Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church

Romans 12:1-2  Guides to Greater Living

Intro:  Everyone wants to have a great life.  How many of us start out well but thinks just never seem to work out.  Some people never seem to get things right in life.  But I want you to know that there is a way to be at peace with yourself and with your God and with your life.  I don’t care how many mess-ups you have had or how many mistakes you have made or how much regret you have.  You can still have a great life.  It’s not how you start in a race it’s how you finish. 1:00

1. It Makes Sense To Follow Jesus

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice…. So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice.

God has been merciful to us therefore we should be loyal to Him above all others and all things.  Our problem today is that we are not thankful.  We are not appreciative.  We are not loyal.  We are only out for ourselves and how we can have OUR “best life now.”  Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Don’t make your body YOUR temple.  It is God’s temple.  1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Romans 12:1….holy, acceptable unto God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. Holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God.  Our lives should be lived to please God.  Holy means to be set apart to God’s purposes and glory.  We are to glorify Him with our lives.  1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.   Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. It is Christ that makes us acceptable to God.  We are thankful that Christ who is always accepted of God, accepted us because of Christ.  But we have to make sure that our lives and our works…. the things we do… are acceptable to God.  Accept Christ and Christ accepts us.  Him that cometh to me I will not cast out.  John 6:37

Romans 12:1…..which is your reasonable service. This is the true worship that you should offer. which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.  It makes sense to follow Christ.  It makes sense to trust in someone who cannot die, who rose again and offers you eternal life.  If we admit and believe that we all live forever beyond this life (And most people do) then it would make sense that we would find out the truth about life beyond the grave.  So the Bible gives us the story of mankind sinned against it’s creator.  God offers sinner justice.  The soul that sinneth it shall die.    All sinners must pay our sin debt to God.  Well… God loves us. So He fulfilled justice by allowing Jesus  to pay our sin debt to God.  To atone for our sin.  By HIS DEATH!  Jesus died for us!  (our substitute) Substitutionary Atonement!   So it makes sense to follow Jesus.  Christianity is not another religion.  It’s not even the best religion.  It is the only way!  It is a RELATIONSHIP with a LIVING savior!!! Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  10:00

1. It Makes Sense To Follow Jesus  2. We Cannot Love The World More Than Jesus

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs]  We are not to take our marching orders from the world.  We march to a different drum.  The Lord Jesus Christ and His glory and purposes.  1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.  1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

We are the LIGHT of this world.  Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  WE cannot be hidden unless we hide in fear.   We cannot be silenced unless we silence ourselves.  We cannot lose unless we don’t try to win others to Christ.  17:00

1. It Makes Sense To Follow Jesus  2. We Cannot Love The World More Than Jesus 

3. We Must Transform Our minds to Think Like Jesus

Romans 12:2…..but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude.

Transformed.  Made anew.  Changed.  Born again.  These are all Biblical Terms that describe what happens and what MUST happen to all of us after we are saved.  We cannot clean up a pig and expect it to stay out of the mud.  We must make the pig into something else that doesn’t like mud.  That’s what happened to us when we came to Christ.  We became new creatures that no longer enjoyed nor wanted to sin again.  But we will until we get rid of this mortal, sinful flesh.  That is the first step to transforming your self and thinking right is to be saved and made new. 

We don’t think right as sinful people.  Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.  Reprobate means corrupted, base or condemned mind that thinks of loathsome things, indecent and not proper things.   We don’t naturally follow God.  We follow the god of self and doing what we think is right.  Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.    Carnal, sinful minds can carry us into bad thinking.  Bad thinking leads to bad actions.  And bad actions leads to sins that entrap you. 

How many times have you said…”why did I do that?”  The reason is that you let a bad Idea lead to a bad action.  We must transform our minds.  How do we do that as believers?  We need to really know Him.  Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…….  We have the power to transform ourselves the more we know Jesus and walk with Him.  How do we change our thoughts?  by thinking His thoughts.  How do we do that?  Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  If we want to know God’s ways which are not our ways we have to know God more and more.   Think about Him more.  Read His word, set aside each day a dedicated time in prayer. 

We also need to know that God does think.  And when He thinks its about us.  We need to know that we are important to God.  God thinks about us.  Psalm 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  God doesn’t think like we do.  His thoughts are way beyond just mere thinking.  God thinks and it happens.  We should think like this…Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Romans 12:2…….that ye may prove what is that good, what is good. So that you may prove [for yourselves.  So that you will know what is good.  What is the good in God’s sight.  God is the only one who is good then we are on the way to living in a way to please Him. Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Romans 12:2….and acceptable, and is pleasing to him and acceptable in God’s sight the only one who is good.  Ephesians 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  Well pleasing to the Lord.  When was the last time we really worried about pleasing the Lord?  We should always be about His business and bringing glory to His name with our lives and words and actions.  I don’t mean you have to preach to everybody but you should be a pleasant person.  A person that people like being around.   

Romans 12:2…..and perfect, and is perfect, complete, mature in God’s sight.  Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.  growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity.  Growing in the Lord.  We should not be standing still but continually seeking to grow in our knowledge of the Lord.  Not just head knowledge but heart knowledge.  Knowing Him more intimately and personally. 

Romans 12:2…….will of God. Then you will be able to know the will of God which is for our good and God’s glory! 1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  Only those who know God can do His will.  If you don’t know Him you are only doing what seems right to you.  And that way ends up very badly and disastrous.  Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  27:00

1. It Makes Sense To Follow Jesus  2. We Cannot Love The World More Than Jesus 

3. We Must Transform to Think Like Jesus

 A man can get the best of everything life has to offer and still be unsatisfied.  There is a song we sing “I am satisfied with Jesus.”  You will NEVER be satisfied with life without Jesus!  With Him is complete satisfaction knowing that you are doing the right thing, following the right way, following Jesus the only way.  Guides to greater living if you have noticed starts with Jesus and ends with Jesus with never ending life.  Trust in Him today if you do not have that satisfaction, that joy, that peace.  28:04

1/3/2020 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3  Shaken

Intro:   To quote Jerry Lee Lewis there is a whole lot of Shakin going on.  Earthquakes are everywhere and occurring in record numbers every day.  But people are being shaken by the lockdowns, the mask wearing the fear of death from Covid or the fear of life never going to be the same.  People are down, depressed, discouraged and in despair.  But listen we have Jesus we cannot be shaken.

1. We Are Going to Be Gathered

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I beg you, my friends, Now in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Mentioned in his first letter to the Thessalonians church about the catching away of the dead in Christ and followed by the church.  They were concerned that they had missed the coming of the Lord.  Paul is reassuring them that they have not missed the return of the Lord. 

Jesus is coming as He said and the Angel at His ascension even said point blank in Acts 1:11   Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.  That’s the return to the earth to the mount of Olives.  He is coming in two phases first FOR His church and then WITH His church. 

2 Thessalonians 2:1 …..and by our gathering together unto him, and our being gathered together to be with him: and our [a]gathering together to meet Him.  The rapture of the church.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  1 Corinthians 15:51  We are going up to meet Jesus in the air.  There is no way you can twist the meaning, explain it away, allegorize it or ignore it.   It’s going to happen.  The only question is when?  We don’t know the day or the hour.  We do know the signs of the Lord’s physical return to rule Israel.  Those are clearly laid out in Matthew 24, Luke 17, Luke 21, Mark 13, Daniel 7-12 and Revelation.  So if we see these signs upon us. Then the rapture occurs first….. how soon before we are taken. 

Paul the greatest preacher who ever lived after Jesus believed we would be gathered to the Lord one day!  Some of us would never die!   Nothing explains the 2^nd coming of the Lord Jesus Christ better than 2 Thessalonians 2:1

2 Thessalonians 2:1 The coming of the Lord Jesus……

2 Thessalonians 2:1 …..Our gathering together with Him.

This verse proves that Jesus is coming in two parts.  He is coming TO the earth.  We all believe that and know that.  It says it right here as it does in many passages of the Bible. 

Then it says……. hey….also we are going to be gathered together with Him……That means He is going to do something with and for the church….OUR gathering.  The church is going to have a special place in His Second Coming!  We are going to be collected by Him!  Taken To Him!  Gathered with Him!  We are not appointed to the wrath of God that will be poured out on this world.  Jeremiah 30:7 says this is a time of Jacob’s trouble!  Not the churches trouble.  Christ has redeemed us OUT of the world!  He HAS already judged our Sin ON Jesus Christ!  10:00

1. We Are Going to Be Gathered  2.  People are Shaken Today

2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. we ask you, [b]brothers and sisters, not to be so easily confused in your thinking or upset by the claim that the Day of the Lord has come. Perhaps it is thought that we said this while prophesying or preaching, or that we wrote it in a letter. not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] come.

They thought they had missed the rapture.  They were taught by some false teacher that Jesus has already come for the church.  Today we are shaken because we DON’T believe in the rapture.  Back then they were shaken because they thought they had MISSED the rapture that Paul wrote about in his first letter to the Thessalonians. 

Boy….I wish today we even had people that BELIEVED in the rapture.  I have had Christians challenge me at Wal-Mart about the rapture.  I had people call me a false teacher because I believe in the rapture. 

But you tell me….What does gathering together unto Him mean?  Tell me whast were the Thessalonians worried about?  I wish the church as a whole today worried about missing the rapture.  I wish the church as a whole  even thought about it today

Yes we are shaken by fear, trouble, elections, Covid 19, vaccines, mask wearing, job losses, businesses closing, games being cancelled, school not in session, and all the lying and deception in the media and congress….but no one is shaken because they are worried that Jesus is coming!!   That’s what we ought to be shaken about!

We should be shaking with excitement or shaking with fear over His gathering us together.  Which are you as a believer?  Are you excited about His coming for us?  Or are you scared about it? 

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means….. Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way.   We are always being deceived or the evil one is trying to deceive you.  19:00

1. We Are Going to Be Gathered  2.  People are Shaken Today  3.   Departure

2 Thessalonians 2:3…..for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, For the Day will not come until the final Rebellion takes place.   for that day will not come unless the [c]apostasy comes first [that is, the great falling away or rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians].  For that day will not come except the apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come],  A possible rendering of the Greek apostasia “falling Away” is “departure” [of the church].  Some believe that this is the departure of the church in the rapture.  If it is….. it brings about a whole new meaning. 

But the bottom line is that the true intent of the meaning we are not sure of.  The fact that many will depart from traditional Christian faith in the last days and that will lead to the coming of the Anti-Christ doesn’t really give an indication of when the Anti-Christ appears.  It’s kind of vague. 

The church today is greatly falling away from true Biblical faith.  But that really doesn’t make sense here since Paul is only talking about the timing of the rapture.  He’s not talking about Apostacy in this chapter but about the Thessalonians thought they missed the rapture.    But it makes most sense to understand that what Paul is saying that after the church departs and goes to heaven then the Anti-Christ can be revealed.  Which is exactly the way we believe the scriptures outline this for us. 

2 Thessalonians 2:3……and that man of sin be revealed, and the Wicked One appears And the man of lawlessness is revealed, and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed.  He is revealed after the rapture of the church.  He will be revealed when he confirms the peace treaty with Israel.  Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

You don’t have to fear taking the vaccine for Covid 19 for the mark of the beast won’t come until mid-point of the Tribulation.  The two witnesses will have already been doing their thing for 3 ½ years and will be killed and 3 ½ days later be taken into heaven.  Also 144,000 Jewish evangelists will be preaching the gospel and an angel of the Lord will be flying about warning people not to take the mark.  The mark has to be on the right hand or forehead.  So this vaccine is NOT the mark but an example of it.  It’s like the first trial of it.  I know you won’t be able to buy or sell unless you have the vaccine card.  So it is earily similar. 

2 Thessalonians 2:3…..the son of perdition; who is destined to hell.  the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], who is the son of doom (of perdition) eternal misery and ruin.   John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.  Perdition there means “son of doom.”  Doomed to destruction.  It also means eternal misery.  It is NOT a noun but an adjective that describes a state of being. Misery, doom, destruction, ruin.  Some think that “son of Perdition” means that Judas is the Anti-Christ, the Beast resurrected.  But He comes out of ten world elite and is called the little horn.  So, he is alive today and becomes possessed by Satan after his revealing. 

1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Revelation 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.  27:00

Conclusion:  1. We Are Going to Be Gathered  2.  People are Shaken Today  3.   Departure

Shaken…..

Psalm 27:5  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.  Hebrews 12 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Is your life anchored to the solid rock?  Trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior NOW!  28:04

12/27/2020

 

Luke 21:11 Signs in the Sky

Intro: We are at the end of 2020.  What a year it has been.  I believe 2020 was the preparation and 2021 will be the implementation of the devil’s agenda for His great reset.  I’ll talk more about that in another message.  But we are going to see signs increasing and fearful sites in the sky in these last days. 

1 Be Not Deceived

Luke 21:8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Luke 21 as Matthew 24 and Mark 13 are prophecies about Israel and the things that are coming upon the world in regards to Israel.  So, it is about the last days of judgment and the days just prior to judgment being poured out on this world.   It’s called the birth pangs.

So before Jesus comes for His church in the rapture some of these things will BEGIN to happen and increase in intensity until Jesus comes for us.  Until then WE cannot allow ourselves to be deceived and tricked by the devil.  There are many liars in the world. The Devil is a liar and the father of it.  We can be deceived.  There is coming a STRONG deception upon this world.  2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.  Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.   During the tribulation the deception is so good that even those who decided to follow the Lord can be tricked very easily. 

I our day today I cannot emphasize this enough.  Church WE cannot let down our guard.  We cannot let up now when we see the finish line in sight.  Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Press on for Jesus.  Don’t back down or back up.  Move forward in faith not backward. 

How can you as a Christian keep from being deceived?  Ephesian 6:12-13 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  This is a spiritual battle.  The enemy will come at you with everything he has…. to deceive you and lie to you.  To keep from being deceived we must put on the whole armor of God.

The whole armor of God

The Truth of the word of God

A Righteous heart because of God

The gospel gives us peace with God

Faith in God

The Salvation of God

Praying with all prayer to God

Don’t slow down, Don’t back down, Don’t turn around and don’t play around.  Now is the time for our salvation has never been nearer than now.  10:00

1 Be Not Deceived 2.  Sights and signs in The Sky

Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

We know that there are and will be an increase in earthquakes in remote and various places as it says in verse 11. 

We will see and always have famines from time to time but it will get worse.  But what about the famine of the word of God?  We have that already. 

We already have pestilences (Covid) and an unwarranted reaction to it.  Why are we are so afraid of dying all of a sudden?  Peace and safety is the cry.  1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But what about these…… fearful sights? 

UAP’s   (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenan.)

There is an alarming increase in these objects in the sky.  They even claim to have contacted us, that we have parts of their crashed vessels and that there is a space federation that is going to soon contact us according to Israel’s former space security chief, Haim Eshed who said that they have asked us not to publish this yet for humanity is not ready.   Obama claims to know things that he cannot yet reveal about UAP’s.  The famous Roswell, New Mexico crash in 1947 gave us what we now know are bodies of aliens and their craft.  The metals involved are not known to this earth.  It is still top secret but a lot of the classified material has gotten out and some has been released.  We are being groomed, prepared, and getting used to the idea of Aliens from another world or dimension.  But it’s all a big lie. 

UAP’s are demonic.  They are deceiving us.  They are tricking us.  They want us to believe that they are a higher intelligence from another world.  They want us to believe in evolution.  They don’t want us to believe in Jesus Christ and God our creator.  It’s all a great deception. 

I believe that maybe before but certainly during the tribulation these UAP’s will come and tell us that they are the true creators and originators of mankind.  They will appear from the sky one day welcomed by the man of sin to deceive if it were possible even the very elect.  It’s interesting that there will be demonic signs in the sky and the fact that we, the church are going to meet the Lord in the clouds.  A lot going on up there isn’t there? 

What about the Great signs from heaven?

