Showing results by author "Gordan Runyan" in All Categories

Standing on the brink of the Promised Land, Moses talks about the time he asked God to let him lead the people in to possess their inheritance. God shut that down in a direct manner. Moses had sinned against God in the wilderness and would not be going in. Instead, his close friend and servant, Joshua, would lead the people into all of that amazing victory. This is a strong message of encouragement for all believers in Christ, exploring interesting ideas and applications, including a discussion of the meta-narrative of the Bible, the over-arching story that God was telling. In light of this...

This item is a single sermon from pastor Gordan Runyan, of the Ragtown Pulpit, a ministry of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tucumcari, New Mexico. It is an expository message on the parable told by Jotham in Judges 9. In this narrative, the trees of the field are seeking a king to reign over them. They approach the olive tree, the fig tree, and the grapevine, but all these are too busy fulfilling their God-given callings to stop and be the king over the trees. Finally, the desperate trees approach the bramble, who is happy to be asked. Jotham warns them that this could end up destroying them ...

This sermon is an encouraging message of hope for all those who have believed they are beyond God's saving reach. The text is from the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's gospel, and the approach of a leper to the feet of Christ. If you or someone you know could use a reminder of the Lord's love for the outcast and isolated, this message can help.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What might that have meant to His first audience on that day? They certainly had a different definition of what it meant to be poor, compared to ourselves. Once we understand what they would have thought about financial poverty, we'll be in a good place to think about its parallel: spiritual poverty. This encouraging message of Gospel invitation will be a help to your own spirit.

In the Bible, what was the basis of the ancient people of God enjoying all the gracious promises that He gave to Abraham? Was it merely a matter of physical ancestry, or has it been (even from the book of Genesis) a matter of ethical/judicial action? Does a little Abrahamic blood in your veins buy you some sort of favor from God, even in spite of a persistent lack of faith? As we look at Deuteronomy 4:23-31, these questions are immensely relevant in our day. What does the Bible say about Israel's war for the land? This is not a sermon about politics, though it does carry some obvious, ...

This Ragtown Pulpit sermon is about the second Psalm, and its place in the hearts and minds of believers. Specifically, the dilemma concerning Psalm 2 is this: Why don't believers love it more than they do? It literally has everything you'd think a Christian would want in a very short passage. Christ himself is all over and throughout this Old Testament text. It's filled with promises of God's faithfulness and the victory of Christ's kingdom. Nevertheless, you've probably never heard anyone, anywhere, claim it as their favorite. That's just weird. There are reasons for this. This sermon ...

There are many questions in the air about the Bible's teachings on the End Times. Dispensationalism is a form of biblical interpretation, a system that advertises itself as the only serious option for the study of prophecy. But, since its appearance in the mid-19th Century, it has correctly predicted nothing while fostering a sub-culture of wild speculation within evangelical Christianity. The litany of wrong predictions and laughable proposals that have plagued Dispensationalism from its outset would be comical if it didn't represent the deception of millions along the way. When will the ...

Pastor Runyan finishes his series on Deuteronomy 1-4, in preparation for tackling the commandments, which begin in earnest in Deuteronomy 5. In Deuteronomy 4:41-43, Moses mentions the fact that Israel designated three cities on the other side of the Jordan as Cities of Refuge. This is a curious topic in the Law of God, often generating as many questions as answers. In this sermon, Pastor Runyan explains how the Cities of Refuge were meant to work in real life. He highlights principles of justice which we would all do well to remember even in our modern day. Then he explores the strong ...

This Ragtown Pulpit sermon comes from Deuteronomy 4:32-40 and continues Pastor Runyan's walk through the book. Moses gives the people a list of reasons that should urge them toward obedience to God's commands. These same reasons are presently powerful to warm and thrill the Christian heart, inspiring the believer to a life of whole-hearted devotion. In fact, it may be that there is no true worship that lacks these ingredients. This message is warm and pastoral, meant to move the ordinary believer onward in our walk with the Lord. Read and be greatly encouraged.

This Ragtown Pulpit sermon is taken from Deuteronomy 2:1-9 and is part of Pastor Gordan Runyan's series preaching through the entire book. Through Moses, on the verge of the Promised Land, God recounts how he gave other nations their land as an inheritance. He was also about to give Israel its land in the same way. The message explains the origin of nations and expounds on God's sovereign plan for the kingdoms of the world. It explains the "Deuteronomy 32 Worldview" and the Divine Council doctrine, relating it to the goal of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What does it mean when we confess that...

