Looking Back To Bethlehem

Looking Back To Bethlehem Matthew 2.1-12 We need to have one foot in Biblical times and another in contemporary times as we work out our salvation, while both planted firmly in the timeless Christ. As one pastor said, “Hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” If we move too quickly into the New Year we can miss some of the meaning and message of Christmas. This pandemic has made us slow down! It has given me a Christmas of solitude and silence for the most part. I have made my way back to the manger this year. Pastorally speaking this has been an incredible Christmas. Similar to Holy Week where more happened online than public I stand in awe of God’s Hand at work in all of this. Like the decree from Caesar Augustus forcing Mary and Jospeh to travel 90 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem when she was about to give birth, so this Pandemic has forced us to improvise in the church and the ministry of the Word and prayer. My conversation with Dr. Ritter on Christmas Eve. Let’s linger at the manger. I made my way back to it this year. Let’s come to Bethlehem and see this morning. This morning let's look back to Christ's first coming, December 25, 0000 AD. 1. Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the time of King Herod. Jesus was born- The Word became flesh. God in man is now residing. It was an event in human history. His Name will be called Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace In Bethlehem, its vicinity, municipality, the shepherds were in the fields nearby but Jesus was born in the city, the city of David. Bread of Life, The Bread that comes down from heaven born in a city whose name means House of Bread During the time of King Herod, the terrorist. We live in horrific days, but as in the time when Jesus was born, great days of God working in the world, all over the world! The church, along with everything and everyone else has been challenged in these days. Several churches I know well are now closed, except for online Livestream gatherings. God is calling the church out of the church. This is a time of sifting and rearranging. Like Habakkuk’s time. “You are just going to have to trust me, Habakkuk. You don’t have a choice.” 1.5 2.20 In fact if you want to see God’s Message to America right now, the Word for Today, read the three chapters of Habakkuk today or this week. In Bethlehem’s vicinity that night, the night when Christ was born... 2. Shepherds came, witnessed the event, then spread the news about Jesus. Luke 2.8-20 They hadn't even had a class on how to do it! These men serve as examples. They were the first to see, other than Mary and Joseph, the LORD's Christ. They were eyewitnesses of Jesus' birth. They came to Bethlehem. As we look back at the manger there and see Christ Jesus, the little LORD Jesus, we see shepherds worshiping and then spreading the news which is exactly the pattern we ought to be in today this morning. We are here to worship. After we leave we are entering into a world that does not know Christ and we are to tell the news around wherever we go. Their telling raised Messianic hopes. When John the Baptist came 29 1/2 years later, preparing the way, the Shepherds had prepared the way for him! Shepherds are close to the heart of God. Looking back to Bethlehem we see that... 3. Wise men seek the LORD. They saw the star and followed it. They traveled to Bethlehem. They gave gifts to the LORD. They worshiped Him. They listened to the LORD, not Herod. 4. We see this Holy Family in crisis but in the Hands of God. If we move too fast from celebrating the Advent we miss much. The wisemen took appraoxiamately 2 years to get there. After the event in the manger 2 years of life transpired for Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus. We know they remained in Bethlehem. Joseph, no doubt, worked as a carpenter. Children have ascended to thrones so perhaps they wondered if Jesus would. Bethlehem is just down the road from Jerusalem. Travel at that time and actually always was difficult for pregnant women and nursing mothers. When it was time to flee, the fled at night. God was with them. Life can bring some very trying and painfully hard times to us. Holy people can go through horrific times. The Holy family did. Satan wanted to destroy Jesus as a baby. Revelation 12.1-6 Satan has come to rob, kill and destroy. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. He will soon crush Satan under your feet shortly (Romans 16.20). 2020 has been a year like no other. It has changed the way we live. People who want to go back to normalcy do not realize that reality never repeats. With the all the changes prior to the Pandemic, and some had described it like the age of the printing press, the church was the one stable thing in our lives. Now that has changed. But it is not bad. It is different. For instance, we had over 400 people view our Christmas Eve and Day Services online this year. And when I heard people say that they are working their way back to the manger my heart rejoiced! We can be angry over change, we can long for the good old days but the Bible says that is not wise. We can embrace the change, accept the current reality and continue to follow Jesus. That is what He is calling us to do right now. Read Habakkuk. That is God’s Word for this hour we are in. We are in a battle. For now we are tempted, tried and tested, but not tormented! God always gives peace and strength in the storms. Even when we face death He is with us! Looking back to Bethlehem Looking ahead to 2021 Looking for a City Whose Architect and Builder is God- the New Jerusalem! Looking to Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

