Bible Fellowship Church: Site News

"When God Intervenes..."

2006-12-04T00:00:00-05:00

When God came to earth through His Son Jesus Christ, He intervened like never before or since. Before Christ came though, God intervened in many peoples' lives. Does God still intervene in people's lives today? Have you experienced and indentified his intervention in your life? This series of four Advent messages are prepared to help each of us understand how God intervenes in our lives similar to the way He intervened in the lives of the people in the Christmas Story.

“When God Intervenes....”

Scripture Texts Luke 1:5-25 and John 20:24-25

When you think of the advent season, what is foremost on your mind?? What does advent mean to you?? You probably think about all the preparation that needs to take place; and no doubt, you think about preparing for the coming of Christ. But how can you prepare for the coming of Christ, when in reality, He has already come?? If you stop to think about it, preparing for Christ’s coming is just a bit late on our part, it’s kind of like getting ready for a parade that has already gone by, or like getting ready for visitors to come after they have already left!! Jesus has been born, why get ready for His birth over and over each year?? Why does each December find you and I getting ready for Jesus to come??

It’s very easy for you and me to spend a great deal of time getting ready for Christmas, only to miss the nearness with which He comes not only on Dec. 25, but throughout the new year as well.

This advent season, I want to take you on a journey, a journey of expectation, a journey that may actually enable you to not only be prepared for Christ’s coming, but to know it’s Him when He comes. You see Jesus comes to you and to me more often than we realize. If we fail to know when He comes near, we miss the opportunity to know Him better. So I invite you to join me through this series of messages on God’s intervention in the lives of His people….

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is a story of great hope for anyone who is waiting on God to a special work in their lives. Here is a couple that had dedicated themselves to serving their Lord. Vs. 6 says both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandment and regulations, and how did they do it??--- blamelessly. It is obvious from scripture that both Zechariah and Elizabeth lived their lives serving their Lord.

When you serve God you should live in expectation, right?? For Zechariah and Elizabeth this expectation included praying for children. How this couple must have longed to hold their own child in their arms. Their prayers were centered on worship, exaltation, and expectation. Yes, they wanted a child of their own, --- perhaps more than anything in the world!! Perhaps you are, -- or have been in the same place as Zechariah and Elizabeth?? You have prayed and prayed and prayed some more, but the answer to you prayer seems to be dangling in space somewhere. The most difficult part of prayer is the waiting. It is hard for you and I to understand and accept why it sometimes seems to take so long for our Heavenly Father to answer our prayers.

Here is a couple that was devoted to God and yet they were unable to have children. Even after their prayers seemed to go unanswered, they did not give up on serving their Lord.

In Zechariah's day being barren was looked on as a judgment of God against the couple. It must have been very hard for Zechariah, --- think of him, serving in the temple on a regular basis, yet he had no son, and no daughter. What must have been going through his mind during all those years when they were praying and waiting for a child to be conceived?? What did the people think about Zechariah and Elizabeth’s misfortune?? And how do you respond to a couple that doesn’t have any children?? This story should remind you and me to be kind and compassionate when talking with a couple that have no children. You and I can wrongly assume that it is by their choice that they are not having children, and when we do that we can cause a lot of hurt without realizing it. Many couples struggle with having a baby, and the light hearted joking from you oe mw can cause deep and prolonged hurt in the couple. As the years passed by Zechariah and Elizabeth probably learned to accept the fact that they could not have children. In fact it would seem like Zechariah had given up on having a child... after all they were both beyond child-bearing age.

You know its funny how God brings opportunities into our lives to help us put the things we want most, on the back burner. You know what I’m talking about,-- you may have wanted something so badly, but because you received something else, you could kind of forget about the thing you wanted most. Christmas presents can be like that. Sometimes you don’t get what you really wanted, but what you do get, -- satisfies you so you don’t long for the thing you wanted as much as you did before.

On this particular day Zechariah was chosen to be the priest who would get to bring fresh incense before the altar inside the holy of holies. What a privilege to be chosen for this special task!! You could be a priest all your life, and not be chosen for this special duty!!

Zechariah must have been excited, here he was well along in years, and finally he gets the opportunity to go into the holy of holies. It’s a day like no other in his life!! Zechariah was so excited at his once in lifetime opportunity that his mind was consumed with his duty

And then it happened!!!---Vs. 11 an angel appeared standing on the right side of the altar!! God intervening in time and space!! The people worshiping in the temple were waiting for Zechariah to bring a word from God. You need to understand that the word from God that they were expecting was nothing like they were about to receive. A word from God was rare at this point in time. The space between the last Old Testament Writing and this was approx. 400 years. Talk about a long silence---and now on this particular day, at this particular moment, God intervenes!! And who hears the first words from God after an incredibly long silence?? It’s Zechariah!! However Zechariah was not expecting God to intervene, it seems as though he had given up on his fervent prayer for a child. Zechariah experiences much the same thing that you and I experience when God intervenes in our lives.

When God intervenes in my life…

1.Vs. 12 I am SURPRIESED and fearful

It seems ironic to me, that part of Zechariah’s duties that day, was to bring a word from God to the people waiting outside. I don’t know what Zechariah was expecting to tell the people he heard, but when God actually spoke, Zechariah was caught in unbelief. Have you ever wondered what you would have done if you were Zechariah?? How would you have responded to the angel that day?? Would you be like Zechariah and doubt the message??---And, has something similar already happened in your life??? But because you were surprised and fearful, you missed it?? Now you’re probably thinking, if an angel appeared before me I would know it;---not necessarily! The Bible tells us to be careful how we treat other people because we may be entertaining an angel and be unaware of it.

When God intervenes in your life he often comes when you least expect Him. You may have prayed for something for years and years, and them given up. You may have even kind of forgot about your prayer. Then suddenly one day, God intervenes and your prayer is answered. Will you be caught in unbelief?? Will you be surprised and fearful??

One of the ways you can know God is near is that God’s presence brings fear.

There is something about a Holy God coming nearer to a fallen creature like you and me that naturally causes a sense of fear and awe. The Bible says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an almighty God. You can know God is near because His holiness speaks even louder than his message. Which simply means we can miss the message, because we get caught up in the fear. Your Lord wants you to pray, and even more than that, He wants you to be ready and expecting Him to respond.

There is a profound sense of expectation that needs to be a part of every prayer you pray. But oh how you and I miss it. And because we don’t pray big enough, we don’t expect big enough from our Lord, and we often do one of two things we are overrun with fear or our fear turns to doubt (as it did for Zechariah) and God’s intervention in our lives results in silence. Doubt overtakes Zechariah’s expectation, kind of like someone giving you a gift, but you refuse to open it, because you doubt it will be anything of value.

Which brings us to NO.2

2.Vs.13 God says “I'm not kidding”

Can you imagine the look on Zechariah’s face when he sees the angel?? What kind of look would be on your face?? Have you ever been surprised by God?? Zechariah was filled with doubt, because the years of his life had surpassed the years of his prayers. He no longer believed in the impossible, because he had become content with the possible. So his doubts were greater than his prayers. Have you ever prayed big enough prayers that required you to stretch your faith, your expectation and your hopes?? When you pray “stretching prayers” they change your expectancy of what God is going to do. You and I are far to content to pray prayers that are easily answered. We pray prayers for today and tomorrow, but we seldom pray for the impossible. It’s when we pray for big things, that our Lord shows himself even more faithful than we had ever thought.

Zechariah is surprised by the angel, he even doubts the angel’s message. The angel says, “You don’t believe me?”--You just Wait and see! God’s not kidding. Jesus wants to bring reassurance to your life, He wants to assure you that he is who he says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do. When was the last time your prayer was answered, and God seemed to say to you, “I’m not kidding.”

Your Father in heaven wants to give you the assurance that He is with you, no matter what happens. It is during those times when we are the most desperate for Him that He comes the nearest to us. Jesus wants to hold your hand through whatever you are dealing with in your life. He wants to bring assurance to your life, that’s why it is so important for you understand as He intervenes in your life.

You might ask “how can I recognize God’s intervention in my life?? How can I know God is really with me??--- He comes near us in many different ways---The short answer is you need to discover that for yourself. Our Lord works in your life in the way the He knows best. Some of the ways He intervenes are …Bible, Prayer, Meditation, the circumstances of your life—accident, death in family, job change etc. He intervenes through angels, and through other people.

My dad’s funeral last week was a military funeral; they had a 21-gun salute and they played “Taps” in his honor. As I was listening and standing there with my dad’s casket immediately in front of me, I felt weak in the knees, and for a moment over-whelmed with grief. Then I looked to my side and there just a step away was our district minister, Roger and Pastor Wil. Most of the people there saw two men coming to support another man in his grief, but, I saw Jesus. Roger and Wil brought the presence of Christ to me that day. It was Christ intervening in a moment when I needed it most, and He did it through two colleagues in ministry. They brought the presence of Christ ever so near when I needed Him the most. I didn’t just see two colleagues in ministry, what I experienced was Christ intervening and strengthening me.

Did you know that our Lord can work through you to intervene in another persons life?? That’s right, you could very possibly be the person God uses to intervene and make a difference in another person’s life! I believe there is a process, as you learn God’s intervention in your own life, our Lord can then equip you to have the joy of intervening in another persons life on his behalf. That’s why I’m teaching on God’s intervention this advent season. My hope is that you will “expect” God’s intervention, and so be an interceder for God.

Where will you see Jesus this Christmas?? Will you be expecting Him to intervene??

You and I sometimes have a real struggle seeing God; really experiencing Him as He draws near and even intervenes in our lives.

Which brings us to NO. 3

3. Vs. 18 I rationalize the situation.---

Did God really come near to me?? That couldn't have been God!!

When Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, what was Zechariah’s response?? His first response was fear, and his second response was doubt. How can this be?? Sometimes our doubts get in the way of our praying big prayers, and sometimes our doubts get in the way of our recognizing the answers to our prayers. When God intervenes we have a tendency to focus on the things we easily understand instead of accepting the thing we don't. It’s almost like we don’t really believe God has or will intervene.

Two weeks ago, as I was driving down Hwy. 83 in the dark, suddenly, there was a deer on the side of the road. Praise God the deer never moved!! It surely would have caused major damage to may car..or worse. However, after that close call, I began to pray earnestly that God would keep the deer off the road. That He would protect me from serious injury because of oncoming deer. Soon after I prayed that our Lord would protect me from deer, I noticed an image that seemed like it was running along the shoulder of the road about 20 feet ahead of the car. How would you react to something like that?? I tried to rationalize the image I saw. Certainly it must be my eyes, maybe my glasses needed cleaning, and maybe the image was simply a reflection from the lights of the car shining into light mist that was falling. Or maybe it was an angel, responding to my prayer, running along side the shoulder of the road chasing the deer away. What do you think it was??

Why do you and I rationalize those times in our lives when God comes nearer than usual? When God comes near, we learn from Zechariah that we need to accept God’s message at face value. You need to put aside those doubts and fears.

Thomas, one of the 12 apostles should have been expecting Christ’s intervention, after all, Thomas had been a student of Christ’s for 3 years. Jesus had taught them about his death and resurrection. Still, even after the other 10 disciples had tried to convince him, Thomas still would not believe unless he “could see” and “feel” Christ’s injuries from the crucifixion. It wasn’t until Jesus physically appeared to Thomas that he confessed “ I believe, help thou my unbelief” To this Jesus responded “you believe because you see, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Do you believe that Jesus Christ wants to intervene in your life??

4. Vs. 25 God always comes through.

When God sends Gabriel to answer Zechariah’s prayer, there is an assurance that what God says will happen,-- will indeed happen. When God intervenes in your life, He will carry it through to completion. You need not have any doubt about it. The doubts of Zechariah resulted in the loss of his ability to speak. For Zechariah there was a long period of silence. Imagine all the people waiting in the temple for Zechariah to come from the Holy of holies with a word from God. Have you ever wondered what word they were expecting to hear?? Most likely they were expecting Zechariah to bring a word of blessing (Numbers 6: 24-26). Oh what a message he brought!! A message of silence!! God spoke more loudly through Zechariah’s silence that day, then He could have possibly spoke if Zechariah would have shouted through a sermon. When God intervenes, God always comes through. Sometimes God intervenes through His silence.

The anticipation of Christmas is perhaps the greatest part of Christmas. It’s the excitement that leads to the “big day” and that is what really gets us going. We spend so much time getting ready for the big day, and when it comes it goes far too quickly.

Have you ever given thought that our expectation of Christ’s coming doesn’t need to stop after Christmas day?? Just as God came to earth through His Son Jesus to intervene for your sins and mine today, Christ wants to come near to you. What’s keeping you from recognizing his appearing?? Is it fear of the unknown?? Is it unbelief?? Or perhaps you rationalize Christ’s intervention as just another one of those uncommon experiences.

Perhaps you find it easy to rationalize what your feeling. It’s easy to put aside spiritual for the physical simply because you are human. The Joy of Christmas is the very fact that in a moment of time, at just the right time, God came near—Immanuel - God with us.

Jesus wants to draw near to you; -- will you let Him intervene?? If you already have Jesus living in your heart, will you let Him come near and make a difference this Christmas?? Will you see him near you, when the crowd sees silence??

Will you be praying big enough prayers; will you be expecting big enough answers to those prayers??

If you have never experienced Christ in a real way, you may be experiencing some fear, some surprise at what you are feeling right now, please don’t rationalize that feeling away, Christ may be wanting to intervene in your life, to bring you to the saving knowledge of Him.

If you would like to ask Christ into your heart, if your desire is to have Christ intervene in your life right now, right at this moment, you can invite that to happen by praying this prayer…

Dear God, I’m a sinner, I’m sorry for my sin, please forgive me. I want to turn away from my sin. I receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior; I trust Jesus alone for my salvation. Please come into my heart and be Lord of my life. From now on I want to follow Jesus, and to invite His intervention into my life. Please come Holy Spirit enter into my heart. In Jesus Name I pray Amen

May this Christmas find each of you, not only preparing for a day on the calendar, but may this Christmas find you REALLY preparing for His intervention.

Christmas is more than expecting presents; it’s really about expecting His presence!

Be-Hold the Lamb!

2007-04-03T00:00:00-05:00

Do you have your Easter Baskets purchased? Are they filled with choclate covered bunnies and eggs? Have you cosidered that the true symbol of Easter is not a rabbit, a basket or an egg? What is tht true symbol of Easter, click BeHold the Lamb at the top of this section to discover the true symbol.

Be-Hold the Lamb

Over the course of many years, the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs have become the symbols of Easter. We certainly want to encourage children to remember this special event. Who doesn't like a chocolate covered egg or a creme filled candy bunny? Easter egg hunts are great activities for kids and grownups. It is even more important though, that we teach our children why the lamb is the true symbol of Easter.

The Bible often refers to Jesus Christ as a lamb. Why is that significant? Lambs won’t hurt anyone or anything. They are gentle, very curious, and usually quite docile. They care for their own and are always seen in a group with other lambs. Jesus came from heaven to earth to show you what God is like. He loves you, wants to have fellowship with you, and wants you to be a part of something bigger than yourself--namely his body the church.

