DO YOU LOVE JESUS? 1 Jn. 2:3; 5:2 At one time or other everyone has tried to prove love for another. Some in strange ways, most in the usual ways, cards, flowers,various duties performed. How does one go about showing/proving love for Jesus? Jesus clearly told how. Keep Commandments CHRISTIANS ARE TO IMITATE CHRIST Jn. 13:15, Phil. 2:5, 1 Pet. 2:20, 21, 1 Jn. 2:6 Everybody copies something from somebody, hair style, singing style, dress style, even pulpit mannerisms. Why? People imitate other people because of admiration. Christians have their ideal to imitate and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Imitate AN ORDINARY ROD <br> God can use what we already have in His service Available BELIEVE IT OR NOT <br> Every word that is found in the Bible either has happened, is happening or shall happen exactly as God has declared. Choose EVERYBODY GETS DISCOURAGED 1 Kings 19:4; Jonah 4:3 Everyone gets discouraged at one time or other and Satan is a master at getting one to blame God when most of the time the reason for that discouragement is "self." Discouragement and Self FOLLOWING CHRIST WITH A CROSS <br> Everyone is invited to follow Jesus but Jesus has guidelines: One must really want to follow Him; One must give up certain things; One must carry a cross. Everyone, Guidelines GOD HAS A MESSAGE OF LOVE FOR EVERYDAY <br> God`s love for everyone is generally known but not everyone realizes that God has so many ways of expressing that love. Love, Free, Available, Unlimited HEAVY HEART, LOAD LIFTED <br> Satan is very adept at getting people to sin and "whispers" in the ear of the child of God, "go ahead, nobody will every know" and then after the sin, he again "whispers" "God knows what you did.." Thus making the child of God miserable and fellowship with God separated. God wants that broken fellowship restored. SIN, SEPARATION, RESTORATION IF THE GOD OF THE BIBLE IS REALLY GOD... "...and God said..." If the God of the Bible is really God, then what is the wisest thing a person should do? Bible, God, Wise JESUS MADE SOME GREAT CLAIMS Exodus 3:14 "...I AM..." People of every century have made claims that were not true. Who in their right mind would ever claim to be "God?" Jesus made such a claim, many times. Was He pretending? Was He insane? Or was He telling the truth? Take a look at some of His claims. Claim, God, Truth, LIe KOINONIA 1 John 2 - 5; 1 Corinthians 13 People who are close and share things often are said to be "bonded" together. There is a very strong fellowship within such "bonding." God uses the word "koinonia" to describe how He wants His children to fellowship together. God makes it very clear that if His children want to fellowship with Him, they have to fellowship with each other, regardless. Fellowship, Sharing, Oneness, Bonding ALLAH OR JEHOVAH? "I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me..." Muslims and their religion have been getting the world`s attention lately and it would be good to note the differences. They say Allah is the same God of the Bible. Is this true? Here are some comparisons of qualities of Jehovah God of the Bible and of the Muslim`s Allah. Jehovah God, Allah, Islam, Christianity LOVE FOR THE LOST <br> There are many wonderful things one can do for another but the greatest thing that one can do for another is to bring that person to Jesus. An example is the text, Andrew met Jesus then went to bring his brother Simon (Peter) to meet Jesus. Love, Lost, Duty, Jesus MANY CHURCH MEMBERS BUT FEW SERVE Matthew 19:27-30 To be obedient and serve God, changes and adjustments will have to be made. Ask any christian, "do you want to serve God?" and the answer will be "Yes." Sadly though God is not able to use most of His children, christians. They don`t want to make any changes. Obedience, Service, Changes STANDING STILL IN A FAST PACED LIFE 1 Samuel 12:7-16 Today`s life style is so fast paced that there are even drive-thru funeral homes. In the Old Testament God often had to tell His people to "stand still" as He had something to say to them. Today it is not different. God`s children still need to be told to "stand still" for God has something to say to them. Fast Life, Be Still, Time for God THE NATION OF ISRAEL`S REBIRTH <br> In the matter of 17 minutes a meeting was called to order and the Declaration of Independence of the New State of Israel was read. For the first time since A.D. 135 there was a land called Israel in existence. This was the day when God made good on His promise for the rebirth of the nation of Israel and its restoration to the promised land. A sign that the second coming of the Lord Jesus is at hand. Rebirth, Promise, Sign ALMIGHTY GOD IS ALSO A LOVING FATHER <br> What makes a father desert his own children or abuse and mistreat them in so many ways? Many people cannot understand a "loving father" such as the Bible describes Almighty God as being. They never knew a father who "loved" them so the very word "love" is strange. Sad, but true, others also have a problem grasping the wonderful truth that Almighty God is also a Loving Father. Father, Love, God AMERICA IS CHANGING John 15:16-19; Matthew 5:43-48; 24:3-15; Exodus 14:13-18; 2 Kings 6:15-17 It is no secret that America is changing and the whole world is noticing. What has changed in America that has someone to hurt it? Has America left God? Is it because America helps Israel? Is it because it is so great and there is jealousy among other nations? Is it because America leads the world in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and non-believers don`t like it? Is it because it is the beginning of the end? America, Change, Left God GOD`S OTHER NATION Joshua 3:17; Psalm 33:12; Isaiah 60:12 It`s well know that God has a special people called Israel, or Jews. For a multitude of transgressions, including killing God`s own Son, Jesus, God scattered the nation of Israel across the world. God brought about another nation, this time a Gentile nation, to do what Israel failed to do: be a witness of Him around the world, show the world what God wants every nation to be like. That other nation is America. Purpose, God`s Nations THE FAMILY OF GOD Galatians 3:26-27); Romans 8:14-17; 1 John 3:1-2 (other texts) Families have always made up the world with some family similarities and some differences. God has a family and it is very different from any of the other families of the world. Family, God, Different THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THE TEN COMMANDMENTS <br> There`s been much "ado" lately about the Ten Commandments being in public places such as schools and courtrooms. What`s the big deal about the Ten Commandments anyhow? To those outside God`s family they mean nothing. To those of God`s family they are guidelines He gave for His chidlren to live by. What exactly are the Ten Commandments anyhow? Commandments, God`s Family HELP IN UNDERSTANDING THE LORD`S SUPPER 1 Corinthians 11;23-26 Why did the Lord choose bread and wine as symbols He wanted the Church to remember Him by? Why did He choose that particular event and night of the year? Going back to the original purpose of the Passover Celebration will be helpful for the Christian to understand the Lord`s Supper more. Bread, Wine, Passover, Mediator WHAT WAS JESUS REALLY LIKE? <br> Each person his his/her own idea of what Jesus must have been like when He was a little boy, a teenager, and then young adulthood. Did He have many friends as a child, was He a good carpenter as a young man? Each has an image in the mind of what Jesus could have been like. What does the Bible teach about "what Jesus was really like?" Jesus, Childhood, Youth, Adulthood TAKE A LOOK AT GOD Revelation 4:11 (other verses) Ever wonder what it was like before Genesis 1:1? Ever wonder what God could have done instead of what He did when He made all that man knows today? Going back to the beginning and then just looking around at today should cause a person to just stand back in awe at just who God is. God, Creation, Variety HOW GOD DID IT <br> God spoke and creation happened! Simple as that. Non believers have attempted to "explain" how the creation happened and they said that there was this "big bang" and there everything was and that life slowly "evolved" to where it is now and it is still "evolving." When all of God`s people crossed the Red Sea and didn`t get wet, the non believers say it was at "low tide" but they don`t explain how all Pharoah`s army drowned at low tide. To see some more of God`s wondrous works, just look at the Exodus. Can non believers explain what happened there? God, Almighty, Exodus, Miracles MORE THAN A MONEY TITHE BELONGS TO GOD <br> Sadly most christian`s don`t know exactly what belongs to God. Most are familiar with a tithe or "tenth" of their income belonging to God but unknowing about what else God demands. The Book of Malachi is about God`s people denying that they owed God anything. "More than a money tithe belongs to God." Tithe, God, Owes, Christian THREE LITTLE KNOWN FACTS IN A CHRISTIANS LIFE <br> Jesus never taught His disciples how to preach, but He did teach them how to pray and through that teaching some little known facts about the christian life are revealed. Prayer, Power, Holiness, Lifestyle THE COMMANDMENT CHRISTIANS SEEM TO VIOLATE THE MOST <br> In the days of Jesus everybody had trouble keeping all the laws associated with keeping the Sabbath. It seems that in today`s time God`s children, called Christians, also have trouble keeping God`s special day called "Sunday." God`s Day, Command, Violate GOD HAS REVEALED HIMSELF IN THREE WAYS Matthew 1:23 Most love a good mystery, a "who done it.." However the greatest mystery is not about a crime, but a birth. Why would the Creator of mankind ever want to become one of His own creation, a man? God has revealed Himself to mankind in three ways during the course of human history. Creation, Bible, Birth, Love GOD SAYS TO "OPEN WIDE" John 15:7 Ever notice how wide baby birds open their mouths to receive what the mother or father bird has brought to them? God wants His children also to "open wide" so that He might give them more and greater things. One`s prayer life is indicative of what one thinks of God. Prayers, Great, Small, Honor CHRISTIAN, DO YOU REMEMBER... <br> As one gets older, remembering "the good old days" becomes more frequent and many happy memories are brought back to mind. For those who have been christians for many years, it would be good to go back and remember what it was like not being a christian as it can bring refresh one`s love and appreciation for the Lord and also renew one`s interest in those who are still not a part of God`s family. Remember, Lost, Saved, God THE CROSS HAS CHANGED <br> Time has a way of changing things and sometimes values are also changed. What was once important becomes unimportant, unimportant becomes important. Take the Cross of Christ for instance. Once it was considered sacred, Holy and respected. Today there are cross tattoos, ear rings, bracelets, desk decorations, and even painted on motorcycle fenders. Think about it, The Cross Has Changed! Cross, Death, Sacred, Meaningless GOD`S "NEVER" IS DIFFERENT <br> Jesus chose to call those who believe in Him His "sheep." Sheep need a very caring and protecting shepherd as they are totally defenseless, tend to roam or wander away and need constant watching. Jesus said that His sheep will "...never perish..." Some people don`t believe what Jesus said about His sheep "never perishing..." That brings dishonor to God the Father, Jesus, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit, for all three are involved in seeing that Jesus` sheep never perish. Sheep, Believer, Never, Perish HAVING PROBLEMS DOING WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO? <br> Ever hear a child answer "I don`t know..." when asked why he/she did that? Ever wonder why people do strange things? Ever do something "dumb" and didn`t know why you did it? Every person born since Adam and Eve`s first son has been born under the control of what God calls the Old Sin Nature and it is contrary to how God wants people to live. To try to go against the Old Sin Nature will bring about inner struggles. Paul, the Apostle had such struggles and he tells about them in this passage. God`s Will, Old Sin Nature, Struggles, Help MOSES SAID IT FIRST <br> A man tried to help some people being abused but the abusers and the ones being abused turned on him so he had to leave the country. This man met God on a mountain side and found out that he was the one God had in mind to help the people he had already tried to help. He asked God a lot of questions and finally told God that He had the wrong man. People still ask God the same questions and give the same excuses as did MOSES. God`s Will, Excuses, Wrong Person, Obedience SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF Jeremiah 8:6 "What have I done?" A question often asked when accused of something. A question not asked when Israel had left God for Idols. A similar question Pilate asked when he asked "what shall I do unto Him ye call King of the Jews?" Why not ask yourself some questions about "what is being done in my life about....." and reflect back upon your relationship with God. Use these questions and do a check on what is going on between you and God: God, Jesus, Bible, Holy Spirit, Obedience, Opportunities SOMEONE WHO WILL ALWAYS BE THERE <br> Nothing seems to ever stay the same. Neighborhoods change, friends and family members get old (everybody except YOU of course). Wouldn`t it be comforting and reassuring to have someone close by who would always be there and who would not be changing? The Christian has just that "someone." Change, Unchangeable, Present, Heavenly Father, Christians Only HOW COULD JESUS BE SO FORGIVING? <br> What if you could read people`s minds, knowing their every thought. How do you supposed you would react? Fear? Caution? Jealousy? Hate? Disgust? Love? What if someone could read your mind? What if there was someone who knew everything you had ever done? There is someone who knows and that is Jesus. If Jesus knows what`s in the minds of people, then how in the world could Jesus be so forgiving? Foreknowledge, Hurt, Love, Forgiveness THE ONE THEME OF THE BIBLE <br> Of the many books, hundreds of chapters and thousands of verses of the Bible, there is but one theme and that is "God and Man." God has great things He wants man to do but man wants "to do his own thing" and between God and man there is Satan and what he wants man to do. The Bible reveals God`s patience, love, and interventions as man gets into trouble again and again. Bible Theme, God, Man, Satan, Wills SOME SCARY WORDS Genesis 6:3 Matthew 7:21 Acts 7:42 Romans 1:24, 26 Most people think of God as being loving, kind, patient, forgiving, which He is but there`s another side of God not mentioned very much and that`s when God says "ENOUGH!" When someone persistently continues ignoring God`s warnings, His calls, there can come a time when God will say, "...let him alone..." God will have nothing more to do with that person. Those are Some Scary Words." Enough, Ignore, Refuse, Warnings THE FIRST ONE EVER MAD AT GOD Isaiah 14:12-15 Ezekiel 28:11-19 John 15:18-19 1 John 3:1 The Bible speaks of countless angels in heaven doing the will of God and of one who became jealous of God and was removed from office. Ever since Satan (Lucifer) has been trying to take away from God or destroy everything God loves and tries to do, beginning in the Garden of Eden up to today. Anger, Jealousy, Hate, God, Satan, Church THE REAL THING (SAVING FAITH) Matthew 13:3-8; 18-22 Church rolls have many names of members who don`t come and haven`t come for years. However if those people were asked if they were a Christian, every one would answer "yes, of course." Why then is there such a difference in church members? Many are faithful in all ways to the Lord and His Church but so many more don`t seem to care. Something is wrong here. Is there more than one kind of saving faith? Faith, Imitation, Christian, Church Member UNHAPPY CHRISTIANS Deuteronomy 10:8-9 Joshua 13:29-33 God chose Abraham, God chose Israel, God chose a land (promised land), God then chose where each tribe would be located in that chosen land. God chose one of the 12 tribes to give full time service to Him (Levites). Some Christians are living unhappy lives and tend to blame God for their unhappy life. As God chose the things for Israel, so God chooses what each christian is to do with his/her life in serving Him. Christian unhappiness comes when not doing what God wants. God, Christian, Unhappy, Choose, Life, Content GOD`S GRACE IS GRACE <br> People are always trying to bring God down to their level as they don`t do things as He does. God`s grace is a problem with many as God`s grace is just that: Grace. Free, undeserved, unmerited, unearned favor of God for the believer, regardless of the believer`s past and it`s permanent. Also there are some things that God`s Grace is not: THINKING ABOUT BEING SAVED? <br> It`s not often that a pastor has someone tell him, "I`ve been thinking about being saved, what do I need to do?" Most often it`s the other way, "I don`t need your religion, go preach it to somebody who needs it..." A very rough and tough man, a jailer whose attention God got one night asked the question: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved..." And he got the short and sweet answer: "...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." Salvation, Jesus Christ, Delay, Now WHY CRITICIZE THE CHURCH? <br> Everybody is a born critic. It is not unusual for a non christian to criticize a church and it`s members, but it is indeed a sad thing for a christian to criticize any church. It brings disgrace to Jesus Christ upon whom the church is built and He even calls it His "body." It shows that that christian critic has a lack of respect, lack of appreciation, lack of love, and is not right with God. It also shows ignorance of what all the church has been, is and will continue to be. Criticize, Church, Christian, Body, Ignorance THE GREATEST MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE <br> People are recognized for great accomplishments with parties, a lot of "pomp and circumstance" with awards given, speeches, "thank yous" to everyone. That event will be long remembered in that recognized person`s life as a great moment. However, the greatest moment that a person can really have is the moment when one "comes to Jesus." GOD SAVES THE BEST TILL LAST <br> In the days of Jesus wedding receptions lasted over a week sometimes and food, drink and entertainment was provided by the host and the best of everything was always served the first few days. Jesus` mother, Mary, asked Jesus to take care of a wine shortage. In doing so Jesus turned water into wine and the result was that everybody was amazed for it was better than what was served at the first. Thus the comment: "...but thou hast kept the good wine until now." That comment also brings out a truth about God: "God always saves the best till last." Worst, Best, World, Sin, God, Last THINK ABOUT IT CHRISTIAN <br> Everybody has something at one time or other to be thankful for, some more so than others such as money, property, health, friends, family, job, etc. People are generally most thankful for things they have had a part in. There are, however, some people who have more to be thankful for than anybody else on earth for they actually had nothing to do with that for which they should be so thankful for that nobody else has and those people are "Christians." Thankful, Christians, Only, Think, Nobody NOT JUST THE OLD FORGET <br> Everyone forgets and sooner or later everything and everyone is forgotten, faces, names, places, athletes, musicians, classmates, teachers, dates, childhood events, promises, all fade away and are replaced with the new. Most of the time nothing serious happens when one forgets, but when one forgets the things of God that can indicate some very serious problems in that person`s life. How can a Christian forget about God? Forget, Self-Sufficient, God, Abundance, Remember WANT TO GET GOD`S ATTENTION? Isaiah 66:1-2 "Psst" "Hey You!" are words that people speak to get each other`s attention. Children even do things that will get them in trouble with parents or teachers just to get attention. Much is done "in God`s Name" by churches, organizations, and societies to benefit others and often receive "praise" for their efforts, but did it get God`s attention? What does get God`s attention? Attention, God, Works, Non-interest ONLY GOD CAN DO WHAT GOD DOES John 3:25-36 There is no argument that only God can do what God does. The Islamic and Jewish faiths have a big problem with the Christian faith for "Jesus" of the Christian faith is God in the flesh. The son of Mary was nothing more than an ordinary human being but with extraordinary skills to the Islams and Jews. Did Jesus do what only God could do? What does the Bible say? God, Jesus, Works, Same BE PROUD Romans 1:16; 9:33; 10:11 2 Timothy 1:8 1 Peter 4:16 Pride can bring a person a lot of trouble but being proud of one`s husband, wife, children, or grandchildren is just not the same thing. Everyone is proud of someone or something. How about being proud of being a Christian? If so, then here are some more things to be proud about, being a Christian. Proud, Jesus, Gospel, Future THE CHRISTIANS` TWO POSITIONS BEFORE GOD Romans 6:23 1 Corinthians 15:1 The Christian has two positions before God. One is permanent, unchangeable but the other one is varying, always changing but not affecting the first position. If a big, strong, muscular person becomes sick with the flu and becomes bedridden, he is still big, strong, muscular, but something has changed. So it is with the positions of a Christian. One position before God stays the same, but the other changes frequently. "Standing" and "State" are those two positions. Standing, State, Christian, Believer, God, Change A VOICE FROM THE DEAD <br> People throughout time in all parts of the world have tried to contact the dead in one way or other. Some sit in circles while one tries to reach some loved one who had died, others drink some mixture that sends them into a trance while others dance in circles chanting, all these and many other methods are efforts to contact the dead and learn of the life beyond. All they need to do is read the Bible for Jesus tells of two men who died and what was there for each one. Hell, Heaven, Real, Choice TO PRAY OR OBEY? Deuteronomy 10:12-13 Matthew 5:6 John 14:21 Ever visit a christian book store? There`s a book for every situation a christian might ever encounter and also somewhere there`s a church offering a study course, a seminar, a share group, or a retreat as well. Whatever a chrsitian needs spiritually, just buy a book, attend a seminar, or just pray all night and God will fix it. Most problems christians have can be fixed with just one word but it is a word they had rather not hear. Pray, Obey, Repentance, Change SOMETHING SOLID TO STAND ON Matthew 16:13-18 Today is an age of uncertainty, unrest, constant change with wars, disasters, disease, suicide bombings, insecurity everywhere. Even Christianity seems to have lost it`s cross as the 10 commandments have been removed from schools and courtrooms as well as any reference to God. Morals have just about disappeared. Is there anything that a person can turn to that won`t change? Is there anything that will always be there? Is there anything solid to stand on anymore? Uncertainity, Solid, God`s Word, Jesus, Truth EVER SHUT THE DOOR ON JESUS? Revelation 3:20 "Hurry, shut the door, maybe he`ll go away." Ever deliberately shut the door on someone, hoping that he/she would not want to come in? Ever shut the door on someone and not know it? They were going to come in but you didn`t know it so you closed the door on them? The disciples did that to Jesus once. They were having a problem believing Jesus had risen from the dead that day and out of fear of the Jews they shut and bolted the door, but that didn`t keep Jesus out, He came in anyhow. Jesus, Shut Doors, Who, Impossible GOD AND MAN DON`T THINK ALIKE <br> Every person has his/her own concept of God but nobody thinks like God on all matters. Many have trouble trusting God as they just can`t understand Him as His ways are so different from theirs. God forgives the same people over and over for doing the same wrong things, even when they have hurt Him in what they have done. How does He do that? He is so different from people. Forgiveness, Man, God, Different THE MOST WELCOME WORD Genesis 7:1 Mark 10:46 There is a word when uttered by God the Father or the Lord Jesus that is the most welcome word a person could ever want to hear. It has been called the "gospel in a single word." The word appears over 1,000 times in the Bible and if one deleted from the Bible all other passages of scripture leaving only those with this word, there would still be a full gospel to preach. What is that most welcome word? What is that word that can change lives, give hope? That word is "COME!" Welcome, Wonderful, Word, Come GOD`S PURPOSE FOR PRAYER James 4:3 Ever ask God for a new van? Ever tell God that if He would grant this one prayer for you, you`d go to church for a year and never miss? Ever tell God that if He would answer just this one prayer you`d never bother Him again? When two teams play each other and they both pray to God to help them win, whose side does God take? Who would want a God who could be persuaded to change His mind or to do things somebody`s own way? It is God`s unchangeableness that is the greatest encouragement to pray. Just what is God`s purpose for prayer, why pray? Pray, Honor, Blessing, Needs, Answered THREE "F`S" IN THE CHRISTIAN`S LIFE John 3:16 John 14:6 John 1:12 Romans 10:13 Often one sees a "bubbly" Christian whose life is overflowing with joy, excitement and service, then there`s the other Christian whose life seems to be filled with doubt, despair, and ups and downs. What causes the difference? There are three important factors in living the Christian life and if the order is mixed up then one`s Christian life can be one of uneasiness and questions. The three important factors in a Christians` life are: FACT, FAITH, FEELINGS. Fact, Faith, Feelings, Order, Life BEEN PLEASING GOD LATELY? John 15:26; 16:7 Colossians 1:26-27 1 John 3:24 Matthew 28:19-20 Been pleasing God lately or is there room for improvement? Would you be a good example for a new Christian to copy his/her life after? How do you like change? What about not being in charge? Want things to stay like they are right now? Would it surprise you to know that Jesus is not in control of most Christian`s lives? Is He in control of yours? To live as God wants you to live, Jesus must have absolute control of your life. How does that happen? Pleasing, Control, Jesus, Willing HOW MUCH PLAINER CAN JESUS MAKE IT? <br> Since God created the first couple there have been three ways of doing things: God`s way, Satan`s way, and man`s way. Since Satan (Lucifer) tried to take God`s throne and lost, he has told everybody that God lies and cannot be trusted. God has offered fellowship restored and eternal life to those who would have it and it is only through Jesus. Satan tries to get people to believe otherwise. People are left to decide to listen to God, to Satan or to neither. Eternal life, God`s Way, Everybody, Choice HOW FAR DOES YOUR BELIEF IN GOD GO? Matthew 11:26 Just about anybody you ask about belief in God will say that they do. There are many different beliefs about God: He is distant. He started things and left. He cannot be known. He cares only for certain ones, etc. If a person believed that the God of the Bible was the only true God, then what should their attitude toward the God of the Bible be? God of the Bible, Only God, Belief, Attitude SOONER OR LATER EVERYBODY SINS <br> Picture that fateful night of the Passover Supper when Jesus initiated the Lord`s Supper. The hours spent with the faithful disciples, then the garden where Jesus prayed then the soldiers taking Him away. Peter followed at a distance for a while, then came closer but when asked if he knew Jesus, Peter denied three times that he did, even using profanity. How could Peter have done such a thing? A lesson here is that sooner or later everybody will sin. Love, Faithful, Sin, Everybody, Disgust, Forgiveness CHRISTIAN, GET HAPPY BECAUSE... Hebrews 9:28 Philippians 4:4 Every have those days when everything went wrong? Days that you wish you could have just stayed in bed? Nothing went right. Life seemed to throw everything in the world at you till you just couldn`t stand anymore. The joy of living was just gone? Everybody sooner or later has times like these when life just didn`t seem worth living anymore. Well, Christian, lift up your head because here`s some good news for you! Coming Back, Resurrected, Changed, Caught Up, Jesus THE BELIEVER IS ETERNALLY SECURE <br> Jesus calls those who follow Him "sheep." It is no secret that sheep cannot take care of themselves so the better shepherd they have the better off they will be. Therefore if Christians are Jesus` sheep, then the Christian has no need to fear of ever being lost or uncared for. The sheep of Jesus are always in absolute safety and shall never be be taken from Him. Sheep, Christian, Shepherd, Jesus, Secure UNBELIEF IS STILL AROUND TODAY <br> When Jesus started His ministry it would seem that some of His first supporters would have been some of the people who knew him but it was the opposite. Those who knew him turned against Him and thus Jesus "marveled at their unbelief." It seems that unbelief is still around today and if Jesus marveled then, how much more must He marvel at this present generation. Unbelief, Marvel, Jesus, "Profession," NEED SOME REASSURING? <br> There are many who believe that they can lose their salvation and even teach and preach that belief to others, thus causing a lack of assurance of one ever being saved in the first place and if so, then what can cause one to lose his/her salvation, creating a life of uncertainty and insecurity in those who are led to believe such. Here are some facts that can bring assurance of one`s salvation. Salvation, Assurance, God`s Word, Work of Christ, Holy Spirit BE CONFIDENT ABOUT THE BIBLE <br> Through the centuries Satan has tried to destroy the Bible and if he couldn`t do that then to discredit it and cause people to doubt parts of it therefore raising questions as to whether any of it was true or not. To receive God`s gift of eternal life and to live as God wants one to live, believing every word of the Bible is essential. Every Word of the Bible is true because God wrote it. God`s Word, True, Bible, Believe, TWO MOST WONDERFUL WORDS <br> There is no way that mankind can ever know what this world would be like without God. Even though in God`s eyes mankind is dead in trespasses and sins and is walking as the prince of this world wants, seeking the heart`s desires and having no interest in God, God is supremely interested in every single human being and two most wonderful words spell the difference between heaven and hell, life and death for the human race. History, Lives, Impossible, God WHEN IS JESUS COMING BACK? <br> Every generation has had people who thought they could tell the future. Some used a crystal ball, some cards, some would throw sticks down, some would gaze up at the stars but in reality, none of them could actually tell the future although they did have their followers. There is, however, One who can actually tell the future and that is God. When is Jesus coming back? Only God knows and He has given "signs" to look for that will occur before Jesus does return. Return, Signs, Jesus, Bride, Indifference THE WORLD OR HEAVEN, WHICH DO YOU WANT? <br> What would you do with an unlimited bank account? Where would you go? What would you buy? What would you give to have such a life style? Jesus talked about such a situation when He said, "...What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?..." World, Soul, Heaven, Hell, Choice DO YOU HEAR GOD EVERY TIME HE SPEAKS TO YOU? <br> In this text God is pleading for Israel to stop what they were doing and listen to Him. How many times has God had something to say to us but we were too busy doing something else to take the time to listen? What could be more important that hearing what God has to say? When God has something to say, He can make Himself heard! Hear, Speak, God, Attention YOU DON`T HAVE TO WAIT TO ENJOY GOD`S GOODNESS <br> Most people look forward to retirement someday and usually are trying to save money for that wonderful day. Christians also look forward to a day and that day is when God calls them home to their place in Heaven. However the Christian doesn`t have to wait till they get to Heaven to enjoy God`s Goodness for God has much He wants the Christian to have right now. Retirement, Heaven, God`s Goodness WHO IS "GOD" TO YOU? Psalms 9:10 Before anything, there was God. God is the source of all morality and all that is good. People say they believe in "God" but without a pure heart and a surrendered mind, no person can ever know God. It is absolutely critical that God be known for mankind came from Him. Ever since Satan led the first man away from God every human being since then has been born separated from God. To really "know" God is to trust Him. True God, Man`s Idea of God, Church`s Concept ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH THE BIBLE John 10:2-4 Through the ages God has revealed Himself to people through various ways such as using angels, dreams, nature, even animals and by His "voice" and by prophets. In the New Testament, God came in the flesh and was called "Jesus" and people heard God, in the flesh, speak directly to them. After Jesus ascended back to Heaven, the Holy Spirit came and spoke directly to those starting the Church and then led men to write what is called the New Testament, the written Word of God. Voice, God, Encountering, Bible FORGIVENESS FROM GOD? WELL MAYBE <br> This passage of scripture is an "eye opener" for those who think that God quickly forgives any Christian who comes to Him and asks for "forgiveness." There is a particular condition under which God will just not forgive any Christian and that is when that Christian asking for forgiveness has not been forgiving to others. This is a truth which is not well known among Christians or else is ignored. Forgive, Others, God, Christian, Forgiveness ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH PRAYER <br> God has always been interested in people and has spoken to them through the ages in various manners such as through angels, a burning bush, clouds, preachers and even in person, known as Jesus. God speaks also through His written Word, the Bible. Today God speaks mostly through the Bible and PRAYER. Prayer, God, Relationship, Encountering THE HOLY SPIRIT PART OF GOD John 16:7-11 God has loved man from the