Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church

6/9/2019

1 John 2:1-5  What We Have In Jesus

Intro:  1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

We have a lot of blessings in this world.  We have a home, a car or two, a child or two or three, friends, family, work, hobbies, neighbors, and doctors to keep us going right?  The poorest person in the world has been blessed of God with life and the possibility of eternal life!  We have so much in this world but we don’t really appreciate what we have in Jesus.  John the Apostle tries to tell us.  2:00

1.  We Have An Advocate

1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  I am writing this to you, my children, so that you will not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have someone who pleads with the Father on our behalf, an advocate, who will intercede for us—Jesus Christ, the righteous one. Jesus the upright, the just One, who conforms to the Father’s will in every way—purpose, thought, and action.

We do sin. 1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

But our sin should not be purposeful or habitual.  Like stealing, lying, cursing, fighting, fussing, murdering, hating constantly.  Living for the purpose to fulfill the desires of self.  James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

We may sin by accident, because we are fallen creatures every day but we don’t have to sin connivingly, purposely and consistently.  We have been freed from the power of sin.  But when we do sin…purposely or accidently….we have an advocate.  A paraclete in the Greek.  Someone who will defend us and stand for us and defend us. 

Isn’t that amazing! As sorry and no good as I am sometimes…. the Lord will defend me and stand for me when our accuser, the devil tries to malign me and you.  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.  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.  10:00

1.  We Have An Advocate  2.  We have a Propitiation

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: And Christ himself is the means, the one whom by which our sins are forgiven, And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature— our worldliness, our lifestyle.

1 John 2:2 ….and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone.  and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.  Only those who trust in Christ as Savior and Repent and turn to Christ can have this gift.  It is available to everyone.  But you don’t get it automatically.  Uncle Joe is not in heaven unless he put His faith and trust in Jesus Christ!  If he did no…..then he is not in heaven.  We are sinners!  A dirty word today that we don’t mention because we don’t want to offend anyone.  Well Jesus said the gospel would be offensive!  Mark 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

For God so loved the world….the whole world of people.  He didn’t love the animals.  He is good to them and provides for them.  He didn’t love the earth….He is good to the earth and will keep us from destroying the earth.  He loved humans! He is the advocate for mankind…. not the earth or the animals. 

He is propitiation for Mankind….not the earth and the animals!  Quit putting the earth and animals on the same level as humans!  The earth and animals are created …..Man is MADE in the image of God.  In the image of God made He them!  1 Corinthians 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.  18:00

1.  We Have An Advocate  2.  We have a Propitiation

3.  We Have A Friend

1 John 2: 3-5 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him.  We can have assurance.  I can know that I know that I know that I know Him.  How?  1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.   What are the commandments?  This is God’s commandments.  This is my beloved Son, hear ye Him.  He becomes a friend to you, closer than a brother.  Jesus said ye are MY friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. 

What did Jesus command us to do?….He that believeth in me shall not perish but have everlasting life.  Jesus said my yoke is easy my burden is light.  It not a keeping of the TEN commandments or the 613 Levitical laws….It’s this….Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out! Jesus fulfilled the righteousness requirements of the law.  You don’t have to be good to be saved you have to have His goodness applied to your life.  Jesus was made sin for you so that you could have His righteousness!  What a deal!  What a friend we have in Jesus!

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. If we say that we know him, but do not act like Him, we are liars and there is no truth in us.  Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and follow Jesus is a liar, and the truth of the Bible is not in him. 

You can’t be a sheep and run with the wolves.  You will be found out.  You can’t be a Christian and run after the pleasures of this world as your main goal in life.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a good time and pleasures.  As long as it’s based on blessings of God and not borrowed from the devil.   You know every pleasure you have when you are not a Christian is only temporary.  This is as good as it’s gonna get for you!   Every pleasure a Christian has in this world is just a faint image of the complete joy we will have in heaven with Jesus. 

Drugs, sex, partying, acting like a fool, and fussing and fighting is not the way Christians should act.  We are to be sober minded, peace makers and minding our own business.  We are be meek as lambs and wise as serpents. 

1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

But if we obey his word, if we act like Jesus, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God:  And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings).   But whoever habitually follows Jesus and treasures Him, and the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him:

We should act like a Christian.  That’s what the book of James is all about.  We show our faith by our actions, our love.   They’ll know we are Christians by our love.  Not our knowledge of the facts but for the fact of our love for Jesus and for others. 

We act like Jesus because He is our Savior, Our Lord, Our Master, Our King, Our…….Friend.  26:00

What we Have in Jesus

1.  We Have An Advocate  2.  We have a Propitiation

3.  We Have A Friend 

Does it amaze you that the God of the universe has come to you in a personal salvation experience?  He has and He is!  What is your response to Him?  You can accept Him and live for Him.  You can reject Him and run from Him.  Or you can ignore Him and hope that it will all be okay anyway.  

A “fool” or as we know them…a court jester came to a party to entertain the king who had been very sad for days. Nothing worked to make him happy.  The “fool” entertained the audience and the throne with amazing trickery.  The king seemed very pleased.  The jester asked for a volunteer from the audience.  He picked out one of the servants.  The fool poured drinks on the servant, stuck feathers in his hair and put his funny hat on him.  The audience was very quiet the whole time.  The jester asked incredously “what is the matter with you people?  Why aren’t you laughing?….I am the greatest fool of them all.”  The servant spoke up….”Yes you are…. for I am really the king! Had you known me you would have known who I was.  The joke is on you!”  Everyone laughed and the king was happy again at the great joke he pulled on the fool.  But unfortunately the fool lost his hat….. and his head that day!

