tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8174294584214292782024-03-13T07:43:30.752-07:00Walking in the ValleyReflections of a PastorThrough the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-37182835425540455802024-03-07T18:51:00.000-08:002024-03-07T18:51:26.434-08:00Sermon Notes 2-25-2024 Emanuel Reformed CHurch<p> <b style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">Sermon <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Are We Ashamed?</b></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">Today we are going to begin a journey through Lent. Although last week was the first Sunday of Lent I was finishing up a series from Genesis on Getting Back to the Basics. So today we begin our journey through Scripture to lead us to Easter Sunday. </p>
<p style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="color: black;">The Scripture today is preceded by Jesus asking the disciples who people said He was and their response. Jesus then asks the disciples who do they say He is and Peter replied that Jesus was the Son of the Living God. They are in Caesarea Philippi which is a haven for pagan worship, so this statement from Peter is one that came from heaven and not from human means. Listen to what the Scripture speaks to in the few verses prior to today’s text: </span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>27</sup></i></b></span> Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, <span style="color: #800002;">“Who do people say I am?”</span> <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>28</sup></i></b></span> “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>29</sup></i></b></span> Then he asked them, <span style="color: #800002;">“But who do you say I am?”</span> Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>30</sup></i></b></span> But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. In Matthew 16:16 and 17 we read the following: <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>16</sup></i></b></span> Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>17</sup></i></b></span> And Jesus answered him, <span style="color: #800002;">“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">So this sets the background for today’s text. Let us review it together!</p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>31</sup></i></b></span> Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. </p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Jesus tells them He must (has to):</p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Suffer</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Be rejected</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Be killed</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>And be raised from the dead</li></ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>This is important because Peter has made a confession that they believed or at least he knew that Jesus was the Messiah or the Christ that they had long awaited for and now Jesus was telling them He would be lowered down or humiliated in manner that did not make sense to Peter.</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Jesus will tell Peter why when Peter approaches Jesus — notice Jesus knew what Peter was thinking and what he was going to say before He even pulled Jesus aside!</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Let us see that encounter in the next few verses …</p>
<p style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;"><b></b><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>32</sup></i></b></span> As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand (rebuke) him for saying such things. </p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Peter took Jesus aside and did not rebuke Jesus in public. </li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>The word rebuke means to warn someone forcefully with a strong disapproval and with heated words. In this case it is used for personal scolding where Peter takes Jesus aside and with heated words tries to turn Him from His path.</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>No matter how well intended Peter was and just after calling Jesus the Messiah we see Peter’s mindset and thoughts as that of the world and what he desired instead of what God desired.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Let us continue on and see what Jesus says in response to Peter …</p><p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #800002; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>33</sup></i></b></span><span style="color: blue;"> Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded (rebuked) Peter. </span>“Get away from me, Satan!”<span style="color: blue;"> he said. </span>“You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”</p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Wow! Jesus had just a few verses earlier lauded Peter’s heavenly wisdom and now Jesus is calling Peter Satan or at least telling Peter that his thoughts are more in line with the human point of view which is Satan’s point of view and not God’s! </li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>However, when looking at the Greek in this text we see that this rebuke was not only to Peter, but to all the disciples. It was a teaching moment to say that when we follow Christ we need to leave our thoughts and desires behind to follow Him. I use this verse so much but Galatians 2:20 states that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior: <span style="color: blue;">We have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. And the life we now live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us.</span> </li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Commit to Jesus and allow Him to be our Lord and Savior</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Surrender to Jesus and make Him our Lord and Savior over everything in our life!</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #800002; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>34</sup></i></b></span><span style="color: blue;"> Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, </span>“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. </p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Jesus then explains how we can accept, commit and surrender to Him but taking up the cross and following Him. Therefore, Jesus’ command to “take up your cross and follow Me” is a call to being humble and willing to sacrifice everything to live for Jesus not for ourselves. One must be willing to die in order to follow Jesus. Dying to self (our desires and our biases and our agendas) is an absolute surrender to God.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #800002; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>35</sup></i></b></span> If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. </p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>When we try to live for the world and live out our own desires and wants then have we really committed and surrender to Jesus? So many want to have one foot in the water and one foot on dry land! We need to jump in the deep in folks and allow Jesus to control our whole life! </li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>That is hard because it no longer becomes about us, but it becomes about Him! Everything we do centers around what Jesus desires for you and me — even if He desires something we don’t like.</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Let me say there is not an aspect of our life that Jesus doesn’t want to be a part of and consulted about! We should be seeking Him for everything in our life. Prayer and seeking His will is what we have to do to surrender our life to Him!</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #800002; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>36</sup></i></b></span> And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? <span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>37</sup></i></b></span> Is anything worth more than your soul? </p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>We can be successful by worldly (Satan’s) standard but we look our very soul, meaning we lose our eternal life! So many today are rejecting Jesus to seek the pleasures and fortunes of this world to only in the end lose their soul to hell! It doesn’t we don’t strive have a good life here on earth — but a truly great life is one that has us living for Jesus and Him guiding our paths. Then even when life isn’t what we want it to be we are told at Proverbs 3:5 and 6 that he will make straight our paths!</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="color: #800002; font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>38</sup></i></b></span> If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”</p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Today’s message is titles Are We Ashamed? And this is the verse that speaks to that. When we live for ourselves we place the emphasis on us and not on Jesus! </li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Jesus tells us that anyone who is ashamed of me in these adulterous and sinful days (boy that describes today to a tee) He will be ashamed of us when He returns to call us home!</li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16.8px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Are we living a life that we are surrendering to Jesus or are we just surrendering what is convenient and harmless to our easy and comfortable lives? Are we willing to live for Jesus or live for ourselves? The choice is ours — which do we choose this morning?</li>
</ul>Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-10739361868014414462021-08-24T07:48:00.009-07:002021-08-24T07:52:09.048-07:00Sermon on Colossians 1: 1 — 2<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today we begin the journey that will lead us through Paul’s Epistle to the church of Colossae or the book of Colossians. In J. Vernon McGee’s Thru the Bible Commentary of Colossians he writes the following, “The Prison Epistles include Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and the very personal Epistle to Philemon. These four are companion epistles and together have been called the anatomy of Christianity, or the anatomy of the church. We can see that the subjects of these epistles cover all aspects of the Christian faith:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Ephesians is about the body of believers called the church, of which Christ is the head.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Colossians directs our attention to the head of the body who is Christ. The body (church) itself is secondary. Christ is the theme.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Philippians shows the church walking here on earth. Christian living is the theme; it is the periphery of the circle of which Christ is the center.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Philemon gives us Christianity in action. We would say it is where the rubber meets the road … It demonstrates Christianity worked out in a pagan society.”*</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This information from Rev. J. Vernon McGee is very valuable to us here this morning.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During today’s sermon and through the next few week’s sermon series I want all of us to focus on a few questions that will help us see this text better. During the week I pray you will be reading and studying through Colossians asking these questions found on the screen as you prepare for Sunday morning worship. Question 1 is simply: Why did Paul write to the church of Colossae? In all of Paul’s letters he is writing to address a specific need or specific problem in that church. This letter is no different — There was a reason concerning some event that is taking place in the church of Colossae or there is a need be addressed in this letter. Question 2: What is the major and background theme of this book? In other words can we find single theme that runs through this book that connects all the dots. Question 3 is simply: Who is the major character or characters in this Epistle and who are the minor characters? And finally Question 4: What can I learn from this text that will help my walk of faith to be empowered and move me to live more like Christ?</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So let us join together as I will be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible today. If you have a Bible I would ask you to read along even if it is another translation. It would be great if you brought your own Bible with you each week so you can take notes and mark in it if you so desire. However, if you don’t have a Bible with you, you can use one of the pew Bibles. Join me in prayer as we prepare to hear the Word of God given to us by our Heavenly Father! Let us pray…</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Review:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just to speak quickly to the first question concerning why Paul is writing this letter to the church of Colossae we need to look at what is happening in the area of the city of Colossae. Paul has learned from Epaphras that the church at Colossae of whom he is the minister has drifted away from the original Christian teachings. They had been mixing other religions such as the Jewish tradition of the church and the Gentile tradition of the church together, which had created a hybrid mixture of Christianity which did not at all adhere to the original teaching of the church. Now, we will address this further next week but that is happening today. One example is the way society is entering into the church and the church is oblivious it has become more like society than what the Scriptures teach.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>1</sup></i></b></span><b> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother: </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Epaphras started the church at Colossae. When he comes to Paul explaining what is going on in the church Paul writes a letter to the church and the church takes note of this Apostle writing specifically to them. Many times a pastor can say something to the church and they just don’t receive it, but when someone else says it and it can even be the same thing it can have a major impact. (ex. Stan Hankins and I preaching the same text and using the same points a few years ago — we didn’t plan it but it just happened — and the people received Stan’s messages and not mine)</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Apostle = divinely sent teacher</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Doing God’s Will is also like a man leaving his father and mother and taking a wife and they become one. Not in an erotic way but they are now so interwoven and interconnected that they are seen as one by people they come into contact with. When we come to point of truly and totally living for Christ our life should reflect this same manner where people cannot see us without seeing Jesus living and working in us and through us. We should be one not only with Christ but live as one with Christ in such a manner that others see Christ in us!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Will of God = Paul saw that the Will of God for His life was being an Apostle. God’s Will in this manner is that it is by the Will of God that Paul is called as an apostle. He is now a divinely sent teacher to the Gentiles first and others as well. We are called to seek God’s Will for our life as well. We all have gifts that we are to use within our life and within the life of the church? Not one person here today or joining those who are joining us online is without a gift to be used to glorify God! So I ask all of us are we using our gifts for the Lord or are we just letting those gifts remain dormant and not allowing the glory of God to be exhibited and seen in us — understanding that the glory is to go to Him and not us! The Will of God sometimes means that we will have to suffer for our Lord as found in 1st Peter 3:17: <i>For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.</i> Also we read in 1st Peter 4:16: <i>Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.</i> (In His Steps)</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A simple question we should be asking ourselves individually and as a church is what are we doing to advance the Gospel in the world around us and within the church? Something our elders and myself need to spend some time on!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>2</sup></i></b></span><b> To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers. Grace to you and peace from God our Father. </b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul is informed that these are faithful brothers and sisters in the faith. I like the fact that he doesn’t beat them up as if they are heathen or rebels of the faith, although they are drifting from the true Christian faith as it began, but he speaks to their faithfulness to God. We should not attack one another — we should strive to work together to bring glory to our Lord and Savior by spreading the Good News to the world!