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LESSON: A CHALLENGE FOR FATHERS
TEXT: PSALM 78:1-8

INTRODUCTION:

Today is a very special day. God in His infinite wisdom saw fit to provide each of us with a father. It's important to know that fathers are far more than a biological necessity. Dads have a vital role in bringing strength and stability to the home. Actually, both Mom and Dad bring ingredients into the home that are crucial to the spiritual and emotional make up of a child.

The famous quote by Frederick Douglas rings true here, "It is better to build a child than to repair an adult." God calls for the parents to lay a firm foundation of Biblical faith (1 Cor. 3:11) and to leave the building of the super structure to Him.

Since God had ordained the institution of the family (Eph. 3:14-15) and called the Father to be the compass for others to follow, the results of his leadership will be impacted upon the community, society, and the nation. It is hoped that the children will come to know the reality, root, and release of their Biblical faith to such a degree that their lives will please and honor God.

Psalm 78 is a psalm by Asaph, about the history of the nation Israel regarding their treatment toward one another and to God. The first eight verses speak to the need to protect a nation's future. It addresses the importance of the home and the vital role, parents, especially fathers, play in achieving God's desired goal after sharing His revelation with man.

We should all be prayerful and supportive when considering
that God has A Challenge For Fathers.
This challenge often
determines the future of a nation (Psa. 33:12)

In His grace,
Rev. Mark Cain
Ephesians 6:4

Series: BLESSED ASSURANCE
Lesson 1: THE TRUTH ABOUT ASSURANCE
Text: Colossians 1:12-14; 2:2

Introduction:

Without a doubt, everyone needs, wants, and seeks assurance in all realms of life. This also includes matters of human relationships, job security, retirement, government, and especially our belief about God. But what is assurance? Basically, assurance is freedom from doubt; a sense of certainty that something is true, will occur, or that all is okay. Words like certainty, certitude, and conviction are often used as synonyms for assurance. In the Greek the word assured means "sure, certain, secure." In these unstable times it is important for the believer to know that he can find stability in his Blessed Assurance.

In our text, Paul is talking about changes in the believer's life that guarantee assurance. He mentions some changes that are priceless in their benefit to us and in their contribution to our lives and others. These changes take place in the life of every child of God when they are born again. Today and throughout this series, I want to help you embrace personal assurance concerning the gospel message and the results of your belief in Jesus Christ. Regarding essential promises, you are assured in Christ and the ability to deal with any doubts concerning God's provision for all areas of your life.

This is the perfect time to understand
The Truth About Assurance.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark Cain
Romans 8:32

Sermon: SHOW COMPASSION WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23
Introduction:

In times like these, it takes great wisdom to shepherd God's people well. Part of that wisdom lies in being aware of the different seasons in which people live. Our passage speaks of those who have become idle or indifferent to the Word, and others who have become discouraged or afraid due to life circumstances.

The pastor as well as the church body must be lead by the Spirit to know when to comfort, encourage, or challenge the church family from the Word of God. When a fellow believer is lacking in courage, he or she needs you to believe for them, and to be their comfort. But there also comes a time we must, out of love for fellow believers, confront them when they are not walking with Jesus.

When Paul the preacher, appears to be nearing the end of his sermon, he has a lot more to say. He peppers the Thessalonians with short commands. Paul is trusting the Holy Spirit to put meat on the spiritual bones of those who have shown lack of faith and willingness to apply God's truth to their daily living.

The commands are simple but following them has been difficult for many in the congregation. The comfort comes from knowing God is working something out in their lives which he will complete (Phil. 1:6).

The skillful task required is to
SHOW COMPASSION WITHOUT COMPROMISE.
It is best demonstrated in our worship, our walk, and our witness.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark Cain
Ephesians 4:15

Sermon: PHOEBE, A WOMAN OF GREAT VIRTUE
Text: Romans 16:1-2

Introduction:

The pages of the Bible are filled with the names of many great women. In our passage we are introduced to a woman named Phoebe. She is a special woman, who demonstrates the attributes of holiness, servanthood and dedication that should mark all true women of the Lord. She serves as a great portrait of a woman of Christian virtue to lift up all mothers on this Mother's Day. This woman was a great servant of the early church. When she left Paul at Corinth to go to Rome, she carried in the folds of her robe the greatest declaration of Christian doctrine the world had ever witnessed. Evidently, she was a much trusted and esteemed worker in the early church. What we have in these first two verses is a letter of commendation.

The word "commend" in verse 1, means to "introduce or recommend to another." Paul is taking the time to introduce Phoebe to the believers in Rome. He wanted them to know that she was special and that she would be a blessing to them. It appears that in those days, when a person left one church to go to another, they carried with them a letter of commendation from the home church. We still do this today, to a certain degree, although we don't do as good a job with it as we should. When someone leaves this church to go to another, we ought to tell the church they went to the truth about them! That way, good Christian workers could be introduced, and troublemakers could be identified.

Phoebe's virtuous traits list her as a Sister, a Servant, and a Succourer (a comforter) Do your family and friends view you as a woman or person of great Christian virtue?

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Proverbs 31:25

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Lesson: GROWTH IN CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

Text: 2 Peter 1:1-7, 9

Introduction:

This epistle was written shortly before A.D. 67. It was the farewell letter of the Apostle Peter. He took the opportunity to say some very important things as he prepared to go home to be with the Lord. This letter is directed to believing Jews and Gentiles that were scatter everywhere due to persecution. But it was specifically written to those who were burdened by false teachers. The passage is elliptical in nature. Peter had much to say, but in a short period of time. Therefore it is written with brevity.

The emphasis was placed on holy living and being able to distinguish between truth and error (Heb. 5:14). This is best accomplished by focusing on God's goal for each believer. The goal that God sets before all His children is that we be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). Peter will refer to this in verse 3 of our passage. It is Christ living in and through us(Col. 1:27). We can only conform to the image of Christ by means of our spiritual growth. "The best way to expel a lower vice (sin) is by concentrating on a higher virtue (God's Word)." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
2 Peter 1:9

Sermon: JESUS, OUR BURDEN BEARER
Text: Isaiah 53:4

Introduction:

This chapter stands out in the Old Testament as the single greatest prophesy of the Lord Jesus Christ and what He would accomplish for sinners. In this chapter, we learn about His Life (v. 1-3), His Death, (v. 4-9), and His Ultimate Triumph, (v. 10-12). We are given a glimpse into the heart of God and see that He loves sinners to such a degree that He was willing to pay any price for our redemption and did! We are made to understand that this Jesus who died on Calvary is the very One who embodies the cry of John the Baptist from Jordan's muddy banks, "Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world," John 1:29. It is evident from this chapter that one day, we will reside with the Lord in His Heavenly home, v. 10.

All this is glorious beyond description, and we are grateful to be saved by the grace of God and bound for the Promised Land. Heaven is still out there in the future, it is sure, but it is uncertain when we will join the other saints, therefore we rejoice in that little phrase found in the beginning of verse 4. This verse tells us, "Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows..." That verse embodies our confidence in the eternal union we have in Christ because of His precious blood shed on Calvary to redeemed us from Hell and the slave market of sin. We possess His promise that one day He will come and take every child of God to be with Him there in that eternal, glorious city, John 14:1-3. We still, however, face battles and trials here below, as does every other human being alive.

It's just reassuring and brings great joy to be reminded that Jesus Is Our Burden Bearer!
It is that phrase, and that truth with all its implications bI want us to focus on today.

In His Grace,
Rev. Cain
Acts 4:12

Lesson: SECURED IN THE GRIP OF GOD'S GRACE

Text: Romans 8:31-39

Introduction:

Of all the promises made to the child of God relating to our salvation, to me, the most precious is the fact that those who are saved by grace are saved forever. I am referring to the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer. Why not rejoice in the fact that if you have ever been saved, you will always be saved? That's what these verses are all about. If we had none of the other precious passages in the Bible that teach eternal security, John 3:16; 5:24; 6:47; 10:28-29; 1 Pet. 1:5, etc., Romans 8 would be sufficient to make that doctrine crystal clear.

Paul tells us how we are Secured In The Grip of God's Grace. There is one thing that sets Christianity apart from the rest of the belief systems in the world this evening. That thing is a distinctive plan of salvation that guarantees absolute, eternal security to everyone who is saved. Let's look into these verses this evening and allow the Lord to teach us that if we are saved, we are indeed secure. That security is provided by the Labor of Christ, the Life of Christ, and the Love of Christ

Sincerely,

Rev. Cain
Romans 8:34

SERMON: WHY DID HE DO IT ALL FOR ME?
TEXT: Romans 5:6-11

INTRODUCTION:

In this passage, we find the Apostle Paul reminding us of the benefits that are ours as children of God. These verses make plain the great provisions that have come our way through the death of the Lord Jesus and by virtue of our placing our faith in Him for salvation. These verses tell us of the wonderful things we have in Christ at His expense.

Always know that although salvation may be free, it is not cheap. I want to draw your attention to verse 8, and the last phrase of that verse, then look at the last 2 words: "for us". Those two words sum up the content of this message. Your salvation was personal for the Lord in order for you to go public with His grace and mercy. Never forget man's hopeless condition, Christ's boundless compassion, the matchless completion we were afforded by His grace and mercy.

The question should forever be in
the forefront of your mind,
WHY DID HE DO IT ALL FOR ME?

In His Grace,
Rev. Cain
Romans 5:8

Lesson: THE TRANSFORMATION OF THOMAS
TEXT: John 20:19-29

Introduction:

For nearly 2,000 years, Thomas has received a lot of bad press. He was given the name of “Doubting Thomas”. He has been portrayed as a man filled with doubt and fear. I think that the Bible reveals another side of Thomas as well. His primary problem was not his doubting; Thomas’ primary problem was that he was a pessimist! He was a “glass half-empty” kind of person. He seemed to look for the negative side of every situation first. He was the kind of person who was always on the lookout for the “dark side” of things.I want you to see that he possessed some admirable qualities even in the midst of this attitude. Among them are these: He was loyal to the Lord. He loved Jesus. He possessed an inquiring spirit. He was skeptical, but it was a skepticism that was open to belief. The Lord worked in this man’s life to move him from being a “Pouter” and a “Doubter” to becoming a “Shouter”. Notice from Scripture, The Transformation of Thomas.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
John 20:29

Sermon: THE DAY THE SHOUTING STOPPED

Text: Luke 19:37-38; John 19:13-16; Mark 15:29-30

Introduction:

The life of our Lord was marked by contrasts. In the beginning of His ministry, He operated in obscurity. However, as the news of His power and His claims to be the Messiah spread, people began to flock around Him. They were drawn by the excitement of His miracles and the uniqueness of His preaching. These crowds were with Him until He began to preach the message of extreme commitment as found in John 6. Many times, the crowds were comprised of those who were violently opposed to His teaching. Even among His own disciples there was Judas. The crowds became fickle. This became very apparent the week following Palm Sunday.  As Jesus reached the last week of His life on earth, the crowds were still there. It's interesting that the crowds that surrounded Jesus during His last week of earthly ministry were engaged in a lot of shouting. This morning, I want us to travel together with Jesus to three events in His life during His last week of ministry. At all three of these events, the crowds were shouting in the presence of the Lord.

All these events lead up to that day when the shouting stopped.  We will notice that the shouting stopped after His Entrance, His Examination, and after His Execution.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Mark 11:9-10

Lesson: SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD
Text: Mark 14:1-9

Introduction:

Our text this evening is about the kind of sacrifice that is supposed to mark the life of every single believer that shows they are totally surrendered to Christ. It is the kind of sacrifice talked about by men like Paul in Romans 12:1. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." The context of our lesson is such that Jesus is on His way to Calvary to die for the sins of all humanity. As He goes, a woman expresses the depths of her love and devotion to Him by a costly sacrifice. Her labor of love is misunderstood by others, but it is commended by the Lord Jesus. In fact, He tells those around Him that she has done all she could do, and that her sacrifice will be remembered and rehearsed forever. In fact, we are fulfilling that prophecy this evening through this lesson. As we think about the sacrifice she made for the Lord, we need to ask ourselves the questions: Have we willingly sacrificed for the Lord? Have we done what we could for Him? Have we given all there is to give?

Notice three areas where she did what she could. She did all she could in the areas of her sacrifice, her service, and her surrender. As we ponder this, search your hearts, and see if you have done all that you could.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Romans 5:8

Sermon: THE SINNER'S FRIEND
Text: John 15:13-16

Introduction:

Webster’s defines “friend” as “a favored companion.” Thank God for our true friends! Aristotle was once asked, “What is a friend?” He replied, “A single soul dwelling in two bodies.” There is a Friend Who is more special than any other we have ever met in this life. His name is Jesus, and we don't initially call Him our Friend, but He calls us His. Think about that for a minute.

If the President were to call me his friend, he has raised me to his level. However, if I presume to call him my friend, I have not elevated him at all, but I have brought him down somewhat. It is one thing for me to sing “What A Friend I have In Jesus.” It is quite another when Jesus says that He has a friend in me! There is a vast difference between the two!

Jesus' friendship is manifested and measured in His sacrifice, His sharing of His love, His life, and His lessons. Finally, His friendship is solidified in the salvation that He offers us.

How is your friendship toward the Savior displayed in your daily living?
Thank God that Jesus is The Sinner's Friend.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Romans 5:8

Lesson: Practicing The Pentecost Principle

Text: Acts 1:1-8

Introduction:

Pentecost” means “fiftieth” and refers to the Jewish feast held fifty days after the second day of Passover. Called Feast of Weeks, Ex. 34:22; Deut. 16:10, and Feast of the Harvest, Ex. 23:16. Pentecost was a day of thanksgiving to mark the end of the grain harvest. On this day, set aside to praise the Lord for giving His people a great harvest, the Lord began to harvest the lost souls through His church.

The church would never be the same! The world and the church were changed forever. While we cannot duplicate the events of that day, we can duplicate the conditions that existed among the people of God on that day. We, the church, can see the Lord move in our midst in power and glory in these days, just as He moved in those days.

We can Practice The Pentecost Principle! When we create an atmosphere like the one that existed in the church on that day, we will see God move in power among us in our day. One of the striking characteristics of the early church in the day of Pentecost was that they were together “with one accord”. The word “accord” means “to have one mind.” These early disciples, all 120, 1:15, were united in their desire to seek the face of the Lord, 1:14!

Unity was the calling card of the early church. They were Unified in their purpose, their prayers, their power, and their performance.
Are you doing your part to make those principles true of your church?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
1 Corinthians 10:31

Sermon: ANSWERING GOD'S CALL TO SERVE

Text: Acts 6:1-6

Introduction: This is a momentous and crucial time in history of the church. In the last couple of years we have encountered some very disruptive circumstances, with the world-wide pandemic that has kept most church members at a distance from corporate worship. There was fear of the unknown regarding the future impact of the pandemic, war on the horizon, our country continued social ills. All the while the church has been silent on "off mission." To recover from this disturbing trend requires that we stay connected to God's Word and each other as a church family.

To "Reaching the Community Through The perfect Bond of Unity” requires servants with a humble heart and see Jesus as the center of theirs lives. This effort though just and righteous can be taxing on each individual leader in a church. God wants us to burn brightly for Him without burning out. The call to service is not just limited to Deacons as we will see in our passage, but it calls for all church leaders to display the spirit and characteristics of a Deacon, because the word deacon means servant. This passage gives us some insight into why the early church felt the need to set aside a special group of men to be servants of the early church in order to maintain unity and fulfill God's will. The question is, Are you prepared to hear and answer God's call when it comes?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Hebrews 10:23-24

Lesson: A BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE LAST DAYS

Text: 2 Peter 3:1-5

Introduction:

Nearly 2,000 years ago, the Apostle John penned the following prayer, when Jesus promised to return quickly, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus.", Rev. 22:20. John thought he was in the last days. Paul expected that he would be alive when Jesus returned to this world, 1 Thess. 4:13-17. Twice in that passage the Apostle uses the phrase, "we which are alive and remain." He believed that he was in the last days too. Simon Peter, in 2 Peter 3:12, tells us that he is "looking" for that day himself. Peter believed that he was living in the last days as well!

Many of us believe that we are living in the last days as well. But, if these great men of God were wrong in their day, is it possible that we are wrong in our day as well? One thing is for sure, no one knows for certain when the Lord Jesus will return to the earth, Matt. 24:36. We are certain that we are closer today than we were 2,000 years ago and there are certain markers we can look for and certain things we can do to prepare us.

Being aware of the predictive climate and characteristics
of the last days can cause us to benefit
from the counsel of the truth of God's Word.
Are you prepared to make it through living in the last days?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Sermon: FORTIFYING YOUR MIND IN CHRIST
Text: Philippians 4:4-8

Introduction:

Whether you are aware of it or not, know that man is a trichotomous being. That is, every man is made up of body, soul, and spirit. The body allows us to interact with the physical world. The soul allows us to respond to the intellectual and emotional world. The spirit allows us to relate to the spiritual world. Each part of this system is extremely important! Without the body, we would have no contact with the world. Without the soul, we would have no ability to think or feel. Without the spirit, we would not have the ability to commune with God.

If you are saved, your spirit has already been made alive in Jesus and is sealed by Him until the "day of redemption" Eph. 4:30. In other words, the body will be changed in the day of resurrection or the rapture. The spirit has already been changed. What we are left with to discuss is your soul.

It is where we think, feel, and decide. It is also the place where all the conflicts we face in this life begin! You see, the mind/soul is the ultimate battlefield of life. The Lord, via His Holy Spirit, the flesh, and the devil are all battling for control of our minds. Why does the battle rage there? Because the Bible says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...", Prov. 23:7.

Our president has often said, “We are fighting for the soul of America.” You can live your life under the control of the Spirit of God and win this battle if you are intentional in FORTIFYING YOUR MIND IN CHRIST.

This requires that you build a wall in your soul that consists of
Praise, Patience, Prayer, and Purity.
Spiritual warfare is raging all around you.
Are you ready for battle?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Lesson: THE ELEMENTS OF A COMPLETE TESTIMONY
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Introduction:

Paul was thankful for the Thessalonians and for the faith they so clearly and openly displayed. It is evident from reading this passage that this church made an impact in their day. They were difference-makers, effective influencers in their generation. But their devotion to Jesus Christ still speaks today. This ancient church gives us a clear example of what the witness of every church should be. When we speak of the church, we are speaking of the people who make up the church.

Each of us has a testimony as an individual, and we have a collective testimony as a church. Paul is writing these words to the church. He is commending them for their clear testimony for Jesus Christ. We need to examine ourselves and see whether the same elements that marked their witness, mark ours. I want us to see, from this text, that by possessing certain elements mentioned in our lesson, that every church can manifest a complete testimony.

Is there evidence of the Church's Work, the Church's Witness,
and the Church's Walk for the Lord?
Let’s look together at The Elements of a Complete Testimony.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
1 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Sermon: Achievements of God's Successful Influencer

Text: Genesis 6:1-13

Introduction:

We live during a time when people take great stock in the opinions of others. As much as we would like our neighbors and even our family members to consult the Bible as the ultimate source of truth and the guide to evaluate the issues of life, that simply is not the norm in our day. In this modern technological, and information age, more credence is given to "social influencers" than the age old wisdom of the Word or the Bible.

