Ashley River Baptist Church Unknown

Sermon -1 - Revelation Chapter 1 -Jesus Revealed- of the 2023 Revelation Series. Pastor Randy kicked off his sermon series- he emphasized that the book of Revelation is all about the events leading up to and including the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the culmination of our present age.--Of the 404 verses in Revelation, 278 of them are direct references or allusions to Old Testament Scripture- therefore, it is evident that John expected his readers to have a full understanding of the OT prophecies related to the end times.--Pastor Randy also emphasized that most of Revelation is yet future and that the key to its understanding is found in Rev. 1-19, which lays out the three-fold natural outline of the book.

Pastor Randy's message titled -Fearless Faith- is from Hebrews 10-32-39. God calls us to persevere.-Two attributes of fearless faith are--- Unshakable Confidence -vs.32-35-- The ancient Words of God change us from the inside out.- The root of our confidence is Jesus-- The results of our confidence are Conviction, Compassion, and Joy-- - Unstoppable Perseverance -vs. 36-39-- We will receive what He has promised-- Jesus is coming again---We have been given His promises. Therefore, let us worship more deeply- let us work more diligently, and let us witness more boldly-

Pastor Ron Shearer for shared -The Most Excellent Way- on Sunday. Pastor Ron shared with us that God has a plan. What's going on in our church life and the world is planned. God is sovereign and He has a plan. We don't live in a random world. When we think things are random -a lie that Satan wants us to believe- we are led astray by a worldly philosophy.--God's plan includes the body of Christ -the Church-. How do we build the body of Christ-- 1 Cor. 12 tells us that God's plan for our lives, the world, and the church involves spiritual gifts. We need to understand and use our spiritual gifts. The Most Excellent Way is to use our spiritual gifts in love.--1 Corinthians 12--1. The primary spiritual gift is The Holy Spirit.- The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Word of God and the Word of God says Jesus is Lord.-2. Many gifts, but One Spirit.- The spirit is what make a difference in our lives. Our gifts that come in great variety come from the Holy Spirit.-3. Each one is given a gift for the common good.- To each one of us, no one is left out, our gifts are manifested because God is at work in our lives.-4. Different gifts, but no division.- Division happens when we loose connection to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings unity to the body of Christ-the Church.-5. The Most Excellent Way- Love -1 Cor. 13-- Love is part of God's plan.-6. Examine yourself before you eat the bread and drink the cup. -1 Cor. 11-- Measure how you're doing based upon the scripture in 1 Cor. 13 or Gal 5 the Fruit of the Spirit.- We remember the death of Jesus Christ in our place. We can then lay down our lives.

Dillon Drouillard shares the bold and encouraging message from Psalm 102 -Hope in Affliction.- The Psalmist is walking through affliction and is crying out to God. We all walk through affliction and we carry our afflictions with us. What type of affliction are you facing----This Penitential and Messianic Psalm 102 reminds us that God always hears and answers our prayers. -vs.1-2---1. The Afflicted Man -vs.3-11--The psalmist is afflicted and desperate to hear from God. We can relate to the psalmist to having affliction and also having a King who suffered... for us.-Luke 22-42- Luke 23-34- Isaiah 53-1-7--2. The Hopeful Man -vs.12-17--The psalmist turns to God, declares who God is, and finds hope. Verse 12 says. -But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever---When we set our minds and eyes on God, declaring who God is, then we find hope.-Psalm 13- 1 Peter 1-3-4- 2 Cor 4-17-18- Rev 21-3-4-We have hope and confidence in God's reign and no more pain.- -3. The Eternal Man -vs.18-28--The psalmist's hope is God and shares this for a -future generation- according vs.18.-Once you realize Jesus is God. That He is everlasting, the creator, the eternal- then you have hope in affliction. You know who is in control and that he hears your cry. Whatever you are walking through is not without purpose.- In our memory verse, 2 Cor. 4-17-18. Paul calls it -light affliction- because of the eternal weight of Glory that is prepared for us.--Lift up your affliction to the God who hears you and who knows affliction and is enthroned forever. Cling to the Word of God and bring this message of Hope to the hopeless. Take it to a world that is broken, blighted, withered like grass, and vanishing like smoke.

Pastor Jesse shared -The True Friends of Jesus- from John 15-14--You are my friends if you do what I command. And John 15-17 -This is my command- Love each other.---True friendship requires true commitment. A one-sided friendship is never a true friendship. Total commitment is shared in 3 ways--The Area of commitment.-The Depth of commitment.-The Quality of Commitment.