Keep Those Lamps Burning

Exodus 27.20-21 Remember from two weeks ago the Lamp Stand was and is the Church. The Tabernacle and later the Temple contained the Golden Lamp Stands. In Revelation the Church are the Lamp stands. No mention of the building. We, God’s people, are it. Revelation 1.19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstandsis this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Luke 12.35 Jesus said, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” This an exhortation from the LORD. Be dressed Be ready to serve Stay awake Let your light shine He gave this to His disciples at a time when persecution would break out against the church. By the end of the century Christians would be burned, beheaded, band to Islands like Patmos. Wherever they were, they were to keep those lamp stands burning. This is true for us in 2026, here in America and in all other 195 nations. Pray that as a House of Prayer for all nations. How we need to keep the eternal perspective. This life is a mist, a vapor, like the grass of the field, it is soon past. Eternity is forever. Suffering must be seen from an eternal perspective. Riches too. Evil as well. It will not be much longer. Now to the lamps on those stands. * The lamps were fueled by Olive Oil. Olive oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The light of the church is fueled by the Holy Spirit. He is the breath of the church. There is no substitute. If you try you will soon find the lamps burning out. To be fueled by the Spirit we need to be filled with the Spirit.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5.18 Be filled and keep on being filled. This was to be a daily filling. In the Word and in prayer. Praying, “Fill me this day, LORD, with Your Holy Spirit.” He knows what is ahead for each day. We do not. May Your Spirit gush like torrents of living water from within me. Help me to yield to Your Spirit, not my flesh. Again the focus was to keep them filled so they would not go out Before my Dad would go to bed he would bring in enough wood for the fireplace. That fire would heat the house. He saw to it that it would not out. In the middle of the night he would get up and put in a few more pieces of wood. Wood fueled the fire. Wax and a wick light a candle. Oil fuels a lamp. It was golden, unlike the brick fireplace and the glass candle. * They were to burn through the night. In our darkest moments we can be assured that He will fill us with His Spirit. Songs in the Night Job 35.10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,     Who gives songs in the night, Proverbs 24. 10  If you falter in a time of trouble,     how small is your strength! Night time. When sin is the greatest. In the darkness of night the lamps filled brightly burned. Keep those lamps filled with oil so when the night comes you can see. Matthew 25.1 At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Notice they were all virgins. Blameless character. They all went to meet the Bridegroom. Could be that the foolish virgins never had the Holy Spirit. Could be that they did not attend to their own spiritual lives. * This was a lasting ordinance. It was not just for biblical times. It is for today. How we need the Light today! In these confusing and dark times, the Light shows us the way. The Holy Spirit gives us direction: From the God breathed Word From Within If you don’t have the Word hidden deep within your heart you can mistake emotions or your understanding for the Holy Spirit. The Light shines in darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. In this time, when we need it, the Light is shining. It is for today and until Jesus returns.

