Includes comments and link to the letters ESN received at the time. To enroll, send an email to Don_McCoy@ucg.org and request sign-up information. How did He stay on track and endure? With pride? The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). Nevertheless, in todays world, Bible helps can be usefulprimarily in matters of translation and as time-saving tools. Visualize your daily Bible study time like a miser running his hands through a chest of gold. There are also subjects like repentance, baptism, laying on of hands, the Holy Spirit, and what is a true Christian. C. S. Lewis, For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. But with Jonah, the second time was because Jonah had failed to speak Gods word the first time. God has placed each one of us into His bodythe Church. 'Freely you have receivedfreely give ' We want to share God's truth with as many who want to receive it. It was the youngest of the seven cities whose churches are addressed in these letters. Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. If you require more immediate assistance please visit our "Contact Us" page. Or do you graciously say, Thank you, in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? Integers, from a Latin root meaning whole or entire. The word integrity comes from the same root; a person with integrity cannot be divided in beliefs or morality based on varying circumstances. As far as a good education spiritually, what else do we have that compares to the Bible correspondence course? Have we studied in detail what the Bible says about prayer, fasting, trials and overcoming? How we study the Bible is an indication of how much we are yielding to God and the work He is doing through us. To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. Philadelphia, [N] [E] [H] strictly Philadelphia ( brotherly love ), a town on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia Catacecaumene, 25 southeast of Sardis, and built by Attalus II., king of Pergamos, who died B.C. God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices. The ruler was called Philadelphus because of his devotion to his brother Eumenes. Have you ever talked with someone who just likes to talk and talk but never listen? A vital reason to study is that it enhances our prayers with God. Then review them at least one more time, perhaps the following Sabbath before services. What does God think of that? If you want to buy some Bible helps but cant normally afford to, consider using second tithe at the Feast to start your collection and spend an afternoon browsing a Bible bookstore. The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. Every single member of that bodyeach of us individuallyis important and necessary. Harriet Buell, in her hymn A Child of the King. But when he was about twenty-five, Ezekiel was seized and taken to Babylon, and he never saw the temple again. John W. Ritenbaugh Why Would Anyone Accept the Mark of the Beast? International readers pay significant postage rates for sending their tests to Edmond for grading. The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. 3. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Through Christ's blood, we have access to the Almighty, the Most High God. They do have good characteristics, but they are weak. J. C. Ryle, I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure. Note the qualities He exhibited and ask yourself how you would act and how you should act, according to His example. Were hoping we can get as many people online as possible, Herbert W. Armstrong College registrar Jason Hensley said. God's inspired words to the congregation at Philadelphia are an uplifting message of hope and encouragement. But they also know that the only way to endure courageously ( Revelation 3:10) is to seek the strength of God. We have the promises of God to help us in difficult days, and we have the Holy Spirit within us. Its one thing to say, I forgive you, but its another to act like all the effects of an offense are completely erased. 1 Corinthians 15:58. How did you feel? When it comes to Bible study, there is no end of knowledge that we can acquire. The First Great Awakening (sometimes Great Awakening) or the Evangelical Revival was a series of Christian revivals that swept Britain and its thirteen North American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. Such images are in stark contrast to the pristine beauty and glory of Eden as presented in Genesis. One of the most striking and helpful illustrations of Jesus humanity was His prayer life. To what things was Paul referring? A careful scrutiny of these verses shows something is missing that almost all assume is there: They do not say the church at Philadelphia is full of brotherly love. Another reason to study is to be able to give an answer to those who may want to know more about that hope they see in us (1 Peter 3:15). A Christian must never rest on his oars, no matter what his situation or era. In writing about the timing of the Day of the Lord (the end of the age), Peter says God is waiting for all who will be saved to come to Him. Other biographies worthy of study are noted in Hebrews 11the faith chapter. No one can shut that open door, though we can certainly ignore it and neglect so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3). It lay in the valley of the Cogamus, near the . The Church of Philadelphia. If you dont get it fixed, youre not going to reach your destination. They are idolatry, immorality, infidelity, and disloyalty. If we put these study ideas into action, Bible study will be exciting, fun and richly rewardingsomething to eagerly look forward to! Flurry comes against FOX25 for news report on PCG. D. L. Moody, In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. Through Christ, we have entrance into the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the Great God, which we may enter with boldness (Hebrews 10:19). Launched in 1888, features include: In-depth teaching on a wide range of key Bible topics Bible-based