tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31072233728772053872024-03-12T19:01:09.465-07:00RF SERMON TRANSCRIPTSGW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-8684209190941776952021-08-22T09:00:00.000-07:002021-08-22T09:00:26.667-07:00DEACON ORDINATION <p><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Deacon Ordination</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Andy, Dave, Johnny, Elias<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts 6:1–7 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">when they had prayed, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">they laid hands on them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7 Then </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">of the priests were obedient to the faith.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Deacons we’re ministers also: Stephen, Philip…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">LAYING ON OF HANDS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I want our elders and deacons to come and make a line to pray over these. Also, any other ordained individuals on any capacity may also join these. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">FINAL WORDS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What will happen now?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">According to our bylaws, the Elders have the primary responsibility for finding a new pastor. That process as already begun. It will take some tome. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kelly, Mike, Ron T, Ron D, Dan, Sip<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You can trust these men to lead you to the next pastor. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">According to our bylaws, elders may appoint others to help in the search. They can appoint people in the church or out of the church. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They have chosen to do both. They have enlisted the help of the deacons. They need your help in prayer and recommendations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They have also asked Dan Sabo to help us in our search. Dan will be coming down to serve us in some leadership and equipping capacities, helping to serve the church in partnership with the oversight of our elders and deacons, as we seek God for what He has in store for us in the days ahead. Dan is not coming to be the new pastor; he is planted in the Pacific NW and will not be moving to El Paso. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I want Sip and Yoli, Eddie and Ashley to come up here and let’s pray for them. The day to day operations will be led by Pastor Sip. As you know, he has a wonderful Pastor’s heart and gift; and he will be continuing to serve the church in that way. Sip is the President of the Board and the vice-president of the corporation. If you have a need, Sip will be your point of contact. He will make sure that your needs are being met. Eddie will continue to lead us in praise and worship, take care of youth, and make sure our online presence is all it needs to be. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our wonderful staff will continue to operate in their unique gifting. Nothing will change in that area. Pray for them as each one will take on additional responsibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let me talk about process. You will have the final say. Our bylaws say that the elders will bring a unanimous recommendation and the congregation must vote 75% to call a new pastor. We have voted yet on anything because we don’t have a pastor to recommend yet. We will; I ask you to patient. Some have asked if Sip is our new pastor? Not at this time. The elders could choose to recommend him, but that is part of the process. Let me assure you, our bylaws govern how we operate and nothing has been done or will be done outside of the Bible and our bylaws. Trust me in that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Of course, Alba and I will always be available for counsel and advice. The time has come to let the child that we birthed 19 years ago out of the nest. You are a mature group and will have no problem finding God’s will! I am sure if it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">CLOSING<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-39860580694320886182021-07-31T22:14:00.004-07:002021-07-31T22:14:44.689-07:00I WILL RISE<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I WILL RISE</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INTRO </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lazarus…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">11:23-25 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Cross is the cornerstone of Christianity, but the Resurrection is the capstone. Without both, Christianity disintegrates into a humanistic philosophy masquerading as a religion! Here at Restoration Fellowship we proclaim the certainty of the Resurrection! We celebrate not only the Resurrection of Jesus, but the resurrection of each and every person. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tenet #6 clearly states:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the resurrection of those who know Christ, and those who do not; one to eternal life in heaven, and the other to eternal death in hell.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Daniel prophesied it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Daniel </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12:2 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus taught it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:28-29 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Apostle Paul declared it before Felix, the governor of Caesarea. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">24:15 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There will be a day when all the people of the earth will stand before God for judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9:27 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There will actually be two different resurrections and two different judgments. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Christians will be resurrected first. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Thessalonians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4:13-18 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Those who believe in Christ will stand at the Judgement Seat of Christ. This is a judgment of rewards. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">14:10-12 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3:11-15 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:10 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Those who reject Christ will also be resurrected to stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">20:11-15 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">21:23-27 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus sums it all up in one of His last teachings to the disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 25:31–46 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">‘Depart from Me, you cursed, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">into the everlasting fire prepared for </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">44 “Then they also will answer </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s be sure of one thing today. There is life after death and it will be spent in either heaven or hell. Any belief system that teaches differently is false. You can look at all of them and they share this commonality. There is not a clear teaching of resurrection and judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So how do we respond to this? It is frighteningly simple. If you accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then you will be resurrected to eternal life filled with rewards in heaven. If you reject Christ, then your eternal destiny is a resurrection to eternal suffering in hell. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But I have good news for you this morning. God does not want anyone to go to hell.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Peter </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3:9 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ezekiel </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">33:11 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Say to them: “As I live,” says the Lord God, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hell was not created for people. It was created for the devil and his minions. God doesn’t send anyone there. People choose to go there of their own free will. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Don’t be one of those. Choose today to follow Christ and enjoy all He has for you. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-57616424769162215832021-07-25T06:53:00.008-07:002021-07-25T07:39:22.358-07:00KNOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">KNOWING THE HOLY SPIRIT</span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Years ago a relatively little known evangelist named Benny Hinn wrote a simple book where he described his experience of getting to know the Holy Spirit. The book,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Good Morning, Holy Spirit, </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">has sold over one million copies in the last 20 years. The key to the book? The Holy Spirit is a person and we need to get to know him as a person who communicates with us person to person. Many people treat God, the Holy Spirit as a thing, a force, and miss out on what a true intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit is all about.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In Paul’s last blessing to the church at Corinth he gives this doxology…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">13:14 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the <span style="color: #c00000;">communion</span> of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Communion is the English translation of the Greek word <i>koinonia</i>. It is most often translated as fellowship, as in…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Philippians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2:1-2 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any <span style="color: #c00000;">fellowship</span> of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Koinonia literally means to have a close mutual relationship. So this morning let me ask all of us a question. Do we have a close mutual relationship with the Holy Spirit? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe we should have that relationship, that it is possible to have that relationship, and God the Holy Spirit wants to have that relationship with you! It is stated in the 5<sup>th</sup> tenet of our statement of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to manifest both the gifts and fruits of the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now this morning I am not really going to try to necessarily define what the baptism of the Holy Spirit is. I believe the Bible is pretty clear about it, but a lot of time has been spent arguing over what it is and missing the reality of having a vital living relationship with the Holy Spirit. If I live in union with the Holy Spirit He will lead me in what I need to know and grow in me so that I reflect His power and presence in my life!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, how do we grow our relationship with the Holy Spirit? Let’s see what Jesus said about it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the upper room where Jesus celebrated His last Passover with His disciples, He began to discuss this One who was to come, who would be just like Him, but different. Listen to Him teach. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 14:15–17 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> If you love Me, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He will give you another Helper (Comforter), that He may abide with you forever—17 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the Spirit of truth, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells <span style="color: #c00000;">with you</span> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and will be <span style="color: #c00000;">in you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We first get to know the Holy Spirit while He is with us. We sense Something or Someone is there but we don’t really know Him yet. He is our Helper, our Comforter. This is how we know Him first. The Greek word is <i>Paraclete, </i>someone called alongside to help. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When did you first sense that God was with you? I have many recollections: my mom praying over me in tongues, asking God to heal me of leukemia… a 6 year old in church sensing God calling him to salvation… an 8 year old singing at a tent revival where an anointed man laid hands on me and I flew back over three sets of chairs! It was the Holy Spirit! He was with me: calling me, convicting me, convincing me, comforting me!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Have you felt Him? You didn’t know what it was, but you felt Him. Ask Him to show you more!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Next, Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be in us! Does the Holy Spirit live in you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">20:21-22 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the moment of salvation. That which you have sensed and felt now becomes reality. You don’t understand it, but you believe it, you know it, you are a different person. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8:9 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8:16 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. </span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12:3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ephesians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:13-14 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The moment we believed in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit took up residence in my human spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Or </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and you are not your own? 20 For </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and in your spirit, which are God’s.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The third way we relate to the Holy Spirit is when He comes upon us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 3:16 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:4-5 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:8 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come </span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">upon you</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2:1-4 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and </span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">one sat upon each of them. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the “upon” ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is an anointing for ministry and power! It is a baptism in the fire of God. Baptism means immersion. I am fully covered by the Holy Spirit, filled inside and out by His power and Presence. What is the result? A deepening relationship with the Holy Spirit that touches everything I do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Look at what happens here in Acts. A multitude come to see what is happening. Peter preaches and thousands get saved. The church is birthed and grows exponentially because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus said that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon us and we would be witnesses. Have you received the power of the Holy Spirit upon your life? Are you being a witness in word and sign?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mark </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">16:15-18 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Look at this encounter Paul had at Ephesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">19:1-2 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the testimony of many believers. They have a relationship with Jesus, but have not even heard of having a relationship with the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">19:5-6 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The “upon” anointing is so powerful. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2:20 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. </span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2:27 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Everyone here today is in some relationship with the Holy Spirit. Some of you sense He is with you. Some have received Him and He is dwelling, being at home, in you. Some have experienced His anointing and know that He is upon you. Where are you? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Benny Hinn says his life changed when he started saying everyday, “Good morning, Holy Spirit. What do you have for me today?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Are we willing to pursue, seek after that kind of relationship with God the Holy Spirit? I hope we are. <o:p></o:p></span></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-21951788036250968942021-07-17T19:19:00.004-07:002021-07-18T07:21:30.362-07:00YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INTRO </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What is so special about Christianity? Many would say that it is just one of many belief systems and they are all basically the same. After all, we all worship the same God and are all going to the same place. Nothing could be farther from the truth!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Christianity is unique among all religions. The thing that sets Christianity apart from every other world view is the possibility of change. Man was created in the image of God, but he is fallen. Sin has marred the visage of God in our lives. The eternal good news of the Gospel is that we can be redeemed; we can be made new! We can be restored to the way God created us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the fourth tenet in our statement of faith here at Restoration Fellowship. Let’s read it together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe that lost and sinful men and women must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit in the new birth in order to be at peace with God and become members of His Church.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The best explanation of this belief is the words of Jesus Himself. Let’s look at John chapter 3.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 3:1–17 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">unless one is born </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“How can these things be?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">who is in heaven. 14 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">believes in Him should </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">not perish but </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">have eternal life. 16 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Many years ago, a man named Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ, condensed these truths into a pamphlet he called “The Four Spiritual Laws”. Billy Graham has a similar pamphlet called “Steps to Peace with God”. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe, so there are spiritual laws that govern your relationship with God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Law #1: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. <br /><br /><b>God's Love</b> <i>God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life. <b>(John 3:16)</b><br /></i><br /><b>God's Plan</b> <i>I come that you might have life, and might have it more abundantly. <b>(John 10:10)<br /></b></i><br />Why is it that most people are not experiencing that abundant life? Because...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Law #2: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life. <br /><br /><b>Man is Sinful </b><i>All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. <b>(Romans 3:23) <br /></b></i><br />Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his own stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is an evidence of what the Bible calls sin. <br /><br /><b>Man Is Separated from God </b><i>The wages of sin is death. <b>(Romans 6:23)<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A great gulf exists between man and God. The third law explains the only way to bridge this gulf. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Law #3: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life. <br /><br /><b>He Died In Our Place</b> <i>God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. <b>(Romans 5:8) </b><br /></i><br /><b>He Rose from the Dead </b><i>Christ died for our sins... He was buried... He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures... He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred... <b>(1 Corinthians 15:3-6)<br /></b></i><br /><b>Jesus is the Only Way to God </b><i>Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.” <b>(John 14:6)<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Cross of Jesus bridges the gap that exists between man and God and allows us to come to Him by faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Law #4: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives. <br /><br /><b>We Must Receive Christ</b> <i>As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. <b>(John 1:12) </b><br /><br /></i><b>We Receive Christ Through Faith </b><i>By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as result of works that no one should boast. <b>(Ephesians 2:8,9)<br /></b></i><br /><b>When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth </b><i>We read this earlier in <b>John 3.</b> <br /></i><br /><b>We Receive Christ Through Personal Invitation </b><i>Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him. <b>(Revelation 3:20)</b><br /><br /></i>Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just to intellectually say that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross is not enough. Nor is it just an emotional connection. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will. Jesus said it was a spiritual miracle! The Apostle Paul explains it this way. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 2:9–16 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But as it is written:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But we have the mind of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You can receive Christ right now by faith. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.<b> (Romans </b></span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10:9-10)</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. </span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10:13)</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just pray with me. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-92059282840274543982021-07-03T11:12:00.004-07:002021-07-03T11:23:48.365-07:00ONLY JESUS Part Two<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">ONLY JESUS Part Two</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INTRO</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Christianity is all about Jesus. <b><i>Acts 11:26 (NKJV) </i></b><i>And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.</i> Christian means “little Christ” or follower of Christ or of Christ. If we are followers of Christ, we should have the correct beliefs about Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The third tenet of our statement of faith reads: <i>We believe in the Deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father to make intercession for us, and in His personal return in power and glory.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There are eight individual phrases here. Last week we looked at the first three. Today we will examine the rest. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> We believe in His miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus declared that the miracles are enough to believe He is God!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">14:11 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Miracles are God’s statement of approval. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts 2:22 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chuck Swindoll makes the following observation:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus Did What Only God Can Do<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When people say they are God, we take them to a psychiatrist. They're delusional! Without proof of His deity, Jesus’ claim would be empty; worse yet, it would be lunacy. So to show the world who He was, He performed deeds that only God could do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He raised people from the dead. (Mark 5:41; John 11:38-44)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He healed people. (Matthew 9:35; 11:4)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He performed miracles, such as calming the storm and feeding thousands of people. (Mark 4:35-41; 8:1-9)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He exorcised demons and defeated Satan. (Mark 1:27; Luke 4:1-13)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He accepted worship. (Matthew 14:33)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He gave authority to His disciples to do miracles. (Matthew 10:1)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Each healing, miracle, or exorcism that Jesus performed provided additional testimony that He was the long-expected Son of God, the Savior of the world. (Isaiah 35:5-6).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For many years there has been a concerted effort to bring all miracles in question. People recognize that if Jesus didn’t do miracles, He cannot be God. Not only that, He cannot do miracles in our lives. What hopelessness! We must believe that God is able to perform miracles for us today!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We will take the next two tenets together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> We believe in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in His bodily resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">15:3-4 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">According to Paul, this is the Gospel, the Good News that we proclaim. This is our only message!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">15:1 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the gospel that was proclaimed throughout the Bible. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">53:3-6 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Notice that we believe in His bodily resurrection. He was not a ghost, a myth, a fabrication. He got up, folded His clothes, rolled the stone away, and walked out! He overcame death, hell, and the grave. If He can do that, He can handle anything that comes along in our life!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">15:55-58 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in His ascension to the right hand of the Father to make intercession for us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:9 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8:34 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Timothy </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2:5 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7:25 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in His personal return in power and glory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">14:2-3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:11 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What is our response to all this?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3:2-3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 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</style>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-6521756544617659902021-06-26T18:17:00.003-07:002021-06-26T18:17:36.120-07:00ONLY JESUS Part One<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">ONLY JESUS Part One</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What makes a person a Christian? It has everything to do with what he does with Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What will you do with Jesus; neutral you cannot be. One day your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We cannot take a neutral position on Jesus Christ. We must either accept Him or reject Him. In fact, if we do not accept Him as Lord and Savior, we reject Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3:18 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is a dividing line in today’s culture. Many people claim God as a part of their life, but struggle to profess Jesus as God. They also paint a picture of Jesus that bears little resemblance to the Jesus described in the Bible. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Last week I talked about our belief in the God who is there. He exists and is not silent. He loves us and is with us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I want to continue along that theme again today, but specifically deal with what we believe about Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The third tenet of our statement of faith reads: <i>We believe in the Deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father to make intercession for us, and in His personal return in power and glory.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s take this apart phrase by phrase and see what the Bible says about each one. We will take two weeks to do this, so don’t worry about a super long sermon!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the Deity of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Simply stated, we believe that Jesus is God. We made this clear last week in our discussion of the Trinity. Jesus is not merely a good man, a gifted teacher or a radical political revolutionary. He is God. Belief in the deity of Jesus is essential to our faith. Everything that follows on this tenet of our faith flows from that distinct, singular doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:1-3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">was manifested in the flesh,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Justified in the Spirit,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Seen by angels,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Preached among the Gentiles,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Believed on in the world,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Received up in glory.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in His virgin birth. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In this age of religious skepticism, the virgin birth is often treated as an archaic remnant of some senseless non-scientific myth. But the Bible is clear: The Messiah would be born of a virgin!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7:14 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Some have said, “Virgin here just means a young woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s go to the New Testament. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:34 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mary is testifying that she is a virgin! There can be no doubt!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Why is this important? Because we get our sin nature from our father. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:12 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. </span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus did not have an earthly father, so he had no sin nature and could be the perfect sacrifice. But there is more. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in His sinless life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:21 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4:14-16 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Because of his sinless birth and sinless life, He could, and did, redeem us!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:18-19 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John the Baptist proclaimed when he saw Him: <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 1:29b (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Oh brothers and sisters, what a blessing that declaration brings to our lives. Jesus, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God not just forgives our sins, not just covers our sins, He takes them away! He removes them as far from us as the east is from the west. He puts them out of sight, behind His bank, and hides them in the depths of the sea! And He did it “once for all!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6:10 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7:27 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9:12 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10:10 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We need to sing with the angels:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:11-14 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-53088276561387601942021-06-19T21:01:00.004-07:002021-06-20T07:14:41.361-07:00THERE IS A GOD<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">THERE IS A GOD</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I love the way the Bible begins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:1 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There is not an argument here; there is not a defense here. There is only a bold declaration: <i>In the beginning, God! </i>This is the beginning point of our faith. God exists and He has revealed Himself to us in creation, the Bible, and the Lord Jesus Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As we continue the series, <b>Does It Really Matter, </b>the second tenet of our church’s statement of faith is also a bold declaration of this truth. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, I want to look at this statement and talk about the hope it gives us. I am not here today to win an argument or give you an apologetic proof of God’s existence. I only want us to know the blessings that have come to us because the infinite God became imminent to His creation; the eternal God broke into time and space because He loves us and wants to intervene in our lives! <i>In the beginning, God!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There is a God. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have used this phrase many times in my life. When I would hear a miraculous testimony, I would utter, “There is a God!” When praying with someone who faced an incredible burden, I would utter, “There is a God!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This phrase gives hope to anyone who is hurting, whose heart is heavy, who needs help beyond what man can provide. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There is a God who creates something out of nothing. There is a God who gives us what we need. There is a God who covers our sin. There is a God who delivers us, directs us, and destines us. There is a God! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There is only one God. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We don’t believe in many gods; that is polytheism. We don’t believe that everything is god; that is pantheism. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe what the Bible clearly says…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Deuteronomy 6:4 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Hear, O Israel: </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Lord our God, the Lord is one!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Literally: <i>the only one!</i> And His name is YHWH, the Lord God Almighty. His name is not <i>Allah; </i>it is not <i>Buddha</i>; it is not <i>Krishna.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">His name is also not <i>money, possessions, positions, prestige, fame, or family. </i>His name is not focused on <i>face, race, or place. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The very first commandment teaches us that Jehovah God alone is to be worshipped. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Exodus </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">20:3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You shall have no other gods before Me.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Other gods are always bidding for our worship. But we reserve it for God alone, because He is the only one who can save us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 115:3–11 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But our God is in heaven;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He does whatever He pleases.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Their idols are silver and gold,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The work of men’s hands.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5 They have mouths, but they do not speak;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Eyes they have, but they do not see;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6 They have ears, but they do not hear;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Noses they have, but they do not smell;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7 They have hands, but they do not handle;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Feet they have, but they do not walk;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nor do they mutter through their throat.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Those who make them are like them;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So is everyone who trusts in them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">O Israel, trust in the Lord;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He is their help and their shield.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He is their help and their shield.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He is their help and their shield.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Allah cannot help us; Buddha cannot help us; Krishna cannot help us. Money and power and fame cannot help us. Only God can help us!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 121:1–8 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">My help comes from the Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Who made heaven and earth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He will not allow your foot to </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">be moved;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He who keeps you will not slumber.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4 Behold, He who keeps Israel<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Shall neither slumber nor sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5 The Lord is your </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">keeper;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Lord is </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">your shade </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">at your right hand.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The sun shall not strike you by day,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nor the moon by night.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7 The Lord shall </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">preserve you from all evil;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He shall </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">preserve your soul.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8 The Lord shall </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">preserve </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">your going out and your coming in<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From this time forth, and even forevermore.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God has always existed in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is referred to as the Trinity. The word “trinity” does not appear in the Bible, but it is taught throughout the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Creation<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:1-2 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:1-3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis </span></i></b><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:26-27 </span></i></b><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus’ baptism<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3:16-17 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Great Commission<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">28:19 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paul’s Benediction <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">13:14 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Work in Salvation<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:2 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Why is this important? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The doctrine of the Trinity teaches us that Jesus is God! If Jesus is not God, then our faith is worthless. Christianity is the only religion in the world that proclaims Jesus is God! In fact, one of the signs of a false religion or a cult is that they do away with the Deity of Christ. Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism all teach that Jesus is not God. Christian cults like Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses teach that Jesus is not God. Only Christianity proclaims Jesus is God!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Why does this matter?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus said He is God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If he lied about this, we cannot trust anything else he said. He is either Lord of all, or He is a liar and a lunatic.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8:58 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10:30 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I and My Father are one.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After each of these statements, the Jews tried to stone Jesus because they understood He was claiming to be God!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We cannot be saved if we do not confess that Jesus is Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10:9 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NASB) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">No one with the Holy Spirit will say Jesus is not God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12:3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The anti-Christ will say Jesus is not God in the flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4:2-3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now some practical stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If Jesus is not God, He cannot help us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4:14-16 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If Jesus is not God, He cannot intercede for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7:25 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If Jesus is not God, then he is not in heaven preparing a place for us. He is not coming again to get us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">14:1-3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But brothers and sisters, I have good news today for you. Jesus is God! And because He is God, we can trust everything He ever said. We can be saved. We can be filled with the Holy Spirit. We will not be deceived by the anti-Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">More than that, we can come boldly to Him and He will help us. We know that He is praying and interceding for us right now. We don’t have to have troubled hearts, we can believe in Him and trust Him. We know He is preparing a place for us and is coming again to take us with Him so that we can live with Him forever!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Is that Good News to anyone this morning? We have the ministry of the Father. We have the ministry of the Son. We have the ministry of the Holy Spirit. If God be for us, who can be against us!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-20058142882117788912021-06-12T19:09:00.001-07:002021-06-12T19:13:07.751-07:00DOES IT REALLY MATTER?<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">DOES IT REALLY MATTER?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Through the years I have been asked two questions many times, “What kind of church is Restoration Fellowship?” and “What do you believe?