This message was preached by Pastor Jesse Boyd on November 30, 2025 to New Testament Christian Fellowship in Conover, NC. It exegetically addresses 4:17-19 in the larger exposition of the Epistle of First Peter by the shared teaching of the NTCF Elders. An enduring biblical principle is that divine judgment begins with God’s people to both purify and to prune them for His purposes. Thus, we must persevere and do so patiently. Judgment is already upon us here in America, and it has already begun in the churches. For us who are scarcely saved and under the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is hope and promise in our end. For them who reject that blood sacrifice, there is a payday someday and a fate that is beyond and without hope. May we therefore resign ourselves to God as did Christ on the cross and do so by faithfully continuing the work of the Great Commission, holding fast the profession of our faith, and not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. For the Lord is a faithful Creator, not unfaithful to forget us (Hebrews 6:10) and fully faithful to complete the good work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6).

This message was preached by Pastor Jesse Boyd on November 23, 2025 to New Testament Christian Fellowship in Conover, NC. It exegetically addresses 4:12-16 in the larger exposition of the Epistle of First Peter by the shared teaching of the NTCF Elders. In these dark days when “the end of all things is at hand” (I Peter 4:7), Christians can prepare for persecution beforehand with joyful anticipation instead of meeting it with surprise upon arrival. Rejoice in the comraderie persecution and rejection breeds with Christ (4:12-13). Rejoice in the Holy Spirit’s confirmation that accompanies reproach (4:14). And rejoice as a CHRISTIAN (4:15-16)! The American definition of a Christian is meaningless. “Christian” is a Bible word, and there is no such thing as a Christian who doesn’t believe the Bible and look to it for the biblical definitions of biblical words. A Christian according to the Word of God is one who takes up his cross and follows Jesus. What that ain’t is suffering that consequences of being a busybody in other men’s matters. What it is mirrors the unfolding use of the word “Christian” in the New Testament where what was originally an outside label (Acts 11:26) of reproach became an insider’s badge of honor for those who turned the world upside down by their witness (I Peter 4:16).

On November 11, 2025, Jesse Boyd preached the funeral service of Marjorie Craft Green (1932-2025), his beloved 93-year-old grandmother. She went home to be with Jesus early on the morning of November 1, 2025 peacefully and in her own bed. Her last morning on earth, the day before, was spent in the Word of God and in corporate prayer with sisters in Christ via Zoom. During her last afternoon on earth, she seized an opportunity to witness for Jesus. Her last evening on earth involved a surprise visit from her grandson, and her last conversation on earth was with him about the things of the Lord. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13). Marjorie Annette Craft Green, age 93, of Newton, North Carolina, went home to be with Jesus, her Messiah, on November 1, 2025, peacefully asleep and in her own bed. The thirteenth of fourteen children, she was born to Henry Craft (1888-1973) and Grace Langfield (1891-1979) on July 5, 1932 in Macomb County, Michigan. Marjorie was the devoted wife of 59 years to Earl Taylor Green, a 35-year veteran of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. She was a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and a true and virtuous woman whose “price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10), always teaching the younger women “to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children” (Titus 2:4) and adorning “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (I Peter 3:4). Marjorie was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; a servant to many in need; a lover of hospitality; a perpetual student of the Word of God; and a faithful member of her local church (New Testament Christian Fellowship of Claremont, NC). She spent the last thirteen years of her life “a widow indeed” (I Timothy 5:5), diligently following every good work (I Timothy 5:10), speaking the Word of God and ministering to others of the abilities which God had given to her (I Peter 4:11). She was loved by many around the world who counted her prayers and support on their behalf a true anchor in these troubled times. Marjorie Green was blessed of God with a long and fruitful life; and she was faithful to the very end. She was ready to meet the Lord when she laid down to sleep on October 31, 2025. ARE YOU READY TODAY?

This message was preached by Pastor Jesse Boyd on December 8, 2024 to New Testament Christian Fellowship in Conover, NC. It exegetically addresses 1:6-8 in the larger exposition of the Epistle of James by the shared teaching of the NTCF Elders. Genuine faith works when it is conditioned to acknowledge (1:5a) to ask (1:5b), and to AVER (1:6-8). He who avers asks of the Lord confidently, asserting the truth without equivocation. He who asks in faith, nothing wavering, DOES NOT act before he asks, come before the Lord with his mind already made up, or hatch contingency plans. He who asks in faith, nothing wavering, DOES make simple and honest requests, continues instant in prayer, is willing to wait, and keeps occupied instead of preoccupied. When we ask the LORD for wisdom amidst a trial or testing of our faith, we can look for that wisdom and find it in the Scriptures, godly counsel, and the ensuing circumstances of Divine Providence. God never guides where He does not provide. In the multitude of counsellors there is safety. And, as once stated so eloquently by Confederate General Robert E. Lee: “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible had never failed to give me light and strength.”

This message was preached by Pastor Jesse Boyd on November 24, 2024 to New Testament Christian Fellowship in Conover, North Carolina. It exegetically addresses 1:4-5 in the larger exposition of the Epistle of James by the shared teaching of the NTCF Elders and its missionaries. The Old Testament counterpart to James’ perfect work of patience is “waiting on the LORD” or “resting in the LORD.” New Testament commentary on said work can be found in Romans 5:1-5. Patience has her perfect work when tribulation works patience, when patience grows experience, when experience increases hope, and when hope makes for testimony unashamed or contagious in others. As fear is a contagious virus, so is the perfect work of patience a contagious antidote. When we fail to allow that perfect work in and through the trying of our faith, we not only rob ourselves of the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11), we rob our brethren who are watching of that antidote (II Corinthians 1:4-5). Genuine faith works when it is cultivated in trial, allowing patience to have her perfect work (1:4). That perfect work of patience is more easily endured when our faith is conditioned to acknowledge our lack (1:5a) and to readily ask the Lord for help (1:5b). Waiting upon the Lord and resting in Him isn’t stoic. It’s dynamic and involves a lot of acknowledging and asking. Of course, this message is one man preaching what he just lived in and through a trial of his faith that began on the side of a Montana highway and drug on for two long years. Patience indeed had her perfect work and yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness, victory, and deliverance. Glory to God! He keeps His promises and gives wisdom liberally to those who ask, upbraiding not.