The Lamp Stand: The Church

The Lamp Stand: The Church Exodus 25.31-40 We are seeing the beginning of the building plans for the Tabernacle. This was the earliest form of organized worship of the LORD. The second was the Church as we will see this morning. The Lamp Stand was to remind the priests that Israel was to be a light to the world. God was shining His light through them. There would be a place for prayer for all the nations called The Court of the Gentiles. When the Temple was built this was the place to meet with God, Jew and Gentile. This was to be made precisely to the specifications God gave Moses. The Church is shown to be the Lamp Stand in Revelation 1.20 …the seven lampstands are the seven churches. This is NOT a denomination. This is not an association. This is definitely not a Headquarters or Satellites. It is not a fixed system of theology, beyond what we all agree on. It is not church government. These are individual churches, as in the Book of Revelation with an Angel, Messenger or Pastor. This is the Body of Christ Matthew 5.14 You are the light of the world Ephesians 5.8 Live as children of the Light Philippians 2.15 Shine like stars in the universe I John 1 Walk in the Light So what are the specifications for the Church? Jesus addresses the ills in the messages letters to the 7 churches There were issues of forsaking their first love, persecution, idolatry, tolerating false teachers, spiritual death, little strength, and dependence upon riches. Molly Kathleen Mine, Cripple Creek Colorado, 1000 feet down One of our relatives, a Lawrence, died out there, digging for gold! On When the Lampstands shine bright… All of these would be light in the dark world: * First, Jesus said He would build it. Built with Light Bright Illumination Build= erect a building, restore a building Equip= set broken bones, mend ripped nets He is speaking of a spiritual building Psalm 104.2 The LORD wraps Himself in light as with a garment; Jesus is His own witness. * Second, the Holy Spirit brings people in. They come in when they are born of the Spirit. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6.44 How is the Lamp Stand powered? By olive oil, symbol of the Holy Spirit Zechariah 4.6 Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit says the LORD. They would come to the Light. Let your light shine! * Third, There are activities of the Church: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Spiritual Activities No mention of board meetings or committees No mention of offerings or worship music. No mention of age group ministry Spiritual Building not physical Devoted To * The Word of God Lights are going on all time as we read, study and meditate upon the Word Growing in understanding as the lights go off in our minds! When we walk with the LORD’s, in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! There is a glory, an illumination as we read the Word. Luke 24. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Psalm 119.105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a Light for my path. * Fellowship There is something different about fellowship with the Church. It is fellowship of light. You will not hear foul language here. You will not hear dirty jokes. You will have understanding given and received. You will be blessed by it You will be strengthened by it. You will help others in it. I saw it last Sunday when we took the LORD’s Supper together. If Jesus is present then we will exclaim, “God is with us.” Emmanuel * Eating Together and Taking the LORD’s Supper This too is a time of joyful illumination. This is a time of Spiritual Nourishment Good Digestion Lights should go on as we take it. As we get nearer to Heaven this makes it clearer. * Prayer You leave these prayer meetings with brightness and glory. Shekeniah Glory Light comes to people from prayer meetings when their prayers are answered. We are leaving to be lights. Shine brightly. If you follow Jesus you will.

The Slrinkling of Blood on the People

The Sprinkling of the Blood On The People Exodus 24.1-8 From the beginning, from Genesis 4.4 blood sacrifices were made to the LORD, before the law has been given. In Exodus the Covenant is being instituted. The Old Covenant was by the blood of lambs, bulls and goats. There were all kinds of sacrifices. There were morning and evening ones. There were ones for Holy Days. There was the Passover when huge amounts of lambs would be slaughtered, one for every 10 people in Israel. The last census by Josephus estimated that 250,000 were slaughtered for the Passover in Jerusalem. In this case here the blood was sprinkled on the people. Beautiful robes/ garments were made for the High Priests, only to be stained by oil and blood, from the anointing and the sacrifices. * The Blood Reminded The People That A Sacrifice Had To Made For Sin. This morning as we take the LORD’s Supper and we take the cup in our hands it reminds us of our sin. Jesus shed His blood. The sprinkling of blood showed everyone sinned. When they saw the High Priest walking among them, they would see the breastplate with the 12 stones, one for each tribe, a son of Jacob/ Israel. He carried the people on his heart They would see the two stones, one on each shoulder, inscribed with six of the tribes. He shouldered the people’s burdens. He served until he died. Then his eldest son would take his place. When they saw the oil and blood stained garments it reminded them that this anointed individual made sacrifices for their sins. * The Blood Showed That God Provided For Atonement For The People’s Sin From the beginning we were told that without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission for sins. Hebrews 9.22 * The promise to Abraham when he offered up Isaac. Genesis 22. 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven,“Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD’s it will be provided.” * The Promise of the Sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus. John 3.16 Isaiah 53 Hebrews 12. 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the cityof the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. * The Sprinkling of Blood Showed Cleansing Was Provided For All Christ died for the whole world.. John 3.16 God loves this world, every person. All 196 Nations All 8.3 Billion People From India’s 1.48 Billion to Pitcairn Islands with its 35 people * Now, Under the New Covenant We Drink the Blood! Mark 14. 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take it; this is My body.” 23 Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is My blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many,” He said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” Now we come to the Table Now we remember His Body and His Blood We are not just sprinkled. We are washed in the blood of the Lamb Hymn #259 Are You Washed In the Blood of the Lamb? The Lamb Who had been slain Revelation 4-5 What was going on with John in Patmos? What is going on all over the Earth now? What is going on now in Heaven? We are joining in the worship as we remember the Lamb that was slain and is alive forevermore.