The moral……You better know the king…… or you are going to be fooled one day and it WILL cost you your hat and your life!  28:04



John 12:28-32  The Glory of God

Intro: 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33This he said, signifying what death he should die.

34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.  2:00

1.  God’s Glory Has Come Because Of  Jesus

John 12:28…Father, glorify thy name.

It pleased God to send His Son to die for our sins.  It glorifies God that He would do such a wonderful thing for underserving sinners.  The angels must have been mystified at the plan of salvation.

God is not glorified in the things and inventions of man as marvelous as they are.

God is not glorified in our good….we have none. 

God is not glorified in government.  It is corrupt.

God is not glorified in our flag…..it is not His flag.

God is not glorified in our activities….we are running to and fro always seeking to do evil continouisly.

God is only glorified in Jesus Christ and His amazing act of grace. 

John 12:28 ….Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

It will be glorified when Jesus comes again to take His rightful blood bought place as the king of kings and Lord of Lords. 

That should be a scary thing for those who do not know Jesus Christ and have rejected Him.  9:00

2.  Judgment Is Come Because Of Jesus

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

Now there is no excuse for people to continue in sin.  Now salvation has been bought and paid for and people who reject have no where else to turn, no escape, and no hope without Jesus.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Jesus had to die in order for others to be drawn to Him.  Why are all men preoccupied with Jesus?  He died for our sins.  Satan knows it and will do everything he can to subvert the name of Jesus.

Creation knows it and groans under the anticipation of being made new again.

Romans 1 says that we are without excuse.  Everyone knows in their heart of hearts that God created the world and when they hear the name of Jesus they know instinctively that He is the Savior of the world and God in the flesh.

Why is His name vilified and cursed?  His name is on every tongue and on every mind.

They can try to get Him our of their minds but they can’t.  Why do people who don’t believe make such a case against Jesus?  I don’t believe in little green men from Mars but I don’t’ talk about it all the time.  I don’t try to destroy your belief in little green me from Mars.   I don’t believe in eating vegetables but I don’t talk about it all the time and I don’t down you for believing in them. 

John 12:33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

Jesus was going to be lifted up on a cross.  Jesus didin’t die privately but publicly for the whole world to see and know what God did for sinners.  18:00

3.   Light Is Come Because Of Jesus

John 12:34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever:

Isaiah 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.  Ezekiel 37:25….and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

John 12:34….and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Great questions?  The world continues ot ask them today?  But how could they question the very one who has already proven to them who He was yet they still could not see.  Jesus had done miracle after miracle and still they did not recongnize Him.  Just by spending five minutes with Him you would have known that He is the Son of God!  But they did not want to see.  That’s the same trouble today.

John 12:35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.

Jesus is the light of the world.  Then He gives a warning…..

John 12:35 Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

The world today is in darkness.  John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.  If Jesus is not your Savior you are in darkness and cannot see the truth.  That explains the complete lack of civility and wisdom and love in the world today.  Politics on the national level has gone to a complete evil and even cruelty.   How would you feel if the police came to your house every day trying to catch you in a crime?  Their job is to arrest law breakers not harass the innocent in hopes of finding a crime!  Yet that is what some are doing to citizens of our country today. 

John 12:36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

We must believe in Jesus while we can.  He won’t always strive with man.  One day you will die.  One day HE will come and then there is no more opportunity.   He is not hiding as much as we are not looking for Him.   Jesus will reveal himself to those who seek for Him.  27:00

Conclusion:

The Glory of God is in Jesus.  The power of God is in Jesus.  The love of God is in Jesus.  The hope of God is in Jesus.  The Salvation of God is in Jesus. 

28:04

Forgetting  Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.  1:00

1. Idols Will Be forgotten

Zechariah 13:2 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.  3:00

2. The Earth will be forgotten

Isaiah 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 5:00

3. All of our good will be forgotten If we Fail to trust in Christ.

Ezekiel 33:13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. 7:00

4. The wise of this world will be forgotten

Eccl 2:16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. 10:00

5. We have forgotten that God created us

Deut 323:18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.  13:00

6. Israel Forgot God.

Judges 8:34 And the children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side: 16:00

7. Even Christians Forget God.

2 Peter 1:8-9 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.  19:00

8. God helps us forget the troubles in life.

Eccleastes 5:19-20 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, He has also given the power and ability to enjoy them and to receive [this as] his [allotted] portion and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God [to him].  20 For he will not often consider the [troubled] days of his life, because God keeps him occupied and focused on the joy of his heart [and the tranquility of God indwells him].  22:00

9. Our Sin Are Forgotten

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Micah 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.  28:04

Intro: 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:  36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Years ago the church was awakened and watching for signs of His return.  Now there are signs everyday and it barely gets a yawn from the church.  The church is asleep as it pertains to His return.  1:00

1.  Jesus Could Come at Any moment!

Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.   Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

One of the oldest prophecies ever made is about the return of Christ alluded to by Jude from the book of Enoch.  Enoch was the one the Lord took.  Jude 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints. 

One thing is clear.  Jesus will come when most people are not aware.  The church is more concerned about building buildings and building ministries than preparing for the Lord’s return.  It’s the strangest thing.  Everyone says the world is falling apart but nobody lives like it.  Church attendance is way down. 

One reason……… is churches don’t teach Bible Prophecy or the rapture of the church.  In trying to appeal to the masses the church has watered down the gospel and ignored prophecy and the church has become boring and stale or distracted by our own so called joy in the Lord.