very beginning and told Adam and Eve that someday the fellowship they lost by sinning would be restored by a Redeemer, Messiah, a Savior and in God`s time that promised one came, known as "Jesus," God in the flesh. Jesus told of someone who was coming to take His place when He left and that someone was the Holy Spirit Today there is the Bible and the Holy Spirit. What does the Holy Spirit do? Holy Spirit, Jesus, God, Father, Bible ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH DIFFICULTIES <br> God loves mankind very much and knowing each person is different, God has used many methods to make Himself heard such as sending angels with a message, or speaking in a cloud or thunder, or a burning bush and even through a donkey once. Today God speaks through the Bible, through prayer, using the Holy Spirit to help His Children hear Him. There is another way that God speaks to His children and that is through difficult situations in their lives. Difficulties, Situations, God`s Viewpoint, Wrong Ideas STAYING POWER Matthew 24:9 John 15:13 Revelation 2:10 Every nation has it`s heroes and honors them at special times and especially recognized are those who gave their lives for their country. God`s Church has those who gave up their lives before denying their faith in Jesus Christ and God calls those special people, "martyrs." Why can some die for their faith and some cannot? Those who have given their lives for their faith have "Staying Power." Heroes, Martyrs, Faith, Staying Power ASSURANCES FROM SATAN <br> Jesus tells of a wedding where a man tried to get into the festivities without the proper wedding attire, a white shawl, which was given to everyone who had been invited to the wedding. Most people think they are going to go to heaven some day but not everyone will as God has a "wedding garment" that only those who have been invited will have. That "wedding garment" is called "salvation" and it comes from belief in Jesus Christ. Satan is quick to assure that nobody needs to fret or worry as all will be well in the end. Heaven, Salvation, Assurance, Satan, Jesus WHAT ABOUT "WORKS?" <br> There are various ideas about "works" that please God and how those "works" relate to one`s salvation. Jesus explained that "works" such as keeping the Law are not as important as being obedient to the Gospel and that "works" are not done to earn salvation or a crown or a place in heaven but "works" that please God are done out of gratitude and obedience. What kind of "good works" please God? Works, Salvation, God, Acceptable I WILL FOLLOW YOU, BUT... <br> It`s amazing how man has remained the same through the centuries. As the Gospel also remains unchanged, so also has man`s excuses and objections for not following Jesus. Countless people have become interested in Jesus, yet something in some way causes them to refuse to follow Jesus, just as the people did in Jesus` time. Follow, Excuse, Jesus GOD WANTS TO HELP John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24; 1 John 5:14-15 Ever need help? Why? Ever give help? Why? Ever refuse to give help? Why? Does God really want to help His Children? If so, how much? Help, Children, God, Unlimited GRACE BY ANY OTHER NAME IS STILL GRACE <br> Some people have some strange ideas about the things of God. For instance "GRACE." It is admitted that God`s Grace is unmerited, undeserved, and unearned favor as He offers salvation to those who would believe in His Son, Jesus. Some want to insist that man has to add to God`s Grace to obtain salvation and then some insist that man has to do something to keep God`s Grace in effect or else that grace and salvation can be lost. How strange. How wrong! Grace, Salvation, Eternal SENIORS, TAKE TIME AND REMEMBER 1 Peter 2:4-10 As we become senior adults, changes take place as our arms grow feeble, legs weaken, teeth fall out along with hair which turns white as well. Eyes grow dim, hearing lessens, hearts begin to fail, worries increase, minds become forgetful along with countless other things. We are told to remember our creator in the days of our youth for many reasons and one of the main ones is that when we grow old, we don`t remember and not remembering our Creator is a sad and bad thing. Therefore, let us now "remember our Creator as in the days of our youth..." Seniors, Remember, Creator, Benefits WITNESSING IS LIKE FARMING Luke 10:2 John 4:35-38 Jesus often used farming illustrations and expressions when describing people who need to know about God`s love and the salvation that comes through believing in His Son, Jesus. Jesus compared the Gospel to a seed and people to different kinds of soil and when one believes in Jesus, it is harvest time. Jesus would remind us today that each generation has it`s own "harvest time" and Christians need to be busy helping God harvest His crop of lost souls. Harvest, Souls, Fields, Workers RESISTING GOD`S CALL <br> If we believe God is who He says He is and if we believe God wants only the best for us, then why do we resist His call to service? Jonah knew exactly what God wanted, yet he resisted. The same holds true for so many of us. God calls, we know what He wants and we still resist and refuse to obey. Refuse, Obey, Jonah, Self AFRAID TO WITNESS? <br> Many Christians are in an uncomfortable position in that they know that God wants them to witness, to share their faith but they are very uneasy in even thinking about trying to witness to someone. They have forgotten about a Christian man of long ago who felt the same way but finally did what God wanted him to do, witness. That man`s name was Ananias and the person God wanted him to talk to was a man named Saul, later called Paul. Afraid, Witness, Everyone, God, Plan, WHERE TO FIND GOD Romans 1:20-25 A man was looking for his watch under a street light and others joined him in looking as they came by, not finding the watch after a time of looking, the people told him that the watch just wasn't there. "Oh, I know that, I lost the watch a couple blocks back but the light was better here.." Sound dumb and stupid? Well, people are trying to find God in the same manner - looking for Him in the wrong place. God, Religion, Christianity WHEN YOU DON'T GO TO CHURCH <br> A pastor began to compare the Sunday morning worship attendance with the church's membership and did so for over 40 years and a dozen churches he pastored and found that with a few exceptions the average Sunday worship attendance compared to the church's membership was a sad 25%. Where was the other 75%? Christian have you ever thought about the consequences of your not attending worship regularly? Christian, Worship, Absence, Consequences <br> SORRY, NO HELP NEEDED <br> "Religion" is a word used to define the efforts of man to create his own god or some system of "worship" from his own design. Ever since Cain "did his own thing" by offering to God his own idea of a sacrifice instead of following God's guidelines, mankind has been doing the same thing. Man has even tried to change God's "Christianity" (salvation through Jesus Christ alone) to the way he thinks God should have done it. Contrary to what some so called "christians" preach and teach, God doesn't need anybody's help. Christianity, Salvation, God, No Help WOMEN IN THE LIFE OF JESUS <br> In the days of Jesus women were considered less important than men and therefore were shunned. It was a disgrace for a man to acknowledge a woman in public and even in places of worship women were not allowed to be with the men but in a different part of the room. How did Jesus react to the women He encountered in His ministry? The Book of Luke reveals how accepting, sensitive and affirming Jesus was of women. Women, Jesus, Disgrace, Public, Acceptance <br> <br> EVER WISH YOU HAD A DONKEY LIKE YOUR NEIGHBOR'S? <br> People may not be interested in their neighbor's donkey in most places, but all people everywhere are always seeing something that others have and wish that they had one like it or even the one somebody else has. Why are people never satisfied with what they have but always want more, something bigger and better? God gave a commandment about "wanting" what belongs to others and He called it "coveting." Wanting, Coveting, Desiring, Commandment TAKING THE THINGS OF GOD LIGHTLY 1 Samuel 5 When God had the Ark of the Covenant built, He was very specific in the "who, what, when and where" in it's construction. The Ark was special to God and anybody who even touched it died with the exception of the high priest and then only at certain times. Through the years thousands died from not respecting God's Ark of the Covenant. Today people still take lightly the things of God. Ark, Respect, Cheapened,Godly Things AN EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE Genesis 6:1-7:10 There is no question as to what God thinks of sin and wickedness that mankind is always getting into. God showed what He thought about sin and wickedness when He flooded the world and destroyed all human life except for one man and his family. What was so special about this one man that God spared only him? Noah found grace in the eyes of God. God then gave Noah a tremendous task to warn the world of a coming flood and to build a very big boat. Wickedness, Sinfulness, Grace, Obedience, Faith, Ark WHEN GOD IS NOT NEEDED <br> Every generation has revealed that there has been a time when God was not needed, even God's own people, Israel, at times acted like they didn't need God. Today's generation is no different in not needing God all the time. God is not included in making plans for the future but potential financial needs are, such as insurance, investments, savings, etc. People live as they will never die and give no thought that someday they will stand before God in judgment. God warns such people that "if they have no need of Him when times are good, then don't look for Him when things go wrong." God, Plans, Included, Needed SERVING GOD PART TIME Key verse: 9:62 Many people have two jobs and usually one is called a "part time job." Equal time and energy is hard if not impossible to give to both jobs, therefore one of the two is done less seriously. Jesus tells of three men who said they wanted to follow Him. One decided on an impulse, not giving any thought at all as to what it would cost to follow Jesus. Another said he had to go take care of a family matter first then he would follow Jesus, then another said that he wanted to go home first, tell everyone good by and tie up some loose ends. Jesus used a farming illustration to point out what following Him must be like. Once started, no looking back, but holding on firmly and looking only forward. One cannot serve God part time. Part time, Unfit, Looking Back, Serving God BRINGING UP CHILDREN GOD'S WAY Deuteronomy 6:1-8 Genesis 1:27-28 Over 16 years of education is required for one to teach in a public school and at least 19 years of education is required for a doctor. Even carpenters, plumbers and electricians must have several years of training before being proficient in their chosen area of work. However there is no education or training required to become a parent. Child rearing is most difficult and very trying. Children "specialists" have written books for parents-to-be and new parents to read in hopes of learning how to be good parents. Just what does God have to say about parents and children? Children, Parents, God, Love, Bible WHAT PROVES ONE'S LOVE FOR JESUS? <br> Jesus asked Peter a direct question three times, "Peter, do you love me?" Notice Jesus didn't ask Peter if he believed what he had heard Him teach about the Kingdom of God or if he trusted Him or did he accept all the new things he had heard Him talk about. Jesus asked Peter the question that could be answered with a lie. If Jesus were to ask you that same question, would your answer be the same as Peter's? Would you be telling the truth? Do you always act like you love Jesus? Love, Jesus, Lie, Proof, Desire, Obedience CHRISTIANS WILL BE JUDGED Romans 14:10-13 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 It is important for Christians to witness, for those without Christ will stand before God and be condemned to a horrible eternity as they never accepted God's Son and never became a part of the Family of God. The Christian also needs to think about the day he/she will also stand before God. God has made it clear that how the Christian judges others is how God will judge him/her. God wants to bless and reward the Christian on that great day, but how much He can depends upon how the Christian has lived his/her life. Christian, Judgment, Christ, Reward, Loss SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT BEING THANKFUL <br> To be sincere the heart has to be involved. We are always telling people "thank you" without even thinking of what we are saying, it is an automatic response. Being really thankful involves the heart. A little girl could not get down from the dinner table until ate something she didn't want to eat and then say "thanks." Finally she ate what she didn't like and said, "I'm thankful I didn't get sick from eating that yucky stuff, now can I get down." On the other side however, there was a bed fast man who had been an invalid all his life who was always happy and thankful. When asked how he could be so happy, he replied, "oh, my happiest times are at night as I can see the stars from my bed and I have named every star I can see, so every night I am with my friends." Sincere thankfulness comes from the heart. Thankful, Sincere, God, Blessings SOME REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL Luke 12:15-31 Being grateful is a positive emotional attitude resulting from some act of kindness or discovering that things could be worse than they actually are. A story is told about a man who was shipwrecked and the only survivor on a deserted island. After taking an inventory, he decided that he was alive, had water from a stream, fruit to eat from trees, weather was warm, and there were no dangerous animals to fear. He was not in as bad a condition as he first thought and was therefore grateful. Not to forget the man Job of the Old Testament and the Apostle Paul of the New Testament. Both are examples of horrible things happening to them and at the same time they found cause to be grateful. What are some reasons you have to be grateful? Grateful, Reasons, World, God THE REAL CHURCH 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 John 10:27-28 Ephesians 1:20-23 God's Children have had many names through the centuries such as: sheep, Christians, saints, believers, elect, body of Christ, bride of Christ, brethren and many more. Jesus chose to call them His "ekklasia" or His "called out ones." "Ekklasia" has gradually been adopted by different languages and changed to fit the vocabulary of those languages, but keeping the basic meaning of "being called out." Today "ekklasia" is called the "Church." Church, Christians, The Called Out Ones, Jesus EASY TO SAY, HARD TO DO <br> Everybody has their fears. Fear of flying, fear of heights, fear of elevators, fear of crowds, fear of traveling, fear of the weather, and so on. Christians are not exempt from having fears, but they could be. Jesus gave an example in how to get rid of being afraid. He commended His spirit into the hands of God. What better way of handling one's fears than putting them into the hands of God. However, it is easier to say than to do. Fears, Hands of God, Resignation, Peace BELIEVING HAS BEEN MADE EASIER <br> A story was told about a bus driver being responsible for more people being in heaven than the local Baptist preacher. Seems his driving scared people into praying and "changing their ways." It appears that "believing" is a bit different today than what Jesus said it was. Jesus required total, complete loyalty and warned about the cost and difficulty in following Him. Seldom does one hear Jesus' requirements but things like "raise your hand, fill out this card, repeat this prayer, try Jesus, get baptized." "Believing" in Jesus has changed it seems. Believing, Gospel, Requirements, Easier, Difficult OUR CHILDREN AND GOD'S CHILDREN Galatians 3:26 John 1:12 Everybody knows about children. All a pastor has to do to fill the church sanctuary is to have a program that has children in it and parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends will all come to see that special child. Children grow up into adults, but that "child" is still in that adult body. We have our children and God has His children. There are an awful lot of similarities. Children, Ours, Gods, Similarities, Adulthood IF YOU HAD BUT ONE YEAR TO LIVE Psalm 39:4 Everyday somebody gets bad news from their doctor. You have this or that, you need surgery, you need to start taking this medication or that but the worst news that a person can hear is "you only have a year to live." What kind of thoughts rush through a person's mind upon hearing those words? What does a person do? Who does a person turn to? Bad News, Year to Live, Most Important Things, Worldly Things, God COULD GOD USE YOU? <br> Through the ages God has spoken to man in many different ways, even using a donkey. God has used many prophets through the centuries but sometimes He picked out a single person and used that person only once. Ananias was one of those used only once. God sent Saul (Paul) to Ananias to get his eyesight restored after the encounter on the road to Damascus. What kind of person can God use best? Joshua was used by God in a mighty way, but Joshua was far from perfect. Just what did he have that caused God to want to use him? Used by God, Faithfulness, Availability, Familiar with God's Word SHHH...BE STILL ! 1 Kings 19:11-13 The Old Testament spoke often about being still and quiet in order to hear God speak. Past history speaks of men and women taking part of every day to read God's Word in stillness and quietness. There has never been a time in history when stillness was needed as much as today and yet so hard to find. Jesus offers His presence and power as much today as to the fishermen on the quiet sea of Galilee or to the shepherds in the quiet plans of Judea. To experience His presence one has to get still and be quiet enough to hear His voice and then to believe and obey what is heard. God's Voice, Be Still, Be Quiet, Noise, Activity, No Change IMAGES OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH John 14:9-10 Jesus often used parables to help people understand spiritual truths. He also said that He and the Heavenly Father were "one." To help Christians better understand how they (the Church) and Jesus are related, the Bible gives several comparisons. Sheep, Vine, Branches, Cornerstone, Stones, Bridegroom and Bride, Jesus, Church SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT NOW Romans 14:11, 12 Nobody likes to think about death, but everybody knows that it will happen to them someday. Thoughts of suddenly standing before Almighty God to give an account of one's life ought to cause one to give some serious thoughts now to that certainty. Having a good conscience about one's self and others is one thing but to have peace and a good conscience about God is an entirely different matter as God has His own standards that He will judge by. Death, Certainty, Judgment, God, Everyone, Account THE LAST GOODBY Matthew 25:31-33 People are always telling each other "goodby" as they go to work, to school or move away and seldom think of it being the last time they would ever see each other again. When death comes for a person, a last "goodby" will be said at the funeral services with no hope of ever seeing that person again unless being someday reunited in Heaven by God's Son, Jesus. Goodby, Sheep, Goats, Righteous, Wicked, Heaven, Hell, Eternity SPIRITUAL DETERIORITUS <br> Things have a way of looking "normal" when actually on the inside they are unhealthy, defective or even dead. Hunters have stepped on logs in the woods that had the appearance of being solid but upon stepping on them, they crushed beneath the weight of the hunter. People also sometimes have the appearance of being perfectly healthy while on the inside disease has taken over. In the text God's people had changed on the inside while on the outside still seemed to be the God-loving obedient people they had been in the past. Normal, Decay, Spirit, Causes, Cure HOW THE CHURCH IS TO FUNCTION Romans 12:3-6 The human body is unique and God designed. The Church is also unique and God designed. On the outside the human body is different from other human bodies, but on the inside all is the same so it is also with God's Church. Sometimes the human body has parts that quit working or sickness affects parts of the body thus causing the entire body to not function properly. The same is with the Church. Paul wrote to a Church and showed them how they were to function properly. Church, Human Body, Members, Functions, God's Design GOD'S HEART CAN BE HURT TOO Luke 19:42-48 Everyone is always asking God for help in their times of trouble and especially when their heart is heavy and broken from some tragic even in their life. Prayers are made expecting God to step in and bring relief. Did anyone ever stop to think that just maybe God also gets His heart hurt too, and from the behavior of His own Children? Do you think that maybe you may have hurt God's heart? Heart, Hurt, God, Jesus, Paul ONLY OUR GOD FORGIVES Jeremiah 10:23 Through the ages people have had all kinds of faiths and gods and have tried all manner of ways to being accepted by their gods, from giving gifts, doing injury to their bodies to show devotion and even throwing their children into a fire as a sacrifice with never a word or sign from their god or gods. How different for those who believed in Jehovah God, the God of Israel who often revealed Himself to them and then sent His son Jesus Christ to die in such a way that all who would believe in Him would have have their sins forgiven and be brought into the Family of God and be called Christians. Only Jehovah God can and ever has forgiven the believer. Forgiveness, Jehovah God, Jesus, Believer, Salvation THE CHRISTMAS STORY WITH SONGS Matthew 2:1-12 This is an ageless story with fulfilled prophecies. There is no need to apologize for repeating it over and over again as it is the single most important event in human history. This event has turned the world upside down and celebration of it is the most favorite and looked forward to event in the year. Sadly, thousands must do so in secret as it is considered a "Christian" event. Here is the Biblical account of that wonderful event accompanied with Hymns. Christmas, Bethlehem, Messiah, Birth, Prophecies, Wise Men CHRISTMAS MEANS PROPHECIES HAVE BEEN FULFILLED <br> The Christmas story should not have been a surprise to anybody as prophets had been telling of the coming of the Messiah for centuries. Hundreds of years had come and gone and still no Messiah, so nobody was looking anymore for the Messiah to come when He did. The same attitude exists today as Jesus promised centuries ago that He was coming back but since He hasn't, nobody is looking for Him in their life time. Look at some of the details of the fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah. Christmas, Prophecies, Fulfillment, Messiah THE CHRISTIAN'S CHRISTMAS IS DIFFERENT Luke 2:1-18 Matthew 2:1-12 Today's Christmas has changed. Once it was centered in the Church, now everybody says "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays." Manger scenes are in yards and lights strung all over trees, bushes and eaves of houses with lighted snowmen, Santa Claus and his reindeer and sled on the rooftops. The non-Christian world has changed the meaning of Christmas. Christmas, Non-Christian, Christian, Real Christmas Story DON'T FORGET THE ONE WHO GAVE THE GIFT John 6:25-27 James 1:27 2 Timothy 4:9-18 Have you ever helped someone who really needed your help and was totally unable to repay you? Have you ever been "used" by someone? How did that feel? Did you ever help that person again? Churches are "used" by people all the time who have no intent of ever trying to pay back that which was given to them. All sorts of "sad," "hard luck" stories are told and if turned down they go away angry. Ever think that just maybe we do God the same way? Giver, Gift, Used, Unthankful, Thankful BE HAPPY, JESUS HAS COME <br> For centuries God's people had been looking for the Messiah. Can you imagine the excitement when John the Baptist announced that the Messiah had come and was in their midst? Everybody who found out that Jesus was the one John the Baptist was talking about hurried off to tell their family and friends. Andrew hurried to tell Peter and Phillip told Nathanael. Everyone was happy and excited. Jesus, Messiah, Prophecies, Excitement, Happiness JESUS IS IN THE CENTER <br> The wheel hub of a bicycle is exactly the same distance from the rim in all positions. The bicycle spokes are exactly the same, none longer, none shorter in length, every spoke exactly the same. Think of Jesus as being the hub or center of all things. Every person is as close or as far away as anyone else from Jesus with no exceptions. Jesus came to save all mankind, the "whosoevers" of every race, every color, every language, no exceptions. Jesus, Center, Whosoever, All Things THE NAME, JESUS <br> There have been many named "Jesus" in times past but God named this one yet to be born "Jesus" for that name means "deliverer." The name "Jesus" was not found among princes, priests, noblemen, warriors, men of wealth, or of great reputations, it was a common name, found among common people. However the name "Jesus" has changed from that of being a common name to being the name above all names. Jesus, Name above all names, Savior, Deliverer JESUS IS PREPARING US A PLACE Acts 1:6-11 Ever have somebody tell you that they have a room waiting on you, so why not come for a visit? Did you ever tell somebody that whom you wanted to see? Jesus told His disciples that He was going to leave them to prepare a place for them and that one day He would come back for them. Jesus told the thief on a cross beside His who had believed in Him that on that very day they would be together in paradise. Do you think Jesus has done what He said He was going to do in preparing a place for those who believe in Him? Heaven, Place, Jesus, Mansions, Perfect JESUS KNOWS EXACTLY HOW WE FEEL <br> There was a 10 year old little girl who was afflicted with a terrible disease that had left her deformed. All the children laughed and made fun of her and even some of the mothers did too. One time the mother of the little girl heard one of the children's mother's making fun of her little deformed girl. She hit that mother in the jaw knocking her to the ground. Could you blame her? God sees us as that loving mother saw her little deformed daughter and loves us as she loved her little girl, deformities and all. Jesus showed that same kind of love for all people when He was here. Care, Feels, Jesus,Knows JESUS IS REALLY THE SON OF GOD <br> Looking at the crucifixion scene there is really little to indicate that a great world faith was about to emerge from there. A weeping mother and a friend of one of the men on the crosses were there along with passer-bys and of course the necessary soldiers. Signs were tacked over the heads of the criminals who were being crucified for horrible crimes describing their horrible crime. Only thing of note was that over the head of the man on the center cross were the words "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." Claim, Jesus, Son of God, Cross, Eternal Life WHAT IF WE COULD TAKE A LOOK INTO HEAVEN 1 Corinthians 2:9 Matthew 25:41 Revelation 14:13; 20:11-15 The Bible does not tell us a lot about heaven for if it did we would be unhappy being kept down here. Many have tried to describe how it must be, but not ever being there it is only speculation. The Apostle John, however, was privileged to take a look into heaven and what he saw and heard was beyond his ability to describe as he wrote the book of Revelation. What if we could be like John and take a look into heaven, how different would we be afterwards? Look, Heaven, Waiting, Christians, Beyond Comprehension REPENTANCE <br> We have a strange way of "adjusting" things to fit our own needs or wants. We even take God's Word and "adjust" it to make it say what we want it to say. Take for example "repent." We seem to think that just saying "I'm sorry about that" is all we need to do to have "repented." Wrong! "Repent" according to God's Word involves much, much more. So, just what does God say we have to do in order to "repent" His way? Repent, Change Direction, Emotions, Will, Knowledge, Forgiveness WHEN WE DIE, THEN WHAT? <br> A man by the name of Job (Old Testament) asked the question, "If a man die,shall he live again?" History has proven that death is certain for everyone and the longer we live the more we are certain that we, too shall die but then what? We sing hymns about a resurrection and having new bodies and a new life, we song about heaven and the streets of gold but what is it really going to be like after we die? Die, Life, Where, Eternity JESUS WAS A "PEOPLE" PERSON <br> Looking at how Jesus spent His time, one must conclude that He spent most of His time with people. People of questionable reputation, those who were not well liked, those who were poor, those who were rich, those who were businessmen, those who were fishermen, every kind of person, Jesus spent time with them. Some hurried off to tell others about Jesus, some wanted to do Him harm. Jesus always responded to whatever need He found among the people He was with. Jesus was a "people" person. People, Jesus, Crowds, Individuals, Needs, Love WHAT IF JESUS CAME BACK TOMORROW <br> Looking back through the centuries many outstanding things have happened: the creation, the fall of man, the flood, Israel being freed from slavery in Israel, the crossing of the Red Sea, years in the wilderness. Today there are space events, space ships to the moon and other planets, cures for diseases, great inventions but the greatest event of all history is yet to happen and that is when Jesus comes back. What if Jesus came back tomorrow? Return, Jesus, Tomorrow, Christians ISRAEL'S FIRST OBSTACLE <br> God called Moses to lead His people, Israel, out of captivity in Egypt. They were led by a firey cloud and stopped at the Red Sea. Soon they were trapped for there was the Red Sea in front of them, steep cliffs on both sides and then the Egyptian soldiers behind them. They were trapped with no hope of escape. Often Christians find themselves in a similar circumstance Obstacles, Trapped, Dangers, Helps, God's Design IT IS FINISHED! Isaiah 14:12-15 Ezekiel 18:11-15 "Tetelestai" which means "finished, accomplished, completed" was spoken by the greatest person who ever lived, Jesus. It was the greatest announcement ever to be uttered and it affected more people than any other announcement ever would. It announced the greatest victory ever to be won. What was "finished" at Calvary? What was the great victory won on a cross? How are so may affected by what happened at Calvary? Finished, Victory, Battle, Satan, Jesus, Lord THE ONE WHO KNOWS THE WAY Matthew 6:33-34 Genesis12:1-5 Some people can't give directions and some people can't follow directions but everybody can follow somebody who knows the way. In our world of today everybody seems to have their own opinion and ideas about the truths of God's Word (if they even believe in God)and therefore there are many different interpretations and applications of Biblical truths. However in the midst of all this confusion about God and His Word, there is One who knows exactly what is what and that person is JESUS. Confusion, The Way, Direction, God's Will, Jesus CHRISTMAS IS A PROMISE KEPT Jeremiah, Luke, Numbers, Isaiah, Luke What is your reaction to someone who makes you a promise? What about your reaction to someone who doesn't keep a promise? Ever have anybody make a promise to you about something a long, long way off? What do you think about the promises of God? Does He keep them all? Did you ever think about Christmas being a promise kept by God? Christmas, Promise, Fulfilled, God, Jesus CHRISTMAS IS THE START OF GATHERING BROKEN PIECES Isaiah 14 Luke 19:10 Matthew 11:28 Revelation 22:17 What Satan has done to mankind and what God through Jesus Christ has done to restore broken mankind is powerfully illustrated in a story about a servant determined to bring heartache to his master for dismissing him from service, by shattering a priceless, much loved vase. The story of the owner's determination to find someone to put all the broken pieces back together is a beautiful picture of how God is working through Jesus to put broken humanity back together again. Christmas, Broken Pieces, Humanity, God, Jesus, Satan THE GREATEST GIFT TO MAN <br> At Christmas everyone gives and receives gifts. Usually when one receives a gift the most important thing about that gift is who it is from. When God wants to give a gift to one of us, what does He give that is worthy of who He is? Christmas marks the time that God gave to mankind the greatest gift mankind will ever receive. God gave us His Son so that we might be restored to the family of God. Christmas, Gift, Greatest, Mankind, Jesus, Nature ARE WE LOSING CHRISTMAS? <br> Is Christmas today, as celebrated, anything like that first Christmas with the baby in a manger and the shepherds peeping in? Well, what about Christmas when you were a child? Christmas today has been changed in so many different ways that the real meaning of Christmas is missing. What has happened? Are we losing Christmas? Christmas, Change, Satan, Emphasis, Meaning, Jesus AND GOD BECAME FLESH AND BLOOD <br> Ever wish some of your dreams or thoughts could become real? Ever been glad that they didn't? There is someone who has been able to make thoughts become reality and that someone is God. Christmas is one of those times when the thoughts of God became real, flesh and blood to be exact. Nobody knows how He did it, but He did. Christmas, Thoughts, Dreams, Reality, God, Jesus CHRISTMAS, THE WORD OF GOD BECOMING A PERSON <br> What is in our minds we find ways to communicate it to others such as speaking sounds, writing letters, using sign language. Christmas is an example of the most wonderful way God made His thoughts known to mankind. For us Christmas is shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, angels, Christmas trees, and all the decorations, Santa and his reindeer, carols, cards, presents and many other things. However Christ is the dominating and most outstanding character of Christmas. He is what Christmas is all about. Christmas, Word, God, Person, Jesus, Love, Thoughts OLD HYMNS HAVE A MESSAGE Jeremiah 18:3-4 When Paul was struck down by the Lord on the side of a road, he asked a question "What wilt thou have me do?" Adelaide A. Pollard expressed the same sentiments of Paul in a prayer that has been turned into a grand