The Ever Present LORD

“The Ever-Present Lord”, aka "When I Wake, I Am Still With Thee" Sermon by Rev. Peter Hoffman, Oct 16, 1960 Transcribed by [great-grandson] Justin Larue, 12-23-2007 Editor’s note: In August and September 1960, Rev. and Mrs. P.C. Hoffman visited their daughter and son-in-law in Denver, Rev. and Mrs. Donald and Phyllis Wolfram, on the occasion of the arrival of their fourth grandchild, Donna Wolfram. In early October they returned by automobile to their station at the Zarephath, New Jersey, headquarters. Rev. Hoffman preached at the Sunday afternoon service on October 16. After delivering the sermon below, he left the auditorium without waiting for the closing song and prayer. He was found outside the door, collapsed and unconscious, and died shortly thereafter. His last words on this earth were St. Paul’s victorious statement about Heaven: “Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him” It was through the miraculous providence of God that the sermon was recorded. It was played for the shocked and grieving family who gathered at Zarephath for the funeral. Now, nearly fifty years later, the old reel-to-reel tape, which had been mislaid and had undergone all sorts of extremes of heat and cold, has nevertheless been miraculously preserved and has been converted to CD format by Barry Blue, to whom we are deeply grateful for giving us back this treasured heirloom. –Suzanne Wolfram, Christmas Day 2007 Rev. Peter C. Hoffman speaking: Now we're ready for the execution. [cough] I don't know why they wish to record this sermon, because I think it's already recorded, and now I think they're using it out west. I know I preached it out there before I left there, couple weeks ago. I want to speak about the ever-present Lord, and my text is found in the one hundred and thirty-ninth psalm, and the eighteenth verse. One hundred and thirty-nine, and the eighteenth verse. "If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee." I like to read two verses of context before my text. "How precious also are they, are thy thoughts unto me, O God; how great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Page 1 of 5 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain." I read the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and the twentieth verses of the one hundredth and thirty ninth psalm: "The Ever-Present Lord." When I awake, I am still with thee. [male voice: amen] Now the religion of many of us is only an occasional affair. It seems rather shallow at times, because the recognition of God is all too seldom. What one feels about the psalmist is this: that he always sets the Lord before him, and it is this continual recognition - this unvarying practice of God's presence - which under all circumstances seems to kindle his faith, and his hope, and his assurance! It was because he lived with God and went to sleep under the wing of God that he took his pen and he wrote in deep sincerity: "When I awake, I am still with thee." Now this is a wonderful little text found here in the one-hundred and thirty-ninth psalm. You know, you can find these jewels scattered throughout the Bible. [laughing] If we *read* the Bible! If we take time to read it. I know that I find a lot of these little gems [cough] as I go along. Let us widen the thought a little bit and think of various awakenings which it is our privilege to find while still with God under His providences. Human life has many awakenings. In the first place, we might apply the thought to the waking of the child to maturity. It has been my great pleasure recently to spend some time with my little grand-children. Now I hope you'll pardon the personal reference. And I have [ahem] been interested again in child psychology, and child innocence, and the great pleasure that grown-up people can receive in association with little children. Is no wonder that the Bible says that a little child shall lead them! And Jesus said unless you become converted and be like little children, you can't enter the kingdom of Heaven. Now, one of my little four-year-old girls [i.e., one of my grandchildren, a little four-year-old girl: this was Charlene Wolfram] has asked me to make her a sign to post up on the grounds out there telling the birds - to tell the little birds that if they have a broken leg or a broken wing they should come in there to - to Sharon [missionary home in Denver, home of the Wolframs] , and get fixed up. Now, isn't Page 2 of 5 that wonderful? Isn't it wonderful what great imaginations little children have? And I'm going to do it! I'm going to set that sign for the sign for the birds, so the little birds can read it. And when they read it, they'll know that there's a, there's a place out there. There's a, there's a hospital for birds. The world of a child is not the actual world in which we live; they live in a dream