But instead of being inspired by the Lord’s return…..We try to have revivals and conferences to get the flock inspired.  We try to have great music and lights and great buildings and drum up all the emotion we can and people leave without any real lasting excitement about Jesus.  You know why? The Holy Spirit is not there.  He wants us to teach and preach the exciting news about Jesus coming again!  Israel is in their land….the church is being persecuted like never before….and we see signs in the middle east,  Turkey and Russia.   We have the evil men waxing worse and worse.  We see signs in the sky.  We see obvious signs that we are in the days of Noah and Lot.  We see the socialists and globalists coming into power and making their agenda plainly known.  We see cries for a man, be it God or the devil to lead them.  We see unreasonable hatred for God’s people Israel.   We see false religions and new age beliefs everywhere.  And yet the church is weaker and smaller every Sunday! 

The exception is that some churches have thousands in attendance……. to hear motivational talks.  No mention of sin, judgment or prophecy.  They talk about their favorite subject.  ME!  It’s not about Jesus.  You barely hear His name mentioned in the songs or the sermons.  They talk about following God and knowing God.  But what god?  The God of the Bible will lead us to focus on His name…Jesus!  His cross! His Blood!  His resurrection! And His return! At any moment!!! 10:00

1.  Jesus Could Come at Any moment!   2.  It will be sudden without warning

Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Luke 22:46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Matthew 25:5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

The church is asleep because they are focused on self instead of on Jesus.  Their lamps went out.  The light of Jesus was not in their lives.  Instead they were focused on their needs and wants instead of watching for Jesus who is represented as the bridegroom in this story. 

I’m so sad.  I’m so addicted.  I’m so unhappy.  I’m so lonely.  I’m so hopeless.  I’m so tired.  I’m so sick.  It’s all about me!!!.  If we loved Jesus and walked with Him every day, we would know that He is coming for us.  It would be in our hearts and our spirits from the Holy Spirit who teaches us and reminds us. 

But no…we are more concerned with our health than our Souls.  We are more concerned with our daily walk for exercise than our walk with Jesus.  We are more concerned with being happy than being holy. 

Jesus said When you see all these things, these signs, know that it is near even at the door…….

I shouldn’t have to explain what the signs are.…..every Christian listening to my voice should already know what they are because you are looking for Him!   The Holy Spirit will witness to your heart that the time is near.  

The signs are…

*Israel. Zechariah 12:1-3  Nations are already lined up to fulfil Ezekiel 38-39

*Apostasy—A great falling away from the truth in the church.  Big noise, big services, big music, big preachers, big Jesus and no truth.  If I hear someone else say we serve a “big God” again I’m going to puke!  He is not a “big God” he is the only God!  He is God…..

*Earth Quakes and natural disasters increasing in size…...

*Noah and Lot…Sexual sin and abominable acts.  People living like nothing is going to happen.  Buying and selling and marrying and having families. 

*Fear.   Fear of the future destruction of the earth.  Climate Change agenda and socialism is the only way we can survive as a planet. 

*Strange Diseases.  Cancers and pestilences despite all of our modern medicines.  We have more advanced health care and more sickness than ever!

*Division among people and groups of people leading to hatred and war. 

*Reprobate minds.  People cannot discern the times and have lost their common sense.

*False Christs.  Mormons, JW’s, Islam, Catholicism, New age, Buddists,  in fact…. all religions in the world are looking for the great Savior to come.  And these false religions are all trying to replace Christ with their own deceptive teachings. 

*Cries for Peace.   Always crying for peace and believing in peace.   The reality is no one wants peace.  But a real Peace treaty is coming between Israel and her enemies brought on by the anti-Christ and will signal the beginning of the tribulation.

These signs are already upon us. So how far out can the rapture be?  No far!  19:00

1.  Jesus Could Come at Any moment!   2.  It will be sudden without warning 3.  Be Ready

Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Sometimes we cannot see any hope.  We continue to ignore what God is doing in our lives.  A lot of people wouldn’t believe it if the Lord did come!   A husband made up his mind he was going to be a better husband.  He picked up some flowers for his wife and came home and upon entering announced.  “Honey I’m home…I love you so much!”  She stood at the door and said…this has been a dreadful day..  The kids are crazy, the pot roast is burned, the house is upside down, the bath tub over flowed, the refrigerator is not working and now…. you come home drunk!    We just aren’t looking for the glorious day of His return are we? 

Are you ready?  Get ready!  How do we get ready?  1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Sober means to be serious, alert, disciplined and focused.  Vigilant means to be cautious, watching, looking out for…

This is not the time to take time off from serving the Lord and walking with Jesus.  This is not the time to quit for awhile.  This is not the time to back off, slow down or take it easy.  We are to always be ready for the Lord’s appearance. 

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Jesus appearance, His coming for His church is blessed and glorious according to Titus. 

Blessed means happy.  On a scale of 1-10 our happiness will be one thousand times one thousand!

Glorious in more ways that we could ever think or imagine.  You think of the glorious views of an ocean or a mountain peak or the glorious feeling you get when you fall in love, see the birth of your child or grandchild or finding out you are cancer free, and that UK just one the national championship, and you just inherited a billion dollars, and all of your children and friends accepted Christ and are living for Him……. It is all of that times ten thousand. 

Isn’t it worth it to be ready?  What else is more important to you?  If someone or something else is more important to you than Jesus…..you are not READY!  27:00

Conclusion:

1.  Jesus Could Come at Any moment!   2.  It will be sudden without warning 3.  Be Ready

Wake Up!  Look Up! Your redemption draweth nigh!  Repent, turn from your sins, trust in Jesus as your Savior.  Christian be Ready, get Ready, live victoriously in Christ now and when He comes. 