At the time the Bible was written, raising sheep was one of the primary ways in which people made a living. The Bible speaks of the size of a person’s flock as a sign of their wealth. Yet the Jewish people were required to sacrifice these helpless creatures to pay for their sins against God. Not only that, they were to sacrifice a perfect lamb, one without any blemish or anything wrong with it. Only a perfect lamb could pay the debt brought about by the sins of people. God is a Holy God, meaning he is perfect, set apart from the imperfection of people. The Jewish people sacrificed lambs to appease God. The Passover was an annual event in which a perfect lamb was selected or purchased so it could be sacrificed, one lamb for the sins of each family.

Jesus Christ came to earth – fully God and fully human – to pay for the sins of the people who would believe that He was the only way.

In the fullness of time, God sent His own spotless Lamb, and a man named John the Baptist made a wondrous proclamation, he said "Behold! the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)

Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He died so that you may have life and have it to the full. Jesus Christ lived a perfect human life, suffering through life just like you and I have to, only he did it without sinning against God. Jesus is the “perfect lamb” who died on the cross so you and I would no longer need to sacrifice a living lamb to pay the penalty of our sins. Not only that, Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all. His sacrifice was complete.

Today the Lamb of God desires to be the sacrifice for your sins. If you desire to have your sins forgiven so you can have a relationship with God, you need to believe that Jesus Christ did come to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for your sins.

Many people are living their lives without a relationship with God. Their lives at least on the outside, seem complete. Yet inwardly there is a longing for something more. You were created with a living spirit, one that longs to be complete through worship, prayer and community. You can find true inner fulfillment today, when you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away your sin.

Join us each Sunday as we celebrate that our sins are forgiven, and we discover how to live life to the full.

Easter at Bible Fellowship!

2012-02-26T00:00:00-05:00

We are excited to invite you to celebrate Easter with us in our restored and improved building!

Jesus conquered death and sin by rising on the first Easter morning. After months of heartache, destruction and uncertainty, the Lord has made is possible for us to return to our building at 1720 4th Ave NW.

We are celebrating both of these events Sunday April 8 at 10:45 am. Please join us!

"Getting Ready To Go Fishing"

2006-07-31T00:00:00-05:00

Are you a fishermen or fisherwoman? Do you hate the "getting ready" part of fishing? Maybe you're the kind of person who finds it easier to put things off than to dive right in and do them. This message was written to help each of us understand our most important job, and how we can accomplish it for Christ.

"Are You Ready To Go Fishing?"

Matt. 4:19 Matthew 4:19 (NLT)
¹⁹Jesus called out to them, "Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!"

Every fishermen knows that in order to catch fish you have to use the right kind of bait Did you understand what I just said??—I said every FISHERMEN knows you need to use the right kind of bait.—But what about those of us who aren’t really fishermen?? What kind of bait are we supposed to use??

You see my idea of fishing involves waiting for rain, then waiting for it to get dark, then looking for a flashlight (and batteries because there always dead), and of course a bucket. (pastor has all of these items behind the pulpit as visual aides and takes them one by one from the pulpit and places them on top of a table on the stage) Then venturing out into the damp, cool darkness of the night, in search of night crawlers. Oh, and one thing I forgot, is that before I go looking for night crawlers, I need to drink some coffee or Mountain Dew, so I have plenty of caffeine in my body so I am wide awake and alert,---- now I’m ready to thrust my fingers into the mud, in an attempt to catch that quick little night crawler, j-u-s-t--so I can go fishing the next day.

Then the next day, you would think, I’m ready to go fishing, but no, before I can actually head out to the lake, I need to do some more preparation. I need to pack a cooler with lunch, just in case I get hungry. (These items are out of sight until Pastor talks about each one and places them on or next to the table.) Let’s see what else do I need?? Oh, I need a water jug, in case I get thirsty. I need to make sure I have gas in my pickup so I don’t’ run out of gas on my way home from the lake. (Inside joke because I actually ran out of gas once) Then I need to make sure I have gas in my boat.—Can you think of anything else I need??

Congregation responds with “you need a fishing rod.” Pastor “Oh yea, I don’t want to forget my fishing rod. Usually I have to look for mine because I haven’t used it for so-o long. When I find it, it’s then that I remember that the last time I used my rod and reel, my line got tangled and my reel got all messed up. Now I need to spend a half hour, getting my rod and reel ready to go fishing. Can you think of anything else I need to have so I’m ready to go fishing? Congregation responds with “ a tackle box.”

Pastor “Oh yes, I don’t want to forget a tackle box.” This one is Marvin’s (pastor opens it up) boy, Marvin has a bunch of lures and stuff in his tackle box, next time I go fishing, I’m taking Marvin along with me. My tackle box is empty compare to Marvin’s. I could really do some serious fishing using Marvin’s tackle box.

When I finally reach the lake, I cast my line into the lake, convinced that I have arrived!! I am about to catch the biggest fish ever pulled from the lake!!! But then one minute slowly passes, then another, then another, and as I look at my watch thinking surely a half hour has past, I am dismayed to find that little more than 5 minutes have elapsed since the last time I looked at my watch. .

So I settle into this scenario, this adventure, I have waited so long for and anticipated with so much enthusiasm. Surely there is a “big one” waiting to snag my line at any moment. SUDDENLY!--I feel it,--- you know what I’m talking about,--- that little tension on my line, that gives me hope that I do have a fish interested in my efforts. I “set” the hook, ready to reel in the big one, but as my line gets to shore, all there is on my line, is a huge amount of weeds from the lake. As I attempt to clean the weeds off of my hook, I accidentally poke myself, and the pain in my finger is enormousness. Then I quickly remind myself, “isn’t fishing fun?”

Now obviously when I think about fishing, all the waiting involved, all the time spent in preparation, all the waiting involved, the pain in my finger, all the waiting involved, the little fish I will end up taking home, did I mention all the waiting involved?? Then I arrive at home, to exhibit my catch, only to hear my neighbor say, “I usually throw the small ones like that away.” I smile, at his apparent success, and then it hits me, I have to clean this fish I caught, and after I get done with that, my fish is smaller yet, and I began to wonder,---if a trip to McDonald’s for a fish sandwich wouldn’t be every bit as pleasurable???

Those of you who are devoted fisherman are hearing me, and shaking your heads in disbelief. Others of you are saying, “I’ve been there.” .

Obviously I have exaggerated some of my preparation for fishing in an effort to get you thinking about some of the things you have a tendency to put off. Isn’t it amazing that when there is something you don’t really care to do, you can come up with a mountain of excuses why it makes more sense to put it off than to do it right away?

Obviously your motive (at least 9 out of 10 times) will establish just what hurdles you are willing to cross in order to accomplish your task. (TAURUS illus.)Our old car has had a radiator leak for quite some time. Somehow, I have managed to avoid fixing the leak. First I was gone for a week, and then Heather was gone for 2 wks so I could drive her car. Then I was gone for a week, so I didn’t need the car fixed. Then Heather was gone for another week, so I could use her car again. This last week was state fair, and I needed the pickup most of the time, so I was able to put off fixing the old Taurus one more week. What are you putting off doing, simply because the hurdles seem to high to address?

Of course it is a Biblical concept to count the cost before you take on a project, yet how many projects do you and I leave undone, simply because we have convinced ourselves that there are too many difficulties ahead of us. It’s often far easier to put a project on the back burner, even ignore it, simply because all we can see are the problems that may occur.

The average person would say that fishing for fish, is no big deal, you can choose your own level of intensity. Some fishermen,-- get down right serious about everything they do regarding fishing; -- the next person goes fishing more to enjoy the time alone with God and His creation.

How many projects have you failed to start or complete, simply because you over-burden yourself, with everything that is required before you can be successful??

When real fishermen goe fishing, they are prepared, wanting to go. The Anticipation of catching a fish drives them; they don’t even consider all they need to do to get ready to catch the big one. Their determination looks beyond everything involved in getting to the lake,--WHY?? Because their mind is focused in on catching “the Big One.!!

That’s the way you and I need to be when we think about reaching out to others with the love of Christ. But it’s so easy for you and I to focus on all the problems like getting ready, knowing what to say, what if I don’t catch any fish?? What if I’m rejected? What happens then, is that we fail to get outside our door, and the biggest problem with evangelism continues.---Do you know what that is??? Individuals are dieing and NOT going to heaven, because they aren’t hearing,--- why aren’t they hearing??? Because nobody is personally telling them,--- Why is nobody telling them?? --- Because we get stopped before we ever get started. All the hurdles keep us from getting serious about fishing. (sharing our faith with others)

Wrong Bait.

When I finally get out to the lake, get my boat on the water; my main concern is getting my line in the water. Does it really matter what kind of bait I use?? I used to think that if I am quiet enough, and if I pray enough, some big fish will come and bite on my hook. Since moving to ND I have learned that you use the kind of bait according to the kind of fish you want to catch.

You can actually look in the Minot Daily to find out what kind of fish are biting, where and what kind of bait is catching the “big ones.” And even what time to go fishing. I discovered something since moving to ND, You can really get serious about fishing!!.

I wonder sometimes how serious we are about fishing for people??--Are we serious enough that we want to take some positive steps so we actually get on the water?? Or are we caught up in everything that could go wrong?? Does the preparation stop you from actually sharing your faith with another person??

As Christians you and I need to understand that Christ’s command to fish for men and women is not option. Jesus didn’t say, you know some day, when you get up enough courage, some day when you have nothing else to do, you go and tell others about me.

Maybe it would help if you knew what you needed to go fishing??

What do I need to go fishing??

I need a LICENSE

Acts 1:8 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
⁷For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

The first thing you need to go fishing is the Holy Spirit. You need Jesus Christ living inside of you. If you have a personal relationship with Christ, you have the Holy Spirit living in you. The power and authority of the Holy Spirit is your “license” to tell others about Jesus.

If you find that you can’t go fishing because there are too many hurdles, (pastor points toward the table of fishing accessories) you need to ask this question---Who is placing the hurdles in front of me??--- Surely the Holy Spirit will not place anything in your way if you’re being obedient to Christ’s command. So if you are not prepared to share your faith, you can be assured it’s not God keeping you from sharing.

So the first thing you need is a commitment to Jesus Christ and a desire to grow in your faith. You need the right motivation

You will never catch any fish, if you are burdened by the task. If you do catch any, it will be by accident. Understand that your faith is your license and the power to overcome the obstacles comes from God through the Holy Spirit’s work in you heart.

2. I need to THINK like a fish. Mark 9:4 and Colossians 4:5 (TLB)

Matt. 9:4 (NLT) Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why are you thinking such evil thoughts? ⁵ Is it easier to say, `Your sins are forgiven' or `Get up and walk'?

Colossians 4:5 (TLB)
⁵Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them.

There is a huge problem for us as believers—it is easy for us to forget how unbelievers think! The longer you are a believer, the less you think like an unbeliever. Resistance to the Gospel is often simply a result of poor communication. You need to have a missionary’s heart, if you don’t know the language, yon can’t communicate with the people.

If you don’t’ ask the right questions, you won’t get the right answers

If you don‘t get the right answers, you won’t get the right strategy.

If you don’t develop the right strategy, you wont’ get the right results.

The problem that most unchurched people deal with is that they don’t understand what happens in church. (It’s kind of like a cat watching an aquarium with fish in it. The cat watches the fish, but does not understand what the fish are doing. To some non-churched people, church is supposed to be like any other entertainment they may attend. It’s our job to help them understand what we do and why we do it, and how it makes a difference in our daily lives.

3. I need the right BAIT 1 Cor. 9:20-22 Matt. 20:32

1 Cor. 9:20-22 Paul said ”to the Jew, I became a Jew, to the Greek, I became a Greek, in order that I might win some.

Matt. 20:32—Jesus said “what do you want me to do for you”?

You and I have so much to offer unbelievers!! We have the joy of Christ in our hearts regardless of our circumstances. We have forgiveness of sin, freedom form the burden of guilt, the assurance of eternal life. We have the fellowship of other believers; we have a whole congregation (like an army) ready and willing to go to prayer on our behalf.

Action point --- I would encourage you to go home today, and write out a list of benefits that you have personally received from being a Christian. People want to know why they need Jesus. IF you know why you need Jesus, you have a good start on knowing why others need Jesus.

Who do you want to reach? What are their needs? How can Christ fill the void you see in their lives?? What can I tell them about Jesus that will help them recognize how much they need Him? How has going to church and having Christ in my heart made a difference in my life??

4. I need to GO where the fish are.

Luke 14:23 (NLT) ²³So his master said, `Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.

Thursday night, my family and I went to the Rodeo at the state fair. During the intermission, a clown drove a boat into the arena and attempted to fish. He had everything he needed to fish, he had a rod, and reel, a net, his only problem was that he wasn’t where there were any fish. He clearly had the wrong idea about fishing. In order to catch fish, you need to go where fish actually live,

I would have a pretty tough time catching fish in my driveway wouldn’t I?? Yet we sit in our houses and expect to catch fish. WE expect non-churched people to come to our church because it’s here. WE pray for non-believers, but I believe Jesus would tell us that we are his feet, yes we need to pray for them, but we also need to be His hands and feet to take the message to them. I have yet to catch a fish in my driveway. Serious fishermen know where the fish are hungry; they go where there are fish!!

The most receptive people are people in transition,—people who have just moved into a new neighborhood, People who have just changed jobs, are under tension from recent injury, or loss of loved one.

You need to be aware of what is going on around you. Jesus was always meeting people at the point of their biggest need.

In Sunday school we talked about the fact that nobody knows their neighbors, as Christians, maybe it’s our job to know our neighbors.

5. I need to EXPECT to catch some fish.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The one thing that I don’t have on this table of things I need to go fishing is a pail or a stringer to put the fish on.(or in) What fishermen goes fishing without something to put this catch into??

How many fishermen go fishing expecting to catch nothing?? They may go fishing and forget to take something along to keep the fish in, but they go expecting to catch fish.

When you’re fishing for people, you need to be prepared to tell them how to ask Christ into their heart. You need to be able to show them ways in which they can grow in their faith. All the things you are already doing are preparations for sharing your faith,

Anyone can be won to Christ if you discover the Key to his or her heart. The key is felt needs. The secret of catching fish is capturing their attention, using the right kind of lure—showing them that you care, and then telling them that you care because Jesus cares. .

Conclusion

Fishing can be fun, if you approach it with the right attitude. Too many times, you and I give up because we forget that we have a license, a right, even a command to fish! Wouldn’t it be terrible if Christ revoked our license because we weren’t using it??

2. You and I fail to realize that the fish are hungry!! People need what we have to offer them. They need Jesus!! What would you do if you were living without Jesus?? How would your life be different?

Our concern shouldn’t be whether we need to go fishing or not, our concern should be that we know what our bait is. Do you have something to offer someone who is living day to day and week to week without hope??

Sitting at home or sitting at church waiting for the fish to bite, won’t get your line wet, and it certainly won’t strengthen your faith. But to have a part in another persons’ coming to faith in Christ, Wow! That’s the motivation you need!

