36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36
It’s amazing how much emphasis the Bible puts on your belief. If you simply believe in the Son, Jesus, you can have eternal life. Realize of course that this belief is not dead or powerless. The belief that we must have has to be one that can create change and movement in our lives.
Of course the opposite is equally true. Not believing in the Son keeps you from life itself. Notice how it says that you shall not see life, as if life actually only starts when you begin to believe in Jesus. What we are ‘living’ now is just an empty husk compared to the real life that is available to all who are willing to make the great leap to believe.
The last few words of the verse can seem very scary. The wrath of God is on all who do not believe. Some people can read this and think that God is uncaring and cruel. He punishes those who reject His Son. But I see it as a natural consequence. Do you blame fire itself when you burn yourself if you were to stick your hand into a flame? Of course not. Fire is hot and burns. That is not punishment but a natural reality of fire. God is similar.
God is pure goodness. He is the giver of life and life itself. To reject God is to reject life. Can you blame God for you yourself rejecting to live? Life, like the burning of fire, is just a natural state of God. Remember too that there is no other source of life.
I hope you can see your belief in Jesus, not as a requirement or decision but also as a natural consequence. I hope that when you experience the love, joy and peace of Christ that you just naturally become believer in it and Him.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begottenSon, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16-17
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
https://brontesda.com/allfiles/2018/01/bronte-new-logo.png00adminhttps://brontesda.com/allfiles/2018/01/bronte-new-logo.pngadmin2021-05-28 12:57:422021-05-28 12:57:42See Life
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
Matthew 8:16
I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for the sick and their families, waiting for sunset, the changing of Sabbath to Sunday to rush over and have Jesus touch their infirmities away.
One day we will all be able to experience it if we chose to take part. When Jesus returns in the clouds, we will have our day of healing and perfection. We will see Jesus face to face. We simply have to wait.
But wait how long?
I ask this question because it is possible that we ourselves create time limits on ourselves. Many a debate has raged over 2 Peter 3:12:
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Can we really hasten his coming?
I’m not going to answer that question here but I will bring up something that all those looking for healing got wrong in Matthew 8:16. Look at the few verses before it.
14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.
Jesus didn’t wait for the Sabbath to end to cure Peter’s mother in law. She was sick, he was there and so he healed her. So many people waited for the sun to go down not realizing that Jesus was already willing and waiting to heal them. Can you be doing to same today?
Is there a miracle Jesus is waiting to give you, but you yourself is waiting for a special time or event?
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20
Look at tour current situation right now and ask yourself: is Jesus waiting for me to ask for a miracle I’m needing?
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
https://brontesda.com/allfiles/2018/01/bronte-new-logo.png00adminhttps://brontesda.com/allfiles/2018/01/bronte-new-logo.pngadmin2021-05-21 20:11:132021-05-21 20:11:13Waiting for a Miracle
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:25
Last week we talked about our treasures. The question was asked, where do you focus most of your effort and attention? Is it on the physical things of this world or is it in our future life with God in heaven?
Today, we will continue with this theme. Jesus made it perfectly clear that he loves us and wants the best for us. He made it very clear that he knows what we need in this life. He himself came down to this world to experience it. He said to put our focus on the things of heaven but that creates anxiety for us who believe that we ourselves must care for our futures here. Matthew 6:25 is telling us the exact opposite. Jesus, knowing our needs, is promising that we will have our futures here secured even if we put our focus on the heavenly things first. This is where true faith is experienced and challenged. Do not worry! That is the core theme of Matthew 6:25. Do not worry, not because you will win the lottery and not have to worry about but, but because God will always provide your needs in this life. Notice I say needs here and not wants.
It is the difference between needs and wants that our true struggle rests. God promises our needs will be met but the world offers us wants to fill our joy, desire and fulfilment. The wants of this life truly are appealing. Who wouldn’t want a big fancy home, expensive car, pool, world vacations and more? This world can be very hard and stressful and that vacation can really be a benefit sometimes. The struggle however is what is more important to you? Will you put that ‘want’, whatever it may be above what God is trying to give or lead in your life?
