Shows
Koinonia FellowshipThe Qualities of a Godly Father - Ray ViolaFather’s Day conjures up all kinds of thoughts
and emotions, some good, some bad. I am sure that every father
reading this devotional is aware of his own shortcomings. There are
no perfect fathers on earth because there are no perfect descendants
from Adam. The only perfect Father is Our Father Who art in
heaven (Matthew 6:9)! Nevertheless, the very concept of fatherhood
is a theological one that stems from the biblical revelation of the
fatherhood of God.
2016-06-2133 minKoinonia FellowshipWhatever Happened to Sunday? - Ray ViolaOf course, we know that church attendance does not save us. But there is a casual and borderline “take it or leave it” mindset about The Lord’s Day that is begetting other compromises which are having devastating consequences on the impact of the church in this fallen world system. May God give us ears to hear His Spirit today.
2016-06-1338 min2016-06-0950 min2016-06-0951 minKoinonia FellowshipREDEEMED AND REJOICING IN GOD MY SAVIOR - Ray ViolaMay The Lord of glory, The Lord Jesus Christ open our hearts and minds to see our glorious Savior for Who He truly is.
2016-06-0641 min2016-06-0248 minKoinonia FellowshipSteadfast, Unmovable! - Ray ViolaPaul uses the doctrine of the resurrection of the body to motivate the body of Christ to be steadfast, unmovable and abounding in the work of The Lord.
2016-05-3046 min2016-05-2653 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Nature of the Resurrection - Ray ViolaThis morning’s study will focus on the nature of the resurrection of the body. There was a lot of confusion surrounding the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. There were those who were asking the question, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” Maybe that is a question that some of you have asked yourself.
2016-05-2334 min2016-05-1957 minKoinonia FellowshipLiving the Resurrection Reality - Ben HiwaleBecause there is the resurrection, life is more than just biological existence.
2016-05-1641 min2016-05-1228 minKoinonia FellowshipPortrait of a Virtuous Woman in an Ungodly World - Ray ViolaToday, we are going to journey through the book of Proverbs together and seek to paint a picture of what a virtuous
woman looks like in an ungodly world. It is my personal conviction that, like Ruth, a virtuous woman will shine like the noonday sun in this ungodly world.
2016-05-0838 min2016-05-051h 022016-05-0548 min2016-05-0558 min2016-05-0557 min2016-05-051h 092016-05-0558 min2016-05-051h 002016-05-0549 min2016-05-0235 min2016-04-2845 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Resurrection of the Body - Ray ViolaWe can look beyond the trials and tribulations that come our way in this life because we know that one day we will clothed with a new body and will be with Him in glory forever!!
2016-04-2531 minKoinonia FellowshipAnchoring Deep - Ben HiwaleWhat is one way that the Gospel is changing you? Is there any area of your life where you have substituted a routine for your relationship with Jesus?
2016-04-1840 min2016-04-1441 minKoinonia FellowshipSpiritual Gifts - Ray ViolaGet acquainted with Jesus. Listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Walk by faith, not by sight. Keep pure. Above all, be motivated by an
intense love for Jesus because without that, your gift is worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
2016-04-1039 min2016-04-0752 minKoinonia FellowshipRedeemed by the Blood of The Lamb - Ray ViolaThe setting of our Lord’s Supper message for today is before the throne of God in heaven. The apostle John has been transported by The Spirit into heaven where he sees and writes about things that are simply glorious! He sees the resurrected, glorified, and ascended Jesus in heaven. He sees Him as both as a conquering Lion and a slain Lamb. Jesus has prevailed to open that seven-sealed book. Scripture records that He is full of the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:20).
2016-04-0443 min2016-03-3148 minKoinonia FellowshipResurrection, Repentance and Regeneration - Ray Viola Today is the day when God will
touch men’s hearts and give them new life by grace, through faith in
the truth of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension
into heaven. Jesus bids sinners to come to Him and find rest for their
souls.
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say,
Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let himtake the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)
2016-03-3157 min2016-03-3146 min2016-03-2445 minKoinonia FellowshipUnintelligibility in Church - Ben HiwalePaul’s teaching to the Corinthians challenges us in a relevant way today. How eager are we to have spiritual gifts and use them? The implication is that our gifts are not static. It isn’t as if the spiritual gifts we receive when we’re first converted are the only gifts we’ll ever have. The text invites us to consider prayerfully asking God to endow us with spiritual gifts. With faith and a desire to build up the church, we must seek God and trust Him to use us in the body of Christ as His servants.
