April 14, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • 1 Peter 1:3–5
Is getting to heaven simple? Does one need to simply believe? Jesus said these words concerning entrance into heaven, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13–14)
So, If words mean anything, especially the words of Jesus, the way to heaven is neither simple nor easy. For this reason, we must take possession and seize upon what God has made available to us in His Son, Jesus Christ. God's mighty power will protect and keep us who trust in Him and abide in His grace.
Journey To The Cross
March 17, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • Luke 18:31–34, Luke 12:49–50
They were two major events in history that became turning points for the entire world and all of mankind. These events not only impacted world history but also the eternal future. One involves a forbidden tree which led to sin; the other a tree which sin led to - this was the cross of Christ. Because the cross was the only way, Jesus set His sights upon Jerusalem; He finished His journey to the cross.
"Because His heart was focused on the joy of knowing that we would be His, He endured the agony of the cross, conquered its humiliation, and now He sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God," - Hebrews 12:2 (TPT)
Jesus Is Not A Liar
March 10, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • John 8:31–44
What is truth and can we know it? Truth (by definition) is factual and absolute in nature. Therefore, truth cannot be subjective. Truth can’t be whatever we want it to be. Truth is a person; truth is the eternal Son of God; truth is Jesus the Christ!!!
“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free,” (Jesus, Christ) - John 8:32.
Jesus Is Not A Thief
March 3, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • John 10:10
In His parable of the good shepherd, Jesus spoke of the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Without question Jesus is not speaking of Himself for Jesus came to give not take; He came to give us life, not to take life from us; and He came to restore and make new, not to destroy.
A thief takes what doesn’t belong to him. All things belong to Christ. “God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.” (John 1:3 (NLT)) A thief takes without permission. Christ will never force or coerce us into giving Him anything. He says, “Whosoever will.” A thief is a liar and a scoundrel. Jesus is pure, just, and holy.
Unbreakable Unity
February 25, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • Ephesians 4:1–3, 1 John 4:10–11, 1 Peter 4:8
The church is a priceless asset to the follower of Christ. It is truly a pearl of great price. It is a priceless asset to this world altogether with its eternal qualities of salt and light. Among all of its treasures, none is no greater nor essential than its unity.
Unity protects and preserves the fellowship we all have in the Holy Spirit with each other, but more importantly, with God our heavenly Father and His Son, our savior, Jesus Christ! For this purpose, our unity must remain UNBREAKABLE and UNPENETRATABLE.
An Eternal Relationship
February 18, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • 1 John 1:3, Matthew 10:37, Romans 12:1
God did not send His Son to start a new religion, even though Christianity, by definition, is a religion as it requires belief in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 11:6; John 6:29). However, for one to just merely believe, they may have a religion, but they may never experience the life which only comes through having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
A Miracle and A Message
February 11, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • Acts 3:6–21
Acts 3 – Peter and John were going to the temple to pray at the time of the evening sacrifice, and as they approached the gate, they encountered a man who had been brought there by his family or friends because he was crippled. They placed him there in order for him to beg for money. This was the story of this man’s life because he had been crippled from birth.
His hope for each day was circumstantial. He had to depend on the generosity of others. Would this be a good day? Would there be a lot of traffic at the temple? Will the people be generous today? Oh, that someone would come along and offer him gold or silver? Even so, no amount of money could buy this man his greatest desire – to be made whole.
This day would forever change this man’s life. God had a miracle for him. Today, He would completely place his faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and as a result of his faith, he would receive from God what he could never receive from anyone else! This man received the miracle of being made whole!
Who Knows What to Believe
February 4, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • Acts 17:18–31
The world is filled with many different beliefs, religions, philosophies, and ideologies. They are nearly 4,000 recognized faiths around the globe, and among these they are separate factions and sects. So, WHO KNOWS WHAT TO BELIEVE?
Among these religions, five are dominant: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and
Islam. Over 15.5% of the world’s population identify as secular, non-religious,
agnostic, or atheist.
Christianity is the most ascribed to religion by 31% of the world’s population. They are more than 45,000 Christian denominations globally and more than 200 in the U.S. In light of these facts, it is no wonder that so many don’t know what to believe.
The Christian Community
January 28, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • 1 John 1:3, 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
Imagine what life would be like if there was no hope of salvation? What greater hope exist except for the hope of the Christian faith? The reason for our hope is the object of our faith which is Jesus Christ!
Every promise of God is ours in Christ: forgiveness of sin; deliverance from sin’s power; acceptance in God’s kingdom, and victory over death – eternal life in the new heaven and the new earth!
Faith Beyond Belief
January 21, 2024 • Pastor Anthony J Shetley • Matthew 7:21–23
For a moment, let’s take a trip in our imagination. Let’s take a look beyond our death. When one is prepared to die, then they can truly live. The bible tells us that “It is appointed unto man once to die and after that, the judgment. Your standing before God – my standing before God will one day be a reality. In that day there will be full understanding of all that is truth. What is true and what is false will no longer be obscure. The question is, ARE YOU READY?