Jesus, The Light of the World

Light Shining Into Darkness John 1.5 John 1.1-14 We are taken back to the Beginning in this morning's passage, before the creation of the world. At creation in the Cosmos there was darkness. God created light. This illumination, this shining forth came from Him. He created all things, but this is what He is, Light. God is light. 1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. The Psalmist spoke of it: Psalm 118:27 The LORD is God, and He has made His light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? This Christmas, this year... This can be a very depressing time of the year, a dark time if you will. There are even more reasons for it this December: The Covid19 Virus and it’s effects on family gatherings, church activities, concerts and pageants and the economy. People who have lost loved ones grieve their absence, more so during these days Loneliness is augmented at this time of the year, and even more so with restrictions due to the Pandemic. Normal financial pressures to give gifts Consider Seasonal Affective Disorder, “S.A.D.” Seasonal November to March What are the signs and symptoms of SAD? SAD is not considered a separate disorder but is a type of depression characterized by its recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months per year. Therefore, the signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with major depression. Not every person with SAD will experience all of the symptoms listed below. Symptoms of major depression may include: • Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed • Experiencing changes in appetite or weight • Having problems with sleep • Feeling sluggish or agitated • Having low energy • Feeling hopeless or worthless • Having difficulty concentrating • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide For winter-pattern SAD, additional specific symptoms may include: • Oversleeping (hypersomnia) • Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates • Weight gain • Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”) ▪ Episodes of violent behavior -- The National Institute of Mental Health Information Resource Center Consider the Effects of the Covid Virus 1 out of 5 people have mental issues after they have has Covid Post-COVID Stress Disorder: Another Emerging Consequence of the Global Pandemic October 5, 2020 Phebe Tucker, MD , Christopher S. Czapla, MD Currently we are contending with celebrations, the things changed, need to practice social distancing. Consider Those of us Who Are Grieving *Augmented at the holidays due to memories and the absence of someone we loved. *December, January and February are darker months *It is hard to celebrate when we are feeling the loss of someone. *Grief is largely unpredictable. No wonder we respond to light! God is light. Even plants need light. I spoke to the Coach about planting my Daylily seedlings this month inside. He said that I could but just make sure they have plenty of light... even fluorescent ones will work! We need light. Physical, production of Vitamin D Spiritual Emotional, mental well being God has placed eternity in the hearts of men. The Power of the Light God is light. I John 1.5 Darkness cannot overtake it. It is its nature. A little light will show up in the darkness. It will dispel the darkness. Small flashlight. The world when Jesus was born was very dark. There hadn’t been a Word uttered by God for 400 years. Four centuries of waiting from the last words of the Old Testament until Jesus was born. There was widespread sin and the oppression. There was a sense of hope but it was dim. “We had hoped...” Wherever believers go the Light spreads! The Church has never been knocked out of commission by persecution, on the contrary. It has however become lukewarm and distasteful to the LORD when its riches increase and it doesn't sense its need of Christ. The light of God. Let there be light. Let your light shine. The prophecy of Isaiah Isaiah 9:1-2 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. These were the northern tribes. These were the first to bear the brunt of an invasion from the north. The north was used by the Assyrians the mountains gave them protection from site as they came in against Israel. These people were the first to fall in war and it is to them that Christ the light of the world comes. The prophecy of Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father: Luke 1.78b- 79 by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. The Birth of Jesus. Angels in the sky. The glory of the LORD. The Transfiguration Jesus’s own words about Himself John 9:4-5 As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” The world in the First Century was very dark. It was dominated by the Roman Empire. Two thirds of it was in some form of slavery. The Caesar’s and Herods were wicked narcissistic rulers. In that horrific time, on the Island of Patmos, John, who was exiled there wrote these words, Revelation 1. 9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. John, in a very dark place, wrote of the Light Shining Forth At the conclusion he wrote about no need for the sun in heaven. The Lamb of God is the light. Revelation 21:23-25 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The Problem with the Light Men's deeds are evil They don't understand due to stubborn refusal. They have not been able to extinguish it, but neither have they been able to comprehend it. They try to extinguish it. Funny they are trying to extinguish something they deny exists. I have to really work on not arguing with my atheist connections. They remind me of someone heading off a cliff while telling everyone they will be fine. They cannot see, they cannot comprehend the love of God. I pray for their blinded eyes to be opened. Love takes away the blindness, not debating or arguing, even if we are right! Light shining in darkness is an irritant to the eyes. Also to the soul. John 3:19-21 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. But the light also can be used to clean, light on a front of a vacuum... Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. 1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. I John 5.20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him Who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 3. The Promise of the the Light Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Shine before men They will see your good works Glory will go to Our Father in Heaven Preach the Gospel always and when necessary use words. Ephesians 4:1-3, 17-21, 25-26, 28-32 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Total Darkness we cannot see the light. The shines and we can see. These are exhausting times. These are exciting times. These are times of expectation. These are times that will effect eternity. 4. The Personal Aspect of God's Light My light Psalm 27.1 The Word that was with God in the beginning, God's Son became flesh, dwelt among us, touched lepers, fed 1,000's, took children in His arms and blessed them and whenever He did a healing there was personal contact. He even stopped everything one day when He realized power went out from Him but He didn't know to whom. Jesus did not do mass healing. Each person He called He called personally. We need to pray more for people walking in darkness to come into the light. We need to pray for the LORD to shine His Light into their hearts through our lives. Dear friends, if you and I know our real destiny, and are the servants of God, we are sent that men might, through us, believe in Jesus. John was a special witness; but we ought all to be witnesses to complete the chain of testimony. Every Christian man should reckon that he is sent from God to bear witness to the great Light, that, through him, men might believe. -Spurgeon Whether it is the Covid19, grief or seasonal affective disorder Christ is the answer. We need His Light to shine... and He is! He is at work today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! Keep your eyes fixed on Him. Trust in His Promises. Know that the LORD is God. He is the Light.

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

The Genealogy of the Jesus Christ Matthew 1.1-17 Genealogy was a big thing in Old Testament and New Testament times. Genealogy still is a big thing in the Middle East. The whole conflict over there is between the descendants of two sons- Ishmael and Isaac, half brothers, the son of Hagar and the son of Sarah. Abraham was the father of both. One was the father of the Arab people, the other the father of the Israel, the Israelites, today what we call the Israelis (and all the Jews around the world). One son was of the Spirit, the other of the flesh. One son was the fulfillment of God’s Promise the other man’s attempt to help God out. This is what wrong thinking which leans on your own understanding will bring: conflict... inside a family. Since the beginning God had promised Jesus (Genesis 3.15). From Abraham that promise became personal and part of a family, the children of Israel, the Jews. God promised the Messiah through this line. This line had special promises and people. 1. Jesus had Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David in His ancestry line. *Abraham- the father of the faithful. God fulfilled His promise to Abraham through His Son Jesus Christ Genesis 12.3 “... All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Peoples= mishpachah : clan, family, tribe, people, nation Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness. (Galatians 3.6) God honors faith. *Isaac, the promised son Isaac submitted to death on Mount Moriah. His father was up in years and Isaac could have run away but he placed his life (and death) in the hands of his father. Jesus would come to that same place and go through similar things with His Father in heaven but the Father would not take away death from His Son. Jesus died there for the sins of the whole world. Scripture was being fulfilled. Prophecies concerning Jesus were completed that day on the cross. Even the gifts offered to Him as a young child in Bethlehem, gold, frankincense and myrrh all had to do with this day- the day on the cross. The manger and the cross were tied up in the same promises of a Redeemer, the Savior of the world and Him being that Great Shepherd of the sheep, the Good Shepherd, my Shepherd. This Christmas make your way back to the manger. *Jacob, the heel grasper who became Israel= God prevails, governed by God *David, Israel’s most beloved King was an ancestor of Jesus David wrote Messianic Psalms. The Psalm of the cross was written by David (Psalm 22) David led Israel in worship of the LORD God. David was a comforter of broken hearts. He had one. David was a man after God’s own heart. I think the two are tied together. Isaiah 53.3 He was despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows , and familiar with grief/ suffering Like one from Whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem. One of the ways God is able to endure seeing suffering is that He knows what happens in the end. Bob Pierce‘s book let my heart be broken with the things to break the heart of God was a dose of overwhelming reality. that was his prayer. He asked for God to show him things as they really are. Every Christmas People drift off into it unreality. They spend money that they don’t have. They buy gifts for people that don’t need them. They have a nostalgic feelings, which in and of themselves are not bad, but they create something that is not true. That is what makes Christmas vacation movie so funny and yet so appealing. Clark Griswold finally faces the fact by asking his father the question, “Dad, why are the holidays such a always such a mess?” His father answers, “I know.” Clark then asks, how did you get through them. His father chuckles and says, “I had a little help from Jack Daniels.” I don’t want to live like that. No one does. Perhaps, in the first time in 65 thanksgivings this year I discovered it’s true original meaning... of our nation and in God’ Word and in prayer. I’m out to set the course for Christmas as well. I want to be able to say now, I am free to enjoy Christmas. It is a glorious event! It is the focal point of human history. It is gods story. It has been covered up by tinsel in unreality. I’m not against decorating for Christmas. I’ll do it myself. Just so blessed the decorations and the gift buying and all of the warm fuzzy feelings are not covering over reality of Christ’s Birth. I am making my way back to the manger. Reality will eventually come to you. For many comes on their deathbed. Others in this life. But the free people, the really free people are those whoever broken spirit, an open heart and a new direction in which to travel. Gordon MacDonald calls them the freest people on the earth. When we get there we are filled with joy unspeakable. We’re not fretting, worrying, angry, we are like children, children of God. And whom the sun sets free is free indeed! “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.” Prayer of Dr. Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse We want to be used but we don’t want to be broken. We want the Resurrection without the crucifixion, We want to hide our scars when Jesus shows us His. Philippians 3. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. The greatest spiritual blessing we receive is when we come to the knowledge that we are destitute. -Oswald Chambers 2. Note the women where details are given. Before you do that, prejudice against women is spoken against here. To include them in a genealogy was radical back then. It was outrageous! Jesus comes and turns over things that are wrong. He upsets things that need to be upset. He is doing that in this Pandemic. But these women were not ones we would have picked (which shows how often we pick the wrong people ) Verse three Tamar, a foreigner and of doubtful morality (Genesis 38) Verse Five Rahab, another foreigner and once a prostitute(Joshua 2.1) Ruth, a Moabitetess Verse six Uriah’s wife Bathsheba committed adultery with David (II Samuel 11) 3. There were some men who fell short in this line Abraham shows us that having faith does and being justified by faith does not mean we will be perfect. David shows us we can have a heart for God and be a man after God’s own heart and fall into sin if we do not guard our hearts. Solomon shows us that we can have great wisdom but if disobey the LORD it will hurt many many people. All have sinned and come short of God’s glory. This is why Jesus came. His Name shall be called Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins. 4. Jesus’ Birth was humble. His ancestry line has both prestige and at the same time things you could not be proud over. He relates to sinful situations. He is the King of Kings. But He is also the Friend of Sinners- What a Friend We Have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear We love Him because He first loved us. He accepts us with all of our imperfections Amazing Grace,. He take people whose lives are a mess and puts them back together. He came for all people. You may be listening by Livestream this morning. It just showed up in your newsfeed. You may be very rich. But deep down in your heart you are empty. You aren’t hearing this on accident. This is your time, your day. Christ is calling you to follow Him. Come now to Jesus! We have been grafted in... Romans 11.17 and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root All the promises... Galatians 3.8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you. 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith....29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Because God adopts us as His children when we believe we have the line of Abraham as our genealogy. We are descendants of his. Hebrews 2.10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Isaiah 53.8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken... vs.9-12 Who are your ancestors? If you are a believer, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, David. If you are a believer Jesus is not ashamed to call you a brother or sister. You have God as your Father God’s Family is made up of all who have believed on His Son for salvation. God’s family is the family of believers. Let’s let Him tie our story into His Story. His family is still growing and will be until the final one has come in... Let’s keep sharing the good news! Sent from my iPad