The best thing about fishing is the expectation involved. What if I tell that person how Jesus has changed my life, and they want to know Jesus too??

Have you ever wondered why Jesus used the analogy of fishing when He taught the disciples to fish for men??

Fishing was their occupation; they could understand it.
Fishing is something everyone can do, regardless of your age.
Fishing is something everyone can enjoy.
You have to go fish in order to have the joy of catching one!
When you catch a fish, it’s always a trophy in God’s eyes!

So what’s holding You back?? Are you ready to go fishing? My prayer for each of you is that our Lord will give you a heart for the lost, that He will empower you to see beyond the preparation, so your focus will be on catching some fish.

Christmas Day Service!

2011-12-18T00:00:00-05:00

Enjoy the morning with your family, then join us at 4:00 pm for a Christmas celebration worship service. We will meet at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1615 2nd St SE

With much appreciation to Immanuel Baptist, we are able to meet each week in their facility. Please join us!

A Life That Matters

2012-04-08T00:00:00-05:00

This 6-week sermon series will address things that hold us back from living the life we were created for.

Movie Nights Continue

2011-06-29T00:00:00-05:00

Our movie nights for Jr-Sr high youth will meet at Immanuel Baptist as well. Join us at 7:00 pm!

Vacation Bible School

2011-06-19T00:00:00-05:00

July 11th -15th "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 A great oppurtunity for children to learn the gospel and to fellowship with other beginning believers! Call 838-0916 for more info

July 11th-15th Call 838-0916) for more info

Baptisms planned for June 5!

2011-06-04T00:00:00-05:00

Three adults will be baptized on Sunday, June 5. Join us at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate New Life in Christ!

Give what You got

2009-07-13T00:00:00-05:00

What is one of your most memorable experiences? Perhaps it was a day when someone was generous to you. Discover what Generostiy really means.

Acts Chap. 3: 1 -26 "Give what you Got"

What is the best thing that has ever happened to you? What was the most memorable thing that comes to your mind?

Perhaps the best thing was an event that suddenly happened when you least expected it! A surprise has a way of creating lasting impact on our minds. Perhaps it wasn’t a surprise, instead it was an event, like a birthday or anniversary. A picnic, movie or a play.

Or maybe is was the day the doctor said “It’s not serious” or “Cancer Free” Maybe you can only remember the sad things that happened and when you try to think of the good things, the good things are quickly crowded out by the shadows of the bad.

Maybe the best thing that ever happened to you was the day that you asked Jesus into your heart, or maybe it was that day when you first recognized the Holy Spirit working in you.

In Acts 3 we learn about a man who had something happen to him that I’m pretty sure he never forgot. The Bible records that this man was handicapped from the day of his birth. Think about it for a moment, here is a man who has never walked in his life. Can you imagine his legs—no muscle, no strength, and certainly no coordination. It must have been relatively difficult to look at him. The hopelessness, the despair, the only thing he had to look forward to was perhaps the tinkle of a coin as it ricocheted into metal can he was holding.

You need to notice where they laid this hopeless case of a man. They laid him at the door or gate of the temple called Beautiful. Is there something significant about that gate??

Why place this hopeless man at the most beautiful door/gate in the temple? For this door was a bronze door overlade with gold. It symbolizes the gates of heaven in all their golden splendor.

So why was this poor physically challenged man laid at the gate called beautiful? Why does the Bible detail where they laid this helpless man??

The reason is that it illustrates for us the beauty of what heaven is like and what God is like compared to what man is like. A man or a woman can do a lot to make themselves look good on the outside. Men can buy nice clothes, do various things with facial hair; women can put on makeup, wear clothes that hide parts, and clothes that bolster other parts, but the reality is that a man or woman cannot improve themselves. The contrast here is the outer adornment of the temple gate, and this poor crippled man who was totally dependent on others.

Every day this physically challenged man sat at the temple gate colleting money from people who hated to even look at him; perhaps they would turn the other way and throw their money into his can, walking away thinking they had done their duty. They found relief from the burden of caring as they threw a few coins into his can, all the while feeling little compassion for this man.

And it makes me wonder what you and I walk by every day, whether it be on our way to work, to the mall, or to church? What excuses do you and I make for paying little attention to those who need our attention the most?

Some may argue with me, but I believe that one of the greatest gifts anyone could receive is Generosity. There are plenty of good givers around, and plenty of not-so-good givers around. I’m not merely talking amount of giving, instead I’m talking about attitudes towards doing and giving.

Usually when you and I hear the word “giving”, we reach for our billfold or our purse. Often the attitude is something like—Okay what will it cost me to get out of this one? What will I have to pay to get this monkey off my back? Often we see giving as a burden rather than a joy. We often make the mistake of thinking that giving our money releases us from giving what is most valuable to us.

We have been walking through Acts learning about the early church—why was the early church so successful in reaching the world for Jesus Christ? What can we learn and apply to our lives and to the life of this church?

Last week’s sermon word was “DEVOTED” Instead of being distracted, I encouraged you to be devoted. Devoted to the 1. Apostles Teaching; 2. Fellowship, ; 3. breaking of Bread: 4. To Prayer. None of them seems all that difficult, yet why does it seem we have difficulty carrying them out. I think if all falls on today’s sermon Word “GENEROSITY” Not “giving” not “got” but generosity.

The problem you and I have is that we tend to think we have little to offer others. If you don’t have a dollar in your billfold when the offering is taken, you may feel guilty, at least temporarily. You may even feel like you have let God down because you have come to the end of the week and you don’t have much to give. Perhaps your credit cards are really putting the squeeze on you, and you simply cannot give more.

What’s a person to do? How can I be generous when generosity is tied to a monetary system of giving??

While I’m glad you asked, because today, I’m praying that our Lord will so work in each heart gathered here today, that a new understanding of GENEROSITY will be birthed out of your being here today.

Acts 3:1-26 (NIV) Edited by Pastor Duane
¹One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. (this would have been the busiest time of day, people were coming to pray and see the sacrifice. ²Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. (Imagine this poor man, laying there, his legs would have no muscle tone, Acts 3:7 says his ankles had no strength—apparently there was something wrong at the point where his legs and feet came together.
³When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

This poor man cared little about the people; after all they cared little about him. The crippled man never made eye contact because no one ever made eye contact with him. This man didn’t see people coming through the gate called beautiful, all he saw was money, food, and lodging. Surely after sitting at the gate for 40 years this man had lost his optimism. Another day at the temple is just another day at the temple when the Holy Spirit is not present.

⁴Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!"

While other people looked the other way, Peter and John looked at this poor man, and something came over them, what do you suppose it was?? Could it have been the spirit of generosity? Maybe just for a moment, Peter and John wished they had something to give, but they didn’t have anything, at least not that they could throw in the poor man's can.

But you see something had happened to Peter, he did have something to give!

So Peter looks at this man and in one of the greatest testimonies in all of Acts, Peter offers the crippled man what he had himself been given. The healing hand of Jesus.

So Peter says “look at us”

Now I can imagine this man’s hopelessness, the Bible gives us evidence that most likely this man was at this same gate to the temple when Jesus was there. He was most likely there when Jesus was healing people at the temple. And most likely this man saw Jesus come and go and he wandered “why didn’t I get healed today?” Why didn’t Jesus come my way today?” This man would have heard all about Jesus and his disciples, about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. But after 40 years of being crippled, he may have all but given up. Perhaps you have been dealing with something in your life for a long time, it may seem to you like "some things will never change." I gave great news for you--Our Lord's timing is always right on time!! This man was at the temple gate every day, don't give up, God still has plans for you, as He did for this man as we will see in a few minutes.

⁵So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
⁶Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

You see Peter and John didn’t have any money in their pockets, but they had Jesus in their hearts. They were not able to give something they had, but they could give what they had received. And in a moment when they realized their poverty, they also recognized their prosperity. Peter and John couldn’t give the man what he wanted, but they could give him what he needed. They could give him the most valuable thing they had ever received. “in the name of Jesus Christ” When you have received Jesus, and his Name is imprinted on your heart, you always have something to give.

⁷Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. (King James version says “his feet received strength”

Do you suppose Peter hesitated, as he reached for the man’s hand? They didn’t care for the handicapped like we do today. This man most likely hadn’t bathed in some time; he probably was quite a sight to see. Peter and John didn’t simply throw money in the can, they didn’t merely say, “get up and walk” Instead Peter, filled with "GENEROSITY of Jesus” took the man by his hand, and helped him up. And the Bible says immediately his legs became strong.

⁸He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Can you imagine this scene?? Here is a man that everybody in the temple had walked past, they had ignored him, they had thrown their coins his direction, but they had never seen him walk, not to mention that he was jumping and praising God. You may wander why it seems some people have to suffer through life so long, sometimes of course people inflict suffering on themselves, but for this man, it seems like there was no real reason for him to lay at this beautiful temple gate day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year and one decade after another. Why do some people have to struggle so long?? All I can say is God’s timing is sufficient. Why didn’t Jesus heal this man when he healed others, we know Jesus had previously been at the temple.

On this particular day this man was healed, because God's timing regardless whether it is healing, injury, or illness, is always on time. Could it be that our Lord would wait to heal this man physically, so many would come to know Jesus personally/spiritually? The sooner you and understand God's timing is always set to benefit those who will respond to him best the sooner we can find complete confidence in His timing. Here we see the stage was all set for the early church. The Holy Spirit was greatly at work, and this one man who had nothing to offer, nothing to give, suddenly had everything to offer, and everything to give. He had received generously and now he was giving back generously. This apparently was not a private celebration for this man, instead it was a public proclamation.

⁹When all the people saw him walking and praising God,
¹⁰they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Last week I asked you whether you had been amazed by God? Have you been amazed by Him at home?? At church lately ? Something happened in the temple that day. Something that was fueled by a spirit of GENEROSITY. Have you ever been amazed by someone’s generosity?

¹¹While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.

The Greek word for “held” means “to cling” The beggar clung to Peter and John—why?---because of their GENERORSITY.

It was also because the people came running to see if the man had truly been healed. They were (filled with wonder and amazement) It’s almost like they were thinking “what is going to happen next? Oh if we would have that kind of excitement about the things of God. What if we would understand and grasp the importance of having a spirit of GENERSITY?

¹²When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

One of the greatest surprises is to be surprised by God.

Peter is assuring them, that he was only giving what he had received. He did not claim any particular power, in fact, Peter never took credit for what God was doing through him.

The healing of a man disabled for 40 years was an opportunity for people to recognize the power and authority of God.

¹³The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. ¹⁴You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

You and I are just as guilty of killing Jesus as the people Peter addressed on that day in Acts. For everytime you and I sin, we drive another nail through the hands of Jesus and into the old rugged cross. Peter is telling you and I that we killed the Son of God. We are like the handicapped man laying outside the "Beautiful Temple Gate" (Heaven's Gate). We have no way to get into heaven, becasue our sin has"crippled" us and there is no way we can enter Heaven!

BUT GOD!

Even though you and I are responsible for Christ's death, God, our Heavenly Father looks at us with even greater compassion than Peter had when he looked directly at the crippled man. Our Father in Heaven looks at us and says "even though you killed My one and only Son, I'm going to show you that I am a Generous God; I offer you healing that will allow you to enter heaven whole and complete with no physical defects whatsoever. Even though you have done nothing to deserve eternal life, and I'm going to offer you the greatest gift of all. Now that's generostiy!! To recieve something you cannot buy, to be given something you don't deserve. But God!

Peter and John had received much from Jesus, so they had much that they could offer. They gave what they got! If you have recieved Jesus, you have something to give!

¹⁶By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Maybe you're so busy today thinking about what you don’t have, you have mislaid what you do have. Or maybe so busy taking care of what you do have that you have forgotten the most valuable gift you hold.

True GENEROSITY comes from a heart that has received something it cannot buy, a heart that has received something is cannot earn, a heart that has been touched by the Master of GENEROSITY.

What will you give this week? will it be something that comes from your heart?

The church in Acts was devoted to generoustiy, they opened their homes to one another (Acts 2) The served each other in their homes and at church, they sold some of thier own possesstions so they could help those in need. What about you? Are you a generoous giver of your time, and efforts?
Your greatest treasure can be your greatest Gift

Generosity ---What the heart gives away is never gone... It is kept in the hearts of others

How to be Generous…. Acts 3: 1-26

1. Calculate what you have received. Acts 3:6-7

Exodus 4:1-2 (NLT)
¹But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” ²Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.

What has God placed in your hand? Can you be generous to others with it?

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)
¹⁰Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
Your opportunities to be generous come with an expiration date.

Romans 12:6-13 (NIV)
⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given us

2. Consider the Source. Acts 3:12-16

A. Generosity takes preparation

When you harvest your crops, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners who live among you, for I, the Lord, am your God. (Leviticus 19:9-10 and Ruth 2:2)

From practically the begining of time (Leviticus) God had a plan of Generosity. The wealthy were to give to the the not-so-wealthy. In Ruth chap two we find that God's command to be Generous in Leviticus changed the lives of Ruth and Naomi, as well as yours and mine. (Christ is decendent of Ruth)

Do you have a plan to be generous? Know that your generosity needs to have it's basis in what God has done for you in sending Christ to die for your sins and bring eternal healing to you.

3. Calibrate what you have done/given Acts 3:23-26

Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: "Bring no more materials! You have already given more than enough." So the people stopped bringing their offerings. Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.(Exodus 36:6-7)

What a great problem Moses had!! The people were so generous in thier giving that Moses had to tell them to stop. Here at Bible Fellowship Church we have Vacation Bible School coming up. Wouldn't it be great if I had to get up in front of church on Sunday morning and say "stop volunteering to help with VBS! We have too many people who have already volunteered.
Or what if you as a congreagation were inviting so many people to church, that we needed to begin a second service?

Think about an area of your life where you have been generous, then grow in that area.

Isaiah 32:8 (NLT)
⁸But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.

Acts 10:1-4 (Reference only??) At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. ²He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
³One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" ⁴Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

4. Capitulate every opportunity. Acts 11:29

--to surrender based on stated conditions or to yield or give in submission

A. Generosity means giving cheerfully and enthusiastically

Proverbs 21:26 (NLT) ⁶Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

2 Cor. 9:7 ⁷You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

B. Generosity flows out of a concern for those in need.

The believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. (Acts 11:29)

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
¹⁷Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Proverbs 11:24 (NIV)
²⁴One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. ²⁵A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

What the heart gives away is never gone... It is kept in the hearts of others

1. Jesus received from His Father And Jesus gave it away

2. Peter received from Jesus and He gave it away. 3. Crippled Man received from Peter and gave back to the people. 4. What will you do with what you have received from Jesus?

Want a Richer Prayer Life?

2008-10-18T00:00:00-05:00

Taught by Pastor Duane Deckert

Our Adult Sunday School class will study prayer during the coming months. We meet Sundays at 9:45 a.m. and would love to have YOU learn with us!

The Greatest Expectation

2007-12-03T00:00:00-05:00

What is your greatest expectation this season? Does it have anything to do with God's greatest expectation?