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now you may say, “Does it really matter?” My answer is “Yes!” In this age of relativism and shifting attitudes toward truth itself, it is vitally important what we believe. Jude said this…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jude 3 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for <span style="color: #c00000;">the faith</span> which was once for all delivered to the saints.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jude 20 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But you, beloved, building yourselves up on <span style="color: #c00000;">your most holy faith,</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Faith here does not mean our personal faith in the Lord Jesus, but the body of doctrines and beliefs the Bible proclaims that defines Christianity. It is this body of truth that is the foundation of our personal faith. If the foundation is faulty, then our faith is faulty. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 7:24–27 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, let me ask you, “What kind of church is Restoration Fellowship?” and “What do we believe?” Have you ever read our statement of faith! It is posted on our website. Let me read it to you from the site. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What We Believe</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe the Bible to be inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God, and our only guidebook to faith and practices.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the Deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father to make intercession for us, and in His personal return in power and glory.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe that lost and sinful men and women must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit in the new birth in order to be at peace with God and become members of His Church.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to manifest both the gifts and fruits of the Spirit.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the resurrection of those who know Christ, and those who do not; one to eternal life in heaven, and the other to eternal death in hell.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the two sacraments instituted by the Lord Jesus: Water Baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper (Communion). Baptism is a post-salvation picture of our spiritual death, burial, and resurrection. Communion is a remembrance of His body and blood given for us in covenant.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and that they constitute the Church Universal, His Bride and Body, the Fullness of Him who fills all in all. The local church is a voluntary band of baptized believers gathered together to carry out the Great Commission.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe in the personal, physical, and imminent return of Jesus Christ to the earth and the consummation of all things.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When we look at our church constitution and chartering statement, you will find some more…</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10.</span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We also believe other truths enumerated in our chartering statement:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The preeminence of Christ as our Divine Lord and Master<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The right of private interpretation of Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The competency of each person to directly approach God<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The separation of church and state<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">e.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The independence of the local church<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">f.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The equality of congregational government<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">g.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The world-wide program of missionary fervor and evangelism<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">During this summer, I want to help us see what kind of church we are and what we believe. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The first question is what kind of church is Restoration Fellowship?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have always described us as a Bapticostal church: Baptist in theology and polity, charismatic in practice. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In truth, we are an independent non-denominational church who fellowship and cooperate with other churches of like faith and practice. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is expressed clearly in our statement of faith. This gets around to question two: What do we believe?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s begin with tenet #1. </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We believe the Bible to be inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God, and our only guidebook to faith and practices.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible is God inspired. </span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Peter 1:20–21 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> knowing this first, that </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">no prophecy of Scripture is of any private </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">interpretation, 21 for </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">prophecy never came by the will of man, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">but </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We let the Bible speak; we do not decide what it says. We do not twist what the Bible clearly teaches in order to justify our position or justify our sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The writers were “carried along” by the Holy Spirit so that they wrote the very Words of God through their unique personalities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; punctuation-wrap: simple; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We have an unction, an anointing, from God that allows us to know what the true meaning of the Bible is. We call this illumination. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible is infallible. </span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible contains no errors.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 119:89 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Forever, O Lord, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Your word </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">is settled in heaven.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 119:160 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is important because if we believe the Bible is unreliable, then we cannot trust any of it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible is authoritative. <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It judges us; we do not judge it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 24:35 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 4:12–13 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter 1:23–25 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because “</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">All flesh is as grass, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And all </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the glory of man as the flower of the grass. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The grass withers, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And its flower falls away, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">25 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">word of the Lord endures forever.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible is our only guide. </span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Your word is a lamp to my feet </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And a light to my path.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 119:133 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Direct my steps by Your word, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">let no iniquity have dominion over me.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">APPLICATION</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This first tenet is the roots from which all the other tenets flow. The Word must be first! We must have a sure anchor in this world where truth is a commodity that is bought or sold to the highest bidder. Truth never changes. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus declared:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 17:17 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sanctify </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">them by Your truth. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Your word is truth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">James says that we can be deceived by listening to things that shift with the wind!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">James 1:16–18 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Of His own will He brought us forth by the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">word of truth, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Do we individually and collectively live according to the dictates of the Word of God? That is the application question. Take any given area of your life. Does it line up with the Word of God? If not, why?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INSPIRATION</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew Emadi writes about Martin Luther. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">He is the most famous of the reformers and his experience on April 16, 1521, is probably the most well-known event of the Reformation. It was the day Martin Luther stood before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, at the Diet of Worms. Luther entered the city of Worms like a hero. People lined the streets, crowded the roof-tops, hung out of windows so that they might catch a glimpse of the people’s champion. But for Luther, the occasion for his coming to Worms was not a reason to celebrate. He was going to be tried for his life. The Diet of Worms would examine him for heresy, which if convicted, he would likely be burned at the stake. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">So the day of his trial arrived. Luther, the son of a miner, was brought into the hall to appear before the Holy Roman Emperor himself, Charles V. Luther did not enter the Diet of Worms like the boxing heavyweight champion of the world. He did not have the eye of the tiger on his countenance. No posture of unswerving confidence, ready to defend his writings to the last breath. It appeared that he was a little nervous. Realize Charles V was thought to be “God’s Viceroy on Earth.” He was an intimidating figure viciously committed to the Roman Catholic Church. When he entered the Hall and saw Luther, Charles muttered, “That fellow will never make a heretic out of me” (<a href="https://www.christianbook.com/here-stand-life-of-martin-luther/roland-bainton/9781426754432/pd/754432?dv=%7Bdevice%7D&en=google&event=SHOP&kw=academic-0-20%7C754432&p=1179710&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9aSIgp6y1wIVS2p-Ch2OAAf3EAQYASABEgKlk_D_BwE"><span style="color: #222222;">Bainton</span></a>, 177). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">The emperor’s spokesman plopped all of Luther’s books on a table. He asked Luther if these were his writings. And Luther, in almost a whisper, admitted that the books were his. He was then asked to recant all of his writings. You know what Luther said? Let me think about it. Luther was caught off guard. He was not expecting to be asked to recant everything he had ever written. He knew the stakes were high, or should we say hot, so he needed more time to think about it. He was given one day. The next day Luther appeared again before the Holy Roman Emperor. This time he was not quiet as a mouse but bold as a Lion. He was asked to recant, and Luther announced that he would not retract his attacks against false doctrine. “Good God,” Luther said, “what sort of tool of evil and tyranny would I be” (</span><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/unquenchable-flame-discovering-the-heart-reformation/michael-reeves/9781433669316/pd/669316?event=ESRCG"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14pt;">Reeves</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">, 15). Luther demanded that his views be refuted by Scripture. If Scripture would prove his teachings wrong, then he would burn the books himself. So one final time, the council demanded, “Will you recant your teachings?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">Here is Luther’s famous response:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0in;"><em><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason—I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other—my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen</span></em><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"> (<a href="https://www.christianbook.com/here-stand-life-of-martin-luther/roland-bainton/9781426754432/pd/754432?dv=%7Bdevice%7D&en=google&event=SHOP&kw=academic-0-20%7C754432&p=1179710&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9aSIgp6y1wIVS2p-Ch2OAAf3EAQYASABEgKlk_D_BwE"><span style="color: #222222;">Bainton</span></a>, 182).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">Martin threw his arms up in the air and slipped out of the hall. For the rest of his life, Luther would never cease to stand on the authority of Scripture alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">God is asking us to commit to the veracity of the Word of God and accept it as our <b><u>only</u></b> guide for faith and practice. Will we do it? As a people and a church? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-53978771089358200762021-05-30T07:04:00.001-07:002021-05-30T07:04:15.892-07:00THE GREATEST WORD<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">THE GREATEST WORD</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Charles Stanley is one of the greatest preachers in the world. His “In Touch” programs reach millions around the world each week. But he has been through some real trials. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Many years ago I had a cassette tape with Dr. Stanley’s testimony of his calling to First Baptist Church in Atlanta. That testimony made a profound impact on my life. I listened to it many times. Unfortunately, I lost the tape and have been unable to find it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But, hallelujah, Dr. Stanley shares the story in his new book, <i>Courageous Faith. </i> Allow me to briefly quote a paraphrase from a book review with some other details from the book. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">From 1957 to 1969 Stanley pastored churches in Fruitland, North Carolina, Fairburn, Ohio, and Miami and Bartow, Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God began to deal with him about moving to Atlanta. All he saw was a vision of a dark cloud over the church. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Following God’s call, he reluctantly became associate pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, which was a hornet’s nest. His reception was poor: Most people were cold and unwelcoming, and the staff opposed him. The liberal, senior pastor soon resigned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Worst of all, the executive committee, who micromanaged everything, disliked his Biblical preaching, publicly berated him and intimidated him to resign. Of the about 2,500 in the Sunday morning service “at least 300 … were actively, virulently against me.” They’d sing in the halls, “We will overcome,” referring to him, their acting pastor. His family and a few prayer warriors were his only allies—besides God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After speaking at a Bryan College revival in 1971, Stanley returned Sunday to find every sanctuary seat with a leaflet opposing him being named the senior pastor in the following week’s business meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He struggled with the sermon that morning. He always had notes or an outline, but that morning he had nothing. In the pulpit he opened his Bible and began to share from <i>Proverbs 3:5-6.</i> After his sermon, which had no reference to the battle, he writes, “It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen at a church service. It was like a bomb. God sent people sprinting in two distinct directions … to the exits … (and even more) toward the altar.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">More than 2,000 came to the Wednesday meeting, and 65 percent of the church voted to make Stanley the senior pastor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Things continued to boil over, however, and reached a climax when one of the leaders of the church who opposed him, got up to speak at a business meeting and became so riled up he cursed in the pulpit. When Dr. Stanley quietly corrected him, he backhanded Dr. Stanley with his fist! Another man threatened him in the pulpit on a televised Sunday morning service by stating that people were not going to get a sermon that morning, but a funeral!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As we now know, God blessed Dr. Stanley’s ministry. His Pentecostal grandfather had always taught him to “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What does that verse that he spoke from say?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3:5-6 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (make your paths straight).</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Four simple things...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1. Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Commit completely with your mind, will, emotions. No plan B. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2. Lean not on your own understanding. Obeying God often is counter-intuitive. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3. In all your ways acknowledge Him. Obedience is acknowledgement. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4. He shall direct your paths (make your paths straight). He will make His will clear and plain. He will limit your options. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Illustration: My college choice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">My own experience with Proverbs 3:5-6: Moving to El Paso.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God is concerned about you. He is watching you, praying for you, cheering for you...<o:p></o:p></span></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-6381514256964591082021-05-22T18:31:00.002-07:002021-05-22T20:27:11.101-07:00THE ONE NECESSARY THING<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">THE ONE NECESSARY THING</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When Jesus made His appearance on the earth as the Messiah, His ministry was always linked with the Holy Spirit. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John the Baptist prophesied it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 1:32–34 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Son of God.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 3:16 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John answered, saying to all, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus taught His disciples about the Holy Spirit.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 11:13 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts 1:4–5 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, Pentecost Sunday, is the celebration of when these things became true. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts 2:1–4 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, we are confronted with Paul’s commandment to believers everywhere. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">All of these passages teach us that being filled with the Holy Spirit is the one necessary thing. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Andrew Murray says it this way in his book, <i>The Full Blessing of Pentecost</i>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It is to the effect that the one thing needful for the Church, and the thing which, above all others, men ought everywhere to seek for with one accord and with their whole heart, is to be filled with the Spirit of God.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">J. Oswald Sanders agrees with him in his work, <i>Spiritual Leadership</i>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Spiritual leadership requires Spirit-filled people. Other qualities are important; to be Spirit-filled is indispensable.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What does it mean to be Spirit filled? Jesus gives us many insights.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 7:37–39 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus says that the filling of the Spirit is a continual artesian well that refills itself. When the Spirit flows out of us it is constantly being replaced with more! The more we pour out, the more we have in reserve!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paul said the same thing in the Ephesians passage we read earlier. We don’t just get filled once, we get re-filled constantly. It is a present progressive verb, “be being filled”. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus goes on the describe how the Spirit will work in our lives. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 14:16–17 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And I will pray the Father, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He will give you another </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Helper, that He may abide with you forever—17 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the Spirit of truth, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and will be in you.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Spirit is with you and will be in you. In Acts 1:8, Jesus talks about another work of the Spirit. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Acts 1:8 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus describes three distinct relationships: with you, in you, and upon you. He aligns those again in John 16. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 16:7–16 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">of righteousness, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">of judgment, because </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the ruler of this world is judged.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s look at those three relationships more closely. </span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy Spirit is with us to convict (convince) us of sin. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Notice, sin not sins. We are all aware of our failings, our individual sins. But the Holy Spirit has come to reveal to us our very nature. Without Jesus we can do no good thing. We must depend totally on Him. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Notice He shows us our unbelief. Not believing is the root of all sin, all disobedience. </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy Spirit is in us to convict (convince) us of righteousness, our right standing with God.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy Spirit now comes to show us that we have a new nature in Christ. Because of what Jesus did, we stand right with Him. We have access to Him in prayer. We have fellowship and intimacy with Him. We do not have to believe the lies of the enemy that we are always guilty and have no right to go before God. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He brings us to a point of believing because all things are possible to those who believe!</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy Spirit comes upon us to convict (convince) is that we have power over the enemy because he has already been judged!</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The enemy is a defeated foe. The anointing of the Holy Spirit empowers us to do the works of Christ. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. What will we do when the Spirit comes on us? The same thing!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 16:15–18 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And He said to them, “Go into all the world </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He who believes and is baptized will be saved; </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">signs will follow those who </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">believe: </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In My name they will cast out demons; </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">they will speak with new tongues; 18 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">they </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">How do I live filled with the Holy Spirit?</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He is a gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Cannot be earned. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just ask.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Believe.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He is a person. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Build a relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Invite Him in. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Don’t offend Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-69103792867943191012021-05-15T14:31:00.006-07:002021-05-15T14:37:36.038-07:00DON’T FEAR THE FUTURE<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">DON’T FEAR THE FUTURE</span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>INTRO </b>People Magazine records that on</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> March 20, 1990, Cuban-American singer Gloria Estefan was at the height of her career when a semi-truck </span><a href="https://people.com/archive/singer-gloria-estefan-takes-her-first-steps-to-recovery-after-a-frightening-bus-crash-vol-33-no-14/" target="_top"><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: none;">crashed into her tour bus </span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">on a snowy Pennsylvania highway, breaking her back. Months of painful rehab followed. When she returned to performing, her first song was her hit, <i>Coming Out of the Dark</i>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We are now in the process of coming out of a time of darkness and coming into the light of an uncertain future. How do we approach it? How do we prepare for it?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, I want to encourage you with some “Fear Not” statements from the Word of God. This list is found in the Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">First of all, let me talk about why many have become discouraged in the past 14 months. What are some of the causes of discouragement?</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Hardness of the Way</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Numbers </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">21:4 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Difficulty of the Task</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Nehemiah 4:10 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Prosperity of the Wicked</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalms </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">73:2-3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Delay in Fulfilling Desires</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Hope deferred makes the heart sick. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now let’s look at </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">some reasons the Bible gives us to be encouraged.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Blessings in the Journey</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">26:24 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Numbers </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">21:34 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Judges </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6:23 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then the LORD said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Supplies in Famine</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Kings 17:13–14 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ </span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Protection in Peril</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Kings 6:15–17 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">16 So he answered, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Do not fear, for </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Strength in Weakness</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV): </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fear not, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Companionship in Trial</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 43:1–3 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When you pass through the waters, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I will be with you; </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3 For I am the Lord your God, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Overshadowing Care</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 10:30–31 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Life Beyond the Grave</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 1:17–18 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He laid His right hand on me, saying </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">to me, “Do not be afraid; </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am the First and the Last. 18 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am alive forevermore. Amen. And </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have the keys of </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hades and of Death.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INSPIRATION </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">One of my favorite Bible heroes is Joshua. He was born into slavery; it was all he had known. He followed Moses into freedom and became his second in command. He endured forty years in the wilderness and when Moses died, he was now in charge of leading the Hebrew nation into a land they had never seen. Listen to how God spoke to him as he embraced an uncertain future. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Look at the keys here:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have told you what to do. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Be strong and courageous. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Don’t be afraid. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am with you. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">APPLICATION </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">These are the words we need to hear as we face the future. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Find His will.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Go after His will<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Trust His will. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He will be with you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">ILLUSTRATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-21660513708990202262021-05-08T21:07:00.004-07:002021-05-08T21:08:10.587-07:00SARAH: From Faith to Fruit<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">SARAH: From Faith to Fruit</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For the last month we have been looking at Isaac. We saw his miraculous conception, his wiling sacrifice, his well-digging and his life of receiving. None of this would have happened without his mother, Sarah. In many ways, she is the real hero in the story of Abraham and Isaac. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So on this Mother’s Day, I want to focus on Sarah and encourage our ladies that they are the source of what God wants to do in generations to come. <b>Prayer<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s look at some chapters in Sarah’s life. Each chapter reveals a key that each one of us, male or female, can apply. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter One:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The Chosen One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 11:29–30 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then Abram and Nahor took wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah. <sup>30</sup> But Sarai was barren; she had no child.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The barrenness did not cancel the choosing. God has chosen us to show His great love to us, irregardless of our fruitfulness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter Two:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The Willing One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 12:5 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">people whom they had acquired </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">in Haran, and they</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">departed to go to the land of Canaan.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We should be willing to follow God wherever He leads. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter Three:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The Fearless One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 12:11–14 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. <sup>12</sup> Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. <sup>13</sup> Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">14</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter 3:5–6 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We can be fully obedient without fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear. Fear not!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter Four:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The Doubting One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 16:1–2 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. <sup>2</sup> So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Don’t be embarrassed by your doubts. They come so that faith can be proven. In the next chapter of her life we will see that this doubt did not cancel out the plan of God or her faith. A name change comes on the heels of her doubt!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter Five: </span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Changed One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 17:15–16 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sarah shall be her name. <sup>16</sup> And I will bless her </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">of nations; </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">kings of peoples shall be from her.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 17:19 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then God said: “No, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 17:21 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But My </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">covenant I will establish with Isaac, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">whom Sarah shall bear to you at this </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">set time next year.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We have all been changed by the power of God. We are new creations. The promise of God is not based on who we were, but what we have become!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Galatians 6:15 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter Six:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The Serving One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 18:6–10 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” <sup>7</sup> And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. <sup>8</sup> So </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So he said, “Here, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">in the tent.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And He said, “I will certainly return to you </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">according to the time of life, and behold, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sarah your wife shall have a son.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A new name and a new heart lives to serve. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter Seven: </span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Fruitful One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 21:1–3 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. <sup>2</sup> For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. <sup>3</sup> And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sarah’s faith produces fruit!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 11:11 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John 5:4 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">has overcome the world—</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">even our faith.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chapter Eight: </span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Faithful One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 23:1–2 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 23:20 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sarah was the link between God’s promise and God’s provision. The miracle that was Isaac would not have happened without Sarah! All of us are links in the chain that is the Kingdom of God. Paul puts it this way…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 3:5–8 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? <sup>6</sup> I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. <sup>7</sup> So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. <sup>8</sup> Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You may be in a stage where you can’t see the fruit. You may be a link between generations, just as Sarah was. Listen to the prophet Isaiah…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 51:2 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The covenant of God rests in the faithful life of Sarah. Will you be a Sarah? Will you trust God in the face of trial? God will use you to advance His Kingdom!<o:p></o:p></span></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-51774421616778299432021-05-01T16:52:00.001-07:002021-05-01T16:54:53.656-07:00A LIFE OF RECEIVING<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A LIFE OF RECEIVING</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INTRO </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Over the last month we have been looking at the life of Isaac and drawing parallels to God’s promises for this year. We have seen his miraculous conception, his willing sacrifice, and his digging wells of salvation for his needs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We are all Isaacs…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Galatians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">4:28 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, we want to look at how Isaac lived. He lived a receiving life. He did not try to achieve anything; he received everything. We will see that this is how God intends for all of us to live. My challenge to us today is to live a life of receiving from God.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">PRAYER</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 26:1–5 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines, in Gerar. </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then the Lord appeared to him and said: </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Do not go down to Egypt; live in </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the land of which I shall tell you. <sup>3</sup> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dwell in this land, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I will be with you and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">bless you; for to you and your descendants </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I give all these lands, and I will perform </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. <sup>4</sup> And </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; <sup>5</sup> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 26:23–25 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then he went up from there to Beersheba. <sup>24</sup> And the Lord </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">appeared to him the same night and said, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I am the God of your father Abraham; </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">do not fear, for </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” <sup>25</sup> So he </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">built an altar there and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">called on the name of the Lord, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 25:5 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Chinese pastor, Watchman Nee, in his book </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Changed Into His Likeness, </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">observes that:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Isaac did not have to labour, to toil, to spend time in order to get it. All was bestowed upon him. Abraham attained, through long trials; Isaac inherited in a single outright gift. Of all that he received, nothing was his own work. </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He did not even have to travel to reach Canaan as his father did; he was born there. He lived in Canaan his entire life. He was born, lived, and died in the Promised Land!</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When we look at his relationship with God, we find the same thing. The promise to Isaac is exactly the same promise as is given to Abraham, and contains the words 'I will establish the oath which I swear unto Abraham thy father'. There was nothing new in it that was not promised to Abraham already. And its fulfillment was stated to be 'because Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws'. </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Again when the Lord appears to Isaac at Beersheba, He speaks of Himself as 'the God of Abraham, thy father' and assures him that 'I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.’ All was bestowed upon Isaac because he was Abraham's son.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This fact of bestowal and acceptance is the great characteristic of Isaac. The God of Isaac is God the Giver. He is the God who comes out to us. We must know Him in this way as well as knowing Him as Father. If we only know Him as the God of Abraham there is no approach to Him. As the God of Isaac He comes to us and gives us everything in His Son. None can go forward and attain to God's purpose unless he knows how to receive in this way. </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The secret is receiving, not doing. Victory, life, salvation, all is bestowed, not attained. When you are born into a wealthy home, it is very difficult to be poor! You are rich; you were born that way.” </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Years ago the Lord asked me a question, “What did you have to do to become a sinner?” I answered, “Nothing, I was born that way.” He then asked, “What do you have to do to become righteous?” It hit me. I replied, “Nothing, I was born again that way!”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Watchman Née goes on:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We never worked for our salvation, gradually scaling the heights until we attained to it. The Lord sought and saved us.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Victory over sin is the same; it is received, not worked for. Oh, may we learn to praise God that He has provided for us such bounty in Christ! </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What God has done, we receive and enjoy. We are not constantly waiting, anxiously seeking for it. We are born into the home; we have it all. Inheritance is ours! </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What have we already received from the Father?