God of the Covenant

by Rev. Jim Jester

March 2, 2025

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 7:2-5

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 105

The first 15 verses of Psalm 105 are also found in I Chronicles 16:8-22 and presented there as a composition of David, written and sung for the bringing of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. We can conclude then, that though this psalm is not here specifically attributed to King David, he is the author of it.

The history of God’s grace to Israel described in Psalm 105 is the history of Abraham, Joseph and Moses. This same topic is covered in the address of Stephen in Acts chapter 7:

First Missionary Journey

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

February 23, 2025

Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:28:  “

Saul was in his youth a member of the Jews’ religion  (Judaism) and “…persecuted the church of God and wasted it” (Galatians 1:13). But when it pleased God to reveal His Son to Paul, that he might preach among the lost tribes of the former divorced House of Israel, Paul, to prepare for this task, spent three years in Damascus and Arabia. From there he thwarted an attempt to murder him by the Jews in Damascus, and went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him for fifteen days (Galatians 1:18) until he escaped another plot by the Jews to murder him. He then went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia for about five years. (Galatians 1:21). Saul later was found by Barnabas in Tarsus and was brought to the church in Antioch, Syria, where they both taught for over a year. It was to Antioch in Syria that a host of Christian Judeans in Jerusalem and nearby areas fled after the death of Stephen.

God’s Wonders & Israel’s Rebellion

by Rev. Jim Jester

February 9, 2025

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 78:1-4

INTRODUCTION

This psalm is titled, “A Contemplation of Asaph.” The author Asaph was the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era, and he was a prophet in his musical compositions. Psalm 78 is the longest of the historical psalms.

The purpose of the psalm is to teach God’s family lessons from the past; to warn them not to fall into the same mistakes as their forefathers, and to encourage them to commit to faith in God. This history also shows what God is capable of despite our failures. History must not repeat itself.

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

February 2, 2025

Scripture Reading: Galatians 3:28  

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

This is one of the verses in Scripture that is used the most to destroy the continuity of the Old Testament with the New Testament. It is used by many to say that there are different kinds of people addressed in each of the two Testaments:

• The Old Testament: the Jews. In Imprimis, a publication of Hillsdale College, December 2024, page 2, “We read in the Old Testament of God’s special covenant with the Jews, who are repeatedly described as a ‘chosen people.’”

What book in the Bible, chapter, and verse?

• The New Testament: Everyone in the world, including the non-Jews, who are called the Gentiles, or Greeks. In the Hillsdale College’s previous article, page six, it says that in Christianity, “salvation was open to every human being.”

Again, what book in the Bible, chapter, and verse?

The purpose of this sermon is to show that it is the literal descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that are the people of both Testaments. I should add that it is not “Testaments” but should be “Covenants.” Israel is the only people of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31 and Hebrews 8:8).

By Garry Maddux

January 26, 2025

The Truman Property, located in Grandview, KS, near Kansas City, holds historical and spiritual significance. Originally owned by President Harry S. Truman, this 50-acre property ties his legacy to the work of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOPKC). IHOPKC purchased the land from a Jewish couple, intending to develop it as a hub for prayer, worship, and support for the nation of Israel. This story reveals how mainstream Christian organizations have supported the nation of Israel through financial contributions, prayer, and personal involvement. As Baldwin (2008) explains, this is an example of how organizations are often led into false teachings about modern Israel and its place in biblical prophecy.

“.. they saw God, and did eat and drink.”

by Walter Giddings

“I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:5).  Is a matter established at the mouth of at least two if not three witnesses? 

           5 For thy Maker is thine husband; 

            the LORD of hosts is his name; and

            thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel;

            The God of the whole earth shall he 

            be called. 

                                                  Isaiah chapter fifty-four. 

Shall we give Verse 5 a close look?  Is God speaking through the end time Prophet Isaiah?  To whom is He speaking?  Does Israel have a “Kinsman Redeemer”?  At the end of the Age (future), will He be called “The God of the whole earth”?  Will that put to an end that rebel Angel Satan’s serious Case of Adverse Possession of the earth that began with Adam’s Abdication of The Throne of Dominion? 

The Victorious Procession to Zion

by Rev. James Jester

SCRIPTURE READING: Numbers 10:35-36

January 12, 2025

The Psalms: Series Introduction

The Book of Psalms is the hymn-book of the Bible. Besides being the hymn book for the religious services of the second temple, it has perhaps served as the greatest source of material for hymns and gospel songs throughout the centuries. The Psalms are the oldest surviving complete collection of poetry in the world, and is likely the most prominent devotional source of the Scriptures. Its uses are many:

1. It is a hymn book intended to be sung
2. It is a devotional book for both public and private use
3. It is a poetical book
4. It contains praise, prayer, thanksgiving, affirmations of faith, liturgies, wisdom poetry, history, and prophecy 

This collection of Hebrew poetry is not divided into chapters as the other books of the Bible are — it is the exception to the rule. It is not a divided book, but rather, it is a collection. It is of course, divided in one sense only, that of its division into separate books:

Most commentators believe that Psalm 68 is connected with the coming of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem (II Samuel 6), celebrating not only that event, but also the faithfulness of God to give Israel victory over her enemies, and to make Jerusalem secure enough to bring the ark into the city. Thus, King David is musing in this psalm about the wonderful provisions of the Lord God of Israel.

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

January 5, 2025

Scripture Reading: Genesis 10:5

There are several Protestant denominations that state that the King James Version of the Bible is practically infallible with no or hardly any mistakes. They also indicate that this is the only Bible version that should be used.

While we certainly do not oppose the use of the King James Version and believe that it’s an average translation of Scripture, we do not believe that it’s the only inspired version of Scripture. It’s important to note that all English translations have errors and mistakes and eventually have words that became archaic after over 400 years or less of it originally being published.

by Rev. Jim Jester

December 30, 2024

SCRIPTURE READING: Ephesians 5:14-20 RSV

There are many kinds of music in the world, and each kind has its purpose for which it was created: Music for drama in movies, music for dancing and entertainment, music for exercise, music for relaxation, and music for the Temple, or Church. Should the Church use any or all of these styles of music?

The Bible speaks much about music. The word “sing” and “singing” appear in the Bible 148 times. The most used Hebrew word for “song” is shiyrah, found 90 times, and the second most used Hebrew word is shiyr, found 82 times. Music is addressed regularly in the Old and New Testaments: 63 times in the Old and 5 times in the New, the specific direction is given, “Sing to the Lord.”

There is also an interesting omission: Nowhere in the Bible is there a command to sing to the heathen, or to mankind in general. This fact alone ought to set straight those evangelicals who are attempting to “win others to Christ” with their music; many going so far as to use Rock music for their “worship” services. Rather, the only purpose of sacred music in light of Scripture is to direct praise to God.

By Pastor Bob Hallstrom

In the beginning Israel’s family was small in size, and since we visualize a tribe as a small group, we would us the English word “tribe.” After it grew in size into a family of some three million people. In our minds, it would be too large to be considered a tribe or family — we would be more inclined to call it a nation. After crossing the Jordan River into the land of Canaan they had geography as well as people and were probably considered a nation of people as well as a race (family) of people having the same heritage, habits, and customs.