Dr. Jordon Gilmore

Key Theme

Let go of anxious control and grab hold of God’s peace.

Anxiety is defined as:

While anxiety is a normal human experience, believers are not called to identify with it or be ruled by it.

God’s Peace Guards and Governs

Philippians 4:6-7

• “Do not be anxious about anything.”
• Prayer, thanksgiving, and bringing requests to God open the door for His peace.
• God’s peace acts as a guard over our hearts and minds.

Colossians 3:15

• The peace of Christ is not only protection—it is meant to rule in our hearts.
• Peace should have authority over our thoughts, emotions, and reactions.

Peace Is a Person

Ephesians 2:14

• “He Himself is our peace.”
• Peace is not merely a feeling; it is found in Christ Himself.
• If we have Christ, we already have access to peace.

Jesus’ Example in Gethsemane

Mark 14:32-42

• Jesus experienced intense sorrow, distress, and pressure before the cross.
• He did not deny His emotions.
• Instead, He repeatedly brought them to the Father in prayer.
• Though circumstances did not immediately change, Jesus emerged with peace and resolve.

Lesson: Peace does not always come from a changed situation. Sometimes it comes from surrendering control to God.

Peace Was Given Before the Crisis

John 14:27

• Jesus told His disciples, “My peace I give to you.”
• He gave them peace before the trial, arrest, and crucifixion.
• Likewise, believers already possess the peace they need before problems arise.

The Two Cycles

Cycle of Anxiety

1. Uncertainty
2. Anxiety/Fear
3. Desire for Control
4. Taking Control
5. Frustration
6. More Anxiety

Cycle of Faith

1. Uncertainty
2. Anxiety/Fear
3. Prayer
4. Trusting God’s Control
5. God Works His Plan
6. Faith Grows
7. Peace Increases

The more we practice trusting God, the quicker we move from fear to faith.

Worry Accomplishes Nothing

Luke 12:25-32

• Worry cannot add a single hour to life.
• God already knows our needs.
• The solution is simple:
  • Seek His Kingdom.
  • Trust His provision.
  • Receive what He freely desires to give.

Practicing Peace

Philippians 4:8-9

• Think on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.
• Peace is not only received—it is practiced.

Jordon encouraged everyone to:

• Identify things that bring joy.
• Remember relationships that bless them.
• Reflect on dreams God has fulfilled.

By intentionally focusing on God’s goodness, we create an environment where peace can flourish and anxiety loses its grip.

Key Takeaways

• Anxiety is real, but it does not have to rule your life.
• God’s peace is both a guard and a ruler.
• Jesus experienced distress and modeled how to respond.
• Peace is already available through Christ.
• Prayer moves us from control to trust.
• Practicing gratitude and godly meditation strengthens our ability to walk in peace.

Closing Thought

You do not have to earn peace—you already have access to it through Christ. The challenge is learning to practice it, trust it, and allow it to govern your heart and mind.

Joshua Boyd

God’s Desire Has Always Been Relationship

From the Garden of Eden onward:

• God desired to walk with humanity
• Sin broke that fellowship
• The Tabernacle was God’s solution to dwell among His people

The Tabernacle was literally a “Tent of Meeting.”

Why So Much Detail?

• Over 50 chapters of Scripture describe the Tabernacle and Temples
• Hebrews teaches that these earthly structures were:
  • Copies
  • Shadows
  • Patterns of heavenly realities

God gave Moses exact instructions because the design reflected something real in heaven.

The Purpose of the Tabernacle

The goal was never rituals alone.

The purpose was:

• To meet with God
• To hear from God
• To experience His presence

The Pattern of Approach

The Tabernacle reveals a pathway into God’s presence:

1. The Gate

• Only one entrance
• Points to Jesus

2. The Altar of Sacrifice

• Blood was required for forgiveness
• Points to the sacrifice of Christ

3. The Bronze Laver

• Washing and cleansing
• Points to being washed by God’s Word

4. The Holy Place

Three daily responsibilities:

• Lampstand → Keep the light burning
• Showbread → Daily bread from God’s Word
• Incense → Prayer and worship

5. The Holy of Holies

• God’s manifest presence
• Place of meeting and hearing from God
• Accessible only through preparation

Jesus Fulfilled the Pattern

Jesus became:

• The Door
• The Sacrifice
• The Cleansing Word
• The High Priest

Through His blood:

• Sin is forgiven
• The veil is torn
• Access to God is opened

The Veil Was Torn

Before Christ:

• One man
• One day a year
• Could enter God’s presence

After Christ:

• Every believer has access

Yet access does not remove the need for reverence and preparation.

Daily Preparation Matters

Many believers want God’s presence but neglect the daily practices that lead there.