The Wonderful Ability of Standing Alone

Exodus 23.2-3 2 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, 3 and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit. Remember when we were kids and we wanted to do what everyone else was doing we were asked, “If everyone was jumping off a bridge, would you? The ability to stand alone and stand up for what is right is wonderful. Before you can stand alone you have to learn how to stand. Human beings are the only species where we do not stand at birth. It takes many months. I remember when my grandchildren learned how to walk. We bought bumper pads for the edges of the coffee table! It was a whole new ball game when they went from crawling to walking. My grandson Timmy took years off my life, or at least it felt that way. I had him in my study. He was playing on the floor, while I worked on my computer and made phone calls. He was three. I kept an eye on him. Once when I turned around he was gone! I started calling him all throughout the house. I could not find him. Then I went out in the backyard. There he was watching the workers put in a new fence. I yelled, “Timmy, do not ever do that again!” Whew! When he became mobile my world changed! He knew how to stand. How do we stand spiritually? We are exhorted to do this in Ephesians 6. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. 14 Stand firm To continue safe and sound, upholding the authority of what we believe * We have the ability in Jesus to continue safe and sound against the devils’s schemes. Jesus told us that all authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Him. The devil is the accuser. He accuses us before the LORD day and night. He accuses us of serving God just for what we can get out of Him. We say, “No matter what we will serve Him.” He is able to deliver us from the furnace but even if He does not we will not bow down to a golden image! That is standing! Job saying, “Though He slay me I will praise Him,” is standing firm Jesus being taunted on the cross, “If you are the Christ, come down and save Yourself,” is the ultimate of standing your ground. He could have! But He did not. * With the full armor of God we can stand our ground. Guarding our hearts and minds, letting the Word Of God dwell in us, praying in the Spirit all work in concert to make us unmovable. Stubborn Sanctified Commitment. We have to have the helmet of salvation to guard our thoughts We have the breastplate of righteousness to guard our hearts. I remember running cross country. Your insides would be turning, sweat running down your back and your heart being pushed and you kept going. It was not easy but it paid off in the long run. Back in that time I can remember being the only one in my Homeroom Class who stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Miss Bororian and I would say it together. She recommended me for Boy’s State. I was moving over that summer and part of the program was to bring back what we learned the next fall. I went down to my guidance counselor and told him it would not be right for me to go. He said, “Larry, thank you for just affirming why we picked you.” In Bellmore, where I grew up, there was a church of my grandparents denomination. Brother Terry was the caretaker and only member left. It was a beautiful brick building. He lived meagerly, out of his garden. My folks would go over and bring him food and money. He lived all alone. He stood alone. We invited him to come to our church for fellowship but he was faithful to those grounds and opened the church in case anyone visited. They never did. Let me say at this point that there is a difference between standing alone and being lonely. Feeling lonely is a growing state of Americans. We can have people around us and still be lonely. * After we have done everything we are still standing. Ephesians 6 We have read the Word. We have prayed. We have fought the devil. We have meditated on the Scriptures. We have kept the faith. We have obeyed the LORD. Now we are able to stand alone. We are not in a popularity contest. We are standing for the Truth. I know this is not easy. It never is pleasant to stand alone. Daniel is a good example of standing alone. Daniel 6. 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attentionto you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. What would you do in a land where it was against the law to pray to the LORD? What are you doing in this land where it is okay to do it? Praying with our Pakistani Brothers and Sisters in Thailand on Friday. Told them they were part of the Daniel Band. Daniel did not allow the change in the law to change his prayer habits. He was standing firm. He was not intimidated. He knew God would be with him in the lion’s den. He was. He was delivered. He had stood alone. Moses stood alone before God. When king Saul was chasing David he had to stand alone and run alone. The prophets had to stand alone Jeremiah Paul and Jesus had to stand alone. Paul the apostle wrote to Timothy, “ II Timothy 4.16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Stand alone and the LORD will stand with you! In the fire, in deep sorrow, in prisons, on the run away from spear wielding men. I Corinthians 15.58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Things The 70 Years On Earth Has Taught Me