An influencer is a person who guides the actions of others (followers) whether regarding a consumer product or various social issues of the day. The amount or number of people that follow the influencer can cause him or her to garner great popularity and lead to great wealth. This is seen as a great achievement regardless of the veracity of the opinion.

The Bible says,
"What profits a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul (Matt. 16:26)."

In His gr
Rev. Cain
Matthew 6:33

Lesson: OBJECTIONS THAT DEMAND ANSWERS

Text: Romans 3:1-8

Introduction:

In the concluding verses of chapter 2, Paul told his Jewish readers that they, like all other men, are sinners in the sight of God. He reminded them that what they need is not the outward expression of religion, but an inward work of grace that converts the soul and makes the sinner right with God. In doing so, Paul encountered many arguments to his message as he visited many synagogues in various towns. The verses we have before us this evening give us three of those arguments.

Paul is asking and answering questions that the Jews, themselves, were asking. They were raising objections to the message of salvation "by grace through faith", and these objections needed to be answered. As we think about these objections and the answers to them, there is a message for us here as well. You see, many in our day, and even some in the church are asking essentially the same questions!

Why Bother With Religion?
Why Bother With Responsibility? and
Why Bother With Righteousness?
They all have to do with the integrity of God and why it is important.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Ephesians 2:8-9

Lesson: HOW TO BECOME A WILLING WORKER

Text: 1 Peter 5:5-10

Introduction:

Christ's followers have good reasons to endure tough times as they live for Him. The Lord has assured us in His Word that better times are ahead. The psalmist reminded us that in spite of the prosperity of the wicked, the righteous will be vindicated (Psalm 37:17).

Sometimes it seems like we just lose our desire to go on for God and there are times when we just want to give up. Does that ever happen to you? Well, before you quit, let me show you from this passage How To Become A Willing Worker for the Lord by maintaining a humble spirit.

We can effectively serve Jesus as willing workers if we continuously contemplate the grace we enjoy now (2 Cor. 12:9), the grief we must endure (1 Pet. 5:10), and the never-ending glory we will experience in heaven (Rev. 21:4, 7).

This requires daily that you surrender your will to God, send your worries to God, strengthen your walk with God, and see the work of God in your life. Are you willing to become all that God designed you to be (Eph. 2:10)?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
1 Peter 5:6

Lesson: WHEN JESUS IS IN THE HOUSE

Text: Mark 2:1-12a

Introduction:

The context of this passage is that Jesus' preaching tour is over, and He and His men return to Capernaum. This town was an important place in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus. Capernaum served as the northern headquarters for His ministry. It was here that He put His great healing power on public display. It was here that He preached in power. It was here, in Capernaum, that Jesus Christ made His very public claims to be the Messiah.

But Capernaum had a problem! This city valued the miracles more than the message or the Messiah. They wanted the spectacular and they rejected our Lord’s offer of salvation. As a result, Jesus later pronounced a curse upon this city, Luke 10:13-15. Those who have received much from the hand of the Lord and rejected it will face the greater judgment, Luke 12:48.

The greatest rumor that can get out on a town or a church is for people to start hearing the rumor that Jesus is in a church. When that word gets out, people will start coming! Jesus has drawing power, John 12:32. When He is lifted up and the word gets out, the people will come! Jesus is in the house and the crowds have come to see Him and to see what He will do.

Amazing things will happen when Jesus is in the house and they encounter Jesus and His Preaching, Jesus and His Power, and Jesus and His Proof of being the Messiah.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
1 Thess. 1:2-3

Sermon: SHAKING OFF THE SNAKES
Text: Acts 28:1-6
Introduction:

As we approach the end of Black History Month it is imperative to remember that every believer's race will be represented in Heaven (Rev. 14:6) when we get there because Jesus died and rose again for each member of the human race who chooses to accept Him as the Son of God and the only Savior for sinful man.

Until we arrive in Heaven we all must acknowledge that we live in a sin-sick world that needs us to continue to reach out with the loving arms of Christ even though we risk being bit by the slithering snake of sin. Remember Jesus was bit on the cross of calvary as prophesied in Scripture (Gen. 3:15), but He rose again as the victor in new resurrected life. Just as we will see in Acts 28 that the apostle Paul was bitten by a viper even while doing good works for the Lord, yet God saw him through yet another trial.

"Some situations are going to cause you pain in this life, but they won't kill you." The Bible doesn't say when Paul was bitten it was not painful. God never promised to protect us from the bite of sin, but He did promise to protect us from the venom. In essence isn't that what we should be grateful for? As we look back on what our ancestors did for us by leaving us a genuine legacy in the Lord, we continue to stand upon the foundation of the "Rock" of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11).

Follow us in Scripture today as we continue to move forward and Shake Off the Snakes of Sin along the way.
The Lord has a remedy for any bites you may incur as we stay near His cross.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Acts 28:5

Lesson: WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS THIS?

Text: Mark 4:39; Hebrews 7:25; Jeremiah 31:25

Introduction:

The Context. Jesus is tired from the stresses and activities of the day, and as the ship containing Himself and the Disciples crosses the Sea of Galilee, Jesus lays down and goes to sleep. As He sleeps, a severe storm overtakes the small craft. The storm is so great that the Disciples are afraid for their lives, but Jesus sleeps through it all. Then, when they feel that all hope is nearly gone, they wake Jesus up and He steps forth in all the power of His deity and rebukes the storm and calms the stormy sea. To say the least, the Disciples are astounded! They look around at one another and voice the question that is the theme of the message this evening. They ask, "What manner of man is this?"

Jesus has always been a man surrounded by controversy. The Disciples beheld His power firsthand and were forced to ask, "What manner of man is this?" All those who know Him never cease to be amazed by Him and those who do not know Him can never hope to understand Him or His power.

It is imperative that you come to know that
He Is A Stiller of Storms (Mark 4:36-41),
He Is A Saver of Souls (Heb. 7:25, and
He is A Satisfier of Saints (Jer. 31:25).
Do you know who Jesus really is?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
John 1:12

Sermon: READY FOR A CHANGE OF RAIMENT

Text: Zechariah 3:1-5

Introduction:

The context of this passage is such that Joshua the High Priest stands as a representative of the priesthood and the people of Israel. They are wayward and dirty in the sight of the Lord. However, God is about to cleanse them and make a vessel of honor out of these rebellious people. When Joshua first appears in this chapter he is dressed in filthy garments. God promises to change his raiment and dress him in a robe of glory. This passage speaks about the change the Lord makes in every life that comes to Him by faith. God is no respecter of persons, and neither is sin. Today, I want to zero in on the last phrase in verse 4. God says, “I will clothe thee with a change of raiment.”

There is an old saying that goes, “The clothes make the man.”  The idea here is that your garments say a lot about you. Our world places a lot of emphasis on external appearances. While the world may concern itself with what a man wears on the outside, God is far more concerned with what a person wears on the inside, 1 Sam. 16:7.  Spiritually speaking, every person is wearing one of three types of garments today.

I want to discuss those types of garments as they relate to
The Stained Raiment of Sin,
The Strange Raiment of Self-righteousness,
and The Stunning Raiment of Salvation.
Are you READY FOR A CHANGE OF RAIMENT?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Galatians 3:27

Lesson: JESUS CANNOT BE HIDDEN
Text: Jeremiah 29:13; Acts 4:13; Revelation 1:7

Introduction:
It is no wonder that the Scripture says of Him, "He could not be hid." After His message to the Scribes and Pharisees He departed from them and went down to the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered a certain house to get away from the multitude, but the Word says, "He could not be hid" (Mark 7:24). From His coming into the world, His life could never be hid.

At His Birth He Could Not Be Hid.  God put out a special star over Bethlehem the night He was born, and a group of angels announced the event to a group of lowly shepherds on the hills of Judah. A heavenly chorus began to sing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

At His Crucifixion He Could Not Be Hid.  Though the world denied Him as Lord, all creation revealed that He was the Son of God. The sun refused to shine, the moon gave no light. The earth trembled and the rocks split asunder. He was lifted, openly, publicly between heaven and earth.

At His Burial He Could Not Be Hid.  They placed His body in a borrowed tomb and placed a great stone at the door. The Roman soldiers determined to hide Him for good. They placed a Roman seal on the door; but when it was time for the Scriptures to be fulfilled, He came forth. Death, hell, nor the grave could hide Him.

There are three (3) important areas whereby Jesus Cannot Be Hidden.
He cannot be hidden from those who seek Him (Jer. 19:13),
from those who find Him (Acts 4:13),
or from those who reject Him (Rev. 1:7).
Are you seeking Jesus?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Lesson: GOD'S NEVER-ENDING LOVE FOR HIS CHURCH
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Introduction:

God has truly been good to His people! He has given us more than we ever deserved. Think of it! He provided a means of salvation that will save the vilest sinner. He has given us so many precious promises such as Heb. 13:5; Phil. 4:19; John 10:28, etc. When a person is saved, they are given spiritual gifts so that God can use them in His kingdom work, 1 Cor. 12:7.

Much more could be said about this matter, but I think it is plain to see that God has been good to us! Yet, many of us never come to realize that the greatest gift the Lord has ever given to His people is His never-ending love (Psa. 136:1)! The love of God for His people is everlasting, Jer. 31:3. His love is what motivated Him to send Jesus to die on the cross, John 3:16. In fact, the greatest evidence of the love of God is the death of Christ on the cross, Rom. 5:8. God's greatest gift to us is His love.

Here was one of the primary problems with the church in Corinth, to whom this letter was written. They were manifesting every other spiritual gift in existence, but they were not manifesting love for one to another. This letter is a call to have more Christlikeness and maturity in the midst of childishness and fleshly living. Paul writes these great words to remind the Corinthians that of all the great spiritual things they can do the greatest spiritual exercise is love. If we are to imitate any one primary attribute of God, it should be His never-ending love.

It is amazing that great Black History leaders like
Booker T. Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could maintain
the love of God in such evil environments.
That is a testament to the power of the love of God.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Romans 5:8

Lesson: THREE REASONS WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL
Text: 1 Timothy 6:10-11, 17-18; Ephesians 5:20

Introduction:

God’s design is that we thank Him when things go well and when things go wrong. If our thanks only revolve around what goes well, then there is something off base with our appreciation of the totality of what God has done for us. We think of only the bad that happens to us and forget the good. To have an attitude of thanksgiving is to possess a sense of gratitude. We are not worthy of what God gives us, and that makes our gratitude even more unequivocal.

The word “always” is a problem to us in a practical sense. “Well, I give thanks at meals.” No, the word is “always.” Our gratitude should always take place. We are not to do this once and forget it. As we receive each mercy, we are to give thanks for it.

This lesson reveals at least THREE REASONS WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL.
To not be thankful also reveals that we may be driven by the wrong things such as guilt, resentment, fear, materialism, the need for approval, or simply self-centeredness.

Are you grateful to God?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
John 14:26

5th Sunday Guest Speaker
Rev. Ronald Barrs

Sermon: THE DECEPTION OF HUMAN PROSPERITY
Text: Daniel 4:4-7

Introduction:

Read the 3rd chapter of the book of Daniel to get an overview of Nebuchadnezzar's folly because of his prosperity. He wanted everyone to bow down to his statue. You will see what happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for not bowing.

The 5th Sunday, January 30, 2022 sermon from guest speaker Rev. Ronald Barrs is now available for viewing on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/ffmnCrb7Vj4

Rev. Ronald Barrs

Sermon: BLESSINGS THE SOUL FORGETS

Text: Psalm 103:1-5

Introduction:

As people saved by grace, we have a problem that affects every single one of us. Our problem is this: we are forgetful! Oh, we can remember all kinds of things, especially what others have done to us or have said about us, but we tend to forget that which the Lord has done in our lives. We have a long memory when it comes to out hurts, our sorrows and our burdens, but a very short memory when it comes to recalling just how good the Lord has been to us! David also had this problem! In these first two verses, David calls upon his soul to remember what the Lord has done. He wants to stir up the inner man and get him excited about what he has in God and what the Lord has promised to do for him and in him. David calls upon his soul to do two things.

First, he calls upon his soul to Praise the Lord! The word "bless" means "to kneel with the idea of adoration and praise." David knows that God is worthy of all the praise we can render to Him and David wants his soul to be involved in praising the Lord. Secondly, he calls upon his soul to Ponder the Lord! He challenges his soul not to forget what the Lord has done for it! (Note: All the personal pronouns in verses 3-5: "thy, thee, thine" all refer to the soul!) By the way, forgetting is far more than just failing to remember something, this word carries the idea of turning from God to follow other gods. A lapse of spiritual memory will cause the saints to wander! David wants his soul to contemplate all the "benefits" which the Lord has given. The word "benefits" means "dealing". It refers to how the Lord treats the soul. Have you forgotten how good God is?

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
James 1:17

Sermon: THREE QUESTIONS YOU MUST ANSWER
Text: Matthew 27:15-26

Introduction:

Life is full of questions. Some we hear often. Some people tend to tense up when they are faced with a test or when they are expected to answer certain questions. However, today we are going to look at three questions that Pilate asked the multitudes during the trial of Jesus. The context of the message is such that Pilate asked the people who were there that day, three questions that still need to be asked and answered today. How you answer these questions could determine how and where you spend the rest of your life as well as your eternity.

Give me your ear today as I ask you
THREE QUESTIONS THAT YOU MUST ANSWER.
Like it or not, you must and will answer the questions of Your Desires, Your Destinies, and Your Decisions, which are all linked to your attitude toward Jesus Christ. This is important because the Scripture refers to Him as The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Lesson: THE PARABLE OF THE TARES AMONG WHEAT
Text: Matthew 13:24-30

Introduction:

In explaining this parable, Jesus gives His disciples, and us, the identities of those involved in this story. The Sower is Christ. The good seed is the Gospel of grace. The one who sowed tares is the devil. The wheat are those who are saved. The tares are those who are unsaved but have the appearance of salvation. The tares are those in the church who look saved, act saved, sound saved, but who are in truth deceived about their salvation. The tares are those who expect to go to heaven when they die, but will, in fact, go to hell!

You see, just like tares, lost sinners, even those who act saved, are good for one thing and one thing only, and that is to be burned. I have just one objective in preaching this message, and that is to get each of us to do what the Apostle Paul commanded the Corinthians to do, 2 Cor. 13:5,

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your
own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates?"

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Galatians 6:14

Sermon: REMINDERS FOR PILGRIMS AND STRANGERS

Text: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Introduction:

Peter tells us, that as believers, we are "pilgrims and strangers" in this earth. The word "stranger" has the idea of a person who lives for an extended time in a land that is not his own. He is there long enough to need a house to live in, but he is not a permanent resident. He has no legal rights, he has no social standing. He is a stranger, an exile who lives in a foreign land. The word "pilgrim" has a meaning that is more temporary than the other. This word refers to one who is merely passing through one place on the way to another place.

Both of those words describe who we are as children of the Lord. We are living in this world, but this world is not our home, Phil. 3:20. We are here, God willing, long enough to need a house to live in, and a job to feed us. But, we are not permanent residents. We are merely strangers living in the midst of an alien culture. We are pilgrims passing through earth on our way to Heaven. It is important that we remain properly motivated by the love of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and function according to the Great Commission He has given us, Matt. 28:18-20. To accomplish this Peter tells us to be ever mindful of Our Past Situation, Our Present Standing, and Our Present Service. To avoid becoming too attached to this world and to move forward for Christ, requires REMINDERS FOR PILGRIMS AND STRANGERS. Is that who you are?

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Galatians 6:14

Lesson: MOTIVATED BY THE MASTER'S MEN

Text: Mark 6:7-13

Introduction:

One of the most amazing features of the Gospels, and of the ministry of the Lord Jesus, is the men He chose to be His disciples. If you and I were putting together a ministry team, these are probably not the kind of people we would choose to represent us. In spite of their weaknesses, the Lord used these men to turn the world upside down for His glory. If He can use them, surely He can use us too! That gives me hope today! Jesus called these men to follow Him a good while earlier, Mark 3:13-19. For some time now they have been following Jesus from place to place. They have been listening to Him teach and watching Him perform miracles. Since He called them, they have been in seminary.

Jesus has been training them so that He could send them out with the message of the Gospel. The passage before us today gives us the details of our Lord’s commissioning of His disciples for their first missionary outreach. This passage has something to teach those who are servants of the Lord. It has something to say to those who desire to serve the Lord in these days. I want us to be Motivated By The Master’s Men we observe the mission, mandate, message and ministry of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Galatians 6:14

JANUARY FOFBC 1ST SUNDAY VIDEO - 2022
The Family 1st Sunday Video is available for viewing on YouTube, here is the link.
https://youtu.be/J__6M6YghEo

Sermon: THE LOST COIN

Text: Luke 15:8-10

Introduction:

In this illustration, Jesus tells the story of a woman who lost one coin. Instead of just shrugging her shoulders and walking away, she went about the process of finding that coin and restoring it to its proper place. This illustration, is designed to teach us that God sees the value in every single individual! A life lived for the Lord is a beautiful and powerful thing, but a lost life is of no value at all! But, when that life is found and restored to its proper place by the power of God, that life can be all God designed it to be in the first place!

In this parable, the woman is a picture of God! He has done everything that is necessary for the salvation of lost people. He loves them, Rom. 5:8; Jer. 31:3; He provided a perfect salvation, Acts 16:31; He gave His Son to pay the redemption price, 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 1:5; John 3:16; He calls men to come to Him, Matt. 11:28; John 6:44; when they come, He saves them completely and eternally, John 10:28. He has a perfect plan to save lost people!

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Luke 15:10

JANUARY FOFBC 1ST SUNDAY VIDEO - 2022
The Family 1st Sunday Video is available for viewing on YouTube, here is the link.
https://youtu.be/J__6M6YghEo

2021 F O F B C 2021

2021

Sermon: BEHOLD THE LAMB WORTHY TO BE PRAISED!
Text: Luke 2:25-38
Introduction:

Today is the day after Christmas. The presents have been given and received. The meals have been eaten and the festivities have, for the most part, come to an end for another year. The tree and the decorations will come down and Christmas will be gone for another year. Or will it? Christmas can go on 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. It can go on if we allow Jesus to be the central Figure of Christmas. In our text, the Lamb of God has been born. God has stepped out of eternity and entered human history. The Lamb was promised, He was prepared and He has been provided. Our text takes us to Jerusalem for an event that occurred 40 days after the very first Christmas.

When Jesus was 8 days old He was circumcised, as prescribed by the Law, Lev. 12:3. After 40 days, Mary had reached the end of her purification period, Lev. 12:1-4. In these verses, we are allowed to go to the Lord’s house with Jesus and His family as they take Him to be presented to the Lord and redeemed, also according to the Law, Deut. 18:4. While they were there, a special event occurred. Two old saints of God, Simeon and Anna, were in the Temple. They were there because the Holy Spirit had led them there. They were part of a faithful Jewish remnant that was looking for the appearing of the Messiah. When they met Jesus that day, even though He was just a 40 day old infant, they are overjoyed and begin to lift up praises to the Lord. I want to reveal to you today the motive, method, and ministry of The Lamb's Praise! Find out why praising Jesus does not end after Christmas day.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
2 Corinthians 9:15

Lesson: O HOLY NIGHT!