2016-03-2047 minKoinonia FellowshipWatch! - Ray ViolaMy prayer is that The Lord Jesus would ignite a sense of urgency within each one of us regarding our need for prayer and the need to be ready for His return like the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
2016-03-1343 minKoinonia FellowshipDisciple or Consumer - Ben HiwaleIn an age when people define themselves by their wealth and possessions, Jesus' words are hard to hear. Self-denial simply is not a popular message in our super-size, Big Gulp culture. In following Jesus, we begin by letting go of all those things that place a prior hold on our affections. Relationships, possessions, privilege, position, and ease give way to God's call.
2016-03-0636 minKoinonia FellowshipAbove All - Love! - Ben HiwaleWhen we choose to love, we become a tool in God’s hands to transform the lives of those around us. Start doing the selfless things, the persistent things, the hopeful things, the enduring things—and you will be practicing the love that never fails.
2016-02-2949 minKoinonia FellowshipBody of Christ - Ray ViolaThe section of Scripture is one of the most amazing description of the Church. We are the body of Christ. Paul likens those who have been born into the body of Christ to the human body. The human body is an amazing work of God our Creator. In our human body, there are many members. Some members are visible to the human eye and some are not visible. Some appear to be more necessary and some appear to be unnecessary. But by God’s creative design, every part of the human body is necessary. Likewise, by The Spirit’s re-creative powe...
2016-02-2237 minKoinonia FellowshipSpiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ - Ray ViolaThis morning we will take a peek at the gifts of The Spirit in the body of Christ. The Corinthian church was a congregation that presented a lot of problems and challenges to the apostle Paul. In this chapter, as well as in chapter 14, Paul writes to correct errors of disorder and incorrect understanding of the purpose of these gifts. Lord willing, we will see these gifts in a fresh light, and with a deeper appreciation
for not just the gifts themselves, but for The One Who has given
us these gifts to build up the body, and bring glory...
2016-02-1444 minKoinonia FellowshipDo This in Remembrance of Me - Ray ViolaThe Lord’s Supper is the time when the church is to remember the sacrifice that Jesus paid for our sin. No words could ever possibly describe the agony and suffering that Jesus experienced from the Garden of Gethsemane to the cross on Calvary. This plan of God to save sinners was not an afterthought.
2016-02-0838 min2016-02-0453 minKoinonia FellowshipEquality Before God - Ray ViolaThe church consists of individuals who have been plucked out of the fallen world system to belong to Jesus Christ. Though there may be earthly distinctions that are based upon one’s vocation, education or income, in the sight of Jesus Christ we are all equal and valuable in His presence.
2016-02-0144 min2016-01-2843 minKoinonia FellowshipGod-Ordained Order and Gender - Ray ViolaAs we work our way through these passages this morning, we will
see how important it is for us to know and embrace God-ordained
order in the church and in our homes as it is laid out before us in
Scripture.
2016-01-2437 minKoinonia FellowshipWalking in Love and for God's Glory - Ray ViolaThis morning we conclude the section of Corinthians that deals with the subject of “Christian liberty” and the eating of meat that has been offered up to idols. While the subject of eating meat offered unto idols is not an issue in our culture, the biblical principles of dealing with involvement in “questionable things” are timeless and as necessary today as ever.
2016-01-1837 minKoinonia FellowshipJudged by the Company You Keep - Ben HiwaleThe apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10 that God was not pleased with the behavior of the Israelites. Paul cautions in verse 21, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.” Everything we own is a gift from God. Without Him, we have nothing! But we need to remember that when we put the gifts above the gift-giver, God, we have made our possessions an idol.
2016-01-1144 min2016-01-0741 min2016-01-0750 minKoinonia FellowshipNot Guilty! - Ray ViolaToday we begin the year 2016 by observing The Lord’s Supper. We begin this New Year by remembering the perfect sacrifice that Jesus Christ paid for the forgiveness of our sin and the salvation of our souls. In today’s text from Zechariah 3:1-5, in a typical courtroom setting, Satan, identified as the accuser of the brethren in Revelation 12:10, is seen accusing Joshua the high priest before God, only to be rebuked by The Lord Himself.
2016-01-0439 minKoinonia FellowshipJesus Christ, Our Refuge and Hope - Ray ViolaThis is a picture of the road to Christ Jesus. It is no roundabout road of the law; it is no obeying this, that, and the other; it is a straight road: “Believe, and live.” It is a road so hard, that no self-righteous man can ever tread it, but so easy, that every sinner, who knows himself to be a sinner may by it find his way to heaven.
2015-12-2739 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Mystery of the Incarnation - Ray ViolaThe celebration of Christmas is not the celebration of something, it is the celebration of Someone, and that Someone is Jesus Christ.
