Berean Bible Church

2010-07-25 Repent And Turn To God, Acts 26:19-20

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:19:42 -0700

We are looking at Paul giving his testimony before King Agrippa in Caesarea. Do you remember how Paul ended up in Roman custody? Soon after Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he was worshiping in the temple. When some Jews from Ephesus saw him they started a riot claiming that Paul had brought a Gentile into the Temple. The mob grabbed Paul and preceded to stomp him to death when the Roman General Claudius Lysias came in with his troops and rescued Paul. A plot to kill Paul led to his transfer to Caesarea, and to his trial under Felix. Festus, who was Felix’s successor, also attempted to decide the matter, but this only resulted in Paul’s appeal to Caesar. Now, in order to identify some charges against Paul, to include in a letter to Caesar, this group has assembled to hear from Paul and to give their advice to Festus.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on July 25th, 2010. Media #514.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:

Berean Bible Church
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2010-07-19 Who's My Neighbor? Luke 10:25-37

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:35:59 -0700

Do you think that the question, "Who's my neighbor?" is important? Why is this an important question? It is important because we are commanded as Christians to love our neighbors:

Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB) "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Romans 13:9 (NASB) For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

Galatians 5:14 (NASB) For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

We can't love our neighbor if we don't know who our neighbor is. Do you agree? So the command to love our neighbor is meaningless until we understand who our neighbor is. By the time you leave here this morning I want you to understand without a doubt who your neighbor is. I want you to know who it is you are commanded to love.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on July 18th, 2010. Media #513.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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Berean Bible Church
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2010-07-11 From Persecutor to Preacher Acts 26:1-18

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:30:58 -0700

As we come to the 26 chapter of Acts, Paul has been in custody in Caesarea for over two years. It all began when Paul arrived in Jerusalem, and was engaged in worship in the temple. He was mistakenly accused of desecrating the temple, and a mob of Jews was quickly assembled, who were about to kill him. He would have been killed except for the swift arrival of Claudius Lysias, who saved Paul’s life. A plot to kill Paul led to his transfer to Caesarea, and to his unfinished trial under Felix. Festus, his successor, also attempted to decide the matter, but this only resulted in Paul’s appeal to Caesar. Now, in order to identify some charges against Paul, to include in a letter to Caesar, this group has assembled to hear from Paul and to give their advice to Festus.
When Jesus predicted what would happen to his disciples, he said something very sobering, but also very encouraging. He said:

"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake. "It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. (Luke 21:12-13 NASB)

This message preached by David B. Curtis on July 11th, 2010. Media #512

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-07-04 Paul Before Festus, Acts 25:1-27

Sun, 4 Jul 2010 14:47:37 -0700

This morning we come to our 84th message in the book of Acts and we are looking at chapter 25. If you remember in 57 A. D., Paul was taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea because of an alleged violation against the temple. The Jewish leaders said he had desecrated the holy place by taking a Greek beyond the "Wall of Partition" during Pentecost. Having been removed from Jerusalem because Jews were plotting to kill him, Paul was brought before Governor Felix with whom he had the opportunity to share Jesus Christ. Over the next two years, he continued to witness to Felix and his wife Drusilla.
At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned. (Acts 24:26-27 NASB)

This message preached by David B. Curtis on Julyh, 2010. Media #511

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-06-27 An "Attitude" Check, Philippians 2:5

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:50:49 -0700

Have you ever heard someone say, 'You need an attitude check'? What do they mean by that? Most likely they mean that your attitude is bad, and you need to examine it and make the proper corrections. Is our attitude an important issue? Does our attitude really matter? I think that the answer to both of these questions is, 'Yes'.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on June 27th, 2010. Media #510.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-06-13 Paul Preaches To Felix, Acts 24:22-27

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:32:56 -0700

Felix had a problem, he was trying a Roman citizen, and a Roman citizen had certain rights. If those rights were not met, Paul could make trouble for Felix. But he had an even worse problem: There were many angry Jews in his court-and angry Jews had been known to start revolutions in the past.
But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." (Acts 24:22 NASB)

Having listened to all this, and having more exact knowledge about the Way, (so that he knew that the accusations were lies), Felix knew that Paul was right, he was not guilty, because he had not done any crime. But Felix did not want to offend the Jews. So, he made an excuse...

