Gospel Dynamite with Allen Mashburn

Join us as we discover our great God's ability to answer prayer.

Revelation 20:1-6 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second…

A Biblical Exposition of Matthew 7:24–27 Our Lord concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a searching contrast: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” —Matthew 7:24–27, KJV These verses are far more than a charming illustration or moral tale. They form the solemn, climactic warning of the entire Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). After unfolding the character of true righteousness, the realities of kingdom life, the heart of prayer and giving, the dangers of anxiety and being judgmental, and the narrow…

Eternity Future: The Glorious New Heaven, New Earth, and the Literal Holy City New Jerusalem After the thousand-year reign of Christ upon this earth and after the final judgment at the Great White Throne, Scripture opens the door to the eternal state. The old order ends completely, and God brings forth a new creation filled with His presence, His glory, and His redeemed people. This is not a vague spiritual realm. It is a real, tangible, physical reality that will last forever. Let us begin by anchoring ourselves in the immediate events that lead into this eternal future. After the thousand years expire, Satan is released for a short time. He deceives the nations one last time. They gather in vast numbers like the sand of the sea to surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. Then the devil himself is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet already are. There they will be tormented day and night…

The Great White Throne Judgment: The Final, Dreadful, and Eternal Reckoning of the Wicked Dead In the majestic and awe-inspiring closing visions of the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John, carried along by the powerful inspiration of the Holy Spirit, beholds a series of breathtaking scenes that unveil the final consummation of all things and the eternal destiny of every soul. Following the glorious thousand-year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the earth, after the last desperate and futile rebellion of Satan, and after the complete and utter defeat of Gog and Magog with fire from heaven, the divine spotlight turns with solemn intensity upon the most terrifying and irreversible event in all of human history: the Great White Throne Judgment. This is the ultimate, final, and most dreadful courtroom of the entire universe, where every single soul that has ever died in unbelief, impenitence, and open rebellion against the living God will be supernaturally raised from the dead, solemnly examined with perfect…

The Millennial Kingdom: Christ’s Glorious Reign Upon the Earth Beloved reader, imagine a world where righteousness flows like a mighty river, where peace blankets every nation, where creation itself bursts forth in renewed splendor, and where the Lord Jesus Christ reigns visibly and personally from Jerusalem upon the throne of David. The Scriptures unveil this magnificent future age in vivid detail—a thousand-year period of unparalleled blessing, justice, and prosperity under the sovereign rule of the King of kings. Let us open the King James Version together and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate these precious truths. As we journey through God’s Word, may our hearts be stirred with hope and holy expectation. The Foundation: Satan Bound and the Saints Raised The Apostle John, exiled on the Isle of Patmos, received the climactic vision of this kingdom in the Book of Revelation. Hear the very words of Scripture: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain…

The Tribulation: Hell on Earth Our springboard text is Revelation 6:16-17: “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” These words, ripped from the throats of kings and great men, rich men and chief captains, mighty men and every bondman and every free man, echo across the shattered landscape of a world in collapse. As the sixth seal bursts open, the sky rolls up like a scroll, mountains and islands are moved out of their places, and the sun turns black as sackcloth while the moon becomes as blood. Men do not cry out for mercy; they scream for the rocks to crush them rather than face the wrath of the Lamb. This is the Tribulation—the seven-year period of divine judgment poured out upon a Christ-rejecting world. It is hell on earth, the time of Jacob’s trouble, the great tribulation spoken of by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:21 as…

The Battle of Gog and Magog Ezekiel 38:1-3 “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.” This chosen text from the opening verses of Ezekiel chapter 38 serves as the foundation for our exposition of the battle of Gog and Magog. The prophecy spans Ezekiel 38 and 39, two chapters that form a unified oracle delivered by the prophet during the Babylonian exile. Ezekiel, whose name means “God strengthens,” was a priest carried into captivity in 597 B.C. alongside King Jehoiachin. His ministry, spanning roughly 593 to 571 B.C., addressed both the judgment upon Judah and the future restoration of God’s people. In these chapters, the Lord shifts from messages of immediate hope and restoration (as seen in Ezekiel 36–37) to a dramatic foretelling of an end-times invasion that will…

