The Day of Pentecost: His Story

The Day of Pentecost: His Story The History of The Church and A Current Reality Acts 1.4-9, 2.1-12 The first lines of the history of the church are describing a prayer meeting (1.12-14) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is foundational to the church's beginning(s) and to its continuation. I'm amazed at where the church ended up in some quarters. And yet it is even more amazing to see what God is doing in these Last Days. We are watching apostasy as well as the greatest ingathering and the Gospel spreading to the uttermost parts of the Earth than ever before. During Covid every pastor became an broadcaster sharing the Good News. Some were doing it before but it has been enhanced greatly since that time. While people were getting vaccinated as the main issue, God was speaking and putting together a great move of His Spirit over the internet in Livestreaming. Back to Jerusalem 32AD They were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost. They had been there 50 days before for Passover. If they Iived within a certain distance from Jerusalem they were required to go to these Feasts under the Old Covenant Law. Many came many miles to be there out of their own devotion. The disciples had returned to Galilee and now were back in Jerusalem at least since Jesus' Ascension into heaven 10 days before. They remained in Jerusalem for 10 days after. Then the Day of Pentecost, which we celebrate today, came. Jesus had been speaking to them about the Spirit being outpoured and His followers being baptized with the Holy Spirit. * They Had Been Told By Jesus Not To Leave the City of Jerusalem Luke 24. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” The Ascension of Jesus 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. How does this translate for us? Bay Shore/ Western Suffolk is our Jerusalem What begins here at 10am on the LORD’s Day goes around the country and the world all week. We are going over what was called The Super Information Highway. The Roman Empire built roads to connect and unify itself. The roads were traveled by Paul and the other apostles to spread the Gospel. The Roman Empire ceased to exist. The Kingdom of God expanded. We are out in this place we call “home” all week, sharing the Gospel by the way we live and the words we speak. 1. The Power of the Holy Spirit enabled these men to speak in languages they had never studied. 2.6-11 *To touch the hearts of the listeners. When you hear something in your native tongue something happens. It hits home. It is heartwarming. Katrina to the Christmas service at the Lutheran Church (German). Samuel's family from Africa Art and I picked up at the airport and brought to Pastor Kuidio's house. “My people.” English while I was in China for three weeks… beautiful I speak through translators all week long. At the Bible Study on Acts Tuesday Mornings in Faisalabad, Pakistan, at the Prayer Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on Fridays at 5am and in Uganda to the children on Saturday Mornings with Pastor Boniface and Juliet. When I went to Haiti, Jhon was my interpreter. I thank God for those who have the gift of interpretation! Fiza in Thailand, Juliet in Uganda, Nida and Evangelist Faisal in Pakistan, Pastor Daniel in Kenya, Pastor Liton Roy in Bangladesh… others Greek was the Universal Language at the time in Acts. It was not necessary to have them speak in the native tongues to communicate the Gospel. It was God’s way of showing the Gospel is for the whole world. He was saying, “I sent My Son because I loved the whole world.” Every nation, language, tribe, and people is precious to the LORD. God loves the whole world. *To teach the church at its onset that it needs the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work of God. (It is actually God working through us) They proclaimed the Word of God boldly for the first time. Peter preached under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It is a wonderful thing for both the listeners and  the one who is sharing the Word. In the context of Acts 2 it appears Peter is speaking in Greek and they all understood. We all need this Baptism with the Holy Spirit. We need it to serve in all areas. It enables us do His work. It is what Jesus meant when He said that without Him we could do nothing. (John 15.5) It gives it greater purpose- eternal purpose.  Jesus set the example by washing the feet of His disciples in the upper room. We cannot do the work of God in our own strength or with our own abilities.  *To reach the world for Christ. The language barrier was solved. This had to be somewhat of a concern for these men- how could they be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the world if they were ignorant and unlearned. They were not world travelers. Most were fishermen with a Galilean Accent! There was a double miracle. One of speaking and one of hearing. The racial/socio-economic barrier was coming down on Pentecost. Prejudices that were built up over centuries came to an end as the whole world heard that day. Missions sends people from one culture/language group to another. The Spirit bridges that gap and makes us one in Christ. I shared a little of our story here on a Livestream on Monday Evening. The Spanish speaking people from all over the world. Now Urdu speaking people. We are praying for someone God has called and anointed. I would love to see the church used by the LORD to let those who met in Mosques Friday Night, the few that met in Synagogues yesterday know that Jesus has been crucified, buried and risen and that Today we celebrate that! God may be doing something already. Pray with me! Fiza from Thailand, Pakistani Immigration process has begun! We need a home to house her and her mother and father. You could be part of an amazing venture in faith! It is interesting to me how we are one in Christ. We respect the cultural differences and even adhere to them out of respect. But the differences no longer divide us as Christ unites us. Hudson Taylor. My beard makes it easy for me to minister in Southeast Asia. Truly Spirit Filled Men are going to be caught up with the theme of Jesus Christ and the Resurrection. This brings up our next point... 2.  The Power of the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak the Word with great boldness.  Acts 2:14-16 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel... Speaking the Word of God with great boldness was a prayer of the early church. Acts 4.8-31 Acts 8:25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the LORD and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.  One of them Luke 9. 51 As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for Him; 53 but the people there did not welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then He and his disciples went to another village. Again, prejudices removed! Places they once avoided now are hearing the Good News! The Gospel makes family out of enemies when they repent! 3. The Power of the Holy Spirit convicted people of their sins- 2.37-39  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the LORD our God will call.”  Jesus said, John 16.8 When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: The church in Jerusalem did not grow to 3,000 from just residents of Jerusalem. That was how many were baptized after they believed. They were from  at least 15 different world areas. Say  200 from each and there  were many cities among those areas. So the mass amount of people who came into the church were from places other than Israel. Jews from all over the world. It appears they stayed there...until Acts 8... The infant church had a simple, childlike faith along with a freshness of the resurrection. New Christians have this. We need them! The coming of Holy Spirit on the Day Of Pentecost was a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Twenty four generations had passed between Joel's prophecy and the Day of Pentecost but He kept his promise. 4. The Power of the Holy Spirit was among the new church in their daily lives. v.40-47 The original signs subsided but the work of God, the words of Jesus, "I will build My Church," continued to this day. Our dependence upon the Holy Spirit shows up in our prayers and how we live. Do we look to Him to work wonderfully? Are we thankful for answers to prayer? The church needs an upper room experience. We have perfected the supper room! Jesus warned us most of all about prayer. Luke 18. 6 And the LORD said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?8 I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes,will He find faith on the earth?” Will He find us praying and fasting or will He find us feasting and fellowshipping? Symbols of the Holy Spirit: Wind John 3 Water John 7 Oil Anointing James 5 Fire Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire Fruit Galatians 5 The Gospel has spread through the power of the Holy Spirit. The work of God in the world today is through Spirit filled believers. The Good News has spread and so has the church and its work... to the uttermost parts of the earth. He wants it to spread today up and down your street and this community and Island and around the world… and He is! Walk in step with His Spirit. Keep walking.

