Tag Archives: salvation

The Bridegroom Comes

Posted on April 22, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Last Sunday night I started preaching on the Parables of Jesus. It is my intention to preach through the parables of our Lord Jesus. If you were not here last Sunday, to recap a parable is a story that illustrates a spiritual principle. About one third of Jesus’ preaching is found in parables.

Word Study: The word “parable” is the Greek parabole, which means “to place or cast alongside”. When Jesus wanted to teach a spiritual principle, He would cast it alongside a physical thing that people were familiar with.

If you were a follower of Christ, the parable REVEALED spiritual truth. But if you were not a follower, and had a heart hardened to God, the parable hid spiritual truth.

You weren’t ready for a parable (see Matthew 13:10-15) until you were willing to submit to and follow Jesus. Jesus always spoke parables in response to things that people were saying and doing around Him. The first two parables deal with old coats and old wineskins.

Matthew 9:14-17 (KJV) Then came to him the DISCIPLES OF JOHN, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved…. Continue reading →

Posted in Parables of Jesus, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, God, God Is Faithful, gospel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, parables, salvation | Leave a comment

This Little Light Of Whose?

Posted on April 22, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

The word “PARABLE”, the Greek parabole, means “to lay alongside”. When Jesus used parables He would take a spiritual truth and lay it alongside a physical truth that one was familiar with. Many of the parables that Jesus spoke were full stories, with characters and a narrative. But some of Jesus’ parables were shorter and without a storyline. They used parabolic language – like a mini-parable.

Full parables had a story line. In mini parables,
YOU are the storyline!

That’s what we’re looking at tonight. A mini-parable, or a parabolic saying. This mini-parable comes at the first recorded Sermon Jesus ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. This is the official beginning of Jesus’ ministry, and Jesus – bringing in a new creation through a new covenant – uses two things that were at the creation of the world. He uses salt and light.

Matthew 5:13-16 (KJV) YE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

There are two things the world must have if it is to live. The world MUST have SALT and LIGHT. Continue reading →

Posted in Parables of Jesus, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Doing, doing for Christ, Faith, Following Christ, God, God Is Faithful, Jesus, live 4 Jesus, love God, salvation, shining | Leave a comment

Fulfilling The Great Commission

Posted on April 14, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

As Christians, we should love the lost. We should seek opportunities to tell others of Christ, of the glorious Gospel that saved us. Jesus commanded us:

Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV) GO YE therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Word Study: The first two words translated “GO YE” is a Greek verb poreuō. The way we generally see it rendered is “GO, and teach”. That is, you should GO into the world with the intent of teaching. Technically the verb is an Aorist Passive Deponent Participle, to which you go “HUH”? But this is important. As a PASSIVE DEPONENT this should be rendered “HAVING GONE {into the world}”. What is Jesus saying? He is saying that where ever we are, where ever we find ourselves as Christ followers, we SHOULD BE LIGHT BEARING.

Matthew 28:19 (Young’s Literal Translation) HAVING GONE, then, disciple all the nations, baptizing them — to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit …

People ask me, “Pastor, how can I witness of Jesus in this dark world?”. The answer is very simple. Where ever you go, what ever you do, do not focus on how dark the world is. Focus on BEING LIGHT. You are the… Continue reading →

Posted in Proverbs, Sermons Preached | Tagged being light, Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, Great Commission, Jesus, reflecting Christ, salvation, shining, witness, Witnessing | Leave a comment

Put Them In Mind

Posted on April 14, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Titus 3:1-7 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Not Everyone Will Live

I heard a great statement the other day – it was in a Christian song by a man called Dax. He said:

“All people will die – but not everyone will live”

That is so very true. In the first two chapters the Lord tells His Church how the leaders should be – if they are indeed of Christ. Now in this chapter the Apostle focuses on how the the Church itself – each and every believer – should be. Now let me be very quick to point out that salvation is not something that is earned. A broken creature cannot work harder at self improvement in order to be saved. This isn’t a bootstrap program. Salvation is entirely of grace. The Apostle makes this clear in our text:

Titus 3:4-5 after that the KINDNESS and LOVE of GOD OUR SAVIOR toward man appeared, 5 NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, but according to his mercy he saved us… Continue reading →

Posted in Sermons Preached, Titus | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, good works, gospel, Jesus, life is precious, living for Jesus, salvation | Leave a comment

The Great Supper

Posted on April 14, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Tonight we’re going to start to study the Parables of Jesus. Turn with me in your Bibles to Luke 14:15-24. While you’re turning there, I want to explain parables. A “parable” (Greek parabolē) is a teaching tool that Jesus often used. A parable will compare a spiritual truth by aligning it with a familiar physical event. The Bible says “Jesus spoke MANY THINGS to them in parables” (Matthew 13:3). Jesus’ disciples asked Him:

“Why do You speak to the crowd with parables?”
Matthew 13:10
Jesus told them:

Matthew 13:11-14 (LSB) {Jesus} said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 “For whoever has, to him [more] shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 “And in them the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:9-10) is being fulfilled, which says, ‘YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;

Jesus spoke in parables for two reasons:

1 To teach Kingdom principles to those who were His followers, and
2 To hide Kingdom principles from those who lost, who were against the Kingdom

A parable was never given to help a lost person become saved. It was given to teach a saved person the things of God. It was given to perhaps chastise those who rejected what Jesus said. One pastor I heard explained it this way:… Continue reading →