Maranatha: Our Lord is Coming! The Rapture of the Church In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3) The scene is etched forever in the sacred record of Scripture. It is the night of betrayal. The Passover supper has been eaten. The traitor has gone out into the darkness. The eleven remaining disciples sit in stunned silence as the weight of impending loss presses upon their souls. Their Master has spoken plainly of His departure. He has washed their feet. He has given them the new commandment of love. And now, with the shadow of Gethsemane already falling across His face, the Lord Jesus Christ turns to address the deepest fear in their hearts. He does not offer vague religious platitudes. He does not speak in the language of uncertainty. Instead, He utters words that carry the full force of divine…

Dealing with Depression: Finding Hope and Victory in the God of All Comfort Depression is a profound heaviness of soul that the Scriptures describe with raw honesty. The Bible does not employ our modern clinical term, but it portrays the experience vividly: the spirit overwhelmed, the heart cast down, the bones troubled, the soul in despair, even the wish that life would end. Yet the same Word that records this darkness repeatedly declares that God draws near to the brokenhearted, that He is the lifter of the head, that His comfort abounds in affliction, and that joy comes in the morning. Throughout Scripture we see God’s choicest servants pass through seasons of deep discouragement. Their stories are recorded not to magnify their weakness but to display God’s faithfulness in the lowest places. By examining these lives, and by listening carefully to the voice of God in His Word, we discover divine principles for enduring and overcoming depression from a thoroughly biblical standpoint. I. Elijah: Despair…

When Anxiety Feels Louder Than God There are times in the Christian life when anxiety seems to shout louder than the voice of God. The pressures of daily living—the demands of school or work, the pull of peers in the wrong direction, the subtle temptations of the enemy to sin, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring—can create a clamor in the soul that drowns out the quiet assurance of God's presence. Yet the Scriptures speak directly to these very struggles, offering not mere human advice, but divine remedies that bring peace and victory. We will focus our attention on three key passages that address the heart of this matter: Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, and Psalm 34:4. These verses, taken from the Authorized King James Version, provide a clear pathway from anxiety to the peace that only God can give. First, let us read Philippians 4:6-7 in full: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God,…

Let's turn together in our Bibles to the book of Genesis, chapter 3, and focus our attention on verse 15. This is one of those pivotal verses in Scripture that has rightly been called the protoevangelium—the first announcement of the good news of salvation. In the King James Version, which we'll use throughout our study today, it reads: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Imagine the scene in the Garden of Eden just moments after the fall. Adam and Eve have disobeyed God, eaten the forbidden fruit, and now they stand before Him in shame and fear. The harmony of creation is shattered. Sin has entered the world, bringing with it death, curse, and separation from God. It seems as though Satan, working through the serpent, has scored a complete victory. Yet right here, in the midst of pronouncing judgment, God speaks a word of incredible grace—a promise that shines like a beacon in the darkness. This…

Israel's Future in Bible Prophecy: A Biblical Exposition Introduction: The Setting from Luke 21 As we open our Bibles to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, we find Jesus standing on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem. His disciples marvel at the temple's grandeur, but the Lord turns their attention to far greater matters—the signs of the end times and the destiny of His people. In Luke 21:20-24, Jesus declares: "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away…

A Concise Biblical Examination of John 1:1 and It’s Importance to Our Faith “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse is like a treasure chest full of truth about who Jesus is. It tells us that Jesus, called “the Word,” is God and has always been with God. Let’s break it down into three simple parts, using the original Greek words to help us understand, and see how it shows that Jesus is fully God. Part 1: “In the beginning was the Word” What it says in Greek: En archē ēn ho Logos Simple meaning: “When everything started, the Word was already there.” -“In the beginning”: This is like the very first moment of everything, just like the start of the Bible in Genesis 1:1, where God created the world. The Greek word archē means the start of all things. It’s saying Jesus was there before anything was made. -“Was”: This Greek word tells us the Word didn’t start existing—it was already there, always existing, forever. Jesus didn’t have a beginning; He’s eternal God.…

Join Pastor Mashburn as he examines the Scriptures on the subject of "Spiritual Warfare in a World that Hates Christ & You."