comment on contemporary culture and current affairs Interviews with, and updates from, Christians involved in the Lord's work Personal testimonies of salvation and spiritual growth Notes from Sabbath services and Bible studies. The biblical city was located about 28 miles southeast of the city of Sardis. It begins with the tremendous help available to those who are weak, but who keep God's Word, who do not deny His name, and who persevere in faith. How can we benefit from lessons learned? For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4). They often deal with speculation that does not emanate from the Spirit of God and can be wrong in their conclusions. Do any of them have problems similar to ours? Sep. 17, 2020 How God Educates Gerald Flurry Aug. 19, 2022 He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). God's Word contains the answer to resisting temptation before it's too late. Richard Sibbes, DavidJeremiah.blog is part of the broadcast ministry of David Jeremiah. Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. Those same words are each used in many other places in the New Testament. The more we study, the stronger we are, which makes the Church stronger. God has given us plenty of promises that are full of hope. A way to reinforce the teaching we receive is to study the notes thoroughly within 24 hours. Obviously, studying the life of Jesus Christ is the best example. The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing. If we knock and keep knocking (as the Greek indicates), God opens the door. PHILADELPHIA, a city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Phrygia, now called Alla-Shehr, or high city, with 3000 houses, about 15,000 pop., with few ancient ruins. Revelation 21:1. They are weak. The conventional interpretation among those who have come out of the Worldwide Church of God is that Christ has given the Philadelphians an open door to preach the gospel, an idea that is not without merit. Bible study is one of those assignments! Its not just about Christian living today but also about the kind of character Christ is looking for in those He will need to rule with Him. Moreover, God expects parents to teach their children His way of life just as He has taught us (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and to be able to answer their questions. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (verse 13). Hebrews 11:1, 6 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that . In Revelation 3:8, the phrase "open door" is being used, not so much as an opportunity, but as a reward. . We will start at 7:00pm at 3269 Independence Pkwy, Plano Tx. 89 He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalems temple. Whatever you love more than God is your idol. Prayer and a holy life are one. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. Still another name of the city was Decapolis, because it was considered as one of the ten cities of the plain. Someone had used a knife to cut a hole in the middle of the book. He listed them in verses 710. If so, you might be neglecting a vitally important aspect of Christian living! When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. He commands us, therefore, to [s]tudy to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The words rightly dividing connote making a straight cut. The victory over the world, the flesh, the devil, and sin was won by the Cross and the empty tomb. America is full of them. If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word. It appears the ancient church took that name to heart. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above .. | By Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church | Facebook Log In Forgot Account? Only God has the words that shed light on the straight and narrow path leading to eternal life. What was His motivation? Jonah was a disobedient prophet. Attention Conservation Notice: A long take on why I left a small, cult religious group that I grew up in. Biographies. Luke 6:12. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it. Then frame the scriptures within that context. The Revelation of Christ (Revelation 1-5) >Seven Churches >Sixth Message, Philadelphia . We invite all of our Dallas families to join us on Monday Nights for Bible Study service. When language obscures a scripture, you can check a more modern translation, such as the one by James Moffatt, the Revised Standard Version or the Ferrar Fenton translation. It was founded by the king of Pergamum around 190 B.C. Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet. SERVICE TIMES SUNDAYS AT 8:00 & 10:30AM 200 W. WILLOW STREET LAFAYETTE, LA 70501 A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR OMAR COME AS YOU ARE Although Philadelphia is the only church as a whole that Jesus promises to rescue from the hour of temptation, He reveals that among those taken to heaven will be some from Sardis (Rev. Church at Philadelphia. Look for opportunities to do both. Understand how this attack rages in full force today. The Gr. The Philadelphia period of church history (Adventist Movement), gave greatly increased attention to God's Word, particularly the prophecies of Daniel and of the Revelation, and to personal godliness, which is God's will for us during these end times we live in. Behind the city are volcanic cliffs which the locals call 'inkwells.' Individually, we may only have a little "power," but if we are faithful with what we have been given, God is pleased, knowing we will also be faithful with great power. Thats how He speaks to us. Its a tool for teaching teachers and preparing them to help Jesus Christ rule the Earth., Bible Correspondence Course Website Launches on 27th PCG Anniversary. This is what He compliments them for being, meaning they have a commendable measure of obedience. In other words, it is Gods urgent desire that He speak to us so we can stay on track in this dying world! What was Gods advice to them? It's during this time period that formal missionary work began. Or is it things below? But they