The Pilgrim
Coram Deo
Bill
unworthy1
brother MichaelWe are pleased to continue the Saturday Sermon Series again. This is the sixth in a series of messages from John 17. It was sovereignly delivered by Akash Sant Singh, who is one of the elders at Community Bible Church in Reno, Nevada. May it bring conviction to each of us as we realize our [...]
Author Archive
Jesus Our High Priest – Part 6
Posted: September 4, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Encouragement, Prayer, SermonsTags: Sermons, Bible, Prayer, Community Bible Church, Akash Sant Singh, Reno, John 17, Jesus Our High Priest, Nevada
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Jesus Our High Priest – Part 5
Posted: August 28, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Encouragement, Prayer, SermonsTags: Sermons, Bible, Prayer, Community Bible Church, Akash Sant Singh, Reno, John 17, Nevada, Our High Priest
We are pleased to continue the Saturday Sermon Series again. This is the fifth in a series of messages from John 17. It was sovereignly delivered by Akash Sant Singh, who is one of the elders at Community Bible Church in Reno, Nevada. May it bring conviction to each of us as we realize our [...]
Jesus Our High Priest – Part 4
Posted: August 21, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Encouragement, Prayer, SermonsTags: Prayer, Community Bible Church, Akash Sant Singh, Reno, Jesus Our High Priest
We are pleased to continue the Saturday Sermon Series again. This is the fourth in a series of messages from John 17. It was sovereignly delivered by Akash Sant Singh, who is one of the elders at Community Bible Church in Reno, Nevada. May it bring conviction to each of us as we realize our [...]
Jesus Our High Priest – Part 3
Posted: August 14, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Encouragement, Prayer, SermonsTags: Prayer, Community Bible Church, Akash Sant Singh, Reno, Jesus Our High Priest
We are pleased to continue the Saturday Sermon Series again. This is the third in a series of messages from John 17. It was sovereignly delivered by Akash Sant Singh, who is one of the elders at Community Bible Church in Reno, Nevada. May it bring conviction to each of us as we realize our [...]
Jesus Our High Priest – Part 2
Posted: August 7, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Encouragement, Prayer, SermonsTags: Prayer, The Lord's Prayer, Community Bible Church, Akash Sant Singh, Reno, Jesus Our High Priest
We are pleased to continue the Saturday Sermon Series again. This is the second in a series of messages from John 17. It was sovereignly delivered by Akash Sant Singh, who is one of the elders at Community Bible Church in Reno, Nevada. May it bring conviction to each of us as we realize our [...]
Quotes (781)
Posted: August 4, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Missions & Martyrs, QuotesTags: Missions, preaching the good news, Salvation Army, the call of the heathen, the gospel call, William Booth
“‘Not called!’ did you say? ‘Not heard the call,’ I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. [...]