The Living Water

The Living Water Exodus 17.1-7 John 4.4-14 7.37-39 I Corinthians 10.1-6 Water is necessary for life. 60% of our bodies are made up of water. You can only got three days without water. About 25% of the earth’s population does not have drinkable water. God was teaching the people they could trust Him but they were unteachable. Psalm 95 * There was water provided at Horeb for Israel when Moses Struck the Rock. 17.1-7 Like with the manna they complained and quarreled with Moses. God was testing them. Be careful not to complain about tests. Make it your business to pass them, remembering “No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you,” This morning some are facing deep grief. Come to the waters God has prepared for you. It can be a very difficult journey through Death’s Valley, many conflicting emotions. He provided water through Moses. Times when I have been so thirsty: * As a kid… fishing in Wantagh… garden hose * As an adult in Israel, Beth Shean dehydrating… drank a liter and a half of cold water, getting it down into my belly. Got it out of a refrigerated machine. * In New Hampshire, 10 years ago, July 15th, my 60th Birthday, Mountain Spring, cold, pure, clear water. Filled my water bottle, drank. My granddaughter, Lily, saying, “Poppa! How do you know that is clean?!” They were in a desert. Psalm 63. 1 You, God, are my God,     earnestly I seek You; I thirst for you,     my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land     where there is no water. David wrote this in a desert. We will get to more of this in a little bit. Maybe you today are in a spiritually dry and parched land. Maybe you have been dry. Long for the LORD. Earnestly seek Him today. You are here listening this morning. This is good. * There is a Close Relationship between Literal Thirst and Spiritual Thirst. John 4.4-14 Noon Began the conversation about water and getting a drink to talk to her about Living Water and her soul. Spiritual need crosses all societal and cultural boundaries He reveals Himself to her. v.10 He is the Living Water. This living water quenches spiritual thirst. Come to Christ and drink and Jesus will satisfy your soul. He promises and He delivers! The LORD is faithful to ALL His promises and loving to all He has made. Psalm 145.13 The Woman at the Well found it! And immediately told others. The whole village! * The Water has to do with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. John 7.37-39 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”39 By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. He was speaking about the Day of Pentecost. Next Sunday This was fulfilled on that Day. The Living Water gushing forth in torrents. It gushed out of the Apostles to thirsty souls from every nation on earth. It continues today! Bible Studies in Faisalabad, Pakistan Tuesday Mornings, livestream 5pm on Sundays. Photos from Uganda Children’s work Is this your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Epi upon you, gushing forth from within. It is the gift of God, the Promise of Jesus. This is the greatest need in the church today! Not technology, not amazing singers, not multiple programs but people, young and old, men and women, teens, boys and girls to have the Living Water gushing forth from within! Isaiah 58. 11  The LORD will guide you always;     He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land     and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden,     like a spring whose waters never fail. * This incident in Exodus served as a Warning for us! I Corinthians 10.1-13 That Rock was Christ Keep yourself free from idols Houses Cars Money Wealth Watch out for sexual immorality Do not put the LORD to the test Do not grumble Living Water gushing forth Overflowing Keeping ourselves in the love of God. Forgiveness flowing Here is where Israel fell short. We dare not We need not. We must not. It is a Christian Community Thing: Hebrews 12. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

The Bread That Comes Down From Heaven

Exodus 16.1-5 John 6. 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.” Old Testament Israel Manna in the Desert Physical bread, food of the angels New Testament Believers Bread of Life Jesus, the Word become flesh Word of God, the Bible The LORD’s Supper Daily Bread He satisfies our deepest longing In the depths of our souls, Jesus fills us! His Spirit I was with a Doctor and a business owner yesterday afternoon. The business owner, a dear friend, asked me what I was speaking on today. When I told her, the young doctor and she sat without uttering a word. I explained further. It got even more quiet. Then she said, “My life is so busy. I cannot keep up with it.” What Eternal Truths can we glean from these passages about the Bread of Life? * God Feeds His Children From Heaven. They had to collect it. vs.4 Each day Enough for that day. God does His Part. They do their part. We do our part. Feeding in Thailand Pakistani Refugees Friday Photos We have to open our Bibles and Hearts to Him each day. As you try to do this you will find the energy to do it. It will be a battle if you haven’t been doing it. You will need to make a choice every day to spend those quiet moments in His Word. Prayer and the Word Psalm 5. 