.  Living Hope Fellowship Church

Sermons by the Pastor

 2010 SERMON

Strength in the Unity  "January"  A large bundle of small sticks bound together is hard to break, but one small stick by itself is easy to break.  Jesus binds us together, but if we let the devil separate us, he will try to pick us off one by one!

Make Sure Your Foundation "February"  Jesus paid for our salvation, but once saved, we are building a house for God.  The foundation of a building is not impressive, but everything you see up later has got to set on it, so dig your foundation deep and set your house on the ROCK, Christ Jesus.

True Repentance "March" Christianity is not compatible with other gods.  The only way that will get you to God is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  When your heart is broken, that is when you are sincere, and you truly repent.

2009 SERMON

Born Again   "January"  Jesus said we must be born again.  Nicodemus did not understand the separation between carnality and spirituality.  We wrestle against our own flesh and the devil, but there should be a driving force in our soul to go away from sin if we are truly born again! 

A God Called Place " February"  God has placed responsibility on His children to work for Him on earth.  We cannot do it without His help.  Fasting is one way to move God.  Isaiah, Chapter 58, gives you information on fasting.

The Little Things  "March"  Achan thought it was a little thing to disobey God.  After all, it was just a little wedge of gold and some clothes that he took!  That little detail of sin caused thousands of men to die.  Esau sold his birthright for a little bowl of soup! 

Key of David  “April”  Jesus said He would give to us the keys of the kingdom of heaven.  Keys open doors!  David entered into the presence of the Lord through praise, thanksgiving, and worship.  We need those keys. 

 Don't Bite  "May"  Biting and devouring are works of the flesh.  A sure sign that you love God with all of your heart is that you don’t bite, devour, and eat your neighbor!  Be watchful.  Gossip is eating somebody! 

Works to Do  " June"  The Word of the Lord tells us that works cannot save you.  However, what you do and how you work in God’s kingdom is your witness to the world.  Faith without works is dead!

Wait & See "July"  In Matthew 26:40 Jesus said, “. . could ye not watch with me one hour?” The reason people do not hear from God is that they do not wait on Him. As you wait upon God in prayer, you will ask yourself, “Why am I doing this,” but waiting on the Lord pays off!

No Plan “B” "August" 1 John 3:8 says, “. . . For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”  What Jesus began, He is well able to finish! 

Cain's Offering  "September"  Deceiving devil will say you are all right, but God told Cain in Genesis 4:7, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. . .

The Just Shall Live By Faith "October" Romans 8:31 tells us, “. . . If God be for us, who can be against us?”  We say, “God I’m going to live for you.  I am denying myself, taking up my cross, and I’m following you.”  Then all of hell will come against you, but God is good all the time, even when we don’t understand what He is doing in our lives. 

 Works of God  " November"  We have a sinful nature, so it is easy to sin.  God has called us to be holy, so something has to convert us over that we might obtain holiness.  That is found in the baptism of the Holy Ghost, because the Holy Ghost works the works of God in man in this world. 

Sound Doctrine "December"  2 Timothy 4:3 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. . . .”  Living by sound doctrine can be difficult.  You have to turn your back on sin.  There are a lot of ways to go to hell, but there is only ONE way to make heaven, and that is holiness.   

2008  SERMONS

Baal Worship, "January"  How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be  God, follow him. . ."  The word Baal means "to rule over".  What is more important than God?  What stops you from serving God wholeheartedly?  What controls your happiness and sanity? 

Submit Yourself To God  "February"  The power of God resists the enemy.  When we submit to God we can put the enemy under our feet.  If you do not obey God and submit yourself to Him, the devil will not listen when you command him to leave.

Living Among The Dead  "March"  Christians aren’t bound of the devil, but they need to get more sanctified.  First, the stone is rolled away, and then you are called forth like Lazarus.  Then you need to be loosed from everything that has you tied to this world that makes you smell like a dead man!

Without Faith   "April"    Anything without faith is just religion.  Real faith is not a knowledge of something, but an obedience to God’s Word.  Romans 14:23 says, “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

Why Be Afraid? "May"  In Mark 4:35 Jesus told the disciples, “Let us pass over unto the other side.”  They were afraid of the storm but He asked them, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”           THE SHIP COULD NOT SINK!  It HAD to get to the other side, because God Almighty said so! 