Jesus Our High Priest – Part 1
Posted: July 31, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Encouragement, Prayer, SermonsTags: Akash Sant Singh, Community Bible Church, Jesus Our High Priest, John 17, Reno, The Lord's Prayer
We are pleased to begin the Saturday Sermon Series again. This is the first in a series of messages from John 17. It was sovereignly delivered by Akash Sant Singh, who is one of the elders at Community Bible Church in Reno, Nevada. May it bring conviction to each of us as we realize our [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 20 – The Conclusion
Posted: July 3, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: Missions, serving God, Funeral Service, Revelation 5:9, West Africa, Christian Worship, biblical exposition, pastoral training, baptism for believers only, baptism not for salvation, faith comes by hearing
Sitting on the porch after lunch, I spent time revisiting the events of the previous two weeks. 35 souls in the Pastors’ Conference with a handful more at the college and Prince that morning, I considered the work of God in the heart of man. While I was not able to save a single soul, [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 19
Posted: June 26, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: displaced Liberians, exalting the Savior, former rebel, health wealth and prosperity gospel, large child population, Liberia, Missions, New Georgia Liberia, orphans, redeemed from a life of sin, the depravity of man, the great commission, the holiness of God, West Africa, worshiping God
Early on Saturday morning, a crowd began to gather just outside of Pastor Togba’s property. Some music was being played and I recognized a couple of what sounded like gospel tunes. It was not long before a crowd gathered to listen to something being said over a loudspeaker. I had been watching people stop to [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 18
Posted: June 19, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: brothers in Christ, colonialism, health wealth and prosperity gospel, James 2:10, Liberia, Missions, placing faith in Christ, preaching in college, true gospel of Jesus Christ, understanding Scripture, ungrateful hearts, West Africa, western Christianity
Some of the women seemed to be upset, and I could not begin to imagine what the church leaders were thinking about what they had overheard. Twenty pairs of eyes followed me as I walked through their midst and off the veranda into the dusty African evening. Walking along the edge of Pastor Togba’s property, [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 15
Posted: June 2, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: arrested by the Holy Spirit, church planting, James 2:10, judgment of God, Liberia, Missions, salvation by faith alone, teaching on the law, the grace of God, unsaved pastors, West Africa
I learned after the meeting concluded why Paul had almost missed the final day of the conference. The first taxi he had been in was involved in an accident. A few passengers had minor injuries, but thanks to the Lord there was nothing major. However, it had taken some time to sort everything out before [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 14
Posted: May 29, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: Calvary, Eph. 2:8-9, faith in Christ alone, Gen. 50:20, John 1:12, keeping the commandments, Liberia, need for repentance, new creation in Christ, Psalm 37, rest in the Lord, saved by grace alone, sharing the truth in love, the gospel
Even in the dim porch light, joy was evident all over Paul Zawolo’s face when he stood to his feet. I did not have long to wait to see what he would do next. Paul: “Pastor, if my faith is now in Christ and I am free from the wrath of God, does that mean [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 13
Posted: May 26, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: a heart of unbelief, breaking the law of God, faith in Christ alone, God's standard of holiness, hopeless and helpless, James 2:10, keeping the Ten Commandments, law and grace, Liberia, right with God, Romans 6:23, Truth
The Liberian night swirled around us with all of its smells. Mosquitoes were buzzing around us, but by now I had just about tuned them out. The conversation inside the house had ceased and as the men inside listened to us, they were also praying for Paul Zawolo that the Holy Spirit would enlighten his [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 12
Posted: May 22, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: being a good person, breaking the law of God, filthy rags, gaining entrance to heaven, James 2:10, Liberia, Paul Zawolo, self-righteousness, understanding the law of God
Pastor Togba spoke up and said, “Door is locked, come back tomorrow!” But the voice grew more persistent, “I need to talk to the missionary right NOW! Send him out to speak with me!” Pastor Togba responded, “Who it is at the door?” The voice responded instantly with, “It is Paul Zawolo, and want to [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 11
Posted: May 15, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: Biblical foundation, breaking the ten commandments, depravity of man, fall of man, Firm Foundations, judgment of God, law of God, Liberian churches, Liberian food, pastors conference, sin nature
Too many want to start halfway through a book hoping to understand the plot and then think that they understand who the author is and what he is trying to express to the reader. Many readers come to the Scripture with a similar mindset. They start at the points that are of interest them and [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 10