world, and what an awful awakening when these little children awaken to the grim realities of life, and to maturity. And when with the passing of years there comes experience, and the unveiling of what is grim and stern, is like an awakening out of a sleep. And when we awake, what then? What then? What we gonna do with these children, when they awake from their dream life. Are we prepared to receive them? And direct them? And to teach them? Much of our youthful dreams is gone for us. We have put away childish things, as the apostle Paul puts it. When I was a child, I thought as a child; I spake as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Put 'em away! Put 'em away forever! [ahem] But the comfort of it all is that, that we can look to God - in the crushing out of happy, childish things, and say with the psalmist, when his sleep was over, "When I awake, I am still with thee." God is with us in our heaviest duties and sorrows of life, and burdens of life. God is with us in our humblest tasks if the task is a faithful task and well-done. Again our text has a deep application - when we think of the awakening to new knowledge. Has it not always seemed when knowledge broadened as if God were to be driven from a field? What is it that saves us in such a feeling? Well, it is the presence of God. "When I awake I am still with thee." I remember my childhood. My young manhood. My student days in college, and in the seminary. I remember when new thoughts were brought up. I remember when I was shocked at the theologians in their mumbling of theological thoughts. Uncertain as to whether Jesus is the son of God or whether He isn't. Whether He is divine, or just a human being. I remember these days. But, advanced knowledge does not change the hunger of a person's heart. [coughs] You may get new knowledge - ah, strange knowledge, we might say. Strange ideas. Strange philosophies and psychologies. Strange theologies that tend to unsettle the fundamental student. Page 3 of 5 But, my friends, through every increase and advance of knowledge, the heart still hungers for the living God. We never outgrow that; no matter what we learn, we never get beyond it or above it. The heart and God were made for each other. There is an affinity between God and the heart of man. That's why he says "My son, give me thine heart." Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with *all* thy heart. God wants the heart of a person, because God and man were made for each other, and that communion is their sweet rest of soul and peace of mind. Once more this text is full of meaning, when we think of the waking from spiritual lethargy. [coughs, "pardon me"] There are seasons for most of us in our spiritual life where we are little better than asleep. Sometimes, I think people like that are backslid. Our prayers, how cold and formal they become. They're just the semblance and mockery of prayer, and the Bible loses its freshness and its dew. It doesn't leap to meet us when we come to it, and there settles down a deadness on our spirits. Did you ever get in that position? Do you know anyone in that position? Who has not known such seasons of desertion of God? And how has, and who has not known the gladness of it all when the spirit is quickened into life again? We're able to lift our heads and say "When I awake I'm still with thee." My friends, when you are converted, you remember that great enlightening experience; you remember how the leaves of the trees clap their hands. You remember how the world seemed to be dancing with joy and happiness. That is the spiritual awakening of the soul. I think too that we should bear our text in mind in view of any time of crushing sorrow. We who are older have had these experiences, such as the passing away of church leaders [or] great political leaders, and the passing of loved ones; father or mother, sisters or brothers, neighbors and friends. In all great sorrow there is something numbing. Insensibility, like sleep. We go to sleep, as it were. Is, it is...it is when a man awakens from that sleep - slowly and heavily, through dreary days - it is then that he can lift his heart to God and say, "When I awake, I am still with thee." [male voice: praise Him, praise Him] Life in its bitterest and heaviest [coughs] woe can never outdistance God [coughs] through Jesus Christ our Lord. These things [coughs, "pardon me"] have been Page 4 of 5 experienced by many of us who are older in the world (worry?) And then in closing, does not our text apply to the last awakening? And I quote, "I shall be satisfied when I awake." Satisfied! Alma White wrote a song, ‘I'm Satisfied With Jesus”. Well, I'm satisfied with Jesus today. I shall be satisfied when I awake, and satisfied because I am with Thee. Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him. [Editor’s note: 1 Corinthians 2:9] Page 5 of 5

