Pilgrim's Pathway Ministries

The legacy of a leader is seen in the people that he’s influenced. God looks for people who look to serve others and who think little of themselves to be leaders. Paul was this type of leader to Timothy. He challenged Timothy to imitate him as he imitated Christ. And now as Paul was leaving this earth, Timothy had a mission--to carry on the vision that Paul had. Timothy was living in perilous times and Paul instructed Timothy that as Christians, they will suffer the rejection of men, but not to get discouraged. He told Timothy to continue in the things he’s been instructed, and then to teach others what he’s been taught. Paul’s desire was for Timothy to come into maturity, but only Timothy could step forward and continuously apply himself. Paul could not do this for Timothy. We have been raised up to now take what we’ve learned and bring it to others. The Gospel is a reproductive message, where we are shown the Scriptures, are changed by the Gospel, and then give it to others that they too might be changed. We must be intentional about the message we proclaim by first being intentional about what we think, and by casting down every thought contrary to Christ. Paul challenged Timothy, as we are now challenged, to make use of this ministry that we’ve been given, and to not be distracted or turned aside. We are to be watchful, and to fulfill the ministry that’s been passed on to us. We honor those who have taught us by obeying what they’ve taught and taking the teaching as our own. We are to now invest in others as those who’ve gone before us have invested in us. We must individually be committed to this vision. You must invest your mind, heart and desire to this calling.Click here to listen: Fulfill Your Ministry

We’ve all faced strained relationships--with family, co-workers, friends, etc. But when our relationship with God is strained, we experience the deepest anxiety. This is because we were not intended to be separate from God. Being out of union with God is usually due to sin, but God’s forgiveness can enable us to be brought back into a right relationship with Him. In King David’s life, he had sinned, but once he had sincere confession and repentance, God forgave him. David teaches us that God will bless you if you repent. If you repent of known sins, God’s blessing of forgiveness clears you of your conscience of your sin. God removes our sins when He forgives us. The guilt and responsibility of sin are gone. We can do nothing to earn this grace--it is a free gift of God. God’s grace not only removes the guilt of sin, but also the power of it. If we are unrepentant, God will discipline us. When David was running and hiding from the Lord, the Lord made him uncomfortable. God is our loving Heavenly Father, and He will not allow us to stay on the wrong path. If we continue in sin, there will be painful consequences. God has no delight in punishing the unrepentant. Once David did repent, the Lord forgave him. We, too, will find mercy and grace when we come to the Lord because He is gracious. Therefore, don’t cover and hide from your sin, but seek the Lord in repentance and you will find Him. You don’t know how much time you have, so seek the Lord now! God promises to help those who repent and obey. He will show you the way to go. Voluntarily choose to obey the Lord. If God is for you, who can be against you? Nothing else in this world compares to being in fellowship with God.Click here to listen: If God Is for Us Who Can Be Against Us?

The book of Haggai starts at a time when the Israelites had started to rebuild the temple, but because of opposition, they stopped. They were unwilling to work because they thought that the time had not yet come to rebuild the temple. Instead, they were focused on their own lives and houses. Haggai speaks to them the word from God, to stir them up and to have them lift their eyes from the earth, to what God is trying to do. He tells them not to obsess over their dreams, plans or desires, but instead to look to the Lord and His will and purposes for their lives. We can’t prioritize the things of the earth over the work of the Lord. If we focus on ourselves first, we will waste our lives. Haggai was a true prophet whose primary concern was not that the people live in pleasure, but that the Lord is glorified. The true prophet calls people to consider their ways and examine themselves. We are called to take our eyes off of the temporal, and put it on the eternal. Live your life for the glory of God! A false prophet enforces people in their sin, while a true prophet declares the holiness of God. He declares to the people their sins and reveals to them the means of repentance. As a result of Haggai’s ministry, the people obeyed, and did not continue to waste their lives. They received the word from Haggai to be from God, and not man. After their obedience, Haggai gave a word of encouragement to the people. The work of the Lord must be done in faith and confidence, with a vision. We must be fully convinced that what God has promised, He will also perform. Obey the words of the true prophets, and set your hands on the work of the Lord!Click here to listen: The LORD's Messenger