The problem with wants is that they are never satiated. You can always have room for more and in fact an old want quickly loses its appeal and something bigger is desired. Wants can easily become more and more important in someone’s life. It can quickly rise up in the pyramid of importance you create for yourself. If not restrained and controlled, it can even take the spot of God.
Don’t get me wrong. There is no problem in having a big home, fancy car, pool, enjoying a luxury vacation or other expensive things. Wants, in of themselves, are not sinful just as money itself is not sinful. Sin begins when those things begin to take control of a person’s mind and life. When you begin to worry, not about your needs but your lack of wants, it is a sign that you may be going down a dangerous path.
Do not worry. It’s a simple message from God. Are you following it?
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:50
Someone reading this verse, especially out of context might believe that we will not have flesh and blood in heaven but that is not what is being stated here. Verse 42 clearly says, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.” We will have bodies in heaven. What this verse was saying is that it’s not through our flesh and blood that we can be saved. Your old self is not suitable for heaven. You must be born again and become a Spirit filled new life. Verse 44 clearly shows that, “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”
The big question is this: Do we get brand new bodies when we accept Christ, get baptized and receive the new ‘spiritual bodies’ (that is a person who now is connected to God through the Spirit and sets his mind on spiritual things)?
The simple answer is no. How do we know this? Well, the Bible explains very clearly when we receive new and perfect physical bodies.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Our perfect bodies only come to us at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Only then can we be truly perfect in all our parts- physically, spiritually and mentally. It is only at the Second Coming that we receive our full reward as expressed in Revelation 22.
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
Revelation 22:12
As hard as you may try, you will never be able to perfect your flesh or body. That can only be done at the return of Christ. What you can achieve is a mind and character that wholly focusses on God through the Spirit. That is what God desires for us.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
https://brontesda.com/allfiles/2018/01/bronte-new-logo.png00adminhttps://brontesda.com/allfiles/2018/01/bronte-new-logo.pngadmin2021-04-17 18:29:442021-04-17 18:29:44Adult Bible Study – Death
https://brontesda.com/allfiles/2018/01/bronte-new-logo.png00adminhttps://brontesda.com/allfiles/2018/01/bronte-new-logo.pngadmin2021-04-09 16:32:072021-04-09 16:32:07Wednesday Revelation Study – 7th Seal
See Life
/in Pastors BlogSee Life
36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36
It’s amazing how much emphasis the Bible puts on your belief. If you simply believe in the Son, Jesus, you can have eternal life. Realize of course that this belief is not dead or powerless. The belief that we must have has to be one that can create change and movement in our lives.
Of course the opposite is equally true. Not believing in the Son keeps you from life itself. Notice how it says that you shall not see life, as if life actually only starts when you begin to believe in Jesus. What we are ‘living’ now is just an empty husk compared to the real life that is available to all who are willing to make the great leap to believe.
The last few words of the verse can seem very scary. The wrath of God is on all who do not believe. Some people can read this and think that God is uncaring and cruel. He punishes those who reject His Son. But I see it as a natural consequence. Do you blame fire itself when you burn yourself if you were to stick your hand into a flame? Of course not. Fire is hot and burns. That is not punishment but a natural reality of fire. God is similar.
God is pure goodness. He is the giver of life and life itself. To reject God is to reject life. Can you blame God for you yourself rejecting to live? Life, like the burning of fire, is just a natural state of God. Remember too that there is no other source of life.
I hope you can see your belief in Jesus, not as a requirement or decision but also as a natural consequence. I hope that when you experience the love, joy and peace of Christ that you just naturally become believer in it and Him.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16-17
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Waiting for a Miracle
/in Pastors BlogWaiting for a Miracle
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
Matthew 8:16
I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for the sick and their families, waiting for sunset, the changing of Sabbath to Sunday to rush over and have Jesus touch their infirmities away.
One day we will all be able to experience it if we chose to take part. When Jesus returns in the clouds, we will have our day of healing and perfection. We will see Jesus face to face. We simply have to wait.
But wait how long?