28:04

4/28/2019
The Lord Is Good To Us
Lamantations 3:22-25

Lamentations 3:22-25 The Lord Is Good To Us

Intro:   Lamentations  3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  25The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Have you ever thought about how good God has been to you and to me?  We should think about it.  We should be thankful about God’s goodness to us.  If God were not a good God.  We would all be dead!  If God were not a good God we all would have a miserable existence.  (1:00)

1. God is good to us because of His mercy

Lamentations 3:22.  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed…… Even in His wrath, God remembers to be merciful.   God never wiped out everyone in the flood.  He spared Noah and his sons and wives.  And in doing that he spared millions for annilation including us!  God is not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance.    For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should NOT perish.  6:00

2.  God is Good to Us because of His compassion For us

Lamentation 3:22……because his compassions fail not.  Lamentations 3:23They are new every morning. Every day presents us with a new opportunity to discover and experience more of God’s love. Even in the midst of terrible sorrow, Jeremiah looked for signs of mercy.  Every day is a new opportunity for us.  If we messed up yesterday then today is a chance for a new beginning.  God’s compassion for us never runs out.  In fact this passage says He renews it every morning.  Whatever you did yesterday is under God’s compassion today.  He cares for us.  What a God we serve!

His compassion will never fail.  He will always have care for you.  The Bible says “Cast all you care upon Him for He careth for you.”  11:00

3. God is Good To us Because He Is Faithful

Lamentations 3:23……great is thy faithfulness.  Here is the heart of the Book of Lamentations. The comforting, compassionate character of God dominates the wreckage of every other institution and office. God remains “faithful” in every situation.  Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…..John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

God cannot be anything but faithful.  He cannot fail us.  He will not leave us.  He will never forsake us.  He always hears us.  Great is His faithfulness.  It is beyond our understanding how God stands by us and protects and guides us by His Holy Spirit.  The Bible says we each have an angel watching over us.  The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit teaches us, guides us, and spanks us when we need it.   Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!  He  is not going to change is His love for you, His compassion for you, His desire for you, and in His salvation for you….because He….Is Faithful!!! 16:00

4.  God is Good to us bcause He gives us hope.

Lamentations 3:24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; The Lord is my portion: This expression is based on Num. 18:20, And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.  Aaron was denied an inheritance in the land but was told instead that the Lord Himself was his portion and inheritance.

The same idea is also found in Ps. 16:5; The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.  73:26; My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 119:57; Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. 142:5 cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.

Lamentations 3:24…...therefore will I hope in him. I hope in Him: Hope is not a wishful thought, but a confident expectation in Lord. The verb hope suggests the idea of a “waiting attitude”.  Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  I love the word hope.  It means so much to humans.  Hope is the difference between life and death. They tell us that people without hope can die.  When all hope is lost people are going to die.  But the Bible gives us this word hope that is not a word of uncertainty.  It is a word of absolute assurance it is going to happen!  21:00

5.  God is Good to us Because He Always Comes Through For Us

Lamentations 3:25The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. The idea here is the acceptance of God’s will and His timing. Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  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.

Has God ever failed anyone?  Has God ever failed you?  God will come to you but we have to be willing to let God do it in His time.   Sarah didn’t wait for God’s timing.   The people of Judah and Israel didn’t wait for God’s timing.  Judas didn’t wait for God’s timing.  When we don’t wait on God we end up in disaster.  God will work out everything in your life to your good and to His purpose and glory!  26:00

Conclusion:   The Lord is Good to us.  Our Good God.  How bless we are that God is merciful to us.  That God has compassion for us.  That God is faithful to us.  That God always gives us hope. And That God always come through for us.   I was thinking about a mouse that was caught in a trap and the home owners were shocked to see that the mouse continued to eat the cheese even though it was trapped.  That’s people today.  We are trapped and doomed but we continue to eat of life’s enjoyment and ignore our perilious situation.  We ignore God’s escape provided for us through faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  Don’t ever, ever be tricked into believing that anything is this world is better than Jesus Christ!! We ignore God’s goodness to us.  We would rather feast on the world’s pleasures and ignore God’s goodness to us.  Oh….. the Goodess of God!  28:04



Acts 1:9-11    Glorious Resurrection,  Incredible Ascension,  Anticipated Return

Intro:  Acts 1:9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;  11Which 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.  In order for Jesus to be resurrected He had to die.  In order to die He had to become a man and in order to become a man He had to be born, a miraculous birth or a supernatural birth as all babies are miracles actually.  The resurrection has three parts to it.  I bet you didn’t know that did you…. well let’s look at it.   (2:00)

1.  Glorious Resurrection

Acts 1:9And when he had spoken these things….

The seven appearances to His disciples and followers and His reminders to them.  He indeed has risen from the dead but He was not going to stay permanently with them.  He was not going to become king of the earth yet…… First of all ….The Holy Spirit had to be sent and the church had to be established.   The gospel had to be preached and people had to be saved all over the world. 

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  The resurrection is life for every person in the world…if they put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  I Christ is not raised we are all without hope and doomed.  7:00

1.  Glorious Resurrection  2.  Incredible Ascension

Acts 1:9 ….while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  

Jesus was taken up forty days after His resurrection. His resurrection was not seen by anyone. No one saw Him get out of the grave clothes and walk out of the tomb but they did see Him ascend.  About 500 people.  Jesus predicted His ascention to Mary in John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.   Luke 24:51 Mentions it  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.  It must have been an incredible sight that gave credence to the Apostles belief in the resurrection and strengthened their faith and resolve to serve this same Jesus to the death if need be. 

Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up…

They all saw it!  This was a public event.  The disciples were amazed at this incredible scene.  They had only seen birds fly not humans.  This would be incredible even to us today! 