In the midst of the seven year tribulation God will even send a third angel that will fly around the world warning people not to take the mark of the Beast.  Revelation 14:6-7 and 9-10 and I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice,…… 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.  This is a the most serious of sins that leads to condemnation with no chance of repentance.  And God is giving everyone a more than fair warning about it.  I think the mark will have some kind of DNA technology that will make us better humans and live longer.  That’s the appeal of the mark besides the fact that you cannot buy or sell without it. 

There will be some strange things going on with UAP or UFO’s in connection with the mark I believe.   We are seeing it gearing up before our own eyes.  But we will also see the greatest sign from heaven…….the rapture of the church as we are taken up into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  I don’t know what the world will see and hear.  But we will certainly hear the voice of the archangel and the trump of God.  Some great signs in the heavens for sure. 

But suffice it to say things are getting very, very interesting. 19:00

1 Be Not Deceived 2.  Sights and signs in The Sky  3. Whole lot of Shaking Going on

Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

This reminds me of Revelation 6: 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;  16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.

Great fear is coming upon the world.  It’ already begun but It’s going to get a lot worse.  Revelation six says men will call upon rocks to fall on them to hide them from the wrath of God.  The Great deceptions will turn into the great reality that Jesus is coming to judge the world. 

We already see that Men are having heart attacks over what is already going on in the world.  But what’s coming will shake them to the core of their being what they will see. 

Today reality has set in that Life will never be the same again.  I think more people have died in 2020 over suicide and depression than over Covid 19.  Life for us will never be the same again.  I think those of us in the church of Jesus Christ know this in our hearts.  But we who know Jesus have great joy and anticipation for we are looking for the upper taker not the under taker. 

The powers of heaven shall be shaken….We know the earth will be shaken with these earthquakes, war and natural or unnatural disasters but what will shake the powers of heaven. 

Well for one thing there is going to be a battle.  Revelation 12:9-10 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

 A battle will happen in heaven sometime during the tribulation period.  Whether the battle takes place in the third heaven or the sky or outer space I don’t know but one thing is for sure the devil can’t fly around the earth or go and appear in heaven in God’s presence anymore.  He can’t do tricks in the sky anymore with UFO’s and UAP’s.  He is sent to the earth.  The original Greek says that satan was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels will be flung out along with him.  Michael the archangel and his army defeats Satan once and for all and kicks him out of heaven forever.  Now he can go before God and accuse the brethren.  He went before God to accuse Job.  But that access will be over one day soon.  That battle would be some site in heaven wouldn’t it?

Satan is the prince and the power of the air.  Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.  But his power will be shaken as he is defeated by Micheal in this great battle.  And the devil will be consigned to the earth and he will be very angry for he knows his time is very short.  He will have vengeance on his mind against the people of God on earth and mostly Israel. 

Every person on the planet should heed this warning from Jesus of a time coming like no other time.  Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Luke 21:25-26 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Just before and definitely after the rapture people are going to see things and hear things that are going shake people to their very foundations of reality.  It will be so frightening that people will die from fear that the foundations of our reality have been shaken. 

Before that time which is right now………the Bible says that like as the days of Noah and Lot people will be buying and selling, marrying and given in marriage.  Luke 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

The rapture of the church will begin the Lord’s day.  A time of great deception and then finally judgment and disaster upon those who have rejected Jesus Christ.  The Lord is coming again.  First, He meets His church in the air and then seven years later He comes WITH His church to the earth to rule and reign. 

Even with all the things going on in the world today most people today are unaware that Jesus is coming.  So concerned with living life and enjoying and protecting their lives that they will not even think about the Lord coming. 

Think about how the people on earth feel who are left behind.  The rapture has taken place.  Those hateful Christians are gone from the earth.  They will get their world they way they want it.  No God, no Christians, no morality.  Do as you will.   But soon the anti-Christ or the Beast will take charge of the world’s economy.  The false prophet will lead the world to worship the beast.  You will be offered a mark.  If you take the mark things are going pretty good for you for a little while.  In general Life will go on in spite of the wickedness all around. Except for the mark it sounds just like today.  People who took the mark will be caught off guard when the judgment of the Lord begins to fall on them and when their lives are turned upside down.

The covid vaccine is not the mark.  We don’t have the Beast yet, we don’t have a peace treaty confirmed by the man of sin with Israel.  We don’t have the two witnesses yet and the 144,000 Jewish preachers.  The three Angels haven’t flown preaching and warning against taking the mark. 

1 Be Not Deceived 2.  Sights and signs in The Sky  3. Whole lot of Shaking Going on

You need to get ready for Jesus to come in 2021.  It may not be this year…. but It’s closer than it’s ever been.  Trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior.  You don’t need to be in church to accept Christ, you can be in your car, in your house, in your bed, wherever.  Just say Lord Jesus I’m a sinner I need my sins forgiven and only you paid my sin debt.  I accept the price you paid for my sin and I want you as my Lord and Savior.  God bless.  28:04

12/20/20 

The Think-Not Generation  Matthew 24:44

Intro:  In the Book of Matthew, Jesus told His disciples again and again that they would not know the hour of His return. The Lord was so insistent about getting this point across, He repeated himself four times in the space of a few verses. He also included a story about the 10 virgins to illustrate the point of the surprise at His sudden return.  His return begins with Him coming FOR His Church and then seven years later coming FOR His church.

1.  No One knows

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Mat. 24:36).  “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Mat. 24:42).  “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Mat. 24:44).  “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Mat. 25:13).

I think it is very significant that Jesus frequently pointed to the “think not” hour as being the time of His return. The slumbering state that we find the Church in today is a strong indication that this prophecy is in the process of being fulfilled. I would rank it far above the more general prophecies like “knowledge shall increase” (Dan 12:4) or “earthquakes in divers places” (Mark 13:8).

Jesus said He would intentionally choose a timeframe when Christians are not expecting His return. As a result, the most unlikely time for His return becomes, actually, the most likely time for the rapture. Because we have an assurance from the Lord that this event will take place during a time when the faithful are least expecting Him, we have a contrary way to judge the rapture’s nearness.

We are clearly living in the “Think-Not” generation. If the Lord were to come today, He would find a Church very cozy with a sinful world. Because we have no moral watchdogs anymore, it is difficult to measure the depravity of our society. Whenever I try to gauge levels of morality, I have to think how people from other generations would react to situations.

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul indicates that the act of being caught off guard by the rapture is purely optional. He wrote, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thes. 5:4). By remaining forever alert, we can escape being found asleep when our Master finally returns.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

2.  The think not Generation.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.  Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.  Why would He tell us to watch and then we don’t watch? What part of “watch” means don’t “watch?”  Did Jesus ever tell us there was a time not to be watching for Him?   Paul even told the first century Christians to watch for Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 4:18 Comfort one another with these words.  What words? The rapture of the church mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.  The Paul assured those who read his first letter that they had not missed the rapture.  So he described what would happen in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9 That the man of sin would be revealed after 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.   Falling away could mean Abandonment of the faith or the abandonment of the planet by believers.  Many scholars think it could mean the rapture of the church comes first then the beast is revealed. 

That leads us to the two super signs that Jesus coming very soon. 

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

3.  The first sign is that people will scoff at the second coming of Christ. 

The second coming of Christ is in two phases.  First Christ comes FOR His church and then seven years later come WITH His Church.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Revelation 19:14-15; Jude 1:14.

Matthew 24:32-34 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors (know for certain that He is near, right at the door). 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation (this generation the people living when these signs and events begin] shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.  

4.  The second sign or the Billboard for the announcement of Christ’s soon return is Israel will be in their land again. 

The fig tree Jesus refers to often is always Israel.  Israel will live again in their own land in the latter days and God will take notice of those nations that come against Israel in that day.  Zechariah 8:7-8, 12:1-9;Ezekiel 37; Isaiah 11:11-12, 35:1-2;  Deuteronomy 30:3; Jeremiah 30:10-11.

A lot of people get confused about Matthew 24:34 and the term “this generation.” The Amplified Bible, which is the literal translation of the original Greek language, says that “this generation” means the people living when these signs and events mentioned in the previous verses of Matthew 24….begin. So obviously if they were told to be watching in the first century, how much more should we be watching when Israel is in their land and people are scoffing at the return of Christ exactly as was prophesized?

Galatians 4:8-12 Don’t Faulter In Your Faith

Intro: So many start out well in a race and faulter at the finish line.  Runners have enemies.  The other runners, their tired bodies, and the distance.  All of us can go a short distance.  We can all sprint.  Some farther than others.  But it’s the long distance race that most people avoid.  Why?  It’s hard, it’s painful, it’s boring, and it takes mental toughness.  You have to stay on the course but focus on the finish.   A farmer plowing the field keeps his eye on the course but focuses on the end of the row so he can plow straight.  While we have a life path or journey or course that we have follow, but we focus on the finish for success.  Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  The Galatian church had a focus problem that cause them to stumble and faulter on their journey.  1:00

1. You Knew Not God in the Past

Galatians 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, .  In the past you did not know God, But at that time, when you did not know [the true ] God.  1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

All of us were following other gods before we came to Christ.  We followed the god of self.  We followed the god of pleasure. We followed the god of money.  We followed the god of entertainment.  We followed the god of pride. We followed the god of jealousy.  We followed the god of addiction.

Galatians 4:8 ….ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. and so you were slaves of beings who are not gods. and were unacquainted with Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very] nature were not and could not be gods at all. Acts 19:26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:  Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Basically we were slaves or servants to sin.  John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  8:00

1. You Knew Not God in the Past  2.  Now You Turn Back To False gods Again

Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God,

But now that you know God— or, I should say, now that God knows you— Now, however, since you have come to know [the true] God [through personal experience], or rather to be known by God.  The greatest truth is that you know God.  The greatest blessing is that God knows you.  1 Corinthians 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Galatians 4:9 ….how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?  how is it that you want to turn back to those weak and pitiful ruling spirits? Why do you want to become their slaves all over again? how is it that you are turning back again to the weak and worthless elemental principles [of religions and philosophies], to which you want to be enslaved all over again? Colossians 2:20-22 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Why would believers turn back to works and the world?  But many do and believe all the things they are told by godless, Bible haters on TV and other media. 

Once we start in Christ we are to grow in Christ not go backwards.  It’s called backsliding in the Bible.   Hosea 11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.  We are prone to fall back in our faith.  That’s our sinful human nature to appeal to the flesh and turn from God.   Hebrews 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.  2 Peter 3:8 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Galatians 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  You pay special attention to certain days, months, seasons, and years. [For example,] you observe [particular] days and months and seasons and years.  Romans 14:5-6  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.  The Galatian Church was beginning to observe Jewish days and feasts.  These are for Israel and Jews in Israel before Christ and grace.  Not for the church under grace. 

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:   We are free in Christ.  If a person wants to set aside a day for fasting or wants to eat a hamburger or dear meat or drink a coke.  We should not judge them.  But we are to make allowances for weaker Christians on those things that are considered questionable.  Like drinking alcohol, smoking or in Paul’s day eating food sacrificed to idols.  But we gather and worship on the first day of the week. And we are not to make rules for other days of the week.  We are not to make dietary rules. 

No law but the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:1-3 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.  3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.    Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  The law of Christ is love and life.  We love Him because He first loved us.  He is our life not the law, not a set of do’s and don’ts.  He is our life.  19:00

1. You Knew Not God in the Past  2.  Now You Turn Back To False gods Again  

3.  Turn Back To Christ

Galatians 4:11 I am afraid of you... I am afraid FOR you.  I am worried about you! I fear for you.  We should be concerned for those who have left church.  We should encourage them to come back.  We should pray for them.  We should have compassion for them.  We should be afraid for them for if the Lord comes in their backslidden state they will lose rewards.  Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  1 Corinthians 3:14-15 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. if any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Galatians 4:11 …..lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.. Did I labor for you in vain?  Can it be that all my work for you has been for nothing? that perhaps I have labored [to the point of exhaustion] over you in vain.  1 Thessalonians 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.  People are tempted by the devil when they are under stress, or fear or doubt and leave the faith that they once had. 

Galatians 4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; I beg you, my friends, be like me. Believers, I beg of you, become as I am [free from the bondage of Jewish ritualism and ordinances]

1 Corinthians 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Philippians 3:17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Paul wanted them to follow his example, follow his faith in Christ and his teaching of salvation of grace.  through faith without any work of the law.   Would you want people to follow your Christian life?  Could they grow in the Lord if they followed your life?

Galatians 4:12 …..for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. After all, I am like you. You have not done me any wrong., for I have become as you are [a Gentile]. You did me no wrong [when I first came to you; do not do it now]. 2 Corinthians 2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.  Now, if anyone has made somebody sad or mad, he has not done it to me but to all of you—in part, at least. (I say this because I do not want to be too hard on him.)

Paul assures the gentile Galatians that they have not done him any harm or wrong in his faith.  But they have harmed themselves by trying to be Jewish and hold on to the teaching of the law and of man.  So bottom line….turn back to Christ or it will not go well with you.  Jeremiah 35:15 I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: 27:00

1. You Knew Not God in the Past  2.  Now You Turn Back To False gods Again  

3.  Turn Back To Christ …. Don’t faulter in Your Faith

Hebrews 12:1-3Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Please don’t be distracted by fear, dread, elections, politics, the right, the left or the media lies.  Stay the course and focus on the finish in Christ.  28:04

11/29/2020 

Romans 5:1-5  The Three Things Christ Has Given To Us

Intro:  We have been given so much by the Lord Jesus Christ.  Salvation of course.  But when we think about it what do we really have in Christ?  What depths has He gone for us? What is the greatest thing anyone has ever done for you?  Well, your mother gave birth to you.  Your spouse married you.  Guys, your wife gave you children.  Maybe someone saved your life, a doctor or a friend.  The greatest two things that ever happened to you are these.  You were born and you were born again!  You were born of a woman and you were born by the Spirit of God.  You had the physical birth and now you have the new birth.  How great is our salvation? Three things, amazing things that God has done for us through Jesus Christ!  1:00

1. Justification By Faith

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith..… Now that we have been put right with God through faith, Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith.   The first thing God has given us is Justification.  We have been made Just as If we had never sinned.  The world wants to make a utopia on earth.  They think socialism (that eventually turns to communism) is the answer.  Every person is to be treated equally.  Their justification is that the needs of the many come first over the needs of the individual.  We are all to look alike, act alike, fall into line and be good little globalists for the good of all.

God’s word says we are justified by individual faith in Jesus Christ and born again into His glory and in turn He makes us to become what we always should have been.  Individuals in Christ.  He loves us all one at a time.  Gifts us all differently.  Loves us all individually.  Makes us all fit into His purposes despite our different talents and abilities and personalities.  As a matter of fact we are body--all different sizes, shapes and faces.  Soul—our individual personalities and spirit—Our eternal self.  Complete opposite of the world’s utopian godless attack on love and individualism, creativity and expression. 

We are made in Christ as though we had never, ever sinned. That’s what justification means.  Galatians 2:16  knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, but BY the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  NO one is justified by works.  Doing good, obeying the rules.  So man’s utopia is doomed from the start because man is fallen, sinful and cannot be good.  Its like trying to herd cats to make men be good in their fallen sinful state. 

We don’t have to follow any rules to be saved.  We don’t have to follow any creed to be saved.  We don’t have to follow any rituals to be saved.  We don’t have to follow any formula to be saved.  We are saved by grace through faith and justified by His blood freely shed for all mankind.  10:00

1. Justification  By Faith  2. Peace With God

Romans 5:1 ….we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).  Peace means peace with God..   Jesus came and was born to bring peace between men and God.  Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  WE cannot have peace on this planet without the prince of peace. We cannot have peace with God by creating an orderly society where everyone is treated equally.  It sounds good but it’s not going to be good because man is NOT good.  Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:  We are doomed…. But God….Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, He has brought us by faith into this experience of God's grace, in which we now live.  Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand.  Peace means we have it by the gift or the grace of God.  Through Christ we have been given grace.  Grace is a God’s gift to us.  We are given salvation by faith in Christ.  GIVEN!  No strings attached. 