The Greatest Expectation

Luke Chap 1: 5-38 (NIV)

Isaiah 43:16-23 (NIV)

Isaiah 49:22

What are your expectations for this Christmas season? Do you have any? I wonder what you base your expectations upon?

Expectation is a wonderful thing! Without it you would really struggle in everyday life. Expectation helps you to look to the future with a sense of hope, a sense that tomorrow will be better than today. Sometimes-- perhaps many times, your expectations lead to disappointment. And we all hate the thought of being disappointed.

Kenn Kington, a Christian comedian said that we should expect nothing, be thankful for everything. Within the context he spoke those words, he was probably right. There is just one small problem with that analogy in regards to your life in general, you can find yourself a little depressed if you give up on all expectations.

Advent is a wonderful time of expectation, there are Christmas programs, and Christmas dinners or parties, there are Family gatherings, gifts to buy, and then there is that expectation of seeing your child, grandchild, or great grandchild’s eyes light up as they open the gift you had searched so hard to find.

Have you ever wondered what God expects? The Christmas season for some of you may not hold a lot of expectation, its just another Christmas. It seems as we get older we naturally lose some our child-like expectations for Christmas. You may have even wondered “why don’t I have that same feeling about Christmas I used to have?” Have you ever thought about God’s view of Advent and the Christmas season? What is God expecting from you this Christmas? Could he possibly be preparing you for something in the future that isn’t even on your radar screen for 2008? And if He is, will you be ready? Will you be ready when God calls?

In Genesis 3:15 God began to reveal his plan addressing the fall of mankind into sin. God knew His own children would continually fail to walk in obedience. As you study the Old Testament though, you soon realize God continually did all kinds of things expecting a response from His people…

1. He gave a promise to Abraham expecting to build an entire nation from one man and his wife. 2. He rescued the Jews (Israel) from bondage

3. He brought pain, disease and hardship into their lives expecting them to have a change of heart so that they would seek Him.

4. He brought blessings of good crops, good health, yet their was little heartfelt response. The worship of the people fell far short of God’s expectations. They went through the ritual of worship, but they were what we would call today, Sunday morning Christians. Their worship had little to no impact on their lives, and so God’s expectations for Israel resulted in the Gentiles showing the Jews the way of salvation. Jesus said “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how I would have loved to gather you under my wings, but you would not do it.”

A good parent has expectations for their child, its part of the process of helping the child become responsible. It also builds the child’s self-esteem. . What would it be like if your parents would have had no expectations of you? Our heavenly Father being a good parent obviously has some expectations for you

The Christmas story is more than just about God’s expectations for Zechariah, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. God has expectation for you and me as well. The Beauty of the Christmas story is that the stars of the story are plain everyday people like you and me, they were people that were willing to be a part of whatever God’s plan included in their lives. We can learn 4 important actions God takes when He expects something from you.

What are God’s expectations for you? Have you considered God’s viewpoint and what he is expecting of you?

When God Expects… Luke Chap 1

1. He PREPARES His people. Are you being prepared?

Three kinds of people in the Christmas story—

1. Prepared like Mary

2. Unprepared like Zechariah

3. Unaware like Herod

Mary was prepared for God’s plan for her to become the mother of Jesus because she had learned to be a servant. Sevanthood is not a virtue that is highly recognizable in our society today. Many people are too busy with their own lives to be a servant for someone else. Imagine Mary, history reveals that she was a teenager when God revealed his plan to her. Think of a teenager you know today, are they preparing for God to reveal His plan for their lives? Mary was prepared for God’s plan, are you?

Of all the people that should have been prepared, Zechariahas a priest should have been after all, the tradition was that the priest would go into the holy of holies, while there, he would hear a Word from God, then He would bring what he heard to the people waiting outside the temple. Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had been praying for a child for years, yet when God revealed that Zechariah would father a long-awaited son, Zechariah was caught in unbelief. Will you be unbelieving when God reveals His plan for your life? Will your lack of preparation stand in the way of true joy?

Matt. 2: 1-8 and 2:13-18 Herod had no interest in God’s expectations, except that he might stop them. Little did Herod know that even though he attempted to stand in the way of God’s expectations, he was actually fulfilling them. Herod was being used of God and he didn’t realize it, what a sad commentary on one’s life, to be touched by the hand of God, and miss it!

You and I need to be aware of God’s ways of preparing us for what He is expecting of us. If you are not preparing for God to work in your life, you will easily end up like Zechariah or Herod. Many players spend time practicing with a team, often they spend some time on the bench before they actually get some playing time. The players that the coach will play the most, are the ones who are developing their potential to do well on the playing field. If God “expects” of you, then you need to understand how important it is for you to be preparing. When you expect God to work in your life, you will be ready like Mary.

Ways God prepares us….

A. God prepares you through the health problem you are experiencing, or some other difficultly in your life. God never wastes an experience. Is there something that has “suddenly” become a part of your life that makes you wonder “what is God up to?” Quite likely He is preparing you for the plan yet to be revealed to you. Have you ever noticed that you praise God much more for your health after you have been sick? Too often you miss the next step, you get healthy and quickly forget that God was preparing you. Then when God reveals his plan to you, your preparation time is forgotten and so you fail to recognize his plan.

B. God prepares you through blessing you—Both “curses” and “blessings” were a part of God’s preparation for His expectation for Israel. Since God is unchanging in what He intends to accomplish, you can be assured that just as he prepares some people though difficulty, He also prepares some people through prosperity. (we would all prefer that method) The important thing to realize is that often the “sudden” changes in your life, that seem to come from nowhere, are actually God’s preparation and expectation in your life. Greater Awareness of undeserved blessing should stimulate you to be preparing for God’s next step or plan for your life.

2. He PRESENTS His Plan

Notice that when Gabriel presented Zechariah with God’s plan, the details of John the Baptist’s life were already worked out. You would think Zechariah would be so excited about being the father of the man who would turn people back to God. I wonder if Zechariah’s lack of preparation prevented him from hearing the exciting news? We know it kept him from telling about it. Lack of preparation for God’s plan for you life, can easily lead to not being attentive when He presents His plan.

God’s plan is specific, but not necessarily original with you. The best way to understand God’s plan in your life is to understand the ways He has worked in people’s lives in the past.

The biggest problem you will have in understanding God’s plan is that you will attempt to convince God that he has got the wrong person. Zechariah thought he was too old, Mary wondered how she, a virgin could give birth to a child. When God has a plan for you it isn’t a plan that he cooked up the night before he gives it to you. God is sovereign, accomplishing his purposes in several different people at once.

3. He PROVIDES the Particulars.

Zechariah and Mary both wondered--How can this be? God’s expectations for you come with a plan. Zechariah and Mary wanted to know more details, --a common concern. Did you notice that every time they brought up a problem,--God had already thought of it and resolved the problem. God will provide the particulars; your main concern is saying “yes” I am God’s servant.

4. He PROPAGATES Praise.

Luke chapters one and two record Mary’s Song Of praise and Zechariah’s Song of praise to God. You see when you are aware of God’s preparing you, you are ready for the revealing of God’s plan. You will no doubt have some questions regarding the particulars, that’s OK, most people in the Bible needed to come to the realization that God provides the particulars.

Did you notice the response when Zechariah and Mary realized they were fulfilling God’s plan for their lives? ((Luke 1:46-55&Luke 1:67-79) Would you say they were kind of subdued in there response? No, they were ecstatic with praise for God!

You need to understand that whatever you may be going through today, God’s preparation in your life will ultimately propagate praise in your heart, and in the hearts of other people. Every time I read Mary’s song it causes me to praise God as well. Imagine the millions of people who are prompted to praise God because of His expectation completed through Mary.

What are you expecting this Christmas? Do your expectations have anything to do with what God expect this Christmas?

What is the greatest expectation? It’s God expectation of you!! God’s greatest expectation wasn’t for the Jews, you might think if was for Jesus, yet even Jesus told His disciples “you will do greater things then I will.” According to (Isaiah 49:22 (NIV) See I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.) The “Gentiles” are you and me; God’s greatest expectation is for you and me is to bring people back to Him, including the Jews.

My prayer for you, is that your expectation will include preparing for the Greatest Expectation

When God Intervenes....Simeon

2007-01-03T00:00:00-05:00

We can learn how and why God intervenes in our lives by studying the Christmas Story in Luke chapter two. This message ties the previous 3 messages together with this one. It's my prayer that as you read this sermon, you will become more aware of God's intervention in your own life. When you identify God's intervention you can grow in your faith journey.

When God Intervenes…Simeon Sermon 4

Luke 2: 21-40, Philippians 2:13, Lamentations 3:27-40, 1 Corinthians 15:19

Today we conclude this advent series of sermons on God’s Intervention in our lives. You may be thinking—Finally!! As the Christmas season ends and a new year begins, it has been my prayer that this series of sermons would prepare each of you for a new year of God’s working in your lives. As you look to a new year I’m praying that you will be more aware of the ways in which He seeks to draw you closer and increase you faith.

How does God intervene in your life?? He intervenes in many unique ways. Part of the beauty of His intervention, is that God always comes when we need Him the most. Something I have not said about this series of sermons that perhaps needs to be said-- is that I wrote the outline for all 4 sermons while waiting outside my mom’s hospital room the day after dad’s funeral.

Much has changed in my life these last few weeks, you might call it God’s intervention. In one of the sermons we learned that God intervenes in various ways, sometimes in a birth and sometimes in death. God’s intervention regardless of how you and I perceive it, is always for the greater good of your relationship with Him. Our Lord specializes in turning something we think of as bad, into something that brings glory to Him and blessing to us.

So how do you know when God is intervening in your life?? The best way for you and I to determine God’s intervention is to study how He has intervened in people’s lives in the past. It is far too easy for you and I to consider God’s intervention as just an inconvenience or an interruption in our lives. You may have heard someone say that they ran into a hiccup, or a minor thing that happened and it caused a delay, but it was no big deal. Certainly each of us encounters various trials and joys in our lives, how do we know which ones are from God?? Let’s review some of the things we have learned in the previous 3 sermons..

Sermon 1 God’s intervention in Zechariah’s life

We have learned that when God intervenes the intervention often takes us by surprise. We are afraid, there is something about a Holy God intervening in your life and mine, that makes us shudder as He draws near. God is in those occurrences in your life that kind of come back to you, for example--something happens in your day, it may be resolved quickly or slowly, the key is that at some point, your conscience says, “wait a minute, what was that about?” Is there more to it than a simple problem in my day?? Is my Lord trying to teach me something through that occurrence?? When God comes near as the Holy Spirit, speaking to your heart, there is often a sense of “What is my Lord telling me?”

We also learned that often times we try to rationalize away God’s intervention. The very thing that God wants to use in our lives to draw us closer to Him is the very thing we have a tendency to regard as circumstantial. The key then is to consider your ways, (Haggai 1: 5&7) says “Give careful thought to you ways.” Lamentations 3:40 says “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. The circumstances of your life should always cause you to reflect on what God may be trying to teach you. Philippians 2:13 says “ it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” The key is that you need to develop a sensitive heart. A heart that is willing to respond to God at the slightest prompting.

We also learned that God always comes through for us, you may have been praying for something for years, you may have even given up, we learned from Zechariah that God always comes through and that we should never give up on our prayers. God says to us “I’m not kidding.” Our God reigns, and His desire is to lead your life through the various things that happen to you.

Sermon—2 God’s intervention in Mary’s life

When God intervened in Mary’s life we learned that God’ intervention in your life means you have found favor with God. Think for a moment of all the times God intervenes in people’s lives, but because they do not recognize God or worship Him with thanksgiving, they fail to learn anything from God’s intervention. The people that have found favor with God are the people who learn from each intervention God makes into their lives. The key is to make the connection, to know that God is actually at work in your life. You may have a flat tire on your car when you leave your house to go to work tomorrow; Your first thought is most likely “getting to work on time, or getting the tire fixed.” Could it be that the flat tire is God intervening in your life to teach you something you have yet to really consider?? Many people have flat tires and never think about connecting the “problem” to an intervention from God. The fact that you sense God at work in your life should always remind you of how valuable you are to God. When God intervenes, we should gain assurance that God is at work in our live bringing about His plan for us. What a blessing it is for you and I to learn from each intervention our Lord brings into our lives!

We also learned from Mary that God will empower you for the task that He gives you to walk through. Our Lord prepared the way for Mary, caused un-natural conception, then empowered her to carry out God’s plan. Our Lord will never intervene in your life, without equipping you with the Holy Spirit so that you can see it to completion. Too many times we plow our way through “an incident” without learning from it.

Another way that God will help you through whatever intervention He brings into your life is by providing physical support for you, like He did for Mary; God told Mary about Elizabeth, it was Elizabeth who could offer physical support and assurance to Mary during days of difficulty. When God intervenes in your life and you want to say no, that’s the wrong answer. The Holy Spirit will never prompt you to do something, without giving you the necessary help to accomplish it. God empowered Mary with His Spirit and with physical support from Elizabeth.

We learned from Mary that when God intervenes in our lives, He expects a response. Mary responded by saying “I am God’ servant, let me be used in whatever way brings Him glory.” If you have a servant’s heart, you are ready for God’s intervention.

Sermon 3 God’s intervention in the Shepherds’ lives

Last time I taught on God’s intervention in the life of the Shepherds. We learned that it doesn’t matter who you are, there are no “social” qualifications for God to intervene in your life. The shepherds might seem to us like they should be the last people to hear about Christ’s birth. The fact that they were the first to hear must have had something to do with God’s knowing how they would receive it and what they would do after God intervened.

The shepherds made their living taking care of sheep on the hillsides and mountains surrounding Jerusalem. They would have had time to meditate on prophecies about the coming Messiah. The lambs from the sheep they were caring for, were most likely sold to people as sacrificial lambs. The shepherds had a keen understanding of one lamb dieing for the sin of the people.

The shepherds would have understood peace, it was a way of life for them, they would have understood a lamb being sacrificed for the sins of the people. They were expecting God to intervene. Their response to Gabriel’s announcement was “Let’s go see this thing which has come to pass. They didn’t question whether it had happened or not. Based on the shepherds experience we learn that we can place ourselves in the position to receive God’s intervention.

When God intervenes in your life, it is to bring confirmation to you faith. What a privilege it is to know that God cares enough about you to intervene in your life, to bring you the assurance that He really does care about your faith journey. When it may seem like no one else cares, our Lord cares, He lets us know through the things that happen to us. When God intervenes in your life He wants to give you a testimony about His working in your life. We live by faith, but our faith is confirmed to us by God’s intervention in our lives

When the shepherds received confirmation of their faith, they proclaimed it to everyone they saw. God’s intervention in your life is always for confirmation and proclamation to His Glory. Last week I raised the question “how old is your testimony?” If you need to go back 1-5 years to give a testimony of God working in your life, you need to consider your position to receive God’s intervention. When God intervenes in your life, he wants to give you the assurance of your faith, assurance brings peace, and peace that comes from Christ brings Joy.