This message preached by David B. Curtis on June 6th, 2010. Media #509.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-06-06 The "About To Be" Resurrection Acts 24:15

Sun, 6 Jun 2010 15:25:27 -0700

In our last study of Acts we look at the first 21 verses of chapter 24, which dealt with Paul’s trial before Felix. In Paul’s defense he makes this statement:

"But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. (Acts 24:14-15 NASB)

Notice how Young’s Literal Translation translates this:

having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, that there is about to be a rising again of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous; (Acts 24:15 YLT)

The words "shall certainly" in the NASB is the Greek word mello. Whenever mello in the present active indicative is combined with an infinitive, it is consistently translated "about to." Paul told his first century audience that, "there is about to be a resurrection".

This message preached by David B. Curtis on June 6th, 2010. Media #508.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-05-30 Paul’s Defense Before Felix, Acts 24:1-21

Sun, 30 May 2010 17:31:47 -0700

In our previous studies we have seen that Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem as a riot was about to break out in the temple courts. He had made two unsuccessful attempts to placate the Jews and to testify to them of Jesus Christ. They refused to listen; and now, after a plot against his life, he has been brought down to the province capital, Caesarea, on the coast. There he will face the governor:

When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. (Acts 23:33 NASB)

The delivery of Paul to Caesarea marked the beginning of a two-year imprisonment in that city. During this period he stated his case, and also the case for the Christian gospel, to two provincial governors and a king, fulfilling one aspect of the Lord's prediction about his ministry:

But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; (Acts 9:15 NASB)

The governor referred to in Acts 23:33 is Felix.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on May 30th, 2010. Media #507.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-05-23 Providential Protection, Acts 23:12-35

Sun, 23 May 2010 21:02:31 -0700

Paul has finished his missionary journeys and is now in Jerusalem. Everything Paul has tried to do since he came to Jerusalem has ended in a riot. He tried to pacify the Jewish Christians by purifying himself in the Temple and paying the expenses of four men who had taken a vow, that ended in a riot. He tried to give his testimony of what God had done in his life to the Jewish crowd in the temple court and that ended in a riot. He tried to give testimony before the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, and that ended in a riot. Now, he's a prisoner. A bunch of Jews put together a plot to assassinate Paul, but God providentially protects him.

Let me just say that the term "providence" is not found in the Scripture, but the doctrine of providence is very scriptural. The theological term "providence" means nothing short of: "the universal sovereign rule of God." Providence is the preserving and governing of all his creatures and all their actions.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on May 23rd, 2010. Media #506.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-05-09 Paul Before The Sanhedrin Acts 23:1-11

Mon, 10 May 2010 18:46:43 -0700

We are studying a new section in the book of Acts, from the end of chapter 21 to the end of the book Paul is now a prisoner and will remain a prisoner until his death. As we have seen, Paul was now in Jerusalem, he had gone to the temple and was carrying out this vow with four other Jewish Christians. Near the end of his time of purification some Jews from Asia Minor who knew him only as a disturber of Judaism and who hated him, started a riot, which was designed to end in his being beaten to death. In the middle of the attempt to beat him to death, the Romans intervened, saved his life, and started to take him into the Roman barracks. While on the steps ascending Fort Antonia Paul asked for, and was granted, permission to speak.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on May 9th, 2010. Media #505.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-05-02 Paul’s Apology, Acts 22

Wed, 5 May 2010 04:47:40 -0700

When Paul entered the temple to take part in a Jewish traditional practice, he was verbally attacked by a group of Asian Jews who were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. Upon seeing the apostle in the temple, they cried out:

"Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." (Acts 21:28 NASB)

Their fourfold charge was entirely false, but it had the desired effect; the mob dragged Paul out of the temple and began beating him.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on May 2nd, 2010. Media #504.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-04-25 Agabus’ Prophecy Is Fulfilled, Acts 21:15-40

