DANIEL CHAPTER TWO – AN IMAGE OF THINGS TO COME!

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. Daniel is the most detailed and precise of the prophets. In this Book, he interprets two major visions – the Image in Chapter Two and the Four Beasts in Chapter Seven.

2. It is vitally important to understand that THERE IS ONLY ONE FUTURE, so these two visions must be – and are – of the same thing!

3. That “SAME THING” revealed in these two visions is “The Parade of Kingdoms” (human governments) that will dominate the world from the time of Daniel to the end of time.

4. Because of the fact that Daniel’s prophecies have proven to be perfectly accurate, Bible-denying skeptics reject the obvious fact that Daniel lived and wrote 500 years before the birth of JESUS and teach that Daniel must have lived and written around 400 AD at the time of the demise of the Roman Empire.

5. However, JESUS, HIMSELF, clearly believed and taught that Daniel was a real person and prophet who lived and wrote during the Babylonian and Medio-Persian Empires!

Cf. Mark 13:14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (NKJV)

EXPOSITION:

2:1 – 3 Now we see why a sovereign GOD allowed His people to be taken captive into Babylon! “GOD allows what HE hates to accomplish what HE loves” (Joni Tada) What HE loved in this case was giving HIS people an explanation of the future – both short and long term!

(1) “In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. (2) Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. (3) And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.”

** Theological Note: GOD often used dreams to accomplish HIS will in the lives of HIS people as well as unbelievers!

The words “dream” “dreams” or “dreamer” appear in 147 verses

2:4 – 12 The “blab it and grab it” “name it and claim it” conmen, cultists, kooks, fakers, and liars are eventually found it!  

(4) ‘Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”(5) The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. (6) But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore, show me the dream and its interpretation.” (7) They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.

(8) The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm⁠— (9) if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” (10) The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. (11) The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (12) Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.”

2:13 – 23 Biblical Prophets and their Prophecies are true, and they either have, or will, come to pass, but any prophet or prophecy outside of the Bible cannot and should not be believed!

(13) “So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.” (14) Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. (15) He declared to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. (16) And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.

(17) Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, (18) and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

(19) Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. (20) Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. (21) He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; (22) he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. (23) To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

2:24 – 30 Genuine prophecy is not the work of men but of GOD WHO reveals what HE is going to do through men whom HE has chosen!

(24) “Therefore, Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”        (25) Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” (26) The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” (27) Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, (28) but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: (29) To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.

(30) But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.”

2:31 – 36 The Parade of Kingdoms!

(31) “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. (32) The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, (33) its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. (34) As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. (35) Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (36) “This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation.

2:37 – 43 The Chronology and Characteristics of the Kingdoms!

(37-38) Babylon: 612 to 539 BC.

(37) You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory,             (38) and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all⁠—you are the head of gold.”

(39a) Medo-Persian: 539 to 331 BC

“Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you…”

(39b) Greece: 331 to 63 BC

“and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.”

(40) Rome: 63 BC to 476 AD

“And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these.”

(41-43) A Revived Roman Empire: November 1, 1993, to the end of the Tribulation.

(41) “And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. (42) And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle.           (43) As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay.”

** Theological Note:As these Kingdoms progress, they get weaker and of lesser value! Gold, Silver, Bronze, Iron, Iron mixed with clay…”

2:44 – 45 When the parade has passed at the end of the Tribulation, GOD will set up HIS Kingdom on the Earth!”

(44) “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

(45) just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

2:46 – 49 Even pagan Kings tremble at the WORD of GOD!

(46) “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. (47) The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”      (48) Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. (49) Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.”

Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Understanding the Book of Daniel – Sermon 1: “Introduction”

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Lanny Faulkner

The text used in this study is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.                         ** Used by permission.

1. The events recorded in The Book of Daniel took place from about 605 to 530 BC and in our English translations it is given to us in twelve Chapters which can be logically divided into two sections:

Chapters 1 – 6 are an account of what happened to four young men in Babylon named Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and Daniel and includes King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image, the three young men being thrown into a fiery furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation and restoration, and the account of Daniel in the Lion’s Den.