What more can be said about God’s intervention in your life?? Today we look at two devout people of faith—Simeon and Anna. Both of them were well along in years, both had dedicated their lives to serving our Lord.

Let’s consider Simeon for a few moments---

Simeon received a promise from the Holy Spirit; The promise was one of gigantic proportions. Simeon was promised that he would see the Messiah before he died. Why was seeing the promised Messiah so important to Simeon?? When you love God, it is natural for that love to be given to others. Simeon’s love for God was manifested in his love for hurting people. Simeon must have prayed earnestly for peace to come to Israel. At some point in his prayers and meditation, the Holy Spirit intervened and spoke to Simeon’s heart promising him that he would see the promised Messiah before He died. I often wonder if our hurried life style keeps us from really hearing the promises God so longs to give us. We so easily succumb to hurried life style of our society. When was the last time you were still enough, long enough, so our Lord could reveal a promise to you??? I wonder sometimes if God needs to intervene in our lives simply to get our attention??

What a promise for Simeon to receive!! The Long awaited Messiah would come in his lifetime!! It was a motivator for him to continue steadfast in his faith as he grew older.

When God intervenes in your life, He wants to increase your faith. Often though, as faith increases, the things that use to shake us, don’t have that same effect that they did before. A great caution for us from Simeon is that we should be careful to continue our fervency and expectancy for God’s intervention.

Anna and Simeon never grew tired of seeking their Lord. They continued fervently seeking Him even into their later years. They were both longing for the Messiah to come—the One who would bring peace and hope to the nation of Israel. Once they saw Jesus with their own eyes and held Him in their own arms, they were ready to be called to heaven. The longing of their lives was found in a little baby, a baby born to bring salvation to some, and the reality of hell to others. At long last, Simeon and Anna could now confidently die, knowing the price had been paid for their sins. What a joy for them to be at peace with their own deaths! They knew that Christ had come to pay the penalty for their sins. They could now rejoice even in death, because the peace of Christ ruled in their hearts.

This was only the beginning of Christ’s intervention in people’s lives. Jesus came and walked among us so He could walk the path we walk, so He could suffer all the same things we suffer. So He could be tempted in every way as we have been, yet remain sinless. What a privilege for you and I to have Jesus Christ intervene in our lives!!

Let’s look at 4 things we can learn from God’s intervention in Simeon and Anna’s lives…

When God Intervenes…

1. God wants to LIFT me up. Vs. 26-38

You cannot miss the joy and expectation that is such a big part of the Christmas story. When our Lord intervenes in your life, He wants to give you a lift. Sometimes it may not seem like it. Sometimes His intervention may seem uncharacteristic of a loving merciful God. Regardless of the type of intervention or how you may perceive it, you can be assured that your Lord is always leading you through to a deeper faith and knowledge of Him which will result in Joy.

Simeon and Anna were people of prayer and worship. They found joy in their prayers and worship. That’s why going to the temple was such a big part of their lives.

Where do you go when you need to be lifted up??? For Simeon and Anna the answer is really quite obvious—they went to church. Worship and prayer was the joy of their lives. Living to follow God’s will was at the very center of everything they did. And the result was Joy. Each of us needs to decide whether we are going to do what we want, which may result in temporary happiness, and ask God to bless it, or go do what God wants because the Joy of the Lord is our strength.

How did Simeon keep his faith fervent all those years?? And how can you be lifted up??

The key is to be Spirit-led—God, the Holy Spirit will use more and more things in your life to intervene if you will become attentive to that voice that says “Don’t let this one pass so quickly, there is something I want to teach you about Me, yourself, other people , and especially about my kingdom.”

Next time you something happens in your life, be careful that you don’t dismiss it so quickly. It may very well be that your Lord is intervening to lift you to a higher place of faith and Joy in the Him.

2. God’s timing is ALWAYS right. Vs. 26,34,37-38

Isn’t it great to know that our Lord is always on time…nothing ever surprises Him!

Consider how the timing of the events of this day all had to be worked out ahead of time.

The temple was a large place, there was probably more than one baby in the temple. It is very possible that Mary and Josephs could have entered the temple and left without ever seeing Simeon; without ever hearing Simeon’s confirmation about Jesus. Anna could have easily missed Mary and Joseph’s visit to the temple. God’s timing had everyone there at the right time, almost like a carefully prompted play. Where is God in your life?? Don’t overlook the obvious, He is at work orchestrating your life, intervening in ways you have yet to discover!! Much of our concern and worry has to do with events of the future that will probably not happen. The fact that God is always on time should give us a lift as we live each day.

How do you think Simeon prayed after holding baby Jesus in his arms?? Do you suppose the next time he prayed, he prayed differently??---Certainly he did!!

Our problem is that we pray and then never relate anything that happens,-- to our prayers. Have you ever wondered how many of your prayers have been answered, but because you did not consider God’s intervention in your life, your prayer seemed to go unanswered?? Imagine if Simeon would have thought “you know I’m not going to the temple today, I doubt anything exciting will happen anyway?

Never underestimate the timing of circumstances, they may very well be an affirmation of your prayers.

3. It’s NOT just about Me. Vs. 30-34, 38

Vs. 30-31 My eyes have seen the salvation which thou hast prepared for ALL people.

Vs. 34 Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph

38 Anna spoke to all who would listen that the Christ had come into the world.

What would have happened if Simeon would have noticed the baby in Mary’s arms and thought to himself, “That baby is the promised Messiah, I wonder if I should tell them??”

Simeon knew that God’s intervention was not for him alone, but it was for everyone who would recognize Jesus as Lord. Simeon’s words are part of the liturgy in many churches and they are repeated millions of times all over the world on any given Sunday. Simeon knew that the coming of Jesus to earth was not for him alone, he openly declared that Christ had come to ALL people who will acknowledge Him as Lord. From that acknowledgment comes peace. Knowing Jesus and acknowledging Him brings peace and Joy.

When God intervenes in your life it is never just about you!! When God intervenes in your life, you need to realize He is a BIG God and the joy He seeks to bring is for all people. That seemingly small intervention may be a starting point for God to do big things in another person’s life through you.

4. It’s about SALVATION for all people.

God’s intervention is always about salvation. It’s about changing a person’s heart from survival from one day to the next, from one paycheck to the next, --to waiting for that moment of moments when at last Christ Jesus we will see. When Simeon finally got to see Jesus, the hope of his life, he was more than ready to die. The same Spirit that had provided for the support of his hope, now provided for him to be ready for eternal life. Death was not an issue for Simeon, why? Because he had held the salvation for ALL people in his arms. Do you have the confidence of Simeon to see death?? 1 Cor. 15:19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

Simeon said ‘now let me depart in peace, for I have seen with my own eyes, the salvation which God has prepared for all people. God intervenes in your life first so that you may be saved from the reality of the fires of hell. Once you are saved, he then intervenes in your life to remind you where your heart’s desire needs to be. He intervenes to remind us of the peace that He alone can bring to our hearts.

Tomorrow we begin a new year, will your response to your Lord’s intervention be different than it was during 2006?? It is my prayer that you will be more sensitive to each circumstance, could this be my Lord moving me to a new step in my faith journey??

Remember when God intervenes, He wants to lift you from being “stuck” in earthly circumstances to being “lifted” through the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit.

You can find peace in the fact that our Lord is never late, when the time was right, Jesus came to earth. Remember God’ intervention isn’t just about you, but when He intervenes in your life, it’s about salvation for all people.

May 2007 find you celebrating with Simeon the peace and joy of Christ’s intervention.

When God Intervenes…Simeon Sermon 4

Luke 2: 21-40, Philippians 2:13, Lamentations 3:27-40, 1 Corinthians 15:19

Sermon 1 God’s intervention in Zechariah’s life

Sermon—2 God’s intervention in Mary’s life

Sermon 3 God’s intervention in the Shepherds’ lives

Let’s consider Simeon for a few moments---

What a promise for Simeon to receive!! The Long awaited Messiah would come in his lifetime!! It was a motivator for him to continue steadfast in his faith as he grew older.

Let’s look at 4 things we can learn from God’s intervention in Simeon and Anna’s lives…

When God Intervenes…

1. God wants to LIFT me up. Vs. 26-38

Simeon and Anna were people of prayer and worship. They found joy in their prayers and worship. That’s why going to the temple was such a big part of their lives.

How did Simeon keep his faith fervent all those years?? And how can you be lifted up??

2. God’s timing is ALWAYS right. Vs. 26,34,37-38

Isn’t it great to know that our Lord is always on time…nothing ever surprises Him!

Consider how the timing of the events of this day all had to be worked out ahead of time.

How do you think Simeon prayed after holding baby Jesus in his arms?? Do you suppose the next time he prayed, he prayed differently??---Certainly he did!!

Never underestimate the timing of circumstances, they may very well be an affirmation of your prayers.

3. It’s NOT just about Me. Vs. 30-34, 38

Vs. 30-31 My eyes have seen the salvation which thou hast prepared for ALL people.

Vs. 34 Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph

38 Anna spoke to all who would listen that the Christ had come into the world.

What would have happened if Simeon would have noticed the baby in Mary’s arms and thought to himself, “That baby is the promised Messiah, I wonder if I should tell them??”

4. It’s about SALVATION for all people.

Remember when God intervenes, He wants to lift you from being “stuck” in earthly circumstances to being “lifted” through the peace and presence of the Holy Spirit.

May 2007 find you celebrating with Simeon the peace and joy of Christ’s intervention.

"How Do You Taste?"

2006-09-05T00:00:00-05:00

Have you ever considered how others view you?? Are you unique because you are a follower of Jesus Christ? This message challenges each of us to be salt and light.

“How do you Taste?” Communion Sunday Sept.3, 06

Preparation for Prayer: Psalm 32

Scripture Text: Matthew 5: 13-16

A 7 year old boy attended evangelistic services on Mon. night, Tues. night, Wed. night, Thurs. night, and again on Fri. night. He never responded to the evangelist’s invitation, --but on Friday night after the service was over, the boy ran out to the parking lot following the evangelist. He called out to the evangelist “Let me ask you something, You say I have to ask Jesus Christ into my life,”

The evangelist replied “that’s right son”

“I’m only 7 years old. The boy replied, “how big is Jesus?”

“Oh He’s a pretty good size because he’s a carpenter.” Replied the Evangelist.

“That’s what I thought. If I were to ask him into me, wouldn’t he stick out?”

The evangelist replied “Son, you’ve got the message. More and more, Jesus will stick out of you.”

I gotta ask you a question---.

How is your life different from the person living down the street who doesn’t have Jesus living in his or her heart?? Is there a noticeable difference?? Besides going to church, is there something that sets you apart form a non-believer?? It’s a question that you and I need to continually be asking ourselves---Does my life reflect and consist of something that makes others want what I have?? Does Jesus stick out of you????

Last week we learned that one of the primary doctrines of our church is that we are the people (or representatives) of Christ. As Christ’s representatives then, we need to be approachable. We are the redeemed people of God, and as such, you and I are to seek the “greater blessing.” Which is to bring blessing into other people’s lives.

It’s so important for you and I to be the kind of person that others feel comfortable approaching. I hope I made the point that as Christ lives in us, we are changed. According to Matt. 5 (sermon on the mount) our priorities change when Christ is living in us.

Today we are looking at another aspect of being a Christian. You and I need to taste good, or be appealing to other people. When your neighbor, a friend or a stranger, someone in a store sees you, --Do they see and hear something that makes them want whatever it is that you have?? Are your actions and attitudes different because Christ is living in your heart??

It is interesting that Jesus first tells us that we need to approachable, then He tells us that there needs to be something about us, that makes people want to approach us. Jesus is showing you and I how we can be an influence on our world.

When you think of salt, what do you think of?? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of salt???---I think of homemade Ice Cream. You use salt to melt the ice, which in turn flavors the ice cream.

Some people think of salt all by itself, and try to decide what they should have with thier salt. Salt reminds you of sweetness. Making food taste better.

When Jesus refers to you as salt, clearly he intends for you to make a difference in the world or at least in your little corner of the world. When Jesus calls you to be salt, He is calling you to make the earth a purer and a more palatable place. You and I use salt primarily as seasoning, but in Jesus’ day it had much greater value then that. It was useful for 7 different purposes.

1.In the Roman world, salt was used as a purifying agent. The Romans had a saying “there is nothing more useful than sun and salt” What did they mean by that??—At the time this scripture was written, the Roman People would take water from the Sea, set it in the sun, then the sun would cause the water to evaporate. The salt was then used as an antiseptic to cleanse wounds and prevent infection. Since salt came from the sea and the sun, it was considered a most favorable gift from the gods. Its glistening whiteness served as an easy reminder of purity.

By their lifestyle, followers of Jesus become a purifying agent in a world which,-- if left to its own designs, will continue its relentless downward spiral. Followers of Jesus are “pure in heart” and raise the standard that is commonly held in society. They are “the salt of the earth” which cleans wounds of society to keep them form becoming fatal. As salt,--you are God’s most favorable gift to the world!.

2. Salt was widely used as a preservative to extend the usefulness of meat, fish and other food products. Obviously they did not have refrigerators or freezers as the time this scripture was written. . Just as all foods are perishable and will decay if not preserved with salt, so, it’s up to you and me to preserve this world so God can continue to work out his perfect plan.

The person without Jesus in their life is heading in a different direction than someone who doesn’t know Jesus as Lord of their life. –The difference is two different destinations.

If your life is focused on your job, family, —earthly stuff, you have a different destination and it affects the way your interpret everything from the time you get up until the time you lay back down again.

When I get up in the morning, I’m living for Jesus, my perspective on life is unique because whatever this day brings, Jesus is in my heart!! My attitude about this day is different, because I know whatever this day brings, my Lord will be my guide. David said “He makes me as sure footed as a deer”---I have nothing to fear, because you are near me”

When you leave for your destination in the morning, it is incredible to know that at the end of the day, you will still be at peace. How can you remain peaceful and confident even on bad days??? It’s the salt factor, when you have Christ in your heart, you are preserved and cleansed from the impurities of the world. Just as you and I are preserved for God’s use, we have the opportunity to have a healthy, life-giving influence and slow the process of corruption. When Jesus emphasized “you” He was very plainly indicating that the followers of Jesus, and none other, are the salt of the earth. Citizenship in the kingdom of heaven positions the followers of Jesus to stand against the decay of society.

3. Salt as a flavoring agent---=-probably the one you relate to the most.

Salt makes food taste better. It makes bland food taste good. Similarly, following Jesus adds flavor to life. It is a tragedy that Christianity often seems to take the sparkle and zest out of life. Oliver Wendell Holmes once noted, “I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers” ---Do you know any preachers who remind you of undertakers??---Hopefully that’s not the case. Christianity should project the radiance of joy, the calmness of peace, the unending patience of gentleness, the open-faced open handed sincerity of love, the dependability of faithfulness and the graciousness of compassion and forgiveness. Such a life is not gray or colorless!!.