Posted: May 10, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: absence of Bibles, Genesis 1:1, Jeremiah 17:9, Liberia, Liberian Bible Society, lizards, Missions, paradise, West Africa, wicked heart
One of the first things you might notice in a church service is the decided absence of Bibles in Liberia. This is not just because many are not able to read, but because many books were destroyed during the fourteen year war. Bibles were no exception. It also has nothing to do with not wanting [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 8
Posted: May 1, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: church planting, Highland Hills Baptist Church, Kpelle, Liberia, Liberian English, Missions in West Africa, Monrovia, Pastor Philemon, Pastor Togba, safari, Village Church Planters, West Africa
Before retiring for the evening, another Liberian pastor whom I had met that week invited me to preach for the congregation known as Highland Hills Baptist Church. Pastor Philemon Gwelikporluhson, who has become a very dear friend, was the pastor and also the man whom God had used to start this little work in an [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 5
Posted: April 24, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: a thankful heart, ABWE, Great Commission, learning through trials, Liberia, Missions, Prayer, prejudice, West Africa
The problem with prejudice is that it is pervasive. Its evil tentacles work their way down into the inner most part of your being. While your God-given conscience is screaming for attention and pointing out the error of your ways, prejudices become part of who you choose to become. Prejudices take many forms, but the [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 4
Posted: April 21, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: ABWE, Liberia, Missions, Monrovia, Pastor Togba, the great commission, West Africa
Leaving with Pastor Togba and Bro. Trexler, we headed across Monrovia. To understand a little better what I saw next, the reader should be aware that Liberia had been one of the most modern countries in West Africa, if not in the entire continent. Running water, sewage, and electricity was common place, particularly in the [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 3
Posted: April 18, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: ABWE, Liberia, Missions in West Africa, Pastor James Togba, the great commission, West Africa
Ok, here it is for those who could not wait for Wednesday, April 21! LOL ************* With the inability to adjust to the heat, and adding more mosquitoes to the local death toll, I finally got up around 5:30am and prepared for the day. Walking across a floor that I considered to be far from [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 2
Posted: April 17, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: ABWE, AFBM, Liberia, Missions in West Africa, Monrovia, the great commission
Prior to my departure for Liberia, my parents were obviously concerned about the possibility of their son being in West Africa, and had made contact on my behalf with ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelization). The director passed on the details of a native Liberian, Pastor James Togba. Pastor Togba is the pastor of [...]
Scam Into Blessing – Part 1
Posted: April 10, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Liberia, Missions & MartyrsTags: ABWE, church planting, Great Commission, Liberia, missions trip, West Africa
The Pilgrim has asked if I would be willing to post the account of my missions trip to Liberia, West Africa. I am thankful to be able to do this, and I hope that this will be an encouragement to each of the readers and bring honor and glory to our Saviour. ************** In January [...]
“In fact, Baptists confess a church doctrine in which it is impossible to say, ‘I was Baptist born.’ One might be Roman Catholic born, or Anglican born, or Methodist born, or Presbyterian born, but none can be Baptist born. One cannot be a Baptist until after personal conversion to faith in Christ alone and His [...]
Landcruiser for Liberia?
Posted: March 10, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Missions & MartyrsTags: 4-wheel drive, Liberia, Missions, Service to Servants, the need for missions, Toyota Landcruiser, Village Church Planters, West Africa
If you know of anyone who may have a Toyota Landcruiser they would like to donate to the work of Village Church Planters – Liberia, please have them contact VCP via the information from Village Church Planters or E-mail e-mail here. Also, you may write to us at love4liberia@gmail.com. This does not have to be [...]
The State of America! And the church??
Posted: March 8, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Apostasy/Lukewarm, Random SelectionsTags: no knowledge of God, serving the Almighty, the book of Job, the decline of America, the state of the church
There is nothing new under the sun as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes. Hear the ancient words of the patriarch Job found in the book of Job 21:7-16, 7 Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power? 8 Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before [...]
What Are We Defending?
Posted: February 20, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in EncouragementTags: Biblical mandates, contend for the faith, counterfeit, Defending Contending, desiring Christ, mockery of the world, renewing of the mind, Romans 12, standing for the truth, the real thing
While the illustration has been used before, I believe it is appropriate to begin this particular post. It has been said there was a time when people applied to become a bank teller that they would have to undergo strenuous training in order to detect counterfeit monies. The training would consist of learning the difference [...]