Chapters 7 – 12 are an account of the great prophetic visions God gave Daniel about the future including the four beasts, the Son of man, the Ram and the Goat, the Seventy Weeks, the Kings of the South and the North, and the Time of the End.

2. The Hebrew name “Daniel” means, “GOD is my Judge.”  (Daniel is such a hero to me I named my son after him!)

3. Jesus believed that Daniel was a real person and a real prophet!

Matthew 24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand) …”

Mark 13:14 (Same Context) “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

4. Since they lived at the same time and their prophecies overlapped, Ezekiel knew that Daniel was a real person and a real prophet!

Ezekiel 14:14 “even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 14:20 “even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, declares the Lord GOD, they would deliver neither son nor daughter. They would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness.”

Ezekiel 28:2-3 “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,’ yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god—you are indeed wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you…”

5. Daniel was taken into Babylon in 605BC and lived there at least until 539BC when Cyrus, King of Persia, conquered the Babylonians.

6. Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael were taken with the first group of exiles apparently because they were of royal descent.

Daniel 1:3-4

(3) “Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility,

(4) youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans.”

7. It is vitally important to remember that there is only one future! Therefore, Daniel’s vision and John’s vision on Patmos must be the same events.

* Daniel sees the future from the perspective of Israel.

* John sees the future from the perspective of the Church.

8. Since this is true, an accurate understanding of Daniel’s prophetic visions is only possible when understood in the light of John’s prophetic visions in The Book of Revelation!

9. Daniel is the most specific of all the prophets, giving us the time frame in which the prophecies will be fulfilled!

Daniel 9:24-27

(24) “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. (25) Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. (26) And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. (27) And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering.

And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

10. Daniel is one of four Jews in the Old Testament who became a ruler in a foreign country; the others being Joseph, Moses, and Esther.

Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

THE STATE OF OUR CHURCH 2025

Posted on December 28, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

EXPOSITION: Ephesians 3:14-21

3:14 – 19 GOD’s Will!

(14-16) It is the will of GOD that HIS people be strengthened by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT!

(14) “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, (15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

(16) that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…”

(17a) It is the will of GOD that HIS people have a real and living relationship with HIS SON JESUS!

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—…”

(17b) It is the will of GOD that the love of Christ will be the foundation of HIS people!

“that you, being rooted and grounded in love…”

(18-19a) It is the will of GOD that HIS people comprehend and experience the love of CHRIST beyond mere intellectual knowledge!

(18) “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19a) and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…”

(19b) It is the will of GOD that HIS people experience the fullness of GOD!

“that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

3:20 – 21 GOD’s Work!

(20a) GOD can do far more than HIS people either ask or realize!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…”

(20b) GOD does HIS work through HIS SPIRIT WHO indwells HIS people!

“according to the power at work within us…”

(21a) GOD’s work is to glorify HIMSELF in and through HIS Church!

“to him be glory in the church…”

(21b) GOD’s work is to glorify JESUS in and through HIS Church!

“and in Christ Jesus…”

(21c) GOD’s work of glorifying HIMSELF and HIS SON JESUS in and through HIS Church will continue forever!

“throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

It is the will and work of GOD to bless and strengthen HIS people and to glorify HIMSELF and HIS SON JESUS through HIS Church forever and ever and ever and ever and ever…

Amen !!!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

The Night Before Christmas                                                                                                                                               © 2016 Lanny M. Faulkner, Ph.D. Pastor-Teacher, First Baptist Church, Atwood, Illinois

‘Twas the Night before Christmas, and up in the sky; the Angels proclaimed that the Savior was nigh!

The shepherds were resting out there in the field; when they heard that God’s plan would soon be revealed.

In the City of David, they would find HE Who came; and they knew that their lives would be never the same!

Over hills and the valleys, they ran and they prayed; that they might see God’s Son, Who was born on that Day.

And, then to the Manger, they came and they saw; Their Messiah and Savior so they bowed down in awe!

For there in a manger, was the King of all Kings; the One Who created the Earth and all things.

For Mary and Joseph had followed God’s plan; and, their hearts filled with joy, as they cuddled God’s Lamb!

