- Aug 13, 2023Consecrate Yourselves
Consecrate Yourselves
- Aug 6, 2023She Perished Not
She Perished Not
- Jul 30, 2023In His Image
In His Image
- Jul 23, 2023The Walls Of Jericho
The Walls Of Jericho
- Jul 16, 2023Rainbow Promises
Rainbow Promises
God’s word begins with Genesis 1:1 God created the heavens and the EarthBy Genesis 8, man was so evil, God destroyed everyone except the family of NoahIn Genesis 9 God makes us a promise that includes a signThe Rainbow!!This weekend in VBS the theme has been Noah and the ArkWhat I want to focus on today in the Promise or the CovenantA covenant made by God to all living thingsA covenant that God wanted to remind us of often so He gave us a beautiful rainbowA rainbow is actually a full circle when seen from above but we only see half from the groundA circle also represents perfection and continuityGod destroyed the earth because of the evil of manThis covenant never says man won’t be punished for their evilHowever it is a promise that God loves us so much he won’t flood the whole world againThe first thing that Noah did when he stepped out of the ark was give an offering to GodGod says “the intent of a man’s heart is evil”The only thing that can change that is GodSome try to explain away the rainbow as simply a scientific explanationGod’s word clearly shows that a rainbow is from GodSome of the most beautiful rainbows seem to occur after the worst stormsGod reminding us that He will never leave us or forsake us even when times are bad.Have you ever seen a double rainbow?Have you ever noticed that the color pattern of the second rainbow is a reverse of the firstHow amazing! I like to think of that as a full picture from top to bottom and bottom to top.No matter what comes your way God is always thereA rainbow also causes me to think of another covenant from GodThe one in which Jesus gave His life to save yoursThis beauty makes a rainbow dim in comparisonHave you ever entered into that covenant with God? - Jul 9, 2023Forgivness Is Paramount
Forgivness Is Paramount
Everyone here is humanSince we all make mistakes, we all need forgivenessGod gave us the ultimate forgiveness, if we accept itIf we have been forgiven, what does that mean for us?When we need forgiveness, it is the greatest thing we can receiveForgiveness can repair relationships as nothing else canIn this passage a person was in the wrong but they asked for compassionThe compassion led to complete forgivenessThis was an incredible act of kindnessUnfortunately, many people receive forgiveness but don’t reciprocateForgiveness should be given as easily as it is receivedToday we hear many people say, I can never forgive themI’m talking about Christians right nowWhen we have been forgiven there are consequences if we don’t forgiveIf we are to have a relationship, forgiveness is paramountWhen we hold unforgiveness in our hearts, the person that hurts the most is usUnforgiveness creates a barrier to a relationship with people and with GodWhen we have hurt someone we need to go to them and apologizeThis gives us a chance to show our sorrow and them a chance to forgiveWe need to go to those we have hurt and make amendsThis can make both hearts right with GodSee we, as believers, must give others the same forgiveness that God gives usThe way to do this is be kind to everyoneIf we do something wrong to someone, apologizeWhen someone apologizes, forgive themHave you received the forgiveness that Jesus offers today? - Jul 2, 2023Excessive Heat Warning
Excessive Heat Warning
This week we will celebrate Independence day!As a country we are blessed to be free to live and worship as we chooseSo many people have fought and even died to make sure we have this freedomWhich brings me to today’s very pointed messageWe ALL have a choice of where we will spend eternityThis last week we spent under an Excessive Heat WarningIt has been so hot, peoples shoes were literally sticking to melting asphaltIf you choose to reject Jesus Christ…..you ain’t seen nothing yet.We don’t like to talk about Hell because it is scaryI personally don’t believe that our minds can even comprehend how horrifying it isAnd this horror and pain and suffering and heat will NEVER endAre you scared?All week long I heard about how bad the heat was and looking for when it will end.Praise God, this too will passAccording to what I just read in Revelation, Hell is no joke but it is real!People make jokes about hell. When God described it, He wasn’t jokingThink of the most horrifying