O Tne Joys of Those Who Take Refuge in Him!

O The Joys of Those Who Take Refuge In Him! Psalm 34.8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. 2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. This Psalm was written by David at a horrible time in his life. It was very bitter and yet here he is giving thanks. How can this be? He has been anointed king over Israel while Saul was still in office. Saul had the crown and the palace but David had the anointing. That made King Saul very jealous. He did not know how David would ascend to the throne. Would he take it by force or let the natural course of events take place? Saul did not know David very well. But David knew Saul. He was a spear thrower. And he gave the command to hunt David down. After that he had to flee from Saul. For an entire decade all the way through his 20’s until he was 30 David was on the run from Saul. It was a nightmarish hell. He wrote this psalm after he had to fake being insane before Abimilech. God was with him. David once more was safe. As far as he knew this was his lot in life. The dreams of ascending to King over Israel came down to running for his life, getting enough food for each day and hoping that Saul would never catch him. However David did say one day Saul is going to kill me. But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul.” (I Samuel 27.1) That shows where his emotional being was at one point. We could probably relate a lot to David during this time we are in. Today is Thanksgiving Sunday! This is going to be a different thanksgiving than we have ever experienced before and right on it’s heels comes Christmas. We keep trying to recapture what we have lost not realizing that C.S. Lewis said, “Reality never repeats. “ Be thankful for the memories. Embrace the reality of today. Based on the recommendations from the CDC and our own state I will be remaining alone in my home Thursday. It’s going to be different. Even my daughters have said that. But I won’t be alone. In fact the house will be filled! With memories, with joy because of the LORD! We need to find our refuge in the LORD. The LORD. The LORD Jesus Christ Who was born outside and placed in a feeding trough for the animals! That is Christmas! That’s the original. All that we have added over the centuries and millenniums is not bad... it is just excessive. The bad thing is has crowded out Christ. This Christmas just maybe we can get back to some of the reality of the first. Yes reality doesn’t repeat but it can be remembered. And so with Thanksgiving let’s go back to the pilgrims. Here’s some things we tend to forget. The Pilgrims struggled to build homes, and many families crowded into the few homes that were built. Food was scarce, and many Pilgrims starved to death that first winter. ... In the first winter, nearly half of the pilgrims struggling to build the Plymouth settlement died from cold and sickness. Even before they landed... Diseases, storms, vigorous winds, ship damages, strong ocean currents, terrible living conditions and overcorwdness. they were forced into Plymouth, an unfamilar territory during a harsh winter. nobody knew any easy access to food, shelter or medicine. The Pilgrims first had to make shelters for their winter ordeal and find water and what food they could. Unfortunately for them, they had no knowledge of the local wild life and even if they had, they lacked the knowledge of how to capture it. David, in his struggles against Saul and against foreign powers in his time of running found that God, the LORD was his refuge. In this pandemic as we celebrate Thanksgiving differently this year, perhaps more than we ever have before, we can be thankful for the wonderful blessings God has poured out upon us even in this time of national and international stress, difficulty, disappointment, and wondering about the future. We have these blessings no matter what. The Joy of Knowing Him The greatest thing in the world is knowing Christ. It surpasses all other things Peace, strength, grace, eternal life Think of the blessing of praying! David and the LORD had a very close relationship. The Joy of His Protection Refuge Psalm 46.1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 18.2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 91.2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Refuge= Seek refuge Flee for protection Trust in God Hope in the LORD .The Joy of His Provisions Philippians 4.19 and my God shall supply all of your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. seeking first His Kingdom as He provides food to eat and clothes to wear Matthew 6.33 Watching God Himself provide Genesis 22. 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. The Joy of His Promises Being Fulfilled As we walk with Him Living them out Seeing Him work Overwhelmed by His goodness... Haiti 102 children in the schools, 64 in Pastor Joes! Amazing! Donation as we met. Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift! Yet to be Fulfilled His Return “Yes, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22.20 Thanks be to God! Sent from my iPad

