Video

Commandment of Multiplying the Church

Many of us know all the things the Bible says not to do; but do we know the commands that we are to do?
In our house church model, we provide the tools and training to be obedient to multiplying the church as Christ commands. It isn’t as hard as we often think. In fact, we make it very simple to share the Gospel and tell our story of how Christ changed us.

From the Bible:
‘Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men. And the angel said to the women, “ Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to report to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “ Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. Then Jesus *said to them, “ Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” Now while they were on their way, some of the men from the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and keep you out of trouble.” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews and is to this day. But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”’

Matthew 28:1-20
https://www.bible.com/bible/2692/MAT.28.1-20

Video

What is separating you from God’s promise?

Pastor Paul Karanick
From the Bible: Numbers 13:25-28
‘When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. Thus they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. ‘

Numbers 13:25-28
https://www.bible.com/bible/100/NUM.13.25-28

Video

Lost on Boundary Peak

Message by: Pastor Paul Karanick
From the Bible:
‘O L ord , You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O L ord , You know it all. You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate You, O L ord ? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.’

Psalms 139:1-24
https://www.bible.com/bible/100/PSA.139.1-24

Video

Lamenting is Biblical

Pastor Paul Karanick speaks of the importance of understanding lamenting. Most people experience hard times. As Christians, we sometimes get so angry with God that we feel as though He is against us, rather than on our side. The Scripture tells us of many people in the Bible who felt the same way and they were devoted followers of God.
Lamentations 3
”I am the man who has seen misery Because of the rod of His wrath. He has driven me and made me walk In darkness and not in light. Indeed, He has turned His hand against me Repeatedly all the day. He has consumed my flesh and my skin, He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me live in dark places, Like those who have long been dead. He has walled me in so that I cannot go out; He has made my chain heavy. Even when I cry out and call for help, He shuts out my prayer. He has blocked my ways with cut stone; He has twisted my paths. He is to me like a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in secret places. He has made my ways deviate, and torn me to pieces; He has made me desolate. He bent His bow And took aim at me as a target for the arrow. He made the arrows of His quiver Enter my inward parts. I have become a laughingstock to all my people, Their song of ridicule all the day. He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drink plenty of wormwood. He has also made my teeth grind with gravel; He has made me cower in the dust. My soul has been excluded from peace; I have forgotten happiness. So I say, “My strength has failed, And so has my hope from the Lord.” ¶Remember my misery and my homelessness, the wormwood and bitterness. My soul certainly remembers, And is bent over within me. I recall this to my mind, Therefore I wait. The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I wait for Him.” The Lord is good to those who await Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone and keep quiet, Since He has laid it on him. Let him put his mouth in the dust; Perhaps there is hope. Let him give his cheek to the one who is going to strike him; Let him be filled with shame. For the Lord will not reject forever, For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion In proportion to His abundant mercy. For He does not afflict willingly Or grieve the sons of mankind. To crush under one’s feet All the prisoners of the land, To deprive a man of justice In the presence of the Most High, To defraud someone in his lawsuit— Of these things the Lord does not approve. Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both adversity and good proceed? ¶Of what can any living mortal, or any man, Complain in view of his sins? Let’s examine and search out our ways, And let’s return to the Lord. We raise our heart and hands Toward God in heaven; We have done wrong and rebelled; You have not pardoned. You have covered Yourself with anger And pursued us; You have slain and have not spared. You have veiled Yourself with a cloud So that no prayer can pass through. You have made us mere refuse and rubbish In the midst of the peoples. All our enemies have opened their mouths against us. Panic and pitfall have come upon us, Devastation and destruction; My eyes run down with streams of water Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people. My eyes flow unceasingly, Without stopping, Until the Lord looks down And sees from heaven. My eyes bring pain to my soul Because of all the daughters of my city. My enemies without reason Hunted me down like a bird; They have silenced me in the pit And have thrown stones on me. Waters flowed over my head; I said, “I am cut off!” I called on Your name, Lord, Out of the lowest pit. You have heard my voice, “Do not cover Your ear from my plea for relief, From my cry for help.” You came near on the day I called to You; You said, “Do not fear!” Lord, You have pleaded my soul’s cause; You have redeemed my life. Lord, You have seen my oppression; Judge my case. You have seen all their vengeance, All their schemes against me. You have heard their reproach, Lord, All their schemes against me. The lips of my assailants and their talk Are against me all day long. Look at their sitting and they’re rising; I am their mocking song. You will repay them, Lord, In accordance with the work of their hands. You will give them shamelessness of heart, Your curse will be on them. You will pursue them in anger and eliminate them From under the heavens of the Lord!”
Lamentations 3:1-66 NASB2020

Also Read:
Psalms 109:1-31 NASB2020
https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.109.1-31.NASB2020

Psalms 118:1-29 NASB2020
https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.118.1-29.NASB2020

It Is Well Story

Pastor Paul Karanick summarizes the story of the tragedy that inspired the song “It Is Well” by Horatio Spafford.

