Sermon Video: Receiving God's word in a hostile environment - 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

 

We know the stories of the missionary martyrs, those who risked their lives and gave them to share the Gospel.  Less well known are the persecutions of those who chose to accept Jesus in those dangerous settings.  The persecution that Paul endured is familiar to us, but what about the ordinary men and women of Thessalonica, what was it like for them?

In our text today Paul doesn't detail the hostility they faced, rather he focuses on what they did in response: they accepted the Gospel as the very words of God.  This remarkable faith is encouraging to us, reminding us of the power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit.  Persecution didn't stop the redeeming power of God's grace in Paul's day, it won't in ours either.

Sermon Video: The spiritual parents of a new church - 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

The Apostle Paul tells the young church at Thessalonica that he and his team  were related to this congregation as its spiritual mother and father.  Both the tenderness of a mother and the encouragement of a father were needed by the community of new Christians as they grew in maturity.

This same principle applies to individual new Christians within an established Christian congregation, a reminder to mature disciples of Jesus that we are called to serve as mentors of the discipleship of others.

Messianic Jewish Perspectives: An interview with Pastor Matt Frey, Heritage Fellowship

 

Pastor Matt and I have had an email conversation going for some time, I was glad to have the opportunity today to learn more about his faith journey, call to ministry, and efforts to plant a congregation that is both welcoming to Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus Christ, and at the same time intentional about its mission to evangelize within the Jewish community.

Pastor Matt offered numerous insights into issues related to being Jewish, Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and the Hebrew Roots Movement.

Listen to the Word of God: 62 Scripture passages that refute 'Christian' Nationalism - #36 Romans 12:2

 

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

How should God's people, those whom he has called, "out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9) conduct themselves in the world?  

The Star Wars sequel trilogy has flaws, a lot of them, but the idea of a stormtrooper who questions his indoctrination isn't one of them.  With Finn, whom the Empire only gives a designation to: FN2187, one of the nameless and faceless soldiers of the Empire, we finally get a glimpse at what it would take to say "No." to the evil that they are asked to do in its name.  Finn, in an act of rebellion, rescues the Rebel operative Poe Dameron, and subsequently joins the rebellion.  He becomes a thinking person with a moral code, not just a number.

Why talk about this Star Wars character in connection with 'Christian' Nationalism?  The answer is really simple: 'Christian' Nationalism creates its own stormtroopers.  No, we're not talking about people who can't hit the broad side of a barn with a laser gun, and we're not talking about the ways that term was used by WWII's fascist regimes.  Rather, 'Christian' Nationalism elevates the role and purpose of the state, sanctifying it by claiming that God wants them to run/rule it in God's name, which makes service to the state and obedience to the state into spiritual imperatives because they come from a, supposedly, God-sanctioned ruler or party.

What happens when the state engages in evil?  What happens when the state persecutes the outcasts and "others" that it designates as its enemies?  Do followers of Jesus go with the flow, do they make themselves no more than a cog in the machine of state?  

True discipleship of Jesus is not unthinking conformity, certainly not to the kingdoms of this world.  Instead, the Apostle Paul instructs us that we need to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, we need to seek the will of God, even if that means rebellion against an Empire.

Sermon Video: "a model for all believers" - 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

What makes a church one that is worth emulating?  Contrary to the numbers-based way in which much of the Church today decides which congregations are successful and which are not, the Apostle Paul offers to the new believers in Thessalonica his own praise by declaring that they are, "a model to all believers."

What was it about this congregation?  (1) God chose them, (2) the Holy Spirit worked powerfully among them, (3) Paul and his team lived in a Christ-like way while there, (4) they chose to imitate Paul's team and Jesus, (5) all while maintaining their joy in the midst of suffering.  This combination of God's will and their faithfulness in response to what God and Paul's team had done, led to God utilizing them as an example throughout Greece.

Our question: What can we do, as a local congregation, to also be worthy of being emulating, better yet, what can we and the other local congregations around us do to help shine the light of the Gospel in our community?  Paul has shown us the roadmap.

Sermon Video: Faith, Hope, & Love manifested in Work, Labor, & Endurance - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

At the beginning of his letter to the very young church at Thessalonica (most of the believers had known Christ for a year or less), the Apostle Paul begins by commending them for how Faith, Love, and Hope had propelled them to Work, Labor, and Endurance.  While those three virtues have their own worth, in this case Paul chooses to focus on what each of them was able to accomplish for the Kingdom of God through the actions of these followers of Jesus.

