Atlantic Gospel Chapel Messages
Episodes
Sunday Feb 20, 2022
Sunday Feb 20, 2022
As Paul continues his letter to the church in Thessalonica, he calls to mind the sufferings this young church endured at the hands of their own countrymen, just as the churches in Judea suffered at the hands of their Jewish kinsmen. Because of such suffering, Paul feared this young church might fall away. This deep concern caused him to send Timothy from Athens into Thessalonica to see how they fared. And the news coming from this church couldn't give Paul any more joy. Rather than faltering, this church was vibrant and thriving; an example to the churches in Greece.
Paul, in his letter, also answers his critics. In today's lesson we see what appears to be a charge that he was insincere in regards to his concern for this church. Paul's response gives us three lessons for the believer today:
The Destiny of the Believer
The Duty of the Believer
And the Hope of the Believer
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be encouraged through the teaching of God's Word.
Sunday Dec 19, 2021
Sunday Dec 19, 2021
In Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica, he pours out his love and thankfulness for this local body which, despite fierce opposition, grew and thrived and prospered. In 1 Thessalonians 2, we see Paul defending his ministry against his critics, who appeared to accuse him of deceitfulness, immorality and hypocrisy. But Paul always returns to the Gospel.
But what is it about the Gospel message that allows Paul to withstand these attacks? And how well do we understand the power of the Gospel for our own lives?
In today's lesson, we learn how the Gospel is not just good news. The original readers of Paul's letter would have understood this term to be the good news of a history changing event that impacted everybody's situation and to which people need to respond. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ not only impacted history, but eternity, as well.
Is this how we view the Gospel? Does the Gospel impact us as the life changing, eternity altering event it truly is? And if so, how does this change our lives?
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May God bless you through the teaching of His Word.
Sunday Oct 17, 2021
Doug Schorle 10-10-2021 // 1 Thessalonians 1; The Heart of a Father
Sunday Oct 17, 2021
Sunday Oct 17, 2021
The book of Acts records for us the rise of the church in Thessalonica. Seeking to spread the Word of the Lord in Asia Minor during his second missionary journey, the Holy Spirit made other plans, guiding Paul and Silas, along with Timothy, into Greece. In Greece, after preaching in Philippi and travelling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to the capital city of the Macedonian province, Thessalonica.
In Acts 17, we read how, over three Sabbaths in the Jewish synagogue, Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures, "explaining and giving evidence that the Chris had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.'" (Acts 17:3 NASB). The result is that many believed, both of the Jews and the God fearing Greeks. Filled with jealousy, the Jews stirred up the city, effectively driving Paul and his companions away from Thessalonica.
Given these circumstances, Paul sent Timothy from Athens back to Thessalonica to see how the church fared and to encourage them. His greatest fear was that the "tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain." (1 Thessalonians 3:5b NASB). But when Timothy returned, the news gave great joy to Paul. For instead of returning to the former ways of idolatry, the church in Thessalonica stood firm in their faith, becoming an example to the other churches in all of Greece, as well as spreading the Word of God wherever they went.
The result of this report was the letters from Paul to the church of the Thessalonians. A letter in which Paul, like a concerned father, pours out his heart to this body of believers; expressing both his deep love and concern for, was well as his great joy in, this local church.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be encouraged through Paul's letter to the church in Thessalonica.
Saturday Aug 28, 2021
Doug Schorle 08-22-2021 // Models for Ministry; Matthew 9:35-10:8
Saturday Aug 28, 2021
Saturday Aug 28, 2021
Matthew records that following Jesus's baptism and His temptation in the wilderness, He settled in Capernaum and "began to preach and say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'". In the following chapters, we are presented by the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 thru 7, followed by signs and wonders; healing the sick, healing the leper, driving out demons, raising the dead, etc. The pattern we see is preaching and teaching, truth, followed by signs and wonders which serve to authenticate His teaching.
It should not surprise us, then, that when Jesus summoned the twelve, that He sent them to the lost sheep of Israel, preaching, "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This was to be accompanied by signs and wonders; in other words, truth accompanied by signs and wonders.
In today's lesson we see how this pattern can be a model for the church in proclaiming the Gospel and bringing the compassion of Christ to bear on a hurting world.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
Sunday May 23, 2021
Doug Schorle 05-09-2021 //1Samuel 1:1-18; Hannah, A Mother's Identity
Sunday May 23, 2021
Sunday May 23, 2021
As we celebrate Mothers' Day, we often look to Scripture for examples of mothers from whom we can gain valuable lessons. When we look at Hannah, we see a figure barren for so long, praying for a son, only to give away her first born son to the Lord.
What made it possible for Hannah to surrender a child for whom she had so desperately longed? And as we consider her character, what lessons are there for us?
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May God bless you through the teaching of His Word.