Our faith must be challenged and refined by the Scriptures. We must examine what we believe and allow God to expose areas that must be addressed and challenged so that we may have sound faith and foundational beliefs. In this passage, Jesus challenges what the people believed and what hindered them from embracing God’s intentions for their lives. Lazarus had died, and Martha is troubled. She has many questions because her expectations have not been met. Her understanding limited her from grasping a greater reality from God. Jesus questions her beliefs to see if she is willing to go beyond the comfortable confines of her accepted truths. We must let down our guard and step away from our comfortable beliefs, and step into Christ. This will be outside of what we can understand, but greater faith needs to be worked out in us. This is a process, so be willing to work this out. Let Christ uproot faithlessness. Make room in your own situation for God to move, instead of living in the limitations we set on God’s reality. If you will continue to trust God, you will see the glory of God. Raise your expectations to meet the promises of God. In this story, Mary and Martha’s perspectives were challenged, so that they might have a deeper faith, but also that those standing around them would see the glory of God. We are to be vessels, so God may use what seems to be inconveniences in our lives--our plans, our timing, our goals, our thoughts, our opinions--to show others the glory of God. What in your life hinders the Gospel’s work in you? Allow God to roll the stone away--to remove any unbelief or fear--to reveal the glory of God. Believe Him to do what He’s said He will do.Click here to listen: Do You Believe This?

Paul describes to the Corinthian church how the church is the body. Each person is a member of the body and is necessary to the body because each serves a different part. Christ is the Head of the body, and without the Head, the church does not exist. Each member must be baptized into one body--buried with Christ in baptism, and then raised through faith. This baptism brings unity. It doesn’t matter who you were before baptism, now you are a part of Christ’s body. This is why the cure to racial discrimination is only possible by the Gospel. With this unity though there is diversity--diversity of gifts so that the body is useful to God. Paul encourages the church to not despair of your gift compared to another’s gift. Embrace the call of God on your life and be obedient to the role that God has shaped you to fulfill. Each member is necessary and dependent on the other parts of the body. God is the One who has set the members--it is not by human preference. The purpose of diversity of gifts is for the profit of all. Each member is to build up the whole body. No gift is for private advantage, but for the benefit of others. Paul also tells the church to not look down on others because their gifts are different than yours. Each gift is equal because each role is equally needed for the body to function, and is valued by God. There should be no division in the body--no separate interests. We should care for each other and provide for one another. Pray, encourage, exhort, and love one another. We are one body in Christ, so when one member suffers, all suffer. Realize the importance of your part in the body. This is God’s design, and it is just as He has pleased.Click here to listen: God Has Set the Members

In Matthew 23, Christ ends His ministry to the Jewish leaders by rebuking them because they are unwilling to come to Him. In the next chapter, Jesus leaves the temple because God has deserted it. Jesus’ disciples, however, were still focused on the exterior things and wanted to show Jesus the temple because they didn’t realize that God had abandoned it. When God calls us to something new, we cannot get stuck in what has always been. We must move on in obedience to the call of God. Christ tells His disciples of what will come in the future, but He tells them to not be troubled by these things. People will come deceiving many, so we must see and discern that we ourselves are not deceived. We must be diligent to study the Scriptures, and to test the spirits. In the media today, we hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see that you are not troubled. Don’t be ignorant of things going on, but don’t be consumed with all of it. Instead, fix your eyes on God and His promises. These things must come to pass, but the end is not yet, so walk by faith in the confidence of God. Remember the God that you serve. He is Sovereign and is working all things together for good. Persecution will come to Christians because there is hatred for Christ. There is a greater purpose being worked out though, so do not be troubled by it. People will betray and hate you, but we are commanded to endure--to persevere, and to hold fast to the faith. We’re also commanded to preach the Gospel and to bear witness to all. Instead of obsessing of the things that will come, set your mind and heart on reaching others with the truth of the Gospel. Christ is with us to the end of the age, so what do we have to fear?Click here to listen: The Gospel of the Kingdom