Do you know what I have noticed in my own life?? The more I surrender to Christ, the more I’m freed up to enjoy the rest of what God has for me. The things of this life can really bind me up, but when I release them to Christ, I am free to enjoy all the other things that God intended me to.

4. Salt was used as fertilizer.—Some scholars, by translating “the earth” to “soil” point out that salt was used as fertilizer. This meaning of the metaphor “salt” suggests the world will become more productive and abundant through the lives of Jesus’ followers. The gospel, then as Jesus declares later, will grow from very small beginnings to greatness (13: 31-35)

5. Salt was used in the OT times as a bonding agent in covenant agreements. (Exodus 30, 35) God instructed Moses to add salt to all your offerings (Leviticus 2:13) Salt, therefore, has significance in terms of the sacrifices offered to God. Followers of Jesus are part of the sacrifice, which brings delight to God. As Christians then, we are to bring the realities of heaven to earth. As salt we are to certify that Christ and heaven are real because they can be seen in us.

6.Salt melts ice (so we are to use salt to make homemade ice-cream, so everyone can enjoy it???) Salt melts ice on sidewalks----so we are to melt the hardness of other people towards Christ and the church. You and I are to save people from slipping, falling and getting hurt.(eternally hurt in Hell) We are to point them towards Jesus where they can find firm footing in their lives.

I’ve got a question for you---(Pastor has a 50 lb. Block of salt on stage) How many times would a sheep need to lick this block of salt in order to consume the whole thing?? --- How many times would it take a human being??--- My brothers and I used to go with dad to the local feed store, we would go to the warehouse where the salt blocks were stored and we would lick them. I think it was more the novelty of it then anything else, but there was an attraction to the salt. Have you ever wondered why Livestock producers feed salt to their livestock?? One reason is so they will drink more water, keeping them healthier. Did you know that it is a proven fact that born-again Christians are generally healthier than non-Christians??

Back to the point, when I place a block of salt like this in my sheep pen, and the sheep come home from the pasture, they will do one of two things, they either go to drink water or they go to the salt block because they are attracted to the salt. When Jesus tells us to be salt, he is saying we need to be the kind of person, others come to when they are in need physically or emotionally or spiritually.

7. Salt creates thirst. You and I are to live so others are thirsty for what we have. The idea is that as others see your life, they see something that makes them thirsty for the peace they see in your life. When someone sees you drinking a can of pop, What happens,---usually it makes them thirsty too!!. What if something in your life, made them want what you have—(open a can of pop) what if you made them thirsty for Jesus??.

Jesus declared that if salt looses its saltiness, it is useless. Did you know that the compound sodium chloride, which is salt, cannot lose it saltiness. However, it can become contaminated. When salt becomes contaminated with other substances it is no longer useful. If Christians are not distinguishable from nonbelievers, or loose their Christ-likeness, they have become free-agents to the world. They no longer understand the purpose they have been called to fulfill. Christ’s command to you and I is “Don’t get contaminated by worldliness.” We are to be set apart, living differently then the rest of the world. We are to have different priories as well as different behaviors.

8.. Light dispelling darkness and illuminating goodness

The second metaphor—“light” is a very important and a powerful concept in the Bible. God is light (1 John 1:5) and Jesus declared himself to be the light of the world (John 8:12;9:5;12:46) Earlier Matthew stated Jesus was the fulfillment of the OT promise in Isaiah 9:2; the people living in darkness have seen a great light. Jesus is the light of the world Isaiah 42:6 49:6) however, his role has been passed on to his followers (you and me) (Acts 13:47) Paul describes the Christian community as “children of light” (Eph. 5:8) God is light, Christ is light, Father and Son have designated you and me to be His lights to the world.

1 Light is a universal symbol for everything that stands against wickedness, darkness and ignorance. It is the property of light to be utterly distinct from darkness. (John 1:4-5) Where light is present, darkness must flee! .it stands for life, salvation and well-being.

Your witness as the “new” people of God is nothing more, and certainly nothing less, than doing good deeds in the name of Jesus. It is living the values of the kingdom of God in everyday life. As followers of Christ, we are salt and light when–

1.We refuse to rob our employers by being lazy on the job, or to rob their employees by succumbing to greed and stinginess.

B. We are the first to help another person in their time of need and the last to return a barbed reply.

C.We honestly desire the advancement of the others’ interest, and honestly dislike smutty humor.

D. We are transparent in our honesty and genuine in our concern for others.

Application

How can I increase another persons’ hunger for Jesus?? How can you make yourself taste good???

When I give my sheep fresh salt, they come running, just to get a lick, Jesus is saying to you and to me, that if we are his followers, people will crave what we have.

Jesus uses 2 metaphors to help us understand how we can both bring a blessing and be a blessing---Salt and light

1. My relationship with Christ must be PRIAMRY in my life.

What is the most important thing in your life?? Where is your time spent?? What is at the center of your hearts’ yearning??? Is it for God?? Is your desire for Christ so strong that you thirst for Him?? You see it can be hard to get someone else thirsty for Jesus if you aren’t.

What flows in us will naturally flow from us. You can force Christian “eze” but you can be assured others will see it as less than authentic.

Society tells us we need physical renewal, paying little attention to spiritual renewal. When Salt looses it’s saltiness, you must go back to the source to get more salt. You and I must constantly be “renewed” in our faith if we are to be effective witnesses.

We don’t renew ourselves though,we seek renewal through prayer praise and worship.

I cant’ make myself holy again, only God, the source can make me holy. One of the ways you can renew your holiness is thorough participating in the celebration of Holy Communion.

2. By BELIEVING I can make a difference.

If you get up in the morning and don’t believe you can make a difference in your little corner of the world, you’re in trouble at the get go. You must decide that “today”, as much as it depends on me, I will serve my Lord with all my heart.

There is a real danger for you and me when we begin to discount the difference we can make in the lives of those we come in contact with. It’s like getting up in the mourning with no incentive, HO HUM , It’s just another day!

Where if you get up in the morning thinking---today!! I can spread a little salt for Jesus—I can show others what’ really inside of me. That gives my day eternal meaning and purpose. Do you wanna spread a little salt?

3. By LIVING what I claim to believe.

Contrary to what a lot of us were taught, our Christianity is not to be kept a secret. We are not secret agents according to Matt. 5. Your spirituality should not be held in. Once you ask Christ into your heart, you begin the process of knowing the fullness of God. That fullness of God, transforms us into people who live the goodness of God in our everyday lives. Does Jesus stick out of you?? If our lives do not show the grace of being blessed by God, then we probably don’t possess them, To possess them is to live them.

Jesus is making an up or down statement. Either you are salt or your not!! Jesus is really saying in Vs. 13 if you aren’t being a witness, I don’t need you. Ouch! That hurts, yet that’s what he Jesus is saying.

4. By shining for JESUS

Jesus is saying in Vs. 14-16 if Christ is living in you, you can’t hold it in. Jesus is encouraging you to “let it out” I think a lot of the reason you and I don’t let our light shine as brightly as we should, is because we are just a little afraid that our light won’t be bright enough. What if I say the wrong thing, what will this person think of me??? Jesus dispels that myth in Vs. 16, He says, that you are to let your light shine WHY? So that others will SEE your good deeds, and do WHAT?? Praise your Father in heaven. When we spread salt, we create thirst.

Conclusion

Today we celebrate Holy Communion. First we remember our own unworthiness. We remember that Jesus gave His body and lifeblood to save us from our sin. Jesus died to pay the penalty for our failure to be salt and light. It’ not an excuse, but a relief to know that when Christ died for my sin, I’m given another chance to get it right.

Secondly, We take the physical elements praying to be renewed by the Holy Sprit, empowered to be salt and light once again.

Third, we celebrate the fact that Jesus is coming back for you and for me!! We have joy in our hearts as we remember Christ’s promise that He has indeed gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us. We can be salt and light because we know where we are going.

As we take the offering, I invite you to a time of personal reflection. Are you truly sorry for your sin??? Do you desire to be salt and light for Jesus?? If that is your heart’s cry, then you are ready and prepared to partake of this Holy remembrance. We celebrate the fact that Jesus is coming back for you and for me

Pastoral Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank-you for Your Word; given to us so we can know for sure what You expect of us. We pray that You would forgive us of our sin, and prepare our hearts for Holy Communion. Thank-you for the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, so we can live in joy as forgiven people. Bless us with the presence of the Holy Spirit, empower us to be salt and light this week, we pray this in the name of the Risen One, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Bulletin for July 16, 2006

2006-07-15T00:00:00-05:00

This bulletin will open a MS Word document. The sermon title for this week is "How Big is Your Mailbox?"

Bulletin for June 18, 2006

2006-06-17T00:00:00-05:00

Father's Day - the title of the message is "Every Man's Greatest Fear."

Sermon: Looking For Rewards

2006-05-04T00:00:00-05:00

Most companies are now offering rewards to their customers. Jesus Christ offers us eternal rewards...

LOOKING FOR REWARDS? Sermon No. 7 Revelation Series

The church at Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

Introduction

The city of Philadelphia was located 28 miles southeast of Sardis, the city we studied last week. Philadelphia was situated at a “corner” where three regions came together; three countries came together at this strategic location; Lycia, Lydia, and Phyrgia. (Fygia) . Philadelphia was founded by Attalus II whose brother was the king of Pergamum, The city was named Philadelphia because of the great love and loyalty the two brothers had for each other. The city was founded in an effort to spread Greek culture to the surrounding area.

The city of Philadelphia was established so that it would be a gateway for the spread of Hellenism. (Greek language and customs) It was the gateway to the central part of Asia Minor which led form the harbor of Smyrna to the northeastern part of Asia Minor. The city was situated in a strategic place on the main route of the Imperial Post It was called the gateway to the east. It was the connecting point to the rest of the region.

You might think of Philadelphia the same way that people from the surrounding area think of Minot. Once you get to Minot, you can get on Hwy. 83 and go south or north, you canget on Hwy. 52 and go southeast, or west, you can get on Hwy 2 and go northeast.

When Jesus spoke to the people at Philadelphia of a wide-open door, they would have immediately thought of the history of their city and the opportunity to influence thousands of people that were passing through the city. But the door Jesus was opening was for influence of a different kind. It was a strategic location for the spreading of the Gospel.

The city of Philadelphia still exists today, though only the remnants of the actual church remain. It is an area that lies close to a fault line so it has a lot of earthquakes; After one great earthquake, many people left and never returned.

The Philadelphia church –represents the period of church history from the 19^th century to the Rapture, often referred to as the revived church. This was/is the time in church history of the great missionary outreach of the church. Great revivals and awakenings. The Philadelphian Church will still be here when Christ comes back for His own. Though some Philadelphia churches will become Laodicea churches. (nest week’s study)

To this gateway city, Jesus writes a letter to a church that is known for what it accomplishes.The church of Philadelphia was certainly located in a place of tremendous opportunity. It has been given an open door by Jesus and they have been faithfully walking through it. They have kept the Word of God and have been faithfully holding the name of Christ high and proclaiming it to everyone. On top of that, they are a church that has little strength, --isn’t it interesting that Jesus commends them for their “little strength?? They were a small church that had little strength on their own; this forced them to rely on the strength they could get from Christ alone.

2 Cor. 12:9 Paul said that his power was make perfect in weakness. If the Lord is the one opening the door, then He will provide the strength to walk through it.

Our Lord alone opens the door, and if you have a little strength and its His, --your OK. It’s when you have big strength and its yours that your in trouble. When you are depending on your building, your budget, your staff, your creative ideas, and your outreach you may be unsuccessful; but if your dependence is in Christ and the open door He provides, you have the recipe for victory. The church at Philadelphia was not much if you looked at them from the outside, but they were mighty in the hands of God

We need to realize what God can do with our little strength. It is when we feel totally inadequate to carry out the ministry God has given us,---that we are in the right place. Big opportunity and little strength is God’s recipe for victory and a great future.

People who are faithful to do the very best that they can and have no other master than Jesus are the ones Jesus can really work through. .

This church was not without trouble, our text says that people who claimed to be Jews, this refers to Jews who claimed to believe in Jesus but really didn’t. These synagogues of Satan were attempting to cause trouble for this church. They must have been a very strong influence, because Jesus recognizes that they have what seems to be the upper hand on the church. Jesus says that even though the Christians in the church have little strength, they will one day see the false Jews bow at their feet

Jesus is telling you and I in this verse, that we don’t have to worry or feel bad about those who put us down because we are believers. Because the day will come when they will bow down at our feet and wish they would have believed our message.

How can you and I be sure that Jesus Christ will enable us to be victorious??—How do we know that He will reward us??

Because He is Holy, --He is God, he embodies the characteristics of God.

Think about Christ’s character,-- His word, His action and His purposes were set apart before time begin. The Holy one calls us, then opens the door for us..

1 Peter 1:15 Just as He who called you is holy, so you should be holy in every manner of life. If Christ can be holy, he has every right to ask us to be holy. He establishes the fact of his holiness at the beginning of this letter.

He that is True

Greek word –has to do with the genuine,--the original. He is the original, not a copy. He is the authentic God not a manufactured one. There were hundreds of false gods and goddesses in those days (1 Cor. 8:5-6) but only Jesus Christ could rightfully claim to be the true God. When the martyrs in heaven addressed Jesus, they called Him “holy and true. Because of his Holiness, He had to judge sin, and because He is true, He has to vindicate His people who have been wickedly slain for believing in Him. That’s what the tribulation is all about—the punishment of those who refused to live for Jesus while on the earth.

Not only is Jesus holy and true, but He has the authority to open and close doors.

In order to really understand the background of this imagery you need to look at Isaiah 22:15-25. Assyria had invaded Judah (just as Isaiah had warned), but the Jewish leaders were trusting Egypt, instead of God to deliver the nation.

One of the “bad” leaders named Shebna, used his office, NOT for the good of the people, but for his own private gain. God saw to it that Shebna was removed from office and the a faithful man named Eliakim, was put in his place and given the keys of authority.; Eliakim was a picture of Jesus, even though he was surrounded by wickedness, he was a dependable administrator of the affairs of God’s people Israel. Jesus has more than just the key of authority to the temple; He holds the keys to heaven and hell in His hand.

Rev. 1:18 He that hath the key of David and He that opens and no one can shut

Jesus says that he has been given the keys to heaven. Jesus Christ is the one who opens and closes the door into heaven. He is the one that gives us open doors to share His love each and every day.

What does the Bible mean when it talks about an open door?—

1 Cor. 16: 8-9 Paul refers to an “effective door” that was opened to him for ministry.

Great door, though there were many enemies.

2 Cor. 2: 12 Paul refers to an open door in Tro-as meaning an opportunity for ministry God set before him. Tremendous opportunity for me to do what God has called me to do..

Colossians 4:3 Paul requests prayer for a “door for the word” to open, referring again to a testimony to preach the Gospel.

Always in Scripture an “open door” is an opportunity for ministry God sets before us.

What does an open door from Jesus look like??

1)The most obvious open door is the door opened to unbelievers to enter into the family of God through Christ, who is the door.