3  In the morning, LORD, You hear my voice;     in the morning I lay my requests before You     and wait expectantly. Because He answers Because He does more than we can imagine Because He weaves it into His will Proverbs 8.17 I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me. Wisdom Strength Peace They were to gather the manna in the morning. * He Feeds us The Bread of Heaven * The Manna For Israel * The Word of God, The Bread of Life For Us. We need it for daily communication with God. They knew the manna was sent down from Heaven. Eating it was a fellowship with Him. So should it be each physical meal. Look at what God has provided for JSM It has come from the earth and the sea. Vegetables, fruit, meat and fish. We need it for daily strength If we go too long without food we will get weak in our bodies. We need carbohydrates which turn into sugar and give us energy. It has a long term effect on our bones and overall health. I am talking about the Word of God as well as physical food. It is amazing, as I read through Proverbs, how the two are tied in. For instance, 14. 30  A heart at peace gives life to the body,     but envy rots the bones. How does Proverbs 3:8 relate to physical and spiritual health? Canonical Text and Immediate Context Proverbs 3:7-8 : “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.” The verse sits within Solomon’s larger call (vs. 1-12) to covenant loyalty, moral purity, and unqualified trust in Yahweh. Verses 5-6 command wholehearted reliance on the LORD; verse 7 warns against self-sufficient pride; verse 8 states the promised outcome—comprehensive wellbeing. Physical Health Implications 1. Stress Reduction. Reverent trust displaces chronic anxiety, lowering cortisol and sympathetic overdrive. Large-scale meta-analyses (e.g., Koenig, Duke University Medical Center, 2012) link regular worship and Scripture meditation with decreased hypertension, stronger immunity, and longer lifespan. 2. Behavioral Safeguards. “Turning away from evil” removes lifestyle toxins—sexual immorality, substance abuse, violence—known to shorten life expectancy (Proverbs 5:11; Romans 1:27). 3. Holistic Design. Created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), body and spirit are integrated; biblical morality aligns with our Designer’s blueprint, optimizing microbiome balance, neurochemical signaling, and skeletal integrity. That coherence is detectable today: orthopedic studies show bone density improves under reduced systemic inflammation, which in turn correlates with lower stress hormones fostered by religious coping. Proverbs 4. 20 My son, pay attention to what I say;     turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight,     keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them     and health to one’s whole body. Get into the Word! Hebrews 10. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world,He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
    but a body you prepared for Me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
    You were not pleased. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about Me in the scroll—
    I have come to do your will, My God.’” * There Are Those Who Are Fed And Those Who Are Starving spiritually The Manna was delicious and satisfied. It met their needs. It is okay to read other Christian Books. It is all important to read the Bible. It is necessary to feed on the Word of God. Every Sunday Evening we will go through the Bible together. This evening Exodus 16 What is God saying? I have a table spread for you, in the morning, in the evening. I have spiritual food, Heavenly Bread. I give Myself to you so that you may life and have it more abundantly. You can tell someone who is in the Word, with an open heart, with a humility. They remind you of Jesus. They have been with Jesus.

The LORD Is Highly Exalted

Exodus 15.1-7 The position of God is the subject for us today. His position is invisible right now. We cannot see Him. Because He is invisible does not mean He is not here. You cannot see the wind. You can see it effects. Invisibility does not diminish position. We must rely on what the Word of God tells us. It does provide great information which is inspiring to know. Isaiah 6.1 In the year King Uzziah died I saw the LORD seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Every one of the cries we utter: “Where are You, LORD? What are You doing, LORD? Why do You hide Your face? How come You do not not answer me?” Hopefully this morning you will leave here knowing His position. * The Position of the LORD v.1 Isaiah 57.15 For this is what the High and exalted One says—     He who lives forever, Whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place,” Exalted Above everything Psalm 138.1 I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. 2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, (Orthodox Jews with prayer shawls on the flight to Israel) And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your Word above all Your Name. God’s position, God’s Word, God’s Name The concept of what people have of God is far too small. It shows your faith or lack thereof. Forever * A High Place The third Heaven Above all creation * A Holy Place Revelation 21-22 tells us about Heaven being Holy It is the Holy City. Revelation 21. 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. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be My children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 22. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes,that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. The LORD is Holy, Holy, Holy He lives above sin. It is hard for us to conceive of a place where there is no sin. Christian Camps thrived because they provided something of this… until this kid stole my flashlight! The sexually immoral… human trafficking. A ring broken here this week! Under aged girls abducted from orphanages all over the world. It has become big business right here on Long Island. God help us! Caesar Augustus and young boys. Can you imagine no need of police be there are no murders or thieves? * The Position of the LORD In Regard to the Earth and Man vs.2 Psalm 138. 