Lying "June"   The lying spirit is the door to Satan’s operation.  A lying spirit can make you lie and has power to make you believe a lie, but the truth sets us free.  If it hurts us, makes us cry, or makes us angry, we must still be valiant for God’s Word and His truth! 

Lay all Your Cards on The Table  "July"  In Isaiah 1:18 the Lord says, “Come now, and let us reason together.”  In other words, “Let’s talk!”  Just come before the Lord and lay all of your cards out on the table!  1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

While Men Slept  “August”   If they had not been asleep, the enemy would not have been able to sow the tares.  God is calling each of us out of the field choked with tares and into the prayer closet to seek His face.  God IS a rewarder of them that diligently seek him!  

Don't Transgress “September”   Transgressing is like going back to being a slave after being made free.  We grab our pacifier, teddy bear, or blanket and subtly go back to the old nature and habitat (that which was comfortable), but that increases backsliding.  There is nothing more confusing than a backslid Christian!

Literal Devil  "October"  People think of the devil as an abstract thing, but he is a personality.  All sin, madness, sickness, bondage, all lust that you would like to get rid of and can't, is of the devil.  The devil walks, talks, thinks, and schemes, but you can resist him and overcome him by the blood of Jesus!

Overcoming Me  "November"  Colossians 2:6 says as we have received Jesus, we should be established in the faith, and we should abound with thanksgiving!  What holds our hands down?  Is the weight so heavy that we cannot praise the Lord?  Daily overcome the flesh and the devil by the power of Christ!

Stumbling Blocks "December"  Sometimes we place stumbling blocks in front of others, whether by accident or by intention.  If you created a stumbling block, go back and remove it.  Who’s right?  Jesus is right.  Who’s wrong?  The one who refuses to do what Jesus wants to do. 

 2007  SERMONS

What did you say?."January"  Is not a gift from God!  Control of the tongue is one of the most difficult disciplines of a Christian!   

I’m a seed of a seed..."February" You need to know who you are in Christ.  Examine yourself, and be honest. 

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

This  Gospel  "March"   Matthew 24:14 says, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”  Jesus said in John 14:12 if we believe on Him, we will do great works also.

Crown of Thorns "April"  Jesus went through crucifixion to save our souls.  He wore the crown of thorns so that our minds do not have to be tormented. However, did you know that every time you say no to God you jam those thorns in? 

Under Authority "May" You have no authority unless you are subject to authority. If you are rebellious and constantly kick against authority, you will have no authority when it is time to take authority. If we don’t submit ourselves to God, the devil does not have to flee from us.

Your Water Pot "June" You need to leave your water pot, forsake your natural thinking, and put your burdens on God’s altar!  Quit dragging that weight around. 

Back with the Rats "July" Are you walking or drowning?  Peter walked on the water to Jesus by faith!  The others looked like eleven drowning rats, because the ship was about to sink.  Get your eyes off of your tribulation and get them on JESUS! 

Fellowship of Darkness  "August"  Song birds died as well as the black birds because they were with them when they were sprayed to stop the disease histoplasmosis!  They didn’t carry the disease, but they were in the wrong crowd!

Puppy Love  "September"   We make a new puppy STAY in a box, and if he gets out and messes up the house, he has to spend time outside!  GOD is not a puppy dog we can put in and out when we want, but sometimes that is how we treat God.  We dishonor our Lord when we do not love Him enough to obey His commands and let Him change us.  

Making up the Hedge  "October"  All sickness is the work of the devil.  If you are
sick, there is a hole in your hedge where the devil is allowed to come
in and out.  A Christian does not have to be sick like the rest of the
world! 

Leah's Hope   "November"  Though you may be despised and have troubles, God will hearken to you at your lowest time.  Leah is a type of GOD’S plan for your life, and Rachel is a type of YOUR plan.  If you are married to both of them, you’re having trouble!  Your plan has to die.

Widow's Gift   “December” One day Jesus was in the temple watching the offering box, not to see how much people gave, but how they gave, their motivation.  The widow gave all she had!  In Luke 12:34 Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Sermons Preached before January 2007

A Large Place... King David said he called upon the LORD in distress, and he answered him and set him in a large place. Get on your knees and seek God, and He will reward you. Jesus died for you.