awful thing you can think of and multiply by a billionSome say don’t use hell as a way to convince people to accept ChristI just want you to know the reality of your choiceNow, here is some good newsYou don’t have to spend an eternity in HellIn the beginning of the passage I read from Revelation, it mentioned a 2nd bookThe Book of LifeIf your name is found in that book, you will be spared the penalty for your sinsThis passage says “having believed you were sealed”That sealed, means you were written in the book of life and sealed in itYou can’t get scratched out of it.Those who were found in the book of life were not cast into the lake of fire.Those in the book of life are sealed in Him, meaning for all eternityThis means you will spend an eternity in Heaven with JesusToday, it all boils down to your choice. Only you can choose. - Jun 26, 2023Passing Through The Red Sea
Passing Through The Red Sea
- Jun 18, 2023Father’s Love
Father’s Love
Happy Father’s Day!If you can’t celebrate your earthly father today, you can celebrate our heavenly FatherLoveLove is one of the words that is interpreted differently by so many peopleSomeone who was abandoned, abused or flatly ignored, thinks of love differentlyMost of the time when love is talked about in the world, it is really lustMany father’s have a hard time showing lovePerhaps the biggest problem with all this, is no one shared love’s true meaning with youLove is defined about as thoroughly as it could be in this passageFor fathers, as well as everyone else, it is important that we truly feel this definitionI say feel, instead of know, because just having knowledge isn’t enough“People are very different, and some just can’t show love like this”You are correct! They can’t unless they have felt love like this.The good news is Father’s love is exactly like thisOur heavenly father shows us every one of these characteristics of loveThe world tries to say real men don’t show love like this because they are toughThe truth is, so many men don’t show love like this because they don’t know itThe most manly thing a man can do is accept Christ and His loveThe beginning of this passage says “love is patient, love is kind”If Fathers, and everyone else, would just grab onto thatJust think, if we were all truly patient and kind, how much better the world would be“Yes, but we can’t really be that way can we?”Yes we can, if we truly walk in the Fathers love.What we see here is the power of Father’s love.First the heavenly Father, then through Him, our earthly father’s loveAre you living that love today?Do you want to be? - Jun 11, 2023In The Garden
In The Garden
“In the Garden” is one of my favorite songsIt reminds me of Easter, but we use that song a lot at funeralsI believe that is because it talks about meeting JesusToday, I want to talk about meeting Jesus before we pass away.This is obviously just before Jesus is arrested“Pray that you may not enter into temptation”Jesus also was prayingConsider this, if Jesus, one part of the Trinity, needs to pray when faced with adversity,Shouldn’t we follow His example?The problem for many is they say, “I don’t really know how to pray”Unfortunately, prayer is one of those things that isn’t really taught to believersThere is this thought that prayer must be some specific formatLook at vs 41-42Jesus is troubled by what is about to happen, and He asks God to remove itSome say, “Well I shouldn’t ask something that is specific”Jesus did, so why shouldn’t we. This is how we get to know Him before death.Jesus prayed from His heart.That is the model of prayer we all need to follow, pray from your heartHave a real conversation with God, just as you would if you were face to faceGod wants a relationship with you, which means, He cares about the things that are troubling youYes, Jesus ended his prayer with “not My will but Yours be done”But before the end of His prayer look at verse 43-44Jesus was praying with all his being. He wasn’t leaving anything outHe prayed so hard, His sweat became as drops of blood.Too many times our prayers are superficial and not truly poured out from our heartHow do you pray? Follow this model from JesusHe prayed His heart but He knew that His heart might not be God’s willSo as Jesus closes, He says Your will be done, meaning He would accept God’s willThe thought here is that the disciples were exhausted from seeing the agony of their LordJesus bookends this passage with “Pray that you may not enter into temptation”Are you ready to Pray?