6 Though the LORD is exalted, He looks kindly on the lowly;     though lofty, He sees them from afar. Lowly= Be humble Do not exalt yourself Humbling ourselves, taking a low position, not taking on titles others call you. Psalm 8. 3 When I consider Your heavens,     the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars,     which You have set in place, 4 what is man that You are mindful of them,     The son of man that you care for them? Isaiah 57.15b    but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly     and to revive the heart of the contrite.     So even though God dwells above sin in Heaven, He forgives sins on Earth. Ephesians 2.6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, This is a present reality as well as a future hope. I pray each time we gather that we experience this seating God on High will bring new life to those who ask Him. He will bring them up. He walks with us! We must remember: Isaiah 55. 8  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,     neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,     so are My ways higher than your ways     and My thoughts than your thoughts. So if we understand this we will cease from trying to figure God out. * The Position of the LORD In Regard to His Enemies vs.3-8 It is not wise to fight against the LORD. You are not going win. You will find yourself on the wrong side of History. Th wisest thing you can do is to submit to Him. The Egyptian Army is an example for us. Moses and Israel sang this Song to the LORD. At the Red Sea, after the Passover, when the LORD fought for them, they were overwhelmed with praise. He answered from Heaven. He showed Israel and Egypt His Power. His position on high. We ought to sing to the LORD for the LORD answers prayer! The Goodness of God Psalm 27.13-14 The Love of Christ For His Church Ephesians 5.25-26 The Rule and Reign of God Psalm 93.1 He is in control The Workings of God Romans 8.28 The LORD’s SupperThe LORD Is Highly Exalted Exodus 15.1-7 The position of God is the subject for us today. His position is invisible right now. We cannot see Him. Because He is invisible does not mean He is not here. You cannot see the wind. You can see it effects. Invisibility does not diminish position. We must rely on what the Word of God tells us. It does provide great information which is inspiring to know. Isaiah 6.1 In the year King Uzziah died I saw the LORD seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Every one of the cries we utter: “Where are You, LORD? What are You doing, LORD? Why do You hide Your face? How come You do not not answer me?” Hopefully this morning you will leave here knowing His position. * The Position of the LORD v.1 Isaiah 57.15 For this is what the High and exalted One says—     He who lives forever, Whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place,” Exalted Above everything Psalm 138.1 I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. 2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, (Orthodox Jews with prayer shawls on the flight to Israel) And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your Word above all Your Name. God’s position, God’s Word, God’s Name The concept of what people have of God is far too small. It shows your faith or lack thereof. Forever * A High Place The third Heaven Above all creation * A Holy Place Revelation 21-22 tells us about Heaven being Holy It is the Holy City. Revelation 21. 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. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be My children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 22. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes,that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. The LORD is Holy, Holy, Holy He lives above sin. It is hard for us to conceive of a place where there is no sin. Christian Camps thrived because they provided something of this… until this kid stole my flashlight! The sexually immoral… human trafficking. A ring broken here this week! Under aged girls abducted from orphanages all over the world. It has become big business right here on Long Island. God help us! Caesar Augustus and young boys. Can you imagine no need of police be there are no murders or thieves? * The Position of the LORD In Regard to the Earth and Man vs.2 Psalm 138. 6 Though the LORD is exalted, He looks kindly on the lowly;     though lofty, He sees them from afar. Lowly= Be humble Do not exalt yourself Humbling ourselves, taking a low position, not taking on titles others call you. Psalm 8. 3 When I consider Your heavens,     the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars,     which You have set in place, 4 what is man that You are mindful of them,     The son of man that you care for them? Isaiah 57.15b    but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly     and to revive the heart of the contrite.     So even though God dwells above sin in Heaven, He forgives sins on Earth. Ephesians 2.6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, This is a present reality as well as a future hope. I pray each time we gather that we experience this seating God on High will bring new life to those who ask Him. He will bring them up. He walks with us! We must remember: Isaiah 55. 8  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,     neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,     so are My ways higher than your ways     and My thoughts than your thoughts. So if we understand this we will cease from trying to figure God out. * The Position of the LORD In Regard to His Enemies vs.3-8 It is not wise to fight against the LORD. You are not going win. You will find yourself on the wrong side of History. Th wisest thing you can do is to submit to Him. The Egyptian Army is an example for us. Moses and Israel sang this Song to the LORD. At the Red Sea, after the Passover, when the LORD fought for them, they were overwhelmed with praise. He answered from Heaven. He showed Israel and Egypt His Power. His position on high. We ought to sing to the LORD for the LORD answers prayer! The Goodness of God Psalm 27.13-14 The Love of Christ For His Church Ephesians 5.25-26 The Rule and Reign of God Psalm 93.1 He is in control The Workings of God Romans 8.28 The LORD’s Supper