A Profund Mystery

Genesis 2.19-24 Ephesians 5.21-33 One nature, of the same body. A great mystery= hidden thing, secret, mystical, not obvious to understanding But I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5.32 Jesus building His Church is in this Profound Mystery. I saw it at Verlene’s Funeral Service, in the words that were said but more than that in the little groups of people comforting one another. It was soul refreshing. I see it in the cistern being built, each kid in Haiti getting an education and a hot meal… in the lady from India who spoke at Verlene’s funeral, giving thanks for all those years ago when she sponsored her to become a citizen of the US. This Profound Mystery of being one flesh with Christ. We love the LORD. We care for each other. We are connected to Heaven. We are one with Christ and each other. I see it here each Sunday and throughout the week. It begins with Jesus… * Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. We don’t think about that enough. The self emptying kenosis passage Philippians 2.5-8 We need to catch the direction here… let this mind be in you… Not taking any special privileges The position of a slave No luxurious inns Selfless life Our attitude of this profound mystery. Philippians 3.10-12 be a partner in His suffering Two kinds of sufferings: Forced Willing Even when it is forced we can submit to it. This is a Profound Mystery One of the evidences of One Flesh is in children produced. They are a combination of both parents. They share the genes. Interestingly when Jesus said, “I will build My Church.” the word build means to build a house or erect a building, to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness, blessedness. His sacrifice makes us holy, becoming like Him. Reflecting His image… He gave Himself up so we could become like Him through His blood and the washing of water through the Word. * The Church submits to Christ To His Word There is the flesh and there is the Spirit. We are to submit to His Word. Forgiveness In complete commitment to Him. To His Spirit Wherever He leads I will follow. To His character Becoming like Him “Christians” To His Will He submitted to the Father’s will, to the point of death. John 12. 27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name!” Luke 22. 39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and His disciples followed Him. 40 On reaching the place, He said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 44 And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

The Glory of the One and Only, Who Came From the Father

The Glory of the One and Only Who Came From The Father John 1.14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us and we have beheld His glory the glory of the One and Only who has come from the Father full of grace and truth. the glory of the One and Only Who has come from the Father… This morning we are going to look closely at John 1.14 and John 3.16 on this matter of God the Father sending, giving His One and Only Son. We ought to think of the Father giving. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! II Corinthians 9:15 In our celebration we give thanks. But do we think what it cost Him?! Indescribable, Unspeakable, Unspeakably precious You can never tell the whole story of it. Beyond language… no words can do it justice. There is nothing you can relate it to. And yet in Genesis 22.1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. We look at Abraham,the father of the faithful, who went through an experience, on this Earth, that our Father in Heaven went through and so much more with His One and Only Son, Jesus. He did this through… The Word becoming flesh because God so loves the world * God gave His One and Only Son Being an only child like my Dad. Those who are the only child understand. It is unique. All the parental love on that one soul. Special times of one on one. Every child is special. An only child is very special. This was the Supreme Sacrifice. Jesus left Heaven to die on the cross. He died for sins he did not commit Nor crimes He had done. He gave His very Best for you and the whole world. With Him From Eternity Before time began, God was. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, complete, oneness The giving This was out of love for the world, for lost sinners, that God gave. Jesus gave Himself up. Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… Ephesians 5.25 Was ere a gift like the Savior given? No not one! Unique One of a kind Priceless How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! I John 3.1 Lavished = to give a gift, to give one to someone as his own The Father poured out His love on us by giving us His Indescribable Gift, the gift of His One and Only Son. * His Glory Brightness and Splendor Mild He lays His Glory by Veiled in Flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Diety He left the glory of Heaven. He left the Glory He had with the Father from the beginning. the glory of his self-sacrifice. We have looked upon Him giving up everything for us, renouncing His crown and sceptre, laying aside His royal robes and splendour, leaving His Father's ’s house, and palaces, and honour; becoming man; nay, a poor man, a despised afflicted man; nay, becoming obedient to death, even the death of the cross. We have read history through, but we never saw a self -sacrifice that could equal His. In Him selfishness never lived, and therefore, never needed to be kept in check. He was not his own. John 17. 4 I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your Presence with the glory I had with You before the world began. Glory brought to the Father by finishing the work on earth. Glory in the cross, in His Death, Resurrection and in His Return at His Ascension. God exalted Him. We see here the completeness Christ had and has with His Father. Coming to this Earth, finishing the work, returning to Glory with even greater glory was Jesus with the Father. * His Coming Advent First time We see the nativity. We see the Creator among the creatures. God with man is now residing. We think of the Gift of the Father, His One and Only. Think how we prepare for guests. Think of what was prepared for Him. Prepare your hearts to celebrate His birth, His Holy Nativity and… Parousia Second Advent, Second Coming, Second Coming of Christ. Coming again Living in the light, ready to go in the twinkling of an eye. He came from the Father. He returned to the Father. He is coming again at the time set by the Father In this time, Advent, take time to Come and Adore Him, Christ, the LORD Move into and among your neighborhood. Thank God for His indescribable Gift!