Posted in Luke, Parables of Jesus, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, God, God Is Faithful, Jesus, love God, parables, salvation | Leave a comment

Three Days And Three Nights Ago

Posted on April 6, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Genesis 12:1-2 (KJV) Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: [2] And I WILL MAKE OF THEE A GREAT NATION, and I WILL BLESS THEE, and make thy name great; and THOU SHALT BE A BLESSING:

and again in Genesis 21:12, “IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED be called”. The nation God would make of Abraham was Israel, and Jesus Christ became incarnate in order to save Israel, to be their Messiah. The Scripture says: Continue reading →

Posted in Easter Messages, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Easter, Faith, Following Christ, God Is Faithful, Jesus, Resurrection, Resurrection Sunday, salvation | Leave a comment

True Christians Belong To God

Posted on April 2, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

To have “respect of persons”{nāḵar pānîm} is to treat one person differently than you treat another person because you feel that the one person so treated can somehow benefit you better than the other person. A person who will hold one person above another based on how it benefits you is for sale. God forbade this in the courtroom, and forbade it from His people. When Moses set up judges throughout the tribes of Israel, he told them:

Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (NKJV) Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear [the cases] between your brethren, and JUDGE RIGHTEOUSLY BETWEEN A MAN AND HIS BROTHER or THE STRANGER WHO IS WITH HIM. 17 ‘You shall NOT SHOW PARTIALITY IN JUDGMENT; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for THE JUDGMENT IS GOD’S. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.’

When judges and leaders have different standards for different people, it hurts the stability of the land. God said:

Deuteronomy 16:19-20 (LSB) You shall not distort justice; YOU SHALL NOT BE PARTIAL, YOU SHALL NOT TAKE A BRIBE, for A BRIBE BLINDS the eyes of the wise and PERVERTS the words of the righteous. 20 “Righteousness! RIGHTEOUSNESS, YOU SHALL PURSUE, that you may live and possess the land which Yahweh your God is giving you.

The stepbrother of Christ wrote:

James 2:1-4, 8-9 (KJV) My brethren, HAVE NOT THE FAITH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, [the Lord] of glory, WITH… Continue reading →

Posted in Proverbs, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, God Is Faithful, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love God, salvation | 1 Comment

The Righteous Must Stand With God

Posted on April 2, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

When wicked Presidents ascended to power praising sexual deviancy – contrary to what the Bible says (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10) – it wasn’t long before it became a celebrated MONTH where such lifestyles were pushed. When our Judicial System endorsed nationwide abortion on demand through Roe vs Wade (which was law for 49 years), over 60 MILLION children were thrown into landfills. When national television shows began to show murders and sexual deviancy – hiding behind First Amendment privilege – generations of children grew up with no respect for the sanctity of life. In our modern Internet age, wickedness of all types is broadcast across social media and the news channels. What is the result? “MEN HIDE THEMSELVES”. People go along to get along. No one wants to rock the boat, to go against the flow.

This was the world that Jesus had to contend with. Israel was under Roman Rule. Tiberius Caesar ruled Rome, and demanded worship as a god. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. Herod Antipas – who had John the Baptist beheaded – ruled Galilee. The High Priest of Judaism, Caiphas did not love God, but he loved religion and his power. The religious rulers of Israel, the Sanhedrin, was a blend of both Pharisees and Sadducees, conservative and liberal, but neither side loved the Lord our God. When Jesus came, He had to stand against this darkness. And Jesus told us:… Continue reading →

Posted in General, Proverbs, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, God, God Is Faithful, gospel, Jesus, Jesus Christ, salvation, sin kills, wages of sin, wickedness | Leave a comment

The Helmet And The Sword

Posted on April 1, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

The Old Covenant believer walked according to external laws that he had to obey. The laws – ceremonial, sacrificial, and moral – were often not explained. The Old Covenant believer was told:

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children can live” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

The Law of Moses was external to the believer. It specified what you must do or not do, but provided no ability to do it. It was based on absolute free will – and was flawed because of this. People not only need to be saved by God, but they need to be enabled to serve God by God. This is where God promised the NEW Covenant … Continue reading →

Posted in Ephesians, Sermons Preached | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, Following Christ, God, helmet, Jesus, salvation, sword of the Spirit | Leave a comment

The Lamb Has Come

Posted on April 1, 2026 by bibleteacherorg

Jesus was going to Jerusalem one last time. This was the week when all Israel was supposed to celebrate the Passover. The Passover commemorated the Grace of God, when He freed Israel from slavery to Egypt, and established the nation as His chosen people. The Passover reminded Israel that God keeps His promises, that God is faithful. God promised Abraham that a nation would come from his loins, and that nation was Israel. God also promised Abraham that from that nation Israel a Redeemer would come, the Messiah Who would offer salvation to the whole world (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6; 17:4-8; 17:19). God promised:

Genesis 22:17-18 In Your Seed, Abraham, shall ALL THE NATIONS of the earth be blessed.

When God made this promise, as Paul tells us, the “SEED” of Abraham that would bless the whole world is Jesus Christ. The Apostle writes:

Galatians 3:16 (LSB) Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as [referring] to many, but [rather] to one, “And TO YOUR SEED,” that is, CHRIST.

The Passover was a time when lambs without spot or blemish were sacrificed at the Temple to commemorate the night that God saved Israel from Egypt. The lamb was to be slain, and its blood placed on the doorposts of the home. God said “When I see the BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU, and the plague will not be upon you to destroy you when I smite the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:13). The Judgment of God is Continue reading →