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Grace to you and peace from God our Father” — This phrase from Paul as he has used in many of his writings is so amazing to me and one that we must not overlook. In this simple phrase, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” He is basically saying that I am writing or coming to you as a representative of Jesus Christ and God the Father. This is not me speaking of my own accord but of the Father speaking through me. Brothers and sisters we do not anything for the Lord of our own accord, but of His divine intervention into our lives. When we say, “That is not my gift,” or “I can’t do that,” and I have done that in my life — we are saying that God cannot intervene on our behalf to help us to reach out to others to find Jesus Christ or encourage others in their walk of faith! Paul always knew nothing he did was from his own doing, but directed and completed by the power of the Lord through the Holy Spirit. We need desperately to lay claim to this simple fact in our lives here today.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In addition, notice Paul doesn’t say, “God my Father” but “God our Father!” This simple word “our” is so key in that it is letting them know that he is one of them and not above them in the walk of faith! This is a very strong point of Paul to show his humility (compare this to when he was persecuting the church!). We must desire to be one (united in Christ) and also we need to be humble in our service to the Lord to each other!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I close today I know many of you may be saying man if we only get through 2 verses a week we are going to be in Colossians forever! We will go each week where the Lord leads us and if that is 2 verses it will be 2 verses — if He leads us through 10 verses it will be 10 verses. We are going to go at His pace not ours! So as we leave here today we must remember these key points from today:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We need to be living out God’s Will for our life — using our gifts for Him in our individual life and in the life of the church!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We need to make sure our lives reflect that Jesus is living in us and through us!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We need to be seeking to use our gifts in our daily lives, but just as important living them out in our church life to give Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body (Church), all the glory and honor and not seeking the glory for ourselves!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And finally we need to be humble in all that we do — making sure that everything we do and how we live points to Jesus and others and not to ourselves!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let us pray…</span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-indent: 0px;">* J Vernon McGee - Commentary on Colossians</span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-indent: 0px;">Scripture used is HCSB - </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"> </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/hcsb?ref=BibleHCSB.Ge9.8&off=0&ctx=+multiply+on+it.%E2%80%9D+a%0a~8%C2%A0Then+God+said+to+N" style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version.</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"> (2009). (Ge 9:8–10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><br /></p>Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-21818904649068830062021-08-24T07:46:00.001-07:002021-08-24T07:52:34.047-07:00Sermon on Colossians 1:19 — 23<p style="text-align: justify;">Let us join together as I will be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible today. If you have a <span style="font-size: medium;">Bible I would ask you to read along even if it is another translation. It would be great if you brought your own Bible with you each week so you can take notes and mark in it if you so desire. However, if you don’t have a Bible with you, you can use one of the pew Bibles. Join me in prayer as we prepare to hear the Word of God given to us by our Heavenly Father! Let us pray…</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross — whether things on earth or things in heaven.</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As we begin this week’s message we are walking through the supremacy and excellence of our Lord and Savior. We have been doing that since we started in verse 15 and will finish this point up today in our text. In verse 19 we are told that in Jesus the fullness or completeness of God was please to dwell! Now the word “dwell” means to abide permanently! Although Jesus was totally and completely human the fullness of God resided in Him. This is the mystery of Divine Nature and Human Nature found in Jesus Christ! Now to be honest I wish I could explain this to you, but it is not something that is easily explainable. However, look at the attributes of Jesus’ divine nature found in Scripture: </span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He knows everything </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He is everywhere</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He has all power</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Depends on nothing outside Himself for life</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Rules over everything</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Never began to exist or will never cease to exist</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He is the Creator</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Looking at Jesus’ Human nature which happened at the Incarnation when God became man we see these attributes:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He was born a baby from a human mother</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He became weary and tired</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He thirst</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He hungered</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He cried and was filled with sorrow</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">He lived on earth</span></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So although this may not explain all we need to know about God dwelling in His fullness in Christ Jesus we have all these attributes I explained found in the Scriptures.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 20 then speaks to through God’s fullness dwelling permanently in Christ Jesus that through Jesus God reconciled to Himself all things on earth and in heaven, making peace by the blood of His Cross. Notice it is God who reconciles us to Him, not Him reconcile to us! We are the sinner in need of grace! As the wonderful hymn says, “I once was lost, but now am found — was blind but now I see!” Through the grace of our Lord and Savior we are made right in the eyes of God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let us look closer at this in the next 3 verses:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions. 22 But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him —</span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love how the verses point out to the church of Colossae and to us here this morning that we were once alienated and hostile in our mind and in our actions toward God because of our evil nature or sinful nature before we came to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Before we come to know Christ we belong to Satan — not that may seem like a harsh statement but it is true. We are told at <b>Ephesians 6:12: <i>For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.</i></b> As we see in this text the battle is not against us and Satan, but between God and Satan for our soul! God desires that we come to know Him! We find this at<b> 1 Timothy 2:3 — 4 </b>where we read, <b><i>3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.</i></b> God desires for all to be saved, but it is up to us. He is reconciling our sinfulness to Himself by Jesus’ death on the cross! And He does this as we read in verse 22 in order to present us holy and blameless and above reproach before God! We cannot do this on our own, but by the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary we are deemed (redeemed) holy, blameless and above reproach before God! Hallelujah — Amen! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We have God, but does He have us? Totally, all of us? Have we given Him our time, finances, everything we own? Have we really given it to Him? Do we pray, earnestly pray, about every decision, in our life? Are we thankful for God’s goodness in what He has already blessed us with or are we still looking for the next thing that will thrill us & bring us supposed pleasure? Would God be pleased at why we do away from church & what we see on TV or our phones? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Now let us look at verse 23 together:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it. </span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul talks directly to the problem going on in the church of Colossae in this verse! They have shifted away from the hope of the gospel that they have heard Paul has proclaimed and others have proclaimed in all creation under heaven. The church of Colossae was being attacked to follow a different Gospel, much like is happening today. Today we see a watered-down Gospel — a Gospel that doesn’t want to mention sin or hell and the consequences of being a sinner — we hear God is a loving God and will not bring judgment on people or send people to hell (this is not Scriptural, but it is what people want to hear — and Paul spoke to this in <b>2nd Timothy 4:3 — 4:</b> <b><i>3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths).</i></b> We must stay sober-minded, enduring the suffering we will have when we remain true to the Word of God.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Brothers and sisters we are living in a time where the Gospel is looked at with scorn — where Jesus Christ is trying to be silenced — and where being a follower of Christ means we will be persecuted. I read this week that in Afghanistan if a person is found to have a Bible on their phone they will be executed on the spot. If they are a follower of Christ they will be executed on the spot! However, with that said we must not cave into the demonic world in which we are coming under attack, but we must remember who is in charge and who has our back — Jesus Christ! Let us make it our pledge to follow Him not matter what it might cost us — our job, friends, our finances, or maybe even our life! Our hope is not in this world but in the world to come! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let us pray…</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scripture used is HCSB - <span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/hcsb?ref=BibleHCSB.Ge9.8&off=0&ctx=+multiply+on+it.%E2%80%9D+a%0a~8%C2%A0Then+God+said+to+N" style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version.</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left;"> (2009). (Ge 9:8–10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.</span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-17720308328149231102021-08-24T07:35:00.006-07:002021-08-24T07:55:14.761-07:00Sermon on Colossians 1:18<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Colossians 1:18 — He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.</span></i></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I chose this week to preach only on this verse with my focus on the first part of the verse because it is so powerful and one that we need to reflect on in depth. Last week we discussed the second half of this verse and I will touch on it somewhat first and then move to the gist of today’s message. We read in the second half of verse 18 that, “He (Jesus) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.” We see that Jesus is the beginning (always was and always has been) — Jesus was the firstborn of the dead (the giver of eternal life). This has taken place so that Jesus might come to have first place in everything (including our life and the life of His church). Did you hear what I said Jesus must be first place in our life and in the life of His church! </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The very first part of this verse is so amazing and one that we need to take time to let sink in. Jesus is the head of the body which is the Church — HIS CHURCH. This is important to us because so many times churches and people who call themselves Christians do not live as if Jesus is the Head of the Church. (IN HIS STEPS) — we tend to think with our mind that we are living with Jesus as the Head of our life and the life of the church but our actions prove otherwise. We want to (1) do it our way or the way we always have done it, even if God desires differently; (2) we do things without prayerfully seeking God for direction or even if He wants us to do the program or project we are attempting to do — we must seek God through prayer, and (3) we must seek that what we are doing is in agreement with the Word of God — so many times our good intentions go counter to God’s Word — so many times how we live, how we think, how we treat others goes directly against God’s Word.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For Jesus to be the head of His Church here at Emanuel we must seek Him for all that we do — approaching Him in prayer for guidance and direction before we move forward. When He tells us to stop we must stop. When He tells us to move we need to move and not hesitate. We must realize nothing we have in the church and in our lives belongs to us, but they belong to Jesus if we know Him as our Lord and Savior. The family we have, the job we have, the money we have, the house we have, and I could go on and on are not ours, but given to us by our Lord and Savior! Our life and the life of the church should reflect this mindset of Jesus owning all we have and that Jesus is actively living in our lives and in the life of His church! Simply put Christ has to have first place in our life and in the life of the church. How do we go about this coming to fruition in our life and the life of the church? </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First, we must understand that our covenant that we made to make Jesus our Lord and Savior and to follow Jesus is not one to be taken lightly. We have made a promise to God that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and I am not sure we take that promise as seriously as we should. God is not looking for religious rituals or rule keepers, but He is looking for our obedience to follow Him out of love and adoration and indebtedness for what Jesus did for us on the Cross of Calvary! Do we realize Jesus died for our sins (removing them from our record) so that we could be seen righteous in the eyes of God — something we could not do on our own! In addition, God raised Him from the dead so that we have eternal life found in the firstborn of the dead (Jesus)! This is something none of us deserve, but God desired to give it to all who call on His name. Our gratitude for what Jesus has done for us should be reflected in the life we live for Him and allow others to see Him in us and through us. Our life should be a clean life verses a life lived in sin. Now, we will sin, but it should not be something we habitually do or desire in our heart. We are not loved by God because we have kept a few rules, but because we live our life for Him striving to stay true to the Word of God in how we live our life.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a church we need to make sure it even goes beyond our life, even to the appearance of the church. Let me give you an example. I shop at Food Lion and Walgreens quite a bit. In the area in which Sandy and I live there are 2 Food Lions and 2 Walgreens within 5 miles or so of our house. 1 Food Lion and Walgreens are right beside each other and the other Food Lion and Walgreens is across the street from each other. I shop at the Food Lion and Walgreens across from each other, even though it is farther away than the other two stores, because they are always clean, the people are super friendly, and the stores are hardly ever, if ever, in disarray. When I walk into a church, including Emanuel, I look at what things are like at the front door. Is it clean or cluttered? Are the people there greeting me with a smile and a genuine friendliness and the love of Jesus? And is the area that I see in my time in the church messy or disorderly? Many times you see this even before you come into the church as you drive into the driveway and parking lot as to whether things look disorderly and/or messy. Is the parking lot clean — are the shrubs kept up neatly — are the doors and windows clean and working in an orderly fashion — Am I being greeted outside or as I enter the door? Haggai 1:4 states, <b>Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?</b> Are we more concerned about the condition of our own house than the house of the Lord? Brothers and sisters it goes beyond the physical appearance of the church to the spiritual nature of the people within the church! As a church we need to make sure when people are entering God’s house they see that we take care to make sure it is kept up physically, but in addition, that we have our Spiritual house in order. We should have people in place to welcome and greet people with the love of Jesus. Jesus says at John 13:34 — 35, <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>34</sup></i></b></span><b> I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. <i>35</i> By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.</b> Do people see that when they come to Emanuel? Do they see the people of Emanuel loving one another and caring for and caring about each other? People can tell if that love is real or genuine! Are they greeted with the love of Christ so that they know we are His disciples? Is God’s House kept up or is it running down or wearing at the edges? Many think that God just wants us to be at a church, but listen to what God says in Hosea 6:6, <b>For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.