What does the world offer mankind?  Any gifts?  No.  Do as you’re told and only then will you receive your daily rations.  Do as you’re told and believe in the state and only then will you be safe.  Do as you’re told and don’t ask questions and only then will you have security.  When they shall say Peace and Safety. 1 Thessalonians 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  I am surprised at what people will do so that they are safe.  The government never tried to take away your liberties before this great CCP virus.  During WWII there were blackouts and air raids but nothing like this. 

Has socialism every cared about your personal happiness?  Has socialism ever cared about your joy?  Our constitution says every man is free to pursue happiness as long as it doesn’t infringe on the happiness of others.  Happiness?  No document ever had that phrase!  But they want to destroy our constitution. 

As long as the state is happy everyone will be happy is their mantra.  The elite will be happy as they suck the life out of everyone of their minions!  They will live in luxury and have all their wants and needs met while their cold, wicked hearts fail to find peace and joy.  Despite all their plans and schemes it did not give them satisfaction.  So, they will look to a man of sin who will give them what is so lacking in their  hearts of stone.  But it won’t last long as they will be deluded once again by this beast of sin. 

Romans 5:2…..and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And so we boast[b] of the hope we have of sharing God's glory! Let us rejoice in our [a]hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. Peace gives us hope, stedfast assurance that we will see and experience the glory of God in our lives.

But we rejoice!  Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!  We have joy! We have happiness!  We call out His name in praise and adoration for His love for us and His great free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ!  Oh what joy!  Oh what peace!  Oh what a Savior is Jesus my Lord!!!

He has given us Peace!!  Peace with God!  No more are we against Him.  No more is He against us!  He is for us, He loves us.  19:00

1. Justified  By Faith  2. Peace With God   3. Glory Through Trouble. 

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships,We also boast[c] of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance;

Trouble bring patience because we know God will see us through.

Romans 5:4 And patience, experience…. and endurance, (spiritual maturity), endurance brings God's approval, We can endure hardships and trouble because we know from our past experience that God will see us through and will never leave us nor forsake us. 

Romans 5:4 …..and experience, hope: and his approval creates hope. hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation and a stedfast assurance of all the things He has promised us. 

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; This hope does not disappoint us, Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us.  Hope is the assurance without a doubt that God will never fail us or disappoint us.  We may not like the trouble but we know that He is working all things out for His glory and our greater good.  Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 5:5…..because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us. because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God is love.  This is His nature.  This is His Character.  This is His essence.  Without God we could not know love.  In other words, if Evolution were true then where did love come from?  Where did empathy come from?  Animals only act by instinct.  I think your dog or cat does have affection for you.  But they  actually by instinct know that you are the top dog and they must please you.  And I believe that sometimes certain intelligent animals do have affection for us. 

But….Where did even did that come from?  The Bible says that the love of God is shed abroad and I believe it has affected all of humanity that we love those people and things that are dear to us.  And Jesus is the living embodiment of God’s love for us.  This is what separates the God of the Bible, the creator God from all other gods.  LOVE!  He died for US!  We did not have to die to please Him.  He was pleased by the death of His OWN SON so that He might save us by His GRACE! 

We are in a sinful fallen world full of trouble.  Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.  Psalm 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.

It seems hopeless doesn’t it?  John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation (trouble): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Christ is glorified when we overcome through Him!  Christ is lifted up when we are lifted up!  Jesus said one time “We must needs go through Samaria.”  Samaria was a place of Trouble.  Can’t go around it, can’t go over it.  He had to go through it.      Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.   Jesus had to go TO Jerusalem and face many troubles even death.  AND….be raised again the third day!  It is worth it all for God’s glory comes forth in the end!  Better to end well than to do well at the beginning and fade at the ending!  God takes the bad and always turns it out to our good! Christ has given us Hope in our troubles!  Victory in our defeats!  Glory in our struggles!  What a Savior!!  27:00

1. Justified  By Faith  2. Peace With God   3. Glory Through Trouble. 

Three Things Christ Has Given Us.

We are saved by grace through faith and in turn we go from being enemies of God to peace with God. And He gives us help in times of trouble.  He wont’ take away your troubles but He will give you grace, peace, joy, hope, and comfort in your troubles and one day in a few years or even days you won’t have any trouble any more!!  What would you give for that?  Well it is free!  You get this when you repent of your sins.  Change your mind about how you think you get to heaven and turn to what the Bible says about Salvation.  It is the grace of God through faith and trust in Jesus Christ!  Trust in Him right now!  28:04

11/22/2020 

Mark 8:27-29 and 38 Who Jesus Is

Intro:  This Thanksgiving will be a time of lockdown and family gatherings being discouraged by the government and by people who live in fear.  When people don’t know what is going on then there is confusion and fear.  We have heard so many different opinions on CCP Virus, but one thing is sure it is a shame that we cannot be with the ones we love during this time in our lives.  A time of uncertainty and confusion and chaos that we have never seen in our life times.  But we have a hope to be thankful for. We have someone who breaks through all the confusion, all the chaos, all the fear and says “I am.”  1:00

1.  Who Do men say I Am?

Mark 8:27And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?  hen Jesus and his disciples went away to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Tell me, who do people say I am?” Then Jesus and His disciples went out to the villages of [d]Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that I am? Or he is saying who is the great I am according to men?

Jesus is quizzing them as to how much they have grasped the truth about Him.  Have they recognized the god that men follow?  So Jesus asked them first “have other people recognized that I am God?”  If Jesus wasn’t God…. then He would not be using the term “I Am.” 

Exodus 3:13-14 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus said “I Am” statements 150 times in the KJV New Testament. 

Mark 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

They answered Him, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” Some say that you are John the Baptist,” they answered; “others say that you are Elijah, while others say that you are one of the prophets.”

The disciples give the answer that tells Jesus who men think Jesus is.  They seemed to think that Jesus was a resurrected prophet or just a prophet of God.  They didn’t understand that God was asking them who did men say was God?  They actually missed the point in my opinion. 

Who is God?  Is it Jesus? Is it man?  Is it science?  Is it you?  who is your god? Everyone has a god.  It all boils down to this? Is God you and what you think or the God of creation and the Bible and you follow Him.  All false gods come down to a person who follows what they think is right instead of following Jesus Christ.  

Today men say that man is god and that god is man.  This is our national and world wide greatest problem.  We will not solve anything in the world but only make it worse as long as we follow the wrong God.   And the lies and deceit of men in order to bring about a new world order where man will get rid of God and be his own god and choose his own god is quickly coming to the world.  In fact man has already chosen the god of this world Satan and his agenda without even realizing it.  10:00

1.  Who Do men say I Am?   2.  Who Do You say I Am?

Mark 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?”

Jesus knew what men believed about Him. Now He wants to know what His followers thought about Him.  He asked Peter point blank “who do YOU say that I am?  That phrase again.  “I am.”  Jesus is saying have you recognized that I am God?   Church have you recognized that Jesus Christ is God?  Is so are you living like it?  Is Jesus really your God?  Or have you succumbed to fear and rebellion and lust for the things of this world? 

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  Satans job is to blind us to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He is not afraid of God.  He is not afraid of you.  He is not afraid of the word of God.  He must obey the word of God.  He cannot overcome the blood of Jesus Christ.  While he may not be afraid of God he is under the power of God ultimately.  Why doesn’t God get rid of Satan?  He already has.  He is headed for the lake of fire!  Satan is an eternal being.  God cannot destroy Him.   And God is also not a robot creator.  The devil is alive and well to oppose God because in order for there to be righteousness we must know evil.  Evil is not a thing but an absence of righteousness.  If we have not choice but to sereve God then we are not more than robots.  God wants His creation to love Him because they CHOOSE to! 

I get so upset at those who say that God is a tyrant who demands us to worship Him!  Listen He demands us to worship Him because He is God!  Just like it’s best for your life to obey your boss, obey the police or to obey your parents.  You don’t have to…. but life is much better when you do.  There is an order in and roles in God’s creation.   Life goes much better when we recognize and worship God and He in turn blesses us and guides us and gives us a great salvation.  How is that being a tyrant?  Not at all.  But a loving father who wants His creation to love Him so He can bless them and love them in return.  Wow! Halleluah!

Mark 8:29……And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. Peter replied to Him, “You [in contrast to the others] are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).” Peter said plainly “you are the messiah.”  John 6:69 adds this very important phrase Peter added to this question……you are the Son of the living God!  Peter got it right!  He knew Jesus was the Son of God, was God revealed in the flesh.  It’s not Who men think Jesus is….it’s who He is period!!

The demons know Who Jesus is Luke 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. 

Martha, Lazarus sister knew who Jesus was John 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God,

The rest of the disciples know who Jesus is…. Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

The Centurian knows who Jesus is….Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

John The Baptist knows who Jesus is…  John 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

The Blind man knows who Jesus is….John 9:35 and 38  Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. 

The Ethiopian Eunich knows who Jesus is…. Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The Apostle Paul knows who Jesus is…Acts 9:20 …And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

The Apostle John knows and saw who the revealed Jesus is….Revelation 2:8 These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.

Millions know today who Jesus is…..  He is the Son of God is god is the second part of the trinity.  The Father, the son and the Holy Spirit.  These three are one.  Who do we say He is….He is Christ…the Son of the living God…… the great I AM! And beside Him there is no other!!!  19:00

1.  Who Do men say I Am?   2.  Who Do You say I Am?  

3. Why It is So Important to Be Right About Jesus

Mark 8:38….Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. If you are ashamed of me and of my teaching in this godless and wicked day, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”  For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.   If you are wrong about Jesus you are wrong about everything else.  If you are wrong about Jesus what does it matter what else you are right about?

Ashamed means disappointed in or embarrassed about.   How can we be embarrassed that we know Jesus?  How can we be disappointed in Him?  Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed or disappointed. 

The world today is ashamed of Jesus.  The world today is disappointed in Jesus.  Why?  He represents accountability to God.  Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. It’s funny that the Postal Service has a daily accounting form called form “1412.” God has a daily accountability form it’s called Romans 1412.   Jesus represents the end of self-actualization.  Jesus is the end of self-glory.  It’s not all about you!!  It’s about Him and then He in turn blesses you and gives you joy, peace and purpose!

Here is the key…..Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Mark 8:38 ……when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.  Revelaton 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  Jude 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.

Who Jesus is….the one who is coming to rule and reign on this earth.  He is coming for us at the rapture and coming with us to rule and reign with Him for a thousand years and then forever and ever.  27:00

Conclusion:

1.  Who Do men say I Am?   2.  Who Do You say I Am?  

3. Why It is So Important to Be Right About Jesus

Who Jesus is.

Who Jesus is to you determines your eternal destiny.  Is He your Savior or your judge.  He will be one or the other.  NO middle ground.  In fact, you are condemned already if you have not believed, trusted in Jesus Christ.

Who is Jesus to you Christian?  Have you ever been closer to the Lord than you are today? Then Jesus is not what He used to be to you.  Who changed?  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  You are the one going backwards and that is dangerous.  Read Hebrews chapter six.  You can become an apostate and lose all your rewards.  The journey not’s that far from backslidden to apostate.   Repent today. Turn to Jesus today!  28:04

11/15/2020 

Titus 3:8-11  Warnings From God

Intro:  Warning signs are everywhere and on everything.  We pay attention to them usually.  Some like speed limits we don’t take very seriously.  But when God warns us about something we should absolutely pay attention to it.  We are pretty stupid if we don’t.  God has warned us about the penalty for sin. He has warned us about false teaching.  He has given us the Bible to keep us in the truth.  We go off the rails when we start giving more attention to non-Biblical ideas than to God’s truth.  God warns us in the Titus chapter three about three things.  1:00

1.  Maintain Good Works

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. This is a true faithful and trustworthy saying. I want you to give special emphasis and speak with great confidence on these matters, so that those who believe in God may be concerned with giving their time to doing good deeds so that those who have believed God [that is, those who have trusted in, relied on, and accepted Christ Jesus as Savior

will be careful to participate in doing good and honorable things.

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful(true and trustworthy) saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Paul used this term before.  It is true and trustworthy to maintain good works. 

Titus 3:8….These things are good and profitable unto men. These things are excellent [in themselves] and good and useful and profitable for the everyone.   Good works should follow those who follow Jesus.  Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  Of course being good is much better than being bad.  Everyone knows that  but they have twisted it around to mean this.  Be good….to yourself!! Whatever it takes to please you do it! 

Godliness is always profitable to a person.  1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.  Good works are Godly works.  Not selfish, not self aware, not looking out for me but living to bring glory to God and others to faith and trust in Christ. 

We do Good because we ARE saved, not to be saved.  We do Good because Jesus is good.  We follow Him.  He was perfect.  James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Maintain Good works.  Good works includes most of all telling the truth as we will see the rest of this text deals with lying heretics.  We must know the truth and the truth will set us free.  It will give us confidence. It will take away our doubts and fears and It will give us power to live a holy life.  Assurance and faith and hope for the future.  10:00

1.  Maintain Good Works  2. Don’t Argue

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law;

But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law.  Don’t’ get involved in foolish and ill-informed and stupid controversies and genealogies and dissensions and quarrels about the Law.  1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.  2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.  2 Tim 2:24-25The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will give them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth”

Titus 3:9….for they are unprofitable and vain. They are useless and worthless and don’t help a thing.  You win an argument only when the other person admits they are wrong and you are right.  How often does that happen?  Never!!  So why argue.  Make your point and let them make theirs and move on.  James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  Nobody wants to be wrong and nobody wants to admit they are wrong.  Its all about the lust for self glory and pride.   Church members should not fight.  Democrats and republicans should not fight.  But they do….. over pride and lust for power.   You will only look like a fool if you argue and after it’s done and then you will feel like a fool.   Foolish ideas and lies cause fighting among people when someone’s pride gets hurt and offended. 

I’m not saying we can’t debate and issue.  What is the difference between debating and arguing?  In Arguing somebody is trying to push a foolish or outlandish idea and nobody listens to each other and everyone gets mad and offended.  In a debate someone is pushing a what they think is a logical point. Each listens to the other side and you agree to disagree and nobody is offended.   Paul debated others.  Jesus debated the Pharisees and Saduccees and the Jewish Counsel.  

Vainity.  Job 35:13 Surely God will not hear vanity, (trusting in yourself instead of trusting in God.) neither will the Almighty regard it.  Don’t argue with anyone ever!  It’s a waste of time and energy.  19:00

1.  Maintain Good Works  2. Don’t Argue   3  Reject Heretics

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.

How do you handle those who always want to argue heretical lies in the church?   Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing more to do with them. After a first and second warning reject a divisive man [who promotes heresy and causes dissension—ban him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him],

The word heretic literaly means “choosing ones own ideas.”  But refers in this passage to that that is just untrue.  Even the New Testament church had heretical teachers who taught erroneous doctrine.    They are to be warned only twice.  We are not to waste time with heretics. 

Remember not everyone who makes an incorrect doctrinal statement is a heretic.  When Apollos was further instructed concerning the gospel he grew into a mighty Christian leader.  Acts 18:24-28.  Some teachers haven’t been properly instructed and more than willing to change once they see the truth. 

Hymeneus and Philetus were heretics when they rejected God’s truth and hurt the faith of some believers.  2 Timothy 2:16-18 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.  

Christians should separate themselves as much as possible from every heretic.   Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  That’s pretty serious.  Cut yourself off from the people. Don’t dialog with them, don’t try to convince them anymore, turn them over to Satan.   1 Timothy 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Heretics abound in the church today.  Why do Christian leaders want to support the left?  Why did millions of them vote for the left?  A group led by pastor Joel C Hunter is called “Pro-life evangelicals for Biden.”  says his group is totally pro life but it means life out of the womb also...….. but gives this reason for supporting the left.  The Pandemic, Poverty, lack of access to health care, the Opiod crises, suicide, racism, impacts of climate change are their reasons for supporting Biden.  The don’t have enough sense to realize that we , have endless Covid lockdowns, people will die if we lose fossil fuels because they won’t be able to afford electricity and companies will shut down and jobs will disappear, universal health care will result in the government deciding your treatment, what does the opiod crises have to do with Biden?, more people will commit suicide when they lose their job, continued lockdowns, be forced in to an insurance that won’t let them have treatment, racism?? Please give me an example of racism in Amercia that is real?