Text: Luke 2:8-20

Introduction:

The night Jesus Christ was born was an ordinary night from a human standpoint. The shepherds were watching their sheep. The people in the villages and towns of Israel slept off the weariness of another long, hard day. In Jerusalem, the High Priest and the other men in religious power slept as though it was any other night. King Herod had no idea that his kingdom has been invaded, and that new King was about to be revealed. The world over people drifted off to sleep not knowing that God was transacting eternal business in their very midst.

They didn’t know that a Savior was being born in Bethlehem. The night Jesus was born had all the appearances of being just another common, ordinary night. Yet, the events that occurred that night reveal it to be unlike any other night in human history. We will spend some time considering the events of that Holy Night. There were at least seven glaring truths about that Holy Night that should never be forgotten. Overall, it was A Night of Profound Messages, A Night of Personal Ministry, A Night of Prolific Magnification, and A Night of Powerful Metamorphosis. O HOLY NIGHT!

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
2 Corinthians 9:15

Sermon: UNWRAPPING THE MEANING OF HEAVEN'S GIFT

Text: Galatians 4:4-7

Introduction:

We all know that the Bible tells us that it is "more blessed to give than to receive.", Acts 20:25. However, at this time of year, in the midst of all the giving and the receiving, even the biggest Scrooge among us likes to receive a gift. For many, one of the best parts of receiving a gift is the anticipation and the excitement that accompanies the unwrapping of that gift. We are thinking, "I wonder what it is?"; "Is it what I want?"; "I hope I won't look disappointed if it isn't!". Everyone reading this knows exactly what I am talking about.

Well, regardless of what you have been dreaming of, nothing you will receive this Christmas will come close to measuring up to the gift God gave the world on that first Christmas. Paul put it this way in 2 Cor. 9:15, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." He said that the gift God gave the world was great beyond description! What was the gift that God gave to the world 2,000 years ago? It was His Own darling Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, John 3:16. He gave His Son to this world so that sinners like you and me might be saved from our sins and from the wages of those sins, death in Hell forever, Rom. 6:23.

In this passage, Paul writes about the great, unspeakable gift of God. He helps us to understand Jesus, His mission, His ministry, and His message, a little bit more clearly. In effect, he helps us to unwrap Heaven's gift. I want us to see what the Lord gave us when He gave us His Son. I want us to be excited about His gift and I want us to fully appreciate who Jesus is and what He has done for you and me. Walk with me through the Word as we Unwrap The Meaning of Heaven's Gift.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
2 Corinthians 9:15

Lesson: RESCUED BY GOD'S SAVING GRACE

Text: Titus 2:11-14

Introduction:

The apostle Paul wrote to one of his special assistants, Timothy and wanted to to reinforce the central reality of the redemptive purpose for why God came to earth in the person of a man, Jesus Christ, to accomplish the saving work only He could provide. He makes it abundantly clear that this was a gracious and merciful act that was in essence a rescue mission. Mankind had a need for a Savior (Rom.. 5:12; Rom. 6:23). In love God provided His Son (John 3:16), but He is a gift that must be receive in order for there to be benefit or eternal life deriving from salvation (Rom. 4:4-5; Acts 4:12; 16:31). The resulting blessed assurance helps the rescued to be willing to help rescue others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Just as we celebrate His first advent during the Christmas season, we should be encouraged to daily celebrate His second coming. The return of Jesus Christ for His people is more than a blessed hope; it is a joyful hope (Rom. 5:2, a unifying hope (Eph. 6:4), a loving hope (Rom. 5:2), a stabilizing hope (Heb. 6:19), and a purifying hope (1 John 3:3). Christmas is a reminder that we were RESUCUED BY GOD'S SAVING GRACE. To quote Dr. Charles F. Stanley, "Christmas is that moment in time when God, in His unconditional love, stepped out of heaven onto earth, in order that we might one day step out of earth into heaven."

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
2 Corinthians 9:15

Sermon: MY SOUL CELEBRATES THE LORD
Text: Luke 1:46-55

Introduction:

The months between the announcement of Christ's birth and the actual moment of His arrival were months of hard decisions and anxious waiting on the part of Mary and Joseph. However, as difficult a time as it surely was, it is still a pleasure to watch Mary and see how she conducted herself.

In this passage, she has made the journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who is also expecting a very special baby, John The Baptist. When Mary arrives at her cousin's house and speaks to Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth's womb leaps for joy. Elizabeth responds by telling Mary that she is blessed because she has believed the Lord and that God will do all that He has said He will do to and through her life.

Hearing this, Mary, even though she is young, unmarried, and pregnant, begins to lift her voice in praise to the Lord. Mary's great song of praise has come to be known as the Magnificat. This is the Latin translation of the first few words which Mary speaks, and it literally means, "My Soul Celebrates The Lord." This doxology is a hymn of praise unto the Lord. It reminds us today that the birth of Jesus is about much more than gifts, trees, myths like Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty, or the Grinch.

The Christmas season is about our relationship with the Lord and about learning to celebrate His glory and His goodness. Therefore, we'll spend a few minutes looking at this great anthem of praise and join Mary in her celebration of the Lord, as the most unique person in all of the universe.

In His grace,
Rev Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon: GRATEFUL THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL
Text: Lamentations 3:21-26

Introduction:

The book of Lamentations is a series of dirges, or songs of mourning, that were written against the backdrop of the Babylonian invasion and destruction of Jerusalem.  In the verses of this book, we can see the awful sufferings endured by the people of that city at the hand of their enemies.  Still, even in the midst of all the pain and the turmoil, God had His man in Jerusalem to record the events and to bring honor to His Name.  How was this possible?  Despite his trials and his troubles, Jeremiah had gotten a good grasp on the reality of just Who God is!

Jeremiah knew that whether things went well, or whether everything fell apart, God would still be God and that God would be eternally faithful to His people, Lam. 3:21!  Jeremiah was still able to find hope in a hopeless situation because he believed in the faithfulness of His great God.

Like Jeremiah, we all go through times when life seems to fall apart at the seams.  When these times come, we also need the blessed assurance that God is faithful!  Thankfully the Bible gives overwhelming evidence of the unchanging faithfulness of our great God.

The word “Faithfulness” in verse 23. This is a word which means “firmness, fidelity, steadiness, steadfastness.”  This word pictures God as One upon Whom we can depend.  We can be sure that as we face the storms, trials and valleys of life, God will ever prove Himself to be steadfast and faithful to you and me.

In His grace,
Rev Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Lesson: PRAISE THE LORD BECAUSE ...
Text: Psalm 113:1-9

Introduction:

Psalms 113-118 comprise the first of what are known as the "Hallel Psalms". The word "Hallel" simply means "To Praise." This group of Psalms were sung throughout the year as part of the Jewish worship ritual. However, they took on special significance at Passover, since they reflected back to the Lord's deliverance of the children of Israel from bandage in Egypt. Jesus and His disciples probably sang these Psalms when they celebrated Passover just before Jesus went to the cross.

The first three verses of this Psalm stand as a call and a challenge for the people of the Lord to be involved in His praise. In the remaining verses of this Psalm, we are given some reasons why we are to be involved in this matter of praise. Due to those reasons, that I want to focus in on the following:

We should PRAISE THE LORD BECAUSE ... of His Glory, His Grace,
and His Greatness.

Is He getting the praise He deserves from your life? May we all determine in our hearts that we will praise Him with our lips, our lives and with the labor of our hands. He is worthy and He deserves all the praise we can give Him!

Let's get busy and praise His name!
That is what genuine Thanksgiving is all about

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Joel 2:25

Sermon: A CALL TO THANKSGIVING
Text: Psalm 100:1-5

Introduction:

This Psalm concludes a series of Psalms that began with Psalm 91, and which looks ahead to the advent and coronation of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. This Psalm has its true setting in the millennial Kingdom during the reign of Christ. A time when all the world will be filled with righteousness and all men everywhere will exalt the Name of the Lord. A time when His praises will fill the earth as they should at all times.

That will be a blessed time when the glory of Jesus will literally fill all the earth. Thank God, the saints will get to share in that glorious Kingdom some-day. For many, Thanksgiving Day is a day when family gathers together, eats a huge meal, watches football on TV, and, most important of all for many, it is a day when they don't have to go to work.

I hope that it means more to us than that! In truth, we must never be guilty of allowing our thanks to wait until Thanksgiving to be expressed. We are to be thankful to the Lord every day of our lives. God goes so far as to say that being thankful to Him is His will for our lives - 1 Thess. 5:18. Yet, many are ungrateful for His daily provision and eternal invitation to enter His kingdom.

Thankfully, there are portions of Scripture like the one we have before us today in which we can find, not only a challenge and a call to be thankful, but also plenty of reasons why we should thank the Lord for His goodness toward us.

May we be ever thankful for His presence, His person, and the praises He receives in heaven and deserves here on earth. Will you answer the call?

In His grace,
Rev Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon: THANKFUL FOR A HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH
Text: Romans 16:3-5

Introduction:

It’s not possible to read through the Bible without encountering several wonderful families mentioned in its pages. There is that little family in Bethany made up of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. They were a great blessing to the Lord Jesus. There is Timothy's mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois and the great impact they made on young Timothy. There is the family of Mary and Joseph where the Lord Jesus grew up and lived out His early years. What a family that must have been! In this passage we are invited to inspect another great family. So far as we know, this family was made up of just a husband and a wife.

Their names were Aquila and Priscilla. This couple is one of the greatest families recorded in the Word of God. The couple is mentioned 6 times in 4 books of the Bible. Each time, they are mentioned by Paul himself and this indicates that they were special to his life and ministry. We will take time out to investigate the passages dedicated to this special household of faith and see the attributes that make them stand out among the families of their generation.

In this church, as well as every local church, you will find certain families that cause you to be THANKFUL FOR A HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. We will observe the experiences and the testimony of the Bible concerning Aquila and Priscilla. The attributes they possessed made them stand out as a family of distinction.

Aquila and Priscilla were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ with a burden for His mission.
They became a blessing to Paul and all who were met on their journey.

In His grace,
Rev Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

10 17 10 20

10 10 10 13

Lesson: HOW TO RECOGNIZE A GOOD PLACE
Text: Matthew 17:1-8

Introduction:

This is one of the most precious passages in the Bible. Here the Lord Jesus gives His disciples a snapshot of the coming kingdom. It’s helpful to understand what is happening in these verses if you take the time to look backward into chapter 16. There, Jesus has just told His men that He is on the way to the cross to die for their sins, Matt. 16:19. He is rebuked by Peter, but goes on to tell the disciples that not only will He die on the cross, but He will return to this earth in glory someday. What we see in our passage is a small picture of the glory Jesus will have when He comes in power to reign over the earth. I want to draw our attention to what Peter says in verse 4, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!”

When Peter saw all what was happening around him, he didn’t understand all that was actually happening, but he knew enough to know that he was in a good place! As you and I travel through this life, we find ourselves in all kinds of places. Some are okay and some are definitely not okay. There are valley times and mountaintop times and times that fall everywhere between the two extremes. I want to help you know a good place in life when you see it. I believe you can be in a good place and not even recognize it.

Regardless of where you are and the circumstances, you're in, a good place can always be recognized when you are in the presence of the Lord.

Sermon: PRAISE GOD FOR OUR LIVING HOPE!

Text: 1 Peter 1:1-5

Introduction:

In the first verse of our text, Peter addresses his letter to “the strangers scattered”. He is writing to Jewish believers who have been forced to leave their homeland and have found themselves dispersed into other parts of the world. That certainly sounds very familiar, doesn't it? These people, because of their beliefs and faith, are being subjected to persecutions and sufferings that you and I cannot even begin to imagine. Peter is writing to them, against this backdrop of pain and suffering, to encourage them in the faith.

He is reminding them that in the midst of their trials, there are some reliable reasons for real rejoicing! One cause for rejoicing lies in the word “strangers”. This word refers to one “who travels through a strange land.”

You see, Peter is reminding these folks that they are not home yet! They are merely strangers passing through a foreign land. One day the journey will end, and they will be home! In the meantime, they can, and we can, PRAISE GOD FOR OUR LIVING HOPE!

We have reasons to praise God because we are Saved By Grace, Slated for Glory, and Sealed By God through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Rev. Mark A. Cain
Ephesians 2:8-9

WNBS Series: Sermon Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!
Lesson 11: GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD
Text: Genesis 50:15-26

Introduction:

Tonight, we are bringing our study of this great man of God to a close. Joseph’s life has been a series of trials and tragedies. His has been a road marked by many valleys and few mountains. We have also seen him taken out of that prison and elevated to a position of prestige, power, and prominence in Egypt. We watched as Joseph was reunited with his brothers. We saw God use him to bring his brothers to a place of repentance. We saw him reunited with his father. We have seen all the highs and the lows of Joseph’s life.

And through every valley and across every mountain, one truth held true: God Meant it For Good. Even as Joseph nears the end of his life in these verses, he continues to display a remarkable faith in his God. It is that faith and confidence that we will examine.

As we have studied this series of sermons, one thing has been confirmed and reaffirmed and that is the truth that God is behind every event that occurs in our lives. There are no accidents. There is no such thing as coincidence. There is only providence and the outworking of the perfect will of God. This is the clear teaching of Scripture, Isa. 46:9-11; Eph. 1:11; Psa. 135:6. As Joseph approaches the end of his earthly life, let's observe some steps Joseph took that demonstrate his absolute confidence in the providence of God.

We began to see clearly that God Meant It For Good. Watch intently as Joseph Releases His Past; Remembers God’s Providence and Rests On God’s Promises. These steps leave us no doubt that Joseph understood that God was in absolute control of every event in his life.

Let’s consider this text and learn the truth that God Meant It For Good.

Sermon: WORSHIP DUE THE GOD OF OUR DELIVERANCE

Text: Psalm 18:1-3

Introduction:

Reading the inscription that precedes this Psalm gives us some insight into the background for these verses that follow. As the inscription states, this Psalm was originally a song that was written to glorify the Lord and to honor Him for delivering David from King Saul and from all his enemies. It can also be found in 2 Samuel 22. When God saved us, He gave us victory over our enemies, 1 Cor. 15:57; 2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:37. Now, we who were hounded by Hell and in danger of dying without Jesus Christ have been eternally saved through His grace. Since we have been saved and delivered from the snare of the enemy, we also have ample reason to worship and praise the Lord.

Let’s allow the Lord’s Word to remind us of Who He is, what He has done for us, and what He can do for us. Let us be reminded today why our God is The God We Worship. The word “worship” comes from an Old English word that means “worthship”. It means, “to ascribe worth to someone”.

We worship God because He is worthy. Our worship ascribes worth to Him because of Who He is and What He does. Let me share a few reasons with you from these verses that teach us why the God of Our Deliverance is worthy of our Delight, our Dependence, and our Devotion.

Rev. Mark A. Cain
Ephesians 2:8-9

WNBS Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Lesson 10: CONFRONTING THE PROBLEM OF SIN

Text: Genesis 49:1-12

Introduction:

The time has come for the old Patriarch Jacob to die. His 147 years have been eventful and difficult, yet they have been blessed. Before he leaves this world, he gathers his sons around his bedside to speak to them one last time. In these verses Jacob addresses his sons in light of the future. He tells them what will come their way “in the last days.” This is a reference to the kingdom years of Israel. The details of Jacob’s prophecy to each of his sons, as they stood around his bedside, were amazingly accurate. As we consider the Jacob’s words to his sons, we see the sons of Jacob divided into three groups.

Some Were Disqualified – Because of their sin some of these boys were destined for judgment and not blessing. Those disqualified were REUBEN, SIMEON, LEVI, and DAN. Some Were Distinguished – Some of Jacob’s sons destined for blessings down the road. God took some of these men, who were mostly insignificant in the family, and elevated them to places of prominence in the future kingdom. Those distinguished were JUDAH, ZEBULON, ISSACHAR, GAD, ASHER, NAPHTALI, and BENJAMIN. One Was Different – JOSEPH stood out among his brethren. He was singled out for a word of special blessing by his father. He was set apart to receive special blessings. We share the problem of sin, but it can be overcome if you will notice the words of Jacob in verse 2, he says, “hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.” Are you willing to confront your sin and receiving the blessings of God our Father?

ermon: WASHED IN THE BASIN OF HIS GRACE
Text: John 13:1-5, 12-17

Introduction:

In the passage before us today we see the selfless Savior in action. On the eve of His death, Jesus assumes the place of a slave and serves His disciples. While they were eating the Passover meal, Jesus gets up from the table and dons a towel. He poured a basin of water, and He began to wash the disciple’s feet. When Jesus did this, He took the place of a slave before His men. He took the place of the lowest kind of slaves, who were called “the people of the towel”. They were called this because it was their job to wash the feet of those who were superior to them.

Jesus did this to call His disciples to become people of the towel as well and to understand what it means to be washed in the basin of His grace. Grace is "something you do not expect." By His sacrifice on the cross, believers are submerged in mercy and washed by His grace.

Jesus wants every person who follows Him to be a servant. He wants us to be a people of the towel. If we are to achieve that goal in our lives, we must develop a heart for others like that which beats within our Savior’s breast. We can become a people of the towel, but to do so, we must learn the lessons Jesus teaches us in these verses.

We must learn from His Labor, His Lordship, and His Love if we are to benefit from being WASHED IN THE BASIN OF HIS GRACE.

Rev. Mark A. Cain
Ephesians 2:8-9

Lesson Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Lesson 9: CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Text: Genesis 47:13-26

Introduction:
As we study the story of Joseph, we see that he is a man who knows how to handle himself in all kinds of situations. Previously we have been observing the details of Joseph’s relationship with his brothers and his father. Those events are the primary emphasis of these chapters. But it is easy to forget that while Joseph was dealing with his brothers, he was also managing a crisis in Egypt.

By the time Joseph faces this time of trouble, he has become master of crisis management. In this passage, we are allowed to witness how the Lord used Joseph to prevent a nation from descending into starvation and anarchy.

The same advice that Pharaoh gave to Egypt regarding Joseph, was given to us regarding Jesus, Gen. 41:55; John 2:5, “His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.”

In Egypt, Joseph’s desire was to bring everything under his control. He knew that unless he could consolidate power in Egypt, the country would tear itself apart when the famine came. In Joseph’s dealings with the people, we’ll see a few important principles for living that we must not pass over tonight. These principles can make all the difference when a crisis comes into your life.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Ephesians 2:8-9

Sermon Title: VINDICATE ME, O GOD!
Text: Psalm 43:1-5

Introduction:

One day removed from acknowledging one of the most infamous days in our nation's history, there is a question that men ask when the trials and storms of life gather.

Why do bad things happen to good people”?

Has this question ever plagued your mind? One day, a woman asked R.C. Sproul that particular question and his answer to her was a classic. Dr. Sproul said this, "I don't know, I haven't met any good people." His answer was designed to accomplish two purposes. First, it was designed to remind the lady that we are all sinners. None of us are really good people! Secondly, he wanted her to understand that no one is immune from trouble. This second truth is driven home in the Psalm we have before us this morning.

The fact is, we have all faced times in our lives when we were embroiled in turmoil, pain, and heartache. Those are the times of life that define us as believers and confirm or deny our testimony concerning our faith in and love for Jesus Christ. I want us to see both the depth of the psalmist pain and the height of his faith in the Lord.

