Those who grew up in the Church are familiar with the term salvation and what that means. In fact, many of us take it for granted and expect everyone to know what it means to accept salvation and be saved. If someone were to ask for a definition of salvation, would you be able to give it? Are you someone who doesn’t fully understand what salvation is and wants to build a strong Christian foundation? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he searches through Scripture for the best definition in his video, Salvation Pt. 1: What is Salvation?
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalms 18:2
11 I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.
Isaiah 43:11
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
Webster’s Dictionary Definition of Salvation
1. A saving or being saved from danger, evil, difficulty, destruction, etc.; rescue
2. A person or thing that is a means, cause, or source of preservation or rescue
3. Theol. Deliverance from sin and from the penalties of sin; redemption
Webster’s Dictionary Definition of Redeem
1. To buy back
2. To get back; recover, as by paying a fee
3. To pay off (a mortgage or note)
Salvation means to be redeemed which means to be purchased back.
Redeemed or Purchased Back From What?
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all menbecause all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
Jesus tells many parables throughout His ministry on earth, many pertaining to the numerous analogies of the Kingdom of Heaven. A notable analogy is that of the Laborers in the Vineyard. This parable compares the Kingdom of Heaven to that of a man that owned a vineyard. The owner of the vineyard goes out five times a day to bring in workers. Then, at the end of the day, the owner pays each of the workers the same amount of money no matter what time of day they began working—this confused and upset the first of the workers. Today, we’re still confused by this parable. Who is the master of the vineyard? What is the vineyard? Who are the laborers in the vineyard? And why is each laborer in the vineyard paid the same amount? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he opens our eyes to the purpose of this analogy of the Kingdom of Heaven in his video, The Laborers in the Vineyard Parable.
Matthew 20:1-16 Ephesians 2:8–9 Matthew 10:40-42 Hebrews 13:2 John 9:4–5 Matthew 24:12 Luke 18:7–8 Mark 6:1–6 2 Corinthians 12:10 Matthew 19:26 Matthew 17:20 Mark 9:20-23 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV) 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)
The Laborers in the Vineyard Parable
Dissecting The Parable
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’
8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.
Matthew 20:1-16
Who is the Owner of the Vineyard?
God (Jesus) is the owner of the vineyard in the parable.
What is the Vineyard?
The vineyard in the parable represents the world.
Who are the Laborers?
The laborers in the vineyard in the parable are those who harken to the clarion call of Jesus to work in the harvest fields. In other words, those who save souls through the faithful teaching of the word, and the witnessing of those who believe, as well as those who support or help another worker.
What is the Work the laborers did in the vineyard?
1He went away from there and came to His hometown, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And on the Sabbath He began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to Him? How are such mighty works done by His hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief.
Mark 6:1–6
13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
The work the laborers do in the vineyard in the parable is doing the work of God:
Ministering Sharing your testimony Sharing the Gospel Using your Spiritual Gifts
In the Church today, we have an uncomfortable relationship with the Holy Spirit and His gifts, especially prophecy and speaking in tongues. We hold to the belief that the Spirit of God no longer works in the Church today and that all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit were only for a time. One of the verses cited to prove this is Revelation 19:10, which states that the “… testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This now begs the question, what does this mean? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find the answers in her video, The Spirit of Prophecy Pt. 2: The Testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 19:10 John 1:1-5, 14-18 Genesis 15:1 Jeremiah 1:1 Joel 1:1 Malachi 1:1 Judges 13:2-5 Exodus 3:1-2 Hebrews 1:1-2 1 Samuel 3:1 Acts 2 Joel 2 1 Timothy 2:5 Jeremiah 1:12 Isaiah 55:10-11
The Spirit of Prophecy
The Testimony of Jesus
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:19-21
10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation 19:10
The Gift of Prophecy
The Prophecy of The Spirit/Gift of Prophecy
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Acts 2:14-21
The Importance of The Spirit/Gift of Prophecy
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
Throughout Scripture, there are stories of spiritual warfare and how answered prayers can be held up by these spirits. Paul even writes that our battle isn’t against flesh and blood but against spiritual beings around us and in the heavenly places. So, if our battle is against the spirit realm, how do we fight the spirit realm if we are in the physical? How can we get our prayers answered? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture for the answers to these questions and more in her video, Territorial Spirits Pt. 2: Getting Prayers Answered.
Daniel 10:12-14 Genesis 30:24-30 Hosea 10:3-4 Romans 10:17 Romans 12:3 Daniel 10:2-3 Psalms 69:10 1 Corinthians 9:27 2 Corinthians 11:27 Luke 18:1-8
Getting Prayers Answered
Evidence of Territorial Spirits
12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
Daniel 10:12-14
1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before Him.
7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For He was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged Him earnestly not to send them out of the country.11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So He gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
It’s a common belief that Jesus is the only way to Eternal Life, but is that truly what the Scripture says? Isn’t believing in God enough to get us salvation? Why do we have to go through Jesus? Many believe that as long as you believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is enough to receive salvation. Is there something that we aren’t seeing in Jesus’ statement in John 14:6, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’ Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find the answers to these questions and more in her video, Is Jesus Really The Only Way?