The Word Became Flseh

The Word Became Flesh John 1.14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us and we have beheld His glory the glory of the One and Only who has come from the Father full of grace and truth. The Word became flesh and blood,
    and moved into the neighborhood. The next four weeks we are going to focus on this verse. It tells of Advent, the Arrival Christmas has lost its meaning. The secular has overcome the sacred. People can celebrate without having a clue what it is about. The people of God celebrate Christ’s first coming. This verse speaks of that event. John gives us the Eagle Eye’s view. He shows us things up close. He writes in this first chapter in spiritual terms. Matthew tells us of a Joseph and Mary and how Jesus was born, Luke gives us the manger and the Angel and shepherds but John writes from Heavenly and Earth Perspective about the coming of Jesus. He takes us way back into eternity, way before Jesus was born, before the Creation. The Word a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea The essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, His minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds. A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term “Logos” around 600 B.C. to designate the Divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe. Jesus is the Logos. The Word of God, Jesus and the Written Word, the Bible are the same. The Word is God. “I bow down toward Your Holy temple and give thanks to Your Name for Your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your Name and Your Word.”
– Psalm 138:2 John, the Apostle of Love, calls Jesus, the Word of Life. I John 1.1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life. 2 The Life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the Eternal Life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 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. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. God spoke through His Word, Jesus. You and me, we use so very many clumsy words The noise of what we often say is not worth being heard When the Father's wisdom wanted to communicate His love He spoke it in one final perfect Word He spoke the incarnation and then so was born the Son His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one Spoke flesh and blood, so He could bleed and make a way divine And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine And so the Father's fondest thought took on flesh and bone He spoke the living luminous word, at once His will was done And so the transformation that in man had been unheard Took place in God the Father as He spoke that final word He spoke the incarnation and then so was born the Son His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one Spoke flesh and blood, so He could bleed and make a way divine And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine And so the light became alive And manna became man Eternity stepped into time So we could understand He spoke the incarnation and then so was born the Son His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one Spoke flesh and blood, so He could bleed and make a way divine And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine The Word became flesh… Flesh Humanity By being born into the human race. Adam was formed a man. Jesus came in through Mary and the Holy Spirit so He could be born and grow into a man. Became= to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage This time of the year we remember, God entered the Human Race. Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! The herald angels sing "Glory to the new-born king" This tremendous downward sweep from the area of the infinity into the realm of the finite, from the eternal into time. Surely our minds cannot grasp the scope of this. During these next 4 weeks let’s think about this. He entered our world, the one that sinned against Him, the one He created. He experienced everything we do… hunger, sorrow, rejection. This is our party! This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
    who exists at the very heart of the Father,
    has made Him plain as day. John 14. 11 Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; And made His dwelling among us And moved into the neighborhood. He pitched His tent with us. “Not until you drink our tea…” Jesus came down. Theologians call this, “The Incarnation”. It is the biggest cross cultural move that ever took place. He left the splendor of Heaven, knowing His destiny. Notice with me that Jesus did not work at the Temple, nor did He teach in the Rabbinical Schools He was always among the people, the people of Galilee, just as it was prophesied. He came unto His own. His own did not receive Him. In part, in greater part, the people of Jerusalem, namely the leaders: Chief Priests, Teachers of the Law, the Pharisees But to all who did receive Him, He gave the right to be the Children of God. We are to let our lights shine… Now we are to show the Light, Jesus, to our neighborhood.