We need this because there are times when we all cry out
VINDICATE ME, O GOD!"
This Psalm offers us reasons for encouragement in the midst of our troubles.

Rev. Mark A. Cain
Ephesians 2:8-9

Lesson Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Lesson 8: LESSONS FROM THE SCHOOL OF GRACE

Text: Genesis 45:1-15

He has brought them to a place of conviction, compassion, and confession.
He has been testing them to see whether or not they have truly changed their ways. He sees that they have, and he reveals himself to them. This is a tense moment for the brothers of Joseph. They know who he is, and they know that he has the power to send them to prison, or even to their death, if he so chooses. What happens next is a great picture of grace.

The brothers of Joseph have entered the school of grace. They stand before Joseph deserving and expecting judgment, but they receive love and grace instead. These events have some lessons to teach us as well. I would like for you to see The Lesson Of Revelation; The Lesson Of Reconciliation; and The Lesson Of Responsibility.
I believe that the Lord has word for our hearts and our lives if we will just hear the Spirit speak to us tonight.

Come and join us as we join Joseph and his brothers as they learn some
Lessons From The School Of Grace.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Ephesians 2:8-9

Sermon: THE DIFFERENCES ARE ALL THAT MATTER
Text: Luke 23:33, 39-43

Introduction:

The scene is at Calvary. It was a place of suffering, sorrow, and death. It was a place of intense pain and of eternal loss. It was also the place where our Savior purchased eternal life for those who will place their faith in Him.

The Bible tells us that as Jesus was dying that day, two other men were also being put to death. We don't know much about these men. We don't know their names. We do not know about their pasts. All we know is that they are called "malefactors", which means "villains or evildoers", and "thieves", which means "Highwaymen or bandits" and refers to people who "take the possessions of others through violent means." We do know that these two men share some strong similarities. A casual reading of the text tells us that both are criminals, both have been condemned and both are being crucified.

However, it isn't their similarities that we're interested in today, it is their differences. While these two men are alike in many ways, in other ways they would not have been more different. It is these differences in these two men that I want us to focus on this morning.

In some ways all of us observing this lesson are like these two men. We all have many similarities. Yet, there are differences between us, and it is those differences that seem to make all the difference. Nowhere is this truer than on a spiritual level. There the difference in man is all that matters! Look closely at these two dying men. Examine with me their all-important differences in their demeanor, their earthly decisions, and their eternal destiny, and I think you will agree with me that THE DIFFERENCES ARE ALL THAT MATTER.

Rev. Mark A. Cain
Ephesians 2:8-9

Sermon Series: LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY (Matthew 6:9-13)

Lesson 7: PRAYER IS ABOUT REJOICING
Text: Matthew 6:13b

Introduction:

If you read some of the commentators regarding this verse, they will tell you that these words are not in the oldest and best manuscripts.  Therefore, they say that these words were not spoken by Jesus but, were added at a later time by someone as he copied the Scriptures.  However, I believe that God has preserved His holy Word for us to observe this very last phrase of the prayer.  You will find these words recorded in the KJV and the NASB Bibles.

God has guarded its transmission through the years, and we have, in our hands, exactly what the Lord wants us to see and hear. This precious prayer ends as it began.  Jesus taught us to begin our praying with praise.  We are told to pray “hallowed be Thy name.”  Now, we are called to rejoice in Who God is and in the power He holds. We have covered much ground in these sermons, and we have God to thank and praise for leading the way.

Today, we will learn the truth that Prayer is about Rejoicing – “For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever, Amen” (Matt. 6:13).
In a world so filled with trials, troubles, and problems, it is a comfort to serve a God who is worthy of all the praise and glory we can give Him.  It is a comfort to find someone and something to rejoice about.  We’re going to dig into these precious words as we close out our series and learn the truth that:
Prayer Is About Rejoicing in God’s Preeminence,
His Power, and His Personality!

In the Sweet and Strong name of Jesus,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Hebrews 4:16

Lesson Series:
JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Lesson 6: GIFTS FOR A KING

Introduction:

After a long speech by Judah, Jacob gives in and allows Benjamin to accompany his brothers to Egypt. Before he sends his sons away, Jacob commands them to carry with them some gifts. He is hoping to soften Joseph up and cause him to treat the sons of Jacob in a more pleasant manner than he did the last time they were in his presence. We will talk about the things Jacob sent to Joseph, but I would like to ask you a question.
What do you give to a man who owns everything?

God does not need us or anything we possess.

So, what could we possibly give to Him? These verses teach us something about that matter. In fact, these verses talk about the only gifts that are worthy of our Savior. This episode, from the life of Joseph’s family, highlights thoughts of Gifts Fit For A King. We need to examine if our giving is in the light of His will. God desires gifts that are simple, yet profound. He deserves gifts that are sacrificial. and He demands gifts that are submissive.

What kind of gifts do you give God?

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon Series: LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

Lesson 6: PRAYER IS ABOUT RELYING

Introduction:

We are still in a section of The Model Prayer where we are praying about our daily needs.  Here, we seek help in our battle with sin and temptation.  The first word of our verse is “And.”
This word ties this request in with our previous requests for bread, for forgiveness and for grace to forgive others.  As we have moved through the phrases that make up this great Model Prayer, we have also descended from the mountains of glory into the valley of our daily experience.

We have confessed our great dependence upon God for the necessities of the body and the soul.  Now, we descend even further as we consider the possibility that, just as sin has terribly affected our past, even greater sins may lie in our path as we continue our faith journey.

This verse is all about trusting the Lord in the greatest battle we face in life.  This is not the battle to put food on our tables or clothes on our backs.  This is not the battle to approach God for forgiveness or even the battle to forgive those who have treated us so wrongly.

Rather, it is the battle we face every day as we fight the temptations of the flesh and the attacks of the devil.  This phrase teaches us that Prayer Is About Relying. This is the need to rely on God to solve our problems, by using His power, as He hears and answers our plea.
This is the secret of our victory!

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Sermon Series: LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY (Matt. 6:9-13)
Lesson 5: PRAYER IS ABOUT RELEASING

Text: Matthew 6:12

Introduction:

As we have studied the various aspects of this prayer, I hope we have learned the truth that this is a family prayer (verse 9).  The first thing we are taught here is to pray, calling on the Name of our Heavenly Father.  The manner that we have been taught to pray, is to be prayed within the context of our family relationship to the Lord.  Even when we come to this verse that deals with our sins, we are still praying as members of the family of God.  This should give us some encouragement as we move into an area that from time to time can be painful for everyone.

With that in mind, I want us to see that when it comes to our prayer lives and dealing with the problem of sin, Prayer Is About Releasing (our issues to God).  Why is this important?  It is important because the effectiveness of our prayer lives is connected to the reality of the presence of God in our lives.

His closeness and power in our fellowship rests on how well we deal with our sin problem, both vertically and horizontally.

That involves our confession and our cry to Him, as well as His condition for answering us.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Sermon Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Lesson 4: RESURRECTING A DEAD CONSCIENCE

Text: Genesis 41:54-42:8

Introduction:

When Joseph’s brothers see him after 21 years, they don’t recognize him. Joseph, however, recognizes them. God uses this encounter to work in the lives of these ten brothers of Joseph. God uses these events to resurrect the conscience they silenced many years ago. Tonight, I want to take this passage and teach on the topic of Resurrecting A Dead Conscience. I want us to learn what the conscience is, what it does, and how it can be protected. I want to show you, from these verses, How The Conscience Is Seared; How The Conscience Is Stirred and finally, How The Conscience Is Saved. Joseph’s brothers had long ago silenced their consciences, but God is about to bring to life what which they longed to kill.

Sunday Sermon Series: Lord, Teach Us To Pray
(Matt. 6.9-13)

Lesson 4: PRAYER IS ABOUT REQUESTING
Text: Matthew 6:11

Introduction:

The entire first half of The Model Prayer is focused solely on God. The prayer opens with an exclusive desire to bring honor and glory to Him and to His name. God is exalted as Father. We are taught to pray for His glory, His Kingdom and His will. Everything centers, as it should, around the God of glory and His honor. Now, we are taught to pray for ourselves. On the surface, this petition seems to be irreligious, narrow, and selfish, compared to the broad and unselfish attitude manifested in the first part of the prayer.

Yet, even this request for personal needs is intensely spiritual in nature. In truth, this petition elevates, lifts up our hearts and our God! Even though, at this point in the prayer, we come before God to make a request for ourselves, the spotlight still rests squarely on the precious, merciful face of Almighty God when we consider the Devotion, Dependence, and the Depth of this prayer. Prayer is also about our dependence of and needs from God.

Prayer Is About Requesting.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Lesson 3: JOSEPH: A TYPE OF OUR SAVIOR

Introduction:

I want us to take a closer look at Joseph. At the beginning of this series, I told you that there are over 100 areas of Joseph’s life where he pictures or serves as a "type" for the Lord Jesus Christ.

As the Lord gives us freedom and grace, I want us to take a look at three areas of Joseph’s life and I want to show you how He paints a picture of the Lord Jesus through his humiliation, his exaltation, and his salvation.

I want to share some thoughts from the Word of God on Joseph: A TYPE OF OUR SAVIOR.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon Series: LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

Lesson 3 (Part 2): PRAYER IS ABOUT RESIGNING
Text: Matthew 6:10

Introduction:

Today, we are going to consider the second part of Matthew 6:10, the phrase, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”  So far in this sermon series, we have discovered the truth that prayer is a dialogue between us and our heavenly Father.

We can rest in that relationship. We have seen the truth that prayer must include the elements of worship, exaltation, and praise.  We are to reverence Him at all times.  We have been taught to seek God’s rule on the earth, through praying for His kingdom to come on the earth and in our own hearts.  We are to allow Him to reign in our lives.

As we move deeper into The Model Prayer, we are going to learn the truth that prayer is also about resigning our will and allowing God's will to reign in us.  In our prayer lives, we are to grow until we come to the place where we lay all that we are on His altar. We are to yield the totality of ourselves, and our wills to the will of our Heavenly Father.  That is not always an easy task, but it is absolutely necessary, if we expect to become all God saved us to be, Rom. 12:1-2.

It’s important that we understand the correct definition, depiction, and duty of the will of God through prayer.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Lesson 2: THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH

Introduction:

Joseph had been betrayed by his own brothers and sold as a slave. He had been sold to some Ishmaelite merchants for less than $100.00. His brothers sold him for the price of a crippled slave! The Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt and put him up for sale in that land.

Try to put yourself in Joseph’s shoes for a moment. You are seventeen years old. You are the favored son in a family of twelve sons. Your father had chosen you to be the head of the family and he had given you a beautiful robe to symbolize this fact. You are on the path to power, influence, and prominence in your family.

Then, in a moment of time, everything is gone. You are stripped of your coat. You are betrayed by people who should have loved you. You are separated from your father. You are sold as a slave and carried off into a strange land. Imagine the humility of being examined and sold in a slave auction. Imagine the lies Satan must have told him. Still in the midst of it all God was up to something great!   Let's join Joseph in the early days of his slavery.

I want to show you the ways we know “the Lord was with him.”

As we study these truths, please keep in mind that what the Lord did for Joseph, He will also do for you. Together let us see the ways God blessed this young man by the way He protected, prospered, and promoted him in the midst of his circumstances.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3
Series: JOSEPH: GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING GREAT!

Lesson 2: THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH

Introduction:

Joseph had been betrayed by his own brothers and sold as a slave. He had been sold to some Ishmaelite merchants for less than $100.00. His brothers sold him for the price of a crippled slave! The Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt and put him up for sale in that land.

Try to put yourself in Joseph’s shoes for a moment. You are seventeen years old. You are the favored son in a family of twelve sons. Your father had chosen you to be the head of the family and he had given you a beautiful robe to symbolize this fact. You are on the path to power, influence, and prominence in your family.

Then, in a moment of time, everything is gone. You are stripped of your coat. You are betrayed by people who should have loved you. You are separated from your father. You are sold as a slave and carried off into a strange land. Imagine the humility of being examined and sold in a slave auction. Imagine the lies Satan must have told him. Still in the midst of it all God was up to something great!   Let's join Joseph in the early days of his slavery.

I want to show you the ways we know “the Lord was with him.”

As we study these truths, please keep in mind that what the Lord did for Joseph, He will also do for you. Together let us see the ways God blessed this young man by the way He protected, prospered, and promoted him in the midst of his circumstances.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon Series: Lord, Teach Us To Pray

Lesson 2: Prayer Is About Reigning

Text: Matthew 6:9-13 (v.10)

Introduction:

As we continue to move through the phrases that make up The Model Prayer, I hope you can see that this prayer is building, one part upon another. For instance, when you and I come to know God as our “Father;” we find out just how truly wonderful He is. This creates a desire within us to see Him glorified, thus we pray “Hallowed be thy name” (v9). It also creates within us a hunger to see others come to know Him; thus we pray “Thy kingdom come” (v10). This means to pray for the sudden and absolute rule of God over the entire world. Therefore, real, genuine, and authentic praying is about seeking God’s rule in the world. I want to give you three conclusions that arise out of this understanding of the little phrase “Thy kingdom come.” This petition is Prophetic, Personal, and Practical. These three conclusions teach us the truth that Prayer Is About Reigning.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Series:
JOSEPH: God Is Up To Something Great!

Lesson 1: A ROSE AMONG THORNS
Introduction:

We hear a lot in our day about dysfunctional homes. I realize that many homes are in turmoil today. Divorces, sins of all kinds, absentee parents, among other evils, have left the home in tatters. In many cases it seems that little children growing up today do not stand a chance. We are told that we are a product of our environment. We are told that our background shapes our lives to such a degree that how we were raised will determine how we will live. To a certain degree we are all products of our upbringing.

We bring with us certain traits, habits, and characteristics from the homes in which we were raised. Thankfully, that is not true in every case! Joseph blows that theory out of the water! Before Joseph was thrown into a pit; before he served as a slave in Potiphar’s house; before he languished in prison; and before he stood before Pharaoh as Prime Minister of Egypt, Joseph spent his formative years in a home marked by sin, sadness, strife, and struggles.

Yet, Joseph became a great man of God and was used of the Lord in tremendous ways. As we begin to consider the verses in the Bible that speak about the life of Joseph, we are going to see just how different he was from the rest of his family. It is astounding that a young man who grew up in the same home, the same condition, the same environment as his brother, could be so different.

Of course, if you have more than one child, or if you come from a family of more than one child, you have seen this with your own eyes. No two children are alike. Joseph, however, is so different that he literally stands out like A Rose Among Thorns as we notice in this series that…

“God Is Up to Something Great!”

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Series: LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY
Lesson 1: PRAYER REST IN SIX SHORT WORDS
Text: Matthew 6:6-13 (v.9)
Introduction:

Take your Bibles and turn to Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4.  In this passage, we find our Lord teaching on the subject of prayer.  The disciples came to Jesus, as He was praying, desiring to be taught about prayer.  Evidently, they had seen something in the prayer life of Jesus that they wanted in their own prayer life.  Their request is revealing.  They said, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

Their request is two-fold.  First, they wanted to know how to pray and talk to God as Jesus Himself did.  Secondly, they desired a burden to pray.  They saw the priority that prayer held in the Lord's life, and they desired to be gripped by the same passion for communion with the Heavenly Father.

In the words that follow, Jesus gives them the framework for praying that accomplishes both goals.  You see, this prayer is not a prayer just to be memorized and quoted as many do, but it is a framework around which we are to build our own prayers.  Tonight, we will consider just that second clause of verse 9, “Our Father which are in heaven…” These six words don’t even comprise a complete sentence, but they contain a wealth of truth whose depths our minds cannot even imagine the awesome impact that it has in our lives as well as others.  They teach the precious and powerful truth that Prayer Is About Resting in the One you pray to.  Notice the precious message contained in these six short words regarding our relationship, our reality, our realization, and our responsibility to God and others when we pray.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Lesson: The Ties That Bind Us
Text: Philippians 1:1-11

Introduction:

The letter to the Philippians stands out in Paul’s writings as a letter of gratitude. It seems that the Philippian believers had, time and again, reached out to Paul financially and spiritually to assist him during his imprisonment for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This letter is Paul’s effort to say, "Thank you", to some people who are very special to him. In these opening verses, Paul meditates on his relationship with the Philippian church. As he does, he notes some reasons why their fellowship has been close and why it has endured through the years.

These characteristics seem to be evident in the core of our congregation also and I felt it would be appropriate during our normal anniversary month, to mention them. Today, I would like to spend some time talking to you about the following:

The Ties That Bind Us as we recall the shared joy of our salvation,

The Servant's Spirit that we share, and

The Shared Sincerity we have, to let God complete what he began in us as a church over 19 years ago.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Lesson: FREE AT LAST!
Text: Romans 6:6-14

Introduction:

As we celebrate our nation's freedom today, we are acutely aware that the freedom we celebrate is not total. When we hear stories about how former slaves returned to those who formerly owned them, abused, and misused them, we say, "That would never happen! Why would a slave who was freed ever return to the evil and inhuman institution of slavery!" Well, I want you to know that it happens all the time in the spiritual realm, to individuals and to nations! You see, the Lord Jesus promised freedom to all those who would follow Him, John 8:32; 36.

However, there are many who have received Jesus as their Savior, who still live in the bondage of their sins. Whether the newly freed slaves of America or a foreign nation, they hold in their hands their emancipation papers, but in their lives, they still live like slaves. For those who still feel like they are trapped in their sins, this passage offers help for today and hope tomorrow.

For Christians to be free from the power of sin, they need to understand a few fundamental truths. Notice the word "knowing" on verse 6. This is a word that means "to know by personal experience." To be free, there are some things that we need to know for sure! Many never learn these things, and as a result, they live their entire Christian lives in a state of defeat and misery.

It's important to know, that this does not have to be true in your life! You have been set free by the Lord Jesus Christ! You have been eternally liberated from the power of sin! These verses tell us how to walk in that freedom, so that we may lift our voices up to the Lord Who bought us and freed us and cry:

"Free at last! Free at last!
Praise God Almighty,
I am free at last!"

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Lesson: FIVE STEPS TO PEACE IN THE PATH OF LIFE

Text: Psalm 37:1-8

Introduction:

Psalm 37 is a Psalm that was written by David when he was an old man, v. 25. He addresses a problem that has plagued the people of God since the dawn of time. That problem is: Why do the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer? This problem is also addressed in Psalms 73 and 49. It is also a prominent theme in the book of Job. Since we are told not to worry when we see the wicked prosper, how are we supposed to deal with this problem? Well, in verses 3-8, the Psalmist offers us an alternative to worry. There are some simple steps offered here, that if followed, will enable us to find peace, even during the most trying times of our lives. Now, notice with me these Five Steps To Peace In The Paths Of Life.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon: THE FATHER KNOWS WHAT'S BEST
Text: Luke 12:29-32
Introduction:

Even though we are a week removed from the traditional Father's Day Holiday, I want to preach to you about the greatest Father of all, the One Jesus referred to as “My Father” fifty-three times in the Gospels. But, when Jesus talked about the Father, He didn’t just call Him “My Father.” He also called God “Our Father” some twenty-one times in the Gospels.
Therefore, Jesus clearly shows us that those who believe on Him, share the same relationship with God in Heaven, that He Himself shares. But, if you do the research, you will find that it gets even better than that!
Jesus calls God “your Father” twenty-one times in the Gospels as well.
I want to share with you, my interest in the matter of God being called our Father and the fact that He knows what’s best for you and for me. As we observe some aspects of our connection to our Heavenly Father, I want to encourage you to trust Him today and in the days that follow. I want you to be able to rejoice in your relationship with God, always knowing that He has your best interest at heart.
If you are not saved, I would like to help you to come to know Jesus as your personal Savior as well as benefit from a secure relationship with God the Father.
Why? Because He not only loves you, but He also truly knows what’s best for you regarding every facet of your life.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Series: ABRAHAM: Following The Footsteps of Faith

Lesson 6: Abraham Gathered To His People
Text: Genesis 25:5-10

Introduction:

These final verses record the end of a great life! Abraham was taken from among a pagan people and made the Father of the Faithful.
He was taught the harsh lessons of faith and obedience. He suffered for God and he enjoyed the best God had to offer. In the end, his life is concluded by the words "and was gathered to his people."