The Power Of Being Still

Exodus 14. 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” This is going to be a difficult message for all of you who are people of action, those who continually feel the need to do something. Those of you who have hard time waiting. This is very difficult. If you are lacking patience. If you have a “Type A Personality” this is going to be a brutal message, necessary but brutal. There is power in action. Many movements have brought about change. Recently I have written some emails. I have suggested things. I feel there is a need for some reform. When my Superintendents (District and General) were older than me I willingly submitted. I felt they knew best. The elders are to be listened to. However now that I am an elder in the truest sense of the word, my superintendents are all younger than me. It is a bit strange. I have experience that they do not have. This has happened without me being fully cognizant of it. This message is like that. I could have given it years ago but without the experience of it. But now I have lived it. I remember a time when someone said to me, “ There’s not a thing you can do. There’s nothing you can say.” Whew! Being still and silent frightens the best among us until we come to know its power. How do we do this? 13….Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today…. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Two times the LORD is mentioned, 4 times, “you.” * Do Not Be Afraid 365 times in God’s Word we are given this: Don’t be afraid, Fear not One for each day of the year. What is fear? Dread Terror President Donald Trump is safe after a gunmen entered the Correspondents Dinner last night in Washington, DC. It was a frightening scene seeing gunmen in full Body armor at the head table as he and the First Lady and others were whisked out to safety. We are being told Do not dread things. Most will never happen Even if they do happen, God will be with you. We cannot stand still if we are afraid. Shaking in our boots makes us unable to stand still. Fear can absolutely cripple us. It makes our faith ineffective. It dominates our thinking. Fear can make a person negative. Look at the spies. Look at the Israelites and Goliath. Look at the nation of Israel when the spies come back with a bad report. They spent 40 years in the Wilderness and died out there due to believing the bad report of the ten. Another example of the minority being right. I Corinthians 10. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Fear can make a person unsettled. Often we say to those like that, “Calm down. Relax.” God is speaking this Word through His servant Moses in Egypt, 1,200 years before Jesus came. I am standing on that Word and giving it to you today. God does not change. Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever! Hebrews 13.8 Genesis 46.4 Fear not to go down to Egypt. I will go down with you. The LORD to Jacob when he found out Joseph was alive. Psalm 46. 1  God is our refuge and strength,     an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way     and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, To know the Power of Being Still you have to have faith and not fear. * Stand Firm Place or station or set yourself Stand with someone That Someone is Jesus Standing somewhere in the Shadows You’ll find Jesus Stand together with the LORD His Army The Heavenly Host The Great Cloud of Witnesses If the LORD would just peel back the sky what we would see! We have His Word to stand on. We have His Will to stand firm. Ephesians 6.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand your ground After you have done everything, to stand. The Power of Being Still Standing… The Christian soldier Paul is describing in Ephesians 6 is not marching. He is standing. That is all we can do at times. That is huge. Years ago, when my Aunt Dot sent me this word in a note, I would pull it out and read it over and over again. Stand firm… Having done everything, STAND!!! * The LORD Will Fight For You The Battle Belongs To the LORD The Chariots of Fire and Horses II Kings 6. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. They did not have to fight. The LORD delivered them. He had already surrounded them with Heaven’s Army. Then the LORD blinded the whole army. Elisha and his servant led them back to the King of Aram. Moses’ words Be still and see the salvation of the LORD. Earthly hope and help must be cut off to see the deliverance of the LORD. So often we are thinking, “Oh no! What are we going to do?!” The LORD has this. He will fight for you. * Be Still You are not going to have to do anything. Just stand firm and wait. So often I am told, “Pastor, I have to do something!” Are you so certain? There is power in being still. More power than you can imagine. Don’t complain: 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?12 Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in time of trouble. Psalm 46.1 Trouble= straits, distress A tight spot Between a rock and a hard place Breathe Breathe Your strength is in sitting still. Think of the past times when God came through. Read the accounts in the Scriptures when He came through, like in the crossing of the Red Sea. Recalling God’s past help can encourage you as you face future challenges to your faith. How did Moses cross the Red Sea? Got Any Rivers?