Talk about idiots.  Not one word about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But social justice abounds.  Social justice is the church meeting the needs of the community will cause people to be saved.  Will it?  Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, cast out demons and those same people cried “crucify Him!”  Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.  We are to do good to all people in general, but we are to look for ways to help the church family first and foremost. 

Pro-life evangelicals for Biden seem to care less about millions of babies aborted each year.  They don’t care that we will lose our freedom of speech, freedom to worship, lose our jobs due to climate change regulations, pay higher taxes, have more government regulations, enter into the Iran deal again, no longer support Israel, and be cast headlong into globalism and a one world government that will take over our guns, our free speech and our property.

Titus 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.  You know that such people are corrupt, warped and their sins prove that they are wrong.  You should be well aware that such a person is twisted and is sinning; he is convicted and self-condemned [and is gratified by causing confusion among believers].

They condemn themselves because whatever they accuse you of doing they are doing themselves.  They cause chaos and confusion which is modus operandi of the Devil himself.  Cause confusion.  Cause Chaos.  Then they will look to a leader, a leader who has the answers, the power, the willingness.  The man of sin, the beast, the anti-Christ. 

 Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.  Do you think it’s strange

We are condemned already if we have not trusted in Jesus Christ.  John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  27:00

1.  Maintain Good Works  2. Don’t Argue   3 Reject Heretics

Warnings From God.

11/8/2020

Our country will never be the same.  Six things happened to America last week that has been happening since Donald Trump became president.  We became Venezuela last week.  1. Fake Political Polls.  2.  Media Bias 3. Social Media Censorship 4. Mail in ballots 5. Voter Fraud. 6. And the Covid Lock downs that started it all.   Can we change it?  Will Trump win?  I don’t know, it’s up to our Lord Jesus Christ.  There are no scriptures about the United States in Bible Prophecy.  We call the liberals.. the “left.”  I know why!  They will be “left” behind when Jesus comes for His church!  That is our hope.  We will occupy, put on the whole armour of God, and fight the enemy with the gospel until He comes for us.  Now on to our message…

Zechariah 14:1-9 The Final Days

Intro: We are in the last of the last days.  It happened when Israel returned to their land and became a nation again May 14^th 1948.  Matthew 24:32-34 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; (Israel) When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, (mentioned in previous verses the tribulation etc.) know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation (the people that see these events) shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

The last days or the last time is the days after Pentecost.  The Old testament prophets called the last of the last days terms such as last days, In that day, at that time, time of the end, and the day of the Lord.  But no doubt we are in the last of the last days.  Jesus described all the signs in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13.  Also, Daniel chapters 7-12 and Zechariah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel also described this day is passages.  I don’t have time to go into that.  But I don’t think I need to tell you that we are in the season of the Lord’s return….the final days of earth as we now know it.  2:00

1.  The Final Battle

Zechariah 14:1 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, The day when the Lord will sit in judgment is near. Behold, a day is coming for the Lord.  The day of the Lord is upon us.  It is coming!  We cannot stop it or do anything about it but prepare for it.  Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.  We know the signs of His return but the exact moment all this begins with the rapture of the church we do not know.  That begins the day of the Lord.  The day of the Lord began with Pentecost and it ends with the final battle at Armegeddon and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. 

Zechariah 14:1….and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.

Then Jerusalem will be looted, and the loot will be divided up before your eyes. when the spoil taken from you (Jerusalem) will be divided in your midst.  Zechariah 12:2-3 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.  3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Zechariah 14:1 is the pre-battle of Armegeddon.  This is the march of the Anti-Christ forces upon Israel just before the battle at Armegeddon.  They will ravage the city for a little bit. 

The city is taken, and the “spoil” or booty leisurely “divided in the midst” of her, without any fear on the part of the enemy of interruption or molestation. This illustrates how completely Jerusalem will be overthrown. This atrocity then triggers the wrath of God against the world in the “Day of the Lord”.

Zechariah 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. The Lord will bring all the nations together to make war on Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half of the people will go into exile, but the rest of them will not be taken away from the city. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured and the houses plundered and the women ravished; and half of the city will be exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city.  Zechariah 13:8-9 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.  Two thirds of the people in Israel will die.   Again…This is the activity just before the Battle of Armegeddon.  Revelation   The Satan, The Beast, the False prophet and the wicked Christ rejecting world against Jesus Christ.

I will gather all nations”: This is the climax of “the time of Jacob’s Trouble” (Jer. 30:5-7).  Evidently some of the residents of Jerusalem will be captured by the Anti-Christ forces and half will be left in the city. 

Zechariah 14:3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.  Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.

Jesus will return to the earth and defeat these wicked entities.  Rev. 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Jesus is the Lord who is fighting and it won’t last long.  Revelation 19:19-21 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. 

It’s all over for the enemies of God.  The Beast and False Prophet are cast into the lake of fire the devil is chained for one thousand years but will be loosed for a little season and then cast into the lake of fire.  This is the return of Christ in victory and in complete power and glory.  He not leaving again.  11:00

1.  The Final Battle   2 Jesus Final Return

Zechariah 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. At that time he will stand on the Mount of Olives, to the east of Jerusalem. Then the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west by a large valley. Half of the mountain will move northward, and half of it southward. In that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives, which lies before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in half from the east to the west by a very large valley, and half of the mountain will move toward the north and half of it toward the south.

Our Lord returned to heaven from the Mount of Olives. Acts 1:11-12 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. and He will return precisely to the same location.

When the feet of Jesus touches the Mount of Olives, there will be a tremendous topographical upheaval, perhaps an earthquake. A phenomenon which is not uncommon when God announces His coming in judgment.  Micah 1:-4 For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. 4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.; Nahum 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. Rev. 16:18-20 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.).

Jesus was on this earth, He created the earth.  He appeared as the Angel of the Lord.  He was born of a virgin and walked this earth for 33 ½ years.  He comes in the sky for His church and now He is coming one last time to this earth this time to never leave again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  No one knows the day nor the hour of the Lord’s return….the Lord’s return begins with the rapture of the church and then seven years later after the tribulation. 

Zechariah 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: through this valley that divides the mountain in two.[a] You will flee as your ancestors did when the earthquake struck in the time of King Uzziah of Judah. You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel;(east of Jerusalem the eastern end of the newly created valley) and you will flee just as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah.

Zechariah 14:5.…..and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.  You will escape The Lord my God will come, bringing all the angels or church with him. Then the Lord my [a]God will come, and all the holy ones (the church or some believe angels) with Him. According to Revealtion 19:14 it’s the church.  Rev. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  This is the church…us!

Zechariah 14:6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: In that day there will be no light; the glorious ones (heavenly bodies) shall be darkened. Some say that it means when that time comes, there will no longer be cold or frost.  Strange atmospheric conditions for sure.

Zechariah 14:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.  When Jesus returns to earth the second time with all of His holy ones. That day shall be an extraordinary day beyond the normal course of nature that differs from the natural. This is the day spoken of as “no one knoweth the day nor the hour except the Father.”   Joel 3:15 “The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.”

Isa. 24:23 “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”

Isa.13:9-10 “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.”

Mark 13:24-26 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,” “And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.” “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”

This king Jesus is coming when no one expects it.  You better be ready.  It begins with the rapture of the church and culminates seven years later with the return of Christ to the earth to defeat His enemies and set up His everlasting throne on the earth.  His final return will be marked by a time like no other time and a day like no other day.  This is the culmination of the Day of The Lord!!  He has finally come! 20:00

1.  The Final Battle   2 Jesus Final Return   3.  The Final King

Zechariah 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

When that day comes, fresh water will flow from Jerusalem, half of it to the Dead Sea and the other half to the Mediterranean. It will flow all year long, in the dry season as well as the wet. And in that day living waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea (Dead Sea) and half of them to the western sea (the Mediterranean); it will be in summer as well as in winter.  The world is changed with the arrival of it’s king.  It will be a pleasant place. A place of peace and tranquility the opposite of all the war and battles.   Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Zechariah 14:9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: Then the Lord will be king over all the entire earth; And the Lord shall be king over every nation of all of the earth.  God Will Be King over All

Zechariah 14:9..…. in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.  Everyone will worship him as God and know him by the same name.   In that day the Lord shall be the only one [worshiped], and His name the only one.  NO more multiple gods.  But only one God.  Isaiah 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.

There have been many kings and ruler on the earth.  Kings have come and gone.  Jesus is the first and the last king.  He will reign forever and ever.  He will share His throne with no one.   Our nation is fighting over who will be president.  One day soon the world will have it’s leader who is off the world and a spawn of Satan. Seven years after that the world will have it’s true King!  Jesus Christ!

 This world is in chaos and confusion.  It needs a leader, someone to bring hope out of the despair, order out of the confusion, peace out of all the fighting and love out of all the hatred.  The world will look to a false man of sin.  A poor substitute for the Son Of David who is coming to be the King of all the world. The great king, the only King and the final king! The most important thing is He your King?  28:04

11/1/2020

2 Chronicles 1:7-13  Three steps to Greatness

Intro: 2 Chronicles 1:1 And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.  Everyone wants to be rich and famous.  They think that will bring them happiness and joy.  King Solomon might have been the greatest and riches human ruler of all time.  He did not set out to acquire wealth and power.  The key to Solomon’s greatness was that God was with Him. God did it.  God blessed Him. God used Him.  God gave Him.  Greatness starts out with faith and trust in God and then God will make us to become.  You cannot do great things in life that last without knowing and being led by the eternal God.  1:00

1. First Step To Greatness 

2 Chronicles 1:7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. That night God appeared to Solomon and asked, “What would you like me to give you?”

2 Chronicles 1:8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Solomon answered, “You always showed great love for my father David, and now you have let me succeed him as king. Then Solomon said to God, “You have shown great lovingkindness and mercy to my father David, and have made me king in his place.

First of all Solomon recognized that God put him on the throne.  He was placed there by God’s will. 

First step to greatness is to realize how great God is.  That without Christ we can do nothing. 

Luke 15:5  Without me ye can do nothing.  That doesn’t mean we are worthless but on the contrary we are of great value to God that’s why He uses us in His work in this world and in the world to come.  We are vessels for God’s use.  You love your car.  You love your phone.  It is a vessel to you.  You can live without it but you life is much better with it.  That’s how God is with us. 

2 Chronicles 1:9 Now, O Lord God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. O Lord God, fulfill the promise you made to my father. You have made me king over a people who are so many that they cannot be counted, Now, O Lord God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.

Again Solomon states that “Thou hast made me”  our first step to greatness is to realize that we aren’t so great without Jesus Christ. Humility is one of the greatest failures in our society today.  Don’t see much humility in all these protests.  Don’t see much humility in all these political candidates.  Don’t see much humility in evolution.  See we don’t need God man is so smart that he figured how it came about without God.  We don’t have humble celebrities anymore.  We don’t have humble politicians anymore.  We don’t have humble children anymore.  Everyone wants to be the star without paying the price.  A true superstar is the last person to think that they are.  10:00

1. First Step To Greatness  2.  Second Step To Greatness

2 Chronicles 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? so give me the wisdom and knowledge I need to rule over them. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?” Give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may go out and come in [performing my duties] before this people, for [otherwise] who can rule and administer justice to this great people of Yours?”

The second step to Greatness is to make your requests known to God.  Pray, pray, pray.  Trust God. Ask God.  Plead with God.  Keep on asking.   Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find.

2 Chronicles 1:11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:  God replied to Solomon, “You have made the right choice. Instead of asking for wealth or treasure or fame or the death of your enemies or even for long life for yourself, you have asked for wisdom and knowledge so that you can rule my people, over whom I have made you king. God replied to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart and you did not ask for riches, possessions or honor and personal glory, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself so that you may rule and administer justice to My people over whom I have made you king.

Solomon didn’t ask for selfish things.  He asked to be able to do God’s will and have the wisdom to do it.  That should be our first prayer for any need we have.  God let me know your will and give me the wisdom to recognize it and the wisdom to accomplish what you want me to do or say. 

We want to be in control today that’s why we have so many problems.  We bring all our trouble on ourselves when we do pray about things first and then wait on God.  See what all God gave Solomon that he never even asked for.  Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.  God does more for us than we deserve much less ask for.  Because of grace.  God loves so God gives exceeding abundantly more.  19:00

1. First Step To Greatness  2.  Second Step To Greatness  3. Third Step To Greatness

2 Chronicles 1:12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. I will give you wisdom and knowledge. And in addition, I will give you more wealth, treasure, and fame than any king has ever had before or will ever have again.” wisdom and knowledge have been granted you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor will those who will come after you.”

Ye receive not because ye ask amiss that ye might add it upon your lusts. 

Solomon got more than he ever could have imagined.  And I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee…. You notice that Solomon received a lot more than He asked for.  He received riches and treasure and fame. All the things a selfish person would have asked for in the first place God gave to him.  You see When we let God control our lives…. He gives us riches, treasure and honor. 

So the third step to greatness is to take your blessings from God, and then use them for HIS glory. 

And every person who is used by God receives riches…  Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  We are rich is the things of God.  Peace, joy, power, confidence, truth and holiness.  People would give the whole world to have peace in their hearts and to have guilt of their sin taken away.  That is true riches.  To have freedom from fear and to have peace in your heart with God.  Knowing that your heart is clean before God.  Amazing riches in Christ. 

…and treasure… Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.  The things we do for Christ are sent ahead of us as rewards called treasures in the Bible. 

….and honor…..Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:   1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  We are glorified with Christ as we share in His glory and honor. 

We use these blessings to be blessings to others.  To show them how to have riches, treasure and honor in Christ.  We go to work.  We work til Jesus comes and then we can work no more.  We must Work while there is day the night comes when no man can work.   That brings up the next verse….

2 Chronicles 1:13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel. So Solomon left[a] the place of worship at Gibeon, where the Tent of the Lord's presence was, and returned to Jerusalem. There he ruled over Israel.   So Solomon went from the high place at Gibeon, from the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel. 

Solomon left his prayer and went to work for the Lord.   A lot of times we pray and then we sit back and wait for something to happen.  We should wait on God, but we also occupy until He comes.  Occupy means to go about your business.  Jesus said “Go and make disciples” which really means “AS YOU Go make disciples.” 

A lot of us pray and sit back and wait for the Lord to pour out His blessings upon us.  Luke 19:13…. And said unto them, Occupy till I come. What the master was saying is See what you can accomplish til I come back. See about your business til I come back.   How can I know God’s will for my life? Stay with what you are doing now, be faithful in the place you are now until He clearly puts you somewhere else and then get busy there! 

How many have been blessed by God with a great report from the doctor or God has given a great family, great job, great retirement, a great place to live, a new boat, a new car, children and grandchildren and you have let those things that God has blessed you with crowd out Jesus in your life.  You begin to love these gifts from God more than God who gave the gifts. 

Listen….Solomon didn’t end up very well.  He started out great.  What happened?  He quit the three steps.  Yes, he still acknowledged God but other gods also.  He quit trusting only in God and He quit using His blessing for God’s glory. 

Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of them foreigners who led him into public idolatry in his old age, greatly angering God (1 Kings 11:1–13). First Kings 11:9–10 records, And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded." God told Solomon that he would remove the kingdom from him, but, for the sake of David, would not do so during Solomon’s lifetime. He also promised not to tear the whole kingdom away. In the meantime, God raised up adversaries against Solomon who caused trouble the remainder of Solomon’s life (1 Kings 11:14–25). Jeroboam, who would become the first king of Israel, also began to rebel against Solomon, but fled (1 Kings 11:26–40). The kingdom was divided under Rehoboam, Solomon’s son (1 Kings 12).  The spiritual life is a marathon, not a sprint. A good start is not always enough to finish well.  We should strive to be like Paul. 1 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 27:00

1. First Step To Greatness …. Look to our Great God

2.  Second Step To Greatness….  pray to our great God

3. Third Step To Greatness…. Use God’s great blessings

Do you realize how great our God is?  Do you really?  If you are not trusting Him how can you think He is great?  If you are not living for Him why do you think He is so great? 

