Draw Me Close: Podcast - A Ministry of Whitestone Christian Fellowship, with Pastor Bob Lawrenz

From Hebrews chapter 2, today's title, "How Shall We Escape?" is an odd question, until we read the rest of what is being asked. The entire question is this: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great (a) salvation?" It's rhetorical, because the answer is obvious.
The angels were aware of it, though it did not apply to them. The Prophets spoke of it. Jesus taught about it, and it was affirmed by tho...

We are in Galatians chapter 6 and finishing up this wonderful book. The focus of the chapter is on practical Christian living. Paul encourages believers to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. We are called to support and uplift our brothers and sisters in their times of need, showing compassion and mercy just as Christ has shown us. As we do good to all people, especially those in the family of believers (...

Since Satan's fall (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 2:11-18), Satan is actively battling with the angelic host, and with believers (Daniel 10:12-13; 1 Peter 5:8).  Believers must be Aware and Alert to all of his schemes, giving him no opportunity to weaken our faith and testimony to the world (Ephesians 4:27).  We are to resist him (James 4:7). The future battle finds Michael and the angels waging war with the dragon.  This ultimate battl...

Paul reaches the climax of this epistle, stating what can properly be called the theme of his letter: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." He follows with dire warnings about the consequences of seeking to be circumcised and justified by the Law. He then reminds them that the hope of righteousness is for those who through the Spirit e...

Today we will be finishing up the rest of chapter 14, verses 7-20 in the book of Revelation.
John’s attention now points to three angels who deliver urgent messages from the Lord.  The three angels deliver messages of warning and prophecy, predicting God's impending judgment on sin and evil. There is a specific warning to those who take the mark of the beast described in chapter 13. They are not ignorant of what they do, the...

Word tenses and definitions in the Bible are interesting to study, even as languages “evolve” in the process of time. The meanings become apparent even from passages written long ago. In spite of language differences, faithful translators have brought us God’s Word in its most accurate form, without taking us to the original tongues.
Today’s title given to this message points to this despite language changes. “Well Doing” points...

As we finish up Galatians 4 this week, Paul continues to emphasize that salvation comes through faith in Christ, not adherence to the law. Because of the false teaching the Galatians had been listening to, they had begun to see Paul and the gospel he preached as untrustworthy. Paul exposes the motive of false teachers, and that is that they only want to glorify themselves. As exasperated as Paul is with the Galatian church, he stil...

In Galatians 4, Paul begins by highlighting the transition from slavery to sonship that comes through faith in Christ. He reminds the Galatians that they are no longer slaves but heirs of God's promises. This shift in identity is crucial for believers to grasp, as it shapes how they live out their faith. By emphasizing their new status as sons and daughters of God, Paul encourages them to embrace the freedom that comes with bei...

As we continue our study in Galatians chapter 3, Paul continues to explain to the Galatians, that Christ redeemed believers from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for them, and that those who have faith in Christ are heirs of the promise made to Abraham. The law, introduced later, didn't invalidate the promise but rather served as a temporary guide, confining people to sin until Christ's arrival. Through faith in Chr...

In last week’s teaching, The Apostle Paul exposed the hypocrisy of the Apostle Peter when Judaisers from Jerusalem came to Anteeok, dispatched from the Apostle James. The cultural morals held by the Jews at that time were to not eat or share a meal with non-Jews. But Peter, as well as Barnabas, Paul’s companion in ministry, both fell away from the truth, and left eating with new Gentile converts to eat with the visiting Jews. This ...

This week, we are finishing up in Galatians Chapter 2, beginning with verse 14. We will explore Paul’s powerful message about the true gospel of grace.
In Antioch, a significant event unfolded involving Apostle Paul and Peter, recorded in Galatians 2. Paul confronted Peter for his inconsistent behavior regarding Gentile Christians. Peter initially ate with Gentiles, but then separated himself when individuals from James (brother...

Galatians 2:1-13 is describing Paul's second visit to Jerusalem after his conversion. The purpose of this visit is to meet with the leaders of the church to ensure to those questioning his ministry, that the gospel he preached to the Gentiles aligned with the same gospel the apostles preached in Jerusalem. Paul addresses his concerns about the inclusion of Gentiles. The leaders, including Peter, James, and John, recognized Pau...