Why The Firstborn?

Why The Firstborn? Exodus 12.12-42 The Tenth of the Plagues. Ten is a number of completion. All the digits have been used by the time you get there. A tenth of our income So the last of the plagues, the tenth is about the firstborn. It is both judgement and deliverance. Egypt would be judged. Israel would be delivered, both the firstborn and the whole nation. What was it about the firstborn? First, they got the parents to themselves. First fruits belong to the LORD Proverbs 3. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,     with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,     and your vats will brim over with new wine. You cannot serve both God and money. Those who think they can are deceived. First fruit of the womb Exodus 13.1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me.” Why? 13.13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons. 14 “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’ 16 And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with His mighty hand.” What about today? The Majority of Pastors are firstborn males. The firstborn belongs to the LORD. Birth Order Book by Kevin Lehman Firstborn Second Born Third Born Key Personality Traits of First-Borns: * Leadership & Assertiveness: First-borns are often dominant and comfortable in positions of authority. They are natural leaders who excel in school and career environments, often dominating leadership roles, as shown by their high representation among U.S. presidents and astronauts and pastors. * Perfectionism & Achievement: They are highly driven to achieve, largely because they are often held to higher standards and are "guinea pigs" for parental rules. They tend to be perfectionists who want to be the best at everything. * Responsibility & Reliability: They are typically reliable and conscientious, often taking on a "parental" role, especially with younger siblings. * Risk-Aversion & Structure: First-borns prefer structure, routines, and rules over surprises. They are cautious, compliant, and often conformist. There is something instinctive in the first born male to take care of the family in the father’s death. When that is supplanted conflict arises. * The Firstborn was a sign that the whole family belonged to God. Consecrated to the LORD It was done through families. Passover was and is a family dinner. It involves the whole family. It is about the firstborn being spared for Israel. The death of the firstborn of Egypt caused them to drive Israel out. * The Firstborn was a symbol that the LORD deserves our best. The best of our increase, giving to the LORD. The best of our lives… first hours of the morning. Proverbs 8. 17 I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me. First order of the day * The Firstborn pointed to Jesus Christ. Luke 2.7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. 22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” So in Jesus we have the fulfillment of the ages. term "Fulfillment of the Ages" refers to the culmination of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Scriptures. I Corinthians 10.11 Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. What things? vs. 1-10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers , that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killedby the destroying angel. CHRIST JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE AGES This goes back to Abraham and Isaac Take you son, your only son It is spelled out once a year in the Passover Celebrations Christ is our Passover Lamb, the God Man Who fulfills the Passover by dying Himself! * The Firstborn Points To Us! Romans 8.29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. Family traits Tristan and I Friday Evening to the Marina Photo. People saying we look alike. People seeing Jesus in us. Loving, kind, gentle, meek, humble, patient Revelation 1.4 Grace and peace to you from Him Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Jesus Christ is the Pioneer, the Trailblazer of our faith. He is the firstborn in the Family of God He is the first be raised from the dead. All of the Old Testament points to Christ. He is our Passover Lamb Let’s worship Him

I Never Thought I Would See Your Face Again