From the Bible:
Job 1
‘There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send word and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send word to them and consecrate them, getting up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did so continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the L ord , and Satan also came among them. The L said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the L and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the L , “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But reach out with Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.” Then the L said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the L . Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three units and made a raid on the camels and took them, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Then Job got up, tore his robe, and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. gave and the L has taken away. Blessed be the name of the L .” Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God.’

Job 1:1-22
https://www.bible.com/bible/2692/JOB.1.1-22

Video

Lost and Found

Pastor Paul discusses the importance of the role of the church in reaching the lost and sharing the Gospel.

From the Bible:
Luke 15
1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. 2And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3And so He told them this parable, saying, 4“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ 7I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
The Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin which I had lost!’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The Prodigal Son
11And He said, “A man had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. 13And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. 14Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. 17But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! 18I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.” ’ 20So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; 23and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Video

Prove to be a Christian – A follower of Christ

Did you know that Jesus said for us to prove to be His Disciple?

From the Bible:
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

John 15:1-11
https://my.bible.com/bible/2692/JHN.15.1-11

Video

Doing Good, Isn’t Good Enough

Doing good deeds is not the answer to being obedient to God. Jesus says that if you love Him, keep His commandments. Notice that He does not say that doing random good deeds is the equivalent. God expects us to study the Scripture and follow what He says. Too many Christians are doing good deeds that make them feel good, but it is not necessarily the same as following God’s Word.

From the Bible:

So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, the L ord who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly overturned it. But the anger of the L ord burned against Uzza, so He struck him because he had put out his hand toward the ark; and he died there before God. Then David became angry because of the L ord ’ s outburst against Uzza; and he called that place Perez-uzza as it is to this day. David was afraid of God that day, saying, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”

1 Chronicles 13:5-12
https://my.bible.com/bible/2692/1CH.13.5-12

Video

Jehoshaphat Praises God During Enemy Attacks

Jehoshaphat would seek answers from God before going into battle. When the enemy was coming to battle with Jehoshaphat, God told him that he would not need to fight because God would fight for him. Jehoshaphat gathered all the people and instead of fighting the enemy, the people began to praise God.

From the Bible:
2 Chronicles 20:2-25
‘Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord ; and he proclaimed a period of fasting throughout Judah. Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Aram; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” So Judah gathered together to seek help from the L ord ; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the L ord . Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the L ord in front of the new courtyard; and he said, “L ord , God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. Did You not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land from Your people Israel, and give it to the descendants of Your friend Abraham forever? They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, or judgment, or plague, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house), and cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear and save us. ’ Now behold, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, whom You did not allow Israel to invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (for they turned aside from them and did not destroy them), see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” All Judah was standing before the L ord , with their infants, their wives, and their children. Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the L ord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite of the sons of Asaph; and he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: This is what the L ord says to you: ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s. Tomorrow, go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley in front of the wilderness of Jeruel. You need not fight in this battle; take your position, stand and watch the salvation of the L ord in your behalf, Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow, go out to face them, for the L ord is with you.” Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the L ord , worshiping the L ord . The Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and from the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the L ord God of Israel, with a very loud voice. They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: Put your trust in the L ord your God and you will endure. Put your trust in His prophets, and succeed.” When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the L ord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the L ord , for His faithfulness is everlasting.” When they began singing and praising, the L ord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down. For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, completely destroying them; and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they turned toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and there was no survivor. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoils, they found much among them, including goods, garments, and valuable things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry. And they were taking the spoils for three days because there was so much. ‘

2 Chronicles 20:2-25
https://my.bible.com/bible/2692/2CH.20.2-25

Video

The Reputation of Daniel

Daniel was a true man of God. He not only talked about his faith, he lived it out in every part of his life. Everyone around him was fully aware of his faith in God by his words and his actions. He is a great example for all of us to live by today in our walk with Christ.

From the Bible: Daniel 6
‘Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel offering a prayer and imploring favor before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction: “Did you not sign an injunction that any person who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” Then they responded and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps offering his prayer three times a day.” Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed, and set his mind on rescuing Daniel; and until sunset he kept exerting himself to save him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “ Your God whom you continually serve will Himself rescue you.” And a stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed regarding Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Then the king got up at dawn, at the break of day, and went in a hurry to the lions’ den. And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king began speaking and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, since I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” Then the king was very glad and gave orders for Daniel to be lifted up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they threw them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages who were living in all the land: “May your peace be great! I issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. ‘

Daniel 6:10-26
https://my.bible.com/bible/2692/DAN.6.10-26