The pattern still teaches us to:

• Stay in the Word
• Maintain prayer
• Keep our spiritual light burning
• Continually cleanse ourselves from worldly distractions

God wants to meet with us, but we must intentionally draw near.

Don’t Stop in the Outer Court

Some believers stop at:

• Forgiveness
• Salvation
• “My ticket to heaven”

But God desires more:

• Relationship
• Communion
• Conversation
• Direction

The goal is not merely being saved.

The goal is meeting with God.

Draw Near

God is not hiding from us.
He designed the entire system—from the Tabernacle to the Cross—to make relationship possible.

Final Takeaways

• The Tabernacle is a picture of God’s desire to dwell with His people.
• Every element points to Jesus.
• Salvation is the entrance, not the destination.
• God wants more than ritual—He wants relationship.
• The pathway into His presence is available to every believer.

Closing Challenge

Don’t settle for the outer court.

Spend time in:

• The Word
• Prayer
• Worship
• Fellowship with God

Because the ultimate purpose of the Tabernacle was not sacrifice—it was meeting with God.

Dr. Jordon Gilmore

This special service is geared toward the youth of the church.

Joshua Boyd

Series Context

• Part of A Walk Through the Bible
• Focus on how Old Testament feasts point directly to Jesus and the Church

God Is a God of Order

• Numbers, timelines, and feasts throughout Scripture matter
• The Old Testament wasn’t written just as history

The Three Major Feasts God instructed Israel to celebrate:

1. Passover / Unleavened Bread
2. Feast of Firstfruits
3. Feast of Final Harvest (Pentecost)

These weren’t random holidays:
➡️ They prophetically pointed to Jesus.

Jesus Fulfilled the Feasts

Passover

• Jesus entered Jerusalem
• The Lamb prepared for sacrifice

Unleavened Bread

• Jesus crucified and buried
• Unleavened bread represented purity and no sin

Firstfruits

• Resurrection Sunday
• Jesus became the firstfruits of a new kind of humanity

The Seed Principle

A seed must:

• Be planted
• Die
• Then produce new life

Jesus:

• Died
• Was buried
• Rose again with a glorified body

➡️ The first human body resurrected into eternal life

Why Pentecost Matters

Pentecost = 50 days after Passover

Originally:

• Feast of Final Harvest

Spiritually:

• Jesus was the Firstfruit
• Believers are the Final Harvest

The Meaning of the Yeast

Most sacrifices:

• Required bread without yeast (symbol of purity)

But Pentecost was different:

• God specifically commanded bread WITH yeast

Why?

• Jesus was the perfect, sinless sacrifice
• Because of Him, imperfect people can now carry God’s Spirit

➡️ The Spirit of God can now dwell in flawed humanity

Before vs After Pentecost

Old Testament

• Spirit came upon people temporarily

After Jesus

• Spirit lives inside believers permanently

Acts 2 — The Fulfillment

On Pentecost:

• Wind filled the room
• Tongues of fire appeared
• Believers were filled with the Holy Spirit

This connected to:

• Moses and the burning bush
• Fire on Mount Sinai
• God’s presence descending

But now:

• The fire no longer consumed
• It indwelled

Christ Is the Reality

The Old Testament was always pointing to Him.

What Pentecost Means for Us

Because of Jesus:

• We become new creations
• God’s Spirit lives within us
• We can walk daily with God
• We have direct access to His presence

The Holy of Holies Is Open

In the tabernacle:

• Only the high priest could enter once a year

Now:

• Every believer can enter God’s presence anytime

Final Takeaways

• Jesus fulfilled the feasts
• Pentecost was always part of God’s plan
• We are the “final harvest”
• The Holy Spirit is not just with us—but in us

Closing Encouragement

Don’t stop at salvation alone.

There is:

• New life through Jesus
• AND fullness through the Holy Spirit

Dr. Jordon Gilmore

In Part 3 of the Modern Christianity series, Dr. Gilmore continues exploring the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and Pentecost. This short but powerful period gives us a blueprint for modern faith, showing how believers grow through doubt, faith, testimony, Scripture, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Theme:
Two essential parts of Christian life are the power of testimony and revelation in Scripture.

Testimony is more than reporting what happened. It is a kingdom tool God uses to strengthen faith, encourage others, and point people to Jesus. Revelation in Scripture is more than gaining knowledge. It is the Holy Spirit opening our understanding so we can see Christ more clearly throughout the Word.

This compares to a charger. The power is available, but testimony and Scripture help connect our faith to that power.

Mary Magdalene and the Women at the Tomb
In Matthew 28, the angel tells the women, “He is risen,” then immediately sends them to tell the disciples. Jesus Himself also appears to them and repeats the instruction: go and tell.