</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A birthright. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:11-12 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right (power, privilege, authority) to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fullness of life. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:16 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Everything Jesus has is ours!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Colossians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2:9-10 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Spirit of God. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 20:22 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Grace and apostolic power. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 1:5 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">An anointing. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John 2:27 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">will abide in Him.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A ministry</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10:7-8 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">APPLICATION </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now how does this work out in real life? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">ILLUSTRATION </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let me begin this morning by sharing an old story you may have heard…<b> </b>a man booked passage on a transatlantic steamer… ate sparingly of food he had brought… he wanted to eat in the dining room… he didn’t know everything he desired was included with his ticket! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME</span></b></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-42434178359552535812021-04-24T17:49:00.002-07:002021-04-24T17:52:38.743-07:00RE-DIGGING OUR WELLS<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">RE-DIGGING OUR WELLS</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INTRO </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Life is dependent on water. You can’t grow anything without water. When the water goes, the harvest goes. If you drive through Pecos, Texas, you will see old motors rusting on decaying stands next to concrete ditches filled with dirt instead of water. At one time, Pecos melons were famous the world over. Then the water ran out, or more specifically, the money to pump the water ran out. The water was there, but it cost too much money to pump it out. The farms could not make a profit. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Growing up on a farm, I saw first-hand how water wells made things grow. My dad went from dry-land farming, where one harvest every ten years was normal, to irrigated land where harvests annually were 600% greater than land with no water. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Israel is a desert region. Water is at a premium and wells are valuable. They not only give life, but are used as markers of boundaries and tokens of covenants and treaties.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaac’s life is marked by wells. He re-dug some; he dug fresh ones; he gave some away. Each stage of his life is marked by a well. So it is with us. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Galatians 4:28 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. </span></i><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">PRAYER</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">TEXT <i>Genesis 26:17–18 (NKJV)</i></span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then Isaac departed from there and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. <sup>18</sup> And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He called them by the names which his father had called them</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INSTRUCTION </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Abraham had dug wells all through Canaan. His enemies, the Philistines, had made them unusable by fouling them with sand. Isaac dig out the wells so that the water could flow again. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This story contains a strong spiritual application. Jesus said our lives would be like flowing water wells. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 4:13–14 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, <sup>14</sup> but </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">will become in him a fountain (well) of water springing up into everlasting life.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God has provided us a string of wells to water our lives to produce fruit. What are some of these wells?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">First, there is the well of salvation. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 12:3 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore with joy you will draw </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">water from the wells of salvation.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Second, there is the well of satisfaction. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 6:35 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And Jesus said to them, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I am the bread of life. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">thirst.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Third, there is the well of the Spirit. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 7:37–39 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. <sup>38</sup> He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” <sup>39</sup> But this He spoke concerning the Spirit...</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The problem is that we allow our wells to get full of junk. The water is stopped.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah 2:13 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">How do the wells get fouled?</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">First, we forsake the Lord. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We don’t have to get involved in deep sin to stop the flow, we just have to neglect the necessary things. </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A consistent time with God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Meditating on the Word. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Letting sin build up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Quit serving. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Stop sharing. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Second, we replace God with broken things. </span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Our own efforts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Colossians 2:20–23 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Therefore, if you </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—<sup>21</sup> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” <sup>22</sup> which all concern things which perish with the using—</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">according to the commandments and doctrines of men? <sup>23</sup> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Things of the world.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John 2:15–17 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. <sup>16</sup> For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. <sup>17</sup> And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.</span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Temporal pursuits.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Notice the Bible says they replaced a fountain with a cistern. Now, I have drank from an artesian well. It was cool and refreshing. I know about cisterns too. My grandma and grandpa had a cistern in the middle of their living room. We never drank out of it because it was full of dirty water and was stinky! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">That is what some believers do. We trade the fresh and cool artesian water of the Spirit for the stinky cistern of the world!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">How do we get the water well flowing again? We have to dig it out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">ILLUSTRATION</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Last week, I was visiting with a friend who said that many of the wells in the panhandle had gone dry. The huge underground aquifer that fed 10 inch wells were now so dry they can’t even grow corn anymore. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yesterday, I spoke with another farmer from that area and I asked him about dry wells. He said it was a problem. I told him I was preaching on wells and he told me a story.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We had an abandoned well on a place. We decided to drop a camera down it to see what shape the hole was in and if the casing was good or not. The 16 inch casing had some damage, but the video showed that there seemed to be about 40 foot of water in the hole. We had a bailer come and bail out the hole, but he was only able to clean out about 10 foot before he hit bottom. So we had the spudders come in and bust out that hole and got another fifteen foot. The bailer then came back and bailed for a day on it and got it cleaned out. Now we’ll go in there and put a new pump in an 8 inch casing. It should produce at least 75 gallons a minute for us. </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This was all worth it, if it will help get us just a little bit more water so we can still grow a little bit of corn on that place.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">APPLICATION</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> What was the process? </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Analyze the problem. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Remove the dirt. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Break up the hard ground. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Get down to the bottom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Put in new protections. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The process was hard and costly, but will yield a harvest. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12:11 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it</span></i>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">INSPIRATION</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Recently, I got a text from my spiritual father. He said…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Are you behaving yourself? Thus saith the Lord: “Come, come back with me and re-dig the old wells of yesterday. Things that you have forgotten that you know.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Remember when it flowed like a river? You miss that, don't you. Only I can reconnect all of that for you. I will give it to you; I will give it to you!</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Where are the broken wells in your life? Where do you long to feel the Lord moving as He once did? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Take me back,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Take me back, dear Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To the place where I first received You. </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Take me back,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Take me back, dear Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Where I first believed. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(Andrae Crouch: Take Me Back)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-16757968454988974182021-04-17T16:44:00.005-07:002021-04-17T16:48:46.730-07:00KILLING ISAAC<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">KILLING ISAAC</span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sunday, April 18, 2021</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Years ago, two of America’s great poets, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, wrote a hit song: <i>“This is Where Dreams Come to Die”</i>. Many of you may feel this song was written for you and about you. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">All of us have things we want God to do in our lives. But often we see those things die. These things are Isaacs to us. Isaac was the son of promise given to Abraham and Sarah. An “Isaac” is a promise God gives. Often, we will see that promise die and we wonder if it will ever happen. At that moment we have the opportunity to release it to God and trust Him for its fulfillment. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">TEXT <i>Galatians 4:28 (NKJV) </i></span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the book of Genesis is the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac on Mount Moriah, the future site of Solomon’s Temple.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s read it together… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 22:1–14 (NKJV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <i>Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He responded immediately. This demonstrates self-control: instant obedience to the initial promptings of the Holy Spirit. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now this is a test. God is asking Abraham to give Him not only his son, but his promise, his future, his blessing. Warren Wiersbe writes, “Our faith is not really tested until God asks us to bear what seems unbearable, do what seems unreasonable, and expect what seems impossible.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Offer him as a burnt offering. A burnt offering was not only killed, it was totally consumed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 12:29 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">our God is a consuming fire.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Only ashes remained. Yet God is able to give something beautiful in the midst of the ash heap. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 113:7 (NKJV): </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">needy out of the ash heap,</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">console those who mourn in Zion, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To give them beauty for ashes, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The oil of joy for mourning, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">That they may be called trees of righteousness, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The planting of the Lord, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">that He may be glorified.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. <sup>4 </sup>Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. <sup>5 </sup>And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God asks for the Isaacs in our life to be offered up completely as an act of worship.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 12:1 (NASB)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the midst of sacrifice there is also faith. <i>We will come back…</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 11:17–19 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. <sup>7 </sup>But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. <sup>10 </sup>And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">No question, no hesitation, only obedience by Abraham and Isaac. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">11 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, he said, “Here I am.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">13 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So, Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. <sup>14 </sup>And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Has God asked you to put your Isaac on the altar of sacrificial worship? Or have you seen your Isaac die?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I remember the day Isaac died at my house. In early January 2001, I was at home recuperating from my first heart attack. Reading the Bible through as a part of my quiet time this particular day, a section of the reading was Genesis 22, the passage we just read.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Some years before this, the Lord spoke to me that I would become the pastor of a particular church. I kept it to myself for many years. This word was ultimately confirmed by two elders from that congregation at different times and different places, purely at their behest; I had never shared with them the vision until they asked. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Over the next several months, events occurred that made the fulfillment of that vision an impossibility. I took a pastorate at another church and was serving there. I was angry over what had transpired. I felt I had been the victim of lies and half-truths. Blame gripped me like a vise. My mantra became “If only…” or “What might have been…” Bitterness settled on me like a dark cloud. It was choking the very life out of me. My dream would never come true.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Only Alba knew what was cooking in my heart. I am ashamed to confess I concocted a plan to move against the pastor in a spiritual coup, take the church and become the pastor. I thought I would have the backing to get it done. We went out of town for a few days, and I had breakfast with a dear friend to share my plan with him. Sitting at a Holiday Inn over biscuits and gravy, I let my bitterness pour all over him, thinking he would support me and my desire. Instead, he gently rebuked me, saying, “You cannot do this; God will not honor it. If you do it, the day will come when someone will do it to you!” My ideas were squashed; I knew he was right. I was grateful he had the courage to stand against me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This was the context of that fateful January morning when God met me. Having a lot of time to meditate and meet with God, I realized what was growing in my heart. God spoke to me, “That church is your Isaac. You assumed all your future, your ministry, your worth is tied to it. You need to lay it on the altar and kill it!” Sitting with my head in my hands, weeping, I remember visually seeing the church on the altar and my hand killing it, putting the dream to death. Knowing it would never happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As the ashes of my dream settled around me, I felt drained, but strangely, at peace. Not knowing what God would do, I was more content in what He was doing! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But God was not done with me or my Isaac. I saw that God had been in everything that happened to me because He had something much different in mind and much greater! I can honestly say, what God worked was so much better that what I thought was best. As the old saying goes, “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him!”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">APPLICATIONS</span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Be obedient.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Be quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Be working. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Be watching. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We cannot read this story without seeing the parallels to the sacrifice of Jesus. God, the father, gave Jesus, His Son, to die upon a wooden cross, shedding His blood so that we could be forgiven. But after three days, He rose again, and is now in heaven praying for us!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-10738455830436484542021-04-10T19:23:00.005-07:002021-04-10T19:28:03.565-07:00THE YEAR OF ISAAC<p> THE YEAR OF ISAAC</p><p>At the beginning of this year, I was reading in Genesis and read again the story of Isaac. I believe that the Lord whispered to me that this was going to be the “Year of Isaac”. Isaac means ‘laughter’. I took that to mean that joy would return to us this year. Isaac received many blessings in his life; this will be a year of blessings. Isaac was a sacrifice, so God is calling us to a life of laying down our lives for Him this year. Isaac redug the wells his father had dug; we will resurrect old wells that have run dry. </p><p>As we go on after the Easter season, I want to revisit this whisper to see what God has in store for us this year. </p><p>TEXT Galatians 4:28 (NKJV) Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.</p><p>PRAYER</p><p>Isaac’s story...</p><p>God appears to Abraham</p><p>Abraham: Father of many nations</p><p>Stars of the sky; sands of the sea</p><p>Sarai barren; no heir</p><p>Son from your body</p><p>Hagar and Ishmael; not the one</p><p>Isaac was the Child of Promise</p><p>God appears again to Abraham…</p><p>Genesis 17:15–19 (NKJV) Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”</p><p>17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”</p><p>19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.</p><p>Genesis 17:21 (NKJV) But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”</p><p>The Lord and two angels pay a visit to Abraham. </p><p>Genesis 18:9–14 (NKJV) Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” 10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” 13 And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”</p><p>Isaac had a Miraculous Conception</p><p>Genesis 21:1–6 (NKJV) And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. 4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”</p><p>APPLICATIONS</p><p>What are some things that will happen in the “Year of Isaac”?</p><p>1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>God will give us promises.</p><p>Some may be old promises that spring up again. Some may be brand new. </p><p>2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We will try to make it happen with our ideas and our effort.</p><p>These efforts will fail; our dreams will die. </p><p>3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>God will bring to life those things that are dead. </p><p>How? Faith!</p><p>Romans 4:17–24 (NKJV) as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us.</p><p>4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>God will fulfill His promises with a miracle conception.</p><p>Faith, not flesh; life out of death</p><p>Notice: Isaac was conceived by natural means, empowered by God!</p><p>When we surrender our will and our desires and our abilities and our strength, God takes over and empowers our efforts so that what used to be futile is now fertile!