This sermon describes the ongoing preparation and transformation in our hearts by the Gospel. The Gospel challenges our desires and thinking into an intimacy and conformity to Christ. Our own desires keep us from God and from embracing the call of Christ, so we must have our desires realigned. In the passage, Jesus challenges those listening about what they are satisfied by. We must allow this exposing to take place, and then to allow the Gospel to transform those desires into God’s call for us. We are to seek the Kingdom of God, and then all things will be given to us. But the things that are given to us are not the desires of our flesh, but new desires aligned with God’s Kingdom. We are to let go of ourselves and face what the Gospel shows us. Unless you conform to Christ, you have no life in you. If you will give your life to Christ, He will give you life. As Christ’s disciple, there will be separation in your life. The Gospel requires something of us, but we are rewarded with eternal life in the end. If you will lose your life now, and allow the Gospel to realign your life, you will gain your life forever. Jesus knows that this work will be uncomfortable in your life, but He will reward you with everlasting life if you endure. Give yourself to this unseen work. God is shaping us for something far greater than ourselves and our desires. Christ asks each of us, do you want to go away and be satisfied with your flesh? Or are you willing to go through the transformation and have Christ as your prize? You must realize that there is no greater calling or commitment than God’s call in your life, and continue to press in and allow this work and transformation in your life.Click here to listen: To Whom Else Shall We Go?

This sermon describes Christ’s journey to Jerusalem. He journeyed to the cross with joy, not for death, but for the glory that would follow. He set out resolutely, not afraid of what He would face. Christ’s disciples also journeyed with Him, but they went with the spirit of pride, wrath, vengeance, and self-preservation. Christ went with the desire to be poured out for others, and with humility, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, and love. As you are being called into ministries, be sure you do it in a spirit like Christ’s—looking to save others. As the disciples and Jesus continued on their journey, they met others who were not willing to go down to Jerusalem, representing two temptations that people face when presented with the Gospel. The first was a religious man who was hoping that following the Lord would give him worldly advantage, wealth, and security. But Christ calls His followers to a life of faith and dependence upon the provision of God. Don’t let the things of this world and the thoughts of provision and your future consume you. These thoughts will only get in the way of being used by God. Although God does call us to provide for what we need, we are not to be consumed with the things that we want. The second man Jesus came across was one who desired control over his life, and put the desires for other things before Christ. He was looking for a guarantee of his future and did not want to wait for God’s provision, but he ended up missing the promise of God’s control and His faithfulness. Set your face steadfastly to go up to Jerusalem and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life because the call of Christ is deeply personal and individualized.Click here to listen: The Journey to Jerusalem

Paul describes the role of the Gospel in one’s life to expose sin and wrong thinking. We are to come into the light and allow the Gospel to show us our imperfections and redeem how we define our own lives. The redeeming power of the Gospel reveals to us that we are now bondservants to Jesus. Our lives are common pots of clay, and it’s through the acceptance of this lowly position that the greatness of God is revealed. God shows who He is through those who are willing to be nothing. The challenges, trials and difficulties that we face are a reminder of how fragile we are, and God uses them to loosen our grip on this world. God is trying to reshape and redeem our lives and our mindset about our lives. God calls us to a death to self so that life may be formed. When we have this mindset, we do not lose heart in the trials because we know that God is working life in those around us through those trials. There is a real life purpose to those things that God challenges us to give up and surrender. My blessing and prosperity are not the highest aims. We can be confident of greater realities—that from death comes life—life in others now, and eternal life for ourselves. Death becomes a gateway for Christians to a greater life. We can have full assurance that if we die with Christ, we shall also be raised with Him. This realization takes the pressure off of ourselves and what we think our lives should be, and it gives our lives purpose. We don’t have to be held back from the pressure of fulfilling earthly ambitions, but this comes at the cost of us laying down our lives, including those ambitions. We have hope in the things that are to come, that are far more exceeding and eternal.Click here to listen: Eternal Things