Area pastors sign a letter responding to the blasphemous Trump-as-Jesus image.

Several local pastors have joined together to issue a statement about the 4/12/16 Trump-as-Jesus AI that was shared on the President's social media feed.

If additional pastoral leaders in Venango County wish to add their name to the letter, they should contact Pastor Powell directly (pastorpowell@hotmail.com), at which point the Google drive link will be updated to reflect that addition. 

Pastoral response to the AI image depicting Donald Trump as divine/Jesus

Trump's AI image blasphemy: A biblical response

 

The AI-generated image shared by President Trump

On April 12th, 2026, the President of the United States,  Donald Trump, posted a blasphemous image of himself. 

This image portrayed Donald Trump as a divine healer using the well-known artistic iconography (white/red robe, divine power in his hands akin to stigmata) associated with Jesus Christ, and the reception of worship/prayer from the people looking up at him adoringly

A typical artistic portrayal of Jesus

 

In addition to the dangerous and unbiblical promotion of Christian nationalism and glorification of militarism that the image also contains, this action by President Trump violates a fundamental and unshakeable belief of every true follower of Jesus Christ:

There is only one God.

This belief leads inevitably to its corollary: God alone is worthy of worship

If anyone claims, then, divine status, or accepts worship, it is blasphemy.  It is also a grave heresy that marks one who makes such a claim as a false teacher. Whatever the motivation and intent was behind this creation and sharing of this image, the result was blasphemy and heresy.  In addition, any who would lead others away from devotion to our true Lord and Savior are, by definition, an anti-Christ.

Scripture, as well as history, offers dire warnings in this area, ones that should never be ignored.

The following is but a brief summary of what the Word of God teaches about the danger inherent in false worship and false teaching, and the judgment of God it invokes.

The Biblical warning against blasphemy and false worship:

Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 34:14 Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Jonah 2:8 

“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.

Habakkuk 2:18

“Of what value is an idol carved by a craftsman?

Or an image that teaches lies?

For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.

John 10:32-33 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

The warnings in the Biblical narrative against blasphemy and false worship:

Daniel 3: King Nebuchadnezzar glorifies himself with a golden image, requiring all to bow down and worship.  God protects Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace when they refuse.

1 Kings 18: Elijah and the prophets of Baal.

Elijah’s epic contest to see which God is real and which god is not.  God sends fire from heaven to affirm his power, Baal can do nothing for his false prophets.

Acts 12:19b-23 Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Revelation 19:19-21 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Historical examples beyond sacred scripture:

In 167 BC, Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrated the Jewish Temple in 

Jerusalem by sacrificing a pig on the altar to Zeus. This act of sacrilege, considered a major abomination, was part of his efforts to eradicate Jewish religious practices. It prompted the Maccabean revolt.

In the Early Church, both Jews and followers of Jesus (both Jewish and Gentile) were persecuted, and many martyred, for refusing to worship an image of various Roman Emperors who were considered divine.

The problem of human pride:

Proverbs 16:5

The Lord detests all the proud of heart.

Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

James 4:6

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

1 John 2:16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

Conclusion: A fellow Christian, and a friend, described Donald Trump’s ai-generated image as, “One of the grossest images I’ve ever seen.”  On this I concur.  

When the most powerful man in the world elevates himself with divine imagery, the only biblical response is to condemn this action with no reservation.  It is blasphemy, it is heresy, and it is the spirit of antichrist.

We have one Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, there is no other.

When the most powerful man in the world elevates himself with divine imagery, the only biblical response is to 

End of Days (FFOZ) attacks Reformed and secular Jews as "enemies of the LORD"

 In recent months I haven't shared each new FFOZ related YouTube video to this blog with its own post because the traffic on YouTube is much greater.  I'll make an exception for this response video because the topic is too important.

It is hard to describe how shameful and disturbing this lesson's rhetoric toward Reformed and secular Jews truly is.  Both are described in apocalyptic terms as the "last generation" which is described as: "perverse and crooked," who "revile and blaspheme God," "enemies of the LORD," "bottom-of-the-barrel," "foolhardy, morally inverted, and societally corrupt."

These things coming from Lancaster, Boaz Michael, and FFOZ are disgusting and immoral, there is no defense.