The Ascencion signified the completion of Christ’s work on earth until He returns again.  Jesus promised this to us In John 14:2-4 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.  4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 16:00

1.  Glorious Resurrection  2.  Incredible Ascension   3.  Anticipated Return

Acts 1:10 behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;   Acts 1: 11Which 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.  

Two men in white apparel.  Of course this was angels.  Who were amazed at the sight of them just staring at the sky.  Maybe Jesus would fall down or come back then?  Maybe they were seeing things?  They were just mesmerized as we would be today if someone took of straight into the clouds.  This is something not even comic book heroes can do…..unless you are Superman or have some other flying power.

Acts 1:10…..this same Jesus,

No one but Jesus is coming back for us.  He is the only one who has the power and He is the only one who said He would.  The very one they touched and talked to and cried to and felt His touch of healing and love…the very same one who they saw the love and the joy in….He is the one coming back for us.  He is not going to change after His trip to heaven.  Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday and forever!  According to Revelation chapter one His appearance might be a little different next time but His touch will be the same.  Revelation 1:14 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: That what Jesus always does is tell us not to fear….Luke 12:32 Jesus Said Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Acts 1:10..….which is taken up from you into heaven,

The dicisples did not know really where Jesus was going.  The Angel said He was taken UP to heaven.  We know heaven is up.  In the glorious clouds and beautiful skies above.  Higher than that even.

Where is heaven? 

There are three heavens

The First heaven is the atmospheric sky, The Second heaven is the darkness of the stars, planets and outer space and the third heaven is above sky and space to a place we haven’t seen yet and cannot see. 

Paul said he was “caught up” to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 and we will be “caught up” to meet the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

When they were building the tower of Babel God said “let us go DOWN” Genesis 11:7

Psalm 103:11 says Heaven is High above the earth.  In Revelation John is taken “up” to heaven.  It says “come up here.” In Revelation 4:1  No doubt that heaven is beyond the sky and beyond the stars “up” there.

But what is heaven like? The word “heaven is found 276 times in the New Testament alone.   Most all we know about the place of heaven is from John’s report about it from Revelation 21:10-27.  It has precious stones, crystal clear Jasper, It has twelve gates and twelve foundations.  The garden of Eden will be restored.  The river of water flows freely and the tree of life is available once again yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations.”  Heaven is a place of “no mores”  No more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow, and no more death.  The best thing about Heaven is that we will be face to face with Jesus our Lord, Savior and king!

Acts 1:10..……shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The law of gravity says “what goes up must come down.”   God’s word says in John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.   Proverbs 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?  That name was not revealed in the Old Testament but is revealed to us in the New Testament ……His name is Jesus!!!   He ascended and in the word of God He must also Descend.  He is returning to this earth to be King over His people Israel and to reign from the Messianic Davidic throne in Jerusalem.   Isaiah 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.

He ascended and He is descending when He comes again to the very place where He ascended from the Mount of Olives.  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.  Jesus is coming back to the Mount of Olives this time it will spit in two allowing the Jews to escape while Jesus destroys the enemies of Israel and of God.

This will not be a good day for the unbelieving world.  Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  When Jesus ascended it was in amazement and over the years has turned to anticipation as we long for His return. 

He will come first FOR His church and then seven years later come back WITH His church to defeat the enemies of the world.  They will mourn because they know it’s all over! 27:00

Conclusion:

1.  Glorious Resurrection  2.  Incredible Ascension   3.  Anticipated Return

Jesus Resurrection and Ascension must be accompanied by His return.  That is as sure as you and I are here today.  The main thing is…..have you trusted in Christ as your Savior and are you participating in the Glorious resurrection by letting Him resurrection your own life.  We are dead in trespasses and sins but we can be born again by His Spirit when we turn from our sins and trust in Him.   We can have an incredible Ascension because one day we will be taken up to be with Him after our death or at the rapture.  And we anticipate His return for His church one day.  Either way we will see Him either coming out of the graves or avoiding the grave altogether.  Are you ready for Him? Are you ready to meet Jesus?  28:04

4/14/2019
How We Are Saved

 Luke 7:50

Luke 7:50  How Are We Saved?

Intro:  Luke 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.  45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.  46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.  47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.  48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.  49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?  50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. How are we saved?  Is it by being good?  Good deeds out weigh your bad.  On this palm Sunday, the day that Jesus entered into the city of Jerusalem proclaimed a king and by the end of the week crucified as a criminal.   Jesus provided our salvation.   He did all the work.  So what must I do to be saved?  2:00

1.  We are not saved by intellect

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace

We are sinners.   Verse 47 says Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many…. Jesus could say that about all of us not just this woman.  Notice this woman didn’t say anything.  She merely acted on her faith.  She showed her faith in Christ by a public profession.   

There are religions in this world that are so complicated and require manuals to figure them out.  In fact most religions require some degree of intelligence just to figure out what they are saying.   The Jews had the Levitical laws that required priests to decipher for the people what they had to do. 

Moses sat and answered questions all day about the law until his father in law Jethro came and told him to get some help.  But Jesus came and at the cross said “it is finished.”  The veil in the temple was rent in two signifying that the law has been fulfilled and we no longer need it to reach God…we have Christ who has fulfilled the complicated Levitical law’s of righteousness that no man could ever hope to do.  

The gospel is so complicated that our finite minds can never fully grasp it….but so simple a child can understand it.   John put if very simply.  1 John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  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.  7:00

1.  We are not saved by intellect  2.  We are not saved by riches

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Remember the rich young ruler who came to Jesus to ask Him how he might have eternal life?  And Jesus responded to sell everything you have and give to the poor.   He went away sorrowful for he had much riches.

Jesus said it is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into the kingdom of heaven.  So clearly Jesus is teaching that money cannot buy salvation.  In fact money cannot buy happiness.  The divorce rate and suicide rate among the wealthiest Americans is twice that of everyone else. 