</b> Did you hear that God desires our loyalty and the knowledge of God! The word loyalty means faithfulness and obedience. The knowledge of God is to truly know Him and His Word and they both speak to our love and faithfulness towards our Lord and Savior! And what about 1st Samuel 15:22 where we read, <b>Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.</b> As we can see God desires our worship to be one of obedience, faithfulness and a relationship other than ritual and rules. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally if you want further proof that Jesus must be the Head of our Church let us look at Ephesians 1:22 — 23 together: <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>22</sup></i></b></span><b> And He (God) put everything under His (Jesus) feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, </b><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>23</sup></i></b></span><b> which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way.</b> We see God has appointed Jesus Christ as Head over everything for the church and we see that the fullness of Christ who fills the church is what God desires for His Church! That is what He desires for His Church here at Emanuel. We also know from reading Revelation 1 — 2 that Jesus walks among the churches and is actively watching His churches! Think about that — right now Jesus is here amongst us actively watching what we are doing and seeing if He is the Head of Emanuel and if we are seeking Him for direction and guidance! This is a very powerful thought, but also a very humbling thought if we are not seeking Jesus as the head of our life and the life of His church here at Emanuel.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I close today, our challenge starts with making Jesus the Head of His church here at Emanuel. Now that may seem simple, but in reality it is so difficult to do. We want to continue doing things the way it has always been done even if it is secular instead of biblical. Why? Because it is comfortable and the way we are familiar with! However, if we will put Jesus at the Head of His church great blessings will flow and amazing things will happen! That is where I desire for us to go as a follower of God and as His church here at Emanuel — to make Jesus the Head of our life and the Head His church. To do that we must:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Get serious about our faith — it can no longer be a low priority in our life</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Get serious about our commitment we made to God when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior — We made a commitment to our Lord and we must keep it</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Get serious about our prayer life — prayer must become an important and integral part of our life and the life of the church</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Get serious about being in the Word of God and not just reading it but living it out in our life — like prayer this must become an important and integral part of our life and the life of the church</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And we must be willing to pray, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b><i>“Lord, I desire to be obedient to You and live for You so others can see You in me. I desire to do all I can to minister to people through YOUR church here at Emanuel. I desire to live for You and not myself. And Lord I desire for Jesus to be the Head of my life and the Head of His church here at Emanuel!”</i></b></span> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Brothers and sisters when we are willing to make that commitment — then great things will happen because Jesus will receive all the glory and honor as we live totally committed, we live sacrificially, we live obediently and we live faithfully for Him!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let us pray…</span></span> </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scripture used is HCSB - <span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/hcsb?ref=BibleHCSB.Ge9.8&off=0&ctx=+multiply+on+it.%E2%80%9D+a%0a~8%C2%A0Then+God+said+to+N" style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version.</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left;"> (2009). (Ge 9:8–10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.</span></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><p><br /></p>Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-46936060517934337292021-08-24T07:34:00.003-07:002021-08-24T07:55:54.396-07:00 Sermon on Colossians 1:15 — 18<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let us join together as I will be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible today. If you have a Bible I would ask you to read along even if it is another translation. It would be great if you brought your own Bible with you each week so you can take notes and mark in it if you so desire. However, if you don’t have a Bible with you, you can use one of the pew Bibles. Join me in prayer as we prepare to hear the Word of God given to us by our Heavenly Father! Let us pray…</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 15 through 17 are unique and somewhat difficult to understand. We see words and phrases like “firstborn,” “invisible,” “everything was created by Him,” “all things have been created through Him and for Him,” “He is before all things,” and “by Him all things hold together.” </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In verse 15 Paul is telling the church of Colossae that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Just what does this mean? Well, no one has ever seen God except for Jesus, so it is saying that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Now does this mean that Paul was saying that by seeing Jesus then God must look like you and me? Or was Paul speaking to Jesus’ nature and His holiness? I do find it interesting in Scripture other than the description of Jesus in heaven found in Revelation 1 we see very little spoken about His physical appearance. As one commentator put it, “In my study it is believed that the intent is not to focus on the appearance of Jesus, but on the Word of God!” I believe this gets right to the point of why we don’t see a physical earthly description of Jesus! We must remember Jesus spoke to the disciples and Philip at John 14:7 — 9 these words: 7 “If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” There is an intimacy in this conversation between Jesus, the disciples and Philip. Jesus uses the word “know” if you have known me you have known the father. He then goes on to say, “Those who have seen me have seen the Father.” He is saying if you have seen Me then you have seen the Father — we may get so stuck on the physical appearance in these words, but I believe Jesus is speaking to His spiritual nature — His compassion — His love for others — His obedience to the Father — His example of living a life for God! Jesus reveals God to the world and is the perfect manifestation or revelation of God. He was the exact likeness (the Greek meaning of image) of the very person of God. That is why we need to focus on our life witness and what others are seeing in us. Are they seeing a commitment to our spiritual life — our compassion for others — our love for others — our obedience to God the Father — are they seeing an example in us that points to Jesus? We need to strive to reach this life lived for Jesus — not out of strict rules and regulations, but out of our love for Jesus!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The second half of verse 15 can be somewhat problematic to some where we read, “…the firstborn of all creation.” Wait a minute I thought that Jesus was not created or born — yet we are reading in this verse the word “firstborn”. This doesn’t mean Jesus was born or created, but it speaks to Jesus’ supremacy over creation. Look what it says the firstborn over all creation. Jesus came to earth as our Lord and Savior and the Word says He is the over all creation. But we don’t need to stop there because verse 16 explains it better to us when we read, “For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Let us look at verses 16 and 17 together.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">16 For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today we have so many views of how the world was created. There is the theory that the world just sort of appeared out of nothing and out of nowhere. There is the theory of a big bang took place and the world came into being. Others believe that there was an evolutionary process that took place until the world came into existence. And then there is another theory that some god did create the world, but he is far off and removed from the world (this is the Gnostic view of creation). This view had seeped into the church of Colossae and it is prevalent today — many of these theories I just mentioned are believed today in the secular or humanist world and sadly has seeped into the church as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Scripture text here tells us that everything was created by Him whether in heaven or on earth, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — we see and it is shown to us a second time all things have been created through Him and Paul adds for Him. I love this because in a world that we feel we have no hope because of who is in charge we can rest assured that the thrones and dominions and the rulers and authorities were and are created by Jesus and for Jesus! He is in control and we need not forget that! If we are still unclear about this creation order and firstborn text in today’s text let us look closer at the Scriptures and see what they tell us concerning Jesus and His beginning. Turn with me to John 1:1 and read along with me, “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.” We can rest assured that Jesus is still in control of His creation and God is still on His throne! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As I was ready from the Life Application Study Bible Devotional this week I saw this statement made and it fits today’s text perfectly. The point the author made was, “If Jesus had been just a very good man, his life and death would have provided a great example of how a person should live. We could honor him and learn from his lifestyle. If Jesus had been only a great human teacher or orator, we could be motivated and inspired to work and achieve. But a great moral leader and powerful speaker can’t save us from our sins, can’t change us on the inside. Jesus can. As the divine Creator, He has the power to make us new.” What a great thought to know we have a Savior that can make us new!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In verse 17 we should notice what this verse says — He is before all things (He has always been — no beginning and no end — the Alpha and the Omega). He also holds all things together which means He is an active and living God within His creation which would discredit the Gnostic view of a God who was far off and not active in His creation. He is not someone who is sitting back waiting for things to come to an end, but actively watching over you and me and His world. God is in control.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today as we leave I want us to look at the world around us. In the last year and a half our world has been turned upside down. Just when we seem to get a good handle on COVID the Delta Variant comes along. Now many leaders are wanting us to go back to masks and some churches are even shutting down again. The economy is going crazy with prices skyrocketing in so many areas. Read the newspapers (if you dare) and you will see our cities have become a cesspool of crime and violence. The morals of the world has become so decadent, corrupt and sinful that it isn’t even funny. People are being pitted against one another like never before and it seems many want to stir the pot to keep the world in chaos. Yet, even with all these things happening all we have to do is rest our faith on these 3 Scriptures from today’s text. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So let us go away with these points from today’s Scripture that we can have hope and assurance instead of worry and fear (these are found in your bulletins):</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It is through Jesus Christ who reveals to us who God is to the world and we are to strive to become more and more Christ-like in the way we live for Him so we can reveal Jesus Christ to those around us!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus created this world and it was created by Him and for Him! So no matter how bad things look He is not asleep at the wheel, but He is actively watching — I am sure He is sad about how things are going, but He is still in control. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">God is not a god (with a little g) among other gods who is not actively engaged in His creation! God is actively and passionately involved in His creation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus holds all things together and is in control — God is still on His throne and Jesus is at His righteous right hand interceding on our behalf!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What hope we have to know that in this world, no matter how bad things get, we have a God who loves us and is walking with us in every step we take! He loves us and desires for us to have eternal life found in Jesus Christ!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If I could give one bit of advice to all those here today in our worship room and to those watching via the Internet is to start praying. Do what 2nd Chronicles 7:13 — 15 teaches where we read, “13 If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence (COVID or Delta Variant) on My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 15 My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place.” Let us make this our prayer each and every day from now on!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let us pray… Pray 2nd Chronicles 7:14 repenting of our nations sin as Job prayed for his children and Daniel prayed for the Jewish people while in exile!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Scripture used is HCSB - </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/hcsb?ref=BibleHCSB.Ge9.8&off=0&ctx=+multiply+on+it.%E2%80%9D+a%0a~8%C2%A0Then+God+said+to+N" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version.</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (2009). (Ge 9:8–10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.</span></span></p>Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-25653161965055805162021-08-02T13:43:00.006-07:002021-08-24T07:56:45.685-07:00Colossians 1: 9 — 14 Sermon August 1, 2021<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b><i><sup>9</sup></i></b></span><b style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; text-align: justify;"> For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul now turns his attention to another thing that they have been praying for the Colossians and that is that the church of Colossae would have the knowledge of God’s Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. This is a prayer we should be praying for each other and the leaders of this church and myself should be praying for the church. When Paul and his disciples prayed for the people of Colossae to be filled with the knowledge of God’s Will, they are asking that the church of Colossae be totally and completely connected to God. In addition, they are asking that the church be filled with all wisdom and understanding from God Himself through the Holy Spirit. They are praying that the church people have a wisdom, but they don’t stop there because they are also asking that this wisdom consist of spiritual understanding. Not just human wisdom but a spiritual understanding of God’s mysteries found in Scripture.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We need to understand that we do not receive this ourselves from our own knowledge, but from the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit! In all we do we need to pray for this teaching and guidance seeking God’s Will in everything we do leaning on the Holy Spirit for direction! How many of us do that here today? I know I fail at this because I get so full of myself that I think I know what to do — but in reality when I get in that mindset I begin to play God or at least take God out of the picture. That is why I feel this needs to be the prayer of the church today — to ask that God will fill us with the knowledge of His Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding — being connected as one with Him and seeking godly or spiritual wisdom and understanding over and above our own.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>10</sup></i></b></span><b> so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul asks for this spiritual understanding and wisdom so that we may walk worthy in the Lord; please God, bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is a lot to unpack in this verse so let’s take them one by one. When we come to have the spiritual understanding and wisdom as we walk in the Will of God we will walk worthy of the Lord. Why is this so? Because we are seeking God in all that we do — we are living for Him and not ourselves. Our attention is not on us or the glory we can receive but on our Lord and Savior and what glory and honor He will receive by the life we live for Him.