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ Acts 25. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. Christ has indeed been raised from the Dead. I Corinthians 15.20 If not... *Your faith is in vain. 15.7 *We are of all men most miserable I Corinthians 15.19 *He is a liar. He said to Martha John 11. 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; You cannot say well I believe Jesus was a good man but not God. C.S. Lewis: I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. Here we are in a season of dying, the autumn will bring the winter. We are watching the trees shed their leaves, birds getting ready to migrate... our thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and Christmas/ Advent. Today I want to jump to the Spring Season and talk about Jesus’ Resurrection. Two huge wonders re how Jesus was born and how after He died He rose from the grave. Both events are celebrated in beginnings. Christmas, His birth as they days are getting longer. Easter His Resurrection in the beginning of Spring, the growing season. One at the end of the harvest, the other in the beginning of planting. In our lives we have beginnings and endings. We have birth and death. We have times of celebrations and sorrow. But for the believer death is the last enemy. After that there is the Resurrection, eternity with Jesus. We ought to live with one foot in heaven and one on earth. The Resurrection of Jesus and His Promises associated with it are for now and forever. With Christ’ Resurrection we have... *The Empty Tomb The empty tomb in Jerusalem stands today in a beautiful well kept Garden. In the Cesarean Coliseum Paul gave his defense. Back to the Empty Tomb That is a historical fact. He Arose That is a present reality. He walks with me and He talks with me... That is a future hope. I Thessalonians 4. 13 Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the LORD’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the LORD Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And so we will be with the LORD forever. *The Risen Life Romans 6.4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. The most visible sign of the Resurrection is changed lives. God, Who raised Christ, working in us. Christ living in us. The Resurrection power at work in a redeemed soul. We are His witnesses. The Risen Life implies spiritual death before and the physical death to come. Psalm 39.4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before You. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. 6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. Colossians 3:1-2 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Isaiah 26.19 Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits. 2 Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 1 Corinthians 15:31 I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. Philippians 3:8-10 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; In this time of suffering we have to ask ourselves, what are we going to do with our pain? Are we going to blame others for it? Are we going to try to fix it? No one lives on this earth without it. It is the great teacher, although none of us want to admit it. -RR 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. We are His witnesses today, in 2020. Paul indicated that his sufferings resulted in wider spread of the Gospel. Philippians 1. 12 Now I want you to know, brothers that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. We see the infancy of the faith in Festus’ words. *The Coming Savior Jesus Christ Crucified, Risen and Coming Again He will come again. No one knows the Day or the hour. We must always be ready. Live in the power of the Resurrection today! Wait for the Resurrection Day! Share the Good News! Be at peace. Give Grace. Sent from my iPad

Resting In God’s Sovereignty Acts 24. 27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. There is man’s story and there History, His Story. If we just see it as our story then it can be discouraging and even depressing. If we see it as God’s story, His Story and how we fit into it we will have such a different view. You can always tell if a person is a Christian by how they view History. One of the things about His Story is He is in control. Somehow He works all things together for our good. I don’t know how but He does. Psalm 37.7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; How often I have come to places in my life where I thought, it’s all over. This is the end. Only to find out that God is opening up new doors and doing new things in me and through me! This is my story, His story. He has a plan for our lives. Psalm 139.16     all the days ordained for me were written in your book     before one of them came to be. Ephesians 2. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. What did Paul do in those two years in prison? Prayed. Wrote letters to churches and one individual that we know of while there... probably more. Waited. God often has plans that we are unaware of. Interruptions are often His opportunities, a part of His plan. What appears to be an interruption is God’s Sovereignty at work. God is the ruler over the earth because whatever happens on the earth happens because God has allowed it to happen. And yet, in a narrower sense, Jesus recognized that Satan was ruling the earth at the present time. Now, Satan only rules because God allows him to rule. So in an overall sense, yes, God rules, but God in His rule has given man free moral agency, self-determination, the power or capacity of choice. God has allowed man to choose who he desires to rule over him. And the majority of men have chosen that Satan should rule over their lives. And God has not violated man's choice. He's allowed him to make the choice and then respects the choice that man has made. The bottom line is always, “God is in control.” I wonder if Paul would have felt the need to write letters if it were not for the prison. With his desire to travel and being cut out for it he would have preferred visiting those churches in person. We have learned to be much more effective in the Pandemic Shut down. Many things are staying with us, part of the work of ministry now. We are working with a new app called Larix Broadcaster which will enable us soon to broadcast Livestream to not only Facebook Live but our You Tube Channel and Instagram as well! Paul discovered he could cover more territory, encourage the churches and get the Gospel out more effectively than if he were “free” to travel. This was a restful time, if you are going to be in jail it might as well be on the Mediterranean! The Roman Government “sponsored” many things for the Gospel. Built roads for Paul to travel on, got Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem to have Jesus born there, was responsible for the Prison Epistles. You can read more about them here: https://www.gotquestions.org/prison-epistles.html Sometimes the LORD gives us glimpses into His plan, sometimes we cry out to Him like Jehoshaphat, II Chronicles 20.12 For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” We have those letters from Prison. Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon Philippians 1.12 Now I want you to know, brothers that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. I don’t believe that as Paul wrote those letters to the churches founded on his second missionary journey he was aware he was writing the Bible! He doesn’t mention his letter writing in that way. So we can be going about our daily lives, surrendered to a Jesus and not be aware that God is at work through us? Sure! We can just be writing or talking and our words carry much greater weight to a much larger audience? Of course. Then there our lives, the testimony of faithfulness. Almost 2,000 years ago they were penned, dictated by Paul. He did not realize that he was writing letters which would be come part of the Bible, the New Testament and form our beliefs, give us wonderful promises and reveal to us the mysteries of God’s Grace. He wrote to the Ephesians Ephesians 2. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. One of the works in advance that God prepared Paul for was the writing of these books, letters. He was writing encouraging and instructive letters to churches in the First Century. He would have been amazed if God told him that we would be talking about those letters 2,000 years later, basing the church upon them. We go through prison experiences. The virus has been one. So often we are prevented from doing what we desire only to find out God has a greater work for us. *Prayer is the greater work! Well, all that we can do is pray. It is there we meet the LORD. This is a time to cry out to God. *The greatest of faith, hope and love is love. We are placed by God’s Sovereignty where we can express His love the best. That is so often through painful places, painful times. Joseph... So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “You’re the man for us. God has given you the inside story—no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom.” Genesis 41.39 Joseph would have never been in such a position without his sufferings, his troubles with his family, his brothers. We want to be free from pain. That is normal. That is natural. Sometimes there is a way to escape but it may not necessarily be God’s way. He wants to take us on the Calvary Way, the Way of the Cross. We love comfort. My friend, Pastor Tim Lemont, whose Bible Study I shared on our Church Facebook Page this week, spoke about the Blessedness of being persecuted for righteousness sake. You would do well to listen to such things. In this time of media glut, a time of Netflix and Amazon Prime shows and movies, do not let the gems get away. I see this time as a time of opportunity like we have never ever had. A time when we can learn from the least of these. The day of large gatherings has been suspended. Who would have dreamed that the World Series would be played in near empty stadiums? Or the large churches would be at a disadvantage? God is speaking to America. He is calling on His people to pray, come aside with Him, learn of Him. I see it clearly. Don’t miss what He is offering you in this time when what we knew as normal has been replaced. The safest place for the Apostle Paul at that time was in that prison! Paul probably sat in prayer in the prison. I am sure he did. Then at one point in those 2 years of waiting he thought, “I am not going anywhere soon. I eventually will go to Rome. The LORD made that clear. I cannot visit the churches so I will write to them.” We have these letters, filled with the promises of God. I close with the benediction from one of those letters in Ephesians 3. 20. Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Take Courage