It's been a heavy week. A good man has been tragically taken from us by an assassin's bullet. Charlie Kirk was a brilliant mind, a good man, a faithful husband and father. Join Pastor Mashburn as he examines the Scripture and gains strength for these difficult days.

As we continue to study “the whole armor of God,” we continually need to be reminded why this is such an important topic. Verses 10-13 introduce the subject of spiritual warfare. We are told that the saints of God are engaged in a great cosmic battle against a powerful, relentless enemy. Our enemy is called “the devil,” v 11. Our enemy is said to employ “wiles,” v. 11. This word refers to “the tricks, schemes, and methods” the devil uses to undermine the faith of the saints, and to attack the glory of God. God’s command to His people is that they “stand” against the attacks of the enemy, vvs. 11, 13, 14. The word “stand” is a military term. It means “to hold a critical position during a time of enemy attack.” It is the image of “a soldier refusing to yield even one inch of ground to an attacking foe.” It is not the image of someone on the offensive, but rather, it is the picture of a soldier on the defensive, protecting the ground that has already been won. God had given His people some very precious…

We are studying pieces of “the whole armor of God.” The “armor or God” is a necessary tool in our fight against our common the enemy, the devil. Without every piece of the amor in place, we are easy prey for the enemy. When the pieces of the armor are missing, Satan has little trouble defeating us. He has little trouble damaging our testimonies, infiltrating our churches, and devastating our church. When the armor is missing, we are easily defeated. Yet, when a saint of God is dressed in “the whole armor of God,” the enemy has a hard times dealing with them. When the armor is in place, he cannot penetrate their defenses, and he must watch helplessly as they “stand” for God’s glory day after victorious day. I want that to be my testimony, how about you? Let’s continue to examine the pieces of “the whole armor of God.” Knowing what they are and how to use them will help us to “stand” for the Lord in victory.

The verses before us speak about spiritual warfare. They remind us that we are in the fight of our lives. Against a relentless, powerful enemy. We are engaged in battle with a spiritual being who is intent on our destruction. We are fighting against an enemy who hates our God, and who hates us too. He wants to devour our families, destroy our testimonies, devastate our church, and discredit our God. But, this enemy of whom I speak is not all-powerful. The God we serve is, 1 John 4:4.

Today, we examine the Scriptures to learn what it means to be created in the image of God. Join us in Genesis 1, as we search the Scriptures for the answers.

Our Lord loves children and He desires them to be cared for, loved, and given the Gospel of Christ at an early age.

“Finally!” The first word of verse 10 is a blessing, isn’t it? That word indicates that we have reached the last major section of the book of Ephesians. As Paul nears the end of this precious book, he closes with a final series of admonitions. He challenges his readers to open their eyes to the spiritual warfare in which they are engaged. He calls them to be sure they are on the right foundation, wearing the proper spiritual garments, fighting the right enemies, and trusting the right Lord. Verses 10-18 are a statement about the matter of Spirit-Filled Warfare.

In this passage, we are given insight into the battle we are engaged in and into the weapons with which we are to fight this battle. My friends, we are in the fight of our lives! If we are to do what the Scriptures say and "stand", v. 11, 13, 14, then we must know how to prepare ourselves for this battle. Here, Paul reveals some aspects of the battle in which we find ourselves this evening. I just want to remind you tonight that we are involved in The Fight Of Our Lives and we must know how we are to prepare to ourselves to be effective in that fight.