- Jun 4, 2023Restoration
Restoration
Does anyone ever watch those home improvement shows?They take something that is in a total state of disrepair and restore it.Sometimes our lives feel that wayPerhaps today someone is here that is at their wits endMaybe you have a family member that doesn’t know how they will face another dayWhatever may be going on in your life I want you to know Restoration is possibleIn chapter 36 God is speaking to Ezekiel about how Israel had destroyed themselvesChapter 37 shows that God can restore in ways we could never comprehendGod is able to take something that is without life and restore life to itThe problem is that, when we feel completely destroyed, we don’t call on GodIt is natural to find yourself overwhelmedEvery person at some point feels destroyedSometimes it is the world that tries to convince us we have no hopeWhat is supernatural is to believe that God can Restore you, no matter your condition“I will put my Spirit in you and you will come to life”“then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it”Restoration can only come, when the one who knows how to restore is calledIn those shows I talked about, it took someone who knew how, to restoreIf you know God as your father, He will restore youPerhaps it will be your restoration that shows someone else their need for HimAs we have seen in our passage today, it is never too late to call on God!Do you need to make that call today? - May 28, 2023Memorial Stones
Memorial Stones
On Monday we will pause for Remembrance on Memorial DayWhy is this important?Today I want to also talk about the importance of other memorialsOn this day in scripture Joshua had two memorials set upWhy? To remember what happened and to pass it on to future generationsEvery person has memorial stones in their livesSome to help them keep something alive to pass onOthers to remind them they don’t want to go there againPerhaps we haven’t set up enough memorial stones in our livesWinston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it”However, in some cases it is those historical things we need to repeatAll throughout scripture we are encouraged to remember and pass it onGod told the Jews to keep the word of God on their forehead as a memorialAs we study Exodus the Israelites are continually reminded they were once slaves in EgyptToday it is important for Christians to remember they were once lost sinnersSometimes we just want to forget, but remembering and sharing your struggles can be helpfulIf every major event that God brings us through became a memorial in our livesWe would soon learn that we’ve been here before and God saw us throughAs an American I can never forget that our Freedoms came by the loss of so many livesI wear my Red, White, and Blue. I fly my flag. I cry at the National AnthemIt is one of the reasons I too became a soldier.But what about the memory of what Jesus did for our SalvationWe can never forget that it cost Him everything to give salvation to usSo I read my Bible, go to church, serve in many ways as a memorial of what Christ has doneWhat He did for me is the reason I have salvation todayDo you know Him today? - May 21, 2023The God Of Peace
The God Of Peace
Last week, my Christian brothers called for prayer over my family
Certainly, as much as we all want to not worry, we do
Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!"Rejoice in the Lord always
Philippians 4:5
"Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near."The Lord is near
Philippians 4:6
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."Don’t worry but do pray
Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Peace that passes understanding
Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,"if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
Dwell on these things
Philippians 4:9
"The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."Practice these things
The God of peace will be with you!
Do you need peace today?
- May 14, 2023The Best Culture
The Best Culture
Cancel Culture - The act of cancelling anyone’s opinions that disagree with yours
Diversity Culture - The practice of accepting many different cultures not only one
Woke Culture - Designed to help people see the inequality of people groups in the World
The Best Culture - The Great Commandment
The Best Culture is the one that puts the emphasis on treating people with God’s Love
One of the best examples we have is the Love of our Godly Mothers!
When a child comes to their mother with dirty faces and torn clothes, they know they will receive love
Yes, perhaps a scolding about playing in your good clothes, but mostly love
In most cases, if a child is hurt, they want their mother above all else.
You see, a mother’s love is next to Our Father’s love. It is given first and freely.
With all the different cultures I talked about today, and many I didn’t mention, it is so easy to get caught up.
We can become angry about those we disagree with.