Saturday Mar 13, 2021
Doug Schorle 03-07-2021 // Genesis 22:1-18, God Will Provide the Lamb
Saturday Mar 13, 2021
Saturday Mar 13, 2021
Following the life of Abraham, we are presented with a picture of the life of every believer. We see great mountain top experiences characterized by tremendous faith and courage. But right next to these, we see dark valleys characterized by doubt and fear. But throughout, God reveals Himself to us through these dark times.
In Genesis 22, we see the climax of Abraham's walk with the Lord. Called to an impossible task, we see Abraham respond in obedient faith. But more that Abraham's tremendous faith, no other Old Testament story gives such clear glimpse into the heart of God. Just as Abraham was called to offer his own son, our Heavenly Father offered up His own Son, to bear the burden of our sin.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May the Lord bless you through the teaching of His Word.
Sunday Jan 24, 2021
Doug Schorle 01-24-2021 // Are You Laughing at Me? Genesis 17:1-22
Sunday Jan 24, 2021
Sunday Jan 24, 2021
In many ways the life of Abraham is a picture of the life of faith of a believer in Jesus Christ. The Lord called Abraham to follow Him. And as long as He kept his eyes on the Lord, he prospered in his walk. But in those times he took his eyes off the Lord, the Lord called out to Abraham to draw him back.
It has been 13 years since the birth of Ishmael. Abram is now 99 years old; Sarai 89. And the Lord comes to Abram to confirm His covenant. He changes the name of Abram to Abraham, 'Father of a multitude,' and Sarai to Sarah, a constant reminder of the Lord's promise for an heir and a land. In addition to a new name, he promises a son, to be born within the year; a son to be named Isaac, meaning 'Laughter,' a reminder that both Abraham and Sarah laughed at impossible promise, along with the joy this child brought to such an old couple.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May the Lord bless you through the teaching of God's Word.
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
Doug Schorle - 12-13-2020 // Genes 16; Stumbling In Our Faith Journey
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
Saturday Dec 19, 2020
In many ways, the life of Abraham becomes an allegory of sorts for the Christian life. We see times of tremendous faith, such as when Abraham rose early to offer up Isaac to the Lord as seen in Genesis 22. We see times of questioning, as when Abraham asked the Lord in Genesis 15, “O Lord God, what will You give me since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” We see times of great courage, as when Abraham pursued the kings who took his nephew, Lot, captive; pursuing them hundreds of miles to rescue his relative. And we see times of great cowardice, as when he claimed Sarah was his sister instead of his wife, not once but twice.
And, as we see in Genesis 16, we see times of stumbling. Assured of the Lord's promise to raise a child from his own flesh, Abram still stumbled, following his wife's counsel to bear a child through her maid, Hagar; perhaps this would be how the promise was to be fulfilled.
But through it all, we see the constancy of God. He never changes, nor does He waiver in His commitment to His promises, despite Abraham's, and our own, failings.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May the Lord bless you through the teaching of His Word.
Sunday Jul 26, 2020
Doug Schorle 07-26-2020 // Genesis 15 - Abram; A Questioning Faith
Sunday Jul 26, 2020
Sunday Jul 26, 2020
Every believer at some point in their walk with the Lord experiences questions, and even doubts. Life is filled with troubles that grieve us; leaving us to wonder how we reconcile our trials and tribulations with the promises of God in Scripture.
In his life, Abraham also dealt with questions. The man referred to as the friend of God, and the father of all who believer, struggled with questions. In Genesis 15, we see that in the midst of these deep questions, the Lord meets Abram in the midst of his struggles. We see God responding to Abram's questions with grace and patience.
We can take comfort in knowing it is OK to come to God with our questions. For in the midst of our suffering, we get a glimpse into what God has done on our behalf through the cross of Christ.
May you be blessed as you listen to today's lesson.
Thank you for listening.
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Doug Schorle 06-14-2020 // Genesis 14 - The Rescue of Lot
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
In Genesis 12, the Lord called Abram to leave his home, his relatives and his father's house and journey to a land the Lord would show him. The promise of God was to make Abram a great nation; to make his name great; to bless the nations of the earth through his seed.
By faith Abram stepped out, leaving it all behind; with one notable exception. Abram took with with him Lot, the son of his late brother, Haran. Many have commented on the wisdom of this decision, and that is still a topic of much discussion.
But in Genesis 14, we see Lot now in a situation requiring rescue. The kings around the Salt Sea rebelled against their oppressors whom they had served for 12 years. This included Sodom where Lot had taken up residence. And when the dust settled, Sodom was again defeated and Lot now a prisoner.
Upon hearing of his capture, Abram musters his forces and mounts a rescue mission. As we enter into the events of Genesis 14, we get a picture of another, greater, rescue mission. Surely Lot's choices put him into his predicament and as such did not deserve rescue. Likewise, we in our sin, by our own decisions have been led captive by a much greater enemy. But God in His mercy launched a rescue mission, sending His own Son to seek and to save that which was lost.
May you be blessed through God's Word.
Thank you for listening.