When we consider the life of this great man, we realize that there are certain characteristics that were present in his life that need to be found in us as well this evening. We are going to view a few of those characteristics as we conclude our study of this great man of faith.

As we come to the end of this study and to the end of Abraham's life, let's observe some similarities with what could have been said about him and what might be said about us when we too leave this world. These similarities are made clear by the characteristics extracted from his life of faith.

When someone dies, three things usually come up at some point during a discussion of their life.

Those three things are:

1.) How they lived their life;
2.) Some of the events surrounding their death;
3.) Where did they stand with the Lord?

These are the three characteristics we are going to highlight tonight regarding Abraham's legacy.

Series: Abraham: Following The Footsteps of Faith

Lesson 5: Abram's Word From God

Text: Genesis 15:1-6

Introduction:

In our text, Abram hears the "Word of the LORD" and this word from God changed his life. In Abram's day, he was just one insignificant person among millions of other people, but God had a special plan for his life. To God, Abram was of supreme importance. In this passage, Abram receives a word from the Lord concerning his Fear, his Future and his Faith. What he heard changed his life forever. He receive a word from the Lord and it revolutionized his life.

Regardless of all the possessions we have in this world, none can compare to the Word of God! To be able to hold in our hands the complete and perfect revelation of God to man is a treasure without equal. In this passage, God had a word for Abram, but He also has a word for you and me this evening. Let's listen in on this conversation between the Lord and Abram. Let's hear the words that Abram heard and see what they have to teach us about our own walk with the Lord.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sermon: How God Builds A King
Text: 1 Samuel 16:14-23
Introduction:
While David had already been anointed to be the next king of Israel; Saul was allowed to occupy the throne until his successor was fully trained.  God even used the madness of King Saul to help train the young shepherd boy for his future role as king of Israel.  In fact, God used four very specialized tools to train young David for his role as the king of Israel.
We will see that those special tools were solitude, secrecy, sameness, and struggle.  David probably would have never chosen these four tools for himself, but they were used by God to prepare him for the work that lay ahead.

We often use Frederick Douglas' famous quote: "It is better to build a child than to repair an adult." Well, God is our Father and King, and He is constantly training us to accomplish His royal work for the kingdom down here on earth.  God’s use of these four tools in the life of David reveals to us How God Builds A King.  You see, God did not save us to leave us as He found us.  He saved us to change us, 2 Cor. 5:17. Specifically, He saved us to transform us into the image of His Son, into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. 8:28; Eph. 4:11-13.  To accomplish this, God uses certain tools in your life and mine.  These tools are perfectly suited to the work of transformation. Remember we are "Citizens of a kingdom that cannot be shaken and children of a king without limitations."

Will you allow God to build you better so that you can
"be a blessing and not simply a lesson?"
Pre-Happy Father's Day!
In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Series: Abraham: Following The Footsteps of Faith
Lesson 4: God's Promise To Abram Renewed

Text: Genesis 13:14-18

Introduction:

Abram is a man walking with God. His misadventure in Egypt is behind him and he is back in the place of blessing; walking by faith. This is seen in the fact that when a dispute arose between himself and his nephew Lot, Abram willingly took the second place. He place the needs of Lot ahead of those in his own life and left himself in the gracious care of God. That is how you can know when you are growing as you should be. When you can willingly turn loose of your rights and privileges for the good of others, you are on your way!

After the incident with Lot, Abram is left alone with his wife, his servants and his possessions. It must have been a difficult thing to see his own flesh and blood separate from him under such harsh conditions. Yet, for Abram, that difficult time would turn into a time of grace and blessing. This time that the Lord chooses to renew His promises to Abram. While these are Abram's promises, there are spiritual applications that we can glean from these words.

Occasion: Graduate Celebration  Day
Sermon: Passion And Promise Realized!

Text: Psalm 126:5-6

Introduction:
We are proud to acknowledge our graduates on this day and we agree that “the tassel is worth the hassle.”
All that stands between the graduate and the top of the ladder is the building on which his ladder leans. His decision for the Lord Jesus Christ is crucial to his success in time and eternity (Prov. 16:3; John 14:6). Jesus is the “Faith-Bridge” over every obstacle we encounter.  You see, graduation is not about where you stand, but in what direction you are moving. There is a good reason they call a graduation ceremony a commencement exercise.  That is because it’s not the end, but rather the beginning.  Even when your schooling or your academic pursuit, is over one day, your education will still continue if you seek to remain WOKE spiritually, socially, and economically!

Our passage reminds us that a farmer may weep due to the drudgery of his labor, but after the ground has been tilled, the seed planted and the harvested brought in, the same farmer returns to the same field rejoicing in the fruit he has received.   Jesus declared this world to be a field, John 4:35.  He also indicated that we, His people, are the farmers who are to plant, tend and reap the harvest here. Our preparation to carve out a career is all a part of God's call and plan for us to be active in spreading His message to a world that is perishing.  This is done with our passion, potential, and His Promise!

Let's celebrate and anticipate the fulfillment of God linking His promise with our passion to use our lives as a platform for His glory.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Jeremiah 29:11

Wednesday Night Bible Study & Prayer Meeting
On-site in the Chapel starting June 2nd, 2021 at 7:00pm

Series: Abraham: Following The Footsteps of Faith

Lesson 3: Abram's Trouble With Lot

Text: Genesis 13:5-13

Introduction:

For Abram, everything wasn't smooth sailing! After his return to Canaan from his disastrous trip to Egypt, there arose a conflict between himself and his nephew Lot. It was a conflict that had serious ramifications and had to be resolved. How this conflict was settled is the focus of this message. Just like Abram, there are times in life when conflicts and troubles arise. How we deal with those conflicts and troubles reveals more about our characters than we want to admit. Because what you are when the pressure is on is what you really are! Since that is true, take some time to look into these verses and notice some aspects of this story to see how it speak to your life.

Sermon: Consider The Character of God's Church

Text: Revelation 3:7-13

Introduction:

Before the Lord Jesus went to the cross, He made a statement concerning the church. The church Jesus described often has little resemblance to many of the churches found in the world today. Look at Matthew 16:18. Jesus said, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." In this passage, Jesus tells us a little about the character of the church He is going to build. First, He says that the church is to be built upon Himself. Jesus Himself is the foundation of the church. His death, shed blood and resurrection form the foundation upon which the church stands. Then, Jesus says His church is not to be passive, but to be an aggressive church moving forward.

In our text today we’ll read our Lord's letter to the church in Philadelphia. This church has been described in various ways over the years. In His words to this church, we see a clear picture of the kind of character God requires. I want to draw our attention to a word that is used three times in this passage. It is the word "behold" and it is used in verses 8, 9, and 11. By using this word, Jesus is calling this church to make some observations. He is telling them to "LOOK!" The observations that the Lord wants the church at Philadelphia and those that follow her to consider, are her opportunities, her opposition, and her obligation to Him. To do this we must "hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (v13).

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Bible Study Lesson Via Zoom

Series: ABRAHAM: Following The Footsteps of Faith

Lesson 1: Abram's Commitment To A Life of Faith

Text: Genesis 12:4-9

Introduction:

After we got saved, we soon discovered, from reading the Bible, that the Christian life is also a pilgrimage, 1 Pet. 2:11. Everyone of us that is saved is a pilgrim for the Lord. We are on a journey that began the day we received Jesus as our personal Savior and that will continue until the day we arrive in Heaven. This pilgrimage is, at times, a wonderful thing. At other times, it is difficult at best. Yet all the time it is a pilgrimage that is to be lived out through faith in the Lord. We are going to spend some time during this series observing the life of faith of the first pilgrim.

This man named Abraham was the first one to leave everything behind to walk with the Lord by faith. His pilgrimage was not easy, though there were blessings along the way for Abraham. However, in his pilgrimage, Abraham sets the example for to follow. He shows us how to live out our lives in absolute faith in and total commitment to the Lord God Almighty. He teaches us a lesson in The Commitment To A Life Of Faith. There are three sides to Abraham's Commitment To A Life Of Faith. He shows us the need for obedience, the opposition that follows, and the opportunities that the Lord reveals to receive His blessings. Can you say the same thing about the journey you're on?

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

Sermon: WHERE THE LAW FAILS, FAITH PREVAILS

Text: Romans 4:13-17

Introduction:

The fourth chapter of Romans presents a challenged by the life of faith that Abraham lived. He was a man who was highly revered by the Jews of Paul's day, and Paul appealed to Abraham's life to teach his readers that salvation was purely the work of God. He taught us that works cannot save, v. 1-8; then he explained that circumcision or rituals and traditions could not save the soul, v. 9-12. In these verses, Paul is going to reveal to us the truth, that keeping the Law cannot save the soul either. Sadly, many in our day still seem to think that salvation can be obtained by works. Many believe that if they do all the good things and avoid the bad things, then God is obligated to let them into Heaven when they die.

Listen, if you believe that, you are guilty of believing false doctrine! The truth of the matter is this: nothing you do can save your soul! It is not, nor has it ever been, about what you do. Salvation has always rested on Who you know and believe! This is the lesson that Paul wants to teach us tonight. He wants us to learn the truth that the Law is a system of works, while faith is a function that works! You will be bless if you are able to see the problem with the Law when it comes to pleasing God and the power of faith to bring you to salvation. Where The Law Fails, Faith Prevails!

In His grace,

Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Bible Study Lesson Via Zoom

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THE WIDOW'S OIL
Text: 2 Kings 4:1-7
Introduction:
This passage tells us about a poor, widow woman who was at the end of her rope. She did not know what to do or where to turn. In her pain and her poverty, she did the only thing that she knew she could do. She turned to the Lord. When she did that, God came through for her in a mighty way!
This passage teaches us the glorious truth that God has a plan for our problem. History has taught us that faithful Mothers at the very least, face double duty daily. Furthermore, these verses show us that just as God took care of this widow, He will take care of you. This passage lets us know that when we reach the end of our rope, there is help and there is hope.

My hope for Mothers as well as others, is that you find encouragement and comfort from knowing that God knows about the problems you face. He is willing to release the potential He has placed inside of you. He has made provision for your success as you pour the oil of favor on your family by His grace.
In His Grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain, Pastor-Teacher

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

Wednesday Night Bible Study Lesson Via Zoom

Lesson: THE TRANSFORMATION OF THOMAS

Text: John 20:19-29

Introduction:

Several of our Lord’s disciples are well known. Books have been, written about Peter, John, and Judas. But, of some of the rest, we seem to know very little. I want to look at what the Bible has to say about one of the lesser known of the Master’s Men. I want to look at the life of the disciple named Thomas. For nearly 2,000 years, Thomas has received a lot of bad press. He was given the name of “Doubting Thomas”. He has been portrayed as a man filled with doubt and fear. I think that the Bible reveals another side of Thomas. His primary problem was not his doubting; Thomas was a pessimist! He was a “glass half-empty” kind of person. He seemed to look for the negative side of every situation first. He was the kind of person who was always on the lookout for the “dark side” of things.

As we look at what the Bible has to say about Thomas, I want you to see that he possessed some admirable qualities. Among them are these: He was loyal to the Lord. He loved Jesus. He possessed an inquiring spirit. He was skeptical, but it was a skepticism that was open to belief. Let’s look at Thomas as He is revealed in the Bible. I want us to observe The Transformation Of Thomas. We will see how the Lord worked in this man’s life to move him from doubt to a shout. Pay special attention to the way Thomas is revealed in passage tonight. It promises to be eye opening.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

WHAT IF THERE HAD BEEN NO RESURRECTION?

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Introduction:

Even though the Easter Sunday sermon's title poses a bitter assumption, the Apostle Paul ends our passage with a blessed assurance that Jesus lives today.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that the doctrine of Christ's resurrection from the dead is vital and foundational to our faith. In fact, he tells us that it is an essential component of the Gospel of grace, v. 3-4. With that in mind, Paul proceeds to offer proof that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead, v. 5-8. Apparently, there were some members of the church in Corinth who doubted the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In an effort to awaken the Corinthian believers to the importance of the resurrection, he paints a dismal picture of what life would be like if there had been no resurrection. You see, if there had been no resurrection from the dead, then we would be in sad shape this morning!

But there is Good News because of the Empty Tomb on Resurrection Sunday.

But What If?
Are you certain that your foundation is firm?
Is your faith valid?
Is our preaching in vain?
Has our forgiveness been accomplished, guaranteeing that our future is secure?

It all hinges on our belief in the death, burial, resurrection, and session of Jesus Christ.

Don't you want to be sure?

Rev. Mark A. Cain, Pastor-Teacher

FOUNTAIN OF FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH, INC. WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
VIA ZOOM WEDNESDAY BEGINNING FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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Wednesday
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Lesson
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Lesson: STEPS FOR STAYING IN THE RACE

Text: Hebrews 12:1-3

Introduction:

Nowhere in the Bible are we promised that the Christian life is going to be easy. In fact, often the opposite is true, John 16:33. Difficulties will come and trials will cross our paths and often, we will be tempted to quit on God and drop out of the race. That seems to be the idea in the book of Hebrews. These Christians were enduring a terrible time of trial and persecution. In light of that, the writer is attempting to encourage these weary, hurting believers to be faithful to the Lord and to continue to run their race. The author of Hebrews is comparing he Christian life to a race. He isn't talking about a 100 yard dash. Instead, he is referring to a marathon. A race that requires endurance and preparation.

When trials come, there may be the temptation to drop out for a while and let others do the running. I want to share some steps that are given in these verse that will help you and me run this race we are in. I don’t know what you may be facing as you run your race, but I do know doing the things revealed in these verses will help us all to be runners who are pleasing to the Lord God. I want to share with you these Steps For Staying In The Race.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

LESSON: BLESSED BY A RELATIONSHIP OF REVERENCE

Text: Psalms 112:1-8

Introduction:

The attributes of God given in Psalm 111 become the character qualities of the godly believer in Psalm 112. Becoming more and more like Jesus is the greatest reward of a faithful life of obedience (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor.3:18). Both psalms use the words delight (11;2; 112:1), righteousness (111;3; 112:3-4, 6), established (111:8; 112:8), grace and compassion (111:4; 112:4), and just (111:7; 112:5).
Both of the psalms must be read in the light of God's covenant with Israel in which He promises to bless them if they fear or reverence Him and obey His Word (Lev. 26:1-13, Deut. 28:1-14).

Grateful Christians should want more than the blessings offered by God. We should want to constantly display the character of the One who gives the blessing regardless of the season of life we are in.
David as the psalmist, describes the faithful believer in various relationships of life and how our blessings are connected to the One who is the source of every resource we receive. Having reverence for our source of blessing should prompt our never-ending praise.

Do you give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way?

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain, Pastor-Teacher
Colossians 1:3

FOUNTAIN OF FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH, INC.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
VIA ZOOM
WEDNESDAY
BEGINNING FEBRUARY 10, 2021
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Visit our WebsiteZOOM CALL IN INFORMATION
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Passcode: 716422
Dial In
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Wednesday
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Lesson
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LESSON: COMPELLED TO TELL THE GOSPEL STORY
TEXT: Romans 1:11-17

INTRODUCTION:

The Gospel of Christ is a simple message. It is clearly stated in
1 Cor. 15:3-4. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” Romans 4:25 states it in even fewer words, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Paul knew first-hand about the power of this Gospel, 1 Tim. 1:12-15.
His was a life that was changed by that Gospel of Christ (Titus 3:3-7). Every life that is redeemed by the Gospel of grace is a life that is forever changed, 2 Cor. 5:17. It is a life that becomes a thing of praise and glory to Almighty God, Eph. 2:10. It is a life that has a new description and a new destiny, John 10:10.
If the grace of the Gospel has taken root, others will see its fruit in you as you become Compelled To Tell The Gospel Story.

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

SERMON SERIES: CONFIDENCE IN THE CHARACTER OF GOD

   LESSON 10: HELD TOGETHER BY HIS TRUTH

   INTRODUCTION:
Because God is Truth itself, He always acts in Veracity (in “devotion to truth or truthfulness”) and acts in Faithfulness to man (Ps. 33:4).

Because it is impossible for God to lie, we know that His every Word to us is true.  The Bible is God’s revelation to man. We can always depend on His Word. If we know
that God is true and His Word is true, and if we claim His promises, then the character of God will become a source of encouragement to us. The result will be that we will
be able to pray in faith (Phil. 4:6), pray without ceasing, and pray with thanksgiving (1Thes. 5:18).

God’s veracity provides truth in His Word for us to live a faithful and fruitful life.
Before the Bible (canon of Scripture) was completed, God’s veracity was manifested in various ways, i.e., He spoke verbally (Gen. 17:1-2 =Abrahamic Covenant); He sent angels to teach; He used prophets, priest, and other communicators. But now that the Canon of Scripture is completed, God speaks through His Word. True understanding and power are reserved only for those willing to obey God. When we find Scripture at odds with our ideas or desires, we must let the Bible be the authority. Where the Word of God contradicts what we think, desire, or want, we must adjust to the Word and not try to get the Word to adjust to us.

Why? Because the Word of God is absolute truth. We must allow the Word of God to correct us the same way we allow it to encourage us. God's character, which is never in question, is your source of confidence.  That is the Truth!

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain, Pastor-Teacher
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday
Night
Bible Study
Lesson
Via Zoom

Lesson: SAVED BY GOD'S GRACE

Text: Ephesians 2:8-9

Introduction:

In clear, concise language, the Apostle Paul lays out God’s way of salvation. These few verses are among the most important in the whole Bible. They teach exactly how people can be saved. They teach us about the Way, and the Wonder of salvation. These verses show all people, in all generations, in all places, and in all religions, what they must know in order that they might be saved from their sins and from the fires of Hell. After salvation its important to know that the same faith that saved you in grace, grows you in the Christian life. The more we express our faith through obedience, the more access to grace God gives us.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sunday, January 31, 2021
Guest Minister
Rev. Ronald Barrs

Series: Confidence In The Character of God

Lesson 9: Motivated By God's Changeless Character
Introduction:
In continuing our lesson series, we've arrived at the Immutability of God. This means that God is always the same and He does not change. Malachi 3:1 state:

"For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."

This speaks to God's enduring faithfulness. Despite all the trials we have recently faced and those we may face in the future, we can find comfort and confidence in knowing that God will remain true to His character. He is not loving one moment and wrathful the next. His wrath coexists with His love; therefore, the two never contradict even when by human logic they seem to be in opposition.

