Plymouth Haven Baptist Church

Core Truth: According to Scripture, a heart of thankfulness is not an add-on to our lives as Christians, but is meant to be integral to who we are as God’s children. As Dr. John MacArthur once put it, “A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.”

Core Truth: While from a human or earthly point of view many Biblical prophecies are hard to understand and interpret because they seem to be all happening “in the moment,” whereas in reality their various elements are often separated by literally thousands of years. Such is the case with our Scripture today where a large span of earthly history is telescoped down to seem like it is all happening at once but is actually spanning or covering a very large portion of history here on earth.

Core Truth: “Christians around the world are experiencing severe persecution. The consequences for professing faith in Jesus Christ range from stereotyping and marginalization in the west to enslavement and martyrdom in parts of the east. As unwelcome as it may be, persecution is not surprising. Jesus warned His believers, ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.’ (John 15:20). The strange truth about persecution is that it has an enigmatic effect: it strengthens the Church! In Romans 5, the apostle Paul encourages believers to ‘glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope’ (verses 3-4). History bears testimony to the fortifying effect of persecution.” Dr. David Jeremiah.

Core Truth: Believing that every true believer wants to please God and receive His unqualified approval when we finally stand before Him, it is most encouraging to know that our ultimate success in that regard does not depend upon our faithfulness but upon His – and that His faithfulness cannot ever change! Such confidence enables us to live truly free in Christ, knowing that while we are not yet perfect, we one day shall be – and that even then that most generous gift given to each of us will not be on our deserving it but on His unchanging faithfulness.