Island Community Church

10/30/2026

The True Saint
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“Paul…To the Church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been
sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” ( 1 Cor 1:2, EMTV)

Even to the Church which was having the greatest difficulties living out the
Christian life, the Apostle Paul called them ‘saints.’
Those two words ‘to be’ are in italics, meaning, once again, they were supplied by the translators, for clarity. This should read, “called saints.”
A true saint is not some extraordinary Christian who is highly exalted, or better than you. Neither is a saint someone that you pray to if you lose something, or prior to flying in an airplane.
But the Bible declares that YOU are the saint!
A saint is someone who has been set apart, and has been set apart for special use, by the Master.
Paul doesn’t say that you need to be set apart, or that you need to attain to some mystical level, but that you already have been! YOU already are one of the saints!

“To all who are in Rome, called to be saints.” (Rom 1:7)
“To the Church of God which is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in Achaia.” (2 Cor 1:1)

10/29/2026

The Spirit of Holiness
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“…Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness…” (Rom 1:4)

I like that—the Spirit of holiness. Catch the ‘Capital S’, meaning, ‘Holy Spirit.’ The Holy Spirit of holiness!
The word holy (hagios) means moral purity, and set apart, set apart for special use.
And the Bible teaches us that the Spirit of holiness dwells in you!
And it’s this Spirit of holiness that enables us to live holy, righteous lives! This is why Jesus says to us, regarding how to identify one of His true followers, He said, “You will know them by the fruit.” (Matt 7:16)

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

10/28/2026

10/28/2026

The Fool
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“The fool has said in his heart there is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)

Notice in the text that the words ‘there is’ are in italics, meaning, the translators added them for clarity. This should read, ‘The fool says in his heart, ‘No, God!’
No God… No.
I won’t.
I won’t submit to you, I won’t acknowledge you, and I certainly won’t accept or receive Your life preserver that you offer to me.
Therefore the Bible, and the Holy Spirit of the living God calls that person a fool. I say to my Church family frequently, the charge over all humanity is, that God loves you!
Does that bring you comfort and joy, like the Christmas carol suggests, or are you upset that God loves you?
You MUST deal with the fact that God loves you, and He wants YOU to spend eternity with HIM!
Take heed that no one deceives you!

“The fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God.’ God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God…” (Psalm 53:1)

10/27/2026

God Laughs
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed… He who sits in the heavens shall laugh…” (Psalm 2:1-2)

When you see God laughing in the Old Testament, it’s never a good thing, or because lovely people inspired Him to laugh! We read also in Psalm 37:13, “The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.” Same here.

Today’s Scripture comes from King David, perhaps the greatest of all Old Testament prophets. He’s describing a time when all the world’s armies will try to overthrow the Son of God, and His dominion.
But we know how all this is going to end—God wins all the marbles, and He will conquer all His enemies!
Are you on the winning side?

“Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on all those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel.” (2 Thess 1:6-8)

10/26/2026

God’s Hymnal
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“Blessed is the man who who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

In yesterday’s devotional we saw the digesting of the word of God described as tasting as ‘sweet as honey.’ As we can see, David just cannot get enough!
How about you? Do you hunger for the word of God like King David did? (Like I asked yesterday)
The Book of Psalms is God’s hymnal. And the first word in God’s hymnal is ‘blessed’! Nowhere does it teach that God blesses programs or promotions, but the Bible does teach that God blessed individuals—like you!

“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

10/25/2026

https://youtu.be/DqTt_topqiA?is=yJzKrUUW9lsR3nmK

In today's sermon, Jesus and Paul warn us about wolves in sheep's c...

10/25/2026

Taste and See!
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth. Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.” (Rev 11:8-9)

To some people, digesting the word of God, or doing what the Lord says in His word is like being spoon-fed castor oil! Bleck! While in actuality, the word of God is as sweet as honey!
David wrote, “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” (Ps 119:103)
Ezekiel the Prophet had a similar experience. He was told to digest a scroll from the Lord, and he wrote (Ezek 3:3), “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.”
Do you hunger for the word of God like King David did?

“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

10/23/2026

God’s Gymnasium
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of
righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, for those
because of their practice have their senses exercised for the distinguishing of both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14, EMTV)

I love to tell my church family here where I pastor that we only serve porterhouse steaks here! And no milk, or ‘pablum,’ or baby formula. (Though that’s my challenge to reach everyone, regardless of their level of maturity or knowledge).
When we digest a steady diet of the meat of the word of God, then we are able to discern both good and evil. When we are on a strong diet of the word of God, it says we have our senses ‘exercised,’ (Greek word “Gymnos.”)
The ability to discern the difference between Good and Evil is a by-product of knowing and digesting the Word of God in your life!

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb 4:12)

10/22/2026

What an Inheritance!
Pastor Paul Esposito, Th.D.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, reserved in the heavens for you.” (1 Peter 1:3, EMTV)

Imagine that, inheriting from Almighty God! Or would you rather inherit your Uncle Harry's Engelbert Humperdinck record collection?
And this awesome inheritance is incorruptible and undefiled, and, even after all these years, it’s unfading!
And it’s reserved. For you.
For all of you who call on the name of Jesus Christ, and receive Him today as your Lord and Savior.

“And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we ssuffer with Him.” (Rom 8:17)