God is always true to His holy integrity, which is made up of His Righteousness and Justice.

Our lesson today focuses on the changeless faithfulness or His Immutability in every season of the believer's life. The Babylonian captive in our passage focused on this principle when he recalled the 14th symbol of the Hebrew alphabet, LAMEDH, which means motivation. The pictorial or symbol used for this alphabet, pictures an ox goad, a sharpened stick or staff used to prod a sluggish work animal forward. It represents spiritual motivation. Our relationship with God through His Son, by means of His Word, should be the Christian’s motivation in every season of life. The very core of our confidence should come from knowing that even though people and circumstances change, we can count on God to remain the same. This is the benefit of placing your confidence in God's changeless character.

LESSON: LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF GOD’S LOVE
2-17-2021

Text: Psalm 119:105-112

Introduction:

We are in the midst of a world pandemic, with other viruses waiting in line for their turn. An unexpected winter freeze has devastated our state because of deals made by unscrupulous politicians and private industry. You may be asking where can love, empathy, or sympathy be found?

Well, it is important that you know even in dark times, deserved or not, God always offers the light of his love. Our lesson passage is found in a dark time during Israel's captivity in Babylon. Even in these circumstances, a captive placed in his diary how he came to see even clearer, the love of God through the light of His word.

We can make it through our dire situation, if we are willing to let the Lord light our path with each step we take. We must seek His guidance through His Word. As we choose to let Him guide us (Psalm 32:8) we will find peace in His presence and encouragement from His promises. The result will be falling in love with Jesus because we have allowed our love to grow from the knowledge and trust in who He really is.

Remember, even though our relationship with God is a done deal at salvation, it is also a daily development. Since you matter to God, your prayers matter in heaven. Continue to Live in The Light of God's Love through it all.

HE IS FAITHFUL!
In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Series: Confidence in The Character of God
Lesson 8: THE LORD IS MY POWER
Text: Psalm 119:113-120

Introduction:
It is good to know that when we call on the name of Jesus, we are really trusting in His divine character. Considering all that our nation and the church has been through in the last year or more, it is reassuring to know that we serve a God who is all-powerful or Omnipotent.

Job said in chapter 4;1, "I know that You can do everything and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from you." In an effort to recover from spiritual battle fatigue, meditating on and placing our faith in the power of God enables Him to increase our strength.

Our passage reflects on the story of a Babylonian captive who began his 15th day in captivity by mediating on the meaning of the 15th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, SAMEKH. The samekh pictures a fulcrum, the prop or support on which a lever rest. It represents the enabling power of the Word of God. The Word is The Rock, and our faith is the lever. To overcome disappointments, adversity, criticism, attacks by both believers and unbelievers, to avoid being overwhelmed by unimaginable obstacles, it encouraging to know that we can borrow strength from an all-powerful God.

God will give us strength for the days ahead (Ephesians 3:20).

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: ADMISSION OF THE NEED FOR CONTRITION
Text: Hosea 6:1-2

Introduction:

The Bible is a book filled with invitations. The first one is found in Gen. 7:1. In that verse God invites Noah and his family to come into the Ark for salvation from the flood. The last invitation is found in Rev. 22:20. In that verse, John issues an invitation for the Lord to return quickly. In this passage, the prophet Hosea calls out to the people of Israel. They had wandered far away from the Lord and he issued a call for them to come back to God.

This past year (2020) and into our new year (2021) the Lord has issued the greatest Altar Call known to America. It is a call like Israel's, for both personal and national revival. Israel had forsaken the way of the Lord and they had turned away from Him to worship the idols and false gods of the Canaanites. This invitation is a call for them to repent of their sins and to turn their hearts back to the one true God. His message is clear and unmistakably found in Hosea 6:1, "Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up."

We all agree that we need revival. We need revival in our personal lives, our families, our churches, and our nation. The only way God is ever going to send real revival to us is when we heed His call and humble ourselves before Him in contrition and broken-hearted repentance. You will find God’s blessing in your brokenness.

Will You Make The Admission Of Your Need For Contrition?

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon Series:
CONFIDENCE IN THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Lesson 7:
GOD IS A PRESENT HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE
Text: Psalm 119:65-71

Introduction:

As these strange days and strong delusions come to a climax, it's good to know that we can count on the character of God when man's character remains questionable. When the very foundations of our country and ideals seem to be crumbling and no one seems to care, we feel all alone. It’s good to know that the God we trust is never surprised or caught off guard. He is always nearby to help.

That is the comfort and solace we derive from this series of lessons that explains that God is Omnipresent or ever-present every day of our lives.

For the believer, He is a constant companion and present help in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9; 139:7-12). For the unbeliever, He welcomes you into His kingdom through His Son at the cross and into eternity by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

A primary example of comfort for the believer in troubled times is found in the writing of the diary of the Hebrew captive taken off into slavery to Babylon for seventy years. Through his time of trouble, he was comforted by the constant presence and consolation of God as he linked His written Word to the Living Word. This enabled him to receive a personal word from God.

In our national and personal distress, God wants us to meditate on who He is. He wants us to know that He is present in the midst of our trouble; ready and able to help us through it.

Will you accept His help?

In His grace,
Rev. Mark A. Cain

Wednesday Night Lesson

Series: Confidence In The Character of God

Lesson 6: Trusting A God Who Knows And Cares About Your Future

Text: Hebrews 4:13-16

Introduction:

God in His faithfulness allows affliction, and He even puts in our path what some might consider to be stumbling blocks. For the believer, however, obstacles can become steppingstones to the higher ground of Christian victory and blessing. Often, we are amazed at the bumps and stones we are forced to overcome in our journey. This past year is a case in point. Yet, we fail to realize that in everything we face, God has a plan and even as we struggle, we are just heading to higher ground, replacing weakness with His strength. Because God is “all-knowing,” He knows everything from the hairs on our head to the secrets in our hearts.

He test us in life so that we can see what’s in our hearts, then He can assist us in doing a spiritual inventory. Bringing trials into our lives helps to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses in our faith. The future that He has in store for each of us requires that we address these faith issues. Knowing in advance that He is aware and concerned about our best outcome gives us confidence to press on and to press through to victory. These Hebrews were having a tough time, v. 14. It’s important for you to see as they did, that God can be trusted with anything you will ever have need of in this life. After all, He has the ability to see your pathway, sense your pain, and solve your problems. The question is, Will you trust Him with your future?

Sermon Series:
CONFIDENCE IN THE CHARACTER OF GOD

Lesson Five: THE ETERNAL WORD OF GOD

TEXT: John 1:1-5

Introduction:

As we prepare to study our fifth installment in our series: Confidence in The Character of God, it's important to note that our Lord's essence or character is very much tied to our eternal destiny. Jesus, as God did not first exist in the manger in Bethlehem. He existed before the world began. He had to precede it all because He made it all (John 1:3). God will continue to exist forever. We know this because He promises to share eternity with us (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). Eternal life, which is a part of His character, is completely in His command and available to be shared with those who accept His person, His power, and His purpose.

This passage reveals some ingredients that are absolutely essential to developing an eternal perspective about the person for whom the event recently celebrated, called “Christmas” is all about and the gift Jesus came to give regardless of its personal cost to Him. John doesn’t write about angels, shepherds, stars, or sheep. However, he does something the other Gospel writers don’t do.
John puts the greatest Christmas delivery of all time into context. He tells us all we need to know to place our confidence Christ to carry us from time to eternity with Him.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Series: Confidence in The Character of God

Lesson 4: Jesus, Heaven's Gift of Love

Text: Galatians 4:4-7

Introduction:

We all know that the Bible tells us that it is "more blessed to give than to receive.", Acts 20:25. However, at this time of year, in the midst of all the giving and the receiving, even the biggest Scrooge among us, likes to receive a gift.

Nothing you will receive this Christmas will come close to measuring up to the gift God gave the world on that first Christmas. Paul put it this way in 1 Cor. 9:15, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." He said that the gift God gave the world was great beyond description! What was the gift that God gave to the world 2,000 years ago? It was His Own darling Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, John 3:16.

He gave His Son to this world so that sinners like you and me might be saved from our sins and from the wages of those sins, death in Hell forever, Rom. 6:23. I want us to see what the Lord gave us when He gave us His Son. I want us to fully appreciate who Jesus is and what He has done for you and me.

When a person gives us a genuine gift that includes their thoughtful consideration and personal attention, we cherish it with great affection. Well, that is what Luke 2:11 is saying. You and I have been given a perfect personal gift, “a Savior who is Christ the Lord,” who came with a Mission, Ministry, and Message from the Father for us.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
2 Corinthians 9:15

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: MARY'S GREAT SONG OF PRAISE

Text: Luke 1:46-55

Introduction:

Mary's great song of praise has come to be known as the Magnificat. This is the Latin translation of the first few words which Mary speaks, and it literally means, "My soul celebrates the Lord."

This doxology is a hymn of praise unto the Lord.
It reminds us today that the birth of Jesus is about far more than gifts, trees, myths like Santa Claus, Rudolph, Frosty and, the Grinch.

The Christmas season is about our relationship with the Lord and about learning to celebrate His glory and His goodness. Therefore, tonight let's spend a few minutes looking at this great anthem of praise and join Mary in her celebration of the Lord. She praises the Lord as we should regarding His personal grace, His perpetual grace, and His performed grace.

Share the song in your heart with others about
the real meaning of Christmas.

Sincerely,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Series:
CONFIDENCE IN THE CHARACTER OF GOD

Lesson 3:
The Justice of God:
"JOYFUL BECAUSE HE IS JUST"

Text: Romans 5:1-5

Introduction:
This series not only gives the Christian confidence in his daily living, but also brings context to the Christmas season we are in. This is because Christmas was really a rescue mission, fulfilling the prophecy of the Old Testament. It also provides hope for those in the New Testament and the generations that follow, as they place their faith in the character of Jesus, the Son of God and only Savior. God's salvation plan is not only Sovereign, but its fulfillment is found in the Righteousness and Justice of Jesus Christ.

In this third attribute of the character of God, we see that God's Justice is satisfied because of His perfect provision in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. His ability to live on earth for 33 years without sin until the sins of humanity were placed upon Him as He hung on the cross as our substitute (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21). The Christmas miracle became effective when this occurs as we trust His person and work. The Justice of God acknowledges the Righteousness God credited to our account on the day of our salvation. Thank God for His absolute right to bless as well as curse those who choose to learn to adjust to His justice.

Be joyful because He is Just to secure our position, our possessions, and our privileges as believers.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: THE GOD WHO IS FAITHFUL

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Introduction:

Paul writes to this church to encourage them to persevere in the face of their trials. He writes to this church to address their concerns about the second coming of Jesus. False teachers had convinced many that the Day of the Lord had already come and that they had missed the Rapture of the church spoken of in Paul’s first letter to this church, 2:1- 12. He writes to challenge this church to deal with those in their number who refuse to walk by the Lord’s commands, 3:6-12.

This is a church in crisis, and the true believers in Thessalonica needed a solid word of encouragement. In the verses that form our text tonight, the very word they needed is given to them. In verse 3 of our text, Paul says, “…the Lord is faithful…” That was what the people in Thessalonica needed to hear, and it is what you and I need to hear today. Jesus is faithful in his Person, his Promises, and his Performance.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Series:
Confidence In The Character of God

Lesson 2:
The Righteousness of God; The Righteous Result of Abraham's Faith

Text: Romans 4:1-8

Introduction:
Paul had just told his readers, in no uncertain terms, that the Law cannot save and that salvation comes only through faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. You and I believe this truth and we rejoice in it.

Unfortunately, not everyone believes the core doctrines of the faith. Many of the people who would read Paul's letter to the Romans would not accept these things as fact. We celebrate Jesus’ first advent because he was and is the only person born into this world who brought the kind of righteousness that is needed to redeem and save a lost world. Therefore I, like Paul, will call a witness to the stand to continue to defend the Bible's message of salvation by grace through faith, resulting in being credited with Jesus’ righteousness.

Paul's witness and mine is none other than Abraham (v. 1). Knowing and trusting in this all-important character of Christ is what will give you confidence in a salvation that last and a daily deliverance that is sustained.

Will you trust in God's righteousness to get you from earth to heaven and from today to tomorrow?

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: WHAT A LOVELY NAME

Text: Luke 1:26-38

Introduction:

The name of Jesus is a name that we know well. It is a name that was well known in His Own day. It was a common name. It was the name of one of the greatest heroes in the history of Israel, Joshua. Joshua is the Hebrew name, and Jesus is the Greek name. They both mean the same thing, “Jehovah Is Salvation.”

Many years ago, a hymn writer by the name of Charles Wycuff penned the following words: "There's a name above all others, Wonderful to hear, bringing hope and cheer. It's the lovely name of Jesus, Evermore the same, what a lovely name. CHORUS: What a lovely name, the name of Jesus. Reaching higher far, than the brightest star. Sweeter than the songs they sing in heaven. Let the world proclaim, what a lovely name".

As you read the Gospel of Luke, you will come to love the compassionate Son of man who cares for those in need and wants His message to be taken to the rest of the world. Before His birth, His name spoke of His mission as it declared His Identity, His Poverty, His Ministry, and His Glory.

What do you see when you hear the name JESUS?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon Series:
CONFIDENCE IN THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Lesson 1: RESTING IN GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY
Text: Proverbs 16:1-4
Introduction:
By the grace of God we have made it to the Thanksgiving Holiday season. The amount of stress that we have had to endure along the way is directly related to the deliberate confidence we placed in the character of God. That in essence is what faith really is.
"Deliberate confidence in the character of God." Knowledge of and trust in the character of God is the key to becoming a Christian at ease in any season of life. This is the purpose of the new series we have embarked upon. God like any person, has character, which is his intrinsic nature or attributes.
When we trust in who He says He is and has shown Himself to be, we immediately find peace and rest from the stress of this world.
One particular place of rest and application in relation to God’s character is His sovereignty and rule to guide and work to accomplish His purposes for our lives individually and corporately.
Paul has this in mind, at least in part, in Philippians 1:6 when he says:
“I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
It is my hope that as we go through the basic attributes of God you will become more confident in your personal relationship with Him and be willing to share Him with others.
In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

Sermon: THANKFUL FOR THE LORD'S FAVOR

Text: Psalm 138:1-8

Introduction:

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday some may feel they don't have much to be thankful for considering what a devastating year this has been in our nation, but others are so very grateful to still be in the land of the living.

Perspective is everything when it comes to your outlook for tomorrow. Every Christian should know that his future is as bright as the promises of God even though it may not feel like it at the time. David is a primary example in our passage today.

It was God's plan for David to reign over Israel in the future, but not only was he a fugitive from King Saul he was also in a constant battle with the Jebusites, Moabites, and Philistines. These enemies wanted a divided Israel with a weak leader, but God had other plans.

God desires that we experience more victory than defeat, more joy than sadness, and more hope than despair. This psalm helps us to understand how that is achieved when we remember, and we are thankful for what God has already done and trust Him for what He has promised to do in the future.

Favor always follows faith. How is your faith?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Sermon: ALWAYS REMEMBER WHO HOLDS YOU

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

When life seems challenging and the future appears uncertain, it's always a good idea to take time to remember who held you together in the beginning of your faith journey.
And who is holding you today!

In the wisdom of God, the plan of salvation was accomplished by the crucified Christ, hidden from the wise and learned people of the world, but revealed to simple believers (Matt. 11:25-26).

The apostle Paul shared this with the Corinthian church and asked them to survey their congregation to cause them to remember how God called them into His kingdom. When God calls believers, He turns the world's standards upside down. He usually chooses the ordinary rather than the outstanding in order that no one may have cause to boast before him (v.29) but only in the Lord.

Christ alone personifies the wisdom of God (v.30) and in Him we have everything we need.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Introduction:

There is great interest in this passage because Jesus Christ went through a period of temptation and He came out the other side victorious. Every person faces various types of temptation as well. We need help when our times of testing come, because, unlike Jesus, we fail in this area far more often than we succeed. The question is, Do we realize what or who is trying to divide us from a right relationship with God?

The Devil would like for us to think that it is some indefinable, vague force that causes stubborn hearts, hurtful hands, and conniving ways. Broken political systems and a crippled economy ultimately have an origin, but if you can't diagnose the source of your ills, how can you treat them? Everything physical is related to something spiritual. The only way to understand Satan's strategy to divide our relationship to and worship of God, we must make a concerted effort to understand His will and His way. This passage is the sum total of understanding our primary enemy's lure to sin.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: GETTING BACK TO BETHEL

Text: Genesis 35:1-7

Introduction:

Do you remember when you met God?
Do you remember that moment when Jesus Christ became your Savior?
Do you remember how you felt when Jesus saved you?
Do you remember the thrill of those early days of serving God?
Do you remember when everything connected with God: the church, the Bible, worship, prayer, witnessing, etc., thrilled you beyond words?
How many of us would have to be honest and say that memories are about all we have left?

How many would have to say that the things of God just don’t thrill us anymore?   I want you, you who may be in this very condition today, to know that things do not have to stay the way they are. God has a plan for you, and it is illustrated here in these verses concerning Jacob. God called Jacob back to Bethel. Bethel means “The House of God”, and it was at Bethel that Jacob first met the Lord.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

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Wednesday Night Lesson

Sermon: The Way Of The Humble

Text: Luke 18:9-14

Introduction:

In the passage before us today, the Lord allows us a glimpse into the Temple as some people gathered to worship. In this parable, we will see that one man came to church that day to worship himself. The other man came to church that day to worship the Lord.

Observe the contrast between these two men because they teach us some much-needed lessons about how we should come to church, being mindful of the presence of God, and what the character of grace and humility looks like. The difference was in the attitude and condition of their hearts. One was full of himself and thought he needed nothing more. The other knew he was nothing and could find everything he needed in the Lord.

What is the condition of your heart?

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

Lesson: How To Love Your Neighbor

Text: 1 John 3:16-18

Introduction:

Our world can be a harsh place to live. For the most part, people live a “dog eat dog” existence, lacking genuine compassion and selfless service to others. The way of the world is to put self first, love self and provide for self. Some may display genuine love and concern for their fellow man, but most are genuinely wrapped up in self. That is the way of the world.

The Bible is clear that the way of the Christian is to be vastly different from the way of the world. We are taught in the Bible that genuine love for the brethren is our calling card, John 13:35. We are also taught that genuine love enables us to fulfill the commandments of the Lord, Matt. 22:37-40.

The passage before us tonight reveals the truth that believers are to love the brethren, 3:11. John goes in to tell us that our love one for another is one of the strongest proofs that we are saved, 3:14-15. The verses we will study tell us that if our love is all that it should be, it will display itself in three clear, easily seen ways. Let us, from these verses learn what genuine, God-like love is.
These three characteristics of love teach us all we need to know about:

How To Love Your Neighbor!

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Lesson: THE ROADMAP FOR REVIVAL

Text: Isaiah 40:3-5

Introduction:

In the Old Testament, revivals were common, but they were different than what we call a revival now. Revivals always came on the heels of a time of national disobedience. When revival came, it was a time of social, political, and spiritual change. Most of us agree that we need revival. We need revival in our personal lives. We need revival in our church life. We stand in need of a revival in our nation.

