During difficult times, the hope of eternity gives us strength. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eye salve [see Revelation 3:18, anoint your eyes with eye salve]. Goodbye hardship and heaviness. 6. It was like his soul was being evaporated by the heat of his own guilt and shame. Second, as a result of Abrahams trust in God, he became a friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). By giving the Spirit, He gives more of Himself. 3. SERVICE TIMES SUNDAYS AT 8:00 & 10:30AM 200 W. WILLOW STREET LAFAYETTE, LA 70501 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR OMAR COME AS YOU ARE Study Bibles identify themes and provide outlines for each book of the Bible along with some commentary, among other things. Doctrines. Focusing on a particular book of the Bible will give us a deeper insight and context for its message. God may have given him only two talents, but He knows that if he is faithful with a small amount of power, in the Kingdom he will faithfully administer all of the responsibility and effectiveness that God bestows upon him. The Revelation of Christ (Revelation 1-5) >Seven Churches >Sixth Message, Philadelphia . The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. Whenever were discouraged, or lack something we need, we should make it a habit to search the Bible and find what God has promised. David C. Grabbe The best way to increase joy in your life is by developing a habit of daily time with God. Are you letting Him speak to you? Obviously, studying the life of Jesus Christ is the best example. If our prayers are getting stale and were running out of things to say, maybe were not listening enough. The deeper we delve into that treasure chestthe Biblethe richer we become and the happier well be, not because of physical riches we put to work at the bank but because of the spiritual riches we put to work in our lives. As Peter wrote, we look for a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). In periods of modern droughts, aerial photographs document the receding water levels in reservoirs around the stateshorelines growing wider and drier as water levels fall. Library Please browse around our website for various information about our church. King David said, I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure (Psalm 119:162; New King James Version). With that in mind, the sermon on the mount, for example, takes on a deeper perspective. After Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of Worldwide Church of God, died at age of 93 (January 16, 1986), Gerald Flurry (born April 12, 1935 and a minister in WCG since 1973, 1 was one of those that disagreed with the new changes that Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach, Sr. began instigating. How did He stay on track and endure? He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. They loved Jesus, and Jesus was not ashamed to call them brothers (Hebrews 2:11). The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. God gave him a second chance. Psalm 32:4. There are hundreds of such subjects! The non-conclusion of 3 John exposes that the attack on God's Church didn't end in the first century. Somehow, at the end of the age, when Christ has returned to reign and inaugurate the eternal state, this earth will be renovated and a new earth will be the resulta new earth full of righteousness in which pain and sorrow will be absent. Special News Report on Philadelphia Church of God. This is God's word. 1. Jesus repeatedly said that He only did what the Father showed Him to do (John 5:19), and prayer was His means. How did He react to situations when He was challenged? Genesis 1:28. They often deal with speculation that does not emanate from the Spirit of God and can be wrong in their conclusions. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4). It was situated on the lower slopes of Tmolus, and is still represented by a town called Allah-shehr (city of God). Stephen Flurry Article on Fear Winds Down the Wrong Road. Revelation 21:1. Church at Philadelphia Consider these verses: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Our God has given us a most valuable treasure chest filled with priceless treasurethe words of eternal life! It's the city of brotherly love, perfect for the Church of God. Individually, we may only have a little "power," but if we are faithful with what we have been given, God is pleased, knowing we will also be faithful with great power. Philadelphia Dallas Monday Night Service. Our own "desires" entice us away from God and desire "gives birth to sin" (James 1:1315). Join Kelly Minter in this 7-session Bible study as she unpacks the biblical foundation for these sacred habits along with approachable ways to practice disciplines like prayer, study, worship, rest, simplicity, generosity, celebration, and many . "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. Thats the view given by most English dictionariesa deemphasis on ones own importance. Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). Our natural thoughts and actions are not Gods thoughts and actions (Isaiah 55:8-9). Psalm 119:162. A Christian must never rest on his oars, no matter what his situation or era. In mathematics two of the basic kinds of numbers are integers and fractions: 2, 100, and 56 are integers, while , , and 2.5 are fractions. I attended Herbert W. Armstrong College (HWAC) for three and a half years, and was a writer for the Philadelphia Trumpet. The 'Open Door' of Philadelphia, There is criticism or maybe it is simply a statement of fact. Services normally begin at 12:30 PM, except on a few select dates. . Luke 6:12. If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word. Ezekiel is the prophet of the glory of the Lord. In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. That in turn enables the Church to have more of an impact in doing Gods Work! It happened to Samuel, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zechariah, and others. This has nothing to do with how much money you do or dont havea poverty-stricken person can covet just as much as a billionaire. Useful knowledge will always humble us and prepare us to be in Gods Family. They told the king they would not divide their allegiance, that they would maintain their faith in God and His promises. And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10). People interested in studying the Bible can sign up for the online course regardless of whether they have previously enrolled in the mail correspondence version. After the student passes a test, he or she receives the next four lessons. He spoke of looking forward to these things. and [looking] for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13-14). He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalems temple. Our Bible study should always lead us to Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13). We invite all of our Dallas families to join us on Monday Nights for Bible Study service. Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. Instead of waiting months to receive four lessons and a test in the mail, paying to ship the completed test, and starting the wait all over again, Bible course students can now log in to the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course website and progress through the lessons and tests much more quickly. Matthew uses the word kingdom 56 times. In writing about the timing of the Day of the Lord (the end of the age), Peter says God is waiting for all who will be saved to come to Him. 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. How can we benefit from lessons learned? But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. If one of them goes flat, you are stuck until you get it fixed. Someone had used a knife to cut a hole in the middle of the book. This course has been designed to guide you through a systematic study of your Biblethe Bible is the only textbook. A fascinating study would be to read through the gospels with particular focus on Jesus Christ and His reactions under different circumstances. We tend to think of the Philadelphians as being without fault because Christ does not make a pointed and detailed listing of their sins. They have "a little strength. Therefore, if we are to experience victory in this life, it will come only as we depend on Him. The evidence shows that the Philadelphia group lacks the spiritual strength of the beginning of the Ephesian group. The Philadelphians have one fine qualitythey are faithful. It is billeted as an outreach program, . International readers pay significant postage rates for sending their tests to Edmond for grading. Church of God Photos See all Videos See all 13:15 Fly over! The "church in Philadelphia," along with the "church in Smyrna," are the only two churches (of the seven mentioned) about which Jesus had nothing negative to say. He alone has the . In the description of New Jerusalem, the gate is open only to those whose names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27; 22:14). Both the American and British Bible Societies were organized during . A doctrine is a teaching or that which is taught. Together they comprise the Churchs body of beliefs. The creation is both a monument of Gods power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom. It surely evoked deep introspection among the believers in that ancient city and, we trust, a repentant spirit. But then the rains of grace came and David confessed his sin and God forgave him (verse 5). The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). If He says something will happen, so be it. That enables us to trust Him more easily, and our faith builds. The hardest part of forgiving another person isacting like the offense never occurred. The words of the Bible are Gods thoughts in print (2 Timothy 3:16). Commentaries are more apt to be off track than other Bible helps because the authors have more room to insert their own thoughts and ideas. That is integrity. Hiding sin does not remove it from Gods sight; but when we seek Gods forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restoredthat is the power of confession. Why Would Anyone Accept the Mark of the Beast? As Christ says in Luke 16:10, ". Theyre building a palace for me over there. Connections are available beginning at 6:45 PM. Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. Ezekiel looked beyond the sufferings of Christ to the glory that should follow. Ezekiel 1:1, NIV, We often need fresh starts after enduring bitter disappointments. The key of David Hensley said that the site will also prevent stagnation, which can result in enrollees quitting the course. name of his foundation means "brotherly love.". This rosy evaluation is suspect from the standpoint that we also think it is the church . If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! This occurs largely because people keep pushing God and all He is doing out of the picture and focusing on the works of men. Snowfall in the winter and melting snow in the spring are critical factors in replenishing shrinking reservoirs. Sometimes for this kind of study a modern translation that flows better than the King James Version might be helpful. He still is able to overcome. Read John 6:68. Start today! When Gods mandates go unfulfilled on earth, Gods glory is diminished. They are the spiritual food we need in order to grow spiritually (John 6:55-59, 63 and 1 Peter 2:2). John MacArthur speculates in his study Bible that it was: "probably the fruit of Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus (cf. We have not seen many mountains moving out of their places. WELCOME, to Philadelphia Christian Church where we worship in spirit and in truth. Dwight L. Moody, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Such images are in stark contrast to the pristine beauty and glory of Eden as presented in Genesis. As you do, you may want to group the scriptures into categories that answer the questions what, why, when, who, where and how. Notice, however, that they have "a little strength"they are weak. Old Testament Basics New Testament Basics Mining God's Word Navigate the Christian Life Sharing My Faith Making Disciples Living Joyfully Maintaining Purity Practicing My Faith In My Workplace Keeping a Spiritual Journal Early Christianity (Until A.D. 590) Ancient Greece and Rome Before Nicea After Nicea The Apostles' Creed If we neglect Bible study, however, we simply cannot grow sufficiently to be born into His Family. Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. When we look up all the scriptures where the same words are used we will develop a richer appreciation of what love is all about. If we knock and keep knocking (as the Greek indicates), God opens the door. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. Nevertheless, in todays world, Bible helps can be usefulprimarily in matters of translation and as time-saving tools. The Philadelphians' strength is small, but God's is without limit. Think of every promise as a precious stone. Can we prove the truth? A fifth reason for studying the Bible is to be able to do Gods Work. The Holy One is a common Old Testament title for God (Isaiah 40:25; 43:15). One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. PHILADELPHIA, a city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Phrygia, now called Alla-Shehr, or high city, with 3000 houses, about 15,000 pop., with few ancient ruins. The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession. Philadelphia was located on a hillside about 30 miles southeast of Sardis. It appears the ancient church took that name to heart. The Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) is a non-trinitarian, . 1 Peter 5:5, NIV, What is humility? He has served as Youth Pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Camden, NJ and Mount Zion Holmesburg Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa. Also, as Interim Pastor of Faith Fellowship Non-Denominational . Colossians 3:5. How to Speak the Truth in Love in a Hostile World. God can always be counted on to keep his promises (Titus 1:2). W. A. Criswell, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. Because of volume we may not be able to promptly reply to submissions using the form below. Visualize your daily Bible study time like a miser running his hands through a chest of gold. If you want to buy some Bible helps but cant normally afford to, consider using second tithe at the Feast to start your collection and spend an afternoon browsing a Bible bookstore. We study them to make the appropriate course corrections in our thinking. By Grant Turgeon Dec. 7, 2016 The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course But with Jonah, the second time was because Jonah had failed to speak Gods word the first time. Booklets. On May 5, 2001, God signaled the beginning of a new phase in this rapidly fading age of man. To think less of Gods gift would be to devalue it; to think realistically about it allows one to serve humbly. Today, these churches occupied the areas that ranged from Asia Minor to present-day Turkey. Life is full of hardships and heaviness. The Church of God in Philadelphia. How do you view yourself? How the church actually got started is unknown. California is a dry state that needs water to be transported over many miles to population and agricultural centers. J. Vernon McGee, The Lord your God cares. We need to be taught, encouraged, directed and corrected by our loving Father all the more as the evils in this world abound and proliferate around us. They should, however, only be used to establish historical or grammatical facts. Sabbath services usually last about 90 minutes. Notice what Jesus says in Luke 11:9-10, 13: So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. What mistakes did they make that we can avoid? We may therefore presume that some from the other remaining