also know that the only way to endure courageously (Revelation 3:10) is to seek the strength of God. It is profound, describing where we approach in spirit when we pray. You can place your steadfast trust in Him. Are we able to disprove those beliefs and prove the truth of the commandments, the Sabbath, holy days, tithing, and grace versus law from the Bible? Nevertheless, the Philadelphians, though faithful, are somewhat weak. It has also served the community through its unceasing volunteer efforts, living up to the city's nickname . Wayne Turgeon Dec. 30, 2022 What Is the Unpardonable Sin? Follow Abrahams example as a faithful father by deepening your friendship with God. The Great Awakening marked the emergence of Anglo-American . With that in mind, the sermon on the mount, for example, takes on a deeper perspective. To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: (NASB) First, the word, "amen," literally means "so be it.". By Grant Turgeon Dec. 7, 2016 The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. With false humility? The major weakness of Laodicea was its lack of a water supply. After the student passes a test, he or she receives the next four lessons. This is the era of Revival in the church. Some say the city was founded by Eumenes, in honor of his brother. (Romans 9:1-4). That its the same old routine day in and day out? Are You a Prisoner of Your Spiritual Comfort Zone. It surely evoked deep introspection among the believers in that ancient city and, we trust, a repentant spirit. How did He react to situations when He was challenged? In Philadelphia, the Church of God has been dedicated to serving neighbors by hosting Bible seminars, family events and smile campaigns. In the description of New Jerusalem, the gate is open only to those whose names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27; 22:14). slope of Mt. The first, the First Council of Nicaea, met to agree on the nature of Jesus of Nazareth as both Son of God and Son of Man, as both fully divine and fully human. The homepage of the online Bible course states that 100,000 individuals have enrolled in the mail-in correspondence course prior to its online launch. How about the truth on faith or healing? Life is full of hardships and heaviness. For example, Paul lists nine qualities related to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. That is integrity. Is it things above? Therefore, if we are to experience victory in this life, it will come only as we depend on Him. But the Bible says our eternal destiny is earthly, not heavenly. Every single member of that bodyeach of us individuallyis important and necessary. We tend to think of the Philadelphians as being without fault because Christ does not make a pointed and detailed listing of their sins. Christ sets before the Philadelphian an "open door" because he has only a little capacity for mighty works, and yet he still keeps God's Word and does not deny God's name by the way he lives his life. 7. But compared to the online course, even that method was a very inefficient process, Hensley said. Yet Christ admonishes Philadelphia just as He does the other churches: Overcome! So we study to be corrected. The volunteer decided the dilapidated volume wasnt worth saving and was about to throw it away when she thumbed through it and found a hidden chamber. The Holy One is a common Old Testament title for God (Isaiah 40:25; 43:15). Again, not perfect or sinless, but in a right standing with God. How well do we understand the doctrines of the Church? The results of historical criticism of the Bible prompted him and others (Louis Duchesne, Maurice D'Hulst, George Tyrrell, Herman Schell, and Baron von Hugel) to advocate modernizing the church's traditional biblical views. [The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side taking care of us in life when we cant take care of ourselves. Out of the seven churches, only this church and the church in Smryna received unqualified praise and approval. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the door is open to some of the virgins and closed to others (Matthew 25:10-12). This Bible reading plan takes you to four sections of the Bible each day. ), the king of Pergamum. Welcome to our Philadelphia church website! With the other prophets, the second time meant additional prophetic utterances they were to deliver. But thankfully, Scripture gives us illustrations: Like us, Jesus suffered, experienced hunger, required sleep, ate food, and had limits on His knowledge (Mark 13:32). Thats just when God appeared to him as he was among the exiles by the Kebar River. Where is there hope today? Should I be baptized again?" Answer: This is a vital question to many of you. A great help to any Bible study is the use of a concordance. Jan. 31, 2023 The Day of Atonement The annual religious festivals that God commands true Dennis Leap Oct. 4, 2022 What Is the Feast of Trumpets? We continue looking at the seven messages in Revelation 2-3. from Jesus to the churches of Asia. For the Apostle Paul, doing Gods Work was more important than his own salvation! Sometimes the meaning of a word is lost in the translation. So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, I forgive you, by doing something harder. 1 Peter 5:5, NIV, What is humility? Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Special News Report on Philadelphia Church of God. With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites madenot to provoke God's discipline by willfully sinning. We have a much better chance of putting the knowledge we gain in class to practical use if we prayerfully study and review what God teaches us each and every week through His instructorsthe ministry. How can we remain steadfast in our faith and avoid the pressures of this ever-changing world? But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. How do you view yourself? Actually, the church of Philadelphia has arisen already, and it is Eastern Lightning that everyone has heard aboutit is The Church of Almighty God.