- Jun 16, 2021Book Of Isaiah 1
Book Of Isaiah 1
- Jun 13, 2021Wisdom and Folly
Wisdom and FollyA wise woman builds her house
We aren’t talking about a physical house here
What this is talking about is building her life
Our lives are built every day by the decisions we make
If we build wisely, our lives will be good and pleasing in God’s sight
If we are foolish, we end up tearing down
This whole passage is talking about building up for the sake of the body of Christ
The foolish tears it down with her own hands
You see, we have choices to make and they include building up or tearing down
In our world today, everywhere you look there is destruction in the name of prosperity
The family unit is being destroyed so individual pleasure can strive
Instead of teaching people that God’s love includes rebuke
Destruction is happening by accepting sin as normal
Instead of reaching out to people as believers, we are building walls of selfishness
The truly foolish thing is, this house is being torn down by our own hands
Believers, I am saying that our tearing down is why the world is distant from God
Instead of building up in God’s love, we became legalists
Instead of trying to edify we have been busy building a chasm
Am I saying we should be ok with the sinful world?
May it never be!!
We should build up by showing God’s love to a sinful worldYes, God’s love does include rebuke but love comes firstFear of the Lord is what we have forgotten
Instead, we practice deceit by acting one way on Sunday and different after
We tear down others by putting ourselves above them
This isn’t Godly rebuke through His love. This is worshipping self!
You can’t walk upright while tearing down someone else to build up yourself
If tearing down others is what you need to be built up, you aren’t walking in God’s love
If we spent our time building through God’s love…..
How much better could our world be here?
The wise woman and man builds
Today, are you full of wisdom or folly?
If you know God as Savior, are you trusting Him as you live?
Do you really know Him as Savior or perhaps you just know about Him?
It’s time to make wise choices, starting with giving your life to Him.
- Jun 6, 2021Old Things
Old Things
What a title for a sermon right?
Old ThingsFirst of all, I’m not talking about people!
Secondly, I’m talking about good, old things
Does anyone have a favorite couch, hat, shoes, even clothes?
Sometimes you get that piece of furniture or article of clothing, and they are just perfect.
However, time goes by, and although it just keeps being your favorite, it has worn and is beginning to look terrible.
To you, it is still awesome, but to everyone else, it doesn’t look good and should probably be tossed.Relationships, especially Marriage relationships, are similar to this.In the beginning, your spouse is your favorite thing to pour into. You do everything together.
Time goes by, kids, jobs, finances and on and on, begins to change the way you act with each other.
You still love your spouse, but what anyone else would see doesn’t truly show it.
In fact, even your spouse may begin to wonder if that is true.
It seems that while this thing or this relationship may still be important to you, it isn’t as important as it was.
Turn with me to Revelation 2:1-7 NASBYou have lost your first Love!
The church at Ephesus was still doing many good things, but to God, it wasn’t sincere
Just like the church at Ephesus, today’s churches can seem cold
I don’t mean the buildings, but the people that are the church
Today, often times, the church is super busy
The things that we are doing are wonderful things, and we work hard at them
If anything, sometimes we could be accused of having too much going on
What does that mean?
That, out of all these things you are doing, you have forgotten who you were doing them for
Perhaps, you are so busy that you are no longer actually worshipping
The acts have become greater than loving the Lord
These things we spend so much time doing become cold without loving God first
I have this against you
No one wants to hear God say that to them
If He stood in front of you today, would that phrase fit?
The Pharisees strived to do all the stuff, but they didn’t have that love.
Have you lost your first love of God today?
Have you ever truly had love for God, or is it something else?
It is time for that love to be re-kindled today!
- Jun 2, 2021Book of Revelation Study 34
- May 30, 2021In Memoriam
In Memoriam
Memorial DayThe idea of making a memorial to remember something goes all the way back to Genesis
Genesis 28:18-22 NASB
Jacob’s MemorialExodus 39:6-7 NASB
Memorial to the sons of IsraelNumbers 10:10 NASB
I AM your GodJoshua 4:4-7 NASB
Memorial stonesWe see that memorials are an important part of shaping our lives
Unfortunately, sometimes a memorial's real meanings are swept away
Memorial Day has become known as the start of summer
BBQs and beach days have replaced decorating graves and remembering heroes
The biggest reason is, we as a people haven’t passed the memorial on to our children
The stones on the bank of the Jordan were to be used to tell the story to generations
Throughout biblical history we are told to remember and pass it to our children
Nehemiah, in the rebuilding of the temple, had the law read to all the people
This act brought about repentance and renewed love of God
I believe that the true meaning of Memorial day should renew patriotism
As believers we must keep in memoriam our God and our Savior Jesus
We must teach this to every generation and that is something we haven’t done well
The greatest need our country has right now is to remember Jesus
1 Cor 11:23-26 NASB
Body and bloodThere is one symbol that we still see everywhere that needs to be remembered
John 19:16-19 NASB
The cross of JesusLike Memorial day, for many, this has lost it’s original meaning
It’s just a decoration many people wear, some not knowing it’s true meaning
This symbol should daily break our hearts and bring us to live for Him
He gave
ALL
for
ALLTomorrow is Memorial Day, and I pray you spend time remembering the fallen
However, I pray that every day you remember what Jesus did for you
If you know Him, tell others what He did for you!