Their journey was hard; and, the night air was cold, but they knew that this Child had been promised of old.

For there, right before them was God now in flesh; and they knew that this Baby, would save by HIS death!

To the Temple they went, (just eight days past HIS birth) so that Anna and Simeon, could see the Savior of earth!

In a house sometime later, there the Magi arrived; bringing gifts to this ONE, who so many deny.

With gold and with incense and, surprisingly, myrrh, they bowed down before Jesus; their trek undeterred!

So, off then to Egypt; for, God warned in a dream, that Herod’s promise of worship was not what it seemed.

King Herod was angry, because of the Child; He was threatened, and fearful, and his anger was wild!

He ordered the death of so many that night, Rachel’s tears proved again that the Prophet was right.

But the LORD God was with them so, of course, they escaped; showing King Herod that only Jehovah is great!

Soon, they would hear that King Herod had died; so, they started for home, but that hope was denied.

For the Angel had warned them; Archelaus was King; God’s Son would become a despised Nazarene!

It was Christmas – the first, (now two thousand since then) today millions will gather to celebrate HIM!

The Gift that God gave us, on that first Christmas morn; was God in flesh, there in Bethlehem born.

So, the Gift has been given; it is time now to choose, will you finally receive HIM; or, will you refuse?

A Gift has no value, if it isn’t received; for HIS gift of salvation, you must repent and believe!

Believing God’s Son, was born to save you; repent, and receive HIM, is all you must do!

Merry Christmas to one; Merry Christmas to all; I pray that this Christmas, you will answer God’s call!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

CHRISTMAS 2025

Posted on December 21, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

“Christmas Book by Book – Sermon Four: John 1:1-3, 14 “The Incarnation of GOD in the Person of JESUS CHRIST!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. All through the Old Testament, we are promised over and over again that God, HIMSELF, will come to earth and do many wonderful things!

2. All through the Four Gospels, we are given a description of Jesus Christ and the many wonderful things that HE did:

–      HE saved and discipled hundreds of people!

–      In addition to 20 mass healings recorded in the Four Gospels, Jesus healed 31 specific individuals!

–      The writers of the Four Gospels reveal to us that in addition to the many who were raised from the dead at the time of HIS resurrection, Jesus Christ raised three people from the dead…

(The daughter of the Widow in the Village of Nain!) Luke 7:13-15

(The son of Jarius!)  Mark 5:42; Luke 8:55

(Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary!)  John 11:38-44

–      The writers of the Four Gospels also tell us that Jesus cast demons out of at least 24 different people!

–      Jesus fed 5,000 hungry people on one occasion and 4,000 more a few days later!

–      Jesus Christ allowed HIMSELF to be arrested, beaten, nailed to a Cross, speared through the heart, wrapped in burial cloths, and thrown in a grave in order to pay for our sins!

–      Three days later, Jesus Christ willed HIMSELF back to life and rose from the dead!

–      Forty days later, Jesus Christ ascended back to heaven where HE serves HIS people today as our Great High Priest!

3. In the New Testament Epistles, the Apostles explain to us what the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to the world!

4. In the Book of Revelation, we are shown all of the wonderful things that Jesus Christ is going to do in the future!

5. BUT… the greatest thing JESUS ever did was come to this earth in a human body through which HE accomplished all of these things!

6. “What is Christmas all about?” Christmas is about the incarnation of JESUS, the SON of GOD, taking on human flesh to live, serve, teach, and die!

Romans 8:3 “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh…”

“Likeness” is ὁμοίωμα (ho-moy-o-mah) and it literally means “like” OR “resemblance.” JESUS came in a Body that was like (or resembled, i.e., existed in the form of) our sinful bodies, but HIS Body was without sin!

EXPOSITION: John 1:1-4, 14

 (1:1a) At the beginning of humanity at Creation our relationship both to and with GOD, JESUS already existed!

“In the beginning was the Word…”

(1:1b) As JESUS already existed at the time of Creation, HE was, is, and will always be GOD!

“and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(1:2) John repeats this theological statement a second time for clarity and impact!

“He was in the beginning with God.”               