This country today is on the brink of being taken over by those who think MAN is greater than God, knows more than God, and is god.

I do not fear at all what will happen next week.  Because everyone is about to find out how great our God is!  God is great no matter what happens Tuesday or any day after that! 

Not only is our God great but our God is greater! God is greater than all our fears.  Then why do you fear?  Let me tell you this.  You will win Tuesday if you are trusting in the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.  In fact, you are already a winner because we serve a great God!  He is Greater than anyone or anything or any principality or power!  Please trust in Him today as your Savior!  28:04

10/25/2020 

Philippians 3:7-10 Winners In Christ

Intro: If we ever have sports again…..what makes a good coach.  He turns losers into winners.  He turns a bunch of hopeless scrubs into a fine tuned machine.  He takes uncoordinated, underdogs and turns them into champions.  That is one of the reaons we love sports.  We love to see the underdog rise up and beat the best.  Christ has done the same thing for you and me.  He turned us from hopeless losers, unable, unwilling, bunch of failures and turned us into glorious winners in Christ.  How did He do that?  1:00

1.  We Were Losers

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ's sake. But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].   If we know Christ the successes and gains of the world are nice but they are not all important.  We realize that knowing Christ is  the real gain and cannot be lost.

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: Not only those things; I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled].

To really gain your life you have to lose your life in Christ.   So we are losers.  We lose our life to gain life in Christ!  Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  10:00

 1.  We Were Losers.  2 We Are Winners

Philippians 3:8 …..for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may win and serve Jesus Christ. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may live for Jesus Christ.   Paul lost his Jewish standing, He lost his health, He lost his comfort, He lost his home, He lost his family since he never married.  But all this was just garbage compared to gaining Christ. 

We do everything to win in this world today.  Winning isn’t everything...it’s the only thing…. a famous coach said once.  We love to win.  The only thing worth winning in this life is Jesus Christ!  Everything else will amount to nothing after this life is over.  It is not even really important now in this life as Paul calls it dung and you know what that is. 

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, and be completely united with him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals. 

Paul goes into this comparison of the Law and righteousness.  Paul was not depending upon obeying the law.  He was not depending on obeying the law for this reason…..Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.   The law was not designed to SAVE us but to SHOW us.  To reveal to us God’s standards and that there was no hope for mankind to ever keep the law.  James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  One failure.  One missed step. One time and you are guilty of all. 

We are saved by being in Christ and Christ in us.  So you see what an incredible, amazing Savior we have!  He took complete failures, complete losers, and made us winners in Christ!  We win…..Christ!

We take on His goodness, His righteous standing with God.  The law is God’s requirements.  And of course sinners can’t measure up to God’s standards…..  we are dead, done for, condemned.  John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:9……but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith. but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. 

Losing our own incomplete righteousness is winning the total righteousness of Christ.  It comes by faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.  Grace and faith.  God took losers and turned them into winners.  Grace and faith.  That’s a winning combination that God has freely given us.  19:00

1.  We Were Losers.  2 We Are Winners 3. The Key to Winning Is Knowing

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection. And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers] John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.  The key to winning in sports is knowing.  Knowing the right people that have the power, the knowledge, the resources to get you where you need to be.  Knowing your purpose, your gifts and talents and maximizing them.  And knowing what to do to gain victory.  Have a winning attitude. 

Christ does that for us.  He has the power, the purpose and the victory is already won. 

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.   The dead will live! Dead people don’t come back to life.  Only Jesus has ever done that!  That is the greatest miracle of all and comes by knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord! 

Philippians 3:10 …..and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He

did].    Jesus died for us…. so we die to ourselves and our old life. 

The key to winning is knowing….It not what you know…it’s who you know!  Christ died for us and we die to ourselves and are made new creatures in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.    Born again.  John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.   

John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.  Jesus died and lived again.  We win when we die to our old life and are born again. 

And look at this….one day we will be forever and ever with Christ. This is our victory even Christ Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 15:53-57 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

27:00

1.  We Were Losers.  2 We Are Winners 3. The Key to Winning Is Knowing

Some people think that you are a winner if you just believe in yourself.  You are not a good person to place your trust in.  Why not?  You are a loser!   Dead in trespasses and sins!  Losers must be made into winners.  We are born again by faith and trust in Jesus Christ and no matter what you fail at on this earth you are a winner in Christ!  You are a soldier for Christ.  You may lose some battles but you have already won the war!  Please trust in Jesus Christ today!   28:04

10/18/2020 

Nehemiah 2:10  and 4:1-3  The Enemies Of God

Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

Intro:  Gene Rodenberry TV writer and creator and producer of Star Trek.  “How can I take seriously a God-image that requires that I prostrate myself every day and praise it?  That sounds like a very insecure personality to me.”

Well good ole Gene.  Raised as a Southern Baptist.  Wrote Hymns as a young man.  When they bragged about his hymn writing he said “that’s funny for I am a total pagan.”  He had multiple affairs.  Had three women all at one time who were devoted to him and shared him.  Star Trek actresses Marjory Barret and Nichelle Nichols and also a wife.  He did not like marriage and God mentioned in his Star Trek Stories.  Yet at the same time he loved the Catholic religion and used many of it’s concepts in his stories.   He also said “by the twenty third century all religions will disappear from humanity.”  He was a creative genius, story teller and producer but let’s just face it…his life was a mess.  He died in 1991 at the age of 70.   Let’s break down his quote “How can I take seriously a God-image that requires that I prostrate myself every day and praise it?  That sounds like a very insecure personality to me.”

Listen…. he did not say anything new that hasn’t been said before and since by practically every atheist and agnostic that has ever lived.  The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun.  And you can be sure that Athiests and agnostics have nothing new to say.  Just the same ole attacks on God and His character that always are there.  Even the devil uses the same old two tactics. “Yea hath God said…:” Attack the word of God.  “Ye shall be as gods...”  Make man into the perfect god and God into a fallible man.  Nothing new here let’s move on.  But we need to know how to answer these vile people. 

One: God never requires that we prostrate ourselves and worship Him blindly. He did ask Israel to worship and serve only Him.  Why? They would be the conduit where-by He would introduce Himself and His requirements so that eventually the whole world might be saved and have eternal life.  He would through Israel bring a Savior into the world to deal with our sin problem that causes sorrow, sickness and death.  What is wrong with that?  Thank God that He told us what is required of us to know Him and walk with Him!  He wasn’t even required to do that…but He did out of His mercy and love.  He could have done nothing and just let us live and die and be separated from God for eternity.  But He choose to do something to save us.  He didn’t have to do that.   Jesus never demanded anyone fall down and worship Him when He walked this Earth as God.  But He humbled Himself even to the death of the cross!

Two: If we are created in the image of the creator, any idiot would at least seem to want to give some credit and honor to the one who created them.  Especially if they feel the least bit grateful for the life given to them.  But no, man is greater than God in his mind and wants to divorce himself from his God.

Three: If we are so wise and self-assured then doesn’t it seem reasonable that we better off by far when we give our trust and dependence to the one who created us?  If we are so great how much greater and wiser must our creator be? How dumb must we be to ignore our creator?

Four:  Don’t we all have an inborn need to pray to a higher power?  Why is that? Because we all have a God shaped void in our hearts.  We all have needs that we cannot meet ourselves.  We who can’t even figure out a toaster, how can we think we have all the answers in life?  We need someone greater than ourselves.  We all know that in our hearts.

Five: Is God an insecure personality?  On the contrary He knows who He is. “ I am God and there is none

else!”  “Come unto to me ye that labor and are heavily laden and I will give thee rest.”  “And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish.”  Doesn’t sound very insecure to me?  Sounds like a very confident, self-assured and powerful and able God to me.   He is not falling apart because people don’t trust in Him.  On the contrary He has a place prepared for those who reject the life He offers.  And He is not afraid to judge humanity and give humans exactly what they deserve.  Insecure?  How crazy is that really?

Six: How is it insecure for the creator who is loving, full of grace, mercy, forgiveness and at the same time full of justice, righteousness and holiness to ask his created beings to look to Him, trust and honor Him to have life? Wouldn’t that be showing supreme confidence and also very loving and kind of Him to tell us He can do it…..if He can do it?  Wouldn’t that make sense? He seems to have complete confidence that He and He alone can deliver His people. 

Seven:  It only makes sense that we only begin to know ourselves….. when we know the one who created us. It only makes sense to have life….. we must know the giver of our life.

Eight:  How can a person really operate their lives independent of the one who made them?  Can a car separate itself from the driver and be what it ought to be?  Can a house separate itself from the home dweller and be alive?  Can a baby or a small child separate itself from a mother and be idependent? 

Nine:  Show me one place, one incident in the Bible where God was not good to those who trusted in Him?  Job?  Got twice as much in the end.  Joseph? Became ruler in Egypt.  Kept his family from starvation.  John the Baptist?  Lost his head, but Jesus claimed he was the greatest man to ever live.  Paul? Beaten often and ship-wrecked yet was content in Christ. 

Yes, they had trials and troubles because of our fallen world that causes bad things to happen in the course of life.  Yes, God gave them testing that proved their devotion and increased their faith in Him, and God brought them through every single one with the intention to make them better than before.  

How can you be against that?  All of us want to end well don’t we?  You do painful exercise and say no to good tasting treats to get better physically so you can live longer and healthier and have a good ending in life don’t you?  Well, in Christ your life will have a good ending if you continue to trust in Him, that is guaranteed!

Ten.  If God is so bad why do atheists continue to attack Him? Why don’t they just ignore Him and let Him fade away as Gene Rodenberry predicted would happen by the year 2301?  You know why?….they are only trying to convince themselves to ignore the truth they know in their hearts.  That God does exist. That God is real. That God made them.  That God loves them and that we all are accountable to Him.  It grieves the enemies of God that God continues to produce people that believe and trust in Him through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Turn to Nehemiah 4:1 God’s people will always have enemies.  Let’s look at how Nehemiah’s enemies attacked him.  They did three things that all enemies of God do……15:00

1. They mocked.

Nehemiah 4:1But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.  The enemies of God will mock us.  Laugh at us. Roll their eyes at us.  Alienate us.  Make us seem stupid.  They will act like it is so undignified to have faith.  It is so stupid.  They will get very angry with us.  They will want to even kill us.    18:00

2. They Questioned.

Nehemiah 4:2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? 

Our enemies do not understand faith in Christ.  They don’t have the Holy Spirit to teach them and illuminate their minds.  They can only understand the conviction of sin that God gives them through His word. 

…..And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? They don’t understand our motivation to serve and please Christ.  They call us feeble, feeble minded.  We need a crutch.  We are weak if we need a God.  They question us and we need to ready to have an answer to those who want to understand our faith IN Christ. 

….will they fortify themselves?  They think we are only trying to keep ourselves separate because we are better than them or fearful and afraid.   More questions.  They question our motivation. 

….will they sacrifice? They think they understand what our faith is all about.  They think they know all about our faith in Christ.  They question our practices.  Why read the Bible?  Why pray?  Why have church?

….will they make an end in a day? They think we are foolish thinking that God can do anything to make a real difference in our lives.  Do you really think God answers prayer? Do you really think God does miracles?  Yes I do!  He saved me and that is the biggest miracle of all!

…will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?  They think that depending upon the supernatural God is just plain ignorant and useless. Why do you waste your time in believing in a God that there is no evidence for?  A blind faith.  We have a lot of evidence.   We have creation, the Bible, DNA, miracle, Bible prophecy, Israel, Jesus Christ, our own Judeo-Christian principles that leads to an orderly society, Christianity that continues to grow and spread,  and your own personal encounter with God through faith in Jesus Christ.  23:00

3. They ridiculed their work of faith

Nehemiah 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.  They call our work weak and useless and a waste of time.    Our enemies think they are so much smarter than us.  They think they are so much wiser than us.  How foolish to believe in creation!  How foolish to believe there is only one way to God!  How foolish to believe that the Bible is the word of God!   But they were wrong them and wrong now.  Nehemiah built the wall to the chagrine of their enemies and God was glorified.  Nehemiah 7:15-16 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.  26:00

Conclusion:  Ignoring God, not believing in Him, not trusting in Him doesn’t’ change the facts.  Ignoring cancer doesn’t stop it.  Ignoring warning signs on the highway will not do away with the consequences.   You can ignore God but one day you will have to face Him. So, you might as well face Him now in repentance and faith….. because one day you WILL have faith in Him! 

The Bible says “every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” The enemies of God will one day realize that they have failed to destroy faith in Jesus Christ.  They will be defeated.  One day Jesus will be Lord to them and to you.  Two ways, two choices.  One is saving faith the other is condemning faith.  Today you can have saving faith in Jesus Christ and escape the judgment of God.  Or you can have condemning faith on that day when you face God and realize that Jesus Christ is the only one who could have saved you and now you stand condemned forever and ever!  What will it be?  28:04

Zephanianh 3:1-5  Woe

Intro:    As with each of the 12 Minor Prophets, the prophecy bears the name of its author, which is generally thought to mean “the Lord hides”. Three other Old Testament individuals share his name. He traces his genealogy back 4 generations to King Hezekiah (ca. 715 – 686 B.C.), standing alone among the prophets descended from royal blood (1:1).

The prophet himself dates his message during the reign of Josiah (640 – 609 B.C.). The moral and spiritual conditions detailed in the book seem to place the prophecy prior to Josiah’s reforms, when Judah was still languishing in idolatry and wickedness. It was (in 628 B.C.), that Josiah tore down all the altars to Baal, burned the bones of false prophets, and broke the carved idols (2 Chron. 34:3-7). 

The purpose of Zephaniah’s prophecy is to set forth what the Day of the Lord will mean to ungodly Judah, to the world powers and to the godly remnant of Israel. His theme is the Day of the Lord, which destroys the false remnant of Baal (chapter 1), destroys the God-rejecting nations (Chapter 2), and purifies the true remnant (3:8-20).

Woe’s are mentioned 99 times in the King James Bible.  Woe means that doom is coming.  Three most famous Woe’s are the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets of the book of Revelation. Today is Homecoming.  Usually I preach on heaven and I will today also.  So hang with me here for a little bit.  1:00

1.  Woe To Godless Jerusalem

Zephanianh 3:1Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!

Jerusalem is doomed, that corrupt, rebellious city that oppresses its own people. Woe (judgment is coming) to her who is rebellious and defiled,The tyrannical city [Jerusalem]!

People who have lost their moral compass are to be pitied indeed!  They are filthy, corrupt, defiled, and full of pollution! 

The oppressing city that oppresses its own people. They have become tyrants!

Zephanianh 3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.

Jerusalem has not listened to the Lord or accepted his discipline. Jerusalem has not put its trust in the Lord or asked for his help. She did not listen and heed the voice [of God];She accepted no correction. She did not trust in the Lord [but trusted her own power]; She did not draw near to her God [but to the pagan gods of Baal or Molech]. 

Pretty serious accusations.  This was before the reforms put in by good King Josiah.  2 Chronicles 34.  Manasseh a wicked king but in his last years he humbled himself and turned to God.  But he did not put out idol worship and altars entirely so when he died his son Amon was 22 years old when he became king.  He was assassinated two years later by His servants.  Amon did not humble himself before the Lord.   Josiah, Amon’s son was put in as king at eight years old.  But He sought the Lord at a young age.  Strange thing that Josiah turned to the Lord when his fathers were not good kings.  So due to that it took a while for him to cleanse the land from idols and altars for false gods. But he did.  It’s not how you start it’s how you finish.   

Jerusalem did not obey God’s voice through the prophets.  They killed the prophets sent to them by God.  They did not like to be told they were wrong.  They did not trust in the Lord but in their own plans and schemes.  They did not draw near to God. They wanted nothing to do with God. 

