United Church of God

Tim Pebworth Comments

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Tim Pebworth

Pastor, United Church of God

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  • timpebworth

    You bring up an important point and I am sorry to hear about the experience when you made yourself vulnerable and asked for help. When someone is ready to ask for help that is the time to listen, listen, listen. Many times just the act of sharing, or as the bible says "confessing", can provide comfort and strength to keep moving on. I once heard a Pastor say that he was going to visit someone and give them a good "listening to". Just listening and not trying to "solve" things can soften the pain someone is experiencing. If we are close to God in daily prayer and we listen closely, I have found that God's spirit guides the conversation to the next step that is needed.

  • timpebworth
    Great point on having 2-3 witnesses - it is a clear biblical standard. Many times those that promote conspiracy theories are individuals who attract a following to themselves with their personal theories. Having 2-3 witnesses (like you said, not witnesses via internet) raises the bar and will help us better evaluate the validity of a line of reasoning.
  • timpebworth
    That's wonderful! Truly, we look forward to being with family at the Feast and enjoying our time together, but as God calls individuals into His church we need to be prepared to invite those people to join us in our activities - to view the time as if it was our first time observing the Feast. How would we feel? What support would we need? Wishing you a wonderful Fall Holy Day Season!
  • timpebworth
    Hello Betsy - I am glad you asked about the Michaela Diemer story in my introduction as I should have just provided the link information. You can find the UCG short-film at the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q54ZV7lL5Og I am so glad you found the discussion helpful. We all have so much to learn on this topic. Thank you
  • timpebworth
    If someone has not been baptized and received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, they cannot be in the 1st resurrection. However, I would not call being in the 2nd resurrection “doomed”. Those in the 3rd resurrection are the ones doomed as they have received, but later rejected God’s Spirit. The book of Hebrews speaks of a “better” resurrection, that is the 1st resurrection, so in that since people in the situation you describe are missing out on this better resurrection. If someone believes God is calling them, they should respond to that call with urgency.
  • timpebworth
    Hi Allan - that's right, often we fret and worry as we go about our day instead of just taking the time to bring our decisions before God and trust in Him to fight our battles for us. We all need to be diligent in taking our cares to our heavenly Father. Stand Firm!
  • timpebworth
    This is so encouraging to hear! I will pray that in the days and weeks ahead you will, "Fear Not, Stand Firm and Be Still" as the impact of your decision is understood. Thank you for your comment.
  • timpebworth
    I am so encouraged that God's word is giving you hope. God is the perfect parent, teaching us lessons, allowing challenges to strength us, and ensuring that we don't become overwhelmed in the process. Submitting to God's will is our response to God's grace and allows us to develop the Holy, Righteous Character for service in the Kingdom of God. Keep praying and seeking God's will in your life.
  • timpebworth
    The Bible doesn’t outline specifics on this point, so we quickly move into the realm of speculation. We do know however from Revelation 20:12 and then verse 15 that this “second resurrection” judgment (or process of investigation) must end either with the person’s name being written in the Book of Life (which would imply a transformation from mortal life to spirit life similar to the first resurrection as described in I Thessalonians 4:17) or ultimately being thrown into the lake of fire (a fate similar to those in the third resurrection). Given that the term “second death” is used to describe the ultimate punishment by fire from which no redemption is possible, it is not likely that someone in the second resurrection would die a second time (the first time being when they first had mortal life) and then be resurrected spirit. This is such an interesting subject and one that gives me a lot of hope. Thank you for the follow-up question.
  • timpebworth
    I am so glad you found the message helpful. "Thinking errors" is a very good term to describe potential biases that we carry around with us. We have to hold up our thinking to clear biblical standards and let go of our own ideas.
  • timpebworth
    Hello Mr. Alsey - "New Testament Christian" is a great way of describing this Way of life, a clear, simple message for friends and co-workers. We are so blessed to understand the continuity of God's message from Genesis to Revelation. Let your light shine.