Acts 23. 11 The following night the LORD stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” I remember when I had to give a speech in class when I was in junior high school. We came up to a weekend and they would be 10 minutes left in the class and I was next. The teacher said let’s pick up on Monday. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I had the whole weekend. I was off the hook until Sunday night when I began to become nervous about the speech again. What a relief after it was over! The number one fear of Americans is speaking in public. For the apostle Paul it was more than just a public speech. His testimony that he was going to give in front of courts was a life and death matter. If he said the wrong words, if those passing judgment didn’t agree he could face the death penalty. More than that he had a desire to proclaim the Gospel. Ephesians 6.19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. It was during this time, at night, the LORD came and stood by him and spoke to him. This is the Word the LORD gave Paul in a very trying time: Take courage. We go through difficult times in our lives. Sometimes we are overwhelmed. Sometimes the LORD gives us more than we can handle. It is beyond our ability to bear. Grief can do that to us. In the loss of a loved one we can feel so out of it we wonder if we can go on. One of the reasons that David wrote that when he goes through the valley of the shadow of death he will not fear any evil. Dealing with the effects of the current worldwide crisis has put people in fear. It has changed our lives. It has disrupted plans. The economic effects are yet to be fully felt. Great Depression and suicidal thoughts are in the psyches of Americans today, even among pastors as our District Superintendent Dr. Sam Vassal shared a few weeks ago in Brentwood. We need courage today. The good news is that the LORD is here to give it to us. He is with us in all of life. At the points when we may be tempted to think I can do this on my own. I am OK. Those are the very moment where we need Him the most. We feel the need of Him when we’re going through a crisis but often when things are going well, that was the warning for Israel, when you get into the land it flows with milk and honey be careful not to forget the LORD your God brought you into this place. These are the times that try men’s souls. The message of Thomas Paine's pamphlet The Crisis was to remind Americans during the battle for Independence that real patriots hold onto their beliefs, even in hard times. Real Christians hold onto the LORD and their faith in Him in hard times. God is purifying His Church today. We are in the fires of testing. Stand firm. The LORD Stands Near His Servants in Their Times of Great Need. II Timothy 4.16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the LORD stood at my side and gave me strength... Standing with us. To cause or make to stand. To make firm to establish To cause a person to keep his place To keep intact, uphold or sustain To stand near To keep safe and sound Interestingly the word used for standing in the 15th verse of II Timothy 4 simply means to come together or to come to one’s help. Human help is good. Help from the LORD is out of this world. Sometimes the sky looks dark With not a ray of light; We’re tossed and driven on no human help in sight but there is One in heaven Who knows our deepest care; Let Jesus solve your problem Just go to Him in prayer. Strength To be bold The LORD speaks Light and Life into Our Hearts in the Darkest of Times The power of one Word, the Word of God Take Courage Confidence Often the LORD just tells us He is with us. He doesn’t usually give the details of how He will work all things together for our good, how He will deliver us. Here is where our faith comes in. Daniel 3. 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Overcoming faith. We are given this by the LORD. I John 5.4 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. God Gives Us Courage Not Just To Be But To Do All seemed lost. How could the apostle work being a prisoner?! How? In many ways. Paul became a letter writer. Paul went on to testify before Caesar! Even the palace employees were touched! Philippians 1. 12 Now I want you to know, brothers that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers have become confident in the LORD and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. The LORD give us courage for the days ahead Joshua 1. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Days of Challenge Israel was about to go in and possess the land. Joshua was leading them. For 40 years they wandered. This is their time. Days of Uncertainty They sent the spies in. They gave a bad report. They all died except for Joshua and Caleb. In fact that whole generation that came out of Egypt, except for these two died in the Desert. They were not sure what they were going to face only that God was with them. And we as we approach this Presidential Election, Thanksgiving and Christmas and 2021 face great uncertainty. We have the LORD. Days of Conquest God was with them. Romans 8.31 If God is for us who can be against us? Back to that Prison holding cell in Jerusalem that night. Paul took the Courage offered to him by Jesus that night in the prison. Take the courage God is offering you this morning. II Chronicles 20. 12 ...For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” I Chronicles 12.32 Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Don’t despair Don’t fret Don’t worry God is with us, standing beside us. Take courage. Sent from my iPad

The Turnaround in Saul of Tarsus’ Life

The Turnaround In Saul of Tarsus’ Life Acts 22.1-16 Think of the person you know who would be the most unlikely to become a follower of Jesus Christ. Then think of them after coming to Christ becoming one of the people God uses to bring a whole group of nations to Him. Saul of Tarsus was such a man. Galatians 1. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, Who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any man. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. If you or I were responsible to choose someone to be an apostle to the Gentiles, in the middle of the first century, Saul of Tarsus would be our last choice. So often God chooses people to serve who would not be ones we would choose. This morning God is speaking to hearts. You may be listening online. God has been speaking to you about something unusual, highly unusual that He wants you to be a part of. The call of God doesn’t usually come like this one. For years I sat on boards and listened to prospective ministers describe their call. Most of them spoke of a still small voice, a quiet but definitely calling. Saul to become Paul was as far away from the Gentiles as one could be. He was persecuting Jewish Believers. His world was Judaism. Philippians 2.4 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. *A persecutor of the church Paul’s words: I Timothy 1.21 I thank Christ Jesus our LORD, Who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our LORD was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Acts 22.2 Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.” We see the grace of God here. We see the patience of God. We also see the plan of God which is often different then our thoughts. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He took the most unlikely person, one who was persecuting and killing the church to be a follower and one sent to bring the Gospel all over the world at the time. *A Determined and Stubborn Soul Acts 9.1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 26.14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” was a Greek proverb, but it was also familiar to the Jews and anyone who made a living in agriculture. An ox goad was a stick with a pointed piece of iron on its tip used to prod the oxen when plowing. The farmer would use it on the animal to steer it in the right direction. Sometimes the animal would rebel by kicking out at the goad, and this would result in the goad being driven even further into its flesh. In essence, the more an ox rebelled, the more it suffered. Saul of Tarsus was a headstrong Pharisee who came to the LORD. He was one of many whom Jesus spoke about. They shall put you out of the synagogues, and the hour will even come when whosoever kills you will think that he does God service. John 16.2 He acted in ignorance. God showed him mercy. *A Life that submitted to God Immediately Paul called Jesus, “LORD” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. So he submitted to the LORD before He knew it was Jesus. We all need to come to a place of this kind of submission to Jesus of Nazareth. Bowing at His Feet (John 11. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and said, “LORD, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”) There is no better time than right now, this moment to submit to the LORD. Isaiah’s words, 6. 8 Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Here I am LORD. Help Yourself. The Apostle of the Heart Set Free *An Apostle of the LORD Jesus Christ I Corinthians 1. 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God apostle= a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders God had a plan to reach the Gentiles. Like we have said He picked an unlikely person, the most unlikely person. You may feel you are unlikely to be used by God. Submit yourself to Him, tell Him you will do whatever He tells you. Mary to the servants at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee: John 2.5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” That is what I say to you today. The conversion (turn around) of Saul is quite significant as it was the turning point in his life. Paul later wrote nearly half of the books of the New Testament. What can happen in your life as you make a total surrender to Him? Sent from my iPad