Why is that?  The Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil.  Money will not bring joy and peace.  In fact, the more you have the more you want.  The Bible tells us to be content.  With godliness is great contentment.  Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.  12:00

1.  We are not saved by intellect  2.  We are not saved by riches  3.  We are not saved by family

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. 

Being in a Christian family doesn’t mean that you are a Christian anymore than sitting a garage makes you a Ford or a Chevrolet or a dodge or a Toyota.  Don’t want to offend anyone here.  

Salvation is between you and God.  Your daddy and your mommy can only guide you and raise you in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  They can’t get saved for you.  By Grace are YE saved through faith.  It’s a personal thing. 

The Scriptures are absolutely clear on the fact that salvation is personal and individual.  We have the story of the Apostle Paul and the Phillippian Jailer in Acts 16:30-32   And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  This not saying that if the jailer gets saved everyone else is automatically saved.  If means “you will be saved, you and your household [if they also believe].”  32 And they spoke the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] to him and to all who were in his house.  They each had to hear and believe the gospel for themselves. 

If you were raised in a Christian home you are fully blessed.  But you still are a sinner, under the wrath of God…even more so…because you had greater access to the truth of the gospel and rejected it.   Some will be beaten with few stripes..those who didn’t get to hear the gospel and some will be beaten with many stripes….those who knew the truth,  raised in a Christian environment…and rejected it.  17:00

1.  We are not saved by intellect  2.  We are not saved by riches  3.  We are not saved by family

4.  We are not saved by religion

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. 

There are over 1200 religions in the world.  All of them have one thing in common.  Salvation is by human effort.  Salvation is by pleasing the god of their own imagination.   The frustrating thing about the many religions I have studied is this……They never have any assurance that they are saved.

Religion cannot save you.  Christianity is NOT a religion…it is a relationship with a  living Savior!  He gives us assurance that we are saved.   He that believed on me is NOT condemned.  He that hath the Son hath life….I give unto them eternal life and they shall NEVER perish….I will never leave thee nor forsake thee….and on and on I could go. 

Religion will not give you assurance because religion cannot save you.  We are not saved by a religion but we are saved by a person….Jesus Christ and faith in Him.  That brings me to the final point…. 22:00

1.  We are not saved by intellect  2.  We are not saved by riches  3.  We are not saved by family

4.  We are not saved by religion 5.  We are saved by Faith In Christ…alone

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9Not of works, lest any man should boast.  That is how we are saved.  It is a gift from God through the finished work of Jesus Chris who bore our sins on the cross and raised from the dead for our justification.   It is activated by our personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ when we repent of our sins and turn to Him in faith for our salvation and eternal life.  27:00

Conclusion:

How are we saved?  Through faith in Christ.   The question is then…..how are you saved?  Are you trying your own way?  Are you trying your own effort?  Are you trying religion? Or are you doing what most people do….ignoring it and hoping it all works out in the end?  The Bible says Ye MUST be born again!  There is no middle ground, no straddling the fence.  To delay is to deny.  The Bible says that this is the most important decision you will ever make and you must not delay.  Today is the day of salvation the Bible says.  God has provided the way….It’s through Jesus.  28:04



3/24/2019
The Wrath To Come
Revelation 12:11-12

Revelation 12:11-12    11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.  12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Intro:  1:00

1.  Overcomers

The heavenly defeat of Satan (Revelation 12: 7–9) is followed by reference to his earthly setbacks, including the crucifixion of Christ (the blood of the Lamb), the verbal witness of believers (the word of their testimony), and the martyrdom of some of the brethren. All these events precede the coming of the kingdom of our God.  Revelation 12:11…..And they overcame him They won the victory over him.  And they overcame and conquered him.  Who did they overcome?  The accuser.  Revelation 12:10 …..for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  Satan, the devil, lucifer.   The thing is they OVERCAME him.  We can defeat Him.  We have the power to defeat him in Christ. 

Revelation 12:11……by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; They defeated Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed.  The blood of Christ that cleanses us from all our sins gives us power over the enemy of our faith.  Also the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The word of testimony is the word of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We claim it by our lives and we proclaim with our tongues.

Revealtion 12:11……and they loved not their lives unto the death.; and they were willing to give up their lives and die, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.

Christ is our life. We were bought with a price.  Our lives our not our own but we belong to Christ.  How can a Christian give up our lives and loose anything?  For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.  Death is coming unless Jesus comes first.  We fear not death but fear failing our Savior.   We must be ready not only to live for Christ but to die for Him!  Hundreds are jailed and killed each day for their faith in Jesus all around the world!  We love Him because He first loved us.  Our first devotion and loyalty is to Christ not to our families, our friends or to our homes and land or nation.  It is to Christ! And in that devotion He will bless our families, our friends, our homes and our nation.  Romans 8:28  All Things work together to them that love God.  8:00

2.  Coming Down

Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. And so be glad and rejoice O you heavens, and all you that live there in the presence of God!Those in the heavens have good reason to rejoice, because of the permanent expulsion of the devil after his defeat.

Revelation 12:12…..Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! Woe to the earth and the sea! On the other hand, the natural creation (the earth and the sea) now has an additional woe (8:13; 9:12; 11:14) to contend with

Revelation 12:12…..for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.This is the second half of the Tribulation where Satan knows he has but a short time to destroy Israel and prevent Christ from ruling and reigning over them in the Millennial kingdom.   For the Devil has come down to you,     —the great anger of the devil, who knows his time is short. Soon Satan is to be bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years (20:1–3).  15:00

3.  With Great Wrath

Revelation 12:12 ……for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. in great wrath, he is filled with rage,  knowing that he has only a short time [remaining] just a little time left!” He has only a short time to kill the Jews.  So He intensifies his anger toward Israel.  The First half of the Tribuation he kills the believers in Christ.  In the second half he will turn his attention toward Israel and use the beast, the anti-Christ to lead this attempted extermination of the Jews and to build his own kingdom through the beast and the Anti-Christ. 

