Unless otherwise noted, the teachings below (2024) are from our Sunday Glendale Fellowship, 10:30am (AZ time), currently meeting both in our home and via “phone.” Anyone is welcome to call in at: 339-207-8502 (no pin required), or join via the internet at this link – with the online meeting ID: maverdicchio (Please note, if you use T-Mobile, access via the internet.) This list includes the final teaching from 2023 (12/31/2021 Forever). There is a separate tab on the Home page for teachings from 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
4/21/2024 For A Purpose (34:35)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4-21-2024-For-A-Purpose.mp3
There are common words that some religious people refer to at times as “spiritual.” Some of those include words like, righteous, justified, sanctified, etc.. While those words do invoke a sense of being godly, or having something to do with spirituality, if we don’t understand their biblical meanings, it becomes difficult to appreciate their value to us as born again ones. This morning we took a little time to consider the word “sanctified.” God’s Word tells us that those who are born again are sanctified. It may sound nice to say that God says I am sanctified, but what does that mean? Oftentimes a quick answer to that question is, ”It means I am set apart.” Yes, it does indeed mean that, but there’s more to it!
4/14/2024 He Forgave – You Can Forgive (27:19)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4-14-2024-He-Forgave-You-Can-Forgive.mp3
This morning we looked at one of the greatest acts of forgiveness in the Bible. The example of Jesus Christ is stunning and inspiring. We ought to be very encouraged to forgive. And just as there are great benefits, spiritually, mentally and physically to being thankful, the same is true concerning forgiveness. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can people who forgive.
4/7/2024 Thank You (34:08)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4-7-2024-Thank-You.mp3
This morning I mentioned how gratitude is helping me with my grief. Just as there are great benefits, spiritually, mentally and physically regarding forgiveness, the same is true with gratitude. Over the years there have been many scientific studies concerning gratitude. Those studies document physical and mental benefits of being grateful, as well as physical and mental disadvantages of being ungrateful. Focusing on what we don’t have does not help us to have confidence to trust God for the things that we need. Making an effort to develop an attitude of gratitude, to develop a consistent giving God thanks for all He has done for us in the past, and for what we have today, increases our confidence to trust and believe Him to bring to us that which we need. It takes a consistent effort to develop gratitude in our lives. But the benefits, spiritually, mentally and physically are well worth it! A month from now, a year from now, I want to have more gratitude in my life.
Tell Him, “Thank You!”
3/31/2024 We Have Hope Because…(38:21)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3-31-2024-We-Have-Hope-Because.mp3
Our hope is not founded on a theory, a myth, a fable, or wishful thinking. It is a real, living, and true hope of eternal life that is founded and based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ we have no hope – this is it! That life we all look forward to is because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. He is the first, but the day will come when we too shall conquer death itself. God Raised His Son, Jesus Christ from the dead; that’s the cornerstone of Christianity! And because He did, one day we will meet Jesus Christ in the clouds, and so shall we ever be with the lord!
3/24/2024 Communion (30:56)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3-24-2024-Communion.mp3
This morning, after reviewing the Scriptures relating to the memorial Jesus Christ instituted at “the Last Supper,” we shared bread and wine together. This memorial Jesus Christ instituted did not have specific requirements, like the Passover, i.e. specific elements, a specific day and time or location. Jesus Christ instituted this memorial during a common meal, utilizing two very common items found at a common meal. He told them, “As often as you do this, do it in memory of me: my body broken for you, for your healing; my blood, my life, is given for remission and forgiveness of sins. And so every time we eat, there is usually some kind of bread, and something to drink. Every time we eat, we could stop for a moment, and remember. He said as often as you do this, do it in memory of me; remember what I have accomplished! As often as we eat, we could remind ourselves of forgiveness of sins and physical healing.