Things The 70 Years On Earth Has Taught Me Philippians 3.4-16 Life is a journey. I have made my 70 Trip around the Sun this past week. It has been amazing journey. How God used a kid who had a lisp, was in remedial reading and was frightened to stand up and speak in a class amazes me more than I can express. I remember those days. People and their spiritual need has always been a part of my heart. I grew up caring about people, surrounded by those who did. My journey began not far from here, in Queens. I always felt God has His Hand upon me, guiding me. I look back today, this week and can say, “All the way my Savior has led me.” Along the path I have learned lessons. I have also gained some wisdom, although I am still learning each day. For the past nearly 42 years of my life I have been blessed to shepherd the flock here, the Bay Shore Church of the Nazarene. My friend, Art Alexander made this observation this past year. He said, “When I pastored in Valley Stream, I ministered to that flock, of 750-1,000 souls. You however have had a much smaller church but probably have 4,000 souls or more you have minister to.” They all look to you as their pastor. I see it every time I come to Bay Shore. Now over 8,000 around the world. I just wrote down all 196 nations in my Bible yesterday. I believe it is significant that I served 40 years as a shepherd with Pastor Johnson before he came here. As I stated I have known him for 42 years. We shepherded our flocks peacefully for 40 years, a very significant number. You remember Lot and Abraham… Genesis 13. 5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” That never happened to us! We worked side by side, 6 blocks from each other. The past 12 years I very close association. Psalm 133 He used to love to say that between the two of us we had over 100 years combined experience in the ministry. I have laid to rest nearly everyone that was here that first Sunday in 1984. Some have moved. Most are in Heaven. Many laid to rest in the place where we will lay Pastor Johnson Tuesday Morning, Oakwood Cemetery. The other is Calverton where some of our veterans are laid to rest. I have done approximately 200 funerals these past 42 years. I love what I do. Shepherding eternal souls. C.S. Lewis say man lives 100 years. The combined Dynasties of China are 5,000 years. You would conclude that the combined Dynasties of China are 50 times greater than a man. But suppose that man is eternal, his soul lives on forever. You would have to conclude that a single soul is infinitely greater than the combined Dynasties of China. The LORD has me in an Eternal Work. It is hard for me to relate to those colleagues of mine who are retiring. It is even harder now that there are some who are younger than me retiring. Now as my retirement benefits kick in it is still in my heart to serve as your pastor. Charles Jefferson, pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle in the city, 100 years ago, gave lectures to Yale Divinity School, and asked, “What dunce of a man goes into the ministry to make money?” Money has never appealed to me. If I had food to eat, clothes to wear and a place to lay my head I was content, still am. I love what God has done here, what He is doing here. I told Jeff last week that when I came here, in those early days, after the service, the lights went out, the congregation emptied out within about 3 minutes. Not so now. Where God is taking this little flock here around the world is truly amazing to me. Here is what I have learned in my 70 years, 47 as a pastor, 42 here. * The Bible Is The Word of God. Your Word stands Eternal in the Heavens. Psalm 119.111 Depending upon its promises brings great joy. Living out its directions gives you a good life. There are mysteries along the way. Like my 40 year old brother who loved the LORD, was definitely more sweeter than I and yet 26 years ago God did not heal him but took him home to Heaven, leaving a 12 year old and 10 year old son and a 5 year old little girl. 26 years later they are all serving Jesus! I love the old hymn, written by a Nazarene Pastor. It is called, The Bible Stands. The Bible stands like a rock undaunted 'Mid the raging storms of time; Its pages burn with the truth eternal, And they glow with a light sublime. Chorus: The Bible stands tho' the hills may tumble, It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble; I will plant my feet on its firm foundation, For the Bible stands, The Bible stands. 