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When our life is center on our faith in Jesus Christ and our life revolves around Him being the center of our life then this will please our Heavenly Father because we are living our lives for Him. And when we live our life in this manner we will bear fruit for Him and people will see Jesus living in and through us. They will see such traits as: <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>22</sup></i></b></span> love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, <span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>23</sup></i></b></span> gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22 — 23). Notice how these all flow together starting with our love for others. Love brings joy, which brings peace, which brings us patience, which then leads to kindness, then goodness, then faith, then gentleness and finally self-control. There is a progression to these traits or fruits of the Spirit. We must start with love, understanding love is not always agreeing with how one lives, but loving them because they are a child of God. We tend to think of one does not love another person if they disagree with their lifestyle or their sinful nature. This isn’t true we must love them but pray for a revelation in their life to show them their sin. Jesus did not condemn the prostitute, but did tell her to go and sin no more!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>11</sup></i></b></span><b> May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul and his disciples are praying for a lot of different things concerning the church of Colossae. In verse 11 they pray the church may be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might. Now notice this isn’t just any power but God’s glorious might. Paul has asked in prayer for them to have full and complete wisdom and spiritual understanding and now he tells why they need this godly wisdom and knowledge to be strengthened by God’s power and glorious might and that is to help them and us here today with all endurance, patience and joy. Which leads us to give total and complete thanks to the Father for it is by His doing that has enabled us to share in the eternal life found in Jesus — not us ourselves! We cannot achieve this lasting power without endurance and patience which leads to joy — the joy of obtaining eternal life. We are seeing it now how the church is not enduring or keeping patient when it comes to our Lord and Savior! Many churches are caving into the whims of society and the pressure to conform to what the world says we should believe and not believe. I am so concerned for our young people — they are going to be attacked so hard for their faith and if their faith is not solidly rooted in the purity of God’s Holy Word they will be swayed to follow whatever the world wants to teach them. And sadly this isn’t just happening to the youth of the world, but all other age groups. I have watched pastors and people profess to be Christians who totally reject the Word of God in they preaching and teaching of the Word and how they should live it out. Brothers and sisters we should be on our knees daily asking God to intervene and help us to stay true to His Holy and Sacred Word!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>12</sup></i></b></span><b> giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul continues in verse 12 to finish the thought of verse 11. He gives the rightful thanks to the Father who has enabled us to share with the fellow believers an inheritance (eternal life) in the light. We know or should know that we cannot receive eternal life on our own accord or by the things we do or say. We need a Redeemer and that Redeemer is Jesus Christ! He died on the Cross of Calvary to bear our sins upon His body and God raised Him from the dead to give those who asks Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savor the inheritance of eternal life! We can achieve this only by the grace of God and the love of Christ! Only through Christ can we obtain our salvation and eternal life!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>13</sup></i></b></span><b> He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love the visualization of this verse. I can see darkness versus light — good versus evil. Because of what Jesus did we are rescued from the domain that was planned for Satan and his evil angels [Hell] (darkness) and transferred to the kingdom of light to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! I love the word “rescued.” Rescued’s meaning in the NT is always “to save” with God as the subject and people as the object. In other words God is the one saving us — not we saving ourselves.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I feel so helpless when it comes to my salvation until I realize the meaning of John 3:16. For God so loved the world (you and me are included in that) that He gave (of his own choosing) His Son, that whosoever (anyone who) believes in Him will not perish (they will not die and be sentenced to Hell) but have everlasting and eternal life (a life spent in the presence of the Almighty). What a wonderful and amazing thought that verse is! God did not have to do this but chose to do so, so that we could have an eternal relationship with Him in His presence — that is too wonderful for me to comprehend!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>14</sup></i></b></span><b> We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 14 solidifies verse 13 when it says we have redemption and forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross we have forgiveness of sins and we are rescued (saved) from the domain of darkness (hell) and we are transferred to be given the gift of eternal life by the love and mercy of God the Father and Jesus His one and only Son who bore our sins on the cross of Calvary!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What an amazing thought to wrap us today’s message! Because of Jesus we have the hope of eternal life! </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So are we praying these verses daily for each other, for the church, for our loved ones, for the world and those who don’t know Jesus Christ? Paul and his followers did — we need to do the same!</span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: medium; text-indent: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="text-indent: 0px;">Scripture used is HCSB - </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"> </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/hcsb?ref=BibleHCSB.Ge9.8&off=0&ctx=+multiply+on+it.%E2%80%9D+a%0a~8%C2%A0Then+God+said+to+N" style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version.</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"> (2009). (Ge 9:8–10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.</span></span></p>Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-59932157992388976392021-07-26T23:50:00.004-07:002021-08-24T07:57:18.967-07:00Sermon Series on Colossians - Colossians 1:3 - 8<p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="font-style: italic;">Scripture</u><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-style: italic; white-space: pre;"> </span><u style="font-style: italic;">Colossians 1: 3 — 8</u> <u style="font-style: italic;">(HCSB)</u></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In today’s message and the messages to come we are going to learn a lot about the church at Colossae. We are going to learn from Paul’s letter about their faith within their own little church, but also their faith would be known to the world around them. We are going to learn about how they lived their life out is a world that was pagan and godless in nature much like our world is today. So let’s jump into the Scriptures and learn what God has planned for us to learn today!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul starts out by saying, “we always thank God the Father of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ” when “we” pray for the people of Colossae. We need to come to grips with the fact that Paul and his disciples are praying constantly for churches who are part of the Christian church; even the ones Paul has not been in the physical presence of like the church of Colossae. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul then in verse 4 tells us why his fellow workers for Christ and himself thank God in their prayers for the church of Colossae — it is for their faith and because of the love they have for all the saints. Let us not miss the fact that their faith is strong, but we will learn later on in Colossians that it is being tested. Our faith gets tested as well so we are no different from the church of Colossae and we can learn from what Paul is telling them. In addition, do not miss the fact that their love of the saints (fellow believers of Jesus Christ) is known beyond their small church because Paul has heard of the love they have for all the saints throughout the world. Did you get that? Not just the love for the local saints within the church at Colossae, but their love for all saints all over the world (vs. 6). How many of us have that same love for others? I know when we have gatherings where our churches do coordinated events many times the church people will sit with their own members at the fellowship time and during the service. I get it — that is what makes us comfortable. However, the church of Colossae would love the saints in their church, but I feel sure they would have been mixing and fellowshipping with the other churches with love for them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I have a few questions and this is some serious questions we need to consider this carefully — have people heard of your faith, have they heard of my faith, and have they heard of Emanuel Church’s faith? Does people even know about Emanuel Church in this area? We have been around 208 years but many of the people in this community doesn’t even know who we are and where we are located? Is it because of our walk of faith or because we have not been on fire for Jesus that many don’t know who we are and where we are located? Do people know that this church is committed to the Word of God and exemplifies the love of Jesus Christ? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I ask all of us does our Christian walk allow people to see our faith? Does what this church does within these 4 walls and in our community and throughout the world allow people to see our faith and point to Jesus? This is not a “here look at me and what I did attitude,” but it is a “here is Jesus and look what He is doing in my life and the life of Emanuel!” Sadly, this is something many people and churches don’t care about today — all they care about is numbers, bringing in more people, the hot next program on the market — in other words they are pointing to themselves instead of the Savior (hey look at us — look what we are doing [where is Jesus in those two statements] — many churches are busy, but are they making disciples)! Let us commit our lives to pointing to our Savior Jesus Christ — Jesus Christ told us at Matthew 6:33 — But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. If we will only seek a life lived for Jesus Christ and His teachings and righteousness, then all the other things will come to fruition. That is how the early church operated — not on budgets and buildings (although they are important), but on how to bring people to Christ by living for Him!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 5 — 5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth, the gospel</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In this verse Paul names the incentive that stimulates the Colossians faith and love. That incentive is the hope reserved for them in heaven. We have that same hope here today!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The word “reserved” in Greek means “to be laid up” — so we know from this word that the people who are set apart (the saints) has their hope focused on heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul then tells them where they heard about this hope and what they heard about concerning this hope and what this hope is? The Colossians (as we are) have heard about a hope in the message of truth, which is the gospel. This hope spoken of here is the eternal life found in Jesus Christ! It is our hope that we too who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior have this morning — and that hope is eternal life found not in ourselves or of our own doing, but in Jesus’ by His death on the Cross of Calvary and His resurrection from the grave! He is the first-born from the dead and we too have the same opportunity afforded us because of His resurrection. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Do we live our lives as if we believe that our eternal future is secure and our hope is not here on earth, but found in heaven? We may have heard the message of truth, which is the Gospel, but have we really understood and comprehended what this Gospel is really telling us concerning our eternal future that is laid up or reserved for us in heaven? If we have heard this message of truth and understand it then our lives should reflect that we know, that we know, that we know our eternal future is secure by the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 5b — 5b You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth, the gospel</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Verse 6 — 6 that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and recognized God’s grace in the truth.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul then begins to tell us that when we have heard and comprehended the Gospel then we will see it bearing fruit in our lives and it will be growing all over the world! If we accept the Word of God then we will bear fruit. In the parable of the sower found at Mark 4:20 Jesus said: “But the ones sown on good ground are those who hear the word, welcome it, and produce a crop: 30, 60, and 100 times what was sown.” So as we see when we hear and understand the Word of God and live it out in our lives then we will bear fruit not because of what we are doing but because of what Jesus is doing in us and through us!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Now also notice that this bearing of fruit cannot be contained — it is like a wildfire spreading quickly and rapidly from the point of origin to the surrounding area! Brothers and sisters we need to be set on fire by the power of the Holy Spirit and become a wildfire for Jesus to the world around us — a wildfire that loves Jesus so much we desire everyone we know to know Jesus no matter what the cost is to us! Are we ready to make a commitment in our life to be this light to the world around us for the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">7 You learned this from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow slave. He is a faithful servant of the Messiah on your behalf, 8 and he has told us about your love in the Spirit. </span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, Paul tells the church of Colossae and anyone who will listen — you have had a great example in Epaphras who has taught you. He is a fellow slave for the Messiah — he is a faithful minister — and he is a messenger for the church of Colossae concerning their love in the Spirit. He has been a great role model for them to follow, but also he has been someone who has taught them the truth of the Gospel and how this truth must bear fruit beyond the four walls of their small church! He has shown and taught them how to love the saints beyond their small church! He has discipled the church of Colossae and they have been willing to be discipled! So Paul is saying to the Colossians — you have had a great teacher and I see that you have been putting into practice what you have been taught and must continue to do so.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Brothers and sisters we are members of the family of God!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Is our faith heard of beyond these four walls we gather behind each week? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Do we take the Word of God with us each and everyday of our life to the world around us and not just have a faith that consists of 2 hours on Sunday morning? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Do we share the love of Jesus with everyone we come into contact with? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Do people even know we are followers of Christ? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Has the message of truth, the Gospel, affected us in the manner that we are bearing fruit and is it causing shock waves in the world around us? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Just what does our faith look like to an outsider beyond the front door of this church?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The church of Colossae gives us an example of how this faith looks like this morning. </span></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Our faith must be solid in the knowledge of the Word of God and that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and the only way to heaven. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">We must love each other, but also must love all those who are followers of Christ! </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">We must be fruit bearers and growing in our faith so that this fruit will allow Jesus Christ and the Gospel to grow all over the world!</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What a challenge, but one we must be willing to take on!