For many years in America 'Christian persecution' was unimaginable. Many thought the 'persecuted' lived in third-world nations, and under communist regimes. For most, persecution meant a bit of mockery in High School, or at worst, loss of a promotion at work. But, it never entailed true suffering. Yet, sadly, in recent years, the American tide has shifted. Today, in California, Christians can be charged with hate crimes for proclaiming the Bible in their college. Pastors can be threatened with jail time for opening their pulpits. Tangible physical persecution is no longer a possibility, it is a reality. Thus, these words of Christ offer a balming gel, and cardinal hope, to the blamed and defamed believer, "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you..."
The Blessed are Detested
Luke 6:22-23
August 9, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood
If the "Wrong Man" Wins the White House, pt 3
November 22, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood • Luke 7:13–14
Millions of people are deeply discouraged by current events. For nearly a year every ounce of their mental and physical strength has been thrown into shaping culture, rectifying injustice, or fixing the political landscape. Now, they're spent and tired, the future feels bleak. Is it possible their efforts were misguided? Did they rely on the machinery? Who will help now? Is the cause lost and time wasted? We'll discuss all of this and more in Sunday's sermon "If the 'Wrong Man' Win the White House" Part 3.
If the Wrong Man "Wins" the White House Pt. 2
November 15, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood • Luke 11:13–14
One of the most malignant tumors in modern evangelicalism is a gospel that doesn't confront people with the reality of their sin. Even conservative churches are full of people who claim to be born again but live like pagans, mask weekend sins, and don't cry out to God for mercy. Modern evangelicals have been conditioned never to question anybody's faith. Millions declare that they trust Christ as Savior while engaging in lifestyles that are outside of God's will -- yet nobody challenges their testimony. Churches are applauding people on their way to hell. This Sunday Pastor Tony will show us how Jesus responded to Pharisees who claimed God on the outside but were far from Him on the inside...
If the Wrong Man "Wins" the White House
November 8, 2020 • Dr. Anthony Wood • Luke 7:13–14
What if the 'wrong man' wins the White House? Millions of Americans watched election results Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, awaiting an answer that would not come. Lawsuits were filed, accusations hurled, and rioters took to the streets. Many remain deeply worried as beliefs, health, ideologies, the economy, and their future all seem to be on the line - and it all comes down to the man in the White House. Or does it? Should their security rest in the Oval Office? This Sunday Pastor Tony will show us through God's Word that regardless of who's in the White House, there's Another who remains on the throne.