churches will be taken as well So, what is Philadelphia? As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, the life we now live is the life of Christ in us as we keep our faith in Him. When He was very tired? Perhaps it would help to think of it in those terms. Other Bible helps that should be mentioned are A Harmony of the Gospels, which combines all four gospels side-by-side so that the gospels can be read simultaneously in time sequence order. Thats how He speaks to us. God always has a plan, and our false starts become His fresh starts. Reviews on Bible Study in Roxborough, Philadelphia, PA 19128 - Citylight Church, Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, Lancaster Bible College - Capitol Seminary & Graduate School, House Of Faith Ministries PA, First Haitian Church Of God In Philadelphia That means communing with Him, walking with Him, living for Him, and above all, trusting Him and His promises. We can imagine a child writing an appreciative and sentimental memoir about her perfect father, understanding that perfect was not intended to be taken literally. The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your pathbut only if you read it and heed it. It can be found in Gods holy day plan! . Oh, to see the glory of the Lord while in the midst of the disappointments in life. Flurry said. Thats the way He cares for us tooevery day, all year long, always. Its one thing to say, I forgive you, but its another to act like all the effects of an offense are completely erased. The Living Church of God is devoted to that mission. Because Christ criticizes Philadelphia very little, opens doors before her, and offers protection from the Tribulation, it is easy to think we "have it made" if we were or are part of Philadelphia. John W. Ritenbaugh It is available by subscription . In Revelation 3:8, the phrase "open door" is being used, not so much as an opportunity, but as a reward. A careful scrutiny of these verses shows something is missing that almost all assume is there: They do not say the church at Philadelphia is full of brotherly love. 2 Peter 1:13-14, NIV. One reason for these articles is to help us prepare to rule with Jesus Christ, our Husband and King. This king had a special devotion to his brother, Eumenes II. Hello heaven! Only then can we ensure that we keep the right attitude when studying the Bible and that we study for the right reasons (as outlined earlier in this article). was prophesied by name more than 150 years before he came on the scene. A concordance is a time-saving toolparticularly Strongs Exhaustive Concordance, because it lists every word used in the Bible and groups all the scriptures together that use that same word. Note for example what the Holman Bible Dictionary says about Laodicea: Laodicea was well known in the ancient world for its wealth [see Revelation 3:17]. It is said that you truly understand a subject when you can explain it to someone else. God has seen to it that His Church is well-fed. This article will show you that studying your Bible may be just the remedy you need! You will receive one lesson every month until you finish the course. After the seven letters, in Revelation 4:1, John is shown an open door in heaven. We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. What Is Your Area of Weakness? With the other prophets, the second time meant additional prophetic utterances they were to deliver. However, if we study the scriptures referred to and use them as a basis to construct an outline of the booklet, chapter by chapter, we will have a pretty good synopsis of the booklet based on the scriptures. The Laodiceans are largely derived from a base that came from the Philadelphians, making them weaker still, due to their lackadaisical inattention to their relationships with God. What the Bible says about Pauls letter to the people at Corinth was an exhortation to remain steadfast. God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices. 8 I know your deeds. Is it things above? It was named as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. James 2:23. Be careful in using paraphrases such as the Living Bible or the Amplified Bible. A way to reinforce the teaching we receive is to study the notes thoroughly within 24 hours. Attention Conservation Notice: A long take on why I left a small, cult religious group that I grew up in. When you look at Herbert W. Armstrongs work, its like a pyramid, pcg Pastor General Gerald Flurry said. What Is the Work of God Now? It begins with the tremendous help available to those who are weak, but who keep God's Word, who do not deny His name, and who persevere in faith. For example, the book of Matthew focuses on Christ, the King. Hensley said the website represents a huge upgrade for students in the rest of the world, especially. Bible correspondence course students living in Africa, South America and elsewhere have found that receiving and sending lessons and tests through the mail has proven to be not only time consuming but also very unreliable. Is it the opposite of pride? When we understand Christ's reference to Eliakim, that He is now fulfilling that role, we can understand the open door without having to force anything. (Luke 18:8). Should I be baptized again?" Answer: This is a vital question to many of you. Another