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Let us pray…</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Scripture used is HCSB - </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><a href="https://ref.ly/logosres/hcsb?ref=BibleHCSB.Ge9.8&off=0&ctx=+multiply+on+it.%E2%80%9D+a%0a~8%C2%A0Then+God+said+to+N" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version.</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (2009). (Ge 9:8–10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.</span></span></p><div><br /></div>Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-57485544469732253732021-07-19T11:29:00.000-07:002021-07-19T11:29:19.213-07:00The Word of God<p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">It has been a while since I wrote in my blog but today I am making an effort to each Monday write a </p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">new edition to my blog.</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The thought that has been bothering me so much lately is understanding the importance of sound</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Biblical doctrine. So many believe the Bible is just a book of fiction or a book that was relevant back at</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">the time it was written, but certainly not today. Let me just say that is a bunch of hogwash! The Bible is</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">as relevant today as any other time in history. We are told at 2<span style="font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup>nd</sup></span> Timothy 4:3 — 4: <span style="font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>3</sup></i></b></span><i> For the time will come</i></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i>when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because</i></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i>they have an itch to hear something new. </i><span style="font-size: 9.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>4</sup></i></b></span><i> They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.</i> So</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">many people have turned from allowing the Bible to lead their lives to allowing their lives to dictate how</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">they read the Bible through the eyes of the world! They want their ears tickle or be allowed to live their</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">life without any rules or regulations governed by God’s Holy Word. So may just want to pick and choose</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">which part of the Bible they want to believe in! We must remain true to the whole Word of God! It is</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">God’s revelation to us! It is how we know how to relate to God in our everyday life! We must surrender</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">to His Word and live it out in our lives daily!</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I will talk more about this in the future but for now — read the Word of God and allow it to change</p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Baskerville; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">your life! </p><div><br /></div>Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-13043983784341247712019-12-13T06:35:00.001-08:002019-12-13T06:35:25.878-08:00I Wish They'd All Been Ready<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b><i>Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. </i></b></span>(Matthew 25:13)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These words conclude the parable of the ten virgins. Five were ready for the return of Christ and five were not. The five who were not prepared wanted something they did not have (what the five who were ready had - Jesus Christ). When the finally went to get it, it was too late. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We must be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ. In the parable those who were prepared were allowed into the presence of Jesus Christ - those who were not ready were denied access to the banquet!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We must first be ready for the return of Christ and secondly, we must be looking and prepared for the return of Christ!</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-19977831779097085032017-12-02T11:38:00.000-08:002017-12-02T11:38:03.366-08:00A Look at a Successful Church - The Church Of Philadelphia<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Thriving As A Christian in a Secular World</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Church of Philadelphia</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Paul’s Chapel Revival — Tuesday, September 26, 2017</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I want to take this opportunity to thank the fine people of Paul’s Chapel for allowing me to speak at this year’s revival and to Rev. Aaron Long thank you for allowing me to share your pulpit.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">With that said let us be about the business of the Lord and join together our hearts in prayer [PRAY].</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As many of you know I love to study the end times and recently at the NC Gathering our National Minister the Rev. Jim Barnes spoke on reviving a dying church. During his presentation I was drawn to how mentioned the 7 churches are a great example of what the churches are doing wrong and Jesus then tells them how to correct their mistakes. So many of us focus on the problems going on in the church instead of seeking and finding solutions to correct them. In each church when Jesus pointed out the problems of the church He always told them how to correct that problem.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Tonight I want us to focus on one of the two churches that Jesus did not find fault with, which was the church of Philadelphia. Now this may seem strange that I am focusing on a church that was only commended by Jesus and not condemned, but remember let us look at what they were doing right and not focus on the negative or what a church is doing wrong.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Turn with me to the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ and find chapter 3 and let us read beginning with verse 7 and going through verse 13. This is fascinating material for us gathered here tonight and I hope it will change each individual’s life, as well as the life of the church. Let us begin with verse 7 and I will be reading from the Modern English Version: </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #961916; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>7 </sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says these things: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>8</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>9</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Listen! I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie. Listen! I will make them come and worship before your feet and to know that I have loved you. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>10</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Because you have kept My word of patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>11</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Look, I am coming quickly. Hold firmly what you have, so that no one may take your crown. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>12</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> He who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My own new name. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>13</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The church of Philadelphia was a church that was at the epicenter of the region and it was strategically located. I come tonight to say that all churches are strategically located within their communities. So no matter where places His Church it is to be active and moving out to share the Good News with the community around them. Philadelphia was such a church. Although they were up against a lot of opposition and struggles because of their size and money issues they thrived in the sharing of the Gospel to those they came into contact. So let us look at how they were so successful and how that impacts the church today.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">We think that the world when to pot during our lifetime, but if we study history the world has been evil in every generation. During the time of the church of Philadelphia society was every pressing in on the church, and there were many pagan religions competing for the people’s attention. Sounds familiar doesn’t it! </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Let us focus on one verse tonight that will explain how this church was successful and because of their faithfulness Jesus promised to keep the doors to evangelism and missions open for them. Now many churches make the excuse that they are too small and have too small of a budget. Well after looking at the church of Philadelphia we can no longer make that excuse. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Let us look at verse 8 together:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #961916; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>8</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> I know your works. Look! I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The first thing we notice is that Jesus knows our works! This should either scare us to death or motivate us to action and I hope we choose the latter! When we realize that Jesus is walking among His church here at Paul’s Chapel and all other churches in the world today it should motivate us to serve in with all our heart! Because of their works Jesus emphatically says, “Look” or “Behold.” Now when we see either of these words in the Word of God to start a sentence has an exclamation mark with it this should send up a red flag in our mind because something important is getting ready to be said immediately following this command! It means to look and take heed to what is being said! Jesus says, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); color: #961916;">“I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.”</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> This is an amazing promise from Jesus to the church of Philadelphia and to the church of today. If we are faithful and spread the Gospel through our evangelism and missions then He will set before that church an open door that no one can shut! Do we trust this promise from God tonight?</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Let us look at the church and how they became such an amazing church in the eyes of our Lord and Savior. The first a successful church or a successful Christian must have a passion for evangelism and mission because that is what was the first mission of the church because that was what Jesus Christ did: He reached out for the lost. Jesus spoke about His mission at Luke 19:10 where we read: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); color: #961916;">For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">The angel announced to Joseph in Matthew 1:21 where he tells Joseph that </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); color: #961916;">Mary will bear a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Jesus came to save the lost. He then tells His followers and the church to do the same. Turn with me to John 20:21 and let us read this verse together: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">So Jesus said to them again,</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); color: #961916;">“Peace be with you. As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you.” </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are also told in the Great Commission to…</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); color: #961916; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>19 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); color: #961916;">Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); color: #961916; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>20 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(150, 25, 22); color: #961916;">*teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> The church of Philadelphia did this with fervor and a passion to reach the lost. This must be our goal today in order to be successful in a society that is moving away from God.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The second thing they did was the kept Christ’s Word. What does this mean? It means that they were faithful to the Word of God. This means that they studied the Word of God; they lived the Word of God; and they proclaimed the Word of God to believers and unbelievers alike. These three traits are instrumental for a person to be strong in their faith and a church be successful in the world today. It is not about a few doing this but it must become a passion for all of us! We are the church and we must be faithful to our Lord and Savior. How can we get to know Him if we are unwilling to study His Word? How can we witness for Him if we are unwilling to live out what His Word teaches? How can we expand the Kingdom of God with telling others about Jesus Christ? Paul gave Timothy some great advice in 2</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>nd</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Timothy chapter 2 and chapter 3. Turn with me to 2</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>nd</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Timothy 2:15 and let us read this together: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. </span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Do we see the very first word in that sentence? It is the word study! We need to spend quality time in the Word of God! Now turn with me to 2</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>nd</sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Timothy 3:16 — 17 and let us read this verse together: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>16</sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;"> All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>17 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> We must use the Word of God in all aspects of the church and in all aspects of our individual lives. We not only need to study the Word of God, but we need to live that Word out in our daily lives! And we need to take on the attitude of Peter when he stood before the religious authorities and was asked to not talk about Jesus again. He said and we find this in Acts 4: 18 — 31. Let us read this for our edification tonight: </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>18 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">Then they called them and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>19 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>20 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">For we cannot help but declare what we have seen and heard.” </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>21 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people. For all glorified God for what was done, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>22 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">for the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was over forty years old. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>23 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">On being released, they went to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>24 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">When they heard this, they lifted their voices in unity to God and prayed, “Lord, You are God, who has made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>25 </sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); color: #011993;">and who by the mouth of Your servant David said: </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin-left: 36px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">‘Why did the nations rage, and the people devise vain things? </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>26 </sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">The kings of the earth came, and the rulers were assembled together against the Lord and against His Christ.’ </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>27 </sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were assembled together against Your holy Son Jesus whom You have anointed, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>28 </sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">to do what Your hand and Your counsel had foreordained to be done. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>29 </sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">*Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant that Your servants may speak Your word with great boldness, </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>30 </sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be performed in the name of Your holy Son Jesus.” </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 9.3px; line-height: normal;"><sup>31 </sup></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; min-height: 17px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">We need to share and proclaim the Word of God to all we come into contact with, whether they are our co-workers, our neighbors, our friends, or our family. We need to always be looking for opportunities to witness and share Christ!