While these verses are primarily about the future, they also represent what we can call A Roadmap For Revival. They point out preparations
the church must make if we want to see the Lord move among us in a time of power, glory, and spiritual renewal. We know that we need a move of God in our lives and in our church. Don't seek the change, be the change (2 Chronicles 7:14).

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: Challenged To Wade Into Deep Water

Text: Ezekiel 47:1-12

Introduction:

We all have plenty of room for improvement. Ezekiel's vision and this lesson is about becoming more of what the Lord God wants each of us to be. It’s about leaving the shore of stagnant, disappointed Christianity and wading out into the deep spiritual waters of the born again life. What has happened in the modern church is that many have become far too cautious about giving their all to Jesus Christ. There are many in the church today who are afraid of getting in over their heads. Just as Ezekiel was challenged, I want to challenge you to wade out into the deep water, and to release yourself to the current of God’s will and power. We need a deeper walk with the Lord! If that is going to take place then we need to do a couple of things. First, we need to be sure that we are in the river (born again in Jesus Christ. Second, we need to get away from the shore and move into deeper water (2 Peter 3:18). Third, we all need to come to the place where the river is in absolute control of our lives and our destinies (Philippians 1:21). What do you need to do today?

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Lesson: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE POTTER'S HOUSE

Text: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Introduction:

God sent the prophet Jeremiah to the potter's house to watch him form the pottery from clay. God intended to reveal his words to Jeremiah through an object lesson (18:2). As the potter molded the clay into a jar, it became flawed. So he remade the jar, as it seemed right for him to do (18:4). This illustrated the message of judgement and restoration that Jeremiah was to take to God's people.

God's message to Judah was inextricably clear. Just as a potter has freedom to make what he chooses from clay, so the sovereign Lord has freedom to save or destroy any nation based on its response to his pronouncement of doom or blessing. The church and America would be wise to take heed of this very clear lesson from the Lord (2 Chronicles 7:14; Hosea 4:6).

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: How To Make Your Walls Fall Flat

Text: Joshua 6:1-21

Introduction:

Israel had finally crossed the Jordan. They had prepared themselves spiritually and they had, so far, followed God's orders to the letter. Now, they are ready to begin the conquest of the Promised Land. They are ready to claim for themselves the land that flowed with milk and honey. However, like most things in life that are worth having, it wouldn't come cheap! The needed to trust God once again to do the impossible. We are living in days of battle and spiritual struggle. We need to know how to fight.

We don't have to give in to our circumstances or become "well adjusted to injustice." Indifference and apathy will only lead to defeat. We need to know that our God is able to give us the victory. We need to know how to follow Him into that victory. Israel had a problem, a promise, and a partner. Because they believed their partner in this battled, they prevailed and their walls fell down flat before them. Joshua teaches us those valuable lessons!

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Lesson: THE PRESERVING POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD

Text: Psalm 12:5-7

Introduction:

The context of this passage is David's expression of sorrow that the righteous almost appeared to be extinct. Their silence had created a void that had been filled by corruption. Hypocrisy ruled the day. As David appeals to God to address the problem, he reflects on the power of God's Word to preserve the remnant through His promises and His providence. God's Word will overrule the deeds of the wicked. Though humanity often exalts the the worthless (12:8), the value of the Preserving Power of God's Word will prevail according to His purposes. Be encouraged and cling to the Word of God.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: SHOW ME YOUR GLORY

Text: Exodus 33:12-23

Introduction:

Moses had a difficult assignment. His duty was to lead a rebellious, self-centered, stiff-necked people through a desert to the promised land. To get this job accomplished, Moses needed a close relationship with the Lord. Now, when we come to chapter 33, Moses has just received the 10 Commandments and the Law from the Lord. He was gone for 40 days and nights while he received the Law and while he was away, the people made a golden calf, began to worship it as God and committed terrible sins of immorality.

When Moses came down from the mountain, he saw what they were doing and threw down the stone tablets containing the Law and broke them. When these things happened, it put Moses in a place of discouragement and doubt. He needed something from the Lord if he was to continue to lead these people, and so he asks the Lord to show him His glory. He made a Bold Request, received a Balanced Response, and experienced Blessed Results. God did exactly as He promised and visited Moses with His manifest presence! Can you begin to imagine what would happen in your life if this were the rule and not the exception?

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Lesson: SEVEN STEPS TOWARD GODLY LIVING

Text: 2 Peter 1:1-7

Introduction:

The goal that God sets before each of His children is to become spiritually self-sustaining by conforming to the image of Jesus Christ. The Christian qualities of faith, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, and love coupled with reliance on Scripture will help believers to live a godly life as they grow spiritually.

This also helps us to develop the skill of discernment to avoid becoming victims or dupes of false teaching, which was a primary concern Peter had as he wrote this letter. To fail to grow and live in the light of the Lord would cause us to develop spiritual amnesia and become "blind or short-sighted" as he mentions in 2 Peter 1:9.

Let's ensure that we are taking the right steps to become imitators of our Lord and Savior. We may be the only Bible anyone ever gets to see.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Numbers 6:24-26

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: AVOIDING SPIRITUAL SHIPWRECK

Text: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Introduction:

Most of us will never be involved in a shipwreck at sea. However, the possibility exists that we might suffer a shipwreck in our spiritual life. In some ways, a spiritual shipwreck is far more devastating than a shipwreck on the high seas. Our text reveals something of the nature of spiritual shipwrecks and how we are to go about avoiding them. Let’s learn how to avoid the danger of a shipwrecked life as we ponder the thought: "Avoiding Spiritual Shipwreck". You don’t have to be shipwrecked in your walk with God. This passage will help us to avoid the shipwrecks of the spiritual life.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Lesson: FROM PROTEST TO PRAISE

Text: Psalm 73:20-28

Introduction:

This year has been a challenge to our faith like no other. There are times when even Christians run the risk of giving up their faith when their life experience and circumstances contradict what they have been taught about the goodness of God. When evil appears to be winning everyday and righteousness is disregarded, the question becomes, How can you hold onto your praise? Well, this has occurred on several occasions in Scripture, famously with King David's choir director, Asaph.

Asaph had learned the truth about God, but what he experienced in life seemed to contradict what he had learned. This brought him to a place of confusion and doubt concerning God. A certain segment of American Christians may feel the same way today about broken promises from our founding Fathers and the Church's silence about dreams that have been constantly deferred. This experience like that of Asaph's can find us standing on slippery ground when it comes to our faith.

We must not misinterpret the goodness of God in the midst of the strange days and strong delusion (1 Timothy 4:1) that has overcome many in our society today. God's goodness does not always translate to overt blessings. However, it does draw us closer to Him in times of adverse circumstances if we refuse let go of God's unchanging hand (Psalm 73:23). That's how the faithful believer can emerge From Protest To Praise. Hold on! God has promised that a change is coming.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Numbers 6:24-26

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: CHOSEN TO SERVE

Text: Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Introduction:

The Bible is clear when it talks about why we have Deacons or Servant Leaders in the local church.
Acts 6 records a situation that arose in the early church where a certain element of the church felt neglected. Proof once again that there is no such thing as a "perfect church."
The Apostles were not able to meet the need in the church and to carry out their pulpit ministries as well. Therefore, they appointed seven men to work among the people of the church so that they might be free to pray, study and prepare to preach the Word of God.

The duties of the Biblical Deacon have not changed over these 2,000 years. There is still a need for men in the church who will look after the day to day administration so that the Pastor might give himself fully to prayer, the study of the Word of God, and shepherding the flock.

These duties on different level are born by the Elders, Deacons, and to a certain extent, the Trustee. We are grateful for the recent addition of the following men of honor to fill those roles in our church: Elder Richard Morris, Deacon Joseph Simmons, and Trustee Michael Simmons.

May the Good Lord bless us all as a church family to become better because of their service and our unified effort to bring Him glory.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Numbers 6:24-26

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW MAN
Text: Colossians 3:12-17

Introduction:

The Christian life is not an easy life, filled with constant victory and endless mountaintops. It is in fact, a constant battle.

The flesh, which we are born with, has its own agenda, Eph. 2:1-3. Sometimes, life feels as though it is a roller coaster.
One day, we are on our way up, running well and following hard after the Lord, but the next day, we find ourselves on the way down knowing that we are headed for a fall.

At the same time however, the New Man has been created in the heart of every born-again child of God.
That ought to be a reason for rejoicing! As this passage unfolds, we are going to learn about the characteristics of the new man who lives inside of every Christian.

Evidence of the spiritual man's growth will be seen and characterized by:
His new deeds
His new direction
His new decisions
Will you allow the character of Christ to show up in you?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Hebrews 4:16

Wednesday Night Lesson

Series: Rivers of Living Waters

Lesson 5: The Secret of Spiritual Power

Text: Ephesians 5:18

Introduction:

We have seen that the life of Jesus was a life of spiritual fullness, manifesting the grace and truth of God. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer to reproduce the life of Christ in us. The "fullness of the Spirit" is nothing less than the "fullness of Christ's life (Ephesians 1:23; 3:19; 4:13). The command "to be filled with [or by] the Spirit " is one of four Biblical commands regarding our relationship with the Holy Spirit and our need for spiritual growth and service. You don't have to live with a dehydrated heart. Receive Christ work on the cross, the energy of his Spirit, his lordship over your life and his unending, unfailing love. Obey the commands found in this lesson. Drink deeply and often. And out of you will flow Rivers of Living Water. This is the secret of spiritual power.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Sermon Series: RIVERS OF LIVING WATER

Lesson 4: THE STRUGGLE FOR SPIRITUAL POWER

Text: Galatians 5:17

Introduction:

God has placed an endless supply of power inside the believer in the person of the Holy Spirit. The daily struggle to acquire this power, demands that we win the battle within, when we are tempted to sin. After salvation, even after becoming a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), the sin nature remains present in the believer and will fight the work of the Spirit in our lives at every turn and with every step we take. Therefore, we must remain alert and aware of our spiritual condition in order to convert our struggle into strength. We must choose to surrender our will to God's for daily deliverance and transformation to become more like Christ.

Choose to plug into the Spirit!

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

Sermon Series: Rivers of Living Waters

Lesson 3: The Supply of Spiritual Power

Text: Acts 1:8

Introduction:
The provision of the Holy Spirit is power, not just any kind of power, but spiritual power. As John indicated in his gospel (7:39), this power was not available until Jesus was glorified by his resurrection and ascension into heaven.

In the primary passage of study found in Acts 1:8, three things are clarified:
1) Spiritual power is a gift
2) Spiritual power is the Spirit's power, and
3) Spiritual power is a witness to the victory of Jesus Christ.

The Fountain of Living Waters offers water for the soul through gifting the believer with a River of Living Waters found in the indwelling Holy Spirit.

It is an endless supply from a well that will never run dry. To benefit from this water, you must come thirsty and you can only take a drink by faith.

Are you ready to let Him penetrate your heart by means of His Spirit?
Are you ready to internalize and ingest Him?

Come and take a drink and experience the rivers flow!

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Sermon Series: Rivers of Living Waters
Lesson 2: The Security of Spiritual Power
Text: John 14:16-17

Introduction:

It is important to remember that when Jesus talked about "rivers of living water" in John 7:38, He was speaking about an everlasting and unending supply of spiritual power for living. This Power flows in the believer's life from the indwelling Holy Spirit. When the Spirit of God takes up residence in the heart of the believer, He comes in to stay forever (John 6:37)!

For as long as this life lasts here on earth, the Spirit of God will never desert the child of God. He will ever be present and ever be guiding us as we walk through this wicked, sin cursed world! It's important to know the differences of the work of the Spirit today and the work of the Spirit in Old testament times, if the Christian is to derive the full benefit of this person and this precious gift given to us by our precious God and Savior.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

LESSON: THE COMPASSIONATE CHRIST

TEXT: Mark 6:30-34

INTRODUCTION:

God is often portrayed as a God of wrath and judgment. That is one side of His character. However, He is also a God of love, compassion, and intimacy. He is a God Who cares.
In the study of Mark’s Gospel, we are confronted with a truly wonderful portion of Scripture. These verses tell us without a doubt that Jesus cares about us. We will learn about two groups of people for whom the Lord cares. He cares about His servants who labor in the field for Him and He cares about the lost sheep in this evil world of deception.
It is important that you know that your life and your labor matter to God. God's love for you far outweighs the circumstances of your day. He knows you and He cares for you.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

SERIES: RIVERS OF LIVING WATER

LESSON 1: THE SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL POWER
TEXT; John 7:37-39

INTRODUCTION:

Welcome to this new series of lessons entitled, Rivers of Living Water.

During this time of great trial and tribulation, which seems to sap every ounce of energy and the waning hope we have left, it is encouraging to learn and come to know that God provides new life and new energy, from the "Fountain of Living Waters" (Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13).
To all who comes to drink, He will unleash the "Rivers of Living Waters" (John 4:13-14; 7:38).

Throughout the New Testament, water for drinking is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit of God that comes to the sinner and shows him his need of salvation, John 16:8.

It is the Holy Spirit that applies the Word of God in conviction, John 6:44.

It is the Spirit that baptizes the new believer into the body of Christ, 1 Cor. 12:13. It is the Spirit that seals that believer, Eph. 4:30.

It is the Spirit of God that fills the believer and uses him for the glory of God, Eph. 5:18.

Salvation involves every member of the Holy Trinity, but the Spirit of God is the One who abides in us and helps us day by day. He is the "water of life." If the Spirit is the Water of Life, then Jesus is the Fountain Of Living Water.

Before the Water of Life could be dispensed to a lost and dying world, the Fountain of Living Water had to be opened. This was accomplished when Jesus died on the cross. Come to the Fountain of Life so that this river can flow "from your innermost being. John 3:38

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3
Message viyou willing to receive God's promise to all mankind?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

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LESSON: THE PLACE CALLED CALVARY

TEXT: LUKE 23:33

INTRODUCTION:

There were many places that played a part in our Lord’s earthly life.
Those places were important places in the life of Jesus, but they were merely steps along the path to the place mentioned in our text today.

Every step Jesus took in His earthly life was leading Him to the place the Hebrews called “Golgotha”; and the Romans called “Calvary”.

It was known to all as “The Place of the Skull”.
It was the marketplace where Jesus purchased our sins and redeemed our souls.

Have you ever through the avenue of faith, been to this place?
This lesson describes THIS PLACED CALLED CALVARY and the promise it holds.

Are you willing to receive God's promise to all mankind?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER'S SECRET WEAPON

Text: Ephesians 6:18

Introduction:
We can have all of the Lord's armor in place, but lack the necessary strength and courage to go to battle and we will surely fall. That is why verse 18 should be included in the list of godly armor. If the Word of God is our offensive weapon and the other pieces of armor are for our defense, then prayer can be said to be our secret weapon. With it, and the other pieces of God's armor firmly fixed in place, we cannot be defeated.

In His grace,

Colossians 1:3
Reply Reply All Forward

INTRODUCTION:

There is a dire need to be able to decipher between what is true and what is false information as we try to navigate the multiple crises we are currently burdened with.

When leaders refused to lead righteously and the church is silent, the question is: "Who can you trust?"
The answer is that you can always trust the sufficiency of Scripture.

God is Truth, but we must be willing to receive His Truth and obey it.
In our passage David exposes us to God's "special revelation”,which consist of the written and living Word of God.

Unfortunately, we're living during a time when most Christians refuse to live by it and therefore most unbelievers disregard it.

If the church would only return to it, she would find that the Scripture is sufficient to bring restoration, rejoicing, and help to maintain a righteous walk before God and the world.

Are you wise enough to choose God's wisdom over what the world has to offer?

In His grace,
Rev. Cain

Wednesday Night Lesson

Sermon: THE PERILS OF AN UNGOVERNED SOUL
Text: Philemon 1:24; Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:10

Introduction:

As we reflect on America's "freedom" or 244 years of "independence" as a nation, all U.S. citizens need to ask, whether or not our leaders have lived up to the Founding Fathers’ high ideals of "Liberty and Justice for All?" Better yet, it should be asked, “What has the impact of spiritual freedom had on our human freedom?”

The character of a person or a nation can be evaluated by the condition of its soul. The Biblical justice of any nation is seen in its equitable and impartial application of the rule of God's moral law in society (Micah 6:8).

For the Christian that simply means loving God first through obedience to His word and second, loving our neighbor as we share the glorious gospel through our life and lips (Luke 10:27). To achieve this goal our soul must be governed by God's word and guided by His Spirit. There is a parallel seen of our nation's soul when we peer into the life of Paul's disciple Demas.

Wednesday Night Lesson

IN NEED OF GOD'S TRANSFORMING TOUCH
Text: Mark 1:40-45

INTRODUCTION:

In light of all that we are going through personally and as a nation, I think we all would agree that we are in need of God's miraculous healing touch.

In this wonderful account of the healing of this leprous man, we are given a glimpse into the heart of the Savior.

We are allowed to see His compassion and His power on full display.

You may not have leprosy, but if you have a problem with sin; if you need a Savior; if you need help, there is a word here for you in this remarkable miracle.

Join us this Sunday to learn how Jesus transforms lives.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: Father: Compass Of The Family

Text: Ephesians 6:4 (Colossians 3:21; Proverbs 2:10-12; Ephesians 1:3)

Introduction:

Happy Father's day to all biological and surrogate Fathers! The impact that you have on a child's life is immeasurable.

An "Ephesians 6:4 Father" is the compass that boys read in order to find the correct path to masculinity and girls follow to find the right road to femininity. As a family, he is the main person who can lead everyone to a relationship with Christ just by his example (Acts 16:31).

It has been said that "the father is his son's first hero and his daughter's first love." Therefore Dad, the best witness is a good example. Just as a compass has four marks, N,S,E, W, so does an Ephesians 6:4 Father. To help those you influence to find their "true North" to Christ and a purposeful life, join us this morning as the apostle Paul, lead by the Holy Spirit reveals God's child development program when properly lead by the Father in the family.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

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LESSON; ADMISSION OF THE NEED FOR CONTRITION

TEXT: Hosea 6:1-2

INTRODUCTION:

Its interesting how New Testament believers still commit Old Testament sins. This is because down through the ages we fail to learn from the lessons of the past. Thank God, that He is a God who is always ready to receive and forgive His children. This is what the prophet Hosea reminds us of in our lesson passage. If you return to the Lord and submit yourself to His authority and plan, He will intervene in your situation. Though Hosea was saying this to Israel, it is supremely true of Jesus Christ, who will bless God's adopted children and nations according to their display of genuine repentance. Are you willing to turn back to the Lord to receive healing and restoration?

In His grace,

Rev. Cain

Colossians 1:3

Wednesday Night Lesson

Lesson: TRADING AN EARTHLY TENT FOR A HEAVENLY HOME

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

Introduction:

When we have to endure hardships in this life, we often find solace in the hope of our heavenly home.

Paul reminds us of the precious promise that our Lord made to his children and that knowledge gives great comfort to the believer as his body and creation groans over time. In our yearning for the Lord's return, we develop confidence from the truth of his Word about death and beyond. God's Spirit guarantees that God's children will go to heaven.

Therefore, the trials of this life become less burdensome as we ponder trading in our earthly tattered tent for our perfect heavenly home. Keep your head to the sky.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

CRISIS EVANGELISM
LESSON 9 (Pt. 5):THE RED SEA RULES (#’s 5 & 9)
Text: Romans 12:17-19, 21; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Introduction:

Throughout the entire saga of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt and their crisis at the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army, God was simply trying to teach the Exodus generation to trust Him. Do you trust God with your life?

