Called Sunday Bethel Church Temple TX Podcast (Sermons) podcast

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Let It Go Living in Revival March 30, 2025 Elwyn Johnston Romans 6:23 Verse of the Week: “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 7:24 & 25 Why is sin so bad? Sin is an affront against God. “Against You, You only, I have sinned” Psalm 51:4 “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you” Isaiah 59:2 Sin affects relationships “No one lives to himself” Romans 14:7 “Do nothing from selfishness…regard one another as more important than yourselves” Philippians 2:3 “pleasures of sin for a season.” Hebrews 11:25 “God’s right hand there are pleasures forevermore” Psalm 16:11 Sin always brings death . “sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.” James 1:15 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 How do we have victory over sin? Grow in our love for God “walk in the light…and the blood of Jesus God’s Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 Live dead “reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11 “Do not let sin control the way you live” Romans 6:12 “sin shall not have dominion over you” Romans 6:14 “Lay aside every sin that so easily entangles us” Hebrews 12:1 Challenge the lie behind every temptation . “Satan, who deceives the whole world” Revelation 12:9 “be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23 “so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 “heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick” Jeremiah 17:9 "the wicked will be caught in the cords of his own sins; he will be held fast with the ropes of his own guilt.” Proverbs 5:22 Surround yourself with godly influence "Walk with the wise and become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20 “Two are better than one….If one falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Eccl. 4:9 & 10 “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 7:24 & 25…

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Break The Cycle

8 days ago

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Break the Cycle Living in Revival March 23, 2025 Elwyn Johnston 2 Chronicles 34 & 35; 2 Kings 22 Verse of the Week: “Josiah stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord to walk after the Lord…with all his heart and with all his soul” 2 Chronicles 34:31 1. Remove hindrances “During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. He ordered that the altars of Baal be demolished and that the incense altars which stood above them be broken down….so he purified Judah and Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 34:3 - 5 “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 “do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:27 2. Relentlessly and radically make God your priority “Put the holy ark in the house” 2 Chronicles 35:3 “in God’s presence there is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11 “Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses.” 2 Chronicles 34:14 “our fathers have not observed the word of the Lord, to do according to all that is written in this book.” 2 Chronicles 34:19 “There had not been celebrated a Passover like it in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet; nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did” 2 Chronicles 35:18…

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All In

15 days ago

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All In March 16, 2025 Clay Wallace Verse of the Week: “ For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 A- Acknowledge “But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my Helper and my Savior; O Lord, do not delay.” Psalm 70:5 L- Listen “I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.” Psalm 16:7 L- Learn “Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.” Psalm 119:133 I- Involved “But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.” Philippians 2:17 N- Now “For He is our God. We are His people He watches over, the flock under His care. If only you would listen to His voice today!” Psalm 95:7…

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Traveling Light

21 days ago

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Traveling Light The weight of Sin and Guilt 1 John 1:9 (NIV) – "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Romans 8:1 (NIV) – "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The weight of Doubt and Fear James 1:6 (NIV) "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Throw off Distractions Philippians 3:12-14 …But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. The Weight of Discouragement 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV) "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." Verse of the week Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV. … let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.…

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Called Sunday

29 days ago

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Called Sunday March 2, 2025 Elwyn Johnston Jonah Verse of the Week: “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” Romans 11:29 1. God still speaks to us today! “The word of the Lord came to Jonah” Jonah 1:1 “the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time” Jonah 3:1 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and announce My judgment against it” Jonah 1:2 2. If you want to run from God’s call, the devil will always give you a ride . “But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction….He found a ship leaving for Tarshish and bought a ticket and went onboard” Jonah 1:3 3. Pay attention to life’s storms . “the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.” Jonah 1:4 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6 “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 “Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold.” Jonah 1:5 4. Do God’s will . “I worship the Lord, the God of heaven….The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord.” Jonah 1:9 & 10 “have a form of godliness, but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3:5 “The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish for three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17 “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 5. You’ve got to love people “greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry.” Jonah 4:1 “I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. You turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!” Jonah 4:2…

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Called Part 1

5 weeks ago

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Called Part 1 February 23, 2025 Elwyn Johnston 2 Timothy 2:21 Verse of the Week: “It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Col. 3:24 1. Start building disciplines “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16 “I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preach to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” 1 Timothy 4:7 “Follow Me and I will make you” Matthew 4:19 “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Romans 12:2 “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 2. Serve the Lord “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the heart [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men” Colossians 3:23 “It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.” Colossians 3:24 Call of salvation “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God chose me and called me by Hs marvelous grace.” Gal. 1:15 Call of service “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” Ephesians 2:10 “joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us” Colossians 1:11 & 12 3. See the need , meet the need “as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another” 1 Peter 4:10 “While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” Acts 13:2 “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13 “whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus” Colossians 3:17 4. Stay in community “the things you have heard me say…entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2 “it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church” Acts 15:22…

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Rocket Ismail

6 weeks ago

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Guest Speaker Q & A: Rocket Ismail

