The contents of these articles are based on sermons and sermon series by pastors Dave Strem and Al Bishop. Dave Strem is pastor of Trinity Evangelical Free Church of Eustis, Florida. Al Bishop is a retired associate pastor of Trinity Evangelical Free Church of Eustis, Florida. The goal of converting the messages into written form is to give the truths contained within them a more durable form. The sermons are first transcribed and then edited for reading. They also may have material added to make them into articles and good 'reads'. We have therefore called them sermonarticles. Some sermonarticles have little material added--sentences and paragraphs, while others have more extensive material added to make them more educational and helpful to the reader. A few of the sermons have had portions removed to make shorter articles for quicker reads. Each sermonarticle is designed to be concise and informative. James W. Skeen is the contributing editor.
Malachi 3:16-17 teaches us what kind of attitude God is looking for in His people. Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. It is God's last words of special revelation until New Testament times. After all the laws, battles, and hardships endured, listen to what He says concerning those who love and care about Him. "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him. 'They will be my people,' says the Lord Almighty. 'On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient and dutiful child.'" Good Christian literature helps us to think about, or contemplate, God. And that is the ultimate goal of these sermonarticles and website.
We want you to grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. We hope and pray that the lessons contained within these sermonarticles will bless your life. We are particularly reaching out to readers. Listening to a sermon can inspire for a time but often what is actually taught in the sermon is forgotten and lost forever, unable to inspire or help any person who was not there to hear it that particular day. Audiotapes help to save the message for future listening but they lack the advantage of the written word. The written word can be read, reread, and contemplated in ways audio materials cannot.
None of the biblical figures in the Bible are perfect. All had flaws. But God was able to use each one because they were willing to partner together with Him to accomplish great things. They are our examples. We can learn from them. "All of these people we have mentioned received God's approval because of their faith..." (Hebrews 11:39a). Let us stand on their shoulders and learn what it means to follow God in good times and bad, when things are clear to us and when they are not. Please receive these sermonarticles in the spirit in which they have been given. Read, learn, and go forth with God!