Liberia Missions on Facebook
Posted: February 18, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Missions & MartyrsTags: church planting, Liberia, Missions, Missions in West Africa, preaching the gospel, to the ends of the earth, Village Church Planters
We here at DefCon are encouraged in the work being done by missionaries around the world. One place that has grown quite special to us is the work in Liberia. It is our desire to expand the word about these national pastors who are struggling to serve in the midst of huge difficulties in what [...]
Entertainment Tonight, Or Home Failures?
Posted: February 15, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in Parenting, Reviews, TelevisionTags: a life of holiness, adultery, Avatar, entertainment, exalting Christ, fornication, Lord's name in vain, lustful desires, mindless entertainment, Movies, renewing our minds, sex outside of marriage, Twilight Saga, wholesome speech
There will be many who would question my thoughts on this post, but before you comment or leave mad, I would implore you to consider the words of Scripture to see whether we have been truly led astray or whether what we set in front of our eyes and our children is really nothing more [...]
Quotes (695)
Posted: February 9, 2010 by The Desert Pastor in QuotesTags: an evil person, choosing God, Free Will, irresistible grace, John Gerstner, perfect Son of God, the heart is wicked
In the great things as well as the small things you choose according to what seems good to you, and your choice is going to determine whether you are a good or bad person. If the perfect Son of God is unattractive to you, then obviously you are an unattractive person. If the perfect Son [...]
VCP – Liberia – Sad News
Posted: December 30, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Missions & MartyrsTags: Liberia, Missions, the death of his saints, Village Church Planters, West Africa
Awhile back, we requested prayer for Pastor Philemon who is a national pastor working in the country of Liberia. He works through AFBM (African Fundamental Baptist Missions) and VCP (Village Church Planters). The pastor who heads up VCP is Sam Quapourlee. A few months back we requested prayer for his son, Vanni, who was involved [...]
The 4 Pastors
Posted: December 8, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Apostasy/Lukewarm, EncouragementTags: contemplative mysticism, Emergent Church, faithful pastors, four types of pastors, market driven church
The following fictional scenarios depict four types of today’s pastors. But the question is, how much is fiction, how much is fact? The emerging pastor The emerging pastor felt a little insulted that only 4 people showed up for the Saturday night coffee and conversation church service. Because of the small turn out they went [...]
Deserving to Die – Terrorists or Victims?
Posted: November 15, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Evangelism, Islam, Missions & MartyrsTags: appointment with death, deserving to die, Fort Hood, godly repentance, hating our enemies, Hebrews 9:27, Hussein, Islam, judgment for our sins, justice, loving our neighbor as ourself, Major Hasan, Muslim religion, Osama bin Laden, September 11, terrorists, the need for missions, the wrath of God
On 9/11/2001, terrorists flew the passengers on their flights into eternity. During the approximately one hour between the fall of the twin towers that claimed almost 3,000 lives, around the world another 7,800 lives went out to meet their Maker. Over the next 24 hours while America and the West struggled to understand the loss [...]
Heresy Exports to Africa!
Posted: November 5, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Apostasy/Lukewarm, Missions & MartyrsTags: Benny Hinn, coming to God for wealth, exporting heresy, false professors of Christ, Joyce Meyers, Kenneth Hagin, need for missions, Prosperity Gospel, pure gospel
Thanks to Phil Johnson for the heads up on this video. I know and have seen the true need in Africa for the pure, unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached to those who have never heard. So, I am disgusted when I see the likes of Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyers, Kenneth Hagin and [...]
Judgment and Discipline – Part 3
Posted: November 1, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Apostasy/Lukewarm, TheologyTags: admonishing a brother, being judgmental, condemning sin, discipline in the church, excluding from the church, judge according to righteous judgment, judge not, judging one another, keeping company with sinners, living a life of holiness, mark those who cause divisions
You can read Part 1 of this series here. You can read Part 2 of this series here. Again, let’s sum up the first post. While the ultimate judgment comes from God, the Lord Jesus makes it clear that judging another is not only permissible, but is commanded to be fulfilled. However, this judgment is [...]