There are other heretical ideas in the lesson, those are touched on briefly after the primary focus on this lesson's antisemitism, but the focus ought to be on what FFOZ is willing to say about the majority of the world's Jewish population.  This is not acceptable, at all, period.

Sermon Video: Jesus: Destroyer of Death & Bringer of Life - 2 Timothy 1:9-10

 

In this Easter message, we look at Paul's inspiring explanation of what Jesus Christ has accomplished through his death and resurrection.  Among its many blessings, this hinge moment of history achieved: (1) Our salvation and calling to live a holy life, (2) the fulfillment of God's plan of grace set forth before time, and (3) the final triumph of life and immortality in Christ over death.

Christ is Risen!  He is Risen indeed!

Militant 'Christian' Nationalism in the halls of Congress: An affront to the true Gospel

 

Rep. Andy Ogles (center), Def. Sec. Hegseth (left), Sec. State Rubio (right) - AI image, 3/23/26

Yesterday, Congressman Andy Ogles (TN) posted to social media an AI generated image with ominous music featuring himself as the lead Knights Templar Crusader flanked by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State with the caption, "This is a battle of good vs evil. We must reaffirm that our nation was built on Christian principles."  Perhaps the Congressman was trolling online, perhaps he was seeking to raise his own profile (in one day it has generated a million views on FB), or maybe he is wholly earnest.  Whatever the exact motivation, the end result is clear enough: Glorifying violence done by the United States of America, at home or abroad, as violence done in the name of God.  Rep. Ogles is claiming that he and those on his team represent good, and whomever it is that he is crusading against represents evil.

The sad truth is, hundreds of similar examples in word, iconography, and deed can be found portraying American politics as a battle between good and evil, the worst of them invoking the name of Jesus, the Cross, or God in general in behalf of their side and/or against their enemies.

As the Knights Templar imagery demonstrates, this thought process is not new.  That Christians, or at least self-professed Christians, have justified their violence and/or hatred in the name of God in past generations doesn't make it any less blasphemous now, nor any less harmless to the true Gospel message of salvation and redemption for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or any other label, by grace (alone) through faith (alone) in Christ (alone).

God is not an American, and neither is Jesus.  America is not ancient Israel, we have no covenant with God as a nation.  God is not on our side, for his kingdom is not of this world.  Whoever wishes to be great in the kingdom of God must be the servant of all.  The true triumph of the Gospel is self-sacrifice, not destroying one's enemies.

We've been down this road before, it has never ended without tragedy and without reputational harm to the Church and the Gospel.  The further we continue down this path in this generation, sowing the same seeds, the more bitter the harvest will be.

Update: “Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation. Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.” - Def Sec Hegseth, 3/25/26

This is not a prayer acceptable to the God who gave the Gospel to the world, but instead to the god made in their own image by ‘Christian’ Nationalism.

When the enemies of a nation automatically become the enemies of God, evil not righteousness triumphs.

Sermon Video: Will Esau Forgive Jacob? - Genesis 32-33

As the moment of truth approaches, Jacob prepares to meet his estranged brother with a multi-step plan designed to mollify Esau's anger.  But will it work, or does Esau intend to kill his brother as he vowed twenty years ago?

In the end, it isn't Jacob's planning that makes a difference, but the change in Esau's heart that God wrought.  When Esau sees Jacob he rushes to embrace him (as in the Prodigal Son) with tears.

We have been given the ministry of reconciliation by Jesus, the forgiveness that Esau gave to Jacob reminds us how powerful this task can be.

"How the Gospels Should Have Ended" - D. Lancaster (FFOZ), The Gospels are God's 'Plan B'??? - response by Pastor Powell

"How the Gospels Should Have Ended" - rebuttal part 1 (of 2)

If the Gospel story was we know it God's "Plan B"?  Daniel Lancaster of First Fruits of Zion thinks so.  In this pro-Torah fan fiction version of the Gospels, Lancaster imagines a better version of Jesus' story that sees him crowned King Messiah by a people who follow him back to Torah observance.  

Chief among the many questions this perversion of the Gospel story raises is this: It has not time for Gospel proclamation to the Gentiles.  No Great Commission, no giving of the Holy Spirit.  What does Lancaster envision instead for the Gentiles?  God's wrath, immediately poured forth after the resurrection of Jesus (killed by the Romans after God lets them slaughter the Jewish people who had trusted in Jesus).