The thing to remember is that God’s people are not immune to leaving God and their faith.  There are two types of Christians who leave their faith.  They never were saved.  1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have

continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Some were saved and at the Judgment seat of Christ they will have lost every bit of the good they have done for the Lord….1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  Woe to the Godless   10:00

1.  Woe To Godless Jerusalem   2. Woe to Godless leaders

Zephanianh 3:3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

Its officials are like roaring lions; its judges are like hungry wolves, too greedy to leave a bone until morning. Her officials within her are roaring lions; Her judges are [as hungry as] the wolves at evening, They leave nothing for the morning. 

The leaders of Israel were Selfish, arrogant, desiring attention and full of greed.  Godless, empty people who did not want God in their lives.  They are so greedy for gain that they leave nothing for the poor and the children.  They roar all day of their greatness and feast all day on their lusts and it continues all night and nothing is left.  They consume everything yet they pretend to be for the people. 

Sound Familiar?  Congress today, Corporate America Today, Communist dictatorships and Islamic fundamentalism describe these types of governments.   Woe to the Godless governments of this world. 15:00

1.  Woe To Godless Jerusalem   2. Woe to Godless leaders   3. Woe to Godless Prophets and Priests

Zephanianh 3:4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: The prophets are irresponsible and treacherous; Her prophets are reckless and treacherous men.  

Irresponible, light.  They teach and prophecize things that are not true. They twist the truth.  They are pretending to be of God but they are godless hypocrites who betray their people and their God.  Preachers who don’t preach the word of God are betraying their people. 

Zephanianh 3:4 ……her priests have polluted the sanctuary, the priests defile what is sacred, Her priests have profaned the sanctuary; These priests defile the sacred things of God with their failure to do what God requires.  They profane the sanctuary. 

Zephanianh 3:4 ……they have done violence to the law.  and twist the law of God to their own advantage. They have done violence to the law [by pretending their word is God’s word].  They are liars. 

How do you know when someone is lying from the pulpit?  You have a Bible.  YOU can fact check them right there. God believed in fact-Checking a long time ago…it’s called the Bible.  Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

It is hard to believe that someone would twist the word of God around to their own advantage but they do it every day!   Do not be deceived!  It’s up to you to read your Bible.  Study to show yourself approved.  That means read it often, daily. The Bereans searched the scriptures DAILY!    Woe to the godless preachers and teachers who will not search the scriptures for fear of being found unapproved of God!  20:00

1.  Woe To Godless Jerusalem   2. Woe to Godless leaders   3. Woe to Godless Prophets and Priests

4. Woe to Those Who Reject Jesus

Zephanianh 3:5 The just Lord is in the midst thereof; But the Lord is still in the city; The Lord is righteous within her;  The Lord is still there despite their sin.  God never leaves His people because He cannot break His promises to His people.  He will not break His promises to Israel and He will not break His promises to us.  Israel is God’s people forever.  They sinned yes. They rebelled yes.  They worshipped other gods. Yes.  They rejected God yes. But God will not reject them.  He will punish them but He will bring them to the their land and rule over them as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 

God has made promises to the church!  John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  Here is the part about heaven!  I told you it was coming!   He promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  He promised to give us eternal life and they shall never perish.  He promised that we would be with Him for ever and ever!  We would serve him forever! We will know His joy forever!  We know His place forever!  Many of you have come to homecoming today.  What a homecoming we will be at one day!  We will all be together in that perfect place called heaven.  We will eat also.  The marriage supper of the Lamb!  What a meal that will be!!

Zephanianh 3:5…..he will not do iniquity: he does what is right and never what is wrong. He will do no injustice.  A description of Jesus Christ.  He who knew no sin became sin for us.  Woe to those who fail to accept God’s payment for their sins!

Zephanianh 3:5 ….every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, Every morning without fail, he brings justice to his people. Every morning He brings His justice to light.    Jesus is truth and justice.  He will always do what is right. Woe to those who get what they deserve!  Christians don’t get what we deserve because of the grace of God!

Zephanianh 3:5 ….he faileth not; He does not fail. He cannot fail.  Woe to those who fail to come to Christ. If you fail to trust in Jesus what does it matter what else you succeeded at?   Jesus cannot fail.  He will not fail us when we come to Him in Faith. 

Zephanianh 3:5 ….but the unjust knoweth no shame. And yet the unrighteous people there keep on doing wrong and are not ashamed.   But the unjust person knows no shame that they reject the Lord.

Woe to the unjust.  They have not been justified before God.  Justification means to be made just as if I had never sinned.   The unjust just keep on doing what seems right in their own eyes and the end thereof is death.    Woe to those who are not ashamed to sin

 We are not ashamed…..of Christ so we have overcome sin.    We are not disappointed in the Lord!  Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.      Woe to those who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ.  You may not think about it now…. but one day you will never forget all of your lost opportunities to trust in Jesus!! 28:04

 

Judges 3:1-11 Be Like Oth-ni-el

Intro:   Have you heard the old commercial “be Like Mike.”  Well today there is definitely someone to be like. And you can be like this man of God. 

 The Book of Judges covers a dark time in the history of Israel. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.  Most of the time Israel lived in apostasy, away from God. But God would raise up judges, military and civil leaders who would be used of God to deliver Israel.  We find examples of this in Judges 2:11-23, 17:6

We want to examine a brief account of the career of the first judge, Oth-ni-el. Oth-ni-el was either a nephew or brother of Caleb. He had already distinguished himself as a military hero, winning the hand of daughter by conquering a city.  Judges 1:12-13 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.  13 And Oth-ni-el the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.  Jerusalem was captured by the men of Judah who were going about causing trouble in the region.  Caleb, said, “I will give my daughter Achsah in marriage to the man who succeeds in capturing Kiriath Sepher this was a city also called Debir.” 13 Oth-ni-el, the son of Caleb's younger brother Kenaz, captured the city, so Caleb gave him his daughter Achsah in marriage.

God's Spirit, craftsman that He is, produced a wonderful masterpiece in the life of Oth-ni-el.

Using Oth-ni-el as an example, I want us to see what happens when we are surrendered to God, Faithful to God and make ourselves available to God and allow His Spirit to work in our lives. The Spirit hasn't changed. If He produced a masterpiece in Oth-ni-el, he can inside of us as well. There are five things that happen when we become like Oth-ni-el Faithful and available.  5:00

1.God Will Use you - Vs. 9

It was a dark time – In Judges 3:1-8. The Lord left some nations in the land to test the Israelites who had not been through the wars in Canaan. 2 He did this only in order to teach each generation of Israelites about war, especially those who had never been in battle before. 3 Those left in the land were the five Philistine cities, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the Lebanon Mountains from Mount Baal Hermon as far as Hamath Pass. 4 They were to be a test for Israel, to find out whether or not the Israelites would obey the commands that the Lord had given their ancestors through Moses. 5 And so the people of Israel settled down among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 6 They intermarried with them and worshiped their gods. So the Lord became angry with Israel and let King Cush-an-Rish-athaim of Mesopotamia conquer them. They were subject to him for eight years.  7 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of the  king of Mesopotamia; and the Israelites served Cush-an-rish-athaim eight years. The people of Israel forgot the Lord their God; they sinned against him and worshiped the idols of Baal and Asherah. And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.  So, the Lord became angry with Israel and let King Cush-an-Rish-athaim of Mesopotamia conquer them. They were subject to him for eight years.

 They failed the test miserably!!!

In answer to prayer God raised up Oth-ni-el as a deliver.  Judges 3:9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he sent someone to free them. This was Oth-ni-el, the son of Caleb's younger brother Kenaz. But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord [for help], the Lord raised up a man to rescue the people of Israel, Oth-ni-el the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.  God raises up leaders and warriors when they are needed.  Today we need them today.  All who know Jesus are leaders and warriors for Christ.  We put on the full amour of God.  We are either leading others to Christ or you are leading them away from Christ.  You are either failing to serve Christ or a you are a warrior for Christ.  No middle ground.  Make Yourself Available and God will use you.  God can’t use someone who isn’t ready.  Who isn’t faithful to Him.  Who isn’t a prayer, or who doesn’t ever read the Bible, or who lives a life of sin and hypocrisy.  He uses the faithful, the prepared and the available. 10:00

 1. If You Are like Oth-ni-el God Will Use You -  2. If You are like Oth-ni-el you Will filled with the Spirit -

Judges 3:10 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, The spirit of the Lord came upon him,

We do not know exactly what Oth-ni-el did to defeat the enemy, but we do know that God's Spirit controlled him. If you are going to defeat the enemies of God, and be used of God, you must be under the control of the Holy Spirit! Ephesians 5:18, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  Oth-ni-el was filled with the Spirit.  We cannot know God without the Spirit.  No man can call Jesus Christ without the Spirit of God.  We cannot follow God without the Spirit of God leading us.  God's Holy Spirit works through people. 

Therefore there needs to be a person available whom the Spirit of God can use. 1 Corinthians 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Romans 8:9, But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.14, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

The Spirit of God worked inside of Oth-ni-el, but the verses listed above make it obvious that the Spirit wants to work inside of every Christian.

Oth-ni-el was obviously available. We must make ourselves available to the control of the Spirit of God. We are available when we do not grieve nor quench the Spirit. God can’t use people who always quench the Spirit with sin and inconsistent behavior and a bad attitude.  Ephesians 4:30-32, And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  1 Thessalonians 5:19  Quench not the Spirit.  15:00

  1. If You Are like Oth-ni-el God Will Use You -  2. If You are like Oth-ni-el you Will filled with the Spirit - 3. If you are like Oth-ni-el you will Influence others  

Judges 3:10….and he judged Israel, and went out to war:

It and he became Israel's leader. Oth-ni-el went to war,  "He judged Israel, and went out to war." He led the people. and he judged Israel. He went out to war. 

When you are controlled by the Holy Spirit there will be times when the Spirit will lead you to take charge of a situation. God might call upon you to talk to a sinning brother or sister, or invite a person to church or teach a Sunday School class, or work on the building or serve on the board. Even when not in charge, we should lead by example. Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Influence others by your attitude of gratitude and willingness to serve.  Don’t gripe, make thing better when you are around.  Work hard, do things right, what you are when no one is watching is what you are.  Be the real deal in Christ.  So many phoney’s today, fakes and liars.  People are looking for the real thing.  Be real for Christ and you will without even trying influence and lead others to Christ.   19:00

   1. If You Are like Oth-ni-el God Will Use You -  2. If You are like Oth-ni-el you Will filled with the Spirit - 3. If you are like Oth-ni-el you will Influence others  4. If you are like Oth-ni-el you will Be  victorious-

Judges 3:10…and the Lord delivered Chush-an-rish-athaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chush-an-rish-athaim. …and the Lord gave him the victory over the king of Mesopotamia.  The enemy was defeated, and Israel was defeated from bondage. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and the Lord gave Cush-an-rish-athaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, and he prevailed over Cush-an-rish-athaim.

The Spirit of God is in your life to deliver you and give you victory from the bondage of sin. Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

We need to be like Oth-ni-el to help others be delivered from sin. Acts 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  Hebrews 3:11-12, So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.  Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Don’t be defeated, a hateful sourpuss. Don’t be a Debbie Downer.  Be positive for Christ.  Do you lift people up or bring them down?  We already have Victory over our sin, death, hell and the grave!  We are already overcomers over any obstacle that the devil puts in front of us.  Never quit.  Never give up.  You might have to change a few things, try a new strategy but we don’t give up on anyone or give up on the Lord’s work.  23:00

   1. If You Are like Oth-ni-el God Will Use You -  2. If You are like Oth-ni-el you Will filled with the Spirit - 3. If you are like Oth-ni-el you will Influence others  4. If you are like Oth-ni-el you will Be  victorious 5. If You are Like Oth-ni-el you will have Peace -

Judges 3:11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died. There was peace in the land for forty years, and then Othniel died.  And the land was at rest [from oppression for] forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died.There was rest for almost 40 years because of the Spirit working upon Othniel.

We are promised rest as the Spirit of God works inside of us. John 14:16-17, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:26-27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace and a sound mind.   Not over worrying or over stressed.  No worries about tomorrow for Jesus holds tomorrow.  Pray about everything and you will have peace about everything. 

27:00

Conclusion:    1. If You Are like Oth-ni-el God Will Use You -  2. If You are like Oth-ni-el you Will Be filled with the Spirit - 3. If you are like Oth-ni-el you will Influence others  4. If you are like Oth-ni-el you will Be  victorious 5. If You are Like Oth-ni-el you will have Peace - He was great because God that He served is great!  You can be an Oth-ni-el and have victory over your battles.  You will still have battles.  He was a judge over Israel.  So that was not an easy task.  Then he had enemies.  But in the end, he had the victory over his enemies and he received the peace of God as God gave him rest.  This is heaven for us.  Do you want to be like Oth-ni-el?  Trust in Jesus.  Let Him make you to become….what He wants you to be and do great things for Christ!  Even in Martin County you can do great things for Christ!  You will have to judge between what is Godly and what is wicked, you will have enemies to be defeated but in the end you will have victory and eternal joy and rest with Jesus Christ!  28:04

Philippians 4:8-13 God’s Provision

Intro: God cares for His children.  He will never leave us nor forsake us.  We haven’t gotten to heaven yet.  We are still in our mortal flesh so we are still subject to the affects of our fallen world and our fallen flesh.  We will not escape sickness.  We will not escape death unless Jesus comes to get His church.  So are we doomed?  No. No. NO!  We have a provision given to us by God.  It’s called Contentment.  It’s called God’s provision for us.  It’s called confidence in God.  1:00

1.  Godly Contentment

Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; In my life in union with the Lord it is a great joy to me that after so long a time you once more had the chance of showing that you care for me. Thanks for the Gift.  I rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that now at last you have renewed your concern for me;

God gives us fellow believers who care for one another.  We have fellowship one with another.  We depend on each other for love, support, encouragement and strength.  1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.  1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.

Philippians 4:10…wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. I don't mean that you had stopped caring for me—you just had no chance to show it, indeed, you were concerned about me before, but you had no opportunity to show it.  The Philippian church hadn’t had any opportunity to show their appreciation for Paul.  We shouldn’t stub up or pout because people don’t show us appreciation.  Is that all you live for is the glory of the world?  We get our praise from God the praise of men is fleeting. John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, Not that I speak from [any personal] need.  Paul didn’t feel neglected or hurt.  He was fine.  He knew a secret that we all need to learn……

Philippians 4:11…..for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances.

We LEARN to be content.  We are born with that.  It is something that is learned by experience. 

Contentment comes only from learning a big little word called “trust.” Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Philippians 4:11…Whatever state I am…. Matthew 5:45 for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  We have learned that some things we can’t change.  We just have to trust God.  Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  It takes time to learn to trust God.  We have to go through things and that God gives us to  allow us to test and strengthen our faith.  We let children learn to walk by walking with them either holding their hands or walking nearby.  They stumble, they wobble, the flail around, but they learn to walk.  Because parents are there to keep them from falling they gain confidence.  We have to learn to trust God.  We walk with Him.  We stumble, we wobble, we flail around but He will not let us fall.  Contentment is completely trusting in God.  10:00

1.  Godly Contentment  2.  Godly Provision

Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, I know what it is to be in need I know how to get along and live humbly in difficult times.  Not everything in this world is going to go well for a Christian.  We have an enemy called the devil.  He has millions demonic spirits working against us.  Ah but we have 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Philippians 4:12…and I know how to abound: and what it is to have more than enough, and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity.  God blesses us with many blessings.  Family, friends, church, a home, a job, a career, income, health, talents and abilities, a purpose, a Savior Jesus Christ and a good ending to this life. 

Philippians 4:12….every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.  We must be prepared for any circumstance in life.  We don’t know when things will go bad.  Look at today.  We are on the cresivice of the collapse of our society.  We don’t know what going to happen in the next few weeks.  But we have confidence in our Lord Jesus who promised to never, no not ever, leave us nor forsake us.   