Paul writes to the church at Ephesus to preserve the unity between the Jews and the Gentiles. It is only the Gospel that brings unity between God and humans, as well as between humans. Paul describes the benefits of unity which include blessings and graces of the Holy Spirit, redemption, and the forgiveness of sins. The work of God starts with, and continues, by faith. A necessary fruit of true saving faith is love for the saints. Love leads us to pray for one another, interceding for each other. We are to have a purpose in our prayers, acknowledging who God is. Understanding who God is will produce faith and confidence in our prayers. Paul prayed for wisdom and revelation for the church, which is only given by the work of the Holy Spirit. He prayed that the church’s heart and understanding would be right and pure. We too must have a right understanding, especially in the “post-truth” era we live in. Our understanding had been blinded by sin, so it must now be enlightened. Paul also prayed that the church would understand the power the God. This power is not native within us; the source of receiving this power is by believing. It is based on faith from beginning to end. The very same power that was required for God to raise Christ from the dead is available to us to raise us from deadness of sin. It is only the power of God that can make dead bones live. And God not only raised Christ from the dead, but He seated Christ at the right hand of God, and exalted Him to the highest conceivable honor, above all principalities and powers. By faith, we are co-heirs with Christ; therefore, we have nothing to fear, because Christ, as our Head, has been placed over all things.Click here to listen: The Fullness of Him

What is unity? It is the state of harmony and oneness, where we forsake our differences and abandon our prejudices in order to be friends. This type of unity must be worked for with effort. Jesus calls us to this unity with Himself, and with the body of Christ around us. He establishes the role of believers with Himself, describing our submission to Him where He is our Source, Leader, and Teacher. Submission to Christ is the groundwork, but we are also to submit to each other. We are by nature barren and dry, and we must draw from the Vine as our source of life. If we understand this union, God will continue to prune us so that we may bear more fruit. But we can’t bear fruit on our own, or by our own acts of allegiance. Fruit comes from the inward working of God in a heart submitted to Him. It is only by your acceptance of Jesus’s doctrine that you will continue to bear fruit. And bearing fruit glorifies God because it is the evidence of His work in our lives. This union with Christ flows from God’s love for us. We will remain in His love if we keep God’s commands. This must come from the heart though, not just mere outward acts. We must see the Father’s love for us, and this will bring us joy to give of ourselves sacrificially to others. Christ laid down His life for us, and this love must change us, so that we can live sacrificial lives for others. Jesus will give us the power to lay down our lives for our friends, as well as for our enemies. When this love is seen by the world, it will be evidence to them of Christ’s love. Therefore, continue laying down your life in service to others. Your fruit will remain to the end of time, even if you don’t see it here and now.Click here to listen: I Have Called You Friends

Jesus’ resurrection shows us the power of redemption. His empty grave is an invitation to new life, but this new life comes at a cost. If we want to have fellowship with Christ in His glorification, we need to have fellowship with Him in the cross. We must come to terms with the cross in order to know the resurrection life. Will you accept these terms? Will you accept the cost? Only through death and suffering comes life—this is the Resurrection message. The empty grave shows Christ’s triumph—and He calls us into this triumph. Our redemption came at a high price. We need to see the reality of such a price. It’s nothing that we can earn, or work for on our own. Be reminded of God’s provision for our redemption and His kindness towards us. Christ came to redeem us from our failures and faults. Rejoice in the fact that we’ve been redeemed—not by our own works or deeds—but by the precious blood of Christ. Realize your insufficiency to free yourself from sin. Jesus’s sacrifice is the means of our redemption. He had to die so that we might be healed. We too must experience death to ourselves in order to know life and so that others may know life through us. We must actively be a part of this death. Don’t be afraid to let go of your life, or to be transformed. The empty tomb assures us that letting go of self will give us abundant life. So leave behind your securities, comforts and habits, and become a part of what Christ is doing. Experience the newness that the resurrection creates in us. Daily walk in this experience of Christ’s renewal, His resurrection, His life, and His hope. Follow Jesus to His death, and He will birth life in you.Click here to listen: Come Follow Me

