Men, if God told you to marry a woman who would eventually become a prostitute, what would you do? The truth is that when we committed our lives to Christ that God knew we would fail him many times throughout our Christian life. God allowed us to be joined to Him through His son Jesus knowing we would be unfaithful. (Rom 5:8) What an amazing illustration of unconditional love that we can apply in both our Christian walks, and marriages.

I couldn't think of a more appropriate message on Thanksgiving day since I know many family members obligatorily trudge to the In-laws house for some good food, but in some cases awkward conversation and fellowship! It isn't always easy to love people we don't like, but as Christians we aren't given a choice. No matter how much you think someone deserves your wrath, God has commanded you to be the merciful, loving, forgiving,  and winsome person to EVERYONE. We don't get to pick and choose who we love and forgive  from God's perspective.

Steve recalls a humorous incident that occurred when he was in High School while performing in the musical South Pacific as he discusses compromise.

Why do we obey and do what God wants us to do? Is it because we are in fear of the sudden and unexpected lightning bolt from Heaven? Is our view of God so "fearful" that we simply obey because of consequences? Five minutes isn't enough time to fully expound on this, but I hope you will hear enough to run to the Bible and begin to ponder the intent in your heart of why you obey God. 

In today's world it seems even our Christianity is about how convenient we can make it. Christians and seekers are becoming more and more disillusioned with the "No Commitment Required" Gospel! We could learn a simple and powerful lesson from Rhino in the movie Bolt!

Five year old Noah Goode makes an appearance to help teach the morning Lesson!

This lesson begins with a scripture DVD from the Gospel of John. This lesson discusses the reaction of the Beloved Disciple, Peter, and Mary as they found the tomb empty. The resurrection is the cornerstone event of our Christian faith!

Many times we may experience failure in our lives in our marriages, children, and our jobs. We are going to examine the life of Peter and his failures in this lesson. Steve will mix some humorous life experiences of his own with this lesson as we learn that failure isn't the end of the road, but many times it is the starting point to something bigger that God has planned for our lives.

We have studied the events leading up to the resurrection over the past few weeks, but what should our response be? We will examine both the authority and the charge that Jesus gives us in the Great Commission.

Follow along with the presentation available at http://www.trumpetforgod.org/files/Lesson Matt 28.pdf

It made me think that if man has evolved into something better over time, then explain to me why the atrocities of the Assyrian Empire in the Bible pale in comparison to the Holocaust of World War II 2700 years later.

You have the resources in Christ to deal with your addiction!

It's time Christians realize that being a witness is not an optional task, but a mandatory one. One of our biggest fears comes from not being prepared. Steve speaks about an experience he had as a Police Officer that illustrates what can happen if we are ill prepared to witness.

Follow along with the presentation available at http://www.trumpetforgod.org/files/7-26-2009.pdf

Steve does an extremely dangerous thing in this audio interview. He goes completely off script to talk about a hostage situation where he had to negotiate with an upset man who was barricaded and holding his 7 year old daughter hostage with a knife! He uses this illustration to discuss how each of us should understand that God places burdens on our hearts at times for a good reason. Even worse, many times it may not be the person you would normally choose. You don't get a multiple choice on who God may led you to.

Did you know that according to Barna Statistics less than 10% of self-proclaimed Christian families have a weekly Bible Study in their homes? We have so over-used the term crisis in today's society that we can no longer identify a genuine crisis when we see it! That crisis is that lack of father's with a burden and desire to make Jesus Christ the center of their homes! It is time to realize that father's need to get off of their convenient posteriors and make Jesus more than a multiple choice question in their lives!

Worry is the chronic or even occasional act of dwelling on our negative actions and circumstances with no confidence that a solution will ever be revealed.

The Church is the local and global body of believers founded on God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and commissioned to proclaim His true identity to the world.

What a relief to know that our strength to live each day comes from a source other than ourselves! Acts 1:8 focuses on the fact that we receive that strength and sustenance through the Holy Spirit working in a Christian's life.