We Have Beheld His Glory

We Have Beheld His Glory John 1.14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us and we have beheld His glory the glory of the One and Only Who has come from the Father full of grace and truth. we have beheld His glory… For these eyewitnesses it was amazing. Jesus told Martha, just before He raised her brother, Lazarus, from being dead for four days in the tomb, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11.40 This portion of the 14th verse of John 1, “we have beheld His glory…” is the personal testimony of John on behalf of the all Twelve. They saw the glory of God on a great number of occasions, regularly, daily, moment by moment What does that mean? * His Glory Splendor, brightness, Excellence, Majesty John 2. 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. What did He do there? His first miracle… only the servants and His disciples, six in number, saw it and witnessed it. He did it for the wedding guests, to meet the need of the couple. He did it for His disciples so they would believe in Him. Remember Him saying to them, on their way to the Garden, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves” John 14.11 To run out of wine at a wedding feast was a disgrace. This is what this wedding would have been remembered for. This couple would never have lived it down. They would have the embarrassment with them for as long as they lived. He turned the water, six water jugs full, each containing between 20-30 gallons or approximately 150 gallons in total, into wine! It was like they had 600 bottles of the best wine ever! What a wedding gift! This miracle, as all of them, revealed His glory… His splendor, His Majesty… interesting number… at this time 6 disciples, 6 water jugs… Feeding of the 5,000, 12 disciples, twelve basket fulls of leftovers. Another notable time when He showed them His glory that the Gospel writers tell us about and that Peter wrote about it. II Peter 1. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain. The Mount of Transfiguration Eyewitnesses In the Great High Priestly Prayer Jesus prayed to His Father in Heaven… John 17. 4 I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your Presence with the glory I had with You before the world began. Now He is taking us back to last week’s message… John 1.1-3 His glory revealed in all the miracles but these three: Water into Wine Mount Transfiguration Raising Lazarus from the dead And of course His Resurrection… John 20. 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” But was it just His miracles? Absolutely not. It was His words! Jesus said, “Heaven and Earth will pass away but My words will never pass away.” Then after the feeding of the 5000, many left Jesus. Let’s read about that. John 6.66 As a result of this many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to leave also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 And we have already believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” You have the words of eternal life. He spoke Wonderful Words of Life. He taught with authority. He spoke the Words that cheered and blessed. * Beheld Viewed attentively Contemplated it Viewed it with admiration This was the privilege of the Twelve… it became their responsibility to witness to it, tell about it, write about it, so that people would believe. John 20.30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. We ought to take time to contemplate His Glory. Sit for a few minutes quietly. Think about what is going on in Heaven. Read Revelation 4. Hear the cry by the four living creatures“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD God Almighty, Who was, and is, and is to come.” Contemplate: That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. That He created everything. That He holds all things together. That Christ will soon appear. Consider: The lilies of the field The birds of the air All this is part of beholding His Glory. Look up at the sky. Isaiah 40:26-30 NLT Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of His great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of His understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. This is also beholding His glory. See the sunrise and the sunset. Take in the precision of changing seasons. * Think of the times when you have beheld His Glory. An answer to prayer A special moment where you knew it was Him A dream which He spoke to you in. When things seemed hopeless and He came through His peace in the midst of a storm * Christ in you, the Hope of Glory Colossians 1.27 Expectation of joy Confident of Eternal Salvation Splendor, Brightness, Majesty John 1.14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us and we have beheld His glory the glory of the One and Only who has come from the Father full of grace and truth.