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:57:52 -0700

In our last study we left Paul and his companions in Caesarea at the house of Philip. They are on their way to Jerusalem. Pau had set his heart on arriving in the city before the Feast of Pentecost, bringing with him the money which had been collected from the Greek churches for the famine relief effort in the city. He hoped that this collection would serve to help unite the Jewish and Gentile factions in the early church. As he headed toward Jerusalem from Asia Minor, however, he was given several warnings from the Holy Spirit through the mouths of fellowbelievers that he would face imprisonment.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on April 25th, 2010. Media #503.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-04-11 A Selfless Example, Philippians 2

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:25:14 -0700

This morning we are going to look at a servant of Christ who gives us an example of a humble selfless man. His name is Epaphroditus. We find the story of this man in Philippians chapter 2. Before we look at this man lets back up in chapter 2 to get the context. Philippians 2 is a call for all believers to have an attitude of humility that causes a self-sacrificial, self-denying, self-giving love. Which are things that do not come naturally. Paul starts out by calling believers to an attitude of humility:

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4 NASB)

This message preached by David B. Curtis on April 11th, 2010. Media #501.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-04-04 Christ The First Fruits, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26

Wed, 7 Apr 2010 20:19:05 -0700

Today hundreds of thousands of Christians are celebrating "Easter". Let me say a little bit about Easter. The name "Easter" has its roots in ancient polytheistic religions. On this, all scholars agree. But there is much disagreement as to the exact origin. One origin of Easter dates back to ancient times, not long after the global Flood. Nimrod, a grandson of Noah, had turned from following his grandfather's God and had become a tyrannical ruler. Some trace Easter back to the springtime ritual instituted by Semiramis, Nimrod’s wife, following the death of Tammuz, their son. Contemporary traditions such as the Easter Bunny and the Easter egg can also be traced back to the practices established by Semiramis.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on April 4th, 2010. Media #500.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-03-28 Christ Our Passover, Exodus 12

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:19:07 -0700

One of the most significant events in the history of the human race took place on the 14th of Nisan, which happens to be tomorrow at sundown. What took place on that day that is so significant to us? It was the day that the Passover took place. What I want us to see this morning is that Passover is much more than a historical event that took place in the life of Israel. Passover was a type.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on March 28th, 2010. Media #499.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-03-21 To the Ephesian Elders, pt 2 Acts 20: 28-38

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:39:30 -0700

There are three terms used in the New Testament to describe Church leaders, and none of them are "reverend," they are, "bishop, elder, and pastor." Pastors are not distinct from bishops or elders. The terms are simply different ways of identifying the same people. Textual evidence indicates that all three terms refer to the same office. In verse 17 Paul uses the term "elders" and then in verse 28 he uses "bishop and shepherd":

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28 NASB)

This message preached by David B. Curtis on March 21st, 2010. Media #498.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-03-14 To the Ephesian Elders, Acts 20:13-27

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:39:38 -0700

There are three terms used in the New Testament to describe Church leaders, and none of them are "reverend," they are, "bishop, elder, and pastor." Pastors are not distinct from bishops or elders. The terms are simply different ways of identifying the same people. Textual evidence indicates that all three terms refer to the same office. In verse 17 Paul uses the term "elders" and then in verse 28 he uses "bishop and shepherd":

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28 NASB)

This message preached by David B. Curtis on March 14th, 2010. Media #497.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-03-07 Preached to Death, Acts 20:1-12

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:27:23 -0800

Paul comes to Ephesus preaching the Gospel, and now those who make idols are worried about their job security. The Apostle Paul changed the world as few other men have ever done. He lived in a day before jet airplanes or cars and paved highways. He had to go everywhere by foot, on donkeys, or by sailing vessel, none of which were very speedy. He did not have a telephone to call and talk with the leaders of churches that he had founded around the Roman Empire. He didn’t have computers, email, copy machines, or other modern tools that make communication easier. He spent many years of his ministry in prison, unable to move about freely. He contended with fierce opposition both from outside and inside the church. And yet, after 25-30 years of ministry, he left a lasting impact on the world, not only in his time, but also for all times. And this remarkable man’s advice to us is:

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB)

This message preached by David B. Curtis on March 7th, 2010. Media #496.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-02-28 Riot for Profit, Acts 19:21-41