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The final point that the people within the church of Philadelphia did was they confessed Christ and did not deny the name of Christ! Now this means more than witnessing for Jesus Christ it means that Jesus Christ is the focus and center of all the lives of those who believe in Jesus Christ. It means that Jesus Christ is the focus and center of all the services, meetings, ministries, programs, and activities of the church! The church that is alive and faithful is evangelistic and mission minded; keeps the Word of Christ; and confesses Christ in all that it does, in all of its services, meetings, programs, and activities.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Does that describe this church? Does this describe your life because the church is made up of the people gathered here tonight? This is how a church can be successful — are we willing to follow the church of Philadelphia’s example? Let us pray…</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-23422052531308174282017-03-16T14:00:00.000-07:002017-03-16T14:00:02.483-07:00Is God With Us?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> Exodus 17:1 — 7<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> HCSB</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>1</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> The entire Israelite community left the Wilderness of Sin, moving from one place to the next according to the Lord’s command. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>2</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why are you complaining to me?” Moses replied to them. “Why are you testing the Lord?” </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>3</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> But the people thirsted there for water, and grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you ever bring us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>4</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? In a little while they will stone me!” </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>5</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> The Lord answered Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take the staff you struck the Nile with in your hand and go. </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>6</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>7</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” </i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I love certain reality shows. Not <i>Survivor </i>or the <i>Bachelor</i>, but I like the shows where people are called upon to survive in the wild such as the <i>Alaskan Bush People</i> and <i>Alaska: The Last Frontier </i>featuring the Kilchers. I also like those shows where the people live off the land and one of my favorite is <i>Live Free or Die</i>. If you watch many of these shows where they are living off the land you will see that there is one thing that they must have and that is water! I remember one show where one of the men made a bowl out of a certain type of wood to trade for a water barrel to catch rain water so he would not have to go to the river so much to get water. Water is essential to living.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Today is the third Sunday of Lent and we come to a time in our journey through Lent where we see the need of water. People can live without food, but people cannot live without water. Water is a life-sustaining liquid that all of us need to survive. The people of Israel have been on a journey in the wilderness that we know as the Exodus. They have had their ups and downs and have questioned God and put Him to the test numerous times. Today’s passage is another one of those times. Let us look at this passage a little closer this morning.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Read verse one along with me:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>1</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> The entire Israelite community left the Wilderness of Sin, moving from one place to the next according to the Lord’s command. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">There is some really good stuff in this verse that many times we will pass over. First, we are told that the entire Israelite community got up and left the area they were staying, moving from one place to the next by being obedient to God’s command to move. Remember our sermon last week that when we are called to “Get up and go” we must be obedient to the Lord. So we learn right off that the people of Israel are being obedient to the Lord. Second, we see that they camped at Rephidim. Now in the Bible names mean something and the place they camped at was called “resting place.” That is what Rephidim means a resting place! Also it means a place to refresh. Now this was not a name that Moses gave it; the place was already there and had a name! So in this first verse we see that the people were obedient to the Lord and He brought them not only to a place of rest, but also to a place to refresh. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Then we are told there was not any water for them to drink. So let us see how the Israelite people handled this problem. Read verses 2 and 3 with me:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>2</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> So the people complained to Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why are you complaining to me?” Moses replied to them. “Why are you testing the Lord?” </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>3</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> But the people thirsted there for water, and grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you ever bring us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I love how the Scripture speaks into our lives today. We are told that the people when they did not have water complained to Moses. When I was studying for today’s message one thing that the Holy Spirit laid on my heart was the Israelites’ attitude. Notice, although they had been obedient to the Lord in moving when He said move and He had provided for them every time they were in need, they still came to Moses with a complaining attitude. Instead of prayerfully asking Moses to seek God for help and trusting that God would provide for their needs you can hear their complaining tone when they said to Moses, “Give us water to drink. Why did you bring us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” Notice their selfish mentality and their GIVE ME, GIVE ME, GIVE ME cry! Brothers and sisters aren't we a lot like that today. Instead of seeking God, following Him, and trusting Him to lead and provide we tend to look at our own weaknesses and understanding. Many times in the difficulties of life we tend to see the reality that stares us in the face and that is so understandable, but we never should forget that nothing is impossible with God. If we would sit back and reflect on the times that God has either provided or step in during a crisis or a time of chaos and turmoil in our life and lifted us up out of the Pit we would come to the realization the He is sovereign and in control of what we are dealing with. Where in your life are you without water today? Seek Him and He will provide that Living Water that will supply all our needs.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">We mustn't forget Moses in this pericope. He told the people they should not be testing God, yet notice his attitude when He comes to the Lord for the people of Israel. Let us read verses 4 through 7 together:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>4</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What should I do with these people? In a little while they will stone me!” </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>5</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> The Lord answered Moses, “Go on ahead of the people and take some of the elders of Israel with you. Take the staff you struck the Nile with in your hand and go. </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>6</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. </i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal;"><b><i><sup>7</sup></i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites complained, and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” </i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(1, 25, 147); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #011993; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Moses immediately went to the Lord in prayer frustrated with the people, but also seeking God’s help. We call that standing in the gap. Moses was standing in the gap between God and His people. How many times during the Exodus did God want to destroy the Israelites and Moses stepped in to remind God of His covenant with Abraham? Moses, unlike the Israelite people, came to God placing his trust and focus on God to provide the answer to the situation that laid before the people of Israel. Notice that Moses attitude was one that was prayerful and not selfish or self-consuming. He knew that God had provided for His people and He would in this situation. So when God said go and strike the rock and water will flow, Moses did exactly what God asked Him to.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Today many of us are at the place the people of Israel were in our passage. We are wondering “Is God With Us?” Does He really care what I am dealing with? Can He really help me or provide for me in my time of need? We see the answer to that question in today’s text and it is a resounding YES! God desires to meet your needs and provide for you, but you must first trust Him and come to Him expecting Him to answer your prayer! So I ask which attitude do you have during the difficult times of your life: The Israelite attitude of selfishness and self-centeredness complaining to God or to others about what you need and why hasn't anyone stepped up to help you? Or is your attitude that of Moses who came to God asking and believing that God will provide. Moses knew God was with the people of Israel and today I can assure you GOD IS WITH US! Let us pray…</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-85572170141972930302015-06-13T08:14:00.000-07:002015-06-13T08:14:30.469-07:00A New Journey<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On June 9th I began a new journey when it comes to my life. I had sleeve gastrectomy surgery and the outcome so far has been going quite well. This journey is not short-term, but life changing. I am reminded in the Scriptures found at 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verses 19 and 20 where we read, "</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body" (HCSB). I am drawn to the fact that not only am I changing my physical body, but also my spiritual body given to me by my Lord and Savior. He created me and made me! Although in life we may think we are not who we should be, I can say that the Word of God tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! God wants an intimate relationship with us and whats us to seek Him in all our endeavors. I know without a doubt that the success I have had up to this point of my recovery has come about because of all the prayers being lifted up on my behalf. I look forward to this physical and spiritual life change over the rest of my life and all the glory and honor will go to my Heavenly Father and the Lord and Savior of my life!</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-30037656095171321722014-05-29T11:03:00.000-07:002014-05-29T11:03:51.213-07:00A New (NLT) Look At Psalm 23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxtPLHE759P-IOw8xn3WI9l6s3mg5DO0r7GGMX7Vj2Clt8P-ZESzKuxSXHS8cK033vBn5DEZv6RC6JK158fSA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-60094093537293526962014-05-24T09:17:00.001-07:002014-05-24T09:17:43.504-07:00The Trio of Triplets Found In Bible Prophecy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxq3yKiq6sYXE3PzyjdUEXj2vHMb9SpOClkfLGHzu9EBMyMaWUl9SFMzmCNtUmNLR3TlC9vYgwz5hVQOz4Ofg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-29580920308402592632014-04-30T05:01:00.001-07:002014-04-30T05:01:15.755-07:00Who Do You Blame?<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last
night the NBA playoffs were in full swing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I must admit I don’t watch hardly any sports anymore, but with the
firestorm that has been going on the last few days it has piqued my interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked out the scores this morning and
something caught my eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one of the
ballgames last night, at a very crucial time, a referee grabbed the ball from a
player as he was going to shoot a free throw that would tie the game with just
a few seconds left, and he went to the scorer’s table to argue with the clock
keeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This disrupted the momentum of
the game, as well as the player who was about to shoot the free throw to tie
the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the player finally
receive the ball to shoot the free throw he missed it and the team he played
for ultimately went on to lose the game. Afterwards many on the player’s team
blamed the referee for the loss and their key player missing the free throw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the other team was stunned by what
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the player who missed the
free throw was interviewed about the incident he took full responsibility for
the miss and did not place the blame on anyone else other than himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is so refreshing because in the world
today people tend to want to blame others for their troubles, their
difficulties, and they go out of their to blame others rather than looking
closely at their own faults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus tells
us that before we take a speck out of someone else’s eye we need to remove the
log from our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am reminded of
Zacchaeus and how when Jesus confronted Him and asked to spend time with him at
his house that Zacchaeus immediately realized he had been sinning against God
and the people by over collecting taxes. Without prompting or being told he said
that he would <span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span><span style="color: #000090; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">give half of my
possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone,
I’ll pay back four times as much!”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=817429458421429278#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></span></sup></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like the basketball player last night taking responsibility for his actions,
so did Zacchaeus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can learn from
their example, instead of blaming others, let us look closely at ourselves and
then make a change in our lives if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus loves us and desires to give us life, eternal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us live our life in a way that focuses on
Him and not just our own selves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>333</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1904</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Redneck Pastor</o:Company>
<o:Lines>15</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2233</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Century Gothic";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=817429458421429278#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></span></sup></a><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Holy Bible:
Holman Christian standard version.</i> (2009). (Lk 19:8). Nashville: Holman
Bible Publishers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-44886819614764835432014-04-05T09:19:00.001-07:002014-04-05T09:19:33.529-07:00Sermon for April 6th<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jesus and the Parables</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Matthew 9:1-17</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">April 6, 2014</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #941100; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36px;">
<span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jesus came to the world and one of His ways of teaching was to use parables. Have you ever wondered why Jesus did this? Why didn’t He just spell things out in black and white, in such a way that every one could understand what He was talking about? Just why use parables? Well, He tells us in the 13</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.7px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> chapter of Matthew why; when He tells </span><span style="color: #021ca1; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">the disciples <i>who </i>came up and asked Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered them, </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given for you to know, but it has not been given to them. For whoever has, more will be given to him, and he will have more than enough. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. For this reason I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand. Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in them, which says: <b>You will listen and listen,</b> <b>yet never understand;</b> <b>and you will look and look,</b> <b>yet never perceive.</b> <b>For this people’s heart has grown callous;</b> <b>their ears are hard of hearing,</b> <b>and they have shut their eyes;</b> <b>otherwise they might see with their eyes</b> <b>and hear with their ears,</b> <b>understand with their hearts</b> <b>and turn back —</b> <b>and I would cure them.</b> “But your eyes are blessed because they do see, and your ears because they do hear! For I assure you: Many prophets and righteous people longed to see the things you see yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them.”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today we begin a new series that I think is going to not only be informative, but exciting in how the parables Jesus taught in His day are prevalent and relevant to us gathered here this morning. I am a firm believer that the firsts found in the Bible are important. Join me as we read the first parable Jesus taught as we go through His parables in chronological order. Turn with me to Matthew, chapter 9 verse 1 and read along with me as hear the Word of God in the purity it is given to us. </span></div>