Wrath of Man

Psalm 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Satans Wrath.

Only Revelation 12:12 mentions the wrath of Satan.  And it is directed toward Israel because his time is short. 

God’s wrath,

Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

There are many scriptures describing the wrath of God, but no scripture giving the Christian a reason to fear the devil’s wrath. Zechariah 7:12 speaks of “A great wrath from the Lord of Hosts.” “Your fathers provoked Me to wrath” (Zech. 8:14). “He reserveth wrath for His enemies” (Nah. 1:2). “In the fire of My wrath have I spoken” (Ezek. 38:19). “The fire of My wrath” (Ezek. 21:31), “Because of the wrath of the Lord” (Jer. 50:13), “In that ye provoke Me unto wrath” (Jer. 44:8), “For the fierce wrath of the Lord” (II Chron. 28:11), and “For the wrath of God is revealed” (Rom. 1:18). There are many more references to God’s wrath. “At His wrath the earth shall tremble” (Jer. 10:10). John the Baptist said, “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matt. 3:7). There are many, many more scriptures regarding the wrath of God, but people don’t pay any attention to them.  Mention one scripture of the wrath of satan and oh, how the wicked people do tremble!

God’s wrath is inescapable.  God limits the wrath of man and God has already defeated Satan.  So we can also go to God for escape from the wrath of man and the devil.  But where can you escape the wrath of God?  John 3:36   He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.  27:00

Conclusion:  28:04




He Hath Done All Things Well
Mark 7:37

Mark 7:37  He Hath Done All Things Well

Intro:  No one is perfect. No one does everything right.  But it is amazing that Jesus did ALL Things well.  He did everything right.  Wrap your mind around that for a minute.  Jesus never did anything wrong, He was incapable of sin.  He hath done all things well.   1:00

1.  They Are Astonished And amazed at Jesus

 Mark 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished…And all who heard were completely amazed. They were thoroughly astounded and completely overwhelmed.

A man back in the day went to the world’s fair.  He was astonished and amazed at the things he saw and the inventions of the future.  But when he got home the thing that continued to amaze him more than anything he saw at the world’s fair….. was how his cow could eat green grass, and give white milk, yellow cheese and red meat.  Or how one seed put in brown dirt could produce huge green stalks of yellow corn or golden fields of wheat.  God’s creation amazed him more than any of man’s inventions. 

*They were astonished at His doctrine…  Matthew 22:33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

*They were astonished at his wisdom.  Mark 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him….Luke 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. He spoke with wisdom and perfect knowledge. 

*The were astonished at his words……Mark 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words.

John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.  Jesus spoke in parables.  Hidden truth behind common everyday stories.  He spoke the truth.  He spoke with compassion.  He spoke of His love for us. 

*They were amazed at His power over nature.  Mark 6:51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

*They were amazed at His power over the Spiritual realm……Luke 4:36  And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

*They were amazed at His salvation…..Matthew 9:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

*They were terrified of His glory….. Matthew 17:5-6 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

*The inhabitants of the earth will mourn and weep with regret and great sorrow over their failure to repent.  Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  10:00

2.  He Does Everything Well

Mark 7:37…saying, He hath done all things well: “How well he does everything!” saying, “He has done everything well!  You’ve heard the story about the preacher who correctly said Jesus is the only perfect man.  A man in the back raised his hand and said “there have been two preacher.  Jesus…. and my wife’s deceased first husband.  He did everything perfect.”  

*God is pleased with Him….Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  Matthew 17:2 and 5 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

*We are pleased with Him….Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 20:15…….Is thine eye evil, because I am good?  Jesus makes us all look bad. But that was not His intention.  His purpose was to be a fit and worthy Lamb without spot or blemish. 

*We rejoice in Christ!   1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:                   19:00

3.  He Gives Hope to The Hopeless

They were without hope.  A family of four floating in the water for hours after their small pleasure boat had capsized when a rogue wave hit their boat.  No one know where they were.  But they clung to life as the bobbed in the water with only life jackets to support them. Daylight would soon be gone and no one could search for them.   All seemed hopeless….but they knew one thing….their family would be looking for them.  And just a daylight was about to turn to dusk here came the coast guard.  The coast guard captain said to the rescued “You are very fortunate……for you have about 25 family and friends that  would not let us wait til morning.  They insisted, that camped at our headquarters until we agreed to come out now and find you now no matter what the cost. 

Mark 7:37…..he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.  They exclaimed. “He even causes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak!”  He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak!”

Jesus gave hope to the hopeless deaf and dumb.  He gives hope, a steadfast assurance to everyone who comes to Him.

Jesus spared no cost to save us.  He spared no effort.  He gave His all to save us from our hopelessness.   No one is hopeless as long as they can come to Jesus.  You may be trapped in the hopelessness of sin and addiction but Jesus can free you.  You may feel hopeless and haunted by your past but Jesus can free you from your past.   27:00

Conclusion:  He hath done all things well. 

His life was perfect.

His peace is perfect.

His promises are perfect.

His life was perfect.

His love is perfect. 
His salvation is perfect. 

Truly Jesus hath done ALL Things well.  28:04



3/10/19
How To Live In A Pagan World  
Jeremiah 29:5-8

Jeremiah 29:5-8 How To Live in a Pagan World

Intro:  What is a pagan?  Paganism is a term first used in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism. Paganism has been broadly defined as anyone involved in any religious act, practice, or ceremony which is not Christian.  