Today, here in America, we seem to be facing one crisis after the other, but still seeking our solutions from man.

It was once quoted that, "Conversion is the miracle of the moment, maturing takes a lifetime."

Our lesson today introduces Red Sea Rule #9: "View Your Current Crisis as a Faith Builder For The Future."

Considering our current "Cultural Pandemic" in addition to dealing with COVID-19, we're faced with the ever-present virus of racism in America.

Therefore, we will also briefly review Red Sea Rule #5: Stay Calm, Stay Confident And Give God Time to Work."

He may not be the God of "immediate Justice", but He is certainly the "God of Ultimate Justice", Just as he was for the Israelite's coming through the Red Sea.
Trust Him.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

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Introduction:

Throughout the entire saga of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt and their crisis at the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army, God was simply trying to teach the Exodus generation to trust Him. Do you trust God with your life? Today, here in America, we seem to be facing one crisis after the other, but still seeking our solutions from man. It was once quoted that, "Conversion is the miracle of the moment, maturing takes a lifetime." Our lesson today introduces Red Sea Rule #9, "View Your Current Crisis as a Faith Builder For The Future." Considering our current "Cultural Pandemic" in addition to dealing with COVID-19, we're faced with the ever-present virus of racism in America, therefore we will also briefly review Red Sea Rul #5, Stay Calm, Stay Confident And Give God Time to Work." He may not be the God of "immediate Justice", but He is certainly the "God of Ultimate Justice", Just as he was for the Israelites coming through the Red Sea. Trust Him.

SERIES:CRISIS EVANGELISM

Lesson 8 (Pt. 4):

The Red Sea Rules (#'s 7-8)
Experiencing The Inconceivable In The presence of God

Text: Exodus 14:19-22; Isaiah 41:10; Luke 1:37

Introduction:

In this ancient story whereby God allowed His children to be lead into a cul-de-sac of trouble and cry out in desperation for His deliverance, He wants us to remember the lesson and not be discouraged by their disappointment.
Their panic would be calmed by His presence and His ability to perform the impossible.

The pillar of fire that brought light to Israel brought darkness to the enemy.
The people of this world are walking in darkness, but God's people have the light of life (John 8:12).

Just as God, through the pre-incarnate Christ, opened the Red Sea and made a way out of no way, He can do the same for us today as we try to make our way through the Corona Virus and all the death and devastation it leaves in its wake.

The solution is found in pursuing the presence of God and knowing that He is able to do the impossible on our behalf both spiritually and physically.

The question is, Do you Trust Him?

Lesson: Overcoming Discouragement
Text: Haggai 2:1-9 :

Introduction:

In 538 B.C., about 50,000 Jews left Babylon and returned to their homeland to rebuild the temple and restore the nation. In 536, they laid the foundation of the temple, but the work was stopped by their enemies and was not resumed until 520 under the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah. Haggai writes to them to challenge and encourage them to carry on because just before you achieve success is when you experience your greatest temptation to quit. When we fail to remember the great things God has already done we lose sight of the cure to our discouragement. That cure is found in letting go of what is distracting us, looking up to where our help comes from, looking ahead to so that we ca move forward to the glorious future we're promised, and getting to work to accomplished the privileged assignment God has given us.

Sincerely,

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

SERIES:CRISIS EVANGELISM
LESSON 7 (Pt.3): THE RED SEA RULES (#’s 5-6)
Text: Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 27:13-14; Romans 8:32

Introduction:
God in His wise and merciful grace, had Moses to pen the account of the miraculous Red Sea crossing of the first Exodus generation.
It was placed in the Bible for our benefit (Romans 15:4).

Through Moses, God is instructing His children today, not to obsess over the various difficulties we may encounter from season to season, but to trust Him with every aspect of our lives.

If we can remember how He sacrificed His own Son to pursue intimacy with us (Romans 8:32/Red Sea Rule #6), then it stands to reason that He will provide and sustain us during our earthly trials here on earth.

This confidence is what should calm every Christian soul and give us the opportunity to allow God time to workout our deliverance (Red Sea Rule #5).

For those who are without a relationship with the Savior, now is your opportunity to let him lead you to safety and away from your sins.

Will you let Him shepherd you to salvation (Matthew 11:28-30).

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

Introduction:
Amos prophesied during the final days of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Their sins were parallel to those of America today. The wealthy had sinned against both God and men. They were weary of their religious duties and only endured the Sabbath, waiting until they could start making money again. They changed God's standards so that they might exploit the poor, and they cheapened their products and then raised the prices. Their true god was money, motivated by greed. They would endure a harsh famine. Today we are dealing with a pandemic that can lead to a physical famine. The source of both problems was a spiritual famine. The answer for Israel, America and the world is to develop a thirst for Christ, the only One who can satisfy every parched soul.

In His grace,

Rev. Cain

Introduction:

Happy Mother's Day!
God has graciously assigned the Mother to be the child's first teacher.
It is a precious yet profound responsibility. What is instilled in the child will not only affect his/her life, but generations to come.

God knows that parents are not perfect, but they can aspire to be godly.
With the Lord's help and the Holy Spirit's insight to Scripture, Mothers have the opportunity to help lay a solid foundation (1 Cor. 3:11) for their children. A godly Mother can also impart wisdom (Js. 1:5) that is invaluable
in the child's life and faith journey.

We are able to see from Timothy's life, the righteous results of sowing spiritual seeds into children at a tender age.

When the child matures and chooses to apply the values of a godly Mother and use truth as his guide, the impact of this spiritual legacy allows him to be a blessing to his generation (Eccl. 3:1).

Thank God for godly Mothers who have covered us with their prayers and instructed us in the way and will of the Lord.

In His grace,
Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

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Introduction: (2nd paragraph)The second part of this five part lesson covers the next two Red Sea Rules of the believer's faith development of the ten strategies to use in crisis situations. To avoid being overwhelm the child of God should acknowledge his enemy or adverse circumstances, but give even greater to the God of Deliverance who will see him through it (Hebrews 12:2). After that is accomplished then he can be effective in applying Red Sea Rule #4, Pray in faith and not in doubt (Psalm 139;23-24; Philippians 4:6-7). This means to not only cry out for personal deliverance, but for the end result to be God's glory

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UNEXPECTED FAITH
Mark 7:24-30 (Matthew 15:21-28)
Introduction: Jesus proves in this episode of desperate faith, that no need is too great for his inexhaustible grace.

There are no barriers or boundaries that He cannot overcome if any soul is willing to come to Him by faith.

He longs for every soul to be desperate for His saving grace and mercy.

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

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Series: Crisis Evangelism
Lesson 5 (Pt. 1): The Red Sea Rules: Text: Exodus 14:1-4

Introduction: The invaluable Biblical principles found in Author, Robert J. Morgan's Best Seller, The Red Sea Rules, seems to be written exactly for the adverse times we are currently living in.

The first part of this five-part lesson covers two of the ten God-given strategies to help the believer endure difficult times. Our sovereign God allows crises in our lives to develop our faith, expects us to give Him glory, and ironically brings relief to the soul in the process. This is all a part of the paradoxical living of the Christian who has genuinely surrendered.

We will find out that this entire process is geared toward and orchestrated by God to accelerate our spiritual growth, give us the capacity for His grace, and become a blessing to others. Are you willing to trust God's promises more than your pain? His provision is found in His promises and His wealth is found in His Word."

God knew Pharaoh's plans and saw to it by way of His providence that Israel was cared for. Regardless of the adverse circumstance God allows, or how the enemy plots to distort God's plan for you, the Lord will make a way out for you.

Rev. Cain
Colossians 1:3

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Introduction: In this lesson we are returning to our Series: Crisis Evangelism: Lesson 4 (Pt. 2): Encircled By His Embrace of Grace.

Text: Psalm 27:1-14; David had been fleeing from the wrath and jealousy of King Saul, and found himself in grave danger. Finally, in the midst of this time of great pressure, he stops running and comes to realize the value of his relationship with the Lord. In doing so, he is able to overcome:
1)The Fear of His Circumstances (vv 1-6),
2)The Fear of His Failures (vv 7-8), and finally,
3)The Fear of His Future (vv 13-14). His relationship like ours is best represented by the Circles of Faith.

In this passage, there are 7 principles that are timeless in the Christian Way of Life to help the believer to cultivate his faith. The result is that fear is overcome by confidence toward God and courage toward man and circumstances.

Rev. Mark A. Cain
Sr. Pastor-Teacher

Introduction
In these very serious times Christians are offered two precious opportunities, 1) to accelerate our spiritual growth by clinging even closer to the Lord as we trust His promises and
2) we have the invaluable opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ while the world is much more attentive due to the unforeseen pressure we are all under.
By simply trusting and obeying God, both the believer and the unbeliever have the opportunity to bring God glory by the attitude they display when the seed of His word is revealed to them.
This world needs the Gospel Seed now!
Are you prepared to shared it through your life and your lip?

Happy Resurrection Sunday

On this Resurrection Sunday there is no brighter hope or source of encouragement than to know that we serve a risen Savior. If there was ever any question that Jesus was the Son of God, His resurrection from the dead should end it. He had to be man to reach us, but He had to be God to lift us up. When God raised Christ from the dead, He affirmed that what he said was true and victory was forever His to claim and to give. Today Jesus still offers victory over death, deception, and damnation. The question is, Who is willing to receive it? Will you claim victory through Christ on this Resurrection Sunday?

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY LESSON
It's comforting to know that the blessing of modern technology allows us to stay connected to each other as we wait for this dreadful plague to "Passover."
It's even more comforting to know and see Christ in the "Passover" meal as we approach Palm Sunday.
We normally observe Communion on 1st Sunday. Through this lesson we will find purpose and encouragement in recalling the origin of the first "Passover" meal, knowing that the deliverance that God provided in the physical, he can do in the spiritual.
May we remain mindful during this pandemic, that everything that is physical and visible is connected to that which is spiritual and invisible.
Therefore as you prepare to have personal communion at your homes this Sunday, please remember with great clarity the sacrifice of The Suffering Servant as prophesied in Isaiah 53:1-12.
Rev. Mark A. Cain, Pastor-Teacher

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Wednesday Night Bible Lesson: Perseverance Prevails Under Pressure; Text: Revelation 3:7-13; Principle: The name of the Church of Philadelphia speaks of the "brotherly love" & unity we are to maintain as we apply our faith during these trying times. The only way we cannot have impact in our generation is to ignore or neglect to trust the promises of God. Trust Him.

Sunday Sermon Series:(L4/Pt. 3) Church Unity/Out of Many, One; Pt. 3: The Results of Our Diversity; Text: Ephesians 4:14-16; Principle: Every believer in Christ is uniquely gifted for the purpose of serving the Lord, but spiritual growth is required in order to effectively serve Him and the church body. Find out how, from many we can achieve much as one.

Sunday Sermon Series:(L4/Pt. 1) Church Unity/Out of Many, One; Text: Ephesians 4:7-12; Principle: Every believer in Christ makes up the entire body of the church. He is uniquely gifted to serve the Lord, who's glory is manifested when we use our diversity to reach our full potential in service to God. His glory is stifled when we refuse to use our uniqueness to serve the whole Body of Christ. Find out how, from many we can achieve much as one.

Sunday Sermon: Series: Church Unity; Lesson 1 (Part 2): Where Unity In The Church Is Found; Text: Ephesians 4:4-7; Unity in the church comes from our relationship with the Godhead. Every member of the Trinity is involved in making unity possible within the church. It's important to understand where the areas and elements are located and how they affect this spiritual body

Sunday Sermon: An Urgent Appeal To Do God's Will; Text 1 Peter 4:7-11; Principle: No matter how difficult life may be, there is still a job to do, and we must be faithful to God in doing it. To be effective we must take time to pray, show love to the saints, and use our gifts and talents to serve God and others. God has given us the strength and ability to use it for His glory. Now is the time.

Sunday Sermon: This Little Light of Mine; Text: Matthew 5:13-16; Principle: The title is more than a children's song we may have learned in church. In our passage Jesus used the images of salt and light because they have the ability to alter their world. These common images describes the Lord's people and the influence we are to have in the world. How are you impacting your world?

Sunday Sermon: Great Commission or Great Ommission?; Text: Matthew 28:18-20; Principle: The modern church has pulled the covers of complacency and apathy over her head and has fallen into the deep sleep of self-satisfaction and comfort while millions plunge headlong into Hell. The Lord commands us to take the Gospel to all nations and we won't take it down the street. Has the Great Commission become the Great Ommission? Have you shared the Good News lately? Don't waste another minute.

Sunday Sermon: Beware of "Almost"; Text: Acts 26:24-30; Principle: A person's attitude toward Jesus Christ as the Son of God and mankind's Savior determines his eternal destiny as well as a possible fruitful and joyful life on earth. Each character in this passage represents an attitude of either hatred, honor, or holding out to make a decision. Where does yours lay? Almost is not enough.

Sunday Sermon: Going To Church Should Make You Glad; Text: Psalm 122:1-9; Principle: Do you really rejoice when you have the opportunity to go to God's house and worship Him? The ancient Jews had to walk long distances to worship in the temple. Yet the pilgrim was happy to go to God's house. Are you? Why?

Sunday Sermon: What's Special About The Name of Jesus?; Text: Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Principle: In Old Testament times, a name stood for a person's reputation, their fame and their glory. The word name means mark or brand. Jesus ' name must be special since it was given by God the Father. What does it mean to you?

Sunday Sermons: Experienc- ing The Heart of Christianity; Text: Matthew 16:21-24; Principle: Even as we enter the Christmas season there are many believers who fail to live victorious Christian lives. Why? Because they accept the cross, but then leave it behind. Two crucifixions must occur on the cross, Jesus' and your own. We must return to the heart of what it means to be a Christian. Come experience it.

Sunday Sermon: Lord, Thank You For The Cross; Text: Galatians 6:14-18; Principle: During the Thanksgiving Season we are often thankful for the material things the Lord has blessed us with, we also include family relationships as well. But often the eternal is overlooked as we emphasize the temporal. Hopefully this season we will consider what we gained from Christ's victory on the Cross. Have you thought about it? Do you know why we should be grateful?

Sunday Sermon: Delivered From Protest To Praise; Text: Psalm 43:1-5; Principle: Many believers enter the Thanksgiving season burden down by the circumstances of life and unrepaired relationships. The result is a soul that is in protest rather than praising God. He can provide joy in any season if we simply surrender our will to His. This psalm explains how.

Sunday Sermon: Paradise Regained; Text: Romans 5:15-22; Principle: The Gospel is simplified in the fact that where Adam failed, Christ prevailed. Paul makes three great contrast to bring clarity to man's need for salvation. The contrast are between the first Adam and the second, Judgement and Death vs Justification and Life, and the possibilities of Condemnation and Conversion. Hopefully our choice will be found in Christ.

Sunday Sermon: Four Reasons For The Wrath of God; Text: Romans 1:18-23; Principle: God's description of sinners is not a pretty one, but the condition of our birth cannot be avoided. We do not evolve, we begin to devolve because of sin. When we do not acknowledge our Creator and need for a Savior, we are without excuse. The result is risking the wrath of for at least four reasons: our rebellion toward God, our revelation of God, our rejection of God and our reaction to God. Repentance and faith in God's Son is our only salvation.

Sunday Sermon: Communion, Ritual With Reality; Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Principle: When we come to the Communion service, we must examine ourselves and not one another; and we must be honest with the Lord as we confess our sins. It is to be a time of commemoration, contemplation, identification, declaration, and expectation. None of this can be achieved unless there is first self-examination by means of agreeing with God about sin.

Sunday Sermon: What A Difference Jesus Makes; Text: Ephesians 2:1-10; Principle: Lost sinners are not simply sick people needing help; they are dead people needing life. The Son of God died that we might have life through faith in Him. From that point forward God will be able to work in you and through you to accomplish His great puposes. He's a Difference Maker.

Sunday Sermon: Build Your House On The Rock; Text: Matthew 7:24-27; Principle: It's interesting that in this parable Jesus taught about the two home builders, that neither failed due to knowledge or ignorance of his teachings. The difference between the two was obedience and disobedience. Stability and security come to us as we put God's precepts into practice. Our foundation is only as strong as our obedience.

Sunday Sermon: Practicing The Presence Principle; Mark 3:13-19; Guideline: Jesus' method of making disciples in Mark 3:14 began with emphasis on having a personal relationship with himself. God intends that we become examples of his kingdom. Therefore, the greatest key to being equipped for such a task is intimacy with the King. Only when come to the King are we then eligible to go in grace.

2024 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024

FOFBC FOFBC FOFBC​

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Sunday, Januaty 21, 2024

Sunday, Januaty 14, 2024

12 31 2023

12 24 2023

12 17 2023

12 10 2023

12 03 2023

Sunday, October 1st, 2023 Sunday Lesson by Rev. Ronald E. Barrs, Assistant Pastor

08 27 2023

08 20 2023

08 13 2023

08 06 2023

07 30 2023

07 23 2023

07 09 2023

07 02 2023

06 18 2023

06 11 2023

06 04 2023

05 28 2023

05 21 2023

05 14 2023

04 30 2023

04 30 2023

04 23 2023

04 14 2023

04 09 2023

04 02 2023

03 26 2023

03 19 2023

03 12 2023

03 05 2023

02 26 2023

02 19 2023

02 12 2023

​2/5/2023

​1/14/2023

Sunday, 1/8/2023

Sunday, 1/1/2023

2023 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023

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2021 F O F B C 2021

2021

10 17 10 20

10 10 10 13

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For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at​ macain.fofbc1@att.netorFOFBC Secretary atfofbc2002@gmail.com

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at​ macain.fofbc1@att.netorFOFBC Secretary atfofbc2002@gmail.com

WednesdayNight Bible StudyLessonVia Zoom

WednesdayNight Bible StudyLessonVia Zoom

​Sunday, January 31, 2021Guest MinisterRev. Ronald Barrs

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at​ macain.fofbc1@att.netorFOFBC Secretary atfofbc2002@gmail.com

Wednesday Night Lesson

​To copy lessons, right click image​

Wednesday Night Lesson

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at​ macain.fofbc1@att.netorFOFBC Secretary atfofbc2002@gmail.com

​To copy lessons, right click image​

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at​ macain.fofbc1@att.netorFOFBC Secretary atfofbc2002@gmail.com

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

Wednesday Night Lesson

​~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

FOFBC FOFBC FOFBC

Sunday, October 1st, 2023 Sunday Lesson by
Rev. Ronald E. Barrs, Assistant Pastor

2/5/2023

1/14/2023

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

Wednesday
Night
Bible Study
Lesson
Via Zoom

Wednesday
Night
Bible Study
Lesson
Via Zoom

Sunday, January 31, 2021
Guest Minister
Rev. Ronald Barrs

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

To copy lessons, right click image

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

To copy lessons, right click image

For questions and/or feedback regarding the lessons, you may email Pastor Cain at
macain.fofbc1@att.net
or
FOFBC Secretary at
fofbc2002@gmail.com

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To copy lessons, right click image

To copy lessons, right click image

To copy lessons, right click image

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To copy lessons, right click image