Island Community Church

06/18/2026

https://utmost.org/updated/keep-recognizing-jesus/

The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in ...

06/18/2026

Enoch
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:4)

Once again we can say, ‘What a testimony!’
Let me add to that, that the same thing will happen to you, and for the exact same reason!
This underlying Greek word, metatithemi, means “to be transported from one place to another.” Reminds me of Star Trek!
Beam me up, Scotti!
Enoch was taken away (from one place to another) because of his faith. There will be more instances of this coming up soon—people eluding death, and being taken away, to heaven.
Count me in! How about you?

“Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:26)

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Abel
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” (Hebrews 11:4)

What a testimony!
By faith Abel, Adam’s son, offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than his brother.
It’s revealing to see that, once again, an Old Testament saint was declared righteous because they believed God!
We read in Genesis 15:6 that “Abraham believed God, and his faith was ‘credited’ to him as righteousness.”
Regardless of the time that you live in, what’s required of you is always the same:
Believe God at His Word!
Jesus Christ IS the Word of God!

‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

06/16/2026

Time Itself
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

““By faith we understand that time itself was framed by a command of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” (Heb 11:3, EMTV)
I’ve translated that phrase ‘worlds’ as ‘time’—time itself, because the Greek word means ‘the ages.’
By faith we understand that even time itself was ‘framed’ by Almighty God!
We receive that by faith.
Paul wrote that God’s “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Rom 1:20)
King David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament
showeth His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
Certainly it takes a lot more faith to believe that all of this came about by accident!
I don’t possess that kind of faith to believe that!

“Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27)

06/15/2026

Faith Defined
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. (Hebrews 11:1-2)

Your greatest testimony comes from the words that come out of your mouth!
“Because even the demons believe…” (James 2:19)
The Greek word for testimony is the same word that’s translated ‘witness.’ Our greatest witness is the testimony of faith that comes out of our mouth. “I believe God!”
The eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews is known as the Hall of Faith—a biblical look at great examples of faith.
We’ll start there in tomorrow’s devotional.

“By faith we understand that time itself was framed by a command of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” (Heb 11:3, EMTV)

06/14/2026

https://youtu.be/bo-zkaXCnZ8?si=ukZ_2ka__Bs1e5Nj

In today's sermon, we'll witness Peter's miraculous delivery from c...

06/14/2026

Podcast Episode · WGOD Radio: All Truth, All the Time. · June 14 · 40m

06/13/2026

Imagine being surrounded and/or chained to 16 soldiers at once!
These were some of the perils that the Apostle Peter faced.
In tomorrow’s sermon, we’ll look at Peter’s miraculous delivery from certain death!
We’d love to see you Sunday morning at 10:35 AM.
Pastor Paul

06/13/2026

“Now Faith…”
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Isn’t that the greatest definition of all time on ‘Faith?’
Faith is the substance—that is, hypostasis, confidence, assurance, in concrete.
The substance of things hoped for—A trust; waiting for salvation with joy and full confidence.
The evidence of things not seen—
‘Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
More on this in our next devotional.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”