Why remind ourselves and remember? So we can continue to believe it and receive the benefits! So we can accept the forgiveness of all sins that he paid for with his life! So we don’t live with guilt, and receive healing! Healing from God is still available: “He sent His Word and healed them.” People have, and continue to receive healing, mentally, physically and spiritually, from reading and hearing God’s Word. People have and continue to receive healing from the manifestation of gifts of healing. And people have and continue to receive healing during a communion service.
I Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
3/17/2024 The Last Supper (35:18)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3-17-2024-The-Last-Supper.mp3
This morning we continued looking at Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher. We spent our time in the Gospel of John, looking at what he taught them at “The Last Supper.” What a night of teaching! Serve one another, love one another, the hope, the works that I do you shall do also, believe, pray, don’t be shocked by persecution, don’t be afraid, And, one of the big topics, God’s gift of holy spirit!
3/10/2024 The Master Teacher (38:53)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3-10-2024-The-Master-Teacher.mp3
This morning we barely scratched the surface concerning the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ. To get a better scope, read all four Gospels, noting his teaching ministry. Whether it was a multitude, a small crowd, a few people or even one on one – he was the Master Teacher! We also looked at a few verses about others preaching God’s Word. Next week we continue by looking at his marvelous teaching at the Last Supper. What a great night of teaching that was!
3/3/2024 The Man Christ Jesus (36:40)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3-3-2024-The-Man-Christ-Jesus.mp3
There is only One true God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. There is only one lord of all mankind: past, present and future, and that is the man, the Lord Jesus Christ. And there is only one mediator between God and man, and that is the man Christ Jesus.
2/25/2024 Overcoming Discouragement (42:27)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2-25-2024-Overcoming-Discouragement.mp3
Discouragement can come from personal issues we’re dealing with as well as what we hear and see going on in the world around us. Lots of things we hear today promote fear, discouragement, and, for some people, despair. God does not want us discouraged or afraid. God’s Word promises us peace, comfort, encouragement, and hope! God is still a delivering God! Nothing that happens in our lives or in this world will ever change the truth of God’s Word.
God is still Who His Word says He is, and His promises are all still true. This morning we first looked briefly in the Scriptures and saw our great God of deliverance. Then we saw what we can do in those difficult times.
2/18/2024 Our Great Hope (41:17)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2-18-2024-Our-Great-Hope.mp3
God’s Word, in many places, clearly defines what happens when someone dies. And there is no indication in Scripture that the nature of death has changed since Old Testament times. This morning we considered God’s Word in I Corinthians 15 and I Thessalonians 4 that speak of our great hope. The Return of Jesus Christ will take place before the resurrections and judgments Jesus taught about recorded in the Gospels. Born again ones have been delivered from the wrath to come. We have already been judged righteous in Christ; there is therefore now no condemnation. Before the complete and total judgment of all of mankind happens, God will send His Son from heaven to gather together all those who are born again. We have been promised victory over death! God’s Word speaks very clearly about these matters. What great comfort and encouragement those words are for someone who loses a loved one. We know the bodies we have now are mortal and corruptible. But what great comfort to know, to absolutely know, we will see our loved ones again when Christ returns. Until then, they are asleep. And also, what great comfort and encouragement for us living in this crazy world, because we have a great and sure hope! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” We may all be getting older, but at the same time we’re getting closer to the Return of Jesus Christ. And as we wait for him, like that quote from George Mueller I read, God has not changed, His Word has not changed, the power of the holy spirit in us has not changed. No matter how old we get, we can continue to put great confidence and trust in God and be happier and happier as we wait for the return of Jesus Christ!
2/11/2024 Accepted! (34:59)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2-11-2024-Accepted.mp3
True Christianity is revolutionary. It’s very radical compared to other religions or spiritual ideologies. In religion, acceptance from God comes at the end, on the basis of an assessment of a person’s works. In other words, acceptance is based on the works you do. That’s religion, and therefore Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is a relationship with God where acceptance comes at the very beginning! Our being accepted, being highly favored by God, comes at the beginning! The moment we get born again, God gives it all to us: acceptance, salvation, eternal life, His gift of holy spirit, righteousness, redemption, forgiveness, and so much more. God gives us all of it, at the very beginning!