</p><p>MINISTRY TIME</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-45830516528664412722021-04-03T16:56:00.000-07:002021-04-03T16:56:04.223-07:00EASTER 2021<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">EASTER 2021</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I want to begin today by making a simple declaration. I am not going to try to prove it to you; I am not going to argue the point; I am not leaving it up for debate. It is a declaration based on the veracity of the Bible, God’s holy Word. Here it is. Are you ready?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is alive! He is risen from the dead. He is ascended into heaven; He is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He is praying for us right now!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now here is a second declaration that is just as valid. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is alive and because He lives, I live also!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 14:19 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">you will see Me. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Because I live, you will live also.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 8:11 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But if the Spirit of </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He who raised Christ from the dead <span style="color: #c00000;">will also give life to your mortal bodies </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">through His Spirit who dwells in you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus conquered the devil. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 2:14–15 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death <span style="color: #c00000;">He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 15:54–57 (NKJV): </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">54c Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “<span style="color: #c00000;">O Death, where is your sting? O Hades (hell, grave), where is your victory?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now here is the main point of today’s talk: <b>If Jesus can conquer the devil, death, hell, and the grave, then I can conquer _____! <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 1:12 (KJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But as many as received him, to them <span style="color: #c00000;">He gave power</span></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Say that with me: <b><i>He gave them power…!<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The word power means right and authority. We have authority over whatever is defeating us, bothering us, battling us. We have power!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but <span style="color: #c00000;">we shall live with Him by the power of God </span>toward you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in <span style="color: #c00000;">demonstration of the Spirit and of power,</span> 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">How do we appropriate this power?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Look again at John 1:12 and add verse 13.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 1:12–13 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But as many as <span style="color: #c00000;">received</span> Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who <span style="color: #c00000;">believe</span> in His name: 13 who were <span style="color: #c00000;">born</span>, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but <span style="color: #c00000;">of God.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You pass through three areas to get in the power building. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The receiving dock: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As many as received him…</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Take it in<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Take possession<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The trust department: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To those who believe in His name…</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Trust in; cling to; rely upon<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Have faith<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 3:16 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Son, that whoever <span style="color: #c00000;">believes</span> in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The delivery room: </span></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Who were born of God…</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 3:3 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">unless one is <span style="color: #c00000;">born </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">again,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> he cannot see the kingdom of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:17 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, <span style="color: #c00000;">he is a new creation;</span> old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So are you ready to receive, believe, be born again? Are you ready to walk in the power of Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have been </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but <span style="color: #c00000;">Christ lives in me;</span> and the life which I now live in the flesh </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I live by faith in the Son of God, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">who loved me and gave Himself for me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Remember… <b>If Jesus can conquer the devil, death, hell, and the grave, then I can conquer _____! <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8:37 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yet in all these things <span style="color: #c00000;">we are more than conquerors </span>through Him who loved us.</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-60550326272347685572021-04-03T16:54:00.004-07:002021-04-03T16:54:52.112-07:00GOOD FRIDAY 2021<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">GOOD FRIDAY 2021</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Let me tell you a story tonight…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Acts 8:26–39 (The Message)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">God’s angel spoke to Philip: “At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">27 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">28 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></sup></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">29 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">30 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></sup></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">31 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">32 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The passage he was reading was this: <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">33 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he’s been taken from the earth? <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">34 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">35 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></sup></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">36 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, “Here’s water. Why can’t I be baptized?” <sup>37</sup> Phillip said, “If you believe, you can.” He said, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God!” </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">38 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">39 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn’t mind. He had what he’d come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The passage he was reading from was Isaiah 53. Let’s read from it together. Isaiah describes what Jesus did on the Cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Isaiah 53:1–12 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">2 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">3 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">4 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Surely, He has borne our griefs (also pains) and carried our sorrows (also sicknesses); yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">5 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">But He was wounded for our transgressions (individual sins), He was bruised for our iniquities (inborn sin); the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">6 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">7 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">8 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people, He was stricken. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">9 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">And they made His grave with the wicked— but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">10 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">11 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">He shall see the labor of His soul and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">12 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">John 1:29 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">WATCH THE LAMB<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Walking on the road to Jerusalem that day,<br />The time had come to sacrifice again,<br />My two small sons, they walked beside me on the road,<br />The reason that they came was to watch the lamb.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">"Daddy, daddy, what will see there,<br />There's so much that we don't understand",<br />So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham,<br />Then I said, "dear children watch the lamb".<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">"There will be so many in Jerusalem today,<br />We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away",<br />And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham,<br />Then I said, "dear children watch the lamb".<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">When we reached the city,<br />I knew something must be wrong,<br />There were no joyful worshipers, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">No joyful worship songs,<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men,<br />Then I heard the crowd cry out, "Crucify Him".<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">We tried to leave the city, but we could not get away,<br />Forced to play in this drama a part I did not wish to play,<br />"Why upon this day were men condemned to die?<br />Why were we standing here, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Where soon they would pass by?".<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">I looked and said, "even now they come",<br />The first one cried for mercy, the people gave him none,<br />The second one was violent, He was arrogant and loud,<br />I still can hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd,<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Then someone said, "There's Jesus",<br />I could scarce believe my eyes,<br />A man so badly beaten, He barely looked alive,<br />Blood poured from His body, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">From the thorns upon His brow,<br />Running down the cross, falling to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">I watched Him as He struggled,<br />I watched Him as He fell,<br />The cross came down upon His back, the crowd began to yell,<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">In that moment I felt such agony,<br />In that moment I felt such loss,<br />Till a Roman soldier grabbed my arm<br />and screamed, "You, carry His cross".<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">At first, I tried to resist him,<br />Then his hand reached for his sword,<br />So I knelt and took the cross from the Lord,<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">I placed it on my shoulder and started down the street,<br />The blood that he'd been shedding<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Was running down my cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">They led us to Golgotha,<br />They drove nails deep in His feet and hands,<br />Yet upon the cross I heard Him pray<br />"Father, forgive them".<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Oh, never have I seen such love in any other eyes,<br />"Into thy hands I commit my spirit"<br />He prayed and then He died,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">I stood for what seemed like years,<br />I'd lost all sense of time<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Until I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine,<br />My children stood there weeping, I heard the oldest say,<br />"Father, please forgive us, the lamb ran away".<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">"Daddy, daddy, what have we seen here?<br />There's so much that we don't understand",<br />So I took them in my arms, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">And we turned and faced the cross,<br />Then I said, "Dear children, watch the Lamb"<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">John 19:16–18 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">17 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, </span></i><i><sup><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">18 </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Via Dolorosa</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> - Alba<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">COMMUNION<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-72872773107510702632021-03-27T19:48:00.003-07:002021-03-27T19:48:38.960-07:00MAKING JESUS CRY <p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MAKING JESUS CRY</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Have you ever walked in on your spouse or kids and found them crying? You ask, “What’s wrong” and they say, “Nothing!” Now we know something or someone is making them cry. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When we look at the story of Palm Sunday and the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, there were many emotions: joy, celebration, resentment, indignation, hope. But there was one other emotion dominating the scene: Jesus is crying. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">19:41 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="color: #c00000;">Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it,</span></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, we will ask “Why” and see what God wants to speak to us individually and collectively. As W. H. Griffith Thomas, the co-founder of Dallas Theological Seminary, has said, “Let us sit at Christ’s feet until we learn the secret of His tears, and beholding the sins and sorrows of city and countryside, weep over them too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">PRAYER<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke is the only Gospel author who records Jesus crying at the Triumphal Entry. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John records Jesus crying at the tomb of Lazarus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 11:33–39 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. <sup>34</sup> And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” <sup><span style="color: #c00000;">35</span></sup><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus wept. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">36</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” <sup>37</sup> And some of them said, “Could not this Man, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” <sup>38</sup> Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">stone lay against it. <sup>39</sup> Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus was weeping over the shallowness of their lives, the unbelief that filled their hearts!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews tells us Jesus cried in the Garden of Gethsemane. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:7 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, <span style="color: #c00000;">with vehement cries and tears</span> to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus was weeping over the torture that was to come and the pain of separation from the Father. The thought of becoming sin terrified Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But we often don’t think about Jesus weeping at the Triumphal Entry. We talk about the celebration and the joy and the cheering. But we don’t consider Jesus crying. Luke makes it the point of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 19:28–44 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When He had said this, He went on ahead, going to Jerusalem. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">29</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">saying, <sup>30</sup> “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. <sup>31</sup> And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">32</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> So those who were sent went their way and found it just </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">as He had said to them. <sup>33</sup> But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” <sup>34</sup> And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” <sup>35</sup> Then they brought him to Jesus. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. <sup>36</sup> And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">37</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">rejoice and <span style="color: #c00000;">praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The first reaction: Seeing Jesus only as a miracle worker, a need meeter. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">38</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> saying: </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“ ‘<span style="color: #c00000;">Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The second reaction: Seeing Jesus as a future hope to bring freedom from oppression. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">39</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “<span style="color: #c00000;">Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.</span>”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The third reaction: Seeing Jesus as a threat to your power. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></sup></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">40</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the stones would immediately cry out.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></sup></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">41</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Now as He drew near, He saw the city and </span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">wept over it,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The real issue: Not realizing God had visited them to bring real life and real peace. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">42</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">your day, the things that </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">make for your </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. <sup>43</sup> For days will come upon you when your enemies will </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, <sup>44</sup> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">they will not leave in you one stone upon another <span style="color: #c00000;">because you did not know the time of your visitation.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus had come for them but they didn’t see it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">All of these things made Jesus weep. People wanted His acts but didn’t want Him. They didn’t realize they had sealed their own judgment. Some 40 years later the Romans would destroy the Temple and level the city. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">These things make Jesus cry today; they still break His heart. Focusing on gifts instead of the giver; rejecting His Lordship; not responding when He passes by.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He had tried to warn them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Luke 13:34–35 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! <sup>35</sup> See! </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Your house is left to you desolate; and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As I was reading these passages, this thought filled my heart: Do I make Jesus cry? Do I only worship Him because of what He can do for me? Am I just looking for a political victory, a social victory, a cultural victory? Am I doubting and indignant, demanding the worship stop? Do I recognize that my time of visitation is here?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We all need to ask ourselves this question: Do I make Jesus cry?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is visiting us today. He is passing by, wanting to meet us and transform us. Will we see Him? Will we meet Him?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">SONG: <i>I Hear the Lord Passing By<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-63343872806388353312021-02-28T06:42:00.001-08:002021-02-28T07:06:33.776-08:00WHAT EVERY KID NEEDS<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">WHAT EVERY KID NEEDS</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Many of you remember Joe McGee. He has spoken here on a number of occasions. He wrote a great book called <i>8 Things No Kid Should Leave Home Without. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are the eight things he listed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A Sense of Self-Worth<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Vision <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A Love of Math <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Organizational Skills and Time Management <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A Teachable Spirit <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Communication Skills <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Character <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A Sense of Humor<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">On many occasions, including on our honeymoon, Alba and I attended a great workshop on life called <i>The Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts. </i>These week long events talked about seven different areas where kids can develop a Godly life. These are: Design, Authority, Responsibility, Suffering, Ownership, Freedom, and Success. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As you can see, there are similarities in approaches to what kids need. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Raising kids is hard, but it is some of the most fun you can have! We all want to do a good job. We all want our kids to turn out right. Most of the time we are using on the job training. We read books, listen to teachers, go to conferences or small groups and we still wonder if it will all turn out right. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This year we have talked about God’s commands to Israel when they were in captivity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">29:4-7 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace, you will have peace.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The last couple of weeks we have talked about providing for your family during this time, like Israel was experiencing in Babylon. We have explored God’s plan for three generations of blessing. Valentine’s Day we talked about the amazing plan God has for couples. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, I want to speak about kids. Now, I am not an expert. Every time I think I know something about raising kids, I end up embarrassing myself and everyone else. I want to just share out of my heart. In the weeks to come, Alba, Sip, and Eddie will share some very practical things about how to set your kids up for the future. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">First, let me give you a promise…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Train up a child in the way he should go,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And when he is old he will not depart from it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is a powerful promise we can hold on to when it seems we are failing! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Train means to dedicate, educate, and motivate. We should touch his palate like a midwife to motivate him to pursue life!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The way he should go, literally, according to his way; i.e., his habits, his interests, his desires and ambitions. The instruction must take into account his individuality and inclinations and be in keeping with his degree of physical and mental development.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">One year as a principal a freshman came and said she wanted to graduate in two years. I just laughed and said it was impossible. The truth was, she was a great athlete and I wanted her around for four years. What happened? She lost all motivation and became a problem child. I should have let her go for it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What is God’s will for their life? Not what is our will. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As I thought about what kids need in life, I have come up with four. Allow me to talk about each of them for a few minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Unconditional Love<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">My kids and grandkids need to know that nothing can separate them from my love. Why? Because that is the way God loves them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 8:35–39 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">“For Your sake we are killed all day long;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Kids get their God image from us. We should relate to our kids the way God relates to His kids!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Meaningful Motivation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The best coaches are not necessarily those who have the best game plans or the best Xs and Os. The winningest coaches have the ability to motivate their players to perform above their natural ability. How do they do that?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They never require what they are not willing to do. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">B.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They give out what they desire. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">C.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They work to make those under him successful. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have the greatest son in law. Rapha is the greatest husband and father I could ask for. We were talking one day and I told him what a great dad he was. He said, “My whole life is working to put my kids in a position to be successful.” Wow; I almost started shouting. What a purpose in life. To make your kids successful. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Conditional Fellowship<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This may seem strange when we put this up next to unconditional love, but they are really two sides of the same coin. God’s love is unconditional, but His fellowship is conditional. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John 1:6 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We do our children a big favor if they learn that although our love is never failing, our fellowship depends on their obedience. If they want my fellowship and blessing, all they have to do is confess their sin. Just like God…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 John 1:9 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> If we </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">confess our sins, He is </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As a young teacher I was told I had a big dog house. And if you ever got in it, it was almost impossible to get out. This was not good. If kids get on our wrong side, there has to be a path back!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">instruction in righteousness, 17 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">that the man of God may be complete, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">thoroughly equipped for every good work.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Consistent Correction<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When I talk to young people about things they don’t like about parents and teachers, among the most mentioned is a lack of consistency in correction. One day they get the death penalty for what they got away with the day before. Now, we are not perfect; kids recognize that. We have good days and bad days. I have told my students that they have to develop the ability to read me and my stress levels. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As much as I want to be consistent, my responses are not always the same. Kids don’t mind if they know you love them. They want you to be consistent, not perfect. And when we blow it, we need to admit it and ask forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, that’s my list. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And it goes on even after our children leave the nest. The way the points are communicated and used may change, but I will still be their dad. We may move from boss and authority to counselor and friend, but I am still responsible to keep sowing into my kids.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What’s on your list? What have you learned about being a good parent? I encourage you to share with others what you have learned. You may have the key that will unlock their child. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Ministry Time<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Remember that this all in the context of Jeremiah 29. God was asking Israel to live in faith by prospering in captivity. It was a call to faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Israel’s foundation of faith was the Great Commandment. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hear, O Israel: </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">with all your soul, and with all your strength.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6 “And </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What was the outcome of all this? Blessings for the children!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Deuteronomy 6:10–12 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, 11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full—12 then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-13720751595444893082021-02-11T13:53:00.006-08:002021-02-11T13:53:55.675-08:00PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY Part Two, Happy Valentine's Day<p>PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY Part Two, Marriage, Happy Valentine’s Day</p><p>INTRO: Valentine’s Day can be tricky for a guy. I remember one instance, in particular, where I really dropped the Valentines Day ball! Alba story…</p><p>On this Valentines Day, I want to continue to talk about providing for your family during a time of trial. Today is about marriage. </p><p>Allow me to read the introduction to the marriage ceremony I wrote many years ago and still use today. </p><p>Today we have gathered here to celebrate a glorious occasion. This couple will enter into the beautiful covenant of marriage. Marriage is God’s idea and He still calls couples to hallow this sacred union at a holy altar and, in His presence and in the presence of witness, vow till ‘death do us part’! Through marriage God illustrates the mystical union between Christ and His church. Through marriage, God has ordained that two separate personalities merge into one brand-new creation. Through marriage, God has provided a crucible where He can mold the character of each into the image of Jesus Christ and demonstrate to the world the power of agape love! Through marriage, God has provided for joy, pleasure, comfort, companionship, security, provision, and hope. The Bible says, “He who finds a wife, finds a good thing!” Therefore, knowing what God has prepared for these in this wonderful union, let us now begin.</p><p>Marriage is God’s idea. </p><p>Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them.</p><p>Genesis 2:7 (NKJV) And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.</p><p>Genesis 2:18 (NKJV) And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”</p><p>The fullest expression of man being made in the image of God is in marriage. There is an exponential increase in the power of God when male and female come together in marriage.</p><p>Deuteronomy 32:30 (NKJV) How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had surrendered them? </p><p>Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NKJV) Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. </p><p>Listen to the rest of the story about Eve’s creation…</p><p>Genesis 2:21–24 (NKJV) And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. </p><p>Jesus declared this in the Gospels.</p><p>Mark 10:7–8 (NKJV) ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh’; so, then they are no longer two, but one flesh. </p><p>Paul declares it in his writings.</p><p>Ephesians 5:31 (NKJV) “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” </p><p>So, this singular expression carries with it the dynamic truth that the full expression of what God meant for mankind is manifested in marriage. That is why the devil hates it and tries to destroy every marriage.</p><p>We are in a marriage crisis in this country. Unmarried couples now outnumber married couples. Even among Christians the number of unmarried couples are growing exponentially. The very definition of marriage is being destroyed. Why? The devil knows that if he can destroy the Biblical marriage, the first institution that God created, he can ultimately defeat the church. Why? Because marriage is the picture of the church. The relationship of Jesus and the Church is a mystery that is lived out in full color before the world and demonstrates to the world the power of the union of Christ and the Bride. If that is marred, then people will lose the ability to see the power of a living Christ through his Church!</p><p>Listen to Paul again…</p><p>Ephesians 5:22–33 (NKJV) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. </p><p>A married couple is an expression of the power and purpose of God! There are three passages in the New Testament that deal in depth with the marriage relationship: Ephesians 5:21-33, Colossians 3:18-21, and 1 Peter 3:1-7. The context of all these passages deals with a larger picture of living out the Christian life. The context of the Ephesian passage is the spirit filled life; the context of the Colossians passage is the resurrected life; the context of the Peter passage is the obedient life. It is clear in each of these passages that the laboratory of the Christian life is the Christian home! It is there we learn to live out the transformed life Jesus gave us. We then take what we have learned in the laboratory and live it out on the main stages of life!</p><p>For some practical steps, let’s look at the Colossians passage. The theme is “Not carnality but Christ.” Now think about putting all these into practice in your marriage!</p><p>Live Out the Resurrected Life</p><p>Colossians 3:1–21 (NKJV) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. </p><p>Bury the Old Desires</p><p>5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. </p><p>Put Off the Old Man</p><p>8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. </p><p>Put on the New Man</p><p>12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. </p><p>14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body: and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. </p><p>The Christian Home</p><p>18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. </p><p>These instructions seem short, but the context gives them weight and structure.</p><p>Now this is the result…</p><p>Colossians 4:2–6 (NKJV) Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. </p><p>You see what happens? The things you have perfected in the home and in your marriage, you can now take to the world and demonstrate the power of a risen Christ in a life: the transformed life, the transformed marriage, the transformed home!</p><p>One of the greatest couples that Alba and I know are Richard and Barbara Peterson. They have ministered to literally thousands of couples through their local churches, Nova Shalom, Marriage Ministry International, and many others. But their ministry started with them in their marriage and in their home. They proved it out before they gave it out. Then their home because a place of ministry and healing to the wounded and hurting.</p><p>You can be that! God is not a respecter but persons. God can heal your marriage and your home and use it as a light to the world. On this Valentine’s Day 2021, let’s ask God to work a miracle in our homes so that the power of Christ living through a couple can be demonstrated to a jaded world that needs God’s love!</p><p>Now just a word to singles. You are not forgotten; you are not second-class citizens of the Kingdom. You have a special place as fully committed servants of the Lord God. You have the ability to serve God unhindered by the irresponsibility of a partner! Your spouse is God Himself and He never fails! You are a builder, perhaps a re-builder. God has special plans for you and special things for you to accomplish!</p><p>MINISTRY TIME</p><p><br /></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-90369398305812383722021-01-30T18:22:00.001-08:002021-01-30T18:22:53.088-08:00PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY Part One<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY Part One</span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The past several months have presented some opportunities that families have desired for some time. Parents wanted more time with their kids, so they have gotten to see them 24/7! Kids wanted more time out of school, so they have been out of school and at home now for several months! Grandparents wanted to see their families more, but often didn’t get to see them at all! Jeremiah has given us some very practical advice for us in these situations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah 29:5–7 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We have used this passage in 2021 to guide us in three areas of concentration: providing for ourselves, providing for our family, providing for our city. We have talked about taking care of ourselves, seeking the peace of our city, and praying for our city. Today, we start talking about providing for our family in 2021. We will team teach for the next several weeks and you will have the opportunity to hear from our entire staff and some guests along the way. We also have our XO Marriage Conference coming on February 12-13. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible teaches us that God ordained three overarching institutions: the family, human government, and the church. Some would say that Israel is another one, but I use the term “church” to include God’s people from every generation. As John stated in the book of Revelations:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Revelation 7:9–10 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What institution was established first? The family! God made Adam, but knew man by himself is not enough!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 2:18 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I will make him a helper comparable to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God made Eve for Adam. He gave Adam to Eve. They were the first generation. Children came as a result of their love and grandchildren would follow. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God is often identified as the God of multiple generations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Exodus 6:2–3 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the Lord. 3 </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God Almighty, but by My name </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lord, </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I was not known to them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">11:9 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">By faith he (Abraham) dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When God looks at a family, He sees three generations.</span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalms </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">128:6a </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Yes, may you see your children’s children…</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">17:6 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Willie George, founder of Church on the Move in Tulsa, recently turned the church over to his son, Whitney. He said that God showed him a vision of a three generation church: parents, children, grandchildren. Each generation begins a new cycle. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Before we go on, let me deal with some questions and exceptions. I want this to be an encouraging word, not a word causing pain or fear. If you do not have children or are not married, God has a special plan for you. I will address this at the end of the message. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah talks about three generations: husbands and wives, children and their spouses, and grandchildren. This three generation formula is a pattern repeated throughout Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2 Timothy </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:3-5 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> What is the responsibility of each generation? Now look again at verses 5 and 6…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah 29:5–6 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">First generation: Build the house. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Build the house literally.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Provide physically.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-left: 1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It doesn’t have to be fancy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 15:16 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>ii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Provide financially.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">13:22a </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>iii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Provide emotionally. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 15:17 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Better is a dinner of </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Build the house generationally.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Get married.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>ii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Have children. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Marry your kids off. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Encourage them to have kids <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Marry them off. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 2.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Increase the herd!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Build the house spiritually.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3:11-15 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Make Jesus the foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Get saved. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Live it out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>ii.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Build on it <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lead your kids to Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Make it natural. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 2.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level5 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Make it consistent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 3.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level6 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -3.0in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Not perfection<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 2.