had created.
What Do We Need to Keep Us Going? (John 16:16-33)
We will all face difficult times at some point in our lives. The closeness of our relationship will determine how well we will deal with those difficulties. Sixty-five years ago five missionaries set out to contact a tribe in the Amazon that had been left alone. Five days later all the missionaries had been killed in their contact with the tribe. Their five wives pressed on and eventually led many of that tribe to Christ. The disciples were facing overwhelming difficulty as they came to grips with the Lord’s imminent departure. The Lord gave them the essentials to keep going on even though things seemed impossible. The Lord’s counsel works for us as well today.
We will all face difficult times at some point in our lives. The closeness of our relationship will determine how well we will deal with those difficulties....
We are Blessed with the Holy Spirit (John 16:4-17)
When the Lord told the disciples that He was leaving, they probably felt a sense of panic. What would they do? How could they function day by day? The Lord had been with them constantly for the past three years, developing them, grooming them, growing them, and preparing them for life and ministry. The Lord wasn’t about to leave them alone in their mission. And, when we feel all alone in our journey of life, the Lord hasn’t left us alone either. The Lord has given the Holy Spirit to us so that we can complete the job that He gave us.
When the Lord told the disciples that He was leaving, they probably felt a sense of panic. What would they do? How could they function day by day? The Lor...
God Always Keeps His Word! (Genesis 21:1-7)
Five of the greatest words in the English language are: “God always keeps His Word!” What a wonderful promise and fact. One of the things that we have to remember is that God’s timetable and our timetable is not always the same. This message looks at God’s fulfillment of his promise to Abraham and Sarah to bless them with a son. It didn’t happen right away. It was 25 years after God had made the promise. How do we handle things when God’s timing doesn’t match up with our timing? God always keeps His word.
Five of the greatest words in the English language are: "God always keeps His Word!" What a wonderful promise and fact. One of the things that we have to r...
Living for the Lord will bring Persecution! (John 15:18-16:4)
Jesus told the disciples... “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” If we live for the Lord we are going to rub the world the wrong way and there will be consequences as a result. Are we ready for the persecution? Are we prepared for what we may have to face? The Lord wanted the disciples to be prepared as well as wanting us to be prepared as well.
Jesus told the disciples... "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." If we live for the Lord we are going to rub the world t...
A New Start - Philippians 3:12-16
2020 is over and 2021 has just started. A year ago, we had no idea what the past year would be like. Maybe you lost a job, your income, your home or even a family member. It will be great to move on but how do we do that? Philippians 3:12-16 gives us a unique insight into moving along.
2020 is now officially over and 2021 has started. But the effects of 2020 are still all around us. How do we move on in our lives to be effective for the L...
"A Baby Makes All the Difference" (Matthew 1:18-25)
Biblical history records some amazing and spectacular births...
There was the birth of Isaac to parents who should have been great-grandparents. There was the birth of Samuel to Hannah, who previously had been unable to have a child and suffered great ridicule from others in her household. There was the birth of John the Baptist to Elizabeth who was past the child-bearing age. But the most amazing birth was the birth of Jesus to a virgin. Interestingly enough, the closer we get to the Lord’s return, the more people refuse to believe in His “virgin” birth. Unbelief is not a new issue. It has been around for years and years. Joseph was confronted with the “virgin” birth and his response serves as a great example to each of us.
This is another message in the Christmas series. Even though we are just a couple of days removed from Christmas, I still want to wish you a Merry Christmas.
A Baby Makes All the Difference (Matthew 1:18-25)Biblical history records some amazing and spectacular births...There was the birth of Isaac to parents who s...
When God Doesn't Make Sense - Luke 1:26-38
In this portion of Luke, we find God’s solutions or answers to situations that seem to fit “When God doesn’t make sense” or seem impossible. We face impossible situations all throughout our life. It may be a health or financial problem, or perhaps, a conflict with a person that seems to be unresolvable. It is our “When God doesn’t make sense” circumstances that give God the opportunity to show us that He can do the impossible any time, any day, in any way He chooses.
“When God doesn’t make sense” situations are like magnets for God’s intervention in the life of believers. All throughout the Bible we see God’s answers to “When God doesn’t make sense” events. Today’s portion reveals the angel Gabriel’s visit with Mary with one of those “When God doesn’t make sense” situations. Merry Christmas!
In this portion of Luke, we find God's solution or answer to the situations that seem to fit "When God doesn't make sense" or seem impossible. We face impos...
The Uniqueness of God's Time and Christmas - Galatians 4:4-7 - Pastor Mark Martin
When you stop and think about it... The reality is that God never does anything too early or too late, He is always right on time according to His purpose and will. It was a dark time for the world. The nation of Israel was oppressed and occupied by the Roman Empire. The people of Israel had not heard from God since the days of the prophet Malachi for a period of 400 years of silence. At exactly the right moment, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem all of us who lived under God’s condemnation. Today’s message talks about God timing, purpose, and manner in which God sent His Son at exactly the right moment in eternity.
The Uniqueness of God's Timing and Christmas (Galatians 4:4-7)When you stop and think about it... The reality is that God never does anything too early or to...