If you have never known Him, today could be your day to do that.
“Do this in remembrance of Me”
- May 26, 2021Book of Revelation Study 33
- May 23, 2021Be Imitators of God
Be Imitators of God
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
In today’s world, people are always trying to imitate others
Get your hair cut like your favorite star
Wear the same type of clothes as your favorite singer
Some people even wear costumes to look exactly like someone else
Eph 5:1 says be imitators of GOD
Out of everything you could imitate, God is the perfect subject
How can I imitate God?
Ephesians gives you instructions of how to imitate GodFirst, walk in Love, just as Christ loved YOUWe know how He loved us, so do that
Then, there is a list of things to avoid in order to imitate God
Immorality
Impurity
GreedThese are things that a Holy God is not capable of
They seem like no brainers, that we should stay away from these things
However, the world embraces these, and so, we tend to let them in too
We write off immorality and impurity as a new normal
Greed is not really greed, we just need to have enough
Be Imitators of GodWords do matter and our words can cause someone to turn away from God
"I didn’t mean anything by it! I wasn’t trying to be hurtful."
We all try to walk a line of saying things but not saying things
I've even had someone once ask me if cursing was ok as long as it wasn’t at someone
Their reasoning was it was just words and not inended to be ugly
If we are truly trying to imitate God, we need to stay away from these things
No one has ever felt bad about being nice or saying kind things
I don’t wish I could take back compliments or loving words
I am not afraid someone will find out I acted righteously
So, this doesn’t mean someone who made a mistake and was sorry for itThis means someone who lives this way with no regret
Every time we act that way, we are closer to becoming that way
Instead, be imitators of God and the same applies
Every time we act that way, we are closer to becoming that way
The only way to imitate God is to know Him
Do you know Him today?
- May 19, 2021Book of Relevation Study 32
- May 16, 2021The Hiding Place
The Hiding Place
- May 16, 2021Stagnant Ponds
Stagnant Ponds
"You are moving like Pond Water!"That is what my drill Sergeant used to say
Pond water doesn’t move and because of that it is full of all sorts of nasty
It is when ponds are stirred that makes them teem with life
Hang out on verse 3 with me a momentEverything pertaining to life and Godliness
Who called us by His own Glory and excellence
All of these things boil down to Love, the Love of ChristThis we need to understand is spiritual growth:If we are not growing, we are stagnant
Stagnant water begins clean and clear,
Due to lack of movement, it turns green and stinky
This is what happens to believers who are not growing
He who lacks these qualities is blind
We sit stagnant and become blind to our stinky condition
If these qualities are increasing, we are growing
If we are growing, it means we are full of life and bring life to others
You will never stumble!
The reality is, we should all stand ready to remind each otherAre you all stagnant and stinky?
Are you ready to be full of life in Christ?
- May 12, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 31
- May 9, 2021A Mother’s Faith
A Mother’s Faith
Mothers are amazing and they are the great teachers of lifeI want to share with you this morning a few things that mother’s teach us
That list is funny, but it’s true!
Every year at this time, I try to think of a Biblical mother that we can learn from
This year I want to learn from Naomi
This is a lot of tragedy for one woman to endureRemember, during this time, women didn’t have any rights on their own
Now, without any males left to take care of her, she decided to return to Bethlehem
So, look what happened with her daughters-in-law
Naomi must have shown faith for Ruth to want to serve her GodMother’s lives are not always easy and sometimes children learn from the struggle
Reality check.
Even mother’s struggle with their faithNaomi means “Pleasant”Mara means “Bitter”
Even so, she strived to take care of her daughter-in-law
In chapter 2, Naomi’s hope was restored as God provided Boaz to take care of them
Naomi taught Ruth how to trust God and He provided a redeemer in Boaz
The story of Naomi and Ruth is unconventional, but, often times, so is life
Naomi’s faith wasn’t perfect and a Mother’s faith isn’t either
Moms today, if you have ever struggled thinking you aren’t good enough;
Understand that all of us struggle with that because we live in a fallen world
But God made you a mom for a reason and He is always there for you
God knows exactly what He is doing so trust Him
A mother that follows God will be the mother that she is supposed to beThis goes for Grandmothers, Great-Grandmothers, Step-mothers
And yes even Mothers-in-law
In fact, it applies to all people; if we follow God, we will be exactly right
So are you following God today?
Do you want to? - May 5, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 30
- May 2, 2021Salvation
Salvation"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
What does the word Salvation mean?