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level4 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lead your grandkids to Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Second generation: Repeat<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Joel </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1:3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, And their children another generation.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They become the first generation of a new house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They build on your legacy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Third generation: Repeat<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They are the second generation of their parents.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.5in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They build on the grandparent’s house and their parent’s house. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They become the first generation of a new house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And the legacy goes on and on! This story from Dr. Larry Peyton illustrates the power of this truth. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14pt;">Jonathan Edwards, was a Puritan Preacher in the 1700s. He was one of the most respected preachers in his day. He attended Yale at the age of thirteen and later went on to become the president of Princeton. He married his wife Sara in 1727 and they were blessed with eleven children. Every night when Mr. Edwards was home, he would spend an hour conversing with his family and then praying a blessing over each child. Jonathan and his wife Sarah passed on a great, godly legacy to their eleven children.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14pt;">An American educator, A.E. Winship, decided to trace the descendants of Jonathan Edwards almost 150 years after his death. His findings are remarkable, especially when compared to another man from the same time period known as Max Jukes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14pt;">Jonathan Edwards’ legacy includes: 1 U.S. Vice-President, 1 Dean of a law school, 1 dean of a medical school, 3 U.S. Senators, 3 governors, 3 mayors, 13 college presidents, 30 judges, 60 doctors, 65 professors, 75 Military officers, 80 public office holders, 100 lawyers, 100 clergymen, and 285 college graduates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14pt;">How may this be explained? Edwards was a godly man, but he was also hard working, intelligent and moral. Furthermore, Winship states, “Much of the capacity and talent, intensity and character of the more than 1,400 of Edwards’ family is due to Mrs. Edwards.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14pt;">Max Jukes’ legacy came to people’s attention when the family trees of 42 different men in the New York prison system were traced back to him. He lived in New York at about the same period as Edwards. The Jukes family originally was studied by sociologist Richard L. Dugdale in 1877.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14pt;">Jukes’ descendants included: 7 murderers, 60 thieves, 190 prostitutes, 150 other convicts, 310 paupers, and 440 who were physically wrecked by addiction to alcohol. Of the 1,200 descendants that were studied, 300 died prematurely.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14pt;">Dr. Peyton goes on: Surely "goodness and mercy" shall follow those who follow the Lord. Which will you leave behind to your family and friends - Blessings or Curses? Leave more than money behind when you leave this planet. Leave a legacy of blessings more valuable than gold such as unconditional love, faith in God and His Word, forgiveness, commitment, honesty, moral excellence, the value of hard work, love for family, church and country and the practice of daily prayer. Your best sermons will be preached when you are gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now, let me deal with those special situations I mentioned at the beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You may not have children, or cannot have children. You are not left out. God will use you to touch a multitude of children and grandchildren through other ways. A few years ago, our football coach had no children at the time. God spoke to him and told him to look at his team. The majority of the young men did not have a father in the home. God gave him a new calling: Father these boys!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You may be unmarried or widowed. Listen to Paul’s instructions…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1Timothy </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:14 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore I desire that the younger widows (those under sixty) marry, bear children, manage the house…</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I know many of you are laughing! But this shows God’s heart for the family.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Some are estranged from the children and grandchildren. What can you do? Pray. Pray for them. Pray for a reconciliation. Pray for their salvation, God’s fullness and power to touch them. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">James </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">5:16 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Illustration: Funeral at Ft. Hancock yesterday…<o:p></o:p></span></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-86997423098467707462021-01-21T14:41:00.013-08:002021-01-24T07:30:32.603-08:00PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF THE CITY<p><b>PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF THE CITY</b></p><p>Last week we began to talk about seeking the peace of the city we are in. Jeremiah had commanded the exiles in Babylon to seek the peace of the city. We looked at some practical ways we could seek that peace. Today, we are looking at how to pray for the peace of the city.</p><p>Second, we are to ‘pray for the peace of the city’.</p><p>What kind of prayers? </p><p>1. Prayers for the Shalom of the city. The peace, prosperity, success, welfare, health, friendliness, deliverance, salvation, completeness, soundness.</p><p>2. Prayers for the leaders.</p><p>1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.</p><p>3. Prayers against the strongholds of the city, the prince demons and principalities.</p><p>Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.</p><p>Daniel 10:13 (NKJV) But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. </p><p>Daniel 10:20 (NKJV) Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. </p><p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: auto;">In December of 1992, John Dawson, an internationally acclaimed speaker and the author of a classic book on spiritual warfare entitled TAKING OUR CITIES FOR GOD, visited El Paso. After studying the history of our city and touring the area, he did a presentation on the demonic strongholds affecting us, even to this day.</span></p><p>Insights about the spiritual forces of darkness affecting El Paso can be gained from a review of our past. Cities are influenced by prince demons who are territorial in nature. They rule over areas with a vengeance, bringing terrible results.</p><p>If one word was used to summarize the history of El Paso, it might be “sin.” Why? Money. But the Bible reminds us that “the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).”</p><p>As a border town, El Paso sold herself early into prostitution, adultery, gambling, alcohol/narcotics, corruption, prejudice, theft, violence, witchcraft and murder. In 1835, bounties were paid for Indian scalps. The early sheriffs were criminals who had the fastest guns. Elections and politics have been notoriously corrupt since the beginning. Santa Fe traders, the Army and the 49ers used El Paso as a place to satisfy their flesh. Gunfights downtown occurred with some regularity. Witchcraft was common.</p><p>The arrival of the railroad in 1881 brought a flood of immoral men and women. During Prohibition in the l920's, illegal liquor was smuggled through El Paso to cities across the nation. The Border Patrol reported that "hundreds" of smugglers were killed as well as 8 officers. Soon thereafter El Paso became a pipeline for narcotics. El Paso was branded as one of the four most wicked cities in the U.S. Brothels continued until 1937. Reform measures seemed futile so the KKK was actually invited to town. Before they were ejected, their members included 3500 El Pasoans.</p><p>Discrimination abounded. Only daughters of wealthy, Anglo, Protestant families were selected Sun Queen for 40 years. A black woman was not admitted to UT until 1955. In 1976, a Federal Judge ruled that El Paso schools discriminated against Hispanics. In response, Mexican American youth formed gangs. The conditions under which illegal aliens worked and lived were often disgraceful.</p><p>In 1977 a UTEP professor shocked the community by proclaiming that 15 to 20% of El Paso households receive a major portion of their income from illegal activities. The Mayor announced in 1980 that the city loses over $500,000 a year to employee theft.</p><p>It has been said that "El Paso & Juarez are Siamese twins joined together at the cash register". In addition, the heritage of Mexico directly affects El Paso. The combination of the mystical, loving Mexican Indians and the proud, religious, but not necessarily moral, Spaniards has spawned influences that are evident today on both sides of the border. In John Dawson's book he reports that first generation children born to white Spaniard fathers and Indian mothers were "born into a gap between two cultures. A son, for example, wanted to be like his father who was a proud, powerful conquistador, but the center of warmth and affection was his Indian mother.” This could affect many areas including their view of God the Father. Some other areas could include pride, adultery, and the role of women.</p><p>What is El Paso now reaping from the sin sown over the centuries?</p><p>Hardly a week goes by without the newspapers reporting another gang killing. For example, in one week in this year 9 teenagers were shot. Satanism is rampant in our schools. In two high schools it was reported that over 50% of the students are involved in satanic activities. Witchcraft continues to defile generations of families. Sexual immorality, including adultery and incest, continues to break homes and scar lives. Thefts, particularly automobiles, have reached epidemic levels. Drugs continue to pour through El Paso, killing thousands of our brothers and sisters each year throughout the U.S. Juarez, in addition to being the 24-hour divorce capitol, was the abortion slaughterhouse for North America. </p><p>How do we break the power of the enemy here in our city?</p><p>Luke 10:17–20 (NKJV) Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">2 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">10:3-4 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Ephesians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">3:10 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The children of Israel were given the land of Canaan, but they had to go in and possess it. The land was full of enemies; they had to be driven out. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Joshua </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">1:2-3 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The giants in the land must be driven out. We have the power and authority, but we must take it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Name it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Defeat it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Claim it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Caleb: I want that mountain!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">MINISTRY TIME<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div><br /></div>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-24905069976204018602021-01-16T19:59:00.003-08:002021-01-21T14:47:23.134-08:00SEEK THE PEACE OF THE CITY<p> <b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">SEEK THE PEACE OF THE CITY</span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As Christians, what is our responsibility for the place where we live? Historically, there has been five basic responses. Dr. Jeff Myers lists them for us. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Leave the secular things to the sociologists and we will take care of spiritual things.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Cities are not worth redeeming. The church is just about rescuing souls from hell.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. We really can’t change the cities. We have to work on just changing people.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. Our only concern should be for the church. The city can take care of itself.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. The church should be actively engaged in their city and increase their influence. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I have encountered all of these attitudes over the years, often in me! All these views are probably represented in our church this morning!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What does the Bible say? We have looked this year at three areas of concentration: providing for ourselves, providing for our family, providing for our city. These come from Jeremiah 29. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">29:4-7 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today, we are looking at providing for our city. In the next few weeks we will take a deep dive into providing for our families. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Look at the last verse again. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">29:7 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">First, we are to <i>‘seek the peace of the city.’</i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Seek means to actively inquire, request, pursue. It is a command; it is something we must do. Why? If the city has peace, we have peace. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12:18 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Peace here means more than no war or fighting. It is the Hebrew word, <i>Shalom</i>. It means peace, prosperity, success, welfare, health, friendliness, deliverance, salvation, completeness, soundness. It is used three times in this passage. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">How do we bring that about here in our city? Isaiah has some answers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 58:6–12 (NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Is this not the fast that I have chosen:</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">loose the bonds of wickedness,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To undo the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">heavy burdens,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To let the oppressed go free,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And that you break every yoke?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">7</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Is it not </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">cast out;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">your own flesh?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">8</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">pointing of the finger, and </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">speaking wickedness,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">10</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">darkness shall be as the noonday.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">11</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You shall be like a watered garden,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Those from among you<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Shall build the old waste places;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Restorer of </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Streets to Dwell In.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Isaiah 61:4 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">To be totally honest, this is the vision of our church, Restoration Fellowship, </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>restore, refresh, rebuild</i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. Where? Not inside our walls, but outside these walls, in the community. Listen to Jesus…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mark </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2:15-17 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">13:12-16 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV) </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: medium; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">MINISTRY TIME</span></b></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107223372877205387.post-82037043108859766892021-01-09T20:15:00.002-08:002021-01-09T20:15:18.428-08:00YOU GOTTA TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF<p><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">YOU GOTTA TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF</span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah 29:5–7 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace, you will have peace.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Provide for yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Provide for your family.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Provide for your city.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today: You gotta take care of yourself.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 22:39 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And the second is like it: </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This seems out of order. Our focus as believers is always taking care of of others. An old epigram says JOY is Jesus first, others second, yourself last. Jesus recognized that the healthier we are, the more we can help other people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">TEXT 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1. Keeping your spirit healthy.</span></u></b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Galatians 6:7–8 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">everlasting life.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This is the law of sowing and reaping. You have to sow seed to reap a harvest. How do you sow to your spirit? You sow spirit seeds. What are some sprit seeds?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus’ words are spirit seeds.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">John 6:63 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> It is the Spirit who gives life; the </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">flesh profits nothing. The </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Prayer is spirit seed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jude 20 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 8:26 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">the Spirit Himself makes intercession </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 14:14 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy Spirit is spirit seed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans 8:16 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">2. Keeping your soul healthy.</span></u></b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">life.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Heart tests: Think test, Talk test, Treasure test.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3 John 2 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">How to keep your soul healthy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Keep short accounts with God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Psalm 32:3–4 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Keep short accounts with people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 5:23–24 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mark 11:25–26 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Unforgiveness leads to bitterness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 12:14–15 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">fall short of the grace of God; lest any </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Bitterness has the ability to wipe out all the things God is doing in your life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3. Keeping your body healthy.</span></u></b><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Give your body to God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">12:1 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Treat your body as the Temple of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Paul has much to say about this in the book of First Corinthians. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">3:16–17 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">6:12–20 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">15</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">18</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">9:27 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus had an interesting observation about a healthy body. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 6:22–23 (NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is </span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;"></span></i><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Your eye is your purpose or goal or vision. A healthy goal makes for a healthy life. People work for their goal or purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">29:18 </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">(NKJV)</span></i></b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">ACTION STEPS</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Be honest with yourself: Where am I not healthy?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Decide to make a change. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What is one new thing I can do to grow spiritually?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What is one new thing I can do to develop my soul?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What is one new thing I can do to make my body healthier?<o:p></o:p></span></p>GW280http://www.blogger.com/profile/11904920713109464239noreply@blogger.com0