Toward the end of the apostle Paul’s life, as he wrote to encourage his son in the faith, Timothy, he recalls the challenges he faced on his various missionary journeys. In particular, he mentions the sufferings he endured at Iconium and Lystra, which are described by Luke in Acts 14. This leads him to make […]
For new creations in Christ, who have been born again by the Spirit through the word of God, Bible reading is like inhaling and prayer is like exhaling. Yet if we are honest, we all struggle to pray at times. We feel guilty when we don’t pray, inadequate when we do pray, and sometimes we […]
In this sermon, Mitch Bedzyk looks at Isaiah 27 and reminds us God will finish what he started. All his promises of salvation and judgment will come to pass in his perfect timing, and nothing will ultimately stand in the way of his glory and the eternal happiness of those who wait for him. Note: […]
The idea of “waiting” is incredibly counter-cultural in our fast-paced, on-demand world. And yet, waiting is what the Christian life is all about. In this message, Mitch Bedzyk encourages us to wait with patience and joy, knowing that God will provide us with perfect peace and rest. Note: This sermon was delivered during the COVID-19 […]
God’s people were constantly tempted to either fear the surrounding nations, or to trust them for security and prosperity. Ultimately, they were tempted to forget the Lord. For this reason, God gave messages through his prophets to reveal the judgment in store for these godless nations. In this section of Isaiah (chaps. 13-27), he takes […]
While the first section of Isaiah (1-12) dealt primarily with the nation of Israel, the next section (13-27) focuses on God’s plan for the nations of the world. Although the prophecies found here concern the fate of ancient nations like Babylon, Tyre, Moab, and Assyria, they are still part of God’s message to his people, […]
The kingdom of God has never been just about one nation but a people from every nation. The promise to Abraham was about blessing the nations. Daniel saw the kingdom of God as a mountain filling the whole world. Isaiah saw the nations streaming into that kingdom as part of God’s people. And when Jesus […]
Isaiah foretold that the people who lived in darkness would one day see a great light. We didn’t ask for it; we couldn’t have imagined it; and we did not deserve it. And yet, unto us a child was born, and a Son was given. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who came […]
Throughout the book of Acts, Luke includes several accounts of sinners being converted to the risen Lord Jesus. Conversion is what happens when God, by his Spirit, awakens those who are spiritually dead and enables them to repent of their sins and turn to Christ in faith. Each of these stories in Acts reminds us […]