I Never Thought I Would See Your Face Again John 20.24-29 What happened the week after Jesus rose from the dead? The Empty Tomb spoke volumes. He was not there. Matthew 27. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the Holy City and appeared to many people. This must have caused quite a stir! The statement of the one on the Road to Emmaus: Luke 24.18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” Jerusalem knew. The Cross and the Tomb were empty. Palm Sunday was two weeks ago. The disciples were nowhere to be found! It appears, by and large, the 11 stayed in that room, behind locked doors during that week, although we know that there was some coming and going… the women, the two, Thomas, early in the morning, later after darkness (7 miles from Emmaus back to Jerusalem, the sun was setting as they arrived) Genesis tells us the story of Joseph “I never thought I would see your face again.” - Jacob to Joseph Thomas had similar thoughts. He did not believe until he saw Jesus’ hands and side and from the sounds of it he did not believe that would ever happen! Btw… the two on the Road to Emmaus… when He broke bread… could it be they saw His nail scared hands?! Jacob is Lost Hope Revived. So is every follower of Jesus that first Easter. Soon it will be Thomas’ turn. Have you lost hope this morning? Lost hope in someone changing? Lost hope in your future? Lost hope with change within you? Jeremiah 29. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Opposition can be disheartening Opportunities and Oppositions I Corinthians 16. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. Blessed is the one who sees both! Are you overwhelmed with the many who oppose you but not seeing the great door for effective work opened? Not seeing God’s provisions? Are you in a rut? Are there some things going on and you are over your head in them. Jacob who said that he would go to his grave in mourning. Believing the unbelievable is life transforming. Jacob, who for 21 years believed Joseph was dead finds out he is alive and is the governor of Egypt! News that is amazing and shocking in a good way! Jacob believed something that was not true. Some say, “I don’t believe that!” Others say, “I am not sure who is telling the truth.” Genesis 45. 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. It is very hard to suddenly snap out of grief for over 20 years, only to find out that a person is alive. Remember the movie, Cast Away? Remember Helen Hunt’s words to Tom Hanks? “I always knew you were alive but people kept saying that I had to let you go.” * We Are Seeing A Stubborn Refusal To Obey My Intellect is greater than the Truth. My intellect is greater than those I know well. Others can believe what they claim to have seen. I will not believe them, only if my eyes see and my hands touch Him. I wonder what side Thomas leaned to That is never going to happen. I will never see His Face again! Thomas was not the only one to stubbornly refuse to believe. Even after all the appearances… Mark 16. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. We have all been there. His rebuke often comes when we are faithless. II Timothy 2.13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. Photo Bricks Bonface in Uganda/ children yesterday Karachi Pakistan Friday * We Are Seeing Conditions Set Down By A Follower For The LORD. Not a wise Decision, but the LORD obliged. He heard Thomas’ words. They were inappropriate but they were his heart. Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Peace be with you… Thomas What would you have said? I know what I would say and it wouldn’t be, “Peace be with you.” It would have been more along the lines, “You guys! You were going to die with me?! You all fled! And Peter you denied knowing me! Even though you said you would not!” See how that would have changed the mood that evening?! Instead Jesus comes in with overwhelming forgiveness and grace and mercy. The Amazing Grace of our LORD We see it in Joseph. He forgave his brothers. They had to be forgiven before they could go back to Jacob. Forgiven people are the ones who tell of the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth! * The Greater Blessing Is For Us! John 20. 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas got what he asked for. Our faith is strengthened when we do not see. When I do not see how all the needs that are coming in from all over the world will possibly be met and I explain we are a little church, I am reminded we serve a great God! When I see what some of you are facing, I pray and wonder how you will make it but here we are today! When I see young people starting out, my heart goes out to them. Then I remember times in my own life when I suffered and we had nothing and God came through in amazing ways. As the Father send Jesus, so Jesus is sending us… with no resources, money, schemes… just His Spirit! We have been handed the baton. Pass it on. Hymn #641 Pass It On