<div style="color: #021ca1; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 40.5px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own town. Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, </span><span style="color: #941100; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At this, some of the scribes said among themselves, “He’s blaspheming!” But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said,</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="color: #941100; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">— then He told the paralytic,</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="color: #941100; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And he got up and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God who had given such authority to men. As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office, and He said to him,</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="color: #941100; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Follow Me!”</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So he got up and followed Him. While He was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came as guests to eat with Jesus and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when He heard this, He said,</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="color: #941100; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do. Go and learn what this means: <b>I desire mercy and not sacrifice.</b> For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.”</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Then John’s disciples came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” Jesus said to them,</span><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span><span style="color: #941100; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Can the wedding guests be sad while the groom is with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old garment with unshrunk cloth, because the patch pulls away from the garment and makes the tear worse. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. But they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”</span></div>
<div style="color: #021ca1; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As I was preparing this series I wanted to begin with the first parable taught by Jesus. I think it is very informative to us gathered here this morning that the first parable was concerning the trappings of religionism, legalism, traditionalism, and ritualism. It is not a coincidence that Jesus spoke to a problem He knew was prevalent in His day and would be prevalent in the church though out its history. It is easy to fall into the trap of doing the same ole, same ole and as Jesus told the Church of Ephesus in the Book of Revelation, “</span><span style="color: #ae1916; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You have forgotten your first love</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">.” What He is saying in this parable and the Book of Revelation is that when we are focused on rituals and traditions it takes an intimate relationship with Jesus out of the picture. Today I am bringing a message of hope, but I fear that some people will receive it as a message of condemnation. It is a message of conviction, not a message a criticism. This is not an easy message because it is hard for us to hear the truth and look realistically at the way we do things in our individual life and the life of the church. Lately, I have been focusing on Jesus and His adversaries. Now, if we look at the confrontations Jesus had in the Scriptures, it was not with the secular authorities - for He told the Pharisees and Herodians who were trying to trap Him to, </span><span style="color: #941100; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The confrontations Jesus had were with the religious authorities. In today’s Scripture text we see a couple of these confrontations were with the religious authorities prior to the first parable given by Jesus. Jesus was bringing a new dispensation (a new era) into being and this was setting the religious world on its ear. The old dispensation (the era of the Law) was being replaced by a new dispensation (the era of grace). The religious leaders had made the traditions and rituals such that they were binding, restrictive, stifling, and constricting the life of the believer. Jesus came to set the believer free from the tyranny of traditions and rituals. Now I am not anti traditions and rituals, but they are not commands from God. They can be helpful if practiced appropriately, but they can become stifling if they become more important than Scriptural revelation itself. I think it is telling when Scripture is not an integral part of a follower of Christ daily walk and a church that does not put an emphasis on being led by the Scriptures and placing an emphasis on Bible Study. The Scriptures are how God reveals Himself to us through the illumination of the Holy Spirit and we need to be willing to be led and governed by these Holy and Sacred Scriptures. Yet the religious leaders of Jesus day were more concerned with their traditions and rituals than what the Scriptures taught. Think about it: If the Pharisees and the religious leaders had really studied and focused their life and the life of the church on the Scriptures and what they taught; then they would have known that Jesus was the Messiah proclaimed by the prophets in the Old Testament! Think about that – they missed the Messiah because they were stuck in their own idea of what religion was through the Law, the traditions, and the rituals and they missed Jesus, the Messiah; the Savior of the World! Like old wineskins, the Pharisees had become too rigid in their lifestyle and in their traditions; they could not accept Jesus because he would not be bound by the rules they themselves had set. It was time for change where new approaches, new traditions and new structures were required. How many of us today because we are unwilling to bend or change from our traditions and rituals are missing who Jesus really is and what He is offering us in the way of salvation and blessings! We as Christians today must be on our guard that we don’t allow our hearts to become so rigid that we become unable to accept new ways and new approaches. We can become stale, mouldy and unpalatable and even the lost will find us undesirable.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jesus said by the use of today’s parable I read to you, that He has not come to shore up the traditional practice of the Jews or our practices today. Rather, He has come to offer an entirely new approach to God. Jesus was bringing a new life as an entirely new garment and an entirely new wine. Jesus has not come to fill the old Jewish system of traditions and rituals with new life. They are inadequate to the new life of the Kingdom. Rather, new forms are needed for His kingdom, and new practices must accommodate the new life of discipleship in Jesus. This doesn’t supersede or abolish the Old Testament, which Jesus has come to fulfill; instead, it indicated that discipleship to Jesus supersedes rigid legalistic adherence to traditional practices. True righteousness is not built on the Law or Pharisaic traditions or human traditions of today. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">How do we think that Jesus would be received in many churches today? If we are realistic He would be rejected and I think would have just as many confrontations with the religious leaders of the church as He had in His day. We have gotten comfortable in the way we do things and many have the attitude that it is not acceptable to change our way of thinking and how we do things when it comes to our past, we want to keep things as it is no matter if it cost us growth in the spirit and growth in leading people to Jesus Christ. Many Christians today are trying to be what we call Messianic Jews. As a matter of fact there is a group that calls themselves Messianic Jews. They continue to live in the traditions and rituals of the Jewish faith, but believe and find their hope in Jesus Christ. Many Christians want to live and be governed by the traditions and rituals created by the church, but find their hope through these traditions and rituals leading them to a knowledgable relationship with Jesus, but not an intimate relationship with Jesus. Now this cannot be, when we accept Christ we belong to Him, not some sect or some group of traditions and rituals. Many in the church today desire to have the church as it was when they grew up, but according to today’s parable that just cannot be. As a matter of fact a church that is truly living is ever changing! It's members and the church is constantly seeking ways to draw closer in their walk with Jesus Christ. The life and liberty of the Gospel ruins the wineskins of traditionalism, ritualism and legalism. The introduction of the Christian era found in Jesus Christ coming to the earth would inevitably result in tension. The joy which Christ brought could not be contained within the forms and rituals of the Old Testament. There must be an entirely new order of things. Brothers and sisters, this a great news for us in the church today – change is good; change is a requirement as we grow in Christ. The attitude that we have always done it this way or this is not the church I grew up in, should never be a battle cry in the church of today – the battle cry should be Lord, we are here, we are Your vessels; what can we do to lead people to You. We are willing and able to do whatever it takes to make this happen even if it takes us out of our comfort zone because we want to trust You and be faithful to You. Are we willing to make that commitment this morning? It is not something that is easy for us to commit to, but we must be willing to put new wine into new wineskins, not put new wine into the way we have always done things (this will not work). History tells us that the church has a reformation every 500 years or so and it has been a little over 500 years since the Reformation. I feel we are on the cusp of something great in the church, but we must be willing to put Gospel above all else, even our traditions and rituals; even above the way we have always done things. Join me as we begin our journey through the parables, but more importantly let us begin a new journey and chapter in the life of Emanuel Reformed Church where we seek to follow the true leader of this church – JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-292714866324689242014-03-31T17:19:00.001-07:002014-03-31T17:19:42.224-07:00Our Hope<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is not easy by any means. There are health problems, financial problems, relationship problems, and I could go on naming so many issues and burdens that people deal with on a daily basis. Where do we turn to in our deepest, darkest hours. How long do we waller in the depths of despair and depression before we turn to the hope that is Jesus Christ. God created us and knows everything that we are dealing with. He knows us better that we know ourselves. So many times we struggle to handle our problems ourselves, before we finally get to the end of the rope and call out to Jesus. In Matthew chapter 11 Jesus tells us to take His yoke for it is easy. This yoke is where we join together with Him in a relationship and He promises us eternal life spent with Him; plus He promises that He will walk each and every minute with us no matter what we are dealing with. Jesus is our hope and our future. We need to set our eyes on the Promised Land - eternity spent with our Lord and Savior and walk with Him each and every day. He is our hope!</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-45552634197896090312014-03-26T06:06:00.000-07:002014-03-26T06:06:22.629-07:00Where Does Our Fear Come From<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past Sunday night I spoke to a number of men from different men's groups that was sponsored by Becks Reformed Church. As I prepared for this presentation, and when I finally got to the point of delivering the message that I was there to speak on, I felt a huge sense of inadequacy. I felt I was not qualified to speak before these men about anything. Last month at this men's gathering there was a decorated war veteran who spoke about his life and his faith; next month there will be a man speaking who has spoken to numerous Fortune 500 companies. And here I was a little country pastor or "Redneck Pastor" as I call myself standing before about 50 to 60 men of God feeling I was not good enough to speak to them. As I began the presentation a calmness came over me and I delivered the message in a way that I never had before. I was confident; recalled material on the spot without searching my material; and the material flowed just as it should. My talk was so well received that a radio host from Winston-Salem ask if I would come on his show in the future to speak on the topic I presented. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Afterwards I spoke of my uneasiness and feeling of inadequacy to a few of my pastor friends and they showed me just where this fear and apprehension came from: my PRIDE. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have always seen pride as being arrogant, but false humility is also a form of pride. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we have the fear of not being good enough we have taken God out of the picture and we have hindered Him working fully through us. When we feel we are incapable to do something we feel God is leading us to do because it is not our gift, or we are worried we will mess up, or someone will ask us something we cannot answer; we are relying on our own self and our own knowledge. For all intense purposes we have taken the power of God out of the situation because we have relied on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Fear comes from Satan and it is his way of keeping us from doing the will of God. Pride comes from Satan as well and it his tool to tell us we cannot do somethings because we are not qualified to do or that we are not good enough to do what God is asking of us. I praise God that the enemy did not win his battle with me last Sunday night and that is not because of anything I did, but because the Holy Spirit stepped in and took over for my hinderance of God's will because of my pride. Trust the Lord and we can all do great things as His vessels and His instruments!</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-8512508496743184902014-03-18T11:05:00.000-07:002014-03-18T11:05:09.318-07:00Thank You Jesus<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Come down now from the cross</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i>- Mark 15:32</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus was being heckled and ridiculed on the cross and was asked that if He was the Son of God to come down from the cross. Every time I read about the cross I want Jesus to come down from the cross and put those ridiculing Him in their place. I want Jesus to zap them with all His fury. Yet, if Jesus would have come down from the cross His atonement for our sins would have never took place. In order to fulfill God's plan for you and me Jesus had to stay put. The Word of God says that the meek will inherit the earth and we know that one day Jesus will inherit the earth for His people. His meekness was the strength that you and I needed to have our sins removed. Don't take the cross for granted - Thank you Jesus is not a strong enough reply from us when it comes to what Jesus did on the cross, although it is what we can offer; but a way of showing our love for Jesus is to love one another as He has loved us and let us live for Him!</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-3017972441594640132014-03-03T02:16:00.000-08:002014-03-03T02:16:10.074-08:00What Is In A Word?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">They came to
Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd,
Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When
he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, “Son of David,
Jesus, have mercy on me!” Many people told him to keep quiet, but he was crying
out all the more, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!” Jesus stopped and said,
“Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get
up; He’s calling for you.” He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Rabbouni,”</i> the blind man told Him, “I
want to see!” “Go your way,” Jesus told him. “Your faith has healed you.”