The Choosing of the Twelve

The Choosing and Sending of the Twelve And Us Mark 3. 13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. This event happened to ensure the foundation and continuation of the work of Jesus. He prayed all night (Luke 6. 12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night. 13 At daybreak he called together all of His disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.) We call the Twelve “Disciples” and they were. Jesus designated the Twelve to be “Apostles” apostle=sent. Look what Jesus did with the Twelve. These things speak to us today. We are the children of God. What blessings and joy we have in God our Father in Heaven. The things Jesus did with the apostles He continues to do today. * They were with Him. We have talked a lot about this lately. Amos 5:13
Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time. We don’t want to argue politics, policies, foolish interpretations of the Scripture. This is a time for thoughtful and careful words. God has called me aside. Matthew 20.25 But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.…” He wants us with Him. He wants us to be with Him each day, early. Mark 1.35 Henry Nouwen wrote, “ The more I read this nearly silent sentence locked in between loud words of action, the more I have the sense that the secret of Jesus‘s ministry is hidden in that lonely place we went to pray, early in the morning, long before dawn. “ He wants us to fellowship with Him, pray to Him, converse with Him throughout the day and night. Luke 5:16
But Jesus would often withdraw to desolate places and pray. We have talked about ocean time, beach time, alone time, time to just “be” with God. solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited, a desert, wilderness, deserted places Get away from the phone, the television, the newspapers, people. Sit with your Bible, journal and God. Listen. He speaks to us in the middle of life, even serving Him and the busyness that often accompanies it. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6.31 The Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus said would be with in us, directs us each step of the way. John 14-16 He wants us to be with Him in Heaven. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am…” John 17.24 Not only were they with Him… * They preached the Good News. Our lives… II Corinthians 2. 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men Our lives speak with us saying a word. People see what our priorities are. They see how we react when things are done against us. They see how we handle our successes as well as our failures. They pick up on the Master Passion of our life. Carl Leth “The Christian faith is grounded in the incarnation. God revealed who He is and what He is like. Going out into the world, then should not just be an activity we do, but an acting out of God's nature and heart in us, being like Him." Oswald Chambers wrote… Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, “…the cares of this world,…choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is. When necessary use words… We speak when God prompts us, in the power of His Spirit. Remember it is the Good News. So many people need hope today, lots of broken-hearted out there. Lots of people are lonely and in pain. Isn’t preaching for the Pastors and Evangelists? Numbers 11:29 But Moses said, “Are you jealous for me? Would that all GOD’s people were prophets. Would that GOD would put his Spirit on all of them.” Now He has Acts 2.16 …this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams. 18  Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy. 19  I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20  The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21  And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ We can all share the Word. Here is a thought to those watching us by Livestream… Invite people you know who do not attend church to join you in your home. You can say, “I would like to invite you to come over Sunday Morning or Evening to my house. I will make some coffee. We watch a service online from Bay Shore, Long Island. Would you come and watch it with me?” If you have someone open their heart to you about the pain in their lives here is a great opportunity. We become like Jesus as we see people as He did. Matthew 9.36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. * They cast out demons I do not believe we have a large amount of demon possession here in the United States. I have seen some on the Mission Field. I do believe we will have more as our nation moves further away from God. I do believe we have Satan’s minions, demons, fallen angels at work around us, tempting, harassing us. Ephesians 6.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. We do have authority over them. Jesus has given it to us. We have been given power to break the strongholds of the enemy. II Corinthians 10.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We ought to ask the LORD to cover souls and homes with His blood in the event of demonic activity. Don’t rejoice that the demons are subject to you. Rejoice that your names are written down in Heaven. Oswald Chambers this week, Jesus Christ is saying here, “Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me.” The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service— rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you do not have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour “rivers of living water” through you (John 7:38). And it is actually by His mercy that He does not let you know it. Romans 12.21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Spend time with Jesus, be with Him. Share the Gospel… always. When necessary use words Fight the good fight of the faith.