There are an endless number of marriage killing phrases in a marriage, but this one can send a frigid signal to the spouse that will end intimacy and growth.

This lesson teaches us the process of how we should make decisions in our life and family. Decisions are not to be made based on how it "feels", but by studying God's Word and praying about what the right decision should be. Too many times we rationalize this process away because we already know what we want the decision to be. We pray with the wrong motives and cherry pick the scriptures that fit our agenda instead of studying and praying with no agenda.

In this lesson we discuss the Holy Spirit and try and gain an understanding of His purpose in our Lives. As believers we are all indwelled byy the Holy Spirit.

If you are at the point of giving up over what you consider to be unbearable pain then I encourage you to listen to this. If you prefer text you may read the blog entry on this same article. Comments on this article are welcomed and are anonymous.

This Sunday we discuss the topic of miracles and their purpose and significance in our lives. In Acts 3 both Peter and John are at the temple when solicited by a beggar in need of money. Peter shows his faithfulness by having an answer ready for the man.

The audio begins with an illustration clip taken from the movie "Henry Poole is Here" (2008 Overture Films) To set the clip up they are discussing the topic of miracles.

Have you ever considered the fact that your sin may be forgiven, but their are still consequences for your actions? We need to realize that our sin never affects only the sinner, but our familty too. What will it take for God to get your attention? Who will be left in your wake? (Free downloadable PDF available of this article)

Todays lesson is on suffering persecution in our Christian life. The truth is many of us in the USA don't have a clue what persecution really is. I would even assert that we think convenience and persecution or synonyms which is really sad. Please feel free to listen in to our class as Steve teaches on some experiences Peter and John shared after healing a beggar.

Steve recalls one of the most bizarre experiences he had as a police officer when he was working third shift and came upon a woman who had been impaled in the head with a large kitchen kinfe. Stay tuned as he uses this illustration to talk about our attitude and response to sin in our life.

I am not much on culturally correct words so let's call this audio what it really is. A Sunday School Lesson! What is it to create community in the local church? How can you prepare yourself as a believer to be an effective member and why should you care? All these questions addressed in today's Sunday School Lesson.

I have heard it said that it would be better to lose your reputation than your integrity and I couldn't agree more. A reputation is something that people think that you are, but integrity is who you are. When it comes to our relationship to Christ, the most important aspect of that relationship is your integrity. Integrity represents your genuineness and transparency before a holy and flawless God. Integrity doesn't mean you never sin, but that you are committed to being real at all times. The alternative would be to become a hypocrite.

Christians in Western Culture don't have a clue what persecution feels like. Some think persecution is going without cable for a week! Since we have lost what reverence and respect for God really is, it's hard for most Christians to grasp religious persecution. I believe we need to go spend an hour or two in Sudan or China to understand what real persecution feels like. In the case of Peter he was honored to have been considered worthy of persecution.

An integral part of the local end church is to have people eager to contribute to the ministry of the body of Christ and their community. Its more than simply showing up on Sunday morning or whenever you may attend, but a lifelong process of making yourself available to God's service. Just because your paycheck doesn't come from the local church, it doesn't give you a free pass to freeload on God. We all have a place to be and to share in the work of the Lord.

Steve recalls a humorous incident that occurred when he was in High School while performing in the musical South Pacific as he discusses what Christian compromise really is.

Isn't it sad that we live in a so-called Christian culture that is more concerned with their own personal image than they are to model the image of Christ in their lives?  Did you know that 65% of all Christian Martyrdom has occurred in th 20th Century? Missionaries from England in a previous century used to pack their belongings in a long pine box thinking that it was more likely that they would be brought back to their home country in it as opposed to coming back alive.

One of the hardest parts of our lives is living through and coping with difficult circumstances. How can one continue to see God's bigger plan when we can't seem to see past the end of our noses? In this lesson we will spend some time learning how God uses all of our circumstances to fulfill a bigger picture that we don't see. One of my favorite quotes is "We cannot control our circumstances, but we can control the way we react to our circumstances."

Whats so important about reading the Bible in our Christian life? In this brief segment Steve recounts the last minutes of his mother's life as he watched her take her last few breaths. We will learn how the Bible is the Christian's sustaining breath and without it we die a slow spiritual death... This is taken from a lesson taught in by Steve in 2007.

Acts 8:26-40 details how God worked through a believer named Phillip to convert an Ethiopian man. It's so easy at times to live in our own little comfort zones, but many times God may have work for us to do that we should desire to be a part of. Phillip's action will teach us how we should always be ready to go when God calls. We will take some time to learn how God speaks to us and in what mode of communication.

No! We are not talking about a classic Manfred Mann's Earth Band song, but one of the most  prominant Christian conversions in the entire New Testament. Christ captured the heart and devoted allegiance of the most aggressive persecutor, and enslaver of Christians in the world at that time. We will walk through Acts 9 and see the lessons we can apply to our own lives, such as how God wants more than a distant friendship, but an up close and personal eternal relationship that will never end.

What is the most effective way to share our faith? Is Bible thumping the best method to share the Gospel or does the Bible actually teach us to approach this differently? In this lesson we will discuss the example shown by Barnabas and the ensuing result of his approach. We are heading to Antioch today during the years of Christian persecution. Stephen has been killed and other Jewish Christians are fleeing Jerusalem in droves to avoid the same fate.

What do you do if you have reached the point where you just want to quit? We have all been there at some point where maybe we have given up and reached a point of futility, but how should we handle these moments. Another question is how we come back if we have quit or given up. In this lesson we will discuss these important life issues and analyze what the Bible teaches us about this issue.

Over the next six weeks we will be studying the Sacred Marriage Series created by Gary Thomas. If you would like to study along with us you may Google the material I have listed or buy from your favorite book source. Due to copyrights we will not be able to post the DVD portion of the series on the website so I encourage all those who would like to see the DVD to join us in Sunday School for the next six weeks! I especially encourage couples on the brink of issues, as well as those in happy and Godly marriages. We meet at 9:00 AM on Sunday Mornings.

Since we all stumble in many ways (Jm 3:2), how can we possibly love our spouse unconditionally? The truth is we are all commanded by God to do just that! This morning we will discuss why it is our duty to love in this fashion and how we cannot be in a right relationship with Christ if we aren't loving unconditionally. Most of all we need to be glad Christ didn't wait for us to get our act together before he declared his love toward us! (Rm 5:8)

With all of the recent political turmoil and catastrophes around the world hope has become a valuable commodity! What gives those who have received Christ a different kind of hope than other people? We will explore this topic in our lesson today.

Steve shares a humorous story of the time his son Noah (who was 3 years old at the time) demonstrated his knowledge of Ephesians 6:1 at his daycare during a very awkward moment. It is a clip taken from a sermon in 2007 at Florida Street Baptist Church. Is it ever really too early to teach our children Biblical principles? According to Deuteronomy 6:7 we are to teach our children morning and night about Biblical principles so it is written on their hearts.

What exactly is Biblical Counseling and it's purpose? The following audio is a class held at Hickory Grove Baptist Church. This is a brief survey and session taught in  Care Group leader Training. You may download the Presentation and follow along.

It sounds like a simple enough lesson, but I challenge you to listen along and see if you have the right attitude to participate in the Lord's Supper. An accompanying presentation can be downloaded.

In this lesson we discuss Paul's letter on gifts written to Corinth.

Has your stereotypical impression of the church ever been that all we do is ask for money? It's a fair question to ask, and in this lesson we discuss these types of attitudes and perceptions. Steve does a two part series on how we should approach giving to the church. We will see that giving means more than simply plinking the offering plate, but God wants us!

Has your stereotypical impression of the church ever been that all we do is ask for money? It's a fair question to ask, and in this lesson we discuss these types of attitudes and perceptions. Steve does a two part series on how we should approach giving to the church. We will see that giving means more than simply plinking the offering plate, but God wants us!

Did you know that 84 percent of the American population claims that they are Christians? If this were true then why can we not see this difference? Steve Preaches this sermon to stress the importance of not simply becoming a Christian and blending in with the ways of the world! To see the importance of making a difference by being different from a Christian worldview.

Today Steve is teaching on the importance of both equipping and being equipped in the body of Christ. Whether we want to admit it or not, God has given us talents and gifts to use in the body with a mandate to use them. We will be examining Ephesians and learning the purpose and calling each of us carry as a Christian! We all are directed to edify and lift up the body of Christ because in doing so we will glorify and lift up the name of Jesus Christ! This is part one of a two part series.

Today Steve is teaching on the importance of both equipping and being equipped in the body of Christ. Whether we want to admit it or not, God has given us talents and gifts to use in the body with a mandate to use them. We will be examining Ephesians and learning the purpose and calling each of us carry as a Christian! We all are directed to edify and lift up the body of Christ because in doing so we will glorify and lift up the name of Jesus Christ! This is part two of a two part series.

How do you react when you go through bad circumstances? Do we question the existence of God? Do we look for someone to blame? Hey! Here is a radical idea! Do we ever look for an opportunity to glorify God in our bad circumstances?

So many times we lose perspective about what the purpose of trials in our lives may be for from God's view. Loss of loved ones, broken marriages, lost jobs, sickness. What can all of this be for? Why can't our lives be so much simpler. In this lesson we briefly reflect on this topic from the life of Paul as he is on his way to Rome. Battered ships, hunger, and being shipwrecked lay ahead. Paul could have given up or join the "whoa is me" crowd, but he didn't! Listen in on this lesson and see what you think!

Let me ask you a question about the way you see difficult circumstances. Do you look at it as a time of great opportunity or a time to panic? In today’s lesson we are going to discuss this topic. I invite you to pause, grab your Bible and turn to Acts 28 as we study Paul’s actions as he is placed in difficult circumstances.

It was the morning of April 12th, 2008 that Noah’s dad awoke to Noah praying, “Dear Jesus I love you with all of my heart and want to be in heaven with you one day. Jesus please come into my heart,in Jesus name Amen.” Noah’s dad said that, “what struck me about the prayer is that Noah didn’t wake me first, but just began to pray. Noah wasn’t looking for my seal of approval to pray, but just knew it was time.”

How do we become a church that is unified and of one mind in such a diverse culture? What brings us together when there are so many differences in each of us? In todays lesson we discuss these differences and ways to handle conflict in our church while still keeping a sense of unity.

Steve reflects back to the day he was sworn on October 31, 1986 to illustrate how we as believers are empowered to do what God has instructed in the Bible. What exactly is the Priesthood of the Believer? It may be a term that sounds "Churchy" but it should be an area of encouragement to Christians. The term means that being a believer of Jesus has a great deal of responsibility! Listen in as we discuss this topic.

The quickest way to reduce the number of hits on your website is to talk about sin! Well guess what. I am going to talk about sin. Steve is calling out to those living in a state of open and willful sin. Who think they can play games with God by doing what they want to do and making an occasional appearance at church on Saturday or Sunday. By not giving up the very idols and addictions that will ultimately destroy them, and that will leave a wake of destruction around them. This mini-sermon is a call to repentance before its too late.

Do you ever wonder why many stay so shallow in their relationship with Christ? Could it be because the more they grow and learn, the more they begin to grasp the gratitude and awe we should have toward God? It also exposes just how selfish we are...

Steve takes a few moments to give us a testimony to how he came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He speaks of the various struggles, trials, and joys that go along with seeking the will of God in our lives.

One way to identify a true child of God is by the way they live. It sounds simple, but we live in a world that pressures us to conform to the culture rather than be transformed through Jesus Christ. Listen in as we discuss the topic of being different in a world that wants universal conformity.

This sermon was preached by Steve Goode 9-27-2010 at Holly-Hunter Baptist Church in Charlotte North Carolina. Barna says that more than 86 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians. So why is it that there life doesn't match there testimony? Listen today as we study this topic.

This is a message delivered at Holly-Hunter Baptist Church during Wednesday night Prayer Meeting on September 29th. In this study we discuss the importance of knowing and having a zeal to study God's Word!

Too many times we need to be shaken to see what implications our actions carry.  When we simply tread water and do little for the cause of Christ it is easy to categorize ourselves as simply less active. Christ referred to this type of state as luke-warm. As a soldier what would it be like if you had an army that simply contributed when they felt like it? Becoming a child of God may seem easy because it is a whole hearted gift of God, but God demands our commitment, loyalty and availability. Anything less is desertion.

Do you realize that as Christians we serve a God with no beginning? How is that possible? How can we possibly comprehend the incomprehensible? We will discuss these questions as we look at an introductory study to the Gospel of John. Just remember that you are blessed and privileged to serve the everlasting creator of the universe! Listen and take an inventory of your life. Have you lost any of your sense of wonder of just who Jesus is? Preached October 6, 2010 at Holly Hunter Baptist Church in Charlotte NC.

With all of the psycho-babble over phobias, and overcoming our fears, have you ever considered what we should fear? We are also about to enter an election season where politicians will masterfully use fear to try and sway your vote. The truth is none of us should take the subject of Hell lightly. It may be politically incorrect to mention Hell, but in this sermon Steve discusses the subject of Hell. Preached 10-10-2010 at Holly Hunter Baptist Church in the Morning Service. 

Do you have something from your past that you dwell on? Past mistakes that you re-live and are parked on? Have you allowed them to immobilize your effectiveness as a child of God? Listen in as Steve addresses this topic Biblically.

Have you ever felt like you just didn't know where to start when it came to studying you Bible? Almost as though you were neck deep in Bibles at your house, but didn't have a clue where to start, either for yourself or even your kids? Felt inadequate about it? Good news! I have no easy solution, but I do have ideas and answers! The attached audio link will take you to a short session on where to start, but it is not for the fickle or faint of heart. Get ready to dig in and take notes.

Do I have to submit to my husband, even if he is not serving the Lord? Today we tackle the taboo topic of submission. Will you submissively submit the next few minutes to listen?

The following is from the Biblical Counseling Moment hosted by Steve Goode and aired weekly on WHVN Heaven Radio sponsored by Northside Baptist Church of Charlotte. You may also subscribe to the weekly Podcast at Trumpet for God in Itunes. Special thanks to Nate Holder for his work and preparation in this ministry. 

As a Christian what really makes your life any different from those around you? Read Ephesians 4:17-19 for the text and I encourage you to ponder in your life, what really is different? A Clip from a sermon at Holly Hunter Baptist Church 2010.

In the Biblical Counseling moment Steve recalls one of the most bizarre experiences he had as a police officer when he was working third shift and came upon a woman who had been impaled in the head with a large kitchen knife. Stay tuned as he uses this illustration to talk about our attitude and response to sin in our life. This was taken from a lesson Steve taught at Hickory Grove Baptist in 2009.

With books like Love Wins written by Rob Bell hitting the shelves, I believe it is important for seasoned and committed Christians to stand up and declare the truth of Christ's teachings. While I believe good discussions about doctrinal issues are healthy, we must understand that what "Love Wins" states goes much farther. It is a revision of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and has the potential to mislead and mis-teach millions! Do not waste your money buying a copy!

Revised 3-21-2011 Do you have something from your past that you dwell on? Past mistakes that you re-live and are parked on? Have you allowed them to immobilize your effectiveness as a child of God? Listen in as Steve addresses this topic Biblically.

How do we pray? Do we use lots of King James words or is there no points for style? Today we are going to examine the topic and purpose of prayer in the Christian Life. We will also hear a story about Steve's son Noah, and an interesting prayer he prayed at the age of 4 years old!

In the business of life how do we find teachable moments with our children? Today we are going to show you how to take a blockbuster movie off the shelf, and use it to teach your children profound truths from the Gospel! We hope that you will begin to see that as parents, every moment can be a teachable moment when it comes to our love and passion for Jesus Christ!

Teachable Moments with our Children part three of a four part series. In this edition we discuss when we are supposed to teach our children Biblical principles of the Bible.