Let’s just take a moment to ponder and wonder at what God did when He became a man.
2015-12-2038 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Prophecy of the Incarnation - Ray ViolaThe doctrine of the virgin birth is of huge importance. If Jesus is not born of a virgin, then He is simply just another sinner who is a
descendant of Adam like you and me. Our salvation is inextricably connected with the virgin birth.
2015-12-1444 min2015-12-1048 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Promise of the Incarnation - Ray ViolaThe incarnation, or human birth of Jesus Christ, was not His beginning. Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, God with us. He is the Un-created Word Who was in the beginning with God, and was God Himself! This is what Scripture declares to be the blessed mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh.
2015-12-0744 min2015-12-0351 minKoinonia FellowshipTaking Grace for Granted - Ray ViolaBecause grace is an under-served and unconditional gift of God, there is an ever-present danger of seeking to live near the cliff edge
of temptation and sin. Such was the case in Corinth. Such is the case in many places today.
2015-11-3044 minKoinonia FellowshipRun to Win - Ray ViolaBeloved, the Christian life this side of heaven requires an athletic kind of mindset if we going to bring forth God-glorifying fruit. Such is the case with Paul in our study this morning.
2015-11-2339 minKoinonia FellowshipWhatever It Takes - Ben HiwaleThe question in our minds as Christians is: How do I engage with my culture and yet be faithful to Christ without compromise?
2015-11-1644 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Gospel and Our Unalienable Rights - Ben HiwaleGod’s call is not limited to apostles like Paul. Every sincere follower of Christ has been given a place in carrying out God’s purposes for our world. There is no greater joy in life than being used by God.
2015-11-0946 minKoinonia FellowshipTest! - Ben HiwaleThere is no better way to become like Jesus than to have your faith tested. How can you develop character when things go well? But when things go badly, you learn whether you have true faith or not. If you fail the test, it is not the end of the road, but rather a chance to get on the right road.
2015-11-0238 minKoinonia FellowshipStepping Stone or Stumbling Stone? - Ray ViolaHow you live your Christian life can be a stepping stone that draws others closer to Jesus, or a stumbling stone that drives them farther away. Think that through beloved. Live wisely for the glory of God.
2015-10-2645 minKoinonia Fellowship1 Corinthians 8:1-6 - Ben HiwaleAs Christians and Americans we enjoy a double portion of freedom. As Americans, we are free to say what we want, free to travel wherever we want, free to work and live wherever we want. As Christians we are free from the condemnation associated with sin and we are free from the demands of the law because it has been fulfilled for us. We are free to use all of God’s creation for His glory. We are free to enjoy the blessings God offers through this world. Paul reminds us today that though we are theoretically free to do as...
2015-10-1951 minKoinonia FellowshipBehold, I Come Quickly! - Ray ViolaMy desire is to listen afresh to what Jesus and those
inspired by The Holy Spirit said about His return. Beloved, our Lord
and Savior Jesus IS going to return to this earth some day and that is
a fact.
2015-10-1538 min2015-10-1549 min2015-10-1244 minKoinonia FellowshipWise Marriage Counsel From Paul - Ray ViolaThere is nothing new under the sun. Christians have always wrestled with the complexities of the subject of marriage and singleness.
2015-10-1233 min2015-10-0145 minKoinonia FellowshipStay Put and Serve! - Ray ViolaKeep your eyes on The Lord, leave your marital and vocational future in His hands, and serve Him faithfully where His hand of providence had placed you.
2015-09-2839 min2015-09-2444 minKoinonia FellowshipIt is Complex and Complicated - Ben HiwaleOne of the biggest challenges in life is to be content in our stage of life. It has been well said, “Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have.” Nowhere is this more true than with singleness and marriage. God’s desire and expectation is that you and I would be content in Christ, whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. The Apostle Paul leads us into confrontation with one of the major social problems of our day, and that is the breakup of marriages.
2015-09-2157 minKoinonia FellowshipTo Marry or Not to Marry? - Ray ViolaPaul begins to answer questions about various subjects that were sent to him. The first question is in regards to marriage, singleness and celibacy.
2015-09-1441 minKoinonia FellowshipPeace with God - Ray ViolaDeep inside every human being,
there is a desire for peace.
2015-09-0743 min2015-09-0355 min2015-09-0353 minKoinonia FellowshipBought With A Price - Ray ViolaPaul reminds the liberal minded souls in Corinth of one of the most foundational truths of the Christian life. “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:20) In the redemptive work of Jesus Christ,
He purchased our present physical bodies in order that they would
be used to bring Him glory.