I ask this question because it is possible that we ourselves create time limits on ourselves. Many a debate has raged over 2 Peter 3:12:
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Can we really hasten his coming?
I’m not going to answer that question here but I will bring up something that all those looking for healing got wrong in Matthew 8:16. Look at the few verses before it.
14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.
Jesus didn’t wait for the Sabbath to end to cure Peter’s mother in law. She was sick, he was there and so he healed her. So many people waited for the sun to go down not realizing that Jesus was already willing and waiting to heal them. Can you be doing to same today?
Is there a miracle Jesus is waiting to give you, but you yourself is waiting for a special time or event?
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20
Look at tour current situation right now and ask yourself: is Jesus waiting for me to ask for a miracle I’m needing?
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Don’t Worry
/in Pastors BlogDon’t Worry
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:25
Last week we talked about our treasures. The question was asked, where do you focus most of your effort and attention? Is it on the physical things of this world or is it in our future life with God in heaven?
Today, we will continue with this theme. Jesus made it perfectly clear that he loves us and wants the best for us. He made it very clear that he knows what we need in this life. He himself came down to this world to experience it. He said to put our focus on the things of heaven but that creates anxiety for us who believe that we ourselves must care for our futures here. Matthew 6:25 is telling us the exact opposite. Jesus, knowing our needs, is promising that we will have our futures here secured even if we put our focus on the heavenly things first. This is where true faith is experienced and challenged. Do not worry! That is the core theme of Matthew 6:25. Do not worry, not because you will win the lottery and not have to worry about but, but because God will always provide your needs in this life. Notice I say needs here and not wants.
It is the difference between needs and wants that our true struggle rests. God promises our needs will be met but the world offers us wants to fill our joy, desire and fulfilment. The wants of this life truly are appealing. Who wouldn’t want a big fancy home, expensive car, pool, world vacations and more? This world can be very hard and stressful and that vacation can really be a benefit sometimes. The struggle however is what is more important to you? Will you put that ‘want’, whatever it may be above what God is trying to give or lead in your life?
The problem with wants is that they are never satiated. You can always have room for more and in fact an old want quickly loses its appeal and something bigger is desired. Wants can easily become more and more important in someone’s life. It can quickly rise up in the pyramid of importance you create for yourself. If not restrained and controlled, it can even take the spot of God.
Don’t get me wrong. There is no problem in having a big home, fancy car, pool, enjoying a luxury vacation or other expensive things. Wants, in of themselves, are not sinful just as money itself is not sinful. Sin begins when those things begin to take control of a person’s mind and life. When you begin to worry, not about your needs but your lack of wants, it is a sign that you may be going down a dangerous path.
Do not worry. It’s a simple message from God. Are you following it?
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Perfect Flesh
/in Pastors BlogPerfect Flesh
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:50
Someone reading this verse, especially out of context might believe that we will not have flesh and blood in heaven but that is not what is being stated here. Verse 42 clearly says, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.” We will have bodies in heaven. What this verse was saying is that it’s not through our flesh and blood that we can be saved. Your old self is not suitable for heaven. You must be born again and become a Spirit filled new life. Verse 44 clearly shows that, “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”
The big question is this: Do we get brand new bodies when we accept Christ, get baptized and receive the new ‘spiritual bodies’ (that is a person who now is connected to God through the Spirit and sets his mind on spiritual things)?
The simple answer is no. How do we know this? Well, the Bible explains very clearly when we receive new and perfect physical bodies.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Our perfect bodies only come to us at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Only then can we be truly perfect in all our parts- physically, spiritually and mentally. It is only at the Second Coming that we receive our full reward as expressed in Revelation 22.
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
Revelation 22:12
As hard as you may try, you will never be able to perfect your flesh or body. That can only be done at the return of Christ. What you can achieve is a mind and character that wholly focusses on God through the Spirit. That is what God desires for us.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Wednesday Revelation Study – 1st Trumpet
/in Pastoral, Sermon, VideoAdult Bible Study – Death
/in Adult Bible Study, Pastoral, VideoWednesday Revelation Study – 7th Seal
/in Pastoral, Sermon, Video