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 07:33:28 -0800

Ephesus had a church established that became a beachhead for evangelism that extended to the entire Roman province of Asia Minor. Paul spent three years teaching about the kingdom of God in Ephesus:

"Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. (Acts 20:31 NASB)

So far as we know, he stayed in Ephesus longer than he stayed at any other place.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on February 21st, 2010. Media #495.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
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2010-02-21 Understanding "The Revelation",part 2 Rev. 13:11-21

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:11:35 -0800

When the Romans resumed the Jewish war, they were furious and came in with a vengeance. There was so much blood shed that it put out fires in the buildings. The people were cutting each other open to get the food that they had eaten, and mothers were roasting their own children. Notice what is said about this Tribulation, nothing will ever equal it. The destruction of Jerusalem was far more than the fall of a Jewish city; it was the destruction and conclusion of Old Covenant Israel.
This message preached by David B. Curtis on February 21st, 2010. Media #494.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-02-14 Understanding "The Revelation", Rev. 1:1-11

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:41:19 -0800

For the next two weeks we are going to take a break from the book of Acts and give an overview of the book of Revelation. The vivid imagery and dramatic message of Revelation have long captivated the attention of Christendom although most of the interest is based on a radical misunderstanding of the very nature and purpose of the book. As church historian Philip Schaff noted over ninety years ago, "The literature of the Apocalypse, especially in English, is immense, but mostly impository (Impository preaching is preaching which seeks to take a theme for the sermon and impose it on the text) rather than expository, and hence worthless or even mischievous, because confounding and misleading."

This message preached by David B. Curtis on February 14th, 2010. Media #493.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-02-07 Anointed Hankies? Acts 19:8-20

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 10:03:34 -0800

If you remember from back in Acts 16 Paul tried to go into Asia on his second missionary journey, but the Spirit forbade them. Later in that journey Paul finally came to Ephesus, but because he was intent on reaching Jerusalem for the feast he spent only a short time there. He did, however, leave Priscilla and Aquila behind, and they must have played a significant part in preparation for Paul’s lengthy stay as recorded in our text. So Paul is now in Ephesus again.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on February 7th, 2010. Media #492.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-01-24 Salvation of the Remnant Acts 19:1-7

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:17:39 -0800

The Book of Acts shows us the transition from Judaism to Jesus. If we are going to correctly understand the New Testament, we must understand "the transition period." If someone were to ask you what the transition period was, could you explain it? When did it begin? When did it end? What was happening during it? These are questions that we need to be able to answer if we are going to understand the transition period.

The transition period began on Pentecost in A.D. 30, and it ended at the destruction of the Jewish temple in A.D. 70. During the transition period the church was growing from infancy to maturity. A spiritual house was being built for God to dwell in. This was a time of change and growth, it was a time of transformation from the Old to the New.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on January 24th, 2010. Media #491.

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2010-01-17 The Salvation of Apollos Acts 18:18-28

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:11:22 -0800

It has been over a month since we’ve been in the book of Acts, so we need to review a little this morning. In our last study we saw Paul in the city of Corinth. Corinth had gained a reputation throughout the whole Roman world as the center of sensuality. But Corinth became one of the greatest centers of Christianity in the ancient world. Remember that we said Paul was alone when he arrived in the City of Corinth. And he was discouraged.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on January 17th, 2010. Media #490.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2010-01-03 A Spiritual Necessity! Luke 10:38-42

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 16:38:58 -0800

My goal this morning is to challenge you to set aside a time each day to spend in the Word of God. Spending time each day with this Book is essential to our spiritual lives. We seem to neglect the most critical part of our lives, our spiritual lives. Thus, I want to challenge you to either begin a regimen of spending time delving into the Word of life, or to increase the time that you are reading.
To challenge us in the area of spending time with God I’d like for us to look at a very familiar story found only in Luke’s Gospel, the story of two sisters:

Luke 10:3842 (NASB) Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

This message preached by David B. Curtis on January 3rd, 2010. Media #489.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-12-20 Why was Jesus Born? Matthew 1:18-23

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:27:24 -0800

If you asked the average Christian what Christmas was, they would no doubt associate Christmas with the birth of Christ and in some way see it as a celebration of His birth. Is it? Is Christmas about Christ? The word "Christmas" means: "Mass of Christ," or, as it came to be shortened, "Christ-mass"; a Roman Catholic Mass which grew out of a specific feast day established in A.D.1038. It has nothing to do with Scripture or the birth of Christ! The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1946 ed. says this: "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church. It was not instituted by Christ or the Apostles, or by Bible authority. It was picked up after-ward from paganism."
What about the birth of Christ, that’s important, isn’t it? Was Jesus born on December 25?