old hymn, "Have Thine Own Way." Sing it and then review what you have invited the Lord to do. Have Thine Own Way, Lord PROTECTION FROM SATAN Ephesians 6:10-18 It is no secret, Satan hates God and anything God cares about, therefore Satan doesn't like Christians for we are God's Children, His Family. Satan will try to keep everyone from listening to or obeying God and he is forever accusing the believer before God. Since only God is stronger than Satan, how can the believer be protected from Satan? Satan, Protection, God, Armor, Weapon RECOGNIZING OUR VETERANS <br> Our country has set aside a day to recognize it's veterans, men and women who have served in one of the several branches of military service. Today we will recognize those veterans who are in this room and the families who have had family members serve in one of the branches of service as well as our veterans all over our nation and the world. Veteran's Day, Recognize, Our Country CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS Ephesians 6:10-18 Revelation 19:11-16 Any American should be proud to serve our country in time of need and there should be little sympathy for anybody who lives in this country, enjoys it's freedoms and then refuses to serve or honor our flag. The same applies to those who live under the Christian flag. We Christians are at war with an invisible enemy, Satan and he has his army of demons, fallen angels and followers. God has His army made up of angels and Christians. Today we recognize God's Soldiers, Christians. Soldiers, Christians, Army, Enemy, Commander in Chief WHAT JESUS PREACHED WAS CLEAR, WHAT ABOUT OUR MESSAGE? John 3:1-21 Jesus was sure about His call. His purpose and approach were also fixed. He had an urgent message that needed to be heard. Wherever He went crowds of people surrounded Him, hanging on His every word. He spoke to crowds and to a few at a time or alone with a single person. Jesus never lost the opportunity to speak the message He came to bring. What was that message? Is it the same message we preach today? Message, Jesus, Clear, Today's Message A DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE <br> Sooner or later everyone has to make decisions. Some decisions are easy but some are life changing and therefore most difficult to make. God has given us the Bible and within the pages of the Bible there are instructions, commandments and examples. Moses is an example to look at when it is time to make a decision, especially a life changing decision. Decision, Moses, Life Changing, Options, Results SOME INEXCUSABLE FACTS <br> We are forever making excuses for our behavior thus trying to hide the "real" us and our true heart. God's Word has a way of of tearing down all the walls we put up thus revealing what we are really like. It has been that way every since Adam and Eve made excuses for disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. Let's take a look at some inexcusable facts of which we are guilty. Inexcusable, Facts, Irreverent, Ungrateful, Disobedience THE VALLEY OF DECISION Acts 24:25-26 Acts 26:24-28 Today there are multitudes who are in a "valley of decision." They are lost and are thinking about being saved. Everyone of us has had to wrestle with a difficult decision at one time or other and can identify with others who are also wrestling with a decision. There is uneasiness, restlessness and asking "what should I do?" God's Word, once again, has guidance and examples for us to consider as we look at being in "the valley of decision." Decisions, Valley, No Decision, Right Decision, Results FINDING GOD'S WAY Job 28:7-28 Luke 11:34-36 Every Christian should want to walk the way God wants but if the truth were known, many would confess that they are not sure, don't know what to do, where to go, what to believe. Why doesn't every child of God know what God wants him/her to do? Doesn't God care? Is it "get saved and you're on your own?" On the contrary. God has a way He wants His children to go and has provided necessary guidance. So how does the Christian find God's way? God's Way, Finding, Understanding, Fear of the Lord TURNING TEMPTATIONS INTO VICTORIES <br> Would you buy a lottery ticket if you knew for sure that you would win? Why? Cristians are to expect temptations. Satan wants us to live a life of sin so we are useless in our Christian life. Overcoming temptatioins is something every believer must learn how to accomplish. Temptation, Victory, Source, Satan, Word, Blood YOU CAN BE SURE THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD <br> Much has been said about the Bible through the centuries. To some it is a history book, to others it is a book of poetry, to yet others it is a book of mythical stories. To the Christian the Bible is the Word of God. Not just about God but God's actual Words to people. It is essential to the Christian that every Word of the Bible is believed as coming from God and is to be obeyed. You can be sure the Bible is the Word of God. Bible, Word, God, True, Proof, Essential, GOD IS CALLING OUR CHURCHES TO REPENTANCE various This text is a message from God directly to one of His Churches. At first the church had great power and their love was near perfection, but things had started to change as they began to leave their first love and lose the great power they once had. God's Churches are very much the same today as there is still a falling away from what was once excitement, blessings and great works for the Lord. God's message for then is still just as applicable today. Church, Falling Away, First Love, Repentance, Return, God HIGH LIVING WON'T LAST <br> Amos preached in a day much like today. A time of peace, unsuspected peril, unrivaled national power, unparalleled prosperity, and religious activities were popular. With great insight Amos diagnosed Israel's sickness and announced it's forthcoming death. In less than 40 years Israel was carried into slavery by Assyria. Our country is affected by the same sickness Israel suffered. We have a cure for our sickness and we had better use it. Prosperity, Complacency, Idleness, God, Judgment, Repentance HOW DO YOU TREAT JESUS? <br> During Jesus' earthly life He was treated many ways. Some could never forget that He was "just" a carpenter's son. Many admired the miracles He did and some were astonished at His knowledge. There were those who wanted to crown Him king and then there were the others who wanted to kill Him. Upon His resurrection His disciples became so devoted to Him that they willingly gave their lives for Him. How is Jesus treated today? Treatment, Jesus, Today, Attitude HOW TO BE SAVED AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE <br> A pastor asked a dying woman if she was going to heaven. She didn't know, so he explained to her the plan of salvation. She prayed to receive Jesus. Her son in law remarked that "nobody can really know if he/she is saved or not, the best you can do is to hope that you are saved." The pastor read 1 John 5:11-12 to the man. You can know for sure if you are saved or not. Assurance of one's salvation is important and comforting. Saved, How, Tests, Sure HOW TO BECOME A CHILD OF GOD <br> How does one become a Christian? A Child of God? In this passage there are three ways one does not become a Child of God and only one way that one can become a Child of God. It is something which can only be done God's way. Child of God, Blood, Will, Self, Divine Way GOD'S REAL HOUSE <br> Many Christians think of God as an absentee Landlord who has left us here to do the best we can. He forgave us, then shoved us out into the world and peeks in on us now and then. Where does God really live? In the Church building? Somewhere on earth? God actually designs houses and moves in and if the house gets dirty and is therefore desecrated, He moves out and destroys that house. Remember Adam? He was God's first "house." House, God, Real, Dirty, Desecrated, Destroyed, Permanent, Jesus, Holy Spirit HOW TO PRAY Various scriptures From the beginning of time mankind has "prayed" to some superior being. Those prayers have been silent, whispered, shouted, accompanied with gifts, sacrifices, even self inflicted injuries. All hoping to get the attention and help from someone greater than those praying. In today's society is prayer really needed since we have advanced beyond gods and goddesses? For the Christian, prayer is absolutely essential for the Christian believes in Almighty God and His help is need daily in the life of the Christian. Just how does a Christian go about praying to Almighty God? Prayer, God, Answered, Not Answered, Jesus, Name HOW TO GET RID OF JESUS <br> Our first response to the sermon title is to take offense. However Jesus has never really been wanted. From His birth people tried to get rid of Him and finally thought they were rid of Him when they crucified Him. Our country, our culture, our civilization has been built upon Christianity and surely nobody wants to get rid of Jesus today. Yet, it is still true. People don't want Jesus around. Jesus, Unwanted, Get Rid, Today HOW TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH James 1:17 Advertisements for healthy, muscular, strong, beautiful bodies in 30 days if we buy their products or enroll in their programs are popular today. No doubt every body would love to have a body like those that are seen during the advertisement. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could strengthen and increase our faith in just 30 days to the level pleasing to God? How do we go about strengthening our faith anyhow? Faith, Strengthen, Word of God, Testing, Hands Off CHRISTMAS AND WONDERFUL THOUGHTS ABOUT JESUS Luke 2:1-20 Isaiah 9:6-7 Christmas is the sudden revealing of things that had been going on for centuries and when God was ready, He revealed to mankind what He had been planning for their salvation, a Savior, a Redeemer, Jesus. Christmas, Revealing, Salvation, Savior, Redeemer, Jesus, Wonderful SOME MIRACLES OF CHRISTMAS <br> No doubt Christmas is the most fascinating time of the year for most people. Much is said about the wonderful "miracle" of the birth of the baby Jesus with hymns and poems written and sermons preached. There were many miracles that accompanied the birth of Jesus. Let's go back to that wonderful time and take a look at some of those miracles. Christmas, Miracles, Birth, Angels, Shepherds SOME WHO SPOKE OUT AT THE FIRST CHRISTMAS <br> In the fullness of time God turned to His angel, Gabriel, and told him to go make the necessary arrangements for the Messiah to come. The Christmas story is the result of that angel's visit. The Christmas story is very familiar to us so let's focus on some who spoke out at that first Christmas. Christmas, Angel, Time, Messiah, Spoke Out IT WAS GOD IN THAT MANGER Philippians 2:5-8 John 5:30 Our world would accept Jesus more if He were still a baby in a manger but doesn't want to recognize Him as Savior, Lord, and King. That, however is the truth of the Christmas story. It was God in that Manger. Christmas, Manger, God, Jesus, Savior, Human WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE THE KING? Matthew 1:21 Luke 2:10-17 Luke 1:38 John 3:16 2 Corinthians 9:6 Romans 6:23 Been Christmas shopping? What do you think you will get this year? If you could have only one present, what would you want? Christmas is a season of giving and receiving with love being expressed by the giving of gifts. How, when, where did all this giving get started anyhow? Well, God started it and others have followed His example ever since. Christmas, Giving, God, Jesus, King, You CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS THE ORIGINAL WAY <br> Ever get tired of doing things the "same old way" or doing the "same old thing?" What about Christmas? Do you ever change your way of doing Christmas? Do you celebrate it the same way every year? Have you ever celebrated Christmas as the first one was celebrated? Read the Christmas story over and take note of how it was celebrated. It is an example for us. Christmas, Celebrate, Original Way, Shepherds UNUSUAL EVENTS AT THAT FIRST CHRISTMAS <br> Through the ages God had given bits and pieces about a coming Messiah. God had spoken about a virgin, a small town named Bethlehem, and even a star. That first Christmas didn't "just" happen. God had told the very first couple on earth about it and "in the fullness of time" God brought it to pass, and as usual when God steps into human history unusual things happen and this first Christmas was no exception. Christmas, Unusual, Bethlehem, Shepherds, Messiah WHAT KIND OF MAN IS THIS <br> What kind of man is this whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas time? Ever take a good look at His background, His family, His childhood, His upbringing? How was He accepted by those around Him? Why do we celebrate His birthday anyhow? What if He had never been born in the first place? Christmas, Celebrate, Birthday, Jesus LET'S KEEP CHRISTMAS AS IT WAS <br> Do you like change? Like it or not, it happens. Our world is changing, places, people, countrysides, towns are changing. True, some things need to change, but also true is the fact that some things don't need to change and the real, true Christmas does not need to change. Let's keep Christmas as it was. Christmas, True, Real, Change, Joy, Love, Salvation DON'T MISS CHRISTMAS Matthew 2:1-8; 2:4-6 Luke 4:16-30 Christmas is getting to be quite hectic with all the rush, hurry, go here, go there, buy this, buy that, attend this party, decorate, wrap presents, etc. Christmas has become so complex that the true meaning of Christmas is being missed. Sadly there were some who missed that first Christmas, too. Christmas, Miss, Meaning, Complex, Jesus LET'S DO SOMETHING FOR THE LORD THIS YEAR <br> A well known football coach called his team together after a tragic defeat and holding up a football before them said, "guys, this is a football.." to which one of the players in the back spoke up and said, "slow down coach, you're going too fast.." It does us good to get back to the basics every once in a while and refocus on the necessary things. The church needs to do that every once in a while to regain the vision of what the church is supposed to be doing. As we enter a new year, let's refocus on what we are really here for and see if we can't do something great for the Lord this year. New Year, Refocus, Review, Goal, Strategy, Disciple, Commitment WHAT NEW THINGS FOR OLD THINGS? Revelation 21:4-5 When the Bible speaks of "old things passing away and all things becoming new" just what passes away and what becomes new? There are a lot of questions, opinions, thoughts, and hopes about this teaching of the Bible. What really is the answer? Old, New, Pass Away, Christian, Law, Legalism SOMETHING TO REMEMBER AS WE START A NEW YEAR <br> The Bible has a lot to say about remembering the past and then there is hindsight and foresight. Also experience tells us to learn from the past or we may be doomed to repeat it in the future. Looking back through this past year have there been things that you have learned from? As Christians and as we enter this new year, let's start the year by remembering some things worthwhile we learned from being Christians. New Year, Remember, Salvation, Grace, Faith, Jesus TAKE A LOOK BACK AT THIS PAST YEAR Daniel 5:22 Matthew 23:37 John 14:7-9 Isaiah 1:18 Proverbs 27:1 Philippians 3:13 Business take a yearly inventory to see how their business has been for that year. Sometimes couples that have been married for many years sit around and talk about how the years have gone by and what happened. They remember their children now grown and all the friends they have known through those many years. As Christians, let's take a look back at this past year and note some things we might be proud of and some things we might want to avoid this new year. New Year, Inventory, Reflect, Good, Bad, Avoidable, Undone, Confidence, Past DID YOU GIVE GOD ANY LEFT-OVERS THIS PAST YEAR? <br> History shows that people are resourceful and the Bible even tells about a man making himself a god from some left over wood. We have left-overs around the house all the time, like food. We put left over food away to use it again some time later. We have left over wood from projects, left over scraps of cloth from sewing. Did you ever stop to think that we do God the same way? Our lives are so fast paced that we don't have time to do all we have planned or need to do. Let's take a look at some ways we may have given God some of our left-overs. Left-Overs, God, First, Last, Christians COMMANDMENT NUMBER ONE: NO OTHER GOD <br> Israel was on their way to the promised land to be made into a great nation but they had to have a set of rules and laws first. Therefore God had Moses gather the people to Mt. Sinai and gave them Ten Commandments. The very first commandment given was one that Israel had a lot of trouble with and that was to have no other god but God. We, also, have a lot of trouble with that commandment unknowingly perhaps, but nevertheless God is not always THE God of our lives. Commandment, Only God, No Other COMMANDMENT NUMBER TWO: NO GRAVEN IMAGES <br> All of us have seen statues and paintings of Christ although nobody know what He really looked like. Many bow before these statues and paintings in prayer and worship seemingly to expect them to answer their petitions. The first four commandments are God to man related and the last six are man to man related. If we keep the first four then we shall also keep the last six. No Graven Images are to replace God in our worship. Have they? Graven Image, Commandment Two, Worship, Replace God COMMANDMENT THREE: DO NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD LIGHTLY <br> Names today don't mean very much if anything. A woman named her newborn baby girl "Padge-a-may." When asked where she got that name, she replied, "it was in a catalogue I was looking at." She showed the page and there in big bold print was "PAJAMAS." Get it? We name our children after relatives, people we admire and all sorts of things. In Bible days names were very important and one of the ten commandments God gave was to not take His name lightly. Commandment, Name, Lord God, Lightly, Honor, Profane COMMANDMENT NUMBER FOUR: KEEP THE LORD'S DAY APART Deuteronomy 5:13-15 Sundays have always been special through the years. Long sermons, big dinners, family time together, stores closed, special "Sunday-go-to-meeting" clothes worn only on Sundays, weddings and funerals. There are churches having services on Sundays all over the world. If Saturday was the original day of worship, which God, Himself, set aside how did the day of worship change from Saturday to Sunday? God gave a commandment to keep His day apart. Are we breaking His commandment by worshiping on Sunday instead of Saturday? Lord's Day, Sabbath, Sunday, Commandment COMMANDMENT NUMBER FIVE: HONOR THY PARENTS Leviticus 20:9 Deuteronomy 5:16 Ephesians 6:1-4 We have relationships in two directions, with God and with each other. The first four commandments are about our relationship with God and the last six are about our relationships with others. This fifth commandment is God telling us to honor our parents. Before loving others, we have to love our parents first. Strong families produce strong communities, strong cultures, strong countries and strong civilizations. So goes the family, so goes the nation. How are parents treated in our country? Commandment, Honor Parents, Blessing, Respect, Children COMMANDMENT NUMBER SIX: THOU SHALT NOT KILL Deuteronomy 5:17 From what is happening in our world today it seems God is the only one who thinks human life is sacred. Killing unborn babies, suicide bombers, drive by killings, high school killings, murder-suicides, robbery killings and countless other manner of taking human lives. Where is respect and obedience to God's commandments? This sixth commandment is the shortest and yet it is the strongest of all. Human life is sacred to God. Why isn't it sacred to us? Commandment, Not Murder, Penalties, CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE OF THE HOLY WEEK Mark: 11-16 Matthew: 21-28 Luke: 19 - 24 This is a general outline from the scriptures of the last week of Jesus'life up to and including His crucifixion. Crucifixion, Holy Week, Chronological WHAT A CHOICE TO MAKE Matthew 27:15-25 Hebrews 6:6 From the very beginning God gave people the freedom to choose between right and wrong. Eve make a choice, Adam made a choice, Cain made a choice, Israel made a choice, now in the text Pilate must make a choice. The mob chose Barabbas instead of Jesus to be released. We make many choices everyday and most of those choices involve Jesus in some way or other. Not choosing Jesus is choosing Barabbas and all he stood for. Choice, Barabbas, Jesus EVENTS ON RESURRECTION DAY IN SCRIPTURAL SEQUENCE Mark 16 Luke 24 John 20 1 Corinthians 15 No comments, just the events on the resurrection day in their scriptural sequence. Resurrection, Events, Sequence THE THREE GARDENS Matthew 26, 27, 28 Acts 1 This is a very moving message and requires sound effects. Visual effects can be added if desired. This message was first delivered by Dr. W.O. Vaught, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas in the late 1970's. With his permission I revised and adapted it and preached it at every church I pastored since 1978. This is about the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Suffering, and the Garden of Death. Easter, Gardens, Jesus, Triumph THE FINAL WEEK <br> If we know the outcome, we usually are not interested. The final week of Jesus' life is well known, yet remains interesting. Let's take a look at some events of this final week of Jesus' earthly ministry. Easter, Final Week, Jesus COMMANDMENT NUMBER SEVEN: DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY <br> This commandment brings come ugly thoughts to mind. We wish that we could skip over this one and just be silent about it but God condemns Adultery and therefore we need to talk about it. If a preacher wants to preach about the needs of our country, this commandment would be one of his top topics. So goes a person's morals, so goes the person. The same is for a nation. So goes the morals of a nation, so goes that nation. Adultery, Forbidden, Guilty, Effects, Remedy COMMANDMENT NUMBER EIGHT: DO NOT STEAL <br> Of the ten commandments God gave, this eighth commandment speaks of rights of ownership. However there is more to steal than just possessions. God has given people the right of ownership in a way but we are more like "trustees" than real owners. God is more interested in the spiritual part of us than our possessions although we are the opposite. We are more interested in our possessions than our spiritual lives. Just what can be stolen? Commandment, Steal, Possessions, Invisible COMMANDMENT NUMBER EIGHT: DO NOT STEAL <br> Of the ten commandments God gave, this eighth commandment speaks of rights of ownership. However there is more to steal than just possessions. God has given people the right of ownership in a way but we are more like "trustees" than real owners. God is more interested in the spiritual part of us than our possessions although we are the opposite. We are more interested in our possessions than our spiritual lives. Just what can be stolen? Commandment, Steal, Possessions, Invisible THE WICKED SHALL BE TURNED INTO HELL Revelation 20 Romans 14 Luke 16 Mark 9 Matthew 9 The Bible makes it very clear that the wicked shall be brought into judgment and from there they will be sent to Hell. There will be no opportunity to correct things or even to voice one's opinion. There will be no mercy shown and nothing can be done to change God's decision. Hell is a terrible place to be sent to and it will be for all eternity. Wicked, Hell, Judgment, Eternal, Torment SIGNS OF A DYNAMIC CHURCH <br> Looking at the members of the church at Antioch it is easy to see why they were the first ones to be called "Christians." They were busy with Evangelism, with Missions and with Benevolent Stewardship. Any church that practices these same three things with the same enthusiasm and membership participation as did the Antioch Church will have similar results. Evangelism, Missions, Stewardship, Antioch Church, Dynamic THE OUTCOME OF THE CROSS <br> What belongs last in the story of Golgotha? The death of the man Jesus? Two friends burying his body in a tomb? Followers of this man losing their leader? Hopes destroyed? Everyone going back to their homes and businesses in sadness? Hold on! God has an epilogue to the cross and it's called "The Resurrection." Cross, Outcome, Jesus, Followers, Sadness, Resurrection, Joy SIGNS OF A GENUINE CHRISTIAN Exodus 20:3-17 There are hundreds of thousands of church members among the thousands of Southern Baptist Churches. What if every member attended Sunday School, witnessed, tithed, participated in all the activities of their church? Sadly they don't. Only about 25% of a church's membership is active and only 20% tithe. Jesus said that not everybody who says they know Him really do. Therefore not everybody who says they are a "christian" really is. So, who is a genuine Christian? Christian, Genuine, Signs, Tithe, Witness PREPARATION FOR REVIVAL <br> Friends fellowship together because they like to be together and generally agree on things. For a person to walk with God, there must be agreement. A person must agree with God about what God thinks of things. We talk about revivals and have meetings called revivals. But to have a genuine revival, God must be there and the Church must be in agreement with God for such a thing to happen. How does a Church prepare for a "God-led" revival? Revival, Preparation, God's Presence, Genuine, Meeting THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD 1 Corinthians 1:18-28; 2:14; 3:19 Ours is a world of power, intellectual, atomic, incomprehensible, frightfully, challenging power. Has the Church adopted the ways of the world for it's ways instead of God's? The Church has substituted many God blessed, proven through the centuries ways for today's philosophies and methods. The Church must return to the "Foolishness of God" ways in order to be the Church it is supposed to be in the eyes of God. Church, Worldly Ways, God's Ways THE DOWNWARD JOURNEY <br> This is a very popular parable Jesus told to a lawyer who was trying to entrap Him about who was a neighbor. The road Jesus spoke of was dangerous and many had been robbed and even killed on this road. Looking at this parable one can see Jesus in the role of the injured man and the good Samaritan. Samaritan, Priest, Levite, Injured Man, Help STEPS TO CHRISTIAN MATURITY Philippians 2:12 Luke 5:4 Some have said that they learned to swim when they were thrown in so it was a "sink or swim" thing. However the less stressful manner of learning to swim starts in shallow water and gradually as one becomes more skilled, deeper water is moved into. Thus it is with the Christian life and maturity in that life. God gets us started when He saves us and then it is up to us to grow and mature in our Christian life at our own pace. Christian Life, Maturity, Steps WHY WE ARE FAILING TO WIN THE LOST <br> Did you know that a very tiny percent of our world's population are Christians? Ever hear of "old time revivals?" Ever wonder why our Churches are not bringing more people to the Lord than they are? The disciples of Jesus didn't do too good either at first. It seems that prayer and caring has a major part in successfully doing things for the Lord. Failing, Unsaved, Prayerlessness, Uncaring THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER <br> As God has everything worked out for our salvation and our part being to believe, repent of our sins and call upon the name of Jesus, so God has everything worked out for the believer to be able to become and do all that God has in mind for him/her and that being through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. Just what does the Holy Spirit do in the life of the believer? Holy Spirit, Believer, Work HOW DID THINGS COME INTO BEING? Psalms 19:1-2 Dr. William Tolar brought a stunning, mind boggling chapel message in 1966 at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary which left everyone who heard it reassured that God created everything and was still in charge. Using 10 coins Dr. Tolar illustrated how it was impossible for things to have "just happened" as modern day scientists insist. The following are excerpts of the scientific facts he used to illustrate how impossible it is for things to have "just happened." Creation, God, Facts, Impossible, Scientists THE CHRISTIAN'S DAY OF JUDGMENT Romans 14:10-13 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Seldom is heard a message about coming judgment and when one is heard it is usually about those who go into eternity never having trusted in Jesus and will hear the words, "Depart from me I never knew you..." and be sent to Hell. But even more seldom is heard a message about the Christian's day of judgment. True the Christian is going to heaven and not hell but every Christian will also stand before Christ and give an account of his/her life. Judgment, Day of Accounting, Christian's Day THE "GIFT AND THE "GIFTS" Acts 10:45; 22:17; 1 Corinthians 12:1-4 Everybody knows what a "gift" is. All of us have given and received a "gift" at one time or other. God is also in the "gift" giving business and His greatest gift of all is eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. God also gives the gift of His Holy Spirit to those who have received His first gift, eternal life. The Holy Spirit then gives "gifts" to those in whom He indwells. Gifts, God, The Holy Spirit, Eternal Life BEING KNOWN IN DIFFERENT WAYS <br> Many years ago there was a radio series entitled "I Led Three Lives." It was about a man who had a family, worked at a normal job, and then was a secret agent for the government. He was know in three different ways by the three different groups he was around. So it is today. Some lead more than one life as they hold down two jobs, or have a secret life of some sort. You and I also live different life styles at different places. See how your life style changes. Life Style, Different, How Known, Others GOD'S WORD IS ENDURING Key verses 27, 28 A king in our scripture didn't like hearing God's Word read so he burned the scroll of God's Word. He, like many since him, learned that God's Word is enduring and cannot be obliterated. God's Word is everlasting whether people want to believe it or not. Only God's children, led by the Holy Spirit, can understand God's Word and they are persecuted by those who don't care for God or His Word. God's Word, Enduring, Everlasting, Unbelievers, Indestructible FIVE STAGES IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE Romans 12:4-5; 7:14-25 John 14:26-27 Colossians 2:8 We all know about the different stages of life we go through: infancy, toddler, child, youth, teenager, young adult, adult, and senior adult, with sub-phases within those stages. If we take a look at the Christian life we can see that there are "stages" we Christians go through also. There are many "sub-phases" within those "stages" as well as each of us is different from everyone else. Here are "five stages" that have been identified in a Christian's life. Stages, Christian Life, Happy, Wrestling, Doubting, Searching, Silent MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH Matthew 17:20 "Faith" is defined by our dictionaries as "Allegiance to duty or a person, loyalty, belief and trust in God." We as Christians use the word "faith" just about every day but is it the same kind of "faith" Jesus said would move mountains? To move mountains by faith sounds like an awful lot of faith. Do you have that kind of faith? Know anybody that does? Faith, Move Mountains, How, Jesus Taught GOD'S PROVISION FOR NOAH <br> Many times it appeared that there were fewer faithful left that there really were, such as in Elijah's day and even in our time today. There are far more believers in China, Russia and other places than once believed. However that was not so in Noah's day. God said there there were none left but Noah who was still faithful. God declared that He was going to destroy all the world except for Noah and his family. God then made provisions for Noah and his family to be saved when destruction came upon the earth. How was God doing to do that? Faithful, Provision, God, Obedience GOD NEVER COMES NEXT Matthew 6:33 Life has it's basic priorities and the quality of one's lifestyle will demand other priorities which, as we have learned, will take over and control one's life and one ends up more as a servant to the priorities than controller of them. There is, however, a place in one's life that priorities must take a secondary place and that is one's relationship with God. God never comes next. God must be first or He is not at all. What is the situation of your life? God, First, Priorities, LIfe, Next HINDRANCES TO PRAYER <br> "Now I lay me down to sleep..." is part of a prayer children said as they learned how to pray. Sadly, many don't bother to pray and some use empty insincere words they call "prayer" which is but a mockery to God. Again God does not hear the prayers of well meaning Christians sometimes because of hindrances in the pray-er's life. Our text points out one such hindrance and there are others which perhaps we are not even aware of. How is your prayer life? Prayer, Hindrances, Unheard, Reasons FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD <br> A "family tree" is the family background, ancestors traced back as far as one can. Among the members of the family tree will be famous ones, black sheep ones, unimportant ones, and then most will be the normal ones. Genesis 5 is a "family tree" of sorts and of that family tree is a very famous member: Enoch. It is said that "Enoch walked with God." Just what does it mean to "walk with God? Can anyone do that today? Fellowship, God, How, Who FAITH OF THE UNSAVED <br> Jesus had a lot of people interested in Him as He had multitudes following Him. Temple authorities didn't like Him but were interested in Him. The common people thought He had come to restore the Kingdom of God. The Roman officials and soldiers were watching Him as He was a source of potential trouble as people flocked around Him. Of all these people there were different degrees of faith in Jesus. Our text reveals a nobleman who expressed a type of "faith" that might be called the faith of an unbeliever. Just what kind of faith can an unbeliever exhibit? Faith, Unsaved, Results, Circumstances, Degrees GOD'S HOLY CHARACTER <br> Most of us are usually uncomfortable in the presence of someone we consider pure, holy, innocent and spiritual, especially if they know us well. We're afraid we might say or do something offensive to that person. God's character is flawless and holy so that our failures and faults become a barrier between us and God. We measure