2)When our Lord lines things up, giving you and I the opportunity to begin to talk about our faith. An open door is an opportunity to show another person the Love of Christ. Open doors may lead to bringing them through the door of eternal life. Jesus Christ is the One who opens the door, however, you see, he is counting on you and me to bring people to the door and to walk through it with them. Jesus is the doorkeeper, and He beckons us to bring people to the door He is holding open.

Examples of open doors

Mon.—Walking to work and someone asked me about coming to our church.

Tue.---Had the opportunity to visit with someone from our church about sermons. (opened dialogue)

Wed—I made a phone call and ended up spending over an hour visiting with someone about their faith.

Thurs. My barber (an unbeliever) started talking about the Bible and how everything happens for a reason.

Fri. I had a phone call that enabled me to show the love of Jesus to a family.

What open doors have you been given?? Have you been looking?? I’m not talking about going from house to house to see if people locked their house or not. Though Jesus did go from person to person to see if they were open to the Gospel or not

How do doors get opened??—

1. Through my FERVANT prayers. (intercessory )One of the pastors in town told me their congregation began praying together and they did that for 2 years, and now they are beginning to have doors opened to them.

Pray for God to open doors—(Thurs. April 26,06 daily bread) Luke 11:9 –10 Knock and the door will opened to you. To him who knocks, the door will be opened. Opportunities to share the Gospel. In Colossians, the apostle Paul recognized that Christ was the door opener.

2. Through my READINESS to identify them

The church at Philadelphia was walking through the open door of opportunity and Christ continued to hold it open for their ministry in the city. Even amidst the obstacles they had to face they continued in their readiness.

When you start believing that one person can make a difference, you are ready to receive an open door. When you are totally depending on Christ you are ready to receive an open door. We need to see Jesus holding the door open for us, beckoning us to walk through it. We can’t walk through open doors until we can see them. We need Christ to open our eyes to see. (You may need to pray to see the open doors that have already been placed in front of you.)

3. Through my WILLINGNESS to walk through them.

It’s not enough to say “you know, I recognized an open door the other day”. If we are thinking “open doors” we need to be prepared and willing to act when our Lord opens a door for us. People who lament the lack of open doors may do well to raise the question as to their capacity to use open doors. Christ promises open doors for those who will use them.

What were the obstacles they were facing?

1. Lack of strength Rev. 3:8

This was not a large or strong church, however it was a faithful one. They were true to God’s Word and unafraid to bear His name. Rev. 3:10 suggests to us that they had endured some special testing and had proved faithful. It is not size or strength of a church that determines its ministry, but faith in the call and command of our Lord.. “God’s commands ARE God’s enablements.” If Jesus Christ gave them an open door, then He would see to it that they were able to walk though it!

2. Opposition of the Jews in the city Rev.3:9

This was really the opposition of Satan, (the apostle Paul said in Eph. 6:12) we do not battle against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities. These people may have been Jews in the flesh, but they were not “true Israelites” according to the New Testament. They did not believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior, so their failure to believe in Christ made them all the more open to the deception of Satan. We know from our study of the Bible that satan often uses religious people as part of his arsenal in an attempt to hold back the kingdom of God.

The apostle Paul, perhaps the most prolific missionary that ever lived, said in 1 Cor. 16:9 that there are obstacles, but faith sees the opportunities! And since the Lord holds that key, He is in control of the outcome! So what do we have to fear?—Nobody can close the doors as long as Jesus keeps them open. Fear, unbelief, and delay have caused people to miss many REWARDS God is waiting to give them.

.Open doors need to be seen and walked through.

The Church at Philadelphia saw the door of opportunity and Christ promised to honor them as they patiently endured trails. Wouldn’t it be great to be known as the Church of open door? Do you believe in the open door God is giving this church? Do we recognize the door this church is given?

God wants to give us big opportunities so we will be challenged to depend on Him, recognizing our little strength, and realize that Christ is the one who must empower us to walk through the open door. Strength comes through prayer----Prayer is the basis of our strength.

What keeps doors open?

Christ is the one who opens so no one can shut. He is the one who shuts so that no one can open. So how can doors be kept open? Is there something that can be done so Christ keeps His foot in the door?

1. God’s GRACE and mercy for people.

God opens doors because He gave his only Son to die for us. There is nothing God wants more than to open the door of salvation to you! His grace and mercy opens the door so that you may know him in a personal intimate way. Jesus has the key to open the door, however, He has chosen you and me to bring others to the door He is holding open.

God also knows that we need open doors to experience Him in a real way here on earth. He doesn’t want us to be dormant, instead He wants men, women, and children to learn just how much He desires to work though us; He does that by giving us open doors of ministry to others.

2. My ESTABLISHED trust.

The church at Philadelphia had earned our Lord’s trust. Jesus said He knew their deeds, and he would keep the door open to them because of it. Not only that, Jesus said that He would keep it open because they were patient in their faithful witness. They were laboring long in that open door. They proved that they could be trusted with more and more open doors and larger opportunities.

When we think of an open door what do you think of?? The door on the parsonage has a double cylinder on it. (top and bottom) That door is in such a hurry to get shut; you barely have time to get yourself through it. So you may think that when the Jesus opens the door you have to hurry up while it is open. We find in our text today that Jesus will hold the door open as long as we continue to minister through the door He has given us.

3. My VISON to experience God at work

Last Sunday I placed before you a vision of having ____ Jr. Sunday school children by Christmas. What were your thoughts when you heard that??---Maybe you thought –Oh that would be great---BUT! Do you know our butts aren’t any good at opening doors??. If we want Jesus to keep the door of opportunity open to us, we need to go forward in faith, expecting God to open doors, using our butts only to cushion us because we may fall a time or two before we experience bringing another person through the door with us. Friday I anticipated an open door, I planned on inviting someone to church, but our conversation suddenly ended before I had the opportunity to invite. Recognizing that Christ opens doors and closes them, released me from dismay, realizing that Christ opens and closes doors.

The latest thing in advertising and promotion is rewards; You are supposed to use a certain credit card because they will give you points or money back. Even Christian radio offers rewards for listening to their programs. The rewards offered to us by various companies and their promotions may seem good to us, but oh how limited and temporary they are! The rewards program Christ offers in Revelation go way beyond anything anyone else can offer us, in fact, they are out of this world!.

Rewards of the open door: Christ will…

1. FILL me with love for others.

Are you feeling loved today??---Jesus loves YOU, there is no doubt about it. Christ’s love for those who are faithful to him is emphasized over and over in the Bible. Here in Rev. 3 Jesus wants everyone to know just how much He really does love you. How much does Jesus love you?? He love you enough that He wants to give you and open door. Have you ever stopped to count the ways? Have you discovered a way in which Christ loves you, something you can share with someone else? Jesus loves you, and He wants others to be able to see it and know about it.

Rev. 3:9 Jesus dissolves the tension between ourselves and others. Non-believers are not the enemy. We need to get past that kind of thinking, When you begin to pray for and walk through the open door Jesus gives you, something changes within you, and you will begin to see others differently.

We experience the love of Christ anew when we begin to pray for others, encounter open doors, and then began walking through them.

When your concern for others takes you beyond yourself.

2. KEEP me form the hour of trial

In case praying for an open door scares you, Jesus promises the church at Philadelphia that He will preserve them. You no longer need to fear the storm that may come as a result of your prayers. You pray not out of fear, but out of strength and authority.

Verbally declaring Christ’s right to open the door you need to go through.

Revelation 3:10 Jesus says that since you have been patiently waiting for me, I will save you from the hour of temptation that will try them that dwell upon the earth. It is a promise that has more to do with our immediate situation. Jesus will keep those who walk through open doors from the tribulation—it’s called the rapture of the church. We will study this at a future date, but certainly if Jesus will keep you and I from the horrors of the tribulation, He will also preserve through any trials associated with bringing people though the open door He provides.

3. Honor me FOREVER. Honor and Respect of others Vs. 8- 9

Vs 8---Trouble making Jews no longer tolerating them, Christ will humiliate the enemies of the church. People will look to the church for direction and guidance. Vs.9 tells us that unbelievers will bow at our feet, Wouldn’t it be so much better to have brought them through the door of salvation and be standing with us rather than bowing to us??

I will make them fall down at your feet; .Have you ever had someone come to you seeking advice because they know you can be trusted?? Perhaps you have had someone come to you because they have observed you and know that you have something they don’t. Sometimes non-Christians want to rub shoulders with Christians hoping some of God’s blessings will be transferred to them.

Vs. 12 I will make him a Pillar in the temple

All that remained in Philadelphia after a major earthquake were the pillars of a huge temple. Pillars in God’s new temple will last forever. Christ is building His new kingdom on us and our response to the open door.

You may feel like the things you are doing for the kingdom of God are minor. You may have the false idea that you are not important to this church or to the kingdom of Christ. If that’s what your thinking about yourself, I’m here to tell you your wrong as you can be. Christ values each of his own, like a shepherd cares for his sheep. Jesus cares for you and he promises that if you are faithful to the end, you won’t be just a picture on the wall, or some insignificant part of the church in heaven, you will be a pillar. Your faithfulness to the open doors down here, prepares you for “pillarhood” up there.

4. Give me a VIBRANT testimony.

The greatest reward you and I could ever receive is to be rewarded with an opportunity to share our faith with someone, and then have the joy of being there when they ask Christ into their heart.

A New Name Vs. 12

Have you ever wondered what your name will be in heaven? Jesus says He is going to give you and I a new name. Jesus is going to give us a new name because our old one won’t be good enough for his precious saints when they get to heaven.

Conclusion

Lot of churches are given open doors like the Philadelphia church-- Sardis had an open door and because they wouldn’t walk through it the church died.

Its not enough to believe the Word of God, it’s not enough to believe the truth, it not enough to have doctrine so that you know what you believe and why. If the opportunity is there and your not ready to accept that opportunity you will eventfully die.

The open door is the key to developing the church that Jesus rewards. When God gives us the opportunity, we must as a church take that opportunity, relying on Christ’ strength to empower us and enable us to be victorious.

Get out of the Boat- Jesus told Peter to join Him on the water. Getting out of the boat is difficult enough, what Jesus is asking us to do is to stay out on the water and follow Him. People are doing more than just dieing, they are dieing only to wake up to a burning body cast into darkness filled with deeper pain and loneliness than anyone can imagine. It’s up to us to us, to 1) pray for them, (open door) 2) expect and watch for an open door—(how often? Everyday!) 3) Walk through the door—You have to cross the Jordan to get to the promised land—Jesus says it like this--be found faithful to the end and I will give you not just any name, but a new name—the name of Christ himself. and the crown of life.

The Cookie Jar Syndrome

2007-12-03T00:00:00-05:00

What is keeping you from experiencing joy this season? Could it be that your joy is being hindered by feelings of guilt? Feelings of guilt are God's gift to you to help you to realize that you are missing God's best for you.

The Cookie Jar Syndrome

Have you ever gotten caught with your fingers in the cookie jar? Moms,
spouses and grandmothers can be quite protective of their baked goods
especially if they are for a special event like a Christmas gathering.
What is it about the cookies in a jar, or Christmas candy on the counter
that is so irresistible?

We think they will bring satisfaction, and they may—for a time. It is so
difficult to leave the cookie jar alone once you have tasted the
contents. The root cause of the cookie jar syndrome is that by nature
you and I seek self-gratification – which is the root of all sin: the
desire to fulfill our own longing, regardless of any affect on others,
myself or my relationship with God. In Genesis chapter 3, Satan tried to
make Eve think that sin is good, pleasant and desirable. She _looked._
Knowledge of good and evil seemed harmless to her – and appealing. The
battle is often lost at this point. Like Eve, you and I often choose
wrong things because we have been convinced that those things are good.
You may struggle with temptation because you have not learned that
_looking_ is the first step toward succumbing to it. See 2 Timothy 2:22
and I Corinthians 10:13.

After Adam and Eve sinned, they felt guilty and embarrassed over their
nakedness. (What ever happened to that?) Their guilt caused them to
attempt to hide from God. A guilty conscience is a warning signal God
placed inside you that goes off when you’ve done wrong—a call to
repentance. The worst step you can take is to eliminate the guilty
feelings without eliminating the reason you are having them. That would
be like eating all the cookies in the jar, getting a stomach ache, then
taking an antacid just so you can feel better about eating them. I can
guarantee you will be back at the cookie jar again.

All sin is against God and therefore all sin leads to death. (Romans
6:23) However the Bible teaches us that there are some sins that are
more addictive in nature than others. Psychology confirms this. Sins of
immorality, pornography, lust, alcoholism, etc. are more addictive in
nature because they rob a person of self-worth. (All other sins are
outside the body--1 Corinthians 6:18) If you have little self-worth you
will descend deeper into your inner longing for approval.

The interesting thing is that although you and I know that one more
cookie is the last thing we need, (have you stepped on a scale lately?)
once we have one cookie, it becomes harder to resist one more, and then
another. Sin is like that. Sin is always progressive if left
unconfronted and unconfessed. Sadly, pornography, which is considered
the most addictive sin, is growing rampantly in our society. Once porn
establishes a foothold, it craves more intensity to get the same result.
Every day countless lives are being destroyed through rape, incest, and
murder, and it often starts with a _look_.

In their book, /The Sacred Romance/, Brent Curtis and John Eldredge
point out that humans are designed for intimacy with God. Sometimes we
allow the world to drown out God's voice, but our need for communion
with Him never goes away. Instead of seeking fulfillment in Christ, the
addict tries to fill the emptiness with other things: pornography, an
affair, or a fantasy life. That's why addiction expert Gerald May calls
addiction "the most powerful psychic enemy of humanity's desire for
God." And nothing can free the captives of addiction except God.

You can tell yourself “No more cookies!” However your resistance wears
down and you find yourself wondering, “Does anyone know how many cookies
there actually were in the cookie jar, and since I’ve already broken the
rule, what difference will one more make?” Sin causes you to rationalize
your own behavior. Before you realize it, you are justifying that
additional cookie. Unconfesed sin leads to more sin, while admitting
guilt (repentance) acknowledges hate for sin and love for God.

The Bible is clear that sin is disobedience to God’s rules, which are
there to protect us. The problem is that I have a tendency to like
cookies more than I like rules. If I am to keep my fingers out of the
cookie jar, I need a bigger motive than simply telling myself I’m
breaking the rules.

I remember a time when my brothers and I did something that required
discipline. As my mom explained the reason for the discipline and
prepared to administer it, *I saw tears forming in her eyes.* The
correction she was about to administer was more painful to her than it
was to us. We felt the physical pain briefly, while mom saw our
disobedience as lack of love for her. Her love for us did not change
because we were disobedient; her prayer was that we would love her
enough to know the rules were for our own benefit.