2 The Bible stands like a mountain tow'ring Far above the works of man; Its truth by none ever was refuted, And destroy it they never can. (Chorus) 3 The Bible stands and it will forever, When the world has passed away; By inspiration it has been given, All its precepts I will obey. (Chorus) 4 The Bible stands every test we give it, For its Author is divine; By grace alone I will expect to live it, And to prove it and make it mine. (Chorus) Secondly * More is Wrought By Prayer Than This World Dreams Of. -Tennyson Pray without ceasing. If you are not there keep seeking. -John Wesley Let your prayer life become a source of joyful fellowship with Jesus. This little church here has indeed become a House of Prayer For All Nations. One blessing is that the nations are praying for us! I fell in love with the Prayer Meeting as a young teen. It was at 8pm on Wednesday Night. It was required we attend if we wanted to serve on the District Impact Team (Immediate Personal Action For Christ). So I got picked up every Wednesday Night by our Pastor’s Wife. My Dad was not home from work yet. In the back of that little church was a tract rack. It contained Gospel Tracts, little booklets. One of them was The Power of Prayer by E.M.Bounds. I took it home and read it. It got into my heart. I am still part of the Wednesday Prayer Meetings in this church at noon. A handful of us meet in the Conference Room. A thousand join us each week from around the world. Many in Uganda, Pakistan, India, Kenya and dozens of other places join us. It is glorious. Be faithful in prayer. Be faithful in the small things and you would not believe what God will do even if you were told. * Be Thankful For All The Blessings From The LORD. He grants sleep to those He loves. He feeds us with the finest of wheat. He overflows our cup. He directs our steps. My journey has been marked with His direction, daily. I am amazed often at the end of a day what God has had me involved in. He watches over us. In Temptation He is a strong and mighty tower. His goodness and mercy has followed me all the days of my life. All this and Heaven ahead! Thank You Father! * Those Who You Do The Most For Will Often Turn on You. Love them anyway! Do regret what you have done. It is the LORD Jesus Christ You are serving! Psalm 55.12 If an enemy were insulting me,     I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me,     I could hide. 13 But it is you, a man like myself,     my companion, my close friend, 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship     at the house of God, Leave them with the LORD. Be like Jesus. * People Have Treated Me Far More Graciously Than I Deserve. I have been humbled by their generosity, their prayers and their love for me. Always be grateful. Having traveled around the world I can tell you we are very blessed to be Americans! Clean water, food, clothes, education, opportunities Freedom Life, Liberty and the ability to pursue happiness. I know there are those who seems to revel in America’s faults and we have many. However the generosity of Americans has astonished me wherever I have gone. When I have seen what God has done through His Church I am so blessed! Alabaster The Unisphere Photo * Serve the LORD with gladness There will be disappointment There will be times of testing But here will always be blessings to be thankful for. I think it is inappropriate to serve the LORD with a bitter spirit, a resentful disposition, a judgmentmental attitude. If you cannot be glad… not sure what questions they get asked for ordination. It has been 44 years ago I was questioned, probably 18 since I asked questions. I would interview neighbors. I would ask children what kind of a character is this person? Do they keep their word? Do they bless you? What kind of a relationship do they have with you? Are they a positive force in your life? I would ask for references where an individual has done business, been treated by doctors and had car service. Is he known by paying his bills? Have you had problems with him paying? * Be Content With What You Have Been Given from Heaven. John 3.27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” John’s disciples were concerned over people leaving him and following Jesus. I have been and always will be a shepherd. I am not an administrator, so I have people that are helping me. I am so glad I am not a DS, a GS, or any denomination executive! I have friends that are. They have my sympathies and my prayers. * God is good. God loves me, God is in control. * One Day All the Stuff I have accumulated is going to be rummaged through. That is okay. I will not be here for that. I will be home. My heroes are not pastors of large churches like it was when I was young. My heroes are those with more to give step aside to care for an ailing wife with Alzheimer’s, the wonderful devotional writer who spent the last decade of his life caring for mentally handicapped adults… the pastor who could have ease in his 80’s but chooses to continue to shepherd that flock. These are my heroes. I