To put it plainly, the world is in trouble and it is clear that Satan is at work. It seems that everywhere we turn in our modern society, we see immorality, gender bending, homosexuality, blasphemy, murder, abortion, lawlessness, thievery, and the list goes on. As believers it can be easy to become discouraged as we ask ourselves, "Why doesn't the world follow God's law?".

But where there's a mess, there's a message. In today's lesson, we turn to scripture to see what the Word of God has to say about our current situation. And as we do, we will draw out things which should encourage and strengthen the believer in the face of such evil circumstances.

We will consider questions such as:

• Who's world is this?
• What is God's response to the evil of this world?
• How should the Christian respond to such evil?
• What encouragement is there for us?

We thank you for listening to today's teaching. We pray, that as we continue in this world, that you will be encouraged by the Word of God.

In our previous lesson, we began to look at the lies of the world which have trained the church regarding abortion, rather than the truth of the Word of God.

As we considered this evil which is at the forefront of our society, we examined some of the lies we didn't realize we believed. The big lies include:

1. That which is conceived in the mother's womb is not a baby.
2. The rights extended to us do not extend to the unborn.

In part 2 of this series, we consider the third lie, that a mother has the right to murder the child in her womb without consequences.

Again, it is our desire that we be led by the Word of God regarding the topic of abortion, a topic which has great power to divide not only political groups, but the body of Christ, as well.

We thank you for listening to today's teaching. We pray that we as a body of believers will be led together by the Word of God in all matters, and that His Word would guide us in this topic, as well.

One of the greatest tragedies facing our world today is the horror of abortion. This topic alone divides people not only politically, but it is a topic that divides the church as well. As a church, we must look to the Word of God to determine what the Lord has to say about this blight on our society.

Sadly, many of us have been discipled by the world instead of the Word of God. The result is that, many churches during the Holocaust who sang louder to drown out the cries of the Jews carried by their churches on their way to the Nazi death camps, so the church today has grown complacent when it comes to the topic of abortion.

Some of the lies we will consider in today's lesson are:

1. The church should not speak on political issues.
2. It is not the job of the government to interfere in the choice a woman makes regarding her body
3. We can't legislate morality
4. The church should not be involved in anything political.

Finally, we begin to look at three big lies regarding abortion, covering the first two today.

1. That which is conceived in the mother's womb is not a baby
2. The rights extended to a child outside the womb do not extend to a child in the womb

We thank you for listening to today's teaching. We know this is a difficult topic for the church in today's world. We therefore pray, that as a body of believers, we will all turn to the Word of God to determine the proper perspective on this topic.

For the believer in Jesus Christ, our focus is on knowing Jesus. In Revelation 19, following the destruction of Babylon in chapter 18, heaven swells with praise for the Lord and His righteous judgments. We then are brought into the marriage supper of the Lamb, where the bride of Christ, the church, is arrayed in fine linen; thus giving us a splendid view of our future glory with the Bridegroom, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

However, the marriage supper of the Lamb is followed by the image of Jesus on a white horse, His white robes dipped in blood. Here, Jesus is the conquering king who judges and makes war. The blood on His robe is the blood of His enemies; while the "armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, follow Him on white horses." (Revelation 19:14, NKJV).

Here in Revelation 19, we are presented with a different picture of Jesus, one which the world does not like. For here, we see Jesus as judge, executing righteous judgment on a sinful and rebellious world. But for those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, this is a Jesus we will never know. For we know that our sin has already been judged through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.

Thank you for listening to today's lesson. If you are a believer listening to today's teaching, we pray you will be encouraged through the Word of God. If you do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior, it is our fervent prayer that you consider the warnings contained in today's teaching, and know there is a way to escape the coming judgment of a holy, righteous and just God. For this same God is also one of mercy and grace, forgiving sin through the death of His Son.

As we come to the close of the book of Acts, we may be tempted to think that this is the end of the story. Instead, we find that it is, in fact, a beginning. Often referred to as, "The Acts of the Apostles," Luke opened his book addressing Theophilus, to whom he wrote the Gospel of Luke, stating in Acts 1:1 and 2, "The first account, O Theophilus, I composed, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heave, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen..."