God loves you in spite of your sin. It’s the sin God hates because it
draws you further and further from Him. The most amazing thing is no
matter how far from him you have drifted, He will accept you when you
turn from your sin and look to Him. There is incredible hope for those
who will honestly bring their sin to Jesus. He loves you so much that He
gave his life for your sin. You may not be able to keep your hand out of
the cookie jar even though you know it is wrong, but once you see the
tears of love on your mother’s face, obedience isn’t nearly the burden
it used to be. When you accept Christ’s love, it is a far greater
motivator than anything else the world has to offer. (Galatians 5:16-26)

We all have a heart problem. Mark 7:20-23 tells us that the heart needs
to be changed, and seeking Biblical guidance for your life enables you
to build your life upon faith, hope and love, which will last for
eternity. May you have a Christ-filled Christmas regardless of the
status of your cookie jar.

Reacting to the Resurection

2007-04-03T00:00:00-05:00

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be so close to God?? You the know the kind of people I'm referring to...they seem to have it all together. Does the Bible give us a clue on how to feel more fulfilled in our lives? This sermon was written to encourage each of us on our journey through life.

Reacting to the Resurection

Luke 24:28-49

Preparation for Prayer Psalm 143:5-10

Easter is over, the Easter eggs are eaten, the baskets put away. Relatives that came to visit have all gone back to their homes. You might say everything is back to “normal.” But what’s normal?? Maybe you have wondered what normal really is?…As much as we are slow to admit it, we like normal, however we define it. If you had company over the weekend, you probably had extra cleaning to do this week, Have you ever asked yourself the question “where do I go from here??” Does Easter spark a certain desire or need in your life?? Perhaps Easter is one of those holidays that come and go each year, leaving nothing significant in its path. I want us to ask ourselves—what is my reaction to the resurrection?

For the 12 disciples, as well as other followers of Jesus, Easter marked a significant event. Seeing Jesus suffer and die on the cross was a tragic experience for them. What were they to do now that Jesus was dead? Would they be the next ones on the cross?? The next ones to die? Obviously the disciples had reason to hide behind closed doors. Especially since one of their own had betrayed their master; who could they possibly trust anymore?? Jesus' death brought not only a sense of grief, but Jesus’ death also brought their hopes for the future to a screeching halt! Imagine the disciples, leaving all they had,-- to follow Jesus, and for what?? To watch him suffer and die on a cross? For three years the disciples had walked with Jesus, preached with Jesus, healed with Jesus, and now…everything familiar suddenly had a question mark behind it. What should they do?? Hiding seemed like the most reasonable and urgent thing to do—at least until things settled down a little bit.

The disciples heard the report that Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene and to other women, at least that’s what they said…but was it really true?? What were they to make of the story that a man they had seen die, was now alive?? Was there any proof? Certainly the disciples wanted to believe Jesus had risen, and no doubt they were comparing the stories of his appearing. The disciples were most likely comparing the reports from Mary Magdalene, the other women and Peter.

It must have seemed best for the disciples to wait in solitude for Jesus to reappear. After all, if Jesus were alive, certainly He would come and tell them. But the waiting for Jesus must have seemed endless? What do you suppose the disciples talked about while they were in a locked room together? If you remember one of the last things they did while they were with Jesus on the night they celebrated the Passover, was argue over who was the best, and who would be the ones to sit next to Christ in his kingdom. Now that Jesus was dead—or so they thought, all their arguments must have seemed pretty pointless. The disciples were probably thinking just like other people were, that Jesus had come to set up a thrown on earth. Now their "earthly" expectations for Jesus were silenced by His death.

I’m quite sure the disciples were not arguing about the succession in which Jesus had appeared. They were just anxious to see Him for themselves. After all, seeing is believing!

I find it interesting that the 11 disciples were not the first ones Jesus appeared to after His resurrection; Have you ever wondered about the succession of the people Jesus appeared to?? He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, a women who had gone through a dramatic conversion,--you see Mary had been possessed by seven demons prior to coming to Christ. (Luke 8) Mary had been lost in the agony of her own soul.--- Satan had taken up residence in her soul and body, and she was unable to resist his powerful influence. Unable to resist-- that is,--until she met Jesus, the Bible does not specifically record Mary’s conversion experience, but it must have been dramatic! At least we know that Mary Magdalene’s response was dramatic. Mary was one of the few people that followed Jesus to the cross. She was with Jesus, standing beneath the cross as Jesus suffered. The Bible does not tell us when Mary left the foot of the cross, perhaps she didn’t leave until they took Christ’s lifeless body down off the cross. We do know that Mary was fully devoted to the one that had changed her life.

Why did Jesus choose to appear to Mary first?? Perhaps it was because Mary was in the deepest grief over his death. John 20:11-17 tells us that Mary was crying, that she wept, the Greek word means wailing—a loud expression of grief. Mary had lost something special, someone who had changed her life. Jesus had taken her from a life of despair to a life filled with hope. Perhaps Jesus appeared to Mary first because she needed comfort the soonest. Or was it because Mary was the one person, who Jesus knew would not keep silent when she learned he was alive? Maybe Jesus appeared to Mary because she was looking the hardest for his return. Mary was probably the first to see Jesus after his resurection, but it wasn't long before others saw Him as well.

Matt. 28 records the moment when Jesus met some other women that were mourninig His death. The women had gone to the tomb to mourn and pour perfume on his body. I can imagine these dear ladies sobbing and weeping as they walk to the tomb; their minds are on thier own grief and despair, then they come to the tomb where they fully expected to find Jesus' dead body, however, when they arrive, the tomb is empty! Imagine their confusion, when the tomb is empty, and an angel appears! The angel tells them of all things-that Jesus was resurected. It was with fear and wonder that they leave the tomb, only to meet Jesus face to face!! What joy there is when Jesus draws near!! Jesus comforts the women with His words of peace, then encourages the women to go and tell his disciples to meet Him at the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus met with Peter too, why was Peter on the top of Christ’s list of “must see” people?? Perhaps it was because Peter needed to be restored after his denial of Jesus. Peter must have felt terrible about his denial. Now with Jesus dead, he would have to live with that denial for the rest of his life. What an awful thing to deal with-- Knowing the last thing you did for someone before they died was to deny that you knew them. Peter must have been in a deep valley of despair. After all, Peter had made this terrific confession of Christ, and Jesus had told him that He would build his church on Peter’s testimony and leadership. Peter must have laid awake at night, thinking, “Some leader of the church I turned out to be?” Peter, no doubt struggled with his own sense of purpose. He longed to roll back the tape, and die with Christ. And then Jesus appeared!,--- what a sense of relief that must have come over Peter! To deny Jesus, see him horribly crucified, then finding your own inability to prevail against temptation. Then suddenly! to meet Jesus again, to see him alive!! Peter must have been bouncing off the walls with excitement after seeing Jesus alive once again!

The Emmaus disciples (followers of Christ, not members of the 12)

The two men on their way to Emmaus were pre-occupied with the impossibility of the resurrection. There sadness related to Christ’s resurrection, was obvious. They were trying to make sense out of what had just happened. Even the testimony of the women who had seen Jesus did not convince them that Christ was alive. But when Jesus broke bread for the meal, their eyes were opened and they suddenly knew Jesus had been with them, and that He had in fact risen from the grave. What was their reaction?

They ran 7 miles most likely in the dark, to tell the 11 disciples that Jesus was Risen.

Can you sense the excitement that is building as the disciples hear each report of Christ’s appearing after the resurrection?? Mary, the other women, Peter, and now Cleopas and his companion….We don’t know at what interval these reports came, but we do know they all came within a day’s time. Can you imagine the disciples beginning to sense that Jesus was near because of the testimony of those who had seen him??

And then!! SUDDENLY! Jesus came and stood among them!! While they were talking about his appearances, suddenly there he is! The Bile tells us the disciples were terrified, they didn’t know what to think?? The doors were locked, suddenly there is Jesus standing right in front of them?? Was he a ghost?? How could he come through a locked door??

At first the disciples didn’t believe it was really Jesus…The Bible says it was a combination of joy and amazement that kept them from believing. It would be like the best thing you could possibly think of happening to you, and suddenly it seems too good to be true!! To see a dead man walk suddenly in front of you is cause for excitement and wonderment!

Jesus recognizes their fear; He doesn’t scold them for being afraid. He doesn’t give them a sermon about fear, but he says “Peace be with you.” (Jesus was saying I bring you inner peace) Not only does Jesus bring them peace, He gives them a reason to be peaceful.. Jesus asks them for something to eat—to prove that he is real. (Jesus is saying I will bring you outer peace, so you will be able to recognize the inward peace I bring) We have talked about Christ’s humanity and his Deity, here we see both, as God, Christ passes through unopened doors. Now as Jesus, as a human being, He eats some food to bring his disciples inner peace and proof.

Vs. 44 Then Jesus reassures them by comparing what has happened to him,-- with the prophecies about himself. Jesus brings reassurance to the disciples by helping them to see that everything that has happened to Him was a fulfillment of prophecy. Then Jesus opens the scripture to them, so they can be better witnesses of what they have seen.

Today we have Reality TV shows that are often the top rated shows. Shows like “Survivor” “the Apprentice” and “The Contender” all have one thing in common. Going through the impossible to accomplish the improbable. Have you ever wondered why we as Americans are so obsessed with watching an unrealistic TV show and believing it?? Then, hearing someone like Peter or Mary tell about seeing Jesus and being skeptical??

We can learn some very important lessons from those who saw Jesus the day He was raised from the dead. What can we learn from the Reactions to the Resurrection in the Bible??

1. Jesus meets with those who are the most PASSIONITE ( about meeting with Him.)

Christ wants to make himself real to you; He wants you to celebrate Easter everyday!! But is that something you long for, you are seeking after??

Mary wept for Jesus, longing to be with him once more. Longing to hear Him teaching and comforting her with His Words.

Peter, no doubt, longed to meet with Jesus again; if nothing else, to set the record stratight, to tell Jesus he was sorry for disowning Him.

The two on the Emmaus road were not looking for Jesus, yet they were trying to understand everything that had happened; they were trying to make sense of it all.

Their hearts burned as Jesus begin to reveal the scriptures to them. Heartburn is a bad thing, I don't know of anyone who appreciates heart burn, but a burning heart, is significantly differnt, a hunger to understand God’s Word in the Bible will always always be rewarded. That's the best kind of heart-burn How passionate are you about meeting Jesus?

2. Jesus will go out of His way to meet with ME.

Jesus met Mary in the garden, no doubt Jesus was waiting for Mary to be alone, so He could comfort her and help her to realize that her hope in Him was not in vain. Jesus cared about Mary’s grief and addressed her personally, calling her by name. Jesus wants to meet with you personally, to help you with the pain and grief you may be dealing with right now. He want to comfort you similar to the way He met with Mary.

Jesus walked along the road to Emmaus with the two men even though it appears he was not intending to go that way. Jesus was patient with the two men, yet He held them accountable for their failure to know and understand the Bible.

Jesus will go out of his way to meet with you, if you want to meet with Him.

3. Jesus reveals himself to me when I SLOW down. (long enough for us acknowledge it is actually Him that is with us.)

Do you suppose Mary had something better to do, then to get up early in the morning, go to an enclosed grave site? Maybe it was Mary’s day off, maybe she didn’t have to go in to work until noon. Maybe Mary just wanted to pay her last respects….The point is that Mary took the time to go to Jesus' tomb.

At first Mary assumed Jesus was the gardener. She was quick to ask where Jesus’ body was laid. But when she recognized Christ’s voice, everything else was put on hold. She ran to tell the disciples that she had seen the risen Christ. Mary Magdalene was looking for Jesus Peter was looking, he had run to the tomb to see if it was true that Jesus was risen.

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were too preoccupied with the events of the last days, too preoccupied with what-- might have been. You might say they didn’t see the forest, when the Tree was standing right in front of them. Have you ever wondered if there have been times when Jesus met with you, but you were too busy, too much in a hurry to notice? You already had your destination marked out, and until you got where you wanted to be, everything (including Jesus) will have to wait? The Bible does tell us that they were kept from recognizing Jesus at first, most likely because they needed to get their heart and minds prepared before they were ready for such a revelation. Importance of Meditation.

I find it interesting that Jesus met first with the people that acknowledged their need for Him the most. Jesus wasn’t so concerned about who they were, as much as where their heart was at. Two of the women he appeared to are practically unknown in the Bible outside of the first resurrection appearance. But Jesus came to “unknowns” first, then He appeared to His disciples.

4. Jesus reveals himself to me in the (common) EVERYDAY things. (But we need to have the presence of mind to be looking for him.)

When Jesus first appeared to Mary, she thought He was the Gardner.

When Jesus first appeared to the Emmaus disciples, they saw him as a stranger, then they saw him as a great teacher, finally they recognized him in the breaking of the bread. .

When Jesus first appeared to the 11 disciples, they thought he was a spirit or a ghost. Jesus revealed who He was through showing them his physical body, and by eating and drinking. How or where, might Jesus show Himself to you today?? Will you experience Him in the everyday things of life?

5. Be PREPARED for unbelief

We must first resolve the problem of doubt in our own lives.

The men on the road to Emmaus did not believe the women. They didn’t even believe the testimonies of Peter and John.

The disciples didn’t really know whether they should believe Mary and the other women or not. Were the women dreaming when they “thought” they saw Jesus?

When Jesus draws near to you through the power of the Holy Spirit, be careful not rationalize the experience away. It just may be Jesus drawing near to bring you comfort and strengthen you.

Realize that when the supernatural touches the natural, there is always a sense of awe, even fear.

6. Christ’s Revelation requires a REACTION!. Jesus wants me to be prepared to carry out His purposes.

Mary’s response to Christ’s resurrection was immediate. She went to tell the disciples “I have seen the Lord!. Have you ever met with Jesus and just had to tell someone about it?

When we recognize that Jesus is at work in our lives, it should excite us that we are in God’s plan. When we recognize Christ’s presence especially near to us, the experience should cause us to look for opportunities he is giving us. This afternoon, I may meet Jesus!! This afternoon I may have the opportunity to sense his presence especially near, closer than at other times. Maybe this afternoon, (if I’m paying attention) I will have the opportunity to be kind to someone who needs a smile, or who needs help with something. What about tomorrow, will I be too busy to notice Jesus as he walks with me?? Will I be too busy to lend someone a hand, to be the Jesus they see??

Jesus wants to meet with us, he wants to prepare us, and He loves to see us motivated by His love, His grace, and His compassion for others. Jesus wants to do a great work in your life What’s your reaction to the resurrection?

You see Easter comes to us when the resurrection becomes real. When Christ becomes more than a gardener, more than a stranger on the road, more than someone in someone else’s experience, Easter is real when Christ Jesus begins to create a hunger for the Word, a hunger to hear him, and a hunger to complete the mission he has for us.

You see when Joy comes to us and we don’t act on it,; Joy can quickly diminish into another passing glow. Joy grows dim, when there is no response, but when we translate our joy into action, by reading, studying, praying, by telling others of our experiences and EXPECTING, suddenly Jesus appears!! And He comes to us time and again, because He appears most often to those who long for his presence.

How are you reacting to Easter? You don’t have to wait until next year to meet our risen Savior! Maybe today …

If this message has spoken to your heart, we at Bible Fellowship Church invite you to hear more inspiring messages from the Bible, join us this Sunday at 10:45 AM.