A More Excellent Way... Faith disregards what you are thinking, the logical, and the possible. In Mark 9:22 Jesus said that all things are possible to him that believeth. Be hungry for righteousness and get closer to God.

Abortion... The Bible shows us clearly that God created each of us a live baby in the womb of our mothers. When you take a life, you kill; you murder, but God can forgive you.

About Marriage... Jesus told the church in Revelations 2:4, "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." Some have also left the love they first had for their spouse. God's Word must be our guide in every facet of our lives, including personal relationships. By obeying God's Word, we bring harmony and joy into our lives.

Adultery... God says fornication and adultery are sin! Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." God tells us to cease from doing evil!

Amazing Grace... God is not willing that any should perish. If we lose grace, we're backslid. John 1:17 says that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, so let's grow in his knowledge and grace.

Antichrist... 1 John 2:18 tells us that there are many antichrists. These obey Satan, sin, and call it good. Their standard of sin has an outward appearance of godliness, but is corrupt and unclean.

Begotten Of God... 1 John 5:18 says, ". . he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." Jesus knew no sin. Get every sin under the blood of Jesus, and worship God in the spirit and in truth.

Broken... We can be sorrowful about life in general. However, I want you to know something. If you have a sorrowful heart (in repentance) toward the things that you have been in and gone through, and you turn your eyes on Jesus, He will set you free.

Choose Ye  God has an answer for everything, so if you are having a hard time, get over it, because you can choose which one you want! CHOOSE LIFE! If you have to fight it tooth and toe nail, then do so, but do it God’s way!

Church Judgment... 1 Peter 4:17 tells us judgment must begin at the house of God! The church can't get anyone saved if they're not delivered themselves! Some call evil good, and good evil. 2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us to be separate and not to touch uncleanness.

Clift In The Rock... God told Moses he would put him in "a clift of the rock" and cover him with his hand. Jesus is our clift in the rock, covering us with his blood, and thus we can stand before our holy God.

Confusion... 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. When you sin against God the devil is there to confuse you. Delusion is the last call of confusion, so get right with God. Fast and pray for the confused to have a clear mind and another chance to live for God.

Curses... There is a great tragedy in the house of God! Men do not fear God. The Bible tells us that God killed not only sinners, but His people when they sinned. Disobedience to God is cursed. In Luke 12:4-5 Jesus counseled us not to fear men, but God!

Deliverance fire... Our God is a consuming fire! Many do not live for God because God is too hot for them! If God be God, then serve him. If Baal be God, then serve him, but make up your mind!

Dissolved Tabernacle... How can you mortify the deeds of the body? By the Spirit. By prayer, fasting, going beyond when the flesh screams, I'm booorrrred! Mortify the clamoring and cravings of the natural man.

Divine Nature... Second Peter 1:4 tells us we have been given great promises whereby we can be partakers of the divine nature and escape corruption through lust. We can walk in the glory and ability of Christ.

Drinking... Proverbs 20:1 says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." That covers wine, champagne, whiskey, and all other kinds of liquors and beer. Drinking destroys souls and families.

Faith, Priorities, Potential...We can receive the promises of the Lord when we walk in his presence. As we become more accustomed to moving in his Spirit, we'll do exploits for the Lord. Put God first and flesh last.

Feeling Guilty And How To Overcome It... The way to get victory over the flesh is to pray in the Spirit; it will crucify your old nature. Romans, Chapter 7, explains our guilt and our desire to do better. Obey God and condemnation will leave.

Flesh Preachers... We are cursed if we trust in man's word rather than God's Word. Jeremiah 23:29 says, "Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" Some handle the Word of God deceitfully, so be watchful unto prayer.

Fool... The Bible tells us that a companion of fools shall be destroyed, and Proverbs 14:9 says, "Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor." Fighting against the things of God makes you a fool.

Forgive and You Shall Be Forgiven   by Richard Bundren, Associate Pastor  Jesus said we should forgive our brother 490 times - daily!  Forgiving that many times is a pretty steep hill to walk.  Sometimes it gets you out of breath before you get half way there, for just the seven times.

From Servanthood To Friend Of The Master  by Richard Bundren, associate pastor,  Abraham wasn’t called a friend of God just because he believed, but because he obeyed.  When we become a friend of the world, it makes us at odds with God!  Let’s spend time with Him, lay aside every weight and every sin, and be a friend of God.