(1:3) JESUS, HIMSELF, is the Creator of Creation!

“All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.”

Cf. Colossians 1:15-17

(15) “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (16) For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (17) And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

(1:4a) JESUS, the Creator GOD, is the source of life, both physical and eternal!

“In him was life…”

(1:4b) JESUS, the Creator GOD, is the source of light, both physical and divine!

“and the life was the light of men.”

(1:14a) JESUS, the eternal LOGOS, came to exist in a human body with a human nature – yet without sin!

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

Cf. Philippians 2:5-8

(5) “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (6) who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness (ὁμοίωμα)  (ho-moy-o-mah) of men.

(8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

(1:14b) John, along with James and Peter, beheld the glory of n JESUS in their flesh and we behold HIS glory in HIS Word!

“and we have seen his glory…”

Cf. Matthew 17:1-3

(1) “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. (2) And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. (3) And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.”

Cf. 2nd Peter 1:16

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

(1:14c) The glory of JESUS they saw in their flesh and we see in HIS Word is the glory of GOD!

“glory as of the only Son from the Father…”

Cf. John 17:4-5

(4) “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (5) And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

(1:14d) When JESUS came to this world, HE brought the grace we need and the truth that we desperately need the grace that HE brought!  

“full of grace and truth.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas 2025 – Sermon #3

Posted on December 14, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

“Christmas Book by Book – Sermon THREE: Luke”

INTRODUCTION:

1. In verses 1-17, Matthew gives the genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph. That is the “Legal” or “Royal” genealogy of Jesus from David through Solomon and the Kings of Israel.

2. Luke gives the “bloodline” genealogy of Jesus from David’s son Nathan through Mary, his earthly Mother.

3. JESUS is both the “Legal” and “Physical” heir to the Throne of David! JESUS is the ONE WHO is, “Born King of the Jews!”

EXPOSITION: Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-38

1:26 – 38 The conception and birth of JESUS the SON of GOD was an extraordinary event and we should not be surprised that GOD used extraordinary means to bring it about!

(26) “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. (28) And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (29) But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. (30) And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. (31) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. (32) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, (33) and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”          (34) And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

(35) And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be borne will be called holy—the Son of God. (36) And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. (37) For nothing will be impossible with God.” (38) And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

1:39-45 The first person to Recognize WHO JESUS is was a fetus in the womb of his Mother!

(39) “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, (40) and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. (41) And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, (42) and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! (43) And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (44) For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (45) And blessed is she who believed that there would beg a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

1:45-56 Mary of Nazareth was a teen girl who knew the Scripture! **She is paraphrasing 1st Samuel 2:1-10

(46) “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, (47) and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (48) for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; (49) for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. (50) And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (51) He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; (52) he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; (53) he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (54) He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, (55) as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (56) And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.”

2:1-5 GOD was, is, and will forever be, sovereign over all things!

(1) “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (2) This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. (3) And all went to be registered, each to his own town. (4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, (5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.”

2:6-7 GOD keeps HIS promises and accomplishes HIS plan… JESUS, the SON of GOD became a man!

(6) “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. (7) And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

2:8-14 GOD the FATHER sent HIS SON JESUS into the world as a Savior and HE wants the world to know it!

(8) “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

(10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”         (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

2:15-20 Meeting JESUS was, and is, and will always be a life-changing event!

(15) “When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” (16) And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (17) And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (18) And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (19) But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

2:21-24 One does not need to have a lot in order to do a lot in GOD’s Kingdom Work!

Cf. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2nd Corinthians 8:9

(21) “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(22) And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (23) (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) (24) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” ** Cf. Leviticus 5:7 ff.

2:25-38 At the First Coming of JESUS, there were faithful believers who lived to see the fulfillment of GOD’s promises and according to the promises of GOD, there will be faithful believers who will live to see HIS Second Coming as well!

(25) Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (26) And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (27) And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, (28) he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, (29) “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; (30) for my eyes have seen your salvation (31) that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, (32) a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

(33) And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. (34) And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (35) (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

(36) And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,            (37) and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. (38) And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

2:39-40 Not only did JESUS perfectly keep the Law of GOD, but HIS earthly parents kept the Law on HIS behalf until HE was able to keep it for HIMSELF!