Mining for Diamonds in Sierra Leone
Posted: October 20, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Missions & MartyrsTags: church planting, mining for diamonds, missionaries in Sierra Leone, new creations in Christ, Sierra Leone, Stephen & Laura Holt, training nationals, West Africa missions
I found a missionary video well worth watching. Stephen and Laura Holt are Baptist missionaries working in Sierra Leone. They are mining diamonds, but not the kind you wear on your fingers. The rough hewn characters being mined are the results of an 11 year civil war similar to the one that engulfed its neighbor, [...]
Letter of thanks from Pastor Philemon
Posted: October 14, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Encouragement, Missions & MartyrsTags: Church-planting in Liberia, fields white unto harvest, Great Commission, Liberia, Missions in West Africa, Pastor Philemon
To all of our friends in God’s vineyard, We greet you from the fields white unto harvest. It is from Liberia we write where we are working to make sure that the work left with us is done properly till He come. We send our hello. I am Pastor Philemon Gwelikporlusohn, a Liberian serving in [...]
A Special Need in Liberia!
Posted: October 6, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Encouragement, Missions & MartyrsTags: care for others, Church-planting in Liberia, helping a brother in need, Liberia, Liberian pastors, national Liberian pastor, Pastor Philemon, Village Church Planters
This morning I received an email from a dear brother in the Lord. He is a national pastor in Liberia and is involved in church-planting. They are currently on their 5th church plant. I personally know this brother Philemon, his wife Dylin and their family. ********** “Dear Pastor, This morning an Armed mens enter our [...]
Judgment and Discipline – Part 2
Posted: September 29, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Apostasy/Lukewarm, TheologyTags: admonishing a brother, being judgmental, condemning sin, discipline in the church, excluding from the church, judge according to righteous judgment, judge not, judging one another, keeping company with sinners, living a life of holiness, mark those who cause divisions
You can read Part 1 of this series here. Again, let’s sum up the first post. While the ultimate judgment comes from God, the Lord Jesus makes it clear that judging another is not only permissible, but is commanded to be fulfilled. However, this judgment is only to be based on issues of the heart. [...]
The Case Against the R-Rated Church
Posted: September 21, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in John MacArthur, Phil JohnsonTags: filthy mouths in the pulpit, John MacArthur, Mark Driscoll, Phil Johnson, pornography in the church, R-Rated sermons in church, sex in church, the cussing pastor
John MacArthur and Phil Johnson interview in regards to the damning trend found within evangelicalism today. Instead of supporting and endorsing people like Mark Driscoll, we are glad that there are a few who still stand for the truth of God’s Word. There are still a few who do not believe they have to climb [...]
Judgment and Discipline – Part 1
Posted: September 19, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Apostasy/Lukewarm, TheologyTags: church discipline, being judgmental, Matthew 7:1, judge not, judge according to righteous judgment, self discipline, issues of the heart, taking a stand against ungodliness, ungodliness in the church, pulpit charlatans, misquoting Scripture, Scripture out of context
Does Matthew 7:1 preclude one true believer from finding a fault or dealing with a matter of sin against another? Was Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount informing His listeners that they were essentially to ignore on-going sin or the slighting of the name or character of the Most Holy One of Israel? Within [...]
Rewriting Acts – A Relevant Perspective
Posted: August 27, 2009 by The Desert Pastor in Apostasy/Lukewarm, Humor, Purpose Driven LieTags: being judgmental, building your self-esteem, church at Jerusalem, contextualizing the Bible, Crystal Cathedral, feel-good sermons, making the Bible relevant, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill, Mormon Tabernacle, Ravi Zacharias, rewriting church history, standing for the truth
In light of all the editions and revisions being made to the Word of God in recent years, we understand much of this has been done to suit the belief system of the editors. With that in mind as well as recent events such as Ravi at the Mormon Tabernacle and Driscoll at the Crystal [...]