This message was preached by Pastor Jesse Boyd on November 24, 2024 to New Testament Christian Fellowship in Conover, North Carolina. It exegetically addresses 1:2-3 in the larger exposition of the Epistle of James by the shared teaching of the NTCF Elders and its missionaries. James’ message to Diaspora Jewish believers is the same message Paul instructed Titus to preach to Gentile believers in Crete. Faith justifies us before God (Titus 3:5-6) while good woorks justify us before men (Titus 3:8). Genuine faith in God produces good works before men. Genuine faith works. How does it work? For starters, it is cultivated in the soil of trial and tribulation. The testing of our faith is a blessing. It is good soil that cultivates, increases, and strengthens our trust in the LORD. It also produces patience and testimony that demonstrates God’s faithfulness to others. There are two types of temptation: the testing of our faith and the temptation to sin. James deals first with the first (1:2-4). In the soil of trial and tribulation is abundant opportunity for Christians to grow in patience, charity, and grace. Trials should produce joy instead of grief, for joy glorifies God and honor Christ’s example. Maintaining joy in the face of persecution is perhaps the best sort of revenge against the persecutors, for it heaps coals of fire upon their heads, demonstrating the real powerlessness of their persecution and the real strength of the Christian faith. Israel got it wrong when it came to serving the LORD amidst trial with joyfulness and gladness of heart (Deuteronomy 28:45-47). Beware, lest we make that same mistake. Joy and gladness in the face of tribulation brings blessing. Worry, fret, and murmuring, and complaint invites a curse.

This message was preached by Pastor Jesse Boyd on November 17, 2024 to New Testament Christian Fellowship in Conover, North Carolina. It exegetically addresses 1:1 in the larger exposition of the Epistle of James by the shared teaching of the NTCF Elders and its missionaries. Following a brief survey of the New Testament epistles, Pastor Boyd compares and contrasts the General Epistles with the Pauline letters while formally introducing the Epistles of James. Paul makes it abundantly clear that salvation is by grace through faith plus nothing, not of works lest any man should boast. James, not contradicting Paul a single ounce, shows genuine faith unto salvation to be evident. It discloses itself. The first chapter of James speaks to genuine faith, like that of Noah highlighted in Hebrews 11:7. Genuine faith is saving faith; and saving faith WORKS. How does it work? It’s CONFRONTAL. Much like James’ greeting in 1:1, genuine faith shows chutzpah and does not beat around the bush. Like Hebrews 13, the chapter immediately preceding, the first chapter of James is CHRISTIANITY 101. The American churches are failing Christianity 101, and if we can’t get this stuff right, it ultimately won’t matter who won an election in 2024.

This message was preached by Jesse Boyd at Living Word Baptist Church in Creedmoor, NC on November 10, 2024—immediately following the end of #TheLongWalkUSA, the dismissal of all unjust charges in Montana, and the surprising 2024 landslide presidential election The local churches (not the Republican Party or a MAGA movement) are to be the pillar and ground of the truth in America (I Timothy 3:15). It is the American churches that are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14), to restrain the evil in this land (II Thessalonians 2:6-8). And yet, we are failing Christianity 101. If Christians in America can’t get very basic CHARITY, HOSPITALITY, EMPATHY for our persecuted brethren; marital FIDELITY, and SERENITY right amongst ourselves (Hebrews 13:1-6), then the results of a presidential election ultimately won’t matter. America was in distress and under God’s judgment before the recent election. She remains in distress and under God’s judgment after said election, and we are so because of IRRESPONSIBLE AMERICAN CHURCHES who are failing Christianity 101. Repentance, revival, and spiritual awakening must begin with us, or it won’t begin at all.

This message was preached by Pastor Jesse Boyd on July 21, 2024 to New Testament Christian Fellowship in Conover, North Carolina from a location in Hamilton, Washington. It exegetically addresses 11:23-27 in the larger exposition of the Book of Hebrews by the shared teaching of the NTCF Elders and its missionaries. The attestation of genuine faith in the “they that believe to the saving of the soul” vs. “them who draw back unto perdition” in Hebrews 10:39 has a testamentary epitaph bequeathed to us, the Church (11:4-40). And that testament goes way back. It is seen in the DELIVERING FAITH of Amram & Jochebed, Moses’ parents (11:23), and in Moses himself when he was come to years (11:24-27). Such faith truly delivers from the wrath of wicked men and the devil. These faithful testimonies ought to be EMULATED and RE-LIVED in these dark and troublesome times, for a genuine faith is indeed a saving faith, a courageous faith, and a delivering faith.

This message was preached by Eric Trent on July 14, 2024 at Iglesia Bautista El Calvario (i.e. Calvary Baptist Church) in the Caja de Agua barrio of Lima, Peru. Pamela Lindsey served as his translator. Believers ought not to think it strange when trials come our way. We should embrace them with EXPECTANCY, PATIENCE, and JOY. For they are refining and truly more precious than gold.