The passage begins in the second year of Saul’s reign. The Philistines were oppressing the Israelites, so the Israelites waged war against them; however the Philistines came against them with a large army and surrounded them. Before the battle, Saul had made offerings to the Lord that only the high priest Samuel was suppose to offer. Samuel rebuked Saul for his disobedience, but Saul blamed others for his sin. He was unrepentant and refused to admit his own sin. He was not looking to God so he hid because he did not feel safe. He felt he was cast out of God’s protection and he saw God as his enemy, not his protector. If you find yourself in this place, repent and return to the Lord! Saul then turned to false religion. His son, Jonathan, however, had a confidence in the Lord and was dependent on Him. Jonathan and his armorbearer knew that there is no limitation with the Lord. His armorbearer bore witness to Jonathan’s vision and calling of the Lord. Likewise, we too can encourage those around us and our spiritual leaders by sharing in the vision. Jonathan followed the providence of God and took hints and direction from God. God will guide us as we trust in Him. We must learn to discern what God is doing, even in the smallest details, and not rely on our own understanding. God uses every detail to direct our steps. Jonathan obeyed God’s guidance, and he was confident that the Lord would deliver Israel, by many or by few. Only Jonathan and his armorbearer came to the Philistines, but they all fell before him, and his armorbearer killed them. Their faith inspired the others to join the battle. Fear was replaced by faith, because they knew that nothing restrains the Lord.Click here to listen: By Many or By Few

The Israelites desired a king like all the other nations. From all outward appearances, Saul was the perfect choice for king. Samuel knew, though, that this would divert their eyes from looking to and depending on God, but the Israelites were resolved to have a king. Sometimes God frustrates us in His love by not giving us something we desire, and other times He gratifies us in His wrath by giving us what He knows is not best for us. In the passage here, God tells Samuel to give the people what they desired, and He providentially orchestrates Saul into meeting Samuel. The people wanted an earthly king because they were depending and focused on man, instead of depending on God. Samuel, however, had an intimate, personal connection with the Lord and heard from Him, and God heard Samuel’s requests in return. You have to put your anxieties to rest so that you can hear from God. We are called to cast our cares on God. The Israelites’ desire was on Saul though, a man after their own hearts. Saul did not have confidence in himself, or in God, and always lived with a sense of inferiority. Whenever you have this sense of inferiority in yourself, do not turn to men or nations, but turn to God. May your eyes be fixed on the Lord. Examine your heart to see what your desire is on, because whatever your desire is fixed upon, will rule and reign over you. But only Christ deserves to rule and reign over us!Click here to listen: All the Desire of Israel

Jesus challenges the intent of the heart of the people He is speaking to. He addresses the expectations of their ideas of what the Kingdom of God is, as well as our vulnerability because good soil has to be soft to receive and take anything in. To hear the Gospel is to comprehend or understand. God grants the ability to hear to those who are willing. What you are expecting from the Kingdom of God affects how willing you are to be involved in the Kingdom. If you have any other intent than God Himself, you will seek self-sufficiency and independence. You will have the most growth spiritually when you are willing to receive. How you hear is dictated by what you are seeking after. If the soil of your heart is not good you will not be able to receive. Those who cannot understand the Kingdom of God will reject it. If you are not willing to let God change how you see and hear, you are in danger of missing out on what God wants to offer—fulfillment, life, and freedom. You must set aside your fears and own desires so that you can be able to hear, see and receive. You must be willing to endure the working out of this in your life. The first seed fell on hard ground, depicting the hardness of one’s heart. If the Gospel does not align with your personal desires, you will give no place to it. You must lay aside your life and own definition of the Kingdom of God. The second seed fell on stony ground, showing no depth of faith. They have a lack of willingness to endure because of their own desires, anxieties and preferences. The third seed was choked out, showing competing desires that choke out faith. The last seed fell on good soil, or a heart submitted to the whole truth of God.Click here to listen: Receiving the Seed on the Good Ground