This message preached by David B. Curtis on December 20th, 2009. Media #488.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-12-13 The Corinthians and the Second Coming Acts 18:1-17

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:11:50 -0800

Last week we were with Paul, Aquila and Priscilla and Silas and Timothy in the city of Corinth. We saw Paul preaching in the synagogue and then to the Gentiles. Paul stayed in Corinth for at least a year and a half. In our time in Corinth we met some of the Corinthians who had come to faith in Christ. We met Aquila and Priscilla, Titius Justus, Crispus the leader of the synagogue, and Sosthenes. We learned that many of the Corinthians came to Christ and a church was founded in the midst of this vile pagan city.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on December 13th, 2009. Media #487.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-12-06 God Of All Comfort, Acts 18:1-17

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 20:28:16 -0800

We have been following Paul through his first and second missionary journeys. And what we have seen so far of Paul’s missionary endeavors could give us the impression that Paul was superhuman. He had incredible courage, he appears to be fearless. For example look at what happened on the first missionary journey:

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he arose and entered the city. And the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. (Acts 14:19-20 NASB)

Can you even imagine what it would be like to have a group of people pick up rocks and throw them at you until they thought you were dead? This would have to be a very painful experience!

This message preached by David B. Curtis on December 6th, 2009. Media #486.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-11-29 Understanding Scripture Mark 10:28-31

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 06:06:30 -0800

If we are going to understand Scripture, which I believe is the goal of everyone here, we must have some understanding of Hermeneutics. A principle that is vital to a proper interpretation of Scripture is the principle of audience relevance.

This means that whatever a passage meant, or whatever words spoken in Scripture meant, it meant or had direct application to the original intended audience. Under the principle of audience relevance something we must understand is the transformation of the ages, or we could say, you must understand when the Old Covenant ended and the New Covenant was consummated.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on November 29th, 2009. Media #485.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-11-15 God the Judge Acts 17:26-34

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:36:59 -0800

Is idolatry something that we should be concerned with today? Don’t think that we are free from idolatry, for if a god is that which is the most important thing in your life, that to which you give your time and effort and energy, that which occupies the primary place of importance to you, then we worship many gods.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on November 15th, 2009. Media #484.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-11-01 Paul at Athens Acts 17:15-23

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 06:52:07 -0800

We have been following the Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey, as he has made his way from Philippi down to Thessalonica and then to Berea. We saw in our last study that the Christians in Berea sent Paul away to Athens, fearing for his life and a total disruption of the work going on there. But both Silas and Timothy remained in Berea to take care of the new Christians.

Now those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. (Acts 17:15 NASB)

This message preached by David B. Curtis on November 1st, 2009. Media #482.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-10-25 The Bereans Acts 17:10-14

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:11:24 -0700

We are studying Paul’s second missionary journey, which is recorded in five chapters in the middle of the book of Acts. He has crossed the Aegean Sea to Philippi, where he preached the gospel, was beaten and imprisoned, and founded a church. He is then run out of Philippi and goes to Thessalonica where he goes into the synagogue, preaches the gospel and establishes a church there. As usual the Jews cause a riot.:

But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and coming upon the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. (Acts 17:5 NASB)

So the believers send Paul away by night:

And the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea; and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 17:10 NASB)

Paul and his company proceeded overland southwest from Thessalonica for a distance of about fifty miles to the small city of Berea.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on October 25th, 2009. Media #481.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-10-18 The Thessalonians And The Second Coming, Acts 17:1-10 Pt.2

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:47:00 -0700

In our last study in Acts we saw Paul and the missionary team in Thessalonica.

Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.    (Acts 17:1 NASB)

We saw that Paul went into the synagogue, preached the Gospel, caused a riot and was run out of the city. We really don’t learn much about the Thessalonians from our text in Acts, but one thing we do learn is that many of them believed Paul’s preaching and came to faith in Christ.

And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a great multitude of the Godfearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.    (Acts 17:4 NASB)

What I want to do this morning is to show you the results of Paul, Silas and Timothy’s visit to Thessalonica. We learn much about the believers in Thessalonica in the two letters written to them by Paul. So please turn with me to the first letter to the Thessalonians.

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.    (1 Thessalonians 1:1 NASB)

This message preached by David B. Curtis on October 18th, 2009. Media #480.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-10-11 Preaching In Thessalonica Acts 17:1-10

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:15:59 -0700

We have been looking at the apostle Paul's second missionary journey. Paul, together with Silas, Timothy and Luke, had established a beachhead for the gospel in Europe, in the city in Philippi, in Macedonia around A.D. 51.
Paul and Silas were arrested and beaten following Paul's casting out of a demon from a slave girl who was used of her masters to foretell the future. As Paul and Silas lay in a dungeon singing praise to God, an earthquake destroyed the prison. The jailer and his family came to faith as a result, and they joined together with Lydia and her household to form the first home church on the European continent. Luke would remain on to shepherd the young church, while Paul and his companions headed south on the Egnatian Way as soon as they are released from prison.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on October 11th, 2009. Media #479.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-09-27 Beaten, Imprisoned and Praising God! Acts 16:22-40

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 06:19:27 -0700

Paul and the missionary team are in the city of Philippi. Their first mission in Europe was meeting with a group of women at the riverside prayer meeting. Paul preached and God opened Lydia’s heart and she believed the Gospel.
Then one day while on their way to prayer a demon possessed slave girl begins to follow the mission team crying out:

..."These men are bondservants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation."    (Acts 16:17 NASB)

Paul turns to her and commands the demon to come out and it does immediately.

But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities,    (Acts 16:19 NASB)

The word "dragged" here is the Greek word helkuo this is the same Greek word used in:

"No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.   (John 6:44 NASB)

Helkuo means: “to draw with irresistible superiority”. These men dragged Paul into the market place, Paul had no choice in the matter.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on September 27th, 2009. Media #478.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-09-20 Paul Exorcizes The Python, Acts 16:16-21

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:59:41 -0700

We are in the 16th chapter of Acts and the gospel has just reached Europe. It started in Jerusalem, then spread to Judea, then to Samaria, and now it is penetrating the uttermost parts of the earth. In our last study the missionary team crossed the Aegean Sea and landed on the shores of Europe. What city are they now in? Philippi! Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia.
Paul had seen a vision of a man of Macedonia asking them to come and help him. So they immediately head for Macedonia but when they get there they end up with several women at a river. Paul preaches the gospel and Lydia comes to faith in Christ as the Lord opened her heart. This opening of Lydia’s heart was a supernatural work of God.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on September 20th, 2009. Media #477.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-09-13 Open Heart Surgery, Acts 16:11-15

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:04:59 -0700

We are now in that part of Acts in which Luke is describing the second missionary journey of the Apostle Paul. This is the story of the entrance of the gospel into Europe. What started in the Temple in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost as a trickle was spreading out over the known world just as Ezekiel 47 predicted.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on September 13th, 2009. Media #476.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
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2009-09-06 Strengthening The Churches, Acts 15:36-16:10

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 12:03:59 -0700

We are continuing our study through the book of Acts. Before we look at our text I want to share with you a quote that I found in a commentary on Acts. Ray C. Stedman writes, "I hope you are realizing, more and more as we go through this book, that here is a description of normal Christianity. This is the way the church could have been, and should have been, in any age. Unless the church is living in the atmosphere of the book of Acts, it is missing out on its heritage."

What do you think? Is the book of Acts "normal Christianity"?

This message preached by David B. Curtis on September 6th, 2009. Media #475.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
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2009-08-30 The Only Good Man Mark 10:13-27

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 05:05:30 -0700

In our text for this morning we find Jesus and his disciples in a home in Perea east of the Jordan river across from Judea. He is moving from the north in Capernaum down south into Judea. He is actually en route to Jerusalem. As the Lord finished his comments about marriage, some of the local people began to approach the home with their children seeking the Lord to bless these little ones.