This marks a shift. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He often told people not to spread the news of miracles. But after the resurrection, the command becomes urgent: go testify.

The women obeyed even though they were afraid. Their message sounded impossible—Jesus was alive, and the disciples needed to go to Galilee. Yet they went in faith. Their example reminds us that our call to testify is immediate and urgent, even when we feel fear, uncertainty, or concern about being misunderstood.

The Road to Emmaus
In Luke 24, two followers walk with Jesus without recognizing Him. As He opens the Scriptures to them, their hearts begin to burn. When they finally recognize Him in the breaking of bread, they immediately return seven miles to Jerusalem to tell the others.

Their testimony became a natural response to encountering Christ. They were tired, discouraged, and confused—but once they recognized Jesus, urgency replaced weariness.

Testimony Builds Faith
When we share what God has done, it strengthens others. Someone else’s testimony may help us believe until we have our own encounter. Then we become the ones encouraging others. Testimony creates a chain reaction in the body of Christ.

Revelation in Scripture
Jesus did not always reveal Himself immediately. On the road to Emmaus, He first opened the Scriptures. This shows that faith often grows as God connects the dots for us through His Word.

Mature faith moves beyond knowing isolated Bible stories. It begins to see how all of Scripture points to Christ and how God’s plan connects to our lives today.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
John 16:13 says the Spirit of truth will guide us into all truth. John 14:26 says the Holy Spirit will teach us and bring Jesus’ words to remembrance. We are not left to understand Scripture on our own. The Holy Spirit helps open the Word and apply it to our lives.

Not every Bible reading moment feels dramatic. Sometimes Scripture is like a simple meal—daily nourishment. Other times, it feels like a feast. But both are necessary for spiritual growth.

Call to Action
Matthew 28:18–20 gives the Great Commission: go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. This was the plan from the moment Jesus rose, and it is still the plan today.

Final Reflection:
Who are you telling about what God has done?
How is your understanding of Scripture growing?
Testimony and revelation should both be active in our walk with Christ.

Joshua Boyd

God’s First Command: Be Fruitful

From Genesis:

• God created everything with:
  • A purpose
  • A seed
  • A mechanism to multiply

• Blessing in the Bible is always connected to:
  • Increase
  • Fruitfulness
  • Multiplication

Why Woman Was Created Differently

• Adam was formed from dust
• Animals were formed from the earth
• Woman was uniquely constructed from man

Why?

• To complete the blessing
• To complete the image of God
• To provide the mechanism for fruitfulness

➡️ Woman completed what was missing

Mothers Complete the Blessing

• Without Eve, Adam could not fulfill:
  • “Be fruitful and multiply”
• Mothers are not just child-bearers
• Women carry:
  • Nurture
  • Comfort
  • Multiplication
  • The heart of God in the home

God’s Nature Reflected in Mothers

Isaiah compares God’s comfort to a mother comforting a child.

The Pattern in Scripture

Again and again:

• Mothers prayed
• Mothers interceded
• Mothers carried faith for their children

Examples:

• Hannah praying for Samuel
• Samson’s mother receiving the angelic message
• The Shunammite woman
• Mary receiving the promise of Jesus

➡️ God often spoke to the mothers first

Jesus and Mothers

One powerful story:

• Jesus saw a widow mourning her dead son
• She didn’t ask for a miracle
• Jesus initiated it out of compassion

➡️ Jesus sees a mother’s heart

Encouragement to Moms

• Don’t stop praying for your children
• Even if they’ve wandered
• God hears the prayers of mothers
• Your heart for your children reflects God’s heart

Honor Your Father and Mother

• One of the most repeated commands in Scripture
• Also the only command tied to a promise:
  • Long life

Honoring parents honors:

• The role God created
• The image of God placed within them

Women in the Resurrection Story

• Women first received:
  • The announcement of Jesus’ birth
  • The news of Jesus’ resurrection
• Women were present at:
  • The empty tomb
  • Pentecost

➡️ God consistently honored women in key moments of redemption

Final Truths

• Women are created intentionally
• Mothers reflect the nurturing heart of God
• Men and women together reveal the image of God
• Mothers help complete the blessing in the home

Closing Encouragement

To every mother and spiritual mother:

• You are seen
• You are valued
• You are created with purpose
• Your prayers matter
• Your nurturing reflects the very heart of God

Dr. Jordon Gilmore

Big Idea

• Doubt and faith often coexist
• Matthew 28:17: “They worshiped Him, but some doubted”
• Even in powerful encounters with Jesus, doubt can remain

Key Truths About Doubt

1. God is not surprised by your doubt
2. God is not intimidated by your doubt
3. Doubt does not disqualify you from God’s call
4. Unchecked doubt leads to hardness of heart
5. Doubt must submit to faith to move forward

What Is Doubt?