The Book of Acts, then, is the continuing story of Jesus and what He continues to do, by the Holy Spirit. through His disciples. So, when Paul arrives in Rome, he first seeks out the Jews, to whom he explained to them, "by solemnly bearing witness about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets..." (Acts 28:23). And while some of the Jews believed, still many others rejected. It was this rejection through which the door of the Gospel was opened to the Gentiles.

And today, this story, which began in a manger over 2,000 years ago, continues to spread throughout the world; a story which we who have trusted in Christ are privileged to play a part.

Thank you for listening to today's teaching. We pray that as you consider your part in the Gospel story, that you would be strengthened and encouraged by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are uncertain of your part in this story, we pray, above all, that you may personally know the person of Jesus Christ and to trust in the finished work of the cross through which Jesus bore the curse for all our sin.

In his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul is writing to a church that is worthy of much praise. In the opening verses of his letter, he praises God for their faith and love toward the saints. He then offers prayers for them that they would continue to grow and to be strengthened.

But he also writes to a church which has been infected with various false teachings including Gnosticism and legalism. And as he moves on from his prayer for this church, he presents what is ultimately the solution to these issues confronting this church; the person and work of the Lord Jesus.

In our passage today, we encounter some of the highest Christological praise in all of Scripture as Paul presents the work and the person of Jesus Christ to this church.

As we examine our passage this morning, we will draw out three aspects of our Redeemer:

1. The Redeemer's Work
2. The Redeemer's Person
3. The Redeemer's Qualifications

Thank you for listening to today's teaching. We pray that as we focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ, like Paul, you will be drawn with us to offer up praise and adoration for the beauty of who Jesus is, and for His wonderful work of redemption.

As the book of Acts nears its close, we find Paul finally arriving in Rome. It has been a long journey fraught with many trials and dangers. As the last chapter of Acts opens, we find Paul shipwrecked on the island of Malta.

To the surprise of some Christians, the pagan inhabitants of this island showed Paul and his companions extraordinary kindness. This brings us to one lesson from this passage, the pagans are also created in the image of God and therefore they are capable of showing love and kindness to others.

But this kindness does not translate into righteousness. And indeed, the events that unfold on this small island provide Paul with another opportunity to share the Gospel with whomever he encounters.

And when he finally arrives in Rome, he is again shown kindness by people he never met. But in this case, these strangers are of the same faith as Paul and therefore brothers in Christ.

As we explore this passage we will draw several lessons:

1. Paul was set apart by the Lord as the apostle to the Gentiles, and nothing would keep him from doing his job.
2. Even in the most remote places we find people made in the image of God and therefore they are candidates for the Gospel.
3. We see Christians as people showing hospitality, especially among those who are of the household of faith.
4. Finally, we see the faithfulness of God in accomplishing His purposes in this world.

Thank you for listening to today's teaching. We pray you will be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.

Most of us are familiar with the various storms of life, such as the loss of loved ones, or changes in employment or income, difficulties with relationships, etc.. In the midst of these various trials, we can find ourselves struggling to see God's purposes in allowing this situation into our lives.

The book of Acts a three part story which parallels the Lord's call to His disciples to carry the Gospel to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth. The last portion follows Paul's journey to Rome, beginning all the way back in chapter 19. The Lord's message to Paul is, "you must stand before Caesar."

But in today's passage from Acts 27, when Paul boards a ship to head to Rome, he is caught in a tremendous storm which threatens both ship, crew and cargo. But in the midst of this, Paul emerges as a calm leader, to whom eventually even the centurion charged with accompanying Paul defers.

What is it that allowed Paul to face this literal storm with such confidence and peace. In today's lesson, we will learn three things:

1. This is an historic event witnessed by Luke.
2. We see the Godly leadership and character of Paul
3. No matter the storms in our life, we must remember that this is God's story. This does not mean that He will calm every storm. But it does mean that God's purposes will be accomplished.

Thank you for listening to today's teaching. We pray you will be encouraged through the teaching of God's Word.