Immediately he could see and began to follow Him on the road.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=817429458421429278#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></span></sup></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 0in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This passage of
Scripture is an awesome example of the many of us in The Church today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this passage Bartimaeus who is blind knew
that Jesus was the Messiah that the prophets of the Old Testament spoke about
because he used two terms that help us understand this: “Jesus” and “Son of
David.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know from Matthew 1 that
Jesus is the Messiah and that Jesus means, “to save His people from their
sins.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, Bartimaeus used the
term “Son of David” which we know the prophets spoke that the Messiah
would come from the lineage of David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
believed that Jesus was the Messiah and asked for mercy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus stopped, some translations say “stood
still,” and asked for them to call the man to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Bartimaeus approached Jesus something
great happens that we must not miss; when asked by Jesus, “What do you want Me
to do for you?” Bartimaeus address Jesus as “Rabbouni.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This term in Greek is translated as “My Teacher”. Do you see what happened here? Bartimaeus addresses Jesus as his
Master, Savior, Teacher; he has now become a disciple of Jesus Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has not even been healed physically, but
has become a follower of Christ and we see this more clearly when Jesus told
him to “go your way”; the Word of God says that He began to follow Jesus on the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Jesus more that someone we know
about from our forefathers and Scriptures; is He our Lord and Master, our
Rabbouni!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great message from the
Gospel of Mark for us to meditate on!</span></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>341</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1944</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Redneck Pastor</o:Company>
<o:Lines>16</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2281</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Century Gothic";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=817429458421429278#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></span></sup></a><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Holy Bible:
Holman Christian standard version.</i> (2009). (Mk 10:46–11:1). Nashville:
Holman Bible Publishers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-34598860046890275072014-02-25T13:41:00.001-08:002014-02-25T13:41:47.974-08:00Join a Group!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week I wrote about my personal devotion time and this week I want to expand that idea a little deeper. Every Tuesday a group of my pastor friends and I gather together to study the Word of God. I look forward to this special time each week because we pick a passage and discuss what it means. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable and listen to what the Holy Spirit is speaking to us concerning the Word of God. It is a time spent in the presence of God, study and discussing how God's Word can be woven into our lives on a daily basis. I recommend that those reading this blog find a few friends to gather on a weekly basis and spend time in the Word! Now we spend about 2 hours each week studying and discussing the Word, but you can set the time limit you desire. Also, the place can change each week and you can work through a book of the Bible or do an organized study from such authors as Max Lucado, Charles Stanley, etc. I can tell you when you gather with a group that is intent on studying the Word in a serious manner you will find it to be a wonderful and gratifying experience. Join a group and let the Holy Spirit soar!</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-6527404506054049462014-02-18T11:59:00.003-08:002014-02-18T11:59:40.388-08:00Setting Out On A Personal Bible Study Plan<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently I dealt with a severe case of bronchitis and it was during my time of convalescence that the Lord led me to a wonderfully new and exciting personal time of devotion. One night as I laid in bed I felt the urge to go across the hallway into a room that I had designated as a study area and bring the small desk and chair into my bedroom beside the window that looks toward the church. Little did I know that this would become such a sacred and wonderful place in my life. From that point on the first thing I do each morning is retire to this desk and spend time in the Word of God. I have all sorts of computer equipment available, but for this process I have chosen to write in a journal. I started off by wanting to write how the Word affected me, but soon realized that God had a greater plan. That was for me to read over the Scripture He leads me to for the day and write that Scripture in the journal, writing in a somewhat artistic format the part of the Scripture that speaks to my life. Here is an an example of one of my journal entries...As I read through 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 on January 31, 2014 the Lord spoke these words in the passage to my heart that day: <span style="color: blue;"><i>Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation...Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ...We are ambassadors for Christ...He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him</i></span>! This little procedure has changed my life in a very dramatic and wonderful way. However you choose to do a personal Bible Study, the main thing is to start one and do it daily with a focus to let God speak His Word and His Will into your life.</span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-14934372907007620662014-02-11T06:53:00.004-08:002014-02-11T06:53:27.455-08:00Know the Enemy<div style="margin-left: 27px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. (Genesis 3:1-6, NLT)</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is man's first encounter with Satan here on earth. Notice that Satan was the shrewdest, the most devious and cunning animals God created; what a great definition of who Satan is. He starts off with a somewhat innocent question about what God has said that they could and could not do? He appeals to two basic needs of mankind - food and power! When the woman explains the reason for not eating from the tree, Satan tells her the only reason they are told not to eat of this tree is because her and Adam, if they eat from it, will be just like God, knowing all things and being just like Him! What a loaded question this is and it is exactly how Satan works today in our lives. He tricks and deceives us into thinking we have all the wisdom and knowledge we need to be like God and just like God. He leads us to believe that if we study textbooks and science enough we will be just like God. However, we may have earthly wisdom, but there is a wisdom that goes well beyond human understanding and that is godly wisdom that is supplied to us by the Holy Spirit. Let us continue to seek godly wisdom over human wisdom each and every day of our life. Let us know our enemy and his schemes so that we will not fall into his trap of wanting us to think we can be on the same level and just like God! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="margin-left: 27px;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seek the Lord while you can find Him. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Call on Him now while He is near.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let the wicked change their ways</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and banish the very thought of doing wrong.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">so My ways are higher than your ways</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and My thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:6-9, NLT)</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-21265098860207555642014-02-04T14:21:00.001-08:002014-02-04T14:21:25.824-08:00The Author<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mark 1:21-22</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">He was teaching them as one having authority</span>. (HCSB)</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
This morning as I sat down to spend time in the Word I was led to these two verses of Scripture. As I spent time meditating and reflecting on this passage the Holy Spirit led me to a wonderful find and that was in the word "authority" is the word "author". Jesus is the Author and Finisher, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last! When we read the Word we are hearing the Author of the Word. We hear the One speaking the Word into our lives! The Word is being revealed to us by the Author of Creation! Jesus knows everything about us and we need to allow the Author to lead our life, as well as allow the Author to have authority over our life; that is what we should strive for. Jesus loves us so much and He desires to have an intimate relationship with us - so reach out and allow the Author to write the next chapter of your life; He knows everything about you and desires what is best for you! </div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-817429458421429278.post-83618742377202119152014-01-28T08:02:00.001-08:002014-01-28T08:02:06.466-08:00Are You Ready?<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<span style="color: #660000;">Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son —except the Father only. </span><span style="color: #660000;">As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. So this is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be: Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one left. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. </span><span style="color: #660000;">This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect</span>." (Matthew 24:36-44)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I know for my friends that live in an area that snow is abundant may be wondering about this paragraph, but for those who love snow and live in a snow starved area then this paragraph will make perfect sense. This morning I am sitting at the desk in my bedroom, beside the window, looking out from time to time to see if the snow has arrived that the weathermen are predicting. I love snow and I love to see big snow falls. My niece who lives near Greenville, NC is suppose to get between 6 and 12 inches of snow and yet we are not suppose to get very much here in the middle of the state. I wish we would get 12 or more inches because I love the beauty of the snow as it lays on the ground. Schools are letting out early; businesses, churches, and charities are canceling events. There is a level of anticipation that gets to the point of people staring out the window waiting to see when that first flake falls.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I sit here and think about the anticipation of the snow to arrive, I have to ask myself, do we have those same anticipation for the return of Christ. The Bible promises that our Lord and Savior will return to call His children home. Yet we continue to live as if that is something so far-fetched and in the future that we ignore the fact that He could return at this very minute. The Bible warns as well as cautions us to be alert and prepared for that moment when the Lord will return! Are we ready? Are we prepared and anticipating this return? Today let us prepare our lives for His return! </span></div>
Through the Valleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17962034391541165345noreply@blogger.com0