The Truth About Success In The Kingdom of God

The Truth About Success In God’s Kingdom Acts 19. 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the Word of the Lord. II Timothy 1.15 You know this, that all those in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 4.16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Do you see what is going on here? Paul the apostle has preached in Ephesus as a center and all the Greeks and Jews living in the province of Asia heard the Word of the Lord. Then go ahead to a number of years to when he writes to Timothy. He tells Timothy that all Asia has forsaken him. He tells Timothy at the end of the letter that when he stood for his first defense no one stood with them may it not be held against them but the LORD was at my side. Paul and Stephen have the same attitude of Christ Jesus: Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. LORD, do not hold this sin to their charge. May it not be held against them. What a way to live and pray and finish! Oh to be like Jesus in this! What are some truths we can glean that will help give us a right perspective in our work for the LORD? We all want to be successful. This kingdom has different parameters that any other. This is not just in the church. It is in all of life. Work Done For Christ Is Just That: Work For Christ It is the Lord Jesus Christ you’re serving. Colossians 3.24 We need to remember that. Paul would have been disappointed if after years of preaching he was serving people who deserted him! If we serve the church we will become disillusioned. If we serve the LORD we will be content. There is a huge difference. We need to love the church but not be surprised when it lets us down. It will. I totally agree with Dr. E. Stanley Jones, “The church, with all other faults, is still the best serving organization on earth. So get into it and serve.” Just remember It is the Lord Jesus Christ you’re serving. But we must guard against bitterness... Milo Arnold/ E. Stanley Jones Remember the LORD Jesus. He had opposition, things said about Him that were not true. He also had His Deserters. John 6. 66 From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray Him.) Jesus gave us a perfect example of what to expect when we served Him in the account of the Ten Lepers Bring Healed. Luke 17. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Don’t be surprised if after someone is healed or helped that they go on and forget to even give thanks to the LORD. I remember the first time this happened. I was a young pastor. It blew me away nearly. We actually went to pray with a guy who was dying. A few weeks later he was fine. I figured the whole family would come to church. He never showed up. The family never acknowledged God’s healing to us. The rewards of serving Jesus blow us away. To be part of His work is wonderful!However we must remember that there is this other side we are speaking about this morning. You and the LORD know many things in your service to Him that others do not know or see. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you’re serving. Those times when you do what is right because it is right, those times when you go the extra mile, do the extra work. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you’re serving. Colossians 3.22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the LORD. The Only One We Can Always Depend On is Jesus. II Timothy 4.16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the LORD stood at my side and gave me strength, It is marvelous to have the LORD stand at your side. To have His Hand upon you is simple amazing. He is with us. He will never leave us. Friends who leave when circumstances change were never ours to begin with! Proverbs 19.4 Wealth attracts many friends,     but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. Nobody wanted Him, No one cared But as long as the miracles flowed like wine they called him wonderful they came to dine. Jesus was crowded by so many wanting to be healed. When He talked about suffering they rejected that teaching, even His own disciples, even Peter! God gives us strength to suffer. It is not all a struggle. Serving Jesus is wonder filled. I Timothy 1.12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. It is the LORD Who Gives Success. Numbers are not the bottom line in this Kingdom. Faithfulness to the LORD is. Christian character is. Christian Influence matters. Some have ten talents, others of us just one. Use your talents in the Kingdom. John 3.27 A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. Success is faithfulness. Hebrews 4. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. God sees the things we do when no one is watching. He knows the giving and praying and fasting we have done in His Name. He knows the phone calls, cards and texts we we send to simply encourage souls. He is keeping account. That is what we will commended for when we stand before Him. Hebrews 10.25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.

God’s Word of Encouragement

God’s Word of Encouragement to the Apostle Paul Acts 18. 9 One night the LORD spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the Word of God. In this time we need a word of encouragement from the LORD. The coronavirus and the after affects are taking it’s toll on all of us. Some people are struggling with depression. Some people have become shaky in their faith. One out of three people in the United States that were active are no longer attending church or viewing the services online. Others are trying their best but it seems as if everything’s against them. When Paul was going through a difficult time in his ministry God came to him and spoke to him about the work that he was doing. The LORD speaks to us in our times of struggle and uncertainty. We wonder what is going on today. We want life to be predictable, to even go back to the way things were. We forget that reality does not repeat. In this “End of the World As We Knew It” the LORD has not changed. He and His Word remain the same. Paul, the apostle needed this Word. Paul had to escape several times. He still bore the scars from the beating he had received in Philippi for being falsely accused. God knew that coming to a new area, he would need help and encouragement. We are in a new time. This Word to Paul is for us today. The LORD speaks to us personally! *From His Word The more we are in the Word, the more we will hear Him. Problems in believers’ lives happen when they do things contrary to the Word. *To Our Hearts Hebrews 1. 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. *In Our Hearts The still small voice I Kings 19. 11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Do not be afraid One of 365 times One for everyday Keep on speaking Don’t stop doing what you have been doing. Don’t be silent Don’t quit Don’t give up Hebrews 10.39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. I am with you His Presence Exodus 33.15 Then Moses said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. I will protect you. No one is going to oppress or harm you. I have many people on Long Island God has people in your life people that love him and love you. Paul didn’t even know who these people were. And we may not either. But He has many people around you and he’s going to protect you and he’s going to be with you always. When going through a stressful time, a difficult time we can easily forget that. Elijah was a man just like us. I Kings 19. 3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

Be A Berean

Be a Berean Acts 17.10-12 Paul the apostle left Thessalonica and traveled to Berea. This was done at night. He was basically snuck out of the city to escape persecution. He still had the scars from the severe flogging in Philippi. He did the same things with the Bereans as he had always done. He went to their synagogue. His pattern was, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1.16 The success in Berea was greater than Thessalonica. There was a reason for this... actually several: The Bereans were of Noble Character Well behaved Good The Greek word used in Acts is eugenesteroi, which comes from eugenes, from which we derive the personal name "Eugene." Originally, it meant "wellborn" and implied nobility. Later, it described those of a generous spirit, who are open-minded toward truth, not prejudiced, hostile, or suspicious of others, but give others a fair hearing. The Bereans are considered as noble because they listened to the preaching of the gospel with open hearts as they pursued God and His whole truth. May you have an open heart. In this time of great change in the world and Church. In the sunshine and the rain. We need both to make flowers grow. In the seasons of the year and life. The Bereans held the Word of God in high esteem. The character of a nation, a group of people, a denomination, a church’s character will be known by the place it holds the Word of God in its heart and life. Always hold the Word of God along with His Name high in your life. Hide it in your heart. I wish Paul had written a letter to this church. It would have been one full of commendations. May we be that kind of church! Commended by God. What man commends/ What God commends We have the letters of Paul to the churches. We have the messages of Jesus to the 7 churches in Revelation. If we were have a letter written to us what would it say? The Bereans were model seekers/ believers They were Eager to learn Take hold of it. Receive it like a grant. Embrace it. Zeal We need to diligently search the Scriptures daily. Marinate yourself in it. We should be people of one Book. All other books should be read in the light of the Word of God. I am concerned because that is not so today, even among so called believers. Our relationship with the Word of God is one of embracing it, being zealous to keep it, receiving the gift of it with thankfulness. What a gift we have been given! I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing Your praise. I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise Your name for Your love and your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your name and Your Word. Psalm 138.2 Your Word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119.89 The Word of God is our sole basis for truth and error. Testing the Scriptural Teaching To see if what is being proclaimed is true. To see if what I believe is accurate. You didn’t hear from Bereans, “Wow! What a great message! What an awesome speaker. I could listen to that man preach all day! What a great preacher!” May God help us move away from such childish thinking across the Body of Christ! Here is Paul’s Testimony: I Corinthians 2.1 And so it was with me, brothers, When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. The Bereans were a people who held Scripture in such a high regard that it became their daily pursuit, their source of truth, the only reference book or material they would read in search of what is true. Sifted Getting the wheat separated from the chaff Pulling out the truth Examined Checked out his quotes from the Old Testament. Judged Is it reasonable? Is it right? Listening to the Word of God put them in the Word of God daily. Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good. Be a Berean!

