107 Coldren Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15904, United States
Upcoming Sermons & Devotional Message
April Sermons 2026
4-19 - “Jesus and the Doubter”
John 20:24-29 John 20:30-31
4-26- “ Redemption”
John 21:1-14 John 21:15-19
Devotional Message : These will change 1-2 times a week. Stop by often to read the new message.
SOME THOUGHTS ON STAYING FAITHFUL TO GOD
King Solomon was gifted with more wisdom than any man who ever lived, but wisdom is useless without humble obedience to God.
Not long after receiving the gift of wisdom, Solomon displayed his gift by settling a dispute between two women who each claimed to be the mother of the same child (see 1 Kings 3:16-28). He designed and built the temple using the resources his father, David had left for him.
The Lord's Temple was spectacular. Solomon then built a palace for himself which was bigger and more spectacular than the Temple of the Lord—and that was a problem. It must've been an incredible burden to have always been the smartest/wisest man in the room.
Solomon then furnished and dedicated the Temple. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon. The first book of Kings, chapter 11, reads:
“The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.” (1 Kings 11:9).
This book in the Old Testament tells us that Solomon grew up with the knowledge of God and encountered God on two occasions (1 Kings 3:5, 9:2). A personal encounter with God is a privilege given to few, and it compounded Solomon’s guilt. Despite Solomon's two encounters with God, his behavior was slipping from obedience and faithfulness to hubris and excess. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus warns:
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48).
Friends, encountering God is a gift, but it will not guarantee we won't turn away from Him. Many who've experienced God deeply in the past aren’t necessarily living for Him now. We can't simply rely on our experiences; “we must seek his face always” (Psalm 105:4).
When we consider Solomon’s wisdom and his encounters with God,
his radical change in behavior should shock us and make us fear for our souls. If Solomon turned away from God, what might happen to us?
The Apostle Paul warns us:
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).
The Bible gives us enough assurance to be secure—but never enough to be careless.
Stay faithful, my friends!