Why do God's people suffer? Since the book of Job, this question has been as relevant as today's breaking news. Join pastor Gordan Runyan and his congregation as they continue to explore the Bible book of Deuteronomy. The main text of this Sunday's sermon is Deuteronomy 4:20, where Moses refers to Israel's stay in Egypt as time spent in "the iron furnace". This message can be a ray of warm light shining through life's dark clouds if you are willing to learn the purpose of your trials, and the kind intention of God.

According to Scripture, do individuals have a right to self-defense, up to and including the use of deadly force? Is there a verse about the Second Amendment? What does the Bible say about guns, or self-defense? What about the consistent teaching and example of Jesus Christ, who advocated for peaceful, non-violent opposition to evil? Are these two concepts in opposition? Do these considerations have anything to say to the Christian who is concerned about gun rights and gun violence in America? Pastor Gordan Runyan's message is a short but sober look into all of this. This is a Ragtown ...

This Ragtown Pulpit series installment is a sermon on Deuteronomy 1:34-46. The incident of Israel's rebellion at the door of the Promised Land, and the oath of God that doomed that generation to die in the wilderness, is an iconic event. That's an understatement, actually. It becomes the Bible's most oft-repeated warning. Moses retells the story in our text, but that's only the first of several recountings found in both Testaments of the Bible. Pastor Runyan shows how we need to heed the warning right now, as much as any people at any time. Will we be like those whose bodies fell in the ...

"Somebody, please, make it all make sense!" This kind of plea is made frequently in our world. In this message, pastor Gordan Runyan points the reader to Jesus Christ, the One who interprets all things. What the Lord thinks, that is what is true. Without this bedrock assertion, truth has no rational starting point. The apostle Paul was on trial in Acts 26, and he made the bold assertion that he was not preaching anything new when he brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to both Jews and Gentiles. He claimed he was merely being consistent with Moses and the prophets. This sermon seeks to show ...

This 39 page article is for you if you are baffled. What is Calvinism? What's with the debate between Calvinism and Arminianism? Maybe you've heard the name of John Calvin attached to a theology that sounded cold, monstrous, illogical, unbiblical, or cruel. Maybe Calvinists haven't been helpful in the task of understanding Calvinism! It's time to get some clarification. If you've been burned by all the heat surrounding the debate over things like predestination and election, Reformed theology, or the TULIP of Calvinism, maybe it's time for straightforward facts, without all the hysteria. ...

The first in Pastor Runyan's preaching series on Deuteronomy. A very informative and inspiring take on the Biblical symbolism present in the move of God's people from Mount Sinai to Mount Horeb in Bashan. Move from Victory to Victory with this life-giving message.

This sermon was originally preached from the Ragtown Pulpit, in Immanuel Baptist Church of Tucumcari, New Mexico. It is part of Pastor Runyan's current series, a verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible book of Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 1:9-18 we see the layout of God's own, simple design for civil government. It may shock you in its simplicity. You may think it's impractical or completely unworkable, but this is what God gave to His new nation, expecting it to work. In fact, it was meant to be a blessing and to preserve for them all the good blessings of God-given liberty.

"As we come to this next section of text in our slow march through Deuteronomy, I cannot overstate its relevance for us today. When you look around, you see the ongoing disintegration of our nation’s harmony and morality; and the threatening clouds on the horizon that may signal something much darker. I only ask for your patient attention as we walk through this Scripture passage, and find it speaking directly to our need." This Ragtown Pulpit sermon continues Pastor Runyan's series in the book of Deuteronomy. Specifically, we're in chapter four, verses 9 - 14, Take comfort in a profound,...

This sermon introduces the topic of Biblical giants: the Nephalim, or Rephaim. It is not a deep dive into the topic, although it does contain some recommendations for further research. It briefly examines the non-supernatural view of Genesis 6, that says the "sons of God" mentioned in that passage are not fallen angels but rather the godly line of Seth. It explains why that view doesn't do a great job of accounting for all the data in the text. This message also briefly summarizes the Nephilim narrative found in the ancient book of 1 Enoch, some of which is affirmed by New Testament writers...

This message is meant to encourage people to trust God enough to resist the urge for instant gratification, in order to gain better long-term results. Two and a half tribes in Israel asked for their inheritance of land to be given to them on the "other side" of the Jordan, outside the original boundaries of the Promised Land. Was this a request made in faith or in disbelief? The bargain they made with Moses, who was initially suspicious, also represented a "big ask". It challenged their faith, courage, and valor as men of God. This sermon has immediate application to how we live our lives. ...