2/4/2024 The Word And The Spirit (25:35)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2-4-2024-The-Word-And-The-Spirit.mp3
As born again ones, we are not hopeless people. Jesus Christ is coming back one day, and nothing is going to change that, because God, Who cannot lie promised. And while we wait for that great day, living in the present evil world, we’re not helpless, because we have God’s Word and we have God’s spirit in us. The Word and the spirit. Galatians 5:5 says, “For we through the Spirit [totality of the new nature] wait for the hope of righteousness by faith [believing].” For we, by means of the totality of the new nature, wait for the hope of righteousness by believing. By believing God’s Word! We wait for the return of Jesus Christ, by manifesting the spirit, by renewing our minds to all that we have received when we were born again.
1/28/2024 Baptized (36:48)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-28-2024-Baptized.mp3
Jesus Christ’s final words to the 12 before he ascended into heaven were about the coming gift of holy spirit. He told them, “John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” And he told them that they would “receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:” He clearly spoke of two baptisms, and very clearly indicated the latter was the greater. John the Baptist said, “There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” John also indicated the latter was the greater. Is water baptism wrong? For many, it is a traditional ceremony; for others it is a necessary duty as a Christian. However, the Scriptures do not teach that water baptism provides salvation; we are saved by grace, not of works, when we believe Romans 10:9. Furthermore, the Scriptures do not say if you get water baptized you’ll receive God’s gift of holy spirit and have the ability to operate it. Nowhere in Scripture does it say those who are water baptized receive power from on high. Neglecting to teach God’s people that when they get born again, they receive God’s gift of holy spirit, and have the ability to operate it, is a very sad disservice to God’s people. The ignorance concerning God’s gift of holy spirit is not God’s fault. It’s in His Word; it’s in there if we’re willing to put in the time and effort to learn.
1/21/2024 Spiritual Hunger (43:54)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-21-2024-Spiritual-Hunger.mp3
This morning we looked in God’s Word for indications of people who are hungry, having a desire to know God and the things of God. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” We also saw indications in God’s Word of those who are not hungry to know God and the things of God. Knowing some of these things can be most helpful for those who have a desire to share God’s Word with others. And shouldn’t we all have a desire to offer God’s Word to people?
1/14/2024 Love And Forgiveness (28:22)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-14-2024-Love-And-Forgiveness.mp3
We began this new year (on 12/31) looking at God’s great love for all human beings. If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. Last week, we looked at God’s great forgiveness. We ought to forgive one another, even as God, for Christ’s sake has forgiven us. This morning we read the three consecutive parables Jesus Christ taught recorded in Luke’s gospel in chapter 15. We saw both, God’s great love, and God’s great forgiveness.
Let’s love more in ‘24!
Let’s forgive more in ‘24!
1/7/2024 God’s Forgiveness 41:33)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1-7-2024-Gods-Forgiveness.mp3
Last week we saw that the love God has for human beings is astounding to say the least. Today we saw that God’s forgiveness is equally astounding! The meaning of the three of the words God uses to describe His forgiveness is very humbling. We also considered how God tells us to forgive others even as He, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven us! I remember a teaching from long ago when the teacher said, “You’ll have no problem forgiving others if you’ll just remember what God forgave you for.” That’s powerful! What a wonderful; way to start the New Year: Accept God’s forgiveness and forgive others; Accept God’s love, and love others,
In ‘24, let’s love more!
In 24, let’s forgive more!
12/31/2023 Forever 46:24)
Share this teaching with someone! Copy/Paste this link:
https://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1231-2023-Forever.mp3
The love the Creator has for human beings is astounding to say the least. Even though His great plan for the first humans was ruined, God came up with a plan. Jesus Christ carried out that plan and ever since then the door is open for all humans receive everlasting life. An invitation to live forever!