ourselves up against each other just fine, but when we try to do so with God, there is always a barrier for God is Holy and we, in ourselves, are not. Holy, God, Characteristics, Sin, Barrier DOES GOD SPEAK TODAY? Romans 10:14 Our world of today needs to hear from God. All through the Bible we read where God spoke. God spoke to His prophets, He spoke with His angels, He spoke through thunderings and lightenings, and even through an ass one time. In the New Testament Jesus spoke, then the Disciples spoke, then the missionaries of the Church spoke. Does God speak today? How does He speak? Our world needs to hear from God. God's Voice, How, Where, When COMMANDMENT NUMBER NINE: DO NOT LIE <br> God made all things and when He made man, He did something with man that He did not do with anything else He made. Man was made in the image of God. One of the things man does is that other creatures cannot do is to speak. We speak and say good things about others but we can also speak and say things that are not true. God calls this lying. God has commanded us, who are made in His image, not to bear false witness against our neighbor. This is not telling the truth. Lie, Truth, Falsehood, Commandment THE FAITH OF MOSES <br> All of us have imitated someone else in some way or other and we do so because we admire what we see or hear in that person. The Bible has some wonderful role models for us to imitate and learn from. When considering Faith, there is a man who stands out as a wonderful example and we could learn a lot from this man and his faith. This role model, this man, this example is Moses. Faith, Example, Role Model, Imitate, Moses GOD'S CALL, THE RIGHT RESPONSE <br> As in the days of Paul our world is filled with those who do not know about the Lord Jesus and salvation through Him. God called Paul to go out to preach and establish churches. This text is about God's call and Paul's response to that call of God and is an example of how each of us should respond and react when God calls us into service for Him. God's Call, Paul, Response THE WORLD'S GREATEST DISEASE <br> Do you know anybody who thinks people are perfect? By looking around and listening it is glaringly apparent that something is dreadfully wrong with our world. Our world is SICK. People are SICK. Mankind is affected with an ugly disease. It is hidden at first, like any disease, but sooner or later it makes it's appearance. What is this disease? God calls it SIN and He has the only cure. Disease, World Wide Sickness, Cure, Jesus DO IT OUR WAY Jeremiah 13:22-23 Luke 18:9-14 Romans 4:4-5 2 Timothy 1:9 Ro The Bible makes it very clear that there is a BIG gap between God and the human race. God has made the only way that gap can be bridged and that is through His son Jesus Christ. However mankind has been trying to bridge that gap doing things his/her own way. No matter what people think, say or do, there is nothing people can do own their own that will get them back where they belong with God. It's God's way or NO way. Gap, Bridge, God's Way, Man's Way GROWING UP IN THE LORD 1 Peter 3:18 Ephesians 4:15 Colossians 2:7 As with our children, so with us as being born into this world. The natural response is to grow mentally, physically, emotionally and reach adulthood. The Bible reveals that a Christian is also born and is to grow spiritually in that new life given by God. There are several stages of growing up in the Lord and here are a few of them. Try to find where you are and see if you need to move on to another stage. Grolwth, Spiritual, Stages FOOLING YOURSELF ABOUT GOD <br> Israel had been freed from enslavement, back in it's own land, had rebuilt the walls and now had settled into a routine lifestyle. However that lifestyle had become sensual, selfish, skeptical, immoral and was neglecting vital worship. What worship Israel was giving was more formality and had a spirit of worldliness mixed in with it. Respect and obedience must be given to God by His people. Worship, Respect, Obedience, Irreverence, Best FUNGUS AMONG US <br> Builders are careful about what is used to build a building. They choose only the straightest lumber and the strongest and best looking materials. They want to be proud of what they have built. The early Church had some non-Christians as members. Jude called them "clouds without water and trees without fruit." Mold and fungus are parasites living off other living things contributing nothing but existing on the surface of that which they have attached themselves. God's Church is to be pure and non-believers are not a part of God's Church. They are a type of "fungus." Church, Pure, Believers, Unbelievers, Harmful GOD DEMANDS TRUE WORSHIP <br> It was no accident that the Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well for Jesus intended to go there and to meet her. Jesus broke all tradition when He spoke to the woman for she was a Samaritan and Jews and Samaritans hated one another and then she, of course was a woman. For a Jewish man to speak to a Samaritan woman in the open was strictly forbidden. Jesus is no respecter of persons and everyone who thirsts may come to Him. Jesus set the example in witnessing. Worship, True, Jesus, Samaritan Woman, Everyone, Sinners FIND IT HARD TO FORGIVE? Galatians 6:7-8 "Forgive him? Are you kidding? After what he has done to me? I can NEVER forgive him." Sound familiar? All of us have trouble forgiving and perhaps there are still some whom we just cannot and have never forgiven of something done to us years ago. Actually when we don't forgive, we alienate friends and loved ones by our attitude and poison our whole personality. Not only that but it is impossible to live the abundant Christian life. Forgive, Hostage, Loser, Hard, Abundant Life COMMANDMENT NUMBER TEN: DO NOT COVET <br> The ten commandments are like a mirror. We hold them up before us and see our true selves. The first nine commandments deal with visible acts but the tenth commandment deals with the inward desires. If we keep the tenth commandment, we will have less trouble keeping the other nine. To "covet" means to desire to have that which belongs to someone else. This commandment is perhaps the hardest of all for us to keep. desire, covet, commandment, hardest to keep FOLLOW THE BEST PLANS <br> Anytime a builder builds a building there are blueprints to follow. If the builder follows the plans the building will be comfortable and pleasant to the eyes. However no matter how the builder follows the plans IF the foundation of the building is not secure on a solid, unmovable base, the house will be unsafe in stormy conditions. Jesus taught that one's life is like a building and it needs a solid foundation, one that is on a rock and Jesus is that rock. If one follows Jesus' plans for his/her life, then one will be secure and safe in difficult times and in the judgment. Foundation, Life, Building, Jesus' Plans, Storms GOD'S NEW WAY <br> Ever think how Jesus' crucifixion would have been announced if it had happened in our modern times? How much t.v. coverage would have been given? What would we have done after hearing/seeing such a news item? Be concerned or just say "that's too bad.." and grab a snack and then go to bed? Why get so excited over a man being killed? That happens every day somewhere and sometimes hundreds get killed in a single accident. The Cross happened. God planned it for it was His New Way for people to be able to measure up to His requirements. Standards, Requirements, God's Way, Cross, Jesus GOD'S BRIDGE FOR US Luke 19:10; John 14:6; 10:9; Matthew 11:28; John 7:37; 6:37; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; Acts 16:30 From the beginning of time God gave mankind freedom to think, reason and to choose. Adam chose wrongly and every person since him has also chosen wrongly. We are free to choose to live sinful, worldly lives or to live our lives trying to please God. God has established a "bridge" for us which will bring us together with Him and there is no other way to Him except to cross the bridge He has made for us and that bridge is His Son, Jesus Christ. Man, God, Bridge, Jesus Christ, Choose HE IS COMING THE SECOND TIME <br> For the Christian there is no question as to whether Jesus is going to return the Second time. However, there is much speculation and many opinions as to WHEN. From Genesis to Revelation there are hints and statements about the Second Coming of the Son of God. Second Coming, When, Bible Clues THE GOSPEL IN A SINGLE WORD Genesis 7:1; Matthew 10:46 There is a word when uttered by God and obeyed by us brings joy to the angels in heaven. It is the word God spoke to Noah which spared his life. It is the word which prophets preached so often. It is the word Jesus spoke and Peter became a disciple. It is a word when disobeyed brings sadness to God. It is the Gospel summed up in a single word. That one, single word is "COME." Gospel, Come, Joy, Sadness JUSTIFIED, SAVED, BUT STILL ACCOUNTABLE 1 Peter 4:17 Romans 14:12 1 Corinthians 3:13 Matthew 25:14-30 Just to think that one day we shall stand before almighty God and give an account of our saved lives, considering what He gave us to use and the things He expected us to do and what we actually did, should give us all great cause for concern. Most Christians are satisfied with how they are living and their current standing with God. Indeed we are justified, saved, indwelt with the Holy Spirit and have a heavenly home awaiting us, but we seem to have forgotten that that we are still accountable to God. Justified, Saved, Accountable GOD IS GOD Exodus 3:3-6; 13-14 Job 38:1 In the movie "The Ten Commandments" Yule Brenner who played the role of the Pharoah of Egypt, uttered the infamous words, "His God is God!" After experiencing the plagues God sent upon Egypt, the greatness of the God of the Israelites was without question. Thus those famous words "God is God!" In the rush and hurry of our lives we tend to forget just how great our God really is and it would be good for us to be reminded from time to time. Let us take some time right now to reflect upon our God and His greatness. God, Great, Remember JESUS, THE INCARNATION OF GOD <br> "Incarnation" means having human form, thus in the Bible, deity in earthly form. Jesus at the same time being God and a man. This is beyond our comprehension, it defies our known laws but it happened and it is so. God became flesh in order that He might be able to being salvation to doomed humanity. Looking at the life of Jesus, He appears to be totally human, yet there was this difference which stood out totally unlike a normal man, more like "God." Jesus, Flesh, God, Incarnation JESUS, DIVINE AND ETERNAL 1 Timothy 3:16 Hebrews 2:14-17 Jesus was born, lived, suffered and died. Yet unlike his fellow men, Jesus was also eternally pre-existent. He was entirely sinless and His death was a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus has/had a human side, but He also had/has a divine side. Jesus Christ is God in human flesh. Jesus, Human, Divine, Both JESUS' SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH <br> Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice for the sins of all people and His death was actually a substitute for all of us. All of God's judgments against us was borne by Jesus and therefore God's judgments have been satisfied. When one of us believes in Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we can then be accepted by God. There are others things accomplished by Jesus' death: Jesus, Death, Subsitute, Judgments, God, Satisfied JESUS' ASCENTION AND PRESENT MINISTRY <br> The ascention of Jesus is a beautiful and wonderful thing. It brought to end His earthly ministry and that was to bring mankind and God together through His sacrificial death on the cross. Contrary to what some may think, Jesus' work for believers is not finished. He is very busy. What is He doing this very moment? Jesus, Ascention, Busy, Believers JESUS, COMING FOR HIS SAINTS <br> The Bible is full of prophecy with much of it already fulfilled. The birth of Christ from the tribe of Judah, a son of Abraham, of a virgin, in Bethlehem, all foretold 1000 years before it happened. Even after His ministry on earth was over and Jesus ascended back into Heaven, there is still yet prophecy to be fulfilled. Jesus is to come back - twice more. Once FOR His Saints and once WITH His Saints. Jesus, Rapture, Second Coming, Saints, Prophecy JESUS COMING WITH HIS SAINTS <br> Of all the prophesies of the Bible other than of the promised Messiah, His birth, death and resurrection, the prophesies of the Second Coming of the Messiah is perhaps more preached about, studied about and predicted than any of the other prophesies. Even in our generation there have been men who determined the exact date of the return of the Lord and some even gathered their congregation up on a mountain to be the first to greet the returning Lord. Of course He didn't come. What exactly does the Bible tell us about the Second Coming of Jesus? Jesus, Second Coming, Prophesies, Saints, Judgments, Satan FROM CHAOS TO CALMNESS <br> Sometimes storms come up very suddenly in life and there is little time to prepare and get to safety. What do we do in situations beyond our control? Things are going along fine, all is well, and suddenly things are turned upside down in our life. Where do we go? What do we do? To whom do we turn to? The disciples had such an experience. From a night of calmness, quietness, and pleasure to a night of chaos, danger and possible death. Then Jesus came. Storms, Dangers, Chaos, Calmness, Peace, Safety, Jesus DO YOU REALLY WANT ALL GOD HAS FOR YOU? <br> Parents are always encouraging their children to do their best and at ball games parents can be heard yelling, shouting,"knock it out of the park," slide, catch that ball, hurry, run, etc." Our text is a ringing challenge from God to us, His children, to aim for the highest. God has so much He wants us to be doing but sadly most of us are content to just stay like we are. We say we want all God has for us, but we really don't for it involves changes and we don't like changes. Just what would we have to do to be able to have all God has for us? God's Best, Changes, Requirements, Necessary, Christians THE CHURCH - THE BODY OF CHRIST <br> A little boy once asked, after being treated very politely, was that person Jesus? It seems our world is so full of rudeness and impoliteness that whenever someone dares be nice and polite, there is wonder as to why that person was so nice. The Church is to act and serve in ways that make people see how Jesus lived and how what He did for others. The Church is Christ in the flesh and without the Church the world will not see Christ. We are to be doing what Jesus DID. Church, Body, Christ, Works, Same THE CHURCH - THE BRIDE OF CHRIST Revelation 19:7-9 The Wedding March brings many emotions and memories. Two people have chosen each other to spend the rest of their lives together. In the eyes of God they will become ONE person, with one "everything." Jesus Christ and His Church are also referred to as Bride and Groom. Vows are also taken in becoming a Christian. Jesus gave His at the Cross, the believer gives his/her in that moment of commitment of him/herself into trust and belief that Jesus will take care of him/her throughout eternity. Church, Bride, Groom, Vows, Are One THE CHURCH - THE FAMILY OF CHRIST Psalm 122:1 "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." Many homes had a plaque hanging on the wall somewhere that had those words and how true they are. Home is the place one goes when the world caves in. Home is where there is sympathy and understanding. Home is where there will always be love. The Church is the Family, the Home of Christ. The Church is where Christians gather as a family. What kind of place ought the Church be then? Church, Family, Home, Christian, Secure THE CHURCH - THE ARMY OF CHRIST 2 Timothy 2:3 What is the Church? The loving Bride? The serving Body? The nurturing Family? Or the Army of Christ? Jesus expects His Bride to wear "Combat Boots." We, the Church are to do more than "defend" against Satan, but we are to ATTACK. We sing "Onward Christian Soldiers" and that is a war song, that is advancing, that is more than just self-defense. How can we, the Church, be the Army of Christ? Church, Army, Christ, Soldiers TWO WAYS TO ETERNITY <br> The Bible states that eternity has no beginning and no ending. Also that every person enters into eternity upon death but while living on earth is traveling on one road or another. One road is broad and most people are traveling on this road but it leads to eternal destruction. The other road is described as being narrow and not very many are traveling on this road, but it leads to eternal life. God has given people the freedom to choose which road they want to travel on during their earthly life. Which road are you on? Eternity, Two Roads, Choice, Heaven, Hell THE MISTAKE OF YOUR LIFE <br> Only the unborn and dead don't make mistakes. Some mistakes we make are minor and easily taken care of. However, some are pretty bad and the worst mistake a person can make is to neglect Jesus Christ. Judas had made mistakes before in his life but when he betrayed Jesus Christ he made "THE MISTAKE OF HIS LIFE" and found himself condemned and too late for atonement. Take a look at your life. Are you about to make that same "mistake?" Mistake, Doomed, Neglect, Soul, Destiny REAPING WHAT IS SOWN <br> Everyone knows that whatever a farmer plants in planting season he will reap the same thing at harvest time. Equally true is the fact that if we plant sin and wickedness in our lifetime we can expect to reap the same thing when God says it's time to harvest our lives. We can sow seeds of righteousness or the seeds of wickedness. We can also reap Life Everlasting or Damnation and Corruption. Look at some Biblical examples of Reaping what is Sown. Reaping, Sowing, Righteousness, Corruption, Choose THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD <br> Light gives life and where there is no light, things are silent and lifeless. Ever try to imagine our world without the sun? Think about what we do in the sunlight and what we do in the darkness. Jesus brought Spiritual Light to the world and His Church is to continue to share that spiritual light. How well do you "shine" the light of Jesus? Light, Jesus, Darkness, Church, Shine PLANTING FOR THE LORD Matthew 13:1-9; 37-41 Jesus understood His mission - reach the lost. He trained His disciples to also reach the lost. Even the Old Testament believers were to be witnesses. Satan does all that he can to keep God's people from witnessing. What has he done in your life to keep you from witnessing? Perhaps Christians might witness more if they understood that it is GOD WHO DOES THE SAVING, we (Christians) are more like "seed" planters. Witnessing, Planting, Christians ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS ONE Ephesians 5:22-33 Ever hear of a "fairy tale" marriage, where two people come together in a beautiful wedding and then ride off to live happily ever after? Don't see too many of those kind of marriages do we? Know anybody who is divorced? Our marriage success rate is not all that good. God says marriages can be successful and has given guidelines for that to happen. Marriage, Divorce, Two, One, God's Guidelines GOD'S FOUR DIMENSIONAL LOVE John 3:16 Contrary to what some Churches think and even teach, God has only ONE Family. There is some of God's Family in Heaven with Him and then there is the rest of us still living our lives out here on earth. We need to remember that death does not in any way separate God from any of His family. God's love is so different from ours and our text explains God's love as a four dimensional love. Love, Dimensions, God, World THE SECRET OF BEING HAPPY <br> Are you happy? If not, you ought to be and can be. Happy people are friendly, eager, bubbly always ready to share their love for the Lord. Unhappy people are grumpy, selfish, stingy, grumbling, defensive, fault finding and unpleasant to be around. Real joy is normal for the Christian who is "right" with the Lord and is a symptom that indicates that that joyful Christian is living his/her life at its best. ARE YOU JOYFUL? If not, you can be. Here's how: Joyful, Happy, Secret, Fruitful DON'T BLAME SOCIETY Romans 14:11-12 Every day we see on television, hear on the radio and read in the papers about people breaking the law. We then hear their defense attorneys proclaim that these law breakers are not really to blame. They didn't have a good family life, they were mistreated, they lived in ghettos or slums, they didn't have the necessities of life, and so on. It's just not their fault. Society is to blame for their crimes and for others like them. Well, according to God's Word, every individual is accountable for his/her actions and Satan is behind everything evil and sinful. So, is society to blame for the condition of our country and world? Criminals, Lawbreakers, Slums, Ghettos, Families, Society, Blame, Sin, Satan THE FALSE GOSPEL 2 Corinthians 4:3 Proverbs 14:12 We are all familiar with copies, duplicates, imitations, counterfeits of the real authentic thing. It looks like it, sounds like, feels like it, smells like it, tastes like it but it is not the original, real thing. Somebody made a copy. Satan has copied God from the very beginning and he has tried to copy God's Gospel. Satan, Gospel, False, Imitation, Damning ON WHICH SIDE OF EASTER ARE YOU? John 20:19-21 Looking back through history we see where the disciples of Jesus preached, started churches, healed people, were put in jail and all but one killed. They were not always these brave, dedicated men. There was a time when they hid in a room, afraid for their lives and sad, broken in heart and in despair. What made the drastic change in these men? It was EASTER! Before Easter they were cowards with no hope. After Easter, they were excited, fearless and eager to tell about Jesus. On which side of Easter are you? Easter, Excited, Sad, Afraid, Fearless, Before, After WHAT A MORNING! <br> "I just can't believe what has just happened!" Ever hear anybody say anything like that? Has something happened to you that was just unbelievable? On that morning when Jesus came out of the tomb He had been buried in for the past two days expressions of disbelief and shock were uttered and heard by many. Today we celebrate that wonderful morning and call it Easter. Easter, Resurrection, Morning, Joy THE ETERNAL SYMBOL John 3:14 We are all familiar with symbols, signs, emblems and such. The steeples on church buildings are symbols and the crosses mounted on top of the steeples represent something eternal. The cross has been the symbol identified with Christianity since Jesus died on His cross. Easter,Cross, Eternal, Symbol, JESUS' LAST WEEK Mark, Luke, John, Isaiah, Hebrews For those who would like to study the last week of Jesus' life this study can be very helpful and encouraging. Take your Bible, this outline and perhaps a Bible dictionary and spend some time listening to Jesus as you re-live His last week with Him and His followers. Your time spent will be most rewarding. Most of this study is not original with me so give our Lord the honor and recognition for this study. Easter, Jesus, Last Week THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION <br> When Jesus was buried in the tomb, there were those who "half-believed" what Jesus had said about His being resurrected on the third day so guards were posted. There were those who wanted to believe, didn't believe and believed that Jesus was resurrected. It is the same today. There are those who don't believe at all, those who want to believe and those of us who believe. Just how significant is the resurrection of Jesus today? Resurrection, Jesus, Importance WHY BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION? <br> Many people believe that death is the end - nothing afterwards. Some believe that they will be reincarnated until they reach a state of perfect nothingness. Some have experienced dramatic events while being declared clinically dead such as bright lights, seeing dead loved ones, etc. There is life after death because God says so. For those who believe in the resurrection of God's Son, Jesus, there is great joy awaiting them. How do we know for sure that Jesus was resurrected? Resurrection, Jesus, Belive, Proofs WHAT DOES THE CROSS MEAN? <br> On the Cross Jesus did something that was necessary for man's liberation from sin. On the Cross, Jesus also did something that brought God and man together. "It is finished!" Jesus said in His dying breath. What was finished? What exactly did the cross mean then and what does it mean today? Cross, Meaning, Jesus, Then, Today FORGIVENESS FROM THE CROSS <br> WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? WDJD? What Did Jesus Do? We use these expressions to help us try to be like Jesus when we get in difficult situations. There are many things we imitate what Jesus did, but one thing Jesus did under extreme circumstances is an example most of us would have a very hard time, if impossible to do. While on the Cross, Jesus asked God the Father to Forgive those who had nailed Him to that Cross. Cross, Forgiveness, Example, Jesus THE STORY IS TRUE: CHRIST DID RISE FROM THE DEAD <br> Somebody coming up out of a grave alive? Sounds like a science fiction or ghost story. Yet a story has been circulating for over 2,000 years about a man coming alive again after being dead in a tomb for three days. There have been believers, disbelievers and those who have tried to prove the story is false. Interestingly though most of those who have tried to disprove the story of Jesus coming out of a tomb, alive, after three days have believed their findings. He did. Resurrection, Jesus Christ, Story, True THOUGHTFULNESS FROM THE CROSS Luke 2:29-35 It's hard to think of more than one thing at a time, especially if we are in any kind of pain. Ever give thought to the amount of pain Jesus went through while hanging on the cross? Did you notice that even in the most excruciating pain and agony, Jesus thought about His mother's welfare and who would take care of her after He was gone? Jesus told His best friend, John, to take care of His mother. Cross, Thoughtfulness, Example, Jesus SHOCKING WORDS FROM THE CROSS <br> Jesus was alone on the cross. Everyone had deserted Him. John had returned with Mary, Jesus' mother and a few women followers were there. All Jesus enemies were there though. The religious leaders who caused Him to be crucified and the soldiers who actually nailed Him to the cross. In torment, agony and pain, it seemed there was nothing else that could go wrong but then...Jesus sensed that God, His Heavenly Father had also left Him, thus the shocking words..."My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?" Why did God leave Jesus at such a difficult time? Cross, Forsaken, Jesus, God, Sin, Penalty HOW DID JESUS END UP ON A CROSS? Luke 23:32-33 The cross was and still is a hideous tragedy. How in the world did in happen in the first place? What in the world was wrong with all those people? What kind of people were they anyhow? They were just ordinary people like us, kindly, likable, with families, religious and had their daily lives. Would things be so different if what happened then with Jesus and the cross were to happen today? Have you ever given thought as to just where you would have stood if you had been there then? Think about it. Cross, Jesus, Who, Why, Today THE CHRISTIAN'S CROSS Luke 14:27 Looking at a Church family one sees many different life styles and could surmise that being a Christian is not really different than not being a Christian. However according to Jesus that's not true. There is but one lifestyle for a Christian and that is one in which Jesus' lifestyle is being imitated, followed, duplicated. Jesus said: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me..." The Cross of a Christian is a way of life. Cross, Christian, Denial, Follow JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR US <br> Easter is a wonderful time of the year. We put on our "Sunday best" clothes, hear beautiful Easter cantatas, hide eggs then watch our children excitedly hunt for them carrying their little baskets and eat delicious chocolate bunny rabbits. But what about the real reason for Easter? What about the cross? What about the tomb? Have you ever given some detailed thought as to why this man, Jesus was put through so much and why He let them do what they did? Just what does all that happened so long ago have to do with us today? Cross, Christ, Sins, Love, Atonement IF A CHRISTIAN, THEN A CROSS <br> Think about how different from Jesus the two men were who were crucified alongside Jesus. The remarks they made, the attitude they exhibited, and then how opposite Jesus was. He seemed to feel sorry for those who were nailing Him to the cross and then He even prayed that they would be forgiven for what they were doing. No one who believes in Jesus Christ can get along without His cross for it is the main reason we believe in Jesus in the first place. The cross was so important to Jesus that He has required His followers to have their own cross as well. Do you have your cross? Cross, Jesus, Followers, Required HOW WE LIVE IS WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT GOD <br> Ever wonder why God isn't around you as He seems to be around others? Have you ever felt God had something for you to do but you felt He was asking too much of you or that perhaps somebody else could do it better? Every day we are faced with deciding whether to be involved with God or not. How we live our lives determines what we really believe about God. Faith, God, Work, Belief, Involved, Life COMPLETELY SAVED <br> By looking around and back through the history of mankind it becomes very clear that help is needed. Mankind is far from what it could be and what God has wanted it to be. God promised that one day He would send somebody to help get mankind back to where it ought to be. That day came but Jesus wasn't very welcome. Only a few accepted Him as the promised one and were changed. Not much has changed to day. Jesus isn't all that accepted around here either. What Jesus came to do and still wants to do today is to change us into what God wants us to be and when He does, it is a permanent, complete change called "being saved." Salvation, Complete, Permanent, All Inclusive ASSURANCE OF SALVATION <br> Some people believe anything they hear. Some believe anything they see. Some believe things only with a lot of proof. Then some believed yesterday but not today. Christians should know for sure that he/she is saved but some seem to think it a bit presumptuous to think that one may be assured of his/her own salvation. Some think they can be saved today but not saved tomorrow. What does the Bible say about assurance of salvation? Salvation, Assurance, Word, Belief, Doubt WORRY OR FAITH? 2 Corinthians 5:7 All of us worry and we know the results of too much worrying. Our health can be affected, our attitudes and personalities can change, our whole life can be miserable. When we cannot be in control of situations or unpredicted events occur, we often go into stages of worry. Faith is letting God take care of our needs, situations, events in life. We have faith that God can save us for all eternity, but have difficulty in letting God take care of things during our earthly lives. So, which shall it be, Worry or Faith? Worry, Faith, Control, God, Us, Eternity, Today NOT ALL FAITH IS SAVING FAITH <br> For some today their definition of "saving" faith is different from what the Bible states that "saving" faith is. Some think that the only faith required for salvation is a "momentary" faith used at the moment of saying "yes I believe" and then they resume their normal way of life with nothing changing. There seems to be no need for remorse, guilt, repentance or anything new or different. Eternal life does not come from just "any" kind of faith. Faith, Saving, False, Empty, WHY DID GOD BECOME ONE OF US? Hebrews 2:13-17 Romans 8:3 The Bible is from God to us and it is filled with teachings about God as Father, God as the Son, and God as the Holy Spirit. There is no human being capable of grasping all that God has given in the bible and one of the most challenging questions is "why did God become one of us?" Christmas is the time we celebrate God becoming a human being, starting out as an infant like all of us have. Why in the world would God want to leave His Heavenly Realm to live down here among us? Birth, God, Human, Flesh, Why? GETTING TO KNOW GOD Matthew 5:8 John 10:27; 14:1, 21-23 Hebrews 11:6; 12:22-24 Psalm 34:8 How well do you know God? Most people don't know God and could care less. They do, however, use His name in their profanity or when they are angry or surprised or frustrated. Somewhere in the back of people's minds there is a "maybe there is a God" thought but most people don't know God personally. One would think that Christians know God very well, but sadly that is not so true. For many Christians there is a distant vagueness in their "relationship" with God. God, Knowing, Personally, Intimately, Distant, Choice ETERNAL DAMNATION <br> Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus to help people realize that death ends a person's ability to make choices. There is a place called Hell that Jesus describes as being the place where all unbelievers go immediately upon their death. He uses "garbage dump" language to try to describe the terrible conditions of such a place. We are reminded that as long as we are alive we can still change our eternal destination, and by believing in Jesus Christ we can be sure that we will not be going to Hell but to God's Heaven. Hell, Damnation, Eternity, Fire, Suffering, Forever, Salvation, Jesus WHEN SAVED, YOU ARE SAVED FOREVER! 2 Peter 2:20-22 Matthew 24:11-13 John 15:5-8 Hebrews 6:4-9 All around our world people have needed rescuing from perilous situations and rescue parties have been sent out to search and help those in need. We have heard of heroic rescue attempts and have breathed a sigh of relief when those in danger were saved and all was well. However, having been once rescued does not mean that there could not come another time when that person or people won't need rescuing again. That is not so with our Salvation. Once we have been saved by the Lord Jesus, there will never arise the need for Him to have to "save" us again. Once we have been saved, we are permanently saved. Saved, Forever, Secure, Religious, Unfruitful, Wander, Lost WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD? <br> America is one country where the Gospel has been presented in just about every way to every person. By way of television, movies, churches, revivals, tracts, pamphlets, door to door and casual conversation among friends but sadly our country has become hardened to the Gospel. However what about those on the other side of the world who have never had the opportunities to hear about Jesus that our country has? What about them? How does God see them? Gospel, Salvation, Everyone, Responsibility IMITATING THE CHARACTER OF JESUS CHRIST <br> All of us have "played" like we were somebody else. As children we were always acting like our "heros' and animals. We were in school plays and acted our parts in plays. Today we see countless television shows where people are acting the part of another person. Some even take their acting role so seriously that they begin to take on the personality and characteristics of the role they are playing. Paul tells us that we as believers need to take on the role of acting like God's Son, Jesus Christ. What might be involved in that? Acting, Role Playing, Imitating, Jesus Christ, Believers, Obligated THOUGHTS ABOUT JESUS <br> There is no way any human being or angel can possibly know all about the Lord Jesus. Most of us stay around the things we do know about Jesus and seldom venture out to learn something new about Him. However exploring the unfamiliar and forgotten things about Jesus can be most rewarding. Our interest in and love for our Lord can be greatly increased. Here are some thoughts about our Lord Jesus, let them bless you. Thoughts, Jesus, Bless, Refresh PENTECOST BROUGHT CHANGES John 14:16-25; 15:26; 16:7-13; Luke 24:49 The work of the Holy Spirit is seen throughout God's Word and the history of mankind. Throughout the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came and went but when Jesus came, the Holy Spirit came and stayed with Him until His death. Then on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came again and brought changes that were very different from past actions and continue on even to today. Pentecost, Holy Spirit, Changes, Permanent Indwelling, Temple DEACON ORDINATION SERVICE 1 Timothy 3:8-13 The pastors of the first Church family became overwhelmed with trying to do their spiritual duties and meet the material needs of the Church family and therefore called upon the Church family to set aside seven men to take care of the material needs of the Church family thus freeing up the pastors so they could take care of the spiritual needs. In most Churches of today there are still those selected to help with the Church needs. Here is a simple Deacon Ordination Service that can be used to ordain a deacon. Deacon, Ordination HINTS ABOUT PRAYING Matthew 6:25-26; 32-34 Ever dread to see "so and so" coming? What about that person who calls and doesn't know when to stop talking and hang up? It seems some people just go on and on and on and what they have to say never amounts to anything and it's always all about themselves and all their ailments and kinfolk. Well, not all of our "prayers" are all that exciting to God either. Ever consider that "prayer" is supposed to be a two-way conversation? God wants to get in on our "conversation" too, but like those boring people we can't stand to be around, we are often just like them in our "talk" with God. Prayer, Conversation, Fellowship MISSING GOD'S MARK Romans 6:23 Ever aim an arrow at a target? What about throwing darts? How about aiming a rifle at a target? All of us probably have and missed a lot of the time as well. God has a way of life He wants us to live and whenever we don't, God calls it "sin." The Biblical definition for "sin" is "to miss the mark." So whenever we miss God's mark for us, it is called "sin. What does God think about us "missing the mark" so much? Sin, Mark, Missing, God, Humanity THE LESSER KNOWN OF THE HOLY THREE <br> We are familiar with God, the Father and God, the Son, Jesus but we sometimes feel like strangers to God, the Holy Spirit. We don't know as much about Him as we do the other Two. Why is that? The Holy Spirit is not some strange emanation or a stream of something holy flowing from Heaven. He is as much an actual person as either The Father or the Son. How do we get to know the Holy Spirit better? Do we really want to know Him better? Holy Spirit, Trinity, Unfamiliar, Person GETTING ALONG WITH GOD 1 John 2:15-16 Most people want to stay on the "good" side of God but not everyone does. The "secret" to getting along with God is that we have to do things God's way. God is the One who begins the relationship anyhow. He approaches us and if we respond by believing in His Son as He requires, then the Holy Spirit indwells us and relationship with God is established. To continue that relationship/fellowship we have to do things as God wants. After all He started it. Relationship, Fellowship, God, Requirements OLD FASHIONED HOLY GHOST POWER <br> Every one has his/her own opinion of what power is. Some say it's personality, others say it's money, then some say that it's knowledge. Strange that nobody ever mentions power from the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Through the ages there have been men who have moved thousands of people through their preaching. None of these men had the kind of power most of us think about, but they had old fashioned Holy Ghost power. God's Spirit moved through these men to change the lives of thousands. How did that happen? Can it happen today? Holy Spirit, Power, Obedience, Christ-like ON WHICH SIDE OF PENTECOST ARE YOU? Acts 2:1-4 Our churches today seem to be headed in the wrong direction. What our churches need today is not greater preachers or bigger choirs or contemporary singing and contemporary preaching or more seminars or more things to get people's attention so they will want to come to "our" church. What our churches need today more than anything they are trying is the presence of the Holy Spirit. Most Christians act as the disciples/apostles did before they were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Why does the Holy Spirit make such a difference? Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Changes GETTING SPIRITUALLY RENEWED Hebrews 12:12 Ever get tired of doing the same old thing day in an day out, over and over until finally you could care less? That's called "burn-out." Students get that way after so long in studying for exams, workers get that way after doing the same thing week after week. Anything that gets to be "routine" has the possibility of becoming boring and thus a "could care less" attitude. Did you know that we Christians often suffer "spiritual burn-out?" Burn-out, Spiritual, Renewal, Revival PLEASED OR DISPLEASED? <br> "Pleased or displeased?" was the question asked each young person sitting in a circle. Of course nobody was ever pleased so each person got to say what it would take to please him or her. Usually it was for so and so to walk around the house (in the dark) with so and so. Well, Christians are seldom pleased either and Paul (while in prison) had some advice for Christians who seem to be displeased all the time. Displeased, Pleased, Rejoice, Obstacles ALMOST DOESN'T DO IT <br> There are many whose names could be "King Agrippa" because like this king, they, too have "almost" believed in Jesus. Countless men and women have heard the gospel but have remained lost and will in all probability die the same way and will spend eternity in Hell with no chance of having another opportunity to change their decision and will meet face to face this very King Agrippa, who, too is spending eternity in Hell. Belive, Almost, Lost, Hell OUR GOD IS GOD! 1 Samuel 5:1-8 All through the ages man has had to have something to worship for God instilled that desire into the human race with the very first man created by God. Since then man has made gods of every living thing, the stars, rocks and even dreamed up half human and half something else to be his god. Man has also assigned personalities to the gods of his imagination. Our God is the almighty God and there is no God but our God. God, False, Imaginary, True, Only MOM, WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU? 1 Samuel 1:20-28 Luke 1:26-35 2 Timothy 1:2-5 The Bible has examples of mothers within its many pages, Jochebed, Hannah, Mary, Eunice, and Lois, just to mention a few. There is no question that mothers of today are challenged more than perhaps any generation. What kind of mothers do our children need today? Mom, what kind of mother are you? Mother, Biblical, Worldly, Children MOTHERS AND SITUATIONS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE <br> All of us owe our very existence to our mother. Everybody has memories of "Mom" in their growing up days. Ever see a giant of a man, with all his football gear on wave and mouth "Hi Mom" when the television cameras come by him? Sure we have. We also know that not everybody has the same growing up environment thus not all mothers have the same home situation to be a mother in. God's Word mentions some mothers and various situations they had to be a mother in. Mother, Situation, Bible, Today A MOTHER'S REWARD <br> Say what you want to but a nation is no greater than it's mothers. All leaders of the world have had mothers and mothers are always a mighty influence on their children in one way or another. Everyone remembers "what Mamma said..." All of us have habits and expressions we use or avoid because of Mom's influence. The mothers in Israel influenced their children so that another nation recognized Israel as being exceeding mighty and became afraid and enslaved them. Mother, Influence, Invaluable, Powerful, Rewarded MOTHERS ARE MOTHERS Leviticus 19:3 Deuteronomy 5:16 Ephesians 6:1-3 Mothers are special, there's no doubt about that. A special day has been set aside in our country to recognize and give honor to our mothers and they are so deserving. Mothers can just look a certain way at her child or children and immediately there is a change in behavior. Let's take a look at some things about mothers and how Mother's Day got started. Mother, Special Day, Histrory, Sayings MOTHERS ARE A LITTLE BIT LIKE GOD <br> There's just nobody like Mom. Everyone has memories of mother, something she said, something she did, and perhaps something she made just for you, you still have. Think about it - Mothers are a little bit like God! Mothers, Similar, God, Many Ways THE CHRISTIAN GRADUATE 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 There are "graduations" from just about everything today. Our children graduate from day care, kindergarten, grade school, junior high and high school. Then there is college and vo-tech schools. Most of us have graduated from something at one time or other. Does God have "graduation" anywhere in the Christian's life? If He did, what grade would you be in? Graduation, Christian, Maturity, Level, School ADVICE TO A GRADUATE 2 Timothy 5:1-13; 2:1, 15, 22 God tells us to listen to our elders as their advice could save us a lot of trouble and also help us benefit in a lot of ways. In Timothy, Paul is giving advice to an 18 to 20 year old young man. You are graduating from high school and about to enter into the adult world. What advice should I give you? Graduating, Advice, Adult World, Christian THREE MAJOR SINS OF A CHRISTIAN <br> Know anybody who does not sin? Christians sin too. Sin has it's consequences but there are three major sins which Christians can commit which have very serious consequences for the Christian. These three major sins have something to do with the Holy Spirit who lives within the Christian. Just what are these three major sins? Holy Spirit, Sin Against, Christians Only, Consequences ADDRESS TO GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS Deuteronomy 8:2; 32:7; 11:27; 13:4; 30:20 You are graduating from High School. If you could express your feelings and attitude about life right now, what would you put on a T-shirt and wear around?In the Bible, the Book of Deuteronomy God tells His people three things for them to do that will hold them together as they venture into a whole new kind of world. God's advice has always been pretty good, let's see if that advice might just fit in with you graduating Seniors as you start a new phase of life. Graduation, Advice, Remember, Obey, Dream WILL YOU DO IT? Matthew 9:9; 19:16 Luke 9:57; 14:16 There seems to be no trouble being a Christian. Ask any church member and in all probability the answer will be, "no problem." Jesus explains very clearly that to be one of His followers/disciples, one has to give up everything. Now that can't be easy so it would seem that Christians who are having no problem living the Christian life are either "super" Christians or they are not obeying Jesus and have not given up everything as He requires. How about you? Everything, Surrender, Required, Jesus, Believer A THING CALLED "GRIEF" Psalm 23:4; 6:5-7; 137:1-6; 119:28 Grief is something everyone will go through and some will go through it more than once. We tend to try to handle grief in losing a loved one by flowers, dressing them up, using words like "passed away" or "just asleep" or "gone to be with Jesus." Regardless of what we do to try to ease our grief, it is still "grief" and there's not much we can do. However for the Christian there is reassurance and help that the unbeliever does not have. Grief, Death, Everyone, Jesus, Assurance THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST 2 Peter 3:3-10 Every generation since Jesus ascended into the heavens has looked for Him to come back as He promised. Every generation has had it's "prophets" and those who said they "knew" when and where. In our own generation there has been more than one preacher who gathered his congregation on a mountain top or in their meeting place to await the return of Jesus. Only the Heavenly Father knows when Jesus will come back. Here are some thoughts about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Return, Coming, Second, Christ, Thoughts THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD <br> All of us are either a son or a daughter of some family. Many here have their own family with children. So we are all familiar with family behavior and family resemblances. God has His own family of sons and daughters and as we and our children were born into this world, so God has His own Spiritual Birth that brings sons and daughters into His family. Are you a son or daughter of God, the heavenly Father? Family, Son, Daughter, God, Spiritual Birth MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE Matthew 10:17-22; 24;9 Revelation 2:10; 6:9-11; 7:9-17 Memorial Day is a time when we recognize those who gave their lives while serving in our military forces. However, there are other fallen men and women who should also be remembered who gave their lives while serving the Lord God. Today let us remember them along with those who gave their lives while serving in our armed forces. Memorial, Died, Lives, Serving MEMORIAL DAY, A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE John 15:13 Romans 5:7 Matthew 22:21 Revelation 6:9-11 Memorial Day is a day set aside for us to remember fellow Americans who died in the line of military duty. Men and women who left the security and safety of their homes to risk their lives so that others could live in freedom and peace. How did Memorial Day get started? Here's a brief description. Memorial Day, Why, When, Who THE CHURCH'S MEMORIAL DAY Hebrews 11:32-12:4, 12 John 4:38 Matthew 19:29 1 Corinthians 3:6-11 It is only right that we remember the men and women who gave their lives for this country. Let us honor them with all due respect. There is another group that deserves much recognition and honor also and they are those who have helped us get to where we are today and they are called Christians. Let us take a look at some of those who made it possible for us to be Baptist Christians today. Memorial Day, Church, Missionaries, Martyrs CONCEPTS OF GOD ARE FIRST LEARNED FROM DAD Proverbs 22:6 Ephesians 6:4 Colossians 3:21 Many people have trouble accepting God as a loving, caring Heavenly Father and that trouble is almost always traced back to the kind of dad/father they had when they were growing up. The "father" image they experienced as a child has influenced their adult concepts of people and things. In God's design for the family "dad" is the one who is to set the example and it is "dad" who is responsible for teaching his children about God and God's ways. Father, Dad, God, Example, Learn ARE YOU A GODLY FATHER? <br> Potentially the dad/father is the best possible teacher in the family about most things and especially about God that a family can have. Anyone who has never had a loving, caring, knowing dad/father has had a serious handicap in grasping a proper understanding of the nature and character of God. Father, Dad, Godly, Example A PRAYING AND CONCERNED FATHER <br> In today's time most children grow up becoming adults and never serve the Lord. Wonder why? Some children grow up and rebell against their parents, never having anything to do with them again. Wonder why? God says such actions can usually be traced to the children not having a godly father. God gives us an example of a Godly father who was very concerned about his children, even after they became adults. His name was Job. Father, Concerned, Pray, Children THE GREAT QUESTION <br> It is true that we live, die and pay taxes. It is also true that there is something else everyone must do and that is to answer the question that Pilate asked when Jesus was on trial before him. Pilate asked, "What shall I do with Jesus?" This question will be answered by every person, if only by silence. Silence meaning "nothing." What one does with Jesus determines his/her eternal destiny, Heaven or Hell. Salvation, Eternity, Dealing With Jesus SAYING YOU WILL WHEN YOU'RE NOT SURE <br> All of us know somebody we don't trust for they don't keep their word. When asked what happened, we hear things like: "I forgot," or "Something came up," or I changed my mind." Sadly people do God the same way. Jesus had something to say about "putting one's hand to the plow." Untrustworthy, Unreliable, Honesty, Determination, Sincerity, Plow FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS IS REWARDED <br> Have you ever been rewarded for doing what you were told to do? Have you ever rewarded your children for doing what they were told to do? What if they disobeyed? God tells us that our obedience to Him will be rewarded and our disobedience will cause loss of reward. God's Word tells of a man who had a problem in obeying God's instructions for the instructions seemed so silly. Instructions, Reward, Obedience, Disobedience, Loss VISIBLE FAITH <br> "Wow, that took a lot of faith to be able to do that..." "I'm going to take a big step of faith..." All of us have our own "definition" of faith, even our Forsaking All I Trust Him saying (FAITH). Did you ever think about how visible "real" faith is? Yes, Faith is VISIBLE. God has shown us a man whose faith was so visible that it has influenced countless people through centuries. Faith, Visible, Results, How THERE'S A RIVER BLOCKING THE WAY <br> The hymn, "On Jordan's Stormy Banks" starts with the statement, "...on Jordan's stormy banks I stand, and cast a wishful eye..." indicating that there is a desire to be on the other side. Israel was stranded on one side of the raging, flooded Jordan river and needed to be on the other side. Only with God's help did they get across that raging river and it is so with us and the "rivers" in our lives that prevent us from being and doing what God wants of us. Only with God's help can we get across the rivers of impossibility in our lives. River, Block, Impossibility, God's Plan, God's Help THREE IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS <br> No matter what country we live in or what language we speak, or whether one is rich or poor there are some relationships that are necessary to really be happy. If our relationship with God is good, then we will be happy and if our relationship with other people is good, then we will be happy and if our relationship with other Christians is good, then there will be happiness. How is it with you? Are you alright in all three of these relationships? Happiness, Relationships, Attitude A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT "LOVE" <br> All of us use the word "love" but seldom do we use the word the same way. We "love" chocolate pie, we "love" our family, we "love" to go on vacation and so on. When God uses the word "love" just what does He mean? Here are a couple things about God's kind of "love." Love, Lesson, Act, Example, God, Jesus Christ MEASURING GOD'S LOVE Ephesians 3:17-19 A little boy needed a blood transfusion or he would die. His older brother volunteered to give his blood. While lying next to his younger brother during the transfusion, the older brother looked up at the doctor and asked, "how long before I die?" God's love is like that of this older brother. Have you ever tried to measure God's love? Love, God, Unmeasurable, Free, Everlasting, Whosoever A MOST OFTEN COMMITTED SIN <br> This particular sin is perhaps the most often committed sin and sometimes unknowingly but sometimes deliberately but probably by every person at one time or other. Some people seem to "live" by committing this sin, they enjoy it, they seek ways to commit it. This most often committed sin is committed with the voice, the tongue, with words. It is that one of gossip, slander, criticism and passing judgment on others. When did you last commit this sin? Gossip, Judging, Slander, Criticism, Sin PARENTS ARE ROLE MODELS Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Ever hear a tiny child say nasty words? Ever see children act in a hateful manner? Know where they learned that? At home! From one or both parents. Art Linkletter once had a t.v. show that featured children and the show's title was something like "Children Say the Darndest Things." Children learn from their parents both good and bad. Like it or not, parents, you are role models for your children. They DO what you DO, Say what you say, not what you tell them to do or say. Parents, Role Models, Children, Imitate GET READY TO MEET GOD <br> We Americans are "covered." We have insurance for just about everything. We have life insurance, burial insurance, home owners insurance, health insurance, drug coverage insurance, auto insurance, unemployment insurance, and so on. We are indeed ready for about anything. Sadly, however, most are not ready to meet God. God is one of their least worries or thoughts, however standing before God is a certainty. One needs to be ready to meet God for that will happen. Meet God, Ready, How, When, Why, Fact NOT YOUR OWN IS SECOND HAND, BORROWED Philippians 3:10-14 Someone who confesses to something they did not do and receives punishment for it in order to protect the guilty person is a "hero" of sorts. A soldier throwing himself upon a grenade in order to save his buddies. Those who live with the underprivileged in order to be accepted by them and then be able to help them are indeed "different" people. What causes some people to do such heroic deeds? What do they have that others seem not to have? First Hand, Borrowed, Used, Second Hand, Faith WHAT WILL IT TAKE? <br> It is not a secret that our country is far, far from where it once was with God. God is not recognized nor honored as He once was in years past. His Word is not heeded, His Day is violated, His laws abandoned, His Churches and children almost silent. What will it take for God to get back that which is His? What will God have to do to bring this country back to where it once was with Him? What will it take? God, Abandoned, His, Return ARE WE REALLY FREE? <br> Our country has a motto of being the "land of the free." People from all over the world want to come to America to be "free." Our armies have been all over the world "freeing" people. People brag that they don't have bosses, nobody to tell them what to do, they are "free" to do whatever they want. Take a good look and you will see that we are not really free. God says we are not free but can be. Free, Enslaved, Bondage, Jesus RUNNING FROM GOD Luke 14:16-24 John 6:66, 67 How cowardly the disciples were when they ran away from the Lord, leaving him alone in the Garden when the soldiers came. We are quick to condemn those men, yet we are as guilty as they were. We, too, run away from God. Sometimes our flight is not even recognized as such but nevertheless there are things in our lifestyles that cause us to run away from God. Flight, Running, God, Away HELP THE FALLEN <br> Ever break a bone? Did it hurt? Did you get it fixed? Did anybody volunteer to fix it for you? What if you had left it alone and not got it fixed? God compares the Christian "drop-out" to a broken bone. He/she needs to be found and fixed, restored, brought back into fellowship of the Church family. Who is to do all this? Those who are not broken or have fallen from the Church family. Fallen, Broken, Drop-out, Fixed, Restored, Family WE ARE TO GO AND TELL FIRST <br> Pills, alcohol, sex, nervous breakdowns, heart attacks, divorces, indicate that our generation is missing out on something and is searching for whatever it is that it doesn't have. God knows what our generation needs and has given us the answer and responsibility but we are going about it in the wrong way. We are to go out and tell, not try to bring them in. Go, Tell, Great Commission, Not Bring In BORDER LINE CHRISTIANS Romans 8:4-8 Galatians 5:19-26 Romans 8:4-8 Countless people are living their lives under the fear of death and then standing before God. However it is the opposite for the believer, the Christian. Death is not feared, it is looked forward to. Standing before God is not feared either for it will be a time of happiness. One cannot straddle the line and be a Christian, either one is or is not. Too many want to be a Christian but also want to keep on doing what everyone else is doing in the world. World, Flesh, Carnal, Unbelief, Spiritual, Godly, Christian RELIGION NEEDS SALVATION <br> There are countless religions around the world and in our own country. If you asked a member of each religion if he/she had the right religion, each would say "yes." Sadly there are millions who are "religious" but they are still without God's salvation. The religions of the world need SALVATION and that can be found only in the Christian's "religion of belief in God's Son, Jesus Christ." Religion, Salvation, Christianity WHAT YOU BUY IS YOURS Revelation 5:1-9 We are all familiar with buying and selling. What we sell belongs to someone else when paid for and what we buy belongs to us totally and completely and we can do whatever we want to with what we bought. It's ours. God's Word speaks of people being bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. How did we ever become anybody's property in the first place that we can be sold and bought? Purchased, Bought, Ownership, Jesus, Man THINGS ARE READY, ARE YOU? 1 Peter 4:5 Luke 12:40 Matthew 25:10 "Be prepared" is a motto of an organization of young lads. We are all familiar with the word "ready" and use it every day in various situations. Our military stays in a state of "preparedness" as well as our firemen, emergency response teams and other such units. When God uses the word "ready" He is talking about something far more important than how we use the word, for God is talking about eternal things. God says that some eternal things are ready right now. Ready, Prepared, Salvation, Judgment, Eternity THE CROWD AT THE CROSS <br> Of all the tragic events that have struck humanity through the centuries, there has been none greater than when the Son of God hung on a cross on a hill called Calvary. The crucifixion drew a great crowd of people and they all had different reasons for being there. People are the same and today those same kind of people are still around. If you had been there at the cross that day, which part of the crowd do you think you would have been a part of? Cross, Crowd, Curious, Uncaring, Opposed, Sympathetic THE ANGER SIDE OF GOD Genesis 18, 19 Psalm 78:41-53 Most people only hear about how loving God is and don't ever think that God has another side. The Bible reveals that God has another side and it is the side of Anger and wrath. God, being no respecter of persons, sends His anger upon both His own people and those who are not His people. How does one escape the anger side of God? Anger, Wrath, God, Escape, Love FAITH THAT IS ALIVE <br> Looking through the Bible one can find many great examples of people of faith. They believed God and God acted. One example in particular was Jehoshaphat. His faith led God to destroy an enemy army. What kind of faith does it take to cause God to step in and help His children? Faith, Living, God's Word PART ANGEL, PART DEVIL Numbers 22:1-25:9 Know somebody who can "talk out of both sides of his/her mouth" at the same time? We understand that to mean that that person can't be trusted for he/she will tell one person one thing and another person something different. Well the Bible tells of a man who walked with God, spoke for God, but also went the other way at the same time in order to get what he wanted. Balaam didn't exactly go against God's Word, but he just didn't exactly tell it like it was either. God's Word, Truth, Twist, Silent THE BREATH OF GOD <br> From the very beginning the "breath" of God has been active in this world. The "breath" of God is also called the "Holy Spirit" of God. In reading God's Word it is found that the "spirit" of God visited men and enabled them to do unusual things but came and went, never staying. However today we are aware that the Holy Spirit of God comes and stays with people. What brought about the change? Breath, Spirit, God, Power A WALK WITH GOD <br> Want to walk with God? Who wouldn't. Who does? God walked with Abraham and through him started a nation whom God walked with. Jesus, God in the flesh, walked with people when He was here. So, today, does God still want to walk with us? If so, how do we go about walking with God? Walk, God, Requirements, Possible THE SEE-SAW OF LIFE <br> Ever sit/ride on a see-saw? Remember how you went up and down, up and down? There was a split second when you were even with each other and then your position was reversed, up became down and down became up. Jesus told a parable that pictures life as being a see-saw. Sometimes you are up and sometimes you are down, but there is something that happens to everyone that makes every one even, on the same level. Up, Down, Even, Heaven, Hell, Death THE GREATEST THING TO DO FOR ANOTHER <br> What's the greatest thing we can do for someone? Buy them a new car? Buy them a house? Put someone through college? Give someone a cruise around the world? As wonderful as these and many other things might be, there is one thing that is more important than anything that can be bought or given away. The greatest thing a person can do for another is to bring them to Jesus. Andrew is a good example of how to bring someone to Jesus. He went to tell his brother Peter about Jesus. Witness, Personal, Duty, Privilege, Joy MAN'S CONDITION IN A SINGLE WORD - LOST! <br> If you were told to choose a single word to represent the whole human race, what word do you think you might choose? There is a word that Jesus chose that includes every situation, race, creed, color, occupation, status, leaving no one out. The single word Jesus chose was "LOST." Condition, Mankind, In a Word, Lost A STEWARD OF SERVICE <br> If every person who says "I am a Christian" would actually live each day as a Christian should, then there would be more Christians in the world. A Christian is bound by the Cross of Christ to live by the standards of the Cross. Sadly,however for many, the Cross is just an ornament to be worn, not to be carried. There is a great difference. Which are you? One who wears a cross or one who actually "carries" the cross? Cross, Service, Steward, Ornament, Wear, Bear HEAVEN, THE PLACE OF NO TEARS <br> For the Christian there is this world and then there is Heaven. This world is one filled with a lot of tears and the place awaiting the Christian is a place where there will be no tears. Strangely, Christians seem to be caught up in the things of this world more than they are looking forward to leaving it and going to the place of no tears. Why would they want to do that? Heaven, Perfect, No Tears, No Saddness, Joy THE "CURE-ALL" REMEDY <br> No doubt our generation is in a mess. Divorces, law suits, hospitals filled with nervous break down patients, mental homes filled with seemingly hopeless cases. Everyone seems to be overly anxious and so wound-up all the time. Is there an answer? Is there a cure for the condition of our generation's restlessness? Jesus says there is. It's a thing called "LOVE." Love, Cure, Remedy, Indifference, Hate, Peace IS GOD FOR YOU? <br> Here something scary to think about: "Is God for you or not?" "Well, I hope so" might be the reply. We had better be sure that God is for us for if He is not then eternity is certainly going to be long and painful to say the least. You can know whether God is for you or not. There are some God is against. Who are they? Hell, Heaven, Against, For, Hypocrite, Believer AMERICA VERSES THE RICH, YOUNG RULER <br> No question about it, our country is in a mess. Everyone seems to be searching for something and trying everything but finding nothing. There is a young man who came to Jesus who had the same problem as our country. He was searching for something and he came to Jesus with his problem. What was the result of his visit? Uneasiness, restlessness, searching, Jesus, Answer HIDDEN SINS Proverbs 28:13 Ever committed a sin that only you and God know about? Ever done anything that you hope nobody ever finds out about? In the book of Joshua there is an account of a man who disobeyed God's directives and tried to hide what he had done. He eventually paid for it with his life. Hidden sins in our lives separate us from God and can eventually bring punishment from God. Got any hidden sins in your life? Sin, Hidden, Unconfessed, Separation, God, Punishment OUR GREATEST NEED 1 John 1, 2 From what is seen going on or not going on in our Churches today it is obvious that something is lacking. There seems to be an emptiness, a pretense, an indifference within many Churches. Do Churches need more entertaining programs? Do Churches need to adjust themselves to the norms and attitude of their communities? Where is the power and energy Churches once had? What is the Church's greatest need? Church Need, Jesus First, Love the Lord HOW IS YOUR HEART? <br> Without a doubt we are living in a time of hardness of heart. Have you noticed the lack of a "conscience" in people today? When was the last time you were in a genuine Holy Spirit filled and controlled worship service? What about "fire and brim-stone" preaching and people being filled with the Holy Spirit to the point of expressing it? Something is wrong with the hearts of people today. The Holy Spirit is missing. How is your heart? Indifference, Coldness, Hardness, Emptiness of Heart CONFESS YOUR SINS <br> Remember when you