Dear Family, 

Today is Friday, May 15, 2026. Today is Day 41, and Day 6 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is the Christ. The title is now commonly used as a name for Jesus. The title Christ comes from a Greek word (Christos) meaning “the Anointed One.” Christ in the Hebrew (Mashiach) also means the “Anointed One.” English speakers often say “Messiah.” 

At His crucifixion, the Jews wanted Jesus to “tell us if You are the Christ” 

Matthew 26:63 But Jesus held His peace, And the high priest answered and said unto Him, I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 

Jesus told Peter that his recognition of Jesus as the “Christ” was something God had revealed to Peter (Matthew 16:15-16). 

In Luke 4:41 we find that demons had come to know that Jesus was the “Christ.” 

The Jewish people were expecting a Messiah. They expected an “Anointed One” that would save them physically, especially from the heavy-handed Roman Empire. They expected the Mashiach would exalt the Jews to great international power and position. They did not expect their long expected Savior to be a Suffering Savior Who would save them from their sins. 

However, God had His own order and in His own timing for the final appearance of the Christ. Isaiah 61 prophesies about the work of the Christ. God anointed Jesus as the Christ Who would fulfill the prophecies.  

Isaiah 61:1-2 (1) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.  

After Jesus overcame the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 5; Luke 4), He went to Nazareth and there proclaimed His appointment as the “Anointed One.” Then, He set out in His ministry to fulfil  the first part of that prophecy. 

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,  

Today is Thursday, May 14, 2026. Today is Day 40, and Day 5 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is the Ever-living Word of God. He is the Word of God Who lives and abides forever (1 Peter  1:23). 

The Apostle John equated the Word of God with being Divine.  

John 1:1-2 (1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word  was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. 

The Almighty God sent the Word of God to become our Living Savior. 

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

God used Jesus, the Word of God, to speak all things into existence. All created things are by Jesus and for Jesus. While the Bible is the Word of God in print, Jesus Christ is the Word of God Who spoke all things into existence. He spoke and earth existed! 

Colossians 1:16 By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: 

John 1:3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. 

Describing Jesus, Paul wrote that it is by the Word of God that things continue to exist. And in Hebrews, Paul referred to everything being sustained by the Word of His Power. 

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: 

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Today is Day 39, Day 4 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is Lord. It is a title that infers authority. The name carries with it honor and majesty. It is supreme power and rulership. And, Scripture makes it very clear that Jesus was made “Lord” by Almighty God. The name is used in many contexts in the Scriptures. Below are a few examples of  the wide breath of use of the title “Lord” in the Bible. 

Luke 6:5 And He said unto the; That the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath. 

Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. 

Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:)

Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. 

When we individually say that Jesus is Lord, we are indicating that we become submissive and that we will obey Him. One day all people (every tongue) will confess that Jesus is Lord. 

Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Today is Day 38, and Day 3 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is the Builder of the Church of God. He said He would build His Church (Matthew 16:18) upon Himself (the Rock). He is building His Church on the foundation of the apostles, prophets, and Himself. He is both the foundation and the Chief Corner Stone. 

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;  

Scriptures tell us how Jesus is continuing to build the Church of God. In order to continue the building and strengthen the Church, He has given gifts to members of the Body of Christ that will perfect the saints and edify the Body. 

Ephesians 4:8,12,16 (8) Wherefore he saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity  captive, and gave gifts unto men. (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined  together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

Jesus intends for us to be a part of God’s process of building and strengthening His Church. He gave Himself for it. It is of priceless value to Him, and it is in God’s direct will that True Disciples will join in the process of building, edifying, and comforting the Church as it grows into God’ s holy  temple. 

Ephesians 2:20-21 (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 

1 Corinthians 14:26(B) Let all things be done unto edifying. 

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Monday, May 11, 2026. Today is Day 37, and Day 2 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is the Image of the Invisible God. He was the Perfect Man and now is the Perfect Son in the perfect Image of the Invisible God, both in His outward appearance and with His Divine Nature.  

Paul wrote about Jesus as the Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Jesus is our Forerunner (Hebrews 6:20) and has entered behind the veil that has now been torn and provides us an entrance  before the Almighty. 

Phillip, one of the original disciples, asked (John 14:9) to be shown the Father. And Jesus explained to him that if he had seen Jesus, then he had seen the Father  

It is God’s intention that we will follow Jesus into the Image of the Invisible God. He wants us to be in God’s perfect will and to be complete. That will finally happen when we are changed from flesh to an everlasting Spiritual DNA Son of God (1 John 3:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:52)).  

God has provided promises (2 Peter 1:4) that we will be in His Image, and have His Divine Nature. All of this is possible and will be done because of the Work being completed by Jesus. As children often look like their parents, we will look like God in general appearance, and we will have His Divine  Nature when we are finally fully formed into His Image. Being formed into His Image is a purpose God has had for us from the beginning, and Jesus always successfully does His part. 