The Old Testament calls God Jehovah Jireah Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.  Jehovahjireah means “the Lord will provide.”  Our problem.  We don’t want to wait on God.  Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Every time you get ahead of God it will be a disaster.   What happened to Abraham and Sara?  They got Ishmail instead of waiting on God.  Israel didn’t wait on God and decided to make a golden calf.  Israel didn’t wait on God and wanted a king and they got Saul, and Manessa and a host of evil kings that eventually brought disaster to Israel. 

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  God will provide. We have to wait.  When we pray God always answers…Yes, No, and Later!! 19:00

1.  Godly Contentment  2.  Godly Provision  3. Godly Confidence

Why do we have confidence?

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Underline this, mark this in your Bible.  I’m sure many of you already have.    Godly confidence brings peace, joy, hope, and contentment in any situation.  A man named Job lost his children, his possessions and then his health. His reaction?  “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!”  His wife said “curse God and die.” Job 2:9  Remember most people fall apart when bad things happen.  Those who trust in Jesus Christ don’t fall apart but everything falls into place.  Most people panic and lose their faith.  Job said to his wife “But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil (accept adversity and disaster)? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”  Job 2:10  

At the end Job received twice the family, twice the possessions and twice the health!!    Why do we worry and why do we fret?   God is not finished with you yet! 

Everyone turn to Matthew 6:25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Seek ye the kingdom of God….Seek His righteousness.   Have your sins forgiven and be made righteous through faith and trust in Jesus Christ and all these things shall be added unto you.  Your needs will be met.  God will care for you, He will care about you, He will think about you, He will bring you to a place of Contentment, Provision and Confidence.  Wouldn’t you like that in this day and age we are in?  Trust in Jesus Christ….if you have never done so please do it now!  28:04

Galatians 4:1-6  Critical Race Theory

Intro: The Galatian Christians were struggling with salvation through faith alone due to false teachers. Legalism is trying to earn salvation and entrance into heaven by your own works or efforts.  Legalism is trying to add works to the finished work of Christ.  Christ said at the cross “it is finished.”  The work of salvation is complete in Christ so that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and in Him alone. 

Critical Race Theory—the view that the law and legal institutions are inherently racist and that race itself instead of being biologically grounded and natural, is a socially constructed concept that is used by white people to further their economic and political interests.   This is the effort to try to undermine the law and the constitution to turn us into a socialist and eventually a communist country. 

CRT originated among legal scholars like Derrick Bell, Kimberle Crenshaw and Richard Delgado, who argued that racism and white supremacy were defining elements of the American legal system. Basically they believe that racism is socially constructed and invented by whites to make sure white’s are supreme.  Okay…Critical race theory has never been true.  It was true that Black people were held back for many years in this country because of prejudice but not to any White Supremacy theory.  But today it is no longer true that blacks are held back due to prejudices….. but people hold themselves back because of their life choices. 

There are more freedoms in the United States today than any country ever in the history of the world.  Did you know that statistics tells us that anyone can be successful in the United States no matter their skin color, background or poverty level…. if they do these three things.  Don’t get married til you have a good job, then get married and have children within the confines of marriage.  These three things are common denominators among people who are successful in America.  Why? Because this is the Bible way of success.  The Bible teaches us Faith in Christ, morality, family and hard work will bring you success. 

Critical Race Theory is brain washing at the core.  If you repeat something long enough and back it with threats and violence people will soon believe it.   In the New church the legalists within the church….were trying to hold on to the law and were usurping Paul and others who were teaching the truth with their critical theories about the law.  Paul went back to the basics to explain this false critical race theory that the Jews and the law were above all others as it pertains to salvation.  But this is not true because Jesus Christ has died for the whole world…. as Critical race Theory is not truth in Amercia.  3:00

1. Jews Are Not Supreme Concerning Salvation

Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But now to continue— Now what I mean [when I talk about children and their guardians] is this the son who will receive his father's property is treated just like a slave while he is young, even though he really owns everything.  As long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave even though he is the [future owner and] master of all [the estate]; 

It is frustrating that the until he comes of age the son can enjoy very little of his fathers estate. 

Jews were under the law until Christ came to free them from the law.  The law is our school master given to teach us the requirements of God upon man.  Jews suffered due to times of unbelief and disobedience.   But they are God’s chosen to bring the ten commandments into the world, to bring Jesus into the world , to give the word of God to the world, and in the future to be citizens of the kingdom of God in the world.  But the Jewish Christians did not want to leave the law as part of salvation for even Gentiles.  They had no right to require this burden upon gentiles because God has set all men free in Christ.  Christ fulfilled the law therefore we no longer need it. Christ has satisfied the demands of the law therefore we don’t need to keep it. 

First of all there are no races. There is ONE race the human race.  We have different pigmentation.  White people are not supreme.  Jews are not supreme…. but chosen for a different role in God’s working in the world.  Jews are favored by God due to the promises of God to them.  But they have to be saved through faith in Christ just like everybody else. 

Galatians 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

While he is young, there are men who take care of him and manage his affairs he is under [the authority of] guardians and household administrators or managers until the time set by his father, Until the date set by his father [when he is of legal age].

The law was their tutor, their schoolmaster.  To show them through the sacrifices of lambs, bulls and goats that without the shedding of blood (death) there is no remission of sin.  The wages of sin is death. 

When the time came the son inherited his father’s estate.  When the time came the Jews inherited their fathers salvation through Christ who came to give us something much better than the law.  Salvation by grace through faith.  The Jews were somewhat arrogant thinking that they were the only ones who could be saved. But Peter saw that Gentiles can received the Holy Spirit just like Jews at Penecost leading Him to conclude that God would save Gentiles in the same way as Jews. Through faith in Christ alone!  But the Law and grace continued to be a point of contention among Jewish Christians.  Their critical race theory in the church then was that Jews are supreme and all gentiles had to keep some of the requirements of the law.

Critical race theory seeks to divide between the skin pigments of white, black, red and yellow.  And actually creates reverse discrimination when you try to continually categorize and punish someone based on their white skin color.  You know that blacks, reds, yellows and whites all had slaves down through history.  There were more black slaves in South America by far than in America in the 1860’s.  South America, Central America and the Carribbean had over two million slaves compared to less than 250,000 in the United States.  Black families owned slaves in America.  There were some slaves in the north as well as the south.  Where is BLM at in South America? Africa? The Muslim world…. who to this day continue to hold black slaves.  13:00

1. Jews Are Not Supreme Concerning Salvation   2.  We Are All Slaves to Sin.

Galatains 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

In the same way, we too were slaves of the ruling spirits of the universe before we reached spiritual maturity in Christ.  So also we [whether Jews or Gentiles], when we were children (spiritually immature), were kept like slaves under the elementary [man-made religious or philosophical] teachings of the world.

Critical Race theory will tells us that slaves should receive Reparations for past slavery.  But God says we are all slaves still today!  Slaves to sin.  Christ died to free us from the bondage to sin.  He paid reparations for us.  He bought us from the power of sin, the penalty of sin and the destination of sin.  Sin takes us farther than we want to go keeps us longer than we want to stay.  Sin is called slavery, bondage, chains, and prison in the word of God. We are all today slaves to sin if we do not know Jesus Christ. That goes for all people everywhere!

Turn to Matthew 25  beginning with verse 14  You know the passage it’s the parable of the talents.  The master gives five talents to one servant, two to another servant and another servant one talent.  The servants with the five talents doubled his to ten.  The servant with the two doubled his talents to four. The servant with one talent hid his in the earth.  He did nothing. He was lazy!! When the Lord came he lauded the efforts of the first two servants and called them good and faithful.  This is capitalism at work.  We are all given different talents and abilities.  It is exciting when we succeed with our own efforts and God-given abilities!   If you can supply the demand you will be successful!  It doesn’t matter who you are! 

We pick up in verse 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: He accused the master of living off of the hard work of others.  He accused him of being a socialist and communist. 

Matthew 36:25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

Next he claimed victimhood.  He claimed that he was afraid.  Lebron James said black people are afraid.  Minorities are victims.  It’s not my fault I couldn’t quit drugs.  It’s not my fault I couldn’t quit drinking or looking at porn or stealing from my neighbor.  I never had the advantage of white priviledge.  Excuses, I’m a victim here. I was afraid to do anything. 

Matthew 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:  What does the master say?  Oh you poor thing.  I’m sorry you were a victim of other people holding you back.  You did great.  Well done.  NO!!! the master says.  Two things.  You Wicked and lazy servant.  It is wicked to use excuses when the Lord has given us all talents and abilities ot use for His glory.  NO excuses there.  It is pure laziness on the part of anyone who doesn’t try to better himself and uses victimhood as an excuse.  No production at all.  He did nothing.

YOU know that almost every drug addict never does anything for anybody ever!  But cries and laments their addiction to the misery of family and friends!  It’s wickedness!  What BLM and Anifa are doing is wicked!  What are they producing?  You know that socialists and communists never invented anything.  China steals and copies everything from everybody.  Why?  They have no incentive to invent under communism!  Where is the reward?  Everyone gets the same wage, everyone gets the same benefits why work harder?  Why try something different?  Even our gracious heavenly father rewards His children.  This is a good example in Matthew 25.  We are rewarded according to faithfulness to our master.   Critical race theory wants to get rid of capitalism. Wants to level the playing field.  Doesn’t want to keep score.  Make everyone the same.  No individualism.  All for the party and it’s all for nothing!  No productivity at all. 

Matthew 25:27 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. The master tells the servant instead of burying it he could have taken it to the bank and at least gotten a little interest from it.  He was too lazy to even go to the bank. To afraid of bankers evidently!  This is pitiful but it describes Critical Race Theory.  It’s all the western civilizations fault so lets just call for reparations and riot (Not work)protest (not work) make speeches (not work) and do nothing productive at all.  Critical Race Theory is the wicked servant in Matthew 25!  16:00

1. Jews Are Not Supreme Concerning Salvation   2.  We Are All Slaves to Sin   

3.  In Christ We Are All One

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law,  But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law.

When the time was right God sent His Son.  He was born of a human Jewish woman under the law. The one who came to set us free was born in bondage.  Not to sin but to the law.   When the time was right God freed the American Slaves and gave them freedom that took time to fully develop.  The Son of God was born a Jew under the law. So you would think that God would have us all to be Jewish and follow the law. Critical Race theory would say that the Jews were supreme because Jesus was born a Jew.   No…He was born a Jew because He came to fulfill the law and introduce Grace and truth and the church!  He came to save the whole world and make us ONE church!

Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might become God's children.  so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God’s children with all rights as fully grown members of a family].

He came to save the Jews. Because they needed to be saved. They weren’t some special people that lives above sin.  But they needed to be saved also.  Just like gentiles! There is no critical race theory here.  Jews weren’t any better than gentiles as far as salvation.  They may have thought they were. 

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. To show that you are[a] his children, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, “Father, my Father.”   And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, [a]“Abba! Father!”

The Holy Spirit confirms that Jews and gentiles alike can call God ….My Father!  The critical race theory does not exist here or in any realm of life.  Our constitution is correct. All men are created equal by God.  Jews had more revelation and therefore more responsibility than gentiles but we are all saved the same way. Through grace by faith in Christ. 

Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children.  Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ].

Jews are no longer slaves to the Levitical law. Gentiles are no longer slaves to the power of sin.  We are both free in Christ to lives a adopted children and brothers and sisters in Christ!  Every human being can call God “Father” when they Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation!

Critical Race theory is a tool of the devil to divide and confuse and cause chaos.  When and where will it end?  What about the Native American Indians? What about the Chinese American’s? What about the Japanese Americans?  What about the Irish, the German and the Italian Americans? What about Hillbilly Americans?  We’ve all been discriminated against in some form or another. 

What about just calling us all Americans without the hyphen?  Better yet What about calling us all brothers and sisters in Christ!  Critical Race Theory is like the theory of Evolution.  It is all based on false assumptions that lead to fake conclusions but people get bent all out of shape about it!  Follow the money.  Someone, some group is out to get power and riches over this. Of course in the long run it will be the anti-Christ.  The Bible talks about Ethnic group against ethnic group in Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Nation means Ethnos or ethnic Group.   26:00

Conclusion:

1. Jews Are Not Supreme Concerning Salvation   2.  We Are All Slaves to Sin  

3.  In Christ We Are All One …… Critical Race Theory

I know that the divides in the country will not be solved by a president or a republican or a Democrat. It will be solved and only solved when Jesus Christ comes to this earth and becomes King of Kings and Lord of Lord. 

Critical means expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgment.   Critical also means the analysis of the merits and faults at a turning point or verge of a crisis.  In other words, Critical Race theory means “The Theory that Race is on the verge of a crisis”.  Race relations are in critical condition they believe. 

 I tell you that every person who does not know Jesus Christ regardless of the color of their skin…..is on the verge of a crisis. They could leave this world unsaved without Jesus Christ as their Savior and go to a devils’ hell!  I guess you could call it “critical unsaved Theory.”    People that are unsaved…that don’t know Jesus are on the verge of a crises.  Are you facing the “critical unsaved theory”?  Do you know Jesus as your Savior?  You can know Him today?  28:04

Revelation 20:1-6  The End

Intro:  If the movie is bad you can’t wait to see those words.  If the movie is good you hate to see those words.  The end is coming for two groups.  Satan and his angels and mortal physical man are both coming to an end one day sooner than we think.  I told a couple of strangers Friday that Jesus is coming and we need to get ready.  And they both agreed wholeheartedly and immediately changed the subject.  They don’t want to talk about the end of our lives here on this earth and I understand that.  We want to live….. that’s in our DNA.  God wants us to live also and we can if we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. We can live now and into a great and glorious future!  1:00

1. Satan’s End

Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Then I saw an angel coming down descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the abyss (the bottomless pit) and a heavy chain great chain was in his hand.

The angel here may be the same one who had the key to the bottomless pit in 9:1, 2. The bottomless pit is presently the place of imprisonment of some demons. Luke 8:31And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

And he overpowered, he seized the dragon, that old serpent [of primeval times)that ancient serpent— who is, the Devil, or Satan—and chained him bound him [securely up for a thousand years (a millennium).

The dragon of Revelation 12:3, 9, known as Satan, was in control of the serpent in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3. God has a sovereign plan for Satan. He will be shut … up in the abyss for a thousand years and then will be briefly released to deceive the nations one final time (Revelation 20: 7–9) before being cast into the lake of fire Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Must be released indicates that Satan will not escape from the pit but instead will be allowed to go forth from the pit to fulfill God’s sovereign plan.

Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. The angel threw him hurled him into the abyss, and closed it, locked it, and sealed it above him [preventing his escape or rescue, so that he could not deceive and seduce the nations any more until the thousand years were over. And then after that he must be set loose for a little while, a short time. 

The pit and will be the place from which the beast ascends. He is killed and goes into the pit for little while then miraculously resurrects and wreaks havoc on the earth for 3 ½ years and is finally sent to the Lake Of fire.  Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.  The beast”: Both a king and kingdom are referred to by this term.

“Was, and is not; and shall ascend” A reference to the Antichrist’s false resurrection in Revelation 13:3-4; 12-14.

“Out of the bottomless pit”: After his “resurrection”, the Antichrist will become possessed by a great demon from the abyss.  I believe this mark indicates that the power given unto the Anti-Christ comes from the bottomless pit.

“Go into perdition”: Eternal destruction. This is the lake of fire, the place of Antichrist’s destruction.  Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Thus, it is fitting that the Devil also will be held in the pit for a thousand years.  6:00

1. Satan’s End  2. The First Resurrection

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given the power to judge, were those to whom judgment [that is, the authority to act as judges] was given. I also saw the souls of those who had been executed, the souls of those who had been beheaded because they had proclaimed the truth that Jesus revealed and the word of God.  Why were they beheaded? Because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God. They also had refused to worship the beast or his image, nor had they received (accepted) the mark of the beast on their foreheads or on their hand. They came to life and ruled and reigned as kings with Christ for a thousand years.

Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  (The rest of the dead [the non-believers did not come to life until the thousand years were completed.) The first resurrection is referring to those who died in verse four.  The first resurrection is only for believers.  This is the first raising of the dead to life that occurs in five stages, This is the first resurrection. 