2015-08-3144 minKoinonia FellowshipOrder in the Court - Ray ViolaGrace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Grace teaches us to pursue holiness, without which, no man shall see The Lord.
2015-08-2437 minKoinonia FellowshipBanned From Church - Ben HiwaleAccountability within the Body of Christ is a gift of God to keep His children walking in His ways for their ultimate good.
2015-08-1747 min2015-08-1348 minKoinonia FellowshipSpiritual Authority - Ray ViolaWhile before God, all of His children are on the level ground of grace. Within His body and in His kingdom there are callings and offices of spiritual responsibility and authority
2015-08-1041 min2015-08-0652 minKoinonia FellowshipBy Grace, Through Faith in Jesus - Ray ViolaReligion is the futile attempt of man to get right with God upon the basis of good works or performance of religious rituals or ordinances. Bible-based salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
2015-08-0340 min2015-07-3050 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Folly of Boasting in Men - Ray ViolaThe admonition of Paul to the congregation at Corinth has timeless application for the church today. Scripture is clear in stating that all giftings and abilities within the church are distributed according to the sovereign grace of God. So where is there any room for boasting? Boasting in man would be folly.
2015-07-2738 min2015-07-2353 minKoinonia FellowshipChristmas in July! - Ray ViolaGiving gifts, bringing glory
Whenever we are gathered together in The Name of Jesus, there is meant to be a mutual exchange and investment of our God-given gifts into one another’s life. It is like having Christmas in July!
Are you using your time, talents and gifts for the glory of God and the edification of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
2015-07-2046 minKoinonia FellowshipSelf Centered to Selfless - Ben HiwaleThe standard we use to compare ourselves matters. We judge ourselves by how we look, how smart we are, and how successful we deem ourselves to be. What about in the church?
2015-07-1345 min2015-07-091h 05Koinonia FellowshipUnderstanding Obedience - Ben HiwaleAs a follower of Jesus Christ, we are called to give Him our all. It is only when we give up the search and turn it all over to Him that we find what we were looking for all along. Dying to self can be a scary thought, but it’s the price of true happiness. Jesus submitted everything, including His fears and His friends, to the will of God. It cost Him His life. It won Him the harvest. What have you not surrendered to God? Why? Will you obey Him?
2015-07-0537 min2015-07-0258 minKoinonia FellowshipSilver or Stubble - Ray Viola1 Corinthians 3:11-13 KJV For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is
2015-06-2946 min2015-06-2552 minKoinonia FellowshipIt's Time for Men to Be Men: The Godly Husband/Father - Ray ViolaThe Bible provides a very clear and straightforward description of the ingredients for biblical manhood. There are no fuzzy ideas about who is the head and leader of the home in Scripture.
2015-06-2237 minKoinonia FellowshipWrong Way of Doing Church - Ben HiwaleOne of the glories of the church is that nobody does the same thing. Churches that try to turn out people that all dress alike, carry the same kind of notebook, speak the same kind of language, use the same version of the Bible are missing what God has in mind, because
we are all to be different, yet working together and needing one another.
another.
2015-06-1548 min2015-06-1149 minKoinonia FellowshipMarried to Jesus - Ray ViolaThis relationship transcends denominations and is not a
matter of membership. It is the gift of a willing and redeeming God
to a repentant and willing sinner that trusts in Christ. Is that you?
2015-06-0844 min2015-06-0452 minKoinonia FellowshipSalvation is of The Lord - Ray ViolaThe gospel is a revelation from above, not a product of human ingenuity or philosophy. Thus, coming to faith in Christ is not a matter of cleverly crafted arguments of human genius, but a result of the revelation by God’s Spirit.
2015-05-3139 min2015-05-2846 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Gospel is the Power of God - Ray ViolaPrecious follower of Jesus, do not believe that you need to have a brilliant mind or be a seminary graduate to share the gospel. Every child of God is given armor that includes feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. While it is wrong to "dummy down" the gospel, it is equally wrong to think that people come to faith in Jesus through human wisdom or well scripted arguments. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Proclaim the gospel. Preach the gospel with love, with confidence and with faith that the gospel...
2015-05-2439 minKoinonia FellowshipThe Cross Versus the Wisdom of the World - Ben HiwaleThe wisdom of God comes to us through the foolishness of the cross. It is a foolishness to accept a gift so great that its magnitude cannot be measured. It is a foolishness to believe that God would send His Son to live among us and then allow Him to be killed just so our sins could be forgiven. It is a foolishness to think that God would provide
each of us with the Holy Spirit living in our hearts in order to help us grow closer to Him. We are fools to believe that eternal life comes simply from...
2015-05-1741 min