Salvation is necessary!
Vs 12 says we “must be saved”
Because we are lost, John 3:16 NASB
Because we can’t save ourselves.
God provided salvation for us. Why else would He do that except we must be saved
Salvation in the here and now
Salvation can’t happen after death. It has to happen in the here and now
There is only one way under heaven for salvation
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.Prior to vs 12 we see that the name being talked about here is Jesus
The incredible thing is that salvation is offered to ALL!
for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."Salvation is a gift
You can’t buy it
You can’t earn it
You don’t deserve it
It is a perfect gift that God has offered you through Jesus Christ
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,Now the question is, will you accept the gift?
A gift, no matter how amazing, is no good unless it is received.
God has offered to ALL the ultimate gift of Salvation
Will you simply accept it and be saved?
- Apr 28, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 29
- Apr 25, 2021Start Right Here
Start Right Here"If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."If God’s people have turned away and things are bad because of that, vs 14
So many people want to blame the problems in this world on everyone but self. We say we want to see peace and unity but do nothing to see it happen. In verse 14, the Lord told Solomon exactly what had to happen. I want to say today that, if we want to see our land healed, it has to start right here. It has to start in the hearts of the people who are called by His name. So how do we do that?
If My People…
Who are called by My Name…
Will humble themselves…
And Pray…
And seek My face…
And turn from their wicked ways…
Then…
I will hear from heaven…
And forgive their sin…
And heal their land…
It starts right here in the hearts of His people. He will never leave us, even when we have failed Him. It is past time for us to realize that, in order for the world to change, the church has to return to God! It starts right here in the heart of His people. It starts right here in His church. Are you ready to begin?
- Apr 21, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 28
- Apr 18, 2021The Best, Kind
The Best, Kind
We live in a world where everyone wants to tell you how to liveMany people are frozen by the volume of decisions
The latest social media challenge seems great, even though people are dying from it
What is a person to do?
The wisest person that every lived has something to tell us
Solomon was the wisest man to live, and he said listen to counsel and accept disciplineHe goes on to say, the counsel of the Lord will stand
That counsel of the Lord says Kindness is desirable in a personThink about how many of our social problems today could be solved with kindness
Kindness shows love not hate
I saw on Bro. Kevin Wade’s truck the following statement:
Be Kind to every Kind
Kindness diffuses so many situations where people are primed to respond with hate
The world has primed us all to stand our ground and back down from no one
People have grabbed onto this so hard that they will fight over anything
People look for some ulterior motive in everything, even when it doesn’t exist
The remedy for that is kindness. It is so easy to be kind.
I’ve seen people, as I approach them, with this scowl on their face
I smile real big and say Hi! How are you today?
Even with a mask on, people see the smile and hear the kindness, and they smile
Kindness comes easily out of joy in your heart
Joy in your heart comes from a fear of the Lord or a relationship with Him
See how wonderful God is, and this relationship fills us with joy!The best thing is kindness!
But kindness, true kindness, comes out of a relationship with our Savior
Do you have that relationship that fills you with joy and allows kindness to overflow?
Do you want to?
- Apr 14, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 27
- Apr 11, 2021What Now?
What Now?Can you imagine the emotional roller coaster the Apostles were on?
They had been with Jesus when He made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem
They celebrated the Passover with Him and He told them He was going to die
They saw the arrest and they saw Him crucified
Then something incredible, He arose from the grave!
Now, in today’s passage, He was about to leave them again
As I thought about this journey, it reminded me of something
LIFE!
We are all on a journey that has unpredictable twists and turns
Jesus is always steady
Jesus told His disciples all of this would happen before it occurred
So what about after the resurrection?
What did He share with the disciples and is it relevant to us today?
I want us to see three things Jesus talked to His disciples about and it is for us too:
First, Jesus talked with His disciples about the end times.
Vs 6-7“It is not for you to know” Jesus said. So we need to be prepared for wheneverThe Father knows the time but our job is to live every day as if it is our last
If you were told your time was ending tomorrow, what regrets would you have?
Did you use your time to further the Kingdom of God?
Secondly, Jesus told the disciples about the Holy Spirit
Vs 4-5So how do you live every day as if it were your last?Through the
Holy SpiritIf we trust the Holy Spirit to guide us and follow, we can live every day for God
People tend to shut out the prompting of the Spirit instead of listening
In fact, if we simply listen to the Holy Spirit, we receive that Power that we talked about
We need that power to follow through with the last thing Jesus told the disciples
Lastly, Jesus gave the disciples and us our instructions until His return
Vs 8We are to go out into the world and build the Kingdom by reaching peopleWe’ve been given the power through the Holy Spirit
So when the end time comes, have you done all you could?
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He charged His believers with the mission
Let’s be an Acts 1:8 church, taking the gospel everywhere
Today you need one thing to be able to do that.
A relationship with Jesus. Do you know Him today?