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Happy and greatly blessed happy, prosperous, and holy are those who are included in this first raising of the dead.  Over these The second death [which is eternal separation from God, the lake of fire] has no power or authority; they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they will rule and reign with him for a thousand years.

The First Resurrection occurs for all believers in five stages…..

There are six bodily resurrections in the Bible…..five for believers and one for unbelievers. 

1. Jesus Christ the first

Acts 26:23 that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.  Colossians 1:18 He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.

2. The Saved At Rapture Of The Church

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  See Also 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

3. The Tribulation Saints At His Second Coming and the end of the Tribulation.

Revelation 20:4-5 as we just read The first resurrection refers to the resurrection of all believers, though separated in time.

4. The Old Testament Saints At His Second Coming and the end of the Tribulation.

Daniel 12:1-2 At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of tribulation, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

5. Millennial Saints resurrected after the Millennium

There is another resurrection at the end of the Millennium, which is implied, but never explicitly stated in Scripture. It is possible that some believers will die a physical death during the Millennium. Though the prophet Isaiah, God said, "No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his days; for the youth will die at the age of one hundred and the one who does not reach the age of one hundred will be thought accursed” (Isaiah 65:20).  On the other hand, it is also possible that death in the Millennium will only come to the disobedient.

In either event, some kind of transformation will be required to fit believers in their natural bodies in the Millennium for pristine existence throughout eternity. Each believer will need to have a “resurrected” type of body.

But what will happen to those believers who survived the Tribulation and entered the Millennium in their natural bodies? And what will happen to those who were born during the Millennium, trusted in Jesus, and continued to live in their natural bodies? Paul has made it clear that flesh and blood, which is mortal and able to decay, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. That eternal kingdom is inhabitable only by those with resurrected, glorified bodies that are no longer mortal and are not able to decay (1 Corinthians 15:35-49).

Presumably, these believers will be given resurrection bodies without having to die. Precisely when this happens is not explained, but theologically, it must happen somewhere in the transition from the old earth and universe to the new earth and new heaven (2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.; Revelation 21:1-4 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 22:00

1. Satan’s End  2. The First Resurrection   3 The Second Death

Only unbelievers will be here and there is only one resurrection out of the grave for them.  There is a first resurrection but there is no second resurrection called that….. in the Bible.  It’s called the second death.  You aren’t raised to life in this resurrection you are raised to judgment and eternal death, separation from God.  The second death follows the first death which is natural physical death. 

The resurrection of unbelievers at the end of the Millennium and then The Great White Throne judgment.

The resurrection of unbelievers also will take place after the thousand year reign of Christ upon the earth. All the unbelieving dead who have ever lived will be resurrected and judged at this time.

You today for sure want to be apart of the First Resurrection.  You will be resurrected instantly at the rapture if you have died and taken alive if you are living at the rapture.  Which is the next event of the prophecy timeline.  

The first resurrection refers to the resurrection of all believers, though separated in time.  After the church is raptured and resurrected, there will be the resurrection of the tribulation saints-those who have died for their testimony of Christ during the Great Tribulation.  At that time the Old Testament saints will also be raised.  After the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth, the Millennium, there will be one final resurrection.  This will be the unrighteous dead from all time as well as the Millennial saints- those who trusted in Christ during the Millennium.

After the Great White Throne judgment, there will be no more resurrections. 27:00

1. Satan’s End  2. The First Resurrection   3 The Second Death

……..The End

People always raise the argument, “a loving God would never send anyone, or allow anyone to go to hell.” And they point to the suffering in the world today.

We have earthquakes, we have floods; we have war, we have hurricanes; we have famines, we have diseases. All that God would have to do is to simply speak the word and the rain would come and the crops would grow and infections would cease. All that He’d have to do is to strengthen the earth’s crust so that these earthquakes would not happen.

Now let me ask you a question. If God is willing to allow the human race to go through suffering, when clearly He could intervene and stop it, is it really hard to believe that God might allow people to suffer in hell forever?

You say, “Well, I thought He was a God of love.” Yes, and His love is displayed in Jesus Christ. He died and suffered so that we might not have to.  And all we have to do is trust in Him.  How easy is that? If everything was rosey on the earth why would we ever repent of our sin and trust in him?

 You see God is holy and a God of justice.  But because God loves us, He has warned us of the truth of the second death and eternal, conscious, punishment.   It is said of the Rich man that “and In hell he lift up his eyes being in torment….I am tormented in this flame.”   I don’t mean to scare you about the second death but if you fear the first death you should really fear the second death.  Hey if people suffer and die today why would there not be…..a hell? You trust in Christ now and you need not fear the second death…hell. 28:04

John 3:1-7 A Lawyer Gets Saved

Intro: I’m not going to get into any lawyer jokes.   We have some very good lawyers in our community. Praise God we have those who are from the liberty foundation, and Jay Sekulow, and many others who are defending the rights of believers all over this country mostly for free.  Remember the famous lawyer who decided He was going to destroy the Bible with his expertise in arguments and ability to find evidence.  Well one week after he started his case, he too became a Christian.  The evidence he discovered very quickly pointed to Jesus being exactly who He said He was.  And it was then that He decided that “I needed Him to save even me.”  Lawyers are necessary because people need help in determining legal matters and the right course of action legally.  We have laws so that society can function orderly and peacefully.  God established laws Himself.  The laws of nature, the laws of physics, and the law Moses.  Only one of those has God done away with.  The law of Moses was given to be fulfilled in one person.  Once that was done the law is no longer needed.  It is still useful for instruction and guidance but it is not necessary for our salvation and our walk with God.  How did that happen?  We shall see…. 1:00

1. A Lawyer

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

here was a Jewish leader a certain man named Nicodemus, who a ruler and member of the Sanhedrin he belonged to the party of the Pharisees.

Pharisees.  The first of 85 New Testament mentions of the Pharisees is in Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  

Paul was a Pharisee  Acts 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee… 

Some Pharisees became believers.  Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.  They had problems with wanting the gentile Christians to keep some aspects of the Jewish law especially circumcision.

The Sanhedrin was made up of High Priest, Scribes (teachers and recorders of the law) and elders (Jewish High court) in Matthew 26:57  So Nicodemus was very devout Jewish man and expert in the Mosaic law.  He made legal rulings on matters of the Jewish Levitical laws.   So He was a lawyer. 6:00

1. A Lawyer   2 A Teacher

John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

One night he went to Jesus and said to him, “Rabbi, (Teacher), we know [without any doubt that you are a teacher sent by God. No one could perform these signs [these wonders, these attesting miracles that you are doing unless God were with him.”

Jesus was a teacher.  All pastors should be teachers as well as preachers.  Jesus was the greatest preacher that ever lived but he also taught by His daily actions and short instructions on daily life.   

This lawyer was convinced that Jesus had come from God and was from God.  Why?  The miracles He did.  He had logically and correctly deducted that no one can do miracles unless it is the power of God.  What miracles did Nicodemas see?  John 2:11  This beginning of miracles ( the wedding of Cana) did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.  As the text tells us that Jesus did many miracles that manifested His glory before the meeting with Nicodemas that Nicodemas was familiar with. 

Miracles are signs by Jesus and the apostles to show us, to prove the validity of the words they were saying.  After the word of God appeared those things ceased.  Now we have the word of God.  Signs ceased because we can’t be convinced by miracles.  They only draw us to faith.  They cannot cause faith or our faith is not based on miracles but faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  John 2:23-24 ….many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.  24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men.  It is not a miracle we need but we need to something much more than a miracle…..11:00

1. A Lawyer   2 A Teacher  3 A New Birth

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am telling you the truth unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”

Plainly, simply if you are not born again you cannot go to heaven.  What does it mean to be born again?  Nicodemas asked the same thing in verse 4…..

John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  Nicodemus asked Him, “How can a grown man be born again when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?”

It has nothing to do with any thing physically.  It has nothing to do with any act of your own.  It has nothing to do with any actions you can do physically or any actions you can take.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am telling you the truth,” that no one can enter the Kingdom of God I say that unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.

How can a man be born again?  By being born of a human mother and be being born of the spirit.  You must be a human being to be born again.  Angels do not qualify for the new birth because they were never born to begin with only created. 

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh A person is born physically of human parents [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, is born spiritually of the Spirit.  Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.  A person cannot be saved by staying in his sinful flesh.  The Bible says no flesh can be made good enough to be saved.  God doesn’t want to change us but to make us completely new.  New creatures. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  

That is amazing for all of us who have past regrets, and past guilt over our sins and actions and it is ALL OF US!   We have to be saved spiritually that is our spirits have to be made alive.  We are dead in trespasses and sins.  And when we have faith in Christ, He makes us alive spiritually, a new person.   God does this work, He does the changing, without Him we can do nothing to save ourselves.  It is entirely the work God in Jesus Christ.   Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].’

What a Savior!  He planned to save us and do all the work of Salvation Himself.  He planned from the foundation of the world to save us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone plus nothing!  We marvel at this…But Jesus said don’t be surprised that it has nothing to do with you. It’s not about you working for salvation by keeping God’s laws.  It’s all about His work on the cross where He took your sins upon Himself who knew no sin, who could not sin because He was God in the flesh. 

To Nicodemas this had to be amazing.  Here is this leader of the Jews…. a Jewish lawyer who is schooled and an expert in the law of Moses.  He is hearing that salvation has nothing to do with the law but in being born again? 

No wonder Jesus said “Marvel not” or don’t be surprised Nicodemas this is how the law would be fulfilled.  The law is our schoolmaster that has taught us that we are accountable to God for sin.  Jesus came to free us from the penalty for our sin.  Amazing.  No wonder Jesus said “Marvel not.”

Grace is the natural progression of the law.  We cannot keep the law no matter what we do. James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. So, of course God would have to save us by grace through faith for that is the only way to save us.  He showed us this every time a lamb was sacrificed in the Old Testament.  For the lamb took the peoples sin temporarily preparing us for the day that God would send the eternal Lamb of God who would take away sins permanently.  

What did John the Baptist say?  John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  There it is!  The lamb of God giving us salvation through the new birth….. cleansed from sin forever!  A Lawyer got saved!

 Have you accepted Christ?  Have you experienced the new birth?  It is acquired only be faith in Christ.  Faith that only He can save you from the penalty of sin.  Only He can save you from the condemnation of sin.  Come to Him today in faith.  Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  28:04

8/23/2020 

John 1:1-5  Common Sense About Jesus

Intro:  Common sense is wisdom gained by life’s experiences.  When you are a child you don’t have much of it.  When you are a teenager you have absolutely zero common sense.  When you become a young adult you start to understand common sense.  You still don’t have a lot of it but you are exposed to it everyday and by the time you are in your forties you have twice as much as you had when you are twenty and it doubles every ten years for the rest of your life.  However……some never get all the common sense they need…..for one reason and one reason only.  They have no acknowledged God in their lives and Jesus as their Savior.  The most sensible thing you can do is trust in Jesus Christ.  God says….Come let us reason together….so lets reason some things about Jesus today.  1:00

1.  Jesus Has Always Been

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word,

In the beginning before all time the Word Christ already existed.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…

Man has a beginning and a creator.  Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

Common sense starts with the realization that we were created by God.  How else can you explain that every human is religious, every animal is not.  How can you explain DNA or the stars? 

John 1:1….and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 the Word was with God, and the Word was God, God Himself

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

Common sense tells us that we are sinners.  So God sent us a Savior.  We needed a Savior because all of our lives we have been sinners.  We cannot approach a Holy God as sinners so God became a man, a perfect man, who knew no sin took our sin upon Himself.

John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

From the very beginning the Word was with God. He was [continually existing co-eternally] with God

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Common sense tells us that Jesus was a very special person because He is God come down to man.  God is the flesh.  I am is the way God introduced Himself to Moses at the burning bush.  I am that I am.  And Jesus called Himself by the same name in John 8:58.

I read Friday that Jesus was a myth and that He never really existed.  This article totally lost it’s credibility when it said that Santa Claus was not real either.    No…..There is more evidence that Jesus lived than there is that you are alive today.  How many of you have 500 people that will testify and swear on a Bible that you are who you say you are?  None of us in this room have that many, no even close.  But the Bible says 1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once…. But not only that but what about the books written about Him? What about the Bible?  What about the testimony of the millions of changed lives who claim to know Him personally?  What about the name of Jesus being used as a cuss word?  We don’t say Oh Mohammed! or Oh Budda!  We curse our Gods when we are angry.  What about our hearts when we hear the name of Jesus?  There is truly no other name like Jesus.  There are millions of boys named Mohammed, there are millions of boys named about a form of Budda.  There are millions of boys named Paul, and John and even many named after false gods.  But nobody names their child Jesus anymore.  Why?  It’s just weird and sacreligious even to the secular world why? ……because He is God!    Common sense tell us that Jesus is God in the flesh.  The God-man.  All God and all man.  Hard to understand but easy to see.   10:00

1.  Jesus Has Always Been   2. Jesus Is The A Giver of Life and Light

John 1:3 All things were made by him….

Through him God made all things All things were made and came into existence through Him

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

John 1:3  …..and without him was not any thing made that was made.  Not one thing in all creation was made without him.  That’s how important Jesus is.  He is everything to us…. even our life. Colossians 3:4 For Christ who is our life….

John 1:4 In him was life; The Word was the source of life, In Him was life [and the power to bestow life],

He is eternal life…..John 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 

He is the bread of life…John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

He is the water of life….John 4:14 but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

He is the Giver of eternal Life….. John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

He is the beginning and the ending of life…..I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

He is the only way of life…. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 1:4 ….and the life was the light of men.  This life brought light to people. and the life was the Light of men.  John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Light reveals what was in the dark.  Common sense about Jesus would tell you that Jesus is the giver of life and light and no one else can do that, no one else has the power to do that, no one else has the right to do that but Him.  19:00

1.  Jesus Has Always Been   2. Jesus Is The A Giver of Life and Light   3. Man Rejects Jesus

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; Light overcomes darkness.  Isn’t it great that God has not left us in the dark but has provided answers to our greatest need.  The need to have our sin debt paid and to have salvation and eternal life.  2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

Our sin is darkness to our soul.  We cannot comprehend the light of God.  Until we hear the word of God and the Holy Spirit brings the light of the truth of Jesus Christ!  Then we have as the expression goes….”seen the light.”   The light that illuminates our sinful hearts and gives us salvation from our sin and hope to our souls and life to our spirit. 

John 1:5….and the darkness comprehended it not.

The light shines on and on in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.  the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].

God has made it simple and plain to understand.  Trust in Jesus Christ and you have your sin debt to God paid in full and receive eternal life.    People don’t understand.  Why do men reject the light? John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

I think the year 2020 should be called the year of the darkness of sin.  We have seen darkness in our lives and in our hearts because of the effect of sin that has been with us sin the garden of Eden.

*Sin brings sickness. CCP Covid 19

*Sin brings violence.  Riots and civil unrest

*Sin brings hatred.  People hate this president, and hate white people.

*Sin brings deception.  Are we really hearing the truth on any of these things?

*Sin brings despair.  25% of young adults have considered suicide this year

*Sin brings war.  China, Russia, Turkey, Iran, North Korea are all threatening the world and Israel especially

*Sin brings disasters.  Flooding and earthquakes are at an all time high.  September 10-20 is peak hurricane season.  So look out for a big one.

*Sin brings death.  People are dying alone and dying without hope more than any other time I can remember.

 One good thing one thing that makes sense.  Common sense tells us that Sin brought a Savior, Jesus Christ and you can know Him and have the light of life and the joy of salvation and the peace that surpasses all understanding.  We will have to go through some tough times for sure.  But isn’t it much better to let Jesus work out all things for our good and His glory than to have no hope at all!  To have confidence instead of fear? To have purpose instead of confusion? To have heaven to gain than hell hanging over your head?  Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.  Saved from judgment of your sin.  Saved from the penalty of your sin.  To have all your debts paid in full would be a wonderful thing wouldn’t it?  Who wouldn’t do that?  Well God has provided payment for ALL of your sin debt to Him through faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  Common sense will tell you to come to Jesus now.  28:04