Paul has previously discussed our relationship with God, our worship, our marriages, and the parent-child dynamic. In these verses, he shifts focus to the master-slave relationship, a common institution in the Roman Empire, where an estimated 50 million people were enslaved. While the Bible does not explicitly condemn slavery, it acknowledges the system's widespread abuse. Since slavery is unfamiliar to us today, let’s explore insights from Dr. John MacArthur about this ancient practice. In Greek and Roman societies, slaves had no legal rights and were treated as commodities—bought, sold, traded, or discarded like animals or tools. Roman citizens viewed work as beneath them, relying heavily on slave labor. Compassionate masters, like Pliny the Elder, who mourned his slaves’ deaths, were rare. One Roman writer classified agricultural tools into three groups: articulate (slaves, who could speak), inarticulate (animals), and mute (tools and vehicles). Slaves were barely distinguished from animals or objects.…

The sufficiency of Christ affirms that Jesus Christ is wholly adequate to meet every need of the believer—salvation, sanctification, provision, and intercession. This doctrine stands as a cornerstone of Christian faith, offering assurance and direction in a world filled with competing ideologies and self-reliance. In salvation, Christ’s exclusive role as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) and His singular name for salvation (Acts 4:12) establish that His once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12-14) fully atones for sin, requiring no additional works or mediators. For sanctification, Christ initiates and completes the believer’s transformation (Philippians 1:6), with His Spirit and Word conforming them to His image (2 Corinthians 3:18) and rendering them complete in Him (Colossians 2:9-10). In provision, Christ meets all needs—material, emotional, and spiritual—according to His infinite riches (Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:31-33), with His grace proving sufficient even in weakness (2 Corinthians…

Ephesians 6:1-4 instructs children to obey and honor their parents, as this aligns with God’s command and carries a promise of blessing and long life. Parents, particularly fathers, are urged not to provoke their children to anger but to raise them with godly discipline and instruction, fostering their spiritual growth in a loving manner.

Ephesians 5:22–6:4 outlines Christian household relationships, emphasizing mutual love and respect. Wives are called to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, while husbands are instructed to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loves the church. Children are to obey their parents in the Lord, and fathers are urged to raise their children with discipline and instruction in the faith, without provoking them to anger. The passage underscores Christ-centered roles, fostering harmony and godliness in the family.

This verse is about how Christians should treat each other with humility and respect. It’s part of a bigger section in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians about living a godly life (Ephesians 5:1-20) and leads into advice about relationships like marriage and family (Ephesians 5:22–6:9). "Submitting yourselves" means choosing to put others first, not because you have to, but because you want to show love and kindness, just like Jesus did (Philippians 2:5-8). The words "one to another" mean everyone in the church should do this for each other, no matter who they are. It’s about working together as equals to build a loving community (Romans 12:10). The reason for this attitude is "the fear of God," which means respecting and honoring God. It’s not about being scared but about living in a way that pleases Him. When we do this, our actions come from a heart that loves God, not just following rules. This verse teaches that Christians should act with humility and care in all relationships. Instead of trying to be in…

In our text, Paul is telling the Ephesian believers what the Spirit-filled life is all about. He tells them that when they are walking in the Spirit, there will be some evidence of His presence in their midst. It is that truth that I would like to focus in on this evening. I want to share with you the Evidence Of The Spirit Filled Life. When you and I are filled with the Holy Ghost, we will still speak English, but we will be more like Jesus than we have ever been. That is what the Spirit of God wants to do in your life and mine. He wants to duplicate the life of Christ in every saved individual. Are you filled with the Spirit this evening? Let's check the evidence and see where we stand.