have told you often of that young doctor I met in the Port Au Prince Airport. We were both waiting for persons there. Mine was coming in from the South of Spain, an internist coming to serve in a medical clinic Yelssy Manza put together from Metro NY District. This young doctor, still in scrubs was picking up a friend who was ready to make tenure as a teacher in California. She came at the invitation of her doctor friend to see about opening up a school there. I asked this young vivacious doctor what made her leave and come to Haiti. She told me. “The thought of making a lot of money, driving an expensive car, and living in a large home did not appeal to me. I wanted to help people who were sick and didn’t have money to pay for their healthcare.” She overflowed with hope. She told me that she told her pastor in Southern California about her dream. The next thing she knew her church there was paying her Medical School debt so she could go follow the dream the LORD gave her for Haiti. She is a hero of mine. These are the souls that inspire me! More than anything I want to hear those words from Jesus, “Well done good and faithful servant.” The longing to hear them is growing intensity these days.

Property Rights In The Kingdom of God

Property Rights In The Kingdom of God Exodus 22.1-4 Property Rights can be a sticky situation. Who owns the land has been a subject of debate in Israel as the descendants of Ishmael grew along with the descendants of Isaac for almost 4,000 years. , and continue to make headlines today. How about personal property today in 2026, here in America, in the world? As believers we know that everything belongs to God. We just sang about it, This Is My Father’s World I had a friend who was the Soccer Coach at Alfred University. He resigned it to buy a Christian Bookstore in the town where I was pastoring. He had his pastor come and do a dedication service for the newly open store. At the service the pastor said, “When you have had a rough day go back into the office and say the Lord let’s talk about what happened in Your store today.“ So if we dedicate something to the LORD it belongs to Him. Are there such things as property rights in the land in which we live? Constitution property rights are primarily protected by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, which ensure that no person is deprived of "life, liberty, or property without due process of law". Additionally, the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause prohibits the government from taking private property for public use without providing "just compensation". As a church we experienced this issue 60 years ago when they enlarged Sunrise Highway. Government seized our land. We took them to court. They gave us $20,000 which went to buying the property we are on now. This property is deeded to the Bay Shore Church of the Nazarene. What about personal property rights today? Take the property my Dad and Mom purchased in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. My Dad had to hire a surveyor when they built their house there. He came with his Equipment and dropped stakes. They are there now 53 years later. * There are laws of the land and there is the Kingdom of God. If someone steals according to the law of the land and here in Exodus, they must repay. The penalty is not just returning the stolen property but more to instill fear and respect. Jesus said, “And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” Matthew 5.40 This is a radical, non retaliatory action, and generosity. This can fall under the same category as plucking out your eye. Was this to be taken literally? Or was Jesus speaking in these terms to help us understand the attitude we should have? One of being dead to this world. Stealing is wrong, very wrong! Angry attitudes towards those who sin against are as well. The Kingdom trumps everything in our lives. Paul elaborates on this by saying, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3.8 Our Kingdom attitude ought to be dead to things we have stolen or lost. Under the law of the land a crime has been committed. In the Kingdom of God what does it really matter? Stealing is in the Ten Commandments. It is wrong. Without this in our Constitution we would have pandemonium and anarchy. Personally, Les Miserables helps us. Jean Paul The Bishop and The Candlesticks The Bishop's Candlesticks is a famous one-act play by Norman McKinnel, adapted from a scene in Victor Hugo's classic novel Les Misérables. It tells the story of an escaped, hardened convict who breaks into a kind bishop's home, only to be completely reformed through an act of profound compassion. The Plot Unfolds * The Break-in: A starved and angry convict breaks into the bishop's cottage, threatening him with a knife and demanding food. Instead of panicking or calling for the guards, the bishop treats him with immense kindness, giving him a warm meal, wine, and a place to sleep. 