Boasting

Let The One Who Boasts Boast In The LORD II Corinthians 10.12-18 v.17 Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD I love the way God put His Word together. It is His Story. Through the story He tells us things we need to know. He could have just listed a bunch of dos and don’ts but He tells us through real people in real situations. Take the subject this morning, “Boasting.” He could have simply said, “Don’t boast.” Instead He brings us this truth in the lives of Paul, the Apostle and the Corinthian Church. All of this to make us more like Jesus. This is really a message about humility. But we need the negative and positive to make the battery work... my Jeep last week. v.1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ Humility= meek and mild A true view of oneself No pride or haughtiness Taking the lowest place, being the servant of all. Washing feet. David wrote in Psalm 34.2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. This is a perfect contrast between humility and boasting. 1. What is Boasting? To glory on account of something I Corinthians 5.6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? The context of this passage is pride over how open the church in Corinth was over sin among them. “We are progressive in our thinking...” Whenever it is said that we are the avant-garde, there is a real danger of pride, boasting. It is always best to assume a place of less importance. The Words of Jesus in Luke 14.10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Humbling ourselves is the opposite of boasting. Jesus told us, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15.5 I John 2.16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. the boasting of what he has and does This is sinful This is not from the Father This is worldly. I find this activity so distasteful. So much hot air to hear someone boast and brag about their life’s accomplishments... and often so boring! Lit. Empty Braggart talk, Pretending Proverbs 13.7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Dependence upon the LORD is what is needed, what we should be exclaiming. We should be... 2. Boasting in the LORD Psalm 44:8: - The good kind of boasting In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise Your Name forever. Psalm 44.1-7 I love talking about what God has done! Isaiah 45.25 But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in Him. He has rescued me. He is my Provider. Without Him I can do nothing. All the good you see that I am associated with is through Him. Christ working within me, giving me the strength. I Timothy 1.12 I thank Christ Jesus our LORD, Who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry. 3. Boasting In The Cross Of Jesus Christ Galatians 6.14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. How can I become that radically cross-centered — so that all my exultation is traced back to the cross? Answer: realize that when Christ died on the cross, you died; and when you trusted him, that death took effect in your life. Paul says it’s your death to the world and the world’s death to you. All glory belongs to God All honor to Him Praise and Worship 4. God’s Commendation This is what we ought to be seeking above all else Too often we worry about people will say or think, we concern ourselves with human relationships... They are not to be ignored. They are to be in perspective. Our relationship to God is all important. We get that in order and He will order our other relationships. Serving others is wonderful. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. Colossians 3.23 v.8 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the LORD commends. Well done good and faithful servant. Matthew 25.23

God's Comfort In Our Time Of Trouble

God’s Comfort In Our Times Of Trouble II Corinthians 7.5 For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, Who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. Conflicts On The Outside, Fears Within No rest= relief, relaxing, to loosen troubled= press hard like with grapes... crushing a narrow straight, distress No way out Psalm 90.10 Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. I used to think that life was mostly stress-free with an occasional trial to mold us. I now believe that almost all our lives we are contending for the faith, our faith with an occasional break in between battles. We, as believers in Jesus, have the promise of His Comfort. We need it most of the time. I just finished reading through the Book of Acts. It is the standard for the church. Life was not easy for the church. There was persecutions, arrests, even deaths... like we are seeing around the world. Our lives are filled with joy because of our names being written down in Heaven. Our lives however are lived on this earth. We walk by faith not by sight. We need to hear these words from Paul, the Apostle. Some of us are going through fiery trials right now. The church in America is in peril. We need the LORD. I know that may sound funny to say Jesus’ followers and His Church need Him. I read the advertisements for some of the conferences, some of the articles for young leaders... God help us! They go through all this profiling of necessary qualities without ever once mentioning prayer. The minister of the Gospel is to be an example in prayer! Churches need prayer. We are to be a House of Prayer for all nations! Paul prayed. He urged the people of the churches to pray. Colossians 4.2 Ephesians 6.18-20 In his letter to the Corinthians he talks to them and us about life, the life of a Christian minister, the lives of believers in times of trouble. 1. Facing Harassment Paul was harassed by the Jews. Even the Gentiles got upset. In Philippi he was thrown into prison Acts 16 In Thessalonica an uproar Acts 17 In Ephesus a riot Acts 19 Satan harasses. Revelation 12.10“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.” He accused Job to the LORD of serving God for what he could get out of it. I have been falsely accused. Some of the accusations have been laughable! Some not so funny. Satan accuses us. Anyone who spreads false accusations is doing the devil’s work. People harass us. Unbelievers harass God’s people. Take a stand against sinful behavior and those engaging in it, disagreeing with God’s Word will go after you. 2. Contending with Conflict and Fears We are tempted to give into fear... the “what if” questions. If we are doing something in God’s Kingdom there will be conflicts. We are in a spiritual battle. Conflicts= battles, fights, contention Fears= dread, terror Psalm 91.5-6 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 15 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 3. The Comfort of God God, Who comforts the downcast Call aside, exhort, counsel, comfort... miracles implied by the Parakletos brought low with grief, depressed that comfort comes by getting our eyes on the Lord. Getting them off of those troubling things that have disturbed us. You see, our problem is that we so often become so completely involved in our problem that we lose sight of God. The problem becomes overwhelming; we lose perspective. Our problem seems to be greater than God. But God comforts those that are cast down. So we need to get our eyes upon the Lord. May today God comfort your heart and soul. Through others v.4 in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. Art, “I can hardly contain the joy!” I feel the same way! Through His work in us and through us. Romans 5.3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Who has been given to us. God’s comfort is with us in our troubles!

Heaven, Our Hope, Our Home

Heaven, Our Hope, Our Home

II Corinthians 5.1-5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Know= see, understand, experience



John 14.1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. “

Heaven...
What is it?
Where is it? It is a definite place spoken about here in the scripture.
Who is going there?

1. It is a place Jesus is preparing for those who believe in Him. John 14.1-3

Prepare= to make the necessary preparations, get everything ready
Bridegroom’s task after the Betrothal in the year before the wedding.
He would get the house prepared for his bride. Make all the preparations for her to live with him.
The bride would wait for him to come back and get her. He would come and announce it with trumpets. Then the wedding would take place. After the wedding feast the Bridegroom would take the Bride to the place he has prepared for her.

II Peter 3.13 But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

It is more wonderful than we can imagine!
We know this:
Revelation 21.1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully  dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
 Out of His great love for us Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and He rose again ascended back into heaven where He is preparing a place for us and one day He will come again and take us to be with Him forever that place is perfect another demonstration of the love of Jesus for the church.

Therefore

2. There is a longing and groaning in our hearts to be there with Him.


Philippians I.21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

Romans 8.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

II Corinthians 5.7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Acts 21.13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the LORD Jesus.”

II Timothy 4.6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

Desire to depart= desire, craving, longing to break up camp and move
Long for His Appearing/ Loved His Appearing=  to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly

Many with lives to live do not sense this as acutely as those who are fully surrendered to the LORDship of Jesus Christ.
We see that not only we have that longing but Jesus desires for us to be with Him as well.