Biblical Exposition of John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3 stands as one of the most comforting and hope-filled passages in the New Testament, spoken by Jesus to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion. These verses form part of the Farewell Discourse (John 13–17), where Jesus prepares His followers for His imminent departure. The words are tender and pastoral, addressing both immediate emotional distress and eternal hope. Verse 1: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." The opening command, "Let not your heart be troubled," is a present imperative in the Greek implying a continuous action: "Stop being troubled, and do not allow yourselves to remain troubled." The disciples…

Intro: Genuine, biblical faith is a miracle! Faith in God is something we do not possess naturally. Eph. 2:8 tells us that faith is “the gift of God.” God enables us to believe in Him for salvation, then He gives every believer some “measure of faith”, Rom. 12:3. That is, God empowers His children to believe Him, to serve Him, to glorify Him through the power of the faith in Him that He gives to us! This outworking of faith in God’s people has allowed them see demonstrations of God’s power that boggle the mind. It has allowed them to receive answers to prayers for things that appeared impossible. Consider the following: Joshua 10:12-14 – Joshua commanded the sun to stand still so Israel could defeat the Amorites. Isaiah 38:1-6 – King Hezekiah was told that he would die. He prayed to the Lord and God added 15 years to his life. Genesis 22:1-14 – Abraham was told to sacrifice his son Isaac, who was the son of promise. He obeyed by faith and God spared Isaac, providing a ram in his place. Joshua 14:6-16 – 85…

A Biblical Exposition on the Bodily Resurrection of Christ: Its Meaning for the World and the Believer The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, a historical and theological truth that reverberates through time, shaping the destiny of humanity and the hope of every believer. The resurrection is not merely a symbolic or spiritual event but a physical, bodily reality that validates Christ’s identity as the Son of God, secures salvation for believers, and guarantees the future resurrection of all who trust in Him. Today we will explore the biblical teaching on Christ’s resurrection, its implications for the world and the believer, the consequences if Christ had not risen (as outlined in 1 Corinthians 15), and the hope of our future resurrection grounded in His triumph over death I. The Fact of Christ’s Bodily Resurrection The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a well-attested historical event, recorded in all four Gospels (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20–21) and…

Join Pastor Mashburn as he expounds the sufferings of our Lord in the olive press of Gethsemane.

Beginning in Ephesians 4:1 and continuing through 5:14, the Apostle Paul has challenged the church concerning her walk before the Lord. We have been commanded: Eph. 4:1-2 - To walk in Humility Eph. 4:4-13 - To walk in Unity Eph. 4:17-32 - To walk in Separation Eph. 4:14-16; 5:1-2 - To walk in Love Eph. 5:3-14 - To walk in Light Now, we are challenged to add to those virtues the quality of wisdom. The word “wisdom”, in our language means, “knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action.” In Scripture, it carries the idea of understanding the will of God as it is revealed in His Word, coupled with the desire to live it out.

Ephesians chapter 5 is all about change. It is designed to teach us that we are different from the world around us, and since we are different, we should live lives that are different. The simple truth is that believers should be different from those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. A brief review of the first seven verses of this chapter clearly demonstrate this truth. In verse 1, we are commanded to live like God. In verse 2, we are commanded to love like God. In verses 3-7, we are commanded to leave this world and its ways behind. Beginning in verse 8, the Apostle tells us why we are to be different. This is something we need to hear and heed. After all, we are living in this world. We are “strangers and pilgrims” here, 1 Pet. 2:11. While we are “strangers and pilgrims,” in this world, there was a time when we were citizens of this world. We lived like they live. We thought like they think. We did what they do. We were part of them. But, when we were saved by the grace of God, we were delivered from…

In our previous study of Ephesians 5, we explored verses 1-2, where we were instructed to be "followers of God, as dear children." This means we should emulate God in the same way a child mimics a parent. We are called to love as He loves, walk as He walks, speak as He speaks, and live as He lives—in essence, to reflect the Father in every aspect of our lives. This is a challenging directive, yet it is the standard we are urged to pursue daily. In the verses we'll examine today, another command is given. Verse 7 states, "Be ye not therefore partakers with them." Just as we are to mirror the Lord in all possible ways, we are equally called to reject the behaviors, mindsets, and patterns of the world. This passage will guide us on what we should avoid as we navigate life in this world. It’s all too simple to slip into the world’s routines and rhythms. It’s tempting to just go along with the crowd, adopting the ways of those who do not follow God. It’s easy to echo the sentiment of Ambrose of Milan: “When in…

As we begin to study the 5th chapter of this great book, we are immediately confronted by a passage the demands that we do the impossible. We are called to be like God. We are called to love like He loves. It sounds like an impossible task. How can we, sinful, human, frail, failing people ever be like Him or love like Him? This text has much to say about this call to be like the Lord.