 * The Betrayal: While the bishop and his sister sleep, the ungrateful convict steals the bishop's cherished silver plates and flees into the night. 
  * The Arrest: The police catch the convict and bring him back to the cottage. To protect the man, the bishop lies to the authorities, stating that he gave the silver plates to the convict as a gift. Grace is the basis of the New Covenant. We will take the LORD’s Supper in a few minutes. Is there anyone who can say, “I am without sin?” We all have things to confess to the LORD: an unkind attitude, a struggle with envy. Are we policemen or paramedics? Police are concerned with who to fault. Paramedics just saving lives. There must be traffic laws or we would all be running red lights, not the few who do now. There must be personal forgiveness or we would all be thrown into jail. And we would be carrying around bundles for too heavy for us to make any progress. I love the version of the LORD’s Prayer. Praying for God’s Kingdom to come… Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. We see Jesus risen and talking with His disciples after a totally un faith, unjust trial. He isn’t saying, “Let’s go and round up all those involved. Let’s give them what they gave Me.” They would be crucifying thousands! He has every right to do i! He did not come to condemn the world but to save it. What if the local government is opposed to the Kingdom of God? Persia, bulldozing Carmen’s father’s work China My neighbor, Peter, came to me Monday, after I the bulk of this message written, and confessed, “I stole some of your stones.” After the south side of the front yard had been rearranged by the sewer installation I noticed some border stones missing. I figured they got buried. I told him, “Thank you! You are giving me a great illustration for my Sunday Morning Message. I explained that if we were under the law of Moses he would have to me the stones and then double for my trouble. He asked, “Do you want them back?” I answered, “No, Jesus told us that if someone asks for our shirt, give him your coat as well.” Besides I have been witnessing to him for 40 years. I want to see him come to Christ. He has been a good neighbor, has put up with me all these years. What are a few stones compared with an eternal soul. He confessed this after he admired the Daylilies and I said, “Whatever you like, tag it and I will split them after they bloom.” I love how God tests us. How He brings us in on His Word as we teach if. I love what I get to do and how simple it is to witness for Jesus. I thought as the people began to sit in the shade on the lawn about 4pm on Monday, to get food later, how some of you here give up your Monday Evenings to share God’s Love how Diddi and her Sister flew to the Dominican Republic to be with a mother and her son, who was having surgery, how Mary Burke has helped elderly friends get to Doctor Appointments, grocery shop, and listened and carried them on her heart!…. how you guys are living in Kingdom Come! Feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, taking care of widows and orphans here and in Kenya, Uganda, Pakistan… doing it unto Jesus! Visiting that mystical Presence of Jesus in each person. We ought to be thankful for property rights in America. Hebrews 10.34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. * It is okay to “own” property on Earth so long as we realize it ultimately belongs to the LORD. We have no power after we are gone. We need laws to govern but it is ultimately the LORD Whom we must consider decides. Our Home is in Heaven and we await a Savior from there. Surrendering our lives (and our rights) to God, our Father is our way to peace and security. David walked away from the Kingdom so not to split it. Absolom. Cory Ten Boom, The Hiding Place Used that house in Holland to rescue Jews in WWII * Property we “own” should be used for the Eternal Kingdom. Paul, the Apostle rented hiss house in Tarsus out. This provided him an income as he did his world mission work. One of the things that emerged in my Mom’s Celebration of Life was the use of that property and house for the Kingdom of God. Feasts were held there. Teenaged boys camped in those hills. Christian workers found refuge there. Bible Studies were held there. And now we wait to see what is next. Have people over. Invite people into your home. Remember Fiza, the Pakistani young lady wanting to come from Thailand to open a work among the growing Muslim Urdu speaking people. Pray over taking her in, her Dad and Mom. God will use to launch an outreach to the Muslim people. They need Jesus as well. Be ready this week for insurmountable opportunities!!! They are all over! Just next door! In a time when property belonging to the church is being sold, let’s see how God can use that which He has entrusted to us. This building has always done that since 1984. We are doing it with the parsonage now. My kids are bivocational pastors here on Long Island. It’s all about the Kingdom of God! We are going to come and take the LORD’s Supper. Jesus poured out His life for us. We should do the same for Him.

