Berea Baptist Church of Durham NC Podcast

Psalm 101: 1-5

Revelation 10: 5-11

Dr. Wortham explores Revelation 10 and reminds us that the gospel can be bitter or sweet, depending upon your understanding and relationship with Jesus Christ. As believers, we are called to share the gospel with the world, and the tenth chapter of Revelation reminds us of that reality. 

The fifth and sixth trumpet blasts of the ninth chapter of Revelation informs us that there will be torment, specifically caused by locust enabled with a scorpion's sting. The suffering is so intense that people seek death, yet it eludes them. Unless one has God's seal on the forehead, then the torment is inevitable. Do you have the God's seal upon your heart?

When the locusts of your life swarm in and you pause, paralyzed by the piercing poison of the scorpion’s sting and you stand stunned or collapse because of the unrelenting reality of life and its weight seems overwhelming, REMEMBER: you are never hopeless, you are never without hope. Why?
Jesus is not never nor rarely—not just sometimes or often,
Jesus IS ALWAYS with you to the end of the age.
Jesus will NEVER forsake you.
He is the pruner who prunes the unbearable fruit.
Jesus is the finisher of our faith, proclaiming it is finished;
Jesus is the swallower of death and gives us the victory; and ultimately, Jesus is the annihilator of evil….yet we wait in eager anticipation of the glorious kingdom to come as we continue marching to Zion, beautiful beautiful Zion, the beautiful city of God!

After instrumental and exclamatory show and tell using a trombone in the children's story, Dr. Wortham examines the warning signs found in chapter 8 of Revelation. Dr Wortham strongly suggests that God provides comprehensive warnings and extends an invitation of redemption and transformation to all willing to accept the gift of salvation only found in Jesus Christ.

Highlighting the countless multitude of "every nation, tribe, people, and language" surrounding the heavenly throne found in Revelation 7, Mumford looks back to the prophet Jonah who reluctantly carried the good news of God's mercy to folk beyond his compassion. In spite of sea storms, fish swallows, and seaweed wrapped around his head, Jonah preached to the Ninevites. Are there persons in our lives to whom we wish not share God's grace, mercy, and compassion? 

Dr. Wortham unpacks chapter 6 Revelation by reflecting on the life of Job, Jesus, and us: our current context and our collective future in the midst of our constant tribulations. Put simply, Our Redeemer Lives!

In Revelation 5 John weeps for it seems that no one can open the scroll. Yet the Root of Jesse, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God--Jesus--is the only one with the power and authority to unroll the scroll. After reading the familiar text from Isaiah 11, Mumford moves to Luke 4 where Jesus unrolls the Isaiah scroll and announces to his hearers the fulfillment of the messianic message stands in their midst.

In Christ Alone. By Grace and Faith alone. Good News: we are never alone.

Without suggesting set dates or times, Dr. Wortham reminds us that the countdown to Christ's Return has begun. By examining Daniel 9 and 2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-10, Dr. Wortham exclaims the promise that Jesus will come again. Let's Be Ready! 

Daniel 8; John 10

The vision of Daniel 8 informs the reader of a powerful goat that becomes a global power. Most believe that symbolic goat was Alexander the Great. Jesus, however, is truly the Greatest of All Time and willing lays his life down as a ransom for many.

Dr. Wortham connects the prophetic vision in Daniel 7 to the John of Patmos vision recorded ii n the first chapter of Revelation.

Dr. Wortham explores Daniel 5 and Babylonian king Belshazzar's vision of the handwriting on the wall.