Jim Jester Sermons

CONCERNING COMMUNION

By James Jester 

February 23, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:26-29

Introduction

Are the Sacraments necessary for our spiritual growth or ultimately for our final salvation? Many churches believe they are. That is certainly their business and I would not condemn them for their beliefs. But the point here is, do the sacraments have Biblical support for what these churches claim? The Protestants have narrowed the Sacraments down to two: Baptism and Communion; but even these lack a full and unquestionable support from the Scriptures (in my opinion).

If you were to ask me, what is my favorite sacrament of the two, I would have to say Communion (I’ve never been fond of water). Likewise, Communion is very meaningful to many sincere Christians; and I do not intend to offend anyone with this study.

Baptism and Communion are not necessary to our salvation for that is already accomplished by the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. The Sacraments should not be looked upon as a “law” although many churches imply this meaning. If they consider the Sacraments as such, I should remind them that my main premise to refute this idea is that the Old Covenant law was “abolished” (Eph. 2:15), as Paul declared. This I documented thoroughly in the last sermon. Since the law is gone in regard to our covenant relationship to God, there is no need for a substitute law, as the Sacraments are sometimes considered. Instead, the Sacraments should be referred to as rites or ceremonies.

ABOUT BAPTISM

by Pastor Jim Jester

January 26, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:11-12

Introduction

If you ask a dozen Christians what is the meaning of baptism, you will get many different answers. Even among Protestant churches, one will get differing opinions on the meaning, purpose and mode of the alleged “ordinance” of Baptism. Some churches have split over these issues, or whether to observe the custom at all. The same can be said of the Eucharist (or Communion/Lord’s Supper). But are these symbolic practices, commonly called “the Sacraments”, really necessary?

Furthermore, we should ask, are these Sacraments necessary for what? Are they necessary for spiritual growth, or, for any kind of salvation? I realize that I am entering a controversial area of theology and some may disagree with what I have to say on this topic, but that is ok – we have liberty here. I hope these studies will answer such questions.

by James N. Jester

December 29, 2019

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 16:14-18

Introduction

This could be considered a follow-up sermon on the recent series I did on Israelite migrations.

Ah, fishing and hunting, two very popular sports diversions to help the working man or woman escape the stresses of everyday life. They are also good survival skills too. Fishing is the easiest, but hunting sometimes can be a little more difficult. We can also see this difficulty in relation to the captivity of Israel, which of course, precipitated the dispersion of Israel and Judah throughout Asia and Europe.

In my previous series of sermons, we traced much history about the migrations of Israel. The armies of Tiglath-Pileser III, Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, Esarhaddon, Sennacherib, and Nebuchadnezzar, found that their attack upon Israel was sometimes easy, much as a fishing net would easily capture large amounts of fish. On the other hand, there were times when the invader, as a hunter after his prey, would have to seek out those people who had hidden from him in the mountains and caves or other places.

ANGLO-SAXON ISRAEL

By Jim Jester

December 1, 2019

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 49:8-21

Introduction

In the Scripture reading, Israel is in foreign and desolate lands, yet Yahweh is leading her and using mountain valleys as highways as they continue to migrate to the west and into Europe. “They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them” (v. 9-10). God said He would not forget Israel – He provided for them a large enough place to live. “Give ear to the word of the Lord, O you nations, and give news of it in the sea-lands far away, and say, He who has sent Israel wandering will get him together and will keep him as a keeper does his flock” (Jer. 31:10, BBE).

Looking back, we have covered the early migrations of Israelites, then migrations after the divided kingdom: first Israel, then the final blow to Judah – the destruction and captivity of Jerusalem. This is the last lesson of the series tracing further significant migrations of Israel (now not known by that name) throughout Europe and Asia Minor (500-64 B.C.).

THE DIASPORA OF JUDAH

By Pastor Jim Jester

November 10, 2019

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 1:1-4

Scripture Exposition

What a picture Isaiah gives in these last two verses of our reading! “O nation full of sin: a people weighted down with crime; a generation of evil-doers; children that deal corruptly; have forsaken Yahweh, and give no thought to God.” [my paraphrase]

Isaiah was one of the prophets to the southern kingdom of Judah. In chapter two, he further elaborates on the sinful condition of God’s people (the topic of the first five chapters):

“O family of Jacob, come, and let us go in the light of the Lord [The prophet calls them to repentance – A return to Yahweh]. For you, O Lord, have given up your people, the family of Jacob, because they are full of the evil ways of the east, and make use of secret arts like the Philistines, and are friends with the children of strange countries. And their land is full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their stores; their land is full of horses, and there is no end to their carriages. Their land is full of images; they give worship to the work of their hands, even to that which their fingers have made.” – Isaiah 2:5-8, BBE