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Bethel Blitz

7 weeks ago

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Bethel Blitz February 9, 2025 Elwyn Johnston Matthew 16:13 – 20 Verse of the Week: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” Matthew 16:16 1. Follow the right coach “who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15 “Though Jesus was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” Philippians 2:6 & 7 “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, and at the right time He will lift you up.” 1 Peter 5:6 “As a result of this many of His disciples turned back and deserted Him.” John 6:66 “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” John 6:68 “God knows everything.” 1 John 3:20 2. Go all in for the team “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” Matthew 16:16 “I will build My church; and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 “before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5…

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Carriers of His Presence

8 weeks ago

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Carriers of His Presence February 2, 2025 Elwyn N. Johnston 2 Samuel 6 Verse of the Week: “The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord” Psalm 97:5 1. People of His presence “Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod” Genesis 4:16 “presence” - face “Nod” – wandering “Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:16 “let us bring back the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” 1 Chronicles 13:3 2. Promises of His presence “Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s rod that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant.” Heb. 9:4 “Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalm 119:165 “I discovered Your words…they are my joy” Jeremiah 15:16 “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” Isaiah 40:31 “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Ex. 33:14 “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” Psalm 91:1 “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 “When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence.” Psalm 9:3 3. Price for His presence “David arose and went with all the people who were with him to Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God….They placed the ark of God on a new cart” 2 Samuel 6:2 & 3 “ark” - box or chest. “we didn’t make proper preparation and follow instructions.” 1 Chronicles 15:13 “After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.” 2 Samuel 6:13 4. Position yourself to live in His presence “Create in me clean heart, O God…Do not cast me away from Your presence” Psalm 51:10 & 11 “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving” Psalm 95:2 “come before His presence with singing” Psalm 100:2 “God inhabits the praises of His people.” Psalm 22:3 “looked out the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him” 2 Samuel 6:16 “The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord” Psalm 97:5…

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Made For More

9 weeks ago

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MADE FOR MORE Jeremiah 1:4-10 4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. 9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.” The responsible person seeks to make his or her whole life a response to the call of God! - Dietrich Bonhoeffer Jer 1:4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations .” 1. GOD MADE YOU AND KNOWS YOU! Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Your assignment isn’t a destination but an invitation Don’t worry about knowing your purpose as much as living with one! Jer 1:6 “Ah Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak for I am a youth" 2. GOD DOESN’T NEED YOU HE WANTS YOU He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. - Ben Franklin FaithFULL vs faithFILLED If you live your life minimizing risk then life will minimize your passion Jer 1:7-8 - 7 But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord 9 Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Jer 1:10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” 3. GOD WANTS TO WORK IN YOU AND THROUGH YOU (v.10) When we raze the things of this world, we raise the name of Jesus WHAT’S YOUR MORE? WHO’S YOUR MORE?…

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Fire Proof Faith

10 weeks ago

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Fire Proof Faith January 19, 2025 Elwyn Johnston Daniel 3 Verse of the Week: “there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.” Daniel 3:29 1. Pass life’s tests “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food” Daniel 1:8 “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?” Dan. 3:14 “what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” Dan. 3:15 “Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to prosper in the province of Babylon.” Daniel 3:30 2. Stand in community , not isolation “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.’” Daniel 3:16 “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” Matthew 16:24 “Therefore we do not lose heart and give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! We concentrate not on what is seen but on what is not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18 3. Rely on God “Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials….‘Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!’” Daniel 3:24 & 25 “for God Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.” Daniel 3:26 “the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them.” Daniel 3:27 “there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.” Daniel 3:29…

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Lessons from the Storm

11 weeks ago

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Lessons From the Storm January 12, 2025 Elwyn Johnston Matthew 14:22 – 33 Verse of the Week: “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side” Matthew 14:22 1. Know your God “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 “we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” 2 Chronicles 20:25 2. Get out of the boat “Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And Jesus said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” Mt. 14:28 & 29 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. I will hold you up with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 “one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what is ahead” Philippians 3:13 “My thoughts are not your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8 “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 3. Focus on the person , not the problem “seeing the wind, he became frightened, and began to sink” Mt. 14:30 “When you walk through the waters, I will be with you” Isaiah 43:2 “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 “Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea” Mark 6:48 4. Know that God hears you when you call “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30 “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him” Matthew 14:31 “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side” Matthew 14:22 5. God has an assignment for you on the other side “The people begged Jesus to let the sick touch at least the fringe of His robe, and all who touched Him were healed.” Matthew 14:36…

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Get Your Feet Wet

12 weeks ago

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Get Your Feet Wet January 5, 2025 Elwyn Johnston Joshua 3:1 – 17 Verse of the Week: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5 1. Stay in step with God “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.” Joshua 3:3 “Stay about half a mile behind them because you’ve never been this way before.” Joshua 3:4 “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5 2. Step in the water “When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.” Joshua 3:8 3. Stand in the water “When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.” Joshua 3:8 “the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm” Joshua 3:17 4. Step out and bless others “as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance…and the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry…. all Israel crossed on dry ground” Joshua 3:15 - 17…

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Facts and Filters

13 weeks ago

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Facts and Filters 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) - Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 01) Thank God for what didn’t happen. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV) - We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV) - For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 02) Reframe the narrative. Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV) - I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV) - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 03) Look for God’s goodness.…

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Mary's Love

14 weeks ago