Judah had been conquered by the Babylonians and were going to be marched from the homeland into Babylon and live with them.  They were going to endure 70 years of captivity.  Daniel lived among the Babylonians all his adult life.  They were a pagan people.  Remember Shadrach, Meshack and Abendao?  They were thrown into the firey furnace for not worshipping a pagan idol.  Judah was under the judgment of God. And God gave them instructions on how to live in this pagan world and be successful, be blessed and keep your identity and ideolgy. I know today we wonder how can we survive in this world.  Remember the Hebrew people survived and even thrived under Egyptian slavery for over 400 years and kept their faith and their ideology.  

Our world today would be classified a pagan.  Christan viewpoints and beliefs are no longer welcome in the public square.  Christian ethics are no longer welcome in our laws.  Christian followers are not loger welcome in the worldview of ideas.  How can we survive in this paganized society we find ourselves in today?  2:00

1.  We can Survive A Pagan World when We are Confident In our God

Jeremiah 29:5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

‘Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what you grow in them.  ‘Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 

Jeremiah had proclaimed a period of seventy years (25:12) of Babylonian exile. For the meantime, he counseled the people to settle in and carry on their normal daily activities. Exile did not necessarily mean imprisonment or enslavement, but displacement and resettlement in unknown lands. be increased … not diminished: If the people were faithful in the circumstances of captivity, God would cause them to prosper with children and with fertile crops.

Building give us confidence in the future and our God.  Our confidence is in God and His future plans for us.  We plan as though He’s not coming in our lifetime and we live as though He’s coming any moment. 

We should be confident in not ourselves but in our God. There is false confidence

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.  Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

God doesn’t want us sitting around and mourning all the time. There is a time to mourn but a time to plant and a time to harvest.  God want’s to live to His glory and honor no matter what our circumstance is.  “I’ve got confidence God is gonna see me through…no matter what the people may  say, no matter what the people may do.” 10:00

1.  We can Survive A Pagan World when we Are Confident In Our God  2.  We Can survive In A pagan world  When We are Increasing in God

Jeremiah 29:6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

Marry and have children. Then let your children get married, so that they also may have children. You must increase in numbers and not decrease.  Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there and do not decrease [in number]. 

Be increased … not diminished: If the people were faithful in the circumstances of captivity, God would cause them to prosper with children and with fertile crops.   Matthew 25:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark.  They increased but not in the wisdom and knowledge of God.  We can increase in wickedness til God spues us out of a land. 

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. 

God wants us all to increase in the knowledge of Him.  God wants us to grow into mature, faithful, strong Christians in the midst of a pagan world.  We are in there today in America and the whole world has turned pagan.   Against God, against the Bible.  Against the family.  

God wants our families to increase, He want’s our churches to increase, He want us to increase, He want’s our knowledge of Him to increase.  God wants us always going forward, not backward.  Be strong in the Lord.  Strong families, strong faith and trust in God will bring us strong families and strong churches.  More God and less of the world will make us better people in the world and for the world’s salvation! 19:00

1.  We can Survive A Pagan World when we Are Confident In Our God  2.  We Can survive When We are Increasing 3. We Survive When we Know the Truth About God And His Word

Jeremiah 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. 

Work for the good of the cities where I have made you go as prisoners. Pray to me on their behalf, because if they are prosperous, you will be prosperous too.  Seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its peace (well-being) you will have peace.’  

The exiles were instructed to seek and pray for the peace, or well-being of Babylon and the other towns where they were deported. As a result, they themselves would live in peace as beneficiaries of God’s gracious sovereignty over the nations. When we pray for peace from the Lord our God…we will have peace.  Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   When we know God’s word we will have peace.  Peace with God and peace in our hearts. 

Jeremiah 29:8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.  I, the Lord, the God of Israel, warn you not to let yourselves be deceived by the prophets who live among you or by any others who claim they can predict the future. Do not pay any attention to their[a] dreams.  For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your [false] prophets who are among you and your diviners deceive you; pay no attention and attach no significance to the dreams which they dream or to yours,  Jeremiah issued a warning against following the advice of prophets, diviners, and dreams.

First of all…… Don’t be deceived by false teachers…..Jesus warned us about this time and time again.  Pagans are false teachers.  They don’t know the truth of God and they won’t teach the truth of God…..ever!!!!  2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Secondly…Don’t be deceived by false dreamers and your dreams that don’t match up to the word of God.   We are a people of dreamers.  We dream dreams that will not bring glory to God but to ourselves.  Zechariah 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.  27:00

1.  We can Survive A Pagan World when we Are Confident In Our God  2.  We Can survive When We are Increasing in God  3. We Survive When we Know the Truth About God And His Word 

We can survive with confidence in our Lord Jesus Christ who is the maker and sustainer of everything!  Who promised to never leave us nor forsake us to give us strength and knowledge when we need it. 

We can only survive with Jesus and if we follow Jesus each day we can’t help but be always learning and increasing in Him!  We can not only survive but thrive when we know the truth of God and His word.  Truth is a person….and person is Jesus who defeated the pagan world of sin and death and destruction by conquering death hell and the grave on the cross.  Have you trusted in Him today?  Give your life to Christ….you will never, ever regret it and have victory forever and ever!  28:04



2/17/2019
One World Religion
Revelation 17:1-2

Wait On The Lord
Psalm 27:13-14

1/13/2019
Every Blessing Is Because Of Christ
Ephesians 1:1-7

12/23/2018
Not A Babe Anymore
Revelation 1:10-18