Genesis 1:26-27 (26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them  have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sunday, May 10, 2026. Today is Day 36, and Day 1 of Week 6 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is called the Holy One of Israel in numerous verses. The term Holy One of Israel occurs in the KJV over 30 times. Among other titles referring to His Holiness, Jesus is the Just One, the Redeemer of the Israel of God and His Holy One.  

Isaiah 49:7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and He  shall choose thee. 

Jesus is called the Just One in Acts. 

ACTS 2:27 Because Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. 

Even the demons recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God. 

Mark 1:24 Saying; Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God. 

Yet, Israel asked for a murderer and denied the Holy One. 

Acts 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 

Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Sabbath, May 9, 2026. This is Day 35, and Day 7 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost. 

Jesus is the Bread of God. He called Himself the Living Bread, the Bread of Life. This  announcement is recorded by John. 

John 6:32-35, 48-51 (32) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. (33) For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (34) Then  said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (35) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. (48) I am that bread of life. (49) Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. (50) This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. (51) I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

In ancient times, bread was thought to be a daily essential. Jesus, Our Bread, is certainly an essential element for us to have real life; and, we must all eat of it to truly live. The experiences where Jesus fed the multitudes illustrate His heart of abundant generosity to feed us the Element all of us must have for life. Both Jesus and our Father intend this Bread for us now and also for the  entire world (Jn 6:51). 

John writes in Revelation about the hidden manna that is waiting for us and will be given to him that overcomes. Apparently, there is more to the Bread of Life that we are yet to see and experience as we eat. 

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family,  

Today is Friday, May 8, 2026. Today is Day 34 and, Day 6 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

Jesus is the Perfect Servant as well as the Perfect Leader. 

• The Almighty God refers to Jesus as His Servant in Whom He delights
• God set Him as the “elect” according to Matthew 12:18 and Isaiah 42:1
• Jesus refers to Himself as a Servant (Luke 22:27) 
• Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of Man Who came to serve (Matthew 20:28)
• Jesus served His Disciples as a Humble Servant by washing their feet (John 13:1-11)
• Jesus was a Faithful Servant toward God Who appointed Him  
• Jesus is called God’s Righteous Servant (Isaiah 53:11) 

To take on this most important role of Servant, Jesus had to have a Godly mindset: and, it is the same mind His Disciples need to be the Servant Leaders God intends True Believers to be. 

Philippians 2:5-8 (5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Thursday, May 7, 2026. Today is Day 33 and Day 5 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.  

Jesus is the Judge. He is our Judge, and we will all stand before Him in the judgment. The Almighty has given Him that job. And He is faithful (John 5:30). 

John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in His body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 

This judgment is going on now for the Church (1 Peter 4:17), and at His next appearing and kingdom, He will judge those alive and those resurrected. 

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; 

The truth about the judgment of Jesus Christ is a wonderful, amazing thing. Not only is He our Judge, He also is our Advocate in the judgment. 

1 john 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous 

It is because of the faithful and perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ and the grace and faith He gives to us (Ephesians 2:8-9) that His righteousness will be our covering in the judgment. It is the perfect defence. 

As True Disciples, we are greatly blessed. There is no condemnation in Christ  

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit 

Romans 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God

Dear Family, 

Today is Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Today is Day 32 and Day 4 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.  

In John 15:18-19 Jesus tells us (ESV) (18) If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. (19) If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 

There is an interesting quote from an unknown source that states; Jesus is the password for a better life. 

At first, this might not seem like a big deal. And yet, if Jesus is telling us the world hates us; then we need to ask; does that sound like it is going to be easy for us to be in the world but not be a participator of the world? Does that sound like a better or easy path for us now? 

There is this incorrect notion today that Jesus simply died to give us easier, more fulfilled lives.  Does Jesus inspire our lives with purpose? Of course He does! However, did He die for our comfort? Absolutely not; not necessarily in this human life! 

For us to state or even believe this false assumption; is to downgrade the suffering of all those martyred saints for us to pretend otherwise. Martyrs like Stephen and Paul and Peter and James and John; and, the list could go on and on and on. We do not need to try to make Jesus life and  death and purpose look pretty with makeup to make it more attractive. 

We need to remember that Jesus promised persecution and spiritual warfare for His disciples; and, He also promised SO much more than a “better” life; He promised eternal life! 

So, we need to ask ourselves; Is it worth? Of course it is! 

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. We need to fight the good fight; enduring until the end. 

We need to be mindful about how we speak when it comes to Jesus‛s life, death, and purpose on earth. Afterall, anything less than His real purpose makes His life and message look cheap.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
© Copyright 2026, Church of the Sovereign God