In the end, FFOZ hopes that guilt over the "failure" of Jesus' generation to embrace the Torah (i.e. the better version of the Gospel story) will prompt people today to take up Torah observance as the means of "hastening" the return of Christ.  The hubris to think they can change the timing of God's plan is astounding.

To read the whole article: How the Gospels Should Have Ended - D. Lancaster

"How the Gospels Should Have Ended" - rebuttal part 2 (of 2)

Sermon Video: Laban Confronts Jacob - Genesis 31:19-15

 

Jacob's choice to abruptly leave with his family and property without even informing Laban prompts Jacob's father-in-law to pursue him.  When Laban catches-up with Jacob he confronts him and both men air their grievances with each other.

In the end, the relationship between Jacob and Laban is beyond repair, especially when both men continue to insist they are in the right.  God intervenes to prevent the situation from ending in violence, but sadly not harming each other is the only thing they will commit to. 

The episode serves as a reminder of the consequences of schemes, deception, and grudges.  For Jacob, it serves as a stark reminder of what might await him when he is confronted by Esau.

Sermon Video: Jacob turns the tables on Laban - Genesis 30:25-31:18

 

In this chapter of his life story, Jacob's relationship with his father-in-law Laban deteriorates, eventually breaking.  Both men are to blame, as both seek to cheat the other.  In the end, Jacob is successful in obtaining most of Laban's wealth, and then leaves with his wives and children to head back to Canaan.

Sermon Video: Leah & Rachel: Sibling rivalry and cultural expectations - Genesis 29:31-30:24

 

In a soap opera worthy long-running tragedy, the family of Jacob is repeatedly convulsed by jealous rivalry between his wives who happen to be sisters.  That this was entirely foreseeable, by both their father Laban and husband Jacob, doesn't make it any less tragic for these women.

In the end, the passage sees Jacob fathering 11 sons with 4 wives, all whilst the sibling rivalry rages and everyone is negatively impacted by going along with cultural expectations.

Sermon Video: The Divergent Paths of Jacob and Esau - Genesis 27:46-28:22

The contrasting narratives in Genesis 27-28 of Esau's wives whom his parents dislike immensely and Jacob's journey to find a wife akin to how Rebekah was sought for Isaac are a reminder to ancient Israel, and to us, that the key difference in the course that any life takes is the role of God.  Both Esau and Jacob were flawed men (the Genesis narrative painting Jacob as significantly worse), but Jacob's path was contained within the promise of God's blessings, Esau's was not.  Why?  Grace.  God's grace.

Sermon Video: Isaac's Covenant with the LORD - Genesis 26:1-33

Having introduced the rivalry between Jacob and Esau in chapter 25, Moses now recounts the ways in which God's interactions with Isaac echo the interactions with his father Abraham.  In addition to reiterating the promises regarding the land, numerous descendants, and a blessing to the world through them, the LORD takes the time to tell Isaac that he will be WITH him.  The element of relationship is emphasized, purposefully, setting this covenant apart from others in the A.N.E.   God wanted to be with Isaac, a trait that hasn't changed with God's people today because it is an outflow of God's unchanging love.

Sermon Video: Jacob & Esau: Brother vs. Brother - Genesis 25:19-34

As the narrative of Genesis continues, we learn that God's choice to inherit the promise of Abraham and become the Chosen People will rest with only one of Isaac and Rebekah's sons, Jacob instead of Esau.  This isn't because Jacob is better than Esau, in fact, as this episode demonstrates, Jacob is a schemer willing to defraud even his own twin brother.  What is it then?  Grace, God's grace.  

What then do we say about Jacob?  There isn't any reason to like Jacob as Genesis presents him, we may think that Esau is a fool (that's Moses' narrative assessment), but a just because a family member is a fool doesn't mean we have the right to take advantage of him/her.  Ultimately, Jacob will reap what he sows, but it will be a tragic story that didn't need to happen, he could have been a better man, he could have considered his brother above himself.

Professor Solberg's conclusion about FFOZ: "Wolves in sheep's clothing" with "functional Torah idolatry."

 

Having spent three years researching and writing about this organization, it greatly encourages me to have Professor Solberg, one of the foremost experts on the Hebrew Roots Movement, weigh in with an in-depth analysis.  His conclusions echo my own, further confirmation that this warning about FFOZ is both necessary and accurate.