John Spellman preaches at the Outreach SDA Church in St. Albans. The focus of this message is on Galatians 4:28-31. Paul uses the story of Hagar and Sarah (the bond and free woman) as an allegory for the Old Covenant and New Covenant church. But how might this feud between the two women illustrate what goes on in our Christian experience today? How can we learn from this story? Both women had children (Ishmael & Isaac) by the patriarch Abraham, and both had expectancy toward the inheritance. However, only the child of the free woman would be the heir. What does that mean for us today?
This video is from the Class D, 2007-2010, Inspirited Network broadcasts on stickam with Joseph Williams and John Spellman covering topics related to Salvation and Christian Living. Videos are in standard definition since the broadcasts were done before the studio was built.
What can we learn from Peter's outreach to the gentiles? How did it contrast from Paul's? What can we learn from the story of Cornelius and the conversion of his friends and family? What important lessons did Jews of the early church have to learn? What might that mean for the church today? Does culture or race matter when it comes to salvation? This week as we explore these lessons we'll look at the stories of early gentile converts to Christianity.
God chose spiritual leaders from the, seemingly, most unqualified followers. Why? What made them the best choice? How did Jesus go about choosing the apostles who would lead His church? How should we choose spiritual leaders today? How did Jesus prepare His apostles for the challenges ahead, and what might that say about how our spiritual leaders should be prepared? We explore these themes in this week's lesson.
The Bible teaches about a day lost in history. A day God designed for us to remember. This week's lesson uncovers the mystery of this forgotten and lost day.
Are you bowed down with care? Have you personally experienced injustice and there seems nothing you can do about it? Does it seem like all you touch turned to stone and just withered and died? Is your faith in God seems stretched to the limit? Carry on. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Don’t be envious of others prosperity. Keep on believing. Your breakthrough is coming. Carry on. God will see you through.
How have you been asked to defend your faith and belief in Jesus Christ? Was it through your job, your studies or relinquishing your faith? How did you respond? If you stood firm or not, how did it make you feel? Some pressures will seem really hard to bear; but remember that Jesus’ encouragement is not to stumble. Let them do what they will; but no matter what, we are to stand for God.
The first book of Samuel, the twenty-fifth chapter, recorded the death of Samuel the Lord’s prophet. People loved and admired him; now that he was dead, they all felt hopeless since King Saul, their other leader, was considered to be a mad man. Why? He was obsessed with killing the only person who gave him the victory over the Philistines. He spent many days chasing after David, his designated successor, because he wanted him dead.