Even develop a hatred for people simply for identifying with one of these cultures
The roots, of the cultures I mentioned today, were truly trying to right some wrongs in the world today
However, like so many things, the roots were overtaken by a political agenda
We have become great at arguing our points by shouting loudly at the ones we disagree with
What if we recognized, like a mother does, that all these people are the same kind of people we are
Human beings in need of God’s love
Think about how a mother loves her children unconditionally
Now look back at our text again
Our ability to love others begins with Loving God above all else
When we start with loving God, the natural progression is to love others
Instead of getting angry, recognize that all people are first humans and treat them with the love of God
If we truly want to see the culture of America and the world change, it starts with Loving God and Loving people
The Best Culture of God’s Love
We can honor our mothers today, both those who are here and the ones who have passed, by Loving like a Mom
That person in front of you my feel like a sticky child covered with who knows what, but just love them!
You may not agree with their beliefs or their life choices, but just love them.
Jesus certainly doesn’t agree with every person, but he does LOVE every person
There is only one way you can be a part of this culture, and it starts by giving your life to Jesus.
Are you ready to do that today?
- May 7, 2023Weary Sinner
Weary Sinner
At some point in their lives most people search for something to fulfill them
They try everything under the sun.
This lust the Bible is speaking of means what the flesh wants and what the eyes like
This is what the world is pushing as the best things
People grow weary trying to find fulfillment in these useless things
The problem is the love of the Father is not in any of these things
For many they have heard of the Love of God but try everything else instead
Look at this picture
“You built a mighty fortress 10,000 burdens high”
For so many people it is this fortress that keeps them from the salvation of God
"With everything I have done, there is no way I can ever be forgiven"
This is the first thing you have to do,
Repent!
Repentance is more than saying I’m sorry
You are not alone
"for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (NASB)
ALL means ALL there is none that have not sinned
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NASB)
The free gift of God
"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;" (NASB)
"for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (NASB)
"For the Scripture says, 'WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.'" (NASB)
Are you weary today?
- Apr 30, 2023The Battle For Your Soul
The Battle For Your Soul
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (NASB)In this world there is a battle for your soul and the two combatants are Satan and Jesus
This is a winner take ALL battle
Not only is your soul the prize, but you are also part of the battleEphesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.(NASB)2 Corinthians 10:4
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.(NASB)Psalm 143:3
For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.(NASB)Psalm 143:8
Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.(NASB)Psalm 143:11-12
For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am Your servant.(NASB)1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.(NASB)Understand this battle is going on and has been since the beginning
We already know the outcome
God Wins!
Like all battles, there are casualties and, in this case, souls will be lost
What do you see happening in the world today?
In our country alone, the battle for the souls of the people is raging
Some may think, "I am not strong enough for this battle"
There is one last verse I want to share with all of us who are weary
"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (NASB)
This battle is already won, but many still need to know how to join the winning team
Romans 10:9 tells us exactly how to join
"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;" (NASB)
Are you ready to join up today?
- Apr 16, 2023Every Sunday Should Be A Celebration
Every Sunday Should Be A Celebration
- Apr 12, 2023Bible Study – Strength For Your Days
Bible Study – Strength For Your Days
- Apr 9, 2023Risen Sermon Series – Conquered
Risen Sermon Series – Conquered
Happy Resurrection Day!
Access
Hope
TransformedAll of this because He is Risen!
Today we celebrate that Resurrection from the grave,
and because of that, sin and the grave are CONQUERED!
"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."
Not only the grave is conquered,
There is nothing we face that can’t be conquered.
Cancer
Marital Stress
Financial Stress
HandicapsWe were never told we wouldn’t suffer
But we will conquer!
38 "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,"
39 "nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Just look at this list
Because He is Risen, nothing can separate us from His Love
If we are securely locked in His love, everything that comes our way will be conquered
"I don’t know if I can truly believe that"
Do you truly believe that Jesus overcame the grave and was resurrected on the third day?
If He has power over death, and you belong to Him, believe you too can conquer ANYTHING!
BUT, if you do not believe in Him, you will fall to EVERYTHING!
The question is….
Do You Believe?
- Apr 2, 2023Risen Sermon Series – Transformation
Risen Sermon Series – Transformation1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
^