By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place, which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. (Hebrews 11:8-12)
Please join us this Sunday, March 3rd at 10:00 am., as Calvary Bible Church hosts its weekly Bible Teaching and Communion Fellowship Service in the front lobby of the U.S. Bank Building, 303 Crescent Avenue (near the corner of Crescent & Metropole), offering a Biblical study entitled: “Abraham’s Faith Is Tested Again!" taken from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 20 & 21. All are welcome to join us and hear this message of love and truth from God's Life-Changing Word!
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." (Genesis 17:1-2) A short time later, the LORD visits Abraham, who is resting in the doorway of his tent under the large oak tree at the Oasis of Mamre near the northwest corner of the Dead Sea. He tells the old man once again, that he will have a son, with whom He – the LORD – would make an everlasting covenant, giving his offspring (the Jews) the entire land of Israel. Overhearing this, Abraham’s 89-year old wife Sarah laughs to herself. Knowing Abraham and Sarah’s wavering faith, the Lord tells him, “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:13-14) “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” had to be ringing in Abraham’s ears! But, because he was obedient and trusted the LORD, Abraham’s faith grew, and he “believed (trusted) the LORD and it was credited to him to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6) A thousand years later, our LORD tells the Prophet Isaiah, “I am the LORD, that is My Name! New things I declare to you. Before they spring into being, I announce them to you.” (Isaiah 42:9) When Isaac was born to his 90 year old wife Sarah, the 100-year old Abraham finally got it! The promises of the LORD are true indeed! Our faith is our trust and obedience to the LORD, that His promises WILL come to pass and in His timing, not ours. Like Abraham, will YOUR faith be accounted to you as righteousness?
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As we study the Book of Genesis together, we see that despite mankind’s continued failure – beginning with Adam & Eve and continuing with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – our most Benevolent, Loving, and Living Creator demonstrates His unending love for us. Every time man falls on his face in failure, our Loving Father is there to pick him up, dust him off, and send him (and all of us, as well) on his way to begin all over again. Reading Genesis, you will get some understanding of why God is seeking to have such a close, loving relationship with each and every one of us. To the Prophet Jeremiah, our Heavenly Father said, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3) His love is meant to sweep us off our feet and save us from our sinful self. It couldn’t have been said any clearer than by Jesus Himself: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Jesus Speaking in John 3:16)
When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection in His new, glorified body, He told them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ (the Messiah King) to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations." (Luke 24:46-47) This is the true "gospel," the "good news" that ministers of our Lord are commanded to preach: repentance of your sins with the promise of everlasting life with Him in heaven. Your faith in this promise "comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) There is no other way to eternal life after you die. Please join us this Sunday and learn what God has to say about your future, as written in His inspired Holy Word... the Bible. Become a REAL Christian... a true follower of Jesus Christ. He gave up His life so that we -- each and every one of us -- might have eternal life!
Paul, in his letters to the early Church, tells us that it is our friend, Jesus Christ, who saves us from sin and gives us a resurrected body and eternal life -- we do not save ourselves. Trying to be "a good person" or doing good deeds does not lead to salvation. To both Jews and pagans, Paul preached "repentance of sin toward God and faith commitment toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:21) It is only by our repentance of sin (turning away from it) and direct commitment to Jesus Christ -- not belonging to a particular religion, following a church denomination, or doing "good works" -- that changes in our life and our eternal salvation are assured. Peter tells us how easy it is to find salvation: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) Are you ready to receive the free gift of eternal life from your new-found friend, Jesus Christ?
Each week's study is taught by Pastor Jason Gant, bringing you the loving and living Word of God from the Bible, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse. Everyone is welcomed, and transportation is happily provided. Attendees at this Sunday's service will have the opportunity to ask their Bible questions and take part in a brief discussion period after the teaching. The celebration of the Lord’s Supper for believers follows, with our "Coffee & Carbs Fellowship" immediately afterwards. For more information, please call 310-510-3003 or visit our website at www.calvarybiblechurch.com. Can't join us this Sunday? Visit Pastor Jason’s new blog for answers to your questions regarding the Christian Life at www.onepastorsperspective.com. In the meantime, if you need prayer. please call our toll-free 24-Hour Prayer Line 1-866-Holy-Word (465-9967). Remember... Read the Book, Learn the Truth!
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