Gambling... God gave you the ability to obtain substance to support you. Don't throw it away in expectation of something more, taking a chance. Gambling is a counterfeit of faith. It is the casting of a lot that per chance you would gain a greater amount without any further effort.

Get Back Your Joy!  by Pastor Kevin Badgley     Nehemiah 8:10 says, “. . . the joy of the LORD is your strength.  Don’t confuse temporary “fun” with happiness.  Without God’s joy people are miserable and mean.  You need Jesus, so if everything goes to hell around you and precious things fade away, the joy of the Lord will still be your strength. 

Get Going... You will not be happy until you find out what your calling from God is. Seek God and then obey Him. Be faithful to God in all things.

God Kills... Don't harden your heart against the truth of God's Word! God says he kills, and makes alive! Satan lies and tells people that God does not kill, condemn, or judge any more, but God tells us that He does not change, and His Word is forever settled in heaven.

God's Other Side... God is love, but if we sin and do not repent, we receive from the other side of God, judgment. God is not willing that any should perish, but we must obey His Laws.

God's Respect... Why do some seem to get their prayers answered, and others do not? God is not a respecter of persons, but He does respect a more excellent sacrifice.

Going to God... Ephesians 2:6 says we are made to ". . . sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" Faith can translate you; moving you about at God's will. Faith gives victory to overcome the world.

In The Pit   by  Danny Beggs, Associate Pastor     06/09/04    Sometimes a “pit” is the trying of your faith, but if you are in a “pit” because you sinned, repent!  If the devil had his way we would all stay in the “pit of despair” till he took us to the pit of hell!  GET OUT of the pit of despair and get victory in Jesus!

Joint-Heirs... What Jesus did, except for the atonement, he has encouraged and told us to do. Revelation 21:7 says, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

Keeping Company  Who are your friends? Does it really matter? YES. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." Don’t be unequally yoked!

Lodges... You cannot be entangled with the yoke of bondage of things of this world, and still be born again, Living for God. Numbers 30:2 warns us about making vows.

Old Way's... After salvation, many do not continue to seek God that they would be crucified with Christ. Let's return to the old paths and fast and pray to be raised in His resurrection power and do the works Christ did!

Only Word... If you sent a warning to your children and someone changed it, and because of that your children perished, you'd be fiercely angry. It is the same with God's Word.

Overcome To Enter In... If it takes a while to get an answer from God, don't worry; God heard the first day. If you get a hold of Christ and put your flesh under, God will work. Keep pounding till the devil moves!

Perilous Times...  October     By Rev. Alton Carter, Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Metropolis IL

The devil wants to move you out of your place.  Jesus said Satan came after him, but he found no place in Him!  Have you got all your doors shut to the devil?  If not, go ahead and slam them in his face!  Stay with Christ, and you’ll gain eternal life!

Practicing Religion... Many people repeatedly "exercise" religion. However, if you continue to sin, calling yourself godly, you will still go to hell! Matthew 7:21 tells us that he who does the will of God will enter heaven.

Pride and Love   By Pastor Kevin Badgley   (11/10/02)   The most powerful force for backsliding is pride!  Some puff out the chest while others droop the lip!  Some manipulate, and some bull their way through.  Proverbs 13:10 says, “Only by pride cometh contention. . . .”  Become Christ-centered, and see the glory of God!

Proud Leper... Isaiah 66:2 says, ". . . to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Pride and rebellion will keep you OUT of heaven.

 Proven Church   When you flunk a test, you must take it again until you pass it.  God is testing us.  Have we been through the fire and been found faithful? 

Racism... Acts 10:34: "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" That means that He is no dis-respecter of persons, either.

Redemption Of The Body... Receive the Holy Ghost so that you can obtain the image of the person, joy, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ as he was on the earth 2,000 years ago. Submit to God and overcome the devil.

Return to God... God has not changed and neither has the devil. Mankind's heart is still desperately wicked. Don't harden your heart; read Psalm 51 about how to be delivered!

Round to it God... You might miss breakfast, but you'd better find time for Jesus. He died for you! Get around to it and serve God with all your heart!