were in school and somebody threw an eraser or paper wad? Remember how the teacher tried to find out who it was and nobody said anything? Nobody admitted to throwing anything. As adults we still do the same thing but it is with God. We break His laws, which He calls sin but we don't admit doing it and we keep our sins secret from others as well. A person cannot be on the right side of God with unconfessed sin in his/her life. Wrong Side of God, Sin, Unconfessed, Confess, Restoration BLIND AND A NOBODY <br> What if you had been born blind and all at once you were given your eyesight. We can only imagine what that would be like. What a wonderful thing it would be. The Bible tells us of such a thing when Jesus touched healed a man who had been born blind. A similar thing happens to us when Jesus comes into our lives for before He comes in we are spiritually blind. Take a look at this wonderful story. Blind, Nobody, Sight, Obedience, Jesus' Touch ARE OUR SINS REALLY FORGIVEN? <br> Ever wonder if your sins have REALLY been forgiven? Ever wonder if there are some that have been overlooked and haven't been forgiven yet? How in the world can God forgive us of all the sins we commit anyhow? Whose idea was it for Jesus to be the one to have to take our place in paying for our sins anyway? What if there's something else we need to do to get our sins forgiven and we don't know what it is? Forgiveness, Completely, Paid For, Jesus Christ, The Cross, Assured CHRISTIAN COMPASSION <br> How would you define "compassion?" Ever see much "compassion" displayed around you? Sadly very little compassion is seen anymore, especially the kind of compassion Jesus displayed and talked about. If anyone should be an example of one who shows compassion, it should be a Christian but Christians seem to be suffering from "compassion fatigue." Compassion, Concern, Unbelievers, Christians, The Church CROSSING THE DEADLINE <br> Has God ever "turned His back" on anyone? Is there a limit to how long a person can put off accepting Jesus? Does the Holy Spirit ever quit working with someone? Jesus made it clear that there is a time when a person can no longer be saved. There is a "deadline" that once crossed, salvation is no longer available. What does one have to do or not do to cross that deadline? Deadline, Salvation, Holy Spirit, Delay, Unpardonable Sin CAN THE SAVED EVER BE LOST AGAIN <br> If God does something can we or Satan undo it? The Bible teaches us that once we are saved, we are permanently, eternally saved and there is nobody or power that can take us away from God. However there are some who believe and even teach that Christians can be saved one minute and then lost again the next. That kind of "salvation" is very unsafe and certain unreliable. So, the question is, "Can the saved ever be lost again?" Salvation, Permanent, Temporary, Lost Again BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT <br> The greatest need of Christians today is to be Holy Spirit filled and the greatest sin among Christians is that of being self-satisfied. Quick to accuse others of being cold, complacent, careless, indifferent, lethargic and apathetic many Christians are blind to the fact that they fit in the same pattern and category. "Just a little cabin over in glory land." "Just so I get into heaven, if only by the skin of my teeth." Those are not the remarks made by Spirit Filled Christians. Holy Spirit Filled, Command, Complete Surrender, Absolute Control THOUGHTS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION <br> On Friday of that fateful week, thoughts were focused on the Cross. On Sunday, the first day of the next week, thoughts were focused on the burial tomb of Jesus. Everyone was sad, fearful and disappointed. Upon discovering that the tomb was empty and that Jesus was alive, everyone's thoughts and lives began to change. The resurrection of Jesus turned history upside down. What has the resurrection of Jesus done to you? Resurrection, Thoughts, Importance, Personal Experience WALKING IN DARKNESS <br> All of us have walked in darkness at one time or other. We stumble over and run into things we cannot see. We get "all turned around" and often we get lost. God describes our world as a place of darkness and sin and all people who eventually die in this world of darkness and sin will go into an eternity of damnation unless they have received the spiritual light of God which comes through Jesus. Darkness, Sin, Damnation, Light, Jesus, Salvation, Heaven WHY ARE UNBELIEVERS MORE PROSPEROUS THAN CHRISTIANS? Key verses: 2-3 "It's just not fair!" We go to church, tithe, pray, read the Bible, witness, are faithful in every way we can be and still bad things happen to us but not to any of those who don't go to church or even believe in Jesus. It seems that the Christian should be blessed with health and wealth but instead we get the bad things and the unbelievers get the good things. Something seems to be wrong here. Why are unbelievers more prosperous than Christians anyhow? Unfair, Prosperous, Unbelievers, Evil, Christians WINNING SOULS FOR THE LORD'S SAKE <br> "What we need to do is build a family life center and the people will come to our church." "What we need to bring people to our services is to get a Youth Rock Band." What we need to do to bring people to our worship services is to get rid of hymnals and the piano and organ, add stereo sound and project everything on a big screen and people won't even have to bring their Bibles." Actually what churches need to do to bring the people to their services is for the Christian members to become concerned that the lost are already damned and when they die they are going to Hell - to actually be concerned for the lost. Unbeliever, Damned, Lost, Hell, Christian Soul Winner FOUR TRUTHS OF GOD'S GOSPEL <br> Ever meet somebody who was perfect? Ever meet somebody who had never done anything wrong? Ever meet anybody who said they had never sinned? Well, they are out there who think that they are perfect and use words like "absolute perfection" and "the state of sinless perfection..." God's Word contradicts those people for God says that everyone has sinned. There are four truths of God's Gospel which point out some facts essential to living as God wants. Truth, Sin, Forgiveness, Confession, Assurance, Cleansing HELL IS A REAL PLACE <br> The Bible is very clear that Hell is a real place, created by God but not for people but for the devil and his followers. However the Bible teaches that people go there also. Why? What is Hell like? How does one escape going to Hell? What if every Christian had to spend 24 hours in Hell, would they be any different? Hell, Torment, Eternity, Fire, Punishment, Escape, Jesus Christ COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN <br> Ever meet someone who was always complaining about something? Did you like to be around them? Ever get tired of hearing them gripe and complain? Do you ever gripe and complain? It seems that it must be our nature to complain. Why, though, would a Christian gripe and complain? After all, it is God who blesses him/her. So why Christian do you complain? Complain, Gripe, Displeased, Blessings, God YOU CAN'T GET BY WITH SIN <br> If we get into a fight and get a black eye but later we apologize to each other and all is well between us, that's it, right? Well, there is still the black eye. We suffer the consequences of the fight. So it is with sin. God says we can't get by with sin. Sooner or later it catches up with us and we reap exactly what we sow, if not a bit more. Sin, Consequences, Reap, Sow, Repent WHEN JESUS COMES <br> There are a lot of differences between the early church and the church of today. They met in homes, we meet in nice, cool, buildings. They had to walk or ride an animal to get to church, we ride in nice car, trucks, vans, etc. They believed that Jesus was coming back at any time and every day they looked for His return. We don't. Every once in a while some preacher mentions the possibility, but the average Christian doesn't ever think about Jesus' return. Why not? THE MEANING OF STEWARDSHIP <br> Are you trustworthy? Are you dependable? Are you considerate? Are you reliable? Are you selfish? Would you consider yourself a good "steward?" Understanding that a "steward" is one who takes care of somebody else's things. How have you been doing in taking care of the things of God and His Church? Might there be a bit of "selfishness" getting in the way? Is Jesus Christ really FIRST in your life in all areas? Steward, Gospel, Church, Jesus Christ THE TRUTH WE WILL NOT FACE <br> People of our generation and our country have a way of ignoring and side-stepping that which is unpleasant. We also change things from how they started out to how we want them to be. We do the same thing with the things of God. We "play" God and pretend that there is not a "Hell" and that everybody is going to make it to Heaven some how or other. There are some truths we just won't face up to and the fact/truth that there is a real HELL is something we just will not face. Hell, Truth/Fact, Ignore, Put-off, Life after Death WHY ARE YOU NOT A CHRISTIAN? <br> How long are you going to live? Ever think you might be one who drops dead putting on your shoes? What about going to bed one night and not waking up the next morning? It happens every day. So, are you ready for eternity? Everyone is going there to one place or the other, to Heaven or to Hell. Only Christians will be going to Heaven. If you are not a Christian, then why not? Christian, Heaven, Hell, Eternity, SAVED AND SURE <br> Everything we buy we want a guarantee, especially the expensive items. Well there are countless people who don't believe that God's salvation can be guaranteed and that when one is saved, that salvation can be lost again. Isn't it strange that many of these same people believe that companies can guarantee their product, but that God can't? Salvation, Permanent, Forever, Lost, Works, Sure SAVED BY BELIEVING <br> We are very familiar with the word "believe." That is the exact word God chose to explain how Salvation and eternal life are made available to people. To "believe" is to "trust," to form a "conclusion." So, what does our "believing" have to do with our going to heaven? In short, Jesus has done all that is necessary to enable us to be able to go to heaven. Do we "believe" that that is enough? Or do we "believe" we need to help in some way? Salvation, Heaven, Saved, Believing, Trusting, Jesus THOUGHTS ABOUT SIN <br> Comparing yourself to others, would you say you are a pretty good person? Are there some you know worse than you are? How about better than you? Ever stop to think that in the eyes of God everybody is the same? God has different standards than we do and God says that we are all sinners - period! Sin separates us from God. So what about sin? How did we get mixed up in it in the first place? Sin, Started, Separates, Substitute, Savior WHAT DOES GOD WANT BACK FROM CHRISTIANS? <br> Who likes to be around a stingy person? Know anybody who is stingy? Are you stingy? If you were rich, would you share? We expect those who have to share with those who don't, right? Well, Christian, what has God given you? Ever think that He just might expect something back? He does! So, just what does God want back from Christians? Given Much, Much Expected, Gratitude, Christian Debt THE SIN OF TOLERANCE <br> Would you say that our country has changed lately? Not only in scientific and medical achievements but negatively in our morals. Are the youth of today like the youth of 20 years ago? Are marriages as stable today as 20 years ago? Are television programs as non violent as 20 years ago? Is language as clean as it was 20 years ago? What in the world has happened to our country? Tolerance. We have become tolerant of just about everything. This is devastating. Tolerance, Downfall, Sin, Enough, Christians Speak Out SEVEN STEPS TO ANSWERED PRAYER <br> Do you get all your prayers answered? Ever wonder why? Perhaps unanswered prayer is one of the greatest weaknesses in a Christian's life. If God is so anxious to hear our prayers and answer them, thus blessing us and others, then why doesn't He do so? Is it God or is it us? God has given us guidelines in prayer which will enable us to have our prayers answered. Did you know that? Answered Prayer, God's Way, Steps WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? <br> Ever put anything off? Ever neglect anything? Ever wish you hadn't? How many tragedies could have been avoided if neglect or delay was not involved? Putting off making decisions usually bring undesired results. God warns us that putting off accepting His Son, Jesus has tragic results. There is often a "dead-line" God puts on us and believing in His Son is one of those that can have that "dead-line." "Now is the time to believe" not when "we" get around to it. Delay, Neglect, Wait, Decision, Believing in Jesus MAN'S SEARCH <br> Ever look for something but didn't know exactly what you were looking for? Well, every person has done that and countless are still looking for something but don't know what it is that they are looking for. When God made man, God put space within man's heart that only God could fill. Unless God is there, man is restless and keeps on trying to fill that vacancy with whatever he can think of. Take a look at our own country how it has been trying to fill God's place. Emptiness, God's Place, Searching, Substitutes THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS HARD Matthew 7:13-14 In the eyes of God there are only two classes of people, those who are on their way to heaven and those who are on their way to hell, no middle ground. Every person has a choice in which "road" of life he/she travels. God tells us that the "way of the transgressor is hard." So, what is "transgression?" Who is a "transgressor?" What makes the way of a transgressor so hard anyhow? Transgress, Laws of God, Heaven, Hell BURIED WITH CHRIST <br> What if for someone to consider believing in Jesus they had to first see Him in the life of someone who was already a believer. Could you qualify? Just because someone "says" he/she is a believer in Jesus is not always enough proof that one really is a true believer. Can Jesus be seen in YOUR daily life? What is involved in causing Jesus to be seen in someone's life? Seeing Jesus, Believer, Witness, Surrender A DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIAN Acts 26:28 1 Peter 4:16 There are lots of "Christians" around, however they don't all act alike or sound alike. What/who exactly is a "Christian?" Where in the world did the name "Christian" come from anyhow? How did it get started? There are a lot of Churches around today and they are all so different from each other, Seems that if the members are "Christians" there would be more similarities. So, define a "Christian." Christian, Believer, Derogative Name, Follower of Jesus A MESSAGE WITHOUT WORDS Acts 2:37-38, 41 What does a flag mean to you? What about a hand wave? How about a badge on a uniform? Red, green, yellow lights at a traffic intersection? Do you need a sign describing what these things mean? Of course not, it is obvious. Well, God has given us something also that needs no words for us to understand what He is telling us. That message without words is BAPTISM. What does Baptism mean? Wordless Message, Baptism, Meaning THE BELIEVER'S LIFE IS LIKE TAKING A TRIP <br> When we are going on a trip, we make plans. What roads we will take, where we will stop, what we plan to see on the way, how long we are going to stay. Also we take some "emergency" things, just in case. Life is like taking a trip and things happen along the way. If a believer in Jesus, there is help that unbeliever's don't have. Remember the disciples in a boat caught in a storm? Trip, LIfe, Difficulties, Help, Believer, Non-believer A CHILD'S FIRST CLASSROOM Deuteronomy 5:1-21 Shootings in high schools. What in the world has happened to our youth? Where did they get such ideas? Teenagers having babies, doing drugs, stealing, totally out of control. Well, there's an old saying that what kids are exposed to at home they become. If so, then where are the parents? What kind of home life have our youth had? God expects parents to raise their children the way HE wants them raised. The HOME is a child's first classroom. Classroom, Parents, Upbringing, God's Instructions REACTIONS TO JESUS <br> Ever stop and sample "samples" in a store or mall? Somebody wants you to try their product and then go buy it, right? What about a buffet restaurant? Lots of choices to pick from there. Some people follow Jesus for about the same reason they go to a buffet. They want to pick and choose what they want from Him. If you are a follower of Jesus, why? Reaction, Jesus, Follower, Reasons THE RIGHT KIND OF CHURCH <br> Everybody has somebody they admire and copy after - a "mentor," a "role-model." We imitate and copy after someone because we want to look, sound, act like that one we admire. Churches do the same thing. Churches copy building designs, worship styles, programs, just about anything that "works" for a particular church, others copy it, hoping for the same good results. God has given the Church what it needs and a Church not following God's plans is not the right kind of Church. Imitate, Copy, Church, God's Way Only EAGER TO FIND <br> New Year's resolutions! Make them and break them - right? We are so quick to made decisions without thinking through what all may be involved. People do the same thing with spiritual matters. Countless people have "decided for Jesus" and even baptized but soon disappeared, never to be seen again. They made a quick decision and never thought through what was involved or was not very serious when making the decision. A young man came to Jesus with that same attitude. Quick to Act, Slow to Follow Up, Sincere ONLY ONE THING WILL WORK <br> Not every one who says so is really a Christian. Even Jesus said so. Many followed Jesus but not all that many believed in Him. It seemed that Jesus turned away far more than He accepted. What does it take for a person to be accepted by Jesus? Nicodemus found out that there was only one way to be a part of the life Jesus talked about and he didn't have the slightest idea of what Jesus was talking about when told what had to happen to him. One Way, God's Way, Born Again, Nicodemus A STRONG SHEPHERD BUT WEAK SHEEP John 10:11 Ever see a hard, strong, firm, fierce battle scared soldier hold his tiny baby in his rough hands? In battle he is fierce, determined, unyielding but with his tiny little baby, he is gentle, loving and tender. God is like that. He can be fierce, hard, destructive but He can also be gentle, loving, forgiving and patient. God calls His Children, sheep and sheep are know to be weak and vulnerable but Jesus is their Shepherd and He is strong but also gentle. Sheep, Weak, Shepherd, Strong, Jesus ISAIAH SPEAKS ABOUT AMERICA Isaiah 5:8, 11, 12, 18, 20, 21, 23 No doubt America has drifted from God. Abortions, murders, robbery, stealing, deceit, adultery, divorce, teen crime, filthy television, you name it, America is doing it. However Churches continue to operate, people "profess" to be Christians and all seems well in the religious area. Isaiah preached against Israel for doing the very same things that America is doing and God brought judgment against His own people. Will we escape God's judgment? Left God, Israel, America, Warning, Judgment HOW THE CHRISTIAN MUST LIVE Romans 8:29 No doubt for one to have someone listen to what you have to say, they must think positive about you in some degree. When one witnesses for example, how the "reputation" of that person in the eyes of the person being witnessed to determines whether that person listens or not. The Christian has been told how he/she must live. If one professes to be a Christian, then that person's life will reflect Jesus Christ for Christians are to live like Christ. Christ-like, Way of Life, Christians A SILENT SERMON <br> Ever have your mother look at you with "that look?" She didn't have to say a word for you knew exactly what she was thinking. Silent expressions can speak as loud as spoken words. There is a thing Christians do that does that. It is a physical thing but it has a wonderful message with lots to think about. It is sort of like a "silent sermon." That thing is Baptism. Not sprinkling or pouring but immersion - BAPTISM. Baptism, Message, Silent, Immersion, A SECOND CHANCE Jonah 3:1-3 Luke 15:18 Ever mess up and need a second chance? Ever given a second chance? Ever give somebody else a second chance? Second chances are great! Did you know that God gives second chances? Every Christian messes up at one time or other and gets away from God therefore needing a second chance. Thankfully God gives second chances. Do you need one right now? Second Chance, Gracious, Forgiving, Repent SOME GOALS FOR THE CHRISTIAN <br> Everybody has certain characteristics that stand out. Many are admirable and sadly, some are not. We have all said that we'd like to be like "so and so" because there was some trait that person had that we admired. To be like Jesus is the goal of every Christian and there are others whom the Christian can strive to be like who had an outstanding characteristic, like love, patience, faith, holy living, wisdom, and spiritual power. These can help the Christian to be like Jesus. Christian Goals, Jesus, Imitate GOD DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH <br> For some reason God just doesn't seem able to supply what people think they really need or want, so they add things along the way which, for some reason, God forgot. Israel did that very often and seemed to stay in trouble with God for God was always telling them that He was enough and would provide all they needed. God has told the Christian the same thing but the Christian acts like Israel did and is always adding and changing things around. God just doesn't seem to be enough now days either. What is wrong? God's Ways, Our Ways, Adequate, Want More A DEADLY ENEMY WITHIN THE CHURCH <br> Ever drive down an old country road that was "rutted out?" You had to drive in the grooves, the imprints, the ruts already in the road or you couldn't get down the road. Somebody had to go first and dig those ruts in the mud and everybody else followed in his tracks. We do things like that all the time in life. Sadly our churches also "get in a rut" and do things like they have always been done and nobody knows why they do what they do. That can be deadly to a Church. Deadly, Church, Rut, Habit, Routine AN EXTRA SPECIAL FAMILY MEETING <br> Everyone has a family get-together at one time or other such as Thanksgiving, or Christmas, and birthdays. Close friends are sometimes invited and of course the "in-laws" are considered part of the family as well. However there are times when ONLY the blood-kin family get together and no outsiders are invited, needed or welcome. It is a strictly private, family matter. Such private meetings are held within the Church and the Lord's Supper is one of those very private times. Lord's Supper, Family Members Only, Special Time WHAT DOES THE RECORD SAY? <br> Everybody keeps records. Some people carefully file their records in a precise order of some sort while some people keep their records in a box under the bed, nevertheless, people keep files and records. So does God. The Bible tells us that God keeps records on when we were born, what we do during our lifetime and whether we ever believed in His Son, Jesus or not. Also the Bible tells us that some day every person will stand before God and listen while God goes over the records He has kept of each person and then make a decision that will have an eternal affect. What does God's records say about you up to now? Records, Files, God's, Judgment Day SATAN HATES GOD AND ALLTHAT BELONGS TO GOD John 15:18-19 1 John 3:1 Ever wish you could tell the future? God can do that. Right after God made Adam and Eve, Satan messed with them and got them kicked out of the garden of Eden. God then told Satan that one day a human being was going to bring him, Satan, down. Satan tried his best to keep Jesus from doing what he knew Jesus came to do but lost out. Now Satan is trying to destroy everything that belongs to God and that is God's Church, God's Family, the Christian. Satan's Hatred of God, Christian, Church, Promised One NO NEUTRAL PLACE <br> Sometimes we don't want to become involved in something so we say, "count me out" or "I'm neutral on this." Nevertheless we really have our own opinion but just don't want to take a "public" stand, so we excuse ourselves in some way. Well, we can't do that with God. God says we are either for or against Him. That may not be OUR opinion, but it's God's and what He thinks outweighs what we think. So, there is no "neutral" place one can be with God. So, where are you? Uninvolved, Neutral, In Between, God and Godly Matters GOD'S CALL TO YOU AND THE RESULTS <br> Life goes by so fast. It seems like just a little while ago we were kids in high school or college, now look at us. We sit around and talk about things that happened a long time ago, yet seems like it was just a month or so ago. Ever think about what has happened in your life since you became a Christian? For some it has been a very long time ago, for others it's been just a short while. What kind of changes have happened? Why did God call you in the first place? God's Call, Remember, Changes ARE THERE TWO WAYS TO BE SAVED? <br> Judging from all the different religions around the world and all the different kinds of churches in our own country, there must be another way to be saved and get to heaven other than what we Christians believe. Is there? If so, then what is the other way? God has His way, so is there another way? Getting to Heaven, Man's Way, God's Way WHEN GOD RULES John 6:38 Looking forward to going to heaven? Think you will be happy there? What do you think will be different? Do you think that you would like for God to rule down here right now as He is ruling in heaven? "Yes?" Well, how are you and God doing right now? Is He ruling you? Is He in charge of everything you do? Do you trust Him totally, completely for every single thing? Ah Ha! When God rules, He must be completely, totally in charge. So, how's your record so far? God's Rule, Complete Control, Total Submission WHAT KIND OF PERSON OUGHT YOU TO BE? 1 John 5:13 Ezekiel 3:17-21 How long are you going to live? Know anybody who does? What happens after you die? Anybody really know? Well, according to God's Word, everybody will go to either heaven or hell after they have stood before Jesus, God's Son, and given an account of their earthly lives. Knowing that there is something after death and the difference is made while living, what kind of person ought you to be? Concerned or unconcerned? Decision Time, Heaven or Hell, Concerned or Unconcerned RESPONSE TO GOD'S BLESSINGS <br> Saying "thank you" is a very common thing and just about everybody says it every day to someone. Most of the time it is automatic but sometimes we sincerely mean "thank you." Thinking about how God has blessed, how does one go about telling God "thank you?" David, in one of his psalms, wrote "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits?" So, how do we respond to God's blessings? God's Blessings, Our Response WHY DOES GOD LOVE US SO? <br> Many have speculated how the world was made but the Bible clearly reveals that God just spoke and things happened. What a powerful God. So now the question comes up, why in the world would God be interested in us? We know what we are like and to know that the God who made all things even knows we are alive is amazing, but to go a bit further, we are told that God even loves us. Why does God love us anyhow? God Created All Things, God Loves Us, Why? THE END OF TIME <br> No doubt our time is a time unlike any other time in history. Today is a day of crisis all over the world and yet today is a day of great scientific and medical discoveries and advancements. However today is seeing morals cast aside and people living as if there's no tomorrow. Regardless how one lives, or how long one lives, death is still there waiting. There will no doubt come an end of time, and end to all the world has known. The Bible has a lot to say about this. END OF TIME, LAST DAYS, RETURN OF JESUS, WHEN CHRISTIANS ARE COMMANDED TO PREACH AND WITNESS Matthew 28:19-20 Acts 1:8 Ever turn anybody away? Ever ignore somebody? Ever think somebody was cruel or mean because of their actions toward somebody? Christian, have you ever given thought to the fact that you could very well be numbered among the cold, indifferent, heartless, and non-caring? How do you treat the unbeliever? Have you ever witnessed? Christians are commanded to witness to every person. What is your excuse for not doing so? Commanded By God, Witness, Preach, Every Person FOUR QUESTIONS FROM GOD Genesis 4:8-9 1 Kings 19:13 All of us have asked questions and had someone ask us questions. Our answers to questions depended a lot on "who" was doing the asking. If God were to speak out of the heavens and ask you a question, would you listen? God spoke to these four people and asked each one of them a question which He could very well be asking us today. Where Are You, What Have You Done, What Are You Doing IS THE CHRISTIAN HIRED OR PURCHASED? <br> Ever do someone a favor? Did you want to be thanked for what you did? What about being paid for something you did, like a job? How about being an unpaid "servant?" Sad, but true, there are countless "Christians" who seem to thank that God owes them a big "thank you" for their attending a church service or for doing something within the church program. If you are a genuine, true Christian then you have been bought, purchased by Jesus and belong entirely to Him. Hired, Purchased, Volunteer, Genuine Christian NOT EVERYBODY CAN WORSHIP John 14:6 Mark 7:6-7 "Everybody is invited to attend our worship services..." "Be sure to invite someone to come to worship services next Sunday..." How do you define "worship?" Did you know that most people who attend a "worship" service do not "worship" as God defines "worship?" Did you know that not just "anybody" can worship the Lord God? Genuine True Worship, Exclusive People Only DON'T LIE <br> Face it! All of us lie! Do Christians lie? They sure do! For instance, have you ever been asked "how are you doing?" and you reply, "I'm doing just fine!" but you feel awful, or things are not going well at home. "Does this dress make me look slim?" Sometimes there seems to be no "safe" way to tell the actual truth, so we just "lie." We have changed the definition of a lie as to what God says is a lie. So, what does God call a "lie?" Untruth, Lie, Falsehood NO LONGER CONDEMNED BY GOD <br> Everybody has a problem with always doing what is right. Sometimes we do right, sometimes we do wrong and almost always there is a battle between which to do. Even the great apostle, Paul, had a problem trying to always do the right thing. He said that sometimes he didn't do the right thing. However he found assurance that since he believed in Jesus, God no longer condemned him even though he didn't always do the right thing. Condemned At Birth, Not Condemned By God, Christians and Jesus Christ FOUR MISUNDERSTANDINGS OF GRACE <br> "Doing what comes naturally" is the normal way of life and we control ourselves and others by rules and regulations. It is only natural that we want to have laws for this or that. However with the Christian it is different. Christians are to live by GRACE and not by law and that creates a problem for the Christian. Much about Grace is misunderstood. Living by the Law, Living by Grace, Misunderstandings of Grace FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT <br> Not everybody can have the Holy Spirit of God and those who are, may not be completely FILLED with His presence. So, what's the difference? Having the Holy Spirit within and being "filled?" Ever see a big, strong, muscular man, able to lift hundreds of pounds, sick with the flu and unable to lift a broom? The difference is that he has the capability but something is interfering and renders him unable. That's like a Christian who is indwelt with the Holy Spirit and has the unlimited potential to do anything for God but doesn't because he/she has not allowed the Holy Spirit to FILL him/her. Indwelt or Filled, The Holy Spirit, Believer's Choice MASTER DECEIVER 1 Chronicles 21:1 Ezekiel 28:15 Red, horns, long, pointed tail with a pitchfork, does that sound like a familar figure? Believe it or not who that figure represents is real. Satan, the devil is real. He doesn't like God and he certainly doesn't like anything or anybody God cares about. He is a master at deceiving people and has most of the world not knowing or caring about God. How did he get started anyhow? Satan, Deceiver, Enemy of God DOING GOOD IS NOT ALWAYS ENOUGH Luke 17:26-30;14:16-24 Colossians 3:2-3 Hebrews 10:25 Most of us can do more than one thing at a time, but one of them must take precidence, right? Most of us think we live good, decent, honest lives, right? Well, in God's way of seeing things, doing good is not always enough for He demands FIRST place in our lives. When we place people or things before God, even when good is involved, we are allowing something or somebody to take His place. Thus doing good is not always enough if it takes God's place. Doing Good, God First, THREE "WILLS" Isaiah 45:18 Psalm 33:6-9 Genesis 1:1 Know anybody that is "hard-headed?" "They have a mind of their own?" Everyday choices are made but have you ever given much thought to what/who influences you to make up your mind? Did you know that in all the world through all the centuries there are THREE powers influencing choices? God's Word says there are three "wills" that affect our choices in life. God's Will, Satan's Will, My Will, My Choice GOD'S GREATNESS UNNOTICED <br> Ever take someone for "granted?" Ever not pay any attention to something that someone did? Why? What about you doing something you really worked at and few if anybody even noticed? You weren't even told "thank you." How did you feel? Hurt? The same thing happened to Jesus and it was His disciples who acted in this manner. Jesus was hurt! Who wouldn't be after what He did. God's Greatness, Ignored, Forgotten, By His Own TWO DRIVERS, TWO DESTINATIONS 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Are we there yet?" "I've gotta go to the bathroom!" "How much longer?" "I'm getting tired." Ever hear words like these when you and your family were on a trip? Did you ever stop to think that perhaps God hears similar words from us as He takes us through our lives toward our heavenly home? Think about it! Destination-Heaven, God is Driving, We are Complaining WHAT DOES GOD WANT WHEN HE SPEAKS TO US? <br> Throughout the Bible there are accounts of God speaking to people. As we read those accounts we wish that we could