In this special presentation observing "Good Friday" we look at a world in which all of the forces of this world, under the control of Satan, utilizing human weakness, political influence, and evil in general all join together to send the most innocent man of all time to be executed on a Roman cross in Jerusalem. Beginning with a descriptive prophecy from 700 B.C. to its fulfillment in 33 A.D., the day Jesus was crucified ended up as the most consequential day in human history, which we remember in this service. You cannot experience joy until you have experienced the darkness first.
On Palm Sunday, people were very excited about Jesus because they thought he was going to be a political king who was going to defeat the Roman Empire. In other words, the people were looking for something different. Jesus set to build His Kingdom on the foundation of a renewed heart, soul, spirit, and eventually, body, however people wouldn't realize this until after His resurrection. Today people have many different ideas about Jesus, and for the wrong reasons. In this message, Pastor Troy Billow evaluates and challenges you to examine this dynamic in light of the event we call Palm Sunday.
Jesus emphasized to John that He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. On top of that He is also the author and finisher of our faith, and the creator and finalizer of this world. However, we have an adversary that has made this world what it is today in terms of hardships, difficulty, lies, murder, etc. The church in Smyrna would experience all sorts of difficulties, as Satan would like nothing more than to have the people of this church thrown in prison or worse. That said, why is Satan allowed to mess with believers? What can we learn from persecution, hardships, difficulties, lies, etc?
Jesus appeared to John, while on the Island of Patmos and assigned him to write letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor. The first one was the church of Ephesus. Ephesus was predominantly the strongest of the seven. Paul preached there, Apollos and John preached there as well. In fact, Jesus gives them a commendation, however Jesus makes clear that He has something against them. He communicates to them that they lost their first love. Sometimes we need to have a heart evaluation and ask ourselves why we are doing what we are doing. Are we doing things out of obligation or out of love. Pastor Troy shares this and much more in this power packed message.
Jesus shows Himself in a big way to the Apostle John to send a string of serious messages to the seven Churches in Asia Minor. These messages hold not only an array of characteristics that are unique to each church in their time, but as we reach the time of the end, these very characteristics are ever reaching a fever pitch unlike anything we have ever seen before in history. Jesus introduces His assignment to John in a very big way, with seven golden lamp-stands, a presence so bright that it's blinding, and a reminder that only Jesus, because of His resurrection, holds the keys to hell and death.
The Apostle John, the last surviving member of Jesus's close circle, who saw Jesus before his crucifixion, saw Him after His resurrection, and experienced the Holy Spirit, focuses on the return of Jesus. While in exile on the Island of Patmos, Jesus appeared to John and instructed him to write letters to the Seven Churches in Asia Minor that "the time is near" and that soon, Christ will return in the clouds, in glory and in great power. What does that mean for us today? Pastor Troy Billow explains how the time is nearer now than ever before, and how the season that is now in progress points that out like never before.
Giving (whether it is by money, service, use of talents, etc) is an outward action reflecting an inward reality. When you give/serve, the righteousness that God instills in you, comes out and it serves a powerful purpose; growing and advancing the Kingdom of God on earth. That is why giving should not be an outcome due to pressure, but sincerity. God wants to bless you so that you can bless others, so it is important to give because you want to. In the second part of his message on giving, Pastor Troy Billow elaborates on how one's heart should be when one is giving, and why it is important in the growth of one's faith.
Giving is an act that many people feel tremendous discomfort towards. Many times people give because they feel pressured into doing it, however giving reveals in measure, what's in one's heart. Whether it is time, money, resources, or what have you, giving is an external investment because it is NEEDED. This message will change your perspective on giving in a fresh and dynamic way, and what the Lord wants from you to serve your purpose and grow His Kingdom on earth.
The Word of God should be a staple in your life. It is your way out of trouble. It is your way through trials, challenges, and tribulations. It is your way to/for a transformative change that will prove its benefits for the better. You would do well to heed to it. What's fascinating about the Word of God is that the power that comes from God's word is far above and beyond any fable man could ever hope to devise. The Word came from God and was assigned to men to write for various reasons, meaning that man was an instrument, not a contriver of fables, as is laid out in this message by Pastor Troy Billow.
In 2024, LFCC's Kingdom Warriors Ministry hosted their annual "Moment of Truth" event. This is a special seminar with two special guest speakers, speaking on the theme of Transformational Truth. What power does the truth unlock when you are trusting in the truth that God lays out for you? Our second guest speaker, evangelist Jay Peters, speaks on the essential need to awaken God’s people. In ancient times, wicked Kings ruled and dominated longer than the righteous ones. During the reign of King Ahab, God rose up a righteous man by the name of Elijah to speak righteousness against the current of wickedness, idolatry and its detestable practices, and awaken God’s people. That did not come easy. In this message, Jay Peters makes the parallel between Elijah, Jesus Christ, and the task that every true believer has in taking on and confronting the wicked culture of our current day. And in this confrontation, transformation by the truth of God’s Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit, will begin to take shape and have a growing impact in your life and in our culture.