The text in Mark 10:13-31 contains two major paragraphs describing two separate but related incidents. The first paragraph, verses 13-16, contains Mark’s description of our Lord’s response to the disciples’ attempt to hinder parents bringing their children to Jesus, for Him to touch, to pray for, and thus, to bless. The second paragraph contains the incident of the “rich young ruler” who came to Jesus to learn what he must do in order to obtain eternal life, along with the response of Jesus and His disciples (verses 17-31).

This message preached by David B. Curtis on August 30, 2009. Media #474.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
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2009-08-23 Who’s My Neighbor? Luke 10:25-37

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:06:15 -0700

Do you think that the question, “Who’s my neighbor?” is important? Why is this an important question? It is important because we are commanded as Christians to love our neighbors:

Matthew 22:3640 (NASB)  "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Romans 13:9 (NASB)  For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

Galatians 5:14 (NASB)  For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

We can’t love our neighbor if we don’t know who our neighbor is. Do you agree? So the command to love our neighbor is meaningless until we understand who our neighbor is. By the time you leave here this morning I want you to understand without a doubt who your neighbor is. I want you to know who it is you are commanded to love.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on August 23, 2009. Media #473.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
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2009-08-09 Saved by Grace, Walking in Love, Acts 15:19-35

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:34:51 -0700

The first 35 verses of Acts chapter fifteen are the story of the representatives of the Church of Antioch and representative of the Church at Jerusalem meeting to discuss the doctrine of soteriology. What brought about this meeting? Paul and Barnabas had been traveling throughout Galatia preaching the Gospel of grace.

And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.    (Acts 13:49 NASB)

Many Gentile were coming to the Lord and churches were being planted. But following Paul and Barnabas  were some men from Jerusalem who were teaching that faith alone was not enough to save a man, they must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses.

And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."    (Acts 15:1 NASB)

What did we say these men were called? Judaizers. To these "Judaizers" salvation meant identifying not only with Christ but with the nation Israel. It meant placing oneself under the Mosaic Covenant and keeping the Laws of Moses, as defined by Judaism. The issue at hand was whether Gentile converts had to become Jewish proselytes in order to be saved.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on August 9th, 2009. Media #471.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-08-02 Restoring the Tabernacle of David Acts, 15:13-19

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 11:40:49 -0700

Today we come to our 53rd study in the book of Acts. We began this study back in March of 08. So just in case you have forgotten what the theme of this book is let me remind you. As we go through this book it is important to understand why Luke wrote it. What is this book about? What is it's major theme?
The prolog of this book acts as a preface and the preface is setting before us the theme of the author:

And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6 NASB)

What is the disciples question? It is about the restoration of Israel. And that is what this book is about, the "Redemption of Israel." God had promised His people Israel that He would restore or redeem them:

Zion will be redeemed with justice, And her repentant ones with righteousness. (Isaiah 1:27 NASB)

As the gospels end we see that Jesus has been rejected by Israel, put to death on a cross. Then in the epistles of the New Testament the writers address the Church:
to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB)

So the question is, What happened to Israel?

This message preached by David B. Curtis on August 2nd, 2009. Media #470.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

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2009-07-26 The Apostles’ Creed, Acts 15:1-12

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:01:26 -0700

There is always strife when we talk about the way of salvation. That is because there is such a difference of opinion about the way of salvation. Some have the idea, "It doesn’t really make a difference what you believe, so long as you believe it with fervency and with zeal because God will accept us if we come to Him, no matter how we may come to Him." That’s very, very wrong, biblically, but nevertheless that’s the way the world thinks. It thinks that everybody is going to heaven, though they are traveling by different roads. And, if they are religious people, it doesn’t make a bit of difference which religion you may have, so long as you have religion. Now, the Scriptures are utterably opposed to this but many people-most people-do not read the Scriptures.

This message preached by David B. Curtis on July 26th, 2009. Media #469.

Berean Bible Church provides this material free of charge for the edification of the Body of Christ.

You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
Berean Bible Church
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