have been there and witnessed that wonderful event. What did God say? What did God want? Why did God pick that person? Well, did you know that God still speaks to people today? He may have tried to speak to YOU. What does God want when He speaks to us today? God Speaks, What Does God Want? EVER HEAR GOD SPEAK DIRECTLY TO YOU? <br> It's exciting to see famous people and even more exciting to get to talk to them directly, face to face. As exciting as this can be, there's a more exciting event that can happen and that is for GOD to speak directly to you/us and God wants to do just that. God Speaks Directly To People ALMOST PERSUADED, BUT NOT QUITE <br> Ever have a hard time making up your mind? Know anybody who seems to never make up his/her mind, always in a state of "going to?" The Apostle Paul encountered a man like that once. He witnessed to King Agrippa about Jesus and being a Christian. Although interested, the King just couldn't bring himself to make up his mind. He was almost persuaded, but not quite. Persuaded to Believe, Almost, Put it Off WHAT EXACTLY DOES "SALVATION" MEAN? <br> Christians use words words everyday that they give no thought to when using them, but to a non Christian, some of those words are not understood. For instance when a non Christian is told, "you need to be saved or you need salvation." They don't have the slightest idea what the Christian is talking about. So, how do you explain "being saved" or what exactly does "salvation" mean? Salvation, Deliverance From Sin, Gift of Heaven WHY MAKE A PUBLIC PROFESSION OF FAITH IN JESUS? Matthew 12:30 Luke 9:26; 12:8-9 Romans 10:9-11 1 John 4:15 At the close of most worship services there is an "invitation" time. People are invited to come to the front and make known a decision they have made. The most important decision that a person can make public is their decision to believe in Jesus. Why is making a public profession of faith in Jesus so important? Public Profession of Faith A PRAYER THAT CHANGED A LIFE <br> Most people pray the same type of prayer, asking God to bless their family, their friends, the sick and some specific need someone might ask prayer for. Praying for personal gain would seem to be a bit selfish so we don't go there very often. If, however, we pray for God to increase things in and about our life for the purpose of bringing Him more honor, that's a different prayer. Prayer Changes Things A THRILLING DISCOVERY <br> You are alone, tired, scared, troubled, homesick, it is a dark and you are trying to get some rest on the hard cold ground and then suddenly you hear a voice and the sky lights up brightly and you see what looks like a stairway. Are you dreaming? What's happening? This actually happened to a man named Jacob and his life was changed after this dramatic night. Changed Life A TIME OF ACCOUNTABILITY <br> Want something to think about? Want to know a fact that will come true some day in your life? The most sobering thought that a person can have is the fact that he/she will some day stand before God all by him/herself and give an account of the life he/she has lived, accounting for every decision, every act, every thought. What if you were called today to stand before God? Accountable Before God WHY IS THE CHURCH HERE? <br> Most people do the same old thing over and over every day, day after day. They don't seem to have any purpose or goals for their lives. A lot of Churches do the same thing. They have no goals, seem to have no purpose, just do the same old things over and over. Why, exactly, is the Church here anyway? Jesus left it to do something, right? Church's Purpose, Jesus' Purpose TRUSTED WITH AN ABILITY <br> Ever see somebody able to do something that you couldn't and you wished you could do what they were doing? Did you know that YOU can do something that nobody else can do? Strange, but true, but ever Christian has been given a very special gift/ability not exactly like anybody else's to be used to help the Church do what it's here to do. Do you know what your gift is? God-given Ability, Believers Gifts TRUSTED WITH THINGS <br> Children fight over what is "theirs." "Mine, mine, mine" is familiar to parents of small children. Selfish, stingy, and other words come to mind about someone who refuses to share. Ever stop to think that people do the same thing with things God gives to them? Even Christians are stingy and selfish. What do people do with things God has entrusted to them? Receiving and Giving, Stewards, Ours/Gods THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH Matthew 28:19-20 Everybody has his/her own definition of what the Church is and what it is supposed to be doing. How many Churches are actually doing what God established the Church to do in the first place? What did God put the Church here for anyhow? How different is today's "Church" compared to God's "first" Church? God's Church GETTING BACK IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD <br> What child has not disobeyed his/her parents and gotten into trouble? Something is lost between the child and parents until things are made right. A hug and "I'm sorry" from a child to his/her parents will do it but sometimes the child is stubborn and the parents have to take corrective measures to get the child's attention. The Child of God has the same problem with God, the heavenly Father. How does the Child of God get back into fellowship with God when that fellowship has been broken? Fellowship Restored LEARNING FROM JESUS' TEMPTATIONS <br> Has the "devil" ever made you do something? Sometimes we say that he did after we did something we should not have, right? All of us are tempted countless times every day. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. Jesus was also tempted, so how did He handle His temptations? What can we learn from His being tempted? Temptations, Jesus' Example TRUE WORSHIP John 14:6 Mark 7:6-7 "Come join us in worship." "Worship services start at 11:00." Just about anything that happens at 11:00 on a Sunday morning in a Baptist Church is called a "worship" service. However what people call "worship" is not always what God accepts. Just what is "true" worship? What does God accept? True Worship, Not Worship WHAT GOD WANTS HIS FAMILY TO DO 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Churches require certain things for one to be a member. Baptist Churches require a public profession of faith and baptism by immersion. However, God has certain things He wants Christians, His Family to do while they are still down here. Just what does God want of us, His Family? God's Family THE ONE THOUSAND YEARS AND THEREAFTER <br> What would it be like if Jesus was here, now, and running things? The Bible describes a period of a thousand years when Jesus will indeed be here and running things before permanently getting rid of Satan and all evil. What will that be like? Coming Time of Peace IMPORTANT TO US OR TO GOD? Isaiah 66:1-2 God gets a lot of "credit" and "blame" for things that we do or do not do. Face it, we don't think like God at all and what we think is so important, God may not even give it a thought and what God thinks is important, we don't care about or don't even know it. So, what is really important, what we think or what God thinks? Important to God GOD IS SO AMAZING <br> What part about God amazes you the most? Why He did this or that? How He did this or that? Who He is? Whatever the answer, there is a fact, a truth we must face and cannot escape, God loves us! Everything He has done from Creation to the end of Time, His love for us has been/will be involved. What can we do in return to God for His love poured out upon us? Amazing God WHEN THE ARK OF THE COVENANT BECAME JUST A BOX 1 Samuel 5 What is of value and importantance to one person may not have any significance at all to another. However, when it comes to God and the things of God every person is to give proper respect and response. Sadly not everybody does and even "Christians" are guilty of sometimes treating God and the things of God as common and ordinary. Proper Response to God BRING OUR COUNTRY BACK TO GOD <br> Take a look around. You don't have to have any intelligence at all to recognize that our country is in trouble. Bankrupt business, loss of jobs, national debt out of sight, morals gone, you name it, if it's bad, then it's happening right now in our country. Well, what do you expect when we leave the almighty God who got this country going in the first place? THE BIBLE, ALL ABOUT JESUS John 21:24-25 Just about everyone has a Bible. Not everyone knows what the Bible is about, however. Every "book" within the bible there is a hint, a clue, a prophecy about God's Son, Jesus. The Bible is all about Jesus, God's Son. God's Word, All About Jesus TROUBLE IN A GREAT NATION Isaiah 20:23 Proverbs 28:13 Nobody has to point out to us that our nation is in deep trouble. There is but one solution to our nation's troubles and that is prayer by God's people. Our nation was established on Biblical principles and our nation has left those principles and has gone away from God. If God's people would seek His face, turn from their wicked ways, then God will heal their land. Nation in Trouble, God's Healing REST AFTER VICTORY <br> God promised a land to Israel and finally after many years, they got to settle in that long awaited land, however they had to fight for it before they could rest. The Christian has a promised land but doesn't have to fight for it for Jesus has already fought for it and won. The Christian can rest in the victory Jesus has won. Victory, Rest <br> WHAT GOD REALLY WANTS John 17:20-21; 21:15 Colossians 2:6 Genesis 1 Sometimes people "get saved" all over again, even after being a church member for years and even being a deacon, teacher, or preacher. Most discovered that they had never really given themselves totally to God as God wanted. What God wants with people more than anything else is...........a relationship. Relationship, Fellowship THE WORLD IN THE LAST DAYS <br> Think things are going to get better? Better think again. Jesus described the world's condition in it's last days and from His description, our generation and world condition fits His description more than any generation before us. Things are going to get worse. How much worse? World's Last Days AMERICA, WAKE UP! <br> America was once God's missionary to the whole world but now there are missionaries from other countries coming to America. What's going on? America was founded on God and God's Word, don't believe anything different, but America has left God and the precepts it was founded upon. Things are getting bad and are going to get worse unless America wakes up. America, Backslidden THE DAYS OF NOAH HAVE COME BACK <br> Remember the flood, Noah, the Ark, and all the animals that were saved on the ark from drowning in the waters? Remember why God sent the flood in the first place? One doesn't have to be a theologian to see that our country is pretty much in the same condition as the world was when God decided to bring judgment on it and flood it. God's judgment is coming upon America unless America repents. Judgment, Noah, World Condition, America ALL FOR NOTHING Hebrews 11, 12 "Oh man, I did that all for nothing..." Time, money, effort, materials wasted for what/who you were doing it for didn't appreciate what you did. "I'll never do anything for so and so again as long as I live..." Ever think about how the Christian martyrs might feel about today's Christians? Did they do what they did "all for nothing?" Are we carrying on what they started? Useless, Vain, For Nothing, Martyrs WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN? <br> From a derogatory name to an honorable name to an empty name. The name, title, "Christian" has been used to entitle different kinds of people. From weird followers of a strange man called "Jesus," to strong, dedicated, vocal, faithful, willing to die for their belief, of which multitudes did, to today's use of the name which is not very much like in times past. So just what does "Christian" mean today? Who is a "Christian?" Christian, ONE MILE OR TWO? <br> Ever go the "second mile" for somebody? Ever have somebody go the "second mile" for you? Know what we are talking about? It's doing something for someone that you're not told to or you don't have to. It's a voluntary thing. Applying this thought to the your Christian life, are you one who goes only one mile or do you go the second mile for the Lord Jesus? Careful, now. Commanded To, Volunteered To, Second Mile ONE CANNOT BE NEUTRAL <br> "I'm neutral on this one..." Everyone has at one time or other tried to stay out of a situation by statiing that he/she is not taking sides. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. There is a situation that one cannot be neutral in and that is when faced with living as everybody else does, as the world dictates or living as the Lord Jesus commands. One cannot have both in this situation. Every person is living for one or the other. Neutral Between The World and Jesus A WISE WORSHIP EXAMPLE <br> "Worship starts at 11:00." Just what does "worship" really mean? It's a familiar word but the definition varies. Some don't even have the slightest idea what the word is supposed to mean. So, what does the word mean? What are we supposed to do at a "worship" service? Three men set an example on how to worship. Remember the three wise men, the Magi? Wise Worship URGENT EVANGELISM NEEDED <br> Isn't it a shame, an outright crime for a person to withold something which could save a person's life? Our country and our world is is desperate need of something which could bring healing and some people have what is needed but they are not sharing it with anybody. Christians have what our country and our world needs and that is Jesus Christ. Why don't they share? World Need, Evangelism, Christians TO DISREGARD THE SCRIPTURES LEAVES NOTHING <br> Have you ever been told to not do this or to do that by somebody who said that they had "been there" and so they know what's best? Perhaps YOU have said that to somebody for you didn't want them to experience what you did or you wanted them to enjoy what you did. Advice is something we take or leave. In our text we are told that if we disregard God's Word, the Scriptures, then there is nothing left to turn to. Disregard of God's Word, No Hope THE CHRISTIAN ATHLETE <br> How much of an athlete are you? Ever wish you could perform as some of the Olympic champions do? Whether you know it or not, if you are a Christian, you are a bonifide, genuine, 100% athlete. You are a runner in a race that God has outlined for just you and it all started when you become a Christian. The race you are running will end when your physical life ends but until then, every day of your life will be spent in running for God. Athlete, Race WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS <br> Ever meet anybody who was perfect (other than the Lord Jesus)? Can you believe that there are "Christians" who really believe that they don't sin? Then there are those who believe that when a Christian does sin, that Christian becomes unsaved again, is lost, and redamnded to hell. Now that doesn't sound like eternal salvation does it. So what really happens when a Christian sins? Sinful Christian THREE WAYS TO LIVE John 14:6 Romans 8:9 1 Corinthinas 2:14; 12:3 According to God's Word, there are three ways people are living. One is the natural way, the way everybody else lives. Another way is the Spiritual way where a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and tries to pattern his/her lifestyle after Him, thus leading a spiritual life. The third way is when a Christian fails to continue to mature and grow and be like Jesus all the time and falls back into the world's way. So, which lifestyle are you leading? LIfestyle, World, Spiritual, Backslidden HARD HEARTED OR COMPASSIONATE? Psalms 142:1-7 Key verse: 4 Ever meet a cruel, cold blooded, uncaring, hard hearted person? Did it ever occur to you that a Christian can be that way, too? A Christian has been saved, brought into God's family, indwelt with the Holy Spirit, has a Heavenly home, etc. But for that Christian to not care about those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior, he/she is also hard hearted, uncaring and cruel. Hard Hearted, Uncaring, Cruel, Compassionate GOD GATHERS HIS FAMILY 1 Peter 2:9; 1:2 Matthew 20:16; 22:14 Not everybody who says so is a part of God's Family. Jesus said that. God's Family is special and God, Himself, says who is to be a part and who is not. If you are a member of God's Family, it is because He, personally, chose you and you responded as He wanted you to. How does God go about choosing who is to be a member of His Family? Chosen, Family, Set Apart THE CHRISTIAN'S ENEMY Ephesians 6:10-18 Ever hear someone say that he/she doesn't have an enemy in this world? Well either that person is lying or is not a Christian. The Christian has an enemy that can only be put down and defeated by God's intervention. That enemy is God's major enemy - Satan. Whatever God loves, Satan tries to destroy. What hope does the Christian have against such a powerful enemy? Enemy, Satan, Protection HOW FAR DID MAN FALL/GO ASTRAY? Romans 10:3 There is no question that mankind has had ups and downs in it's history. Much discussion has taken place as to how mankind got started and it's status since it got started. Some say mankind is on it's way up while others say mankind is on it's way down and out. God's Word states clearly that mankind started out perfect in every way, so looking at us today, just how far have we fallen/ gone astray? Fallen Mankind THE ANSWER TO LIFE'S QUESTIONS 1 Corinthians 1:18, 20 What am I here for? Where am I headed? I'm going around in circles. Life doesn't seem to have any meaning. What's at the end of life? Life is full of questions and every generation asks basically the same questions. Where are the answers to such questions? Is there even an answer? Oh, yes, God has already answered man's questions and the answers lie in the Cross of Jesus. Questions in Life, God's Answer HOW TO GET FAITH <br> Does it matter when we are thirsty, what the water is made up of and all the technical stuff? Does it matter when we are hungry where the food was grown and how it was prepared? Why then can't God's grace be accepted without our trying to add to what He has done for us? There is but one way to get the faith that enables one to have the eternal life that God offers. Faith, God's Word CHRISTIAN - ATTACK! <br> Most people know very little about battle strategy although people are in a battle every day with Satan and sin. Sadly the Christian and the Church seem to always be on the defensive and never on the offensive. For the Christian and the Church to be respected as they should be, they need to be on the offensive and attack! Christians, Attack! HE CAME <br> God has a way of suddenly stepping into our lives and helping us out of some desperate situation. There was a time when the world was lost in darkness and hopelessness when God stepped in, HE CAME! He Came, Christmas JUST WHO IS GOD WITH? <br> Whose side was God with during the crusades back in the 1100-1300's? Each nation involved in fighing in the "Holy Wars" prayed to the same God. Whose team is God with when both teams bow in prayer before a game and when a score is made the head is bowed and a prayer is said? Just how does one know who God is with? God For, God Against, SPECIAL ANGELS OF GOD Revelation 1:12-16 Are angels really beautiful long haired blonds with wings? Or maybe little tiny chubby babbies with wings and a halo? God's Word doesn't mention any angels like those, but it does speak of messengers, warriors bringing death and destruction. There is another "angel" mentioned by Jesus in the book of Revelation and we have all seen this kind - a pastor, a preacher. Angel, Preacher, Pastor, Messenger EXAMPLES AT THE CROSS Matthew 27:41-44 The cross has been a symbol for centuries within the Christian faith and it has stood for many thoughts, ideas, beliefs. There are many examples to be found at the cross but perhaps three stand out above the rest: how far man is from God, how loving and caring Jesus is, and how anybody, no matter how evil and sinful can be saved. Thief on the Cross, Grace SOMETHING TO STAND ON Matthew 16:13-18 No doubt we live in an age of uncertainty inspite of all the "inventions, discoveries, and advancements." It seems that what was once good, is now bad and what was once bad is now good. Where, what can a person put his/her trust into these days? Isn't there anything that will remain the same? Isn't there anything one can stand on that will be solid, no matter what? Solid, Stationary, Permanent, Rock YOUR ASSIGNED CROSS <br> "Oh my, what a cross I've got, my mother in law moved in with us..." For some reason we think that any difficulty in life is a "cross" we are supposed to bear because we are Christians. Got news for you! It is God who assigns the Christian his/her "cross" and it's not some mean old mother in law. God's cross is given to those who dedicate their lives to serving Him. Cross, Assigned, God's Work PARABLE OF THE FOUR KINDS OF SOIL <br> The parable Jesus told about a farmer sowing seeds and the different places the seed landed and the results is a very clear comparison to what happens whenever one witnesses for the Lord or preaches a sermon. Only one of the four places the seed landed produced anything. Sowing Seed, Different Soil LIVING WITHOUT SIN 2 Corinthians 9:15 Like to receive a gift? What do we have to do to receive a gift? Doesn't "gift" mean something free, something from someone who cares? An expression of concern from someone? God has lots of gifts He wants to give. Salvation is number one and number two is living without sin for those who have received number one. Without Sin, Gifts PREPARING FOR THE REVIVAL WE NEED 2 Chronicles 7:14 The greatest need of our churches today is not more members nor more elaborate buildings, nor even more money. What our churches need today is REVIVAL! Churches are complacent, comfortable and in neutral. A waking up, a getting back to God's business is desperately needed. How does revival come? What does revival mean to a church? Revival Needed, Revival Preparation GOD HAD A PLAN BEFORE CHRISTMAS <br> To know that mankind is totally sinful, one has but to look at the news. There is never an hour that goes by that somebody doesn't kill or steal or commit some sort of crime against another human being. The whole human race is a mess and the only hope is found in God's plan of redeeming mankind. Christmas is the revealing of God's plan to save mankind but God's plan started long before Christmas happened. Christmas, God's Plan of Redemption Revealed THAT CHRISTMAS AND THIS CHRISTMAS Matthew 2:16 Thousands of dollars will be spent on presents this Christmas and hundreds of people will die in traffic accidents over this Christmas holiday on their way to or from visiting family or friends. Ever wonder how different our Christmas is today from the very first Christmas in A.D. 1? Christmas, The First One and Today WHY SUCH A BIRTH? <br> Ever wonder why God went through so much trouble to bring His Son into our world? Why a birth? Why so particular to have a "virgin" give birth? Why didn't Jesus just "show up" as angels have done in the past? Why have to grow up from a baby into adulthood? Christmas Birth NEITHER CHRISTMAS OR THE CROSS CHANGED GOD Hebrews 13:8 Everything we know changes. Some people can never make up their minds. We do not understand anything or anybody that does not change sooner or later. We are told by God that He doesn't change and that our ways are not His ways. We don't understand that God has always loved us and that nothing can cause Him to love us more or less. Before Christmas God loved us, at Christmas God loved us, at the Cross God loved us, no more, no less. God's Love, Always the Same WHO IS JESUS? <br> Jesus has been called a lot of things through the centuries and even His own kinsmen rejected His being the expected Messiah. Jesus has been called a great prophet, a martyr, a lover of mankind and all sorts of other titles. Jesus once asked His disciples who they thought He was. So the question comes to us, just who is Jesus? Who is Jesus? GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS <br> There was a man named John the Baptist who went around preaching "prepare the way, get ready, the Messiah is coming." This time of the year we are preparing for Christmas by putting up decorations, the tree, buying and wrapping presents, sending cards but has any thought been given as to what kind of preparation for Christmas God would really be pleased with? Christmas, Preparation THE ANGELIC MESSAGE <br> There have been lots of songs, sermons, etc., written about Christmas but long before the Christmas story is the story of the creation of this world, universe and the human race. The Bible says that God promised the fist couple that there would come a time when someone would come that would put the evil one in his place and would restore the separated human race back to God. Christmas was the selected time of God for that promised one to come. Angels spread the word. Christmas, The Angelic Message THE HUMANITY OF JESUS Hebrews 2:9-17 Galatians 4:4 To many, Jesus was only a human being like everybody else and to others, Jesus is only God. However the Bible reveals that Jesus was/is both, totally human just like us, but also totally God. We don't understand how Jesus could be both, but the Bible is very clear. Jesus is both. Just how "human" was/is Jesus? Both God and Human, Totally CHRISTMAS, GOD'S GIFT TO MAN 2 Corinthians 9:15 Romans 6:23 Isn't Christmas the most wonderful time of the year? All the Christmas presents. There are three things that nobody ever thinks about when they get a Christmas present and they are: "Who gave this to me?" "How much is this gift worth?" Then there is the reaction, the response of the one receiving the gift which can be very varied. We do the same thing with God, think about it. Christmas, Gift From God COME, O COME, IMMANUEL John 2:18-22 Matthew 24:30 The writer of this great hymn captured the mood of Israel as the nation waited for the promised Messiah. Silence from God for 400 years. Had God forgotten his promise to send someone to help them? Little did Israel know that the promised one from God was about to appear, but not in the form of a king or a great warrior. The promised one was coming as a tiny baby. Christmas, "Come O Promised One" WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR MANKIND <br> There's an awful lot that people don't know and a couple of those unknown facts are that they are born enslaved and into a world of darkness. Nobody knows this until God's Word sheds light on their situation. God has provided the only way out of such a situation and it is through His Son, Jesus Christ. God can remove one out of darkness into light and out of slavery into the freedom of being a member of God's family. Darkness Removed, Freedom Given THE TRUE SIGN OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH <br> The true sign of the Christian faith is not a burning bush or two stone tablets of a halo above an angel's head or even a golden crown. The true sign of the Christian faith is a rugged and bloody cross. The Christian faith's life and purpose is that of redemption, deliverance of souls from hell to heaven, from Satan's grasp into God's family. It is the blood that was shed on a certain cross by a certain person that is the true symbol and sign of the Christian faith. Blood, Cross, Christian Faith Sign PETER'S SERMON ON THE RESURRECTION <br> Peter turned out to be a very strong preacher and devoted person but had a stumbling and questionable beginning. After Jesus' resurrection, Peter became a totally different person and over a thousand people were saved during one of his first sermons. Peter preached about the resurrection of Jesus and pulled together the life of Jesus and the purpose of Jesus' coming, dying and being resurrected. Resurrection, Peter's Sermon GILGAL, A PLACE OF RENUNCIATION AND RESTORATION <br> For years Israel had wandered in the wilderness waiting for God to take them to the promised land. Finally they crossed the flooded Jordan river under miraculous circumstances and found themselves in the edge of the promised land. Before proceeding further, God had Israel clean themselves up, circumcise the men and renounce all other beliefs, gods except Him. They then were restored as God's people. Restoration after Renunciation, Gilgal THE WALLS CAME TUMBLING DOWN <br> It was impossible for the walls of Jericho to be brought down by any effort of an army. The walls were brought down when Israel simply walked around the walls for about a week, then on the last day they all shouted and blew trumpets and make a noise and the walls came down. God stepped in and told the people what to do and they did it. Thus it is in the life of the Christian. When we encounter "Jerichos" in our life, we need to do as Israel did, let God handle it for us. Jericho Walls, God's Way THE CAUSE AND CURE FOR SETBACKS <br> Ever pat yourself on your own back? Ever hook your thumbs in your suspenders and brag on what you just did? Ever have someone pat you on the back and brag on you? Felt good didn't it. Israel did that and got defeated real bad. They felt so good about Jericho that they didn't think about going to God about the little place called Ai. What happened? What did they do wrong? What corrections did they need to make? Setbacks, Causes and Cures STRATEGY OF THE ENEMY <br> As long as we live in these bodies down here on this earth, we will be constantly struggling with Satan. He is a master at deception and strategy and can lead us into defeat before we know it. Israel found out how deceptive an enemy can be when the Gibeonites deceived them into making a truce/pact with them. We need to be alert for the strategy of Satan, our greatest enemy. Enemy Strategy, Deception ENTERING LIFE'S HIGHWAY <br> High School graduation is perhaps the most important time in the life of our youth for they are about to enter into the rush and hurry of life on their own. They can be swept under if they don't have support from reliable sources. They are unaware of the awesomeness of living apart from their families and having to depend upon their own resources to survive. Hopefully this "address" will give the graduates something to think about and be a bit of encouragement. Graduating, Entering Life's Highway OBSTACLES AND BARRIERS ALONG THE WAY <br> Israel had a problem. The Jordan river was flooding. God stopped the flooding and Israel walked across to the other side on a dry river bed. Christians also have obstacles and barriers along the way in trying to live as God wants, so how does God help out? Obstacles, Barriers, God's Help THE PLACE TO WAIT <br> Finally Israel was in the promised land but were told to wait. God wanted Israel to realize that they were finally like God wanted them to be and where God had promised them they would one day be and to not forget all that had happened. "Gilgal" became holy ground to Israel. The Christian also has his/her "Gilgal." It is the Cross of Jesus Christ. Wait, Gilgal, Cross GODLY GOALS CAN BE DIFFICULT <br> Israel had been waiting a long time for God to take them to the promised land and they were finding that there were a lot of difficulties in getting to that promised land and occupying it. Thus it is so with the Christian. There is also a land of promise and along the way to it, there are a lot of difficulties. The book of Joshua can be a hand book for the Christian in what to do and what not to do in trying to reach a Godly goal. Goals, Difficulties, Compromise GET IT RIGHT AND TRY AGAIN <br> Ever been "knocked down?" Maybe not actually physically, but something happened that stunned you. You took an unsuspected loss of some kind. That happened to Israel once and it happens to Christians all the time. How does a person trying to do what God wants get back up and try it again after being defeated? What will make it work right the next time? Defeat, Recovery, God's Way TAKING WHAT GOD GIVES Joshua 13:1-6 Why in the world wouldn't a person want what God wanted him/her to have? Would you believe that two and a half tribes of the 12 tribes of Israel didn't want to go over the river into the land of promise after all the waiting and all the struggles to get there? Hold on! We Christians do the same thing too. Not every Christian wants what God wants them to have. God's Gifts, Rejecting, Appreciating KEEP YOUR EYES ON GOD <br> Every once in a while someone stands out from among the rest of us in their relationship with God. They exceed us in faithfulness, loyalty, devotion and blessings. What is their "secret?" How are they able to be such outstanding Christians? Caleb of the Old Testament was such a man. He stood out from among the other 11 tribes and was blessed greatly. Reward, Blessing, Faithfulness, Loyalty DANGERS TO WATCH FOR Joshua 20:1-6; 22:9-34 Some think that once he/she is a Christian all is well and things will be peaceful. Quite the contrary! Israel finally got into their promised land but things were not quiet and peaceful. They were in constant conflict with their enemies and among themselves. So it is with the Christian. There are many things that can cause Christians to not live as they should. Dangers, Enemies, Family Conflicts DON'T PUT GOD ASIDE <br> When the rush and hurry is over we tend to relax, allow things to just go their own way and "catch our breath" we say. Israel did this after finally getting into their promised land. In doing so, they put God aside, not giving Him His rightful place. The Christian is no different for there are times when things happen and before one realizes it, God has been put aside. Leaving God, Forgetting God WE CAN'T SERVE GOD AS HE WANTS ON OUR OWN <br> How many times have we started out to do something great for the Lord only to quit, get defeated, or do a poor job or worse? Now if we do something we really know how to do from past experience, we usually do it well. Doing something God wants us to do has to be done His way and with His power. Israel never did learn that truth, neither have most of us Christians. Serving God, His Way, Our Way AMERICA'S DELIMA <br> Remember "Happy Days?" Well those days are gone, never to happen again considering America's condition of today. What is wrong? Is it the current president? Is it the current government? The president and government of today are but reflections of the entire nation. America has gone away from God. Can America change? Delima, Trouble, America WHAT IS A PROMISE? <br> Everyone has made a promise and has had a promise made to them. Sometimes those promises are not kept, they are broken. What happens when a promise is not kept or is broken? Well, how binding are promises anyhow? What's the difference between a promise God