3. He wants us there with Him. John 17.24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

He loves us.
He showed the full extent of His Love.
In love... want to be with that One!
Now we are the Body of Christ
We are the Bride of Christ.

We long to be with Him. He wants us with Him.
Want= determined, resolved, intend, to take delight in, to be fond of

Revelation 21.2,9
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bridebeautifully dressed for her husband.
9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plaguescame and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

II Corinthians 11.2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

Ephesians 5.25-26, 32
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[b]her by the washing with water through the word,
32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.




4. He will bring us there one day.

At the moment of death

When He Returns

5. The Holy Spirit is the Deposit  Guaranteeing Us What Is To Come.  v.5
Heaven has begun in our hearts.
Our living experience
Christ in us, the Hope of Glory
Our Joy
Deposit= pledge or security

Ephesians ‪1.13-14‬  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.

I stand in awe and bow in worship of Him
He Who made the world and everything in it,
He Who came from heaven to earth as a baby,
He Who died on the cross to take my sins away,
He Who rose again on the third day,
He Who ascended into heaven,
He Who sent us His Spirit to be with us forever,
He Who is coming back one day for us.

We Do Not Lose Heart

We Do Not Lose Heart

II Corinthians 4.16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Losing heart= to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted
It is a negative way of thinking, feeling and acting
It is destructive.
It means we are about to faint from emotional, spiritual and mental exhaustion, to collapse.

Renewed= fresh, make new, new strength, vigor, to be changed into a new kind of life

We do not lose heart
We are wasting away outwardly
We are being renewed day by day inwardly


Losing heart...
Elijah was like that after his victorious battle with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
I Kings 19.3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
Jacob expressed feelings of hopelessness when Simeon was kept in Egypt.
Genesis 42.36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!”

Losing heart is possible when we are overwhelmed. Life in 2020 can be overwhelming.
Emotionally, Financially, with Family Issues and even spiritually.

How is it possible to avoid this? What if we feel we are close to losing heart?
This section of scripture gives us a number of reasons why we do not lose heart.



1. We Do Not Lose Heart Because We Are Being Transformed By God’s Spirit. ‪3.16-17‬
II Corinthians 3.17 Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the LORD’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, Who is the Spirit.

We spoke about this last week.
Now in the context of all kinds of opposition and difficulty we keep looking to Jesus.
God’s Spirit is renewing you, transforming you.

Peter walked on water when he looked at Jesus. He began to sink when he looked at the wind.
Matthew 14.27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” He said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “LORD, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”


But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “LORD, save me!”
Jesus comes to us when we begin sink. There may be times when we don’t think we are going to make it. It’s all over. Then Jesus comes reaches out His Hand and catches us. We have followed Christ’s command. We have come to a place of being overwhelmed and even going down.
Jesus reaches out His Hand
Jesus catches us
Caught= to rescue from peril, to help
Note: Peter began to sink. He thought he was going to die. Elijah wished he would. Many times the rescue from the LORD comes when we are at the brink of going under. God works in the last hour, sometimes seconds! His Hand providing.
We do not lose heart because we are being transformed, even in life’s difficulties and challenges. He is with us!


2. We Do Not Lose Heart Because We Proclaim The Truth.  v.5
5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I Corinthians 2.2

My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. We are His servants.
Depending upon Him we have His Promises. We stand on the Rock and we are upheld by His Arms.

The Lord upholds all who fall
    and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Psalm 145.14











When we build our lives upon God’s Word we have it in our hearts in times of trouble. We have it as a solid foundation all the time.
We understand His Blessings. In this time of challenge to the Truth we have it to stand firm. Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian Church is for us, (I Corinthians 15.58) Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

As I look back over my life, over my ministry, 40 years of preaching God’s Word each Sunday completed at conclusion of the service today! Now, as an elder, in the truest sense of the word, I cannot believe how quickly the time has past, but as I look back...
I am so thankful for the Word of God being central in my life and ministry. I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole counsel of God... in small groups and from this place and now over the internet and around the world, we have gone through Genesis to Revelation over and over again.
My formative years had so much to do with this.
I thank God for my Sunday School Teachers (My Mom, Helen Matthews, Arnie Finch and my Dad) who taught me about God and His Word!
I thank God for my pastors (Mason, Matthews, Weller, Evans and Bond) who did the same.
I thank God for my parents and grandparents who lived it out in front of me and led me to believe.
It was this foundation that led me to the wonderful experiences with the LORD I have enjoyed all my life.
I stand as I did when I asked Jesus to come into my heart over 55 years ago on His Word. Praise His Dear Name.


Standing on the Word, having the Spirit transform us...

3. We Do Not Lose Heart Because We Have The Right Perspective. vs.7-12
7 But we have this treasure in ‪jars of clay‬ to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.


We are in a spiritual battle.
We may be knocked down but we are not knocked out.
The battle belongs to the LORD.

We do not lose heart when we hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted or struck down. These things will come. We are made stronger for them. We are following Jesus. We have “Americanized” Jesus. Just in the persecution issue alone.
Nigerian Eltoy, Helen’s nurse ‪on Monday evening‬... praying with me. I thought of his country. 10 Christian men in a video released December 27th.
Suffering Churches around the world.
Haiti
Puerto Rico
Iran, where the church is getting stronger but facing opposition
Nigeria
China, new waves of persecution against the church

We need to read God’s Word, as we discussed in our Discipleship Class, with a proper Worldview.
Suffering is hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted or struck down.

4. We Do Not Lose Heart Because God Is Keeping Us As He Works Through Us.
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the One Who raised the LORD Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to Himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

It is amazing how God works through our efforts...
Isabel Povey, a 16 year old from New Hampshire, who founded a non profit organization called “Seeds of Hope” sends seeds to developing nations to help them. She  shipped seeds this week to help the people of Bellevue, Haiti. Her mom, Trish , helped set this up with us.

Please pray for this endeavor. It is a way the people can work and make money there. Seeds are very expensive but if they are given them that makes their profit margin 100%.

You can read Isabel’s story about Seeds of Hope at ‪https://isabelpovey.wordpress.com‬

People have come to me and said you must be so disappointed you cannot go to Haiti. I miss the people but I am watching God continue to work in marvelous ways, in ways not initiated by us but by Him. Pastor Joes and Jhon had a meeting this week to talk about the future. I am having lunch with Pastor Art and Pastor Johnson today to talk about the future. God has some wonders in store for Bay Shore and our area... just this past week at Barnes and Noble at our Discipleship Group... Greg and Donna...
So when we see “the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”- v.15 we are greatly encouraged.

He works through our weaknesses!

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. II Corinthians 12.9


5. We Do Not Lose Heart Because We Know How This Life Will End.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Next week we will look into this matter of heaven even more.  That is what the next chapter is about. We have forgotten to a large degree in the church in America today about having a proper view of heaven. We used to hear a lot about it.  We all are to have a longing and groaning to go there.  Billy Graham video ‪Friday Night‬, longing to go (67 years old)
In fact Paul’s was so great that he asked the LORD  to take him. When Elijah asked the LORD to take his life he was in despair. We are not in despair. We may be going through all kinds of trials and see the wickedness in the world but we have hope. Our Hope is in being with Jesus one day!