example would be to study the words used to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. . This is the era of Revival in the church. Often modern translations have been rendered from faulty translations, rather than original texts. Almighty God's words say, " The church of Philadelphia has taken shape, which is entirely due to the grace and mercy of God. Books of the Bible. The ministers have prepared what God knows we need to hearmaterial that is currently relevant and appropriate and possibly urgent. It is located in the Kuzucay valley, near the bottom of Mount Bozdad, in modern Turkey's province of Manisa. Understand how this attack rages in full force today. And we see these two churches as the models throughout all of church history of good, solid, regenerate, faithful churches. Although Philadelphia is the only church as a whole that Jesus promises to rescue from the hour of temptation, He reveals that among those taken to heaven will be some from Sardis (Rev. Church of Philadelphia. First, he believed the promises of God about the future God had planned for him (Hebrews 11:8-12). (Part Four). As far as a good education spiritually, what else do we have that compares to the Bible correspondence course? After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words (Mark 2:8-11). Because they consistently knock, Christ reminds them of His pivotal position as second-in-command to the Absolute Deity and that through Him as Steward, they have access to the throne of God. It has everything to do with whats at the center of our affections. Sometimes the meaning of a word is lost in the translation. Those who attain that level of character will be able to serve as kings! Philadelphia is the name of the city, and we draw an assumption that Christ calls them "Philadelphians" because they exhibit remarkable love for one another. As Mr. Armstrong often said, those who have their hearts in the Work grow spiritually. Paul wanted Timothy to hold fast to the truth of God, not allowing himself to be divided. What was Gods advice to them? Righteous doesnt mean sinless, of course. Two of the seven churches have nothing condemning them in the letter because they are the regenerate church. Jonah was a disobedient prophet. After all, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, love is known by its actions more than its words. Jan. 31, 2023 The Day of Atonement The annual religious festivals that God commands true Dennis Leap Oct. 4, 2022 What Is the Feast of Trumpets? How can we remain steadfast in our faith and avoid the pressures of this ever-changing world? The thesis also sparked years of critical study on the Bible. How about the truth on faith or healing? Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins. Make sure Christ is at the center of your life and that your love for Him eclipses everything else! Bible commentaries can sometimes shed light on biblical passages and link things together in a way we might not think of. Knowing something about the historical city of Laodicea enhances our understanding of the language Christ chose to correct it. The ancient city of Philadelphia, which sits near the Cogamus River, is 44 kilometers (27 miles) from Sardis and 77 kilometers (48 miles) from Laodicea. (Romans 9:1-4). 2 Peter 3:9. God inspired the original text of the Bible, but not the translations in to our modern languages, which can contain errors. Church at Philadelphia. It's during this time period that formal missionary work began. ), the king of Pergamum. 89 Goodbye trials and troubles. He wants us to be happy, fulfilled and excited about our future in spite of all the pain and suffering in this present evil world. If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? we will have at least 30 scriptural passages identifying an end-time prophet who has to be on the scene just prior to Christs Second Coming. The False Prophet in the Book of Revelation, 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times, What Is the Millennium? That is why Scripture is of paramount importance. Christian Kryptonite? But he never concluded his third epistle. Finally, Halleys Bible Handbook is generally a good, concise resource. We have a purpose for being hereto refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). Wayne Turgeon Dec. 30, 2022 What Is the Unpardonable Sin? Every single member of that bodyeach of us individuallyis important and necessary. There are no "new" temptations in life. Herbert W. Armstrong College site allows users to study lessons, take tests online. When He told the man that his sins were forgiven (and by extension, he was healed), He was criticized. The Holy Spirit is the means by which the Father and the Son dwell within the adopted sons of God. Thats nothing compared to the treasure youll find when opening the covers of the Bible. You need all four tires operating in conjunction with one another to make any headway. Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; Revelation 3: 7. There are also subjects like repentance, baptism, laying on of hands, the Holy Spirit, and what is a true Christian. Its the act of becoming too attached to the material things of the worldfalling more in love with the things on earth than on things in heaven.
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