(39) “And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. (40) And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.”

Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Christmas Book by Book – The Gospel of Matthew”

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

“Christmas, Book by Book – Sermon TWO: Matthew!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. Matthew was a Tax Collector whom JESUS called to follow HIM as recorded in 9:9 “As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.”

2. In his Gospel, Matthew gives the genealogy of JESUS through his adopted father Joseph. This is HIS “Royal” right to the Throne of David.

3. After giving the genealogy of JESUS, (1:1 – 17) Matthew shares six specific events that occurred at the time of the conception, birth, and early life of JESUS:

– Gabriel’s first appearance and message to Joseph! (1:18-25)

– The arrival of the Magi in Jerusalem and Herod’s reaction! (2:1-6)

– Herod’s deception and the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem! (2:7-12)

– Gabriel’s second appearance and warning to Joseph! (13-15)

– Herod’s murder of the children in Bethlehem! (2:16-18)

– Joseph, Mary, and JESUS return to Israel and settle in Nazareth! (2:19-23)

EXPOSITION:

1:18 – 25 JESUS of Nazareth is GOD incarnate!

(18) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. (19) And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (20) But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,

saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (21) She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  (22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: (23) “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (24) When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, (25) but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

2:1 – 6 Not everyone is excited about JESUS being KING!

(1) “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, (2) saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (3) When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; (4) and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. (5) They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:        (6) “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

2:7 – 12 The biblical way to worship JESUS is to come to HIM and bring HIM gifts!

(7) Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.      (8) And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”           

(9) After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. (10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

(11) And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (12) And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”

2:13 – 15 Sometimes, when confronted with extreme danger, the will of GOD is to just run away!

(13) Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (14) And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt (15) and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Theological Note: GOD delivered David by enabling him to kill a lion and a bear and Goliath, but HE also saved David by leading him to run and hide from Saul and Absalom!

2:16 – 18  Human beings are capable of unimaginable evil!

(16) Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. (17) Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: (18) “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

2:19 – 23 Sometimes, when even we are doing what we know is the right thing, GOD still leads us to change our plans!

(19) But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

(20) saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” (21) And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. (22) But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. (23) And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.”

Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

MY TWO HEARTBREAKING HORRIBLE WEEKS IN REVIEW – 11/17 to 11/30/2025

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

MY TWO HEARTBREAKING HORRIBLE WEEKS IN REVIEW: 11/17 TO 11/30/2025

Monday November 17th started off happily as it was my Daughter Becky’s Birthday, so I took her a dozen Duncan Donuts and her birthday gift. Then I came back home to begin my routine Monday through Wednesday Church duties.

I was making plans to take her and her family out for dinner when just two hours later she sent me a note that she was at the ER with her husband Tim who was experiencing stroke-like symptoms. As you likely already know, Tim was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was taken to Springfield Memorial Hospital where he had surgery on Tuesday November 25th.

Austin came home on emergency leave and will be able to stay until next Friday, 12/5.

Tim is still at the hospital recovering and doing post-surgery physical therapy. He will meet with his medical team Monday or Tuesday morning (12-1 or 12/2) to discuss the treatments he will require in the future.

A late November storm brought 10.2” of snow to Decatur making travel to and from Springfield more difficult. Due to the snow, extremely cold temperatures and high winds, we cancelled our worship services on Sunday.

Please keep Tim and Becky and Austin and his wife Jadan and Aric and all of Tim’s family in your prayers.

I am so very thankful beyond words for your interest in my life and ministry and adventures and for your faithful prayers for Tim and all our family.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“4 BIG Questions about Heaven!”

Posted on November 23, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

#1 – What is Heaven?

Hebrew – “sha-ma-yin” * The dwelling place of GOD.

Greek – “ouranos” * Basically, it means “beyond.” It is where we get the English word “horizon.”

It is used of three distinct places that were created by GOD!

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

#2 – Where is Heaven?

Note: as stated above, there are three specific places created by GOD that are called “heaven.”

