Glen Lightfoot

ID 53109Sep 20, 1987

Christians are called to live as soldiers, athletes, and farmers, embodying specific characteristics and fulfilling corresponding duties in an era of spiritual darkness. As soldiers, they must endure hardship and avoid entanglements of this life, much like soldiers in training who sacrifice to overcome obstacles. As athletes, they are to strive lawfully in the race of faith, training diligently and adhering to God's rules to win an incorruptible crown, not a temporary one. Finally, as farmers, they must labor diligently not just for personal growth but to produce fruit that nourishes others, reflecting God's purpose for their lives. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that these roles require conviction, not mere convenience, and a commitment to God's will, leading to a fruitful Christian life.

ID 53108Sep 20, 1987

Second Timothy serves as a guiding light for Christians navigating the spiritual darkness of modern times, emphasizing the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine. The sermon illustrates the concept of spiritual darkness through a personal experience in the Carlsbad Caverns, contrasting it with the illuminating truth found in Scripture. It highlights the Apostle Paul's final words to Timothy as a crucial message for believers today, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith and to commit God's word to faithful individuals who will, in turn, teach others. The message further develops this by presenting the Christian life as that of a soldier enduring hardship, not seeking comfort, but faithfully engaging in spiritual warfare for eternal rewards.

ID 53106Sep 18, 1987

John the Baptist is presented as a model of a man sent from God, emphasizing that true ministry comes from divine calling rather than personal ambition. The sermon highlights John's preparation in the wilderness, where he learned to listen to God's still small voice, and his humble self-identification as merely a "voice" to point to Christ. This humility is contrasted with self-promoting modern ministries, underscoring that the message, not the messenger, is paramount. The message concludes by urging believers to be "burning and shining lights" for God, removing obstacles that hinder their witness and allowing the Spirit within them to shine.

ID 53105Sep 17, 1987

Men and women sent by God, like Moses, Isaiah, and Elijah, are called to serve Him, but their journeys involve God's training and testing. Moses endured forty years in the desert, learning humility and reliance on God, while Isaiah experienced a profound encounter with God's holiness, leading him to offer himself for service. Elijah, after a dramatic confrontation with King Ahab, was miraculously sustained by ravens by the brook Cherith, demonstrating God's provision in unexpected ways. The sermon emphasizes that God uses imperfect individuals, calling them to present themselves and be willing to go where He sends, even when the path is difficult or the message challenging, ultimately highlighting God's faithfulness in providing for those who obey.

ID 53100Sep 13, 1987

The certainty of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, contrasting it with the futility of self-righteousness or delayed decisions. It highlights that true salvation is a gift received by believing in Christ, not earned through good works or adherence to religious practices. The message warns against the danger of procrastination, illustrating how opportunities for salvation can be missed, and stresses the importance of an intelligent, present decision to accept Christ before the "harvest is past and the summer is ended."

ID 53097Sep 12, 1987

God calls individuals to serve Him not based on their education or perceived abilities, but by presenting themselves and what they have, even if it seems small. The sermon uses Moses' life, particularly his time in the desert and his encounter with the burning bush, to illustrate that God's school is the primary place of preparation, not formal education. It emphasizes that God uses ordinary people and their everyday possessions, like Moses' shepherd's rod, to accomplish extraordinary feats, urging listeners to offer themselves wholly to God, trusting Him to work through them. The core lesson is that God's power is made perfect in human weakness, and the response God desires is a willing "Here am I."

ID 53091Sep 12, 1987

The urgency of living for God by highlighting the brevity of time, as stated in 1 Corinthians 7:29. It challenges listeners to move beyond passive reception of knowledge and to actively apply what they know, urging them to be "God-sent" individuals rather than merely man-sent or self-sent. The message uses the life of Moses as a primary example, illustrating that true service to God requires attending "God's school," which involves humility, sacrifice, and a willingness to be shaped by divine purpose, often through difficult circumstances, rather than relying on worldly education or personal ambition. The ultimate call is to be transformed into Christ's image and to actively serve, recognizing that God's work requires a mature, obedient response to His calling.

ID 52963Nov 20, 1983

Christ's preeminence in all things is the central theme, emphasizing that all creation is by Him and for Him, and that He sustains all things. The sermon addresses questions about the judgment seat of Christ, clarifying that it pertains to works, not sin, and that believers will be in glorified bodies, suggesting no tears will be shed there. It also discusses the timing of the tribulation, the miraculous salvation and ministry of the 144,000 Jews, and the nature of the gospel of the kingdom. The sermon concludes by affirming the reality of the lake of fire as a place of eternal torment and the finality of salvation for those who reject Christ in this life.

ID 52956Nov 20, 1983

Satan is not in hell but operates in heavenly places as the "prince of the power of the air" and the "god of this world," influencing humanity from the time of the garden of Eden. It details Satan's eventual casting down to earth at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation period, after which he will be bound for a thousand years during Christ's millennial reign. The message emphasizes that even with Satan bound, the flesh and the world remain sources of temptation, and individuals must personally choose to follow Christ.

ID 52955Nov 17, 1983

The "day of the Lord," a time of judgment, should not be confused with the "day of Christ," which refers to the rapture and the blessings for believers. It clarifies that the tribulation period, specifically Daniel's last week, cannot begin until the Holy Spirit, who restrains evil, is removed from the earth, which occurs after the rapture. The passage identifies the "man of sin" or the first beast in Revelation 13 as a Gentile world dictator empowered by Satan, and the second beast, the "false prophet," as a Jew who will proclaim himself the Messiah. These two, along with Satan, form an unholy trinity during the tribulation, proving that believers are not currently in this period because these figures have not yet fully emerged.

ID 52925Nov 17, 1983

Directly addresses the doctrine of the resurrection, distinguishing between the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust. It explains that the resurrection of believers, referred to as the first resurrection, occurs at the rapture and involves the resurrection of their bodies to be reunited with their spirits and souls. This resurrection includes both Old Testament and New Testament saints, ensuring all believers receive incorruptible bodies. The sermon then details the second resurrection, which is for the unsaved, occurring after the thousand-year reign of Christ, culminating in their judgment at the Great White Throne and eternal punishment in the lake of fire. The core lesson emphasizes the certainty of resurrection for all and the critical importance of being 'in Christ' for eternal life.

ID 52919Nov 16, 1983

Eternity is presented as a continuous journey from the first advent of Christ to His second advent and beyond, emphasizing the reality of hell and the importance of living for God. The sermon uses the story of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16 to illustrate the reality of hell and the need to heed Scripture, contrasting it with the thief on the cross in Luke 23 who was promised paradise. It explains that before Christ's resurrection, paradise and hell were both in the earth's depths, separated by a great gulf, but after His resurrection, paradise was emptied and is now in heaven with the Lord. The message concludes by highlighting the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers' works, not sins, will be evaluated for rewards during the millennial reign, urging a life of service and faithfulness.

ID 52917Nov 15, 1983

God's plan for time is presented as a comprehensive narrative from eternity to eternity, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. The sermon emphasizes that while current world events may seem chaotic, God remains in control and has a divine plan. It highlights the cross of Christ as the pivotal point in this plan, offering hope for the past, present, and future. The core lesson is that Christians should focus on their ultimate hope in Christ's return, rather than being distracted by earthly events, as the rapture could occur at any moment.

ID 52914Jun 13, 1983

The second advent of Jesus Christ is described as a future event where he will physically return to the earth, specifically to the Mount of Olives, causing it to split. This event, distinct from the rapture, will be a public appearance witnessed by all, including those who pierced him, and will usher in a period of judgment. The sermon contrasts this with the rapture, where believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, emphasizing that the second advent is a time of judgment for the unsaved and a prelude to the millennial reign. The ultimate fate of those who reject Christ is the lake of fire, while believers find their hope in Christ's return.

ID 52912Jun 12, 1983

The significance of Christ's cross as the pivotal point of God's plan for all of time, from eternity past to the future. It explains the concept of 'Advent' as a coming or arrival, distinguishing between Christ's first Advent at Bethlehem and His future second Advent. The message highlights the ascension of Jesus from the Mount of Olives, as recorded in Acts chapter one, and the subsequent descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, marking the birth of the church. This orderly progression of events underscores God's divine timing and plan, emphasizing that Pentecost, the fiftieth day after the resurrection, is the church's birthday.