If I am a Believer, I am a Friend of Jesus (John 15:12-16)
What does it mean to be a friend? If you are looking for a friend, what do you look for? Jesus addresses these questions as He talks about His friends in today’s passage. There are certain key elements that are a part of a relationship with the Lord. Are they a part of our lives? Today’s message looks at these elements and applies them to our daily lives.
If I am a Believer, I am a Friend of Jesus (John 15:12-16) What does it mean to be a friend? If you are looking for a friend, what do you look for? Jesus add...
Taking a Stand (2 Timothy 4:1-4) - Pastor Mark Martin
It was the best of times and it was the worst of times. The Church in America seems to be more prosperous than ever and yet our culture is more wicked and evil than ever before as well. The church is like the proverbial “frog in the kettle” where culture has slowly moved away from Biblical morality and the church has been silent and, in many instances, allowed the world to influence her rather than influencing the world. The Apostle Paul challenges us, in these days of continuing moral decline, to take a stand for Biblical Values. The message today takes up that challenge.
Title: Taking a Stand (2 Timothy 4:1-4) It was the best of times and it was the worst of times. The Church in America seems to be more prosperous than ever a...
The Importance of Abiding in Christ - John 15:1-11 - Pastor Mark Martin
Jesus said in John 10:10 that He had come to give us abundant life. That sounds great but how do we really live a life that is abundant. In today’s message, the Lord talks about abundant life coming through “Abiding in Christ”. What does it mean to abide in Christ and how do we do that? The secret to living a life that is fruitful and pleasing to the Lord comes by abiding in Christ.
Overcoming Fear (John 14:25-31)
Fear and anxiety are an everyday part of life. The Lord’s comments on this passage echo what he said in the previous passage. Let not your heart be trouble. We struggle because we don’t know what to do. And when we struggle, we begin to fear and have anxiety. We want to trust the Lord but we still struggle with fear. The Lord gives us some insight and on we can overcome fear in today’s passage.
Fear and anxiety are an everyday part of life. The Lord's comments on this passage echo what he said in the previous passage. Let not your heart be trouble. ...
How Do I Deal with the Anxiety Around Me and Within Me? (John 14:1-24)
We leave in a world that is rapidly changing around us. When the normal becomes a blur and the abnormal slips in, we have a tendency to move into a state of anxiety. God equipped us to not be anxious. Matter of fact He say, “Be anxious for nothing.” How do we do with that. Everything around us is changing. The Lord gave great counsel to the disciples the night before He was crucified because he knew how it was going to affect them. The same application applies to us today.
How Do I Deal with the Anxiety Around Me and Within Me? (John 14:1-24) We leave in a world that is rapidly changing around us. When the normal becomes a blur...
You Cannot Go With Jesus and Stay Where You Are (John 13:31-38) - Oct 25, 2020 - Pastor Mark Martin
If you grew up in a Christian household, you probably sang the song, “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our love”. There is more reality to that than we think. If you are really part of God’s forever family and Christ is growing within you, love will continually develop within you and people will see and experience it. This was the message that the Lord shared with the disciples just before He was crucified. How is your “love” toward others? This is a message that will stretch you.
If you grew up in a Christian household, you probably sang the song, "They Will Know We Are Christians by Our love". There is more reality to that than we th...
How Well Does Your "Acceptance Attitude" Measure Up? - John 13:18-30
You cannot go very far through life without rubbing others the wrong way or having them do the same to you. After that has happened, how do you handle being around them or what do you do when they appear in your life unexpectedly? Jesus serves as the perfect role model for us as He demonstrated the ability to get along with those who have hurt you through the way that He responded to Judas. Judas had sold the Lord out to the authorities and Jesus knew it and it had no affect upon the way He related to Him.
How Well Does Your "Acceptance Attitude" Measure Up? (John 13:18-30) You cannot go very far through life without rubbing others the wrong way or having them ...
"Humility Up Close and Personal" - John 13:1-17 - Pastor Mark Martin
One of the hardest traits to develop in the Christian life is humility. It is the act of putting others above yourself for their benefit even when it costs you. Human nature doesn't want to cooperate. From the cradle to the grave we seek our own needs first. Jesus served as the perfect example when He washed the disciples' feet. This message comes from John 13:1-17.
One of the hardest traits to develop in the Christian life is humility. It is the act of putting others above yourself for their benefit even when it costs y...
Where is Your Focus? - John 12 - Pastor Mark Martin
BFC Olney Sermons - October 4, 2020 - Pastor Mark Martin - "What's Your Focus On?" - John 12
John 12 moves us into the final week of the Lord's life before the Crucifixion. If you knew that you were going to die in a week, what would you do? The Lord stays focused on fulfilling the Father's plan and providing salvation for the world. What is your focus on today?
John 12 moves us into the final week of the Lord's life before the Crucifixion. If you knew that you were going to die in a week, what would you do? The Lord...
"The Lord is Always in Control" - John 11 - Pastor Mark Martin
John 11 is one of the most unique passages regarding the Lord's ministry. It is the account of the resurrection of Lazarus. The Lord purposefully waited long enough to go to Bethany that there would be no doubt that Lazarus had died and been buried. The Lord then raises Lazarus from the grave showing that He is God and has power over death. The Lord is always in control of all of our circumstances.
John 11 is one of the most unique passages regarding the Lord's ministry. It is the account of the resurrection of Lazarus. The Lord purposefully waited long...