• A natural response based on observations and expectations
• Not sin by itself—but must be addressed
• Two main sources:
  • Fear → “I’m afraid to trust God”
  • Cynicism → “I won’t risk being disappointed again”

Faith Defined

• Hebrews 11:1: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see”
• Contrast:
  • Doubt = based on what we see
  • Faith = anchored in what we cannot see

Context: Why the Disciples Doubted

• John 20:19: They were hiding behind locked doors out of fear
• Their doubt was shaped by:
  • Trauma (crucifixion)
  • Fear of persecution
  • Broken expectations

Pattern: How Jesus Handles Doubt

1. Women at the tomb
   • Afraid → Angel says “Don’t be afraid”
   • Act in faith → Jesus meets them
2. Disciples
   • Hear testimony → don’t believe
3. Road to Emmaus
   • Jesus explains Scripture → reveals Himself
   • They respond → go tell others (not believed)
4. Jesus appears to disciples
   • Addresses fear directly: “Why are you frightened?”
   • Shows physical proof → eats with them
5. Thomas
   • Doubt from disappointment
   • Jesus meets him personally → “Don’t be faithless, believe”

Key Insight: Jesus Meets Every Doubt

• Over 40 days, Jesus intentionally addresses:
  • Fear
  • Confusion
  • Disappointment
• He doesn’t avoid doubt—He engages it

The Galilee Moment (Faith in Action)

• Jesus calls people to travel ~100 miles to Galilee
• Some go by faith (before seeing Him)
• Over 500 witnesses gather (1 Corinthians 15:6)
• Even then: some worship, some doubt

The Commission Still Stands

• Despite doubt, Jesus gives everyone the mission:
  • “Go and make disciples…”
  • “I am with you always”
• He doesn’t exclude doubters—He includes them

Final Movement: From Doubt to Power

• Jesus sends them back to Jerusalem
• Command: Wait for the Holy Spirit
• Faith + Holy Spirit = ability to fulfill the mission

Takeaways

• Doubt is natural—but not meant to stay
• Jesus meets you in your doubt
• Faith grows when doubt is surrendered
• You are still called—even while growing
• The Holy Spirit empowers what faith begins

Closing Thought
Don’t settle into doubt.
Let Jesus meet you there—and lead you into belief.

Joshua Boyd

Series Context

• Part of A Walk Through the Bible
• Core truth: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever
• Not two different Gods (OT vs NT)
• Justice has always existed—Jesus changed how judgment is paid

Humanity Hasn’t Changed

• Sin existed before the Law (Cain & Abel)
• Pattern throughout history:
  • Sin → Judgment → Repentance → Rescue
• Seen clearly in Judges (repeated cycles)
• Ecclesiastes: “Nothing new under the sun”

Two Cycles

1. God’s Cycle (Life Cycle)

• Sin
• Judgment
• Repentance
• Rescue

2. Death Cycle

• Sin → Judgment → Sin → Judgment (no repentance)

God’s Character in the Cycle

• Merciful
• Compassionate
• Slow to anger
• Gives repeated opportunities to repent

Delay of judgment ≠ lack of justice
It is mercy

Why Judgment Seems Delayed

• God desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2)
• If judgment were instant:
  • None of us would stand
• What we see as delay = God giving time to repent

Perspective Problem

• We often say:
  • “This is the worst it’s ever been”
• Reality:
  • Humanity has always had extreme evil
• God sees all of history:
  • Our “worst moment” = a tiny blip

Biblical Example: The Flood

• Humanity became:
  • “Consistently and totally evil”
• Judgment came—but only after time to repent
• One man (Noah) completed the cycle
  • Faith + obedience = rescue

One person’s obedience can impact generations

God’s Nature (Key Truth)

• God is:
  • Slow to anger
  • Full of unfailing love
  • Eager to forgive

He is not looking to punish—He’s looking to rescue

Jonah & Nineveh Lesson

• Jonah wanted judgment
• God showed mercy when people repented
• Jonah got angry

➡️ Lesson:

• We often want justice for others
• But mercy for ourselves

Why We Shouldn’t Judge

• We don’t see:
  • The full story
  • Private repentance

Eternal Perspective

• This world is temporary
• God’s Word is eternal (Matthew 24:35)
• Solomon’s mistake:
  • Focused on temporary things → found emptiness

➡️ True meaning = eternal focus

“Where Is God?” Question

• People have always asked this (2 Peter 3)
• Answer:
  • God is not slow
  • He is patient

Time Perspective

Delay = opportunity

Final Encouragement

• Stay in the full cycle
  • When you sin → repent quickly
• Trust God:
  • Judgment is just
  • Mercy is available
  • Reward is coming