makes and one that one of us makes? Promise, Pledge, Vow WHAT IS IT WORTH? Joshua 2:11-24 Sometimes we are told to "wait." Some people don't like to wait. However, sometimes the wait is worth it. Israel was told by God to wait before entering the land they had been promised. If God was in charge, then why was there a need to wait? God had something that needed to be finished before Israel moved on into their promised land. Worth the Wait LIVING TO THE FULLEST <br> The promised land had been distributed to the 12 tribes according to God's plan but one of the tribes was dissatisfied with what they had been given. Some Christians are like that, they are not satisfied with what God has chosen for them in life and therefore they miss a lot more they could have had from God. Dissatisfied, Unhappy, God's Choices WHO WERE THE SADDUCEES? <br> Of all the people that gave Jesus the most heartache and troble, it was the Sadducees and Pharisees, but mostly the Sadducees. Just who were they anyhow? What gave them the right to aggrivate Jesus as they did? What ever became of them? Sadducees, Big Problem to Jesus WHY SO UNPOPULAR? <br> Christians have never been very popular. As a matter of fact Christians have been hated, hunted, hounded and hurt from the very beginning of Christianity. Why does the world dislike Christians so much? Jesus taught "to love one another" and this certainly applies to Christians because nobody else loves them so if Christians don't love one another, nobody else will. Unpopular Christianity, World Hate TWO KINDS OF FORGIVENESS Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; 1 John 1:9 "Excuse me, pardon me, I'm sorry..." are phrases we use in asking someone to forgive us. Sometimes we find it hard to forgive because we've been really hurt and then sometimes others won't forgive us either. God has His way of forgiving us and to be forgiven by God, we have to do things exactly as God has ordered. Forgiveness, Human and Divine GOD'S CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND SECURE John 16:7-14 Isn't there anything that will last? Isn't there anything we can put our trust in and not be disappointed? We carry insurance on everything we own just in case it fails. Nothing seems safe or secure anymore. There is, however, something that is safe and secure for all eternity and that is God's salvation. Believer's will always be saved because God is in charge. Salvation, Safe and Secure HOW TO REALLY BE VICTORIOUS IN LIFE <br> Ever have to bite your tongue to keep from saying something you should not say in the first place? Ever lose your "cool" and just blow up in anger? Ever just detest someone? What kind of "cross" do you carry as a Christian? There is a way out of all this and victory in all the troublesome areas of your life can be had. If Jesus is really in charge of one's life, victory comes. Victorious Life, Jesus In Control FAITH IS LIKE RUNNING A RACE <br> Ever run in a race? A real race on a track with competitors? What did you wear? An overcoat, boots, gloves, carry a suitcase? Sounds silly, right? Runners in races take off everything they possibly can to lighten their weight so they can run faster. Compare living the Christian life as running in a race of faith. There are many things that can slow the Christian down in his/her race of faith. Race of Faith, Hindrances GOD'S TRANQUILLIZER <br> Pills, pills, pills, we take pills to go to sleep, pills to wake us up. Pills to make us eat, pills to keep us from eating. Pills to calm us down, pills to stir us up. We have tranquillizers for just about everything. Most people don't know that God also has a tranquillizer, something that can if used, bring peace, strength, rest, assurance, comfort and everything a person needs. What is it that God has that not many know about that can be so helpful? Peace, Strength, Assurance, Love SOMETHING WORSE THAN BEING PHYSICALLY SICK <br> If you were in physical danger or your health seriously threatened, what kind of promise would you make God? We forget that there is something far worse than physical dangers or health problems and that is our spiritual condition before God. So, how is your relationship with the Lord Jesus? Sick, Danger, Eternal Destination SONG OF THE VINEYARD <br> Farmers plant, fertilize, water, weed, plow, watch over their crops with much care and effort. In due time the farmer harvests his crops. Sometimes the harvest is hugh, sometimes, average, sometimes poor, sometimes nothing. Suppose the farmer is God and the crop is America. What kind of crop is God getting from our nation of America? America, God's Crop CONDITIONS FOR INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT <br> Becoming a Christian is one thing but living as God wants is something else. However God has provided all that is necessary for the Christian to live exactly as God wants him/her to live. The Holy Spirit is given to the believer to enable him/her to live such a life, however the beleiver MUST do what the Holy Spirit says. Infilling, Holy Spirit, God's Will QUIT STRUGGLING <br> "I'll do it my way, thanks anyhow.." We like to do things our way and make the mistake of trying to do the same thing with the things of God. We try to live as God wants doing things our way and always make a mess of things. Sin is something we just can't overcome on our own. If we would only quit struggling and let Jesus take over, things would be so much better. Struggling With Sin, Abundant Life, God's Way HOW TO BE USEFUL TO GOD Ephesians 5:18 For many the Holy Spirit is a stranger, not very well know, yet familiar enough to sing about and hear sermons about but most believers don't know very much about, therefore their lives are not as fruitful for God as God intends for it is by the Holy Spirit that the believer is used best by God. God intends for His Children to be completely indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Useful, Indwelt, Holy Spirit PARABLE OF THE LIFE-SAVING STATION <br> Christians are given a commission by the Lord to GO out into the world and reach and teach the lost. Sadly most Christians and their Churches are not following Jesus' orders and have become self-centered, self-interested. Read this parable about a life-saving station and see if it describes your Church. Life-saving, Social Club GOD'S TWO MOUNTAINS <br> We have a way of wishing we could turn the clock back to another time in our life. Hopefully no Christian would wish to turn the clock back to the time of Mt. Sinai when Israel encountered God and received God's Commandments, for God has another mountain for the Christian, called Mt. Zion. At one mountain people were forbidden to approach, at the other, people are welcolmed. Forbidden, Welcomed, Temporary, Eternal GRACE IS EXPENSIVE <br> Ever give much thought to the words of "Amazing Grace?" The tune is very popular and is even played by bagpipes but sadly the words are left out. Many people love the tune, but don't have any idea about the words. Through the years a wrong concept of God's grace has developed. Contrary to the belief and teachings of some, grace is very expensive. Grace, Costly, Expensive WHERE WE ALL GO WRONG <br> Know anybody who is perfect? Know anybody who knows everything? Know anybody who never judges others? Know anybody who actually knows what's going to happen tomorrow? Know anybody who always does what God says? All of us are alike in this area. There are some things that God has set for all of us to do but sadly, we all go wrong in doing what God wants us to do. Believe, Live Holy Lives, God's Will THE GREATEST HONOR <br> Ever think that your parents didn't love you because they wouldn't let you do what you wanted to? Have your own children ever told you the same thing about you because you didn't let them have their own way? Ever think the same thing about God when troubles came and He didn't answer your prayers as you thought He should? Did your parents love you? Do you love your children? Well, God loves you more than you think. Love of God, Great Honor I WILL IF I WANT TO <br> Children have a way of saying they will when they won't or don't. Sometimes they say they will only to get the parent or teacher to leave them alone. Sometimes they actually start out doing what they are told, but get side tracked and never finish what they started out doing. Christians are the same way with God. Christians KNOW what God has told them to do but most never get around to doing what God wants. Why not? Obedience, Disobedience HOW TO HURT JESUS <br> Which hurts the most, being hurt by a friend or a stranger? A friend, of course. Have you ever considered that you may have been hurting Jesus by the way you have been treating Him? Jesus complimented the Church of Ephesus but then He states that they have really hurt Him for their love for Him had deminished and He was no longer first in their lives. He had been replaced. Hurting Jesus, Love Deminished A CARING CHURCH <br> Know anybody who is a "snob?" Somebody who cares only about him/herself? They're not very pleasant company are they. Sadly there are churches who act like snobs. They don't care about anybody but themselves, they don't welcome visitors, they don't want anymore new members. Then there are those churches that have become more entertainment centers than places of worship. What kind of church is ours? What kind of church does God want ours to be? Church That Cares FIRST THINGS FIRST <br> There are always instructions, the proper way to do things and then there are always those who don't follow instructions and are determined to do things their own way. However to be in fellowship with God, there are things that must first happen and those things are in God's assigned order. God's Order, Fellowship with God CHRISTIAN IDOLATRY Colossians 3:1-17 "Those people worship idols, don't they know that's wrong?" There is a form of idolatry that Christians are guilty of which is just as wrong and that is an inward form called "covetousness" or just plain "selfishness." The plain fact is that anything that takes God's place of being first in a person's life is a form of idolatry. Inward Idolatry, Covetousness, Selfishness LOST AND FOUND <br> Most stores have a "lost and found" department. People are always losing and finding things and some have even gotten lost themselves or a family member got separated from the rest. Even Jesus' parents lost Him one time. If Jesus' parents could lose their Son, then we can lose Him, too, the same way they did, by becoming interested in something/someone else for a while. Jesus, Lost and Found BE THE BEST FATHER YOU CAN Joshua 24:14-18; Deuteronomy 6:4-12; Luke 15:11-32 Remember the old T.V. series of "Father Knows Best," the "Nelson Family," or the "Bill Cosby Show?" Those dads always had the right answer, were always in charge of their family, and things always turned out just fine. Well, that's not how it really was or is, right? It's hard to be a father and even harder to be the kind of father God wants one to be. Fathers, What God Wants of Fathers


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Title/Reference Title/Reference
A Caring Church, Revelation 3:1-17
A Child's First Classroom, Deuteronomy 6:1-9
A Couple Of Things About "love", 1 John 3:11-18
A Deadly Enemy Within The Church, Deuteronomy 1:5-8
A Definition Of A Christian, Acts 11:26
A Difficult Decision To Make, Hebrews 11:24-26
A Message Without Words, Romans 6:1-14
A Most Often Committed Sin, James 4:11
A Mother's Reward, Exodus 2:7-9
A Prayer That Changed A Life, 1 Chronicles 4:9-11
A Praying And Concerned Father, Job 1:5
A Second Chance, Genesis 35:1
A Silent Sermon, Romans 6:1-14
A Steward Of Service, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15
A Strong Shepherd But Weak Sheep, Isaiah 40:1-11
A Thing Called "grief", 2 Samuel 12:15-23
A Thrilling Discovery, Genesis 28:10-21
A Time Of Accountability, Luke 12:13-21
A Voice From The Dead, Luke 16:19-31
A Walk With God, Leviticus 26:11-12
A Wise Worship Example, Matthew 2:1-12
Address To Graduating High School Seniors, Deuteronomy 7:18
Advice To A Graduate, 1 Timothy 4:12
Afraid To Witness?, Acts 9:10-24
All For Nothing, Hebrews 12:1-3
Allah Or Jehovah?, Isaiah 45:5
Almighty God Is Also A Loving Father, John 3:16
Almost Doesn't Do It, Acts 26:13-28
Almost Persuaded, But Not Quite, Acts 26:24-32
America Is Changing, 2 Chronicles 7:14
America Verses The Rich, Young Ruler, Mark 10:17-22
America's Delima, 2 Timothy 3:1-5
America, Wake Up!, Ezekiel 3:17-19
An Example Of Obedience, Genesis 6:22
An Extra Special Family Meeting, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
An Ordinary Rod, Genesis 3:14-18
And God Became Flesh And Blood, John 1:1, 14
Are Our Sins Really Forgiven?, Romans 6:23
Are There Two Ways To Be Saved?, Ephesians 2:8-9
Are We Losing Christmas?, Matthew 1:18-23
Are We Really Free?, John 8:32-36
Are You A Godly Father?, Proverbs 4:1-14
Assurance Of Salvation, Acts 16:27-32
Assurances From Satan, Matthew 22:2-14
Be Confident About The Bible, Revelation 22:18-19
Be Happy, Jesus Has Come, John 1:26-45
Be Proud, Matthew 8:34-38
Be The Best Father You Can, Joshua 24:14-18; Deuteronomy 6:4-1
Been Pleasing God Lately?, John 14:16-26
Being Filled With The Holy Spirit, Acts 4:31
Being Known In Different Ways, 1 Samuel 16:7
Believe It Or Not, Genesis 1:7, 9, 11, 15, 24
Believing Has Been Made Easier, Matthew 7:13-23
Blind And A Nobody, John 9
Border Line Christians, John 5:24
Bring Our Country Back To God, Lamentations 5:21
Bringing Up Children God's Way, Ephesians 6:1-4
Buried With Christ, Romans 6:3-11
Can The Saved Ever Be Lost Again, Ephesians 2:8-9
Celebrating Christmas The Original Way, Luke 2:17-20
Christian - Attack!, Joshua 10:1-26
Christian Compassion, Matthew 9:36-38
Christian Idolatry, 1 Corinthians 10:14
Christian Soldiers, 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Christian, Do You Remember..., Ephesians 2:1-7
Christian, Get Happy Because..., Acts 1:9-11
Christians Are Commanded To Preach And Witness, Luke 14:16-24
Christians Are To Imitate Christ, Matthew 11:29
Christians Will Be Judged, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
Christmas And Wonderful Thoughts About Jesus, Galations 4:4-5
Christmas Is A Promise Kept, Galations 4:4-5
Christmas Is The Start Of Gathering Broken Pieces, John 3:16
Christmas Means Prophecies Have Been Fulfilled, Genesis 3:15
Christmas, God's Gift To Man, Galations 4:4-5
Christmas, The Word Of God Becoming A Person, John 1:1-14
Chronological Outline Of The Holy Week, John 12
Come, O Come, Immanuel, Isaiah 7:14
Commandment Number Eight: Do Not Steal, Exodus 20:15
Commandment Number Five: Honor Thy Parents, Exodus 20:12
Commandment Number Four: Keep The Lord's Day Apart, Exodus 20:8-11
Commandment Number Nine: Do Not Lie, Exodus 20:16
Commandment Number One: No Other God, Exodus 20:3
Commandment Number Seven: Do Not Commit Adultery, Exodus 20:14
Commandment Number Six: Thou Shalt Not Kill, Exodus 20:13
Commandment Number Ten: Do Not Covet, Exodus 20:17
Commandment Number Two: No Graven Images, Exodus 20:4-6
Commandment Three: Do Not Take The Name Of The Lord Lightly, Exodus 20:7
Complain, Complain, Complain, Lamentations 3:39
Completely Saved, Hebrews 7:25
Concepts Of God Are First Learned From Dad, Proverbs 22:6 Ephesians 6:
Conditions For Infilling Of The Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:18
Confess Your Sins, Proverbs 28:13
Could God Use You?, Joshua 1:9-18
Crossing The Deadline, Matthew 12:31-32
Dangers To Watch For, Joshua 18:1-3
Deacon Ordination Service, Acts 6:1-6
Did You Give God Any Left-overs This Past Year?, Isaiah 44:14-17
Do It Our Way, Genesis 3:7-21
Do You Hear God Every Time He Speaks To You?, Psalms 81:8-14
Do You Love Jesus?, John 14:15,21
Do You Really Want All God Has For You?, Romans 12:1-2
Does God Speak Today?, 2 Chronicles 7:14
Doing Good Is Not Always Enough, Matthew 6:33
Don't Blame Society, Genesis 3:9-13
Don't Forget The One Who Gave The Gift, Luke 17:11-19
Don't Lie, Deuteronomy 5:20
Don't Miss Christmas, Luke 2:1-20
Don't Put God Aside, Joshua 23:1-16
Eager To Find, Matthew 19:16-22
Easy To Say, Hard To Do, Luke 23:46
Encountering God Through Difficulties, John 5:17-20
Encountering God Through Prayer, John 10:2-4
Encountering God Through The Bible, John 8:47
Entering Life's Highway, 1 Timothy 4:12
Eternal Damnation, Luke 16:19-31
Events On Resurrection Day In Scriptural Sequence, Matthew 28
Ever Hear God Speak Directly To You?, John 8:47
Ever Shut The Door On Jesus?, John 20:19
Ever Wish You Had A Donkey Like Your Neighbor's?, Deuteronomy 5:21
Everybody Gets Discouraged, Numbers 11:14-15
Examples At The Cross, Luke 23:42-43
Faith Is Like Running A Race, Hebrews 12:1-2
Faith Of The Unsaved, John 4:46-54
Faith That Is Alive, 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Fellowship With God, Genesis 5:24
Filled With The Holy Spirit, Acts 2:1-4; 38-39
Find It Hard To Forgive?, Galations 5:19-25
Finding God's Way, Numbers 9:15-23
First Things First, John 4:28-31
Five Stages In A Christian's Life, Acts 2:40-43
Follow The Best Plans, Matthew 7:24-27
Following Christ With A Cross, Mark 8:34
Following Instructions Is Rewarded, 2 Kings 5:1-14
Fooling Yourself About God, Malachai 0:6-14
Forgiveness From God? Well Maybe, Matthew 6:14, 15
Forgiveness From The Cross, Luke 23:34
Four Misunderstandings Of Grace, Romans 6:1, 14-15
Four Questions From God, Genesis 3:1-13
Four Truths Of God's Gospel, 1 John 1:8-9
From Chaos To Calmness, Matthew 14:22-23
Fungus Among Us, Jude 1:12
Get It Right And Try Again, Joshua 8:32-35
Get Ready To Meet God, Amos 4:12
Getting Along With God, Matthew 22:37-38
Getting Back In Fellowship With God, 1 John 1:3-10
Getting Ready For Christmas, Luke 3:3-6
Getting Spiritually Renewed, Hebrews 10:32-33
Getting To Know God, Matthew 6:19-34
Gilgal, A Place Of Renunciation And Restoration, Joshua 5:1-10
God And Man Don't Think Alike, Isaiah 55:8,9
God Demands True Worship, John 4:3-42
God Doesn't Seem To Be Enough, Jeremiah 6:16
God Gathers His Family, 1 Peter 2:9; 1:2 Matthew 20:16; 22:14
God Had A Plan Before Christmas, Genesis 3:14-15
God Has A Message Of Love For Everyday, Romans 8:38,39
God Has Revealed Himself In Three Ways, Isaiah 7:14
God Is Calling Our Churches To Repentance, Revelation 2:2-5
God Is God, Genesis 1:1
God Is So Amazing, 1 John 3:16
God Never Comes Next, Luke 9:57-62
God Saves The Best Till Last, John 2:1-10 (v10 Key)
God Says To "open Wide", Psalms 81:10
God Wants To Help, Isaiah 41:14
God's Bridge For Us, Luke 19:10; John 14:6; 10:9; Matthe
God's Call To You And The Results, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
God's Call, The Right Response, Acts 16:9-15
God's Children Are Safe And Secure, John 10:22-30
God's Four Dimensional Love, Ephesians 3:13-19
God's Greatness Unnoticed, Mark 6:45-52
God's Heart Can Be Hurt Too, Luke 19:41
God's Holy Character, Psalms 127:17
God's New Way, Jeremiah 31:31-33
God's Provision For Noah, Genesis 7:1
God's Real House, Acts 7:47-49
God's Tranquillizer, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
God's Two Mountains, Hebrews 12:18-29
God's Word Is Enduring, Jeremiah 36:1-28
God's "never" Is Different, John 10:27-29
God's Grace Is Grace, Ephesians 2:8-10
God's Other Nation, Genesis 12:1-3; 46:27
God's Purpose For Prayer, 1 John 5:14
Godly Goals Can Be Difficult, Joshua 1:1-9
Grace By Any Other Name Is Still Grace, Romans 5:1-2
Grace Is Expensive, 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
Growing Up In The Lord, 1 Peter 2:2
Hard Hearted Or Compassionate?, Psalms 0
Having Problems Doing What God Wants You To Do?, Romans 7:14-25
He Came, Luke 2:1-20
He Is Coming The Second Time, Hebrews 9:28b
Heaven, The Place Of No Tears, Revelation 21:1-4
Heavy Heart, Load Lifted, Psalms 51
Hell Is A Real Place, Psalms 9:13-17
Help In Understanding The Lord's Supper, Matthew 26:19-28
Help The Fallen, Galations 6:1-10
Hidden Sins, Joshua 7
High Living Won't Last, Amos 6:1-8
Hindrances To Prayer, 1 Peter 3:1-7
Hints About Praying, Luke 11:1-4
How Could Jesus Be So Forgiving?, John 13:1-7
How Did Jesus End Up On A Cross?, 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
How Did Things Come Into Being?, Genesis 1:1
How Do You Treat Jesus?, Revelation 3:20
How Far Did Man Fall/go Astray?, Genesis 3
How Far Does Your Belief In God Go?, Joshua 24:14-24
How God Did It, Exodus 12:-17
How Is Your Heart?, Luke 24:13-35
How Much Plainer Can Jesus Make It?, John 6:37
How The Christian Must Live, Ephesians 4:1-3
How The Church Is To Function, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31
How To Be Saved And Know That You Are, 1 John 5:11-12
How To Be Useful To God, Acts 1:8
How To Become A Child Of God, John 1:11-13
How To Get Faith, Romans 10:17
How To Get Rid Of Jesus, John 11:45-54
How To Hurt Jesus, Revelation 2:1-4
How To Pray, James 4:2
How To Really Be Victorious In Life, Matthew 16:24-25
How To Strengthen Our Faith, Hebrews 11:6
How We Live Is What We Believe About God, Hebrews 11:6
I Will Follow You, But..., Luke 9:57-62
I Will If I Want To, Matthew 21:28-30
If A Christian, Then A Cross, Luke 14:27
If The God Of The Bible Is Really God..., Genesis 1:2,3
If You Had But One Year To Live, Psalms 90:12
Images Of Jesus Christ And His Church, John 10:30
Imitating The Character Of Jesus Christ, Romans 13:14
Important To Us Or To God?, 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:2
Is God For You?, Romans 8:31
Is The Christian Hired Or Purchased?, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Isaiah Speaks About America, Isaiah 1:2
Israel's First Obstacle, Psalms 106:9
It Is Finished!, John 19:16-30
It Was God In That Manger, John 1:1
Jesus Christ Died For Us, 1 John 3:16
Jesus Coming With His Saints, Revelation 19:11-16
Jesus Is In The Center, Luke 24:36
Jesus Is Preparing Us A Place, John 14:1-3
Jesus Is Really The Son Of God, John 6:41-42
Jesus Knows Exactly How We Feel, Matthew 14:14-21
Jesus Made Some Great Claims, John 8:56-58
Jesus Was A "people" Person, John 1:1-14
Jesus' Ascention And Present Ministry, Acts 1:9-11
Jesus' Last Week, Matthew 21
Jesus' Substitutionary Death, John 3:14-17
Jesus, Coming For His Saints, John 14:2-3
Jesus, Divine And Eternal, John 1:14
Jesus, The Incarnation Of God, John 1:19-30
Just Who Is God With?, Romans 8:31
Justified, Saved, But Still Accountable, 1 Peter 4:17 Romans 14:12
Keep Your Eyes On God, Joshua 14:6-15
Koinonia, 1 John 1:1-7
Learning From Jesus' Temptations, Matthew 4:1-11
Let's Do Something For The Lord This Year, Matthew 28:19-20
Let's Keep Christmas As It Was, Luke 2:1-20
Living To The Fullest, Joshua 17:14-18
Living Without Sin, Luke 11:13
Lost And Found, Luke 2:43-46
Love For The Lost, John 1:35-42
Man's Condition In A Single Word - Lost!, Luke 15:1-24
Man's Search, Matthew 6:27-33
Many Church Members But Few Serve, Luke 14:25-33
Master Deceiver, Isaiah 14:12
Measuring God's Love, 1 John 3:11
Memorial Day Message, John 15:13
Memorial Day, A Day Of Remembrance, John 15:13 Romans 5:7
Missing God's Mark, Romans 3:23
 Mom, What Kind Of Mother Are You?, Exodus 2:1-3
More Than A Money Tithe Belongs To God, Malachai 3:7-10
Moses Said It First, Exodus 3:1-16
Mothers And Situations Mentioned In The Bible, John 19:26-27
Mothers Are A Little Bit Like God, Isaiah 66:12
Mothers Are Mothers, Exodus 20:12
Mountain Moving Faith, Mark 11:22-24
Need Some Reassuring?, Romans 8:28-39
Neither Christmas Or The Cross Changed God, Malachai 3:6
No Longer Condemned By God, Romans 7:7-8:1
No Neutral Place, John 15:23
Not All Faith Is Saving Faith, James 2:14-26
Not Everybody Can Worship, John 4:24
Not Just The Old Forget, Deuteronomy 8:1-18 (v 11 Key)
Not Your Own Is Second Hand, Borrowed, Philippians 3:10-14
Obstacles And Barriers Along The Way, Joshua 3:1-17
Old Fashioned Holy Ghost Power, Acts 1:8
Old Hymns Have A Message, Acts 9:6
On Which Side Of Easter Are You?, Luke 24:36-53
On Which Side Of Pentecost Are You?, Acts 1:4-8
One Cannot Be Neutral, Galations 1:10
One Mile Or Two?, Matthew 5:38-42
One Plus One Equals One, Genesis 2:21-24
Only God Can Do What God Does, Matthew 28:18-20
Only One Thing Will Work, John 3:1-21
Only Our God Forgives, Micah 7:18-19
Our Children And God's Children, Romans 8:14-17
Our God Is God!, Leviticus 26:11-13
Our Greatest Need, Mark 12:28-31
Parable Of The Four Kinds Of Soil, Matthew 13:3-8; 18-23
Parable Of The Life-saving Station,
Parents Are Role Models, 2 Timothy 1:1-5
Part Angel, Part Devil, Numbers 22:16-18
Pentecost Brought Changes, Acts 1:4-5
Peter's Sermon On The Resurrection, Acts 2:22-36
Planting For The Lord, Psalms 126:5-6
Pleased Or Displeased?, Philippians 4:1-4
Preparation For Revival, Amos 3:3
Preparing For The Revival We Need, Psalms 85:6
Protection From Satan, James 4:7
Quit Struggling, Ephesians 2:8-9
Reactions To Jesus, Mark 1:1-45
Reaping What Is Sown, Galations 6:7-9
Recognizing Our Veterans,
Religion Needs Salvation, Matthew 7:21-23
Repentance, Acts 2:29-39
Resisting God's Call, Jonah 1
Response To God's Blessings, Psalms 116:12-14
Rest After Victory, Joshua 11:15-23
Running From God, Matthew 26:56
Satan Hates God And Allthat Belongs To God, Genesis 3:15
Saved And Sure, John 5:24
Saved By Believing, John 3:36
Saying You Will When You're Not Sure, Luke 9:57-62
Seniors, Take Time And Remember, Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Serving God Part Time, Luke 9:57-62
Seven Steps To Answered Prayer, James 4:3
Shhh...be Still !, Psalms 46:10
Shocking Words From The Cross, Matthew 27:46
Signs Of A Dynamic Church, Acts 11:26
Signs Of A Genuine Christian, 1 John 2:3-6
Some Goals For The Christian, Philippians 3:14-15
Some Inexcusable Facts, Romans 1:20-21
Some Miracles Of Christmas, Matthew 1:18
Some Questions To Ask Yourself, Mark 15:12
Some Reasons To Be Grateful, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Some Scary Words, Hosea 4:17
Some Thoughts About Being Thankful, Psalms 100
Some Who Spoke Out At The First Christmas, Galations 4:4-5
Someone Who Will Always Be There, Malachai 3:6
Something Solid To Stand On, Matthew 7:24-27
Something To Remember As We Start A New Year, Ephesians 2:8-10
Something To Stand On, Matthew 7:24-27
Something To Think About Now, Job 31:14
Something Worse Than Being Physically Sick, John 5:1-14
Song Of The Vineyard, Isaiah 5:1-7
Sooner Or Later Everybody Sins, Matthew 26:69-75
Sorry, No Help Needed, Philippians 1:6
Special Angels Of God, Revelation 2:1-2
Spiritual Deterioritus, Hosea 7:8-9
Standing Still In A Fast Paced Life, 1 Samuel 9:27
Staying Power, Matthew 10:17, 22
Steps To Christian Maturity, 2 Corinthians 6:17
Strategy Of The Enemy, Joshua 9:3-15
Take A Look At God, Genesis 1:1
Take A Look Back At This Past Year, James 4:7-10
Taking The Things Of God Lightly, 2 Samuel 6:1-7
Taking What God Gives, Joshua 12:1-6
That Christmas And This Christmas, Luke 2:1-18
The "cure-all" Remedy, Luke 10:25-37
The "gift And The "gifts", Acts 2:38
The Angelic Message, Luke 2:7-20
The Anger Side Of God, John 3:36
The Answer To Life's Questions, Galations 4:4
The Believer Is Eternally Secure, John 10:27-29
The Believer's Life Is Like Taking A Trip, Mark 4:35-41
The Bible, All About Jesus, John 20:31
The Big Deal About The Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy 5:6-21
The Breath Of God, John 1:32-34
The Cause And Cure For Setbacks, Joshua 7:1-26
The Christian Athlete, Hebrews 12:1
The Christian Graduate, Hebrews 5:11-6:3
The Christian's Christmas Is Different, Galations 4:4
The Christian's Cross, Matthew 16:24
The Christian's Day Of Judgment, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
The Christian's Enemy, James 4:7
The Christians' Two Positions Before God, Romans 5:1-2
The Christmas Story With Songs, Luke 2:1-14
The Church - The Bride Of Christ, Ephesians 5:22-23
The Church - The Army Of Christ, Matthew 16:18
The Church - The Body Of Christ, Colossians 1:18
The Church - The Family Of Christ, 1 Timothy 3:14-15
The Church's Memorial Day, Hebrews 11:32-12:4, 12 John 4:3
The Commandment Christians Seem To Violate The Most, Mark 2:23-28
The Cross Has Changed, Matthew 16:24-25
The Crowd At The Cross, Luke 23:33-37
The Days Of Noah Have Come Back, Matthew 24:37-39
The Downward Journey, Luke 10:30-35
The End Of Time, Mark 13:4-33
The Eternal Symbol, Matthew 27:26-54
The Faith Of Moses, Hebrews 11:24-27
The False Gospel, Galations 1:6-7
The Family Of God, 2 Corinthians 6:16-18
The Final Week, Matthew 21
The First One Ever Mad At God, Genesis 3:15
The Foolishness Of God, 1 Corinthians 1:25
The Gospel In A Single Word, Revelation 22:17
The Great Question, Matthew 27:22
The Greatest Gift To Man, Colossians 1:27
The Greatest Honor, Genesis 1:1
The Greatest Moment Of Your Life, John 1:35-48; 6:37,44
The Greatest Thing To Do For Another, John 1:35-42
The Holy Spirit Part Of God, John 14:16-17
The Humanity Of Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5
The Last Goodby, Matthew 25:35-46
The Lesser Known Of The Holy Three, John 14:16-17
The Light Of The World, John 1:4-9
The Meaning Of Stewardship, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
The Mission Of The Church, Matthew 16:13-18
The Mistake Of Your Life, Matthew 27:3-5
The Most Welcome Word, Revelation 22:17
The Name, Jesus, Matthew 1:19-25
The Nation Of Israel's Rebirth, Ezekiel 36:24
The One Theme Of The Bible, Psalms 119:9-16
The One Thousand Years And Thereafter, Revelation 19:11-20:7
The One Who Knows The Way, John 14:6
The Outcome Of The Cross, 1 Corinthians 15:14
The Place To Wait, Joshua 4:1-24
The Real Church, Matthew 16:18
The Real Thing (saving Faith), Matthew 7:13,14,21,22
The Right Kind Of Church, 1 Thessalonians 1:6-9
The Secret Of Being Happy, John 16:19-24
The See-saw Of Life, Luke 16:19-31
The Significance Of The Resurrection, Matthew 27:62-66
The Sin Of Tolerance, Galations 1:6-11
The Sons And Daughters Of God, 1 John 3:1-3
The Story Is True: Christ Did Rise From The Dead, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
The Three Gardens, Genesis 2:8 - 15
The True Sign Of The Christian Faith, Hebrews 9:22
The Truth We Will Not Face, Luke 16:23
The Valley Of Decision, Joel 3:14
The Walls Came Tumbling Down, Joshua 6:1-20
The Way Of The Transgressor Is Hard, Proverbs 13:15
The Wicked Shall Be Turned Into Hell, Psalms 9:16, 17
The Work Of The Holy Spirit In The Believer, Romans 8:9
The World In The Last Days, Matthew 24:3, 36-39
The World Or Heaven, Which Do You Want?, Matthew 16:26
The World's Greatest Disease, 1 John 3:4
There's A River Blocking The Way, Joshua 3:1-17
Things Are Ready, Are You?, 1 Peter 1:5
Think About It Christian, Ephesians 1:3-14
Thinking About Being Saved?, Acts 16:30,31
Thoughtfulness From The Cross, John 19:25-26
Thoughts About Jesus, Philippians 2:5-11
Thoughts About Sin, Genesis 3
Thoughts About The Resurrection, Mark 16:1-8
Thoughts About The Second Coming Of Christ, Hebrews 9:28
Three "f's" In The Christian's Life, Ephesians 2:8, 9
Three "wills", Revelation 22:17
Three Important Relationships, Hebrews 12:14-17
Three Little Known Facts In A Christians Life, John 14:12-17
Three Major Sins Of A Christian, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Three Ways To Live, John 14:6 Romans 8:9
To Disregard The Scriptures Leaves Nothing, Luke 16:19-31
To Pray Or Obey?, 1 Samuel 15:22
Trouble In A Great Nation, Isaiah 5:8, 11, 12, 18
True Worship, John 4:24
Trusted With An Ability, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Trusted With Things, Proverbs 3:9-10
Turning Temptations Into Victories, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
Two Drivers, Two Destinations, 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Two Kinds Of Forgiveness, Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:1
Two Most Wonderful Words, Ephesians 2:1-5
Two Ways To Eternity, Matthew 7:13-14
Unbelief Is Still Around Today, Mark 6:1-6
Unhappy Christians, Genesis 34:25-31
Unusual Events At That First Christmas, Luke 2:1-24
Urgent Evangelism Needed, Romans 3:10, 23
Visible Faith, Hebrews 11:8-12
Walking In Darkness, John 3:16-20
Want To Get God's Attention?, 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:2
We Are To Go And Tell First, Matthew 28:19-20
We Can't Serve God As He Wants On Our Own, Joshua 24:1-25
What A Choice To Make, Matthew 27:17
What A Morning!, 1 Corinthians 15:1-20
What About "works?", Titus 3:1-8
What About Those Who Have Never Heard?, Acts 4:10-12
What Are You Going To Give The King?, Matthew 2:11
What Are You Waiting For?, John 3:16-18
What Does God Want Back From Christians?, Luke 12:42-48
What Does God Want When He Speaks To Us?, 1 Samuel 3:1-11
What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?, Acts 11:26
What Does The Cross Mean?, Luke 23:33-46
What Does The Record Say?, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
What Exactly Does "salvation" Mean?, Romans 1:16
What God Has Done For Mankind, Colossians 1:12-16
What God Really Wants, John 15:5
What God Wants His Family To Do, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What If Jesus Came Back Tomorrow, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
What If We Could Take A Look Into Heaven, John 14:2
What Is A Promise?, Joshua 1:1-2:24
What Is It Worth?, Joshua 1:10-11
What Jesus Preached Was Clear, What About Our Message?, John 3:3
What Kind Of Man Is This, Luke 2:1-20
What Kind Of Person Ought You To Be?, 2 Peter 3:9-17
What New Things For Old Things?, 2 Corinthians 5:17
What Proves One's Love For Jesus?, John 21:15-17
What Was Jesus Really Like?, John 1:29-36
What Will It Take?, 2 Chronicles 7:15-22
What You Buy Is Yours, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
When A Christian Sins, 1 John 1
When God Is Not Needed, Jeremiah 2:26-29
When God Rules, Matthew 6:10
When Is Jesus Coming Back?, Hebrews 9:28
When Jesus Comes, 2 Peter 3:1-14
When Saved, You Are Saved Forever!, John 10:27-29
When The Ark Of The Covenant Became Just A Box, 2 Samuel 6:1-7
When We Die, Then What?, 1 Corinthians 15
When You Don't Go To Church, Hebrews 10:23-25
Where To Find God, Mark 12:30
Where We All Go Wrong, James 4:11-17
Who Is "god" To You?, Romans 1:21-28
Who Is Jesus?, Colossians 1:15-23
Who Were The Sadducees?, Matthew 16:6, 12
Why Are Unbelievers More Prosperous Than Christians?, Psalms 73:2-17
Why Are You Not A Christian?, Psalms 39:1-7
Why Believe In The Resurrection?, 1 Corinthians 15:12-14; 20-22
Why Criticize The Church?, Ephesians 5:25-27
Why Did God Become One Of Us?, John 14:8-11
Why Does God Love Us So?, Ephesians 2:4-10
Why Is The Church Here?, Matthew 28:19-20
Why Make A Public Profession Of Faith In Jesus?, Matthew 10:32-33
Why So Unpopular?, John 15:18-20
Why Such A Birth?, Luke 1:27
Why We Are Failing To Win The Lost, Mark 9:14-29
Will You Do It?, Matthew 9:9; 19:16 Luke 9:57; 14:16
Winning Souls For The Lord's Sake, Luke 15:4-10
Witnessing Is Like Farming, Matthew 9:37-10:1
Women In The Life Of Jesus, Luke 8:1-3
Worry Or Faith?, Psalms 37:3-7
You Can Be Sure The Bible Is The Word Of God, Revelation 22:18-19
You Can't Get By With Sin, Galations 6:7-8
You Don't Have To Wait To Enjoy God's Goodness, Psalms 1:1-3
Your Assigned Cross, Mark 8:34-38
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