He Is Risen

He is Risen! Mark 16.1-7 I do not believe emotions could be any lower than they were among the eleven and the women who followed Jesus on that Sunday Morning after His crucifixion and burial. It was the third day since it happened. They had lost hope. If you have been with a person who has lost hope you know it is heartbreaking. You name a low emotion it was there: Disbelief/ Shock (Remembering last Sunday) “How did this happen?!” Sadness Disappointment Fear Guilt Disillusionment Confusion Dejection Heavy hearts Maybe you can identify with one of these this morning. * You could be living in the torment of fear. There is certainly enough events going on in our lives to make us give to fear. Just watch five minutes of the News. Fear paralyzes us. It kept the Disciples of Jesus locked up in a room in Jerusalem. Maybe you are fearing the future. So many anxious souls today. Jesus has something to say to you this morning. * Perhaps you have lots of disappointments. They can cripple us. Things have not worked out the way you had hoped. Luke 24.21 … but we had hoped He that He was the One Who was going to redeem Israel. It could be your dreams have been shattered. Life has not turned out the way you had hoped. I have pastored over four decades and watched people tell me “their plans” and have seen some of those dreams turn out to be a nightmare. “Are you sure this is God’s will?” -Jay Patton * You may find yourself, although I don’t understand, where you feel as if God Himself, has disappointed you. Perhaps you, like some, have said to me over the years, “I have a lot of questions for God.” Someone said that to me once 25 years ago here in the church, “You must have a lot of questions for God.” I responded, “No.” I have to admit however I have wondered what God is doing from time to time. Like the book I was telling a couple of you about on Good Friday, “God Never Has Failed Me… But He Sure Has Scared Me To Death A Few Times.” * Or maybe you feel trapped, like the Eleven. They were between a rock and a hard place, these men from Galilee. They did not feel safe leaving that room, locked behind closed doors. They could not go out freely in Jerusalem. Even if they could get back to Galilee, they had left everything to follow Jesus, particularly their businesses. What was Peter, James and John going to do, say nothing about Matthew? * Perhaps there is confusion in your life. These Eleven Disciples were confused, perplexed and in despair. They go together. Confusion comes from the enemy. Peace from God. You can leave with peace in your heart even if there are troubles in your life. * Some of us are in deep grief today. We are here but our hearts hurt over the losses we have recently experienced. Does Jesus have something to say to us today? How can I go on? Maybe you have been grieving for a long time… These women were grieving the loss of their Master. They were devastated. And then there were the Eleven. They did not even go with the women for fear of being seen. Here is what we see that first Easter morning. Before they discovered the risen LORD there were things that were happening in their lives that we can relate to. My prayers this morning is that we will rediscover that not only is Jesus alive but that He lives within your heart! * The Concerns of the Women Love “LORD, You know my heart. You know I love You.” The Spices Their purchase of them Their bringing them to the Tomb. In their minds, eye witnesses, Jesus was dead. The Stone A little pebble in front of the Tomb was not worth comparing with the rock of ages inside. That very evening they would learn that Jesus could walk through locked doors as they gather in the upper room and He came and stood among them and said “Peace be with you.” There was no scolding, no I told you so’s. He proclaims peace to troubled hearts. Let not your hearts be troubled… Troubled from John 14.1 Agitate by movement to and fro Inward commotion taking away calmness of mind Restless, stir up Anxious, distress Perplex the mind by doubt Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Our concerns Why are you downcast O my soul? Why? Finances… riches do not bring happiness, peace or contentment Children away from the good path Family members struggling with addictions People we love making bad decisions Grief Fear, guilt, doubts What unmovable thing is in your life today. What stone needs to be rolled away? * Their Thoughts About the LORD Incorrect They had him in their minds in the tomb when in reality He was risen. We have things buried and they are alive. We feel we are at the end. And God shows us it is the beginning! That is always His way. Lack of faith in His Word This could be a lack of time in His Word. Hebrews 4.12 For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Definitely a lack of understanding of His Word. He told them He would rise from the dead. We often do the same thing… we have the Word of God, we have the Promises of God… Marinate yourself in the Word of God and you will see that His mercies are new every morning. Downcast “Put your hope in the LORD.” Jesus knows all about our struggles * The Empty Tomb They did not know what happened. Stop trying to figure God out! There ought to be a childlike wonder in our lives. Mark 16. 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. Mary Magdalene thought perhaps the Gardener had moved His Body. When we are in unbelief it is amazing what we can concoct in our minds. When we lack faith we can think all kinds of things. John believed but still went back to hiding. Some of us are there. We are afraid of our enemies. Mary Magdalene John 20. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” Psalm 27.1The 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? We are afraid of what others may think… Fear God. Ask the LORD for a holy boldness. Gospel Annie, Dr. Airhart * The Risen Christ! Mark 16. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, Who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as He told you.’” Here is the Hope we have! Jesus conquered our last enemy. He reversed the curse. He triumphed over the grave. He is LORD! * The Exalted LORD Jesus Christ Philippians 2.5 have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made Himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    He humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place… What is that place? Seated at the right hand of God Mark 16.19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Praying for us Romans 8.34 Christ Jesus Who died—more than that, Who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Whatever comes to trouble your soul (Agitate by movement to and fro Inward commotion taking away calmness of mind Restless, stir up Anxious, distress Perplex the mind by doubt), Jesus is praying, interceding for you. He understands. He stands with us in our trouble, even if it is our own doing! * The Coming of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom Philippians 2.9     and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father. He died and rose again. The Christ of the Empty Tomb is the answer to an empty heart, a troubled mind, a broken heart, to Fear! Guilt! Disillusionment, Confusion, Disappointment and any other human condition. Live in the power of Christ’s Resurrection. Romans 8. 11 And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you. He is with us right now.