Exodus 3:1-6 Exodus 3:13-14 John 14:6 John 8:58 Acts 4:11-12 1 Timothy 2:5-6 John 3:16-17 Hebrews 9:11-15 James 2:19
Is Jesus Really The Only Way?
Why Do I Need Jesus?
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:11-12
If we could save ourselves, Jesus wouldn’t have needed to die 2,000 years ago, but because we can’t save ourselves, Jesus came to save us.
Where Does Salvation Come From?
1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15 Therefore He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
Hebrews 9:11-15
How Do You Get Salvation?
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.
John 3:16-17
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
We’ve heard teachings on the importance of tithing and offerings, but do we understand the difference between them? Are all offerings the same? Is the firstfruit offering the same as the tithe? Does it matter if we bring a firstfruit offering or a tithe if we are no longer under the law? What does the Bible say about tithing and firstfruits? Join Reverend Kenny Yates as he answers these questions in his video, Firstfruits vs. Tithes.
15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before me empty-handed. 16 You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor. 17 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord God. 18 You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the fat of my feast remain until the morning. 19 The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.
Exodus 23:15-19
Tithes
30 Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. 31 If a man wishes to redeem some of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it. 32 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to the Lord. 33 One shall not differentiate between good or bad, neither shall he make a substitute for it; and if he does substitute for it, then both it and the substitute shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.
If you’ve grown up in the Church, or you’ve been in the Church for a little while, then you’ve heard the phrase, What The Devil Meant For Evil, God Turns For Our Good. This phrase is often used in times of distress or grief. We use this phrase to declare that God is still on His Throne and still in control no matter what comes our way. While this is true, does the Bible actually say What The Devil Meant For Evil, God Turns For Our Good? Is this an uplifting or encouraging Bible verse? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find the truth behind the phrase, What The Devil Meant For Evil, God Turns For Our Good.
Genesis 50:20 Romans 8:28 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 1 Peter 5:8 Psalms 91:13 Psalms 91:11-12 Matthew 4:6 Genesis 3:15 1 Corinthians 2:9 James 1:12 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Philippians 4:4-7
What The Devil Meant For Evil, God Turns For Our Good
Does the Bible actually say What The Devil Meant For Evil, God Turns For Our Good? Though this statement isn’t directly in the Bible, it is directly rooted in Scripture. It means that no matter what the world throws our way, God is still in control. No matter what man tries to put into law and change, it is God’s will that will prevail.
God is Still on His Throne and in Control
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:20-22
Man often plans and plans, but it is God whose purpose will come to fruition.
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.”
Jeremiah 1:12
Uplifting and Encouraging Bible Verses
God has never left us alone. Even though it may feel like the darkness is overpowering the light, the light always shines in the darkness, and it can never be overcome.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
2000 years ago, Jesus was born in the city of David, the town of Bethlehem, but why? Why did the Messiah have to be born in Bethlehem? What’s so special about Bethlehem? Does it have to do with the Messiah being the descendant of David? Or maybe it was just a perfect shot to Egypt? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scripture to find the answer in her video, Why Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?
1 Kings 11:9-13 2 Chronicles 11:5-12 Jeremiah 23:5-6 Ezekiel 34:11-16 John 6:35 Matthew 2:18 Jeremiah 31:15 Genesis 21:12-13 1 Kings 11:11-13 John 1:29-30 Hebrews 9:11-28
Why Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?
The Physical Reason Jesus Had to be Born in Bethlehem
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the city of David.
Bethlehem Fun Fact
Bethlehem is Spiritually or Symbolically Called ‘Rachel’
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:16-18
To avoid the massacre that Herod ordered in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph fled with Jesus to Egypt. This fulfilled the promise that the Messiah (the Descendant of David) would be called out of Egypt.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy Him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and His mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
We’ve all read the prophecy of the coming Christ. We’ve read how He, Jesus, will be called Immanuel (which means God with us). We know the verses by memory, but do we fully understand them? Do we truly understand what the prophecy of Jesus being called Immanuel means? Join ArieRashelle as she searches through Scriptures for answers in her video, Immanuel: God With Us.
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:20-23
The Fulfillment of Immanuel
Immanuel means God with us. God has finally come to dwell with man forever and He will one day physically dwell on earth with His people.
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:16-17
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.”
The shepherds are a large part of the Nativity Story, but the real question is, why were they chosen? Why did the angel specifically go to the shepherds? Was it because the coming Messiah is the Good Shepherd, or is there more to the story? How did the Shepherds know where to find Jesus? Join Rev. Kenny Yates as he searches through Scripture to find the reason the shepherds were chosen in his video, The Mystery of The Shepherds.
Luke 2:1-20 Genesis 49:10 Micah 5:2 Mark 14:14 Luke 22:11 Genesis 12:1–3 Ezekiel 16:4 Micah 4:8 Genesis 35:21 Luke 2:34–35
The Mystery of The Shepherds
How did the Shepherds know where to find Jesus?
The biggest mystery of the shepherds is the sign they were given. The only sign the shepherds were given was that a baby would be wrapped in swaddling cloths. How did the shepherds know which baby was which?
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you (The main mystery of the shepherds): you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”
Luke 2:8-14
Was this sign a code for the shepherds? How did they know where the Christ Child was if that’s their only clue? This mystery seems to be deep-rooted in the prophecy of Christ’s birth and who the shepherds were.