Perhaps we should take note of these things listed, many of which sounds exactly like America or any other modern country:

THE DIASPORA OF ISRAEL

By Pastor Jim Jester

October 20, 2019

Scripture Reading: Genesis 28:10-16

Introduction

Most of the judeo-Christian world has heard very little about the captivities of ancient Israel. Most of their pastors are aware of the split of the kingdom of Israel resulting in the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. They are also aware of the captivity of each of these kingdoms. However, since little is known, much is left to speculation and assumption. Few of them, and likewise their followers, are aware of the magnitude of the captivities and migrations of Israel and Judah. They assume [My response in brackets]:

• The population of Israel was relatively small, maybe in the thousands. [Actually, Israel was in the millions. According to I Chronicles 21:5, King David (about 1010 B.C.) could field over a million and a half men! This number did not include women, children, elderly or the maimed. We can only imagine how massive the total population was at the time.]

• Since Israel and Judah were in “captivity”, the impression is that they were penned up somewhere as if in a jail. [Actually, they were “captive” i.e., “in bondage to” another king.]

• Since they were “captive”, certainly they could not have gone anywhere unless set free. [There is no concept of a migration.]

• That most of the Israelites simply died off. [A violation of God’s promise to Abraham. “They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.” – Ps. 72:5, etc.]

THE CELTIC NATIONS

By Pastor Jim Jester

September 29, 2019

Scripture Reading: Genesis 10:1-5

Currently, the adult Sunday School class of the Fellowship of God’s Covenant People is studying from Dr. Lawrence Blanchard’s “Bible Mastery Boot Camp”. This video training program is based upon his Covenant Heritage Series of books, one of which is Book Two, Identifying Biblical Israel Today.

This lesson will be the first of a series of sermons that will glean some of the information that Dr. Blanchard has provided in Book Two, Section One: “Tracing the Migrations of the Israelites.” We certainly endorse brother Blanchard’s work; and recommend that as many as are able to take full advantage of the “Bible Mastery Boot Camp”.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

By James N. Jester

September 15, 2019

Scripture Reading: Psalm 105:6-10

The Bible – A Last Will and Testament

An example of the importance of one’s identity is found in a Will or Trust. This is exactly the point of the Holy Scriptures! The Bible is divided into two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. A Testament is a Will that names certain beneficiaries. This point is never brought up in Bible colleges, yet this should be the context of any serious Bible lesson. No one seems to take seriously the proper nouns and pronouns used in the Scriptures, nor the names of the beneficiaries. Is this not crazy? This should be the first question to ask when interpreting Scripture – what is the context and to whom is the Bible written? The Bible is a Testament or Covenant so we should see it as a Last Will and Testament from God to His covenant people.

Our Scripture reading contains much we could talk about...

GOD’S LOVE STORY

by James N. Jester

September 1, 2019

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:5-8, BBE

Introduction

Our Scripture reading is a summation of God’s love story: Yahweh God is the Husband and Israel is the bride. There is a lot of Scripture in this lesson; but I felt it necessary, for the judeo-Christian world does not seem to be aware that such verses exist; and if they do, they are ignored.

If you were to ask the typical judeo-Christian to complete the phrase, “God is a God of ________,” nine times out of ten they would complete it with the word “love.” In this story, Yahweh is cast as the God of love. God’s love has been so often talked about in Christian circles that they really have a lopsided view of God’s character; and they do not know the love of God as well as they think they do. The purpose of this story is to reveal the true, one and only, object of God’s love. Only then, can one truly appreciate the love of God and how it is shown in your life.

The Apostle Paul spoke of the love of God...

A RACIAL REVELATION

James N. Jester

August 11, 2018

Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:1-3

Introduction

This sermon will not be a study of the Book of Revelation. There is much symbolism and controversy regarding the meaning of the book. Of course, it depicts the great struggle between good and evil. The chasm between the good and the evil continues to grow larger. America needs a racial revelation to dissuade us from the current trend.

There are the various views of interpreting the book: Preterism, Historicism, Futurism, Idealism; and there are various combinations and mixtures of these systems of thought. Because there is controversy surrounding the book does not mean we should not read it. In fact, it is the only book in the Bible that grants a blessing to those who read, hears, and keeps the things written in it. That alone gives us more reason to take notice of this book.