A Servant Forever

Make me a servant, humble and meek LORD, may I lift up those who are weak And may the prayer of my heart always be, Make me a servant, make me a servant, today A Servant For Life Exodus 21.1-7 Servanthood was to pay off a debt. If you didn’t have the money you worked for the person you owed turn the money to. They didn’t pay you. Your labor was your wages and it retired your debt. Once the debt was paid off or at the end of 6 years the servant was free. However…But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master…’ He has been treated well. I lost my keys 10 days ago. We have searched where I dropped them, emptied out the Jeep and my backpack. In the Hotel last Friday night in upstate New York I reached into my backpack to charge my phone and I pulled out my keys! Wow! They were not there before. I had said to the LORD (as His servant), “When You are ready, You will show me where the keys are.” He did. I am having such a great time with Jesus these days. Serving Him is being respectful of His time and timing. I didn’t want to His time so I waited for Him and went on. He sees his prospects are better than going out from his master’s house. He feels secure there. He delighted in doing the Master’s will. Mr. Gulden, attorney, Binghamton, his wife would come out with good crystal, serving iced tea or lemonade, similar to Bob Pawson, when he worked at Mrs. Joan Payson’s home, the original owner of the New York Mets Go to the New Testament. This is a foreshadowing of our relationship with Christ. It is refreshing to serve Jesus. The Bond Servant is a picture of what we are to God. * When we commit our lives to Christ we become servants of God This is a high honor to be a servant of God. Jesus set the example John 13. 12 When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. 13 “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Jesus did what no one else wanted to do. We should be like that! There is a blessing in serving. Co-laboring with God. It is an awesome thing to have the LORD work through you. Knowing here is a word that means much more than head knowledge.it means to perceive, to discern, discover. You are doing what Jesus did! Transformation from being a slave to sin to a servant of God. Romans 6. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Sin is a hard task master. Egypt God is a loving Heavenly Father Who will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly. Israel Isaiah 42.1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me. John 12.26 * A Bondservant Submits to the Will of His Master We give up our plans to be God’s servants. We are looking for His will in our lives. Roman’s 12.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. * A Bond Servant is one who willingly stays with His Master Because He loves him. Leaving loved ones is hard. My niece, Marlee, lives on the other side of the globe. It was wonderful to her and sad to say goodbye. Hoping to go next year for a while to serve her. Photo Servants that complain are unseemly. They do not honor their Master. Good and faithful servant are the ones who get into Heaven and receive commendation from Jesus as they enter. That is the most desirable thing of a true servant. We want to please our Master. Psalm 123. 1  I lift up my eyes to You,     to You who sit enthroned in heaven. 2  As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,     as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God,     till He shows us His mercy. Because He loves His House. * A Bondservant is for Life The bondservant is serving with no thought of leaving. He is content. He is not looking for better opportunities. Godliness with contentment is great gain. His pleasure is not in sin but in continuing to do his Master’s will. Relationships are often short term in this day. As we have shared the average marriage lasts 8 years. Pastors total of ten years. The average time a person stays at their job is 3.9 years according to the United States Department of Labor Statistics. The average American moves about 11 to 12 times in their lifetime. On a macro level, this means a household relocates roughly every 5 to 7 years. In times of great change in life… Being a Bondservant is a permanent relationship. If you want to be great in God’s Kingdom, learn to be the servant of all. For Life Forever