107 Coldren Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15904, United States
Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message
May Sermons 2026
Communion Sunday
5-3- The Joy of Holiness
Nehemiah 8:8-11 Titus 3:5-7
Mother’s Day
5-10- A Mother’s Vow
1 Samuel 1:11 Proverbs 31:10 + Proverbs 31:30
Ascension Sunday
5-17 What Goes Up Must Come Down
Daniel 7:13+14 Acts 1:6-11
Pentecost Sunday
5-24 A Holy Ghost Pour Out
Joel 2:28-32 Acts 2:1-4
Memorial Day Sunday
5-31- Never Forget
Exodus 12:14 Mark 14:3-9
Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.
Some Thoughts on Character, Loyalty, and Betrayal
We have all experienced letdowns from loved ones at some point. The closer the relationship, the deeper the sense of hurt. Can anyone relate? Me, too!
Over the years, I’ve learned that every significant relationship has a defining moment when the character of a “friend” is revealed. Character isn't something we readily see, but it is revealed in the crucible of relationships.
In the second book of Samuel, King David learns that one of his closest advisors was conspiring against him with one of David's sons, Absalom.
“Now David had been told, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom” (2 Samuel 15:31).
The defection of Ahithophel revealed his character and hurt David deeply. He described Ahithophel’s betrayal in Psalm 41:
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me” (Psalm 41:9).
Centuries later, Jesus quoted David’s words and applied them to Judas Iscariot (see John 13:18). Judas appeared to be Jesus’ friend. He walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, ate with Jesus, and gave every indication that he was a faithful disciple. But when it became clear that Jesus would die, Judas revealed his true character and switched sides (Luke 22:4).
Both Judas and Ahithophel turned against their king in their attempts to save themselves.
Contrast that with a dear friend of mine who knows me very well. He constantly has people soliciting him to share something negative or damaging about me. His response reveals his character. He will reply, “Do you know why Jeff and I are best friends? Because I don’t talk about Jeff with other people.” He's the kind of friend described in the second half of this proverb from King Solomon:
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
What have the difficult situations in your relationships revealed about your character? Unless we want to be like Judas and Ahithophel, we must be more loyal in our relationships than we are to ourselves.
Stay loyal, my friends!