 Sanctification   by Danny Greer, associate pastor   The instant you are saved, God starts a sanctification process that draws you away from sin as He pulls you toward Him.  This is a process of God’s grace by which a believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God’s righteousness. 

Shout Unto God...We need to shout unto God and kick the devil out! He can only come in after the shout's gone out! If, when you pray, you have all the faith of a potato, turn your face to God and get victory!

Sings Of Repentance  As you turn completely around toward God, you turn your back fully on the world!  Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you. . . .”  You can be sorry that you got caught, or you can be sorry you did it.  Are you willing to make restitution?

Sink, Swim, or Save  by Pastor Kevin Badgley   10/30/94 P.M. Christians are headed to the other side, and Jesus is with them, but they can expect a storm to blow up.  If Jesus falls asleep in your boat, and your prayers bounce back, wake Him up.  Learn not to fret or fear about the storm; just call upon Jesus.  

Smoking... A Christian is not supposed to smoke. If you smoke, you are defiling the temple of God, and it is offering "strange fire" before the Lord. You can be delivered from this thing through prayer.

Soldier... Jesus is the Captain of our Salvation. John 15:13 says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Your feelings of unworthiness will leave when you become disciplined.

Sons of God... Why are God's children bickering? This has been the outline of the church for years. They are immature and don't want responsibility. Become a "son of God" and obtain the inheritance."

Suicide... Matthew 19:18 says, ". . . Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder. . . ." When you commit suicide, you kill yourself, and you die. Therefore you cannot repent, and you will go to hell for it. The blood of Jesus and the power of God can break the yoke of a suicide spirit.

Sweet Temptaiton... God will make a way to escape during temptation. Without holiness we won't see the Lord. In Luke 10:19 God promises victory over all the power of the enemy!

The Joy... David asked God to restore to him the joy of salvation. When people resist God's anointing that brings joy, they deny the Spirit of God. Keep that joy afire in you!

The Race of Faith    Psalm 119:32 says, “I will run the way of thy commandments. . . .”  

Hebrews tells us we are to patiently run the race set before us.  We make mistakes, but Proverbs 24:16 says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again. . . .”  Fulfill your destiny! 

The Truth    by  Danny Beggs, Associate Pastor   In John 18:38 Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”  In John 14:6 Jesus said, “. . . I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” 

The  Watchman  I let out a disgusted growl, but later I repented.  We must guard our witness.  We must warn others of coming judgment for sin.  From this day forward I will say, , “I am my brother’s keeper.  I am a watchman.  I will warn them.”  God has appointed us to watch!  

Thou Art Peter... Peter was spastic! However, Jesus chose him as His first disciple. Later his shadow healed the sick. What happened to him???

The Song In Your Heart  by Danny Beggs  Associate Pastor   When we got saved, God puts a song in our hearts.  Sometimes with the worries, doubts, fears, and cares of life we no longer hear it clearly.  Listen attentively!  Concentrate on Jesus Christ, and you will clearly hear it again.

Thy Habitation...The body of Christ (the believers) are a habitation of God. God is not going to live in a ratty house, carnal, and stained with wrong doing, so clean your heart and be sanctified.

To Come To Translation... God wants a people who will translate, get their petitions met, and then fight the devil. Nothing is impossible. God's last hour church will not be conformed to this world, but transformed.

Uncertain Riches... God's Word tells us not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God. Be rich in good works, and lay hold on eternal life!

Vain Words... Jesus said in Matthew 12:36, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Many prayers are not answered, because people pray and curse out of the some mouth!

Where God Is...Jesus said in John 14:12 that the believers would do greater works than He did. He sent forth the Holy Ghost so you and I can do what He did. That is where He wants us to be!

Who Are You Keeping Company With?... Who are your friends? Does it really matter? 1Corinthians 15:33 says, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." Win the lost; don't compromise with them.

 You Don't Have It All! We start thinking, “Can’t nobody do it but me!”  Move off the scene and watch God fill the space!  Elijah told the Lord he was the only one left serving God, but God told him there were 7,000 left!  We need each other.  Ephesians says we are members one of another, so don’t think too highly of yourself

Your Faith Mist Grow   For soundness of mind and peace in my spirit I have to believe God’s Word.  I will not rejoice in my own devices or trust in my own abilities.  Our faith is tried that it may be perfected so that we will believe Him for ANY thing!