The First Heaven (The Physical Atmosphere of the Earth)

Genesis 1:6-8

(6) “And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” (7) And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. (8) And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.”

The Second Heaven (The Physical Universe)

Genesis 15:4-6

(4) “Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.”

(5) And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” (6) Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Psalm 8:3-4

(3) “When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— (4) what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?”

Psalm 19:1-6

(1) “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (2) Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. (3) There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. (4) Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, (5) which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. (6) Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

Isaiah 55:10-11

(10) ““For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

(11) so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

The Third Heaven (The Eternal and Immaterial Dwelling of GOD)

2nd Corinthians 12:1-4

(1) “I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. (2) I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows.

(3) And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— (4) was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.”

#3 – Who is going to be in Heaven?

GOD is and will always be in Heaven!

Matthew 6:9 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

The holy Angels will always be in Heaven!

Luke 2:13-15

(13) “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: (14)“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”           (15) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Every human who has ever lived and repented of their sins and came to believe in Jesus as their Savior and LORD will be in Heaven!

Mark 1:14-15

(14) “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, (15) and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Acts 16:31 “And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Every human ever conceived and who died before they were mentally capable of understanding their sinfulness and the gospel will be in Heaven!

Theological Note: Infants and those who are mentally incapable of understanding WHO GOD is and what HE commands have not sinned as Adam did!

Such people are declared by JESUS as believing!

Mark 9:42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”

Note: “little ones” is “mikros” or “tiny” It is where we get the English word, “micron.” A micrometer is one-millionth of a meter.

Matthew 19:14 “but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Theological Note: Which humans have not sinned “in the way Adam did?”

Romans 5:12-14

(12) “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. (13) For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law.

(14) Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.”

Adam sinned knowing WHO GOD is and what HE commanded.

Who will be in Heaven? A great multitude of people from every tribe and people group on earth will be in Heaven!

Revelation 7:9-10

(9) “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, (10) and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

#4 – How can a person go to Heaven?

We must turn away from our sins!

Luke 13:5 “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

We must believe in JESUS!

John 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

John 14:1-6

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  (2) In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (4) And you know the way to where I am going.” (5) Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (6) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Heaven – Sermon ONE 11-9-25

Posted on November 9, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

“HEAVEN – OUR HAPPY HOME!” Sermon ONE, Part ONE:

“WE HAVE A BODY, BUT WE ARE MORE THAN OUR BODY!”

1. As humans, created in the image of GOD, we have an earthly physical body! Our earthly physical body is an “earth suit” that we need to exist in this present physical world. So, we exist temporarily in an earthly physical body.

Illustration: Dr. Story Musgrave. STS61, December 2nd to 13th, 1993.

2. While we live out our earthly lives in our earthly physical body, we are spiritual beings created in the image of GOD and like GOD will live forever! Since we are created in the image of GOD, we are also three-part beings!

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

3. We are spiritual beings. This is the “us” that lives within our earthly physical body!

– We “have” a spirit, but we are not “spirits” (as are angels.)  As living beings, our spirit is our nature as a living being and the source of our ability to relate to and with GOD.

4. We are a soul, and we are described as “having a soul.”

Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (KJV)

Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (ESV)

Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” (CSB)

Hebrew – “nephesh” (literally, a breathing / living creature)

Definition – a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion.

As souls (living beings created in the image of GOD) we share some, but not all, godlike characteristics including a mind, emotions, will, (although our will is limited while GOD’s is not) and eternality.

5. As living beings created in the image of GOD, WHO is a Spirit; we also have a spirit!

Our spirit is that part of us that is often called our “nature” as in “human nature.” Is the part of us through which we relate to GOD. Because we are sinners by nature, before we are regenerated our human spirit is described as, “being dead.”

Ephesians 2:1-3

(1) “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins (2) in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

(3) among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Theological Note: When GOD describes unregenerated humans as “dead” HE must be speaking of the spirit (or nature) since if either the body of the soul were dead we could neither “walk” nor “follow” anyone or anything!

In these verses, our deadness is from our “spirit” which being dead to GOD, lives “in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind…”

Amen!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment