“THE MAGNIFIED WORD OF GOD”
PSALM 138:1-8
TEXT: VERSE 2B

INTRO: Down through the years, I have been blessed by hearing people speak about how much they love
the WORD OF GOD. I could name many people, some in full-time vocational ministry and others who
were servants in local churches who simply had a DEEP LOVE FOR THE SCRIPTURES, which love just
seemed to radiate from their very souls. HOW ABOUT YOU? DO YOU LOVE THE WORD OF GOD? Those
who LOVE THE WORD OF GOD also maintain a great RESPECT FOR THE WORD OF GOD, which is seen in
how they approach it and apply it in their daily lives. But one thing that we may not think of too often is
HOW MUCH GOD LOVES AND VALUES HIS WORD! The passage we are going to study today teaches us
that God loves His Word so much that HE MAGNIFIES IT ABOVE HIS NAME! Note Psalm 138:2B says “FOR
THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE THY NAME.” Let’s Observe.
NOTE: Psalm 138 is a PSALM OF DAVID that emphasizes the matter of PRAISING GOD FOR HIS WORD, HIS
WORK AND HIS GLORY

Sermon preached on 9/24/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull

“STRENGTHENED BY THE WORD OF GOD”
PSALM 119:25-32
TEXT: VERSE 28

INTRO: Psalm 119 is a VERY PRECIOUS PSALM FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD. In 176 verses it expresses MORE ABOUT THE 
SCRIPTURE THAN ANY OTHER ONE PORTION OF THE BIBLE. (Psalm 119 is NOT a chapter – IT IS A SONG – A CANTATA 
ABOUT THE WORD OF GOD). 
THE THEME: “THE PRACTICAL USE OF THE WORD OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER.” 
● It emphasizes the vital ministry the Word of God has in the INNER LIFE of the believer.
● It describes how the Word of God enables believers to grow in HOLINESS and HANDLE the issues of life BIBLICALLY.
THE AUTHOR: Not certain, but it is reasonable to think it was KING DAVID.
NOTE: In the text of the Psalm, there are at least NINE REPEATING WORDS which express the SIGNIFICANCE AND EFFECT 
OF THE SCRIPTURE.

Sermon preached on 9/17/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull

“REVIVE US AGAIN – A PRAYER FOR ALTOONA”
PSALM 85:1-13

INTRO: We are about to embark upon another AREA-WIDE CRUSADE here in Altoona, where at least TEN LOCAL CHURCHES will gather under one roof in a united fashion to hear the WORD OF GOD preached. This is a very unique event, one that is not done too often, but IT IS A TIME WHEN WE CAN ANTICIPATE THE WORKING OF THE LORD! EACH OF US SHOULD/MUST PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE THIS CRUSADE TO BRING TRUE REVIVAL TO ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY, AND CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. Today, I want to preach on the subject: “REVIVE US AGAIN – A PRAYER FOR ALTOONA.” The BIBLICAL FOUNDATION of our study will be PSALM 85 where the request of the PSALMIST WAS “WILT THOU NOT REVIVE US AGAIN” as seen in the sixth verse of the PSALM.

Sermon preached on 9/10/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull

THE SPIRITUAL BENEFIT OF THE BIBLE CONFERENCE
(THE CENTRAL PA BIBLE CONFERENCE)
1 TIMOTHY 4:13

INTRO: There was a time when the BIBLE CONFERENCE MOVEMENT had a great impact upon people in many places around the free world. But in recent years people have seemed to have lost interest in the movement. (Lady: “We do not attend because it is old-fashioned and out of date.” – My answer: “Since when is the emphasis on the Bible old-fashioned and out of date?”) Had it not been for the BIBLE CONFERENCE MOVEMENT, many ministries, including Mission Organizations, Bible Colleges, Youth Outreaches and Churches would NOT be here today. (Relate the history of the BIBLE CONFERENCE MOVEMENT). Here in Altoona, we have a BIBLE CONFERENCE, THE CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BIBLE CONFERENCE, that as far as we can tell, is the OLDEST, MOST CONTINUOUS BIBLE CONFERENCE IN AMERICA. (Relate some of the CPBC History). This year, in 2023 the CPBC still continues and as we celebrate 103 years of CONTINUOUS MINSITRY. PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY BIBLE CONFERENCE, THAT IS COMMITTED TO THE EXPOSITION OF THE WORD OF GOD, IS NOT OLD-FASHIONED OR OUT OF DATE, BUT IS VERY MUCH FASHONED FOR THE MODERN TIME IN WHICH WE LIVE, IS UP TO DATE AND IS BIBLICALLY PRACTICAL FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST, FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH, AND FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN WHICH IT EXISTS.

Sermon preached on 7/30/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull

“AN OVERVIEW OF BIBLICAL MISSIONS”
LUKE 24:45-49
(1 KINGS 8:60,61; PSALM 96:3 ISAIAH 43:7-15; ACTS 1:8)

INTRO: What comes to your mind when you hear the word “MISSION” or “MISSIONS?” Certainly, the two words are related, however, the word “MISSION” is mainly a DESCRIPTIVE word, whereas the word “MISSIONS” is more of an ACTIVE word. FROM THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE, each believer in Christ has a MISSION on earth which is to GLORIFIY GOD IN ALL THINGS AS HIS WITNESS. But then that MISSION is to be put into action through MISSIONS by ACTIVELY making God and His name known to the world. MISSIONS is something that is spoken of by most churches (no matter what their ecclesiastical position may be) and is something that a lot of Christians speak of from time to time. But yet down through the history of the Church, many local churches and individual believers in Christ have neglected, refused, hindered and even rejected missions. PRAISE THE LORD, however, for those believers and local churches that have and continue to embrace missions as a normal part of their lives and ministries.

Sermon preached on 7/23/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull

“THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD”
2 CORINTHIANS 6:11-7:1

INTRO: What comes to your mind when you think of the word “TEMPLE?” No doubt you think of some great edifice established by some religious order for ritualistic activities. (THE MORMON TABERACLE). To a degree that is correct, but as a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a temple. YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD! Does that sound AWESOME to you? It should. In fact, it should cause you to PAUSE AND THINK WHAT ALL IT INVOLVES. That is what we are going to discuss in the sermon today. As a Christian, YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD! HOW MUST YOU TAKE CARE OF GOD’S TEMPLE?
QUESTION: WHAT IS A TEMPLE? “A TEMPLE IS A BUILDING RESERVED FOR RELIGIOUS RITUALS AND ACTIVITIES SUCH AS PRAYER AND WORSHIP.”

Sermon preached on 7/16/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull

“EXPERIENCING GOD’S PRESENCE”
PSALM 139:7-12

INTRO: One of the great THEOLOGICAL TRUTHS ABOUT GOD is His attribute of being OMNIPRESENT. That is a word that is applied to the fact that GOD IS ALL-PRESENT, THAT IS, HE IS EVERYWHERE AT THE SAME TIME. In addition, for BORN-AGAIN BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST, God is PRESENT WITHIN US THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (John 14:16,17; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19). The fact of the matter is that WE CAN NEVER GET AWAY FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD AS HE IS NOT ONLY ALL AROUND US, BUT DWELLS WITHIN US. That is a fact! But the serious matter to consider is that there are MANY CHRISTIANS who have never really experienced God’s presence in their lives that resulted in praise, worship and greater service unto the Lord. WHY IS THAT THE CASE? – WHY IS IT THAT WE CAN GO FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME WITHOUT SENSING GOD’S PRESENCE EVEN THOUGH HE IS RIGHT WITHIN US? Well, it could be because of UNCONFESSED SIN in our lives. (UNCONFESSED SIN WILL ALWAYS BLUR GOD’S PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES). BUT it could also be because:
● We are NOT fully prepared to Experience God’s Presence in our Lives.
● We are NOT fully focused on God’s Presence in our Lives.
● We DO NOT want to Experience God’s Presence in our Lives.
● We DO NOT know how to Experience God’s Presence in our Lives.
Today we are going to discuss the subject of EXPERIENCING GOD’S PRESENCE that will be impossible to complete in a 40 minute message, but I trust our study will be used of the Lord to encourage us to focus on HIS PRESENCE WITH US DAILY.

Sermon preached on 7/9/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull

“FREEDOM”
JOHN 8:31-36

INTRO: This weekend the citizens of the USA are celebrating the 247th birthday of America and the FREEDOMS which we have in our nation. IT IS FREEDOM THAT BUILT THE USA, BUT IN RECENT TIMES, OUR NATIONAL, PERSONAL AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS HAVE BEEN UNDER ATTACK. Today as we CELEBRATE AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE, let’s focus on the word “FREEDOM.”
A WARNING TO CONSIDER: IF WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FREEDOM, OR REMEMBER THE COST OF OUR FREEDOM, OR PROCLAIM THE TENENTS OF OUR FREEDOM AND OR DO NOT PASS THE PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM ON TO THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS, WE WILL LOSE OUR FREEDOM IN AMERICA!

Sermon preached on 7/2/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull

Study Notes for Thinking on True Things

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

True ἀληθῆ adjective - nominative plural neuter
Strong’s number 227 -
                    unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful

Sermon preached on 6/11/23 PM by Pastor Tim Allen

“BIBLICAL CORE VALUES THAT GUIDE CHRISTIANS AND GLORIFY GOD”
PHILIPPIANS 4:1-8
TEXT: VERSE 8

INTRO: FROM THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE, TRUE BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIANS ARE TO MANIFEST AND REPRESENT JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES. That means, that those of us who know the Lord Jesus as our personal Savior should maintain Christ-like attitudes and actions, live in total obedience to the Word of God, and maintain convictions that are grounded in the Scriptures. In order to do that, it is essential that we maintain a set BIBLICAL CORE VALUES. Without BIBLICAL CORE VALUES, Christians will be “TOSSED TO AND FRO BY EVERY WIND OF DOCTRINE,” which we see SO MUCH OF in today’s “CHRISTIAN CULTURE.” However, by maintaining BIBLICAL CORE VALUES, Christians will be able to honor and glorify God in every aspect of living. Therefore, today, we are going to study from the Word of God BIBLICAL CORE VALUES THAT GUIDE CHRISTIANS AND GLORIFY GOD.
OBSERVATION: Many businesses will either communicate their CORE VALUES to their workers or even post them in their buildings. For instance, the Hoss’s Steak House publishes what they call “VALUES WE LOVE.” They list those values as: EXCELLENCE, SERVICE TO OTHERS, TEAMWORK, SINCERITY, FRIENDLY, FUN, LEARNING, GROWTH AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
OBSERVATION: Over 25 years ago, FBC established a set of BIBLICAL CORE VALUES to guide our ministry. Today, we are going to begin to RE-FOCUS on those CORE VALUES with the intent that each of us will engraft them into our personal lives and ministries so that they are reflected in every aspect of FBC LIFE.

Sermon preached on 6/11/23 AM by Pastor Gary Dull