This passage builds on what Paul has been saying about the new life we have been given in Jesus. The word “wherefore” calls our attention back to verses 17-24, which are a basic overview of the new life we have in Jesus. Since the old man of sin has been “put off,” v. 22, since the mind has been “renewed,” v. 23, and since the “new man,” has been put on, v. 24, the child of God is expected to life a transformed life. I would remind you that the putting off of the old man, the renewing of the mind, and the putting on of the new man, are events that took place in our lives when we were born again. When the Lord saved us, He changed us. We were made “new creatures,” 2 Cor. 5:17, at the moment of conversion. Everything changed! A life the had never existed began at that very moment. That is the essence of the new birth. You were born again as a new creation of God at the moment of conversion.

In the first phrase of verse 17, there is a word that beckons to focus our attention backward. It is the word “therefore.” Anytime you see “therefore” in the Bible, you should stop and see what it is “there for.” This word calls our minds back to what Paul has been teaching us about our high calling in Christ Jesus. Because we have been given all the benefits mentioned in verses 1-16, we are not to be like the lost, pagan Gentiles who live around us. What benefits is Paul talking about? Our calling to “salvation by grace” through faith, vv. 1-3. Our unity in the body of Christ, vv. 3-6. Our unique gifting by the Holy Spirit to serve the Lord and His church for His glory, vv. 7-10. Our being built up through the ministries of gifted individuals in the church, vv. 11-16. Because we have been given all these advantages, and made the partaker of such gifts from God, we are to walk in a manner that is different from the world around us. In the verses that are before us today, we are called to A New Walk For A New…

The word E Pluribus Unum appear on The Great Seal of the United States. Until 1956, E Pluribus Enum was the unofficial motto of the United States. In 1956, the official motto of the United States became In God We Trust. E Pluribus Unum, while not the official motto of our nation, still appears on our Great Seal and on other currencies and documents produced by our government. E Pluribus Unum is a Latin phrase which means “out of many, one,” or “one from many.” This phrase pictures the United States as a melting pot. It envisions our nation as one nation, made up of many individuals. While there is diversity and division among the people that make up the United States of America, at the end of the day, we are all still Americans. Regardless of the country of our origin, the color of our skin, the type of politics we embrace, or where we stand on many social issues, we are “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The United States is a unity made possible by, and in spite of,…

Apparently, when Jesus visited the Temple on Sunday, He saw some things that He did not like. During this visit on Monday, He will address some of those issues. The events that occurred during our Lord’s visit to the Temple on that Monday morning are what I want to look into today. Let’s join Jesus as He goes to the Temple on a Monday morning. I want to share a few thoughts that we cannot afford to miss. I want to point out A Description Of The Temple; A Dispute At The Temple and A Decision At The Temple.

Paul has been teaching us in Ephesians that God, by His grace, and through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has brought together people from every imaginable background, and has made them one in Jesus Christ. Jews who were born under the Law and who are subject to the Law, and Gentiles who were given over to dumb idols, have been brought together in one body. The ground of our unity does not rest in our ability to get along with one another. Our unity in the body of Christ rests upon the common elements that we share as members of His body. All of the elements Paul mentions in these verses are freely given to us by the grace of God. They are the fruit of our relationship with Him. It is these elements that make unity within the church a real possibility.

In verse 3, we are commanded to walk in unity as a body. In these human bodies we inhabit, there is wonderful unity. If you don’t believe me, take a hammer and strike your thumb. You will be amazed at the unity your body can summon in a moment of crisis like that. Paul illustrates this great truth in 1 Cor. 12:12-26. Verse 3 is The Plea For Unity. These verses do not state the next truth, but it is implied here nonetheless. If we must do as verse 3 says and “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit” it must mean that the unity we are supposed to keep can be broken. Sadly, it can, and quite easily at that. The greatest challenge to the unity of the body of Christ are the very people who are the members of that body. The real problem with our unity is in our diversity. We are a different and diverse people with differing opinions, ideas, wants, and methods, which are unique to each individual in the body. The greatest threat to the unity of the church is not the devil or the world, it is the very people who…

In this message, Pastor Mashburn examines why Christmas had to happen to accomplish God's Will, Purpose, and our Salvation.

In our last study of this chapter, we talked about the unity of the church. We spoke specifically about the plea for unity issued by Paul in verse 3. In that verse, Paul challenges the church to work toward the goal of “unity”, or “agreement”, within the church. He goes on to tell us that this is only possible when we allow the Spirit of God within us to cause us to walk together as one.

This message was preached at the Berean Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC where Pastor Mashburn examines the Scripture and helps us rest in prayer.

In verse 1 Paul calls the church to remember where we came from and all that the Lord has done for us in Christ. He uses the word “therefore” to call to our minds all that He has taught us thus far in the book of Ephesians. He has been writing about doctrine, precept, and belief. Now, he turns his attention to duty, practice and behavior. The phrase at the end of verse 1 that reads, “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,” is worth another quick glance. The word “vocation” refers to “a calling; or a career.” It refers to “a person’s life’s work.” The calling we received from God to come to Christ by faith was not a call for a weekend getaway. It was a call to live a radically changed life for the glory of God. We are called on to live differently because we now know Jesus. We are live lives that are “worthy” of what we have been given in Christ. The word “worthy” means, “to balance the scales.” We are to live lives that prove we belong to the Lord. We are to live lives that glorify Him in the…

The fourth chapter of Ephesians introduces a change of direction for the book. The word “therefore” in verse 1, signals this change. Paul is saying, “because of what I have said, this is what I want you to do.” The first there chapters of this book are among the most thrilling and most profound in the Bible. Over the course of just 66 chapters, Paul lays out a wonderful catalog of divine truth. In the first three chapters of this book, Paul’s focus has been on doctrine. He has been telling us about the doctrinal truths we believe. He has also been teaching us about our positional standing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Join us as Pastor continues this powerful study in the Book of Ephesians.

Up to this point, the book of Ephesians has been one long theological exhalation. Paul has emptied the contents of his soul as he has revealed mysteries that were hidden from the foundation of the world. The first three chapters of Ephesians are a theological goldmine. The verses we have studied to get to this point in the book are so embedded with heavenly nuggets of spiritual truth that it is impossible for mortals to fully grasp all they teach. After this great outpouring of truth, Paul concludes this chapter by giving voice to the praise that dwells in his heart. As Paul writes the words of this great book, he is overwhelmed by the truths he has been privileged to learn. So, after he prays for the Ephesian saints, he lifts his voice in praise to the One Who made all this possible.

The verses before us today reveal a man in prayer. Beginning in verse 14, Paul turned his heart toward the Lord to pray for the believers in Ephesus. In our last study, we looked at verses 14-15 and talked about Paul’s Pattern In Prayer. Today, we way to consider verses 16-19 and think abut Paul’s Petitions In Prayer. As Paul prayed for the Ephesians believers, he made some very specific requests on their behalf. It is interesting to note what he did not ask for when he prayed. He did not pray for anything physical, material or financial. He did not pray for the healing of their sick. He did not pray that they would be delivered from persecution. He did not pray about the economy in Asia Minor. Paul did not occupy his prayer with so many of the things that seem to mark our own prayer lives.